Year: 1899

page_text: I, PAUL NAEF, Ph. D., of Woody Crescent Avenue, near 165th Street, New York
City, United States of America, Chemical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to the manufacture of water-gas from fuel by the action
of steam. The chief objects of my invention are to produce water-gas by a
continuous operation; to enable bituminous fuel to be used for the production
of such gas to recover in the form of ammonia all or most of the nitrogen
contained in the fuel; to recover tar from the fuel if desired; to produce a
water-gas containing some illuminating hydrocarbons; to devise an improved
system for heating the fuel before it is treated for the production of water-gas,
to increase the production of water-gas per ton of fuel; and to devise a new
system of supplying heat.
The process consists in heating a mixture of water-gas or another combustible
gas containing no nitrogen, and steam to a high temperature and conducting
the highly heated mixture through a column of fuel.
The apparatus described in the Specification of the prior Patent No. 7951 of
1898 granted to me under date of 7th September 1897 can be used for carrying
out the process.
The heaters can be of the same form as the heaters used for
heating air at iron blast furnaces. The general arrangements of the heaters
can be the same as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings accompanying the Speci-
fication of prior Patent No. 7952 of 1898 granted to me under date of 7th Sep-
tember 1897.
Instead of using the heaters for heating air, they are in the present invention
used for heating a mixture of water-gas and steam. The heaters are first heated
up by the combustion of producer-gas, and afterwards the mixture of water-gas
and steam is forced through and is thereby brought to a highly heated state. By
using two or more heaters alternately a continuous stream of heated gas is
obtained, which is conducted through the water-gas generator. The generator
may consist of a shaft with a suitable fuel-feed on top, suitable inlets for the
hot gas and an outlet for the gas after it has passed the column of fuel. The
apparatus is so constructed that the hot mixture of water-gas and steam has to
pass a column of fuel of considerable height so as to allow sufficient time for
the re-action and for bringing the mixture of gas and steam into intimate
contact with the fuel. The naratus is further made of greater height and

page_text: greater diameter than ordinary water-gas plants for the purpose of intercepting
the heat as much as possible from the gases before they leave the apparatus.
Bituminous fuel can be used in the process and the amount of steam admixed
with the water-gas can be so proportioned that the heat contained in the heated
mixture is sufficient to decompose most of the steam and to effect destructive
distillation of the volatile matter of the coal in the upper part of the apparatus.
The process is continuous. Water-gas, free from nitrogen, and containing
ammonia and tar, leaves the apparatus and is conducted through suitable washing
plants for the recovery of the ammonia..
The gas leaving the apparatus contains not only the ammonia formed during
the destructive distillation of the coal, but also the ammonia formed during the
action of the steam on the coke. As the reaction (C + H2O = CO + H₂) takes
place in an atmosphere of water-gas and steam, decomposition of ammonia is
practically avoided and nearly the whole amount of nitrogen is converted into
ammonia. After the gas from the apparatus has been conducted through suit-
able plants for the recovery of ammonia, a large amount is again returned to
the heaters, by means of a pump and is, again forced through the generator.
There is thus obtained a continuous circulation of water-gas through the coking
plant, recovery plant and heaters, and only the surplus gas produced is con-
ducted to a gas-holder. During the passage of the gas from the recovery plants
to the heaters a regulated amount of steam is continuously mixed with the gas.
For the purpose of raising the temperature in the heaters as much as possible,
it is of advantage to supply the producer-gas to them as hot as possible and also
to heat the air required for burning this gas.
If anthracite or coke is used in the process or if the recovery of ammonia is
not desired, the process is modified as follows: A large excess of steam is used
and the gas is returned to the heaters by a blower or other suitable means with-
out previously cooling and washing the gas. The surplus of gas. is drawn off
As the specific heat of steam is higher than that of water-gas more
heat is taken up during its passage through the heater and more water-gas is
afterwards formed during every passage through the generator.
for use.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows a vertical section of apparatus
for carrying out the process, consisting of a heater and revolving furnace.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of an apparatus for carrying out the process con-
sisting of a vertical generator and a heater.
Referring to Figure 1, A is a revolving furnace, preferably of the kind
described in the Specification (communicated by me) of the prior Patent
No. 30496 granted to Paul Dunn on the 24th December 1897. In the drawing
this furnace is shown supported by a V-roller and a roller 2 and driven by a
toothed ring 2ª and a worm 2b. In the interior it has partitions for the purpose
of lifting the material. The higher end of the cylinder is closed by a plate
having a central opening and a projecting flange or rim 3. Over this flange
is a stationary plate 4 having a Hange or rim 5.
The space between the flanges 3 and 5 is filled with a suitable packing, and
by adjusting the distance between the end plate and the stationary plate a tight
joint is obtained. In the plate 4 are two openings one of which is in connec-
tion with the fuel-feed consisting of the conveyor 6 which feeds fuel from the
hopper, and the other of which is in connection with a dust chamber 8 so
arranged that the dust is returned to the furnace automatically.
The lower end of the furnace is closed by the stationary end-plate 9, which
has a flange or rim 10, fitting loosely over the end of the cylinder. The space
between this flange and the cylinder is filled with a suitable packing 11, held in
position by a ring 12 fastened or cast around the cylinder A, and by an adjustable
ring 13. The latter ring is preferably arranged in sections and is adjustable by
means of bolts 13ª fastened to the end-plate 9. A tight joint is obtained. The
end-plate 9 has two openings, to one of which is connected the pipe 14 for the
hot gas coming from heater B. The other opening serves for the discharge of

