Specification of John Ferguson : furnaces and fire-places.

  • Ferguson, John.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of John Ferguson : furnaces and fire-places. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Fergusons Improvements in Furnaces and Fire-places, <${c. of the boiler the air passages diverge to the right and to the left, as at P, at the same time rising to a higher level; they thence return to the front end of the boiler as at Q, being also here separated from portions of the main flue by thin partitions R; they finally descend as at S, to a space T, formed inside the bridge E, and this space T communicates 5 with the main flue D, by apertures U, in the back of the bridge E. In this manner, the air entering at J, in traversing the range of passages just described, takes up the heat radiated from the main flue through the thin partitions 0 and R, thereby utilising this heat, which would other¬ wise be more or less wasted, whilst at the same time the air thus heated 10 acts more efficiently on commingling with the gases proceeding from the furnace, so that the fuel is more thoroughly and perfectly consumed, none passing off in the form of smoke. According to another modifica¬ tion of my said Invention, the air entering by openings at any suitable or convenient point or points, is first made to traverse passages on the 15 side of or below such portions of the main flue as are furthest from the fire, and is afterwards made to pass through passages immediately below or on the sides of that portion of the main flue which is nearest to the fire, and is consequently the hottest, the air being thence admitted into the main flue so as to mingle with the gases therein, in a similar SO manner to that described in reference to the modification which I have first explained. In all cases the air passages are divided off from the portions of the main flue by very thin partitions, so that the air may take up the radiated heat as easily as possible. It is to be understood that by the general system of introducing air, as I have herein-before 25 described, the air so admitted is heated to such an extent as to prevent all danger of cooling the furnace or lowering the steam pressure in the boiler. By the herein-before described plan I effect the complete combustion of the smoke and the combustible gaseous products, whilst I at the same time secure great economy in the consumption of fuel 30 as compared with existing systems; with my arrangements I also effect a great saving in attendance, as when once properly set the proper action of the furnace is kept steadily up without any further adjustment of the valves or other details, except in cases of extraordinary variation in the working routine. 35