IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS то BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL GAS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Newton of the Office for Patents
66 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS то BE USED IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF COAL GAS" Communicated to him from abroad by
August Klönne of Dortmund in the Empire of Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th November 1882.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office for Patents 66 Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE
USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL GAS." [Communicated to him from abroad
by August Klönne of Dortmund in the Empire of Germany]
The objects of this invention are to ensure the continuous flow of the heavy
residual products from the hydraulic main and to prevent stoppages in the ascension
pipes and the invention consists in certain arrangements of apparatus by which the
above objects will be attained.
It is well known that the pitch and other heavy products arising from the
distillation of coal, deposit in the hydraulic raain and that under certain conditions
of working the lighter and more volatile tarry products pass off with the gas
leaving a thick mass in the hydraulic main which greatly interferes with the
working and is with difficulty removed.
Now according to this invention it is proposed to cool the gas in the hydraulic
main whereby the lighter and more volatile tarry products will be retained therein
and will serve to dilute the pitch and beavier products sufficiently to allow them
to readily run off to the tar tank.
To this end the hydraulic main is provided with a series of partitions which
may be arranged either longitudinally or transversely of the main. These
partitions may be made hollow and through these hollow partitions water at such
a temperature as will serve to condense the lighter tarry products without acting
injuriously upon the gas may be allowed to flow.

page_text: These partitions when placed longitudinally it is preferred shall be hollow and
they are provided with plates with serrated edges or perforations which dip into
the coal tar or gas liquor in the hydraulic main. The gas as it issues from the
dip pipes escapes into one or other of the passages formed by the partitions and is
caused to take a more or less circuitous course before it passes to the exhaust and
having thus been kept in contact with the cooling partitions renders up the lighter
tarry products it carries with it. These products mix with and dilute the heavy
products so that they may readily run off to the tar tank.
The hydraulic main may also be cooled from the top by adapting thereto a
trough through which water is allowed to flow.
When transverse partitions are used it is preferred they shall be solid. Per-
forations are made alternately on opposite ends of the plates so that the gas_shall
take a serpentine course, at every alternate partition passing through the liquor
where it leaves some of the lighter products.
The ends of the dip pipes are also serrated or perforated so that the flow of gas
shall be divided up into a number of small streams which bubble up through. the
gas tar and liquor; or the dip pipe may be provided with a laterally extending
flange in which holes are made through which the gas bubbles up. This bubbling
action serves to agitate the gas tar and liquor and thus keeps the perforations
clear.
When solid partitions are used they may be provided with openings which are
covered by slides. The slides are drawn back. should the perforations in the plates
become stopped-up from any-unforseen cause and a clear way is thus formed for
the passage of the gas.
The tar runs off into a tar pipe or cylinder which also receives the gas liquor.
This liquor serves to keep the connection between the hydraulic main and the tar
pipe warm and open. The liquor is allowed to run off by an overflow pipe which
allows for the regulation of water-level-in the hydraulic main.
To prevent stoppages in the ascension pipes the retorts are made-as-flat-as
possible and the crowns are protected against heating by an arrangement of
perforated fire clay plates placed above them. To effect the same object the
ascension pipes may pass into the hydraulic main at the bottom and be provided
with a hopper shaped mouth.
.
The top of the bridge pipes may also be formed with a water reservoir or a
water pipe may be inserted in each ascension pipe to condense certain of the tarry
products which will run down the pipes and wash away any coal dust that inay bo
deposited therein.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th May 1883.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office, for Patents 66 Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL GAS" Being a communication to me from abroad
by Auguste Klönne of Dortmund in the Empire of Germany
The objects of this Invention are to ensure the continuous flow of the heavy
residual products from the hydraulic main, and to prevent the stopping up of the
ascension pipes as is now often the case
In the manufacture of Coal gas the pitch, and other heavy tarry residual products
it is well known deposit in the hydraulic main in a thick solid mass, which is with
difficulty removed, while the lighter and more volatile tarry products pass off with
the gas to be afterwards separated in the condenser.
It has been suggested that if the separation of the lighter tarry products from
the gas can be effected at an earlier stage that is before they leave the hydraulic
main they will combine with and dilute the heavy products which will then freely
run off.
