Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/381

349&#93; FUR from the lower part or intern il side of the fire-place, to the flues 01 chimney.— In some cases, Mr. Watt causes the flame to pass through :i very hot funnel, or flue, previous!) to its arriving at the bottom of the boiler, or at that part of the furnace, where it is intended to melt metals; by which contri- vance the smoke is .->till more ef- fectually consumed. In other ca he directs the course of the flame from the fire-place immediately into the space beneath a boiler, or into the bed of a melting or other furnace. — A minute account of this machinery is inserted in the 4th vol. of the " Repertory ofjfrts and Manufactures," where it is describ- ed and illustrated by engravings. In 1794, Mr. Henry Browne, of Derby, invented an ingenious furnace, calculated to facilitate evaporation) for which the Society for the " Encouragement of Arts," fccc. rewarded him with a gold me- dal. — By this arrangement, the heat is first carried under the vessel, then reverted back on the sides, and, at length, conveyed over the surface: thus the air in contact: with the li- quor is heated and rarefied to such a degree, that the fluid is raised into vapour or steam, much sooner, and with less fuel, than in the cold atmosphere; and, as the air neces- sary to keep the fuel in combustion passes over the surface of the liquor, every pernicious vapour is carried with il into the fire, where it is decomposed, or at least ren- dered innoccuous. Mr. Browne's furnace is likewise so constructed, that as much fuel may be laid on the hie at one time as will be re- quired for twelve, or even twenty- four hours ; and thus one man is •nabled to perform the labour of $ree, with much greater facility FUR [349 than by the usual method. Beside this advantage, the- evaporation is; ra »■ : spe I lv effe ted; less fuel is consumed than in the common boilers bow in use; and, neither the operator nor the neighbourhood will be annoyed with the most per- nicious vapour. — Those who wish to be informed of the various parts of this useful contrivance, we must refer to the 12th volume of the " Transactions" of the Patriotic Society before ment'oncd, where it is minutely described, and illus- trated by an elegant engraving. A patent was granted in Decem- ber, 1798, toMr.Vn,LiAM R.vLKr, of Newhald, in die East Riding of Yorkshire, chemist ; for his inven- tion of a p hilosophical furnace and boiler, with an actuating wheel appended to them ; and which are/ applicable to the drawing of foul and inflammable air from pits, mines, ice. to several branches of pharmacy, and various mechanical purposes. As, however, tins ma- chinery is scarcely suitable to do- mestic economy, we shall only add, that the specification of it is con- tained in the 10th volume of the " Repertory of the Arts and Ma~ mtfaciures." The last patent which claims our notice, is that granted in Novem- ber, 1799, to Mr. James Burn?, of Glasgow, builder ; for his inven- tion of certain improvements appli- cable to furnaces, fire-grates, stoves, and chimnies, by which a greater supply of heat may be obtained from a given quantity of fuel ; and rooms of every description may be heated more speedily and effectually than by the mediods now in use; while they are calculated in a great measure to prevent accidents from, women's and children's clothes taking fire, and also to give 3 de- gree