IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND UTILIZATION OF COMBUSTIBLE GASES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,.
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND UTILIZATION OF COMBUSTIBLE
GASES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR." A communication from abroad by
William Henry St. John, of the City and State of New York, United States of
America, Mechanical Engineer.
Sealed the 30th May 1876, and dated the 6th April 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th April 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND
UTILIZATION OF COMBUSTIBLE GASES AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR." A communi-
cation from abroad by William Henry St. John, of the City and State of New
York, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer.
According to this Invention bituminous or gas producing coal is placed in a
distilling retort and subjected to distillation. The rich hydrocarbons are eliminated
therefrom in the form of gas, but when that stage of distillation is reached at which
the sulphurous and phosphoretted gases are disengaged from the coal the gaseous
products of the retort are diverted from the previous and purer product and are
passed into water or carried to the furnace in order to aid by their combustion the
heating of the retort. The result of this first stage in the practice of my Invention
is a comparatively pure hydrocarbon gas and a coke practically free from sulphur,
phosphorus, and the like, owing to the protracted and thorough treatment of the
coal in the retort. After the hydrocarbon gases first evolved from the coal leave
the retort they are passed by means of a fan blower or equivalent forcing apparatus
through one or more hydraulic tanks, which separate and eliminate from the gas
any tarry or ammoniacal impurities which may exist therein, this done the gas
passes through a showering bath or chamber which insures a thorough washing of
the gas from any residue of the last named impurities that may still linger therein.
After this the gas is passed to one or more purifiers preferably oxide of iron
purifiers, in which any traces of sulphur that may have incidentally been retained.
therein are separated. From the purifiers the gas passes to the gasometer, the
latter formning one element in the system of apparatus employed for carrying my
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page_text: Invention into full effect. At this stage of proceedings the gasometer contains a
remarkably pure hydrocarbon gas.
From the gasometer, which may be of any ordinary or suitable construction, the
gas is passed to a retort filled with broken fire-brick or other fire resisting material,
which in the practice of this Invention is kept at a heat sufficient to cause the
separtion of the carbon from the hydrogen of the gas as the latter is passed through
the retort. The carbon being deposited upon the broken material just mentioned in
a form analogous to that of the crystalline carbon commonly found in the interior
of gas retorts while the hydrogen is set free passes off in a pure condition. As the
hydrogen is thus separated from the carbon it assumes the volume peculiar to this
gas, and several times greater than that of the hydrocarbon gas from which it is
derived. I have thus passing from the retort a steady stream or inlet of pure
hydrogen gas. This gas is utilized in various ways, for example, in the manufacture
of iron I introduce the hydrogen at the bottom of a suitably constructed blast
furnace in conjunction with a suitable inflow of air or use the ordinary air
blast, the cupola or blast furnace being supplied with alternating layers or strata of.
ore and purified coke.
The employment of hydrogen and coke freed from all impurities of sulphur,
phosphorus, and the like has many advantages, the reduction of the metal occurs
continually at the bottom of the furnace, the one continually descending by its own
weight as the process of smelting continues, and more than this the affinity of the
hydrogen for whatever phosphorus or sulphur may be contained in the ore at the
instant of the separation of these impurities from their combinations in the ore,
causes their climination in the form of phosphoretted and sulphuretted hydrogen,
either or both, as the case may be.
Another mode of utilizing the hydrogen obtained and purified as just described
is in the manufacture of illuminating gas. For this purpose I carry the current of
purified hydrogen from the retort in which it is separated from the hydrocarbon
gas into any suitable or proper form of carburetters so termed, meaning thereby an
apparatus in which an aeriform body of any suitable kind may be passed through, or
in contact with naphtha, benzole, or other like hydrocarbon oil, and becoming
saturated therewith will carry off a heavy per centage of said hydrocarbon oil
mechanically suspended or held in said acriform body. By thus saturating the
purified hydrogen with such hydrocarbon oil, the hydrogen while retaining its
greatly increased volume as compared with the volume of hydrocarbon gas from
which it is derived becomes highly carbonized, and consequently has given to it an
illuminating power even exceeding that which the hydrocarbon gas from which it
was derived originally possessed. Illuminating gas is thus manufactured which
while capable of being made at a much less cost than that derived directly from the
distillation of coal, and possessing higher illuminating power as just mentioned is
also far more free from sulphuretted hydrogen and like impurities owing to the
elimination thereof in the preparation as herein described of the hydrocarbon gas
used in the production of the purified hydrogen.
