Improvements in or connected with Self-contained Gas-fired Steam Generators.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 9th July, 1890-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Self-contained Gas-fired Steam
Generators.
I, JOHN JACKSON, of Chapel Chambers, South, 28, Chapel Street, Liverpool, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to that class of gas fired steam generators consisting
as a whole of a combined gas producing portion, combustion space, and water and
steam containing space or vessel, forming practically one structure.
A gas fired self-contained steam generator with improvements according to the
present invention applied thereto, consists as follows, and comprises the following
parts:-
An outer shell or containing vessel or casing; a plurality of gas producing furnaces
disposed within said shell and covered by the water of the generator; a hearth and
combustion chamber, made of or lined with refractory material or fire-brick or like
material above or upon which the said shell and gas producer furnaces are disposed;
a tube or tubes for conveying the gas made to the combustion chamber; nests of
heating tubes through which the gases and products of combustion pass; steam space
or spaces; arrangements or devices for heating the air used to support combustion of
the gases made and .the primary air supply, or either of them; and suitable waste
gas chamber and uptake or outlet. In conjunction with these, suitable firing and
cleaning doors and air and gas valves will be provided; and there may also be
combined therewith a plurality of feeding devices arranged around or about the
shell, so as to deliver, mechanically, the fuel into the gas producer furnaces. This
may be done in the manner or by the means specified in my Specification of application
for Patent No. 14555-1889, as may also the means (when mechanical means are
employed) for removing, automatically, ash and clinker. Also, direction plates between
the producer furnaces are employed in some cases to direct the flow, and aid the
circulation of the water.
The air used to support combustion of the gases produced and delivered into
the combustion chamber, may be partly heated by passing it through passages in the
walls of the combustion chamber, and partly by the waste gases, or wholly by the
former; and the air used to raise the fuel to a state of incandescence; and generate
gas, may be heated in like manner. In cases in which the waste gases are so
employed, the heating may be effected by passing the air through or over tubes or
passages in a suitable chamber disposed at or near the waste gas outlet, and through
or over which the air to be heated is caused to pass.
The nests of tubes in the case of a "vertical" steam generator are arranged between
the gas producing furnaces and are preferably completely covered with water by
disposing the steam spaces, or chambers, i.e. the upper portion thereof, above the level
of the upper tube plate, and by maintaining the level of water above it.
According to one arrangement, and that in a vertical generator, according to this
invention, in order to obtain accessibility and simplicity, the gas is led from the gas
producer by one tube into the combustion chamber, and opens out above in the upper
tube plate, being closed under ordinary working conditions by a movable door or
cover, and this tube communicates with the upper part of the gas producing furnaces,

page_text: by connecting pipes. However, although not so simple, a plurality of gas tubes may
be employed, say one for each furnace.
The plates for directing the flow and aiding the circulation of the water above
mentioned, are provided and arranged to cause the water to flow mainly from the
centre to the lower tube plate and towards the nests of tubes; and also in other ways
if desired.
This kind of self-contained steam generator is very suitable for marine purposes (as
well as for use as a land steam generator) as by its employment a large and rapid
generation of steam, for a given space occupied, can be obtained, and it affords a
very convenient arrangement generally in combination with other things, or part of a
ship's motive power accessories; and also if two furnaces are provided, one may be
under operation whilst the other is stopped for any purpose; and if a forced blast
he employed as it is preferred to do, this one furnace may be urged by extra blast
and a large quantity of steam produced in an emergency.
In this gas fired steam generator, the gas producer furnaces are arranged eccentrically,
with the heating tubes (in the case of a vertical generator) arranged in nests between
same.
Dated this 8th ...
1004
JOHN JACKSON.
By Cheesbrough & Royston,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Self-contained Gas-fired
Steam Generators.
I, JOHN JACKSON, of Chapel Chambers South, 28, Chapel Street, Liverpool, in
the County of Lancaster, 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 has reference to that class of gas fired steam generators consisting
as a whole of a combined gas producing portion, combustion space, and water and
steam containing space or vessel, forming practically one structure.
