ANDREAS KURTZ 143 



common salt, and in the mode or method 

 of working or using the same." By his 

 specifications Lutwyche stated amongst other 

 things as follows : " These improvements are 

 designed to prevent the muriatic acid gas 

 from escaping into the atmosphere during the 

 decomposition of the salt ; which is effected 

 by condensing such gas in suitable 

 apparatus." 



' ' The improved construction of the apparatus 

 for the decomposition of common salt and the 

 condensation of muriatic acid gas, consists, 

 first, in a novel and peculiar construction of 

 closed oven or decomposing chamber, with 

 its fireplaces and flues, composed chiefly of 

 bricks and mortar. Within this oven there 

 are two beds or floors, one about six inches 

 lower than the other, and over them is 

 formed an arch of firebricks, which arch 

 separates the oven or chamber from the fire 

 and prevents the flame and smoke coming 

 into contact with the materials under opera- 

 tion, but admits of sufficient heat for the 

 purpose of decomposition. In Lutwyche's 

 furnace, one part of the floor was iron and 

 the other brick, but the whole furnace was 

 heated by one grate ; when the materials had 

 been decomposed in the lower part of the 



