USRE16149E

USRE16149E - Process and apparatus fob

Info

Publication number: USRE16149E
Authority: US
Publication date: 1925-08-25

Description

Aug; 25, 1925. R 16,149

G. T. SOUTHGATE' PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR m'monuome ELECTRIC ENERGY mm A SPACE OF ACTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 8. 1922 Gtbmup.

W \Nx. \N\%\ N1 Aug. 25, 1925. Re. 16,149

T. SOUTHGATE GI PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR INTRODUCING ELECTRIC ENERGY INTO A SPACE OF ACTION Original Filed March 8. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Queenie t:

7% a Ga a 7 This invention relates to a process Reisaued Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES. PATENT omen.

' enoaea 7r; soo'rneA'rn, or Amusron, ALABAMA.

'rnociiss' Ann ArrAnArus ron mrnonncme nnnc'rnic ENERGY in'ro A srAcn or a ACTION. 4

ori inal No. 1,443,439, and January so, was, sci-taint. 541,950, filed larch a, 192;. i am for reissue illed liovember 8, 1924. Serial No. 747,694.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, Gnoncn T. SOU'IHGATE,

a .citizen of the United States, residing at .Anniston, in the county of Calhoun and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes and Apparatus for Introducing Electric Energy into a Space of Action, of which the following is a specification.

and paratus in which combustion flames, own from nozzle-electrodes, are employed directing and controlling which the gases thus a b for conducting, electric arcs, and

heated are utilized for'transmitting the ,electrically supplied heat along with the combustionheat to wherever desired. For blow- 'ing the flames from the nozzle electrodes,

a mixture of 'acombustible. material such as coal gas with a combustion supporting gas such as air is streams of" very variable flow may economical than the-use of fuel in the fur-' trodes. The invention has for one of its objectsto improve the efliciency-of the useof electricity -1I1 smelting, industrial chemistr melting, welding and the like, especial y in those applications where intense electric erimposed u on fuel heating.

Another 0 ject of my invention is to provide a process and apparatus, for the use'of electricity in furnace operations,.which may be applied to existing types or even existing erected units of non-electric furnaces with but relatively little change in the construction of said furnaces except the 'addimy improved electric appa-Q tion thereto of Vratus and the use therewith of my improved process. I

Another object I vide a process and apparatus, of electricity in furnaceoperations,

for the use which maybe conveniently put out of use with out hindering the operation of the furnacewith other sources of, heat; as for example in those seasons when the use jofelectricity drawn from hydroelectric power plants on be less nace. 1

Another'object of my invention is to replace the ominous, expensive and rapidly consumed electrodes of ordinary electric furnaces by small, easily mounted, less ex pensive and less rapidly consumed elec-' trodes, 'in which thewearing rate from the main body of tors, by using the properties of m forced through the nozzle elec-- heating may be advantageously supess, and in the novel vconstituting the apparatus; .more fully scribed with reference to the two accom- A H "heated in close PI'OXlmJ of my inventionis to proties ofsaid gases,.as. means of-mt electric currents andadvanta'geously transpartsare sepathe electrode, are composed of carbon and are readily and continuously replenishable,

Another object of my invention is to avoid the employment in electric furnaces of lowelectromotive forces and'heav y currents andthe consequently required massive conducimprovedprocess and apparatus wherein t e working portions of the circuits, within the furnace, have high efi'ective resistance and conseuently give high heat generation with relatively small currents. 1 Another object of my invention is to provide a means of performing, in an intensified degree, operations which utilize-the special properties of electric arcs, such as producmg waves in the ether for radio trans mission of messages and of power, the detection of waves in the airor in the ether by the response of arc flames, and the radiation of large amounts of light and heat intospaceforuseperse.-'-

With these and other objects in view, my invention cons' combinations of steps constituting the proccombinations of parts all aswill be hereinafter disclosed and depanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and particularly pointed out. in the claims.

The novel features ofmy invention relate to processes and apparatus which utilize the electrically conducting 'tg to conducting electrodes, and the energy istributing P12011611 mitting the energy thereof wherever desired. In my improved process'and apparatus a the heating of the gasesfor rendering them electrically conducting may be accomplished in any approved manner: but the method]: prefer is to cause a portion of the heating to take place atand near the points where said gases of action,- apparatus which I prefer to use for the a'c tings combining in themselves the functions of gas nozzles and of s in thenovel steps and properties of gases electrodes bringing uclng are introduced into the "space by combustion thereof: and the complishment of said purpose is a set of fit-n 'electricity of suitable high electromotive force to said gases.

