IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING IRON AND STEEL, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE- WITH, PART OR PARTS OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS KINDS OF FURNACES, AND FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GASES FOR HEATING AND ILLUMINATING PURPOSES, AND FOR COKING, CARBONISING, OR CALCINING OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Gorman, of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MANUFACTURING IRON AND STEEL, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE-
WITH, PART OR PARTS OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS
KINDS OF FURNACES, AND FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GASES FOR HEATING AND
ILLUMINATING PURPOSES, AND FOR COKING, CARBONISING, OR CALCINING
OTHER SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 27th August 1872, and dated the 4th July 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Gorman at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th July 1872.
I, WILLIAM GORMAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, Nortli
5 Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IN-
PROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING IRON AND STEEL, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
PART OR PARTS OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO
VARIOUS KINDS OF FURNACES, AND FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GASES FOR HEATING
THEREWITH,
·
A

page_text: AND ILLUMINATING PURPOSES, AND FOR COKING, CARBONISING, OR CALCINING OTHER
SUBSTANCES," to be as follows, that is to say:—
This Invention, which relates to improvements in manufacturing
iron and steel, and in apparatus employed in or connected with the said
manufactures, part or parts of such improvements being applicable for
the production of gases for being employed in other furnaces, and for
heating and illuminating purposes, consists of one or more ovens or
chambers placed in a horizontal or inclined position, so that the upper
side or roof of the ovens reflects downwards upon the substances being
treated in them.
Air, preferably heated, is passed over the materials in the ovens, which
on being ignited impart heat to the upper parts or roof of the ovens,
these parts again reflecting the heat downwards upon the coal, black-
band iron ores, or other such substances contained in the ovens, thereby
volatilizing the gases from or out of the materials, the combustion
of which produces heat for coking, carbonising, or calcining the said
materials, and part of this heat may also be used for roasting, calcining,
or burning other materials placed in other ovens, or for heating furnaces,
the air used being heated by causing it to pass through a heat restorer.
The coked coal, blackband ironstone, or other carbonaceous material
operated upon may be withdrawn from the ovens and placed in a
receptacle in order to cool previous to being removed for use, or in the
case of coke or charcoal being the product it may be burned on a grate
or in a chamber provided with twyers or openings to admit a further
supply of air, and the heated gases both from the solid and gaseous part
of the fuel may be used for heating furnaces of various kinds.
1
The system of ovens now described are, under another part of this
Invention, adapted to the upper part of fusing and smelting or calcining
furnaces, in order to coke the coal and prepare the materials previous
to being introduced into the shaft or body of the furnace proper.
Another part of this Invention relates to the production of com-
bustible gases from carbonic acid gas or the products of combustion,
and this consists in passing such gas or products of combustion up or
through a column or layer of fuel contained and heated in retorts,
chambers, or their equivalent.
Combustible gases for producing high temperatures in furnaces are
also produced from coal in retorts after the manner practised in gas

page_text: works, but it is preferred to heat furnaces with the coal gases, and then
to heat the retorts with the gases after they have heated the furnace:
After heating the retorts the gases may be passed through a restorer for
heating air. The coke residue may also be used for producing com.
bustible gases by its partial combustion with air, or air mixed with
steam or carbonic acid gas or the products of combustion. The coke or
part thereof may be employed for other purposes, or for heating tho
retorts when it is required to produce gases for illuminating purposes, or
when they are to be burned in a furnace separate from the gas producer.
To increase the illuminating power of those and ordinary gases they
are burned in a glass chamber with heated air and clay. Lime or
metallic substances may also be heated by the flame for furtherance
thicreof. The air is heated by the products of combustion in a restorer.
.In order to lessen the tendency to oxidise, the reduced metal at the
twyers of smelting furnaces,, a central passage or chamber is constructed
in the shaft of the furnace by which fuel is conveyed directly to the
twyeres whilst the ore and flux are placed in the shaft surrounding or
on each side of the central passage. The shaft and central passage
meet or join into one a short distance above the twyers, and the reducing
gases produced in the hearth are passed up amongst the materials in
the shaft in order to effect their reduction, the central passage being
provided with a cover to close it, thus preventing the escape of gases
therethrough.
According to a further feature of this Invention, the upper part of
smelting furnaces is employed for reducing the ores previous to their
being brought into contact with the full supply of solid fuel; for this
purpose an arch is constructed in order to support the ores in the
upper part of the furnace shaft, and having openings in it for the
purpose of permitting the reduced ores to descend into the lower part
of the shaft, at the same time allowing the reducing gases to ascend there-.
through. The fuel is supplied below the arch, and when coal is the
fuel used the arch is extended in order to effect the coking process
herein-before described. Part of the gases escaping from the shaft of
the furnace, and those from the coal being coked, are applied to heat
the blast and the air for the combustion of the gases. The above objects
may also be attained by dividing the main shaft of a smelting furnace
by a wall into two or more chambers, beginning at the top and ter-
minating a little above the twyers, the fuel and ores being filled into
A
2

page_text: separate compartments so that the fuel interposes between the blast
and ores. By heating and preparing the materials at the upper part of
the furnace, as set forth, the combustion at the twyers is reduced, and
as it is the blast and fuel which chiefly add impurities to and burn
or oxidise the iron, it is obvious that when the work to be done at the
twyers is diminished the metal produced is cleaner, and with purc
ores and fuel a higher class of pig iron and even steel may be produced
directly from the ores. Mixtures of ores and iron and speigel eisen ór
other compounds of manganese may also be introduced in order to pro-
duce definite qualities of cast iron, steel,,or homogeneous metal, an
additional hearth or converter is employed for receiving the metal and
cinder from the hearth of the smelting furnace. This converter is
heated by gases from the hearth which are burned with a further
supply of heated air when necessary, but when higher temperatures are
required gases produced in retorts, as herein-before mentioned, may be
burned with heated air in the converter, and openings or passages are
provided for discharging the metal, cinder, and the gases, by which the
converter has been heated. Doors are provided for introducing to the
converter oxides or carbonates of iron, carburets of iron, carbon,
manganese in its various forms, or other substances for varying the
quality of the metal as desired. In some cases the slag is taken from
the hearth of the smelting furnace without passing it into the converter,
and the metal is or may be retained in the hearth and tapped off at
intervals into the converter, or it may be treated with air or air and
steam for oxidising impurities previous to its being run into the con-
verter. The converter may also be arranged as a separate apparatus
and heated with gases adapted to produce a higher temperature than
those obtained from a partial combustion of coal or coke with air, the
metals may be fused for treatment in the said converter, or they may
be fused or heated in another furnace, on passing from which they may
be treated with air, or air and steam, to remove impurities before being
put into the converter, it being provided with doors and openings for
the purposes referred to, when iron has been frequently heated or burned
it is improved by this Invention by piling it in small fragments as is
usual in welding scrap iron, and granular cast iron, such as borings or
turnings, is interspersed with the said iron, which on being heated adds
carbon to the partially oxidised iron, and in this manner improved iron,
steel and iron, or steel may be produced from scrap or other iron in
small pieces.

