IMPROVED METHODS OF SUPPLYING GAS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND OF IMPROVING ITS PURITY AND ILLUMINATING POWER
Year: 1841

page_text: ECIFI
TION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
LOWE, of No. 30, Finsbury Circus, in the City of London, Engineer to the
Chartered Gas Company, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Sixteenth day of March, in the fourth year of Her reign, did
give and grant unto me, the said George Lowe, my exors, adñiors, and
assigns, Her special full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the
said George Lowe, my exors, admors, and assigns, and every of them, by
inyself or themselves, or by my or their deputy or deputies, servants or
agents, or such others as I, the said George Lowe, my exors, admors, or
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times hereafter during the terms of years herein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales
and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention for "IMPROVED METHODS
OF SUPPLYING GAS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND OF IMPROVING ITS PURITY
AND ILLUMINATING POWER;" in which Letters Patent there is contained a
proviso obliging me, the said George Lowe, by an instrument in writing.
under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
Paine 1

page_text: and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's HighCourt of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same (relation being thereunto
had) may more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
George Lowe, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention to consist in
the following improvements :-
The circumstances alluded to for which I propose my improvements are the
deficiency of the supply of gas at certain times and in certain localities. I
also offer improved methods for insuring a greater decree of purity in the gas
required for private lighting, as also the increasing, its illuminating power
The result of my improved methods of supply and purification will, it is
believed, be equally beneficial to gas companies as to consumers. Numerous
are the complaints made at certain times by the consumers of gas of in-
adequate supply arising from the want of pressure in the street mains, more
especially so on dark days, and in the lower levels of a town or of an estab-
lishment; to remedy which, and.to place the supply at all times more under
the controul of the consumer, I apply to the gas-meter suitable means of
giving to it a power of movement.over and above tliat which is produced by
the flow of gas.through the meter. I also, for two reasons, increase the
surfaces of the metal of which gas-meters are composed, firstly, in order
thereby to augment the saturating power, when charged with naphtha.or other
hydro-carbonaceous liquids, as proposed in my former Patent, dated Ninth
June, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two; and secondly, thereby to
make the gas-meter act the part of a purifier when charged with a solution of
caustic potash or soda, instead of, as heretofore, with water or other fluids.
It has been thought desirable in some instances, where the larger sized meters
are required, uot to introduce naphtha into them, but to saturate the gas in a
separate vessel or apparatus, I have therefore invented two modes for effecting
this saturation-First, by the intervention of sponges, fragments of coke, of
pumice stone, or other suitable vesicular or capillary matter moistened with
naphtha; secondly, by the exhibition of extended surfaces of naphtha in a
series of shallow trays, over which the gas is made to pass on its way to the
burners. Either or both of these forms I find well.calculated, when charged
with a solution of caustic potash or soda, to purify, the gas of,sulphuretted
hydrogen and carbonic acid, and when charged with a dilute acid, it will have
the effect of depriving the gas of ammonia and its compounds. Thus together
I free the gas from those impurities which may have escaped, the usual,
purifying process at the works.

page_text: Having thus briefly stated the general objects of my Invention, I will proceed
to describe the best means I am acquainted with for performing the same,
reference being had to the Drawings and Figures hereunto annexed,, viz! :-.
Figures 1, 2, and 3, Drawing No. 1, represent a gas-meter of the usual
construction, with my additions for giving a better supply of gas under.
certain circumstances.
Figure 1 represents a five-light meter, with my additions drawn in section,
the axis or shaft of the meter being extended through the back of the
case of the meter, and kept tight by a stuffing box; upon the end. of this
axis or shaft I fasten a, common. shaped water wheel that shall give a
power when necessary over and above that which is produced by the gas
itself. The water wheel. is enclosed in a case, the feet of which correspond.
with the feet of the meter, the water. wheel, case, being cut away so as to
allow the space covered by the feet to form a receiver or race for the
water, which is thence carried away by. a pipe.
Figure 2 shows the way in which the wheel is supported. on the axis of the
meter, and a form of bucket which, I have found to answer the purpose.
Instead of the axis being carried through a.stuffing box it may receive motion
from the water wheel, by a train of common wheelwork. carried up in the
manner described in Figure 3,and in this way the stuffing boxis unnecessary;
the water wheel in this instance must be placed upon the upper projecting
spindle. Instead of a water wheel I can use a weight to give the additional
power to the axis of the meter; and it will be evident that supposing the
axis on which the water wheel is placed was extended still further from
the back of the meter, and a cord wound round such axis, and a weight
hung at the end of the cord, that a similar effect would be produced, but in
this instance the weight would, when run down, require to be wound up
again. This is effected by hand precisely in the same way as in winding up
clocks and watches. It is also evident that the range of the weight. may
be varied by the train of wheelwork to suit the situation and the weight
proportionately increased, and thereby made to go a longer time, as in one
and eight day. clocks, the projecting end of course being supported by an
additional bearing, Drawings of which are unnecessary, as any form of
framework, or arrangement of wheelwork or motive power which will give
an uniform impetus to the axis of the meter, will.answer the purpose.
Drawing A, Figure 4, represents the sections of a gas wheel, or that part of
a gas meter, which measures the gas, and Figure 5 the same gas wheel with
my, addition or increase of the surface of the metal, which is effected by.
placing around the circumference of the gas wheel. a .rim or covering about