page_text: the consumed material, and communicates by means of an outlet 15 with a
hopper 16. The latter has a conical bottom 17 and doors 18 at the base thereof.
For the purpose of distributing the gas and for keeping some of the fuel in the
furnace, there is arranged a perforated wall 17ª.
on
Below the hopper 10 is a gas producer C for the production of gas for the
purpose of heating the heating stoves. The gas-producer C is erected
columns 19. It has a conical bottom and doors through which the cinders can
be withdrawn. The air is introduced through an annular channel 20, and the
ducts 21. The gas leaves the producer through the pipe 22. The gas heater B
which is only shown in outline, is preferably of the continuous type. The gas.
from the producer enters the heater at 23, and is burnt with air introduced
through the central pipe 24. The exit of the gases of combustion is at 25. The
cool gases enter the heater through the pipe 26, and the hot gases leave through
the pipe 14. After having passed through the cylinder the gases leave through
the dust chamber S and enter a cooler 27 of any suitable type. They then pass
through any appropriate washing plant 28, as indicated, and afterwards through
the blower 29. Part of the gases pass back to the heater, after the addition of
steam through the pipe 30°, and the rest is conducted to a gas holder through
pipe 30.
If anthracite is used, the cooler 27 and the washer 28 are unnecessary, and
the gas can pass directly back to the heater. Some ammonia can be recovered
without using the said cooler and washer, by conducting the gas drawn off at 30
through a washing plant. Such a washing plant could be of much smaller size.
The apparatus shown in Figure 2 consists of the water-gas generator A¹, gas
heater B, gas-producer C, cooler D and washer E.
The water-gas generator A' consists of a vertical shaft 31 with a suitable fuel-.
feed on top, the latter consisting in this case of a conveyor 32 and a hopper 33.
The generator has a series of ducts 34 for the entrance of hot gas, arranged at
such a height, that the resistance of the gas in an upward and downward
direction is about the same. The annular channel 35 leads the gas to the ducts 34.
This generator has a conical bottom 36 and sliding doors 37, and also discharg-
ing rollers 38. Near the top it has an outlet pipe 39, which leads to a cooler D.
of any suitable construction. From this cooler the gas passes to a washer E
and thence through pipe 40 to the suction fan 41 which delivers some of the
gas back to the heater B', after addition of steam through a pipe 42. The rest
of the gas is conducted to a gas-holder through a pipe 43.
The heater 31 may be of any suitable construction. It is shown with an
outlet pipe 44 for hot gas, which is in communication with the water gas gene-
rator A. The heater is heated by gas supplied from the gas-producer C¹ through
a pipe 45. This gas is burnt by air entering through the central pipe 46 and
the gases of combustion leave through a pipe 47".
The gas producer C has a conical bottom 47 which is closed by sliding
doors 48, and is so arranged that the cinders can be withdrawn into wagons 49.
Air is forced through a pipe 50 into the annular channel 51 and enters by the
ducts 52. The producer-gas leaves the producer through the pipe 45.
.
The operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is as follows: Fuel is cons
tinuously charged into the revolving cylinder and the consumed material dis-
charges itself into the hopper from which it is from time to time allowed to
empty into the producer C by opening the doors 18. Air is blown into the
producer from a blower (not shown). through the annular channel 20 and the
ducts 21. The producer-gas is conducted to the heater B, where it is burnt
with air entering through the pipe 24, which air is preferably previously heated:
The gases of combustion leave at 25. The mixture of gas and steam enters
the heater through the pipe 26, and leaves in a highly heated state through the
pipe 14, which conducts it into the revolving furnace A. Here water-gas is
formed by the reaction C+ H2O = CO + H. and if bituminous coal is used it is
distilled near the charge end of the furnace. At the same time, ammonia and

page_text: tar are formed, and are suspended in the gas as vapour. The gas leaving the
furnace passes into the dust-chamber 8, which has an inclined bottom so that
the dust falls back into the furnace. The gas then enters the cooler 27 and the
by-products recovery plant 28 and is drawn past the fan 29. Some of the gas
returns to the heater B and is continuously mixed with steam.
The rest of the
gas is conducted to a gas holder through the pipe 30, or is conveyed to a car-
buretting plant. As previously stated, the cooler and recovery plant is not
necessary if no by-products are to be recovered.
It is of advantage to use a furnace that will break up the fuel and expose it
in a state of fine division to the action of the steam. Such a result is obtained
by using the perforated partition shown in my aforesaid Specification
No. 30496/97.
The perforated wall near the discharge end of the revolving furnace causes a
good distribution of hot gas and also keeps back the larger pieces of coke. If
the fuel is to be burnt to ash in the revolving furnace this partition wall is made
with small openings, so that only fine cinders are discharged.
The arrangement of the end plate at the discharge end of the furnace is of
importance as it insures a tight joint. By moving the adjustable ring 13, the
packing can be replaced in a very short time. For the purpose of avoiding the
risk of leakage a low pressure is maintained in the apparatus. The use of the
hopper 16, closing tightly against the end plate, has the advantage that the
furnace can be worked continuously and the material can be withdrawn
periodically from the hopper without leakage. The use of the producer below
the hopper results in economy of fuel and labour. By discharging into the gas-
producer a material containing combustible matter, the efficiency of the water-
gas plant is increased; and if bituminous fuel is used, ammonia, tar and hydro-
carbons will be recovered from the fuel which is necessary to heat the gas-
heaters.
The operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 has been described. Fuel
is fed into the water-gas generator A and the partly burnt material is emptied
into the gas producer C¹, from which cinders are withdrawn at the bottom.
By means of the mechanical charging arrangement at the base of the generator
and at the base of the producer, the passage of the fuel can be made entirely
automatic and continuous, both through the water gas generator and the gas
producer.
Air is forced into the gas producer by a blower (not shown) through the pipe 50
and the annular channel 51 and ducts 52. The producer gas is conducted to the
heater through the pipe 45 and is burnt by means of air entering through the
central pipe 46. The gases of combustion leave the heater through the pipe 47.
The mixture of gas and steam enters the heater through the pipe 40 and passes
in a highly heated state into the generator A¹ through the annular channel 35
and ducts 34. As the highly heated mixture of gas and steam passes upward
through the fuel, water-gas is formed, and if bituminous coal is used distillation
takes place in the upper part of the generator. It is of importance that the gas
should enter the generator at such a height that it will pass upward through the
fine fuel, the resistance upwards and downwards being about the same.
From the generator the gas passes through the cooler D and the recovery
plant E, which may be of any suitable construction. As a cooler, I prefer a
chamber containing a number of iron pipes. The gas passes through the chamber
and the air used for burning the producer gas in the heater is passed through the
pipes. In this way a higher temperature is produced in the heater, and fuel
is economized. On leaving the recovery plant, the gas passes a fan 41 and
part of it is returned to the heater B' through the pipe 40, steam being added
through the pipe 42. The water-gas is withdrawn for carburation or is con-
ducted to a gas-holder through the pipe 43. If no by-products are to be re-
covered no cooler and by-product plant is employed. If bituminous fuel is used
the water-gas contains hydro-carbons, and ammonia is produced from the fuel

