IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PRODUCTION OF GAS AND IN THE APPLICATION OF THE MATERIALS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, and of Glasgow North Britain Contloman
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PRODUCTION
OF GAS AND IN THE APPLICATION OF THE MATERIALS EMPLOYED THEREIN."-A
communication from Andre Koechlin, Napoléon Joseph Vicomte Duchatet,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PRODUCTION
OF GAS AND IN THE APPLICATION OF THE MATERIALS EMPLOYED THEREIN."―A
communication from Andre Koechlin, Napoléon Joseph Vicomte Duchatet,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th January 1854.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR
PRODUCTION OP GAS AND IN THE APPLICATION OF THE MATERIALS EMPLOYED THEREIN,"
being a communication from Andre Koechlin, Napoléon Joseph Vicomite
Duchatet, and Joseph Antoine Auguste de Perpigna, foreigners resident
abroad, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the employment of certain substances in the
manufucture of gas not hitherto used for that purpose, and consists in
the production of gas either for lighting or heating from turf, wood, tar, and
the waste or refuse of various vegetable substances, such as cotton, paper, chips,
sawdust, &c.

page_text: In the treatment of tar, the substance is as much as possible freed from
water by a still or retort. In place of the vapours passing through a worm,
they are passed over a heated surface. The retorts proposed to be employed,
are composed of cast iron lined with fire clay. It is joined by pipes with an
ordinary retort head, and the vapour passes to a suitable refrigerator. The
non-condensed I gas passes into the gasometer, having previously passed through
lime purifiers.
In the treatment of volatile oils, which are also proposed to be used in the
manufacture of gas, the oils are enclosed in a cast or wrought iron cylinder,
partially filled with carbonized turf. A syphon conducts the oil into the
cylinder, being itself supplied by a pipe in communication with an upper
reservoir. The whole apparatus is then placed in a furnace, and the oil is
reduced to vapour as fast as it enters the cylinder, whence it escapes by tubes
to a retort. This retort is composed of cast iron and is of the same length as
the cylinder, but divided into two distinct parts by a cast iron division piece.
A small tube adapted to the under side of the head of the retort serves to
receive any oils which may not have been completely evaporated. This oil is
réturned to the reservoir and repasses through the apparatus again. The gas
passes to a condenser which effects the separation of the non-decomposed oil.
From the condenser it passes to suitable lime purifiers, whence it passes to a
gasometer where it mixes with the gas produced by the carbonization of the
turf. In place of a retort, a series of tubes may be employed placed above
the furnace and forming a communication with the cylinder, which is fed by a
syphon.
The principle of this portion of the Invention consisting in causing the oils
to pass over a large heated surface to effect their complete evaporation. Gases
thus obtained may be employed for heating purposes as well as lighting, thereby
replacing the fuel ordinarily burnt for such purpose.
One or more curved pipes closed at one end is or are connected at the
other with the pipes which draw off the gas. It is perforated at its upper
extremity with very fine holes, and is situated in a chimney of sheet metal
which is fitted with a pipe which supplies it from without with the products of
combustion, and it is isolated or unconnected with the walls of the apartment,
so that a free current of hot air may circulate round it. The residues of the
oils may be afterwards prepared and applied to various useful purposes, such
as burning in lamps, the manufacture of varnish, lubricating material,
soap, &c.

page_text: 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
29th July 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, IIer heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Henry Johnson, Her special license that I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PRODUCTION OF GAS AND IN THE APPLICATION OF
THE MATERIALS EMPLOYED THEREIN," a communication from Andre Koechlin,
Napoléon Joseph Vicomte Duchatet, & Joseph Antoine Auguste de Perpigna,
foreigners resident abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said John Henry Johnson, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the sanie is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:―
The said Invention relates to the employment of certain substances in the
manufacture of gas, not hitherto used for that purpose, and consists in the pro-
duction of gas either for lighting or heating purposes from turf, wood, tar, and
the waste or refuse of various vegetable substances, such as cotton, paper,
chips, and sawdust. For effecting the production of gas from turf, it is merely
necessary to place the dry turf in a gas retort and heat it to a red heat, but
this gas has very slight illuminating properties. It burns with an almost entirely