A gas-fired "self-contained" steam generator with improvements according to
the present invention applied thereto, consists as follows, and comprises the following
parts
An outer shell or containing vessel or casing; a plurality of gas producing
furnaces disposed within said shell and covered by the water of the generator; a
hearth and combustion chamber, made of or lined with refractory material or fire-
brick or like material, above or upon which the said shell and gas producer furnaces
are disposed; a tube or tubes for conveying the gas made to the combustion
chamber; nests of heating tubes, through which the gases and products of combus-
tion pass; steam space or spaces; arrangements or devices for heating the air used
to support combustion of the gases made and the primary air supply, or either of
them; and suitable waste gas chamber and uptake or outlet. In conjunction with
these, suitable firing and cleaning doors and air and gas valves will be provided.
Direction plates between the producer furnaces are employed in some cases to direct
the flow, and aid the circulation of the water.
The air used to support combustion of the gases produced and delivered into the
combustion chamber, may be partly heated by passing it through passages in the
walls of the combustion chamber, and partly by the waste gases, or wholly by
the former; and the air used to raise the fuel to a state of incandescence, and
generate gas, may be heated in like manner. In cases in which the waste gases are
so employed, the heating may be effected by passing the air through or over tubes or
passages in a suitable chamber disposed at or near the waste gas outlet and through
or over which the air to be heated is caused to pass.

page_text: "
The nests of tubes in the case of a "vertical steam generator are arranged
between the gas producing furnaces or at one side thereof according to the number
of furnaces and are preferably completely covered with water by disposing the steam
spaces, or chambers, i.e., the upper portion thereof above the level of the upper tube
plate and by maintaining the level of water above it.
According to one arrangement, and that in a vertical generator, under this inven-
tion, in order to obtain accessibility and simplicity, the gas is led from the gas
producer by one tube into the combustion chamber, which tube also opens out, above,
in the upper tube plate, it being closed however, under ordinary working conditions at
this end, by a movable door or cover. This tube communicates with the upper part
of the gas producing furnaces by connecting pipes. However, although not so simple,
a plurality of gas tubes may be employed, say one for each furnace.
The plates for directing the flow and aiding the circulation of the water, above
mentioned, are provided and arranged to cause the water to flow mainly from the
centre to the lower tube plate and towards the nests of tubes; and also in other ways
if desired. This kind of self-contained steam generator is very suitable for marine
purposes (as well as for use as a land steam generator) as by its employment a large
and rapid generation of steam, for a given space occupied, can be obtained, and it
affords a very convenient arrangement generally in combination with other things,
or part of a ship's motive power accesories, and also if two furnaces are provided,
one may be under operation whilst the other is stopped for any purpose; and if a
forced blast be employed, as it is preferred to do, this one furnace may be urged by
extra blast and a large quantity of steam produced in an emergency.
In this gas fired steam generator, the gas producer furnaces are arranged
eccentrically, with the heating tubes (in the case of a vertical generator) arranged
in a nest or nests at one side or between same, according to the number of
furnaces.
The above describes generally the main features of a generator constructed and
adapted to work according to this invention; but to set forth the same more clearly
and exactly I will now describe it by the aid of the accompanying drawings
which illustrate several examples of generators involving improvements according to
this invention.
In these drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a generator, according to
the invention, having four gas producing furnaces, and a corresponding number of
combustion chambers and nests of tubes; and
Figure 2 is a plan, in section, taken partly above the level of the gas producers,
partly through the gas producers, and partly through the combustion chambers.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a steam generator according to this invention
in which two gas producing furnaces are arranged.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of the generator shewn in Figure 3, viewed at
90 degrees from that given in said Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a plan, in section, taken at the line X. X. Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a sectional plan of the generator taken at the line Y. Y. Figure 3.