page_text: converted into water gas, as well as from the fuel necessary for heating the
heaters.
As previously explained, the process may be expedited by working it in such
a way that a gas containing an excess of steam leaves the generator. As the
specific heat of steam is higher than that of the gas, more heat is taken up
in the heater and more water-gas is formed during the passage through the fuel.
For the purpose of further hastening the formation of water-gas, I heat the fuel
before the mixture of steam and gas is passed through it. This can be con-
veniently done by injecting air periodically into the fuel as practiced in the
ordinary water-gas processes in use. The fuel gas thus produced is with advan-
tage used for the purpose of heating the heaters. A great improvement can be
effected in existing water-gas plants by heating the steam used in the process
in one of the heaters. Much greater still is the advantage of circulating a
mixture of steam and gas through the generator, as described, during the water-
gas run. Much longer water-gas runs will then be possible and bituminous fuel
can be used and the by-products recovered. If the fuel is treated as described
by periodically injecting air, the same apparatus can be used as illustrated in
the drawings; by providing suitable inlets for injecting air and outlets for with-
drawing the dilute gas produced during the period of air-injection, and by pro-
viding suitable valves in said inlet and outlet, and also in the inlet and outlet
pipe for the water-gas.
A considerable improvement of the mode of heating the fuel can be effected
by using the apparatus described in another application of even date No. 20660
of 1899, consisting of a number of superposed generators with arrangements for
conducting the fuel successively through all the generators. Instead of passing
the steam successively through all the generators as there shown, each generator
has a separate heater, which is connected with the annular flue and ducts of
each generator, as there shown. Each heater has a separate inlet and each
generator a separate outlet. The process is worked in such a way that as the
fuel passes downward through the apparatus it is alternately, and several times,
heated by injecting air into it and withdrawing the dilute gas separately, and
afterwards treated with steam the water gas being withdrawn separately. Air
is conducted through every alternate heater and generator, and steam is injected
into the generators between these generators. The dilute gas obtained from the
generators working with air can be conducted into a general main, and is used
for the purpose of heating the heaters. The water-gas from the generators work-
ing with steam is also conducted to a general main and through a by-product
recovery plant. It will be noticed that the mode of heating the fuel and pro-
ducing water-gas is entirely continuous. Fuel is passed through the plant con-
tinuously and every alternate generator works continuously with hot air and the
other with hot steam. Intermixing of the water-gas and of the dilute gas is
practically avoided by introducing air or steam at such a point in each generator
that the gas will pass upward through the fine fuel. There is therefore practically
the same gas-pressure at the juncture of the generators above and below the fuel,
where intermixing of the gases might take place. I preferably so work the
apparatus that the fuel passes continuously from one generator to the next
through the whole apparatus. This is possible by using a mechanical charging
arrangement between each generator or by assisting the passage of material
occasionally by pushing irons through suitable poke-holes. If the fuel is fed
through continuously, doors between the generators can be dispensed with.
Instead of conducting steam alone through every alternate generator a heated
mixture of steam and water-gas can be used. There can also be applied the
continuous circulation of steam through the heater and generator as described.
If doors are used between the generators, which doors are periodically opened,
the system of conducting steam successively through the water-gas generators
described in my application of even date No. 20660 of 1899 can with advantage
be adopted.

page_text: $
The method of producing water-gas can with advantage be used in. combination
with my coking system. All the coal can be first coked and the by-products and
hydrocarbons can be thus recovered.
The coke is used for the manufacture.of
water gas as described. By recovering the by-products during the coking a
smaller by-product plant will be required, than if all the water gas has to be
treated for the recovery of by-products.
The mode of heating the gas is not limited to the use of the heaters described.
If the gas is not returned to the generator in continuous circulation, gas and
steam can be heated separately. The gas can then be heated by conducting it
through a body of fuel periodically heated by the injection of air.
If revolving furnaces are used for carrying out the process, there is also the
advantage that practically no resistance is offered to the passage of the gas.
Any suitable form of continuous heater can then be employed.
The construction of the apparatus may be varied as the case may require to
effect the best results without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Dated this 14th dox of October 1899
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Method of an Apparatus for routing was and by
I, PAUL NAEF, Ph. D., of Woody Crescent Avenue, near 165th Street, New York
City, United States of America, Chemical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement: —
This invention relates to the manufacture of water-gas from fuel by the action
of steam. The chief objects of my invention are to produce water-gas by a
continuous operation; to enable bituminous fuel to be used for the production
of such gas to recover in the form of ammonia all or most of the nitrogen
contained in the fuel to recover tar from the fuel if desired; to produce a
water-gas containing some illuminating hydrocarbons; to devise an improved
system for heating the fuel before it is treated for the production of water-gas,
to increase the production of water-gas per ton of fuel; and to devise a new
system of supplying heat.
The process consists in heating a mixture of water gas or another combustible
gas containing no nitrogen, and steam to a high temperature and conducting
this highly heated mixture through a column of fuel.
In some cases steam alone can be employed in the process.
The mixture of heated gas and steam is passed through the column of fuel in
a suitable furnace or generator or series of generators in such manner that
water-gas free from nitrogen, containing by-products and at will varying quan
tities of steam or no steam, finally leaves the generator at a temperature which
is only just sufficient to prevent any tar that is present in the gas from con-
densing. This gas is passed through a suitable washing plant for the recovery
of by-products. Part of the said gas may be mixed with steam and returned,
either before or after the washing process, to the generator and re-passed through
the fuel.

page_text: For the purpose of increasing the rapidity of the production of the water-gas,
I may heat the fuel previous to the treatment with steam as is done in the pro-
duction of water-gas by processes generally in use. In this case I use the fuel-
gas thus produced to heat the gas heaters employed in the process.
Or I may so arrange the apparatus that the fuel is continuously passed through
the generators and treated alternately with air or gas and with steam during its
passage, the gas and water-gas produced respectively by these two operations
being separately withdrawn from the generators.
The apparatus described in the Specification of the prior Patent No. 7951
of 1898 granted to me under date of 7th September 1897, can be used for carry-
ing out the process.
The heaters can be of the same form as the heaters used for heating air at iron
blast furnaces a refractory material being first heated to high temperature by
the combustion of gases and gas being afterwards conducted through the heated
refractory material.
The general arrangements of the heaters is the same as that shown in Figure 5
of the drawings accompanying the Specification of prior Patent No. 7952 of 1898
granted to me under date of 7th September 1897, but instead of using the heaters
for heating air as therein described, they are according to the present invention
used for heating water-gas and steam. The heaters are first heated by the com-
bustion of producer-gas, and afterwards the mixture of water-gas and steam
or the gas or steam alone is forced through the heaters and is thereby brought
to a highly heated state. By using two or more heaters alternately, a continuous
stream of heated gas is obtained, for conducting through the water-gas generator
or furnace.
The generator or furnace may conveniently consist of a shaft with a suitable
fuel-feed on top, suitable inlets for the hot gas and an outlet for the said gas
after it has passed through the column of fuel. The apparatus is so constructed
that the hot water-gas and steam have to pass through a column of fuel of suffi-
cient length to allow sufficient time for the reaction and for bringing the gas and
steam into intimate contact with the fuel. The apparatus is further made of
greater length and greater diameter than ordinary water-gas plants, for the
purpose of extracting the heat as much as possible from the gases before they
leave the apparatus.
Bituminous fuel can be used in the process and the amount of steam admixed
with the water-gas can be so proportioned that the heat contained in the heated
mixture is sufficient to decompose most of the steam and to effect destructive
distillation of the volatile matter of the fuel in the upper part of the apparatus.
The process is continuous. Water-gas, free from nitrogen and containing
ammonia and tar, leaves the apparatus and is conducted through suitable washing
plants for the recovery of the ammonia.
=
The gas leaving the apparatus contains not only the ammonia formed during
the destructive distillation of the coal, but also the ammonia formed during the
process by the action of the steam employed on the coke produced. As the re-
action (CH₂O COH,) takes place in an atmosphere of water-gas and
steam, decomposition of ammonia is as nearly as possible avoided and most of the
nitrogen is recovered as ammonia. After the gas from the apparatus has been
conducted through suitable plants for the recovery of ammonia, a large amount
of said gas may be again returned to the heaters by means of a fan or pump and
then again forced through the generator. There is thus obtained a continuous
circulation of water-gas through the generator, by-products recovery plant and
heaters, and only the surplus gas produced is conducted to a gas-holder. During
the passage of the gas from the by-product recovery plant to the heaters, a
regulated amount of steam is continuously mixed with the said gas.
For the purpose of raising the temperature in the heaters as much as possible,
it is of advantage to supply the producer-gas in a heated state to them, and also
to heat the air required for burning this gas.

