Improvements relating to the Burning of Hydrocarbons for Heating and Lighting Purposes, and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 19th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 24th Nov., 1894
TROYINIONAL BOLTIVATION.
Improvements relating to the Burning of Hydrocarbons for Heating
and Lighting Purposes, and to Apparatus therefor.
We, FREDERICK BARKER HILL, Engineer, of 30 Glengall Road, Old Kent
Road, and ROBERT DANIEL BRETT, Engineer, of 4, Trafalgar Road, Old Kent
Road, both in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :→
The object of our invention is to provide for the utilization of liquid hydro-
carbons for the production of heat or light, in a more efficient and economical
manner than is practicable by the means heretofore employed.
Our said invention comprises an improved method of mixing the hydrocarbon,
after the same has been vaporized, with a large proportion of air, with or without
other suitable gas, in such a manner that the mixture will, when ignited, produce
a very hot flame with the consumption of a comparatively small quantity of hydro-
carbon, and such flame will be produced without the noise which generally
accompanies the burning of hydrocarbons in vapor-burners as heretofore con-
structed.
Our said invention also comprises an improved heater or stove for burning
hydrocarbons, which heater or stove is adapted for cooking, generating steam,
working hot-air engines, heating water for warming rooms and other buildings or
structures, and for various other purposes.
In utilizing liquid hydrocarbons for heating purposes, according to our said
invention, we provide for the volatilization of the liquid hydrocarbons and for the
mixing of the vapor with air, either alone or mixed with other gas, in three or
more consecutive stages, a current of heated air to mix with the vapor being first
induced by means of a jet of the said vapor directed under pressure into a mixing
chamber, and the mixture of air and vapor being then employed for inducing a
second current of air into another mixing chamber, whence it flows through
suitable openings and, on being ignited, produces a flame of great heat in
proportion to the vapor consumed, a further quantity of air mixing with it as it
issues from the burner or burners. Or the mixture from the second mixing
chamber is, if desired, used for creating a further induced current of air into a
third mixing chamber, from which it flows to supply the flame.
We find it advantageous to construct our improved heater or stove as follows,
viz. We provide an annular or other chamber or a coil heated by the flame
from the burner, for the purpose of vaporizing the liquid hydrocarbon; the liquid
hydrocarbon is supplied under pressure to this chamber or coil, by gravity or
otherwise, from a suitable tank or reservoir which is placed at a sufficient height
above the said chamber or coil to obtain the requisite head or pressure, or which is
provided with an air-pump or other convenient means for producing the required
pressure therein.
We sometimes provide the said tank or reservoir, for this
purpose, with a hollow metal ball or sphere or other suitable receiver, into which
air may be compressed to a very high pressure, and which can be put in communi-
cation with the interior of the said tank or reservoir through a suitable reducing-
valve arranged between the tank or reservoir and the said receiver.
The air to he first mixed with the hydrocarbon vapor, is also conducted through
an annular or other chamber or a coil heated by the aforesaid flame. These
heating coils or chambers may be arranged one within the other, or one above
another, or in any other convenient manner. The vapor under pressure is projected
through a nozzle into a mixing chamber, into which it induces a current of the

page_text: heated air. The mixture of air and vapor is projected from this chamber through
a nozzle of larger transverse sectional area than the first nozzle, into another
mixing chamber, into which a current of air is induced from a chamber forming
the base of the heater or stove and communicating with the external atmosphere
through holes or openings of suitable dimensions. The top of the second mixing
chamber is sometimes covered with wire-gauze, through the meshes of which the
mixture of vapor and air issues, the said mixture, on being ignited, burning with a
very hot flame above the wire-gauze. Or the top of the said mixing chamber is
closed with the exception of circular or other slits or perforations for the escape of
the mixture of vapor and air. Or the said mixing chamber is completely closed
at the top and is connected by a pipe or pipes with one or more burners where the
mixture of vapor and air is to be used, in which case suitable provision must be
made for vaporizing the hydrocarbon and heating the air to be mixed therewith,
and for keeping the mixture at a sufficiently high temperature to ensure the
efficient combustion thereof. A suitable cup or trough is provided to receive oil or
spirit for the purpose of heating the air and the hydrocarbon at starting. And
one or more removable plugs are provided, where necessary, to facilitate the
cleaning of the nozzle or nozzles.