Figures 7 and 8 are plans, and Figure 9 an elevation, in section, illustrating a
modified arrangement of gas producer, tubes, and combustion chamber, of the arrange-
ment shewn in Figures 3 to 6; of these plans, Figure 7 is taken at a point above
the gas producer, whilst Figure 8 is taken through the ash-pit and combustion chamber.
The sectional elevation shewn in Figure 9 is taken through the combustion chamber
and nest of tubes.
In all the figures, the same letters of reference are used to denote the same or
like parts wherever they occur.
With reference to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, A are the
gas producer furnaces, which are arranged and disposed wholly within the water
and shell of the generator (i.e. above the combustion chambers and lower tube plate)
and eccentrically, and close to such shell; B is the said generator shell; C are the
combustion chambers disposed below the level of the gas producers and directly
underneath the lower tube plate; D are conduits to which the gas produced in the

page_text: furnaces A are conveyed, prior to delivery into the combustion chamber C; E is a
downtake pipe or tube, common to all the furnaces A, and by which said gases are
conveyed from the gas furnaces, by way of the connecting tubes E¹, to the gas
chambers or conduits D; F are conduits to which the heated air used to support
combustion of the gas is conveyed, prior to its introduction into the combustion
chamber; is a wall which separates the combustion chamber C from the air
heating conduits F; and d¹ is a wall which separates the gas conduits D from the
combustion chamber C; d² and denote apertures provided in the walls d¹ and fl
respectively, by which the flow of gas from D and the flow of air from F, respectively,
issue into the combustion chamber C, and by which such air and gas in their flow
nto the combustion chamber are caused to meet one another and become thoroughly
mixed, and complete combustion facilitated; G is the case enclosing the whole of the
lower structure of the generator, comprising the combustion chamber C, passages F,
gas conduits D, and ash-pits P, all of which parts are mainly composed of fire brick
or other refractory material, the whole of which parts lie entirely, as will be seen,
below the gas producing furnaces, nests of tubes, and lower tube plate; H are_air
inlet conduits, having valves, by which the air to the air heating conduits F is
controlled, and is a horizontal partition by which the air heating passages F are
eparated into an upper and lower one, and the air caused first to flow in one
direction, horizontally, then down, and round in the reverse direction horizontally to
the lower chamber F, the air inlet conduits H being disposed at one end of the upper
passage F.
With regard to the upper parts of the generator, K are the steam domes or
vessels; L is the upper and I the lower tube plates; M is the waste gas chamber or
"smoke" box ; N is the funnel, and O designates the heating tubes.
It will be seen, with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, that the tubes
are arranged in four nests, and that the gas producers lie close to the shell of the
generator, and between said nests.
The gas downtake tube E, it will be seen, runs from the top to the lower tube plate
and is connected at its ends to such tube plates, these constitute a central stay as well
as a means for conveying gas from the gas producing furnaces to the combustion
chamber. The top of the tube E is covered by a slab or stopper e'. The smoke
box M is disposed above the tube plates and encloses partially the steam domes K,
the roof of the chamber M being constructed mainly of ordinary hinged smoke
doors m¹.
By opening these doors, access is at once had to the whole of the tubes, which
from this point can be swept, repaired, removed or inserted; and also through these
doors access can be had to the lower portion of the generator through the tube E, by
removing the cover or slab e¹. Access to the gas producing furnaces for similar
purposes may be had in three directions, namely, by way of the central tube E and
branch tubes E, or feeding shoots R, or the ash-pit door p¹.
The steam domes K are disposed directly above the gas producing furnaces A and
are consequently four in number, whilst the chimney or funnel is centrally located.