page_text: In refining iron according to this Invention, the fluid metal from a
smelting or fusing furnace is passed down an inclined gutter which is
covered with an arch for retaining and reflecting heat on the iron.
Combustible gases are burned in the passage formed by the gutter and
arched roof referred to. Jets of air impelled by steam, by preference
superheated, are projected on the stream of molten iron as it flows down
the incline, so that when it arrives at the bottom most of the impurities
are removed, and as the iron is heated on its passage, steam may be
freely used for removing impurities.
"oxidiser." When the metal
This apparatus may be termed an
arrives at the bottom of the "oxidiser," it is admitted to a covered
It is however
hearth for finishing or balling up in the usual manner.
preferred to employ this "oxidiser" principally for the removal of silicon,
and to employ oxides or carbonates of iron for oxidising carbon and
other impurities, for which purpose shallow vessels are employed, which
correspond with the bottoms or hearths of puddling furnaces, these
being lined with the said carbonates or oxides of iron reduced to powder,
and heated and placed so as to receive the partially refined iron as it
leaves the oxidiser. These vessels are placed on wheels or their
equivalent, for facilitating their being moved from the "oxidiser" to
other furnaces to which they are adapted for keeping the metal hot
while the carbon of the iron, &c., is being oxidised. The iron after
being treated in the manner now described is produced in thin plates
which may be divided while in a fluid state, but if allowed to cool they
are cut or broken into suitable sizes piled and heated, and shingled or
rolled, and the vessels may be relined with carbonates or oxides of iron
and heated for further operations.
Lastly, in the construction of the tubes or passages used in heat
restorers, the improvements under this part of the Invention consist in
making them with square, oblong, or other shaped ends, so that they
may be built up together and more easily repaired, and it is to be
understood that when required, steam boilers may be heated in com-
bination with the furnaces herein-before described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Gorman in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 4th January 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
GORMAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, send
greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the 36th
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Gorman, Her special license
that I, the said William Gorman, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Gorman, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others; from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MANUFACTURING IRON AND STEEL, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH,
PART OR PARTS OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS KINDS OF
FURNACES, AND FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GASES FOR HEATING AND ILLUMINATING
PURPOSES, AND FOR COKING, CARBONISING, OR CALCINING OTHER SUBSTANCES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Gorman,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should parti-
cularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Gorman, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:
My said Invention, which relates to improvements in manufacturing
iron and steel, and in apparatus employed in or connected with the
said manufacture, part or parts of such improvements being applicable

page_text: for the production of gases for being employed in other furnaces, and
for heating and illuminating purposes, consists, firstly, of one or more
ovens or chambers placed in a horizontal or inclined position.
Air, preferably heated, is passed over the materials in the ovens,
which mixes with the gases arising from the said materials so that
they are burnt, and thus heat is imparted to the ovens, and the coal,
blackband iron ores, or other such materials contained in the ovens,
thus coking or carbonizing the said materials. Part of this beat may
also be used for roasting, calcining, or burning other materials placed
in other ovens; it may also be used for heating furnaces, the air em-
ployed being heated by causing it to pass through a heat restorer.
The coked coal, blackband ironstone or other carbonaceous material
operated upon may be withdrawn from the ovens and placed in a
receptacle in order to cool previous to being removed for use, or in the
case of coke.or charcoal being the product it may be .burned on a grate
or in a chamber provided with twyers or openings to admit a further
supply of air, and the heated gases both from the solid and gaseous
part of the fuel may be used for heating furnaces of various kinds.
On Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto appended, Figures 1 to 5
represent an oven constructed in accordance with the first part of this
Invention for coking coal and roasting, coking, or reducing blackband
or other iron ores or ironstones. Figure 1 is a horizontal section of the
oven on the line A, A, Figures 2, 3, and 4; Figure 2 is a longitudinal
section thereof on the line B, B, Figures 1 and 5; Figures 3 and 4 are
respectively transverse sections on the lines C, C, and D, D, Figures 1
and 2, whilst Figure 5 is a horizontal section of the same on the line E, E,
Figures 2, 3, and 4. The air for burning with the gases within the oven
passes in by a regulating valve a, Figures 1 and 3, to a passage b, by
which it is conducted to the first or lowest series of tubes in the heat
restorer c, situate underneath the oven d, as shewn. The air, after
having passed through the first or lowest series of tubes of the heat
restorer returns through the upper series, as indicated by the arrows at
Figure 2, and on escaping therefrom it rises through a passage e and
enters the oven d by the side openings f, therein meeting and burning
with the gases evolved from the coal, ironstones, or other such substance
being coked or heated in the oven, The products of combustion pass
from the oven d over the bridge and enters a passage h, by which
they are conducted to the heat restorer c, in passing through which.

page_text: The air
the waste products of combustion circulate amongst and around the
tubes thereof imparting their heat to them, after which they may be
conducted through the passage i situate at the lower part of the heat
restorer direct to a chimney, or the heat still retained in the waste
products of combustion may be further utilized for generating steam
or for other convenient purposes. In heating the oven a coal is laid
on the hearth and kindled, the door is then closed and kept air
. tight, air is admitted as herein-before described to the oven d.
at the commencement of the heating operation is cold, but when the
tubes of the heat restorer c become heated by the passage amongst and
around them of the waste products of combustion the air becomes
raised to a high temperature. The hearth / of the oven d is made thin,
as shewn.
It is heated from beneath by the waste products of com-
bustion after such have passed into the heat restorer c situate immediately
below the hearth . By means of this arrangement economy of heat
is effected, and as the air conducted into the oven d through the
openings f, does not pass through the solid part of the coal, the said
coal is not materially consumed, and when coked it is withdrawn from
the oven d for further use. The oven herein-before described and
shewn at Figures 1 to 5, Sheet 1 of the Drawings, may in addition to
being employed for coking coal be also used for roasting or reducing
ores of iron. Blackband ores in most instances contain sufficient car-
bonaceous matter to coke them, but in treating clay or other carbonates
or oxides of iron which are poor in carbon, coal or other carbonaceous
matter is mixed therewith in quantities sufficient to supply the requisite
amount of heat and carbon for the torrefaction, carbonization, or
reduction of these ores, and in preparing minerals for smelting the coal
necessary for the smelting operation may be coked, the ores reduced,
and the limestone burned together in proper proportions in the oven d.
A passage m is constructed above the bridge g, as shewn at Figure 2,
Sheet 1, which is provided with a cover or slide n, and when the ores
being treated in the oven d contain carbonic acid and moisture, or
sulphur, the cover or slide is at the commencent of the operation
removed from the passage m in order to allow such to escape. The
passages h. leading to the heat restorer c are also provided with slides
or doors p, as shewn at Figure 2, which are regulated or adjusted so
as to prevent carbonic acid, moisture, and sulphur vapours from passing
into the heat restorer c, and a damper (not shewn on the Drawings) is
also provided in the passage i, by which to regulate the draught of the.

