IMPROVEMENTS APPARATUS USED IN THE METHOD AND PARTS OF WILICIL ARE IN THE PURIFICATION THE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OF GAS, IN CARBURETTING OR APPARATUS MEASURING OF GAS OR ATMOSPHERIC AIR
Year: 1878

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, William Purves
Wilson, of New Cross, in the County of Kent, send greeting:
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Royal Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty first day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy eight, in the forty first year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her
heirs, and successors, give and grant unto me, the said William Purves Wilson, my
executors, administrators, or assigns, or such others as I, my executors, admini-
strators, or assigns should at any time agree with, and no others from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
APPARATUS USED
IN THE METHOD AND
PARTS
OF
WILICIL
ARE
IN
THE
PURIFICATION
THE
ALSO APPLICABLE TO
OF
GAS,
IN
CARBURETTING OR
APPARATUS
MEASURING OF GAS OR ATMOSPHERIC AIR," for and during the term of fourteen
years, thence next ensuing. And whereas, in pursuance and performance of a
proviso in the said Letters Patent contained, the said William Purves Wilson,
did within six calendar months next after the date of the said Letters Patent
cause a Specification in writing under his hand and seal purporting to particularly
describe the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the same was to be
performed to be duly filed in the Great Seal Patent Office. And whereas, since the
filing of the said Specification, I have been advised that certain of the claiming
clauses of the said Specification may be held to be capable of such a construction
as would render the claims too general, and I am therefore desirous of striking out
the first, second, and fourth claiming clauses, and of altering the said Specification
and the title of the said Invention so as to limit the claims under the said Letters
Patent in manner more fully hereinafter appearing.
out
therefrom
NOW KNOW YE that I, the said William Purves Wilson. by and with the
leave of Her Majesty's Attorney General, and for the reasons aforesaid, do alter
the
the title of the said Invention and Letters Patent by striking
words "Parts of which Apparatus are also Applicable to the Carburetting or
Measuring of Gas or Atmospheric Air," so that the title of the said Invention
and Letters Patent will henceforth be " 'Improvements in the Method and in
A

page_text: "
44
"
39
88
Apparatus used in the Purification of Gas," and I alter the said Specification by
striking out of the said Specification printed by the Queen's Printers, and published
at the Great Seal Patent Office in One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight,
the whole of lines six and seven of page 6. I also strike out the words com-
mencing with "part of on line eighteen, and ending with the words
or gas on
line nineteen of the said page six. I also strike out that portion of the Specification
commencing with the word To at the end of line twenty nine of page nine, and
ending with the words determined on on line thirty eight of the said page nine.
I also insert between the paragraph ending on line fifty two of page eleven and the
paragraph commencing with line fifty three on the said page eleven the following
words; I wish it to be understood that I make no claim to the improvements
in hydraulic and dry centre valves hereinbefore described with reference to Figures
12, 13, 14, and 15, Sheet two of the Drawings, as forming any part of my present
Invention." I also insert after the paragraph ending on line twenty seven of page
twelve, and preceding the paragraph commencing on line twenty eight of the same
page, the following words; "No claim is however made to the hydraulic lift herein-
before described with reference to Figures 16, 17, and 13 (Sheet two) of the
Drawings, as forming any part of my present Invention." I also strike out the
whole of that portion of the Specification commencing with " Figures 18, 19, and
on line twenty eight of the said page twelve, and ending with the words
described" on line seventeen of page thirteen of the said printed copy of the said
Specification. I also insert between the words "main" and by," which occur on
line twenty three of the said page thirteen the word "and." I also strike out the
word <
and," which occurs on line twenty four of the said page thirteen. I also
ever to the word "which at the end of line thirty of the said page
thirteen, and I strike out the word "either" at the commencement of line thirty
one of the said page thirteen, and substitute therefor the words
may be,' and the
words whichever may be employed," forming the end of line thirty, and the
beginning of line thirty one of the said page thirteen I place in perenthesis. I
also strike out the word "
may," which precedes the word
"
remove on line
thirty one of the said page thirteen, and I insert between the said word
" and the word **
remove
"
from on the same line the words " the impurities." I
also insert between the word 66
apparatus" and the word "as," which occur on line
forty two of the said page thirteen the words "videlicet, the anti dip pipe arrange-
20"
add
66
46
"
"
66
"
"
ag
Iubo strike out the word "neers ary" on line 4 of the sad page 13, und substitute therefor the word "desirable."
ment, the form of hydraulic main, and the steam jet exhauster." I also strike
A
out the whole of the first and second claims constituting lines forty eight to fifty
six inclusive of the said page thirteen. I also strike out the word "Third" at
the commencement of line one of page fourteen. And I also strike out the whole
of the fourth claim constituting lines six to eight inclusive of the said page fourteen
of the said printed copy of the said Specification. And in order that the effect
of the said Disclaimer may be clearly understood, I annex hereto a copy of the
said Specification as it will appear when so amended, the testing clause being
omitted.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Purves Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
Twenty first August One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM PURVES WILSON, of New Cross, in the County of Kent. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD AND IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION OF GAS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the method and in the apparatus
having for its object the more perfect and economical condensation and purification
of illuminating gases. This will be effected by the removal of the tar while the
gases are at a high temperature, the revolatilising of such of the hydrocarbon
vapours and rich gases which have been absorbed by the tar, the application of
beat to the gases so as to effect a more gradual and equable condensation, and at

page_text: the same time utilizing the said heat in the gas for the evaporation of caustic
ammonia, and facilitating its combination with the impurities, also affording time
for the hydrocarbon vapours and rich gases assimulating within the range of their
affinities before reaching the final operations for the removal of the impurities
which will be by a continuous method of liquid purification.
The improved apparatus consists, firstly, of a vessel, as illustrated by Figure 1,
which is a vertical section through the centre; Figure 2, a vertical transverse
section through the centre; Figure 3, a horizontal section on line Y, Z, Figure 1;
Figure 4, part plan of top shewing feeding apparatus. This vessel is divided into
several compartments placed one above the other, and communicating with each
other, all of them being partly filled with liquid.
di nieter.
A
In the upper compartment I place two horizontal flat circular discs A, A, one of
which is suspended from each end of a balanced lever B. To the under side of the
discs is secured a series of wire gauze netting or perforated sheet cylinders C of
different diameters, the apertures in the cylinders decreasing in size as the cylinders
increase in number the last or outside cylinder being equal in diameter to that of
the disc. In the annular spaces between the cylinders, secured also to the underside
of the discs (or to the top of the cylinders) and close to the inside face of the
cylinders. a fibrous material is spread out, so as to cover the whole of the interior
surface of the cylinders, and present a circular screen of fibre in each of the annular
spaces extending from the under side of the flat discs to a few inches below the
level of the purifying liquid W, X, Figure 1. The gas after passing up the gas
inlet pipes D placed in the centre of the cylinders will consequently have to pass
through these fibrous screens and cylinders, the flow being alternately through cach
series by reason of the one being in the liquid while the other is nearly out, or.
within two or three inches from the surface of the liquid, in order to prevent the
gas from passing underneath the cylinders.
The series of sheet iron cylinders E are secured to the bottom of the compart-
ment, each alternate one rising to the surface of the liquid in the annular spaces
between the screens, and the others within half an inch of the surface. Those
level with the surface have openings at the bottom, those below the surface are
watertight there, so that the purifying liquid supplied to the space outside of the
cylinders will flow underneath the first sheet iron cylinder, and rising up the
annular space will flow over the top of the second one, and so on up and down
till it reaches the interior annular space around the inlet pipe D, over which it will
flow, and down into the next compartment, the object being to have the liquid
flowing in an opposite direction to that of the gas, so that the gas as it enters
meets the foulest liquid, and at its exit the cleanest.
To produce the alternate and intermittent action of each series of disc cylinders
a cistern is placed on each end of the suspending lever B to receive such quantity
of the purifying liquid as will cause that end of the lever B3 which is up to descend
and immerse its fibrous screens and cylinders in the liquid, while it raises the disc
at the other end with the screens and cylinders cleansed and wetted for the gas to
pass through. In the act of descending a syphon pipe G in the cistern which is
full is thrown into action, and discharges the liquid into the compartment beneath
for the cleansing and wetting of the fibre and cylinders.
The supply of liquid to these cisterns is effected through pipes connecting them
a hopper box H in the centre of lever B. the box being divided by a partition in
the middle into two compartments and elevated above the level of the cisterns F
when up, so that the liquid will flow from the hopper into the cisterns F. As it is
necessary that the motion of the lever B should alternate and be intermittent, the
supply of liquid is arranged by suspending a box I equal in capacity to one of the
cisterns F and supported on a forked lever J. the fulcrum of which is sustained br
the column K secured on the top of the cover of the vessel. This box I when full
of liquid is balanced by a weight on the opposite end of the forked lever J.
In the inside and centre of the box I is a syphon suspended from a projecting
arm from the top of column K, and terminates in a valve formed on the lower end

