658 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 28, 1918. THE FREIGHT MARKET. The volume of business reported in the outward freight market this week is even less than has recently been usual. On the north-east coast, main interest attaches to the fixture of a 4,800 ton vessel for Huelva at the sensationally high rate of 420s., a price probably unparalleled for such a voyage. If that be the rate permissible for Huelva, shippers will probably find the rate for Barcelona somewhere in the neighbourhood of 500s. at least. For Sweden, two steamers have been fixed for Gothenburg, one at 165 kr. and the other, later, at 160 kr., rates which compare with from 155 kr. to 160 kr. a week ago. In no other direction save the French Atlantic, at scheduled rates, has any business been done. Rates for all these untested destina- tions are firmly held at full recent figures. At South Wales, excepting for one fixture for Gibraltar at the old price of 100s., business has been wholly confined to the French Atlantic at fixed figures. Rates for all other direc- tions are very firm, but there are few neutral steamers on offer. Homewards, the River Plate is firm at 200s. for United Kingdom and 205s. for French Atlantic discharge. In the United States market, coal freights from Virginia to the Plate are steady at about 125s. On net form basis, Northern Range to France is quoted at 260s., with 330s. for French Mediterranean, and 360s. for West Italy. Medi- terranean ore and phosphate ports are taking up tonnage as briskly as circumstances allow for Allied ports at firm figures. Tyne to Calais, Dunkirk or Boulogne, 700, 45s., option Treport, 46s., coke; Gothenburg, 1,800, 160 kr. ; 1,650, 165 kr.; Huelva, 4,800, 420s.; and Treport, 650, 46s., coke. Cardiff to Caen, 1,100, 46s. 6d., neutral; Gibraltar, 3,000, 100s.; and Rouen, 1,200, 1,300, 1,400 and 1,500, 48s. 9d., neutral. Swansea to Caen, 900, 48s., neutral; 1,100, 46s. 6d., neutral; and Havre, 1,400, 45s. 9d., neutral. Later.—The following additional fixtures have been arranged: — Tyne to Gothenburg, 1,050, 165 kr. Cardiff to Bordeaux, 1,300, 34s., Allied ; Gibraltar, 4,000, 100 s.; and Havre, 900, 47s. 3d., neutral. Swansea to Havre, 450 and 500, 47s. 3d., neutral; and Rouen, 1,400, 48s. 9d., neutral. NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Applications for Patents. March 18 to 23 [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.] Anzani, A. Internal-combustion engines. (4766) Ash, J. J. Controlling mechanism for electrically-driven air-compressors, pumps, etc. (4840) Ash, J. J. Electric arc furnaces. (4841) Ashcroft, E. A. Carbonisation of coal and/or distillation and cracking of oils, pitches, etc. (4782) Bacon, G. E. Reinforced-concrete pit prop. (5000) Balmford, A. B., and Bickerton, H. N. Oil engines. (5025) Barclay, T. and T. K. Steam generators, etc. (4999) Beauvais, G. A. Electric installations. (4935) Bell Bros., and Kirby, M. R. Clips for use in rope haulage systems. (5158) Belt, F. Rope clamp with corrugated clamp jaws. (5087) Benjamin H., and Benjamin and Wilmart. Internal- combustion engines. (5118) Bettie, P. H., and Boulton, P. R. Furnaces or fire-grates employed with boilers. (4735) Billetop,. T. C. Centrifugal pumps. (4734) Boby Limited, R., and Cooper, G. C. Tubular air-filter. (5105) Bouhon, L. J. R. Purifiers or combined purifiers and recuperators for smoke, air, or gases. (4911) Bowhill, J. H. Internal-combustion engines. (5067) Brayshaw, E. R. and S. N., and Yates, H. J. Gas-fired furnaces for metallurgical, etc., purposes. (4797) Brayshaw, E.R. and S. N., and Yates, H. J. Burner for gas-fired furnaces. (4812) British Thomson - Houston Company. Controlling mechanism for electrically-driven air-compressors, pumps, etc. (4840) British Thomson-Houston Company. Electric arc furnaces. (4841) British Thomson-Houston Company (General Electric Company). Dynamo-electric machines. (5009) British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com- pany. Steam turbines. (5106) Bruce, W. S. Steam generators, etc. (4999) Cartwright, J. and J. J. Fuel economisers for domestic grates. (4748) Chimney Construction and Boiler Setting Company. Chimney stacks or shafts. (4938) Constantinesco, G. Internal-combustion engines. (5045) Cressall, H. H., and Cressall Manufacturing Company. Electrical fire-bars. (4970) Cutler-Hammer Manufacturing Company. Electric motor controllers. (4939, 5109, 5110) Deutsche Gasgluhlicht Akt.