page_text: chimney, When ores are being deoxodised in the oven d the door / is
luted with clay, or otherwise made air tight, and coal is spread over the
ores to supply carbon, and at the same time to prevent as much as is
practicable the access of air to the ores, and when the temperature has
been raised sufficiently high within the oven d the supply of air thereto
is partly or wholly shut off by closing the regulating valve a, the passage
of the products of combustion to the chimney is also for a period of
time partly or wholly prevented by means of the damper situate in the
passage. When the coal has been coked and the ores deoxidised to
the required extent they are withdrawn from the oven d into a close
vessel and covered with small coal or a close cover, in order to prevent
rcoxidation, and the coke and ores may thereafter be conveyed to a
smelting furnace, or they may be cooled with water or otherwise..
Previous to conducting the heated products of combustion through
the heat restorer as herein-before described in reference to the oven illus-
trated at Figures 1 to 5, Sheet 1 of the Drawings, the said heated.
products may be caused to pass through other ovens on their passage to
the heat restorer, in which other ovens they may be employed to calcine
or roast ores, limestones, or other materials. A series of ovens con-
structed in accordance with this arrangement is illustrated in longitudinal
section on the line B, B, Figures 7, 8, and 9; at Figure 6, Sheet 1, in
transverse section on the line A, A, Figures 6 and 8 at Figure 7, and in
horizontal section, respectively on the lines D, D, and C, C, Figures 6
and 7 at Figures 8 and 9. As shewn by these Figures, this arrangement
of ovens consists of a series of coking chambers a, and a corresponding
series of calcining or roasting chambers b, placed back to back and
inclined from their outer towards their inner ends, as shewn at Figure 6.
The heat restorers c are placed above the ovens a and b as shewn, and
the air for promoting combustion of the gases evolved by the coal or
other material being treated in the ovens a enters by the regulating
valve d, shewn at Figure 6, and thence passing through the tubes of the
heat restorers c enters the passages e, from whence it escapes into the
ovens a through ports or openings f, shewn at Figures 6 and 8. The
heated products of combustion pass off from the ovens a into the ovens b,
through openings g, which communicate between the inner ends of the
ovens a and the calcining or roasting ovens b. By this means the heat
of the products of combustion is first caused to calcine or roast the ores
contained in the ovens b, from whence the said products pass through

page_text: openings into the heat restorers c, wherein they circulate around and
heat the tubes of the heat restorers, after which they pass off through the
passage to the chimney. The draught is regulated in the ovens now last
described in the manner herein-before set forth. Chambers m are situate
beneath the ovens a and b, into which the coke and roasted or calcined
ores are passed through openings & formed in the hearths of the ovens, as
shewn at Figures 6 and 8, from which chambers the coke and ores are
afterwards withdrawn through doorways o. Under another arrangement
illustrated at Figures 10 to 16 inclusive, Sheet 1 of the Drawings, the
heated products of combustion in passing off from the coking ovens may
first be utilized for heating furnaces, and thereafter and before finally
passing to the chimney be employed to heat the air for promoting com-
bustion of the gases in the coking ovens. At these Figures a set of four
coking ovens is shewn in conjunction with a reverberatory furnace.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of the arrangement on the line E, E,
Figures 14, 15, and 16, Figures 11, 12, and 13 are respectively transverse
sections on the lines F, F, G, G, and H, H, Figure 10; and Figures
14, 15, and 16 are respectively horizontal sections on the lines A, A,
B, B, and C, C, Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13. The air for effecting the
coking of the coal in the ovens a is supplied thereto through the passages
b, commencing at the end of the reverberatory chamber c, furthest
removed from the ovens a, as more particularly seen at Figure 10. The
air passes along the ducts or passages in the direction of the arrows,
Figure 10, thence through the tubes of the heat restorer d, and returning,
passes through the ducts e and enters the ovens a by openings f. Con-
tracted orifices are formed in the ducts or passages e, as shown at
Figure 10, through which air passes; this air meets the products of
combustion and unconsumed or partially consumed gases from the ovens
a at the entrance to the reverberatory chamber c, and these together
entering the said chamber in a highly heated state are ignited and
act upon the substances contained therein. From the reverberatory
chamber c, the waste products of combustion pass through the passages
or ducts h, which return underneath the reverberatory chamber c and
terminate at the heat restorer & after circulating amongst the tubes of
which the said waste products are conducted through the passage K to
a chimney, or utilized in generating steam or for other purposes.
Under this modification of my said Invention the heat restorer may
be dispensed with as the air is heated whilst passing through the ducts

page_text: In cases
or passages situate underneath the reverberatory chamber c.
wherein the heat restorer is dispensed with the air is conducted direct
to the chamber e, and thence passes into the ducts and a bottom or
sole is situate at about the level of the highest tubes of the heat restorer
in order to confine the waste heat to the bottom of the lower ovens a,
after heating which the remaining heat is further utilized or the waste
products of combustion are conducted direct to the chimney.
Figures 17 to 21, inclusive, Sheet 1, of the Drawings, illustrate
another arrangement of the coking oven as applied to reverberatory
furnaces. Figure 17 is a longitudinal section of the arrangement on
the line E, E, Figures 18 and 19, which are respectively horizontal
sections on the lines C, C, and D, D, Figures 17, 20, and 21, and
Figures 20 and 21 are respectively transverse sections on the lines B, B,
and A, A, Figures 17, 18, and 19. As shewn by these Figures a com-
bustion chamber a is situate underneath the coking oven b, into which
the coke after the gases have been expelled from the coal in the coking
oven bis raked, an opening c being formed in the hearth of the oven for
that purpose, as shown at Figures 17 and 18. The heated products of
combustion from the coal in the oven band from the. coke in the
combustion chamber a mingle at d, and pass into the reverberatory
chamber e wherein the heat evolved from them is utilized in acting upon
the substances contained in the said chamber. Air is supplied to the
oven and combustion chamber a through the channels or passages f
situate underneath the reverberatory chamber d, as shewn at Figures 17
and 20, the air being either first caused to pass through a heat restorer 1,
into which the heated products of combustion are conducted from the
reverberatory chamber e by the channel or passage k, Figures 17, 18,
and 19, or the air may be conducted direct from the channels or
'passages f into the coke combustion chamber a and coking oven b, in
which case the heat restorer is dispensed with.
The system of ovens herein-before described and illustrated on Sheet 1
of the Drawings is under another part of this Invention adapted to the
upper part of fusing, or smelting, and calcining furnaces in order to coke
the coal and prepare the materials previous to their being introduced
5 into the shaft or body of the furnace proper. This arrangement is
illustrated at Figures 22 to 20, Sheet 1 of the Drawings, Figures 22
and 23 being respectively horizontal sections of the furnace on the
lines A, A, and B, B, Figure 24, which Figurc. is a longitudinal section.