page_text: blue flame, and is altogether totally inapplicable to lighting purposes, whether
public or private. Various means have been adopted for carbonizing this gas,
which have hitherto been found inapplicable in practice, either on account of
their inefficiency or of the expense attending the process.
The obviation of these difficulties forms one of the main features of the
present Invention, which I shall now proceed to describe. The operations,
which if effected at one time, can never be satisfactory, are divided into two
distinct processes. By this means the carbonization of the turf or peat may
be conducted so as to produce the best result, both as regards the quantity and
quality of fuel, whilst at the same time the admixture of an injurious material
(oxyde of carbon) with the gas for lighting purposes, is avoided. The decom-
position of the essential oils of turf or peat is effected, not so much by the
super heating of the oils themselves (for which by their nature they are not
adapted), but by causing their vapours to make a long circuit through pipes
or vessels, heated to a temperature sufficiently great to eflect their decomposi-
tion and conversion into gas. It is proposed either to mix the gas thus
produced by the two operations, so as to obtain a moderate lighting power, or
to employ them separately, the first for heating purposes, as will be herein-
after described; and the second, for illuminating purposes, being of a superior
richness.
The same processes are also equally applicable to the conversion of coal tar
into gas. This decomposition and conversion into gas, is effected by causing
the tar to pass in a state of vapour through the heated passages herein-before
referred to. But it is necessary in this case to use particular care on account
of the peculiar chemical nature of the material under treatment.
The tar obtained from gas works is a composition of fine or well divided
coal, agglomerated by essential oils more or less heavy, and more or less
volatile.
If the tar is caused to pass directly over heated surfaces, the essential
oils are decomposed, and the coal freed from this species of cement which held
it together resumes its state of impalpable tenuity, and is drawn by the
current of gas into the pipes, which become eventually obstructed thereby,
and the operation will consequently be stopped by reason of the great deposit
of coal dust in the pipes. This difficulty is easily obviated by introducing the
tar (as free from water as possible) into a still or sheet iron retort, similar to
those at present employed in the preparation of coal oils. The process of
<listilling effects the separation of the vapours of the oil, which disengage
themselves and of the coal which rests in the retort, the latter forming the.
product known as dry resin, which may be employed as fuel.
On leaving

page_text: the retort, the vapours of the oil in place of entering a worm to become
condensed and form the oil of coal, are passed over a heated surface as herein-
before described. In passing along these heated surfaces, the vapours are
converted into gas by the action of the heat, and as the particles of coal have
been previously separated or removed, the obstruction to the pipes herein-before
described will be avoided. I shall now proceed to describe the apparatus by
which the various operations herein-before referred to aro effected.
CARBONIZATION OF TURF.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings represents a longitudinal
vertical section of a retort in which the carbonization of turf is effected, and
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same. V, V, is the roof of the retort of
cast iron either elliptical or circular; r, r, are internal flanges cast upon the
roof V, and upon these flanges is supported the bottom S of the retort, which
is composed of fire-clay tiles, luted to each other and to the retort with clay.
The waste or refuse of the coal which results from the operation will complete
the luting, and effectually prevent any escape or leakage. O, O, are lugs also
cast upon the roof V, and situated outside the fire-clay brick work. These
lugs are united by the transverse tie rods or bolts b, b, which maintain the
proper width of the retort, and serve to strengthen and bind together the brick-
work at the same time. I may here observe that the peculiar construction of
this compound retort of fire-clay and cast iron forms an essential feature
of this Invention, and offers many advantages. The fire-clay bottom of the
retort resists better than the cast iron the high temperature attained at
the termination of the operation, and as its expansion is allowed for, it is not
exposed to the inevitable fracture to which retorts composed entirely of fire-
clay are subjected by the changing of temperature. The same liberty of
contraction and expansion, enables also the cast-iron portion of the retort
to resist the destructive changes of temperature, and permits at the same
time the heat from the fire bricks to enter the interior of the retort. This
retort is placed in a furnace, which is so arranged by the aid of flues, that
the whole surface of it may be equally heated. The retort is connected
with an ordinary retort head fitted with pipes for the disengagement of the
vapours. The vapours enter a refrigerator, which may either be of the
form of a worm or, still better, the air condensor generally employed. In
this condensor is effected the condensation of the ammoniacal waters, and
the oils which will be collected separately. The non-condensable gas will
pass off to the gasometer, previously traversing, however, through lime
Durifiers.