-Ges. (Auerges.). Method of determining quantity of steam flowing through a pipe. (4959) Dunker, L. Filters for air, etc. (5085) Francart, H. Kilns, furnaces, ovens, etc. (5027, 5028, 5081) Frankignoul, A. Blast furnaces. (-5117) Gibbons Bros., and Masters, E. Feeding furnaces of gas retort settings, coke ovens, muffles, etc. (4805) Graham, W. Localising explosions in mines. (5103) Grice, A. G. Multi-cylinder internal-combustion engines. (5119) Guy, H. L. Steam turbines. (5106) Hanna, J., and Shillington, A. F. Draught and firing doors of stoves, furnaces, boilers, etc. (5121) Harbord, F. W. Muffled chamber for use as roasting furnace or kiln. (4853) Hobbs, T. G. Ventilation of miners’ safety lamp. (4964) Hunter, S., and Simon-Carves Limited. Settling tanks for clarifying liquids. (4993) Hunter, S., and Simon-Carves Limited. Storage bunkers and cornpressing apparatus used with coke ovens. (4994) Kent, A. T., and Mulliner, H. H. Treatment of car- bonaceous substances. (5014) Lamb, H. T. Steam generators, etc. (4999) Lanchester. F. W. Hot-air engines. (5041) Lapraik, T. S. Mining machinery. (5038) Lister, G. Doors and dampers of furnaces. (4954) Mackadam, A. C. F. Internal-combustion engines. (5118) McKenzie, N. Belt, etc., conveyer. (4778) Moore, G. E. Direct-reading anemometer. (5133) Parnail, G. G., and Russell, J. Internal-combustion turbine engine. (4974) Parnail, G. G., and Russell, J. Air-compressor. (4975) Plaisant, G. Dynamo-electric machines. (4758) Poore, P. Treatment of wood, peat, etc. (4963) Preece, T. Electric motors. (4795) Ramsav, C. T. Producing draught in steam generators. (4888) Rees, E. V. Tool bars for miners’, etc., tools. (4924) Revill, W. E. Double-acting internal-combustion engine. (5048) Reynolds, A. Production of steel. (4767) Rouse, T. Manufacture and utilisation of agglomerates. (4776) Sahlin, A. Charging apparatus for blast furnaces, etc. (4953) Sharp, J. A. Power generation. (4730) Shiner, A. E. Rotary pumps. (5074) Siemens-Schuckertwerke. Purifving water in boilers, etc. (5006) Skinner, C. E. Engines, pumps, etc. (4865) Smith, R. J. Vertical water-tube steam generator. (4899) Spina, E. Lanzerotti. Internal-combustion engines. (5024) Tacchi, P. G. Rotary engines. (5034) Taggart, A. E. Internal-combustion engines. (4969) Thomson, H. J. Internal-combustion engines. (5024) Tinker, F. Fuel oils. (4757) Watson, H. B. Centrifugal pumps. (4734) (Wells, J.) Carbonisation of wrnod, etc. (4925) Willows, H. Internal-combustion engines. (4969) Wilmart, C. A. Internal-combustion engines. (5118) Complete Specifications Accepted. (To be published on April IL) [Note.—The number following the application is that which the specification will finally bear.] 1916. 12477. Fregoso, S. C. Internal-combustion engines. (113978) 17714. West, J., and Wild, W. Retorts, and methods of working the same. (113981) 1917. 2157. Scott, W. H., and Bentley, J. Systems of control for electric motors operating cranes and analo- gous apparatus. (113993) 3656. James, R. W. (Cary, M. J., Hally, S. J., and Stephen, C. C.) Intermediate shunt for aerial ropeways and the like. (114019) 3752. Goodwin, W., and Macrae, A. Manufacture of fuel from peat. (114,026) 4436. Bostaph Engineering Company. Process of pro- ducing phenols. (106274) 4647. General Engineering Company. Steam generating apparatus employing liquid fuel. (110150) 5573. Grand jean, A. Apparatus for loading loose materials from bulk. (105767) 7059. Park, J. Means for generating combustion pro- ducts under pressure for use in motive power engines. (114069) 9189. McKenzie, N. Adjustable convevors or elevators. (114079) 9739. Nettleton, S. Reciprocating trough conveyors. (114085) 10668. Guy, S. S. Internal-combustion engines. (114092) 11407. Williams, W. Apparatus for manipulating ingots, bars, and the like, in rolling mills. (114103). 13789. Westinghouse Machine Company. Steam turbine installations. (110744) 17115. Hansen, E. A. Low-water alarms for steam boilers. (114123) 18959. Siemens-Schuckertwerke Ges. Hauling or wind- ing machinery. (112274) 1918. 