page_text: of its interior pipe. This valve fits into a seat formed in the bottom of the box I,
and from which a pipe is carried downwards into a seal pipe that is contained to
the point immediately over the centre of the hopper box H. The box I is furnished
with liquid through a supply pipe provided with a cock to regulate the quantity
and the alternate and the intermittent motion of lever B. When the box I is filled
it overbalances the weight and descends, leaving the syphon suspended to the
projecting arm, while it permits a sufficient quantity of the liquid in the box I to
escape into the down pipe through the valve and allow the box I to again rise and
close the valve, thus bringing the syphon into action, which quickly empties the
box I that is elevated, causing that end of the lever B to descend and the other
to rise ready to receive the next discharge from the box I.
The quantity of liquid, the intermittent motion of the lever, and the time in
which the gas can pass through the elevated screens and cylinders can be regulated
according to the amount of impurities contained in, and to be removed from, the
gas.
next
In the second or lower compartment two cylindrical vessels L are placed, open
at the bottom, the top or cover of each being made of an inverted conical form.
Through the apex of each passes a central spindle M projecting into the interior of
the cylinder, and terminates in a footstep which is formed on the top of the gas
inlet pipes N. These pipes rise to the level of the liquid, and are secured to the
bottom of the compartment in the centre of the cylinders L. The spindles M rise
from the outside of the conical covers, and they terminate in a ball which is received
by the ends of a horizontal connecting rod cupped to fit them; this rod connects
the spindle M, so that the cylinders L will be retained in their relative positions
to each other while in motion.
The conical covers are made to project from 2 to 3 inches inches beyond the
cylinders forming a flange all round each. A ring surrounds each cylinder L and is
fixed to the sides of the compartment forming a circular plane level, with the apex
of the conical covers upon which the flanges will roll, so that the side of the
conical cover of which the flange is a continuation will always be horizontal and
parallel with the surface of the liquid at any part of the circular plane upon
which it is moving. The top end of the spindles M will consequently describe a
circle, and the sides of the cylinders L towards which the spindles M lean will
be immersed in the liquid up to the flanges at that point where they touch the
circular plane, the opposite sides of the cylinders L being raised, but still sealed
to prevent the gas from passing from the inside to the outside of the cylinders.
To keep the flanges down on the planes and balance the pressure of the gas
in the interior of the cylinders, which gives them motion as well as continue
their motion over the dead centres where the inlet and outlet ports are placed
in the covers, I arrange a wheel P of the necessary weight fixed on the a shaft
working in a bearing carried on the spindle M; this wheel rolls on the top of the
projecting flange and is always at that point where it is touching the circular
plane, so that when the wheel B is passing the point where the ports are, it will
give out its acquired momentum, and continue the motion of the cylinder till the
gas passes again into the interior.
There are various methods of performing the same functions; a ball of the
necessary weight rolling in a groove formed on the top of the conical cover;
a circular pipe occupying the position of the groove containing sufficient water
as a counterbalance; the spindles M connected to cranks, or as illustrated in
Figure 10, Sheet 2. To the under side of the conical covers in the centre of each
cylinder L an internal ring Q is secured of sufficient diameter to clear the gas inlet
pipes N, and of such depth that its lower edge is sealed all round in the liquid. At
the one side of this ring immediately under the cover is an opening or inlet
port R, for admitting the gas from the centre pipe N into the interior of the
cylinders L. On the one side of the port It is a diaphragm S filling up the section
of the cylinder from the ring Q, and of the same depth at the other side of the

page_text: diaphragm S an outlet port is formed in the conical cover, so that gas passes in at
one side of the diaphragm and out at the other. To keep the cylinders from
rotating while in motion two semicircular plates T are fixed at the top of the inlet
pipes N sufficiently apart to admit a pin sliding between them, the pin being
secured to the inside of the ring Q.
In the interior of the cylinders will be fixed a series of narrow fibrous brushes U
radiating from the ring Q to the cylinder, and secured to the underside of the
conical covers.
The brushes are of such length that at no time will their lower ends be out of
the liquid. To keep the fibre from being displaced by the gas entering and leaving
the cylinder, a guard of wire gauze netting or perforated plates will be placed
behind each brush, the apertures of gauze netting or plates diminishing in size
from the inlet to the outlet ports. The gas entering through the inlet port and
filling the cylinders has to pass through the whole of these brushes and guards to
the outlets, and as the motion of the cylinder consecutively dips these brushes and
guards into the liquid they rise cleansed and wetted ready to remove the impurities
from the gas with which the cylinders are refilled.
An overflow pipe V is fixed at one side of each compartment to convey the
quid down into the next lower one.
These cylinders may be worked in pairs on the same level in one compartment
or placed in separate compartments one above the other, so that existing scrubbers
could be utilized for that purpose.
By the application of this form of cylinder L, either with opened or closed
bottoms, the gas can be used to give them motion, and as their capacity and fibre
surface, &c., are constant the varying production would only vary their speed, so
that each cubic foot of gas would have to pass through the same amount of subbing
surface at whatever rate it may be passing through the cylinders.
To obtain the full benefit from the foregoing apparatus the gas requires to be
reduced slowly to a uniform and constant temperature. To attain this although
the quantity of gas passing may vary, I arrange the condensing apparatus in two
separate forms, the one an active regulating atmospheric condenser, the other a
slow condenser and purifier combined. I construct the bottom box A of pipe con-
densers, illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, Sheet 2, preferably such an inclined bottom
falling towards the gas inlet end of the condenser. The transverse division plates
B between each pair of pipes are of different depths, the difference between any
two being equal to the sectional area of the condensing pipes, at the inlet end
I attach a variable overflow apparatus C, which will consist of a cylinder
provided with a gland at the top and one at the bottom, and રી moveable
overflow pipe D passing through the bottom gland up the centre of the cylinder
to the level of the liquid in the box A. The top of the overflow pipe is attached
to a rod that passes up through the gland on the top of the cylinder, and terminates
in a head to receive a spindle on which a pinion is fixed. This pinion works in
a toothed rack formed on the face of one of the vertical guides that are secured to
the top of the cylinder C, to keep the suspending rod in a vertical position.
the end of the pinion spindle a crank handle E is secured for actuating the pinion
in raising or lowering the overflow pipe by which the level of the condensed liquid
in the box A is altered, and any number of the transverse division plates B
unscaled. The moveable overflow pipe is continued down a sufficient length to seal
in a cup or provided with a syphon bend.
of gne. the lower one for the admission
On
The cylinder C is attached to the box A by two connecting pipes, the upper one
for the admission of the condensed liquid into the cylinder from the box A, so
that the level of the liquid in both shall be the same. A pointer F is attached to
the head which carries the pinion, this indicates by the scale on the side of the
vertical guide the level of the liquid in the box A and the number of division
plates unsealed. As the division plates increase in depth from the outlet to the
inlet end of the box they will commence by passing the condensing pipes in the
same order, so that the whole of the gas to be operated on will leave the condenser

page_text: at the temperature determined on. A thermometer is inserted in the outlet pipe
which will devote the alteration necessary in the level of the liquid so as to increase
or decrease the activity of the condenser, the object being to divide a perfectly
controllable condenser that will be capable of retaining the temperature constant
under a varying production of gas and the disturbing influences due to atmospheric
changes, &c.
Figure 8
1
The principle is applicable to all forms of pipe condensers either when the con-
densing pipes are collected in one box or a separate box to each pair of pipes.
The slow condenser and purifier combined is illustrated on Sheet 2, by Figure 7
a vertical transverse section through line A, A, on Figure 8; is a longitudinal
vertical section through the centre; Figure 9 is a horizontal section through
line B, B, in Figure 7. It will consist of a long iron box, having a portion of its
length at one end deepened to form a well to receive the condensed fluid,
and seal the transverse partitions which are of varying depths at that end.
liquid will be carried off by a variable overflow apparatus attached by the branches
C and D at the well end, and similar to the one already described as for Figures
5 and 6, which will regulate the activity of this vessel. The interior of the vessel
is divided by a series of sheet or corrugated iron partitions into spaces, extending
the length of the vessel and joined to each other by transverse partitions at the
ends, so that they form a continuous gas way through which the gas travels from
the inlet pipe E to the outlet pipe F.
The
The bottom edges of the upper partitions are sealed in shallow lutes formed on
the interior vertical sides of the vessel, and the bottom edges of the lower ones are
sealed in the condensed liquid which covers the bottom of the vessel. Those
resting on the bottom are kept in their positions by a series of snugs, at intervals,
on the upper side of the bottom. The centre partition covering the space 1. rests
against a vertical flange from 4 to 5 inches in depth at each side, forming on the
bottom a shallow reservoir extending from the inlet pipe E to the beginning of the
well, and into which is supplied caustic ammonia through the pipe G.
A coil of steam pipe is laid on the bottom of this reservoir to assist in and
regulate the evaporation of the caustic ammonia by the hot gases. In addition, the
whole vessel is enclosed from the atmosphere, and can be further assisted in
retaining the temperature by the application of waste heat or steam, the object
being to utilize the high heat in the gases at this stage, in evaporating the caustice
ammonia, and by a more gradual and equable reduction of temperature than the
ordinary atmospheric conditions permit; facilitate its perfect diffusion and ultimate
combination with the gaseous impurities. It also affords time for the hydrocarbon
vapours and rich gases to assimilate within the range of their affinities before being
reduced to a lower temperature by the action of succeeding apparatus.
The crude gas before entering the foregoing vessel will have had all tarry matters
held in suspension removed from it. This is effected by the vessel illustrated in
Figure 10, which is a longitudinal vertical section through its centre. Figure 11
being a horizontal section. It consists of two cylindrical vessels A. similar to those
described, as in the second compartment of Figure 1, but fitted with metallic
brushes and guards. The vessel containing these are fitted with a semi-spherical
stean pan B for each cylinder to work in. The gas inlet pipes C pass up through
an opening in the bottom of the pans and support the cylinder, as described in
Figure 1. These pans are secured to the sides of the vessel by their upper flanges,
and at the bottom by a short spigot projecting downwards, entering into a socket
formed on the top of the outlet tar conduit D, in which they may be jointed with
cement in the ordinary manner. These spigots are of larger diameter than the
pipes C. so as to leave an annular space in the bottom of the pans. The conduit D
is continued to the side of the vessel and terminates in a vertical pipe E that
surrounds the overflow pipe F. The overflow pipe is continued through a gland on
the other side of the bottom of the vessel and is sealed in a a well. It is suspended
from the top end by a rod that passes up through a gland on the cover, and is
screwed for a part of its length. The screw passes through a nut fitted in a frame

