Improvements in Apparatus for the Production of Carburetted Water Gas.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left 5th Jan 1897-Accented 5th Mar 1897
Date of Application, 5th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left 5th Jan. 1897-Accepted 5th Mar 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Production of Carburetted
Water Gas.
We WILLIAM WHEATLEY of 28 Chapel Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster,
Managing Director of The Fourness Gas Process Syndicate Limited, and GASTON
KROS of Leigh in the County of Essex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for the production and carburation of water gas
and consists in improvements in the construction of the plant and parts thereof, and
process of manufacture described and claimed in Fourness' Specification No. 15469
A.D. 1891.
The improvements have for their object chiefly the economical production of
carburetted water gas of high illuminating power.
The constructive arrangement of the apparatus for the purpose of carrying out the
objects of our improvements will be as follows: Two generators are arranged
conveniently for heating up the apparatus and for the production of water gas, one
being under blast for raising the fuel to incandescence, while the incandescent fuel
in the other is decomposing steam and producing water gas. The producer gas
from the generator under blast is led into a setting in which the carburetting and
fixing retorts. and steam superheater are set and secondary air supply passages
arranged. The gas enters the setting at the base passes round the carburetting
retort or retorts upwards and enters a chamber in which a vertical cylindrical
fixing retort is set, passing round this retort and out at the chimney or flue. The
oil pipe leading from the oil tank to the carburetting retort or retorts may also
pass through the setting so that the oil is heated previous to injection.
In accordance with our invention each generator consists of a cylindrical shell
of iron or steel having a lining of fire brick between which and the shell is
disposed a filling of sand. The roof of the generator externally is preferably flat
and fitted with a central charging door and seating with a suitable fastening.
The roof internally is preferably contracted to the charging hole. The base of the
generator is formed with a chamber in which is disposed a water trough having
preferably an inclined side or bottom, the lining or internal wall of the generator
converges towards this chamber.
At a convenient distance above the bottom of the water trough is arranged the
fire grate formed of fire bars, and at each end of the grate is formed an opening
through the generator wall, each opening being fitted with a fire door and seating
having preferably a cross bar and screw fastening. In the wall of the generator
between the fire doors is also formed a smaller opening similarly fitted with door and
fastening for the purpose of poking the fuel. Into the chamber beneath the fire bars
is led the blast pipe this being preferably carried across the bars underneath and
supported in the brickwork. The lower portion of this blast pipe beneath the bars
is removed so that the blast shall first be projected down upon the surface of the water
in the trough. Secondary air inlets, preferably three, are formed in the wall in the
upper part of the generator to which the blast from the air main is conducted by
pipes, suitable valves being provided and arranged as desired for the purpose of
regulating the supply of air. A flue or conduit is arranged in the upper part of the
generator for the exit of gases into the setting and retorts.
A. valve chamber is fitted to each generator at the exit or flue and in this chamber

page_text: is a suitable valve which controls the conduit for the producer gases to the retort
setting, Leading out of this valve chamber preferably is a conduit for the water gas
from the generator, which passes to the carburetting retorts, a suitable cut off
valve being provided in this conduit to prevent the passage of producer gas into the
retorts when the generator is under blast.
The steam is led from the boiler or steam generator to the superheater, and thence
is led in such manner as to retain its heat, to the chamber under the grate preferably
of the generator, the pipe terminating in a suitable nozzle, steam cocks being provided
in convenient parts of the pipe to regulate the injection.
At the bottom part of the retort setting nearest the generator is formed a
combustion chamber having preferably an arched roof provided with nostrils leading
into a second chamber in which the carburetting retort or retorts is or are set and also
the steam superheater. The conduit for the producer gases from the generator leads
into this combustion chamber. The carburetting retort preferably of oval section is
set horizontally or slightly inclined from the horizontal. In some cases two or more
of these retorts are set one above the other and are connected together in such a
manner that the gas shall flow directly through them in one continuous current.
At present we prefer to employ three retorts connected in zig-zag fashion one
above the other. We dispose baffle plates in the second chamber so that the
products of combustion shall be delayed in their passage through this chamber.
We also dispose air inlets in the walls of these two chambers and we so arrange
the air passages leading to these inlets that the air in its passage from the air main
in connection with theso passages is heated before being injected into the chambers.