934. Jackson, W. J. Mellersh- (Wheeler Manufacturing Co., C. H.). Multi-stage compressing appara- tus of the ejector type. (114131) Complete Specifications Open to Public Inspection Before Acceptance. [Note.—The number following the application is that which the specification will finally bear.] 1917. 18540. Lovekin, L. D. Surface condensers. (114140) 1918. 709. Walker, J. B. Process for the manufacture of ingot moulds. (114141) 710. Walker, J. B. Method and apparatus for making ingot moulds. (114142) 3417. Riley, R. S. Automatic stoker with moving dump plate. (114149) 4228. Forbes, W. C., and Forbes, D. Combined derrick and transporter. (114154) Restoration of Lapsed Patent. Notice is given that James Todd has made appplication for the restoration of Patent No. 15593 of 1909, for “ Improved fastenings for smoke-box doors of tubular boilers or the like,” which expired on July 5, 1915, owing to the non-payment of the Renewal Fee. Opposition to the restoration should be lodged at the Patent Office, on or before May 27. 1918. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. "The Mining Manual and Mining Year-Book, 1918,” by Walter R. Skinner (published by Walter R. Skinner, 11-12, Clements-lane, London, E.C. 4), price 17s. 6d. net; "Compressed Air Magazine” (Vol. 23, No. 2), February 1918, single copies 10 cents ; " Chemical Engineering and Mining Review” (Vol. 10, No. 112), January 1918, single copies 6d.; " The Journal of State Medicine,” edited by William R. Smith and A. Corbett-Smith (Vol. 26, No. 3), March 1918 (published by the Royal Institute of Public Health, 37, Rus sell-square, London, W.C. 2), price 2s net; "The Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry” (Vol. 10, No. 3), March 1, 1918, single copies 60 cents ; "Transactions of the North-East Coast Institution of Engineers and Ship Builders,” edited by E. W. Fraser Smith, secretary (Vol 34, Part 3), March 1918 (New- castle-on-Tyne: published by The Institution, Bolbec Hall), price 5s.; "Employes Magazine” (Vol. 4, No. 4), January 1918. ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS RECENTLY ACCEPTED. 106080. Transforming Hydrocarbons into other Hydro- carbons Relatively Poorer in Hydrogen. Bostaph Engineering Company, 612, Union Trust Building, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., assignees of Alexander Sydney Ramage, 435, Guoin-street, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.— This invention relates to the treatment of hydrocarbons by bringing them in the form of vapour into contact with metal oxides. In certain processes of treating hydro- carbons in this manner, it has been proposed to bring heavy hydrocarbons in part in the state of vapour and into contact with oxides of metals, such as nickel, chromium, manganese, cobalt, silver and palladium, employed as catalysts, in order to convert the heavy hydrocarbons into lighter hydrocarbons. The employ- ment, as a catalyst, of iron oxide among other materials has been proposed for the same purpose, the vapours of heavy hydrocarbons, together with steam, being passed over the catalyst heated preferably to a temperature of 500 to 600 degs. Cent. When the production of light hydrocarbons began to decrease the catalyst was, accord- ing to this proposal, revivified by subjecting it while in a heated condition to the action of air or oxygen alone, the combustion of the deposited carbon being thereby effected. It has also been proposed to employ as catalysing material an agglomerate formed of a metal or metal oxides, for instance, ferric oxide, which can be reduced to form finely divided metal, a neutral refractory substance and an agglutinant. When oxides are used in place of metals in such agglomerates, the reduction of such oxides can be effected by passing the liquid hydro- carbon over them while they are heated to temperatures of between 400 degs. Cent, and bright red heat. After such reduction the metal acts as catalyst, and promotes the formation of hydrocarbons of lower boiling point from hydrocarbons of higher boiling point; carbon being deposited on the agglomerate and reducing its activity. Revivification of the catalyst may be effected by passing steam over the agglomerate while maintaining the tem- perature, the hydrogen and other gaseous materials formed being, if desired, utilised in other operations. When the metal