page_text: of the furnace on the line E, E, Figures 22 and 23, Figures 25 and 20
are respectively transverse sections on the lines D, D, and C, C,
Figures 22 and 23. The ovens a as shewn by these Figures are situate
above the body of the furnace b, the heat restorers c being placed at the
sides of the furnace. The fuel, ores, and fluxes are spread on the hearths
of the ovens a, either mixed in proper proportions or separately as
desired, and the ores may be covered with a portion of the fuel to
prevent reoxidation. Part of the smelting furnace gases and the
combustible gases from the materials placed in the ovens are burned in
the ovens a over the materials, so as to coke the coal and reduce or
partially reduce the ores and roast the limestones, which are then pushed
down the inclined bottom of the ovens and through openings d formed
at the inner ends thereof into the body of the furnace. The ovens a
are recharged immediately on being emptied. The air for burning the
gases is heated in the tubes in the upper part of the restorers c into
which it enters by the upper passages f, thence circulating through the
tubes as indicated by the arrows is conducted to the chamber situate
between the two sets of ovens, as shewn, from whence the heated air
passes through the openings into the ovens a, and therein consumes
the gases as hercin-before set forth, after which the products of com- .
bustion enter the passages and escape into the heat restorer c, through
which they pass to the flues m and are conducted therethrough to. the
chimney. The blast for the furnace enters the heat restorers c at the
lower passages w and proceeding through the tubes in the lower part
of the heat restorer c is heated on its way to the twyers ¹, from whence
it is blown into the furnace in the usual manner. The under parts of
the heat restorers may be made of iron, or blast heaters of the usual
description may be employed to heat the blast. A portion of the.
furnace gases may be taken off at was shewn in dotted lines at
Figure 25, and employed for generating steam or for other purposes.
The second part of my said Invention relates to the production of
combustible gases from carbonic acid gas or the products of combustion,
and it consists in passing such gas or products of combustion up or
through a column or layer of fuel contained and heated in retorts,
chambers, or their equivalent.
This part of my said Invention is under one modification carried into
effect in an arrangement of retorts illustrated at Figures 1 to 6, Sheet 2,

page_text: Figure 1 is a vertical section of the arrangement on the line G, G,
Figures 2, 4, and 5. Figure 2 is also a vertical section taken at right
angles to Figure 1, and on the line F, F, Figures 1 and 6, whilst Figures
3, 4, 5, and 6 are respectively horizontal sections on the lines A, A,
B, B, C, C, and D, D, Figures 1 and 2. The production of combustible
gases by means of this arrangement of retorts is a developement of the
system of reducing ores, coking coal, and producing combustible gases.
in retorts placed in the upper part of a smelting furnace, as set forth in
the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me (No. 3277, A.D. 1869),
but in this instance instead of heating the retorts by gases produced by
combustion of fuel by blast at the twyers of a smelting furnace as
therein specified the retorts are heated by consuming a portion of the
gases produced in the retorts. The retorts a are open at the top and
bottom, each pair of retorts opening at their lower extremities into a
space provided with a fire-grate c and doors d, as shewn at Figure 2,
Sheet 2, and the retorts are shewn divided into groups of 4, the supply
of material to the retorts being effected by the well known cup and conc
arrangement e, similar to that employed in blast furnaces; the gas
outlets may be provided with valves which are closed when the cone
is lowered it order to prevent the escape of gas through the cup, or each
retort may be provided with a charging valve in lieu of the
and cone
and the gas may be taken off from each retort singly, and trapped by
water or liquid joints as in gasworks. A number of the retorts a may
also be employed for producing gas for heating the whole "setting" or
group of retorts, the gas proceeding therefrom being kept separate and
used for that purpose, in which case these retorts may be fed with
inferior fuel or coke, or refuse containing carbon or hydrocarbons
suitable for producing combustible gas, the retorts may also be set in
a rectangular or other shaped oven or space as desired. When the fucl
for the production of the combustible gas has been filled into the
retorts a it is at first kindled on the grate c, a little air being allowed
to enter by the doors d to produce gas for heating the apparatus to a
high temperature. Air for consuming the gases is heated in the heat
restorers placed at the upper part of the apparatus, as shewn, the air
first entering by the passages h, traverses the tubes of the heat restorers f
and enters the apparatus at k, Figures 2 and 4, and the gases for
heating the retorts are in this instance burned at the upper part, but
they may be burned at the bottoms of or below the apparatus as in the
apparatus included under the Letters Patent before referred to. Parts
cup

page_text: of the gases on leaving the retorts a are led through the passages 1,
Figures 2, 4, and 5, and are consumed in the space m by jets of air
entering through the apertures n, and when the apparatus is heated up
the doors & are shut close to prevent air from entering thereby, and the
slide o, Figure 1, is opened to allow part of the gases consumed for
heating the retorts to pass through the opening p and to be injected by
an air or steam jet or a mixed jet of air and steam conducted through
the nozzle into the space b, Figure 2, from whence the products of
the consumed gases pass under the grates c, whence they rise up through
the fuel contained in the retorts a, wherein the steam or air and car-
bonic acid are supplied with carbon and heat to form carbonic oxide
and hydrogenous gases; combustible gases are thus produced without
burning the solid fuel, and the gases on leaving the retorts a are
conducted away by the passages l', Figure 4, to heat furnaces of various
kinds.
This apparatus may be so modified and adapted to furnaces that the
heat escaping from such furnaces may be used to heat the retorts, in
which casc none of the gas produced in the retorts is consumed for that
purpose, in which case heat restorers may be dispensed with.
The apparatus is also adapted to the upper part of smelting furnaces
for reducing the ores, coking the coal, or heating the materials, as
hercin-after set forth. Walls & are built between the outside rows of
retorts a, as seen at Figure 6, and by dotted lines at Figure 1, by which
the retorts are connected to each other and also to the retort chamber,
the said walls forming two compartments at opposite sides of the retort
chamber, as shewn. The walls & are continued from the top to near
the bottom of the apparatus, leaving sufficient passage for the gases
at u, Figure 2. The gases enters into combustion at m, and passing
down amongst the retorts to the lower parts thence pass through the
openings at u, and ascend by the side compartments up through the
heat restorers f to the chimney, as indicated by the arrows.
The re-
torts a are strengthened and supported by brickwork where necessary,
but to avoid confusion the supports are not shown on the Drawings.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, Sheet 2 of the appended Drawings, show
another arrangement of retorts a, which are in this instance placed
round a central passage b, each retort in horizontal section being seg-
mental, as shewn at a, Figures 10 and 11. Figure 7 is a vertical section
of the arrangement on the line D, D, Figures 9, 10, and 11; Figure S, a

page_text: vertical section on the line E, E, Figures 9, 10, and 11; and Figures 9,
10, and 11 are respectively horizontal sections on the lines A, A, B, B,
and C, C, Figures 7 and 8. This arrangement may also have grates,
doors, and a space adapted to the bottom of the retort a for the purpose
herein-before set forth, and as means of injecting the hot products of
combustion with steam or air to form combustible gases. The apparatus,
as shewn on the Drawings, is adapted for coking coal and reducing
iron ores or ironstones, and each retort a is provided with a door c at the
bottom for withdrawing the coke and reduced or partially reduced iron
ores or ironstones.
The apparatus last set forth and illustrated at Figures 1 to 6, Sheet 2,
may also be used for this purpose by adapting suitable openings and
doors at the bottoms of the retorts. A cup and conc d is employed to
charge the retorts a, and the spaces or flues e between the retorts have
sloping covers, so that the materials may not lie on them. Supporting
walls are placed between the retorts a, and also between the retorts
and the wall of the surrounding chamber, which walls form flues and
permit of the circulation of the gases used for heating the retorts, whilst
acting as supports to the retorts themselves.
In commencing to work the arrangement of retort illustrated at
Figures 7 to 11, the doors c at the bottoms of the retorts are opened and
the fuel therein is kindled, thereby forming gases which rising from the
retorts a, pass outward by the channels x, Figures 7, 8, and 9, then down
to g, Figure 7, where they meet with heated air from ducts at h, and
are burned in the chamber , which opens into the central passage b
and the passages e between the retorts. The burning gases pass down
the foresaid passages, and arriving at the bottom pass outwards and
up through the outside passages to 1, and thence through the heat-
restorers n to the chimney, whilst the air to be heated enters the
heat restorer n by regulated passages at m, shewn by dotted lines at
Figure 8, and passing through the heat restorer tubes as aforesaid unites
with the gases to be burned at g¹, to heat the retorts.
Combustible gases for producing high temperatures in furnaces are
also produced under the third part of this Invention from coal in retorts
after the manner practised in gasworks, but it is preferred to heat
furnaces with the coal gases, and then to heat the retorts with the
gases after they have heated the furnace, as is herein-after described in
reference to a succeeding Sheet of Drawings. After heating the retorts