page_text: TRANSFORMATION OF VOLATILE OILS INTO GAS.
Fig. 3 of the Drawings represents a longitudinal vertical section of n
apparatus for effecting the conversion of volatile oils into gas; and Fig. 4 is a
transverse section of the same. A is a cast or wrought iron cylinder, which is
partially filled with fragments of carbonized turf. This cylinder receives the
volatile oils by the syphon pipe S, which is itself supplied by the pipe T, com-
municating with an upper reservoir or vessel, and fitted with a cock, by means
of which the flow of oil may be regulated. The entire apparatus is placed in a
furnace and heated equally over its whole surface. As fast as the oil enters
the cylinder A, it is evaporated and passes in the state of vapour to the pipe B,
which communicates with the retort C. This retort, which is of cast iron and
of the same length as the cylinder A, is divided longitudinally into two distinct
chambers by a partition which is cast in one piece with the body of the retort,
and extends from the front end of the same to within a short distance of the
other extremity, so as to afford a passage or communication from one chamber
to the other between the end f, of the retort and the end d of the partition or
diaphragm D, which is shewn at Fig. 4. By this arrangement the vapours of
the oil enter near the end of the retort on one side, and pass along the entire
length of the same through the opening d, f, into the second chamber, and pass
a second time along the entire length of the retort before arriving at the exit
pipe T, situated at the head F of the same. From the arrangement herein-before
described, it will be observed that the vapours have to traverse nearly three
times the length of the apparatus, and they are subjected during their passage
to a heat sufficiently great to cause the decomposition required. A small pipe
fitted to the under side of the retort head Fallows of the withdrawal of the
non-vaporized oil or the vapours which may have condensed in the exit pipe T.
The oil thus drawn off' is replaced in the upper reservoir or supply vessel, and
again passed through the apparatus. The pipe T communicates by a dip pipe,
as in the ordinary arrangement of gas apparatus with a receiving cylinder
partially filled with water. From this cylinder the gas passes into a condenser,
which effects the separation of any particles of oil which may not have been
decomposed. This oil is also reconveyed to the supply reservoir or tank to be
again passed through the apparatus. From the condensers the gas passes to
the lime purifiers, and thence to the gasometers, where it is mixed with the gas
produced from the carbonization of the turf. Different arrangements may be
adopted for this apparatus. Thus the retort C may be employed in connection
with an arrangement of pipes, shown at Fig. 5, placed above the furnace, and
in communication with the cylinder A, fed by the syphon. The vapours of the

page_text: oil are obliged to pass along the entire length of these pipes, being always kept
at the temperature requisite for converting the vapours into gas. But what-
ever may be the arrangement employed, the only requisite condition is, that the
vapours of the oil shall be obliged to traverse over a certain length of surface
sufficiently heated to decompose them, and taking care that such passage be so
arranged that by its sinuosity no part of the vapours shall escape the action of
the heat. It is proposed employing this gas also for heating purposes, and
dispense thereby with the fuel hitherto employed. Fig. 6 represents a vertical
section of a stove adapted for this purpose; and Fig. 7 is a sectional plan of
the same.
One or more curved or bent perforated tubes U, U, closed at one
extremity and communicating at the other with gas supply pipes V, V, which
are fitted with suitable stop-cocks W, W, are placed inside a stove X, fitted
with a pipe for carrying off the products of combustion. This stove should be
quite detached from the walls of the apartment, so that a free circulation of
warm air may be obtained round its sides. The surface of the perforated pipes
is covered with asbestos, which may be attached thereto with thin wire. When
the fire is wanted it is merely requisite to turn on the gas and apply a light
to the asbestos, and when it is required to dispense with the fire the supply of
gas is shut off by the cocks before mentioned, & the fire will be instantly
extinguished. In order that the heat may be more effectually distributed over
the apartment, the pipes U are inclined at an angle, as shown in Fig. 6, so
that a larger heating surface may be presented. By closing the front of the
stove, and leaving only a very small opening therein, the current of heated air
may be directed by an arrangement of pipes over large buildings. I have as
yet only described one application of the essential oils derived from carbonized
turf, namely, their conversion into gas; but, as in order to render this gas
sufficiently powerful for lighting purposes only ten or fifteen per cent. of the
oil is required, and as the turf supplies twenty-five or thirty per cent. of such
oil, it follows that there will be a considerable quantity remaining. By this
means the price of the gas will be considerably reduced, as the purposes to
which tho remaining oils may be applied will bring in a considerable revenue.
It is proposed to make the following products from the oil herein-before
referred to:-
1st, a liquid almost free from odour, suitable for burning in lamps or for the
manufacture of hard varnish.
2nd, grease for lubricating railway carriage and other wheels.
3rd, hard soaps for the toilette and other purposes.
4, a thin oil of fine quality, suitable for lubricating the most delicate