My Invention also comprises the novel combination of mechanical appliances or
apparatus whereby my process for the production and utilization of combustible
gas may be brought into practice.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a side view and partial vertical section showing the required com-
binations of mechanical devices or apparatus when purified hydrogen is to be
utilized in the manufacture of iron.
Figure 2 is a central vertical section of the retort used in the production of the
hydrocarbon gas from which the purified hydrogen and coke are made..
Figure 3 is a plan of the purifiers forming one element in the system of apparatus
used in carrying my Invention into effect.
It is not considered necessary to represent in the Drawing the form of
carburetter used when this Invention is applied in the utilization of the purified

page_text: hydrogen in the production of illuminating gas as in the working of the Invention
any combination of carburetter which will insure the intimate contact of the latter
with the naphtha, benzole, or other carburetting liquid will answer the purpose,
it being only necessary that the inlet pipe of the carburetter should be connected
with the outlet of the retort in which the hydrogen is separated from the com-
bustible gas as herein-before mentioned.
Having reference first for convenience of description to Figure 2, A is a retort
surrounded by the usual fire chamber A¹ of which the outlet is shown at a. This
retort is fitted with a suitable door or oulet b and at the top with the inlet or
opening c which is closed by the bell a'. In order to ensure the perfect closing
of this opening it is provided at the top with an annular trough B which is
filled with water. The flanges of a cap B¹ are set into this trough as shown
in Figure 2 aforesaid, and form a water seal or lute which effectually prevents
the escape of the gas from the retort, the feeding of the retort may be most
conveniently done by discharging the gas and purified coke from a trolly A*
running upon an elevated track at the level of the inlet opening of the retort A,
this arrangement economizing time and labor in the charging of the retort afore-
said. There are sliding pushers c the shafts a* of which are worked by a rack and
pinion shown at b*, c*; these pushers are designed to facilitate the discharging of
the coke from the retort after the complete treatment of the same as herein-after
described. As the first step in carrying the Invention into practice, this retort is
charged with a suitable quantity of bituminous coal of proper quality, the heat in
the retort being then raised to the requisite degree, the distillation of the coal is
continued until all the purer hydrocarbon gas is eliminated therefrom, this
commonly requiring about six hours, said gas passing out through the outlet pipe D.
In this outlet pipe is provided a fan blower or exhaust F operated in the proper
direction by power applied in any suitable manner to draw the gas from the retort
as fast as it is produced. Arranged along the pipe D are any desired number of
hydraulic tanks C*, as shown in Figure 1; each of these tanks is partially filled with
water. The pipe D at cach tank is provided with a number of dip tubes e which
extend below the surface of the water to any required extent. Each tank moreover
is so constructed that after the gas has passed down through the dip tubes e into
the water, it shall pass up from the latter into a further section of the pipe and on
to the next tank, and so on, from one to the other of all the tanks provided, to the
pipe D. It will be seen that hydrocarbon gas from the retort A is thus caused to
pass down through the dip tubes e of each tank through the water contained in the
latter. By these means the ammoniacal impurities (the tar and the like) are
separated from the gas. The pipe D enters the bottom of a showering bath or
chamber E constructed with alternating shelves f, and provided at the top with a
large rose or other suitable means for causing a continuous shower or cataract of
finely divided water to pass down through the bath or chamber. As the hydro-
carbon gas passes from the pipe D into this chamber E, it passes up through the
latter in a zig-zag course caused by the alternations of the shelves f provided within
the aforesaid chamber, the showered or finely divided water being thus caused to
come in intimate contact with the molecules of the gas, and effectually complete
the washing from the gas of any remains of ammoniacal impurities, tar, or the
like. The upper part of the bath or chamber E connects by a pipe F with
purifiers G, these purifiers are shown in plan in Figure 3, but as they may be of
any of the well known varieties of purifiers they need no special description here.
The outlet of the purifiers is through a pipe H to the interior of the gasometer I.
