Improvements connected with the Manufacture of Water Gas and other Gases for Lighting and Manufacturing Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 7th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with the Manufacture of Water Gas and
other Gases for Lighting and Manufacturing Purposes.
I, HUGH WILLIAMS, of The Mount, Stockport, in the County of Chester,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus for generating that class of gas composed
of a combination of hydrogen gas produced from the decomposition of super-
heated steam, carbonic oxide gas, carbonic acid gas, gas produced by the
distillation and carbonization of coal or wood and gas produced from liquid
hydrocarbons my object being to render the combinations into a fixed or
permanent illuminating gas.
When illuminating gas is not desired the arrangement and construction of the
apparatus is capable of producing each of the above gases alone if desired or in
any combination as may be necessary for manufacturing purposes.
In carrying my invention into effect to manufacture illuminating gas I employ by
preference a set of two vertical furnaces lined with firebrick and constructed alike
and working in conjunction with each other by ducts chambers or passages
controlled by suitable valves. Surmounting each furnace I place a small retort
also lined with a refractory lining. A communication is formed between the retorts
and their respective furnaces by means of perforated or other suitable valves. In
conjunction with the retorts I arrange a condenser common to both retorts. This
condenser is formed of a series of pipes small in diameter and in a group to offer a
large condensing surface. This group of pipes may or may not be surrounded by
water to suit the degree of condensation desired. Adjacent to the condenser may
be fixed a gas scrubber and purifiers of any approved types and in close proximity to
the furnaces and connected therewith I arrange what I term the carburettor wherein
the gases may be diffused with the vapour of the liquid hydrocarbons to any desired
degree of illuminating power and also fixed into a permanent gas. This portion of
the arrangement consists of an iron brick lined chamber made perfectly gas tight,
within this chamber I arrange a group of retorts or pipes with the necessary
connections and mouth pieces these retorts are charged with iron or steel turnings
or scraps loosely packed; surrounding the chamber or fixed conveniently adjacent
thereto I arrange a multifid carburettor for the purpose of bringing the gases and
the vapour of hydrocarbons into intimacy prior to their introduction into the
carburetting retorts and fixers.
The process of making the gases may be considered practically a continuous one.
In the first instance the two furnaces which for facility of description I will term
No. 1 and No. 2 are charged preferably with coke, anthracite coal or wood charcoal
and the small retorts surmounting the furnaces are charged with either bituminous
or wood fuel as most conveniently procured. The fuel within the furnaces is raised
to a state of incandescence by forcing air through it and I prefer that the incan-
descence within one of the furnaces should be in advance of the other.
The gases resulting from raising the fuel to the state of incandescence will be
producer gases which are then passed from the furnaces in a state of high
temperature through ducts into the brick lined carburetting chamber before
described where they will meet with just sufficient quantity of air to accelerate
combustion. The result of this part of the operation will be that the carburetting
retorts and fixers within the chamber are brought up to a temperature proper to
carry out their functions of carburetting and fixing the gases permanently. I will
now suppose that No. 1 furnace has reached its highest state of incandescence and

page_text: No. 2 furnace not quite so but will require further admission of air to bring it to a
similar state as that of No. 1. The air admitted into the carburetting chamber is
stopped and air is also stopped from entering No. 1 furnace. Air is still admitted
into No. 2 furnace but accompanied by a quantity of superheated steam with the
result that some hydrogen, carbonic oxide, and a considerable quantity of carbonic
acid gas will be formed; these gases I then convey in their heated state from the
upper end of No. 2 furnace through the duct into the brick lined carburetting
chamber on their passage through which they will maintain the temperature of the
carburetting retorts. The gases after leaving the carburetting chamber will be
further conveyed through the duct to the lower end of No. 1 furnace which is now
in a state of incandescence and made to pass along with superheated steam added at
this point in an upward direction through the mass of incandescent fuel. The gases
whilst at this high temperature are then made to pass through the charge of
bituminous or wood fuel within the small retort surmounting the furnace before
described the heat of the gases herein will release the rich hydrocarbons contained
in the fuel and become mixed therewith and at the same time the tarry and oily
vapours evolved will descend to the heated furnace and be further converted into
gaseous hydrocarbons while the solid constituents of the fuel within the retort
become carbonized and the partly carburetted gases after leaving the small retort
are brought to the condenser and thence to the scrubber and purifier. From the
purifier the gases are conveyed to the multifid carburettor where they meet and
become charged with the requisite quantity of liquid hydrocarbons. Thence they
are conveyed to the carburetting retorts charged with iron or steel turnings or
scrap. These retorts and their contents are in a state of high temperature and the
gases on their passage through the heated mass of iron or steel fragments become
fixed and permanent. The object .of charging these retorts with these metallic
fragments is to more efficiently fix the gas by converting into hydrogen any watery
vapour the gas may contain: gas at this stage may be considered ready for
storing or it may be used direct.
