Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Generating and Purifying Acetylene.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1897--Accepted, 28th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Generating and
Purifying Acetylene.
I, BENJAMIN RICHARD, late Gas-works Director, of 9, Rue St. Alexandre, Lyons,
in the Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My improved apparatus effects the supply of the water in proportion to the pro-
duction of acetylene. I have found it necessary to make the carbide of calcium
operate on a sufficient quantity of water and in order to avoid as far as possible,
the formation of polymerized products under the influence of the heat, which is
produced during the chemical reaction. By means of my system, the lime never
covers the carbide consequently the latter cannot become dry; the carbide of
calcium thus produces the maximum volume of acetylene, since the hydrate of
lime does not contain any particle of undecomposed carbide of calcium.
The apparatus is represented upon three sheets of drawings, on Sheet 1 in eleva-
tion on Sheet 2 in vertical section and on Sheet 3 in plan with detail views. It
is composed of the following parts:
(1) A B (Fig. 1) the gas receiver and holder.
(2) F (Fig. 2) the cylindrical water receiver.
(3) G (Fig. 3) the acetylene generator.
(4) H (Fig. 3) adjoining G, being the purifier with two purifying compartments.
(5) K (Fig. 4) the dryer.
(6) F1 (Fig. 5) the cylindrical water receiver and serving at the same time, as
expander.
(7) S (Fig. 6) shows the safety apparatus.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 including the auxiliary organs are reduced to a scale of
a 10th and for clearness of certain figures, the cartridges C are shown in Figs. 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, 12 on the scale of a fifth; the automatic safety valves N and Ŕ are
shown in full size in Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16. The safety apparatus S is shown in full
size in Fig. 6.
The gas holder is composed of a receiver B of a moveable bell A and of the iron
tubes CCCC which serve at the same time as guides for the bell A;
it carries on its bell a tap e¹; also in its interior a cross piece E, in the centre of
the receiver B there is the tube C¹¹ on its top there is fixed the valve P which
automatically closes under a pressure of about 25 centimeters of water in the
bell A and which is composed (1) of a cylindrical box of sheet metal closed at its
two extremities by a bottom and head, the bottom having an exterior tubular
socket screwing on the tube C, the head carrying in its centre an opening with
inner projection serving as seat for the valve P, on the exterior walls of the
cylinder there are arranged four guides, in which the tubes D D slide freely,
which latter are connected at their top by the cross piece D" and at their base with
the ring D. The valve P is suspended in the centre of the cross piece D1; the
valve P is formed by a felted caoutchouc, hemispherically moulded, lodged in
place in a plain cylinder, which pieces are traversed in their vertical centre by a

page_text: rod joining them to the cross piece D. The counterweight C P suspended on
the rope running over pullies P¹ serves for balancing the bell A. for a pressure
of 7 to 8 centimeters of water for the utilization of the acetylene. The screw
plugs 6 6 serve for emptying the tubes C, C, C and C in case of condensa-
tion. The receiver F (Fig. 2) has a capacity of 7 liters of water and has a water
level indicator n¹ a tapr and a screw plug e for cleaning. The generator (Fig. 3)
is composed of a cylindrical chamber Ġ of any metal; by its base it forms one body
with the cylindrical chamber H composed of two compartments constituting
the purifier. The cylinder G is closed by a convex cover and this cover is secured
by bolts. On this cover there are arranged symmetrically four tubular
sockets I, I, I, I, moulded together with the cover; these sockets are closed with
plain iron disks held on by the bows m m, m, m carrying pressure screws.
