IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND TREATMENT OF GAS AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREWITH OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Year: 1883

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 24th day of September 1886, amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Emerson Dowson of 3 Great Queen Street in the
City of Westminster, Civil Engineer, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND TREATMENT OF GAS AND IN
APPARATUS USED THEREWITH OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Emerson Dowson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th July 1883.
"
JOSEPH EMERSON Dowson, of 3 Great Queen Street in the City of West-
minster, Civil Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE
AND TREATMENT OF GAS AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREWITH OR FOR OTHER
PURPOSES,"
: T
The improvements relate to apparatus intended for the manufacture and
treatment of gas and to be used therewith or for other purposes, some of the
improvements referring to apparatus included in my Patents No 3997 of 1878 and
No 2859 of 1881, and may be used in combination with such apparatus or not as
.desired.
My invention refers chiefly to a combination of gas generator, scrubber and gas-
holder. The gas outlet from the generator leads to a syphon box in which there is
an hydraulic cup or valve to control the passage of gas to the holder. The syphon
box is divided by an internal diaphragm or partition with a hole through it. near
the bottom so that water may pass from one division to the other. One division
of the syphon box, contains the hydraulic valve, from which the gas is passed
through a pipe leading to the base of the scrubber, and it there ascends through
the coke or whatever else the scrubber may be charged with. After passing into
the gasholder the gas passes downwards through an outlet pipe which leads to the
other division of the said syphon box, and from there it is conveyed by a pipe to
wherever it is to be used. The water required for moistening the coke or other
material in the scrubber is passed through horizontal pipes placed on the top of the
scrubber; after percolating through the material in the scrubber it flows through

page_text: .
1
1
the pipe which conveys gas from the syphon box to the base of scrubber.
From the syphon box the water runs off through an overflow syphon pipe in the
usual way.
In cases where it is preferred to have separate cocks or valves on the inlet and
outlet pipes of gasholder, or separate syphon boxes, they can be used; but the
above arrangement is more simple and compact.
When it is preferred to use a scrubber outside and apart from the gasholder, the
overflow of water from the scrubber can be used to keep the hydraulic cup or
valve supplied with water.
A further improvement consists of an escape valve placed on the top of the
gasholder to admit of some of the gas being blown off when the production exceeds
the consumption. The valve is closed by a suitable spring, and there is also a
chain or cord of which one end is attached to the valve and the other end to some
fixed point in the scrubber or gasholder tank. The length of the chain or cord is
adjusted so that when the gasholder rises to a certain height it opens the valve and
gas escapes.
Further improvements consist of various modes of regulating the production of
gas by the rise and fall of the gasholder. The gas is made by passing a mixture
of steam and air through a mass of incandescent fuel, the air being drawn in by
the inductive action of a jet of steam playing into a pipe open to the air at one
end, and leading to a closed chamber under the generator fire at the other end.
One way of diminishing the quantity of gas produced is to have a movable pin in
the steam nozzle by means of which the quantity and velocity of the steam issuing
may be regulated. This pin may be attached to a crank or other suitable con-
trivance which may be actuated by the rise or fall of the gasholder. The same
pin may be used for clearing the steam nozzle of dirt or other obstruction. Two or
more jets of steam may be made to play into one air pipe, and all the steam nozzles
or only one or more of them may have movable pins actuated by the rise and fall
of the gasholder as above described.
Another way is to have a cock or an escape valve on the pipe supplying steam
to the nozzle, and to let this cock or valve be opened or closed by the rise or fall
of the gasholder.
Another way is to have a cock or escape valve below the point where the steam
passes to the said nozzle, and to let this cock or valve be opened or closed by the
rise or fall of the gasholder.
Another method is to insert in the pipe conveying steam and air to the generator
a cock with two or more ways or passages, and to let this cock be turned by the
rise or fall of the gasholder, so that when the maximum production of gas is
required the full supply of steam and air may pass into the generator, and when
less than this maximum is required some of the steam and air may pass outwards
and be blown off.
Another way is to insert in the pipe conveying steam and air to the generator
a slide or plug which can be raised or lowered by the rise or fall of the gasholder.
