Improvements in Manufacture of Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 6th Aug., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Manufacture of Gas.
I, JOHN COYNE, Engineer, residing at No. 1644, Colwell Street, in the City of
Pittsburg, County of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, and United States of
America, 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 invention described herein relates to certain improvements in the method
and apparatus for producing gas rich in illuminating qualities and of such stability
as to permit of its being stored and transported for a considerable distance. In
general terms, the invention consists in the construction and combination substan-
tially as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1
is a sectional elevation of my improved plant, the plane of section being indicated
at the line I-I, Fig. 3; Fig. 2 is a similar view, the plane of section being
indicated by the line II-II, Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus ;
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of the apparatus, the plane of
section being indicated by the line IV-IV; Fig. 6; Fig. is a view partly in
section and partly in elevation, the plane of section being indicated by the
line VV, Fig. 6; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figs. 4
and 5; Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional detail views of the reversing valves; Fig. 9
is a sectional detail view illustrating the manner of constructing the walls of the
metal retaining shell of the apparatus; Figs. 10 and 11 are detail plan views of
the grate supporting spider, and Fig. 12 is a sectional detail view, the plane of
section being indicated by the line XII-XII Fig. 2; Fig. 13 is a sectional detail
view of the reversing valve, on an enlarged scale; Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation
on an enlarged scale of the reversing valves and their operating mechanism;
Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the reversing valves and their operating mechanism,
and Fig. 16 is a similar view illustrating a modified form of the valve operating
mechanism.
In the practice of my invention I employ two chambers A and B, which are
alternately used as generating and fixing chambers. These chambers may be
arranged in one retaining shell 1, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, or in independent
retaining shells 1" and 1b, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. The metal retaining shells
are formed by a series of cylindrical sections, and a dome shaped top or cap section.
The upper ends of the body sections are formed, as shown in Fig. 9, with outwardly
projecting flanges or ledges 2, provided around their outer edges with upwardly
projecting retaining ribs or rims 3, thereby forming seats for the reception of the
enlargements or feet 4 on the lower ends of the super-jacent body sections or cap.
The adjacent faces of the flanges or ledges 2, and the feet 4, are preferably grooved
as shown at 5 in Fig. 9, for the reception of a suitable packing. As an additional
safeguard against leakage, the outer edges of the feet 4 and the inner faces of the
rims 3 are so shaped as to form between them a wedge-shaped opening for the
reception of a suitable luting which is held in place by grooves in the rims or feet.

page_text: It will be observed that this luting can be tightly packed in position, but will
permit the lifting of one section from the others.
The metal shell which is supported on brackets 6, secured within the tank 7,
as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, is provided with an inwardly projecting shelf or
ledge 8. From this ledge or shelf depends the annular apron 9, which projects
down sufficiently far into the water contained in the tank to form a seal around the
grate, as hereinafter described.
In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, two semi-circular sections of
pipe 10, having a diameter a little greater than the external diameter of the
spherical grate 11, are placed on the ledge or shelf 8, and form supports for the
arch pipe sections 12, which are preferably formed integral with the pipe
sections 10, and are formed on arcs of such radius that their upper ends will come
into contact with one another and can be secured together forming the support
for the dividing wall 13. In the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6,
the supporting arch 12 is omitted, as the two chambers are formed in independent
shells. The brickwork forming the inner walls 14, is supported by the ledge or
.shelf 8 and the cooling pipes 10. It will be observed that an air space is left
between the metallic shell and brickwork to prevent loss of heat or excessive
heating of the metallic shell. As gases may escape into the air space and form
an explosive mixture with the air, injury to the shell or brickwork in case of
explosion is prevented by the escape pipe 1ª, which is normally closed by the
weighted cap 1b, as shown in Fig. 2.