Each
disk carries on its under centre a hook for suspending the cartridges C, by means
of the hook formed by the top of the rod 3 of the cartridge (Fig. 12). In the
centre of the cover of chamber G there is fixed in place an iron tube Z (acetylene.
escape) which is surmounted vertically by the automatic safety valve N (Fig. 14);
this valve is connected itself with the cast iron by-pass taps S¹, S; Fig. 3 of
which S¹ is connected to the base of the dryer 6 (Fig. 4). The by-pass taps are
operated simultaneously by the key Sill provided with an articulated connecting.
rod S, the acetylene passes into the purifier through the water sealed tube a¹,
where it passes through the liquid, which is introduced into L¹ through the top
of the tube a¹ after unscrewing the plug 6111; the acetylene then passes into the
compartment L through the pipe p from where after a second washing in a
different liquid which is introduced into L through the top of the tube a, by un-
screwing the plug 61, it rises through the tube a, at the top of which there is
connected horizontally the automatic safety valve R (Fig. 13) which is connected
with the tubes CCCC; the acetylene passes into Ci and is accumulated
in A for use on passing through the tap R¹. The screw plugs 61 and 6111 serve
as well for the introduction of the purifying liquids as for cleaning the tubes a
and a¹ when necessary. On the generator there are disposed in given points two
openings receiving two water sealed tubes p¹ and p"; these two tubes dip ver-
tically in the chamber G and end at a distance of 15 millimetres from the bottom!;
the tube p¹ is connected by its upper part with the flexible tube t, this latter is
connected with the tap r arranged at the base of the receiver F, the tube p" is
connected with the flexible tube t¹ which is connected with the syphon tube g,
this latter dips vertically into the compartment o of vessel F1; the syphon g
lengthened by the flexible tubes t¹ and the iron tubes 2011 as well as the receiver I
serve simultaneously as water admission and as pressure regulator. On G there
is arranged a water level gauge n¹ indicating the rise and fall of the water in the
generator. The tap V arranged at the base of the generator allows of emptying
the water; the screw plug e serves as over-flow for the generator; the screw
tap e indicates the quantity of water which must be constant in the generator
when one introduces the cartridges. M¹ is the gauge indicating the pressure in the
generator.
The purifier (Fig. 3) is composed of a cylindrical part H forming a base for the
chamber G, divided by a tight diaphragm ", into two equal compartments L
and L¹; of a round bent tube p fixed by its top in the diaphragm 111; this tube
dips nearly to the bottom of the chamber L which gives it a hydraulic seal of ten
centimeters of water sufficient for preventing the return of the acetylene. The
screw plugs. serve for, establishing the level of the purifying liquids in L L';
the taps d d serve for evacuating the used purifying liquids. The dryer is shown
in Fig. 4; the operation of this apparatus is based on the following facts: When
an acetylene current animated by a certain velocity and containing in suspension
liquid particles meets an obstacle, the acetylene deviates from its natural rising
direction whilst the liquid particles are deposited on the obstacle where they
agglomerate to flow down to the bottom of the apparatus where they are evacuated
on the outside by a syphon box 8111. The dryer is composed of a cylindrical box 6;

page_text: the acetylene penetrates into the apparatus through the by-pass tap S₁ (this by-
pass has the purpose of enabling in any case the dryer to be excluded (Fig. 4)
by making the acetylene pass directly from G through the purifier H. In the
dryer the acetylene enters the annular chamber 911; in this chamber there is
arranged vertically a cylinder 9' of iron plate provided with a certain number of
bores of a fifth of a millimeter this chamber is surmounted by a vertical tube 9111
opening under the bell 9, which dips partly in a bath of a liquid of a certain
density where the acetylene penetrates; this bell is composed of two concentric
iron plate cylinders provided with holes of a fifth of a millimeter. The acetylene
passes the two pairs of perforated cylinders and the section of passage, which is
offered to it, varies evidently with the number of holes exposed by the emersion
of the bell, then it leaves the apparatus through the upper tube 51. The contain-
ing liquid abandoned by the acetylene flows along the bell, and floats over the
bath the excess running over the edge of the central tube 9111 and falling into
the under chamber, whence it flows to the outside through the syphon box 8111;
the tube socket 811 serves for cleaning this chamber; and the screw plug 81 estab-
lishes the level of the liquid where the condensing bell dips. The condensing
bell is suspended by a rod T working in a second bell 611 of a much smaller
diameter. This bell 6 dips in the water contained in the column or tube 64
which surmounts the apparatus; it is connected with the counter weight 7111
variable at pleasure, which serves for regulating the loss of pressure, which the
acetylene must undergo by its passage in the apparatus. A metallic manometer M
indicates this loss of pressure. A screw plug 8 indicates the level of the water in
the hydraulic tube 61; a screw plugged funnel 611 serves for introducing the
lid where the condensating bell 9 dips; the cast iron column 7 serves as sup-
port for the pulley 7' around which the cord 7 moves.