In the foregoing and following explanations, wherever the word gas or gases is used in connection with the tuyeres or electrodes, I refer not only to clear gases, but also to any suitable matter in a gaseous state or in 'a. finely divided state so that it resembles gas in the freedom of its movement, as for example smoke; dust clouds or sprays of liquid.

I One of the known properties of a combustion flame is that it is capable of conducting away electricity from conductors charged at suitably high voltages, i. e.,- a flame can be made to act as a conductor of an electric current. Because of the high electric resistance of flame, additional heat is generated therein by such electric current, in amount proportional to the square of the current. It is'also known that in any gas ambient to electric conductors, an effect can be produced by the impressing of high electromotive forces on said conductors and that this effect is apparently one of atomic disintegration -or ionization. Surrounding such' conductors there may be seen under sufliciently dim illumination an artificial light, variously called corona, electric 3 glow, electrode rays, etc. At magnitudes of increasing electromotive force dependent upon the form, size, spacing, disposition, surface and other features of-tlie conductors and upon the composition, temperature, pressure and other properties of the gas, this effect becomes very pronounced, and espeflcially the electric conductivit -of the gas increases.

The dissipation 0 electric energy int heat in the gas is also greatly increased with increasing electromotive force.

This increase of electromotive force, with its corresponding increase of heat dissipation, may be continued until upon reachlng a certain voltage per unit of distance between electrodes, a disruptive discharge or are is established. A substantially lower voltage suflices for starting this disru tive discharge in flame than-in the atmosp ere, but in either case a much 'higherelectromotive force is required to maintain the arc than is needed for causing an equal current in either loose or aggregate masses of solid resistance materials. Conversely, therefore,

. we may employ in practical furnaces for the same amount of electric power and heating much smaller currents and far less massive conductors and electrodes, by projecting combustion flames into unobstructed spaces thereof and establishing relatively long electric arcs in such wise as to be directed in and along these flames. V i. In my invention disclosed in United States LettersPatent Numbers 1,373,639 (granted Apr. 5, 1921) and 1,369,714 (granted Feb.

22, 1921) for respectively a process and an positionalso for the purpose of momentarilyheating by the electric currents to such high temperatures as are conductive to their combination, gases having relatively little mutual aflinity. I i

-In the invention disclosed herein any direct chemical'action exerted upon the inducted gases by the ionizing effect and heat of the electric arcs is not the purpose sought, but is only incidental; saidpurpose actually being the use of the electric con ductance of the hot gases as the means of introducing the currents of electricity for converting the electric energy into heat and other forms of energy, and, in heating apparatus, the distribution of said heat wherever desired by the flow of said gases. It is also the object of this invention to utilize in heating apparatus the heat that is generated by the previously mentioned combustion of the gaises inpd ucted through the electrodes.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a mid-sectional view of' a combined electrode and gas nozzle constituting one form of my improved. apparatus. Fi 2 is a detail of pipingforming a part 0 the apparatus of Fig. l", but not convenient to show therein; bein a section in the vertical plane indicate by the line 22. Fig, .3 represents a type of furnace in the operation of which my improved process and apparatus may be applied; the upper portion left of the central vertical axis being an elevation and the lower portion of that side and all of the right-hand side being a mid-section. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the furnace shown in Fig. 3, in the plane indicated by the line 4-4. Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the several views.-

In the drawings, hollow casting 11 1s a nozzle, in and through which sees are partly burned and inducted into t e spaceof-action 12. Castin 11 serves also asvthe electrode mentioned hereinbefore' and hereinafter in the hrases electrodes provided with holes, t rough holes in electrodes? etc.; and wherever the- .words nozzles, electrodes or nozzle-electrodes are mentioned below in the description or claims of my inventidn fittin simllar to cast ng 11 are meant. In orcfe r 'to' prevent bemg melted orrapidly eroded, casting 11 preferably should be cooled b any suitable means; and I preferto emp oy therefor the circulation of water in the of said casting. The method and meanspf supplying said water is explained \here1nafter. A. metal blowpipe 14 is connected t o hollow space 13 nozzle 11 and the gases inducted through le-gas pipe 15 is connected at one end to blowpipe 14; andin 15.there are inserted valve' 16 said pi ow electric insulator 17, which 1nand ho sulates blowpipe 14 from all parts of "pipe other end of pipe 19 is ,connecte 1 suitable'source of anv oxidizin means of $115 'able form adapted to,