has thus been converted into oxide, the steam is replaced by hydrocarbon vapours which reduce the oxide to metal acting as a catalyst. By this process hydro- carbons of low boiling point are obtained which are then converted by a process of hydrogenation into saturated non-oxidisable hydrocarbons. The process, according to the invention, enables paraffin hydrocarbons to be trans- formed into olefines, for example, pentane into amylene, etc. ; or into terpenes, such as pinene and limonene ; or into aromatic hydrocarbons of the benzol type. Presumably the formation of olefines, terpenes and aromatic hydro- carbons represents the successive stages in the restricted oxidation of a paraffin, so that each of these groups may conveniently be regarded as derived from the preceding group richer in hydrogen, by removal of a portion only of this hydrogen. (Six claims.) 106084. Apparatus for treating coal. C. H. Smith, Short Hills, Essex, New Jersey, U.S.A.—This invention relates to the treating of coal for obtaining concentrated partially de-gasified coal briquettes, and it relates more particularly to processes of that kind in w'hich coal in the form of small particles is subjected to heating in a retort, in order to form a partially de-gasified coal mass in suitable condition for being made into briquettes by the application of pressure. Fig. 1 shows in plan an apparatus having the parts thereof arranged for perform- ing. the invention. In this figure there is indicated a series of combined furnaces and retorts 1 (frequently hereinafter referred to as furnace-retorts), a coal crusher 2, a storage-bin 3, means 4 for carrying coal from the crusher to the storage-bin, and suitable mechanism whereby coal from the storage-bin can be delivered to receiving hoppers 8 of the series of furnace retorts 1. The parts just referred to are at the charging end of the. series of retorts 1. In this figure there is also indicated at the discharge end of the series of retorts the mechanism whereby the heated material discharged from the interior of the retorts will be delivered to an enclosed conveyor mechanism 25 that in turn is relied upon to conduct the heated products received from the retorts to a press 27 for forming into hard lumps or briquettes the material that the press receives from the conveyer mechanism. Fig. 8 is a view illustrating a retort which is oval in cross-section. The raw coal is preferably inserted in an intermittent manner but uniform rate by a reciprocating plunger at the entrance end of the retort. The partially de-gasified coal or residue is subsequently discharged in about an hour from the other end of the retort in a plastic condition. The temperature of the heated material or coal thus withdrawn is approximately from 825 degs. to 980 degs. Fahr. All the time that the mass which is thus charged to the retort is within the latter it is continuously agitated or mixed by the mixer paddles and the fumes and gases driven off or distilled therefrom are conducted from the interior of the retort by the pipe 21. The coal which has been charged to the retort was pulverised by means of the crusher 2, and any ash or earthy impurities in or mixed with the coal are maintained in a finely divided condition by the blades 15 of the agitator 14 and are absorbed or thoroughly mixed and fused with the plastic coal in the charge within the retort. In other words, the por- tion of the coal which finally results in ash when the briquettes are consumed, is substantially equally dis- tributed throughout the entire mass of plastic coal, and therefore as the briquette which is subsequently formed burns with only a slight coking action, the danger of fusion of the earthy particles, or in other words the formation of clinkers during combustion, is minimised. The mass within the retort can be kept plastic as the temperature progresses upwardly only to such point where the formation of tar vapours has practically ceased to take place. In other words, if the coal is to be removed from the retort in a plastic condition, it must be dis- charged from the retort slightly before the period arrives where the tar vapours cease to be formed.. Coal is a poor conductor of heat, and if the charge is not kept continuously mixed as it progresses through the retort,