It is also well known that the ascension pipes are liable to become stopped up
owing to the decomposition of gas under certain conditions of working and
the accumulation in the pipes of solid products arising from the distillation of
the coal
Now this Invention consists in certain arrangements of apparatus by which the
inconveniences above named will be avoided. In order to carry out the first object
of the Invention the products of distillation are cooled in the hydraulic main which
will cause a partial condensation of the lighter tarry products and allow them to
combine with and dilute the heavy tarry products.
In the accompanying drawings figs 1, 1, 1b, Sheet I, shew one mode of effecting
the desired object-Fig: 1 being a cross section of the hydraulic main. Fig 1 a
longitudinal section and Fig: 1b a sectional plan of the same
A is the hydraulic main, BB' the ascension and dip pipes, and C the exit for the
gas to the condensers, or elsewhere.
The hydraulic main is provided with a series of longitudinal partitions a a by
which it is divided up into several chambers-A portion of these partitions is hollow
as shown in the drawing to contain water for cooling purposes, and the partitions
dip down into the ammoniacal liquor or water contained in the hydraulic main.
The gas as it issues from the dip pipes B₁ passes into one or other of theso
chambers, from which it passes to the exit pipe C by a more or less serpentine
course, thus remaining a longer or shorter time in contact with the cooling surfaces.
The bottoms of the dip pipes and the lower edges of the partitions are notched or
serrated or are perforated so as to break up the flow of gas and cause it to bubble
up through the tarry products and liquor, whereby some of the lighter tarry
products are arrested and the tar and liquor are kept in a state of continued
agitation and quite hot-At the top of the hydraulic main a tray b is provided
through which cold water is continually flowing
Figures 2 and 2ª Sheet I shew in cross section and longitudinal section
respectively, an arrangement of hydraulic main having transverse partitions a r.
The partitions may be constructed as shown in the figures or as above described

page_text: to contain water, but in either case the series of partitions are perforated alternately
at top and bottom so that the gas may take a serpentine course on its way to the
exit pipe as indicated by the arrows
The lighter tarry products which are suspended in the gas become condensed on
contact with the cooling surfaces, and run down into the heavy tarry products and
liquor and combine with and dilute the former, and render them sufficiently fluid
to run off readily into a.tar stand-pipe fig 1. This stand-pipe is connected by
the short piper to the bottom of the hydraulic main and by the pipe 7 with the
hydraulic main at the proper level of the ammoniacal liquor or water.
The objects of this tar stand-pipe are twofold vis: first to serve as a receiver
into which the tar from the hydraulic main can escape as quickly as possible after
it is formed, and secondly to lixiviate the tar and cause it to render up any
ammonia that may be carried away with it.
The stand-pipe is provided at bottom with a cock by which the tar can be drawn
off continuously or from time to time.
.
The gas space in the hydraulic main is also connected with the tar. stand-pipe
by means of a pipe so that the pressure of gas in the stand-pipe shall be equal to
that in the hydraulic main.
When the working commences this pipe r will be full of water up to the level
shewn in the figure. As the working proceeds this water will be gradually
replaced by the tar coming from the hydraulic main and which by its specific
gravity will fall to the bottom of the pipe 1.
During its passage through the water the tar will give up any ammonia it may.
carry over with it.
The stand-pipe is provided with an overflow pipe ? provided with a cock /. for
the ammoniacal liquor or water. The heat of the ammoniacal liquor will serve to
keep the tar pipe continually warm and open.
Figures 4. 4 and 5 shew on an enlarged, scale the serrated and perforated dip
pipes.
Figures 6 and 6 Sheet II show a slight modification in the form of the bottom
of the dip pipe.
This modification will be clearly understood from the drawing and further
description will be therefore unnecessary.
When single plate partitions are used in the hydraulic main they may bo
provided with openings covered by slides c, see Figures 7 and 7 Sheet II, so that
should the holes in the partitions become stopped up a clear way for the passage of
the gas may be obtained.
In order to prevent the stopping up of the ascension pipes which is the second
object of the invention the retorts are formed as low as possible in the crown, or
the crown is protected against heating from above by the employment of perforated
fire clay plates.
In Sheet II of the accompanying Drawings a retort constructed according to
this Invention with a low crown is shown in cross section at Fig: 8 and in
longitudinal section at Fig: 8".
In retorts constructed of the usual form which is somewhat high in the crown a
large space is left for the gas which collects there instead of passing off rapidly to
the hydraulic main, and by reason of the intense heat is decomposed and causes
deposits on the ascension pipes which become stopped up. This decomposition is
prevented by the use of low retorts, as the gas space being small, the gas is caused
to pass quickly to the hydraulic main before it has time to become decomposed.