The gas producing furnaces A, it will be seen, have semispherical domes, and
fire-brick or other refractory linings a', and it will be further seen that these gas
producing furnaces lie wholly within the shell B of the generator, that is to say, the
casing a of which the combustion chambers are made, is joined to the lower tube
plate L' at the bottom, and is surrounded and in contact with the water within the
generator, the grate S (which is of the ordinary door kind) being practically on a
level with the lower tube plate L', a small space, however, at one side, nearest the
ash-pit door p', being provided and the grate arranged slightly lower than such tube
plate, to allow of the fuel upon the grate being stoked or worked through the doorway
of the door p¹.
A door c and passage c² are provided at the bottom of the base of the generator,
by which ready access may be had to the combustion chamber C from outside, for
the purpose of inspection and removal of dust or other matters from the floor
thereof.

page_text: It will be seen that this construction of generator, like that described in my
former Specification of application for Letters Patent No. 14,555 of 1889, provides
for having the heating tubes, O, entirely covered with water at all times, if desired,
that is to say, by arranging the tube plate L and the steam domes K as shewn, the
water level (which is designated W.L.) can be maintained at the point shewn in
Figure 1, that is, within the domes K, and consequently the tubes will be wholly
surrounded or covered with water. If however, it is desired to lower the water level
when steam is once up, the level of the water may be let down below the level of the
upper tube plate L, whereby a greater free surface of water for the liberation of
steam is obtained.
To effect a good circulation, I provide directing plates T between the shells of the
gas producing furnaces (as shown), the action of which is, that a descending
current will take place about the central pipe E and will be guided, by these plates T
and a part of the shells of the producers A, towards the bottom of the generator,
where the plates T terminate, and the current assumes a horizontal direction,
sweeping outwards radially over the surface of the lower tube plate L', and then
ascending up the tubes, O, by the heat imparted to it by such tubes.
i
The air used to support combustion of the gas introduced into the combustion
chamber C is heated in passing through the horizontal passages F, by coming into
contact with and being subjected to the radiant heat of the hot walls thereof. The
air after first passing through the upper passage F enters the lower passage F round
the end of the horizontal division or partition i, at (shown more clearly and fully
in Figures 5, 6 and 8), at which point the partition is stopped. In this lower
passage. Fit receives additional heat, and from here it passes into the combustion
chamber by the oblong passages f2, and is broken up, and is delivered into a number
of comparatively thin streams, and meets corresponding streams of gas-which also
will be hot-issuing through corresponding apertures d² in the wall of the gas
conduits D these divided streams of hot air and gas thereby assimilate and become
thoroughly mixed, and complete combustion results.
In the generator shown in Figures and 2, it will be seen that for each gas
producing furnace there is provided a combustion chamber, and each combustion
chamber has its own air heating passages F, and inlet conduits and valves, H and h¹,
and there may also be provided, either within the tube E or the branch tubes E',
suitable dampers or doors for controlling communication between the tube E and the
furnace A. Such damper with its actuating rods and levers, for example, is shewn
in dotted lines in Figure 1, and designated x, and similar dampers may be adapted to
control the mouths of the gas conduits D.
The steam generators illustrated in the drawings are provided with steam jet
blowers Q, for supplying the air used to convert the solid fuel in the furnace A to a
gaseous form.
In the generator shown in Figures 3 to 6, two gas producing furnaces are employed,
and each gas producer has a downtake gas conduit E, and below, separate gas
chambers or passages D, such two chambers D being separated by a partition d³, these
two however have a common combustion chamber C. In this example the gas
producing furnaces A are disposed at one side of the generator and near the shell
thereof and their fuel feeding shoots R and downtake gas tubes E are also disposed at
this side near the shell, so that the furnaces, feed shoots, and gas tubes are disposed
wholly on one side of the generator. Then on the opposite side of the generator are
disposed the heating tubes arranged in a nest. As regards the lower portion of the
structure the ash-pits P, and gas conduits or chambers D are also disposed mainly at
one side of the producer, and directly below the gas producing furnaces and gas
pipe E, whilst the combustion chamber C is disposed or arranged on the opposite side
of the generator and directly below the nest of tubes O; thus my construction and
arrangement of steam generator in this instance is one wherein the conversion of the
solid fuel to the gaseous forin, and its distribution, is carried out wholly in the one
half of the generator, whilst its combustion and the heating of the water takes place
in the opposite half of the generator,

page_text: It will be seen that in all the arrangements according to this invention herein
described and illustrated, the gas producing furnaces and the heating tubes are
arranged in the upper part of the generator, that is within the shell and above the
lower tube plate, whilst the combustion chamber and gas and air passages leading
thereto are disposed below the gas producing furnaces and tubes that is to say, the
steam generators are constructed so that the solid fuel is converted into gas in a gas
producer or producers constructed in the upper part or shell of the generator, and the
combustion chamber or chainbers is or are disposed underneath said producers,
i.e. between such producer and the ground or floor.
