AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF COMBUSTIBLE GAS FOR ILLUMINATING AND HEATING PURPOSES, AND APPARATUS AND LAMPS EMPLOYED FOR THAT PURPOSE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel, of Southampton Buildings, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE
OF COMBUSTIBLE GAS FOR ILLUMINATING AND HEATING PURPOSES, AND
APPARATUS AND LAMPS EMPLOYED FOR THAT PURPOSE." A communication
from abroad by Pavel Pavlovitch Timofecf, of St. Petersburg, Russia, Second
Lieutenant of Engineers.
Sealed the 29th November 1878, and dated the 13th June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Denton Abel at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th June 1878.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex.
"AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF COMBUSTIBLE GAS FOR ILLUMINATING AND
HEATING PURPOSES, AND APPARATUS AND LAMPS EMPLOYED FOR THAT PURPOSE."
[A communication from abroad by Pavel Pavlovitch Timofeef, of St. Petersburg,
Russia, Second Lieutenant of Engineers.]
The present Invention has for its object the production of a combustible gas,
applicable either for lighting or heating purposes, in a ready manner, at moderate
cost, and in apparatus of so portable a nature that the gas may be casily produced
in the same lamp in which it is burnt, thus rendering it specially applicable for
railway carriages, ships, dwellings, and workshops, for which purposes it is specially
intended, although the gas is also available for heating dwellings, steam boilers,
caloric engines, and for use in gas-motor engines.
This Invention consists mainly in the production of hydrogen gas by the action
of sulphuric acid on zinc or iron, which gas is then carbonised by passing it in
contact with volatile hydrocarbon liquid, such as naptha, benzine, light petroleum;
and the like, and is then conducted directly to the burner of the lamp. Or in place
of hydrogen, binoxide of nitrogen is produced by the action of nitric acid on copper,
or of nitric and sulphuric acids on iron, and is then brought in contact with
bisulphuret of carbon, giving a very brilliant flame when burnt.

page_text: The lamp or apparatus for producing and burning the said gas may be of very
varied construction, thus in its simplest form the lamp may consist of a closed
vessel or bottle, into the neck of which is fitted a tube terminating in an ordinary
gas burner. Into this vessel is first introduced a piece or pieces of zinc or iron,
together with a quantity of dilute sulphuric acid, and on this is poured some hydro-
carbon liquid, which, in consequence of its less specific gravity, will float on the
acid. Thus the hydrogen generated by the zinc and acid in passing up through the
hydrocarbon liquid will become carbonised thereby, so that on issuing through the
burner it will burn with a brilliant light. It is advisable to place in the conducting
pipe a capillary tube for the gas to pass through, and also a piece of wire gauze or
metallic wick through which the combined gases are made to pass, thus preventing
explosion and effecting the complete mixture of the gases.
In order to obtain an abundant supply of hydrogen gas, it is advisable to place in
the vessel with the zinc some iron shavings, or some coal or coke. It will be seen
that an ordinary petroleum lamp may be readily adapted for the purposes of this
Invention. The zinc may be suspended in the vessel either by the conducting tube
or by a separate rod, which can be raised or lowered so as to immerse the zine mora
or less in the liquid, and to withdraw it entirely when the production of gas is to
be stopped. This may also be effected by providing the gas tube with a stop-cock,
which is closed when no further gas supply is required.
In lamps where the vessel is of small capacity, an amalgam of mercury and
sodium or potassium may be used in place of the zinc or iron, together with acetic
acid, or water instead of sulphuric acid, so as to obtain from a sail quantity of
material a considerable development of hydrogen gas.
The before-described lamps may have two or more reservoirs containing the
gas producing and carbonising materials; also, instead of placing the carbonising
liquid and the materials for generating the gas in one and the same vessel, they
may be contained in separate vessels connected together by a small passage, so that
the hydrocarbon liquid can be made to pass in regulated quantities from the one
vessel into the vessel containing the zinc and acid, or the concentrated acid may be
made to flow from one vessel in regulated quantities into the vessel containing the
zinc water and carbonising liquid, the supply being stopped either by closing the
stop-cock on the gas pipe or by closing a special cock on the acid vessel.