Our improved heater or stove may be made of circular or other convenient
form.
We sometimes construct our heater or stove in such a manner that it can be
readily taken to pieces and put together again, for cleaning or other purposes. For
instance, we make the heating chambers with flanges so that they can be secured
by screws or bolts to the upper side of the top of the air-chamber which forms the
base of the apparatus; and we secure the first mixing chamber to the underside of
the top of the said chamber by means of the same or other screws or bolts. The
second mixing chamber is sometimes formed in one piece with the top of the said
air-chamber.
We sometimes combine with our said heater or stove, asbestos or other suitable
material in the form of lumps or blocks or in any other convenient form and so
arranged that it will be heated or rendered incandescent by the flame from the
said heater or stove. The said heater may, if desired, be arranged in an ordinary
grate filled or partly filled with asbestos or the like.
For producing light, we prefer to supply the mixture of hydrocarbon vapor and
air from our apparatus to burners provided with suitable mantles or the like
which will be rendered incandescent by the heat of the flames.
Our improved apparatus will work without attention as long as the supply of
oil lasts. It is very economical and can be made at a low cost.
Dated the 19th day of January 189.1
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Burning of Hydrocarbons for Heating
and Lighting Purposes, and to Apparatus therefor.
We, FREDERICK BARKER HILL, Engineer, of 30, Glengall Road, Old Kent
Road, and ROBERT DANIEL BRETT, Engineer, of 4, Trafalgar Road, Old Kent
Road, both in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of our invention is to provide for the utilization of liquid hydro-
carbons for the production of heat or light, in a more efficient and economical
manner than is practicable by the means heretofore employed.

page_text: Our said invention comprises an improved method of mixing the hydrocarbon,
after the same has been vaporized, with a large proportion of air, with or without
other suitable gas, and more or less heated, in such a manner that the mixture will,
when ignited, produce a very hot and smokeless flame with the consumption of a
comparatively small quantity of hydrocarbon, and such flame will be produced
without the use of any head or pressure of the liquid or with but a small head
or pressure thereof and consequently without the noise which generally accompanies
the burning of hydrocarbons in vapor-burners as heretofore constructed.
Our said invention also comprises an improved heater or stove for burning
hydrocarbons, which heater or stove is adapted for cooking, generating steam,
working hot-air engines, heating water for warming rooms and other buildings or
structures, and for various other purposes.
In utilizing liquid hydrocarbons for heating purposes, according to our said
invention, we provide for the volatilization of the liquid hydrocarbon and for the
mixing of the vapor with air, either alone or mixed with other gas, and more or
less heated, in consecutive stages on its way from the vaporizer to the burner, so
that a much larger quantity of air will be mixed with the vapor than is
practicable in the vapor-burners hitherto constructed, and the liability to con-
densation of the vapor by the cooling effect of the air thereon will be obviated.
We find it advantageous to mix the heated air with the vapor in three or
more consecutive stages, a current of heated air to mix with the vapor, being
first induced by means of a jet of the said vapor directed under a comparatively
slight pressure into a mixing chamber, and the mixture of air and vapor being
then employed for inducing a second current of air into another mixing chamber,
whence it flows through suitable openings, and, on being ignited, produces a flame
of great heat in proportion to the consumption of the hydrocarbon, a further
quantity of air mixing with it as it issues from the burner or burners. Or the
mixture from the second mixing chamber is, if desired, used for creating a further
induced current of air into a third mixing chamber, from which it flows to supply
the flame.
In the accompanying drawing we have shown how our invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a vertical central section showing one form of our improved
apparatus.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing another form or modification thereof.
Figure 3 is also a vertical central section illustrating the application of our
invention to the production of both light and heat.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, a is an annular vaporizing chamber
which is heated by the flame from the burner, for the purpose of vaporizing the
liquid hydrocarbon; and to which the liquid hydrocarbon is supplied through a
pipe bunder a small head or pressure by gravity or otherwise from a tank or
reservoir not shown in the drawing, which tank or reservoir is placed in any
suitable position relatively to the said chamber.
