TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 593 



puddling and the results obtained in the ' Batho furnace,' an improved form of the 

 Siemens regenerative furnace. It was shown that the Batho furnace was reduced 

 to a simple mechanical contrivance, and that the idea of a furnace as a building 

 had been entirely abandoned. 



The means of applying the basic lining to the simplified furnace, which consists 

 of detached regenerative stoves and a melting-vessel, connections between the two 

 being made by means of tubas lined with heat-resisting material. 



The basic lining is mixed with short fine wire, which is used like hair in plaster 

 on ordinary walls, simply to keep it from cracking and falling off. It was pointed 

 out that the difficulty of applying a basic lining to a vessel of this kind is reduced 

 to a minimum. 



The process of treating phosphoric crude iron in this vessel was then described 

 and reactions given similar to those obtained in the puddling furnace, but more 

 perfect as a natural result of a more perfect heat, producing more perfect reactions. 

 Instead of the metal being drawn from the furnace in a spongy state, it is run out 

 into moulds, fluid and in a more highly refined condition. 



Comparison was made with the Bessemer basic process, and it was shown that 

 in this process the oxidising base necessary had, in a large measure, to be obtained 

 by the oxidation of part of the metallic charge, whereas in the open-hearth treat- 

 ment the oxide is put in the furnace as oxide. 



It was pointed out that the purest homogeneous iron was not in one respect 

 equal to the produce of the puddling furnace. 



If highly-wrought iron, like a patent faggoted axle, be subjected after it is 

 superficially cut with a sharp tool to the shock of a falling weight, it will only open 

 to the depth of the cut — the fibre of the metal opening at this point — whereas the 

 purest steel under similar treatment, not having this fibre, would break. 



In conclusion, it was stated that the open-hearth process described did not so 

 much supersede puddling as render the manual labour unnecessary, and by 

 natural reaction, under more perfect heat, arrive at a more perfect result. 



2. On the Basic Bessemer Process in South Staffordshire. 

 By W. Hutchinson. 



On account of the great importance of the successful application of a dephos- 

 phorising process to South Staflbrdshire iron, Mr. Hutchinson was requested to give 

 an account of the procedure at the works of the South Staffordshire Steel and Ingot 

 Iron Co. The account included an analysis of the dolomite used in making the basic 

 lining, and a description of the preparation of the lining, together with the basic 

 bricks and converted bottoms. A short description of the process was given. On 

 account of the siliceous character of the metal used it is first blown for a short 

 time in a Bessemer vessel with acid lining, and after partially desiliconising it is 

 transferred to the basic vessel, where the removal of the phosphorus is effected. 

 Analyses were given of the iron before and after desiliconising, and also of the 

 finished product. An account was given of the mechanical tests adopted and of 

 the branches of manufacture for which the material is particularly adapted. The 

 paper concluded with a reference to the basic slag produced during the process. 



3. On the Production of Soft Steel in a neio type of Fia-ed Converter. 



By George Hatton. 



Large and costly plants hitherto generally employed for steel-maMng beino- 

 beyond the reach of many iron manufacturers having existing works which they 

 might wish to adapt for steel-making, some rapid and continuous method of steel- 

 making involving only moderate expenditure on plant has long been desirable ; and 

 the fixed converter ofiers many advantages in this direction. 



Eeferring to Sir Henry Bessemer's use of a fixed converter, and the subsequent 

 use of such converters in Sweden, the paper points out the great difficulty always 

 attending the use of fixed converters of the old type, namely, the necessity for 



1886. Q Q 



