Improvements in the Method of Generating Gas for Heating and other Purposes and in the Apparatus used therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 25th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Generating Gas for Heating and
other Purposes and in the Apparatus used therefor.
1, DOUGLAS DIXON, of 65 Hereford Road, Bayswater, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is an improvement in the methods of generating gas
for heating and other purposes, and in the apparatus used therefor. It consists of
the combination of certain of the processos usually employed in generating what are
known as producer gas and water gas, in such a way that a mixture of these two
products in certain proportions can be generated uniformly and continuously in one
apparatus.
To effect this, I construct a reversing producer, or generator, with two combustion
chambers communicating with each other, either at the top or bottom, so that the
forced reversing draught, or blast, may go up one chamber and down the other
alternately, or down one chamber and up the other, alternately, as the case may be,
the reversing valves for the admission of the forced initial draught, or blast, into each
chamber alternately, as well as those for the outlet of the gas, being, in the first case
placed at the bottom of the chambers, and in the other case at the top. These two
types may respectively be designated as "up-draught" and down-draught "
producers.
"
61
At or near the opening between the two chambers, a jet of steam is introduced for
the purpose hereinafter described. When this is introduced at the top, as in the
up-draught" producer, it may be made to assist the downward draught in one
chamber by sucking or forcing the gases ascending in the other chamber sidewise or
downwards through a throat, the direction of the jet being made reversible. In the
case of the "down-draught" producer, the steam may be introduced by means of
hollow grate bars and may be made to assist the upward draught in each chamber
alternately.
In the "up-draught" producer, I prefer to dispense with grate bars at the botton
of each chamber, substituting therefor narrow piers or diaphragms of refractory
material, separated by narrow spaces and spanning a flue into which each of the
spaces opens; this flue, which is made deep enough to serve as an ash pit, runs
through the side of the producer at the bottom, where it is fitted with a gas tight door
for removing the ashes. It also communicates with the reversing air blast and gas
outlet valves to the main gas ilue, and serves alternately as a channel for the inlet of
the blast and the outlet of the gas.
In the "down-draught" producer the diaphragms and spaces run through under
the chambers and over a central flue which serves as an ash-pit for both, and is fitted
with a gas tight door at the end for removing the ashes. Hollow grate bars may be
placed in each of the spaces between the diaphragms, through which the steam may
be admitted, or the steam may be introduced by a pipe and jets in the central flue, or
otherwise.
Each chamber is provided with a gas tight door opposite the ends of the diaphragms
and spaces, having covered poking holes in it opposite each of the spaces.
The gas off-take valves may be made with hollow trumpet-shaped stems for the
purpose of conveying the blast into the producer when the corresponding off-takes are
closed
A Körting steam blower may be attached to each, or they may be connected
with a fan or other suitable blower.
Each chain her may be surmounted by a charging hopper closed by a bell and cover
or otherwise arranged to prevent the escape of gas when the fresh fuel is being

page_text: dumped. In the "up-draught" producer, the stem of the bell may be hollow to
allow a stem pipe to pass through and be lowered into position to supply the jet of
steam downwards, through the throat, which is, in this case, formed on the top of the
chamber.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
The fuel in each chamber, including a fresh supply, which is dumped after reversing,
is alternately raised to incandescence by the blast, the producer gas generated thereby,
and the hydrocarbons distilled from the freshly-charged coal, passing through the
incandescent fuel in the other chamber on the way to the gas main. As much steam
as the cooling fuel will convert into water gas during the heating up of the other
chamber, is admitted, and the product mingles continuously with the producer gas.
In addition to converting the steam into carbonic oxide and hydrogen, the incandescent
fuel reduces the carbonic acid (which always exists in quantity in the producer gas)
to carbonic oxide, and converts the tarry and sooty hydrocarbons into permanent
gases. A product is thus obtained having a higher percentage of heating material
than ordinary producer gas, and free from tar and soot.