page_text: If anthracite or coke is used in the process instead of bituminous fuel or if the
recovery of ammonia is not desired, the process is modified as follows:-A large
excess of steam is used and the gas is returned from the generator to the heaters
by a blower or other suitable means without being previously cooled and washed.
The surplus of the gas produced is drawn off for direct use, or is first freed from
steam in a separate apparatus as hereinafter described. In the latter case only
the gas drawn off for use and not that returned to the heaters, has to be washed.
As the specific heat of steam is higher than that of water-gas more heat is taken
up during the passage of a mixture of gas and steam through the heaters and
more water-gas is afterwards formed during every passage of the mixture of gas
and steam through the generator, than would be the case if no steam was mixed
as aforesaid with the gas.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the same more fully with reference to the draw-
ings, of which Figures 1 and 2 accompanied my Provisional Specification and
in which
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of apparatus in which a revolving
furnace or generator is employed.
Figure 2 is an elevation partly in section in which a stationary furnace or
generator is employed.
Figure 3 is an elevation partly in section of a modified apparatus in which the
fuel is heated before the mixture of gas and steam is passed through it.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are elevations partly in section of further modifications of
the apparatus in which superposed generators are employed.
Referring to Figure 1, A is a revolving furnace, preferably of the kind
described in the Specification (communicated by me) of the prior Patent
No. 30496 of 1897. This furnace is supported by a V-shaped roller and also
by a roller 2, and is driven from any suitable source of power by a worm 2b
which gears with a toothed ring 2 on the furnace A. The interior of the fur-
nace A is provided with partitions for the purpose of lifting the fuel. The fun
nace is inclined and has its upper end closed by an end plate having a central
opening and also having a projecting flange or rim 3. Over this flange is a
stationary plate 4 provided with a flange or rim 5 which fits over the flange 3.
The space between the flanges 3 and 5 is filled with a suitable packing, and by
suitably adjusting the distance between the end plate and the stationary plate 4
a tight joint is obtained. In the plate 4 are two openings one of which is con-
nected with the fuel-feed consisting of a conveyor 6 and a hopper 7, and the
other of which is connected with a dust chamber 8 so arranged that the dust
collected during the process is returned to the furnace automatically. The lower
end of the furnace is closed by a stationary end-plate 9, which has a flange or
rim 10, fitting loosely over the end of the furnace. The space between this flange
and the cylinder is filled with a suitable packing 11, held in position by a ring 12
fastened or cast around the cylinder A, and by an adjustable ring 13. The
ring 13 is preferably arranged in sections and is adjustable by means of bolts 13ª
fastened to the end-plate 9. A tight joint is thus obtained. The end-plate 9
has two openings, to one of which is connected the pipe 14 for admitting the
hot gas coming from a heater B. The other opening serves for the discharge
of the consumed material, and communicates by means of an outlet 15 with a
hopper 16. The hopper 16 has a conical bottom 17 and doors 18 at the base
thereof. For the purpose of distributing the gas and for keeping some of the
fuel in the furnace, the said furnace is provided with a perforated wall 17.
Below the hopper 16 is a gas producer C for the production of gas for the pur-
pose of heating the heating stoves. The gas-producer C is erected on columns 19.
It has a conical bottom and doors through which the cinders can be withdrawn.
Air is introduced to the producer C, through an annular channel 20, and ducts 21.
The gas leaves the said producer through the pipe 22. The gas heater B which
is only shown in outline is preferably of the continuous type as above stated.

page_text: The gas from the producer enters the heater at 23, and is burnt with air in-
troduced through a pipe 24 which passes through the centre of the pipe 23. 25
is the exit for the gases of combustion. After the refractory material in heater B
has been thus heated, the gases to be subsequently employed for distilling the
fuel enter the heater through the pipe 26, and leave in a heated condition
through the pipe 14. After having passed through the furnace A the gases pass
through the dust chamber 8 and enter a cooler 27 of any suitable type. The
gases then pass through any appropriate washing plant 28, and afterwards
through a blower 29. Part of the gas passes back to the heater, together with
steam introduced through the pipe 30, and the rest of the gas is conducted to
a gas holder through the pipe 30. The fan 29 keeps up a continuous circulation
of steam and gases through the apparatus.
If anthracite is used in the furnace A the cooler 27 and the washer 28 are
unnecessary, and the gas can pass directly back to the heater B. Some ammonia
can be recovered without using the said cooler and washer, by conducting the
gas drawn off at 30 through a washing plant. Such a washing plant could be
of much smaller size than that shown at 27 and 28.
The apparatus can be started by passing steam through the heater B and
afterwards conducting the same through the generator. To expedite the first
starting the fuel may be heated by combustion previously to the injection of
steam, by conducting air into the fuel in any convenient manner.
The apparatus shown in Figure 2 consists of the water-gas generator A¹, a
gas heater 1, a gas-producer C¹, a cooler D, and a washer E.
The water-gas generator A' consists of a vertical shaft 31 with a suitable fuel-
feed on top, the latter consisting in this case of a conveyor 32 and a hopper_33.
The generator has a series of ducts 34 for the entrance of hot gas, arranged at
such a height that the resistance to the gas within the generator in an upward
and in a downward direction is about the same.. An annular channel 35 leads
the gas to the ducts 34. This generator has a conical bottom 36 and sliding
doors 37, and also rotary discharging rollers 38. Near the top it has an outlet
pipe 39, which leads to the cooler D of any suitable construction. From this
cooler the gas passes to the washer E and thence through a pipe 40 to a suction
fan 41 which delivers some of the gas back to the heater B₁ together with steam
which is admitted through a pipe 42. The rest of the gas is conducted to a gas-
holder through a pipe 43.
The apparatus is started in the same way as that above described with reference
to Figure 1.
The heater B' may be of any suitable construction. It is shown with an
outlet pipe 44 for hot gas, which is in communication with the water gas gene-
rator A through the channel 35 and ducts 34. The heater is heated by gas
supplied from the gas-producer C through a pipe 45. This gas is burnt by air
entering the heater through a pipe passing through the centre of the pipe 45,
and the gases of combustion leave the heater through a pipe 47".
The gas-producer Chas a conical bottom 47 which is closed by sliding doors 48,
and is so arranged that the cinders can be withdrawn into a wagon 49. Air is
forced through a pipe 50 into an annular channel 51 and thence enters the pro-
ducer C by the ducts 52. The producer-gas leaves the producer through the
pipe 45.
The operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is as follows: Fuel is con-
tinuously charged into the revolving cylinder and the consumed material is dis-
charged into the hopper 16 from which it is from time to time allowed to fall
into the producer C by opening the doors 18. Air is blown into the producer C
from a blower (not shown) through the annular channel 20 and the ducts 21.
The producer-gas is conducted to the heater B, where it is burnt with air enter-
ing through the pipe 24, which air is preferably previously heated. The gases
of combustion leave at 25. After the heater has been sufficiently heated the