page_text: on the top of the cover, a hand wheel being secured to the end of the rod so that
the lever of the tar in the vessel may be regulated.
G is the tar supply pipe; H, the steam supply pipe to the pans; I, the pipe for
conveying the condensed water from the pans to the steam trap; J and his the
gas outlet.
A thermometer is inserted in the interior of each pan, and is continued continued
to the outside of the vessel to indicate the temperature of the contained tar. In
operating with this apparatus the tar and liquid condensed in the hydraulic main is
conveyed immediately into a settling tank, from which the tar alone is removed to
the supply pipe G. The tar then rises up around the outside of the pans, becoming
heated in its passage, and flows over into their interior, where it is raised to the
necessary temperature to dissociate the hydrocarbon vapours and gases it contains,
and allow them to pass off with the gas. The distilled tar then passes off through
the annular space in the bottom of the pans into the conduit D, connected with
the overflow pipe F. The crude gas is also immediately removed from the
hydraulic main by a steam jet exhauster fixed in the outlet pipe which conveys the
gas to the cylinders.
As these cylinders are being filled with gas they roll consecutively dipping the
metallic brushes and guards into the hot tar in the pans, and rising present a series
of hot tar coated screens, through which the gas has to pass from the inlet to the
outlet of the cylinders, thus intercepting all tarry matter in suspension in the gas.
At the same time by reason of the high temperature of the coated screens, the
hydrocarbon vapours and gases are dissociated from the tar so intercepted, and
permitted to pass away with the gas.
For the final purification of the gas, I arrange to be worked in sets of four,
either separately or in one vessel, a series of purifiers similar to those described, as
in the second compartment of the scrubbing vessels, except that in this case the
bottoms may be closed. To make these more efficient, I have devised improve-
ments in the hydraulic and dry centre valves for utilising the fourth purifier, as
illusted in Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15, Sheet 2.
A
Figure 12 is a vertical section of the hydraulic valve.
Figure 13, a plan, showing in dotted lines the four way cock or valve and the
partitions in the hydraulic cover.
Figure 14 is a vertical section of the dry valve.
And Figure 15 is a horizontal section on line A, A, Figure 13.
The improvements consist in forming a four way cock or other valve in the top
of the hydraulic cover, and connecting the inlet and outlet chambers of the first
purifier, the inlet of the second purifier, and the inlet of the centre valve, with the
four ways of the cock or other valve. The inlet way of the cock is in the ether
bottom of the diaphragm plug, the other three ways are around the body of the cock.
The diaphragm plug is fitted with a vertical spindle B which passes up through the
cylinder C secured on the top of the external casing. A piston D is formed on
the spindle in the centre of its length fitting the cylinder C. The handle for
turning the spindle is retained in the top end of the cylinder by two pins which
permit it being turned. In the spindle above the piston a groove is formed to
receive a key fixed in the handle. Attached to the side of the cylinder C is a
small force pump E for forcing the water into the cylinder C below the piston.
The four way cock is provided with a cover, which is secured to the top of the
hydraulic cover leaving a space of half an inch between the top of the plug and
the under side of the cover.
A segmental groove is formed in the cover to receive a pin fixed in the top of
the plug that permits the plug to be turned a quarter of a circle.
The force pump draws the water from the cylinder above the piston and delivers
it below the piston, raising the plug from its seat so as to permit of it being easily
turned to put on or shut off the purifiers with which it is connected.
When the hydraulic cover is to be changed the plug rises against the under side
of the cover which is over it, and secured to the hydraulic cover, so that both the

page_text: plug and the hydraulic cover are raised together the necessary height with the
one spindle. To again lower the cover into its position a stop valve in the pump
connecting the inlet and outlet is opened and the water below the piston is forced
up into the cylinder above the piston by the weight of the hydraulic cover and
cock.
The dry centre valve plug is constructed in a similar manner with a four way
cock, but to raise them from their seats and turn either plug independent of the
other the centre valve plug is provided with a hollow spindle, having a handle on
the top, and the diaphragm plug of the cock with a spindle which passes up through
the centre of the other also provided with a handle, projecting downwards from the
bottom of the diaphragm plug is a ram which works in a cylinder resting on or
forming part of the bottom of the centre valve shell. The spindle rising from the
top of the diaphragm plug is bored out for part of its length, into which is fitted a
plunger provided with a piston on its end, the remainder of it being screwed, the
screw fitting into a nut which is secured by a gland to the top of the plug spindle.
On the top end of the plunger a hand wheel is fixed. From the bottom of the
plunger chamber to the lower end of the ram there is a small passage by which the
water in the plunger chamber is conveyed to the ram cylinder. By actuating the
hand wheel on the plunger it is caused to ascend, and the water is forced under-
neath the ram thereby lifting the diaphragm plug first, then, by the diaphragm plug,
lifting the centre valve plug from its seat.
I wish it to be understood that I make no claim to the improvements in hydraulic
and dry centre valves herein before described with reference to Fiures 12, 13, 14,
and 15, Sheet 2, of the Drawings, as forming any part of my present Invention.
When purifiers are used fitted with covers seated in lutes, and which require to
be raised for the removal of the cylinders containing the foul purifying liquid, I
have devised a hydraulic lift by which one man raises and removes covers and
cylinders of any size, and is illustrated by Figures 16, 17, and 13. Figure 16 is a
side elevation, Figure 17 an elevation in detail of the ram cylinder and carriage,
and Figure 13 shows a plan of the curved grooved rails around purifiers.
This arrangement of apparatus consists in placing the purifiers equidistant, and
constructing a lever A of a length equal to the distance between the centres of
any two covers the ends of which are attached to the covers by disconnecting
swivel bolts. Below the centre of the lever A a bearing is fixed which receives
the head of the ram working in the cylinder B. This cylinder rises from a
horizontal reservoir C mounted on two wheels, are at each end, and supplies the
water to a force pump D attached to the side of the cylinder B.
A stop valve is
placed connecting the cylinder with the reservoir to let the water out of the
cylinder when the cover is to be lowered. The two wheels of the carriage run in
grooved rails curved around each purifier, and connected at the junctions
other, so that the carriage wheels can pass from one curve to the other.
cover is to be raised both ends of the lever A are attached to the covers.
being raised by the force pump raises the lever in the centre, while the one end
attached to the cover that is secured to the purifier acts as a counterbalance to the
one at the other end which is being raised. When it is raised a sufficient height
the carriage is pushed aound on the curved rails. If the covers are large the
carriage wheels are moved by a wheel and pinion, the shaft of the latter being
provided with a crank handle on its end.
each
When the
The ram
When the hydraulic centre valve is an open one, its cover will be lifted also by
the lever A, which has a cycloid E working in bearings secured to it. The cycloid
is provided with an arm, to which the one end of a wire rope or chain is secured,
and is continued over the pulley F to the cylinder B. From the cycloid a chain
or wire rope is suspended, which is attached to the valve cover, so that when
the lever A is being raised the cycloid keeps the cover in its vertical position
over the valve, and lifts it through a greater height than the lever A travels, at
that point where the cycloid is placed. No claim is, however, made to the
hydraulic lift herein before described with reference to Figures 16, 17, and 13
(Sheet 2) of the Drawings as forming any part of my present Invention.
The general