The air from the blast to these inlets is controlled by suitable valves arranged in
any convenient manner. An oil tank is disposed in any convenient position and a
pipe is led therefrom preferably through the setting, to heat the oil in its passage,
to the carburetting retort. The oil is preferably led into the carburetting retort
at one part so as to flow in the opposite direction to that of the water gas passing
through. The condensed oil vapours collected during the carburation of the water
gas and any other heavier oil may be introduced into the carburetting retort at
the hottest part most convenient for the purpose.
The steam superheater which consists of coils of piping enclosed in a protective
vessel is disposed in the hottest convenient part of the setting preferably in the
second chamber aforesaid above the carburetting retorts.
The producer gases pass out of this second chamber at the top and are led into
and through a flue formed in the same setting in which is fixed a vertical metal
fixing retort in such a manner that the flue is arranged to pass down one side or
over about one half of the external surface of the metal retort, underneath and up the
other side in a similar manner before passing out of the setting into the chimney.
In this flue are disposed a suitable number of air inlets for heated currents of air
from the air main, the currents being controlled by suitable valves. The fixing retort is
preferably cylindrical inside and has an inlet for the carburetted water gas at the top.
There is fixed a central vertical metal conduit in the retort which rests upon a grid or
is supported upon legs or otherwise conveniently formed at the base so that the gas
may pass from the outside to the inside of the conduit, the top end of the conduit
leading through suitable connections to the condensers and, holder. The annular
space between the central conduit and the casing of the retort is filled with chequer-
work of brick, metal shavings or other suitable material. The carburetted water gas
from the carburetting retorts enters the fixing retort at the top passes through the
chequer work downwards, then upwards through the central conduit and out of the
retort into the condensers and gas holder. The metal casing of the fixing retort may
be jacketted with fire brick or fire clay.
gas
The air supply passages and inlets set in the brick work are preferably metal pipes
baving metal nozzles.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Production of Carburetted
Water Gas.
We, WILLIAM WHEATLEY of 29, Chapel Street, Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster, Managing Director of The Fourness Gas Process Syndicate Limited, and
GASTON KROS of Scheveningen in the Kingdom of Holland, late of Leigh in the
County of Essex, Civil Engineer, 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:-
This invention relates to apparatus for the production and carburation of water
gas and consists in improvements in the construction of the plant and parts thereof,
and process of manufacture described and claimed in Fourness' Specification,
No. 15469, A.D. 1891.
The improvements have for their object chiefly the economical production of
carburetted water gas of high illuminating power.
In our improved gas making apparatus two generators are arranged conveniently
for heating the apparatus and for the production of water gas, one being under
blast for raising the fuel to incandescence and heating and maintaining the heat of
the setting while the fuel in the other, previously raised to incandescence by the
blast is decomposing steam and producing water gas. The producer gas from the
generator under blast is led into a setting in which the carburetting and fixing
retorts and a steam superheater are set and secondary air supply passages are
arranged. The gas enters the setting at the base, passes round the carburetting
retort or retorts upwards and enters a chamber in which a vertical cylindrical fixing
retort is set, passing round this retort and out at the chimney or flue. The water
gas produced in the generator containing the incandescent fuel by the injection of
superheated steam thereinto, passes out of the generator into the carburetting retort
or retorts, where it is enriched by liquid hydro-carbons, and is then led into the
fixing retort aforesaid. The supply pipe for the liquid hydro-carbons leading from
the oil tank to the carburetting retort or retorts is passed through the setting so
that the oil is heated previous to injection. The steam is raised in a generator
attached to the plant and is passed into the superheater above referred to before
being led into the water gas generators.
We have attached hereunto two sheets of drawings to which we will now refer.
Figure 1, represents a side elevation of the plant;
Figure 2, a plan of the same;
Figure 3, a sectional elevation of the generators through line xx on Figure 2;
Figure 4, a plan in section of one of the generators;
Figure 5, a sectional part elevation of the generator;
Figure 6, a sectional elevation of the retort setting through line y, y, Figure 1;
Figure 7, represents a longitudinal elevation in section of the carburetting retort
or retorts and in position in the setting;
Figure 8, a plan of the setting in section.
In the several views, the same parts are indicated by like letters of reference.
In accordance with our invention, each generator A consists of a cylindrical
shell a, of iron or steel having a lining a' of firebrick between which and the shell
is disposed a filling of sand a. The roof a³ of the generator, externally is preferably
flat and fitted with a central charging door b, and seating with a suitable fastening b¹.
