Improvements in and Connected with the Manufacture of Illuminating Gas from Coal.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1887
Complete Left, 25th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 20th Apr., 1888
Improvements in and Connected with the Manufacture of
Illuminating Gas from Coal.
I, JOHN HENRY RIOHARDSON DINSMORE, of 7, 9 and 11 Emlyn Street, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object to effect a better deposition of pitch from coal gas
than heretofore and in such a manner that it can be readily removed from the pipes.
ducts or other parts of gas making plant. My Invention is particularly applicable
to or in connection with gas retorts in and by which a gas containing gases resulting
from the distillation of the coal tar is made.
According to this invention the objects above specified are effected, namely the gas
coming from the retort is passed through a pipe or pipes or ducts which are maintained
at a low temperature. This is effected preferably by surrounding the pipes or ducts
with water.
The object might be also obtained by using cold air or by like or equivalent
means. When water is used it is allowed to circulate or is circulated through a case
or jacket surrounding the pipes or ducts. By these means the pitch is deposited in
the pipes and it can be removed therefrom through suitable doorways or apertures in
the pipes, suitable caps or doors being provided by which the pipes can be readily
closed or access had to them.
The cooled pipes or ducts may be horizontal or inclined or horizontal and inclined
and provided with doors or caps so that the pitch can be easily and quickly removed.
The pipes are preferably secured to the retort pipes at or close to the retort bench
wall.
DL: 0
100%

page_text: Improvements in and Connected with the Manufacture of
Illuminating Gas from Coal.
I, JOHN HENRY RICHARDSON DINSMORE of 7, 9 and 11 Emlyn Street, Liverpool, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to the manufacture of illuminating gas from coal in closed
vessels or retorts, but more particularly to the processes of manufacturing illuminating
gas such as that set forth in my Specification of Application for Patent No. 176787-
in which it has been proposed to render permanent practically all the heavy, or tarry.
vapours as well as the light volatile products given off from coal by distillation and
useful for the production of light and heat. To obtain this. result, double or multiple
retorts have been proposed and are used in which the gas distilled in one retort is
passed through a second, or third retort, or heated pipes, or ducts, such retorts being
arranged and constructed in various ways and forms.
One of the objects of this invention is to effect the deposition of pitch from coal
gas in such a manner that it can be readily removed from the pipes, or ducts of the
gas making plant through which the gas passed when under manufacture; and my
invention is applicable for use in connection with gas retorts, such as those above
described, in and by which a gas containing gases resulting from the distillation of the
coal tar, or tarry vapours is made.
A further object of my present invention is to effect the results above mentioned
and to produce a larger volume of gas of a higher illuminating power than is generally
produced at Gas Works.
The above objects are effected in the manner I will now proceed to describe.
According to this invention the gas coming from the retort is passed through a duct,
or passage as hereinafter described, which is maintained at a low temperature. This
is effected preferably by surrounding the said ducts, or passages with water, but the
object may also be obtained by using cold air, or by equivalent means.
When water, or cold air is used as the cooling fluid, it may be caused to circulate
through a case, or jacket surrounding the said duct, or passage. Any pitch, or other
matter deposited in the said ducts, or pipes can be removed therefrom through suitable
doorways or apertures on the said ducts, suitable caps, or doors being provided by
which the pipes can be readily closed, or access had to them.
The cooled ducts, or passages may be arranged at an inclination, or horizontally
but by preference at an inclination-for the purposes hereinafter stated and provided
with doors, or caps so that pitch, or other deposits can be easily and quickly removed.

page_text: The cooled pipes or passages are preferably secured to the retort pipes-that is the
second heated pipes or ducts through which the gases are passed after leaving the
retorts and close to the retort bench wall.
Having thus specified generally the object, or objects and nature of this invention,
its description will first be proceeded with in reference to the drawings, by way of
explaining more fully the operation and effects and the construction of apparatus
according to this invention.
The drawings and the following description of them set forth a special apparatus
designed to apply the improvements in the manufacture of gas, the nature of which
has been above explained.
In the Figures of the drawings like letters and figures of reference are used
throughout to donate like
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively longitudinal section and front elevation-partly in
section of a bench of retorts according to this invention.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the retort according to this invention.