The hollow spherical grate 11 is supported by the pipes 15, 15", which extend
through the outer shell and brickwork, and passing between the ends of the pipe
sections 10 project into the grate, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. These pipes 15, 15",
are supported by sleeves 16, 16", which are secured to the outer shell 1. The
spherical grate is provided on its surface with conical projections c, whereby the
portions of the charge adjacent thereto may be agitated, and through the walls
of the grate at the bases of the projections are formed conical perforations for the
passage of air, gases, etc., into the chambers, said perforations being largest at
their inner ends. In order to rotate the grates, collars 17, 17" having sockets for
the reception of ends of suitable bars, are secured on the pipes 15, 15", outside of
the bearing sleeves 16.
In the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the grate is formed in two
hemispherical sections a and b. In the diaphragms 18 closing these grate sections
are formed sockets for the reception of the journal 19, which serves to hold the
two sections in proper relation to each other.
The fuel is placed in a hopper 20, provided with a controlling bell 21, and
supported by the tubes 22 and 22ª, which are connected at their upper ends to the
hopper 20, while their lower ends project down into the chambers A and B. At
the junction of the tubes with the hopper 20 and with each other, is arranged a
gate 23, whereby the charge may be directed into one or the other tube as
desired.
The chambers A and B are connected by pipes 24, 24ª, with a valve chamber 25,
having a valve 26, arranged therein. The ports of this valve are so located,
that in one position of the valve the gases from one chamber will flow through
the pipe 24 and the valve into the passage d of the pipe 27, and when the valve
is shifted the pipes 24 and 27ª will be closed, and gases from the other chamber
will flow through pipe 24" and the valve into the passage d of the pipe 27, as
shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 2, the pipes 27 and 27 are connected at their
lower ends to the outer ends of the pipes 15, 15, by a form or construction of
joint which will permit of the rotation of the pipes 15, 15, without opening the
joint. The joint shown is formed by bevelling the outer wall of one set of pipes
and the inner wall of the other set of pipes, so as to permit the latter being inserted
in the former, as shown. In order to introduce air into the chambers, the
pipes 27, 27 are formed with two passages for a portion of their length, and one of
these passages e is connected to nozzle 60, which in turn is connected to a suitable

page_text: under pressure.
is placed a gate 61 adapted to direct the air into the passages of the pipes 27 or 27
At the junction of the passages e with the nozzle 50
alternately, and to close the corresponding passage in the other pipe, steam is
introduced into the chambers A and B by pipes 62, 62ª passing through the
5 pipes 15, 15 and projecting into the grates 11, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. If it
is desired to use oil in the production of gas, pipes 63, 63ª are passed through or
alongside of the steam pipes 62, 62º.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 14 the valve cases 25 and 29 are internally coned
and the exterior walls of the valves 26 and 30 are similarly shaped, so that the latter
may be moved down into the cases to compensate for wear.
become wedged into the cases and require considerable force to move them, they
As these valves might
may be supported by means of nuts 36 and 37" screwing on the stems 36b and 37b
and bearing on the caps 25" and 29" of the valve cases.
adjusted that the entire weight of the valves will be borne by them and the valves
These nuts can be so
just in contact with the shells.
In lieu of employing means such as the nuts 37" for lifting the valves 26 and 30
from their seats, such movement may be effected automatically on the rotation of
the valves, by a suitable mechanism such as that shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 16.
This mechanism consists of arms 64 secured to the stems 36 and 37b of the valves
in such position that anti-friction rollers 65 mounted on the arms will bear upon
ridges 66 formed on the caps or covers 25" and 29" of the valve cases.
are made of a height midway of their length equal to the upward movement which
These ridges
it is desired to impart to the valves and incline in both directions from these
apices. These ridges are so located and the arms 64 are so adjusted that as the
valves are rotated by the mechanism described, they will be lifted from their
seats during half of their rotation and allowed to move down onto their seats during
the latter part of their rotation. These movements of the valves will prevent their
becoming wedged in their seats or being cemented thereto by a deposit of carbon.