Another form of retort is shewn in cross section at fig: 8b. and in longitudinal
section at fig: 8c. In this case the crown of the retort is protected by perforated or
serrated plates m.
- Another arrangement for preventing stoppages in the ascension pipes consists in
connecting these pipes with the bottom of the hydraulic main as shewn at Fig: 9
Sheet I, a baffle plate f. with edges or flanges dipping down into the liquor in the

page_text: hydraulic main being used to cause the gas to pass through the liquor ns before
explained. In this case certain of the fluid particles will run down the ascension
pipes and wash away the deposits. The upper ends of the ascension pipes may also
be formed in the manner shewn at Figures 9, which will afford a considerable
cooling surface.
The top of the bridge pipes may also be formed with a small water tank t, see
Figures 10 and 10 Sheet II, or a water pipe o sce Figures 11 and 11ª may be used
to cool the gas as it ascends and condenso some of the lighter tarry products which
run down and clear away the deposits as before referred to.
Another arrangement of apparatus for effecting the same result is shewn at
Sheet III in which Fig: 1 is a sectional clevation of part of a retort setting, and
Fig: 2 is a front view partly in section. Figures 3 and 4 are details. is a water
pan which is connected with the lid of the mouth-piece and is thus brought into the
mouth-piece immediately below the ascension pipe when the lid is closed.
Some of the liquor or lighter tarry products are returned from the hydraulic
main into the ascension pipe by an overflow pipe o which is connected both with tho
ascension pipe and the hydraulic main. This pipe is supplied with liquor by means
of a cock e, fixed to the hydraulic main. Thus the liquor or other substance is
allowed to run into the ascension pipe down which it runs to the tank w. clearing
away deposits on its road.
By giving to the ascension pipe S the form shewn in the drawings or a similar
form the liquor is caused to remain in contact with the gas for a sufficiently long
time, to serve as a cooling medium.
The liquor runs slowly down into the tank w. and is caused to evaporate by the
heat of the gas coming from the retort.
The tank w. will also serve as a protection against radiation of heat.
Another arrangement relating to the same purpose is also shewn in Figures 1
and 2. By means of a separate pipe t. liquor or lighter tarry products may be
returned from the condensers or elsewhere directly into the bridge pipes from
which they will run down the ascension pipes into the tank w.
The tank w. is fixed to the lid of the mouth-piece by means of a bolt b, Figs 1
and 2, so as to allow the tank to be turned over from time to time to discharge the
contents which takes place generally at every charging.
A slight modification of this arrangement is shewn in figures 3 and 4.
The tank w. is not fixed to the lid but is simply placed in the mouth-piece of the
retort on suitable supports. After each charge the tank is to bo removed by the
aid of a bar h. Fig: 3 fastened to a chain suspended from the roof.
It will be evident that instead of hollow partitious, a series of tubes may be used
for the purpose of cooling the gas in the hydraulic main.
Having now described the nature of this Invention for "Improvements in
apparatus to be used in the manufacture of gas" as communicated to me from
abroad and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I claim.―
First-In apparatus employed in the manufacture of coal gas, the use in the
hydraulic main of longitudinal or transverse partitions constructed substantially as
herein shown and described and for the purpose set forth, or their equivalent.
Second Constructing the hydraulic main with an open tank such as b. in the
upper part substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third-The Construction of dip pipes substantially as shewn with reference to
Figs 1, 2, 4, 4 5 Sheet I, and 6. 6 Sheet II. of the drawings.
Fourth: The application to the hydraulic main of a tar stand-pipe constructed as
herein shewn and described, and for the purpose set forth.
Fifth: The means for preventing the heating of the retorts from above
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth-The arrangement of ascension pipes substantially as shewn and described
with reference to Figures 9 and 9*, Sheet I of the drawings.
Seventh The means for cooling the ascension pipes and bridge pipes substantially

page_text: as herein shewn and described with reference to Figures 10, 10ª and 11 11* Sheet II
of the drawings, for the purpose set forth.
Eighth The means substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to
Sheet III of the drawings for preventing stoppages in the ascension pipes.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Edward Newton have hereunto set my
hand and seal the fourth day of May in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
HE NEWTON (L.S.).