36

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

July 5, 1918.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

115573. Fuel's, etc., from Shale and Coal. P. M.
Justice, 55 and 56, Chancery-lane, London, W.C. 2 (a
communication from Samuel Gabriel Pirani, No. 331,
Collins-street, Melbourne).—The present invention relates
to an improved method of obtaining motor fuels and light
paraffin oils from shale and benzene, toluene and solvent
naphtha from coal, and consists essentially in mixing the
shale or coal in the form of powder, both with some finely
ground material (such as limestone, dolomite, carbonate
of magnesium or barium carbonate), which, under the
action of heat, will give off carbonic acid gas, and with
small iron scrap (such as iron turnings) or its chemical
equivalent for the purpose of causing the release of in-
creased quantities of hydrogen. On the mixture being
subjected to heat in a retort, the carbonic acid gas given
off from the carbonic acid gas-producing material acts as
a carrier for the hydrocarbon vapours evolved from the
shale or coal, and prevents them from becoming perma-
nently fixed gases, while the action of the iron scrap, or
its chemical equivalent, increases the volume of hydro-
carbon vapours given off in the retort. The most economic
practice is to grind the coal or shale so that it shall pass
through a mesh of 64 to the inch, and the carbonic acid
gas-producing material to pass through a mesh of 400
to the inch. The proportions of carbonic acid gas-pro-
ducing material and scrap iron, or its chemical equivalent,
vary according to the amount of oxygen contained in the
shale or coal. With shAle or coal containing from 6 to
13 per cent, of oxygen, the admixture of from 3 to 8 per
cent, of carbonic acid gas-producing material, and from
to 4 per cent, of iron scrap, or' its chemical equiva-
lent, gives the best results. The charge should be suffi-
cient to occupy about two-thirds of the capacity of the
retort, which, after being hermetically sealed, is slowly
heated — preferably by. producer gas — to temperatures
ranging from 175 to 800 degs. Cent. The vapours, evolved
from the charge are conducted from the retort to any
approved condenser, and condensed to crude oils. When
t the vapours from the retort cease, the temperature is
increased beyond 800 degs., and water, in the form
of a fine mist or jet, is then injected from the lower part
of the retort. The result is that further vapours are
evolved, which are conducted as before to the condenser,
and condensed into crude oils. The said crude oils pass
from the condenser to a collecting tank below. The light
gases from this tank pass to a coke or absorbing tower,
the coke in which has been saturated with a suitable non-
volatile oil, and in their passage through the coke therein
become condensed into oil of light specific gravity, which
is recovered therefrom in the ordinary way. Any gas
that escapes from the coke tower is diverted to and
stored in a gasometer for heating, lighting and power
purposes. The crude oils in the collecting tank are with-
drawn therefrom from time to time by means of a suction
pump, and discharged into a still, where they are separated
by fractional distillation, according to their different
boiling points. The residual oils from the various dis-
tillations may be again subjected to destructive distilla-
tion in the retort. For this purpose they are mixed with
fresh quantities of powdered carbonic acid gas-producing
material and iron scrap, or its chemical equivalent, and
the mixture subjected to temperatures ranging from 175
to 800 degs. Cent., in the same manner as in dealing with
the original charge. The quantities of the gas-producing
material and iron scrap to be mixed with the residual oils
varies as before from 3 to 10 per cent, of carbonic acid
gas-producing material, and from 1^ to 4 per cent, of iron
scrap or its equivalent, the best proportions being arrived
at in this case by observation and adjustment in the
course of operation. The vapours arising from this
second destructive distillation of residual oils are con-
ducted to and possed through a second retort exactly like
the first, and at the same temperature, but charged to
about half its capacity with manganese dioxide and iron
scrap, or its chemical equivalent, preferably in the
following proportions, viz., manganese dioxide one part,
and iron scrap two parts. The effect of these last-
mentioned materials is to enhance the production of con-
densable gases in the retort. The vapours given off are
again condensed and fractionated according to the oil
required. When no further oils are obtained at the con-
denser tail pipe, the operation of the retort is discontinued.
(Six claims.)