In the examples shewn in Figures 3 to 6, the distribution of gas and air, and the
heating of such air to support combustion of the gases made, is carried out practically
in the same way as that specified with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
In the above described "self-contained" gas-fired steam generators, 1 provide a
type of generator which is particularly adapted to give a corstant production of
steam, and on this ground is more especially suited for use as a marine steam
generator in cases where steaming is carried on constantly at lengthened periods, or
for days together, in that, by providing the generator with a plurality of gas producing
furnaces as described and arranging and working them as set forth, it is possible to
obtain an uninterrupted production of gas and consequent continuous generation of
steam, whilst, one of the gas producing furnaces is being cleaned, stoked, repaired or
out of operation for any other purpose or object.
The modification shewn in Figures 7, 8 and 9, is an arrangement in which the
relative disposition of gas producer, heating tubes, and gas conduits, and combustion
chamber, set forth with reference to Figures 3 to 6 is employed, but in which, in lieu
of having two gas producing furnaces, one only is employed; that is to say, on one
half or side of the generator I provide a single gas producer, eccentrically arranged,
and two downtake gas conduits E, branching out one on either side, and both wholly
within the shell of the generator and above the tube plate, and leading and opening
out into a common gas distribution chamber D, directly under the tube plate L';
whilst in the opposite half of the steam generator is located a single nest of tubes O
within the shell B, and directly below same a combustion chamber C.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, it is to be understood that it is not
intended to confine this Patent strictly to the particular forms and dispositions of parts
set forth with reference to the figures of the drawings, nor to the number of gas
producers used, as these will naturally vary according to the various requirements and
conditions under which the invention may be employed; also the parts may be
modified in different ways without departing from the controlling features of the
invention; and further, one or more of the features of the invention in the different
generators shewn, may be applied and used in generators differing in general form or
general arrangement of parts to the one in connection with which it is particularly
described and illustrated herein. On the other hand I would have it understood that
I am aware of the Patents 4772 of 1882, 4088 of 1883, and 9433 of 1884 of H. C.
Bull; also of the Patents 13733 of 1884 and 7633 of 1888 of G. H. Taylor, and that
I do not claim anything that is described and claimed in any of the aforesaid Patents.
But, I declare that what I do claim in respect of the herein described invention is :-
1. The herein described improvement in "self-contained" gas-fired steam generators,
consisting of the combination in such generators of two or more separate gas producing
furnaces disposed within the shell thereof, and a nest or nests of heating tubes, said
Jurnaces and tubes being in communication with a combustion chamber or chambers
disposed in the lower part of the structure, and wherein the gases made in the
producers are ignited or burn, and distributed to the said heating tubes; for the
purposes set forth.
"
2. A self-contained" gas-fired steam generator, having a plurality of gas producing
furnaces arranged within the shell of the generator, and a plurality of combustion.
chambers and air and gas conduits, and nests of tubes, that is to say, a generator

page_text: wherein each gas producing furnace is provided with a separate combustion chamber
and nest of tubes; for the purposes set forth.
