A New Self Acting Apparatus for the Automatic Production of Oxygen.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1891
Complete Specification Left. 23rd Mar., 1892-Accepted, 11th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New Self Acting Apparatus for the Automatic Production of
Oxygen.
1 FERDINAND FANTA of 85 Gresham Street in the City of London Consulting
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of the present invention is to provide means for regulating and limiting
the emission of oxygen from the material used in the production of such oxygen,
and has reference to the process in which said material is being oxidated by air, and
de-oxidated by steam.
It more especially however is intended and constructed for use in connection with
manganates of soda, previously rendered non-fusible in combination with super-
heated air and super-heated steam, as described in my Specification No. 3,034
dated 19th February 1891 under International Convention and filed abroad
22nd October 1890.
This latter process consists mainly of means of rendering the manganate of soda or
potash non-fusible by preparing such manganate and admixing same with caustic
soda, under the same conditions and circumstances as those under which the material
will ultimately and during the course of production have to be placed. The way
of thus preparing (rendering the material non-fusible) is substantially described in
my Specification numbered as above, and in this manner it is possible to use super-
heated air and superheated steam alternately for the purpose of oxidating and
deoxidating the sesqui oxide of manganese and manganates of soda respectively,
without interruption in the production in consequence of the arrangement by which
two identical sets of tubes or retorts containing the material are simultaneously
submitted, one to the oxidating action of the atmospheric air traversing it, whilst
the second series is traversed by the de-oxidating steam.
It will also be understood that the means, as described, of maintaining the two
sets of retorts containing the material, also the apparatus for heating the air, and
that for superheating the steam are in the same furnace and therefore (through the
suitable proportioning of the heating surfaces) at one and the same temperature.
The condensing of the steam inside these retorts and the taking up of moisture from
the atmosphere in same is, if not rendered absolutely impossible at all events
reduced to such minimum that the caustic soda present in these tubes readily disposes
of same.
This is however only true to this extent that, as will readily be seen, the moisture
which inevitably would be carried into the tubes and must ultimately accumulate in
same in a continuous and uninterrupted process like the one claimed in the above-
named Specification, is not allowed at any time to exceed or even to equal the
quantity necessary for the saturation of the small amount of caustic soda contained
in the material.
In the process referred to and having regard to the series only which at the time
being is traversed by superheated steam this latter enters the retorts decomposed
into its constituent elements, and, in consequence also of the even temperature, a
trifling quantity of moisture, if any, is retained by the material at that stage of the
operation.
The oxygen whicli has been accumulated, has reacted upon, and filled the pores
of the material, is driven out and collected in the usual way in the gasometer, but
when the volume of oxygen gas which has thus been retained by and accumulated
in the material, transforming it from sesqui oxide of manganese into manganate of
soda, in the previous operation (passage of air through the retorts) has been
exhausted in the second operation (deoxidating of the manganate by the passage of

page_text: decomposed steam) the exhaust from this series must, and does contain the
constituents of steain, and in fact is superheated steam, and although it does carry
with it a certain volume of oxygen gas, it has no more de-oxidating power.
Taking advantage of the physical state of the exhaust steam at that moment, and
taking also into consideration that at the very moment when the oxygen accumulated
in the retort is exhausted the passage of steam through this retort has not only no
reason to be continued but that, from that very time, it could only be detrimental
to the material in the retorts, to continue such passage of steam through them, I
construct an apparatus which I insert between the retort and the gasometer and
through this apparatus, which is a large surface condensing appliance of special
construction I pass the exhaust gases from the retort during the deoxidating
operation.
As long as the de-oxidation does really take place, that is to say, as long as the
superheated steam which I introduce into the retorts has de-oxidating action on the
material, or in other words yet, as long as there is any oxygen gas present in
the retorts, same is being driven out of same into the gasometer, when the surface
condensing appliance referred to, acts as cooler of the oxygen gas; but as soon as
this oxygen gas is exhausted the full constituent elements or equivalents are in
presence at the exhaust and these, passing through the surface condensing apparatus,
are not only condensed to form water but in doing so a vacuum is produced inside
the condenser and this vacuum, in combination with the water produced by the
condensation, I make use of for the purpose of interrupting the inlet and outlet of
steam in one series, at the same time opening the inlet of air and the outlet of the
waste gases of the same series, thus regenerating the material.
