Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Oil Gas.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 9th July, 1895-Accepted, 17th. Aug., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Oil Gas.
I, FREDERICK MAYER, of 1336 Hollins Street, in the City of Baltimore and
State of Maryland, United States of America, 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 the carbureting of water gas, or the enriching. of
illuminating gas of a low illuminating power, as will hereinafter fully appear.
In the description of the said invention which follows, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and in which,—
Figure 1 is an exterior side view of the apparatus.
Fig. 2 is an exterior front view.
Fig. 3 is a central section of Fig. 2, taken on the dotted line ―x.
Fig. 4 is a section of Fig. 1 taken on the dotted line y―y.
Fig. 5 is a section of Fig. 1 taken on the dotted line -.
Fig. 6 is an exterior plan of the apparatus.
Fig. 7 is a sectional plan taken on the dotted line.¹¹.
Fig. 8 is a sectional plan taken on the dotted line y-y'.
Fig. 9 is a sectional plan taken on the dotted line 2'-'.
Fig. 10 is a sectional plan taken on the dotted line 2-2.
Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive, are enlarged details hereinafter described.
Referring now to the drawings, A is the brick-work casing of the apparatus,
strengthened and supported, by the iron sheathing.a.
B is the furnace, and 6 the grate bars in the furnace.
C is the brick-work arch situated over the furnace, having openings c for the
passage of carbonic oxide. Immediately above this arch the carbonic oxide meets
with a secondary supply of air and the products of combustion ascend to the retort
chamber hereinafter referred to.
DD are vertical retorts situated in the retort chamber E. These retorts
project through the brickwork A and have suitable lids d hinged to leverse whereby
the lids are held tightly in place.
The lower ends of the retorts are turned outward at a right angle, and closed
by means of lids y similar to those d before referred to.
The horizontal portion of each retort has a take-off pipe h of ordinary
construction, leading to a hydraulic main j of well known character.
Six retorts are shown in the retort chamber, and they are grouped together so
so as to occupy, with their connections, the entire chamber.
The retorts D are made in, say,-three lengths, and the two lower lengths have
each three wings & which are cut away at certain points to form spaces / for the
passage of the products of combustion from the furnace, see particularly Figs. 3,
4 and 7. Between the two rows of retorts are plates m of such character, size and
shape that when connected or placed in position around the retorts, there are left
between them, spaces n and o, the former being rectangular and the latter circular,
as seen from either the top or bottom. The last named spaces, n and o, are for
the upward passage of the products of combustion, and the ones I for the downward
passage of the same.
From the foregoing description it. will be seen that the retorts are entirely
enveloped by, the hot products of combustion from the furnace, the heat ascending
through the space between the two rows of retorts, and descending through the
spaces between the retorts and the outer wall of the brick-work casing A.

page_text: Some of the ascending products escape laterally from the central spaces, n and o,
to the spaces 62 between the retorts and the brickwork, through the openings 1, but
this movement of a portion of the products, does not interfere with their general
direction, as described.
Notwithstanding the length of the retorts and the direction of the currents of
the products of combustion as specified, the hottest products will collect at the
highest point, consequently the upper ends of the retorts are hotter, or rather
receive more heat than the lower ones.
From the foregoing statement it must not be understood that the upper ends of
the retorts, while the apparatus is in operation, are maintained at a much higher
temperature than the remaining portions, as the excess of heat imparted to them
is transmitted to, or carried off by the hydro-carbon vapor which is admitted
to the retorts in a comparatively cool condition, as hereinafter more particularly
described.
p
Referring now particularly to Figs. 3 and 10, it will be seen that in the brick-
work in the rear of the furnace, are formed primary air ducts which have
branches leading rearward to a space r, and then forward to a second space s
from which lead the ducts t having branches u which terminate at the ash pit below
the grate bars. The direction taken by the primary air currents which effect the
generation of carbonic oxide in the furnace, is well shown by the arrows.
The movement of, or the direction taken by the various gases, together with the
products of combustion and the primary and secondary air, is designated by the
various arrows shown on Sheet 4.
In connection with the primary air ducts just described, are the secondary air
ducts shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 10.