113083. Explosives. A. Segay, Barwick, High Cross,
Ware.—This invention relates more particularly to ex-
plosives which contain a silicide of an alkaline earth metal,
has an ammonium nitrate base, and a self-detonating sub-
stance such as trinitro-toluene. It has been found that if
the proportion of the alkaline earth silicide is increased
relatively to the oxygen carrier, such as the ammonium
nitrate, a more powerful explosive is obtained, and the
explosive can be advantageously compressed so that it
becomes hard enough to handle easily and is less hygro-
scopic than that heretofore manufactured. An explosive
according to the present invention has the following com-
position : Ammonium nitrate, 66-0; tetranitro-methyl-
aniline, or any explosive which may be detonated by
itself, 7-0; calcium silicide, 27-0. It will be seen that
in this formula the silicide is in considerable excess of
what would be ordinarily calculated as necessary for the
proper utilisation of the oxygen carrier, i.e., the nitrate,
and such a mixture is found to give a 10 per cent, in-
crease of explosive force when loose, as compared with
explosives of the same class as heretofore manufactured,
and moreover it can be compressed to a specific gravity
of 1-45, or above this if desired. At 1-45 the material is
sufficiently solid to permit of its being easily handled for
wrapping. The higher compression, of course, also renders
the explosive less hygroscopic, and as it can be easily
handled it can be rendered still less liable to absorb
moisture by known methods, such as dipping it in paraffin
wax, or otherwise treating it externally. The proportion
of calcium silicide can advantageously be carried as high
as 27-0 per cent, when the tetranito-methylaniline or other
explosive, which will detonate by itself, can be reduced
as low as 6-0 per cent. In an explosive of the kind
described in the specification there is present a much
larger quantity of combustible substance than in previously
known explosives of this class. So large a quantity of
combustible substance in these previously known ex-
plosives would bring the production of too large a quantity
of carbon monoxide, but in an explosive according to the
present invention the amount of this gas produced is not
more than is usual with ordinary explosives. That the
quantity is small is due to two reasons : (1) because, as
explained above, the explosive, according to the present
invention, can be compressed, whereby the quantity of
paper and paraffin wrapping is reduced ; and (2) the total
quantity of carbon present in the composition of the
explosive is small, (Two claims.)

115473. Centrifugal Pumps, Condensers, etc. E. 8. G.
Rees, Rees Roturbo Manufacturing Company Limited,
Wednesfield-road, Wolverhampton.—This invention relates
to centrifugal pumps, condensers, etc., having an impeller
either of the ordinary scoop type or of the type con-
structed to form a fluid pressure chamber or reservoir as
described in various prior specifications, as, for example,
in Nos. 4810 of 1906 and 26188 of 1912, and it consists
in improvements the object of which is to render such
apparatus more efficient for the purpose of entraining air
or condensable or non-condensable gases in the manner
described in Patent Specification No. 21555 of 1909, either
while functioning for that purpose only or while simul-
taneously pumping liquid. When apparatus constructed
according to this invention is required both for entraining
air and pumping liquid, a pressure chamber or chambers
are provided in the impeller, which are partitioned off
from the main blade portion of the impeller and are
arranged in such a manner that a portion of the water
or liquid entering the apparatus will be diverted into and
become subjected to pressure within the chambers and
be ejected therefrom in the form of jets either by allow-
ing it to issue through spraying nozzles in the rim of
the pressure chambers, as described in Specification No.
21555' of 1909, or preferably by allowing the said portion
of liquid to issue through holes provided in the rim so
that the jets of liquid strike a fixed ring or baffle plate
surrounding the pressure chambers, whereby the liquid
is sprayed for the purpose of entraining any air sur-
rounding the impeller and creating a high vacuum. The
main portion of the liquid entering the apparatus is allowed
to pass through the main blade portion of the impeller
and be discharged without subdivision, the main blades
and any auxiliary or rim blades, if used, being widened
towards the rim so as to overlap the side walls of the
main impeller, the overlapping portion being preferably
not shrouded by rotating side walls, but being enclosed
by projecting parts of the side walls of the expanding
channel or channels in the fixed casing into which the
liquid from the impeller is discharged. The spray, above
alluded to, with the entrained air is directed into the
projecting portion of the rim blades of the impeller, where
the mixture is ejected from the rim of the impeller with
the main portion or stream of liquid. With the object
of securing a higher efficiency, the entrained gases may
be partially compressed before entering the rim blades
by collecting the spray in a nozzle shaped ring or annular
space between the sides of the impeller and a projecting
portion of the fixed wall of the rim blades. This annular
collecting space thus becomes the equivalent of the collect-
ing or contracting cone of an ejector, and forms a seal to
prevent the non-condensable gases carried forward, by the
spray from being thrown back by centrifugal force when
picked up by the rim blades of the impeller. When the
amount of liquid used for extraction is relatively small,
and the annular space and the inner tips of the rim blades
would thus be narrow, it may be desirable to arrange fixed
blades so as to form separate liquid or water channels
of a greater width, and in this case the jets from the
pressure chambers need not be sprayed but may be pro-
jected up the fixed channels as plug of liquid, or water
entraining the air and giving it initial compression before
being picked up by the rim blades. The rim blades are
designed to form channels or buckets rapidly increasing
in cross section towards the rim, with the object of picking
up the water and air as a mixture and separating the
air from the water by centrifugal force in its passage
through the rim or revolving portion of the impeller. The
initial compression device prevents the separated air from
being thrown back towards the centre of the impeller,
and the aspirating effect of the water thrown off from
the rim blades sucks the partially compressed air up the
outer expanding channels in the fixed casing for final
compression. (Nine claims.)