As will be seen, the reversing of the currents is brought about and produced by
the gases and dependent upon the nature of such exhaust and this is not only of
great importance and commercial value as a self acting apparatus, but is the
prominent feature in the process since it ensures the regular working and prevents
the material from being kept in the presence of steam after the superheated steam
has produced its deoxidating effect.
It goes without saying that the second series is provided with a surface con-
densing apparatus similar to, but independent of that used in connection with the
first series.
In this way and in connecting mechanically the 4 air valves and the 4 steam
(respectively oxygen) valves of the two sets of retorts in such a way that the air
valves of one set are open when the steam (oxygen) valves of the second set are
open and also in such a manner that when the inlet of air is stopped in one set, the
inlet of steam is stopped in the other set and vice versa respectively, the action of
either one or the other of the condeusing appliances will, when the vacuum is
produced in either of them reverse the position of all the valves and thereby alter
the function of the two sets respectively.
Dated this 22nd day of T1001
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New Self Acting Apparatus for the Automatic Production of
Oxygen.
I FERDINAND FANTA of 85 Gresham Street in the City of London, Consulting
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 :-
The object of the present invention is to provide means for regulating and limiting
the emission of oxygen from the material used in the production of such oxygen,
and has reference to the process in which said material is being oxidated by air and
de-oxidated by steam.

page_text: It more especially however is intended and constructed for use in connection
with manganates of soda, previously rendered non-fusible, in combination with
heated air and super-heated steam, as described in my Specification No. 3034
dated 19th February 1891, under International. Convention and filed abroad
22nd October 1890.
This latter process consists, mainly, of means of rendering the manganate of soda
or potash non-fusible, by preparing such manganate and admixing same with caustic
soda, under the same conditions and circumstances as those under which the material
will ultimately, and during the course of production, have to be placed. This
method of preparing (rendering the material non-fusible) is substantially described
in my Specification numbered as above and in this manner it is possible to use
heated air and super-heated steam alternately, for the purpose of oxidating and
de-oxidating the sesqui-oxide of manganese and manganates of soda respectively,
without interruption in the production by the arrangement of two substantially
identical sets of tubes, or retorts, containing the material simultaneously submitted,
one, to the oxidating action of the atmospheric air traversing it, whilst the second
series is traversed by the de-oxidating steam.
It will also be understood that the means, as described, of maintaining the two sets
of retorts containing the material, also the apparatus for heating the air, and that
for super-heating the steam are in the same furnace, and therefore (through the
suitable proportioning of the heating surfaces) at one and the same temperature.
The condensing of the steam inside these retorts, and the taking up of moisture from
the atmosphere in same, is, if not rendered absolutely impossible, at all events
reduced to such minimum so that the caustic soda present in these tubes readily
disposes of same.
This is however only true to the extent that, as will readily be seen, the moisture
which inevitably would be carried into the tubes, and must ultimately accumulate
in same, in a continuous and uninterrupted process like the one claimed in the above-
named Specification, is not allowed at any time to exceed, or even to equal the quantity
necessary for the saturation of the small amount of caustic soda contained in the
material.
In the process referred to, and having regard to the series only which at the time
being is traversed by super-heated steam, this latter enters the retorts decomposed
into its constituent elements and, in consequence also of the even temperature, a
trifling quantity of moisture, if any, is retained by the material at that stage of the
operation.
The oxygen which has been accumulated and has filled the pores of the material,
is driven out and collected in the usual way in the gasometer, but when the volume
of oxygen gas which has thus been retained by and accumulated in the material,
(transforming it from sesqui-oxide of manganese into manganate of soda) in the
previous operation (passage of air through the retorts), has been exhausted in the
second operation (de-oxidating of the manganate by the passage of decomposed
steam) the exhaust from this series must and does contain the constituents of steam,
and in fact is super-heated steam, and although it does carry with it a certain
volume of oxygen gas, it has no more de-oxidating power.
Taking advantage of the physical state of the exhaust steam, at that moment,
and taking also into consideration that, at the very moment when the oxygen
accumulated in the retort is exhausted, the continued passage of steam through
this retort is not only unnecessary but that, from that time it would only be
detrimental to the material in the retorts to continue such passage of steam through
them; I interpose an apparatus between the retort and the gasometer and through
this apparatus (which is a large surface condensing appliance of special con-
struction) I cause the exhaust gases from the retort to pass during the de-oxidating
operation.