The roof is preferably arched or contracted internally to the charging hole as
indicated by a, Figure 3. The base of the generator is also contracted as
shewn a Figure 5 and formed with an oblong chamber or well, which forms the
ashpit and in which is disposed a water trough c¹, having a preferably inclined side,

page_text: or bottom, the lining or internal wall of the generator converging towards this
chamber.
At a convenient distance above the bottom of the water trough in the oblong well
is arranged the firegrate d formed of fire bars and at the ends of the grate are
formed openings d¹ d, through the generator wall, each opening being fitted with a
fire door d³ and seating d, having preferably a cross bar and screw fastening d³.
In the wall of the generator between the fire doors is also formed a similar opening e,
fitted with door e and provided with any suitable fastening, for the purpose of
poking the fuel. Into the chamber e beneath the fire bars is led the blast pipe f,
this being preferably carried across the bars underneath and supported in the
brickwork. The lower portion of this blast pipe beneath the bars is removed so
that the blast shall first be projected down upon the surface of the water in the
trough or the pipe may in some cases be simply perforated. Secondary air inlet
pipes are led into the upper part of the generators and each terminates in
preferably three orifices, through which the blast from the air main fis
conducted to the fuel, suitable valves being provided and arranged as desired for
the purpose of regulating the supply of air. These valves are indicated by g and
may be of any suitable construction. A flue or conduit , is arranged in the upper
part of the generator for the exit of the gases into the setting and retorts.
A valve chamber is fitted to each generator at the exit or flue and in this chamber
is a suitable valve which controls the conduit for the producer gases to the retort
setting. Leading out of this valve chamber is a conduit for the water gas from
the generator which passes to the carburetting retort, a suitable cut-off valve being
provided in this conduit to prevent the passage of producer gas into the retorts
when the generator is under blast.
By preference, a double valve chamber is provided into which are led the two
conduits h, from the generators. Suitable independent valves are fitted in these
conduits where they terminate in the valve chamber, and are provided with suitable
means for opening and closing them. From the valve chamber to the setting B is
a conduit h. Preferably above the valve chamber is fixed another conduit, which
communicates with the conduits through valves kk', of any suitable construction,
and leads into the carburetting retorts as hereinafter described.
A steam pipe is arranged below the grate d and is supplied with steam from
the steam generator in the manner hereinafter referred to.
for the
The retort setting B contains the carburetting retort or retorts and the fixing
retort or chamber. At the bottom part of the retort setting nearest the generator,
is formed a combustion chamber m, having preferably an arched roof provided with
nostrils m², leading into a second chamber m², in which the carburetting retort or
retorts n is or are set and also the steam superheater o. The conduit
producer gases from the generator leads into this combustion chamber. The
carburetting retort n is preferably formed of oval section and is set horizontally
or slightly inclined from the horizontal. We prefer to employ a retort formed of
three main members which are set one above the other and are connected together
in such a manner that the gas shall flow directly through them in one continuous
current. This construction of retort and arrangement of members is illustrated in
Figure 6. Three retort members n' n² n³, are set in zig-zag fashion one above the
other. These are connected together by flanged elbows n n, provided with doors or
lids n n', the parts being preferably bolted together. This construction enables the
retort to be readily cleaned out, and to be more readily replaced when required,
than when the whole retort is formed solid in one piece.
We dispose baffle plates m³, in the second chamber so that the products of combustion
or producer gases shall be delayed in their passage through this chamber. We
also dispose air inlets p in the walls of these two chambers and we so arrange the air
passages p', leading to these inlets that the air is heated before entering into the
chambers. In some cases air is conducted from the blast to these inlets and is then
controlled by suitable valves arranged in any convenient manner. An oil tank is
disposed in any convenient position and a pipe is led therefrom preferably through

page_text: the setting, to heat the oil in its passage, to the carburetting retort. The oil supply
pipe q, Figure 6, is led into the carburetting retort preferably at its highest part.
The oil flows by gravity along the bottom of the retort where it is vaporised. Wrought
iron plates n, are laid along the bottom of the retort to prevent the retorts from
being suddenly cooled by the stream of oil. The condensed oil vapours collected
during the carburation of the water gas and any other heavier oil, may be introduced
into the carburetting retort at the hottest part most convenient for the purpose.