This slide or plug is hollowed out or tapered on the side opposed to the current of
steam and air so that when it is lowered into the steam and air pipe some of the
steam and air is diverted and passes outwards through the opening in which the
slide or plug moves, and is then blown off.
To carry out any of the above means of regulating the supply of steam and air
the connection with the gasholder may be made by means of a rod, bar, chain, or
cord in any suitable way, and where a chain or cord is used it may be passed over
a wheel or roller fixed to the gasholder, with a weight fastened to its free end to
prevent the chain or cord becoming slack and forming loops or kinks.
Where steam only, and not a mixture of steam and air, is used for making gas
the above methods of regulating the quantity of steam. passing into the generator
by means of the gasholder may be used as if described for steam only and not for
steam and air..
..
For producing and superheating the steam required for making gas I use a

page_text: circular or other shaped stove in which is placed a coil of steam piping of sufficient
length, and in which there is a fire of coke or other suitable material within the
coil, the water pressure required at the inlet of the coil being produced by any
convenient means.
Another method of producing steam is to have a water space round the gas
generator, and to let this be heated by the incandescent fuel in the generator, there
being a zone or belt of ganister or other refractory material placed between the
hottest part of the fire and the water space. This method of heating water by the
radiant heat derived from the fire in the gas generator may be used for producing
hot water or steam to be drawn off for any purpose or for heating rooms or
buildings by a hot water circulation. When required for the last named purpose
the generator may be supplemented by other suitable apparatus heated by gas
produced in the generator, such apparatus being placed at suitable intervals in the
circulating system.
This invention also includes an improved grate for the gas generator consisting
of a grate in halves similar to that referred to in my Patent No 3997 of 1878, but
each half grate is held up by a vertical leg or support instead of by a horizontal
pin as described in the said Patent.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph Emerson Dowson in the Patent Office on the 8th January
1884.
ا.
JOSEPH EMERSON Dowson, of 3 Great Queen Street in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND
TREATMENT OF GAS AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREWITH OB FOR OTHER
PURPOSES,
"
•
This invention relates to the manufacture and treatment of non-luminous
heating gas made by passing steam and air, or steam only, through incandescent
carbonaceous fuel, and the improvements ehiefly refer to apparatus for making such
gas, but-some-of them may be used for other purposes. Among other purposes
They may be used if desired in combination with the apparatus specified in relation
to my Patents N° 3997 of 1878 and N° 2859 of 1881.
The nature of the invention is as follows reference being had to the drawings
annexed and forming part of this specification.
Figs 1, 2 and 3 refer to a special combination of apparatus consisting of a steam
producer, a gas generator, a washer, a.scrubber and a gasholder, Fig 1 being a
general plan, Fig 2 being a vertical section through A-A, and Fig
vertical section through B-B.
being a
The gas generator a has a double casing, and in the enclosed space 6 water is
introduced by any suitable means, so that it may be heated by the incandescent
fuel in the generator, there being a zone or belt of ganister or other refractory
material c between the hottest part of the fire and the water space b. The water
space b is connected with a coil d by means of pipes e and f, and at first water is
allowed to pass by gravitation from the space b through, the pipe e into the
coil d. This coil is then heated by a fire on the grate g, and steam is produced
and superheated. Some of this steam then passes through the pipe finto the
space b above the level of the water contained therein, and the remainder passes
through the injector h, by means of which a mixture of steam and air is forced
through the fire of the gas generator a. The pressure of the steam is regulated
partly by the size of the fire on the grate g, and partly by an escape valve
communicating with the space b, and as steam at pressure passes through the
pipe into the space b the water therein is made to flow at pressure into the
coil d. There is thus an automatic production of steam at the pressure required
for making gas. The exterior casing of the water space 6 may be coated with any
suitable bad conductor of heat, and part of the casing round the coil d is screwed
or otherwise fastened to the other part of the casing so that the coil may be
removed easily if required.