As long as the de-oxidation does really take place, that is to say, as long as the
super-heated steam which I introduce into the retorts has de-oxidating action on
the material, or in other words yet, as long as there is any oxygen gas present

page_text: in the retorts, same is being driven out of same into the gasometer, when the
surface condensing appliance referred to, acts as cooler of the oxygen gas; but as
soon as this oxygen gas is exhausted, the full constituent elements or equivalents of
steam are present at the exhaust, and these, passing through the surface condensing
apparatus, are not only condensed to form water, but a vacuum is produced inside
the condenser, and this vacuum in combination with the water produced by the
condensation, I make use of for effecting the interruption of the inlet and outlet of
steam in one series, at the same time opening the inlet of air, and the outlet of the
waste gases of the same series, thus regenerating the material.
As will be seen, the reversing of the currents is brought about and produced by
the gases, and dependent upon the nature of such exhaust and this is not only of
great importance and commercial value in a self-acting apparatus, but is the
prominent feature in the process, since it ensures the regular working, and prevents
the material from being kept in the presence of steam after the super-heated steam
has produced its de-oxidating effect.
The second series is provided with a surface condensing apparatus similar to,
but independent of that used in connection with the first series.
In this way, and in connecting mechanically the 4 air valves, and the 4 steam
(respectively oxygen) valves, of the two sets of retorts in such a way that the air
valves of one set are open, when the steam (or oxygen as the case may be) valves
of the second set are open, and also in such a manner that when the inlet of air is
stopped in one set, the inlet of steam is stopped in the other set, and vice-versa
respectively; the action of either one or the other of the condensing appliances
will, when the vacuum is produced in either of them, reverse the position of all
the valves and thereby alter the function of the two sets respectively.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing represents the front view of the apparatus,
in which the front wall of the furnace is removed, showing the two series A and B
of the retorts a and a' containing the material; the connecting pipes c and e' from
retort to retort; the connections d and between the inlet air valves and the
connections and e, between the retorts and the outlet air valves; the inlet of
steam valves and, and the outlet of oxygen valves y and g', as well as the
screw shaft C, with double chain wheels O. P. Q U. actuating the air, steam, and
oxygen valves.
Figs. 2 and 2 are general outline sketch diagrams of the whole arrangement
illustrating the mode of operation.
Fig. 3 represents the detail of the cooling and condensing apparatus, throwing
the mechanical reversing device in and out of gear.
Fig. 4 represents the mechanical arrangement in connection with this latter
apparatus and with the spindles of the valves.
Figs. 5 and 6 are longitudinal and cross sections of one of the dish-shaped
retorts.
Fig. 7 is a section of the special diaphragm valve referred to hereunder.
The same letters of reference indicate similar parts in the different figures.
As shown in Fig. 1, I construct an apparatus mainly composed of an outer rect-
angular, or otherwise suitably shaped, furnace, in which I place two, or more, series
of retorts of suitable size and construction, but which I preferably construct as shown
in Figs. 5 and 6. and are formed of a shallow rectangular tray or case q made of cast
iron, fire clay or other suitable material and are provided with a movable cover or lid
which can be hermetically fastened to the tray by means of bolts, screws or other
appropriate device, the lower end of the tray is provided with a pipe & running along
the lower edge of the tray and the upper end of the tray is provided with a pipe j
communicating with the upper edge of the tray. Inside the trays are small wires n
on which rests a perforated plate o and on this perforated plate the manganate
(previously rendered non-fusible) is placed. The trays being filled with the
material p a second perforated plate is inserted and the wires n' are fastened to
same before enclosing the whole by screwing down the lid or cover m. Channels
y are reserved in the moulding or casting of the trays by means of which the
and

page_text: apertures band j are made to communicate with the free spaces left below and
above the perforated plates o and of respectively.
These retorts are placed at an incline of say 60 degrees and superposed to each
other, allowing the heat of the furnace to circulate between them so as to equally
and regularly heat the whole of the material with which they are filled.
Each of these retorts a and a' is provided with an inlet at one end and with an
outlet j, at its opposite end, and the connections between the retorts are made in
such a way that the inlet of the second retort, is kept higher than the outlet of the
first retort so as to allow gases or steam, as the case may be, to ascend freely
owing to the difference of gravity consequent upon the heating of same as they pass
through the retorts.
Fig. shows two series A and B composed each of 24 such retorts, each of
these series being formed of eight sets of three retorts, each of these eight sets
being worked in parallel from one inlet collector H (and H respectively) and
each one of such sets of eight is also provided with an outlet collector 1 (and I
respectively).
