IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS. FOR MANUFACTURING, PURIFYING, AND ECONOMIZING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Symes, of Oxford Street, Stepney, in the County of
Middlesex, Gas Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS.
FOR MANUFACTURING, PURIFYING, AND ECONOMIZING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Symes at the Office.
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd November 1876.
66
GEORGE SYMES, of Oxford Street, Stepney, in the County of Middlesex, Gas
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING, PURIFYING, AND
ECONOMIZING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to novel apparatus for manufacturing gas and purifying
and increasing the illuminating power of the same.
The said Invention comprises a retort constructed of iron or other suitable
material and in two parts, an upper and a lower part. The upper part of the.
said retort projects up through the top of the furnace, and its mouth-piece is pro-
vided with a suitable lid or cover. The lower part is connected by a flange joint
with the upper part, and between the two parts I place a door arranged to turn
upon a pivot, so that the said upper part can be closed or shut off from the lower
part when desired. The said lower part is half round or elbow shaped, it projects
through the front or side of the furnace, and is provided with a suitable lid or door.
The said retort is charged or filled with coal or other substance through its mouth-
piece, while the door between the two parts is closed. This charge is burned, and
then the said door is opened and the contents of the upper part descend into the
lower part; the said door way then again be closed, and a fresh charge supplied to
the upper part of the retort. While the second charge is being burned the first
charge is cooling in the lower part, and when sufficiently cool can be removed from
the same. The second charge is then admitted to the lower part of the retort, a
fresh charge supplied to the upper part, and so on.
My Invention also comprises an improved lid or cover for the said mouth-piece
provided with a series of perforated or slotted plates, placed one above the other..

page_text: The perforations or slots are "burred," and these plates serve the purpose of
retaining the tar which rises from the retort, and this tar instead of passing away
through the ascension pipe is returned to the retort, and the heavy carbon, which
is very valuable, is burned or regenerated.
The said Invention also comprises a novel form of fire-bars, chiefly designed for
my improved gas apparatus, but which may also be advantageously used for steam
boiler and other furnaces. The said bars consist of outer hollow perforated bars or
tubes and inner perforated tubes placed centrally within the outer tubes. The
inner tubes are all connected with a pipe which is supplied with water or other
fluid. The said inner tubes are perforated along the top, so that the water or
other fluid issuing from the said perforations keeps the outer tubes or hollow bars
cool and preserves them: The latter have perforations along one side or both sides,
and the fluid issuing from these perforations in the form of spray, steam, or vapour
into the fire greatly improves and economizes the combustion of the fuel on the
said bars.
My said Invention also comprises improved means for sealing or closing the end
of the pipe which conducts the gas from the retort into the hydraulic main, thus
superseding the ordinary dip pipe. For this purpose I arrange the end of the pipe
in a vertical position, that is to say, it extends up from the bottom of the main to,
or nearly to, the top of the water in the same. The upper end of this pipe is
provided with a cup-shaped valve, which is placed with its mouth or opening
downward, and which exends below the surface of the water. This valve has a
central rod, which is fitted to slide in suitable guides. The said valve is raised by
the pressure of the gas and allows the same to enter the main from the said pipo,
but prevents any back action or return of gas from the main. It also prevents the
entrance of any impurities into the same, except a small quantity of sulphur, which
is removed by the purifier.
My said Invention also comprises an improved carbonizer or apparatus for
resisting the bearing pressure of large gas holders and destroying the sulphur, thus
purifying ths gas while enriching it with carbon. This apparatus has a cylindrical
vessel packed with cotton or other absorbent material, which is saturated with
petroleum or other hydrocarbon liquid. The said vessel is supplied with gas
through a pipe which extends up froin the bottom of the same, and it has an outlet
pipe to conduct the gas to the burners. This vessel is also connected with a
telescopic air vessel somewhat similar to an ordinary gas holder, that is to say,
a vessel consisting of an outer cylinder containing water and an inner cylinder
placed in an inverted position in the water and supplied with air. The air pipe
between this vessel and the vessel containing the hydrocarbon extends up inside
the inner cylinder, and its mouth is always above the top of the water. The said
inner cylinder by its weight or pressure forces the air through this pipe into the said
vessel containing the hydrocarbon, and the air impregnated with the carbon which
it has absorbed mixes with the gas, and the mingled air and gas pass through the
outlet to the burners. This improved carbonizer may be used in connection with
any gas-producing apparatus.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Symes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd May
1877.