The conditions of equilibrium of this apparatus, the counter weight 711 being
regulated for a given loss of pressure, the bell and all the movable organs in a
determined position: two causes can break the equilibrium: 1) A modification in
the position of the bell. 2) A variation in the production of the acetylene. The
production remaining the same, but that a certain number of holes become
obstructed, the conditions not having varied in the apparatus next after the dryer,
the pressure of leaving does not change, but by the fact of the diminution of the
passage left for the acetylene, the loss of pressure is augmented and consequently
also the entrance pressure. The equilibrium is therefore broken in the sense of the
rising movement of the bell; new holes are successively opened until the reestab-
lishment of the loss of the original pressure, the equilibrium then persists with a
more elevated position of the bell. If on the contrary a certain number of
obstructed holes become opened, the reverse effect is produced and the bell sinks.
Suppose the apparatus remaining in perfect state, the production of acetylene
increases, the pressure increases at the outlet, and with it the loss of pressure due
in the passage of the acetylene. The first operates for lifting the small upper bell,
the second for raising the drying bell. For this double reason, the system will
rise and uncover new holes until reestablishment of the equilibrium; the bell
will then remain in its new position; this dryer is constructed in order to reestab-
lish automatically its equilibrium in the before cited cases. I will add that this
regulating action is naturally limited by the travel of the bell and when the bell
has arrived at one of its extreme positions, one must modify the counter weight,
or the loss of pressure will vary. The starting of the apparatus is performed in
the following manner.
One begins to fill with water the cylinder where the upper bell 6" dips the level
is indicated by the screw plug 8. One introduces through the funnel 61, in the
neck where the perforated bell is dipping, and this until to the level indicated
by the screw plug 81, a liquid of a certain density. This bell being maintained
by counter-weights at the highest point of its course, one introduces tar in the
out flow syphon box 81; one opens the entrance by-pass S¹. The acetylene then
traverses the dryer, one must give to it the velocity necessary for the separation

page_text: of the liquid particles; for this one diminishes by degrees the charge of the
counter weight in order to let the bell sink until the gauge M indicates a difference
of pressure of a column of 7 to 8 centimeters of water between the entrance and
the issue, the apparatus operates then in the normal conditions.
My system of water receiver (Fig. 5) is composed of a cylindrical receiver of
sheet iron or any other metal Fi, containing sixty liters of water (same capacity
as the generator) it carries at its base a concave bottom; it is divided into two
equal compartments by the vertical diaphragm h¹ separating the chambers O
and 0. The compartment O is hermetically closed by the horizontal diaphragm h,
on which the tube T begins, the screw plug f establishes the water level of the
compartments and 0 the syphon tube g arranged astride the vertical
diaphragm h', enters O by traversing the diaphragm h, on which it is soldered;
the syphong traverses the same diaphragm where it is equally soldered in place;
the part which emerges therefrom is connected with the flexible tube t¹. A water
level gauge n indicates the rise and fall of the water in F1; ee are screws for
the clearing of the said gauge; the taps j and j¹ are connected by the tube K for
emptying and O¹. Water is introduced through the open top of the compart-
ment O¹ when it reaches the top of g¹, this syphon tube is primed and brings into O
the water which one pours into O¹, until it reaches the level of the screw plug f;
then one closes the latter, the water being balanced in the two compartments.
In consequence of the tension of the acetylene in G, the syphon g, being primed
will establish the motion to and fro of the water of F₁ into G, which establishes
the equality of pressure between these two receivers resulting from the difference
of height which separates them. In F1 the water being variable, but the
syphon g being immutable, will maintain always and whatever be the level of the
water in F, the same column of water which is of one meter twenty centimeters.