I will now proceed to give full details of set A, it being understood that the
second set B is in every way similar to set A.
The inlet collector H may be formed, as shown in Fig. 1, of a cylindrical vessel,
tube or pipe, closed at one end, whilst at the other end (preferably the lower) it is
provided with an air valve of sufficient internal section to provide the current of
air necessary for eight retorts (in this case). The collector is moreover provided
with eight small flanges, each of which is connected by means of a pipe to one
retort. The eight pipes providing the necessary current of air to retorts Nos. 1
to 8 (in supposing the 24 retorts to be numbered in numerical order from one to
twenty four beginning with the lowest one) establish the communication between
the collector and the lowest point of cach of these eight retorts, whilst the highest
point of each of these is put into communication with the lowest point of each of
the next eight retorts by parallel junction pipes, and the highest point of this
second lot of eight retorts is again put into communication with the lowest point of
the third lot of eight retorts, whilst the highest point of these communicates with
the outlet collector I in every way similar to the inlet collector, with the exception
that the air valve in this case is fixed on its upper end.
It will be understood from the above, and in referring to Fig. 1, that eight
distinct series, each composed of 3 retorts viz. 1, 9, 17; then 2, 10, 18-and
finally, 8, 16, 24 are formed, that these eight series are supplied simultaneously
and that the passage of air through these 24 retorts is controlled by the two air
valves K and L. The collector H is moreover provided with a small valve
the inlet of steam, and the outlet collector I is provided with a valve g for the outlet
of oxygen.
for
On the other hand the furnace contains two series of vertical pipes E and E
composed each of a suitable number of these, connected together at the upper end
by horizontal pipes M and M', and at the lower end with similar connecting
pipes N and N. The latter are connected with the inlet valves K and K', whilst
the upper pipes M and M' are connected together and supplied with air by means
of a fan, blower or similar appliance.
These two sets of pipes E and E¹, are filled with raw lime or suitable material,
for the purpose of absorbing the moisture of the atmospheric air which is forced
through them, previous to its entering the retorts containing the material, and in
this way such air is heated, and reaches the inlet collectors in a dry state, and at
the same temperature, as that of the material in the retorts. These two points are
essential to give the air its full oxidating power, as otherwise the moisture
contained in same would create a spontaneous production of steam (thus tending to
partly de-oxidate the material) on it coming into contact with the hot material in
the retorts, and to this the unsuccessful attempts made up to the present time with
the Tessié du Motay process may largely be ascribed.
As however the continuous passage of damp air over the same line would

page_text: speedily render same inactive, owing to its becoming saturated with moisture, each
of the entrance pipes M and M' is provided with a two way valve 0¹ 0² Figs. 2
and 2 by means of which each of the two sets E, and E', can either be put into
communication with the blower, or can be thrown open, allowing the moisture
absorbed by the lime, whilst the damp air was passing over it, to evaporate, thus
regenerating the lime, and rendering it serviceable during the next cycle.
It will be further understood that by means of these two double-way valves, one
of the sets (E for instance) is traversed by air on its way to the valve K, such air
being thereby dried and heated whilst the other set E', throws off by evaporation
the moisture which it had retained from the air passed through it on its way to the
valve K in a previous operation. The two-way valves are not shown on Fig. 1
for clearness of same, but their action will be readily perceived, and the way they
are operated upon by the mechanical device explained hereafter is identical to that
by which the air valves themselves are reversed.
In addition to the two sets of retorts containing the material to be oxidated and
de-oxidated alternately; and to the two sets of air heating and drying pipes; the
furnace also contains a continuous coil, serpentine, or similar series of pipes
traversed by steam derived from any suitable boiler, the object of such coil &c.
being to super-heat the steam necessary for the deoxidating of the material in the
retorts and to thus decompose same into its constituent elements previous to the
admission thereof to the steam valves fand f.
The operation ensues as follows:-
The dish-shaped retorts having been filled with material, specially prepared, so
as to render it non-fusible, in accordance with the Specification named before, and
the furnace having been set to work, until a regular temperature of between 400
and 450 degrees C. has been attained throughout, air is forced by means of the
blower throughout set A, this air passing through the horizontal pipe M, into the
series of vertical pipes E, where it rids itself of its moisture and becomes heated,
enters the collecting pipe N, and its temperature is still further increased in passing
in the fire place, until it reaches the inlet valve K. Entering the inlet collector H,
it finds its way into the eight lower retorts, oxidates the material contained therein,
and passes on to the next eight retorts by means of communicating pipes, and then
again passes from these eight retorts to other eight retorts and so on, finally
reaching the outlet collector I in the form of free nitrogen, the oxygen having been
retained by the material.
