Patent GB-191212242-A (GB)
Title: Improved Process and Apparatus for the Production of Hydrogen.
Inventor: MESSERSCHMITT ANTON
IPC: C01B3/10
Filed: 1911-07-08
Granted: 1913-06-23
Abstract: 12,242. Messerschmitt, A. July 8, 1911, [Convention date]. Hydrogen-producing furnaces.-In the production of hydrogen by the alternate oxidation with steam of iron, and reduction of the oxide formed, the iron &c. is contained in periodically heated columns or retorts, preferably of unprotected iron, enclosed in a heating-space, in which the reaction gases, and gases escaping from the columns, flow through the heating-spaces, which themselves form ducts for the gases. The apparatus used consists essentially in a long vertical retort or column 2, holding the reaction material, exchangeably arranged in a gas-tight furnace 1. as by suspending it by means of a flange 3. The column can be charged at the top, by means of a movable cover 7, and communicates with the heating-space 4 of the furnace 1 through a ring- shaped grating 5. In the space 4 is a labyrinth 6 of chamotte &c. to provide for superheating. Heating gas is admitted through a valve 26, pipe 18, and annular casing 14, to a number of vertical tubes 15, 16 arranged around the heating- space 4, while air for its combustion enters through pipes 10 (described below). Waste gases escape through an open valve 31 to a chimney. When the furnace is at a red heat, a valve 32 is opened, allowing reducing-gases to pass up through a pipe 19 to the top of the column 2. Any waste combustible gas escaping from the column is burnt in the heating-space 4 by means of air admitted through pipes 10 radiating horizontally from a box 8, the top 9 of which closes the bottom of the column 2. Air is supplied to the box 8 through a pipe 12 controlled by a valve 13 attached to its movable bottom 11. The waste gases finally pass away through a register 31 to the chimney. If high superheating of the reduction gases is desired, they are passed through the valve 26 to the casing 14 and tubes 15, 16 to the space 4, the air-valve 13 being closed. The reduction gases in this case pass up through a column 2 and away through pipes 19, 27 through a valve 28 to be completely burnt at the steam boiler. Preferably the two methods of reduction alternate. When reduction is complete, steam is admitted to the box 8 through a valve 25, three-way cock 24, and pipe 21, whence it passes through the radiating-pipes 10 to the space 4, which it sweeps out through the register 31. The register is then closed and the three-way cock 24 is adjusted so that the steam flows up through a pipe 23 to the top of and then down through the heating-space 4 so that it enters the column 2 at the bottom highly superheated. The liberated hydrogen passes through the. pipes 19, 27, a water-seal 30, and finally away through a pipe 33. The heating-stages are interpolated with the alternate reduction and oxidation stages as required. Or the heating can be combined with the reduction, in which case the reduction gases pass in at the top. To drive out any gas remaining in the pores of the fire-proof material of the heating-space it is provided at various places with iron members or fire-proof bricks containing and fired with iron oxide, or partly coated therewith. Instead of being suspended, the retort 2 may be arranged standing; the whole apparatus is inverted, the chamber 8 serving for charging the retort instead of discharging. The admission paths of the air and heating gas may be interchanged, the supply conduits being suitably arranged.