the Retort and Hydraulic Main in Gas Works.
Year: 1887

page_text: the Retort and Hydraulic Main in Gas Works.
We, CHARLES STAFFORD ELLERY, of the Gas Works, Bath, in the County of
Somerset, Civil Engineer, and JAMES CHAFFIN, of the Grange, Charlcombe, Bath, in
the County of Somerset, Gentleman, 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 object of this invention is to prevent the choking of pipes between the gas
retort and the hydraulic main, such choking being the result of an accumulation of
the tarry matters and other substances contained in the gas and which are deposited
in the pipes as the gas passes through same.
This deposit in the course of time becomes hard and finally chokes the pipes and it
is only with great difficulty and a large expenditure of time and labour that it can be
removed, while the choking of the pipes occasions great waste in the charge of coal
treated in the retort.
In order to overcome this difficulty we employ animal fat of any kind, the fat being
subjected to the action of heat and the gases and vapours therefrom caused to pass
through the pipes, where they act upon any deposit therein and thereby soften same,
so that it can be readily removed, or will drop out by itself.
The invention can be applied either to prevent the choking of such pipes, or to clear
pipes which have become either wholly or partially choked.
For preventing the choking of the pipes a suitable quantity of fat is placed in the
retort with the charge, so that when heated the coal gas generated will be impregnated
with the gases from the animal fat and will prevent the deposit of tarry matters in the
pipes through which the gas passes on its way to the hydraulic main.
The amount of fat to be used with a charge will vary with the size of the retort and
the pipes through which the gas passes, and the frequency of its use may be varied as
found necessary, a small quantity being used with each charge, or a larger quantity
being used from time to time,

page_text: In the case of pipes which have become wholly choked, it will be first requisite to
bore a hole through the obstruction by means of an auger or a hot iron. The retort is
then charged with coal, a piece of fat placed on the inside of the mouth piece and the
lid is then secured.
For partially choked pipes the fat is similarly used and when the charge of coal is
next drawn the obstruction in the pipe will be found soft and may be easily removed
with an auger or other suitable means.
In order to clear the pipes of retorts which have been let out of work, a small fire is
lighted in the mouth piece, and a piece of fat is laid on the fire so that the greasy smoke
may pass up the pipe and act on the obstruction therein, which will be thereby softened
so that it can be subsequently removed with ease, even if it does not drop out during
the process of heating.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
The clearing of obstructions from and preventing the choking of pipes between gas
retorts and hydraulic mains by the use of animal fat substantially as specified.
nated th 071 T1007
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.