115738. Construction of Vertical Retorts. H. J. Too-
good, The Poplars, Eiland; and Robert Dempster and
Sons Limited, Rose Mount Ironworks, Eiland, .Yorks.—
In built-up vertical retorts tapering in both directions,
when formed of rounded internal cross-section, the exces-
sive number of shapes or moulds required to form the
varying tapers and radii presents an economic difficulty
in their construction. Rectangular cross-sections have
therefore been used, the advantages of rounding the
corners being sacrified to economy of construction. The
object of this invention is to enable the rounded internal
corners to be retained or approximated with a great re-
duction in the number of moulds or different, sorts of
special bricks required. Corner bricks are provided
having a mean and constant curved portion capable of
use over the whole or a large part of the retort, with
straight portions or legs of varying length projecting
beyond the curved portion, this construction allowing,
when built up in alternating reversed layers or courses,
of proper substantial bonding and formation of the end
and side tapers. The lengths of the straight projecting
legs may be economically varied in course of manufacture,
or they may be made in series and cut in the building,
and they may be made to build in conjunction with square
or split bricks of standard thicknesses. To facilitate
building, the corner bricks may be divided so that they
will better bed to position and made to interlock or
“ break joint ” in successive courses. The variation is
economically obtained in the straight portions, which are
adapted to conform to the decrease in the major and minor
axes as the construction proceeds.

115742. Coke Discharger. W. Wilson, Gas Works,
Falkirk.—This invention relates to improvements in tele-
scopic coke dischargers for discharging coke from hori-
zontal retorts, ovens and the like, wherein the portion
of the ram carrying the pushing head is movable within
an outer portion, deriving actuation through rack and
pinion mechanism, and containing flexible connections for
imparting movement to the inner portion. The invention
consists broadly in forming the outer portion of the ram
as a water box, so as to provide for water cooling. (Two
claims.)

115749. Colliery Trams. D. J. Jones and T. J. Bollard,
both of Mynydd-Bach-y-Glo, Waunarlwydd, Gowerton.—
Relates to improvements in colliery trams primarily de-
signed for use in coal mines, being an apparatus that may
be adjusted to the colliery trams that are at present in
use at the collieries, to carry coal from the face to the
surface, and to colliery trams that may be constructed in
future for the said purpose. The invention is designed
to dispense with the custom now in vogue, of “ tram-
raising ” by piling up large coal above the level of the
tram. It has previously been proposed to adjust the height
of the end doors of colliery trams by means of sliding
plates, or to increase the height of the sides and ends by
means of hinged plates. This invention is limited to
the particular construction of an apparatus wholly inside
of the tram, to dispense with “ tram-raising,” which can
be used at any required height as necessary.. The appa-
ratus is made of steel plate 16 in. by g in. riveted to and

strengthened by a band of iron 2 in. by f in. which sur-
rounds the top. The iron band is put on in three pieces
so as to give a clear passage to the angle iron that is in
the corner of the tram. The length of the apparatus is
determined by the various sizes of colliery trams.

NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE
COAL AND IRON TRADES.

Applications for Patents.

June 24 to 29 {inclusive).

[Note.—Applications arranged alphabetically under the
names of the applicants (communicators in parentheses).
A new number will be given on acceptance, which will
replace the application-number. ]

A.B.C. Motors Limited. Pumps, etc. (10367)

Austin, W. R. Separator and filter for purifying water
in steam generators, etc. (10639)

Babcock and Wilcox and Meiklereid, D. G. Chain grates.
(10653)

Barclay, A. N. and J. G. Haulage means for use in
mines. (10509)

Barclay, S. F. Dynamo-electric machines. (10626)

Bowen, E. W., and Davies, T. L. Internal combustion
engines. (10403. 10406)

Briggs, J. C. Pumps. (10399)

Brooks, B. W. Regenerative oven or furnace. (10659)
Brown and Company, J. Steam turbines. (10439. 10440)
Clark, R., and Spencer, H. W. Water level alarm appa-
ratus for steam generators. (10393)

Cooney, T. Superheaters for steam generators. (10651)
Dark, G. B. Internal combustion turbine. (10433)

Dean, F., and Lowndes, H. Apparatus for smoke con-
suming in steam generators and other furnaces.
(10557)

Downer, R. B. Clinometer. (10559)

Evans, G. Means for removing dust from air, etc.

