Year: 1888

page_text: declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The chief object of this invention is to make use of the large quantities of "culm,"
or small anthracite coal, which is now a waste product, but the invention is also
applicable to other kinds of coal.
In carrying out my invention, I take this small coal, and I mix it with a proportion
of clay in a suitable mixing machine, which will work the materials together. The
clay employed should contain about 10% of moisture, and with the clay and coal I
use a small proportion of liquid silicate of soda. When the materials have been
thoroughly mixed together, I press the mass in a suitable press preferably into balls.
This shape is preferred, because the improved fuel requires a good supply of air to
support combustion, and the ball shape lends itself best to this result. I may,
however, make it up into small blocks, or any other suitable shapes. The pressed
balls or other pieces are then dried in a kiln or oven to drive off the moisture
contained in the clay.
The proportions which I find give good results are 80% of coal dust with 20% of
clay. The silicate of soda I may use in the proportion of 11 lbs. by weight to one ton
of the coal and clay.
The clay serves to hold large quantities of the coal, while the silicate of soda forms
a binding material for the clay.
A fuel thus formed is especially suitable for domestic use in closed stoves, or
in open grates, with a fair draught, and it may also be advantageously used in steam
boiler furnaces having a large grate surface.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1888.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I OWEN BOWEN of 66 Mark Lane in the City of London, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The object of this invention is to make use of the large quantity of "culm," (com-
minuted anthracite coal) which is more or less a waste product, to produce a smokeless
artificial Fuel,
In carrying out my invention, I take this small coal, and I mix it with a proportion
of clay in a suitable mixing machine or pug mill, which will work the materials
together, the mass being moistened, as required, with water in which a certain
proportion of silicate of soda has been dissolved." When the materials have been
thoroughly mixed together, the mass passes to a suitable press, in which it is
compressed under considerable pressure, say, one ton to the square inch, and formed
by preference into balls of about 2 inches in diameter. This shape is preferred,
because anthracite fuel requires a good supply of air to support combustion, and the
ball shape lends itself best for this purpose. I may however make it up into small
blocks, or any other suitable shapes. The pressed balls or other pieces are then dried
in a kiln or oven, to drive off the moisture.
The proportions in which I prefer to mix the materials are, "culm? 90 per cent.,
and clay 10 per cent.
The silicate of soda I use in the proportion of 36 pounds by weight to one ton of
the coal and clay.
The quantity of water required will depend upon the amount of moisture in the
clay and the state of the "culm," but in any case the water will first be used to
dissolve the silicate of soda, and it will be added gradually during the working of the
mass in the mixer.
With dry "culm" and a comparatively dry clay, I have found that about
36 gallons of water added will bring the mass to the consistency I require, that is, to
the consistency of "slip."
The object of the clay is, while wet, to cause the particles of coal to adhere together,
but as, w
when dried, the clay becomes friable, a binding material must be used to hold
the mass together. The silicate of soda acts as such binding material.
The drying operation I prefer to carry out in an oven or Hoffman kiln for about
3 hours at a temperature of from 230° to 250° F.
A smokeless artificial fuel is thus formed, which may be advantageously used in
steam boiler furnaces, but it will be also suitable for domestic use in closed stoves, or
in open grates having a good draught.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would here remark that I do not
intend to confine myself to the exact proportions given, as they may be varied
without departing from the nature of my invention, which is to produce a smokeless
artificial fuel from a material which is now almost a waste product, but what 1
claim is :-
A smokeless artificial fuel composed of "culm," clay, and silicate of soda, as herein
described.