AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GENERATING GAS, WHICH APPARATUS MAY BE USED FOR HEATING AND OTHER. SIMILAR USEFUL PURPOSES, AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND VENTILATING
Year: 1851

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL
HENDERSON, of Glasgow, Ironmonger, send greeting.
OME, 1, DONALD
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland,
bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-third day of October, in the fifteenth
year of Her reign, did give and grant unto me, the said Donald Henderson,
my exors, admiors, and assigns, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said Donald Henderson, my exors, adiiors, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said Donald Henderson, my exors, adiiors,
and assingns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term of years therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, aud vend, within that part of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, the Dominion of Wales,
and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations
abroad, my Invention "FOR AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GENERATING GAS, WHICH
APPARATUS MAY BE USED FOR HEATING AND OTHER. SIMILAR USEFUL PURPOSES, AND
OTHER APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND VENTILATING;" in which said Letters Patent
there is contained a proviso that 1, the said Donald Henderson, shall par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within

page_text: six calendar months from the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,
as, on reference thereto, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Donald Henderson, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be duly described and ascer-
tained hereby, reference being had to the two Sheets of Drawings hereto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention consists, firstly, in improvements in apparatus for generating
carburetted hydrogen gas, the object in-view being to enable persons to make
this gas for cooking, heating, or lighting purposes in their own dwellings. By
means of this improved apparatus carburetted hydrogen gas may be produced
in kitchens, workshops, and such like places, without the inconvenience or un-
pleasantness ordinarily attendant on that process. My improvements, more-
over, conduce to the production of a greater amount of gas from a given
quantity of coal, and in some particulars are applicable to the manufacture of
carburetted hydrogen gas on a larger scale. Sheet A contains several views
of my improved gas-making apparatus, forming also a novel kitchen range, of
which Figure 1 represents a front elevation complete; Figure 2 a plan;
Figure 3 à longitudinal vertical section through the lines 1, 2, 1, 3; Figure 4
a horizontal section through the line 4, 4; Figure 5 an end elevation; and
Figure 6, Sheet B, a transverse vertical section through the line 5, 5, Figure 1.
It is not intended that this improved range should be built into the space in
the wall of the kitchen in the manner of an ordinary range, for, being complete
in itself, it may be placed against the wall in front of the chimney opening.
The fire grate A is arranged so that the fire may be quite enclosed, having a
pair of doors, B, which close the front. One of these doors is removed in
Figure 1, shewing the bars C, as in the ordinary kitchen range. The range
may thus be used with an open or closed front, the doors B, B, if necessary,
being removed altogether, or simply thrown back on their hinges. D is the
oven, which, with the exception of peculiar arrangements for regulating the
heat, is of the ordinary construction. E, a hot closet for plates or other requi-
sites, and the ash pit. G is the retort for the manufacture of carburetted
hydrogen gas; it is situated immediately above the fire, the space above the
retort being confined by a metal plate H, so that the heat arising from the fire
S concentrated about the retort for the distillation of its contents. The
plate Hextends over the whole area of the range, and forms the surface on
which the different auxiliary operations are performed. Its heat is graduated
from one end to the other, giving thereby unsual facilities for the cooking
The products of comb stion from the fire pass over the bridge I, and thence

page_text: either by the passage K directly under the plate H, or by the channel L, down
under the oven. In order to regulate the course of these products, a valve a
is placed in the channel K, which may be turned on its axis by a handle b, so
as to open or close that passage at pleasure. When this valve is open
the heat and smoke take that course as being the more direct to the
chimney; but when close, such products are compelled to pass by channel
L, thereby giving a more extended heating surface to the oven D; or by
regulating the valve, a part of the heat may be directed along the top of the
oven. From channels K and L the smoke passes up through the end
frame M of the range, in the back part of which there is an opening near
the top into a channel or flue N leading to the chimney. A lining of fire brick
or tiles is used to protect those parts of the range subject to great heat, to pre-
vent loss by radiation, and also to protect the metal. The lining in the oven
also equalizes and prevents the transmission of any undue heat to the interior.
The boiler O, which is at the back, and extends the whole length of the range,
is clearly seen in the section Figures 4 and 6. The retort G is introduced
through an opening in the end of the range, and secured by a flange bolted
thereto; it is placed in a position inclining downwards towards the back end, so
that liquid products contained therein may fall to that point where there is
the greatest heat. The retort is charged with coal in the ordinary manner,
and in order to facilitate which the door C is ground. and so fitted to the
mouth of the retort that it may be readily moveable, and also closed without
luting as in ordinary. d, e, are two supports for the cross bar f, in securing
the door c, to one of which, d, it is hinged, while the other is simply a
crutch in which the opposite end rests. The pillar d rotates in its centre, so that
the cross bar may be lifted out of the crutch-rest e, whereby the whole may be
moved away from the mouth of the retort. The door c is attached to the
serew g' by a snug in its centre; in this screw is free to rotate, but which at the
same time carries the door with it, the screw working thro' the boss in the
cross bar for that purpose. The pressure of the screw exerted on the retort
door, as shewn, renders it sufficiently tight for the purpose. In traversing the
door it is prevented turning, and is carried by two arms g, g, attached to the
cross bar. When the door is relieved from the pressure of the screw it may be
lifted slightly and thrown back upon its hinge, when free access will be had to
the retort. The retort G having been charged, and the door closed, as shewn,
and the retort subjected to the heat of the fire, the proceeds of distillation pro-
ceeds in the following manner :-The volatilized matters pass from the
retort G by the pipe P, up which they are conducted to the hydraulic
main R, placed on the top of the range. This pipe P depends into the