except the end thereof adjacentto said blowpipe. The other end of pi e 15 is con-- nected to any suitable sourceo a combusti-' ble as under pressure, as the main 18. An oxidizing-gas pipe 19 is also connected at one end to blowpipe 14; and in said pipe 19 there are inserted valve 20 and hollow electric insulator 21, which insulates blowpipe '14 from all parts of pipe 19 except the end thereof adjacent to said blowpi e. The to any gas mder pressure, as the main 22. n suitable oxidizing gas may be employed, ut in the majority of cases I prefer to use air. The plying combustible gas to main 18 andoxi izing gas to main 22 form no part of my present invention, and the usual practices in such cases may be followed.

Electric terminal 2 is mounted on nozzleelectrode 11; and elec ric connection is made as by the wire 24, from a suitable source of electromotive force. I

Nozzle 11, and the portion of blowpipe 14 near saidnozzle are filled with'pieces25 of electricall conducting thermally refractory materia such as carbon. Any kind of carbbn may be emplo ed, and in any suits be moved through the blowpipe and nozzle; but I prefer to use coke because of its cheapness, an d'I prefer to use coarse lumps because of the M11 electric conductivity, great permeability or gases and sufiicient'mobility of that form.

- Blowpi e 14 is extended in the direction water or its conduit.

opposite rom the discharge end of nozzle 11, into a cylinder in which a piston 26, I

driven by a piston-rod 27, is fitted. A slide valve 28 is mounted in and intersects blowpipe 11, and near the rear end of the blowpipe is provided a suitablemeans of feeding thereinto the aforementioned pieces of conducting material, as by the hopper 29.

i For the cooling-water supply to nozzleelectrode 11 suitable provision must be made,

whereby the nozzle shall not be electrically grounded or short-circuited by either 'the I prefer to employ therefor an arrangement in which the water .is delivered both to and from nozzle 11 in broken streams, and in which there is no metallic or other solid connection between nozzle 11- and either the water-supplysysterm or the drain system. It is known that a broken stream of watcr,'as from a hose. may with impunity be played on a'conductor charged at very high voltage,and that because of the separation of the drops no appreciable electric conduction takes place in said broken stream.

Referring to Fig. 2 and also, in part to 'Fig. 1, from water-supplyheader-30 is" taken supply pipe 31; which terminates in a nozzle 32 capable of breaking up the discharged water into a spray 34 of small. drops. Valve 7 33 is used to regulate the discharged by pipe 31. T e sprayed water falls into funnel 35 and is carried to nozzleelectrode 11 by ipe 36; From nozzle 11 the spent water ls'similarly discharged to the drainage system via pipe 37, nozzle 38,

spray 39, funnel 40, pipe 41 and drain header 42.

When my process and apparatus are applied in a smelting furnace, nozzle ll may be mounted .in a hollow rin 43, which may be water-cooled by a met 0d and apparatus similar to that provided for nozzle 11 itself and shown by Fig. 2. Ring 43 must be insulated from other metal parts of the furnace.

- In-Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are shown an application of my new process and apparatus 1n the operation of a: furnace slmilar to a standard iron Blast furnace the general construction and operation of said furnace, other than the process and apparatus for introducing-electric energy, not being emriluantity of water air from the tuyeres. A further "advantage is gained from this arrangement in that the usualpeep-hole or eyesight 46 in the end of each air blowpipe 45 may be used to inspect the condition, and the effect within the furnace, of not only the air blasts from said blowpipes but also of the flames from nozzle-electrodes 1.1. A still further advantage obtains in those cases where afurnace previously heated wholly by fuel is to be heated wholly or partly by electricity, or-

where a furnace already having my -1mproved electric apparatus is to be operated for a season with the heat fromfuel only, in that the usual hollow rings 47 employed in mounting the tuyeres 44 may be con-.

structed and cooled similarly to rings 43 in which electrode-nozzles 11 are supported; and that in such similar rings, tuyeres and electrode-nozzles with their respective accessories, may beinterchanged at will.

