IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TORREFACTION OF ANIMAL SUBSTANCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF MANUFACTURING MANURE THEREFROM, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th January 1873.-A communication from abroad by the Firm
of Coignet, Son, and Company, of Paris, in the Republic of
France.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TORREFACTION OF ANIMAL SUBSTANCES FOR
THE PURPOSE OF MANUFACTURING MANURE THEREFROM, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR
MEANS EMPLOYED THEREIN,” a communication to me from abroad by the
Firm of Coignet, Son, and Company, of Paris, in the Republic of
France, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved mode or method of torrefying
solid or liquid animal substances with a view to the conversion of the
same into a manure or fertilizing agent; also to an improved con-
struction and arrangement of apparatus to be employed in such torre-
faction.
The essential features of this Invention consist,-
First. In the manufacture of torrified manures by subjecting animal

page_text: direct action or a current of gas superneated to the desired temperature,
which gas, by traversing the entire mass of fragments, transmits its heat
thereto by direct contact therewith in lieu of the necessary heat being
applied through the intervention of closed vessels, retorts, or muffles as
has been the practice heretofore.
Secondly. In the application and use for the said torrefaction of an
isothermal furnace with reversed flame, and of constant and uniform
temperature, the heated gases, such as air or steam being admitted into
a closed chamber, and traversing or permeating the mass of matter to
be torrified contained in such chamber from above downwards, the
current of heated gases being induced by any well known draught pro-
ducing arrangement.
In some cases the matters to be torrified, when of a pasty consistency,
may be moulded or pressed into bricks, which should be so disposed in
the closed chamber as to permit of the complete and free circulation of
the heated gases through the mass.
Thirdly. Of an improved process of torrefaction by two successive
operations, namely:-1. The drying of the substances at a temperature
of about 330 degrees Fahrenheit by means of the direct action of super-
heated air. 2. The torrefaction, properly so called, at a temperature of
about 550 degrees Fahrenheit, by means of the direct action of super-
licated steam.
Fourthly. In the production of superheated steam for the purposes
hercin set forth by the direct mixture of steam with the gases or products
of combustion derived from a separate furnace used in obtaining the
desired amount of superlicated steam at the desired temperature by
regulating the supply of heated gases by means of a damper situate
between the furnace and the torrifying chamber.
Fifthly. In the application for the purposes of torrefaction of a heat
generating furnace, whereunto free access of air is permitted so as to
obtain heated gases at a temperature of not less than 330 degrees
Fahrenheit, or of a closed furnace to which a mixture of steam and
heated gases of combustion is admitted, whereby a gas superheated to a
temperature of about 550 degrees Fahrenheit is obtained, which is
deprived entirely of the oxygen of the air, and is specially adapted for
the purposes of torrefaction by the improved process berciu described.

page_text: The dampers or regulators employed in connection with the beating
furnace and the torrifying chamber may be situate cither between the
furnace and the chamber, or between the chamber and the exhauster or
draught producer.
Sixthly. In cooling suddenly the torrified substances before the
admission of air thereto by directing jets of water thereon which become
converted into steam. It is also proposed to employ saline solutions,
such as bi-phosphates of lime, chlorides, or other salts for the purpose of
preventing incineration of the mass.
Seventhly. Of a peculiar construction of apparatus for torrefying
liquid matters, such as blood, which apparatus consists of a closed
chamber fitted with a number of trays disposed closely together and
containing the blood to be torrified. Each tray has a number of short
tubes passing up through it for the purpose of enabling the superheated
gases which enter the chamber from the top to circulate over every tray
and finally to issue by a flue below fitted with a regulating tumper. A
special tube rather shorter than the rest is fitted into each tray, in order
to admit of the several trays being filled from above, the liquid after
filling the top tray flowing over the said pipe into the tray below, and so
on through each series.