The syphons g, and g¹ are freely open to the motion to and fro of the water in
these two receivers; it is sufficient at each new charge of carbide of calcium
in G, to disjoint the flexible tube t¹ from the said syphon, in order to be able to
ascertain by blowing in, if in the two parts, nothing prevents the free circulation
of the water, then one connects t¹ with g.
The cartridge C (Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) comprises four superposed
cylinders C (Figs. 7, 8) forming by their union a long cylinder with central per-
forated tube, as indicated in Figs. 10 and 11. Each compartment carries
interiorly a bottom J fixed in place. This bottom perforated in its centre receives
vertically the tube 1, which tube is provided with a certain number of holes along
its whole length; the under compartment differs from the upper compartments
in the sense that the bottom J is fixed in place at its base itself, and that it carries
on its exterior surface a bowl n, screw threaded in its centre forming a screw nut
where the base of the screw threaded rod 3 (Fig. 12) is screwed; this rod has to-
wards its top a fixed plate 4 provided with holes (Fig. 9). This rod passing
through the said cover ends in a hook, which serves for suspending the cartridges
in the generator by means of the hooks arranged under the disks m. The rod
screw threaded at its base maintains in place the compartments constituting a
cartridge, and moderates in the same time the introduction of the water in the
cartridges; the dilatation chambers of the carbide of calcium of this cartridge
are indicated by 2, 2, 2. Each compartment constituting the cartridge being
disjointed, one introduces the carbide of calcium up to the edge of the central
tube 1; then one puts it again into place and fixes the rod and its cover. The water
which must attack the carbide of calcium enters through the bottom of the car-
tridge and the central tube 1, and from there spreads successively through the
holes of the said tube, where it attacks the mass of the carbide of calcium in its
centre, rises in proportion with the production of the acetylene which passes
through the central tube 1, and leaves through the holes of the cover 4. When
the chemical reaction of the water has exhausted the carbide of calcium of the
first compartment, the water rises for attacking the second and so on.
When all the carbide contained in the cartridges is transformed into hydrate

page_text: of lime, one takes it from the cartridges by disjointing each compartment; this
hydrate of lime preserves the cylindrical form, which allows of utilizing it for
various purposes.
No particle of carbide of calcium escapes the chemical reaction of the water;
consequently I obtain the maximum of production of acetylene and avoid poly-
merized products; in consequence no particle of hydrate of lime is deposited in
the water mass of the generator.
My system of automatical safety valve is shown in Figs. 13 and 14 and is in
reality of a very simple operation; all its parts can be very easily mounted and
dismounted; the entrance of the gas can be vertical (Fig. 13) or horizontal
(Fig. 14). It is composed of a body 10 carrying three tubular sockets 13, 131, 13111
cast in one and is provided with a hollowed and screw threaded cover 14, in the
interior of which joined to the body there operates the piston rod and valve 11'
and 10111 connected in its base with two washers in felted caoutchouc. The one 14'¹
lodged and pressed between the cover and the body of the tap establishes a her-
metical joint, and acts as flexible membrane; the other washer 10111 placed under
the first one and fixed in place in the valve 11 connected with the screw threaded
base of the piston 11' by means of its screw which traverse the membrane 14¹ in
its centre and with which it forms a hermetical closure which prevents the
acetylene from penetrating to the chamber 11, when the valve 10 leaves its seat.