The vaporizing chamber a is provided with a pipe e extending downward from
near the top of the said chamber into the first mixing chamber which consists of
a conical or bell-mouthed piece d, beneath which is a similar mixing chamber d'
forming one end of a curved tube e, the other end of which extends upwards into
the space surrounded by the vaporizing chamber a. This space is closed at the
top by a plate a', and the said chamber is provided on its upper surface with studs
or projections a for supporting saucepans, kettles, or other utensils or receptacles.
The chamber a rests in a cup or tray which is supported upon a hollow base g.
In the said cup or tray f'is placed an annular piece which surrounds the chamber a
and is so formed as to leave a narrow annular opening or series of openings h¹
between it and the said chamber a, through which the mixture of air and hydro-
carbon vapor will pass to the exterior, where it can be ignited and will produce

page_text: an annular flame. A deflecting ring; having apertures j' is sometimes fitted
upon the cup or tray fand is so constructed as to leave a narrow annular space j
between it and the chamber a so that a further quantity of air will enter the holes,¹
and will impinge against and mix with the mixture of vapor and air issuing from
the opening or openings between the annular piece and the chamber a. In
some cases we make this annular space with undulations or divide it up into a series
of semi-circular holes.
The lower end of the pipe e is made in the form of a nozzle, and the said pipe
extends through the bottom of the cup or tray finto the conical mixing chamber d,
so that the vapor from the chamber a will be projected into the said mixing
chamber and will induce into the same a current of air which will mix with such
vapor.
The mixture of air and vapor entering the next mixing chamber will
induce into the same a further current of air which will mix with the aforesaid
mixture of vapor and air. The resulting mixture will be projected against the
underside of the plate a' whereby it will be deflected and will then pass out to
the flame through the opening or openings h' as above described.
The hollow base g encloses the mixing chambers d, ', the lower part of the
tube e and a part of the pipe b, and is provided with holes g' remote from the said
mixing chambers, for the admission of air, so that the air admitted will be heated
more or less by contact with the various heated surfaces before it enters the said
mixing chambers, and consequently it will not cool the vapor sufficiently to
condense the same.
The chamber a is provided with an aperture closed by a screw-threaded plug a³,
above the pipe c so that the said pipe and the nozzle can be easily cleansed when
necessary.
In some cases, we provide the aforesaid supply tank or reservoir with an
air-pump or other convenient means for producing the required pressure therein.
In other cases we provide the said tank or reservoir, for this purpose, with a
hollow metal ball or sphere or other suitable receiver, into which air may be
compressed to a very high pressure, and which can be put in communication, at
will, with the interior of the said tank or reservoir through a suitable reducing valve
arranged between the tank or reservoir and the said receiver.
The form or modification of our invention illustrated in Figure 2 is intended to
be used with a suitable chimney in order to ensure sufficient draught to draw the
vapor and air to the flame, there being, in this case, no head or pressure of the
liquid hydrocarbon supplied, beyond that necessary to maintain the liquid at
the required level in the vaporizer. In this arrangement, the liquid hydrocarbon
is supplied from a tank or vessel k and enters a cup connected with the pipe b,
after the manner of a bird-fountain, whereby the said liquid hydrocarbon is
maintained at a constant level in the vaporizing chamber a. The gas or vapor,
as it is generated, passes through the pipe c down into the first mixing chamber d
in the hollow base g, where it meets and mixes with a current of heated air from
an annular heating chamber m which is arranged concentrically with and above
the chamber a so as to be heated by the flame produced by the burning of the
hydrocarbon. Air enters this chamber through apertures m³ formed in a tubular
extension m² of the said chamber, the area of the said apertures being adjustable
by means of a perforated sliding or turning cap n.
The heating chambers a, m may, if desired, be arranged one within the other,
or one above the other, or in any other convenient manner; they may, moreover,
consist of coils, or be formed in any other suitable manner.
The air heated in the chamber m flows through a pipe p into the first or lower-
most mixing chamber d. The mixture of vapor and air from this mixing chamber
flows into the second mixing chamber into which air is drawn through
apertures d, the area of which can be regulated or adjusted by means of a
perforated slide y. The mixture of air and vapor passes thence through the tube e,
which, in this case, forms the burner, into a chamber above the cup or tray f

page_text: where it is ignited and passes out as a flame through the space surrounded by the
chambers a and m, a further supply of air entering through the apertures f¹ which
are also provided with a sliding perforated plate q for varying the area thereof.