The fixed gases are conducted from the chambers by pipes 28, 28", which are
connected to the valve chamber 29 containing the valve 30, and also connected to
the pipe 31. The ports of the valve are so arranged that in one position of the
valve, the pipe 28 is placed in communication with the pipe 31, and by a shifting
of the valve the pipe 28 is closed and the pipe 28" connected to the pipe 31. The
lower end of the pipe 31 projects down such a distance into the hydraulic main or
seal box 32, that its lower end will be immersed in the water contained in such
ank, which is provided with an outlet elbow 33 adapted to be connected to a pipe
eading to a storage tank or gas distributing pipes. The seal box is provided with
water supply pipe and with an escape pipe 34, having its upper end made in the
orm of a trap 35. The inflow of water is so regulated that the open end of the
rap will be always open so as to permit of the escape of the heavier gases, as
mmonia and cyanogen, through the pipe 35. The water flowing through the
ipe 35 will have an ejecting action on the gases so as to facilitate their escape
rom the seal box.
As shown in Figs. 1, 5, 14 and 15, the stems 36 and 37 of the valves 26 and 30
re provided with arms 38 and 39, having their outer ends connected by a link 40,
that a movement of one of the valves will effect a corresponding movement of
he other valve. A double arm 41 is secured upon one of the valve stems as 37,
nd the ends of this arm are connected by rods 42 and bell crank levers 43, to
e operating levers 44, 44, which are so pivoted to the metal shell 1 as to be
onveniently operated from the ground, as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. In order to
ift the gate or valve 61, simultaneously with the reversal of the valves 26 and 30,
e stem 67 of the valve has secured to it an arm 68 provided at its outer end with
pin 69 adapted to engage a slot in the outer end of an arm 70 secured to the
37 (see Fig. 15). By the rotation of this rod when shifting the valve 26, the
te or swinging valve 61 will be shifted as required for the orderly operation of
e apparatus.
As shown in Fig. 16, the simultaneous shifting of the valves 26 and 30 may be

page_text: effected by means of intermeshing segmental racks 39ª and 38 secured on the
valve rods 37 and 36, respectively. The valve 61 may also be operated by means
of segmental racks 68" and 70" on the rods 67 and 37 respectively, but in order to
ensure the proper shifting of the swinging valve or gate, a pinion 71 is interposed
between the racks 68 and 70".
The bell 21 in the hopper 20 and the gate 23 for directing the coal, are operated
by levers which are preferably located so as to be convenient of access. The bells
in the feed tubes 22 22ª, are connected by suitable mechanisms with levers 46, 46°,
pivoted to the metallic shell, so as to be capable of operation from the ground.
Circulation of water through the pipes 10 and 12 is maintained by the supply
pipes 47, and the outlet pipes 48 which are arranged to discharge water into the
tank 7, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.
ة
In order to relieve the pipes 15, 15" of a portion of the weight of the grate 11,
the latter is provided with one or more circumferential ribs f which rest upon
rollers 49 journalled on the frame 50, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. The legs of
this frame are curved upwardly and the feet thereof are provided with adjusting
screws 51, resting on the bottom of the tank, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 10 and 11,
whereby the height of the frame may be regulated. In order to prevent the legs
from spreading, they are tied together by a rod 52 looped around a hook 53 on
one leg, and its ends passed through lugs 54 on the other legs, as shown in Figs. 4, 2
10 and 11. The tension of the rod is regulated by nuts screwing on the threaded
ends and bearing against the lugs.
For the removal of the grates, the bottom of the tank is provided with a remov-
able section 55, which is formed with a peripheral groove for the reception of the
rim or bead 56, along the edges of the opening in the bottom of the tank, as shown 2
in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The removable section is held in place by a bolt 57 passing
through the center of the spider 58 and screwing into the section. The ends of
the spider rest in a groove 59 formed along the edges of the opening in the bottom
of the tank, and in order to prevent displacement of the spider, it is given a slight
dish or upward curvature, so that when drawn down towards the removable section, 3
its ends will be forced outwardly against the wall of the groove 59.
