IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBONS AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS INTO GAS, AND IN APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREIN, AND IN OR FOR THE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF GASEOUS MIXTURES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in
the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN EFFECTING THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBONS AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE
LIQUIDS INTO GAS, AND IN APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREIN, AND
IN OR FOR THE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF GASEOUS MIXTURES." A
communication from abroad by La Société des Moteurs Lambrigot, of Paris, in
the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th August 1877.
"
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBONS
AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS INTO GAS, AND IN APPARATUS OR MEANS
EMPLOYED THEREIN, AND IN OR FOR THE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF
GASEOUS MIXTURES." A communication from abroad by La Société des Moteurs
Lambrigot, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates partly to an improved process and apparatus for converting
hydrocarbons and other combustible liquids into gas whereby the defects attending
the ordinary methods are obviated.
According to the systems hitherto employed for converting combustible liquids
and hydrocarbons into gas a considerable quantity of liquid is acted upon at a time,
which quantity is only limited by the capacity of the receivers, and is not in any
calculated proportion to the quantity of air employed to vaporize it. Hence it
results that the lighest portion of the liquid is volatilized first, leaving a residue
more or less inert which constitutes a waste, causes irregularity in the production
and composition of the gas and necessitates frequent cleansing of the apparatus. Now
this Invention has for its object remedying these defects, for which purpose it is
proposed to act upon the liquid in succession by treating the parts, one after the other,
in very small quantities or drops, or in thin sheets previously separated from the.
Driss Ed l

page_text: mass of liquid, and the volume of which is determined with accuracy. Each isolated
drop (for example), thus treated is completely vaporised with ease without leaving
any residue, and its vapors are mixed with air which is brought into intimate
contact with them in quantities measured out with precision, according to the gas
which it is desired to obtain.
In carrying out this Invention the combustible liquid or hydrocarbon to be con-
verted into gas is introduced in uniformly equal quantities (by the means herein-
after described) into the upper part of an extremely shallow flat box or receptacle,
which by reason of its functions is termed a "spreader." The volume of the said
quantities is capable of being varied at will, according to the quantity or destination
of the gas to be produced, but when once the adjustment is made it should remain
permanent.
The box or spreader, the depth of which may be varied, say from about 1/25th
to 1 inch is placed either in an inclined position or vertically; whereby the liquid
introduced at the upper part or about midway is caused to descend along one of the
sides on which it is spread out in a very thin sheet. The external air enters at the
lower part of this box through suitable apertures and converging passages provided
for the purpose, such air being drawn in by the vacuum produced by the consumption
of the gas. By opening or closing a certain number of these apertures the exact
volume of air to be introduced into the box is regulated as required.
The air passes through the box in an opposite direction to that of the descending
stream of the hydrocarbon (for example), and forms by reason of the extreme
shallowness of the vessel a very thin sheet in such a manner as that the whole of its
molecules are brought into contact with the whole of those of the sheet of hydro-
carbon. An intimate mixture is thus produced which invariably contains a uniform
proportion of hydrocarbon and air, for as the volume of hydrocarbon introduced into
the box (its flow being regulated by suitable appliances) is proportionate to or
measured by time, and as the volume of air is regulated in a similar manner, the
proportion of the constituent parts of the mixture formed by these two elements is
necessarily uniform.
Various means may be employed for regulating the flow of the combustible volatile
liquids and hydrocarbons, but the peculiar arrangements of apparatus, herein-after
described, is by preference employed. This apparatus consists of a vessel which is
filled with hot water, serving as a "bain marie," and provided with openings for
filling or emptying it when required.
The combustible or hydrocarbon liquids fall drop by drop into the flat box or
spreader situate underneath the vessel, and are guided between metal wires or
baffles forming passages or tight compartments therefor, and which serve to main-
tain the sides of the flat box or spreader at a uniform and equal distance apart.
The feed pipe for conducting the hydrocarbon or combustible liquid to the
spreader is in communication with a pump or distributor, the piston rod of which
has a to-and-fro motion imparted to it, whereby a measured quantity of liquid is
drawn at each forward stroke from a receiver containing the hydrocarbon or com-
bustible liquids. At the highest part of the box there are provided a main and a
branch pipe or pipes for conveying away the gaseous vapours as they are formed.