The chamber 11 (where the piston and the spiral spring 11 move) is composed
of a plain cap bored in its centre (for the passage of the piston) and milled on its
periphery; it serves as stopping point for the spiral spring; it forms body with
a tube open at its base, screw threaded exteriorly and screwing more or less into
the neck of the cover. At the top there is screwed an annular screw nut 121,
carrying laterally a small fixing screw 1211; the top of the piston rod 11' ends
in the form of a fork which receives the lever 12; a screw pin 141 holds this
lever and serves as pivot. A spiral spring 111 of springy brass, drawn cold, is
placed in the chamber 11" round the piston rod which it maintains closed from
above downwards. The screw threaded sockets 13 (Fig. 13) are intended for the
escape of the acetylene either together or by one of them only; the screw threaded
plug or cap 1311 serves for closing either of these sockets and is interchange-
able; the under screw threaded socket 13111 (Fig. 13) serves as connection with
the valve tap and receives the acetylene from the generator G. It serves at the
same time as seat for the central tube 10". This tube with its blade like edge
forms the seat of the valve 10. Fig. 14 shows in section a tube of smaller dia-
meter for smaller productions of acetylene; it is consequently interchangeable
and has the tube 10¹ in place of the tube 10¹¹. This system of tap valve can be
used in its two distinct modifications operating 1) as tap valve; it is sufficient
that its lever 12 plays freely on its axle in the fork of rod 11. 2) In order to
use it as safety valve it is sufficient that the said lever is placed vertically (Fig. 13)
and fixed in place by screwing up tight the screw which serves as axle. One will
easily understand the play of the valve, when the tension of the acetylene sur-
passes the water pressure, which it is desired to attain, the resistance of the spiral
spring, which has been regulated by screwing more or less the cap 1111 ceases
to counterbalance the inner pressure; the valve opens, and the acetylene escapes;
the inner tension is at once diminished, there is no possible danger, when the valve
is well regulated.
The regulation of the valve is made by experiment; when this résult has been
done the lock nut 121 is screwed up and fastened by screwing up the set
screw 12. When the valve is lifted the lever 12 if not screwed up, will fall into
the horizontal position where it will maintain the valve open until this lever is re-
turned vertically into its place by hand in order to close the valve. The before
cited case is for that when the generator is to be stopped in full production and
when, in spite of the flowing back in the expander F, there would be produced.
by some unforeseen cause an overproduction of acetylene; but for a normal pro-

page_text: duction of acetylene, it is sufficient to lower by hand the lever 12 in order to open.
the valve, and to bring it back vertically in order that it may close.
My system of safety apparatus is shown in section in Fig. 6; it is composed of a
cylinder of cast iron 15, open and screw threaded at its top; of a full bottom 18
cast together with a cover 15 with neck and chamber moulded together of any
metal of a cap 1511 of tubes 171 and 17"; of a bell 16¹ of sheet iron; of a
valve 16 of a piston 16; of a buffer in caoutchouc 15111 adjoining the cap;
of counterweights 18; of a screw cap 17 for the mercury, and of a cylinder 17111.
This safety apparatus can be disposed, as shown in Fig. 6 Sheet 2 connected with
the compression chamber O, in order to put it into motion one has only to introduce
mercury into the vessel 15 up to the level 17, then to screw on the cover 15¹, then
to regulate it experimentally by means of the counter weights 18 for equalizing
the pressure, under which one desires the expansion to be produced. The acety-
lene enters through the tube 171 on the upper edge of this tube there is established
the seat of the valve 1611, the pressure lifting the bell 161, the piston and the
counterweight, the acetylene passes into 17" and through the pipe. T¹ into the gas
holder. The valve 16 is in felted caoutchouc, it is kept by the screw of the
piston rod 16, in the chamber arranged on the top of the bell; the dotted lines
indicate the position of the movable organs and of the level of the mercury at the
dead point, and the full lines indicate the movable organs in action, as well as
the elevation of the mercury; the cylinder 17 is intended only to diminish the
volume of mercury required. It will not be necessary to explain further the opera-
tion of this apparatus which has with my stystem of tap valve before explained
a.certain analogy.
OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS.
