US77469A - Francis ellershausen - Google Patents

Description

guitargiants gaunt @ffirr- FRANCIS ELLERSHAUSEN, or MONTREALCANADL EAST;

Letters Patent No. 7 7,469, dated May 5, 1868.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, Fsancrs ELLnRsHAUsnN, of-Montreal, Canada East, have invented a new and improved Process for Converting Cast Iron into Cast Steel-and Malleable Iron; and I do hereby declare that the following is a-fnlL-clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable ohei's skilled in the art to understand the same.

This invention relates to a new process for converting cast iron into malleable iron or cast steel, and consists in bringing the carbou contained in the molten cast or pigiron in contact with oxygen contained on the surface of, a cold or hot solid substance or substances. a l A The distinguishing feature between this, my intention, and that known as the Bessemer process is, that I in'the latter the carbon contained in the molten eastbr pig iron is brought in contact with and consumed by the oxygen, which is formed'by forcing vaporons substances throughtheliquid metal, while, in my process, the oxygen is held on the surfaces of substantial or solid bodies,-and is formed thereon, preparatory to the decalbonizing process. I I I l I I It isfwell kno wn that carbouat a white heat cannot exist in the presence of oxygen, as it is at once burned when broughtin contact withithe same. The rapidity of combustion depends on the temperatureof both the carbon as well as the oxygen, and'ou their proportionate quantities. w apparatusforjbringlng the carbon contained in the iron into contact with the oxygen held on the surface of a solid substance may be of suitable description, and I do not bind myself to the-use of any particular apper'atua- "The followinglw ould, perhaps, be the simplest apparatus: I e I i In a converter, of suitable former, are placed; in a vertical-position, coils of sheet iron, the same being so rolled'that the spiraFspaees'formedinthem will he just large enough to allow liquid cast iron, (carburet of I "iron,) flowing th roug'h thesespaces, to be brought in contact with the required quantity of oxygen, (oxide of iron,) onvthe'sfurtfaces of the sheet metal, to produce the required quality of steel or malleable iron. I

' .I-hecorivorter-is heated to a suitable temperature in suitable manner,it being preferable to bring the sheet ,curliugs to a white heat, and to continue for a sufliciont' lengthof time to insure their complete oxidation.

When'tltis is accomplished, asuifi'cient quantity of molten cast or pig iron is poured into the top of the convertex, to unite with the oxide of iron already formed on the-curling's, andto thereby have the carbon consumed, or so'much of i it as is requisite to produce the desired quality of steel or'malleable iron.

. It will be evident, from the manner in which the sheet-iron curlings,afterwards converted into oxide of iron, are placed in the converter, that alarge suri'uce of oxide of iron is exposed, within a. comparatively small spnceyto' contact with the molten cast iron, uniting the particles of each in close conjunction, causing a rapid combustion throughout the entire mass, whieh'increases the temperature to such a degree as to cause a complete conversion while thejm'etal is in fluid state.

Insteadofthe iron shavings or curlings, other solid oxides may be used, in either a hot or cold state. In. either case, purifying,decarhonizing, or steel-improving agents maybe deposited in the converter, in'order to facilitate the combustion or purification, as may be desired.

. Having thus described my inve'ntiomwhat Iclaim asnew, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Converting cast or pig iron into caststeel or malleable iron, by bringing it, in a liquid state, in contact with hotor cold solid oxides, substantially as herein specified. i Y

2. Bringing to an instantaneous uniform contact, at a sufiicient heat, on a sufiicicutly' large hot or cold surface of pure oxide,- the carbon contained in molten cast iron, so as to cause a rapid violent combustion of the carbon, substantially as described.

The above specification of my invention signed by me, this 4th day of April, 1868, I

' l FRANCIS ELLERSPTAUSEN. Witnesses Wu. F. McNAMARA, ALEL F. Rename,