The main pipe is connected to a small reservoir or tube provided with a valve or
cock and arranged upon what is known as Mariotte's system, which apparatus
serves when the gas is used for driving motive-power engines for supplying hydro-
carbon or combustible liquids regularly and for a short time to the spreader in order
to prime the engine when starting it.
By the use of this Invention gas for illuminating and heating purposes and explo-
sive or non-explosive gas in closed receivers may be produced.
Any suitable means may be adopted for supplying the liquid in measured quanti-
ties to the flat box or spreader, such, for example, as distributing valves, vessels on
what is known as Mariotte's system, syphons with floats and the like, but it is
ferred to use the distributor or pump, herein-before referred to, which when the gas
obtained by this process is employed for actuating a motive-power or other engine,
pre-

page_text: may be driven by the latter. This distributor is composed of two plunger pistons
of equal diameter placed on one and the same screwed rod and forming between
them a space which may be adjusted as required. At one extremity of its stroke
this double piston plunges into the liquid contained in the reservoir and receives a
uniform measured quantity of the same between the two pistons, which liquid it
carries back with it on its return stroke and discharges into the pipe communi-
cating with the box or spreader, into which the liquid either falls by its own weight
or is drawn in under the influence of pressure exerted by the engine.
When the temperature or nature of the liquid requires that it should be heated in
the box or spreader, this is effected either by the aid of the bain marie, as before
mentioned, or by a lamp, or by the escaping gas (when working an engine), or by
any other suitable means.
It is also proposed to employ in one apparatus two or more flat boxes or spreaders,
placed one over the other or connected in any convenient manner, for the purpose
of augmenting the quantity of gas produced.
Explosive gases may be obtained without employing a liquid by mixing lighting
gas with air, and the flat box or spreader will enable such explosive gas to be
obtained in the most simple manner. For this purpose the lighting gas is intro-
duced through one or more of the openings provided for the admission of air, and
especially through the central opening. The supply of liquid is in this case neces-
sarily cut off and a proportionate quantity of air admitted. The lighting gas flows
in the same direction as the air, but the effect of the thinness of the two sheets
formed by the gas and air respectively, and if required by baffles or partitions pro-
vided in their passage is sufficient to cause them to become intimately mingled
before issuing from the box.
In applying the gaseous mixtures produced according to this Invention for
working gas engines, the slide valve of the engine is placed in communication
with one or more of the flat boxes constructed according to this Invention, and
the first stroke of the piston having been effected by turning the fly wheel
by hand the engine commences to work, and continues to do so with perfect
regularity.
One feature of this Invention consists in the employment of a reservoir for
containing the explosive mixture placed between the box or boxes and the slide
valve of the engine.
An intermediate reservoir, which may be heated if necessary, may also be
employed for the lighting gas.
•
Another feature consists in closing either the passages conducting the lighting gas
to the spreader or the openings by which air is admitted to the same at the moment
when the motion of the slide valve cuts off the supply of explosive mixture to the
cylinder. As the whole of the explosive gas produced is then employed by the
engine without any waste a considerable saving is effected.
The explosive gas in the cylinder of the engine is ignited according to this Inven-
tion by a novel process based on the principle that if a jet of flame produced by a
blow pipe enters a receiver containing an explosive mixture, even for an infinitesimal
period, this time will suffice for the ignition to take place.
This principle is applied in the following manner :-A small hole is formed in the
bottom of the cylinder, say about or in. in diameter, before which is set in
*motion a metal disc pierced with a hole of the same size and actuated by the engine
in such a manner as to cause it to move with great rapidity at the movement when
the two holes are brought opposite to each other. A blow pipe jet produced by the
engine is constantly directed against the disc so as to be capable of entering the
cylinder when the two holes are brought opposite each other. The ignition is
effected at the moment when this coincidence takes place, which may be regulated
at will so as to correspond with a certain point in the stroke of the piston, depending
on the mechanism which connects the disc to the engine. If the jet of flame
happens to be extinguished by the explosion it may be rekindled by means of a

page_text: small lamp maintained constantly alight, the flame of which is protected by a
shield.
By changing the point of ignition in the cylinder and the quantity of liquid and
air introduced into the flat box at the same time and in the same proportions, the
amount of force produced in the engine may be increased or diminished at will, and
almost instantaneously. This capability is of considerable importance in certain
applications and in particular for traction engines.
