Improvements relating to Apparatus for the Production of Gas from Liquid Hydro-carbon and to Devices for the Utilization of Gaseous Fuel.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1888
Specification Accepted. 15th Jan., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Apparatus for the Production of Gas from
Liquid Hydro-carbon and to Devices for the Utilization of
Gaseous Fuel.
1. DE WITTE STEARNS of Des Moines, Polk County, State of Iowa, United States
of America, Counsellor at Law, 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 :-
My invention relates to Improvements in Gas Generators shown in the accompanying
drawings, wherein :
Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section, of my improved apparatus for the
production of gas from liquid hydro-carbon.
.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical section of the same on the line xx.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the inlet of one of the retorts.
Figure 4 is a plan of a rectangular burner with one of the upper tiles removed.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the burner tiles in section.
Figure 6 is a plan view of a burner tile showing a modification in the gas
orifices.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of the same.
Figure 8 is an elevation, partly in section, of a modification in the arrangement of
the retorts.
Figure shows the application of my improved gas producing and burning
apparatus to a steam boiler.
Figure 10 is a view showing the manner of connecting the front ends of the adjacent
pipes of the retorts.
The retorts a b c in which the gas is produced consists of rows of pipes arranged in
pyramidal form, each alternate retort thereby formed being inverted, as shown in
Figs. 1 and 2, or reversed as shown in the modification Fig. 8. The purpose of this
arrangement is to economize space and to better utilize the heat from the furnace above
the burner tile d d.
The outlet of the central. retort b is connected to the burner d by the pipe e, the

page_text: ד
end of which is provided with the nozzle el, which projects into the closed end of the
mixing chamber f, to or past the air inlets 1, the areas of the orifices of which are
controlled by the valves f, and this mixing chamber passes through the front wall g,
and enters the forward end of the burner chamber d. The upper wall of this burner
chamber d' is formed by the perforated burner tiles d d, and the floor is composed of
some refractory material, formed into two planes, the one nearest the combustion
chamber beginning on the horizontal plane of the lower wall of the combustion
chamber f, and extending rearward at an angle of about 30° from the horizontal for
about one-eighth of the length of the burner chamber, and the other extending from
such point to the rear wall of that chamber at a considerably less angle, so that
the space between the floor and the under side of the burner tiles decreases as the
rear wall of the burner chamber is approached, to about one-third of its depth at the
front end.
1
1
It will be understood that ordinarily the burner chamber would be rectangular in
plan, and conform to the burner tiles d as shown. These burner tiles d d shown in
Figures 4 and 5, consist of flat plates of some refractory body, such as fire clay,
provided with parallel slots, the upper edges of which are beveled for the purpose of
forming a seat for the burner tips d². These burner tips are composed also of some
refractory material, are nearly semi-cylindrical'in form, provided with transverse slots,
and having their lower edges tapered to correspond with the beveled upper edges of
the slots in the tiles d, into which they are seated and cemented. A single tile may
be used in place of the group shown in Fig. 4. In that figure one tile is removed to show
the burner wall d*, and part of the floor of the burner chamber d'. The modification
of the burner tile shown at Figs. 6 and 7, consists in providing such tiles with a series
of small openings, preferably circular in form, enlarging from the upper to the lower
surface of the tile."
سال انيق
1934
The steam superbeaters h, placed above the retorts a b c, are supplied with-steam
from the pipe, through the horizontal pipes ². The superheated steam passes from
the superheaters into the entrance, ends of the retorts abc, through the connecting
pipes at which points it comes in contact, and mixes with the liquid,hydro-carbon,
and carries the same into the retorts. The liquid hydro-carbon supplied by the
pipes j, enters the entrance ends of the retorts through the pipes. To facilitate the
entrance of the, hydro-carbon into the retorts, pipes & extend from the steam supply
pipe to the retorts, each being provided with an inspirator nozzle k¹, arranged
within the entrance end of the retorts, as shown at Fig. 3.
1
:
7.3
To facilitate the cleaning of the pipes composing the retorts a bc, these pipes are
connected together, in pairs at their front ends by T, and with nipples joining the
side branches of the Ts these pipes are extended in a straight line through the front
wall g, by short pieces of pipe, the ends of which are closed by means of plugs. One
of these connections' is shown at Fig. 1, wherein represents the T pieces, the
connecting nipple the front extension pipes, and 13 the plug. The removal of these
plugs/permits of any suitable scraper or cleaning implement being passed into the
retort pipes for the extraction of any deposit that may occur therein, without disturbing
any of the connecting joints.
The central retort bis connected to and supplies gas to the burner d d¹², by
means of the pipe e, and to insure the flow of gas therefrom, the pipe from one of
the steami superheaters, is arranged to enter the pipe and terminate therein with a
nozzle as shown in Fig. 2.
The gas generated in the two outside" retorts" a and c (Fig.1) is carried off for
illuminating or heating purposes, or for storage, through the pipes mand m² con-
"nected to the exit ends of such retorts:
.
+
At each side of the gas burner, and arranged near the bottom of the furnace, is a
small graten, upon which a wood or other fire may be kindled to initially heat the
retorts the necessary fuel being applied through the doors and the ashes removed
through the doors n n² in the front wall g. By this arrangement of grates at the
esides of the gas burner, dirt and Jashes from the starting fires are prevented from being
deposited on the burner, and obstructing its gas orifices.