When it is desirable to use a portion of the producer gas for generating steam or
other purposes, it can be taken off before it reaches the point where the steam is
mingled with it, off-takes being arranged in a suitable way, or the charging apparatus
may be suitably connected with a gas main and serve as outlets. It is obvious that,
when a portion of the producer gas is utilised in this way, the percentage of heating
material in the ultimate product is proportionately increased.
If desirable, the apparatus may be constructed with three or more combustion
clambers, all communicating with each other at the top or bottom, so that two or more
may be heating up, in rotation, while the other or others is or are cooling.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1889.
DOUGLAS DIXON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Generating Gas for Heating and
other Purposes and in the Apparatus used therefor.
I, DOUGLAS DIXON, of 65 Hereford Road, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex,
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 improvements in the method of generating gas for heating
and other purposes, and in the apparatus used therefor, whereby I am enabled to
generate what are known as producer gas and water gas, in such a way that a mixture
of these two products in certain proportions can be generated uniformly and continuously
in one apparatus.
For this purpose I construct a reversing producer, or generator, with two com-
bustion chambers communicating with each other, either at the top or at the bottom,
so that the forced reversing draught or blast, may go up one chamber and down the
other alternately, or down one chamber and up the other alternately, as the case may
be, the reversing valves for the admission of the forced initial draught or blast, into
each chamber alternately, as well as those for the outlet of the gas, being in the first
case placed at or near the bottom of the chambers and in the other case, at or near the
top thereof. These two types of producers may be designated as
" up-draught" and
"down-draught" producers respectively.
At or near the opening between the two chambers a jet of steam is introduced for
the purpose hereinafter mentioned. When this steam is introduced at the top, as in
the "up-draught" producer, it may be made to assist the downward draught in one
chamber by sucking or by forcing the gases ascending in the other chamber sideways
or downwards through a throit, the direction of the jet being made reversible.
the case of the "down-draught" producer, the steam may be introduced by means of
In

page_text: hollow grate bars and may be made to assist the upward draught in each chamber
alternately.
In the "
up-draught" producer, I prefer to dispense with ordinary grate bars
at the bottom of each chamber, substituting therefor narrow piers or diaphragms
(hereinafter called piers) of refractory material, separated by narrow spaces and
spanning a flue into which each of the spaces opens. Each of these flues, which is
made deep enough to serve as an ash-pit is fitted with a gas tight door by opening
which the ashes can be removed. It also communicates with the reversing air blast
and gas outlet valve to the main gas flue, and serves alternately as a channel for the
inlet of air, and the outlet of gas.
(1
In the down-draught" producer the piers and spaces run under the combustion
chambers, and over a central flue which serves as an ash-pit for both chambers, and is
fitted with a gas tight door at one end, as before. Hollow grate bars may be placed
in each of the spaces between the piers, and through which steam may be admitted ;
or the steam may be admitted by a pipe and jets arranged in the central flue, or
otherwise. The chambers containing the piers are each fitted with a gas tight
door provided with covered poking holes arranged opposite each of the spaces
between the piers.
The gas off-take valves may be male with hollow trumpet-shaped stems for the
purpose of conveying the blast into the producer when the corresponding off-takes
are closed. A Körting steam blower can be attached to each, or they may he
connected with a fan, or other suitable blower.
Each combustion chamber can be surmounted by a charging hopper closed by a
bell and cover, or otherwise closed to prevent escape of gas when fresh fuel is being
dumped. In the "up-draught" producer, the stem of the bell may be hollow to
allow a steam pipe to pass through it and be lowered into position to supply a jet of
steam downwards through the throat, which in this case is formed on the top of the
combustion chamber.
When it is desirable to use a portion of the producer gas for generating steam
or other purposes it can be taken off before it reaches the point where the steam
is mingled with it, by suitably arranged off-takes or the charging hoppers may be
suitably connected with a gas main and serve as outlets for a portion of the gas
generated. It is obvious that, when a portion of the producer gas is utilised in this
way, the heating power of the remainder of the gases, after passing through the
second combustion chamber and becoming mixed with the water gas produced therein,
will be proportionately increased.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive shew an arrangement of "up-draught" producer, according
to this invention, Fig. 1 being a vertical section taken partly on the line A B and
partly on the line A C of Fig. 4;
Fig. 2 a sectional plan taken on the line D E of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 a side elevation partly in vertical section on the line F G of Fig. 4; and
Fig. a sectional elevation on the line H I of Fig. 1.