When employing the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it is preferred
to form the tank in two sections as shown. As each section of the twin apparatus
has only one pipe 15 and 15", it is preferred to use dummy pipes 64, 64", for sup-
porting the opposite sides of the grates 11, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, said pipes 3
being closed at their outer or inner ends.
In the manufacture of gas, kindling and coke or coal are charged and ignited
in both chambers. A blast of air is maintained in both chambers until a body of
incandescent fuel of suitable depth is obtained in each chamber. The products of
combustion during the preliminary operation are allowed to escape through the 4
charging tubes 22, 22" and hopper 20. Carbonaceous fuel, as coal, is then charged
into one of the chambers, as A, and the bells in the tubes and hopper are closed.
Air under pressure is then forced through the passage e of pipe 27, into the hollow
grate, whence it escapes in small jets into the chamber A.
As 'the air passes
through the incandescent charge, it is decomposed. In the lower portion of the 4
charge carbonic acid is formed, but is converted while passing through the upper
part of the incandescent bed into carbonic oxide. The heat of the incandescent bed
and that of the gases passing through the superincumbent coal volatilizes the
hydrocarbons thereof and the gases thus produced mingle with the carbonic oxide
and pass through the pipe 24, the passage d of pipe 27", the valve 26 having been 5
properly adjusted, and hollow grate 11 into the chamber B. As the gases begin to
flow into the hollow grate of chamber B, steam is mingled with the gases in the
grate and passes with them into and through the incandescent charge in chamber B.
In their passage through the incandescent charge of chamber B, the hydrocarbon
vapors are fixed, and the steam is decomposed producing oxygen and hydrogen. 5
The carbon is volatilized by the combined action of heat and oxygen and combines

page_text: portion of the hydrogen, forming ammonia.
carbonic oxide, while the nitrogen will combine with
The gases thus formed and fixed in the chamber B pass by the pipe 28, throug
the hydraulic main and water seal, where the ammonia and cyanogen gases a
5 removed, into a distributing main or gas holder.
chamber B becomes cooled, the valves 26 and 30 and gate 61 are reversed and th
valve in steam pipe 62ª is closed, and that in 62 is opened. At the same time
As soon as the charge i
charge of coal is admitted into chamber B. It results from this adjustmen
of the valves that air will flow through passage e of pipe 27ª into the grate of the
10 chamber B, and the gas generated in said chamber will flow through the pipe 24
the passage d of pipe 27 into the grate of chamber A, where it is mingled with
steam as above described, and passes in small jets through the incandescent charge
in chamber A. From the latter chamber, the gases flow through the pipe 28,
hydraulic main and water seal, to the distributing main or gas holder.
15 If it is desired to produce a gas of high illuminating quality, oil may be intro-
duced into the fixing chamber through the pipe 63 or 63 along with the steam.
It is characteristic of my improved method that all the gases generated are
saved, none being lost in the blasting up of the charges, the latter operation as an
independent step being entirely avoided in my improved method.
noticed that the gases from the generating chamber and the steam pass upwardly
through the incandescent charge of the fixing chamber, or in other words, are
It will be
subjected to a gradually decreasing temperature, the lower part of the charge in
the fixing chamber being the hottest. This operation results in the production
of carbonic oxide, hydrogen, marsh gas, ethylene, and acetylene, all of which are
valuable in heating and illuminating gases. This operation also facilitates the
combination of the nitrogon and hydrogen forming ammonia, which can be
removed.