In applying gas obtained according to this Invention for heating and illuminating.
purposes, the flame itself produced by combustion (assisted if requisite by a blower
or suction apparatus), draws the gas to the burners and air into the flat box or
spreader, and in the case also of motive-power engines the quantity of gas consumed
by the engine will regulate the quantity of air supplied.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
February 1878.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex;
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBONS
AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS INTO GAS, AND IN APPARATUS OR MEANS
EMPLOYED THEREIN, AND IN OR FOR THE PRODUCTION AND. APPLICATION OF
GASEOUS MIXTURES." A communication from abroad by La Sociéte de Moteurs
Lambrigot, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
The said Invention relates to an improved process and apparatus for converting
hydrocarbons and other combustible liquids into gas, whereby the defects attending
the ordinary methods are obviated.
Now the
According to the systems hitherto employed for converting combustible liquids
into gas a considerable quantity of liquid is acted upon at a time, which quantity
is only limited by the capacity of the receivers, and is not in any calculated pro-
portion to the quantity of air employed to vaporize it. Hence it results that the
lightest portion of the liquid is volatilized, first leaving a residuum more or less
inert, which constitutes a waste, causes irregularity in the production and compo-
sition of the gas, and necessitates frequent cleansing of the apparatus.
said Invention has for its object remedying these defects, for which purpose appa-
ratus is so constructed and arranged that the liquid is acted upon in succession, the
parts being treated one after the other in very small quantities or drops or films
previously separated from the mass of liquid, and the volume of which is deter-
mined with accuracy. Each isolated drop (for example) thus treated, is completely
vaporised with facility without leaving any residuum, and its vapors are mixed
with air which is brought into intimate contact with them in quantities measured
out with precision, according to the gas which it is desired to obtain.
.
In carrying out the said Invention the combustible liquid or hydro-carbon to be
converted into gas is introduced in uniformly equal quantities (by the means here-
in-after described) into the upper part of an extremely shallow box or receptacle,
which on account of its functions is termed "a spreader." The volume of the said
quantities is capable of being varied at will, according to the quantity of the gas

page_text: to be produced or the purpose to which it is to be applied; but when once the
adjustment is made it should remain permanent.
The box or spreader, the other dimensions of which may be varied as required,
is always made extremely shallow. This peculiarity constitutes a most important
feature, and is an indispensable condition. It is usually made from about 1/25
to 1/8 of an inch in depth, and rarely exceeds 1½ inch. The box or spreader is
placed either in an inclined position or vertically, whereby the liquid introduced at
the upper part, or about midway, is caused to descend along one of the sides on
which it is distrubuted in a very thin sheet or film. The external air enters at
the lower part of this box through apertures provided for the purpose, such air
By
being drawn in by the vacuum produced by the consumption of the gas.
opening or closing a certain number of these apertures the exact volume of air to
be introduced into the box is regulated as required. This volume should be in
proportion to that of the liquid, according to the nature of the gas which it is
desired to produce. The apparatus should be adjusted by experiment when used
for the first time, this operation requires however only a few minutes.
In this arrangement of the apparatus the air passes through the box in an oppo-
site direction to that of the descending stream of hydrocarbon (for example), and
forms by reason of the extreme shallowness of the vessel a very thin sheet, in such
a manner that the whole of its molecules are brought into intimate contact with
the whole of those of the film of hydrocarbon which are vaporised and carried off
in the form of vapour or gas. An intimate mixture is thus produced, which
invariably contains a uniform proportion of hydrocarbon and air, being formed by
uniformly proportionate quantities of these two bodies, for as the volume of hydro-
carbon introduced into the box or spreader (its flow being regulated by suitable
appliances) is proportionate to or measured by time, and as the volume of air is
regulated in a similar manner the proportion of the constituent parts of the mixture
formed by these two elements is necessarily uniform.
Various means may be employed for regulating the flow of the combustible volatile
liquids and hydrocarbons, but the peculiar arrangements of apparatus herein-after
described are by preference employed.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of the accompanying Drawings represents a sectional elevation
of an apparatus constructed according to one modification of the said Invention;
Figure 2 is a plan of the same, corresponding to Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is a section of
the box or spreader detached.
Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2, are respectively longitudinal, and transverse sectional
elevatious of an apparatus constructed according to another modification of the said
Invention; and Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 2, are respectively transverse and longitu-
dinal sectional elevations of an apparatus constructed according to a further modifi-
cation of the said Invention.
According to the arrangement illustrated in Sheet 1 the apparatus consists of a
vessel A, which is filled with hot water, serving as a "bain marie," and provided
with openings B, B', for filling or emptying it when required.
The combustible or hydrocarbon liquids fall drop by drop into a flat box or
spreader C situate underneath the vessel A, and are guided between metal wires or
baffles c, which form passages or tight compartments therefor, and are soldered to
the sides of the flat box or spreader so as to maintain them at a uniform and equal
distance apart. The said box or spreader C is represented detached from the bain
marie A, in Figure 3, in order to show the simplicity of its construction more
clearly. In the example illustrated it is placed in an inclined position, and is pro-
vided at its lower part with a pipe D for discharging its contents when required,
and at about midway from the lower extremity, with a feed pipe E, through which
the combustible or hydrocarbon liquids fall drop by drop in measured quantities

page_text: into the spreader. Tubes o are also provided at its lower part for the admission
of air.
The feed pipe E is in communication with a pump or distributor P, the piston
rod p of which has a to-and-fro motion imparted to it, whereby a measured
quantity of liquid is drawn at each forward stroke from a receiver Q containing the
hydrocarbon or combustible liquids. At the highest part of the box C, where are
provided pipes R, R', for conveying away the gaseous vapours as they are formed.
The pipe R is connected to a small reservoir S, provided with a valve or cock T, and
also fitted with a tube 1, open at both ends, through which air is admitted in the
form of bubbles, thereby ensuring a regular flow through the valve or cock T when
open until the level of the liquid descends below the bottom of the tube.
This apparatus serves (when the gas is used for driving motive power engines)
for supplying hydrocarbon or combustible liquids regularly and for a short time to
the spreader C, in order to prime the engine when starting it.
Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2, illustrate an apparatus constructed upon the same
principle, but modified in its details. It consists of a cylinder A having a rotatory
motion imparted to it, and enclosed in a box or case B, in the lower part of which
the combustible liquid employed for the production of gas is contained in such a
manner that the cylinder dips into or comes in contact with it as it rotates. The
upper part of the said box is of a semi-cylindrical form, as shewn at C, concentric to
the cylinder A, and of a diameter very slightly exceeding that of the said cylinder,
so that the periphery of the latter is in very close proximity to the internal surface
of the box. The space between the two cylindrical surfaces of A and C (the one
being concave and the other convex) constitutes a curved passage, which may be
of any required width, but which is exceedingly shallow, one surface of which,
videlicit, that formed by the cylinder A is wetted with the combustible liquid. The
curved portion C of the box B is provided with two very narrow apertures O and
R, or slots of the same length as the cylinder A. The external air impelled by any
suitable means enters at the opening O, circulates between the two cylindrical
surfaces, passes out through the aperture R, and is conveyed away along a pipe D.
During its passage it is brought in contact with the wetted surface of the cylinder A,
and evaporates the liquid upon it, forming a homogenous and intimate mixture with
the vapour of the same.
If the temperature of the combustible liquid is sufficiently elevated and the speed"
of the cylinder is not excessive, the cylinder A, which is wet when it passes the
aperture O, will be dry when it passes the aperture R, and as the speed at which it
rotates is uniform, as well as the quantity of air admitted in a given time, it results
that the mixture of air and combustible vapour issuing at R will be of a uniform
composition. In order to obtain this result, however, it is necessary that the
cylinder A should be always wetted in the same manner.
For this purpose, a
rubber G is provided, which acts upon the surface of the cylinder before it reaches
the aperture O, and smooths down all the liquid particles which adhere to it in the
form of drops, and reduces them to a layer of uniform thickness. A second
rubber G¹ is provided for the purpose of preventing the air from escaping by any
other passage than that herein-before described.
The limit of the productive capacity of the apparatus will be reached when the
wetted portion of the cylinder extends as far as the aperture R, because if it extends
beyond this point a certain quantity of liquid which has been already impoverished
by a species of distillation will be caused to re-enter the body of liquid contained in
the lower part of the reservoir B, and in course of time would modify its composition.
It is obvious that in most cases it will be necessary to apply artificial heat for the
purpose of raising the liquid contained in the reservoir to a uniform temperature
more or less elevated, according to its nature.