In order to produce the gas in the lamp under some pressure, more or less
constant, the vessel containing the acid may be below the vessel containing the zinc
or iron and the hydrocarbon, communicating therewith by a passage.
The acid
vessel is fed through a pipe from a third vessel any desired height above the vessel
containing the zinc, so that the gas generated in the latter is subject to the pressure
of the column of acid, which by the same pressure is also forced up from the bottom
vessel into the gas generating vessel.
In this arrangement of lamp the gas producing chamber may pass through the
upper vessel containing acid, and be fed at the top from another chamber containing
the bydrocarbon.
According to another arrangement, the carbonising liquid is not brought into
contact with the acid in the gas generating chamber, the hydrogen gas being made
to pass from the latter, either through the carbonising liquid contained in a separate
chamber, or into a separate chamber containing any suitable porous or permeable
material, such as rolled wire gauze, metal shavings and the like, saturated with
hydrocarbon, which is caused to flow in from a separate vessel in regulated
quantities, or is conductod into the carboniser by capillary attraction. The hydro-
carbon liquid becoming vaporised by the heat of the hydrogen gas (the evolution of
which is accompanied by the development of heat) mixes intimately with the latter,
which then passes to the burner.
The said lamps may also be provided with apparatus for igniting the gas by
electricity. For this purpose a small galvanic battery, such as a zinc and charcoal
element, is immersed in the vessel containing the acid, and the conducting wires
pass from the same to platinum points at the burner. The cock on the gas tube to

page_text: the burner being closed, the pressure of the accumulated gas in the producing
chamber forces the acid from such chamber into the raised supply chamber before
referred to, and the battery consequently ceases to act. On opening the gas cock,
when it is required to ignite the lamp, the acid again comes in contact with the
battery, and a spark resulting from the galvanic current produced ignites the
gas.
In applying the Invention to stationary apparatus on a large scale for
illuminating buildings, the same constructions as those above described are
employed, but of larger dimensions, and the gas is led from the generating apparatus
through pipes to burners situated wherever required, or the gas may be led to
gasholders and pass thence to the burners.
In applying the apparatus on a large scale, it is convenient to make the vessel
containing the acid entirely separate from the gas producing chamber, and to place
it at a higher level, the acid being conducted into the gas producer through a siphon
or conducting tube. By supporting the acid chamber upon a spring it may be
caused to rise as the acid flows from it, and thus the level of the acid be maintained
practically constant, so as to produce a constant pressure of gas. In such
apparatus lead may be employed in place of zinc for producing the hydrogen.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Denton Abel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
December 1878.
"
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex.
"AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF COMBUSTIBLE GAS, FOR ILLUMINATING AND
HEATING PURPOSES, AND APPARATUS AND LAMPS EMPLOYED FOR THAT PURPOSE."
A communication from abroad by Pavel Pavlovitch Timofeef, of St. Petersburg,
Russia, Second Lieutenant of Engineers.
The present Invention has for its object the production of a combustible gas,
applicable either for lighting or heating purposes, in a ready manner at moderate
cost, and in apparatus of so portable a nature that gas may be easily produced in
the same lamp in which it is burnt, thus rendering it specially applicable for railway
carriages, ships, dwellings, and workshops, for which purpose it is specially intended,
although the gas is also available for heating dwellings, steam boilers, caloric engines,
and for use in gas-motor engines.
This Invention consists mainly in the production of hydrogen gas by the action
of sulphuric acid on zinc or iron, which gas is then carbonised by passing it in
contact with volatile hydrocarbon liquid, such as naptha, benzine, light petroleum, and
the like, and is then conducted directly to the burner of the lamp. Or in place of
hydrogen, binoxide of nitrogen is produced by the action of nitric acid on copper,
or of nitric and sulphuric acids on iron, and is then brought in contact with
bisulphuret of carbon, giving a very brilliant flame when burnt.

