Improved Apparatus for Producing Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 13th Nov.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Producing Acetylene Gas.
We, ALEXANDER FLOCK, of 25 Aachenerstrasse, and FRANZ MESSEDAT, of
21 Aachenerstrasse, both of Cologne, in the German Empire, Manufacturers, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to an apparatus for the production of acetylene gas which
enables the gas produced to be filtered and dried in the apparatus itself without
danger of explosion, so that it can be used not only in factories, but also in
dwelling houses, and for the illumination of cycles and carriages of all kinds.
In the accompanying sheet of Drawings Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of
an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 a similar
view of a modification of the same.
The apparatus consists essentially of four principal parts:-
Firstly, Of the chamber A forming a water reservoir:
Secondly, Of the chamber B which contains the calcium-carbide:
Thirdly, Of the chamber C which is connected by a perforated bottom a with
the reservoir B, and
Fourthly, Of the drying chamber D which is filled with pumice stone impreg-
nated with sulphuric acid; with glass balls moistened with sulphuric acid; or
with any other suitable material that will absorb the water or contaminating
gases carried over with the acetylene gas.
The water passes from the chamber A into the chamber C, through, pipe b,
soldered or otherwise secured in the bottom of the former, and rises in the latter
through the perforated bottom a into the calcium-carbide chamber B. The gas
produced in the chamber B by the action of the water passes through the opening c¹
into the drying apparatus D where it is dried and filtered, and then passes away
through the outlet opening into the service pipe.
Whenever the production of gas in the chamber B becomes too great the gas
forces the water out of the calcium-carbide chamber B back into the chamber C,
from which it is forced back into the reservoir A through the pipe and finally
escapes through the perforated filling screw e. Immediately the water is forced
away from the calcium-carbide by the gas itself, the further production of gas
ceases, and consequently an excessive pressure can never occur in the apparatus.
Furthermore in this apparatus obstructions are avoided because the calcium-
hydroxide dissolves in the water, so that fresh undecomposed calcium-carbide is
always brought into action.
Insoluble impurities which sometimes collect in the chamber C can be removed
through the orening 9, which is kept normally closed by a plug or otherwise.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 2 the gas is caused by the partition f to
pass backwards and forwards in the drying chamber D, whereby more complete
cleaning and filtering is effected. The dry gas passes off through a pipe
DIovided with a regulating tap d.

page_text: The above described apparatus is distinguished from acetylene apparatus hereto-
fore in use by its complete security against explosion, the small quantity of water
required, and the automatic regulation of the gas production. The apparatus
can therefore be employed without danger not only in factories but also in
dwelling houses, and an entire establishment can be supplied with acetylene gas
from one central apparatus. When made of sufficiently small dimensions the
apparatus can be applied to cycles and carriages of all kinds.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
Apparatus for producing acetylene gas, in which a drying chamber is contained
within the apparatus itself, such drying chamber being charged with suitable
alisorbent material, through which the gas produced in the calcium-carbide
chamber is forced to pass before it is delivered for use; and in which, when too
much gas is produced the water is removed automatically from the carbide by
the pressure of the gas, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 4th day of October 1897.
A. FLÖCK.
F. MESSEDAT.
Per W. H. Beck,
115 Cannon Street, London, E.C., Agent.