b
The feeding hoppers of the generator.a may be as shewn to an enlarged scale in
Fig 5, or may be of any other convenient form. The fire grate x is arranged so
that its upper surface is below the top of the doorway of the ash box, in order that
there may be a space through which the fire can be raked, and the clinker and ash

page_text: removed. This is more fully shewn in Fig 4, where g is the ash box door, and I the
space referred to..
j
The gas from the generator a passes through the pipes i, i to a closed box or
washer which is partly filled with water, the end of the down pipe i being
immersed in it so as to seal the gas in the gasholder, and so that the gas passing
from the generator to the gasholder may be washed by causing it to pass through
water. In some cases a floating grid or perforated cover is placed on the surface
of the water in the box or washer j or there may be vertical or other projections
in the said washer to split up the gas passing through the water so that it may be
more thoroughly washed. If desirable there may be in addition a hydraulic cup
valve to close the bottom of the down pipe i. The box or washer,j is divided
internally by a diaphragm or partition with a hole through it near the bottom, so
that water may pass from one division to the other. One division of the box or
washer receives the down pipe i and a pipe k which leads to the base. of the
scrubber formed inside the gasbolder tank, and the gas from the generator a passes
through the pipes i, i and k and then ascends through the coke or other material
with which the scrubber is charged. After passing into the gasholder m the gas
passes downwards through another scrubber n also formed inside the gasholder
tank, and through a pipe o which leads to the second division of the box j, and
from there it is conveyed by a pipe to wherever it is to be used. The coke or
other material in the scrubber is kept cool and moist by water conveyed through
the pipe p to the radial pipes q, q, which are perforated on the under side. After
percolating through the material in the scrubber the water flows through the
pipe o to the box j, and from there it runs off through an overflow piper. If
desired the coke or other material in the scrubber n may also be kept cool and
moist in a similar manner.
In some cases it is desirable to place the scrubbers outside and apart from the
gasholder, and a modification of the pipes is then necessary, but the general
arrangement for letting the overflow water from one or more scrubbers pass into
a washer remains the same. This separate use of scrubbers, however, I do not
claim, except as forming part of the combination hereinafter expressed under
my first claim.
Fig 4 is another form of gas generator which may be used instead of the one
shewn in Fig 2. In this arrangement the gas generator has only one casing a, and
the top or cover b has, a flange or rim c turned downwards, and this flange or rim
is dipped into a trough d filled with sand or other suitable material for making a
gas tight joint, the cover b being clamped or otherwise secured to. the trough d.
The fire grate may be similar to that shewn in Fig 2 or of any other convenient
form a space f being left between the upper.surface of the grate x and the top of
the doorway g so that the fire may be raked and the clinker and ash removed.
The feeding hoppers may be as shewn to an enlarged scale in Fig 5 or may be of
any other convenient form.
Fig 5 is an enlarged vertical section of the feeding hopper of a gas generator.
The mouth of the hopper is closed by a segmental valve, a hung by links b on
suitable brackets or supports on each side, so that it may be easily lifted up and
down and yet fit tightly when placed in its seat. The base of the hopper is closed
by a segmental valve c suspended by a vertical rod d on which there is a segmental
boss e which fits into and carries the valve c, so that the latter fits tightly on its
seat, whether the rod d is truly vertical or not..
Fig 6 is an enlarged section and Fig 7 is a plan of another form of fire grate for
a gas generator, The grate is made in halves a, a, and each lialf is hung on two
sides by the bearings b, b, and on a third side there is a loose vertical leg or
support c underneath, so that when it is withdrawn the half grate a falls.
Figs 8 and 9 refer to various modes of reducing the volume of steam and air
passed through the generator fire, so as to regulate the quantity of gas produced
to suit its varying. rate of consumption, while the steam is maintained at a constant
pressure in the superheater.

page_text: Fig 8 is a longitudinal section of a pipe a intended to convey steam and air into
the gas generator, and in this pipe there is inserted a movable slide or plug b. The
slide or plug 6 is hollowed out or tapered on the side opposed to the current of
steam and air so that when it is lowered into the pipe a, some of the mixture
escapes outwards through the opening c and is blown off.