2
Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 2, show another modification of spreader based on the
same principle, a wide apron or endless band E, resembling a driving belt and 5
carried over two cylinders A and B, being substituted for the cylinder A of the
arrangement, Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2. This apron may be made of woven material,

page_text: very thin steel, or any other substance not liable to be affected by contact with
petroleum or other combustible liquids. The cylinder A is mounted in bearings
in a closed box or case F, and its lower part is in contact with the liquid
employed. The apron thus becomes covered with a certain quantity of liquid as
it passes round the cylinder A, whence it is conducted through a spreader C, formed
by two metal plates united, so as to leave a very narrow passage between them.
The external air enters at O, and is brought into intimate contact with the apron,
and the liquid adhering thereto, which it vaporises and carries off in the form of
vapour through an aperture R.
The opening through which the apron passes as it enters the spreader C is
provided with rubbers G for the purpose of preventing any air from entering
except through the opening O, and also of intercepting any drops of liquid which
may be adhering to the apron.
It is important to observe that as by the said Invention the volume of the com-
bustible or hydrocarbon liquids, and that of the air which is employed to convert
the same into gas may be varied, according to the exigencies of particular cases,
gas for illuminating and heating purposes, and explosive or non-explosive gas
in closed receivers may be produced as required, although they are all of different
composition.
Any suitable means may be adopted for supplying the liquid in measured
quantities to the flat box or spreader, such, for example, as distributing valves,
vessels of the description shewn at S, in Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 1), syphons with
floats, and the like; but it is preferred to employ the distributor or pump P, shewn
in Figure 1, Sheet 1 (forming part of the said Invention), and which when the gas
obtained by this process is employed for actuating a motive power or other engine,
may be driven by the latter. This distributor is composed of two plunger pistons
P¹, of equal diameter, placed on one and the same screwed rod p, and forming
between them a space p', which may be adjusted as required. At one extremity of
its stroke this double piston plunges into the liquid contained in the reservoir, and
receives a uniform measured quantity of the same between the two pistons, which
liquid it carries back with it on its return stroke, and discharges into the
pipe E, communicating with the box or spreader C, into which the liquid
either falls by its own gravity, or is drawn in under the influence of pressure
exerted by the engine.
In addition to the apparatus for normally supplying the spreader with liquid,
there may be employed as before-mentioned a tube or small supplementary reservoir,
such, for example, as is shewn at S, Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1, containing a small
quantity of the combustible liquid, such reservoir being provided for the purpose of
projecting into the spreader (especially when the gas obtained according to the said
Invention is applied to motive-power engines), a small quantity of the combustible
liquid with a view, as before explained, to prime the engine when starting it. As
soon as the engine works regularly the cock T of the supplementary reservoir is to
be closed.
"
If desired two or more spreaders may be employed in combination in one
5 apparatus, the same being placed the one over the other, or connected in any
convenient manner for the purpose of augmenting the quantity of gas produced.
Explosive gases may also be obtained without employing a liquid by mixing lighting
gas with air, and the arrangement of the "flat box or spreader C, as described
with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 1, will enable such explosive gas to be
obtained in the most simple manner. For this purpose the lighting gas is introduced
through one or more of the openings provided for the admission of air; the supply
of liquid is in this case necessarily cut off, and a proportionate quantity of air
admitted. The lighting gas flows in the same direction as the air, but the effect
of the thinness of the two sheets formed by the gas and air respectively, and if
required by baffles or partitions provided in their passage, is sufficient to cause them
to become intimately commingled before issuing from the box. The gas so produced
may be used for any required purpose.

page_text: Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The mode or process of converting hydrocarbons and other combustible
liquids into gas by treating such liquids in isolated drops or layers of measured
volume, so as to bring them into intimate contact with air, likewise in measured
quantities by means of vessels, boxes, or apparatus so constructed as to present
a shallow internal space, only allowing the fluids under treatment to pass in the
form of thin sheets or films, substantially as herein-before described.
Secondly. The combination of a shallow box or spreader, and of a distributor or
pump, both constructed and arranged and fitted with accessories, substantially as
and for the purposes herein-before described.
Thirdly. The mode or means of obtaining a mixture of lighting gas with air,
substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, the Nineteenth day of February, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)
2