The gas
holder is put in readiness (Fig. 1) also the cylindrical receiver (Fig. 2),
the generator (Fig. 3), the purifier H (Fig. 3), the dryer (Fig. 4), the expanding
receiver (Fig. 5) the safety apparatus (Fig. 6) and the tap valves N and R (Fig. 3)
are regulated. These operations being terminated, the cartridges are charged with
carbide of calcium; these cartridges are then introduced into the operator by the
opening of the tubular sockets; they remain suspended in place on the hooks
arranged for this purpose under the disks, these latter are closed by the bows and
screws. The cartridges do not touch the water in the generator; after having
ascertained that all is in its place, that not any opening can let the acetylene
pass, which is produced by the contact with the water; the tap r of the receiver F
(Fig. 2) is opened for a few seconds, the water level n¹ of this receiver will indicate
the descent of the water into the generator; but as soon as the said indicator shows,
that the water rises again the tap r must be closed. The manometer M¹ will
indicate the progress of the pressure in the generator, when it has attained one
meter twenty centimeter of water column, the syphon g will be primed and the tap
valve N will be automatically opened by this fact and maintained in this state by
the lowering of the lever 12, as soon as the acetylene escapes through the by-pass S¹
(previously opened) from where it enters into the dryer (Fig. 4) in order to leave
through the upper tube 51 which conducts the acetylene by its junction with
the tube a¹ into L' of the purifier H (Fig. 3) where after mixing in the purifying
liquid, it passes into L through the tube p, where it mixes again; it rises then
through the tube a, where it opens automatically the tap valve R. The lever 12
will sink in order to maintain it open in its place; the said tap will have pre-
viously been regulated in order that it opens automatically under a pressure of
fifteen centimeters water and more.
From the tap valve R, the acetylene passes through the tubes C C C C
in order to leave through the tap R¹ and to go from there to the points of
utilization. The before described operation of the apparatus is for the case of the
utilization of the acetylene in proportion to its production, the gas holder fulfils
then the role of regulator between the points of utilization of the gas.
For the production of the acetylene and its accumulation in one or more gas
E
5

page_text: holders of my system and without repetition of the preceding operations, we will.
take up again the acetylene at its entrance in the gas holder A, and from the
closing of the escape tap R¹; the acetylene rises then through the vertical
tube C and which carries the valve P, in consequence of the accumulation of
the acetylene in A, the bell will rise until the moment when the cross piece E¨
butts upon and under the ring D¹, the pressure increases in G and in A; and
under the action of the initial pressure of G, the water of the vat B sinks and rises.
exteriorly in the annular part formed between A and B. This displacement of
the water from A to B, will continue until it balances the pressure of F1 and
the valve P will close then the pressure of G will raise into F¹ through g¹ the
water necessary for balancing these two pressures, the cartridge or parts of
cartridges containing still intact carbide of calcium, will then cease to be in con-
tact with the water but the carbide contained in the under compartments of the.
cartridges which were previously in contact with the water will still produce
acetylene but in a small volume, and which will displace from the generator an
equal volume of water which will pass into F¹. All the apparatus can then
remain inactive during several days, if we admit nevertheless that in this state
there might arise an overproduction of acetylene and that the water in reserve
in the generator is no more in harmony with the volume of acetylene which might
be produced; that this water is driven back completely into F1 until the tube p¹¹
having no longer by this fact any hydraulic seal, the acetylene will pass or will
try to pass by this way p¹¹. It will have to overcome the resistance which the
hydraulic seal of the syphon g opposes to it in O of the receiver F¹ and admitting
always that the pressure of G can overcome it, the acetylene will leave through
the base of g, and will rise in the empty part of O, or it will compress itself in order
to force the water from O into 01 through the syphon tube g¹; the resistance being
then of about fifty centimeters of water, it is well understood that the tension
increases in G, then the safety apparatus S (Fig. 6 and 17) which has been pre-
viously regulated, in order that it operates and opens under thirty five centimeters
of water, will give passage to the acetylene which will go through T, into
CCC, and, by the increased pressure will lift the valve P and pass into the
bell A, the pressure therein being about 25 centimeters of water. In order to
begin again, the cycle of the operations, the syphon g, which has been uncharged
by this fact must be recharged for which purpose it is sufficient to take water
open its
from F through the taps j and j¹, to transfer it again to F (Fig. 2), to
tap so that it will sink into G until the equality of pressure is established
between F and F resulting from the difference which exists between these two
receivers. The syphon g is then charged, but the acetylene which could be pro-
duced again, would not pass into A (Fig. 1), since this chamber is maintained
closed by the closure of P maintained in this state by the displacement of the
weight of the water in B. The level Y having sunk in order to rise in the annular
part forming the hydraulic seal of A B. I have maintained in this condition a
gas holder of the capacity of three hundred litres during several months (summer
and winter), without any loss of acetylene, and without alteration in the lighting
power. During the same lapse of time, the water level in B was maintained, but
the acetylene would pass directly from C¹ into C and C in order to leave at R¹.