page_text: method and arrangement of the foregoing apparatus, including the application of
other existing apparatus necessary for the carrying out of my method of treating
the gases, hydrocarbons, and tar obtained by the distillation of coal and other
substances will consist of applying an anti-dip pipe arrangement by which the
gases are prevented from being forced or drawn through the liquids in the hydraulic
main, and by a form of hydraulic main which promotes the immediate removal of
the tar contained therein, retaining a surface of ammoniacal liquor to the passing
gases employing a steam jet exhauster fixed immediately on the outlet pipe
of the hydraulic main and superheating the gases, hydrocarbons, and tar, during
their removal to and within the apparatus illustrated by Figures 10 and 11, thence
by using a vessel containing either the disc brushes or cylinders, as described in the
upper and second compartments in Figure 1, these working in the liquid (whichever
may be employed), remove the impurities from the gases by mechanically impinging
on the fibre and screens. This is done without loss of temperature to the passing
gases which will enter into the vessel illustrated by Figures 7, 8, and 9, or other
prolonged gas-way, protected from the influence of the atmosphere with the
provision for utilizing the heat in the gases and steam when evaporating caustic
ammonia, and effecting slower condensation before entering the regulating atmo-
spheric condenser illustrated by Figures 5 and 6, which reduces the temperature to
nearly that of the atmosphere.
The gases then pass into the series of purifiers illustrated by Figures 1, 2, and 3,
and 13, which may be variously arranged for the final purification.
Having described and illustrated the nature of my Invention, and the method or
manner under which the same may be practically used, I would observe that I do
not claim the particular application of existing apparatus, videlicet, the anti-dip
pipe arrangement, the form of hydraulic main, and the steam jet exhauster, as
specified to be used in my method and general arrangement, although desirable to
complete the process of manufacturing illuminating gas according to my Invention,
nor do I limit my claim to the exact details of the apparatus described and
illustrated, as these may be varied without altering the principles, but what I
consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the Invention is,-
contained
The several arrangements of apparatus for operating on the crude gases while
undergoing condensation and purification by which the removal of the removal
impurities are facilitated and the volatile hydrocarbon vapours and rich gases are
preserved and retained in the gas, thus increasing its volume and illuminating
power, as herein described and shewn on the Drawings.
of
In witness whereof, I, the said William Purves Wilson, have to this
Disclaimer
A
my Specification set my hand and seal, the Nineteenth day of April, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
'
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above named William Purves
Wilson, to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which
the same relates, the above written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
HENRY JAMES.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Purves Wilson, of New Cross, in the County of
Kent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD AND IN APPARATUS
USED IN THE PURIFICATION OF GAS, PARTS OF WHICH APPARATUS ARE ALSO
APPLICABLE TO THE CARBURETTING OR MEASURING OF GAS OR ATMOSPHERIC
AIR."
Sealed the 20th August 1878, and dated the 21st February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Purves Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st February 1878.
WILLIAM PURVES WILSON, of New Cross, in the County of Kent.
"IMPROVE
MENTS IN THE METHOD AND IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION OF GAS,
PARTS OF WHICH APPARATUS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CARBURETTING OR
MEASURING OF GAS OR ATMOSPHERIC AIR."
This Invention relates to improvements in the method and in apparatus having
for its object the more perfect and economical condensation and purification of crude
illuminating gases by a continuous method of wet purification, by commencing the
purifying operations at the outlet of the hydraulic or conducting main, and by
effecting a more gradual condensation of the gas by the application of the waste
heat from the retort furnaces or steam than is at present employed after having
reduced the temperature of the gas to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Part of the
same apparatus is applicable also to the carburetting and measuring of air or gas.
The improved apparatus consists, firstly, of vessels divided into several compart-
ments placed one above the other, and communicating with each other, all of them
being partially filled with purifying liquid.
In the upper compartment I place two horizontal flat circular discs, one of which
is suspended from each end of a balanced lever. To the under side of the discs is
secured a series of wire gauze netting or perforated sheet cylinders of different
diameters, the apertures in each cylinder decreasing in size as the cylinders

page_text: increase in diameter, the last or outside one being equal in diameter to that of the
disc. In the annular spaces between the cylinders, secured to the under side of the
discs, and close to the inside face of the cylinders, a fibrous material is spread out,
so as to cover the whole of the interior surface of the cylinders and present a
circular screen of fibrous material in each of the annular spaces extending from the
under side of the flat discs to a few inches below the level of the liquid. The gas,
after passing up the inlet pipes placed in the centre of the cylinders, will conse-
quently have to pass through these fibrous screens and cylinders, the flow being
alternately through each series by reason of the one being in the liquid, while the
other is nearly out or within two or three inches from the surface of the liquid in
order to prevent the gas passing underneath the cylinders.
To produce the alternate and intermittent action of each series of cylinders, I
place a cistern on each end of the suspending lever to receive such a quantity of
the purifying liquid as will cause that end of the lever which is up to descend and
immerse its fibrous screens and cylinders in the liquid, while it raises the disc at
the other end with the screws and cylinders cleansed and wetted for the gas to pass
through. In the act of descending a small syphon in the cistern, which is full, is
thrown into action, and discharges the liquid into the compartment beneath for the
cleansing and wetting of the fibre and cylinders.
The supply of liquid to these cisterns is effected through pipes connecting them
with a hopper box in the centre of the lever, the box being divided by a partition
in the middle into two compartments, and elevated above the level of the cisterns
at each end of the lever, so that the liquid will fall from the hopper into the
cisterns. As it is necessary that the motion of the lever should alternate and be
intermittent the supply of the liquid is arranged by suspending a box (equal in
capacity to one of the lever cisterns) on a forked lever, the fulcrum of which is
supported on a column secured on the top of the cover of the vessel.
This box,
when full of liquid, is balanced by a weight on the opposite end of the forked
lever.
In the inside and centre of the box is a syphon suspended from an arm projecting
from the top of the column and terminating in a valve formed on the lower end of
the interior syphon pipe. This valve fits into a seat, also formed in the bottom of
the box, and from which a pipe of equal diameter to the interior pipe is carried
downwards into a seal pipe that is continued to the point immediately over the
hopper box. The box suspended on the forked lever is furnished with liquid
through a supply pipo provided with a cock to regulate the quantity, and the
alternate and intermittent motion of the disc lever. When the box is filled it over-
balances the weight and descends, leaving the syphon suspended to the projecting
arm, while it perinits a sufficient quantity of the liquid in the box to escape into
the down pipe through the valve, and allow the box to again rise and close the
valve, thus bringing the syphon into action, which quickly empties the box through
the seal pipe into the hopper box, and thence into the lever cistern that is elevated,
causing that end of the lever to descend and the other to rise ready to receive the
next discharge from the box.
The quantity of liquid, the intermittent motion of the lever, and the time in
which the gas can pass through the elevated fibrous screens and cylinders, can be
regulated according to the amount of impurities to be removed from the gas.
In the second or next lower compartment, which also contains purifying liquid
supplied through an overflow pipe in the upper compartment, I place two cylindrical
vessels open at the bottom, the top or cover of each being made of an inverted
conical form. Through the apex of each passes a central spindle projecting into the
interior of the cylinders and terminating in a foot-step which is formed on the tops
of the inlet pipes. These inlet pipes rise above the level of the liquid, and are
secured to the bottom of the compartment in the centre of the cylinders for the
purpose of supporting the cylinders as it were from a central pivot. Each of these
spindles rises from the outside of the conical cover, terminates in a ball, and is
received by the ends of a horizontal connecting rod cupped to fit them. The rod