page_text: the gases may be passed into a restorer for heating air. The coke
residue may also be used for producing combustible gases by its partial
combustion with air or air mixed with steam or carbonic acid gas or the
products of combustion. The coke or part thereof may be employed
for other purposes, or for heating the retorts when it is required to pro-
duce gases for illuminating purposes, or when they are to be burned in
a furnace separate from the gas producer.
Figures 12 to 17, Sheet 2, shew a series of retorts such as those used
in gasworks heated according to this Invention. Figure 12 is an end
elevation; Figure 13 is a transverse section on the line B, B, Figures 14
and 15; Figure 14 is a longitudinal section on the line C, C, Figures 16
and 17; Figure 15 is a longitudinal section on the line D, D, Figures 13,
16, and 17; Figure 16 is a transverse section on the line A, A, Figures 14
and 15; and Figure 17 is a horizontal section on line E, F, Figure 15.
As shewn by these Figures the retorts a are charged and drawn at both
ends, and are supported in walls b, crossing the retort chambers, which
walls rest on arches c forming the roof of the heat restorers d at the
side chambers, the central arches being supported on a wall e. The
retorts are provided with hydraulic mains and purifiers as used in gas-
works, but if the gases are only to be used for producing heat they may
not require purification, in which case they are led direct from the
hydraulic main to the furnace or furnaces for combustion. Part of the
gas produced in the retorts a may be employed for heating the retorts
when it is desired to produce coke for smithy purposes or for domestic
use, or some of the retorts may be charged with coal not adapted for
producing gas for illumination but suitable for heating, the gas from
such retorts being kept separate from the main gas producer and used
for heating the retorts only.
A gas producer similar to either of those herein-before described may
also be employed to produce gas for heating the retorts a, or the ovens
herein-before described and shewn on Sheet ]. of the Drawings may be
employed to heat the retorts when it is desired to produce coke. Two
furnaces h, approximately of the description usual in gasworks but made
a little deeper, are employed to heat the retorts. Coke from the retorts
or an inferior coal may be used effectively in those furnaces, or com-
bustible gas from another source may be led into the furnace spaces, in
which case the entrances for fuel and air are closed up. The furnaces /
are situate underneath the central retort chamber, and are provided

page_text: with evaporating pans as usual in gasworks, but made to fit within the
doors put on the ash-pit, as shewn at Figures 12. The furnaces are fed
through doorways placed higher up than usual, as shewn at Figure 12,
and are partially supplied with air through the heat restorer ad from
below the grates, and by a regulating valve e. The supply of air is
regulated or restricted so as to produce carbonic oxide and not carbonic.
acid gas, as is usual in such furnaces. The carbonic oxide gas passes.
out of the furnaces by passages m, and meeting with highly heated air.
at g, Figures 15 and 17, is consumed. The products of combustion
passing on below the arches o, o, ascend amongst the retorts in the
centre oven, and passing out by the ducts p, p, Figures 13 and 16,
descend between the retorts in the ovens on each side down through the
ducts 8, 8; Figures 13 and 14, to the heat restorer d, passing out at t, t,
at the bottom thereof to the chimney, as indicated by the arrows.
air enters the heat restorer d at u, u, Figures 14 and 16, and after
passing through the lower series of retorts supplies the grate with air
by ducts v, v, Figures. 13, 14, and 15.. The air then returns through the
upper passages 10 to vents x, x, and unites with the fire gases.
The
To increase the illuminating power of the gases produced as herein.
before described these gases when employed for illuminating purposes
are, under the fourth part of this Invention, burned in a glass chamber
with heated air and clay. Lime or metallic substances may also be
heated by the flame for furtherance thereof, and the air is heated by the
products of combustion in a heat restorer.
Figures 18 to 23, Sheet 2, are sections of lamps or apparatus con-
structed for the purpose of increasing the illuminating power of burning
gases.
Figure 18 is a section on the line A, A, Figure 19, and Figure 19 is"
a section on the line B, B, Figure 18. The air for promoting combustion.
enters at a, a, and ascends to the upper part of the lamp, as indicated
by the arrows, and in passing through and surrounding the restorer
tubes.b, b, is heated, after which it descends the centre tube c, to the
burner x.
The centre tube c is formed with openings at the bottom as
shewn, and the burner has air holes through it, to allow the air to pass.
to the outside and inside of the flame. The gas is supplied to the burner'
as usual, and a valve d is applied at the top, as shewn at Figure 19, to
regulate the exit of consumed gases. The restorer tubes b, b, and centre
tube c, may be made of metal, the outside shade e is of glass and also
B

page_text: the shade marked f. The barrel g is made of clay or other refractory
substance which on being highly heated becomes luminous, and gives.
light from gases having great heat and little light.
Figures 20 and 21 shew a lamp with a heat restorer which may also
be of metal; Figure 20 is a horizontal section on the line D, D, Figure 21,
and Figure 21 is a vertical section on the line c, c, Figure 20, there are
three glass shades e, f, and g, and the gas is supplied by a burner at h.
The heat restorer tubes i, are seen in sections at Figure 20. The air
enters at a and ascends to the heat restorer i, and circulating amongst
the tubes becomes heated, and thereafter passing down between the
shades fand g enters to the inside of the shade g at h and promotes com-
bustion of the gas at the burner, after which the products of combustion
ascend through the restorer tubes i, i, the upper ends of which are fitted
with a regulating valve m, m, for regulating the exit of the gases. The
inside shade g may be made of different shapes for particular kinds
of gases, so as to cause a greater rush of air when required.
Figures 22 and 23, shew a lamp in which the air is heated by glass
shades. Figure 22 is a section on the line F, F, Figures 23, and Figure 23
is a vertical section on the line E, E, Figure 22. There are three
shades e, f, and g, provided with a cover h, as shewn; the cover and
shade g have openings i, i, formed in them, and the cover / can be
turned round on its seat so as to limit the escape of the gases and answer
as a regulating valve. The gas enters the lamp by the burner w, and the
air at the openings a, a, from which it rises up between the shades e
and f, and passes down between the shades ƒ and g to the bottom of the
lamp, thence through the openings v, v, to the interior of the shade g,
as shewn by the arrows, wherein it consumes the gases. The ascending.
products of combustion heat the shade g, the heat being communicated
therefrom to the air passing down on the outside of the shade as
indicated by the arrows, and finally escaping through the openings i, i.
According to a fifth part of my said Invention the upper part of
smelting furnaces is employed for reducing the ores previous to their
being brought into contact with the fuel. For this purpose an arch is
constructed in order to support the ores in the upper part of the furnace
shaft, the said arch having openings formed therein for the purpose of 3
permitting the reduced ores to descend into the lower part of the shaft,
at the same time allowing the reducing gases to ascend therethrough.
Part of the gases escaping from the shaft of the furnace and those from