To permit our heater or stove to be very readily taken to pieces and put
together again, for cleaning or other purposes, we make the several main parts to
fit into one another as shown; they may, however, be secured to one another by
screws or bolts if desired.
The top of the tube e is sometimes covered with wire-gauze, through the meshes
of which the mixture of vapor and air will issue, the said mixture, on being ignited,
burning with a very hot flame above the wire-gauze. Or the said mixing chamber
is completely closed at the top and is connected by a pipe or pipes with one or
more burners where the mixture of vapor and air is to be used, in which case
suitable provision must be made for vaporizing the hydrocarbon and heating the
air to be mixed therewith, and for keeping the mixture at a sufficiently high
temperature to ensure the efficient combustion thereof.
Oil or spirit is to be poured into the cup or tray f and to be ignite therein for
the purpose of starting the apparatus.
Removable plugs may be provided, where necessary, to facilitate the cleaning
of the different pipes, chambers or nozzles.
Our improved henter or stove may be made of circular or other convenient
form.
We sometimes combine with our said heater or stove, asbestos or other suitable
material in the form of lumps or blocks or in any other convenient form and so
arranged that it will be heated or rendered incandescent by the flame from the
said heater or stove. The said heater may, if desired, be arranged in an ordinary
grate filled or partly filled with asbestos or the like.
In Figure 3 we have shown an arrangement wherein a perforated mantle or
hood r, formed of magnesium slag or other suitable material, is placed over the
vaporizing chamber a so that it will be rendered incandescent by the heat of
the flame, and light as well as heat will thus be produced. In this case the
apparatus may be provided with a chimney of mica or other suitable material.
If desired, however, mantles or the like of other suitable forms can be used in
conjunction with our improved heater or stove.
Our improved apparatus will work without attention as long as the supply of
oil lasts. It is very economical and can be made at a low cost.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The improved method of providing for the burning of hydrocarbons by
the mixture of the volatilized hydrocarbon with heated air in three or more
consecutive stages and in such proportions as to produce a very hot and smokeless
flame with a small consumption of the hydrocarbon and without any or with but
a small head or pressure of the liquid, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. An apparatus for the purpose above specified, in which suitable pro-
vision is made for vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon and mixing the vapor thereof
with heated air in consecutive stages on its way from the vaporizer to the burner,
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Third. An apparatus for the purpose above specified, comprising a vaporizer
heated by the flame from the burner, and suitable means whereby an induced
current of air more or less heated will be mixed with the vapor from the vaporizer
and one or more induced currents of such air will be subsequently mixed therewith
before the inflammable mixture reaches the flame, substantially as, and for the
purpose, above specified.
Fourth. An apparatus for the purpose above specified, comprising an annular
vaporizer in which the liquid hydrocarbon is volatilized and means whereby the
vapor therefrom is mixed with heated air in three or more consecutive stages,

page_text: and the mixture is then projected through an opening within or around the said
annular vaporizer, substantially as described.
Fifth. An apparatus for the purpose above specified, comprising an annular
vaporizer, a pipe whereby the vapor is conducted therefrom, a tube provided
with two or more conical or bell-mouthed picces into which the vapor is injected
so as to induce currents of heated air into the same through such conical or
bell-mouthed pieces, a tube for conducting the mixture of vapor and air to a
chamber enclosing the said vaporizer, and an annular opening or series of openings
through which such mixture issues, with or without a deflecting ring or annular
piece for causing the mixture of a further quantity of air with the said vapor, all
substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Sixth. The modification of our invention wherein we employ an annular heating
chamber for the supplied air and wherein the vapor and air are drawn up to the
burner by means of a chimney, substantially as described.
Seventh. The modification of our invention wherein we employ a mantle or the
like of refractory material so arranged that it will be rendered incandescent by
the flame from the burner, substantially as described.
Eighth. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing for
the purposes above specified.
¡L. 10th Jan of Oathon 180
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.