page_text: The lamp or apparatus for producing and burning the said gas may be of very
varied construction. One of the most simple forms is shewn in Fig. 1 of the
Drawings hereto annexed. A is a vessel, which may be of glass, earthenware, or
other suitable material. Pieces of zinc or iron a are placed therein, and a quantity
of sulphuric acid b, diluted (preferably by 5 volumes of water to 1 volume of acid),
is poured to a level such as is indicated by the line 1-2. On the dilute acid b is
poured naptha, ether, or other hydrocarbon c, which being lighter floats. In the
neck dis placed a stopper e, with a tube B, provided with a burner f. The hydrogen
formed in the liquid b as it passes through the layer c of hydrocarbon becomes
carbonised, and the gaseous mixture issuing at the burner f when ignited gives a
bright, even, and steady flame.
For regulating the supply to the burner it is advisable to provide a capillary
passage in the tube B, for which purpose a short piece of capillary glass tube g is
placed in B. Also in order to provide against explosion and promote the mixture
of the gas and hydrocarbon, a wick l, made of twisted metallic network, is placed
in B, or a piece of wire gauze is fixed in the widened part h.
In order to obtain an abundant formation of gas and utilise all the acid, it is advis-
able to place in A, along with the zinc, strips or shavings of iron or pieces of coa!
or coke.
An ordinary petroleum lamp may be converted into a gas lamp of the kind
described by modifying it as shewn in Fig. 2, where the parts corresponding to
those of the lamp shewn in Fig. 1 are marked by the same letters of reference
(which are used in like manner in the figures herein-after referred to).
According to the arrangement shewn in Fig. 2, the zinc is suspended at the lower
end of the tube B, which by means of handles k can be raised or lowered for the
purpose of stopping or starting the production of gas, which enters the tube B by
a side aperture i, passing to the burner.
Fig. 3 shews an arrangement according to which the zinc is suspended by a
hooked wire M passing through the stopper e, so that the zinc can be raised or
lowered without disturbing the tube B.
The reservoir A in common petroleum lamps being generally small, it is useful in
converting such lamps into gas lamps to employ water or some acid, such as acetic
acid, with an amalgam of sodium or potassium for producing the hydrogen, which
can thus be obtained in considerable volume from a small quantity of material.
In such a case the products of decomposition (metallic mercury and caustic soda)
are of some value.
The construction of lamps operating as I have described may be variously
modified. They may be in portable form, with the carbonizing liquid in the same
vessel with the materials for generating the gas, or the gas may be generated in one
vessel and carbonised in a separate vessel. Also the lamps may be self-igniting,
and the apparatus may be constructed in a large scale to remain stationary for the
supply of numerous burners.
In the construction shewn in Fig. 4, the reservoir A is double. The lower part
contains water or dilute acid b with the carbonising liquid c floating thereon. The
upper compartment contains strong sulphuric acid b', which when the tap N is
opened, descends drop by drop into the lower compartment through a capillary
passage o, o. As considerable heat is evolved in the reaction, inferior kinds of
carbonising liquid, such as petroleum spirit, will suffice.
In the lamp, Fig. 5, the efflux of the acid b through the capillary passage 0, 0,
is controlled by turning the hollow stopper C, having a lateral opening facing a
corresponding opening p in the neck of the acid reservoir D. By turning this
stopper so as to prevent entrance of air into the reservoir D, the formation of gas is
stopped, and the flame becomes extinguished.
In the lamp represented by Fig. 6, the gas is produced under the pressure of a
column of liquid, and so that a certain store of gas is retained in it. When the
pressure is considerable, the capillary tube g is necessary, but when the pressure is
moderate, it may be dispensed with. In this lamp the reservoir A has an upper

page_text: and a lower compartment, the upper containing pieces of zinc or iron a, and the
carbonizing liquid C which is introduced by the stoppered opening q. The diluted
acid b is first poured into the vessel D, whence it flows into the lower compartment,
the quantity being such that it does not reach the zinc or iron. When the car-
bonising liquid has been poured on the zinc, the tap n is closed, and more acid is
poured into the vessel D, the lamp being thus charged. Upon opening the tap
N, the acid will rise into the upper compartment of A and moisten the zinc or
iron, producing hydrogen, which under the pressure of the column of acid passes
through the layer of carbonising liquid, and enriched by its vapour, ascends to the
burner. On shutting the tap n, the gas becoming accumulated, drives the acid out
of the upper compartment of the reservoir A, and so stops the further production of
hydrogen, the quantity previously produced remaining in the lamp under the
pressure of the liquid column, until it is required again; r is a stoppered hole for
emptying and cleaning the apparatus.