page_text: the coal being coked are applied to heat the blast and the air for the
combustion of the gases.
The object herein-before set forth may also be attained by dividing
the main shaft of a smelting furnace by a wall into two or more
chambers, beginning at the top and terminating a little above the twyers,
the fuel and ores being filled into separate compartments, so that the
fuel interposes between the blast and the ores.
One system under which this part of my said Invention is or may be
carried out in practice is illustrated at Figures 1 to 5, Sheet 3 of the
appended Drawings. This arrangement consists in a combination of the
retorts herein-before described and shewn at Figures 7 to 11, Sheet 2 of
the Drawings with a smelting furnace. The retorts are situate at the
upper part of the smelting furnace, and are supported on arches a, a,.
having openings therein as herein-before mentioned, as shewn at
Figures 1 and 2, the bottom the retorts d being removed so that they
open freely into the main shaft e of the furnace, as shewn at Figure 2.
The minerals are charged into the retorts by a cup and cone, and are
heated as they pass downwards through the retorts d, the gases from tho
furnace e passing up through the retorts, or a portion of the gases may
be taken off at the openings b, b, which communicate with an annular
fluc c, c, from whence the gases may be conducted to a heat restorer or
other apparatus to heat the blast, or to generate steam, or the gases may
be taken off at the upper ends of the retorts as herein-before described
in reference to Figures 7 to 11, Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Figures 6 to 11, Sheet 3, shew the apparatus illustrated at Figures 1
to 6, Sheet 2 of the Drawings, applied to the upper end of a blast furnace;
the bottoms of the retorts a are removed, and the apparatus is supported
on arches c so that the passage down through the retorts into the furnace d
is not obstructed. Part of the furnace gases may also under the
arrangement be taken off at b, b, Figures 6 and 7, in lieu of passing the
whole of the gases up through the retorts, and which portion may be
employed for heating the blast, or in generating steam, or the whole of
the furnace gases after passing upwards through the retorts a may be
taken off at the upper ends thereof through the passages f,f, Figure 9,
as herein-before described in reference to Figures 1 to 6, Sheet 2, of the
Drawings. Figures 12 to 18, Sheet 3, shew a modified arrangement of
retorts as applied to produce gas for heating a reverberatory furnace.

page_text: '
valve k.
Figure 12 is a longitudinal section on the lines B, B, Figures 13, 14, 15,
and 16; Figures 13, 14, and 15 ar respectively transverse sections on the
lines C, C, D, D, and E, E, Figures 12 and 16; Figure 16 is a horizontal
section on the line A, A, Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15; Figure 17 is a plan,
and Figure 18 is a side elevation. In this instance retorts or tubes a
are placed horizontally in rows within a chamber b, and the waste gases
from the furnace c are passed at a high temperature through the tubes
to heat the fuel which is placed outside of the tubes. The chamber is
divided into compartments vertically by the tubes a, as shewn at Figures
13, 14, and 16, which compartments terminate at their lower parts in a
grate b, d, and ash-pit e. The fuel is filled into the hoppers ƒ which are
provided with valves at the bottom and from which it is charged down-
wards periodically into the compartments of the chamber 6 and to the
grate d. Each hopper f fills two compartments, and each pair of com-
partments communicate with a passage g through ports and slide
When the valves are in the position indicated by the
dotted lines at Figure 12, communication between the ports h and
passage g is shut off. The combustible gases proceed from the com-
partments of the chamber 6, through the ports h, slide valve k, and
passage g, and meeting with the air at 7 are consumed, the heat thereby
evolved being communicated to the materials in the furnace c. A
portion of the waste furnace gases are injected with an air or steam jet
or a mixed jet of air and steam through the passage m, Figures 12 and
14, into the lower. range of retorts or tubes a, which have openings
formed at the lower side of the tubes communicating with the hearths n
of the chambers e, as shewn at Figures 12 and 13. These gases together
with the air or steam used for. injecting them pass up amongst the fuel,
which together with the heat applied through the tubes a converts the
carbonic acid gas and steam into carbonic oxide and hydrogenous gases,
which mix with the other gases of the fuel for heating the furnace c.
The air for consuming the gases in the furnace c enters below the
furnace bed at o, Figures 12 and 15, and passing through the heat,
restorer p returns by the passage r, Figures 12 and 16, from whence it is
conducted through the air vents 8, and meets the combustible gases at 1,
which are consumed in the reverberatory chamber c. The products of
combustion being conducted therefrom by the passage u pass through the
three nearest rows of tubes a, and return through the other two rows of
tubes a as indicated by the arrows at Figure 16, from whence the said.

page_text: products pass into the restorer p, and are thence conducted to a chimney
through openings v, and passage w, Figure 12:
О
l
Figures 19, 20, and 21 shew a series of retorts suitable for coking
coal, roasting limestone, or reducing iron ores, in connection with a
furnace for producing steel, but which furnace may also be adapted for
puddling or for other purposes by providing it with a suitable bottom.
Figure 19 is a vertical section on the line B, B, Figures 20 and 21;
Figure 20 is a transverse sections on the line C, C, Figures 19 and 21;
and Figure 21 is a horizontal section on line A, A, Figures 19 and 20.
As shown by these Figures the retorts a, a¹, are heated by the waste
heat from the furnace which passes into the retort chambers by the
passages c. Each retort is at one end provided with a close fitting
door d for charging and drawing it, the other end being formed with
á bridge e and a flap valve v, which closes by its own weight. A
passage, leading into the ash-pit below the grate of the gas producer y,
communicates with the set of retorts a, as shewn at Figures 20 and 21,
and the other set of retorts a communicates with a passage leading
from the upper part of the producer y at m to the openings n leading
from the furnace b, as shewn at Figure 21. The retorts a' are used for
coking coal, the gases from which are led into the passages 7, and the
retorts a are used for reducing ores, these being mixed with the neces-
sary quantity of carbonaceous matter for that purpose, and the gases
produced in either case are led in below the grate bars through the
passage f, and thence up through the fuel contained in the producer g.
A limited portion of air is also passed up through the fuel along with
those gases to produce heat for converting the gases from the retorts,
which are mostly carbonic acid, into carbonic oxide, the combined gases
from the producer pass by the opening m downwards into the passage 1,
Figures 20 and 21, where they meet the coal gases from the retorts a',
and proceed to a passage crossing below the furnace at 1, Figure 19,
from which passage the gases ascend on both sides of the furnace
through passages s, and enter the furnace after being mixed with air
at n, Figure 21. The air to be heated enters by the regulating valve w,
Figure 21, and is led into the restorer by the passage shewn in dotted
lines at w¹, Figure 20, and after being heated in the restorer t, the
air is led by the passage ", ", shewn in dotted lines at Figure 21, and
in section at Figure 20, to the passage crossing below the furnace at ",
Figure 19, and ascending on both sides of the furnace passes through.