The above Drawings illustrate gas retorts of the type above specified in and by
which a gas containing the gases resulting from the distillation of the coal tar is
effected, that is to say, with reference to Figure 1, A is the retort, which is set in any
known way and in which the coal is distilled, and B is a pipe, or duct-also subjected
to the heat of the furnace gases-through which the gas passes after leaving the
retort A and by which the bulk of the tarry vapours and other gases existing in a non
permanent condition are rendered permanent. To the retort pipe B is secured the
cooled pipe, or passage b constituting a cooled mouth. The example of cooled mouth
illustrated consists of the metal 6 of the mouth, and a jacket, or casing 6' having a
space between the two parts through which the cooling fluid is passed.
The operation and process and effects of manufacturing gas in the apparatus above
set forth, are as follows:-The coal is placed in the retorts A and distilled by heat in
the ordinary way and the gas evolved from the coal is then passed through the heated
duct B. In the condition the gas leaves the retort A a considerable portion of it is
not permanent, but in passing through the duct B, it is subject to the heat of that
duct and thereby the greater portion of the non permanent portion is rendered
permanent. At the termination of the duct B the gas comes under the cooling
influence of the artificially cooled mouth 6 and here not only is the pitch and carbon
deposited, but the greater portion of the tarry and non permanent vapours still existing
in the gas are condensed and arrested. Then through the mouth and duct being
inclined as shown (see Figure 3) the condensed liquids will flow back down into the
retort and will be converted into gas and so made useful for the production of light
and heat. Also the deposited pitch or carbon can be easily and quickly removed.
The temperature to which it is preferred to heat the retort A and ducts B is
equivalent to that of, or denoted by a clear cherry red colour, or what is known in gas
making as a medium temperature. By working the retorts and ducts at this
temperature, I have found that the best results are effected, that is to say, the luminous
qualities of the gas combined with the volume obtained from a given quantity of coal,
give together a more valuable product than by using either much higher, or much
lower temperatures.
With reference to the other portion of the apparatus and the particular construction
and arrangements of retort illustrated in the drawings, D designates the ascension
pipes, E is the hydraulic main, the dip pipes E¹ of which are inserted into the liquor
to a small depth only say of an inch. The main E is open at E to the atmosphere
and so prevents any undue pressure within it. The cooled mouths 6 are provided with
pipes c for the inlet and outlet of the cooling fluids used in the jacket 6. bis the
door of the mouth b, and a is the mouth of the retort. Through the apertures of

page_text: these doors access can be had to the interior of the retort and all parts of the duct B,
and all internal parts thereof can be scraped and cleaned. It will be observed the
duct B in the example shown is in the form of a double, or return pipe. The con-
struction of the duct B as a double, or return pipe is suitable for most kinds of coal
ordinarily used for distilling gas from, and is the form I prefer to employ when the
apparatus in which the manufacture of gas according to my invention is carried on, is
arranged as, or substantially as illustrated; but for certain kinds of coal in which the
heavy or tarry vapours do not exist to such an extent, as in cannel coal for example,
or do not require the length of run provided in the double, or return duct type to
convert the greater portion of them into permanent gases I may employ a single
duct B and such duct may lead from the rear end of the retort A, as shown in dotted
lines in Figure 3 and marked B¹ thereby providing a diminished length of run for the
gases. At the same time I would state that I may employ more than two ducts if so
desired, thereby increasing the length of run for the gases.