page_text: liquid contents of the hydraulic main R, and is ordinarily known as the dip
pipe. From the opposite end of the hydraulic main the carburetted hydrogen
gas passes off by the pipe S, which conveys it thence to the purifiers and other
apparatus, by which the gas is subsequently treated. These processes being in
ordinary use, and well understood, do not require description. I may observe,
however, that the pipe S should incline upwards from the hydraulic main, so
that any products of condensation may return thereto. The products of con-
densation deposited in the hydraulic main, consisting of tar and other liquid
matter, are returned to the retort to be again decomposed, by which means all
liquid product, as a final result, is entirely avoided, such liquid being either con-
verted into gas or into a solid residuun in the retort. The return of these first
or liquid products to the retort is spontaneously effected by means of what I
denominate a hydraulic valve T, separately represented in plan at Figure 7,
Sheet A. It consists of a vessel, in which is placed an inverted cup i, i, sup-
ported in position by three stays h, k, h. A pipe l carries off any liquid rising
above it in the hydraulic main p, and conducts it into the outer vessel, from
which its only escape is by the pipe m. This pipe m is carried up within the
vessel i, i, to such a height that the liquid contained in the vessel d will have
a suflicient column to prevent the passage of gas from the retort in that
direction. As the liquid overflows and descends the pipe by gravitation into
the vessel-d, a portion of the liquid contents of that vessel rises up within the
vessel, and overflows the pipe m, through which such portion of liquid
descends to the retort G by its own gravity. By the same means successive
quantities of the liquid product are similarly passed, so long as the charge con-
tinues to produce and add such liquid to the contents of the hydraulic main.
Thus all inconvenience from the liquid product accompanying the ordinary
manufacture of gas is obviated. In commencing operation with this apparatus
it is necessary to fill the hydraulic valve T with water to such a height that it
may overflow the pipe m to ensure its being at such a height as will prevent
the passage of gas to the hydraulic main. To avoid inconvenience from smoke
in drawing the charge from the retort, a hood or cover U is fixed to the end of
the range, which is sufficiently capacious to receive the whole volume that may
be emitted from the mouth of the retort when it is opened. This hood has an
opening into the end V of the range, which forms a passage communicating by
the channel or pipe N to the chimney; by this means the draught of the
chimney carries off the smoke or noxious vapour emitted. In addition to the
front fire doors B, B, another fire door X is provided, by which the fuel is
introduced at the end of the range, as also an ash pit door Y, having a ventilator, "
by which, when the doors B, B, are closed, the draught is regulated at plea-

page_text: sure. Figure 8 represents.a drying stove, partly in end elevation, and partly
in section, in combination with my improved apparatus for the manufacture of
gas. In this instance two retorts are shewn, one of which may be in operation
while the other is being charged. In order that the increase in the liquid pro-
duct may be supplied and confined to the retort in operation, a partition W is
formed in the hydraulic main, dividing its lower part, by which the accumulation
of the liquid contents from the retort in action is conveyed back to the same,
while the gases evolved pass off by a passage S common to both. Each of the
retorts is furnished with duplicate parts requisite for the manufacture of the
gas, as before described with reference to the kitchen range; and, as the same
letters of reference denote similar parts as before illustrated, any details of its
action need not be recapitulated. Z is the drying stove placed above the
retort, and separated by the plate H, under which the flues are conducted as
before. In this manner my apparatus may be arranged and conjoined with
any heating apparatus, where fire heat is required, without inconvenience, under
circumstances where such manufacture, carried on in the ordinary way, could
not be practised on account of the nuisance which such such method entails.
Where two or more retorts are employed; instead of transmitting the liquid
product to once to the retort in which the coal is contained, I sometimes. "have
such retorts in communication, by which the liquid product is admitted and
passed through one or two retorts before it can arrive at that containing the
'coal, by which time it will be much reduced in quantity. Instead of separate
retorts, one retort may be furnished with divisions separating the coal from the
liquid product, the different spaces thus divided off having suitable communi-
cation with each other at the upper part of the retort.
gas,
Another of my improvements in combination, with the gas range is in a
Is safety valve," by which the pressure of gas is regulated, and the use of a
gas holder" may be dispensed with in cases where such appliance cannot
readily be provided. This valve counteracts the unsteady emission of the
which takes place when no gas holder is used, and also serves as a protection
against any undue pressure. It also regulates the pressure of gas by suffering
the free escape thereof into the atmosphere, when such pressure rises above a
certain determinable amount. My improved safety valve is represented at
Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12. Sheet B, Figure 9, is a front elevation of the
safety valve complete. Figure 10, a vertical section through the centre.
Figure 11, a plan of the top; and Figure 12, a horizontal section through
the line 1, 2. This apparatus may be fixed against a wall or any other con-
venient situation, connection by tubes being the only necessary communication
with the gas apparatus. a, a, represents a case having shelves b, b', for the