I
Fig 9 is part section and part elevation of a conical plug a inserted in the mouth
of a pipe b leading from the pipe c which conveys steam and air to the gas
generator, so that when the plug a is raised some of the 'steam and air is blown
off, and less 'is passed through the fire. The conical plug a may also be inserted,
for a like purpose, in any pipe or outlet leading from the closed chamber under the
grate of the gas generator. Instead of the conical plug a any suitable cock or
valve can be used to regulate the escape of steam and air.
In either of the methods shewn in Figs 8 and 9 the plug a can be lifted, or the
cock or valve last referred to, can be opened automatically by the gasholder, if
suitably attached to the latter by means of a rod, bar, chain or cord. In this way
some of the steam and air is blown off, and less gas is produced, when the gas-
holder is nearly full. When the gasholder has fallen a certain distance, the escape
of steam and air is stopped and the maximum quantity of gas is then produced.
When a chain or cord is used it may be passed over a wheel or roller fixed to the
gasbolder, with a weight fastened to its free end, to prevent the chain or cord
becoming slack and forming loops or kinks.
.
•
When steam only, and not a mixture of steam and air, is used for making gas
the above methods of regulating the quantity of steam passing into the generator
by means of the gasholder may be used as if described for steam only, and not for
steam and air.
Fig 10 represents the elevation of a conical plug a and a vertical section c of its
_seating fixed to the top of a gas generator. A similar plug may be inserted in any
convenient opening in the top of the generator or in the mouth of a pipe conveying
gas from the generator. The plug has one or more grooves b which allow some
gas to escape at all times during the working of the generator, and this is kept
alight as a test flame to indicate the quality of the gas being made. When too
much gas is being produced the plug a is raised and all the escaping gas is burnt.
This plug can be lifted automatically by the gasholder, in the same way as
described for the plugs shewn in Figs 8 and 9, and if preferred this plug can be
attached to the plug, cock or valve used for blowing off some of the steam and air,
so that the gasholder can lift both plugs by means of one rod, bar, chain or cord.
The-double-eased-gas-generator, shewn-in-Fig-2,-may-be-used-for-heating water
or--producing-steam which may be--drawn off for any purpose. Among other
purposes-it-may-be-used-for-heating-water-to-circulate-in-closed-pipes,-in-rooms-or
buildings; and when this is done the temperature of the water may be further
raised, if required, by having coils- or other suitable--apparatus at intervals in
the circulating-system, and by additionally beating them with gas produced in
the-generator.
.
1. The special combination of apparatus shewn in Figs 1, 2 and 3 consisting of
a steam producer, a gas generator and a washer, together with one or more
scrubbers placed inside the tank of a gasholder.
2.-The-combination of a single-or-double serubber-placed-outside-and-apart-from
the-gasholder, with a washer receiving-the-overflow-water from one-or-both
the-scrubbers, as described.
3. 2. The gas generator shewn in Fig 2, having a double casing which encloses a
space containing water heated by the incandescent fuel used for making gas."
-The-gas-generator-shewn-in-Fig-4 having a single-easing-with-movable-top.
-The-arrangement of fire grate shewn in Figs 2 and 45 and as described, for
allowing-the-fire-to-be-raked-and-the-clinker-und-ash-to-be-removed.

page_text: 3. In combination with a gas generator, the apparatus shewn in Fig 2 for the
automatic production of steam at the pressure required for making gas.
4. The valves for the feeding hopper of a gas generator as shewn in Fig 5.
The fire-grate-in-halves, supported-by-movable-vertical- legs,-as-chewn-in-Fig-6
and-7.
5. The regulation, by the methods shewn in Figs 8 and 9 and by the other
methods described, of the quantity of gas produced in a gas generator, by
reducing the volume of steam and air or of steam only which passes through
the fuel in the gas generator.
"
6. The automatic regulation of the quantity of gas produced in a gas generator,
by causing the gasholder to open or close one or more openings through which
some of the steam and air, or some of the steam only may be blown off before
it passes through the fuel in the gas generator.