page_text: pipes, 23, 24 and 25 are closed by suitable valves and if starting the plant,
steam,
or otherwise a mixture of gas and steam enters the heater
through the pipe 26, and leaves in a highly heated state through the pipe 14,
which conducts it into the revolving furnace A. Here water-gas is
formed by the reaction C+ H2O = CO + H₂, and if the bituminous coal is used
it is distilled near the charging end of the furnace. At the same time ammonia
and tar are formed, and are suspended in the gas as vapour. The gas and
vapour leaving the furnace pass into the dust-chamber 8, which has an inclined
bottom so that the dust falls back into the furnace. The gas then enters the
cooler 27 and the by-products recovery plant 28 and is drawn past the fan 29.
Some of the gas returns to the heater B and is continuously mixed with steam.
The rest of the gas is conducted to a gas holder through the pipe 30, or is con-
veyed to a suitable carburetting plant. As previously stated, the cooler and
recovery plant is not necessary if no by-products, are to be recovered.
It is of advantage to use a furnace that will break up the fuel and expose it in
a state of fine division to the action of the steam. Such a result is obtained by
using the perforated partition shown in the furnace described in my aforesaid
Specification No. 30496/97.
The perforated wall 17" near the discharge end of the revolving furnace causes
an effectual distribution of hot gas and also retains the larger pieces of coke in
the furnace. If the fuel is to be burnt to ash in the revolving furnace this
partition wall is made with small openings, so that only fine cinders are dis-
charged through it.
The arrangement of the end plate at the discharge end of the furnace is of
importance as it ensures a tight joint. By moving the adjustable ring 13, the
packing can be replaced in a very short time. For the purpose of avoiding the
risk of leakage, a low pressure is maintained in the apparatus. The use of the
hopper 16, closing tightly against the end plate, has the advantage that the
furnace can be worked continuously and the material can be withdrawn periodi-
cally from the hopper, without leakage. The use of the producer situated below
the hopper results in economy of fuel and labour. By effecting an incomplete
combustion of the fuel in the furnace A and discharging the residual material
containing combustible matter, from the furnace into the gas producer, the
efficiency of the water-gas plant is increased; and if bituminous fuel is used,
ammonia, tar and hydrocarbons will be recovered from the fuel required to
heat the gas-heaters.
The operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 is as follows: Fuel is fed
into the water-gas generator A¹ and the partly burnt material is emptied into
the gas producer. C4, from the bottom. of which cinders are withdrawn. By
means of the mechanical discharging arrangement at the base of the generator
and at the base of the producer, the passage of the fuel can be made entirely
automatic and continuous, both through the water gas generator and the gas
producer.
Air is forced into the gas producer by a blower (not shown) through the pipe 50
and the annular channel 51 and ducts 52. The producer gas is conducted to the
heater through the pipe 45 and is burnt by means of air entering the said heater
through the pipe 46. The gases of combustion leave the heater through the
pipe 47
If starting the apparatus, steam, or after the apparatus has been started, the
mixture of gas and steam enters the 'heater through the pipe 40 and passes in a
highly heated state into the generator A¹ through the annular channel, 35 and
ducts 34. As the highly heated mixture of gas and steam passes upward through
the fuel, water-gas is formed, and if bituminous coal is used distillation takes
place in the upper part of the generator It is of importance that the gas should
enter the generator at such a height that it will pass upward through the fine
fuel, the resistance upwards and downwards being about the same.

page_text: From the generator the gas passes through the cooler D and the by-products
recovery plant E, which may be of any suitable construction. As a cooler, I
prefer a chamber containing a number of iron pipes. The air to be subsequently
used for burning the producer gas in the heater is passed through the pipes in the
cooler, thus becoming heated while serving to cool the cooler. In this way a
higher temperature is produced in the heater, and fuel is economized. On leav-
ing the recovery plant, the gas passes a fan 41 and part of it is returned to the
heater B through the pipe 40, steam being added through the pipe 42. The
water-gas is withdrawn for carburation or is conducted to a gas-holder through
the pipe 43. If no by-products are to be recovered no cooler and by-product plant
is employed. If bituminous fuel is used the water-gas obtained contains illu-
minating hydrocarbons produced by decomposition of the volatile matter of the
fuel, and ammonia and other by-products are produced from the fuel converted
into water gas as well as from the fuel necessary for heating the heaters.
As previously explained, the process may be expedited by working it in such
a way that a gas containing an excess of steam leaves the generator. As the
specific heat of steam is higher than that of the gas, more heat is then taken up
by the mixture of steam and gas in the heater and more water-gas is formed
during the passage of this mixture through the fuel, than will be the case if
the said gas did not contain an excess of steam.
The gas can be freed from steam in a separate apparatus as hereinafter
described.
Referring to Figure 3, A² is a shaft erected on suitable columns and provided
with series of ducts a, a, communicating with circular channels a², a³
b is a
blower for injecting air into the furnace A2 through the channel and ducts a.
bis a valve for disconnecting the blower b from the channel a² when necessary.
B3 is the gas heater the lower end of which communicates with the channel
through the pipe 62 and valve 63. The upper end of the heater B2 communicates
with the channel through a pipe 6+, a fan b³, and a valve b. b is a pipe
controlled by a valve 68 and leading from the pipe to a cooler D¹ and a
washer E. 6 is a steam inlet pipe controlled by a suitable valve and communi-
cating with the pipe 4. 610 is a similar steam pipe communicating with the
heater B². a is a pipe controlled by a valve and leading from the channel a³
to the heater B². Similar means to those previously described with reference to
Figure 2 are provided for feeding fuel to the top of the generator A2 and for
removing ash from the bottom of said generator. When beginning to operate
this apparatus, the valves 3 and 66 are closed and the valves. 61
and are
opened. The fuel is ignited and air is injected from the blower through the
channel a² and ducts a to the fuel in the generator A2 until the said fuel is
heated to incandescence. The gas thus produced escapes through the ducts a¹
the channel and the pipe at to the heater B2 where it is burned with air, the
products of combustion escaping from a suitable outlet at the top of the heater.
When the heater B2 and generator A2 are sufficiently heated, steam is admitted
to the heater B2 through the pipe 610 while the valves and be are opened, and
the valves b, a are shut. Highly heated steam is then drawn by the fan b
from the heater B2 through the pipe channel 2 and ducts into the fur-
nace A2 where it passes through the incandescent fuel. The gas thus generated
by the action of the steam on the heated fuel leaves the generator A2, by the
ducts a¹, channel a³ and pipe b, part of the said gas being mixed with steam
injected through the pipe and then returned through the heater 132 and thence
back to the generator through the pipe 2 by the fan b³, and part of said.
being conducted through the pipe to the cooler ' and washer E. for the
séparation of ammonia. A continuous circulation of steam and gases is thus
maintained between the heater B2 and the generator A2, the mixture of gas
and steam always leaving the heater heated above the temperature of reaction and
leaving the generator A² in a cooled condition. This continuous circulation of
gas