Whilst this operation has been going on, the valves ƒ and g have remained
closed.
In the meantime and simultaneously with the passage of air through the retorts
of the series A, for the purpose of oxidating the material therein, the following has
been taking place in the series B viz. :-
The double-way valve O Figs. 2 and 2 between the blower and the pipe M¹
being placed in such a position that communication is intercepted between the
blower and the set E¹ of drying and heating pipes and consequently so that the
moisture contained in the lime of these pipes can freely evaporate, passing into
the open air, and the valves K and L' being closed, the superheated steam has
been allowed to enter by means of the valve whence it enters the retorts 1 to 8
of the series B, deoxidating the material contained therein, then passing from the
highest point of these retorts to the lowest point of retorts 9 to 16, where it
deoxidates further material, and so on until the oxygen thus freed, in addition to
that liberated from the last eight retorts, enters the outlets collector I¹ and leaves
same through the valve g¹.
It is clear from the above that the inlet and outlet air valves K and L of one
series, and the steam inlet valve and the oxygen outlet valve g¹ of the other
series, will have to be kept open whilst on the contrary the steam inlet valve f, and
oxygen outlet g of the first series, and the inlet and outlet air valves K and L¹,
will have to be kept closed, when as is supposed in this case, the series A is being
oxidated, the series B being simultaneously de-oxidated, and further, that the

page_text: position of each of these valves will have to be reversed, when the oxidation of the
series A, and the de-oxidation of the series B has been completed.
The reversing of these valves would naturally have for effect, to allow the super-
heated steam to pass over the material of the series A which has just been
oxidated thus deoxidating it again; whilst the dry heated air passing over the
material of retorts 13, will reoxidate the material, which during the previous
operation had given up its oxygen under the influence of steam.
It would seem at first sight, that if by any mechanical arrangement the spindles
of the eight valves (viz. 4 air and 4 steam, oxygen valves) were to be connected, so
that KL are open, and K¹, L', f, g, are closed, the reversing of one of the
spindles, or of the shaft to which the eight spindles were geared, would produce
the desired effect of alternating the flow of the fluids.
This is however not the case, and would at all events necessitate an interruption
in the production of oxygen, whilst it would entail a considerable loss of the gas
itself in consequence of the de-oxidating steam entering the retorts before the air
valves have been entirely closed; and in supposing even that the reversing of the
valves takes place with sufficient rapidity to avoid waste of gas, then again the air
in the retorts would become mixed with the oxygen, thus considerably impairing.
its pureness.
What is needed, on the contrary, is that in the series which has been traversed
by air, the inlet be closed separately, and that a certain interval be allowed for the
air or nitrogen to find its way out into the atmosphere (this being facilitated by the
difference of gravity of such air in the retorts, and the outer atmosphere, and by
the inclined position of the retorts and communicating pipes) before the outlet
valve is closed, thus reducing the vitiating element to a minimum, whilst retaining
in the retorts the full quantity of the oxygen which the material has been capable
of absorbing.
On the other hand it is essential that the valve permitting the outlet of the
oxygen be opened, before the valve regulating the inlet of steam is opened, so as to
facilitate the passage of the super-heated steam over the material, and allow same
to traverse the retorts with the greatest possible rapidity, since the effect of
hampering it in any way would be to unnecessarily condense same, consequently
moistening the material which should be avoided.
4
The preceding remarks, which refer to the set which is being de-oxidated, also
apply to the second set, the reversing of the valves of which has for its object to
allow the oxidating air to pass over the material which has just been de-oxidated.
Here it is important to close the inlet of steam, to allow an interval between the
closing of the first valve, and the closing of the outlet of oxygen, so as to fully
exhaust the oxygen that can be freed, as otherwise the premature opening of the
air valves would amount to a waste of oxygen which would be carried away with
such air; then only open the outlet of air, when any moisture retained in the retort
will find its way out, and to finally open the inlet of dry hot air for oxidating
purposes.