7. The plug or valve for providing a test flame and an escape for the excess of
gas made, as shewn in Fig. 10, and the automatic raising and lowering of the
said valve by means of the gasholder.
All substantially as described and illustrated and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Joseph Emerson Dowson have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 7th day of January A.D. 1884.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Emerson Dowson of 3 Great Queen Street in the
City of Westminster, Civil Engineer, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE. AND TREATMENT OF GAS AND IN
APPARATUS USED THEREWITH OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
1
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Emerson Dowson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th July 1883.
"
JOSEPH EMERSON DOWSON, of 3 Great Queen Street in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND
TREATMENT OF GAS AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREWITH OR FOR
PURPOSES,"
OTHER
The improvements relate to apparatus intended for the manufacture and
treatment of gas and to be used therewith or for other purposes, some of the
improvements referring to apparatus included in my Patents N° 3997 of 1878-and
No 2859 of 1881, and may be used in combination with such apparatus or not as
desired.
My invention refers chiefly to a combination of gas generator, scrubber and gas-
holder. The gas outlet from the generator leads to a syphon box in which there is
an hydraulic cup or valve to control the passage of gas to the holder. The syplion
box is divided by an internal diaphragm or partition with a hole through it near
the bottom so that water may pass from one division to the other. One division
of the syphon box, contains the hydraulic valve, from which the gas is passed
through a pipe leading to the base of the scrubber, and it there ascends through
the coke or whatever else the scrubber may be charged with. After passing into
the gasholder the gas passes downwards through an outlet pipe which leads to the
other division of the said syphon box; and from there it is conveyed by a pipe to
wherever it is to be used. The water required for moistening the coke or other
material in the scrubber is passed through horizontal pipes placed on the top of the
scrubber; after percolating through the material in the scrubber it flows through

page_text: •
the pipe which conveys gas from the syphon box to the base of scrubber.
From the syphon box the water runs off through an overflow syphon pipe in the
usual way.
In cases where it is preferred to have separate cocks or valves on the inlet and
outlet pipes of gasholder, (or separate (syphon boxes, they can be used; but the
above arrangement is more simple and compact.
When it is preferred to use a scrubber outside and apart from the gasholder, the
overflow of water from the scrubber can be used to keep the hydraulic cup or
valve supplied with water.
A further improvement consists of an escape valve placed on the top of the
gasholder to admit of some of the gas being blown off when the production exceeds
the consumption. The valve is closed by a suitable spring, and there is also a
chain or cord of which one end is attached to the valve and the other end to some
fixed point in the scrubber or gasholder tank. The length of the chain or cord is
adjusted so that when the gasholder rises to a certain height it opens the valve and
gas escapes.
Further improvements consist of various modes of regulating the production of
gas by the rise and fall, of the gasholder. The gas is made by passing a mixture
of steam and air through a mass of incandescent fuel, the air being drawn in by
the inductive action of a jet of steam playing into a pipe open to the air at one
end, and leading to a closed chamber under the generator fire at the other end.
One way of diminishing the quantity of gas produced is to have a movable pin in
the steam nozzle, by means of which the quantity and velocity of the steam, issuing
may be regulated. This pin may be attached to a crank or other suitable
contrivance which may be actuated by the rise or fall of the gasholder. The same
pin may be used for clearing the steam nozzle of dirt or other obstruction. Two or
more jets of steam may. be made.to play into.one air pipe, and all the steam nozzles
or only one or more of them may have movable pins actuated by the rise and fall
of the gasholder as above described.
Another way is to have a cock or an escape valve on the pipe supplying steam
to the nozzle, and to let this cock or valve be opened or closed by the rise or fall
of the gasholder.
Another way is to have a cock or escape valve below the point where the steam
passes to the said nozzle, and to let this cock or valve be opened or closed by the
rise or fall of the gasholder.
Another method is to insert in the pipe conveying steam and air to the generator
a cock with two or more ways or passages, and to let this cock be turned by the
rise or fall of the gasholder, so that when the maximum production of gas is
required the full supply of steam and air may pass into the generator, and when
less than this maximum is required some of the steam, and air may, pass outwards
and be, blown off.