In Figure 1 and 2 three retorts are shown. The setting of these is such that they
shall be protected from the destructive action of the flames and furnace gases and
maintained at equal, or approximately equal temperatures. This is done by partly
shielding those nearest the fire by brickwork, namely the lower retorts are protected
by slabs of firebrick (throughout their length, and the upper retort is protected by
slabs C3 at intervals. The arrows shown in the drawings indicate the direction of the
furnace gases. Although three retorts are shown it must be understood that any
required number of retorts may be set in a bench in the usual way, but care must be
taken that they are arranged in such a way that the temperature of all shall be equal
as in ordinary practice. The retort and duct may be made in one piece and of cast
iron, or clay as in Figures 1, 2 and 3, or it may be made in any number of pieces, or
of any suitable material. The duct B is smaller than the retort A: the proportion
shown in the drawings being one from which good results may be obtained. The
retort is mainly set, or supported as shown in Figure 1 by the front wall C and
pedestal C¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would state in conclusion that in
the foregoing Specification I have described what I consider the best type of apparatus
involving the berein described Invention, I wish it to be understood however that I do
not limit myself to the precise combination or form of apparatus described, as various
modifications may obviously be made without departing from the spirit, or scope of
my invention. On the other hand it must be stated that I make no claim to the use
generally of the type of retorts hereinbefore specified, that is, gas retorts in and by
which a gas containing gases resulting from the distillation of the tar, or tarry
products of the coal is made, or in other words double retorts in which the gas
leaving the main retort passed through a second, or more retorts, or pipes; as prior to
my invention it has been proposed to effect the conversion of the tar, or tarry vapours
of the coal into gas in apparatus of this type. I also make no claim generally to the
cooling of the gas artificially after leaving the retorts, as this has been heretofore
proposed, but for different purposes to those according to this invention; and in sub-
stantially different ways and forms; but I declare that what I do claim in respect of
my invention is :—
after
First. The manufacture of illuminating gas from coal in the manner herein
described that is to say, by employing a cooling duct, or passage in combination with
a double retort, such as has been proposed to be employed for obtaining a gas, or gases
from the tar, or tarry products, the operation being that the distillation is effected in
the retort, the bulk of gases are made permanent by passing them through a heated
duct, or ducts and then the gas is subjected to a cooling influence at, or near the end
of such duct, or ducts, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas from coal the employment of a
cooling device, or passage with a retort A having connected with it a heating duct, or

page_text: ducts, such as B, the gas distilled in the retort being passed through the said heating
duct, or ducts and over, or through the cooling device, or passage, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
Third. The combination of parts constructed substantially as set forth and illustrated
by the drawings, whereby the tar, pitch and carbon are arrested and facilities for
removal of deposits and working are afforded, and operating as and for the purposes
set forth.

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Connected with the Manufacture of
Illuminating Gas from Coal.
I, JOHN HENRY RICHARDSON DINSMORE, of 7, 9 and 11 Emlyn Street, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention to be as follows:-
"
This Invention has for its object to effect a better deposition of pitch from coal gas
than heretofore and in such a manner that it can be readily removed from the pipes
ducts or other parts of gas making plant. My Invention is particularly applicable
to or in connection with gas retorts in and by which a gas containing gases resulting
from the distillation of the coal tar is made.
According to this invention the objects above specified are effected, namely the gas
coming from the retort is passed through a pipe or pipes or ducts which are maintained
at a low temperature. This is effected preferably by surrounding the pipes or ducts
with water.
The object might be also obtained by using. cold air or by like or equivalent
means. When water is used it is allowed to circulate or is circulated through a case
or jacket surrounding the pipes or ducts. By these means the pitch is deposited in
the pipes and it can be removed therefrom through suitable doorways or apertures in
the pipes, suitable caps or doors being provided by which the pipes can be readily
closed or access had to them.
The cooled pipes or ducts may be horizontal or inclined or horizontal and inclined
and provided with doors or caps so that the pitch can be easily and quickly removed.
The pipes are preferably secured to the retort pipes at or close to the retort bench
wall.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in and Connected with the Manufacture of
Illuminating Gas from Ooal,
I, JOHN HENRY RICHARDSON DINSMORE, of 7, 9, and 11, Emlyn Street, Liverpool, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the manufacture of illuminating gas from coal in closed
vessels or retorts, but more particularly to the processes of manufacturing illuminating
gas such as that set forth in my Specification of Application for Patent No. 176787_
in which it has been proposed to render permanent practically all the heavy or tarry
vapours, as well as the light volatile products given off from coal by distillation, and
useful for the production of light and heat. To obtain this result, double or multiple
retorts have been proposed and are used, in which the gas distilled in one retort is
passed through a second, or third retort, or heated pipes, or ducts, such retorts being
arranged and constructed in various ways and forms.
One of the objects of this invention is to effect the deposition of pitch from coal
gas in such a manner that it can be readily removed from the pipes or ducts of the
gas making plant, through which the gas is passed when under manufacture; and my
invention is applicable for use in connection with gas retorts, such as those above
described, in and by which a gas containing gases resulting from the distillation of the
coal tar, or tarry vapours, is made.
A further object of my present invention is to effect the results above mentioned
and to produce a larger volume of gas of a higher illuminating power than is generally
produced at Gas Works.
The above objects are effected in the manner I will now proceed to describe.