The gas passing from bath or chamber E to the purifiers G has any traces of
sulphur that may have incidentally lingered therein effectually removed, the gas
then passing to the gasometer. The latter contains a purified hydrocarbon gas, that
is to say, a gas composed of hydrogen and carbon in practically variable proportions
it being a mixture of light and heavy carburetted hydrogen, this gas being not only
free from the tar and ammonium separated in the hydraulic tanks, but also
absolutely free from sulphur and phosphorus which if permitted to remain would

page_text: detract materially from the utility and value of the hydrogen derived from the said
gas; J is a furnace surrounding the decarbonizing retort K which latter is filled
with fragments of fire-brick or like refractory material, as shown at m. This retort
is connected by a pipe L with the gasometer I, the pipe L being fitted with a
suitable valve n whereby if necessary communication may be shut off between the
decarbonizing retort K and the gasometer; M is the outlet pipe of the decarbonizing
retort which may lead either to a cupola or blast furnace P, as shown in Figure 1,
or to a carburetter of suitable construction, all as herein-before indicated and herein-
after more fully explained, said pipe M being fitted with a valve by which it may
be closed when desired.
In the further working of this Invention the pressure of the gasometer (which is
of ordinary construction) forces the hydrocarbon gas continuously into the
decarbonizing retort K, causing it to pass between the interstices of the fragments
of fire-brick therein, said fire-brick being heated by the furnace J to a temperature
sufficiently high. The hydrocarbon gas being subjected to an intense heat is
decomposed, the carbon being deposited on the fragments of fire-brick and the like
in a form resembling gas carbon so termed on the incandescent fire-brick, and the
hydrogen being set free in a pure condition and passing out through the pipe M.
The separation of the hydrogen from the carbon enat les it to resume its natural or
normal volume double that of the hydrocarbon gas from which it was originally
derived. When the purified hydrocarbon thus obtained is to be utilized in the
manufacture of iron, the pipe M connects with an annular pipe N from which
inwardly radiating pipes S pass into the bottom or into the boshes of the cupola or
blast furnace shown at P, in Figure 1, which said furnace may be provided with the
usual tuyre. The cupola or blast furnace P is duly charged with ore arranged in
layers or strata alternating with corresponding layers of coke (which latter forms
one of the products of the complete distillation of the coal in the retort as hercin-
after fully set forth). The purified hydrogen being thus used as fuel in conjunction
with the purified coke the reduction of the metal from the ore will occur at the
bottom of the furnace, and the outflow of the reduced metal will make room for the
downward feeding by its own weight of the mass of ore above, the continuous
reduction of the metal from the ore at the bottom of the furnace being by this
means secured. Moreover the hydrogen and coke being completely freed from the
impurities herein-before specified, the addition of such impurities to those originally
contained in the ore as commonly occurs in the use of ordinary fuel is effectually
avoided. And more than this, the hydrogen having an intense affinity for whatever
sulphur and phosphorus may exist in ore unites with such sulphur or phosphorus,
either or both, as the case may be, and causes them to pass off in the form of
sulphuretted hydrogen or phosphoretted hydrogen, and thereby completely eliminates
the same from the metal, the perfect immunity of the latter from "cold shortness'
or "hot shortness" being thus thoroughly secured.
"
When the purified hydrogen is to be utilized in the production of gas for
illuminating purposes, and is passed as herein-before described through any suitably
constructed carburetter, its freedom from any hurtful impurities combined with its
great power of absorbing the carburetting liquid, benzole, naphtha, or the like,
enable it to provide an illuminating gas of high candle power in every way
unobjectionable when in use, and costing in its production or manufacture but a
fraction of the expense incident to the manufacture of common illuminating gas
by the methods hitherto in use.
It will be understood that in the production of the hydrocarbon gas produced
and applied in the manner herein described, the process of distillation in the
distilling retort A is first carried to the point at which the harmful impurities begin
to come off from the contents of the said retort A, all gas eliminated from the coal
previous to the reaching of this point being used in the manner herein-before fully
set forth. But after this point is reached the gases from the retort A are diverted
from their passage to the purifiers G, and by means of suitable valves in the pipe D
are turned into a branch pipe R, shown in Figure 1, which branch pipe may be

page_text: extended either to a pond or stream of water into which the impure gasos are
dissipated or preferably to the furnace of the retort A, where the combustion of
these impure gases will aid in heating the said retort. After the flow of gas is
thus shut off from the purifiers and the production (for the purposes herein-before
described) of the hydrocarbon gas ceases, the distillation of the coal in the retort
A is still continued during a sufficient length of time to expel from the coal or
coke all traces of sulphur and the like, the result being a coke practically free from
impurities objectionable in fuel used in the manufacture of iron, it is to be understood
that this second stage of the distillation of the coal in the retort A designed
expressley to eliminate the impurities from the coke will commonly occupy a period
of six hours or thereabouts.