the
After the apparatus has been subjected to the above operation for such time that
No. 1 furnace has become dull and No. 2 furnace has reached a high state of
incandescence the coke or charcoal resulting from the carbonization of the fuel
within the small retort surmounting No. 1 furnace is dropped into the furnace to
replenish its charge, and a fresh charge of fuel is also put into the small retort.
The procedure is then reversed and No. 1 furnace is revived by the introduction of
air and a small quantity of steam which on their passage through the hot fuel,
become as before described in No. 2 furnace, hydrogen, carbonic oxide, and carbonic
acid gases. These highly heated gases are now drawn from the upper part of
furnace No. 1 and made to pass through the brick lined carburetting chamber to
maintain the high temperature of the carburetting retorts as before described, and
from thence the gases are conveyed to the lower end of No. 2 furnace and made to
pass along with superheated steam through the mass of incandescent fuel contained
therein and thence through the bituminous or wood fuel contained in the smaller
retort surmounting No. furnace. The process is repeated as before described and
becomes continuous by the alternate reviving and charging of the furnaces and the
small retorts attached.
The gas produced in the manner above described is generally applicable for
illuminating purposes and in order to apply the apparatus for producing gases other
than for illuminating purposes the operation and functions of the brick lined
carburetting chamber and the carburetting and fixing retorts within it would cease
and the gases for manufacturing purposes would be in other respects generated as
before described. For this purpose the furnaces may work singly or intermittently.
Doted this 0th day of April 1890
H. B. BARLOW,
Agent for Applicant.
55

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with the Manufacture of Water Gas and
other Gases for Lighting and Manufacturing Purposes.
I, HUGH WILLIAMS, of the Mount, Stockport, in the County of Chester, 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 and accompanying drawings:-
My invention relates to the production of gas by the decomposition of water,
air and carbonaceous matter and has for its principal object to effect the economical
production of illuminating gas of a stable character.
I employ furnaces or gas producers which are preferably worked in pairs or sets
each producer being provided with a retort for distilling coal or carbonaceous matter
such retort discharging its coke into the producer. The gases from one producer
pass into a fixing retort chamber and from thence through the other producer from
From the condenser
which they pass through the distilling retort to a condenser.
the gases pass to a purifier when purified gas is required. From the purifier the
gases pass through a heater and from thence into a carburetter. From the
carburetter the gases are led into and through the heated fixing retorts which are
charged with fragments of iron. The gas is then ready for use or to be stored.
When the gas is not required for illuminating purposes or when only one producer
is used the process can be modified as will be hereinafter explained.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will describe the same
more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the said drawings Fig. 1 represents a cross sectional elevation Fig 2 a rear
elevation partly in section and Fig. 3 a plan of a gas plant suitable for the production
of illuminating gas.
In the said figs. A A' are the two gas producers B is one of the distilling
retorts C is the fixing retort chamber D is the condenser E is a scrubber or purifier
and F is the carburetter. The end of the chamber C which would appear in Fig. 1
if the chamber were not represented in section appears in Fig. 4. Each gas producer
has an outer metal shell which is lined with fire brick as is usual and each producer
is provided with a set of rocking grate bars a which can be actuated from the
exterior of the furnace by means of hand levers a¹. The ashes from the grate fall
into a syphon trough a from which they can be withdrawn at intervals without
interfering with the supply of air to the producer. When the apparatus is at
work cach producer is partly filled with incandescent fuel and is fed from a
retort B with which each producer is provided. These retorts are each charged through
the hopper mouth which is provided with a valve which opens downward toward
the retort and with a stopper or second valve 2 whereby the mouth of the hopper can
be closed. When the hopper has been charged with small coal the mouth of the
hopper is closed and the valve b¹ is lowered so as to discharge the coal into the
retort. The coal is retained within the retort by a valve made of cast iron or of
refractory material and carried by a spindle which passes through the hollow
spindle of the valve b¹. When the coal has been sufficiently carbonised by the
heat of the producer and of the issuing gas as will be hereinafter explained, the
valve is lowered and the coke or charred coal is discharged into the producer.