page_text: support of the internal fittings or working parts by which the escape is
regulated. These consist of two tubes c and d, the inner one, d, of which is fitted
accurately to c, so as to slide freely therein, and at the same time to prevent
the escape of gas. The outer tube c is fixed permanently on the shelf b¹, and
supported at top, and maintained in its vertical position by three wedges or
stays e, e, e, one of which is seen in the vertical section, Figure 10, and dotted
at Figure 12. The pieces e, e, e, abut against a third tube f, which, to permit
the operation in the apparatus to be readily seen. is of glass; this glass tube is
fitted to the shelf b at the lower end, and secured by gum, shellac, stucco, or
other material, to render them gas-tight. The tube a is attached at the
bottom to one g of two discs g, h, which are connected by a flexible material y,
such as leather, oiled cotton, cloth, or other gas-tight substance, so that the two
discs may approach to or recede from each other in the manner of a bellows.
The Drawing shews these discs in their most distended position, and as when
subject to the greatest amount of pressure; the lower disc h is fixed and ad-
justed by a binding screw i in the metal socket k, which rests on the lower
shelf b. 7 is the union for the inlet of the gas. by which the gas is admitted
from the main after leaving the purifiers. The cap m, which is the exit, rests
on the top of the apparatus, and is united in a gas-tight manner to the glass
tubing by cement, as before mentioned. From this cap m the gas is conducted
away by a tube to any point suitable for its escape. 2 is a valve, which is
suspended by a rod p.from the upper and closed end of the tube c. The valve
is kept in a central position by a cross bar or guide q attached to pipe d. When
the pressure of gas subsides the upper disc g falls down upon the valve n.
which is intended as a further protection against the escape of gas when the
safety valve is closed. The tubes c and d have each three holes or openings
therein, the holes r, r. r, in c, being of a rectangular form, and those holes s, s. 8,
in d. of a triangular form. These openings regulate the escape of gas, the
pressure of which regulates the area of passage, the Drawing shewing these
openings in a state of coincidence, and therefore open to the fullest extent.
The action of this apparatus is this: the requisite pressure of gas i
is determined
by the weight or loading of the sliding tube d and disc g, consequently if it
exceeds that pressure in the main, the gas, taking the direction of the arrows,
lifts the disc g, and distends the flexible material y. The gas, by raising the
disc and and tube d. causes the apices of the triangular openingss, s, s. to be
raised above the lower line of the rectangular openings 1, 2, . A passage is
thus opened by which the gas finds egress into the glass tube f, and thence by
the cap m to the escape, as explained. The communication thus formed will
be at first very limited for the extent of rise in the disc, by reason of the small