page_text: with its cup-and-ball joints connects both spindles, so that both cylinders will be
retained in their relative positions to each other while in motion.
The conical covers are made to project two or three inches beyond the body of
the cylinders, forming a flange all round. A ring of the diameter between that of
the body of the cylinder and the flange is fixed to the sides of the compartment,
forming a circular plane level with the apex of the conical cover, and upon which
the flange will roll, so that the side of the conical cover, of which the flange is a
continuation, will always be horizontal and level with the liquid at any part of the
circular plane upon which it is moving. The top end of the spindle will consequently
describe a circle, and the sides of the cylinders towards which the spindles lean will
be immersed in the liquid up to the flanges at that point where the flanges touch
the circular plane, the opposite sides of the cylinders being raised, but still sealed,
to prevent the gas from passing from the inside to the outside of the cylinders.
To keep the cylinder flanges down on the plane and balance the pressure of the
gas in the interior of the cylinder, as well as to continue the motion of the cylinders
over the dead centres where the inlet and outlet ports are placed, I arrange a
balance weight formed from a solid wheel fixed to a spindle working in a bearing
which is carried on the cylinder spindle above the cover. This wheel rolls on the
top of the projecting flange always at that point where it is touching the circular
plane, and when the cylinder is passing over the dead centre the acquired momentum
continues the motion till again taken up by the gas.
There are various methods of performing the same function. A ball rolling in a
groove fixed on the top of the conical cover; or a circular pipe may bo used
occupying the position of the groove supplied with water as a counter-balance, and
which will fall to the lowest point of the cover, where it touches the plane, and
acquires nomentum from the motion of the cylinder so as to give out the same when
the cylinders are passing the dead centres.
Another method consists in arranging the spindles to work in cranks, and the
cylinder ports so placed as to be without dead centres.
To the under side of the covers and in the centre of each cylinder is secured an
internal ring slightly larger in diameter than the inlet pipe, and of sufficient depth
that its lower edge may be sealed all round in the liquid. At one side of this ring
near the top and above the level of the liquid is an opening or port for admitting
the gas from the centre pipe into the cylinder. At the one side of the port a
diaphragm is fixed filling up the section of the cylinder between the inner and outer
rings, and of the same depth. At the other side of the diaphragm and in the conical
cover an outlet port is formed, so that the gas passes in at one side of the diaphragm
and out at the other.
To keep the cylinders from rotating and in their relative positions to each other,
there is attached to the outside of each inlet pipe at the top two semicircular plates
sufficiently apart to admit of a pin sliding between them, the pin being secured
to the inside of the internal rings forming part of the cylinders around the
outlet pipe.
In the annular space within the cylinders will be fixed a series of narrow fibrous
brushes radiating from the centre to the outer ring, and secured to the under side
of the conical covers.
The brushes are of such length that at no time will their lower ends be out of
the liquid, and to keep the fibre from being displaced by the gas a guard of wire
gauze netting or perforated plates will be placed behind each of the brushes. The
apertures in the gauze or perforated plates will diminish in size of mesh from the
inlet to the outlet.
The gas entering through the inlet port and filling the cylinder has to pass
through the whole of these brushes and guards to the outlet, and as the motion of
the cylinders derived from the pressure of the gas consecutively dips the brushes and
guards into the liquid, they rise cleansed and wetted, and ready to receive the
impurities of the gas with which the cylinders are refilled. At one side of the
compartment between the cylinders an overflow pipe is fixed to keep the liquid at

page_text: the necessary level and carry off the surplus liquid into the third compartment
below.
The third compartment will be similar in all its parts to the second, except that
the scrubbing material will be stronger and the apertures in the screens larger.
These cylinders may be worked in pairs on the same level in one compartment,
or placed in separate compartments one above the other.
By the application of this form of cylinder, either with open or closed bottoms,
the gas is the motive power, and has to pass through an equal amount of scrubbing
material per foot of gas, so that the quantity of gas passing may vary without
altering the proportion of scrubbing surface.
To obtain the full benefit from the foregoing apparatus the gas requires to be
kept at a uniform temperature. To attain this, although the quantity of gas passing
may vary, I construct the bottom box of the ordinary vertical condensers, preferably
with an inclined bottom, falling towards the gas inlet end of the condenser. The
division plates between each pair of pipes are of different depths. . At the inlet end
I attach a variable overflow pipe, which can be regulated so as to lower the level of
the liquid in the box, and unseal partially, or wholly, the last division plate, or any
number of them, and permit the gas to flow underneath without passing through
the condensing pipes. This box may be applied to horizontal pipe condensers in
the same manner by continuing the ends of the horizontal pipes down vertically to
the box, making a combined condenser.
The principle may be applied to vertical annular condensers by raising each of
the bottom boxes one above the other, and connecting the boxes to each other by
horizontal pipes between them and the variable overflow attached to the lowest
box of the series; or the boxes may be placed on the same level and connected to
each other by short pipes, the top of which will be level with the bottom of the
boxes, so that when all the annular pipes are in action the short pipes will be filled
with condensed liquid up to the level of the ordinary overflow of the boxes. The
ordinary overflow would thus be replaced by the variable overflow, one being con-
nected to each of the short pipes. Or the ordinary overflow used in conjunction
with a cock attached to the bottom of each connecting pipe may be used with a
pipe leading from the cock to a seal, so that cach short pipe could be emptied and
permit the gas to pass through instead of passing through the condensing pipes.
To increase the condensing power of annular or air condensers and retain perfect
control over the temperature as well as rendering them automatic I connect the
tops of the air pipes together so as to lead to one outlet, terminating with a
ventilator for increasing the current of air through the pipes. In this common
outlet I place a balanced throttle valve, the lever of which will be connected to a
piston or tubular slide actuated by a column of mercury in contact with the gas at
the outlet of the condenser, so that at whatever temperature it is determined the
gas should leave the condenser, by regulating the throw of the lever the throttle
valve will be opened or closed automatically, according to the variation in the tem-
perature from that determined on. These ventilators may be placed on the top of
each air pipe, or any number of them.
For the final purification of the gas I arrange to be worked in sets of four, either
separately or in one vessel, a series of purifiers, similar to those described as in the
second compartment of the scrubbing vessels, except that in this case the bottom
may be closed. To make these more efficient I have devised an improvement in the
hydraulic centre valve for utilising the fourth purifier. This consists in attaching
a four-way cock or other four-way valve to the top of the cover of any form of
hydraulic centre valve, and connecting the outlet chamber of the third purifier, the
inlet and outlet chambers of the fourth purifier, and the outlet chamber of the
hydraulic centre valve to the four ways of the cock or valve, which will form part
of the cover of the hydraulic centre valve.
To shut off the fourth purifier the cock is changed to bring the outlet of the third
purifier in communication with the outlet of hydraulic centre valve, while the inlet
and outlet of the fourth are shut off.

page_text: To bring the fourth into action again the cock is changed to open the communica-
tion between the outlet of the third and the inlet of the fourth purifiers, while the
outlet of the fourth is brought into communication with the outlet of the hydraulic
centre valve.
For carburetting air or gas I use one or more of the cylinders already described,
but fitted internally with finer fibre, and above the vessel containing the cylinders,
and forming part of the same, is a reservoir to contain the spirit for supplying the
carburettor and retaining the liquid level therein as the fluid evaporates. This is
effected by a pipe attached to the bottom of the reservoir and continued down to
the level of the spirit, so that as the spirit evaporates and unseals the mouth of the
pipe the air or gas will pass up into the reservoir and release sufficient spirit to
again seal the pipe.
To supply spirit to the reservoir without permitting any to pass down into the
cylinder compartment I arrange a valve to work inside of the supply pipe between
the reservoirs and cylinder compartment, having its seat under the bottom of the
reservoir. Underneath the valve, and inside of the pipe, I place a spiral spring,
which forces the valve up to its seat and closes the communication between the
reservoir and compartment. Vertically above this valve, and in the cover of the
reservoir for the supply of the spirit, is the inlet pipe, fitted with a screwed plug or
stopper, from the bottom of which will project downwards a spindle of sufficient
length that when the plug is screwed into its place the end of the spindle will
depress the valve from its seat and open the communication between the reservoir
and cylinder compartment, so that as the evaporation takes place the spirit will
run down and so retain the level in the compartment below.
The same kind of apparatus divested of the fibrous screens and cylinders may
be also used for the measurement of fluids.
The general method and arrangement of the foregoing apparatus consists in first
applying scrubbing cylinders at the outlet of the hydraulic main while the gas is at
a high temperature, and heating the liquid by means of the waste heat from the
retort furnaces either directly or through steam, water, or air. The scrubbing at
this point will remove the whole of the tarry matter in suspension, and at the same
time, by the aid of additional heat, dissociate the richer hydrocarbons from the tar
which have combined with it during the evolution of the gas in the retort and
further contact and loss of temperature during its passage to the scrubber. The gas
then passes through a series of horizontal pipes of much greater total length than
that now employed. These are fitted with heating apparatus so that the tem-
perature of the gas shall be more slowly reduced, and so prevent any of the hydro-
carbons being precipitated by the more easily condensible vapours. Time is also
afforded for the free ammonia fixing a portion of the carbonic acid and sulphuretted
hydrogen before entering the regulating condenser, where the gas is reduced to
about sixty degrees Fahrenheit. From thence the gas is forced through the
remaining scrubbing cylinders and purifiers, as already described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Purves Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
August 1878.
WILLIAM PURVES WILSON, of New Cross, in the County of Kent. "1MPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD AND IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION OF GAS,
PARTS OF WHICH APPARATUS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CARBURETTING OR
MEASURING OF GAS OR ATMOSPHERIC AIR."
This Invention relates to improvements in the method and in the apparatus
having for its object the more perfect and economical condensation and purification
of illuminating gases. This will be effected by the removal of the tar while the
gases are at a high temperature, the revolatilising of such of the hydrocarbon
vapours and rich gases which have been absorbed by the tar, the application of heat
to the gases so as to effect a more gradual and equable condensation, and at the
same time utilizing the said heat in the gas for the evaporation of caustic ammonia,
and facilitating its combination with the impurities, also affording time for the
hydrocarbon vapours and rich gases assimulating within the range of their affinities
before reaching the final operations for the removal of the impurities, which will be
by a continuous method of liquid purification. Part of the same apparatus is appli-
cable also to the carburetting and measuring of air or gas.
The improved apparatus consists, firstly, of a vessel, as illustrated by Fig. 1,
which is a vertical section through the centre; Fig. 2, a vertical transverse section
through the centre; Fig. 3, a horizontal section on liue Y, Z, Fig. 1; Fig. 4, part
plan of top shewing feeding apparatus. This vessel is divided into several com-
partments placed one above the other, and communicating with each other, all of
them being partly filled with liquid.
In the upper compartment I place two horizontal flat circular discs A, A, one of
which is suspended from each end of a balanced lever B. To the under side of the
discs is secured a series of wire gauze netting or perforated sheet cylinders C of
different diameters, the apertures in the cylinders decreasing in size as the cylinders
increase in diameter, the last or outside cylinder being equal in diameter to that of
the disc. In the annular spaces between the cylinders, secured also to the under
side of the discs (or to the top of the cylinders,) and close to the inside face of the
cylinders, a fibrous material is spread out so as to cover the whole of the interior
surface of the cylinders, and present a circular screen of fibre in each of the annular
spaces, extending from the under side of the flat discs to a few inches below the
level of the purifying liquid W, X, Fig. 1. The gas after passing up the gas inlet
pipes D placed in the centre of the cylinders will consequently have to pass through
these fibrous screens and cylinders, the flow being alternately through each series
by reason of the one being in the liquid while the other is nearly out, or within two
or three inches from the surface of the liquid, in order to prevent the gas from
passing underneath the cylinders.
The series of sheet-iron cylinders E are secured to the bottom of the compart-
ment, each alternate one rising to the surface of the liquid in the annular spaces
between the screens, and the others within half an inch of the surface. Those level
with the surface have openings at the bottom; those below the surface are water-
tight there, so that the purifying liquid supplied to the space outside of the cylinders
will flow underneath the first sheet-iron cylinder, and rising up the annular space
will flow over the top of the second one, and so on up and down till it reaches the
interior annular space around the inlet pipe D, over which it will flow and down
into the next compartment. The object being to have the liquid flowing in an
opposite direction to that of the gas, so that the gas as it enters meets the foulest
liquid, and at its exit the cleanest.
To produce the alternate and intermittent action of each series of disc cylinders a
cistern F is placed on each end of the suspending lever B to receive such quantity