The valves and 63 are operated by hand levers 65 and 66 which are loaded so that
during the ordinary working the valves are kept in their upper or closing positions.
Each producer is connected with the chamber C by means of two pipes or gas
passages c d or c' d' the one connected with the upper part of the producer and the
other with a closed chamber a³ below the fire grate of the producer. These pipes
are lined with refractory material and are each fitted with a sliding valve e e' or fi
As it is not required during the ordinary working of the apparatus that both of the
valves e e' on the upper pipes e c' or the valves on the lower pipes d d' shall be

page_text: open or shut at the same time the actuating spindles of the valves in each pair
may be connected as indicated in Fig. 3 and the two valves be operated by a single
hand lever. It would be advisable to arrange for the ready uncoupling of the
valves as it might sometimes be advisable to have both valves in a pair open at the
same time as for example when heating up the apparatus preparatory to gas making.
Any suitable description of valve or gas seal may be used in place of the sliding
valve. The chamber C has a fire brick lining and an outer metal casing and contains
seven retorts y and. The central retort is for re-heating the gas and the six
retorts g are for "fixing" the gas after it has been charged with hydro-carbon. These
retorts are charged with small pieces or fragments of iron. The chamber C is
provided with a chimney for the escape of gases when at times the gases are not
being passed from one producer to the other as will be hereinafter explained. The
chimney is provided with a damper or valve 3 which can be readily opened and
closed by means of a lever as in ordinary arrangements for a similar purpose.
It will be apparent that a pipe or flue may convey the waste gases to a chimney
stack if there be one available. The carburetter F is formed or mounted upon the
top of the chamber C so as to receive heat therefrom. The carburetter consists of a
chamber which is provided with partitions so arranged as to compel the gas when
passing through to take a circuitous course. Such partitions are indicated by
dotted lines in Fig. 3. Gas is led into the carburetter through a pipe i and
out through a pipe j. The inlet pipe i communicates with the outlet end of
the re-heater as seen in Fig. 4. The outlet pipe communicates by means
of coupling pipes with the inlet ends of all the retorts the outer ends
of these retorts being coupled with a pipe & which may convey the finished
gas to a holder. Each producer is also connected with the condenser D by
ineans of a branch or from a hood B or B2 which covers the mouth of the
retort B. These branches are connected by means of a three-way valve m with au
ascension pipe n which conveys the gas to the condenser. The valve m is so suitably
constructed as that either of the hoods B or B2 may be placed in communication
with the condenser the other hood being shut off so that the producers may be
alternately put in communication with the condenser. The condenser is of any
suitable construction but I prefer that the condensing pipes and the passages should
be so arranged as that all the tar and liquid matters resulting from condensation
shall flow back into the retorts .B. In the example the gas is distributed through
a range of vertical pipes within a water tank. The gas passes from the condenser
through a pipe to the purifier E which may be of an ordinary or suitable construc-
tion. From the purifier the gas passes through a pipe p to the inlet end of the
re-heater . Air under pressure can be supplied to the space as below the grate
of the producer by means of a pipe q which is in connection with a suitable blower
and is provided with valves so that the air can be admitted into either or both of
the two producers. Air can also be forced into the same space by means of a steam
injector means being provided for regulating the inlet of air so that more or less
of steam may be caused to accompany the air and also that at times steam alone
may be passed into the producer. In the example a revoluble "hit and miss" air
valve is applied at . The carburetter is supplied with liquid hydro-carbon by
means of a drop pipes which discharges into a syphon pipe which conveys the
liquid into the carburetter.