page_text: area exposed by the upper ends of the triangular openings, but which area
increases by the rising of the tube d in an increasing ratio proportionate to the
angle of the upper part of such openings. This increasing aperture of escape,
in proportion as the pressure of gas is augmented, forms the peculiar and dis-
tinctive feature of the valve. On the pressure of gas subsiding, the plate or
disc g falls with the tube d, bringing the triangular openings s, s, below the
level of the openings r, r, r, as represented by dotted lines in Figure 10. The
discs g and h are represented as of metal, with the flexible material attached
thereto by hoops contracted on the circumference. Other modes of producing
such connection may be adopted, so long as the whole is gas-tight. A door is
fitted to the case, or with a glass panel, to render the operation of the appa-
ratus at all times visible. By peculiar arrangement of the openings r, r, r,
and s, 8, s, the gas jets from the main will be at all times rendered steady
under varying pressures from the absence of any sudden action of the valve,
either in opening or closing; the pressure of the gas is at the same time pre-
vented from becoming excessive, for which this apparatus is also applicable
where a gas holder is used. All surplus gas is by this means thrown off, and
is applicable as a regulator for the pressure where no gas holder is used, such
mode of regulation, it being remembered, is at the expence of the gas thus
allowed to escape by the waste pipe to the atmosphere.
Another part of
my
Invention relates to a bath heating apparatus, operating
by means of gas jets. Figure 13, Sheet B, represents a longitudinal vertical
section of a bath with heating apparatus, according to my improved arrange-
ment; and Figure 14, an end view of the same. u, u, is the boiler or vessel
to which the heat of the jets is applied. This is a double eliptical or other
shaped casing, forming a channel for the passage of the water which enters
from the bath by the pipe b. c, c, c, are the gas burners, which are placed in
communication with the inlet gas pipe d by a frame e, or other support for the
burners. The burners c, c, consist of tubes, in which the air is admitted and
mixed with the gas before ignition, in order to increase the heat. The gas
flame taking effect upon the upper part of the boiler a, the water therein
contained becomes heated and specifically lighter than the water in the bath,
causing it to pass thence into the bath by the pipe f. The place of the water
leaving the boiler is supplied with a fresh quantity of water which passes
through the bath by the pipe y. In this manner a constant change of the
water in the bath is carried ou until the water is raised to the temperature
required, when the gas may be lowered or cut off by the stopcock g. In
addition to the heat of the gas acting on the boiler a, the water in the bath is
subjected to the action of the heated air, produced by the combustion of the

page_text: gas, which is conducted along a channel or passage i, under the bottom h of
the bath. This channel is made of such a width as to present a surface
capable of absorbing as much heat as possible from the passing vapours, which
have free escape at the opposite end of the bath. I is simply a base on which
the bath is raised to afford room for the apparatus.
The next and last part of my Invention relates to an apparatus for the
ventilation of churches and other buildings by the rarification of air produced
by gas jets. This is represented at Figs. 15 and 16, Sheet B, Figure 15 being
a vertical section of this apparatus, and Fig. 16 a plan of the same. It is
adapted for placing over the ceilings of rooms, halls, or other apartments, and
is to be disposed with the lower part in communication with the area to be
ventilated, while the upper part has free egress to the atmosphere or space
through which the vitiated air is to be drawn. This apparatus consists of a
double casing a, b, of circular or other suitable form. It may be made of
earthenware, iron, or other suitable material. The inner part b, Figures
15, 16, is cylindrical, and the outer part of a conical form, having the upper
part of the space d enclosed; c is a tube encircling and occupying the lower
part of the space d, which tube is in communication with a gas main pipe c.
The tube c carries a series of gas burners or jets, which, when ignited, heats
the air contained in the space d. The air from the apartment to be ventilated
has free egress to the space d at bottom by holes f, f, in order to support
combustion. This air becoming rarified ascends to the top of space d, where it
is always maintained at a high temperature. This heated air, as it continues
to flow in at the holes f, f, finds egress at the holes 9, and passes up the centre
channel 6 of the ventilator, which is also open at bottom, to the apartment to
be ventilated. The air in the centre channel b, in addition to the rarification
of the heated air escaping at g, is also rarified by the radiation of heat from
the chamber d. By this means an uninterrupted circulation of air is kept
up by withdrawing the vitiated air from the apartment, hall, or other space
required.
Having described my Invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed, I desire it to be understood that I claim as my Invention, and
desire to have the exclusive us of,-
Firstly, the apparatus used in conjunction with a kitchen range, or with a
drying or heating stove, for the generation of carburetted hydrogen gas, wherein
the condensed or first liquid products in the manufacture of gas are returned
to the retort or retorts for further distillation, whereby a greater amount of
gas is obtained, and the whole of the liquid decomposed, as herein-before
described.

page_text: Secondly, I claim the hydraulic valve herein-before described, applied to the
channel through which the liquid product is returned to the retort, in order to
prevent the escape of gas by that passage, while, at the same time, the liquid
has free access thereby to the retort by gravitation.
Thirdly, I claim thic arrangement of the hydraulic main condensers and pipes
connected therewith in such positions as will permit the liquid product to
return to the retort by gravitation, as herein-before described.
Fourthly, I claim the safety valve herein-before described and represented,
for the purpose of preventing too great a pressure of gas accumulating in the
retorts or gas holders.
Fifthly, I claim the arrangement of heating apparatus applied to baths, as
herein-before described.
Sixthly, I claim the gas ventilating apparatus, arranged and applied as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Donald Henderson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventh day of April, One thousand eight
Enrolled the Seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.