page_text: vents, Figure 21, entering the furnace b mixed with the gas to be
consumed. The products of combustion pass from the furnace through
the openings c into the retort chamber, and thence down through the
restorers to the passages, Figures 19 and 20, by which they are
conducted to the ohimnoy. The coke produced in the retorts a¹ is
charged into the gas producer g when drawn from the retorts, and the
reduced ores from the retorts a may be put into a bath of cast iron in
the furnace through the doorway y. A door is provided at y¹, and a
shelf to heat the iron previous to putting it into the bath of molten metal,
and doors are also provided for the ash-pit and firing doorway of
gas producer g.
In order to lessen the tendency to oxidise the reduced metal at the
twyers of smelting furnaces these furnaces are, in accordance with
the sixth part of this Invention, constructed with a central passage or
chamber in the shaft of the furnace, by which fuel is conveyed directly
to the twyers, whilst the orc and flux are placed in the shaft surrounding
or on each side of the central passage. The shaft and central passage
meet or join into one a short distance above the twyers, and the reducing
gases produced in the hearth are passed up amongst the materials in
the shaft in order to effect their reduction, the central passage being
provided with a cover to close it, thus preventing the escape of gases
therethrough.
A smelting furnace constructed in accordance with this part of my
said Invention is illustrated at Figures 22 to 27, Sheet 3 of the Draw-
ings; Figure 22 is a vertical section on the line A, A, Figures 23, 25,
and 27; Figure 23 is also a vertical section taken transversely to
Figure 22 and on the line B, B, Figures 22, 24, and 26; Figure 26 is
a plan, and Figures 24, 25, and 27 are respectively horizontal sections
on the line D, D, E, E, and F, F, Figures 22 and 23. The furnace
as shewn by these Figures is constructed with five feeding holes, the
centre one ĉ being that through which the fuel is introduced into the
passage d, the other four holes e being provided for charging the ores
and flux into the furnace a; each feeding opening is provided with a
charging cup and cone, and the furnace is shewn divided into eight
compartments by the walls b which extend from f to the boshes. The
chamber or passaged in the centre of the furnace is supported by the
walls b, and it may be terminated further from or nearer to the twyers than
shewn on the Drawings, according to the nature of the minerals being

page_text: C
smelted. The interior of the furnace may also be divided into a greater or
less number of compartments than are shewn on the Drawings, and the
furnace at the lower part of the chambers may have a different slope,
or be made in some cases at right angles to the bottom of the chambers
as shewn by dotted lines at 1, 1, Figure 22, the object being to retard
the gravitating force of compact ores such as hematite ores, and so
allow the fuel to arrive with greater facility at the hearth. Another
object is that the gases from the fuel may not escape in quantity up
the central shaft, but pass down under the bottom of the central shaft
and pass up through the outside compartments so as to assist the
furnace gases in reducing the ores contained therein, and as fuel is not
present to carry away the heat produced in reducing the ores by forming
carbonic oxide, the operation will proceed more rapidly. In some cases
a portion of fuel may be filled in along with the ores and flux. The
furnace being filled with proper proportions of fuel, ores and, flux as
herein-before described and kindled and blown in the usual manner,
the furnace gases and the gases produced by the coking of the coal if raw
ascend the outside compartments and reduce the ores, but as there is
still combustible matter left in the gases when they arrive at the top
of the furnace they are led off by the passage n, n, Figures 23 and 24,
for heating the blast or for generating steam or for other purposes.
When coal is the fuel employed, a pair of heat restorers s for heating the
air necessary for burning as much of the gases of the coal as will
produce heat for coking the coal are placed at the top of the furnace,
the air to be heated enters by a passage at o, Figure 24, being injected
with a cold blast or blown in with a fan; it thereafter passes onwards
through the restorer tubes s as indicated by arrows, and returns through
another scries of tubes into the passage p and passing over the surface
of the fuel burns gas sufficient to coke the coal. The products of
combustion which are employed to heat the restorers pass thereinto by
ducts and thence to the chimnies ", which are provided with dampers
to prevent more escape of heated gases than is required to heat the air.
The coking and reducing apparatus herein-before described and shewn
applied to an ordinary blast furnace at Figures 1 to 5, Sheet 3, may also
be adapted to the top of the furnace now last described by forming the
furnace with a compartment for each retort and placing the retors over
the compartments. In refining iron according to this part of my said
Invention the fluid metal from a smelting or fusing furnace is passed
9,

page_text: down an inclined gutter which is covered with an arch for confining the
heat. Combustible gases are burned in the passage formed by the
gutter and arched roof. Jets of air impelled by steam, by preference
superheated, are projected on the stream of molten iron as it flows down
the incline, so that when it arrives at the bottom of the gutter most of
the impurities are removed, and as the iron is licated on its passage
steam may be freely used for removing impurities.
This apparatus may be termed an "oxidiser," When the metal arrives
at the bottom of the oxidiser it is admitted to a covered hearth in the
usual manner;
it is, however, preferred to employ this oxidiser prin-
cipally for the removal of silicon, and to employ oxides or carbonates of
iron for oxidising carbon and other impurities, for which purposes shallow
vessels are employed which correspond with the bottoms or hearths of
puddling furnaces, these being lined with the said oxides or carbonates
of iron reduced to powder and heated and placed so as to receive the
partially refined iron as it leaves the oxidiser. These bottoms or
hearths may also be lined with the cinder from scrap furnaces usually
known in ironworks as scrap cinder," which may be put into the
bottoms either in a molten or pulverised state. These vessels are placed
on wheels or their equivalent for facilitating their being removed from
the oxidiser to other furnaces to which they are adapted for keeping the
metal hot while the carbon of the iron is being oxidised. The iron after
being treated in the manner now described is produced in plates which
may be divided whilst in a fluid state, but if allowed to cool they are cut
or broken into suitable sizes, piled, heated, and shingled or rolled, and
the vessels may be relined and heated for further operations.
.
"
On Sheet 4 of the Drawings hercunto appended, a converter or
"oxidiser." constructed in accordance with this part of my said Invention
is illustrated in: side. elevation at Figure 1, in part front elevation and
part transverse section on the. line B, B, Figures 1, 3, and 5, at Figure 2
in. vertical. section on the line D, D, Figure 5, 'at Figure 3; Figure 4
is also a vertical. section. on the line A, A, Figures 1, 3, and 5; and
Figure 5 is a horizontal section. on the line C, C, Figures 3 and 4. As
shewn by these Figures the apparatus consists of a cupola a, which is
provided.with a chamber for containing and heating a coil of iron tubes b,
within which the air or steam or mixture thereof is heated. The con-
verter c, which is situate. at the lower part of the cupola a, is provided