page_text: the gas causes the tar derived from the fuel to be converted into permanent gas
and a gas is thus obtained containing some illuminating hydrocarbons.
A great improvement can be effected when employing existing water-gas
plants in connection with this process, by heating the steam used in this process,
in one of the heaters. Much greater still is the advantage of circulating a
mixture of steam and gas through the generator, as above described during the
water-gas run, as much longer water gas runs will then be possible and bituminous
fuel can be used and the by-products recovered.
It is obvious that, if required, the heater B2 might be employed for heating
steam only, the pipe 6 being then adapted to only lead all the gas produced in
the generator A directly to the by-products recovery plant, and the fan 5 and
steam pipe 67 being omitted.
Figure 4 shows an apparatus in which a considerable improvement in the
method of heating the fuel is effected by using apparatus consisting of a number
of superposed generators provided with arrangements for conducting the fuel
successively through all of them.
A3, A4, A5, A6 are the generators, the bottoms of which are provided with
suitable sliding doors. The fuel is fed mechanically from a suitable hopper into
the generator A3, and the passage of the fuel from generator to generator is
facilitated by rollers a, a, as, the ashes being finally discharged from the
generator A6 by rollers a³. The generators are provided with series of ducts
ao, a, a¹², a for the introduction of gaseous fluid from channels a, a, a,
a17 a 18, 19, 20 and 21 are the exit pipes from the generators. B3 is a heater
for heating air, and is of the same construction as the heaters generally used at
blast furnaces. 610x is a blower for delivering air into the heater B3, and 6" is
a pipe controlled by suitable valves which leads heated air from the heater B to
the channels a¹, ai and thence to the generators A3, A5 where the fuel is raised
to a high temperature. Gas is conducted from the generators A3, A5 by the
pipes a¹8, a20 to a main which leads back to the heater B3 and also leads to a
heater C. The bottom of the heater C communicates by a pipe c with the
annular channels a¹³, a and thence with the generators A4, A6. el is a pipe
connecting the outlets from the generators A4, A6 to the upper end of the
heater C. The pipe c¹ also communicates with a cooler D2 and a washer E2.
Steam is admitted to the heater C² by a pipe c² controlled by a suitable valve.
is a fan arranged in the pipe c', and c is a steam inlet pipe to the pipe c¹. A
highly heated mixture of steam and gas leaves the heater C2 through the pipe c
and enters the generators A4, A6 through the channels 5, a17 and ducts all, 13.
This mixture of steam and gas passes through the highly heated fuel which has
been fed from the generators A3, A5 into the generators A4, A6; and gas leaves
the generators A, A6 through the pipes a¹ and to the pipe cl. Part of this
gas then passes through the cooler 12 and washer E2 for the recovery of ammonia
and part of it is returned by the fan to the heater C². That part of the gas
returned by the fan is mixed with steam from the pipe e before entering the
heater C² and a continuous circulation of a mixture of heated gas and steam
is thus maintained between the heater C3 and the generators A4, A6. e is a fan
for drawing the gas through the cooler D2 and the by-products recovery plant E2,
this fan may however in most cases be omitted. It is obvious that instead of
returning any part of the gas to the generator C2 through the fan 3 that the
whole of the gas produced may be passed directly through the by-products re-
covery plant. The arrangement of apparatus shown in Figure 4 greatly in-
creases the capacity of the plant. The gas or air is introduced at such a point
in the generators that it will pass upwardly through the fuel so that there is
practically the same gas-pressure at the juncture of the generators, and the
gases in the generators do not intermix. The doors between the generators may
be opened at intervals or may be dispensed with and fuel fed through the
generators continuously.

page_text: Referring to Figure 5 the modified apparatus here shown obviates the necessity
of transferring the highly heated fuel from one generator to another through
a series of generators as in the apparatus shown in Figure 4, while at the same
time providing for the continuous passage of fuel through the generators until
the said fuel is consumed. A and As are two superposed generators provided
with inlet ducts a³, a communicating through channels a, with a pipe a27
controlled by suitable valves and connected to an air blower aa, a:30 are
exit pipes leading from the tops of the generators.³, a32 are ducts connecting
the generators with channels a, . The channels a, a communicate with
a pipe leading from the lower end of a heater C3 which is provided with a
steam inlet pipe 6. 35, 36 are ducts connecting the generators with channels
a37, a38 provided with exit pipes a, a40. A suitable hopper and mechanical
fuel feed is arranged at the top of the generator A', and the lower ends of the
generators are provided with sliding doors and also with discharging rollers as
described with reference to the previous figures. F is an elevator for raising
the fuel discharged from the generator A8 and delivering it into the feed
hopper.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-Fuel is continuously fed into the
apparatus and passes through the same, any unconsumed fuel being returned to
the feed hopper by the elevator F and passed again through the furnaces. By
means of the blower 28 air is continuously passed through the channels a25, 26
and ducts a, a, into the fuel in the upper parts of the generators A7, A8.
The gas thereby produced leaving the generator by the pipes 29 and a Steam
is introduced through the pipe c to the heater C3 and highly heated steam leaves
the heaters and by the pipe centers the lower end of the generators by the
channels a, a and ducts a³, a. The water-gas produced by the action of this
steam on the heated fuel leaves the generators by the ducts a35, a³, channels
a37, a3 and pipes a, a
Any intermixing of the water gas produced in the lower parts of the generators
with the gas produced in the upper parts of the generators is avoided by suit-
ably regulating the draught at the exit pipes a29, 30 and 39, (240
Referring to Figure 6, the apparatus here shown comprises an upper generator
for coking the fuel and a lower generator for producing gas. A and A³* are
the two generators. The generator A is provided with ducts a leading to an
annular channel a2 connected with a gaseous fluid inlet pipe a, and also with
ducts a communicating with a steam or water pipe a. at is the outlet lead-
ing from the generator A* to a by-product recovery plant E³. The generator A8*
is provided with ducts a communicating with a channel 8 and also with
ducts a communicating with a channel a50. C is a gas heater of the same
construction as that used at blast furnaces and is connected by a pipe c with the
channel 5.8 is a fan for forcing air into the upper end of the heater C. G is
a gas cooler having spaces at its ends connected by pipes 9, and having the space
at its upper end connected by a pipe g¹ to the channel 48. 92 is the exit pipe
from the space at the lower end of the cooler G, and g³ is a blower for intro-
ducing cool air to the spaces between the tubes in the cooler. is a pipe
connecting the spaces between the tubes g with the lower end of the heater C,
and is the.combustible fluid inlet to the heater C. c10 is the outlet for the
products of combustion from the heater C. The bottoms of the generators
A7, A8 are of conical form and are provided with suitable sliding doors and
rotary discharge rollers.
Fuel is fed mechanically from a hopper into the top of the generator A7 from
which it passes to the generator As*. The residual ash is discharged
from the generator A. The gas for coking the fuel is introduced
to the generator A through the pipe a3 the channel a2 and ducts-a". Steam
or water is introduced to the generator A from the pipe a and ducts a" and
acts upon the hot coke in the generator to produce ammonia from the nitro-
genous constituents of the coke. Gas leaves the generator A" through the