In order that the valve P may open in order to utilize the acetylene contained in A,
it is sufficient to open the small tap e¹ placed on the bell A, which tap e¹ must
be connected by a caoutchouc tube after the tap R¹, in order that, when el is open
the acetylene passes into the delivery pipes by this fact the water in B will rise
again at Y: A will sink and open at the same time the valve P; e¹ is then
closed and the cycle of operations can begin again at pleasure. The dimensions
of the annexed figures show in their whole a small apparatus for domestic use,
but my system can be applied for the illumination of cities. In order to do this
and according to the importance of the cities, it is optional to increase the volume
of the movable or fixed apparatus constituting my system, to increase the capacity
and the number of gas holders, to separate the purifier from the generator, to group

page_text: any number of generators, either on the same line in a half circle or in a circle,
in the centre of which and in elevation there would be arranged only one expanding
water receiver, from which as many syphons would emerge as there would be
generators.
The purifiers would be installed under the gas holders arranged for this purpose.
I repeat and confirm that from prolonged experiments and at diametrically opposed
temperatures I have been able to preserve acetylene in two gas holders during
several months, without producing a perceptible loss of acetylene, or even an
alteration in its lighting power; on the other side, whatever be the form and the
material of the burners used in my experiments, none has been obstructed by a
deposit of carbon, this results (1) from the preparation of the water contained in
the vats of the gas holders; (2) from my system of cartridges, (3) from my system
of physical and chemical purifying and from avoiding polymerized products.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
First. An improved apparatus for generating and purifying acetylene consisting
of communicating vessels effecting the water feed proportionally with the pro-
duction of acetylene gas, and composed as follows:-
1. Of an automatically closing acetylene gas holder having its closure disposed
interiorly within the receiver B and the bell. A.
2. Of an acetylene generator formed by a chamber G forming one body with
a chamber H divided by a diaphragm into two compartments with the bent
tube fixed in place by its mouth in the diaphragm 7", constituting the purifier,
the chamber G carrying besides at the top openings with covers each carrying in
their interior a hook intended for suspending the sectioned cartridges e filled with
carbide of calcium which will be attacked from beneath by the water coming from
a receiver F communicating with the base of the receiver G, which in consequence
of the attack of the cartridges charges the syphon g.
3. Of a drier 6 provided with a movable bell and an annular cylinder 9, equally
movable and provided with holes; taps S1 and S¹ connected to include or exclude
at one operation the drying device making the acetylene pass directly from the
generator through the purifier.
4. Of an automatic water feeding receiver formed by the chamber F¹, divided
into two compartments by the diaphragm h¹; one of these compartments o being
closed at its top by the cover o¹¹, which cover has fixed in it the syphon'g, as well
a pipe from the safety apparatus S.
5. Of a safety tap valve 1011 automatic or operated by hand at pleasure. The
central tube serving as seat for the safety valve arranged at pleasure horizontally
or vertically as indicated in the two figures; the characteristic of this system
being that the valve although closed, allows nevertheless the free circulation in
the receiver of the acetylene produced by one or more generators in action and
vice versa.
6. Of a safety apparatus S based on the same principle as the safety tap valve,
except that the flexible film in caoutchouc of the safety tap is replaced in the safety
apparatus S by a bell 16¹ which moves in a mercury seal.
Secondly. The construction and general combination of the apparatus as herein
described and illustrated and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 6th day of December 1897.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant, 18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London.