page_text: I shall now proceed to describe the means employed for obtaining these
several products: The raw or unprepared oil is first treated with one-tenth its
weight of sulphuric acid, diluted in four times its weight of water, for the
purpose of destroying the ammoniacal combinations contained in the oil, and
convert into saleable sulphates the ammonia which would otherwise be lost.
After resting for some hours the oil is separated from the acid waters and
subjected to distillation by the aid of a current of steam of a temperature of
120°, which is supplied by a boiler working at a pressure of two atmospheres.
The steam takes with it in a worm the oil from which is extracted the product
for burning or for the manufacture of varnish, whilst the residue serves to form
the fatty matters herein-before referred to. The light essences separated from
the water by their density alone are agitated and mixed carefully with one-
tenth their weight of concentrated sulphuric acid, destined to take up the
napthaline and bituminous particles, which have not hitherto been volatilized.
A gentle heat of from 40° to 50° will assist this operation. After being
agitated for some hours a mixture of five parts of peroxide of manganese and
one hundred parts of the essence is added, when the materials are again
agitated and carefully mixed. When the bubbles of gas have ceased to
disengage themselves, the mixture is left at rest for a day, and the essence
floating on the surface is run off' and agitated violently with half its volume of
milk of lime, the essence being allowed to stand again and again run off,
requires merely an ordinary distillation to complete its manufacture. It is
perfectly colorless, has a very slight odour, which is not disagreeable, and may
be used either for lighting purposes or for the manufacture of varnish. It
dissolves copal better than turpentine. For the manufacture of the other
products the oil which the steam has not carried off, and which remains in the
still, is subjected for one or two hours to the action of a jet of steam for the
purpose of removing therefrom any remaining portions of the essence or
napthaline. After having separated them from the water by decanting; they
are mixed with one-tenth of their weight of concentrated sulphuric acid. From
the exactitude of this mixture, as well as those herein-after referred to, depends
the success of these operations. After agitating for two hours sea salt is added
in the proportion of five parts of salt to one hundred of oil. This is well
mixed, and then allowed to stand. The oil which floats on the top is then run
off to another vessel, and washed twice with cold water until the acid smell has
been completely removed. This operation is for the purpose of removing the
alkaline products which are rendered soluble by the action of the acid. If it
be not well performed the oil will retain always an odour which cannot be got
rid of, except by recommencing the operations. After another running off,

page_text: which must be done with great care, the oil is again agitated with half its
volume of a solution of caustic soda of 6° Cartier. It is then allowed to stand,
and is run off again and distilled in a still with an iron worm, as the copper
would discolor the fluid. By analyzing the products of distillation it will be
found that for one hundred parts in weight of oil the following results will be
obtained: 35 parts of oil No. 1, suitable for the manufacture of grease;
35 parts in weight of oil No. 2, for lubricating machinery; and 20 parts about
of a substance composed principally of paraffine, which assumes, when cold,
the consistency of butter, and will serve to lubricate carriage wheels, and the
wheels of large machinery; remains 10 parts for loss, and a carbonaceous
deposit in the still. The oils Nos. 1 and 2 have at this stage an acrid and
strong bituminous odour, which will pass off by leaving them exposed to the
air for some days in shallow vessels at a temperature of from 40° to 50°. The
oils for lubricating machinery are then ready for use. For converting the oil
No. 1 into grease a copper boiler is employed placed over a furnace, and fitted
with an emptying cock. In this boiler is placed white tallow 50 parts, and a
soda lye of 10 Cartier 115 parts. This mixture is gently heated and agitated,
and as the mass rises 100 parts of water are added. When the thickening is
finished and the material sufficiently reduced to a paste, 100 parts of the oil
No. 1 are added. The whole is then raised to boiling point again, and by
opening the discharge cock it is run into tubs or troughs fitted with agitators,
where it is allowed to cool, being agitated continually. The grease thus
prepared is particularly applicable for the lubricating of railway carriage wheels
and heavy machinery. The third product of distillation may be used directly
for lubricating cart and carriage wheels, but in some cases it will be better to
increase its consistency by adding thereto various proportions of talc, plumbago,
and lamp black. From the oil No. 2 are manufactured hard soaps. For this
purpose a soap is first prepared from white tallow or palm oil and caustic lyes
of soda and the thickening process is carried on in the ordinary manner.
When this soap is nearly completed fifteen per cent. of oil No. 2 is added, such
oil being saturated with ammonia, and agitated with ten per cent. of its weight
of soda lye of 60° Cartier. The process is effected in the usual manner.
This soap has excellent cleaning properties, is susceptible of receiving all
kinds of scents, and from its softening and emollient properties, is particularly
applicable for the toilette. Should it be required to manufacture grease for
railway purposes only, the process may be greatly shortened; after having
separated the essence by the action of steam, and treated the residues with
acids and cold water, the floating oil may be converted at once into grease
in the same manner as described with reference to oil No. 1.

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 I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom, without
deviating from the principles or main features of the said Invention; but
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 extraction of gas from turf, wood, tar, and other materials herein-
before mentioned, by dividing the operation into two processes, whereby the
inferior gas derived from the said materials is obtained separately from
the superior gas derived from the oils and essences, also herein-before referred
to, such gases being afterwards combined or used separately for lighting or
heating purposes.
Second, the system or mode of decomposing the volatile oils by heating the
vapours, and the application in particular of this process to the oils of turf and
coal tar.
Third, the peculiar arrangement and construction of retort, composed partly
of fire clay and partly of cast iren, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the arrangement of apparatus herein-before described, for treating
volatile oils by the action of heat.
Fifth, the obtainment of the several products herein-before referred to, from
turf oil, or from the residues thereof not employed in the production of gas.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Twenty-ninth day of July, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-four.
I HENRY JOHNSON Gal
I HENRY JOHNSON