page_text: pipe a and the ammonia is recovered from the said gas in the washing plant E³.
The fan forces air into the upper end of the heater C, this air leaves the
heater in a highly heated condition by the pipe and enters the generator A
through the channel a and the ducts a. This air passes upward through the
fuel in the generator gasifying the said fuel. The gas thus produced leaves the
generator Ax by the ducts a and channel as and is conducted to the cooler G
by the pipe g. The gases are then cooled by passing through the pipes gin
the cooler and finally leave the cooler by the pipe . The air introduced by
the blower to cool the cooler G, leaves the said cooler in a heated condition
by the pipe g. As described with reference to the previous figures of the draw-
ings, two gas heaters are employed and heated alternately by combustible fluid
which enters at the pipe and is burnt by the hot air entering from the pipe g*,
the products of combustion leaving the heater by the pipe clo
The pipe a3 is shown as connected to the pipe c, and this is a convenient
manner of supplying the hot air required for the generator A as above described.
The fan may be employed for forcing other fluid than air through the
heater Ct. If gas free from nitrogen is to be produced in the generators, steam
is passed through the heater C+ to the said generators instead of air as above
described, so that water gas is obtained in the lower generator and a mixture of
water gas with illuminating gas is produced in the upper generator.
The mode of heating the gas which is used in the process is not limited to
the use of the heaters described. If the gas it not returned to the generator in
continuous circulation, gas and steam can be heated separately. The gas can
then be heated by conducting it through a body of fuel periodically heated by
the injection of air.
If revolving furnaces are used for carrying out the process, there is the
advantage that practically no resistance is offered to the passage of the gas
through the fuel. Any suitable form of continuous heater can then be employed.
The construction of the apparatus may be varied as the case may require, to
effect the best results without departing from the spirit of the invention.
W
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of. my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim in the manufacture of gas and by products from fuel is:-
1. The method; which consists in passing fuel through a generator, conduct-
ing heated steam through the generator, re-heating some of the gases produced
and returning them to the generator, substantially as described.
2. The method, which consists in conducting through the fuel a heated mixture
of a combustible gas and steam containing a large amount of steam in excess
of what is decomposed during the passage through the fuel, and returning
some of the gas produced to the fuel after reheating the said gas, substantially
as described.
3: The method, which consists in passing fuel through a generator, conducting
a heated mixture of water gas and steam containing an excess of steam through
the fuel, returning part of the resulting gaseous products of the fuel to the
generator after adding steam to them, and bringing the remainder of the gas
into contact with fuel at a high temperature to decompose all the remaining
steam, substantially as described.
4. The method of producing water gas containing illuminating hydrocarbons
which consists in heating a mixture of water-gas and steam, conducting this
mixture through bituminous fuel and recovering by-products from the gas, the
steam in the mixture being only in such proportion as to be mostly decomposed
during the passage through the fuel, substantially as described.
5. The continuous method of gasifying fuel, which consists in bringing heated
steam or a mixture of steam and gas into contact with fuel and simultaneously
agitating the fuel so as to expose it in the finest possible state of division, sub-
stantially as described.

page_text: 6. The method of gasifying fuel, which consists in bringing the fuel in fine
division into contact with a heated mixture of combustible gas and steam and
simultaneously supplying heat through the sides of the apparatus, substantially
as described.
7. The method of alternately subjecting a body of fuel to the action of air and
to the action of heated steam, the two operations being carried on simultaneously
and the two gases thereby produced being withdrawn separately substantially
as described.
8. The continuous process consisting in passing a heated mixture of gas and
steam through a column of fuel, washing the gas thus produced to recover by-
products, repeatedly re-passing part of said gas through the fuel, re-heating and
mixing steam with the gas after each passage through the fuel, conducting the
surplus gas produced to the point of utilization, and utilizing the refuse fuel
for supplying the heat required for heating the gas during the process, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose specified.
9. The continuous process which consists in heating a column of fuel to in-
candescence with a draught of air, utilizing the gas thus produced to heat steam,
passing the heated steam through the incandescent fuel to produce gas and by-
products, repeatedly re-passing part of this gas through the fuel, re-heating said
gas and mixing it with steam after every passage through the fuel, and washing
the surplus gas produced for the recovery of by-products, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
10. The continuous process which consists in heating a column of fuel to
incandescence with a draught of air, utilizing the gas thus produced to heat
steam, conducting the heated steam through the fuel to produce gas and by-
products, and washing the gas for the recovery of the by-products, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
11. The continuous process which consists in alternately heating the fuel first
with a draught of air, and then with a mixture of the gas thereby produced and
steam, the said mixture of gas and steam being heated before being passed
through the fuel; and washing the gas thus produced for the recovery of by-
products, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
12. The continuous process which consists in heating fuel with air and steam,
withdrawing and washing the gases thus produced, then completing the dis-
tillation of the fuel with heated air, withdrawing and cooling the gas thus pro-
duced and utilizing the heat derived by cooling the said gas to heat the air for
burning fluid for supplying the heat required in the process, substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
13. The method, which consists in first partially gasifying fuel by steam, and
afterwards completely gasifying the remainder of the fuel mostly by air, sub-
stantially as described
14. The method, which consists in passing fuel through one or more reaction
chambers, repeatedly returning and re-passing all or part of the fuel through
said chambers, heating and then acting on the fuel with gaseous fluid in alternate
parts of said chambers, substantially as described.
15. The method, which consists in repeatedly passing the same fuel through
one or more reaction chambers, acting with various gaseous fluids on different
parts of the fuel, and withdrawing the gaseous product separately from each
part, substantially as described.
16. The method, which consists in repeatedly passing fuel through one or more
reaction chambers, adjusting the temperature of the fuel and conducting
gaseous fluid through the fuel in alternate parts of the apparatus, and collecting
the gas from the same separately, substantially as described.
17. The method which consists in passing and repassing fuel through one or
more reaction chambers, returning the same to the apparatus and conducting.
gaseous fluid through the apparatus, substantially as described.

