886 



COKE 



490 



ovens, but with still flatter roofs. Of such kilns, several are placed alongside one 

 another, each being an ellipse deviating little from a circle, so that the mouth may 

 project but a small space. The dimensions are such, that from 10 to 12 cubic foot 

 of coal culm may be spread in a layer 6 inches deep upon tho sole of the furnace. 

 The top of the flat arch of fire brick should be 

 covered -with a stratum of loam and sand. 



Figs. 490 and 491 represent such a kiln as is 

 mounted at Zabrze, in Upper Silesia, for coking small 

 coal. Fig. 490 is the ground plan ; jig. 491 the ver- 

 tical section in the line of the long axis of jig. 490. 

 a is the sand-bed of the hearth, under tho brick solo ; 

 J> is the roof of large fire-bricks ; c, the covering of 

 loam ; d, the top surface of sand ; e tho orifico in the 

 front wall, for admission of the culm, and removal 

 of the coke over the sloping stone /. The flame and 

 vapours pass off above the orifice, through the chimney 

 marked g, or through the aperture h, into a lateral 

 chimney, i is a bar of iron laid across the front of 

 the door, as a fulcrum to work the iron rake upon. 

 .3#e**^]inL A layer of coals is first kindled upon tho hearth, and 

 ^ .KfS n^ST* when this is in brisk ignition, it is covered with the 

 culm in successive sprinklings. When the coal is 

 sufficiently coked, it is raked out and quenched with 

 ^_^ water. 



Fig. 492 represents a simple coking Meiler or mound, constructed in a circular form 

 round a central chimney of loose bricks, towards which small horizontal flues are laid 

 among the lumps of coals. The sides and top are covered with culm or slack, and 

 the heap is kindled from certain openings towards the circumference. Fig. 493 

 represents an oblong Meiler, sometimes made 100 or 150 feet in length, and from 10 to 



492 



493 



12 in breadth. The section in the middle of the figure shows how the lumps are piled 

 up, ; the wooden stakes are lifted out when the heap is finished, in order to introduce 

 kindlings at various points ; and the rest of the Meiler is then covered with slack 

 and clay, to protect it from the rains. A jet of smoke and flame is seen issuing from 

 its left end. 



21 i 



An excellent range of furnaces for making a superior article of coke, for the service 

 of locomotive engines of the London and Birmingham Bailway Company, has been 