This latter point is rendered all the more important by the fact that the air
introduced into the retorts for oxidating purposes would, if carrying moisture with
it, have a de-oxidating power on the material, instead of an oxidating power, as
it would practically act like steam itself.
It is consequently necessary that the valves should be made to act in the
following rotation:-
In series A. K closes: L closes;
opens; opens; whilst at the same time in
series B-closes; g¹ closes: L' opens; K' opens.
From this it will be seen that :-
K closes when f¹ closes,
L closes when g¹ closes,
L'opens when opens.

page_text: K closes when f' closes,
L' closes when g closes,
Lopens when g¹ opens, and
K opens when opens.
To obtain this object 1 devise a mechanical arrangement, Fig. 4, mainly composed
of a horizontal shaft C provided in its centre with a screwed part, the thread of
which engages in a threaded plummer-block E' and this shaft can be acted upon
either by a straight belt or by a cross belt. When the cross belt is made to act,
the shaft revolves from left to right, and is made to travel longitudinally from left
to right also. On this shaft, four loose double chain wheels, kept in position by
lateral supports, are connected by means of chains with the spindles of the valves
as follows:-
:-
One of the wheels of the double chain wheel O acts, when same is thrown into
gear, directly on the spindle of the valve K thereby closing same, whilst the second
wheel of the double chain wheel O acts on the small shaft the opposite extremity
of which closes at the same time the inlet of steam f¹ by means of the gearing
and h³.
The double chain wheel which, as stated before, is loose on the shaft, is
brought into action in consequence of the feather of the shaft C becoming
engaged in the key way of the wheel, and acts upon this wheel until the shaft C
has travelled sufficiently to the right, when the feather becomes disengaged, and
the wheel becomes loose again. The thickness of the wheel and the pitch of the
screw, as well as the respective diameters of the chain wheels, are so calculated
that the valves are closed, or open, as the case may be, when the feather has done
its work. The shaft then continuing its course, occasions .the feather i to engage
in the next double chain wheel P, which is acted upon in the same way, closes
the valve L and g' by means of the gears 1, 12, 13 (see Figs. 1 and 4), whilst
the shaft, still moving from left to right, brings the chain wheel Q into
operation, by means of the feather, thereby opening the valves L' and g
by means of the gears 2, 3 (see Figs. 1 and 4) and finally, and in the same
way, the feather acts on the double chain wheel U, which opens the valves K'
and f, by means of the gear u, u², u³ (see Figs. 1 & 4).
The shaft C is now at the end of its course, and is made to throw the cross
belt out of gear, and is thus stopped.
When the reversing of the valves becomes necessary, the straight belt is made
to act upon the shaft C, when same turning in the opposite direction, iz. from
right to left, occasions the shaft to travel longitudinally in the opposite direction,
thus coming back, when the feather 1, acts on the double chain wheel U, then
feather on double chain wheel Q, then feather i ou double chain wheel P, and
finally feather on double chain wheel O, thus reversing the respective valves in
their proper rotation, as will be understood on referring to the drawing and to the
table above. When the shaft C has again come to the end of its course on the
return, it throws the straight belt out of gear, whereby it is stopped, being thus
once more in its original position.
The throwing into gear of either the cross belt, or the straight belt, is obtained
by the physical state and condition of the fluid coming from the outlet valves g
and g' as explained.
The oxygen on leaving the valves g and g' is conveyed by pipes w³ to two
cooling appliances R and R', Figs. 2 and 3, the cooling apparatus R being connected
with g.
At the lower extremity of the cooling apparatus, where the oxygen leaves
same and is carried to the washing vessel W, Fig. 2, by means of the pipes
and r¹, two branch pipes s and s¹ are provided for, and these are made to communi-
cate to the lower end of two cylinders S and S'. Each of these cylinders is
provided with a float and e¹ connected by means of a vertical guide rod to a
balance connecting the two rods. The two ends of this balance are, by means of

page_text: a crank, chain or otherwise, connected with the shipping fork of a friction clutch,
which acts on a pulley V. V the boss of which is provided with a key, engaging
in a groove of the shaft C on which they are loose, otherwise, so as to allow same.
to travel longitudinally. The gas having been passed through the washer, leaves.
same by means of the small pipe which conveys same to the gas holder for:
storage purposes.