page_text: 18. The combination of a generator for partially gasifying fuel, a gas gene-
rator for completely burning the material from the first generator and means
for conducting material from the first generator into and through the second
generator, substantially as described.
19. The combination of two superposed generators, means for passing material
successively through both these generators, means for partially consuming fuel
by means of steam in the upper generator and means for completely burning the
fuel in the lower generator, substantially as described.
20. The combination of a shaft, means for feeding fuel through the same and
means for introducing heated gas containing no nitrogen at a considerable dis-
tance above the lower end of said shaft, substantially as described.
21. The combination of a shaft, means for passing material through the same,
entrances for injecting hot gas at a considerable distance from the lower end
of the shaft, a gas heater connected with said entrances and also connected with
the upper end of the shaft, and means for continuously circulating gas through
the shaft and the heater, substantially as described.
22. The combination of a generator, a heater, means for continuously circu-
lating gaseous liquid through the heater and generator and means for recovering
by-products from the gas produced by the action of the gaseous fluid on the fuel
in the generator substantially as described.
23. The combination of a revolving cylinder means for agitating and passing
material through the same, a gas heater, means for circulating gaseous fluid
continuously through the heater and revolving cylinder, and means for treating
the surplus gas produced for the recovery of by-products substantially as
described.
24. The combination of a revolving cylinder, means for partially gasifying
material in the same, a generator, and means for passing material from said
revolving cylinder to the generator substantially as described.
25. The combination of a heater, a revolving cylinder, means for circulating
gaseous fluid through the heater and revolving cylinder, means for adding steam
to the gas before passing it through the heater, and means for recovering by-
products substantially as described.
26. The combination of a revolving cylinder and a perforated cross partition
near the lower end of the same, substantially as described.
27. The combination of a revolving cylinder, a shaft furnace communicating
with the lower end of said cylinder, and means for introducing gaseous fluid
into the shaft and into the revolving cylinder, substantially as described.
28. In combination with a revolving cylinder having a stationary plate at its
upper end, of a dust chamber provided with an inclined bottom communicating
with the revolving cylinder through an opening in said end plate, substantially
as described.
29. The combination of a generator, means for alternately heating the fuel in
the same by the injection of air, and conducting a heated mixture of steam and
gas through the heated fuel, substantially as described.
30. The combination of a generator, a heater, means for alternately injecting
air into the generator and for circulating gaseous fluid continuously through
heater and generator, substantially as described.
31. The combination of a generator, a heater, means for alternately injecting
air into the generator and for afterwards circulating gaseous fluid through the
heater and generator, and means for recovering by-products from the gas pro-
duced, substantially as described.
32. The combination of a shaft, means for passing fuel through the same, two
systems of ducts some distance from each end of the shaft, means for alternately
injecting air into one of the systems of ducts and withdrawing the gas from the
other, means for afterwards introducing heated gaseous fluid through one system
of ducts and withdrawing gas from the other, means for reheating some of this

page_text: gas and again introducing it into the generator with or without adding steam
before reheating the same, substantially as described.
33. The combination of several chambers, means for conducting material
through the same successively.. means for heating the material in every other
chamber and means for conducting gaseous fluid through the intermediate
chambers for the purpose of acting on the heated material substantially as
described.
34. The combination of several generators, means for passing material succes-
sively through the same, means for injecting air into every alternate generator.
and means for separately withdrawing the gas thus produced, means for conduct-
ing heated steam through the remaining generators and collecting the gas thus
produced separately, substantially as described.
35. The combination of several generators, means for passing material succes-
sively through them, means for injecting air into every alternate generator and
withdrawing the gas separately therefrom, and means for circulating a mixture
of steam and gas repeatedly through a heater and the other generators, substan-
tially as described.
36. The combination of a chamber, means for continuously heating material.
in some zone of said chamber and means for acting with heated gaseous fluid on
the heated material in the intermediate parts of said chamber, substantially
as described.
37. The combination with a shaft, of several inlets for air and outlets for
producer gas and several inlets for steam and outlets for water gas, the latter
inlets and outlets being arranged intermediate or between the first mentioned
inlets and outlets substantially as described.
38. The combination of several generators, means for passing material through
the same successively, means for heating fuel in the upper part of each generator
and means for acting on the heated fuel with steam in the lower part of each
generator and withdrawing the gases separately, substantially as described.
39. The combination with one or more reaction chambers, of means for passing
material through the same, means for passing gaseous fluid through the chambers
for the purpose of reacting on the material, and means for returning the material
and again passing it through all or part of the chambers, substantially as
described.
40. The combination of two shafts, means for passing fuel successively
through both of these shafts, means for passing a limited amount of gaseous
fluid through the upper shart and means for collecting the gas from the same
separately, and means for consuming the fuel in the lower shaft, substantially
as described.
41. The combination of a shaft, a gas heater, a gas cooler means for conducting
the gas from the shaft through the cooler, means for conducting air through the
cooler for the purpose of heating the same and means for conducting this heated
air to the heater for the purpose of heating the latter by the combustion of gas,
substantially as described.
42. The combination of a chamber, means for continuously heating material in
some zone of said chamber and means for acting with steam on the material in
the intermediate part of said chamber substantially as-described.
43. Apparatus comprising one or more reaction chambers means for passing
and re-passing fuel through the same and means for heating and for acting with
gaseous fluid on the fuel in alternate parts of the said chamber, substantially as
described.
44. Apparatus comprising one or more reaction chambers, means for passing
fuel through the same and returning and re-passing some or the whole of the
fuel through the said chambers, means for conducting different gaseous fluids
through alternate parts of the apparatus and means for separately withdrawing
the gaseous products from the said alternate parts, substantially as described.

page_text: 45. Apparatus having its parts constructed arranged and combined to operate
substantially as described, with reference to one or other of the figures of the
drawings for. the purpose specified.
Dated this 14th day of Lument 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.