176 THE SCIENTIFIC PAPERS OF 



Russell & Co.'s tube works near Birmingham. He held in his 

 hand the specifications of the two patents alluded to, and it might 

 not be without interest to the Institute to learn exactly what was 

 known and claimed regarding the proposed method of producing 

 gas as early as 1863 and 18G4. In the patent of 18G3 it is said : 

 " Thus, although we much prefer to make use of regenerators for 

 producing the intense heat required, yet heating apparatus of 

 different construction may be applied, and the form and construc- 

 tion of the heated chambers, as well as the means adopted for 

 charging and discharging them, may be greatly modified ; also 

 the chambers or retorts may be arranged in a somewhat inclined 

 position instead of being placed vertical," &c. ; and he claimed 

 " constructing furnaces in which coal or other carbonaceous material 

 is subjected, whilst descending gradually in upright recipients or 

 retorts, to the action of intense heat resulting from the application 

 of regenerators with reversal of currents, the result being either 

 the total conversion of the carbonaceous matter into combustible 

 gases when a grate is applied at the bottom of such recipients, or 

 the production of both combustible gases and coke of superior 

 quality, when admission of atmospheric air to the bottom of the 

 recipient is prevented." And in 1864 the first two claims run as 

 follows : " First, constructing apparatus for converting carbona- 

 ceous matter into combustible gases, in which such carbonaceous 

 matter is first caused to descend gradually through one or more 

 vertical or inclined retorts, from the lower end of which it passes 

 in a thick layer upon a fire-grate, the heated combustible gases 

 resulting from the imperfect combustion of the fuel upon the 

 latter being made to pass around or against the outer surface of 

 the said retort or retorts. Second, constructing gas-producers 

 (which are chiefly applicable for the conversion of binding coal 

 into combustible gas) in such a manner that the fuel descends 

 through an inverted funnel, acting more or less as a retort, upon 

 a solid moderately-inclined plane supporting the column of fuel, 

 such inclined plane having one or more openings at the top for 

 the admission of atmospheric air, as well as for the introduction 

 of bars to break up the masses of coke, whilst one or more other 

 openings are provided at bottom for the removal of clinkers or 

 ashes, and for the introduction of a further quantity of air or 

 steam or both, in order to complete the conversion of the car- 