The secondary air enters at a' passes rearward along the ducts to the space c',
thence returning in a forward direction through the ducts d', then rises through
the duct from which it passes into chamber d', thence to the channel f** to the
ducts which terminate immediately above the openings c in the arch C.
By this means, the secondary air, the course of which is shown by arrows,
combines with the carbonic oxide issuing from the furnace and effects complete
combustion, the resultant products passing upward and returning downward, as
before described. The said products now pass into the flues c² from which they
finally escape to the regenerator through branch flues d. The flues d2 are in
communication with a chamber 2 from which the flues 92 lead to a second
chamber shown in dotted lines.
From this second chamber h' extend other flues in communication with a third
chamber k².
From the lower end of this third chamber 2 lead flues m² extending to side
channels which have openings o2 leading to a flue o in communication with the
oil vaporizing chamber A².
Within the oil vaporizing chamber are partitions 12 arranged so that each
alternate one projects from the partition wall H and stops short of the rear
wall 92, and the intermediate ones extend from the rear wall towards, but stop
short of, the partition wall H. By this arrangement, a circuitous passage is
formed for the ascent of the products of combustion through the chamber.
The products of combustion on leaving the flue of, enter the lowest ene of the
spaces formed by the partitions p², and pass through the circuitous passage
described, finally escaping into the stack B².
C2 C2 are pipes extending transversely through the oil vaporizing chamber A2,
into which oil, or rather some hydro-carbon, is introduced to be vaporized.
These pipes are arranged in gangs, and each gang extends from the top to the
bottom of the chamber A².
The pipes of each gang are inclined so that the oil and vapor have a regular
descent, and they are connected together at the ends, exteriorly of the brick-
work, by suitable fittings, short pipes, and unions, as shown particularly in Figs. 1
and 5

page_text: The object in extending the vaporizing pipes to the outside of the brickwork is
to admit of the pipes being readily cleaned and repaired.
The portions of the gang pipes and their connections which project from the
brickwork A, are covered by sheet iron boxes (³ fastened to the iron sheathing a,
to retard radiation of heat. An enlarged view of a portion of one of those boxes is
shown in Fig. 15.
Fig. 5 shows one complete gang of vaporizing pipes in full lines. These pipes. C'²
are covered where they pass through the chamber A2 so that they will not be
injured by contact with the products of combustion, and also that the heat imparted
to them may be retained.
All the gang pipes terminate in a manifold D2 which is in communication with a
pipe E by means of a branch pipe F2 built in the partition wall H. The upper
end of the pipe E2 is united with a manifold G2 having branch pipes H2 leading to
the retorts D, the oil vapor is therefore introduced into the retorts at their upper and
hottest ends.
Referring now particularly to Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14, which illustrate on an
enlarged scale, the apparatus which is used to introduce the hydro-carbon to the
vaporizing pipes C2, J2 is a box into the lower side of which the oil vaporizing
pipes C² enter.
K2 is a hydro-carbon supply pipe suspended within the box J2 by means of
bolts a³ having crossheads 63 at the outer ends which are supported by other bolts d³
which project from the upper side of the box J2. The central bolts a³ pass through
stuffing boxes e to prevent escape of gas, and the bolts d³ have lock nuts 3 whereby
the length of projection of the central bolt a³ within the box, may be adjusted.
The object in supporting the pipe K² as described is to allow of the said pipe
being leveled within the box.
M² is a pipe leading from a suitable tank containing hydro-carbon, not shown,
having a branch g³, which passes through a stuffing box h³ and enters the supply
pipe K. Between the pipe M2 and the branch g³, is a valve of any appropriate
construction, for regulating the flow of the hydro-carbon to the supply pipe K.
In the top of the supply pipe K2 are slots j³ through which the hydro-carbon
overflows to the outside of the said pipe; and at the bottom of the said pipe are
knife-edged angular plates k³, one of which is situated directly over each pipe C².