Midway of the branch pipes s and s' are inserted two diaphragm valves G, G',
Fig. 2, constructed as follows: An outer casing 1, 1, Fig. 7, is divided into two
compartments by means of an elastic diaphragm or plate so as to form two chambers. >
The upper chamber 7 is provided with an inlet 3. and an outlet 2. The diaphragm
plate 6 forms a hermetic joint B with the flanges of the upper and the lower:
chambers.
The lower chamber has an inlet 4 and an outlet pipe 5, there being a valve seat
and valve 9 between this inlet and outlet, and this valve is fastened to the centre
of the diaphragm plate 6 by means of the valve spindle 10 which is counterbalanced.
and regulated by means of the adjustable spring 11, and the. pressure can be set by .
means of the screw pin 12.
These valves are placed between the steam superheaters and the steam iulets f
and of the two sets A and B in the following manner.
The steam coming from the superheater enters the pipe 4 of the lower chamber
and passing through the valve 9 leaves the chamber at 5 on its way to the retorts..
The spring 11 is set so that the valve is slightly open when oxygen is evolved from
the retorts.
เ
The entrance pipe 3 of the upper chamber is connected with the upper part of :
the branch pipe coming from the cooler and the outlet 2 of the same chamber 7
is connected with the vessel S containing the float. v.
:
↓
When and as long as oxygen is evolved from the retorts, this oxygen finds its
way to the washing vessel, without entering chamber 7, but as soon as steam passes
through the cooler same becomes condensed and the water resulting therefrom, on
reaching the diaphragm plate, (between chambers 7-8) by reason of the resulting
diminution of temperature causes same to contract and the pressure thus increasing
on the valve 9, overcomes the lifting power of the spring 11 causes that valve to
close and prevents any more steam fiom entering the retorts, whilst any steam.
which is still contained therein distils over to the cooler and becoming condensed
in its turn, creates a vacuum in the cooler, which causes the float v to be lowered :
owing to the water contained in the vessel S being taken up through suction pipes,
where it remains until the next cycle comes into operation, when the oxygen
entering the cooler causes the water which is contained in chamber 7 to escape
therefrom by the orifice 2, through the pipe s returning thereby into the vessel S,
before the oxygen can pass into the washing vessel W.
The. two valves G and G' are identical in construction and their respective
connections are similar in every respect.
.The operation of the float and gear arrangement is as follows:
As long as oxygen gas is. liberated from one of the sets, say A of retorts, it
finds its way to the cooling apparatus R, through the pipe and the washer W,
into the gas-holder. As will be seen the floating arrangement has not in any way
been brought into action so far. The liquid in both cylinders and the floats there-
fore remaining at the same level, and in this position both shipping forks T. and T! :
are in the vertical position, both pulleys being consequently out of gear and the
shaft C stationary. .. },
t
When however the oxygen of the series A has been exhausted by the passage of
the requisite quantity. of steam, the fluid leaving the valve is no longer oxygen i
only but actual steam, which although super-heated, contains all the constituents of
steam, and in fact is nothing but steam.
Now as soon as this steam enters the cooling apparatus R; this cooling apparatus t
begins (in consequence of the large available.cooling surfaces); to act as a surface i
condenser of the steam, thereby creating a vacuum owing to the fact that the
B

page_text: "
return of the gases from the gasometer is rendered impossible; on the one hand by
means of clack valves, whilst on the other hand an especially constructed diaphragm
valve G, G' shown in Figs. 7 and 2, are inserted on the pipes ww leading the steam
from the steam super-heater, to the retorts containing the material automatically
regulating or determining the entrance of steam into the retorts. This valve is
acted upon and closed as soon as the condensation water coming from the inside of
the refrigerator tubes is brought into contact with the upper surface of the
diaphragm plate of this valve; and since the condensation water is led on to the
diaphragin as soon as steam passes in the refrigerator instead of oxygen, the entrance
of the steam into the retorts is stopped immediately.
In consequence however of the considerable difference of temperature between
the steam remaining in the retorts, and that contained in the pipes of the refrige-
rator, the steam distils over to the refrigerator, where it becomes condensed, thus
creating a vacuum, which is not only an advantage in respect of the retorts being
freed of unnecessary moisture, but this vacuum is also utilised for acting on the
floats, as it is made to draw away part of the water contained in the vessel S by
means of the pipe s, and in this way float is lowered, made to act on the crank w,
and thus on the shipping fork T which engages the pulley V, provided with a cross
belt by means of which arrangement the shaft C is made to travel from left to
right reversing the position of the valves as explained before. When the shaft is
at an end of its course, the friction clutch of the pulley V is thrown out of gear by
the shaft itself, thus stopping same, and the float is again rendered independent.