(10383)

Fielden, S. H., and Rhodes Motors Limited. Single-phase
commutator type electric motors. (10577)

Geeson, A. and Jones, E. V. Device for stopping runaway
corves on inclines. (10470)

Hemingway, G. H. Internal combustion turbine engines.
(10413)

Hjort, V. F., and Lassen, J. J. Superheaters for exhaust
steam. (10392)

Isherwood, P. C. C. Recovery of tin from waste of tin
plate. (10684)

Kaulback, A. G. A. Dynamo-electric machines. (10747)
Lanegan, W. J. Coke wagon bodies. (10706)
Matthewman, W. Internal combustion engines. (10756)
Nicol, E. W. L. Mechanical stoking apparatus. (10729)
Nitrogen Products and Carbide Company and Perkin,

F. M. Treatment of pitch. (10759)

Oliver, V. F. M. Pumps, etc. (10367)

Pelterie, R. Esnault-. Explosion motors. (10485)

Procter, H. C. Gas, petrol, oil and steam engines.

(10389)

Ramage, A. G. Extracting bitumen, petroleum, etc.

(10437)

Reeves, J. W., and Spurgeon, R. A. Internal combustion
turbine. (10433)

Rogers, C. Transporting, conveying, lifting and lowering
apparatus. (10364)

Sandow, E. Internal combustion engines. (10756)

Schofield, H. Mechanical stoking apparatus. (10729)
Shakespeare, G. H. Fire lighters and manufacture thereof.

(10498)

Slight, E. Metallic conveyor band. (10445)

(Sokol, A. B.) Preventing scale in steam boilers. (10397)
Somerville, J. M., and South Metropolitan Gas Company.

Process for removing carbon monoxide and manufac-
z ture of material therefor. (10767)

Vickers Limited. Dynamo-electric machines. (10626)

Vivian, A. W. H. Liquid hydrocarbon burners of the
injector type. (10524)

Walker, H. Pulverising mills. (10474)

Wallwin, J. M. Gas-heated furnaces or muffles. (10589)
Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.

Mechanical stokers. (10489)

Wilton, N. Apparatus for preparation of sulphate of
ammounia. (10452)

Wood, W. H. Steam turbine. (10439. 10440)

Wright and Eagle Range Limited, and Yates, H. J. Gas
furnaces. (10530)	*

Complete Specifications Accepted.

{To be published July 18.)

[Note.—The number following the application is that
which the specification will finally bear.]

1917.

7115. Marks, E. C. R. (Tygard Engine Incorporated).
Internal combustion engines. (116736)

8577 Wilks, A. Means for discharging the debris formed
by coal-cutting machines. (116744)

8638. Edison Accumulators Limited, Monnot, J. F., and
Lewis, E. W. Electric controllers. (116747)

8696. Ross, S. J., and Schofield, H. Forced draught
arrangements for steam boilers. (116750)

8817. Chilton W., and Brush Electrical Engineering Com-
pany. Turbines. (116755)

9150. Bolton, D. C. Internal combustion turbines.

(116770)

9436. Williams, A. Hammer drills. (116776)

10462. Baumann, K. Steam turbines. (116790)

10931. Galloways Limited and Pilling H. Cylinders of
uniflow steam engines. (116799)

12270. Gent, F. E. Clinometers. (116808)

15662. Toogood, H. J., and Dempster and Sons, R.
Manufacture of gas in vertical retorts. (116831)

1918.

3342. Candlot, C. Jigging conveyors and the like.
(116869)

3857. Harvey Gas Furnace Company, E. W., and Harvey,
E.W. Regenerative gas furnaces. (116870)

4525. Easton, R. W. Construction of retorts, coke ovens
and the like. (116873)

Complete Specification open to Public Inspection before
Acceptance.

[Note.—The number following the application is that
which the specification will finally bear.]

1918.

8200. Nobuhara, K. Rotary electric machines. (116886)

8271. Bockman, O. C. Processes for the reduction and
smelting of ores. (116887)

9137. Tisell, C. I. Explosive, and process for manu-
facturing it. (116890)

9241. Diem, E. C. Self-excited alternators. (116891).

9751. British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing
Company. Control of electric motors. (116895)