A BLOW PIPE REVOLVING FURNACE AND PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON, STEEL, GLASS, BUILDING AND PAVING BLOCKS, CHROMATES, AND OTHER MATERIALS, THE REDUCTION OF ORES, THE SEPARATION OF METALS FROM THEIR ORES BY DISTILLATION, AND FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of Harris
and Mills, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent.
Agent, for an Invention of "A BLOW PIPE REVOLVING FURNACE AND
PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON, STEEL, GLASS, BUILDING AND
PAVING BLOCKS, CHROMATES, AND OTHER MATERIALS, THE REDUCTION OF
ORES, THE SEPARATION OF METALS FROM THEIR ORES BY DISTILLATION,
AND FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by
George Duryee, of the City, County, and State of New York, in the United
States of America, Doctor of Medicine.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard
Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th December
1880.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of
23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent.
A BLOW PIPE REVOLVING FURNACE, AND PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE
OF IRON, STEEL, GLASS, BUILDING AND PAVING BLOCKS, CHROMATES, AND OTHER
MATERIALS, THE REDUCTION OF ORES, THE SEPARATION OF METALS FROM THEIR
ORES BY DISTILLATION, AND FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES." A communication
from abroad by George Duryee, of the City, County, and State of New York, in
the United States of America, Doctor of Medicine.
As applied to the manufacture of iron and steel, the apparatus consists essentially
of a suitable furnace for burning either solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel, a compound
blow pipe for injecting a combined jet of air and oil or gas across the flame of the
fuel furnace, and an inclined revolving cylinder formed at its lower end with ad
enlarged chamber or annular basin provided with holes for manipulating and
discharging the contents, said holes being closed by shutters when the cylinder is
revolved.
The materials to be treated are fed in through a hopper at the upper end of the

page_text: cylinder. The air blast pipe is preferably passed through an inclined stack, by
which the products of combustion are carried off so as to heat the air before its
injection into the furnace.
The revolving cylinder is made from 30 to 60 feet long, according to the desired
capacity and the uses for which it is intended, and the effect of the combined blast of
air and liquid or gaseous fuel impinging at the side of the furnace flame in line
with the centre of the cylinder, or nearly so, is to drive an effective blow pipe flame
of very intense heat through the whole length of the cylinder.
For the simple reduction of ores the enlagement in the cylinder may be dispensed
with.
For the distillation of gold, silver, and some other metals therefrom a condensing
chamber is added, provided with blankets of asbestos or bodies of mineral wool or
furnace slag, or any other proper material against which the vapors from the
revolving cylinder are made to impinge.
The air blast pipe is passed through or in close proximity to the condensing
chamber, so as to effect the double result of heating the blast and cooling said
chamber to aid condensation.
Where the basin or enlargement in the revolving cylinder is dispensed with, the
furnace is constructed with a bridge separating the fuel furnace from the receptacle
into which ore or other solid matter is discharged from the lower end of the revolving
cylinder.
The Invention further consists in a method of recovering metals from their ores
by volatilization effected by subjecting the ores while agitated to the intense heat
of a compound blow pipe flame produced by means of a combined jet of air and
liquid or gaseous fuel acting on the flame of an adjacent fuel furnace, and condensing
the fumes or vapours so produced.
The Invention further consists in dephosphorizing iron and iron ore by feeding
the material through a revolving cylinder in contact with a blow pipe flame
produced by a combined blast of air and hydrocarbon acting on the flame of an
adjacent fuel furnace and supplied with chlorine.
The Invention further consists in the manufacture of chrome and its compounds,
such as chromates of potash, by feeding powdered feldspar or analogous and
suitable material, together with crushed chrome ore in proper proportions to a blow
pipe revolving furnace, the movement of which prevents the agglutination of the
materials, The chromic acid and potash of the spar unite to form chromate of
potash, and the iron and silica unite. The entire product is run from the furnace
into a tank of water, or steam is injected into it, forming a porous substance, from
which the chromate is extracted by lixiviation with hot water, the solution being
then concentrated and crystallized in the usual manner.
The Invention further consists in the manufacture of glass of all kinds by feeding
the appropriate materials into the upper end of an inclined revolving cylinder in
contact with a compound blow pipe flame as before stated, the glass being received
in a liquid state in the enlarged basin herein before described, after which the heat
is reduced, and the rotation of the cylinder being stopped, suitable clay lined doors
or shutters are opened so as to expose openings provided in the sides of the said
annular basin for the introduction of the pontil rods. The said openings are used
in like manner to admit rabbles in puddling iron and steel when the furnace is
used for this purpose, and when the puddling or balling of the metal is completed,
a slight rotation of the cylinder causes its discharge through one of the said
openings, or through a special opening provided for the purpose.