1 and 2 are the combustion chambers connected at their upper ends by passage 3
and each provided with a charging hopper 4 fitted with a bell 5 through which passes
a steam pipe 6.
77 are piers arranged at a short distance apart at the bottoms of the combustion
chambers to serve in lieu of ordinary grate bars.
88 are doors having covered poking holes 8" opposite the spaces between the
piers.
9 and 10 are flues communicating with the spaces 7" between the piers and each
fitted at one end with a gas tight door 9ª.
11 and 12 are the main gas flues, the communication between these and the
Blues 9 and 10 being controlled by reversing valves 13 and 14. respectively. These
valves can be suspended by chains passing partly around pulleys as shewn, or by
any other equivalent arrangement, so that when one valve is raised, the other will be

page_text: lowered. They are arranged to work in vertical chambers 15 and 16 (Fig. 3) each
of which is provided with valve seats 17 and 17" at top and bottom respectively.
Each valve is provided with a packing ring at 17 that works against the inner surface
of a cylinder 17 when the valve is being raised and effectually prevents the escape
of gas at this part of the apparatus.
18 is a three way cock for controlling the admission of steam to pipes 19 the lower
ends of which enter the hollow valves 13 and 14. This valve 18 can be operated by
hand or mechanically from the mechanism used to raise and lower the valves.
The operation of the producer is as follows:-
On placing the reversing valves in the positions shewn in Fig. 3 and turning
the three-way cock 18 so as to admit a jet of steam to the valve 13, atmospheric air
will be induced to rapidly flow into the flue 9, through the spaces between the piers 7
and thence through the incandescent fuel within the combustion chamber 1 and thereby
raising the same to a suitable degree of incandescence. The producer gas thereby
generated, and the hydrocarbons distilled off from freshly charged fuel, which is added
after each reversal, flow through the passage 3 and through the fuel in the combustion
chamber 2 previously raised to a suitable degree of incandescence, and thence passes
into the main gas flue 12 by way of the flue 10 and valve chamber 16.
During the passage of the gases through the incandescent fuel in the chamber 2
as much steam is admitted through the pipe 6 at the top of this chamber as the fuel
therein will economically convert into water gas during the heating up of the fuel in
chamber 1, and the water gas so produced mingles continuously with the producer
gas generated in this first chamber.
In addition to converting the steam into carbonic oxide and hydrogen, the incan-
descent fuel in the second chamber will reduce the carbonic acid (which is always
present in quantity in the producer gas) into carbonic oxide, and converts the tarry
and sooty hydrocarbons given off in the first combustion chamber, into permanent
A product is thus obtained having a higher percentage of heating material
than ordinary producer gas and free from tar and soot.
gases.
To reverse the action of the producer the reversing valve 13 is raised the valve 14
lowered and the steam jet cut off from valve 13 and directed into valve 14. Steam is
also admitted to the top of the combustion chamber 1, by the pipe 6 above it and shut
off from chamber 2. The direction of the current of air through the apparatus will
then he reversed and will flow through the valve 14, flue 10, upward through the fuel in
chamber 2, and the gases therein generated will pass downward through the chamber 1
to the flue 9 and thence to the main gas flue 11.
In lieu of the steam pipes 6, there can be employed an L shaped steam pipe 6
arranged as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 so that its lower end extends into the
passage 3. This pipe is made capable of being partly rotated in order that its
horizontal portion may be directed towards either combustion chamber at will.
Figs. 5 and 6 show an arrangement of "down-draught" producer according to
this invention, Fig. 5 being a vertical section taken partly on the line J. K. and partly
on the line J. L. of Fig. 6, and Fig. 6 a horizontal section on the line M M of
Fig. 5.
In this arrangement the combustion chambers 1 and 2 communicate with each
other at their lower ends through the spaces 7" between the piers 7, and the flue 9.