3. A "self-contained" gas-fired steam generator, having a plurality of gas producing
furnaces arranged within the shell of the generator and eccentrically therein, and close
to such shell, and a nest or nests of tubes disposed at the opposite side or part of the
shell to said furnaces, or between said gas producing furnaces; as, or substantially as
set forth.
4. A "self-contained" gas-fired steam generator, having a plurality of gas producing
furnaces and gas conduits or tubes which are disposed within the shell and occupy one
half or side thereof, and a nest of tubes running through the shell and occupying the
other half or side of the generator, and a combustion chamber disposed directly
underueath said tubes; as, or substantially as described.
5. A "self-contained" gas-fired steam generator having an eccentrically arranged
gas producing furnace or furnaces, and a centrally or substantially centrally arranged
gas downtake tube, such as E, connected to the upper and lower tube plates of the
generator; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6. In a "self-contained" gas-fired steam generator the combination of a plurality
of gas producing furnaces A, nests of tubes O, combustion chambers (); substantially
as set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.
7. In a "self-contained" gas-fired steam generator, the combination of two or more
gas producing furnaces, provided with valves or dampers and arranged substantially
as described, whereby a continuous production of gas can be carried on and supplied
to the combustion chamber whilst one or more furnace or fnrnaces is or are, as the
case may be, stoked, cleaned, or charged, and out of operation; as and for the purposes
described.
8. A “self-contained" gas-fired steam generator, having an eccentrically arranged
gas producing furnace or furnaces, nests of heating tubes, and direction plates, T,
disposed and arranged substantially as described, by which circulation of the water in
the desired direction is caused or facilitated.
9. A "self-contained" gas-fired steam generator, comprising a vertical cylindrical
shell, having top and bottom tube plates, and within which one or more gas producing
furnaces are disposed on or towards one side of the shell, and wherein a nest or nests
of tubes are disposed on the other side of said shell, and below the lower tube plate
and level of the bottom of the gas producing furnace or furnaces, and directly
beneath said nest of tubes, is provided a combustion chamber, to which the gas from
the furnaces, and air, are introduced, and above and upon the structure of which
said shell with its gas producing furnaces and tubes stand; substantially as set forth.
10. A self-contained gas-fired steam generator, having a plurality of gas
producing furnaces disposed within the shell of the generator, and a nest or nests of
tubes, the upper and lower tube plate, to which said tubes are fixed as described, and
steam domes K disposed one directly over each gas producing furnace; substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
11. In a "self-contained" gas-fired steam generator having two or more gas
producing furnaces and a nest or nests of tubes, the arrangement and combination of
ash-pits P, and two or more gas conduits E and D, whereby the gas produced in the
gas producing furnaces is brought down, and below the level of said gas producing
furnaces and nests of tubes, and delivered into the combustion chamber or chambers;
substantially as set forth.
12. The arrangement and combination of gas producing furnaces A, gas down-
takes E, gas conduits D, and combustion chamber C, substantially as set forth with
reference to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings.
13. The herein described "self-contained" gas-fired steam generator, having its
parts, consisting chiefly of the shell B, with its upper and lower tube plates L and L',
inultiple gas producing furnaces A, gas downtake, E, gas conduit D, combustion
chamber C, ash-pits P, and nest of tubes O, arranged, combined and adapted to
operate as set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
by.
14. The herein described "self-contained' gas-fired steam generator, having its

page_text: parts, consisting chiefly of the shell B, with its upper and lower tube plates L and L',
multiple gas producing furnaces A, gas downtake pipes E, gas conduit D, combustion
chamber C, ash-pits P, and nests of tubes O, arranged, combined, and adapted to
operate as set forth with reference to Figures 3 to 6.
15. The herein described "self-contained" gas-fired steam generator, consisting of
the shell B, tube plate L', single gas producing furnace A, having two gas downtake
tubes E, arranged on one side of such furnace and within the shell, a nest of tubes (
on the opposite side, a gas chamber D, and a combustion chamber C, all arranged as
set forth with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9.
Dated this 8th day of July 1890.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.