The series B is thereby brought under the influence of steam, in the stead of the
series A, and as long as oxygen is being liberated the floats remain inactive, and the
shaft C stationary. As soon however, as the oxygen becomes exhausted, the same
action as that explained before with reference to the float arrangement in connec-
tion with the cooling apparatus .R takes place in the float arrangement S', and
thus operates on the shipping fork T by means of the crank w' and on the pulley V₁
which is acted upon by the straight belt, thus making the shaft C come back to its
original position, reversing the valves on its backward course.
The change of cycles is thus produced automatically, and regulated by the nature
of the fluid leaving the retorts. The main object and result obtained thereby is
not only a saving of labour, but is principally to avoid an excessive strain on the
producing power of the retorts, whereby the material does not become loaded
by any unnecessary moisture, whilst perfect regularity of the working of cycles is
secured.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. The construction, or arrangement, and use, of apparatus whereby the continuous,
or uninterrupted, and automatic production of oxygen may be attained, and in which
two, or more, distinct series of retorts are utilised, each in their turn, for the
reduction and the regeneration of manganate of soda, previously rendered non-
fusible, and in which the air used for oxidating purposes has been heated and
deprived of its moisture, previous to its being used, by means of one, or more, of
the sets of drying pipes, provided for the purpose, only such set, or sets, for the
time so in use acting to dry the air; whilst the others are used for regenerating the
moisture absorbing material,: substantially as described.
2. The construction, or arrangement, and use of apparatus for the continuous
production of oxygen substantially as set forth, and in which the changes of
respective positions of the air, steam, and oxygen valves, controlling the supply of
the fluids to and from the retorts, and the changes of..position of the valves regn-
lating the passage of air through, the. double, or other, sets of drying pipes, are
mechanically effected in appropriate succession, or proper rotation, (as distinguished
from their operation simultaneously) by means actuated by, and dependent upon the
physical state, aud chemical composition, of the fluids leaving the retorts. alter the

page_text: oxygen contained therein is exhausted, and by the vacuum created thereby, all
substantially as described.
3. In apparatus for the continuous production of oxygen, the uniform constant
heating of the material, the steam and the air used, as well as of the air heating
and drying apparatus, of the super-heating means and of the retorts, is attained by
the utilisation of the heat of the furnace, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
4. In apparatus for the production of oxygen, the arrangement, or construction,
and use of double cased retorts by means of which the material operated upon
is prevented from coming into immediate contact with the outer case and the steam
and air are the better distributed and enabled to act on the material, substantially
as described.
5. In apparatus constructed and operating, substantially as and for the purpose
described, the combination, or arrangement and use of retorts and communicating
pipes between them, inclined so that the passage of the gases through them is
facilitated thereby, substantially as described.
6. In apparatus for the production of oxygen, the construction, or arrangement,
and use of two, or more, series of inclined retorts, substantially as described, so
that whilst the contents of one of these sets is undergoing de-oxidation, the contents
of the remaining sets are being regenerated and so on in succession alternating the
operations of de-oxidating and regenerating, substantially as described.
7. In an apparatus, or plant, for the production of oxygen, the construction, or
arrangement, and use of two, or more, sets of air heating and drying appliances,
and the combination, or arrangement of parts thereof, whereby one of such sets is
in use for drying and heating the air, on its way to the set of retorts the contents
of which are being oxidised, whilst the moisture retained in the material of the other
sets, during the previous cycle of operation is being evaporated for the purpose of
regenerating the material, all substantially as described.
8. In an apparatus, or plant, for the production of oxygen, the construction, or
arrangement, and use of a refrigerator, or cooling appliance, in combination with
appliances, substantially as set forth, for the purpose of utilising the difference
of pressure, consequent upon the change of the nature of the fluids passing therein,
and utilising the vacuum produced for actuating the air, steam and oxygen valves,
substantially as described.
9. The construction, or arrangement, and use of a diaphragm valve, substantially
as described, wherein is utilised the condensation water of the exhaust of the
retorts, as set forth, for the purpose of automatically regulating, or determining the
entrance of steam into the retorts, all substantially as described.
10. The herein described arrangement, or combination of parts, of apparatus for
the production of oxygen to be operated, as and for the purpose, substantially as
herein before set forth.
1
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.