The operation of my'new process and apparatus is as follows Nozzle-electrode 11 and a' portion 0 blowpipe 14 being filled with lumps of coke,

"The mixed gas is then ignited by;

combustible-gas valve 16 and oxidizing-gas valve 20 are partly opened and the gases allowed to flow through the nozzle-electrode.

any suitable means, burning among and t rough the coke lumps and beyond. the end of nozzle 11, and heating the said coke. At the beginning, an excess of oxidizing gas over that required for perfect union with the combustible gas may be used, in order to promote the quick heating of the .coke by content reasonably compact in the nozzle and blowpipe, piston 26 should be ,occasionally pushed forward by hand, by means of piston-rod 27. When necessary the coke may be replenished through hopper 29, after drawing back piston 26 to the end of its travel and closing valve 28. The valve is then reopened and the new charge of coke pushed up against the old coke by means of the piston. During these operations on the apparatus either the electromotive force mentioned below must be temporarily removed, or the operator must stand on a well insulated platform, for his safety.

While I prefer usually to follow the method just described, in-whi'ch a separately introduced combustible gas is employed to -form matter for. combustion flame, and coke employed for renewable wearing surface-ofcontact between said gas and the balance of the electric circuit, yet In invention ineludes as one of its equiva ent methods of application the employment of lumps of hituminous coal or the like, in lieu of the coke' and the said combustible gas. This method is equivalent for the reason that the bitumi nous coal when so used .will distill and form simultaneously and continuously both coke and the combustible gas, and will form both in those zones of blowpipe l4 andnozzle 11 where desired;

The apparatus being in steady operation as above described, a circuit of suitably high electromotive force from an external source is now completed by way of nozzleelectrode 11 and the flame therefrom which plays into the space-of-action 12. When the process and apparatus areused in a furnace, the ciruit from one nozzle-electrode may be completed by way of its flame to the flame from one or more other similar heating thereof may be nozzle-electrodes and through said other flames to said other nozzle-electrodes. For example there may be a total of three such electrodes and three flames, giving a three-phase connection, as shownv in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4." When the process and apparatus areused in heating, cutting, welding or burn' metal, only one nozzle-electrode and its accessories need' be used; and the electric circuit may be closed by way of the said metal. When the process and apparatus are employed in utilizing the special properties of the arc, such as in producing or detecting waves in the ether for radiodynamic purposes, producing, detecting or amplifying sound in the'air or telephonic electric current variations in a circuit, light and heat radiation, and all other uses of intensified arcs, two or more nozzle-electrodes may be used to form respectively single-phase orpolyphase circuits according to the requirements of the application. The nozzle-electrodes may thus be used as torches in space,. for 'general lighting or heating with the same construction and mode of operation characteristic of the other forms of the invention.

When electric currents flow through the matter of the flames as described, the properties of electric arcs are intensified. I-This is especially true of the heating action of said arcs-additionally to the heat of comb'ustion of the flame-and of the heat-transmitting properties of the combined arc and combustion flame. A greater amount of electric en'er can be poured into such a combustioname arc; and the resistance between electrodes and arcs is reduced in my process and apparatus by the high heating of the large surfaces of coke within the electrode-nozzle, with the result that the PR heat in the circuit is generated less at the elecgrodes and more in. the flame, where desire In order. to regulate the input of electric energy to the flames in my new process and apparatus, We may vary the electromotiv'e force impressed on: the nozzle-electrodes; whereby the quotient EUR, which equals the electric energy converted into heat, will be changed. Or we may conveniently vary the.

divisor of this formula, by-varying the input of gases to the flames.

The consumption of. the wearing portion of the electrodes in my apparatus, i. e.,'of

the coke, is relatively slow, for the reason that the burning mixed gas passing through the electrode-nozzle and the coke-mass is a reducing gas there being a deficit of oxidi'z ing gas in the mixture, as stated hereinbefore.

When my new process and-apparatus are used in a furnace, any roportion of. the one by the burn ing of the combustible portion of the matter 'nducted through the nozzle-electrodes, and

y the burning of any other fuel supplied the furnace; the balance of the heat being supplied by the conversion of electric energy thereinto in the space-of-action affected y he-operationxof my new process and improved apparatus. 4 a 1 It's obviousvthat those skilled in the art may vary the stepsof the process, as well as the arrangement of parts constituting the apparatus, without .-departing from the spirit of my invention; and they may apply may new process and apparatus to purposes a ditional'to those specified: Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the above disclosure except as may be requiredby the claims. It will be seen also that in the operation of my new process, it is necessary to use improved ap aratus similar to what I have described a ove, and that in properly employing ,iny. improved apparatus it .is. necessary to operate b a process similar to the fore v ing new met I have ascribed the process and the apparatus together as. one invention.

