Improvements in Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug., 1898---Accepted, 5th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
I, EMIL ENGASSER, of Nordstrasse, No. 24, in the Town of Colmar, in the
Province of Alsace, and German Empire, Manufacturer, 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 subject of the present invention is an apparatus for generating acetylene
gas and may comprise one or two generators of the gas. In the latter case, the
device for cutting off the flow of water from the reservoir automatically is arranged
in combination with a downwardly directed bent pipe, of such construction that
when the one generator is full of water, the latter flows through the bend into the
second generator. The bent conduit is of such arrangement, that the two upper
ends project above the level of the water, so that only the water, but not the gas,
can flow over into the other reservoir.
On the accompanying drawing, two examples are shown of the manner in which
the invention may be carried into effect.
Fig. 1 shows an arrangement of an acetylene gas generating apparatus com-
prising only one gas generator.
Fig. 2 is a similar arrangement of apparatus in which there are two generators
employed.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section through one of the generators shown in Fig. 2.
Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus consists of three principal parts, viz. the
generator, the gas purifier and the gasometer.
The gas generator is constructed in the form of a vertical cylinder e, hermetically
closed, and containing a number of carbide receptacles s, of semi-circular section.
These carbide receptacles are removable and are carried at different heights on a
common central rod u. Water is led to the generator from a reservoir arranged
at a somewhat higher level, and holding exactly the quantity of water required
for one charge. From the cock H at the bottom of this reservoir, a pipe I con-
ducts to the bottom of the gas generator e. At the place where it enters the
generator e, this pipe I is fitted with a cock K, operated by a weighted lever, con-
nected by a chain m to the gasometer bell g. The cock M serves to lead off the
water from the carbide reservoir. At the top of the gas generator is a cock L, from
which a pipe J leads to the purifier N, which is made of lead. From here the
gas is conducted through another pipe C into the bell g of the gasometer.
The gasometer consists of a cistern and bell g, which operates the lever of the
cock K by means of a chain m and counter-weight R. The vertical pipe C for
conducting the gas is arranged in the middle of the cistern. It is bent over at
its upper end, so as to dip into the water. Around the pipe C a worm D is
arranged, for the purpose of cooling the gas and conducting it to the place of con-
sumption.

page_text: The method of operation is as follows:
When the bell g is empty, it rests on the bottom of the cistern. In this moment
the weighted lever P completely opens the cock K. If mow the cock H is opened,
the water flows from the reservoir into the generator e; the carbide of the lowest
receptacle is acted upon by the water, and the gas formed rises in the generator
and passing through the other carbide receptacles, is dried by contact with the
carbide. The gas rushes from the generator through the purifier N into the bell
after having been washed by reason of the bent head of the pipe C.
g
As the bell rises, the weighted lever P is drawn upwards and closes the cock K,
thus cutting off the water supply. The bell holds rather more gas than is
generated by one receptacle of calcium carbide, whereby all loss of gas is prevented.
In proportion as the gas is withdrawn from the bell, the latter sinks and before
reaching its lowest position, opens the cock K, which lets: another supply of water
into the gas generator. The carbide of the second receptacle is now attacked;
and so on until the contents of all the receptacles have been exhausted.
An electric contact may be arranged in combination with the acetylene gas
generating apparatus, so that when the gasometer bell is quite empty, an electric
signal is set in operation, announcing that the generator must be again charged.
The cocks L and H are then closed; the cover of the generator removed, the dis-
charge cock M opened and the generator charged anew. The cover is then again
replaced, the cock M closed and the cocks L and H opened. In this manner the
generation of gas is commenced afresh and is continued automatically.
In using the combined generators e e¹, illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the gas
generated passes through the pipes o to the gasometer f in the described manner,
and from here through the pipe p to the place of consumption. When, now, the
bell of the gasometer sinks, in consequence of such comsumption, it opens the
cock a by drawing upon the chain m attached to the lever b of said cock a, so that
water now flows from the reservoir into the generators.
According, now, as one or other of the generators e or el is first to be set in
action, the two-way cock d of the system of pipes h, i, ¹, h¹ is adjusted. The parts
of this system of pipes lying on each side of the cock d are connected to each other
by a bend c. If then, for instance, the generator e is to be set in action, the con-
nection must be made through the cock d, whilst the connection to the generator e¹
remains closed. Water enters the generator e from below and attacks the calcium
carbide, contained in the perforated receptacles, arranged on the rod u, one after
another. The gas thus generated escapes through the opened gas cock and pipe o
into the gasometer f. The water in the generator e, after having reached a level
corresponding to the height of the bend c, flows over through this bend c and
pipes into the other generator e¹.
If the generator e is to be refilled with carbide, the two-way cock d must be
turned, so as to close the pipe i, whilst the pipe leading to the generator e¹ is
simultaneously opened. When the carbide in the generator el is exhausted, the
water then flows automatically into the generator e.
The bend for automatically withdrawing the water from one generator after
exhaustion of the carbide and conducting it over to the other extends downwardly.
It is so constructed that its inlet and outlet lie above the level of the pipes i .
This admits of the flow of water from one generator to the other, but not of the
passage of gas.
Before the generator is set in action, the bend c is filled with water, openings
being provided in the small chambers c¹ for filling the same. It is thus clear that
the water only flows from the first to the second generator, when in the first it has
reached the level of the inlet and outlet openings in the bend c.
The generators and reservoir are provided with water-gauges.
are in addition supplied with a safety device consisting of a siphon tube
The generators
with water, applied to the gas pipe of the generator. If, then, after the generator
has been filled, the gas cock is by accident left closed, the gas can escape through
the pipe g.
filled

page_text: 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:-
1. An apparatus for generating acetylene gas, consisting of a generator contain-
ing receptacles of carbide arranged one above the other, and having a water supply
pipe, the cock of which is caused to open and close automatically by its lever
being attached to a gasometer bell, and a gas pipe supplied with a safety device
consisting of a siphon tube filled with water, a gasometer into which said gas pipe
leads, the end of said pipe being bent over to cause washing of the gas, and a
worm for cooling said gas, all substantially as set forth.
2. An apparatus for generating acetylene gas as claimed in Claim 1, having two
gas generators of the kind described, connected to a water supply and to each
other by a system of pipes comprising a two-way cock, a horizontal pipe or pipes
and a downwardly extending bent pipe, the ends of which enter two small chambers
on the horizontal pipe, for the purpose of receiving a supply of water, said pipe-ends
lying above the level of the horizontal pipe, for the purpose of automatically con-
ducting the water, but not admitting exit of gas, from one generator to the other,
all substantially as set forth.
3. The general combination and arrangement of parts constituting an apparatus
for the generation of acetylene gas, comprising a water reservoir, a gas generator
or generators, gas purifier, gasometer, gas cooling worm and system of pipes,
cocks and valves, safety devices and water-gauges, all substantially as set forth
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 24th day of August 1808
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.