page_text: with an apparatus d for raising or olwering the outer end thereof, and a
pipe or tube g passes through an opening fin the side of the chamber e
which communicates with the coil and through which heated air or
steam, or a mixture of both, is passed under pressure into the converter
for the purpose of treating the iron contained therein. By elevating and
depressing the outer end of the converter ¢ (which has a silicious lining)
by means of the apparatus d, the molten metal contained therein is
caused to flow backwards and forwards within the converter, and being
at the same time acted upon by jets of air, or steam, or both, proceeding
under pressure from holes or openings in the pipe or tube y, the silicon
contained in the metal becomes oxidised and rises to the top of the
molten iron as silica, after which the partially refined iron may be run into
a shallow vessel lined with oxides or carbonates of iron or mixtures of both,
the metal and lining being heated, so that when the metal flows over the
oxides or carbonates of iron, the oxygen leaves the orcs to unite with the
carbon remaining in the iron, and by keeping the iron hot any amount
of decarburization required can be effected. It is preferred, however, to
run the iron from the converter c into a ladle b, or other suitable recep-
tacle, so that it may be conveyed to shallow vessels lined as aforesaid
and mounted on trunnions so that they may be easily. tilted over. The
chamber e communicates with the cupola a by a passage g, as shewn
at Figure 4, through which the gases pass from the cupola into the
chamber. A chimney is situate at the upper part of the chamber e,
and which is provided with a damper (not shewn on the Drawings) to
regulate the quantity of gases passing through the chamber. A damper
is also situate in the opening f, by which the quantity of gases passing
from the cupola into the converter by the passage or opening a is also
regulated. The openings and x are connected together by means of a
hood (not shewn on the Drawings). A plug opening 1, Figures 2 and 4,
is made in the chamber e, opposite the passage g¹, so as to afford facility
in cleaning out the said passage, and also to act as a sight hole. After
leaving the converter the iron is conveyed in the ladle to the shallow
vessel or in the vessel itself to the furnace, illustrated at Figures 6, 7, 8,
and 9, Sheet 4, at which the shallow vessels, carriage, and apparatus for
turning the vessels over and heating the vessels above referred to are
shewn in conjunction with the furnace; a, a, a, Figures 6, S, and 9 is the
shallow vessel which I call the " refiner," and of which a pair are
mounted on a carriage c, c, Figures 6, 9. The vessels turn on trunnions d,
as shewn in dotted lines, and the carriage with lined vessels is placed in

page_text: the position shewn, so that the vessel a¹ is below and forms a bottom to
the furnace b. When the refiner at has been heated it is moved from
below the furnace and the refiner a placed so as to constitute the bottom.
The carriage c moves on rails, and when adjusted in its proper position
it is raised by the lever e, so that the "refiner" is close to the furnace
bottom. The "refiner" a¹ being out from below the furnace and heated
is ready to receive the molten metal from the ladle, and when pouring
in the metal care is taken to skim off the silica or other slag if those
have not been previously removed. The refiner after it has been charged
with metal is moved in below the furnace to be kept hot while the
process of decarburization is going on, and when the process is sufficiently
advanced the refiner is moved out into the position a, a, and tilted over
by the chain n, which is worked by a windlass or winch. The iron con-
tained in the shallow vessel a, a, being now in a malleable state is when
the shallow vessel is turned over received on a bogie or wheeled carriage
on which it is conveyed to a heating furnace or the rolls as required.
.
My said Invention consists, lastly, in improvements in the con-
struction of the tubes or passages used in heat restorers, which improve-
ments consist in making the tubes with square, oblong, or other shaped
ends and projections, so that they may be built up together and be more
easily repaired.
Figure 10, Sheet 4 of the Drawings, represents in longitudinal
section on the line C, C, Figures 11 and 12, heat restorer tubes as
constructed in accordance with one modification of this part of my
said Invention; Figure 11. is a horizontal section on the line B, B,
Figures 10 and 12, and illustrates the method of building up the tubes a;.
Figure 12 is a transverse section of the tubes on the line A, A, Figures
10 and 11. As shewn by these Figures the tubes a are each formed
with a passage b through the centre through which the air 'to be heated
is passed, the heated waste gases or products of combustion being caused a
to circulate through passages c formed at the outsides of the tubes
by joining the square, oblong, or other shaped ends and projections e
of different tubes together in the manner shewn at Figure 11. Heat
is thereby imparted to the tubes a, which is taken up by the air on its
being passed through the channels or passages b.
Figure 13 is a transverse section of another modification of the heat
restorer tubes embraced by this Invention. Under this arrangement
any desired number of air passages 6 are formed in a block after the

page_text: different blocks a together, as herein-before described and shewn at
Figure 11.
Tubes constructed under either of the modifications herein-before set
forth, whilst applicable to heat restorers, may also be made strong
enough to be employed in heating the blast for ordinary blast furnaces.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the system, mode, or manner of putting the same
in practice, I would observe in conclusion that I do not confine or
restrict myself precisely to the arrangements herein-before described
and shewn upon the appended Sheets of Drawings, as several modifi-
cations may be made thereof without departing from the essential
features of my Invention. I also desire it to be understood that I do
not claim as any part of my present Invention the construction or use of
coking ovens wherein the material is coked by burning the gases in flues
surrounding them, nor do I claim ovens for coking, roasting, or reducing
ores in which the heat is supplied from an adjoining furnace. I do not
claim generally the heating of furnaces or ovens by the combustion of
gases produced in coking coal in an oven or retort, neither do I claim
generally the use of upright retorts for coking coal or reducing ores or
for producing combustible gases. I do not claim the use of retorts or
chambers at the upper part of a blast furnace, in which the coal is
coked by being partly burnt with injected blasts of air. I do not claim
treating molten crude iron with jets of air or steam or their admixture,
nor with oxides nor carbonates of iron; what, however, I do consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. Coking coal and reducing ironstones or ores in ovens by the
combustible gases evolved, and burning over the materials with heated
air the combustible gases evolved in the process, the air being preferably
heated, as herein-before described.
Second. Heating furnaces, ovens, or kilns by the combustion of the
gases produced from coal when being coked in ovens, the waste heat
from such furnaces, ovens, or kilns being applied for the coking process,
as herein-before described.

page_text: Third. Producing combustible gases to be used for producing heat
in furnaces and for other purposes with apparatus and by the means
herein-before set forth.
- Fourth. I claim the application of heat restorers to heat air for
increasing the luminosity of flames or heated substances, as herein-before.
described.
Fifth. Applying the waste heat of furnaces and products of com-
bustion to produce combustible gases, as herein-before described.
Sixth. I claim the use of retorts placed in the upper part of a blast
furnace applied to coking coal, heating the minerals, and reducing
or partly reducing ores placed in them, the retorts being heated ex-
ternally by the combustion of furnace gases; also the arrangements and
modifications herein-before. specified in virtue of and as a development
of the blast furnaces set forth in my Specification, No. 3267, A.D. 1869,
and for the purposes therein specified.
.
Seventh. I claim the projecting of air or steam or mixtures of air
and steam into molten crude iron, either in the apparatus herein-before
specified or by other means or apparatus, as a preliminary part of a
process for refining crude iron.
Eighth. I claim treating with oxides or carbonates of iron iron which
has been partly refined by air or steam, or a mixture thereof, as herein-
before described.
Ninth. I claim the use of a passage constructed in the centre of the
shaft of a blast furnace for containing fuel, as herein-before described
and shewn at Figures 22 to 27, Sheet 3 of the appended Drawings.
Tenth. I claim the different arrangements of tubes or passages
herein-before described and shewn at Figures 10, 11, and 12, and at
Figure 13, Sheet 4 of the Drawings, and the employment thereof in
conjunction with heat restorers, or in heating the blast for ordinary
blast furnaces.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Gorman, have hereunto set.
my hand and seal, this Third day of January One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-three.