The oil in its overflow trickles down to the knife-edged plates, and from their points
drops into the vaporizing pipes C2; thence passes down the several gangs of
vaporizing pipes as before described, in the form of vapor, to the retorts where
being subjected to an intense heat, it is changed into a fixed gas which is ultimately
discharged into the hydraulic main j where it is mixed with water gas, or any other
gas of low illuminating power introduced into the hydraulic main through the
pipes at which lead into the present case, from a water gas generator not shown.
The carbureted gas is drawn from the hydraulic main through the pipe A¹.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that the greatest heat in the
vaporizing chamber is at the bottom, consequently the upper ends of the
vaporizing pipes are cooler than the lower ones. By introducing the hydro-
carbon into the coolest end of the pipes, the vaporizing operation is at first slow,
and gradually increases as the oil and vapor descend, until it is fully accomplished
before passing into the retorts.
The introduction of the hydro-carbon vapor to the retorts, has a tendency to
cool the ends of the retorts first receiving them, and indeed, in horizontally placed
retorts, this cooling effect is so considerable as to render, in some cases, about
one third of their length inoperative for the purpose. But in vertical retorts,
arranged as described, that is to say,--so that their upper ends which are
subjected to the cooling influence of the vapor, receive the greatest heat, and
therefore the cooling tendency of the vapor is neutralized, and the whole length
of the retorts becomes effective in the operation of changing the hydro-carbon
vapor into a fixed gas.
In case oil instead of coke or coal is to be used as fuel, the oil is injected

page_text: through a pipe a by means of a blast introduced through the pipes 6º, and the
openings c in the arch C over the furnace are closed with fire brick."
.the
Instead of introducing the water gas into the hydraulic main, as described; it
may be passed directly into the box J2 through a pipe J³, and in such a case,
water gas will traverse the vaporizing.. pipes in connection with the bydro-carbon
vapor and finally both will enter the upper ends of the retorts, from the bottom of
which the carbureted gas is drawn to the hydraulic-main..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I'declare that what'l
claim is:
1. In un apparatus for carbureting water gas, the combination of a retort
chamber containing. a series of vertical retorts, a furnace situated under the
retortichamber and separated from it- by a perforated arch, a body of brickwork
in the rear of the furnace having circuitous passages therein through which the
products of combustion from the retort chamber pass to heat it, a vaporizing
chamber erected over the said brickwork having circuitous passages therein, which
form a continuation of those in the said brickwork, and which lead finally, to a
stack, gangs of vaporizing pipe which are partially or wholly within the said
vaporizing chamber, leading ultimately to the upper ends of the retorts, to convey
hydro-carbon vapors from the top of the vaporizing, chamber to the top of the
retorts, substantially as specified.
"
2: In an apparatus for carbureting,water gas, a furnace covered by, a perforated
arch, combined with a retort' chamber. erected over the said arch, a system of
vertical retorts situated in the said-retort chamber; having, wings which are cut
away at certain points to give continuity to the various spaces exterior of the retorts
and between them and the brickwork of the retort chamber, and plates which form
partitions in the retort chamber between the rows of retorts therein, provided with
spaces or openings through which the products of combustion ascend to the upper
portion of the retort chamber, substantially as specified.
3. In an apparatus for carbureting water gas, the combination of a vaporizing
chamber and a series of vaporizing pipes within the said chamber with their ends
projecting from it, a box to which the ends of the said vaporizing pipes are
connected, a supply pipe supported within the said box having knife-edged, or
conducting plates, the points of which are over the ends of the said pipes, and
overflow apertures, and a pipe, for couveying hydro-carbon to the said supply pipe,
snbstantially as specified.
4. In an apparatus for carbureting water gas, the combination of a series of
vaporizing pipes connected to a box at their ends, a supply pipe in the said box
having knife edged triangular plates on its lower side with the points over the ends
of the said vaporizing. pipes, a conveying pipe to feed the supply pipe, and
sustaining bolts which pass through stuffing boxes in the top of the said box and
are adjustable in length whereby the said supply pipe may be leveled in the said
box without reference to its position, substantially as specified.
Dalen This 1st day of June 1890.
Daten LILIS TSL UBY OL лице 1000.
FREDERICK MAYER.
Haseltine, Lake-& Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.