Fig. 7 shews a modification of the arrangement shewn in Fig. 6, the gas pipe B
being placed inside the reservoir D instead of outside. The hydrocarbon may be
supplied drop by drop, or in a small stream from a separato reservoir, as shewn in
Fig. 8, where x is the reservoir for the hydrocarbon c, provided with a three-way
tap plug s, by which when it is turned to the position shewn in the Figure the
burner tube B is placed in communication with the reservoir x, and also by the
tube v with the internal vessel D containing the pieces of zinc or iron a. The acid
solution b enters the vessel D' at its bottom and acts on the metal a, and the
hydrogen produced passes through the layer of hydrocarbon c which is supplied
from X drop by drop, or in a small stream by the capillary passage u in the plug
t. By turning the tap plug 8, the flowing of the liquid c and of the acid is
arrested, and thus the action of the apparatus is stopped.
Figs. 9 and 10 shew the application of the separate hydrocarbon reservoir x, to
lamps of the forms previously described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. In the
lamp shewn in Fig. 11, a four-way cock w is substituted for the plug tap 8, and the
zinc or iron a is attached to the tube B which slides through a stuffing-box m².
The hydrocarbon reservoir x may be placed inside the body of the lamp, as
shewn in Fig. 12. By means of the tap Z, its efflux by the capillary tube u can
be regulated by more or less throttling the passage u¹.
The carbonising liquid, instead of coming in contact with the acid solution, may
be retained in a separate vessel containing material offering a great evaporating
surface, as, for instance, with wire gauze, shot, metallic shavings, iron scale, and the
like.
It is of advantage to place the carbonising vessel within the body of the lamp,
where there is considerable evolution of heat during the chemical action, the heat
being thus utilised in aiding the evaporation of the hydrocarbon, and being thereby
moderated.
In the lamp represented by Fig. 13, C' is the carboniser supplied from the
reservoir . Hydrogen enters the lower part of the carboniser by the tube d', and
after passing through the material therein moistened with the hydrocarbon, ascends
to the burner.
The lamp shewn in Fig. 14 has an internal carboniser C¹ and a separate reser-
voir 6' for the acid solution. In the lamp shewn in Fig. 15 a glass tube f¹ open at
its lower end and expanded to a globe g' at its upper end g contains a wick of
metal twisted on a cotton core. The hydrogen enters the reservoir by the
opening h¹, and absorbing hydrocarbon vapour passes by an aperture e¹ in the
tube through the globe gl, where it is farther enriched, to the burner pipe B.
Fig. 16 shews the application of a similar form of carboniser with the hydrocarbon
reservoir at the upper part of the lamp. In this case the hydrogen enters into
the reservoir by a tube h². The gas may be enriched by causing it to bubble
through the hydrocarbon, as shewn in Figs. 17 and 18, where h³ is a tube for the
hydrogen dipping downwards into the hydrocarbon.
:
Apparatus similar to those above described, in which the hydrocarbon is retained.

page_text: in a separate reservoir instead of being employed for [the production of hydrogen,
and its enrichment by hydrocarbon vapour, may be applied for the production of
binoxide of nitrogen and its enrichment by bisulphide of carbon, whereby a light
of very great brilliancy is obtained. For this purpose copper with nitric acid or
iron with nitric and sulphuric acid is used for the production of the binoxide of
nitrogen and bisulphide of carbon takes the place of hydrocarbon.