The chambers at their upper ends are each capable of being placed in communication
with a main gas flue 11 by way of a lateral flue 1ª valve chamber 15 (16) and vertical
flue 20 (20°), these communications being controlled by the reversing valves 13 and 14
respectively which in this case are arranged at the upper part of the apparatus.
Means such as herein before described and shown in Figs. 3 and 4 can be employed
for operating the reversing valves and for inducing or causing air to flow alternately
through each. 6 Gb are perforated steam pipes arranged between the piers 7 at
the bottom of each combustion chamber for supplying steam to the combustion
chambers above them.
With this arrangement assuming the valve 13 to be raised and valve 14 to be

page_text: lowered then air caused to flow past the valve 14 will enter the upper part of the
combustion chamber 2 and descend through the incandescent fuel therein, the producer
gas thereby produced passing through the communicating spaces at the bottom and
entering the combustion chamber 1 through which they flow upward and into
which steam is directed from the steam pipes 6' located heneath it. The mixed
producer gas and water gas thus obtained then flow through the lateral flue 1ª, valve
chamber 15, and vertical flue 20 into the main gas flue 11ª. The direction of the flow
of gases produced can be reversed at the required time by lowering the valve 13,
raising the valve 14, cutting off the supply of steam to the pipes 6" below the chamber I
and admitting steam to the pipes 6" below the chamber 2.
If desirable, the apparatus may be constructed with three or more combustion
chambers, all communicating with each other at the top or bottom, so that two or more
may be heating up, in rotation, while the other or others is or are cooling.
Fig. 7 is a horizontal section showing such an arrangement with three combustion
chambers arranged to be worked as an up-draught producer. The part of the section
between the lincs a b c is taken through one of the combustion chambers; that
between the lines c d is taken through the piers at the bottom of another chamber,
and that between the lines dba is taken through the lower lateral flue 9 by which
the lower part of the third chamber can communicate by a horizontal flue 9ª with the
main gas flue 11ª. The top of each combustion chamber communicates with the top
of each of the others and the bottom of each chamber can be placed in communication
with the main gas flue, the communication in each case being controlled by a valve
at 21 that can be operated by hand.
In other respects the arrangement is practically the same as that shown in
Figs. 1 to 4, but it may obviously be arranged to act as a down draught producer as
in Figs. 5 and 6.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
:-
1. The herein described method of generating a mixture of producer and water
gas for heating and other purposes, by causing producer gas obtained whilst raising
fuel to a state of incandescence by a blast, to pass, together with steam, through
other fuel previously raised to incandescence, substantially as herein before described.
2. Apparatus for generating gas for heating and other purposes, comprising two or
more combustion chambers each in communication with the other or others and
adapted to be placed in communication with a gas flue, valves for controlling these
latter communications, and means for introducing steam alternately into each chamber,
the arrangement being such that a blast can be passed through one or more chambers,
and the gases produced, together with steam, can be passed through the other
chamber or chambers, and the direction of flow of the air, steam, and gases can be
reversed substantially as herein described for the purpose specified.
3. Apparatus of the kind referred to, constructed to work as an up-draught producer,
and comprising two or more combustion chambers, communicating with each other
at the top, reversing valves, and means for introducing steam alternately to the top
of each chamber, the arrangement being such that the blast can be caused to ascend
through one or more chambers and the gases produced together with steam can be
caused to descend through the other chamber or chambers and the direction of flow
can be reversed substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein before described.
4. Apparatus of the kind referred to, constructed to work as a down-draught
producer, and comprising two or more combustion chambers communicating with
each other at the bottom, reversing valves, and means for introducing steam to the
bottom of each chamber alternately, the arrangement being such that the blast can
be caused to descend through one chamber, and the gases produced, together with
steam, be caused to ascend through the other chamber or chambers and the direction
of flow can be reversed substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.

page_text: 5. My improved apparatus for generating gas for heating and other purposes,
substantially as herein before described, with reference respectively to and shewn in
Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive; in Figs. 5 and 6 ; and in Fig. 7 of the drawings annexed.
Dated this 25th day of August 1890.
DABCT AN DIVONT
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.