I claim i j 1.' The process of converting electrical energy into radiant energy inthe presence of combustion, which comprises forcing mobile combustible and oxidizing -matter through a nozzle containing a porous, electrical y conducting, thermally refractory filling; producin a' combustion flame, of said, matter, and impressing upon said filling an electromotive force suitable to cause electric arc conduction therefrom into and alon said combustion flame.

2. e process of supplying heat to a furnace which consists in converting electrical energy into heat by forcing mobile matter, both combustible and oxidizing, through nozzles containing within their boresbodies' of electrically conducting, thermally refractor solids,.producing combustion flames of sai matter in said furnace, and impressing upon said bodies electromotive forces suit-' able to cause electric arc conduction therefrom into. and along said combustion flames.

3. The process. of supplying electric energy to a furnace which consists in inducting streams of matter into said furnace through electrodes having longitudinal ducting, thermally refractory solids; said matter being a mixture of combustible substance with an oxidizing gas; said oxidizing gas being not suflicient in proportion to oxidize said combustible substance completely; partly but not completely burning said matter-while passing through said electrodes; and impressing upon said electrodes electromotive forces suitable to cause elect-ric arc conduction from said bodies into and along said streams. 4. In smelting, the pmcess of supplying For this reason,

holes containing bodies of electrically con-- to afurnace heat additional to that enerated thereinby chemical means, whic consists in forcing mobile matter, both combuss tible and oxidizing, -into said furnace through nozzles containing within their bores, electrically conducting, thermally.

refractory solids, producing combustion flames of said matter, and impressing upon said bodies electromotive forces suitable to cause electric arc conduction therefrom into and along said combustion flames.

'5. The. process of converting electrical energy into radiant energy in the presence of combustion, which com rises forcing mobile matter, both combustible and oxidizing, through a nozzle having within its bore bodies of fixed carbon, producing a combustion-flame of said matter, and impressing upon said bodies an electromotive force.

suitable to cause electric arc conduction therefrom into and along said combustion 6. The process of converting electrical energy into radiant energy in the presence of combustion, which comprises forcing mobile matter, both combustible and oxidizing, through a nozzle having within its bore bodies of carbonaceous matter capable upon heating of becoming changed to fixed carbon and of liberating combustible gases which are'added to'saidmobile matter,

ducing a combustion flameof said In ile matter, and impressing upon said'bodies an electromotive force suitable tocause electric arc conduction therefrom into and along said combustion flame.

7. The process of utilizing cheap. ma-

te'rials in electrodes which consists in inducting through said electrodes, in holes therethrough containing bodies of elect-rically conducting, thermally re-fracto solids, streams .of fluid matter; burning sai matter in said streams; and impressing suitable electromotive forces on'said electrod 7 cause electric arcconduction in said streams. V 8. .-'lhe process -of utilizing cheap materials in electrodes which consists in inductin'g' through said electrodes, in holes therethrouglr containingbodies upon heating of becoming carbonized to electrically conducting, vthermally refractory solids, streams of fluid matter; burning-saidmatter in said streams; and impressing suitable electromotive forceson said electrodes to cause electric arc conduction in said streams. I 7

9. The process of directively applying eletrical energy which comprises 'inducting streams of combustible and oxidizing matter through holes in electrodes, directing said capable streams into the desired space of action of said energy, burning said matterby com-- bustion in said electrodes. and in said streams, and impressing upon said elec trodes electromotive forces suitable to cause I f I I electric arc conduction therefrom into and wherein the-supply of combustible andoxiiaj dizing matter is so controlled that the oxidizing matter is not suflicient in proportion to burn the combustible matter completely. 11. The process as claimed in claimyl, in combination with the step of controlling the supply of,electric energy to the combustion flame by varying, in the same direction'as the desired change in magnitude of electric energy, the rate of supply of combustible matter. l 12. The method of suppl ing radiant energy to a space to be heate which comprises providinga continuous supply of energy from combustion flames directed into said space, and periodically impressing upon said combustion flames electromotive forces suitable to cause electric arc conduction therealong and into said space.

