Specification of John Wakefield : furnaces for boilers.

  • Wakefield, John.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of John Wakefield : furnaces for boilers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    7/12 (page 5)
    Wakefield's Improvements in the Construction of Furnaces for Boilers, Qc. it will notwithstanding this access of air pass off to the flue unconsumed, and the streams of air directed against the bottom of the boiler will only prove an evil instead of a benefit, by tending to cool the boiler; and further, when it is attempted to remedy this cooling (that arises from such streams of air beating 5 on the bottom of the boiler) by interposing supported tiles over the openings from the cross air flue, though this will prevent such streams of air from beating directly against the bottom of the boiler, still a portion of the smoke may escape combustion from want of temperature. But by the direction which I give to my blowers, the air which they pour into the furnace beats back the smoke, which 10 after reaching the breast has to get over the curb; and the direction of the streams of air so operating with the curb, forces the smoke back upon the fire, where it requires temperature sufficient to insure complete combustion and to con¬ vert it into flame before it can escape to the flue. By thus entirely consuming the smoke, it becomes fuel, and thus effects the saving of coals. Second, the in- 15 dined cheeks (6, 5, b, Drawing C, and b, b, 6, Drawing D,) the foremost of which allows the hot air and flame to pass with less interruption than those behind that part of the boiler, being nearer to the direct influence of the fire and of the flame passing over the breast and the curb; but those further removed from the fire have a contrary direction given to them that they may the more 20 effectually cause the flame to give off its heat to the boiler at the part farther removed from the fire. These cheeks (like the breast) are topped with curbs projecting towards the fire, that they may more effectually perform their office. Third, the bars laid parellel at each side respectively of the fire grate. These have been so fully described, that their position cannot be misunderstood ; 25 though those on each side are parellel to each on the same side, yet those on the one side are not parellel to those on the other side; those on the one side being necessarily obliged to diverge at their further extremity from those on the other side of the fire grate, owing to the disposition of the interposed bars. Fourth, the grate rake; this is in form somewhat like the instrument from 30 which it is named, being composed of an iron cross bar at the end of a long iron handle, of sufficient strength, which cross bar is furnished with from three to six iron teeth, (according to the size of the grate,) placed at distances from each other, corresponding to the distance of the bars, standing up vertically, and of such a length that when the said cross bar is raised up, to touch the 35 under side of the fire bars, the said teeth may reach three or more inches above the upper side of the said bars. The head of the rake (namely, the said cross bar with the said teeth) when used, is placed about third way from the near to the far end of the bars; the teeth are then raised through the bars into the fire, and being then slidden backwards, carry with them the principal