An Improved Method of Regulating the Production of Acetylene Gas from Carbides.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 22nd June, 1899-Accepted, 29th July, 1899
[Communicated from abroad by RAOUL TÜRR, of 3, Rue Meissonier, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Engineer.]
An Improved Method of Regulating the Production of Acetylene Gas
from Carbides.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
29
In order to render it possible to dispense with the gasometer in the manufacture
of acetylene gas, to produce the gas at will and to stop such production without
fear of causing the phenomenon termed
which arises in
"overproduction
apparatus for generating this gas:
According to my invention I employ liquid or semi-liquid carbides of hydrogen,
especially naphtha and all its derivatives, and likewise the non-solid fats, by
arranging them, that is to say, either one or more of these products, in such a
manner that:
1. In contact appliances, without even the pressure of the gas, the water
necessary to the reaction leaves upon the carbide, immediately this reaction has
taken place, a deposit of the substances which I employ as above stated, the
effect of which is precisely to permit of obtaining the advantages above specified.
2. In appliances in which the carbide falls into the water or in which the
water drops upon the carbide, these same substances are in the same manner
deposited upon the carbide by means of a device appropriate to each category
of apparatus.
1
1. 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Regulating the Production of Acetylene Gas
from Carbides.
•
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 to render it possible to dispense with the gasometer in the production

page_text: of acetylene gas, to produce the gas at will and to stop such production without
fear of causing the phenomenon termed over-production, which exists in apparatus
for the generation of this gas, I employ liquid or semi-liquid carbides of hydrogen,
especially naphtha and all its derivatives, and likewise the non-solid fats, by
arranging them, (that is to say either one or more of these products), in such a
manner that:
In contact appliances, without the pressure of the gas itself, the water necessary
for the reaction leaves upon the carbide, as soon as this reaction has taken place,
a deposit of the substances which I employ as above stated, the effect of which is
to permit of obtaining the advantages above specified.
These appliances are distinguished from all others of a similar kind by the
fact that they are not provided with any movable mechanical part, and that a
gasometer is not necessary for their operation.
The operation of my improved apparatus (which in construction is very similar
to the well known hydrogen flask or apparatus for use in laboratories for the
production of hydrogen), is based upon the peculiar action of petroleum, toluo!
and so forth, and generally speaking of liquid hydrocarbons varying in density
between 07 and 0.8.
These products have the property of instantly arresting the action of water
upon the carbide immediately this latter is immersed in one of them, whilst at
the same time permitting the carbide to be again attacked as soon as it comes
into contact with the water.
Having thus explained the principle of my invention, I will now describe, the
manner in which my apparatus operates. This apparatus I have represented, but
by way of example only, in the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation through a gasogene for furnishing a large
supply.
Figure 2 is a section through a small size or household gasogene, and
Figure 3 is a portable gasogene or lamp.
In these three appliances the essential parts performing the same purpose are
indicated by the same letters of reference.
GASOGENE FOR A LARGE SUPPLY.
This apparatus consists essentially of an open trough A containing the bell
or dome B closed by a lid or cover at its upper portion and communicating by
means of apertures c with the trough A, to which it is fixed. The trough A
terminates in an inverted cone C into which pass the substances to be run off
through the cock R.
Within the bell B is fixed a basket D serving for the reception of the carbide;
the base of this basket consists of a sieve or openwork part d of any kind which
is adapted to retain the carbide whilst at the same time permitting the free access
of the water to the same.
The bell, when once the apparatus is charged, is hermetically closed by means
of a lid or cover E which is firmly maintained in position by means of nuts.
F is the water admission pipe; the admission of the water being regulated
by means of a float.
Gis the pipe through which the gas leaves the apparatus.
H is the pipe placing the upper portion of the cell in communication with the
outer air.
I is a pipe communicating with the outer air and opening into the lower
portion of the bell.
K is a pipe branching off from the pipe by which the gas leaves the apparatus
and which is in communication with a pressure gauge.
OPERATION.
The lid E having been removed, water is allowed to enter and a certain quantite

page_text: within the bell a stratum of from 2 to 3 centimetres in thickness; carbide is then
placed in the basket D, the lid E is replaced and water is allowed to enter the
apparatus.
Immediately the water reaches the carbide the production of the gas com-
mences; the first few litres of this gas are directed through the pipe H in order
to free the bell from any air which it may contain. This having been done, the
cock of the pipe H is closed and the gas is allowed to pass through the outlet
pipe G for the purpose of being consumed.
If the production becomes greater than the consumption, an excess of gas
pressure is produced in the bell which forces the liquid downwards therein, and
at a certain moment the stratum of petroleum, following the movement of the
water, will come into contact with the carbide. The action of the water is
instantly arrested and the production of the gas ceases, until, as the consumption
continues, the pressure diminishes within the bell and the water rises again
attacking the carbide which is freed from its stratum of petroleum, whereupon
the production of the gas recommences.
This stratum of petroleum, toluol or hydrocarbon between 07 and 0.8, thus
forms the regulator which enables me to dispense with movable mechanical organs
or parts.
GASOGENE FOR HOUSEHOLD USE.
The apparatus is practically the same as that above described but it is very
much smaller in size; the water supply pipe is omitted, the quantity of water
which is provided being proportionate to that of the carbide placed in the basket.
The draining parts are also dispensed with, the apparatus being portable.
GASOGENE OR PORTABLE LAMP.
The trough A and the bell B are similar to those already described with
respect to the preceding types (the dimensions of course being smaller), the
trough A being open at o. The fixed basket D is replaced by a movable basket
supended by means of a cord and a winch T in such a manner as to enable the
lamp to be ignited or extinguished at will by lowering or raising the said basket
A cock controls the passage to the burner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
Appliances for the generation of acetylene gas constituted in the manner above
described, and in which a stratum of petroleum (which may be replaced by a
stratum of toluol or any other liquid hydrocarbon of a density between 07 and 0*8)
serves as a regulator, a gasometer and generally speaking all movable mechanical
organs or parts to be dispensed with.
Dated this 22nd dor of June 1899
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.