Another way is to insert in the pipe conveying steam and air to the generator a
slide or plug which can be raised or lowered by the, rise or fall of the gasholder.
This slide or plug is hollowed out or tapered on the side opposed to the current of
steam and air so that when it is, lowered into the steam; and air pipe some of the
steam and air is diverted and passes outwards through the opening in which the
slide or plug moves, and is then blown off.
To carry out any of the above means of regulating the supply of steam and air
the connection with the gasholder may be made by means of a rod, bar, chain, or
cord in any suitable way, and where a chain or cord is used it may be passed over
a wheel or roller fixed to the gasholder, with a weight fastened to its free end to
prevent the chain or cord becoming slack and forming loops or kinks
Where steam only, and not a mixture of steam and air, is used for making gas
the above methods of regulating the quantity of steam passing into the generator
by means of the gasholder, may be used, as if described for steam only and not for
steam, and air.
0
For producing and superheating. the steam required for making gas I use a

page_text: circular or other shaped stove in which is placed a coil of steam piping of sufficient
length, and in which there is a fire of coke or other suitable material within the
coil, the water pressure required at the inlet of the coil being produced by any
convenient means.
Another method of producing steam is to have a water space round the gas
generator, and to let this be heated by the incandescent fuel in the generator, there
being a zone or belt of ganister or other refractory material placed between the
hottest part of the fire and the water space. This method of heating water by the
radiant heat derived from the fire in the gas generator may be used for prollucing
hot water or steam to be drawn off for any purpose or for heating rooms or
buildings by a hot water circulation. When required for the last named purpose
the generator may be supplemented by other suitable apparatus heated by gas
produced in the generator, such apparatus being placed at suitable intervals in the
circulating system.
This invention also includes an improved grate for the gas generator consisting
of a grate in halves similar to that referred to in my Patent N° 3997 of 1878, but
each half grate is held up by a vertical leg or support instead of by a horizontal
pin 'as described in the said Patent.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph Emerson Dowson in the Patent Office on the 8th January
1884.
JOSEPH EMERSON Dowson, of 3 Great Queen Street in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND
OF GAS AND IN APPARATUS USED THEREWITH OR FOR
TREATMENT
PURPOSES,"
'
OTHER
This invention relates to the manufacture and treatment of non-luminous
heating gas made by passing steam and air, or steam only, through incandescent
carbonaceous fuel, and the improvements chiefly refer to apparatus for making
such gas, but some of them inay be used for other purposes. Among other
purposes they may be used in combination witli the apparatus specified in relation
to my Patents No 3997 of 1878 and N° 2859 of 1881.
The nature of the invention is as follows reference being had to the drawings
annexed and forming part of this specification.
Figs 1, 2 and 3 refer to a special combination of apparatus consisting of a steam.
producer, a gas generator, a washer, a scrubber and a gasholder, Fig 1 being a
general plan, Fig 2 being a vertical section through A-A, and Fig 3 being a
vertical section through B-B.
The gas generator a has a double casing, and in the enclosed space b water is
introduced by any suitable means, so that it may be heated by the incandescent
fuel in the generator, there being a zone or belt of ganister or other refractory
material c between the hottest part of the fire and the water space b. The water
space b-is connected with a coil d by means of pipes e and f, and at first water is
allowed to pass by gravitation from the space b through the pipe e into the
coil d. This coil is then heated by a fire on the grate g, and steam is produced
and superheated. Some of this steam then passes through the pipe finto the
space above the level of the water contained therein, and the remainder passes
through the injector h, by means of which a mixture of steam and air is forced
through the fire of the gas generator a. The pressure of the steam is regulated
partly by the size of the fire on the grate g, and partly by an escape valve
communicating with the space b, and as steam at pressure passes through the
pipe finto the space b the water therein is made to flow at pressure into the
coil d. There is thus an automatic production of steam at the pressure required
for making gas. The exterior casing of the water space b may be coated with any
suitable bad conductor of heat, and part of the casing round the coil d is screwed
or otherwise fastened to the other part of the casing so that the coil may be
removed easily if required.
