charging-machine

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A machine for delivering coal, ore, or metals to a furnace, gas-retort, or coke-oven. It is made in many different forms, all essentially loading-machines which take up the material and push it by means of a ram into the furnace, retort, or oven; the ram distributes it, and is then withdrawn to permit the closing of the door. In gas charging-machines steam is sometimes used to blow the coal into the retort In one sense a mechanical stoker is a charging-machine, but it is not usually classed as such. See mechanical stoker.