From the conduit j, hereinbefore referred to, a pipe is led to the upper end,
of the carburetting retort n, and from the lower end of the retort is led
a pipe upwards to the fixing chamber or retort hereinafter referred to. The
water-gas thus passes from the conduit along the pipe j¹ to the end n Figures 1, 2
and 6 of the carburetting retort, through three limbs thereof, out at the end no and
along the pipe 2 to the fixing retort s. In some cases the arrangement of these pipes
is the reverse, the water gas being first led into the lower end 10 Figures 1, 2 and 6
of the retort by the pipe through the retort n upwards out at the end and along
the pipe into the fixing retort . The arrangement of pipes shown is such,
however, that the water gas may enter the carburetting retort from either end at will
by operating the valves to the desired end.
The steam superbeater o consists of coils of steam piping enclosed in a protective
vessel o', of cast iron, and is disposed in the hottest convenient part of the setting
preferably in the second chamber aforesaid above the carburetting retort, as illustrated
in Figure 6. The steam is led from the boiler or steam generator to the super-
heater o, and thence to a steam nozzle u, at the end of the steam pipe below
the grate d of each generator, suitable cocks o, being interposed in the piping
to direct and regulate the supply.
The producer gases pass out of this second chamber at the top by the conduit r,
into and through a fluer formed in the same setting in which is fixed the fixing
retort or chamber s. This consists of a vertical metal cylinder s', disposed in the
setting in such a manner that the flue is arranged to pass down one side or over
about one half of the external surface of the metal retort, underneath and up the
other side in a similar manner before passing out of the setting by the conduit
into the chimney.
In this flue are disposed a suitable number of air inlets p distributing currents
of air heated by passing through the air passages pl, the currents in some cases
being led from the air main and controlled by suitable valves. The fixing retorta
is preferably cylindrical inside and has an inlet a for the carburetted water gas at the
top. There is fixed a central vertical metal conduit s³ in the retort which rests upon
a grid or is supported upon legs or otherwise conveniently formed at the base so
that the gas may pass first down the conduit & through the grid a, and upwards round
the outside of the conduit and out at the conduit & into the hydraulic seal or
main and thence to the condensers and gas holder. The annular space between
the central conduit and the casing of the retort is filled with chequerwork s³ of
brick, metal shavings or other suitable material.
In some cases, the carburetted water gas from the carburetting retort enters the
fixing retort at the top, passes through the chequer work downwards, then upwards
through the central conduit and out of the retort into the condensers and gas
holder. The metal casing of the fixing retort may be jacketted with firebrick or
fireclay.
The air supply passages and inlets set in the brick work are preferably metal pipes
having metal nozzles.
The process of manufacture and carburation of water gas in this plant is as
follows:-
The two generators are charged with coke, lighted and put under blast, the producer
gases therefrom being led through the valve chamber i and conduit into the
combustion chamber m, through the nostrils m' into the second chamber m², passing
round the carburetting retort n and out by the conduit r, into the flue where they
are passed round the fixing retort aand finally conducted out by the conduit
into

page_text: the chimney, thereby heating the whole setting and retorts. When the fuel in the
generators is raised to a suitable heat, the conduit from one of the generators to the
setting is shut off by the valve, and one of the valves leading to the carburetting and
fixing retorts, hitherto closed, is opened, the steam blast is turned on and the
production of water gas thereby commenced. The oil supply is also turned on and
the water gas is enriched by the oil vapourised in the carburetting retort and fixed in
the fixing retort.
The generators are alternately under blast after the first start. When one is under
blast and supplying heat to the setting, the other being already heated is decomposing
steam and producing water gas.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The improved construction of apparatus for producing and carburetting
water gas substantially as described hereinbefore and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Second. In a plant for the production of carburetted water gas the improved
construction of a generator having an oblong well forming the ashpit and containing
the fire grate running across the base, and having the interior sides of the wall
converging towards the grate and provided with air and steam blast pipes and nozzles
substantially as described and illustrated and for the purpose set forth.
Third. In a plant for the production of carburetted water gas the improved
construction of a fixer for the mixed gases and vapours consisting of a closed vertical
casing fitted with an internal conduit in communication with the said casing at
one end, having choquer work deposited between the conduit and the casing wall, with
inlet and outlet so arranged that the gases shall enter the fixer and traverse the
length of the conduit inside and that of the casing outside the conduit substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings and for the purpose herein
set forth.
Fourth. The improvements in apparatus for the production of carburetted
water gas substantially as herein before described and illustrated and for the purpose
set forth.
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, and 6, Clayton Square, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.