After the process of distillation is complete in the retort A, the doors thereof
are opened and the coke is discharged by moving the pushers C inward by means
of the rack and pinion shown at b*, c*, in Figure 2, the coke being discharged into
water to extinguish the same in a manner analogous to that practised with coke
made in the ordinary way.
It is to be expressly understood that inasmuch as the accumulation of carbon
upon the broken fire-brick or like material in the decarbonizing retort K will in
time more or less choke the said retort, thereby impairing its efficiency, it is
generally necessary in practice to provide two or more of such decarbonizing retorts
so arranged, constructed, and provided with connecting pipes, that the gas may be
passed from the gasometer to the cupola, furnace, or carburetter as the case may be
through one decarbonizing retort, while the other or others are being refilled with
the broken fire-brick or refractory material or otherwise repaired and refilled for
use, provision being by this means made for the continuous operation of the
Invention irrespective of the stoppage of a decarbonizing retort K for the reasons
just set forth.
It is also to be understood that my Invention may be applied to the reduction of
metals other than iron in a manner the saine as or analogous to that herein
described for the reduction of iron. The said Invention may also be applied in the
manufacture of glass and in various other industries where a pure combustible and
intense heat are required.
Having thus fully described the said Invention n as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same; I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. In the manufacture and utilization of combustible gases the separation of
the purer hydrocarbon gas produced during the first part of the process of
distillation of the coal, from the impure gas produced at the latter part of the
process of distillation, said purer gases being subsequently passed through water to
remove the tar and ammoniacal impurities, and through a purifier to remove any
incidental traces of sulphur, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Second. In the manufacture and utilization of combustible gases the passage of
the hydrocarbon gas purified as set forth through a retort filled with incandescent
fire-brick or like refractory material, and the production thereby of a hydrogen
gas free from sulphur and practically pure, as above set forth and for the purposes
described.
Third. In the manufacture and utilization of combustible gases the production of
a pure hydrogen by passing the same in contact with incandescent refractory
material in a decarbonizing retort, and the subsequent use of said pure hydrogen in
a cupola or blast furnace in conjunction with the inlet of air by blast, or otherwise
in the reduction of metals from their ores, as herein described.
Fourth. In the manufacture and utilization of combustible gases the production
of a pure hydrogen by passing a purified hydrocarbon gas in contact with
incandescent refractory material, and the subsequent saturation of said pure
hydrogen with naphtha, benzole, or equivalent carburetting liquid, substantially as
above set forth and for the purpose described.
Fifth. In the manufacture and utilization of combustible gases the combined use

page_text: in a cupola or blast furnace of pure hydrogen, and the purified coke obtained by
subjecting the coal to continued distillation after the separation of the purer
hydrocarbon gas therefrom, as above set forth and for the purpose described.
Sixth. For the manufacture and utilization of combustible gases the combination
in an organized system of a distilling retort one or more hydraulic tanks, and one
or more purifiers, a gasometer or gasometers, and one or more decarbonizing retorts
filled with broken fire-brick or equivalent refractory material, the whole combined,
arranged, and connected, as above set forth and for the purposes described.
Seventh. For the manufacture and utilization of combustible gases a cupola
or blast furnace in combination with the system of apparatus comprising a
decarbonizing retort filled with fragments of refractory material, a gasometer or
gasometers, purifier or purifiers, hydraulic tank or tanks, and retort for distilling
the bituminous coal, the whole as above set forth and for the purpose described.
Eighth. For the manufacture and utilization of combustible gases the com-
bination of a carburetter, so termed, with a decarbonizing retort filled with broken
fragments of refractory material, the gasometer or gasometers, the purifier or
purifiers, the hydraulic tank or tanks, and the retort for distilling the bituminous
coal, as above set forth and for the purpose described.
Ninth. For the manufacture and utilization of combustible gases a showering
bath or cataract chamber in combination with the distilling retort, one or more
hydraulic tanks, one or more purifiers, and one or more gasometers, substantially as
and for the purposes herein described.
Tenth. For the manufacture and utilization of combustible gases, the combination
of one or more pushers actuated by suitable power with the distilling retort, as
above set forth and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
ROWLAND GEO. BROWN,
8, Southampton Buildgs.,
London.
W ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)