page_text: 1.
Gas previously produced by the apparatus or otherwise, if conveniently stored, may
be supplied to the burner to initially heat the retorts and start the generation of the
gas in lieu of using fires in the side grates. When the retort b, becomes sufficiently
heated to convert the steam and liquid hydro-carbon into gases, the gases_therein
formed pass through the pipe e, and the mixing chamber f, into the chamber d' of the
burner, taking with them through the openings of the mixing chamber, the
quantity of air necessary to insure perfect combustion. The amount of this air supply
is controlled by the adjustment of the air valves. The mixture of the gases and
air so produced fills the chamber d¹ with a uniform pressure throughout, and issues
therefrom through the orifices in the tiles d, and a steady and uniform fire over the
whole extent of the burner tiles is thereby secured upon the ignition of the gas, and
economical distribution and utilization of the heat therefrom among and by the pipes
composing the retorts a b c, results in part therefrom, and, in part from the relative
arrangement of such pipes; and the products of combustion not utilized; finally escape
through the flue o.
The lower layer of pipes of the retorts are supported on the narrow arch p, and the
successive layers of these pipes are held out of contact with each other by the spacing
bars p¹.
The construction of the burner tips d², before 'described, admits of the ready
removal of any that become defective, and of the substitution of new ones, and
this may be done through the front door g, without disturbing any other part of
the apparatus.
The number of the retorts may be varied at pleasure according to the exigencies
of the case, the novel method of inverting or reversing the position of the alternate
pyramidal retorts, besides more fully utilizing the heat, admits of the arrangement of
a group of such retorts vertically, as shown in the modification Fig. 8, thereby
economizing floor space when desired.
1
It is evident that my improved form of burner is adapted to be used for burning
natural gas or heating gas produced by any means or apparatus soever. An application
thereof to a steam boiler is shown at Fig. 9, which view also shows a gas generator s,
steam superheater t, arranged in the furnace to produce gas for, and act" in
conjunction with the burner d.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
:-
. I
1st. In an apparatus for the production of gas from liquid hydro-carbon, the
combination of a series of retorts each composed of connected pipes arranged in
pyramidal form, and alternately reversed or 'inverted, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
2nd. In an apparatus for the production of gas from liquid hydro-carbons, the
combination of a series of retorts each composed of connected pipes arranged in
pyramidal form, with steam superheaters placed above the retorts and connected
therewith, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.;
3rd. A gas burner having a chamber, the area of a vertical plane of which will
gradually reduce by vertical diminution from the lower edge thereof, as such plane is
carried from the front toward the rear of such chamber, in combination with a
perforated top, covering substantially the whole of such chamber, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
4th. A gas burner composed of a rectangular box of refractory material, having an
inlet at one end thereof, a chamber the floor of which inclines upwardly from the
inlet side to the rear wall in two planes, the one adjacent to the inlet being at a
greater angle to the horizontal plane than the other, and a horizontal top of refractory
material, provided with outlet orifices at intervals over its entire surface, substantially
as set forth.
5th. The combination, with flat tiles, of refractory material provided with a series
of parallel slots, beveled at the upper edges, of semi-cylindrical burner-nipples of

page_text: refractory material, having their lower edges tapered to correspond with the beveled
edges of the slots in the tiles, and having transverse slots formed through their rounded
parts, substantially as set forth.
6th. In an apparatus for the production of gas from liquid hydro-carbons, the
combination, with a horizontal burner having gas orifices through its upper surface, of
a fire grate or grates arranged at the side or sides thereof, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
7th. A mixing chamber for gas-burning furnaces consisting of a gas supplying
pipe extending into a larger pipe to or beyond inlets in the larger pipe for the ingress
of air, which inlets are provided with means for varying their size, substantially as set
forth.
8th. A mixing chamber for gas-burning furnaces consisting of a gas supplying
pipe extending into a larger pipe to or beyond inlets in the larger pipe for the
ingress of air, which inlets are provided with means for varying their size, in
combination with the matters set forth and claimed in the third claim hereof,
substantially as set forth.
9th. A mixing chamber for 'gas-burning furnaces consisting of a gas supplying pipe
extending into a larger pipe to or beyond inlets in the larger pipe for the ingress of
air, which inlets are provided with means for varying their size, in combination with
the matters specified and claimed in the fourth claim heroof, substantially as set
forth.
10th. In a tubular retort, in combination, a series of parallel pipes provided with
Tpieces on their front ends, and connecting nipples between each pair of T pieces,
and plugs at the ends of the T pieces, by the removal of which plugs ready access
may be had to the interior of the pipes without disturbing the connecting joints,
substantially as set forth.
11th. In combination, a series of retorts arranged in the same furnace and heated
by the same fire, from one of which a supply of gas is taken, directly through an
air mixing chamber and burner into the furnace, to supply the necessary fuel for
heating all of the retorts, and for heating the steam superheaters, substantially as set
forth.
12th. In combination, a series of retorts arranged in the same furnace and heated
by the same fire, from one of which a supply of gas therein generated is taken, directly
through an air mixing chamber, and burner, constructed as specified and claimed in
the third and seventh claims hereof, into the furnace to supply the fuel necessary to
generate heat for all of the retorts, and for the steam superheaters, substantially as set
forth.
13th. In combination, a series of retorts arranged in the same furnace and heated
by the same fire, from one of which a supply of gas therein generated is taken,
directly through an air mixing chamber, and burner, constructed as specified and
claimed in the fourth and seventh claims hereof, into the furnace to supply the fuel
necessary to generate heat for all of the retorts, and for the steam superheaters,
substantially as set forth.
Dth:
dave of Dasamban 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.