The methods heretofore in vogue, i.e., passing the gases down through the
incandescent fixing charge, result in the production of carbonic oxide, carbonic
acid gas and nitrogen, the two latter being in such quantities as to greatly reduce
the efficiency of the carbonic oxide. It also results from forcing the air and gases
up through the charges, that the latter are prevented from packing down into a
comparatively dense mass, through which the air and gases can be forced with
lifficulty.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
nvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is:-
1. As an improvement in the art of manufacturing gas, the method herein
escribed, which consists in passing air upwards through an incandescent body
carbonaceous material and a superincumbent charge of fresh fuel ignited from
e incandescent body and hot gases passing therethrough, and then commingling
e gases so produced with steam or steam and oil, and passing such commingled
ses and steam or steam and oil through an incandescent body of carbonaceous
terial in such manner that the gases will be subjected to a gradually reduced
t, substantially as set forth.
As an improvement in the art of manufacturing gas, the method herein
cribed, which consists in passing air upwards through an incandescent body
arbonaceous material and a superincumbent charge of fresh fuel ignited from
incandescent body and hot gases passing therethrough, and then commingling
gases so produced with steam or steam and oil, and passing such commingled
s and steam or steam and oil upward through an incandescent body of
onaceous material previously blasted from the bottom, substantially as set
In a gas apparatus, the combination of two chambers, pipe connections extend-
rom the upper portions of each of said chambers and connected to the 1.

page_text: ends of the other chamber, and pipes for introducing air and steam into the lower
portions of each chamber, substantially as set forth.
4. In a gas apparatus, the combination of two chambers, a valve mechanism,
pipe connections from the upper and lower portions of each chamber to the valve
mechanism, and pipes for introducing air and steam into the lower portions of
said. chambers, substantially, as set forth.
5. In a gas apparatus, the combination of a water tank provided with inwardly
projecting brackets, a metallic shell supported by said brackets and provided with
an inwardly projecting ledge or shelf for supporting the lining, an annular apron
projecting from the shell down into the water contained in the tank, and a grate
arranged in the space enclosed by the annular apron, substantially as set forth.
6. In a gas apparatus, the combination of a metallic shell provided with an
inwardly projecting shelf or ledge for supporting the lining, semi-circular water
pipes supported by the ledge, and a pipe for supplying water to the semi-circular
pipes, substantially as set forth.
7. In gas apparatus, the combination of a chamber, a hollow, spherical grate
with conical projections on its exterior and conical openings to the interior, and
provided with circumferential rib adjustably supported, rollers forming a bearing
or support for the rib, and one or more blast pipes for rotating the grate, substan-
tially as set forth.
"
8. In a gas apparatus, the combination of a tank, a generator shell supported
within the tank, with its lower end projecting below the surface of the water
contained in the tank, a grate arranged in the lower end of the generator, a frame
resting on the bottom of the tank, and a removable plate forming a portion of the
bottom of the tank, substantially as set forth.
9. In a gas apparatus, the combination of a tank, a generator shell supported
within the tank, a hollow, spherical grate provided with projections on its outer
surface, and having its walls perforated, a frame for adjustably supporting the
grate and a pipe extending into the grate and adapted to rotate the same, substan-
tially as set forth.
10. In a gas generator the combination of two chambers having their lower
ends connected to an air supply, a valve mechanism controlling the flow of air
to the chambers, passages connecting the upper end of each chamber to the lower
end of the other chamber, a valve mechanism controlling the flow of gas through
said passages, pipes connecting the upper end of each chamber to a gas reservoir
or conduit, a valve mechanism controlling the flow of gas to, the reservoir or
conduit and mechanism for operating said valve mechanisms simultaneously,
substantially as set forth.
11. The combination of a valve casing, a rotatable valve arranged in said casing
and provided with a stem, arms secured to said stem, and inclined ridges arranged
in the path of movement of said arms whereby the valve may be shifted in the
direction of its axis while being rotated, substantially as set forth.
Witnesses:
DARWIN S. WOLCOTT.
MARSHALL A. CHRISTY.
wenby mist day of January, A.D. 10.
JOHN COYNE.