GEORGE SYMES, of Oxford Street, Stepney, in the County of Middlesex, Gas
Engineer: "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING, PURIFYING, AND
ECONOMIZING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to novel apparatus for manufacturing gas and purifying
and increasing the illuminating power of the same, and comprises a novel con

page_text: struction of the retorts, and of the lids or covers for the month-pieces of such
retorts, a novel form of fire-bars for gas making and other apparatus, improved
means for sealing or closing the pipe which conducts the gas from the retort into
the hydraulic main, and various novel features of construction and arrangement of
the parts of the said hydraulic main.
The said Invention also comprises an improved carbonizer or carburetter for
resisting the heavy pressure of large gas holders, and destroying the sulphurous
acids, and purifying the gas, and enriching it with carbon. It also comprises an
improved air-forcing apparatus to be used in connection with gas producing
apparatus.
Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of apparatus comprising a furnace
fitted with one of my improved retorts and hydraulic main, and their fittings and
connections; Figure 2 is a vertical central section of the said retort; Figure 3 is
an inside view of the cover of the said bydraulic main.
Figure 4 is a plan of a set of my improved fire-bars; Figure 5 is a transverse
section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of one of the same on the line x, x, Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a vertical section of the carburetter forming part of my improved
apparatus; Figure 7 shows a portion of the same detached..
Figure 8 is a vertical central section of my improved air forcing apparatus.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
The said improved retort may be vertical or otherwise.
In the Drawings I have shown a vertical retort a; it is constructed of iron or
other suitable material and in two parts, an upper part a¹ and a lower part a².
The upper part a¹ of the said retort projects up through the top of the furnace b,
and its mouth-piece a³ is provided with a lid or cover a. The lower part a² is
connected by a flange joint at a with the upper part, and between the two parts
I place a door a, arranged to turn upon a pivot or spindle a7, so that the said upper
part can be closed or shut off from the lower part when desired. The said lower
part a is half-round or elbow shaped, as shewn in Figure 2; it projects through
the front or side of the furnace b, and is provided with a suitable lid or door a³.
The said retort is charged or filled with coal or other substance through its mouth-
piece as, while the door a" between the two points a¹, a², is closed. This charge
is burned, and then the said door is opened, and the contents of the upper part a¹
descend into the lower part a²; the said door being then again closed and a fresh
charge supplied to the. upper part a¹ of the retort. While the second is being
burned the first charge is cooling in the lower part, and when sufficiently cool can
be removed from the lower part a through the opening at a³, these operation's
being repeated with a fresh charge as often as desired.
The improved lid or cover at of the said mouth-piece is provided with a series
of perforated or slotted plates a", placed one above the other. The perforations or
slots are "burred," that is to say, they are formed by punching up the metal of the
plates in such a manner as to make it project from the holes on the under side of
the plates. These plates serve the purpose of retaining the tar which rises from
the retort, and this tar, instead of passing away through the ascension pipe is
returned to the retort, and the heavy carbon, which is very valuable, is burned or
regenerated in the said retort.
My improved fire-bars, which are chiefly designed for gas works, but which may
also be advantageously used for steam boiler and other furnaces, are clearly shewn
in Figures 4 and 5. The said bars consist of outer hollow perforated bars or
tubes c and inner perforated tubes d placed centrally within the outer tubes. The
inner tubes are all connected with a pipe e, which is supplied with water, steam, or
other fluid. The said inner tubes are perforated along the top, or otherwise, so
that the water or other fluid issuing from the said perforations keeps the outer
tubes. or.hollow bars c cool, and thereby preserves them from rapid oxidation by

page_text: the heat. The said outer bars have perforations along one side or both sides, or
on the top, and the fluid issuing from these perforations in the form of spray, steam,
or vapour into the fire greatly improves and economizes the combustion of the fuel
on the said bars.
I may form my improved bars of more than two tubes, that is to say, I may 5
have three or more, placed one within the other and perforated, as above described.
My improved means for sealing or closing the end of the pipe which conducts
the gas from the retort into the hydraulic main are clearly shown in Figure 1.
By this contrivance I supersede the ordinary dip pipe. I arrange the end of the
pipe f leading from the mouth-piece a³ of the retort a in a vertical position, that is i
to say, it extends up from the bottom of the main g and above the water in the
same, as shewn. The upper end of this pipe is provided with a cup-shaped valve h,
which is placed in an inverted position, that is to say, with its mouth or opening
downward, and whose edge h¹ is below the surface of the water. This valve has
a central rod h², which is fitted to slide in suitable guides h³. The said valve is 1
raised by the pressure of the gas, and allows the same to enter the main from the
said pipe but prevents any back action or return of gas from the main. It also
prevents the entrance of any impurities into the main, except a small quantity of
sulphur, which is removed by the purifier.