According to this invention the gas coming from the retort is passed through a duct
or passage, as hereinafter described, which is maintained at a low temperature. This
is effected, preferably, by surrounding the said ducts or passages with water, but the
object may also be obtained by using cold air, or by equivalent means.
When water or cold air is used as the cooling fluid, it may be caused to circulate
through a case, or jacket, surrounding the said duct or passage. Any pitchy, or other
matter, deposited in the said ducts or pipes, can be removed therefrom through suitable
doorways or apertures on the said ducts, suitable caps or doors being provided, by
which the pipes can be readily closed, or access had to them.
The eeeled cooling ducts or passages may be arranged at an inclination, or horizon-
tally, but by preference at an inclination-for the purposes hereinafter stated-and
provided with doors or caps, so that solid-pitchy or other deposits, can be easily and

page_text: explaining more fully the operation and effects, and the construction of apparatus,
according to this invention.
The drawings and the following description of them, set forth a special apparatus
designed to apply the improvements in the manufacture of gas, the nature of which
has been above explained.
In the Figures of the drawings like letters and figures of reference are used
throughout to denote like or corresponding parts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively longitudinal section and front elevation-partly in
section of a bench of retorts according to this invention.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the retort according to this invention.
The above Drawings illustrate gas retorts of the type above specified in and by
which a gas containing the gases resulting from the distillation of the coal tar is
effected; that is to say, with reference to Figure 1, A is the retort, which is set in any
known way and in which the coal is distilled, and B is a pipe or duct, also subjected
to the heat of the furnace gases-through which the gas passes after leaving the
retort A, and by which the bulk of the tarry vapours and other gases existing in a non
permanent condition, are rendered permanent. To the retort pipe B is secured the
cooled cooling pipe or passage b constituting a cooled mouth. The example of
cooleding mouth or passage illustrated, consists of the metal 6 of the mouth, and a
jacket or casing 62, having a space between the two parts, through which the cooling
fluid is passed.
The operation and process, and effects, of manufacturing gas in the apparatus above
set forth, are as follows:-The coal is placed in the retorts A and distilled by heat in
the ordinary way, and the gas evolved from the coal is then passed through the heated
duct B. In the condition the gas leaves the retort A a considerable portion of it is
not permanent, but in passing through the duct B, it is subject to the heat of that
duct, and thereby the greater portion of the non permanent portion is rendered
permanent. At the termination of the duct B the gas is passed through and comes
under the cooling influence of the artificially cooled mouth o, and here not only is the
pitch and carbon deposited, but the greater and is thereby cooled, i.e. its temperature is
lowered; the effect of which is that the heavier part of the pitchy matters is arrested, con-
densed, and deposited in a liquid form, and prevented from solidifying in the passage b
and also from being carried forward to any material extent; also, the formation of pitch
in and on the pipes following the cooling passage b, not artificially cooled, is prevented,
such prevention being due to the gas being cooled below the point at which such formation
will or can take place. And here (in the passage b) also a portion of the tarry and non
permanent vapours still existing in the gas are is condensed and arrested. This
process, then, briefly stated, is,-Distilling the coal in closed retorts, heating the gas
so produced, and then subsequently cooling it upon leaving the apparatus. Then Through
the mouth and duct being inclined as shown (see Figure 3), the condensed liquids will
flow back down into the retort, and a large proportion will be converted into gas, and
so made useful for the production of light and heat; also the deposited solid pitch or
carbon deposited in the duct b can be easily and quickly removed.
The temperature to which it is preferred to heat the retort A and ducts B, is
equivalent to that of, or denoted by, a clear cherry red colour, or what is known in gas
making as a medium temperature. By working the retorts and ducts at this
temperature, I have found that the best results are effected; that is to say, the luminous
qualities of the gas, combined with the volume obtained from a given quantity of coal,

page_text: give together, a more valuable product than by using either much higher or. much
lower temperatures.
To reduce the temperature of the heated gas after and upon leaving the heated duct (B)
to the requisite extent, the cooling passage b, when of the form shown in the drawings
should be from about three to six feet long.