The feeding hoppers of the generator a may be as shewn to an enlarged scale in
Fig 5, or may be of any other convenient form. The fire grate x is arranged so
that its upper surface is below the top of the doorway of the ash box, in order that
there may be a space through which the fire can be raked, and the clinker and ash
removed. This is more fully shewn in Fig 4.
The gas from the generator a passes through the pipes i, i to a closed box or
washer which is partly filled with water, the end of the down pipe i being
immersed in it so as to seal the gas in the gasholder, and so that the gas passing
from the generator to the gasholder may be washed by causing it to pass through
water. In some cases a floating grid or perforated cover is placed on the surface
of the water in the box or washer j or there may be vertical or other projections

page_text: in the said washer to split up the gas passing through the water so that it may be
more thoroughly washed. If desirable there may be in addition a hydraulic cup
valve to close the bottom of the down pipe i. The box or washer j is divided
internally by a diaphragm or partition with a hole through it near the bottom, so
that water may pass from one division to the other. One division of the box or
washer receives the down pipe i and a pipe k which leads to the base of the
scrubber formed inside the gasholder tank, and the gas from the generator a passes
through the pipes i, i and k and then ascends through the coke or other material
with which the scrubber is charged. After passing into the gasholder m the gas
passes downwards through another scrubber n also formed inside the gasholder
tank, and through a pipe o which leads to the second division of the box j, and
from there it is conveyed by a pipe to wherever it is to be used. The coke or
other material in the scrubber is kept cool and moist by water conveyed through
the pipe p to the radial pipes q, q, which are perforated on the under side. After
percolating through the material in the scrubber & the water flows through the
pipe o to the box j, and from there it runs off through an overflow pipe r. If
desired the coke or other material in the scrubber n may also be kept cool and
moist in a similar manner.
In some cases it is desirable to place the scrubbers outside and apart from the
gasholder, and a modification of the pipes is then necessary, but the general
arrangement for letting the overflow water from one or more scrubbers pass into a
washer remains the same.
Fig 4 is another form of gas generator which may be used instead of the one
shewn in Fig 2. In this arrangement the gas generator has only one casing a, and
the top or cover b has a flange or rim c turned downwards, and this flange or rim
is dipped into a trough.d filled with sand or other suitable material for making a
gas tight joint, the cover b being clamped or otherwise secured to the trough d.
The fire grate may be similar to that shewn in Fig 2 or of any other convenient
form a space f being left between the upper surface of the grate a and the top of
the doorway g so that the fire may be racked and the clinker and ash removed.
The feeding hopper s may be as shewn to an enlarged scale in Fig 5 or may be of
any other convenient forin.
Fig 5 is an enlarged vertical section of the feeding hopper of a gas. generator.
The mouth of the hopper is closed by a segmental valve a hung by links bon
suitable brackets or supports on each side, so that it may be easily lifted up and
down and yet fit tightly when placed in its seat. The base of the hopper is closed
by a segmental valve c suspended by a vertical rod d on which there is a segmental
boss e which fits into and carries the valve c, so that the latter fits tightly on its
seat, whether the rod dis truly vertical or not.
Fig 6 is an enlarged section and Fig 7 is a plan of another form of fire grate for
a gas generator, The grate is made in halves a, a, and each half is hung on two
sides by the bearings b, b, and on a third side there is a loose vertical leg or
support c underneath, so that when it is withdrawn the half grate a falls.
Figs 8 and 9 refer to various modes of reducing the volume of steam and air
passed through the generator fire, so as to regulate the quantity of gas produced
to suit its varying rate of consumption, while the steam is maintained at a constant
pressure in the superheater.
Fig 8 is a longitudinal section of a pipe a intended to convey steam and air into
the gas generator, and in this pipe there is inserted a movable slide or plug b. The
slide or plug b is hollowed out or tapered on the side opposed to the current of
steam and air so that when it is lowered into the pipe a, some of the mixture
escapes outwards through the opening c and is blown off.