The upper part 98 of the hydraulic main g is divided into chambers g¹ by 2
transverse partitions g². In the Drawing I have shewn the aforesaid pipe and
valve in one of these chambers only, but if desirable or necessary I may arrange
a similar pipe and valve in cach chamber, or in two or more of the same, that is to
Bay, each or any of such chambers may be connected to a retort by a separate tube
provided with a valve. Tho said partitions g obstruct the passage of the gas 2
through the main and free it from sulphurous vapour. I further obstruct the
passage of the gas through the main for the same purpose by providing the lid or
cover g³ of the same with small metal arms or bars i radiating from rods or
spindles attached to the said cover; k is the lime purifier, fitted with sieves k¹
containing the lime; is the pipe by which the gas ascends from the hydraulic a
main to the said purifier; m is the pipe by which the gas passes from the
purifier.
My improved carbonizer or carburetter, or apparatus for resisting the heavy
pressure of large gas holders and destroying the sulphurous acids, thus purifying
the gas and enriching it with carbon, is a cylindrical vessel n packed with cotton
or other absorbent material o, which is saturated with petroleum or other hydro-
carbon liquid. Between the layers of absorbent material I place chambers or
partitions p, consisting of a spiral plate, as shewn in Figure 7. The said vessel
is supplied with gas through the pipe q, which extends down nearly to the bottom
of the vessel n, as shewn in Figure 6. The gas passes from the lower end of this
pipe and up through the absorbent material to the outlet pipe 7, whence it passes
to the burners. The division or separation of the absorbent material into layers
or chambers by the said spiral chambers greatly facilitates the working of the
apparatus. This vessel n is or may be connected with the telescopic air vessel or
air-forcing apparatus 8. The latter is somewhat similar to an ordinary gas.holder,
that is to say, the said vessel consists of an outer cylinder a¹ containing water and
an inner cylinder 82 placed in an inverted position in the water and supplied with
air. The air pipet between this vessels and the carbonizing vessel n extends up
inside this inner cylinder, and its mouth is always above the top of the water, as
shewn. The said inner cylinder & by its weight or pressure forces the air through
this pipe into the said vessel containing the hydrocarbon, and the air impregnated
with the carbon which it has absorbed mixes with the gas, and the mingled air and
gas pass through the outlet to the burners.
•
The inner cylinder & is provided on the top with a lid or valve u, which is fitted
upon a turned face or seat. This valve may be opened to allow the. vessel s to
be raised above the water in the outer vessel 81, the space above the water in the
gaid vessel being thereby filled with air. Then the said valve is closed or scaled,

page_text: the air being then confined under the pressure due to the weight of the vessel 8*,
by which pressure the air is forced through the pipe t, the latter being provided
with a suitable regulating valve or cock at t¹. This apparatus may be used in gas
works for forcing air and reducing the richness of the gas, and increasing the
quantity or volume of the same.
Any or either of the above described parts of my improved apparatus may be
employed in combination with other apparatus or machinery for making or
purifying gas.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and shewn how the same may
be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I wish it understood that
I claim,-
First. A retort for the manufacture of gas constructed of the form shewn, and
with two chambers or portions separated from each other by a door, as above set
forth and for the purpose specified.
Second. The retort mouth-piece fitted with a lid or cover provided with a series
of perforated plates, and so constructed as to close tightly without luting, as above
set forth.
Third. The improved furnace bars, consisting of two or more pipes or tubes
placed one within the other or others and perforated, and connected with a pipe
or tube for supplying them with steam, water, air, or other fluid, as above set forth
and for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The cup-shaped valve or valves fitted on the end of the pipe or pipes
which enter the hydraulic main from the retort or retorts, as above set forth and
for the purpose specified.
Fifth. In combination with the said valve or valves in the hydraulic main the
devices for obstructing the passage of the gas through the main, as above set
forth.
Sixth. The carburetter or carbonizing vessel so constructed as to resist heavy
pressure of gas, and provided with means for removing sulphur or sulphurous acid
from the gas, as above set forth.
Seventh. The telescopic vessel or apparatus for forcing air into the gas, or for
other like purposes, constructed and operating as above set forth.
Eighth. An apparatus for manufacturing and purifying gas, consisting of the
vessels and their connections, shewn in the accompanying Drawings, or of either or
any of such vessels in combination with other gas-making or purifying apparatus
or machinery, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Symes, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
GEORGE SYMES. (L.S.)