The Invention further consists in the production of paving blocks and the like,
by introducing at the upper end of a revolving cylinder heated by a compound
blow pipe flame as aforesaid, suitable vitrifiable materials together with gravel or
cobble stones, or broken granite, or other non-fusible material, the whole being run
into suitable moulds and allowed to solidify, so that the fusible materials form an
effective bond between the pieces or particles of stone.i

page_text: In the production of blocks for building purposes the gravel or stones are
omitted, but spar or other rock, fusible under the intense heat of the compound
blow pipe being run into moulds of colored sand, will produce blocks and forms of
any desired shape and hue for buildings, and for mouldings, and various archi-
tectural and other purposes.
The Invention further relates to the manufacture of carbonate of soda, caustic
soda, chloride of lime, and analogous products, either alone or as bye products,
during the treatment of metals and other materials in a revolving furnace heated
by a compound blow pipe, as above set forth:

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 27th June 1881.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of
23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent.
"A BLOW PIPE REVOLVING FURNACE, AND PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE
OF IRON, STEEL, GLASS, BUILDING AND PAVING BLOCKS, CHROMATES, AND OTHER
MATERIALS, THE REDUCTION OF ORES, THE SEPARATION OF METALS FROM THEIR
ORES BY DISTILLATION, AND FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES." A communication
from abroad by George Duryee, of the City, County, and State of New York, in
the United States of America, Doctor of Medicine.
As applied to the manufacture of iron and steel, the apparatus consists essentially
of a suitable furnace for burning either solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel, a compound
blow pipe for injecting a combined jet of air and oil or gas across the flame of the
fuel furnace, and an inclined revolving cylinder formed at its lower end with an
enlarged chamber or annular basin provided with holes for manipulating and
discharging the contents, said holes being closed by shutters when the cylinder is
revolved.
The materials to be treated are fed in through a hopper at the upper end of the
cylinder. The air blast pipe is preferably passed through an inclined stack by
which the products of combustion are carried off so as to heat the air before its
injection into the furnace.
The revolving cylinder is made from 30 to 60 feet long, according to the desired
capacity and the uses for which it is intended, and the effect of the combined
blast of air and liquid or gaseous fuel impinging at the side of the furnace flame in
line with the centre of the cylinder, or nearly so, is to drive an effective blow 'pipe
flame of very intense heat through the whole length of the cylinder.
For the simple reduction of ores, the enlargement in the cylinder may be
dispensed with. For the distillation of gold, silver, and some other metals there-
from, a condensing chamber is added, provided with blankets of asbestos or bodies
of mineral wool or furnace slag, or any other proper material against which the
vapours from the revolving cylinder are made to impinge, as will be more
particularly described.
The air blast pipe is passed through or in close proximity to the condensing
chambers, so as to effect the double result of heating the blast and cooling said
chamber to aid condensation.
Where the basin or enlargement in the revolving cylinder is dispensed with, the
furnace is constructed with a bridge separating the fuel furnace from the receptacle
into which ore or other solid matter is discharged from the lower end of the
revolving cylinder.
The Invention further consists in a method of recovering metals from their ores
by volatilization effected by subjecting the ores while agitated to the intense heat
of a compound blow pipe flame produced by means of a combined jet of air and
liquid or gaseous fuel acting on the flame of an adjacent fuel furnace, and condensing
the fumes or vapours so produced.
The Invention further consists in dephosphorizing iron and iron ore by feeding
the material through a revolving cylinder in contact with a blow pipe flame
produced by a combined blast of air and hydrocarbon acting on the flame of an
adjacent fuel furnace and supplied with chlorine.
The Invention further consists in the manufacture of chrome and its compounds,
such as chromates of potash, by feeding powdered feldspar or analogous and suitable

page_text: material together with crushed chrome ore in proper proportions to a blow pipe
revolving furnace, the movement of which prevents the agglutination of the
materials. The chromic acid and potash of the spar unite to form chromate of
potash, and the iron and silica unite. The entire product is run from the furnace
into a tank of water, or steam is injected into it, forming a porous substance from
which the chromate is extracted by lixiviation with hot water, the solution being
then concentrated and crystallized in the usual manner.
The Invention further consists in the manufacture of glass of all kinds by feeding
the appropriate materials into the upper end of an inclined revolving cylinder in
contact with a compound blow pipe flame as before stated, the glass being received
in a liquid state in the enlarged basin hereinbefore described, after which the heat
is reduced, and the rotation of the cylinder being stopped, suitable clay lined doors
or shutters are opened so as to expose openings provided in the sides of the said
annular basin for the introduction of the pontil rods. The said openings are used
in like manner to admit rabbles in puddling iron and steel when the furnace is
used for this purpose, and when the puddling or balling of the metal is completed,
a slight rotation of the cylinder causes its discharge through one of the said
openings or through a special opening provided for the purpose..