With the lamps above described may be combined means for igniting the gas by
means of electricity. For this purpose a galvanic element is placed in the apparatus,
and conductors are led to a thin platinum strip or wire at the burner where the gas
is ignited by the heat produced by the passage of the electricity through the
platinum. Such an arrangement is shewn in Fig. 19; here få represents the
galvanic element consisting of zinc and carbon or zinc and platinum. Conducting
wires pass through the stopper q', and by the spiral r¹ to the burner f. The
reservoir A is about half filled with a solution of sulphuric acid, water, and bichro-
mate of potash, or a solution of acid in water. When the cock n is opened, (the
plug C remaining constantly open,) the acid benters into the reservoir A and
moistens the galvanic element.
I will now describe apparatus according to my Invention suitable for supplying a
number of burners for lighting workshops, manufactories, railway stations, light-
houses, theatres, warehouses, hotels, railway carriages, or other vehicles or vessels, or
for heating steam boilers, or working gas engines. Such apparatus are of the same
general construction as those above described, but are of greater dimensions, and
are made as simple as possible in shape.
An apparatus of this kind is represented in Fig. 20, D being the reservoir of acid
which supplies the lower vessel A containing the hydrocarbon c. The zinc or iron a
is suspended by a crank hook, by turning which it can be more or less deeply
immersed. The production of gas is arrested when the cock n is closed, the acid
being forced into the upper reservoir by the pressure of the gas generated below.
Fig. 21 shews an apparatus of like character connected to a system of gas pipes
and burners. In this case the zinc or iron a rests on a grating. The acid descends
by the pipe, which may be of siphon form, as indicated by dotted lines. The
gas pipes ought to have a slight inclination towards the generators for drawing such
liquid as may become condensed in the pipes; and it is useful to place at the elbows
and bends small reservoirs with taps for drawing off the condensed liquid. Lead
may be employed for the production of hydrogen.
In applying gas producers according to my Invention to existing gas fixtures and
pipes it is only necessary to substitute the gas generator for the gas meter. It is
generally advisable, in order to facilitate the cleansing the apparatus, to place the
gas generator near a water pipe and cock. The generator may also be connected to
a gas holder for retaining a store of gas in the usual way.
Fig. 22 shows a modified form of apparatus for the supply of gas in considerable
quantity. It consists of two vessels A' and B' communicating by the tube c³, d³.
A¹ contains a solution of acid, and in B¹ are placed pieces of zinc with a small
quantity of acid and a supply of hydrocarbon liquid. The tube c², d², may be
provided with a stop-cock.
For the vessel B' may be substituted the vessel B, shewn in Fig. 23, with a
separate reservoir x for the hydrocarbon which descends drop by drop, or in a small
stream, by the passage u. The vessels A and B¹ may be arranged, as shewn in
Fig. 24, to communicate by a siphon tube g'. When the cock n is closed the gas
pressure in B¹ will force the liquid back into the vessel A'.
The vessel A¹, if mounted on a spring h² or otherwise counterbalanced, will be
caused to ascend and descend according as the quantity of liquid in it varies, and
thus the gas pressure is rendered more regular and uniform.
As compared with ordinary gas lighting the use of the apparatus which I have
described offers the following principal advantages:
The gas is at once produced upon opening a cock, at moderate temperature, and
in proportion to its consumption."

page_text: The extent of gas piping, and consequently leakage and risk of explosion, are
much reduced, the products of combustion are comparatively innocuous, and the
materials left in the apparatus after decomposition are of value.
Having thus described the nature of this Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, I
claim,―
First. The production of illuminating gas by the carbonisation of hydrogen or of
a gas that will support combustion; as, for instance, binoxide of nitrogen in the
same apparatus wherein the gas is produced, the carbonisation being effected by
causing the gas as it is evolved to pass through a layer of carbonising liquid or
through a material moistened thereby, substantially as and for the purposes herein
set forth.
Second. The construction of apparatus for the production and carbonisation of
illuminating gas, substantially as herein described, and illustrated by the Drawings
hereto annexed.
Third. The combination of the apparatus referred to in the preceding claim with
a galvanic element for automatic ignition, substantially as described with reference
to Fig. 19 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Denton Abel, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
CHAP, D. ABEL.
(L.S.)