page_text: one inch larger in diameter, fastened and supported by small studs, and
consequently revolving with the gas wheel, the gas passing in the direction
of the arrows, and thereby coming in contact with an additional quantity
of the fluid which the surface of the metal has taken up. Or when it is
found more desirable to produce the same results in a separate vessel or
apparatus, it is shewn in Drawing No. 2.
Figure 1 represents the front elevation of a double box or vessel (calculated
for eight or ten Argand burners), made of tin or other suitable material con-
taining six rows of shelves or wire gratings, on which is placed a stratum of
sponge or other suitable material, through which the gas is made to pass in
the direction of the arrows, as shewn in Figure 3, Figure 2 being an end
elevation of the same. When this vessel is required for extracting sul-
phuretted hydrogen, and thereby give increased purity to the gas,the sponges
in the first partition must be saturatad with a solution of caustic potash or
soda introduced through the funnel above, which solution falling upon a per-
forated shelf or cullender will be equally distributed over the surfaces of the
sponge. The like operation with naphtha is gone through in the second
partition when required for giving increased illuminating power to the gas.
When the extracting of ammonia from the gas is the object, a solution of
diluted acid may be substituted, such as sulphuric, muriatic, or other suitable
acids, for that of the alkali. The partition containing the acid will require
protection by covering the internal surface with a mixture of beeswax and
tallow. It will be evident that a vessel having three or more partitions will
allow the three operations to be going on at the same time, as represented
by Figures 5 and 6, the first partition A being charged with dilute acid, B
with caustic alkaline solution, and C with naphtha. It is obvious that any
or all these partitions may be charged with either acid, alkali, or naphtha.
Figure 4 represents a plan of the vessel Figure 1, when divested of its
cover, shewing the upper shelves or wire sieves for supporting the sponge or
other material, and its packing or luting joint to which the cover is screwed.
The small stopcock to each partition is for drawing off any surplus fluid.
Another node of producing the same results in a separate vessel or
vessels is shewn.
Figures 6 and 7 (Drawing No. 1) are elevations of a box or vessel
containing shallow trays calculated for 8 or 10 lights. Figures 8 and 9
are sections of the same; in which the gas is made to traverse over the
surfaces of naphtha or other fluids (previously alluded to) in a series
of shallow trays, the arrows showing the direction of the gas; the fluid,
as in the former case, is supplied through the funnel at the top above

page_text: the trays, and as each tray is filled it overflows into the next lower one
until the fluid shows itself at the small stopcock below, which indicates
that the apparatus is charged and ready for use.
Figure 10 shews the plan of the top; Figure 11 the plan of tray; Figures 12
and 13 section and elevation of a tray; and Figures 14 and 15 cross section
and elevation of trays. It is obvious that a vessel of three compartments,
each containing a series of these trays, the first charged with dilute acid, the
second with caustic alkaline solution, and the third with naphtha, that similar
results will be produced as with shelves and sponges,&c.previously described.
It will be observed that the lower tray is deeper than those above it to allow
the tube to stand up above the surface of the fluid at the bottom of the box,
for the introduction of the gas. When a vessel of three series of trays is used:
the gas passes from the second to the third in a similar manner. It is
scarcely necessary to mention, that as the naphtha is absorbed, or the alkaline
solution or dilute acid become saturated, that they must be renewed.
Drawing No. 3 exhibits a mode of applying my system of sponges saturated
with naphtha to a table gas lamp; the arrows show the direction of the
passage of the gas through it to the burner. It will be observed, the top of
the vase unscrews for the purpose of recharging the sponges with naphtha.
I would observe, that the regularity of the flow of gas through meters, thus
aided by motive power, is greatly insured by then passing the gas through
the well-known instrument called the gas governor or regulator.
Having thus described my Invention, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,―
First, the application of mechanical means for giving a power of moving
gas-meters beyond what is produced by the flow of gas through them.
Secondly, the mode of better adapting gas-meters by increasing their
surfaces, for the purposes herein-before mentioned.
Thirdly, I claim the application of alkaline solutions in gas-meters, for
the purpose also herein-before described.
Fourthly, I claim the application and use of sponge or other suitable
material, and also the use of shallow trays containing caustic alkaline solu-
tions, which by their extended surfaces the gas is further purified from
sulphuretted hydrogen and carbonic acid, and when charged with a dilute
acid will also take up the ammonia and its compounds.
Fifthly, I claim also the application and the use of sponge or other
suitable material, and the use of shallow trays charged with naphtha or
other volatile hydro-carbonaceous liquids for increasing the illuminating
power of coal gas in the manner herein-before described.

page_text: I would remark, that I do not confine myself to the use of any particular
construction or size of gas meters, only so far as the gas-meter being put in
motion by mechanical means over and above the power which the flow of
gas has upon such meter. And such my Invention being, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, entirely new, and never before used in that part of
Her Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England,
Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed; I do hereby
declare this to be Specification of my said Invention, and that I do verily
believe this my Specification doth comply in all respects, fully and without
disguise, with the proviso in the said herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent contained. Wherefore I do hereby claim to maintain exclusive right
and privilege to my said Invention.
In witness whereof, 'I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this -
Sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and forty-one.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the within-
named George Lowe, in the presence of
GEORGE (L.S.) LOWE.
JAMES DOYLE,
Clerk to Mess™ Gilbert & Bisgood.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Sixteenth day of September,
in the year of our Lord 1841, the aforesaid George Lowe came before, our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One