V 13. The .processas claimed inclaim 1, em-

plo ed in heating a furnace continuously wit fuel and intermittently with both electribity and fuel.

14. Apparatus comprising an electrode having a longitudinal passageway terminating at the arcing end of the electrode,

means for forcing combustible and oxidiz able mobile matter through said passageway, said passageway being so pro ortioned with respect to the volumes: of mobile matter 4 normally employed that -the combustion flame of said matter will contact with the arcing end of the electrode, and means for impressing upon said electrode an electromotiveforce suitable to cause electric are therethrou'gh, a porous mass of electricallyconduction therefrom into and along the combustion flame.

15.-Apparatus comprising a nozzle-elem trode having a longitudinal bore extending conducting material in said bore, means for forcing a. combustible mixture through said bore, means for impressing upon said mass an electromotive force suitable to cause electrio arc conduction therefrom into the flame produced from said combustible mixture, and means for advancing through said bore. i

16. A nozzle-electrode comprising a tubular shells-of refractory-tzmaterial, a nozzle thereon, means for s11 plying a mixture of combustible and oxidizing matter to said tubular shell, means for supplying bodies of electrically conducting, thermally refractory solids to said tubular shell, and means for imprwsing an electromotive force upon said bodies.

17. A nozzle-electrode comprising a tubu-. lar body of refractory material, a nozzle for said body and having a bore of less crosssectional area than that of said body, an

electrically conducting, thermally refractory plurality said porous mass filling in and providing longitudinal passages through said body, means for forcing fluid matter through. said passages, means for impressing an electroinotive force upon said filling, and means on said body and spaced from the nozzle end thereof for re- I 19. Apparatus for converting electric energyto radiant energy in the presence of combustion, said apparatus comprising a ofno'zzles, solid bodies of electrically conducting, thermally refractory material in said nozzles, means for supplyingvcombustibl'e material .and oxidizing gas to said nozzles at such. pressure that com bastion flames ma issue from said nozzles and in contact with at least some of said solid bodies, and means for supplying electricity to said bodies at electromotive forces suitable to cause electric arc conduction therefrom into and along said combustion flames.

20. In apparatus for supplying electric energy to a furnace, the combination with electrically conducting nozzles arranged to feedIfluid matter into said furnace, of induction tubes connected to said nozzles; means-for continuously inducting fluid matter through said nozzles by way of said induction tubes; bodies of solid, electrically conducting, thermally refractory material in the bores of and in electric connection with said nozzles and said induction tubes; means for so regulating'said inducted fluid matter that it will burn while in contact with at least some of said solid bodies in said bores: and means for supplying electricity to said nozzles at electromotive force suitable to cause electricarc conductio from said solid bodies into. said fluid matter and along the streams thereof. 1

21. In electrode apparatus adapted to be conveniently installed in and removed from a furnace at will, the combination with nozzles resembling and spatially interchangeable with furnace tuyeres, and made of electrically conducting material; of means for producing combustion flame in and. from said nozzles; and means, for supplying electricity of suitable elec'tromotive force to said nozzles.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 in combination with means for varying the Apparatus forconverting electric envolume and intensity of the combustion flames. I

23. Apparatus as claimed vin claim 18 wherein said nozzle resembles and is spatial- 1y interchangeable with a furnace tuyere.

21. In electric arc apparatus ada d to consume relatively cheap electro e. materials, the combination with electrodes having longitudinal holes, of bodies of electrically conducting thermally refractory solids in said ho'les; means-for inducting fluid matter through said holes; means for burning saidmatter by combustion while and after passing through said holes; and means for impressln on said electrodes electrometive force 0 magnitude suitable to cause matter and along the streams thereof.

o consume relatively cheap. electrode materials;

electriearc conduction into said inducted 25. In electric arc apparatus adapted to the combination with electrodes having longitudinal holes, ofi heating of becoming trically conducting solids; in said holes; means fluid matter through saidholes; means for bodies capable upon carbonized to e burning said matter by combustion while and after passing through said holes; and mea for impressing on said electrodes electrom tive force of magnitude suitable to cause electric arcconduction into said] inducted matter and alon the streams thereof.

26. Apparatus as c aimed in claim 19,

wherein said nozzles a'reso' arranged that r the electric circuit shall be from a nozzle to and along its flame, to 'the flame of another nozzle, and so to the said other nozzlej In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature.

GEORGE T. SOUTHGATSE.

thermall refractory or inducting