With reference to the other portion of the apparatus, and the particular construction
and arrangements of retort illustrated in the drawings, D designates the ascension
pipes, E is the hydraulic main, the dip pipes E¹ of which are inserted into the liquor
to a small depth only, say of an inch. The main E is open at E to the atmosphere,
jando prevents any undue pressure within it. The cooled mouths 6 are provided with
pipes c, for the inlet and outlet of the cooling fluids used in the jacket 62. is the
door of the mouth b, and a is the mouth of the retort. Through the apertures of
these doors access can be had to the interior of the retort and all parts of the duct B,
and all internal parts thereof can be scraped and cleaned. It will be observed the
duct B, in the example shown, is in the form of a double or return pipe. The con-
struction of the duct B as a double or return. pipe suitable for most kinds of coal
ordinarily used for distilling gas from, and is the form I prefer to employ when the
apparatus, in which the manufacture of gas according to my invention is carried on, is
arranged as, or substantially as illustrated; but for certain kinds of coal in which the
heavy or tarry vapours do not exist to such an extent, as in cannel coal for example,
or do not require the length of run provided in the double or return duct type
convert the greater portion of them into permanent gases, I may employ a single
duct B, and such duct may lead from the rear end of the retort A as shown in dotted
lines in Figure 3 and marked B', thereby providing a diminished length of run for the
gases. At the same time, I would state that I may employ more than two ducts if so
desired, thereby increasing the length of run for the gases.
t.
$1
L
to
"In Figure 1 and 2, three retorts are shown. The setting of these is such that they
shall be protected from the destructive action of the flames and furnace gases, and
maintained at equal, or approximately equal, temperatures. This is done by partly
shielding, those nearest the fire by brickwork, namely the lower retorts are protected
by slabs of firebrick C2 throughout their length, and the upper retort is protected by
slabs Cat intervals. The arrows shown in the drawings indicate the direction of the
furnace gases.
Although three retorts are shown, it must be understood that "any
required number of retorts may be set in a bench in the usual way, but care must be
taken, that they are arranged in such a way, that the temperature of all shall be equal
as in ordinary practice. The retort and duct may be made in one piece and of cast,
iron, or clay, as in Figures 1, 2 and 3, or it may be made in any number of pieces, or "
of any suitable material. The duct B is smaller than the retort A: the proportion
shown in the drawings being one from which good results may be obtained. The
retort is mainly set or supported as shown in Figure 1 by the front wall Cand
pedestal (".
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
cand in what manner the same is to be performed, I would state in conclusion, that in
the foregoing Specification I have described what I consider the best type of apparatus
involving the herein described Invention; I wish it to be understood however, that I do
not limit myself to the precise combination or form of apparatus described, as various
modifications may obviously be made without departing from the spirit or scope of
i ::my invention. On the other hand, it must be stated, that I make no claim to the use
generally. of the type of retorts herein before specified, that is, gas retorts in and by
which a gas containing gases resulting from the distillation of the tar or tarry
products of the coal is made, or in other words, double retorts in which the gas is after
leaving the main retort passed through a second, or more retorts, or pipes; as prior to
iny invention it has been proposed to effect the conversion of the tar or tarry vapours
of the coal into gas in apparatus of this type. I also make no claim generally to the
cooling of the, gas exit. pipes of retorts artificially after leaving the retorts, as this
has been heretofore proposed, but for different purposes to those according to this

page_text: invention, and in substantially different ways and forms; but I declare that what I do
claim in respect of my invention is :—
First. The manufacture of illuminating gas from coal in the manner herein
described, that is to say, by employing a cooling duct or passage in combination with
a double retort, such as has been proposed to be employed for obtaining a gas or gases
from the tar, or tarry products, the operation being that the distillation is effected in
the retort, the bulk of gases are made permanent by heating them by passing them
through a heated duct or ducts, and then the gas is subjected to a cooling influence
at or near the end of such duct or ducts and cooled; substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
Second. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas from coal, the employment of a
cooling device, or passage, with a retort, A, having connected with it a heating duct or
ducts, such as B, the gas distilled in the retort being passed through the said heating
duct or ducts, and over, or through the cooling device, or passage; substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
Third. The combination of parts constructed substantially as set forth and illustrated
by the drawings, whereby the tar and pitchy and carbon matters are arrested, and
facilities for removal of deposits and working are afforded, and operating as and for
the purposes set forth.
Dated this 24th day of February 1888.
JOHN HENRY RICHARDSON DINSMORE.
By Cheesbrough & Royston,
15, Water Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents.