An Automatic Apparatus for the Production of Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 13th Nov., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Automatic Apparatus for the Production of Acetylene Gas.
I, FERDINAND BOSSHARDT, of the Firm of F. Bosshardt & Co., of 4, Corporation
Street, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Patent Agent, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, which has been communicated to me by Alfred
Molet, of 1652, Calle Entre Rios, Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic, Manufacturer.
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The apparatus heretofore employed to obtain acetylene gas by means of calcium
carbide may be divided into two classes, viz.:-
1. Apparatus in which the calcium carbide is in contact with water, and
2. Apparatus in which the calcium carbide falls into the water.
Those of the first class being the more readily and easily constructed have here-
tofore constituted almost all the apparatus invented. They, however, present.
great disadvantages which will cause them eventually to be abandoned and
substituted by those of the second class.
In fact, when carbide is acted upon by small quantities of water, either in a fine
rain or spray or by simple contact, as is the case with the apparatus based on the
principle of the hydrogen gas briquet of Gay-Lussac produces phenomena of
polymerization as well as a remarkably high temperature.
Besides, it is almost impossible to prevent the overproduction which takes place
even when the water has ceased to be in contact with the carbide.
The apparatus of the second class in use hitherto are very few, the regular form
of the carbide hardly adapting itself to automatic operation. However, it seems
that there are some which are giving already good results, and among these are
those of the acetylene generators of C. Patin, of P. Lequeux, and of Seguin &
Company.
But in these apparatus a special previous manipulation of the carbide is neces-
sary; its pulverization, its saturation with petroleum, and the previous charging
of a series of cells. Besides, these charges, however small they may be, always
demand that the gas generator should be used together with a gas holder capable
of containing a considerable amount of gas.
I have succeeded in overcoming, by means of my apparatus "Spirit," all theso
difficulties and deficiencies.
The "Spirit" apparatus of the second class, that is to say, that in which the
carbide falls into the water, possesses all the advantages of this kind of apparatus.
Besides it has no gas holder.
It is small and occupies an insignificant space.
The distribution of the carbide is made automatically and gradually, as the
consumption takes place.
The only necessary manipulation to which the carbide must be subjected is to
crush it into not very large pieces, weighing no more than ten or twelve grammes,
or nearly the size of a hazel-nut.

page_text: The charge is made filling the upper reservoir without being necessary to divide
it previously.
Besides these advantages, there are many others, as for instance, the facility of
cleaning the lime residue, the almost complete absence of any mechanism, because
the movement of the hammer which is, so to speak, the essence of the system, does
not really deserve to be called such.
Finally, the manipulation is so extremely simple that the apparatus may be
entrusted to any person without danger of any kind.
In this apparatus the fall of the calcium carbide in a quantity of water and in
small fractions, at the same time, is automatically provoked.
Fig. 1, Sheet I, is a vertical section, Fig. 2, Sheet II, a sectional plan, and Fig. 3
a plan of my improved apparatus for the production of acetylene gas.
The carbide previously divided in fragments is introduced by means of an air
tight cover T in the box A. This box communicates in its lower portion with a
conduit or channel HH¹.
This conduit is connected at J with a plate C, adapted to divide horizontally the
water reservoir D D¹ into two parts, which communicate with each other by means
of the pipe E.
The bottom V of the box A, which at the same time forms an integral part with
the conduit H, is slightly inclined. The angle of this inclination is such as to
prevent the carbide in the box A from falling by itself; but it is sufficient to
provoke the fall when a series of vibrations are communicated to the bottom V.
These vibrations are easily secured by means of the hammer M, to which, either
by means of a mechanism or by electricity, motion is communicated whenever it
is necessary to provoke the fall of the carbide.
At the beginning of the operation the water reservoir D D is filled with water.
In falling into the water the carbide is decomposed into lime which goes to the
bottom, and into acetylene gas which is stored under pressure under the plate C,
displacing its own volume of water which passes to the upper part D of the reser-
voir through the pipe or channel E. The movement of the water is produced in
a reverse direction whenever the amount of gas diminishes. The gas produced
is then directed towards the outside through the conduit C, provided with the
cock K.
In order to automatically regulate the reciprocity of motion and of immobility
of the hammer M, a float F has been arranged which ends in a rod R which passes
freely in a small pipe. The float accurately accompanies all the changes of the
level of water in the portion D¹ of the reservoir.
When the electric hammer is employed, as indicated in the drawings, the rod R
is provided with a contact 0 which cuts off or re-establishes the electrical current
which goes from the battery to the electrode I.
When a mechanical movement is employed the said rod will operate a check
or click.
It is evident that however little the amount of gas stored may be increased,
the level, N, will descend as well as the float, and thereupon the interruption of
the movement of the hammer is effected. On the other hand, whenever, by the
mere fact of the consumption of the gas the volume of the same is reduced, the
float will rise with the level, thus re-establishing the movement of the hammer.
The formation of the lime, residue of the carbide, tends to increase the volume
of the water contained in DD¹, and the discharge pipe P permits the exit of this
excess of water. It will be understood that the pressure of the gas will depend
upon the height in which this discharge pipe may be placed.
The exit or discharge of the lime milk stored at the bottom D¹ is effected by a
cock or valve placed at S.
The free space that remains between A and D has been utilized to place the
movement of the hammer in a box which may be of wood, as shown in the drawings,
and the bottom of which rests on the ledge of the reservoir D.

page_text: At Q the tube or pipe is made to pass, for introducing the water into the
apparatus.
The whole apparatus rests on a tripod X.
At Z a cylindrical jacket has been arranged which is adapted simply to protect
the movement.
For the construction of the apparatus any kind of metallic plates may be
employed. But naturally, the metal which is less liable to be decomposed by
oxidation and by combination with the acetylene gas, should be preferred.
The dimensions indicated in the accompanying drawings are those of a medium
sized apparatus (20 or 25 candles) and they must of course be charged according
to the production desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A system of construction and an apparatus for the automatic production of
acetylene gas, by means of the gradual fall of fragments of calcium carbide into
the water as the consumption takes place, substantially as described.
2. An apparatus for the automatic production of acetylene gas, comprising a
hopper, a channel leading therefrom, a water chamber and means for causing the
gradual fall of fragments of calcium carbide into the water as the consumption
takes place, substantially as described.
3. An apparatus for producing acetylene gas comprising a hopper and an inclined
delivery plate a water chamber and means for vibrating said inclined plate to
provoke the fall of the carbide substantially as described.
4. In combination, a water chamber, a dividing diaphragm with communication
through the diaphragm, a hopper and means for feeding the carbide automatically
to the water chamber and a float controlling the feed substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day of October 1897.
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4 Corporation Street, Manchester, Agents to Applicant.
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4 Corporation Street, Manchester, Agents to Applicant.