Fig 9 is part section and part elevation of a conical plug a inserted in the mouth
of a pipe leading from the pipe c which conveys steam and air to the gas
generator, so that when the plug a is raised some of the steam and air is blown
off, and less is passed through the fire. The conical plug a may also be inserted,
for a like purpose, in any pipe or outlet leading from the closed chamber under the

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grate of the gas generator. Instead of the conical pluga any suitable cock or
valve can be used to regulate the escape of steam and air.
In either of the methods shewn in Figs 8 and 9 the plug a can be lifted, or the
cock or valve last referred to, can be opened automatically by the gasholder, if
suitably attached to the latter by means of a rod, bar, chain or cord. In this way
some of the steam and air is blown off, and less gas is produced, when the gas-
holder is nearly full. When the gasholder has fallen a certain distance, the escape
of steam and air is stopped and the maximum quantity of gas is then produced.
When a chain or cord is used it may be passed over a wheel or roller fixed to the
gasholder, with a weight fastened to its free end, to prevent the chain or cord
becoming slack and forming loops or kinks.
When steam only, and not a mixture of steam and air, is used for making gas
the above methods of regulating the quantity of steam passing into the generator
by means of the gasholder may be used as if described for steam only, and not for
: steam and air.
Fig 10 represents the elevation of a conical plug a and a vertical section c of its
seating fixed to the top of a gas generator. A similar plug may be inserted in any
convenient opening in the top of the generator or in the mouth of a pipe conveying
gas from the generator. The plug has one or more grooves b which allow some
gas to escape at all times during the working of the generator, and this is kept
alight as a test flame to indicate the quality of the gas being made. When too
much gas is being produced the plug a is raised and all .the escaping gas is burnt.
This plug can be lifted automatically by the gasholder, in the same way as
described for the plugs shewn in Figs 8 and 9, and if preferred this plug can be
attached to the plug, cock or valve used for blowing off some of the steam and air,
so that the gasholder can lift both plugs by means of one rod, bar, chain or cord.
The double cased gas generator, shewn in Fig 2, may be used for heating water
or producing steam which may be drawn off for any purpose. Among other
purposes it may be used for heating water to circulate in closed pipes, in rooms or
buildings; and when this is done the temperature of the water may be further
raised, if required, by having coils or other suitable apparatus at intervals in the
circulating system, and by additionally heating them with gas produced in the
generator.
The special combination of apparatus shewn in Figs 1, 2 and 3 consisting of a
steam producer, a gas generator and a washer, together with one or more
scrubbers placed inside the tank of a gasholder.
The combination of a single or double scrubber placed outside and apart from
the gasholder, with a washer receiving the overflow water from one or both
the scrubbers, as described.
-
The gas generator shewn in Fig 2, having a double casing which encloses a
space containing water heated by the incandescent fuel used for making gas.
The gas generator shewn in Fig 4 having a single casing with movable top.
The arrangement of fire grate shewn in Figs 2 and 4, and as described, for
allowing the fire to be raked and the clinker and ash to be reinoved.
In combination with a gas generator, the apparatus shewn in Fig 2 for the
automatic production of steam at the pressure required for making gas.
The valves for the feeding hopper of a gas generator as shewn in Fig 5.
The fire grate in halves, supported by movable vertical legs, as shewn in Figs 6
and 7.
.
The regulation, by the methods shewn in Fig. 8 and 9 and by the other methods
described, of the quantity of gas produced in a gas generator, by reducing the
volume of steam and air or of steam only which passes through the fuel in the
gas generator.
1

page_text: 10. The automatic regulation of the quantity of gas produced in a gas generator,
by causing the gasholder to open or close one or more openings through which
some of the steam and air, or some of the steam only may be blown off before
it passes through the fuel in the gas generator.
11. The plug or valve for providing a test flame and an escape for the excess of
gas made, as shewn in Fig 10, and the automatic raising and lowering of the
said valve by means of the gasholder.
All substantially as described and illustrated and for the purposes set forth.
in witness whereof I the said Joseph Emerson Dowson have hereunto set my.
and and seal this 7th day of January A.D. 1884.
J.
ע
PERSON, DOWSON (L.S.)