Making Oil Gas.
Year: 1886

page_text: Making Oil Gas.
I, FREDERICK BILTON FOWLER, of Northallerton, in the County of Yorkshire,
Plumber, Hot-water and Gas Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
In order that my said Invention may be more thoroughly understood, I have
appended the accompanying two sheets of drawings, in which the same letters and
numerals of reference are employed to denote like or corresponding parts in each:
Sheet 1 being a vertical sectional elevational view of the apparatus according to my
Invention, and Sheet 2 a plan of the wash boxes to be hereinafter referred to.
The device according to my Invention is as follows, the oil is delivered into a feed
cistern a provided with a filter b, which eliminates any foreign substance or other
matter likely to foul the passage of the oil in its way to the retort, referred to below.
The outlet from the feed or supply cistern a aforesaid is provided with a stop cock c to
shut off the oil supply in order to allow of the pipe E, E, being taken apart by means
of the nut shewn at c-examined, and cleaned. Said pipe E, E, is provided as shewn
at C, d, with a cock having a suitably divided quadrant with index pointer by the use
of which I am enabled to indicate the passage of so many gallons of oil
hour into
per
the retort, as may be found desirable; it has also an extension piece e and cap e to
allow of cleaning out the cock without detaching same. The oil on leaving the
pipe E E, is exposed to the action of a jet of steam obtained from the steam
generator f, situated at the back of the retort setting g, where it is connected with a
feed water cistern h by means of an ordinary syphon ; the quantity of water
admitted into said syphon at the mouth; being regulated to so many gallons per hour
by means of a quadrant cock k divided off as in the case of the oil cock before
mentioned. To further ensure a more rapid generation of steam in the steam
generator, I lead a pipe from the bottom or water space thereof, into the back
flue m,
which pipe returns again to the steam generator at the top or steam space;
the water being thus exposed to the direct action of the heat in the flue, facilitates the
rapid generation of steam. Said steam generator is further provided with a glass

page_text: water gauge to allow of the height in the steam generator being ascertained, and
likewise with a ball lover safety valve, which may be loaded from one to any number
of pounds per square inch as may be found necessary.
The steam on its way from the generator to the syphonic device at n connected with
the oil supply, is led through a series of horizontal coils o fixed on the sides and
top of the flue surrounding the retort, where, being exposed to the action of the heat
from the furnace, it becomes perfectly dry before entering the oil syphon n before
mentioned. Said syphon n is constructed of a series of tubes telescoping one within
the other, with suitable orifice to allow of the admission of the steam and the
commingling of the same with the oil. The latter on passing through the quadrant
cock C with index pointer d before mentioned, enters the feed pipe p, rises up the
surrounding pipe q until it reaches the holes r, where it trickles down the outside of
the pipes to the point t, which is directly over the mouth of the retort.
At this point
the oil is met by the dry steam which consumes or absorbs the carbon of the oil, and
also conduces to lead the oil into the retort similarly as in the case of an injector.
The retort which I employ is square in section having nine or more divisions so
arranged that it is practically one square pipe, of a length equal in the present case
to nine times that of the retort; referring to which latter and the illustration thereof
on sheet 1, the dotted arrows indicate the direction of the travel of the gas in the
retort and the dotted lines g¹ illustrate the method I adopt of forming the retort with
open parts, the number and area of which will be pre-determined according to the
requirements in each case.
The retort is provided with a cover u, at its front, having two or more tubes v, with
caps w, (preferably of brass) screwed thereon. Into each of the said caps a disc of
glass or other suitable transparent material is inserted by which means am enabled
to view the interior of the retort, and to ascertain its temperature, and thereby regulate
the admission of steam for the consumption and absorption of the carbon in the oil.
These tubes v also serve as handles to the retort lid. It will be seen on reference to
the drawing that the retort is heated on its under side by a grate x, extending the
whole length of the retort. The heat and products of combustion travel along the top
to the back, where they descend, and passing the circulating pipe before mentioned,
of the steam generator f, pass up and enter the uptake as indicated by the arrows y.
The retort is thus exposed on four sides, and at one end to the heat of the furnace;
this thorough exposure to the heat being a material feature in the production of a
good profitable gas from oil. The oil having been operated upon by the steam in the
several divisions of the retort, the vapour therefrom leaves same at the outlet pipe z in
the state of a crude gas. Said outlet pipe z is provided with a pressure gauge to
ascertain the pressure in the retort, and also whether the gratings hereinafter
mentioned are clear.
2
The vessel 1, hereinafter designated the condenser, is provided with a series of
gratings 2, through which the gases pass, and are so arranged as to be easily removed
by taking off the cover 3. From the bottom of the condenser a syphon 4 is taken and
led to the filter b of the feed cistern a, the object of same being to lead away any
unconsumed oil that may be condensed on the gas passing through the grating 2.
The condenser is provided with a water or oil luted cover, having a tap or cock 5 for
testing purposes, and also a plug 6, placed directly over the outlet perforated pipe z
which passes through the gratings beforementioned to the under side of the lid for the
purpose of conducting the gas into the gratings. The perforation in the pipe, is also
utilised to allow of the passing of a wire brush or other suitable article therethrough,
to cleanse same of any foreign matter that may obstruct the orifice. There is also
another syphon 7 leading from the condenser 1, which dips into one of a series of wash
boxes 8, (also shewn in plan sheet 2,) containing oil or water; this arrangement thus
forms a back pressure valve by allowing the gas to travel in a given direction, from
whence it cannot return. All the wash boxes 8, which are provided with water or oil
luted lids or covers as before mentioned, are connected one with another by a series
of pipes 9, two of which enter each compartment, one projecting inwards a little
further than the other to allow of the placing of a loose bend thereon to form dips or

page_text: washers," (for the gas). They also form a back pressure valve and tend to cause
the gases to move in a given direction as indicated by the arrows B sheet 2. It will
be noticed also on reference to the drawings, that the wash boxes 11, 12, 13, 14,
sheet 2, are further connected by the syphon pipes 15, all of which are so placed as to
lead into the wash box 12, from whence is a duct or pipe 13 (see sheet 2) leading to
the outer large tank 14, connected by a syphon 16 to the filter b of the feed cistern a,
for the purpose as described in reference to the condenser 1, which is to conduct or
lead away to the retort any unconsumed matter that may have been extracted in the
process of washing the boxes boxes 8, as also the products from the condenser 1, the
pure gas being led away from the wash boxes to the gasometer or holder by the
pipe A. In this way I am enabled to ensure that any oil not thoroughly converted
into gas goes again and again through the retort until completely cleansed from all
impurities; thus, in accordance with the washing or purifying process which I adopt
as above described, I am enabled to produce a gas such as shall give a good pure light,
and at the same time without any risidual tar.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
.
The mode of and means or appliances for making Oil gas substantially as herein
described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.