page_text: of the purifying liquid as will cause that end of the lever B which is up to descend,
and immerse its fibrous screens and cylinders in the liquid, while it raises the disc
at the other end with the screens and cylinders cleansed and wetted for the gas to
pass through. In the act of descending a syphon pipe G in the cistern, which is
full, is thrown into action and discharges the liquid into the compartment beneath
for the cleansing and wetting of the fibre and cylinders.
The supply of liquid to these cisterns is effected through pipes connecting
them with a hopper box H in the centre of lever B, the box being divided by a
partition in the middle into two compartments, and elevated above the level of the
cisterns F when up, so that the liquid will flow from the hopper into the cisterns F.
As it is necessary that the motion of the lever B should alternate and be inter-
mittent the supply of liquid is arranged by suspending a box I, equal in capacity to
one of the cisterns F, and supported on a forked lever J, the fulcrum of which is
sustained by the column K secured on the top of the cover of the vessel. This
box I when full of liquid is balanced by a weight on the opposite end of the forked
lever J.
In the inside and centre of the box I is a syphon suspended from a projecting
arm from the top of column K, and terminates in a valve formed on the lower end
of its interior pipe; this valve fits into a seat formed in the bottom of the box I,
and from which a pipe is carried downwards into a seal pipe that is continued to
the point immediately over the centre of the hopper box H. The box I is furnished
with liquid through a supply pipe provided with a cock to regulate the quantity
and the alternate and the intermittent motion of lever B. When the box I is filled
it overbalances the weight and descends, leaving the syphon suspended to the
projecting arm, while it permits a sufficient quantity of the liquid in the box I to
escape into the down pipe through the valve, and allow the box I to again rise and
close the valve, thus bringing the syphon into action, which quickly empties the
box I that is elevated, causing that end of the lever B to descend, and the other to
rise ready to receive the next discharge from the box I.
The quantity of liquid, the intermittent motion of the lever, and the time in
which the gas can pass through the elevated screens and cylinders, can be regulated
according to the amount of impurities contained in and to be removed from
the gas.
In the second or next lower compartment two cylindrical vessels L are placed,
open at the bottom, the top or cover of each being made of an inverted conical
form. Through the apex of each passes a central spindle M projecting into the
interior of the cylinder, and terminates in a footstep which is formed on the top of
the gas inlet pipes N. These pipes rise to the level of the liquid, and are secured
to the bottom of the compartment in the centre of the cylinders L. The spindles M
rise from the outside of the conical covers, and they terminate in a ball which is
received by the ends of a horizontal connecting rod cupped to fit them; this rod
connects the spindle M so that the cylinders L will be retained in their relative
positions to each other while in motion.
The conical covers are made to project from 2 to 3 inches beyond the cylinders,
forming a flange all round each. A ring O surrounds each cylinder L, and is fixed
to the sides of the compartment, forming a circular plane level with the apex of the
conical covers, upon which the flanges will roll, so that the side of the conical cover,
of which the flange is a continuation, will always be horizontal and parallel with
the surface of the liquid at any part of the circular plane upon which it is moving.
The top end of the spindles M will consequently describe a circle and the sides of
the cylinders L, towards which the spindles M lean will be immersed in the liquid up
to the flanges at that point where they touch the circular plane, the opposite sides of
the cylinders L being raised, but still sealed to prevent the gas from passing from
the inside to the outside of the cylinders.
To keep the flanges down on the planes and balance the pressure of the gas in
the interior of the cylinders, which gives them motion as well as continue their
motion over the dead centres where the inlet and outlet ports are placed in the

page_text: covers, I arrange a wheel P of the necessary weight, fixed on a shaft working in a
bearing carried on the spindle M; this wheel rolls on the top of the projecting
flange and is always at that point where it is touching the circular plane, so that
when the wheel B is passing the point where the ports are, it will give out its
acquired momentum and continue the motion of the cylinder till the gas passes
again into the interior.
There are various methods of performing the same functions. A ball of the
necessary weight rolling in a groove formed on the top of the conical cover, a
circular pipe occupying the position of the groove containing sufficient water as a
counterbalance, the spindles M connected to cranks or as illustrated in Fig. 10,
Sheet 2.
To the under side of the conical covers in the centre of each cylinder L, an
internal ring Q is secured of sufficient diameter to clear the gas inlet pipes N, and
of such depth that its lower edge is sealed all round in the liquid. At the one side
of this ring, immediately under the cover, is an opening or inlet port R for admitting
the gas from the centre pipe N into the interior of the cylinder L. On the one
side of the port R a diaphragm S filling up the section of the cylinder from the
ring and of the same depth; at the other side of the diaphragm S an outlet port
is formed in the conical cover, so that gas passes in at one side of the diaphragm
and out at the other.
To keep the cylinders from rotating while in motion, two semicircular plates T
are fixed at the top of the inlet pipes N sufficiently apart to admit a pin sliding
between them, the pin being secured to the inside of the ring Q.
In the interior of the cylinders will be fixed a series of narrow fibrous brushes U
radiating from the ring Q to the cylinder, and secured to the under side of the
conical covers.
The brushes are of such length that at no time will their lower ends be out of
the liquid. To keep the fibre from being displaced by the gas entering and leaving
the cylinder, a guard of wire gauze netting or perforated plates will be placed
behind each brush, the apertures of gauze netting or plates diminishing in size
from the inlet to the outlet ports.
The gas entering through the inlet port and filling the cylinders has to pass
through the whole of these brushes and guards to the outlets, and as the motion of
the cylinder consecutively dips these brushes and guards into the liquid they rise
cleansed and wetted ready to remove the impurities from the gas with which the
cylinders are refilled.
An overflow pipe V is fixed at one side of each compartment to convey the liquid
down into the next lower one.
These cylinders may be worked in pairs on the same level in one compartment,
or placed in separate compartments, one above the other, so that existing scrubbers
could be utilized for that purpose.
By the application of this form of cylinder L, either with opened or closed
bottoms, the gas can be used to give them motion, and as their capacity and fibre
surface, &c., are constant, the varying production would only vary their speed, so
that each cubic foot of gas would have to pass through the same amount of scrubbing
surface at whatever rate it may be passing through the cylinders.
To obtain the full benefit from the foregoing apparatus, the gas requires to be
reduced slowly to a uniform and constant temperature. To attain this, although
the quantity of gas passing may vary, I arrange the condensing apparatus in two
separate forms, the one an active regulating atmospheric condenser, the other a slow
condenser and purifier combined. I construct the bottom box A of pipe condensers,
illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, Sheet 2, preferably with an inclined bottom falling
towards the gas inlet end of the condenser. The transverse division plates B
between each pair of pipes are of different depths, the difference between any two
being equal to the sectional area of the condensing pipes. At the inlet end I attach
a variable overflow apparatus C which will consist of a cylinder provided with a
gland at the top and one at the bottom, and a moveable overflow pipe D passing

page_text: through the bottom gland up the centre of the cylinder to the level of the liquid in
the box A.
The top of the overflow pipe is attached to a rod that passes up through the
gland on the top of the cylinder and terminates in a head to receive a spindle on
which a pinion is fixed. This pinion works in a toothed rack formed on the face of
one of the vertical guides that are secured to the top of the cylinder C to keep the
suspending rod in a vertical position. On the end of the pinion spindle a crank
handle E is secured for actuating the pinion in raising or lowering the overflow
pipe, by which the level of the condensed liquid in the box A is altered, and any
number of the transverse division plates B unsealed.
The moveable overflow pipe is continued down a sufficient length to seal in a
cup, or provided with a syphon bend.
The cylinder C is attached to the box A by two connecting pipes, the upper one
for the admission of gas, the lower one for the admission of the condensed liquid
into the cylinder from the box A, so that the level of the liquid in both shall be
the same.
A pointer F is attached to the head which carries the pinion; this indicates by
the scale on the side of the vertical guide the level of the liquid in the box A, and
the number of division plates unsealed. As the division plates increase in depth
from the outlet to the inlet end of the box, they will commence bye passing the
condensing pipes in the same order, so that the whole of the gas to be operated on
will leave the condenser at the temperature determined on.
A thermometer is inserted in the outlet pipe which will denote the alteration
necessary in the level of the liquid so as to increase or decrease the activity of the
condenser, the object being to provide a perfectly controllable condenser that
will be capable of retaining the temperature constant under a varying production
of gas, and the disturbing influences due to atmospheric changes, &c.
The principle is applicable to all forms of pipe condensers, either when the con-
densing pipes are collected in one box or a separate box to each pair of pipes. To
increase the condensing power of annular condensers and retain perfect control over
their activity as well as rendering them automatic, I connect the air pipes at the
top so as to lead into one or several outlets terminating with a ventilator for
increasing the current of air through the pipes. In each of the outlets a balance
throttle valve is placed, the lever of which will be connected to a piston or tubular.
slide actuated by a column of mercury in contact with the gas at the outlet of the
condenser. By regulating the throw of the lever, the valve will be opened or
closed automatically, according to the variation in the temperature from that
determined on.
The slow condenser and purifier combined is illustrated on Sheet 2 by Fig. 7, a
vertical transverse section through line A, A, on Fig. 8; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal
vertical section through the centre; Fig. 9 is a horizontal section through line B, B,
in Fig. 7. It will consist of a long iron box having a portion of its length at one
end deepened to form a well to receive the condensed fluid and seal the transverse
partitions which are of varying depths at that end. The liquid will be carried off
by a variable overflow apparatus attached by the branches C and D at the well end
and similar to the one already described as for Figs. 5 and 6, which will regulate
the activity of this vessel.
The interior of the vessel is divided by a series of sheet or corrugated iron par-
titions into spaces extending the length of the vessel, and joined to each other by
transverse partitions at the ends so that they form a continuous gas-way through
which the gas travels from the inlet pipe E to the outlet pipe F.
The bottom edges of the upper partitions are scaled in shallow lutes formed on
the interior vertical sides of the vessel, and the bottom edges of the lower ones are
sealed in the condensed liquid which covers the bottom of the vessel. Those resting
on the bottom are kept in their positions by a series of snugs at intervals on the
upper side of the bottom. The centre partition covering the space 1 rests against a
vertical flange from 4 to 5 inches in depth at each side, forming on, the bottom a

page_text: shallow reservoir extending from the inlet pipe E to the beginning of the well, and
into which is supplied caustic ammonia through the pipe G.
A coil of steam pipe is laid on the bottom of this reservoir to assist in and regulate
the evaporation of the caustic ammonia by the hot gases. In addition the whole
vessel is enclosed from the atmosphere, and can be further assisted in retaining the
temperature by the application of waste heat or steam, the object being to utilize
the high heat in the gases at this stage in evaporating the caustic ammonia, and by
a more gradual and equable reduction of temperature than the ordinary atmospheric
conditions permit, facilitate its perfect diffusion and ultimate combination with the
gaseous impurities. It also affords time for the hydrocarbon vapours and rich gases
to assimulate within the range of their affinities before being reduced to a lower
temperature by the action of succeeding apparatus.
The crude gas before entering the foregoing vessel will have had all tarry matter
held in suspension removed from it. This is effected by the vessel illustrated in
Fig. 10, which is a longitudinal vertical section through its centre, Fig. 11 being a
horizontal section. It consists of two cylindrical vessels A similar to those described
as in the second compartment of Fig. 1, but fitted with metallic brushes and guards.
The vessel containing these are fitted with a semi-spherical steam pan B for each
cylinder to work in. The gas inlet pipes C pass up through an opening in the
bottom of the pans and support the cylinder as described in Fig. 1. These pans are
secured to the sides of the vessel by their upper flanges, and at the bottom by a
short spigot projecting downwards, entering into a socket formed on the top of the
outlet tar conduit D, in which they may be jointed with cement in the ordinary
manner. These spigots are of larger diameter than the pipes C, so as to leave an
annular space in the bottom of the pans. The conduit D is continued to the side of
the vessel, and terminates in a vertical pipe E that surrounds the overflow pipe F.
The overflow pipe is continued through a gland on the under side of the bottom of
the vessel, and is sealed in a well. It is suspended from the top end by a rod that
passes up through a gland on the cover and is screwed for a part of its length. The
screw passes through a nut fitted in a frame on the top of the cover, a hand wheel
being secured to the end of the rod so that the level of the tar in the vessel may be
regulated.
G is the tar supply pipe; H, the steam supply pipe to the pans; I, the pipe for
· conveying the condensed water from the pans to the steam trap J; and K is the
gas outlet.
A thermometer is inserted in the interior of each pan and continued to the out-
side of the vessel to indicate the temperature of the contained tar. In operating
with this apparatus the tar and liquor condensed in the hydraulic main is conveyed
immediately into a settling tank, from which the tar alone is removed to the supply
pipe G. The tar then rises up around the outside of the pans, becoming heated in
its passage
and flows over into their interior, where it is raised to the necessary tem-
perature to dissociate the hydrocarbon vapours and gases it contains, and allow them
to pass off with the gas. The distilled tar then passes off through the annular space
in the bottom of the pans into the conduit D connected with the overflow pipe F.
The crude gas is also immediately removed from the hydraulic main by a steam jet
exhauster fixed in the outlet pipe which conveys the gas to the cylinders. As these
cylinders are being filled with gas they roll, consecutively dipping the metallic
brushes and guards into the hot tar in the pans and rising, present a series of hot
tar coated screens through which the gas has to pass from the inlet to the outlet of
the cylinders, thus intercepting all tarry matter in suspension in the gas. At the
same time, by reason of the high temperature of the coated screens, the hydrocarbon
vapours and gases are dissociated from the tar so intercepted and permitted to pass
away with the gas.
For the final purification of the gas I arrange to be worked in sets of four, either
separately or in one vessel, a series of purifiers similar to those described as in the
second compartment of the scrubbing vessels, except that in this case the bottoms
may be closed.

page_text: To make these more efficient I have devised improvements in the hydraulic and
dry centre valves for utilising the fourth purifier, as illustrated in Figs. 12, 13, 14,
and 15, Sheet 2.
Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the hydraulic valve.
Fig. 13, a plan showing in dotted lines the four-way cock or valve and the par-
titions in the hydraulic cover.
Fig. 14 is a vertical section of the dry valve.
And Fig. 15 is a horizontal section on line A, A, Fig. 13.
The improvements consist in forming a four-way cock or other valve in the top of
the hydraulic cover and connecting the inlet and outlet chambers of the first purifier,
the inlet chamber of the second purifier, and the inlet of the centre valve with the
four ways of the cock or other valve. The inlet way of the cock is in the bottom
of the diaphragm plug, the other three ways are around the body of the cock. The
diaphragm plug is fitted with a vertical spindle B which passes up through the
cylinder C secured on the top of the external casing. A piston D is formed on the
The handle for
spindle in the centre of its length, fitting the cylinder C.
turning the spindle is retained in the top end of the cylinder by two pins,
which permit it being turned. In the spindle above the piston a groove is
formed to receive a key fixed in the handle. Attached to the side of the
cylinder C is a small force pump E for forcing the water into the cylinder C
below the piston.
The four-way cock is provided with a cover which is secured to the top of
the hydraulic cover, leaving a space of half an inch between the top of the
plug and the under side of the cover. A segmental groove is formed in the cover
to receive a pin fixed in the top of the plug that permits the plug to be turned a
quarter of a circle.
The force pump draws the water from the cylinder above the piston and delivers
it below the piston, raising the plug from its seat so as to permit of it being easily
turned to put on or shut off the purifiers with which it is connected.
When the hydraulic cover is to be changed the plug rises against the under side
of the cover which is over it and secured to the hydraulic cover, so that both the
plug and the hydraulic cover are raised together the necessary height with the one
spindle. To again lower the cover into its position a stop valve in the pump con-
necting the inlet and outlet is opened, and the water below the piston is forced
up into the cylinder above the piston by the weight of the hydraulic cover and
cock.
The dry centre valve plug is constructed in a similar manner with a four-way cock,
but to raise them from their seats and turn either plug independent of the other,
the centre valve plug is provided with a hollow spindle having a handle on the top,
and the diaphragm plug of the cock with a spindle which passes up through the
centre of the other, also provided with a handle. Projecting downwards from the
bottom of the diaphragm plug is a ram, which works in a cylinder resting on or
forming part of the bottom of the centre valve shell. The spindle rising from the
top of the diaphragm plug is bored out for part of its length, into which is fitted a
plunger provided with a piston on its end, the remainder of it being screwed, the
screw fitting into a nut, which is secured by a gland to the top of the plug spindle.
On the top end of the plunger a hand wheel is fixed. From the bottom of the
plunger chamber to the lower end of the ram there is a small passago, by which the
water in the plunger chamber is conveyed to the ram cylinder. By actuating
the hand wheel on the plunger it is caused to ascend, and the water is forced under-
neath the ram, thereby lifting the diaphragm plug first, then, by the diaphragm
plug lifting the centre valve plug from its seat.
When purifiers are used fitted with covers seated in lutes, and which require to
be raised for the removal of the cylinders containing the foul purifying liquid, I
have devised a hydraulic lift, by which one man raises and removes covers and
cylinders of any size, and is illustrated by Figs. 16, 17, and 13.
is a side elevation; Fig. 17, .an elevation in detail of the
Fig. 16
ram, cylinder, and

page_text: carriage; and Fig. 13 shows a plan of the curved grooved rails around purifiers.
This arrangement of apparatus consists in placing the purifiers equidistant, and
constructing a lever A of a length equal to the distance between the centres of any
two covers, the ends of which are attached to the covers by disconnecting swivel
bolts. Below the centre of the lever A a bearing is fixed, which receives the head
of the ram working in the cylinder B. This cylinder rises from a horizontal
reservoir C mounted on two wheels, one at each end, and supplies the water to a
force pump D attached to the side of the cylinder B. A stop valve is placed con-
necting the cylinder with the reservoir to let the water out of the cylinder when
the cover is to be lowered. The two wheels of the carriage run in grooved rails
curved around each purifier, and connected at the junctions to each other, so that
the carriage wheels can pass from one curve to the other.
When the cover is to be raised both ends of the lever A are attached to the covers.
The ram being raised by the force pump raises the lever in the centre, while the
one end attached to the cover that is secured to the purifier acts as a counterbalance
to the one at the other end which is being raised. When it is raised a sufficient
height the carriage is pushed around on the curved rails.
If the covers are large the carriage wheels are moved by a wheel and pinion, the
shaft of the latter being provided with a crank handle on its end.
When the hydraulic centre valve is an open one, its cover will be lifted also by
the lever A, which has a cycloid E working in bearings secured to it. The cycloid
is provided with an arm, to which the one end of a wire rope or chain is secured,
and is continued over the pulley F to the cylinder B. From the cycloid a chain or
wire rope is suspended, which is attached to the valve cover, so that when the
lever A is being raised the cycloid keeps the cover in its vertical position over the
valve, and lifts it through a greater height than the lever A travels at that point
where the cycloid is placed.
Figs. 18, 19, and 20 show the application of the cylinder described as in the
second compartment, Fig. 1, Sheet 1, to measuring gas. Fig. 18 is a vertical section
through the centre of the measuring cylinder; Fig. 19 is a vertical section
through line A, A, Fig. 20; and Fig. 20 is a horizontal section on line B, B,
Fig. 19. The cylinder as illustrated is divided into two measuring chambers C
and D by an interior circular partition E. The inlet and outlet ports of the
chamber C are placed at the opposite side to that of those of the chamber D.
Between the inlet and outlet ports in each chamber is the intersecting diaphragm.
The circular plane on which the cylinder flange rolls is formed on the inside of the
external casing. A pin G secured to the outside of the cylinder slides in the
guide H attached to the inside of the external casing to keep the cylinder from
rotating while rolling on the plane. The crank I keeps the cylinder flange down on
the plane, and gives motion to the registering index. J is the inlet pipe and K is
the outlet pipe. At the back of the cylinder chamber, and elevated above the level
of the water within it, is a reservoir L for supplying water to the cylinder chamber
on the principle of a bird fountain." Beneath the reservoir is a chamber M in
communication with the cylinder chamber below the water level, and containing
the overflow pipe N, up which gas passes from the cylinder inlet to above the water
level, so that the level of the water in this chamber shall be the same as that in the
interior of the cylinder.
20
To fill the reservoir L with water, the plug O is removed, which permits the
valve P actuated by a spring to close on its seat at the mouth of the outlet,
preventing the water from passing into the chamber below while it is being charged.
To indicate when the reservoir L is empty and requires to be recharged, the float
Q descends with the water till it rests on the lower ends of its guides, which are
supported by a spindle connected to the end of lever R. The other end of the
lever is connected to a bell S, which works in a chamber sealed at the bottom in
the water contained in the chamber M.
Above the water level is the outlet pipe K, which is provided with a seat on its
lower end to fit a conical valve T secured to the top of the bell. The pipe U com-

page_text: municates with the inlet to the cylinder, and rising above the level of the water
supplies gas to the interior of the bell, so that there is the pressure of the inlet gas
on the interior, and that of the outlet gas on the top of the bell, surplus water is
removed by plug V fitted in a chamber W connected with the inlet to cylinder.
When the cylinder is used for carburetting as well as measuring the gas, narrow
fibrous brushes are fixed in its measuring chambers.
Fig. 21 is an elevation of the supply reservoir in section of the carburettor,
consisting of a cylinder as described, for measuring, working in an external casing
with the reservoir on the principle of the "bird fountain" formed on its side, and
elevated above the level of the liquid contained in the cylinder chamber. The
cylinder is fitted with fibrous brushes, and any of the rolling balances as already
described. There are various for retaining the level of the liquid in the meter
scoops. or eups arranged to be actuated by motion from the cylinder, or attached
to the cylinder flange dipping into a reservoir surrounding the chamber containing
the cylinder, and discharging into it as the cylinder rolls.
The cylinders for both measuring and carburetting may be worked in pairs or
singly, as described.
my
The general method and arrangement of the foregoing apparatus, including the
application of other existing apparatus necessary for the carrying out of method
of treating the gases, hydrocarbons, and tar, obtained by the distillation of coal and
other substances, will consist of applying an anti-dip pipe arrangement, by which the
gases are prevented from being forced or drawn through the liquids in the hydraulic
main by a form of hydraulic inain which promotes the immediate romoval of the
tar contained therein, and retaining a surface of ammoniacal liquor to the passing
gases.
Employing a steam jet exhauster fixed immediately on the outlet pipe of the
hydraulic main, and superheating the gases, hydrocarbons, and tar, during their
removal to and within the apparatus illustrated by Figs. 10 and 11, thence
by using a vessel containing either the disc brushes or cylinders, as described in the
upper and second compartments in Fig. 1, these working in the liquid which
either employed may remove from the gases by mechanically impinging on the fibre
and screens. This is done without loss of temperature to the passing gases, which
will enter into the vessel illustrated by Figs. 7, 8, and 9, or other prolonged gas-
way protected from the influence of the atmosphere with the provision for utilizing
the heat in the gases and steam when evaporating caustic ammonia, and effecting
slower condensation before entering the regulating atmospheric condenser illustrated
by Figs. 5 and 6, which reduces the temperature to nearly that of the atmosphere.
The gases then pass into the series of purifiers illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, 3, and
13, which may be variously arranged for the final purification.
Having described and illustrated the nature of my Invention, and the method
or manner under which the same may be practically used, I would observe that
I do not claim the particular application of existing apparatus as specified to be
used in my method and general arrangement, although necessary to complete the
process of manufacturing illuminating gas according to my Invention, nor do I
limit my claim to the exact details of the apparatus described and illustrated,
as these may be varied without altering the principles, but what I consider to be
novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention is,-
First. Treating the gas, hydrocarbons, and tar, obtained by the distillation of
coal or other substances while at a high and maintained temperature, so that the
volatile hydrocarbons and rich gases are retained in the gas, and effecting the
dissociation of those which have been absorbed by the tar deposited in the hydraulic
main, whereby the illuminating power is increased, and a greater quantity of gas
obtained.
Second. Utilizing the heat in and heat applied to the crude gases in promoting
slower condensation, and effecting a part and afterwards a continuous final liquid
purification

page_text: Third. The several arrangements of apparatus for operating on the crude gases
while undergoing condensation and purification, by which the removal of the
contained impurities are facilitated, and the volatile hydrocarbon vapours and rich
gases are preserved and retained in the gas, thus increasing its volume and illumi-
nating power, as herein described, and shown on the Drawings.
Fourth. The construction of apparatus for measuring and carburetting air or gas,
whereby they may be made wholly of cast iron, thereby obtaining greater duration
and economy in construction, as herein-before described, and shewn on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Purves Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.