The Invention further consists in the production of paving blocks and the like
by introducing at the upper end of a revolving cylinder heated by a compound
blow pipe flame as aforesaid suitable vitrifiable materials, together with gravel, or
cobble stones, or broken granite, or other non-fusible material, the whole being run
into suitable moulds and allowed to solidify, so that the fusible materials form an
effective bond between the pieces or particles of stone.
In the production of blocks for building purposes the gravel or stones are
omitted, but spar or other rock, fusible under the intense heat of the compound.
blow pipe, being run into moulds of colored sand, will produce blocks and forms
of any desired shape and hue for buildings and for mouldings, and various
architectural and other purposes.
The Invention further relates to the manufacture of carbonate of soda, caustic
soda, chloride of lime, and analogous products, either alone or as bye products,
during the treatment of metals and other materials in a revolving furnace heated
by a compound blow pipe as above set forth.
And in order that the said Invention may be more clearly understood, and readily
carried into effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying Drawings more fully
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the furnace with cylinder, having
in the manufacture and
enlargement or annular basin adapting it for use
manipulation of iron, steel, and glass.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the furnace with condensing
apparatus, such as is used in the treatment of auriferous and argentiferous
sulphurets and other ores, which admit of vaporization under the intense heat
of the compound blow pipe flame, as hereinafter more particularly described.
Referring to Figure 1,-
O is a fuel furnace formed with a hearth or grate having a blast underneath, and
adapted for burning coal, wood, oil, gas, or any preferred fuel.
A is the revolving cylinder made of any desirable length, say, from 30 to 60 feet
according to circumstances, formed with an enlargement or annular basin A¹ at its
lower end, and supported in slightly inclined position by rollers B, B, so that it
may be freely rotated; the rotary motion is imparted by gearing C. The lower
end of the cylinder is formed, as shown, with an annular flange D fitting within a
recess prepared for it in the face of the furnace O, so as to receive all the products
of combustion from the said furnace. The gases passing through the revolving
cylinder A are carried off through an inclined stack L; I is a feeding hopper

page_text: through which ores or whatever matters are to be treated are delivered into the
upper end of the revolving cylinder A; G is a fan for driving a blast of air through
a pipe G¹, which is carried through the inclined stack L for the purpose of heating
the blast.
The heated blast is delivered into the furnace O in a horizontal jet opposite the
centre of the revolving cylinder A, impinging against the side of the flame in
the furnace, and driving a blow pipe flame into and through the revolving cylinder,
a jet of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon being fed from a reservoir H through a
pipe H under control of a cock, said pipe terminating within the furnace in a
nozzle, concentrically within the delivery end of the air blast pipe G¹. The effect
of this combined jet of air and hydrocarbon acting on the furnace flame, as already
described, is to drive a blow pipe flame of 30 to 60 feet in length and of very
intense heat through the revolving cylinder A.
An extension G2 of the air pipe supplies a blast under the fuel in the furnace O;
R represents a hopper controlled by a valve S and rod for containing powdered
charcoal and common salt to supply carbon and chlorine to the blast as it enters
the mouth of the revolving cylinder.
The lining a of the cylinder A may be of fire brick, but is preferably made of a
mixture of plumbago and asbestos, with molasses or other material to form a
temporary bond. This material is tamped in around a wooden core and burned,
the heat destroying the core and vitrifying the lining into a strong and continuous
body. Projecting shelves are formed in the lining at the upper end of the cylinder,
as at a, a, to carry up the material and drop it through the flame and gases as
the cylinder revolves. The inclination of the cylinder A may be about half an
inch to the foot.
P, P, are openings covered by shutters Q, and employed for manipulating the
metal, drawing off slag, and discharging the finished metal; S¹, S', are peep holes
covered with mica for inspecting the work.
MANNER OF WORKING.
Ores of iron as well as the lime or other flux should be crushed to size of walnuts,
although by using a sixty foot furnace this is not essential. About a ton of
hematite iron ore, and a quarter of a ton of lime, and half a ton of anthracite or
bituminous coal dust or slack, or five hundred pounds of charcoal are fed in the
ore hopper at upper end of cylinder; as they pass down they are carried up by
the shelving or projecting fire brick in the upper 25 feet of the cylinder, dropping
through the carbonic oxide gas generated from the blast and the coal dust, and in
the upper half of a 60 foot furnace will be found deoxidized or reduced prepared
for the second or melting process to be done in the lower half of the cylinder.
When the ores are deoxidized the metallic iron fusing runs into the enlarged
annular basin at lower end of furnace, and settles to the bottom under the slag.
When the basin is nearly full of melted slag and metal, one of the doors or tap
holes should be opened, and the cylinder turned down so as to drain off all or
nearly all of the slag; the door is then closed, and the metal is subjected to a few
moments' revolution of the furnace, and, if there is phosphorus in the ores, chloride
of sodium should be then fed in the carbon feeder, chlorine being evolved copiously,
and the heat increased, as chlorine at the temperature of about thirty five hundred
degrees is found to eliminato all the phosphorus in the ores.
The cylinder is then stopped and the metal allowed to settle a few moments,
when the tap hole is again opened and the pig-iron run into sand moulds. If it is
desired to convert the iron into steel or wrought iron, the metal should be exposed
about fifteen minutes to the oxidizing blast of the blow pipe, produced by closing
the oil pipe and allowing no carbon to mingle with it. In a few moments the
metal begins to assume a pasty condition, and by the continued revolving of the
cylinder the carbon is nearly all driven out, when wrought iron billets or blooms
will be formed mechanically. The blow pipe blast will obviate the use of ferro-

page_text: manganese to a certain extent, as the pure oxygen blast will be found to drive off
the sulphur and carbon, thus forming steel. When the blooms are in condition to
be removed, which will be seen by opening a door and testing them with a rod,
they are to be dumped out, preferably direct into squeezers fitted up under the
cylinder so as to squeeze out the adhering scoria. Peep holes S¹ in the walls of
the fuel furnace allow the furnace man to observe the condition of the metal. In
ores containing a large per centage of oxygen it is essential to feed a surplus of oil
with the blow pipe blast, or powdered charcoal in carbon hopper R.
The air blast pipe has a damper g¹ to control amount of air to be fed; some ores
and iron may require manganese to the amount of, say, one per cent., which may
be supplied in powder through hopper R, or the amount of spiegeleisen is to be
introduced at the door as a last operation for producing steel.
Referring to Figure A represents the revolving cylinder constructed, as
before, with a shell of boiler iron and a lining a of fire clay or black lead and
asbestos, and mounted in inclined position on rollers B, B.
Rotation is communicated to the cylinder from a steam engine or other motor
through a pulley C' on a shaft c¹ which carries a pinion c gearing with a spur
wheel C encircling the cylinder.
The lower end of the cylinder A rotates in a suitable bushing D in the wall of
the fuel furnace O, while its upper end projects within the primary condensing
chamber F. G¹ represents a blast pipe communicating at the rear of the furnace
with a blower G. The said pipe delivers a blast at G³ under the fuel in furnace O
and terminates in a nozzle g in the wall of the fuel furnace at a point immediately
opposite the lower end of the cylinder A. A pipe H communicating with an
oil reservoir H' and terminating in a nozzle placed concentrically within the
nozzle g serves to supply the blast with petroleum or other liquid hydrocarbon or
gas, so as to form in combination with said blast and the fire in furnace O an
extremely hot and powerful blow pipe flame, which enters and extends a greater or
less distance within the cylinder A, the length of the flame being regulated by the
strength of the blast. A stop cock in the pipe H serves to regulate the supply
of liquid or gaseous fuel, and thus enables the operator to modify the blast and
change it at will to either a reducing or oxidizing flame according to the result
desired. The ore is fed into the upper end of the cylinder A by means of a
hopper I having a curved or inclined spout i. It is then caused to slowly descend
against the blow pipe flame by the rotation of the cylinder, and the greater part of
it is finally discharged into the rear of the fuel furnace at J unless it contains
vaporized substances, which are driven into the condensation chamber F, from
whence they pass through the additional condensing chambers K, K¹, the non-
condensible products escaping with the smoke up the stack L. A transverse
bridge or partition N in the fuel furnace separates the part J into which the melted
ore is discharged from the part O in which the solid fuel burns. The slag may be
drawn off and the metal run out from the receptacle J in any suitable manner.
The portion O may be provided with a suitable grate, under which may be
introduced a nozzle communicating with the blast pipe G¹ so as to afford a means
of urging and controlling the combustion in the fuel furnace.
One or more asbestos blankets or curtains E hung in the condensing chambers
and kept saturated by means of tank T with a solution of sodium chloride serve
to precipitate silver or copper as chlorides, or if fed with a solution of sodium
nitrate will collect the sulphurous acid gas and form sulphuric acid; or the silver
and copper may be precipitated in the chamber F, and the sulphuric acid in the
chamber K, while still other substances may be collected in chamber K'. Wood,
coke, or pumice stone may be substituted for the asbestos blankets if preferred.
L' represents an exhaust fan.
The condensation chambers are separated from each other by transverse
bridges 1, 1, spaces between being filled with coke, mineral wool, or other porous
material.
Immediately over the chamber J is a hopper R closed at bottom by a valve S