"'
When starting the apparatus fires are lit in the two producers and are fed with
coke or fuel through the hoppers b the valves 63 being lowered to permit the fuel to
fall into the producers.
Air to support combustion is blown in through the pipe q.
During the preliminary starting and heating of the apparatus both the valves e e
may be open the damper es being also open.
The gases pass into the chamber C into which air may be admitted to support
combustion of such gases. I have not shown any special means for admitting air
into the chamber C because it can be supplied by opening one or both of the

page_text: valves to a suitable extent but I may provide special means for passing an
into the chamber at the required times.
The hot gases and flames heat the chamber and the retorts therein the products
of combustion escaping through the chimney c². When the producers are suitably
charged with incandescent fuel and the retorts are highly heated-say to a red
heat or a little below-the production of gas may be commenced. To prepare for
this production the retort B in each producer or in one to commence with-say in
the producer A-is charged with coal or other bitumenous or gas producing fuel
the damper c³ is closed and the supply of air to the producer A is shut off. The
cock at s is opened to permit hydro-carbon liquid to drip into the carburetter and
the valve el is closed and the valve f' is opened -if previously closed-the valve m
being turned to connect the producer A' with the condenser. Operations are now
commenced by opening the air valve and the steam cock of the injector whereby.
air and steam are forced into the space a³ and thence through the incandescent fuel
in the producer A or the air blast through the pipe q might be continued steam
being blown in to accompany the air. The resulting gases pass in a highly heated
state through the pipe c into the chamber C and from this chamber through the
pipe d into the space below the grate of the other producer A'. Steam is blown
in to pass through the fuel along with the gases from the chamber C. The fuel in
the producer A should be in a state of high incandescence. The gases pass upward
through the fuel in this producer and through holes in the valve into and through
the retort B to the condenser.
The said retort will have become heated and the gases will be passing off to the
condenser. The highly heated gases passing from the producer through this retort
aid in the carbonisation of the charge in the retort the gases given off mingling
with the gases from the producer. The tar and other matters flow back from the
condenser as aforesaid and are wholly or partly carbonised in the retort any matters
failing to be so carbonised passing into the producer so that ultimately all the fuel
is converted into gas and ashes. From the condenser the gases flow through the
pipe o to the scrubber or purifier E and thence by the pipe p to the re-heater /
through which it flows thereby becoming heated so that it may be in a better
condition to take up the hydro-carbon. Passing by, the pipe i into the carburetter
the gas flows through the latter and takes up the vapourised hydro-carbon.
Leaving the carburetter by the pipe jthe gas passes into and through the retorts g
and is thereby brought into close and intimate contact with a large surface of
heated iron which has the effect of fixing the gas that is to say of rendering
the combination of gases and of carbon stable so that the gas can be kept in
holders and be conveyed in distributing pipes without losing its illuminating
power.
The treatment in the retorts 9 also improves the quality of the gas by decom-
posing any remaining water which it may contain and by absorbing free oxygen
if there be any present.
After the production of gas has continued for a time the heat of the fuel in
the producer A¹ will have become reduced. The valves are now altered so that
the air is blown into the producer A' and so that the gases from such producer
A. short
shall pass through the chamber C and upward through the producer A.
working under these conditions will have the effect of restoring the heat of the
fuel in the producer A'. By thus altering the valves at intervals the two
producers can be kept in working order for some time but after a period the
steam which is blown into the producers will have dulled the fires to such an extent
as that it will become necessary to revive them. At suitable intervals the produc-
tion of gas is stopped the steam is shut off and air alone from the pipe q
admitted below the grates so as to blow up the fires the highly heated gases
passing through the pipes into and through the chamber C and escaping by the
chimney thus restoring the heat of the said chamber and its contained retorts.
In cases wherein a strong chimney draught is available the air blast may be
is

page_text: dispensed with it being then only necessary to open air valves to admit air below
the grates at the required times. The apparatus might be worked by blowing
air alone into the first producer-say producer A-steam being only blown into
the second producer or producer A' along with the gases from the first producer.
At frequent intervals the fire bars are rocked in order to keep the fires as free
from ashes as practically possible. In the cases of large sets of apparatus the
bars may be rocked by power.
The ashes from each grate fall upon a revoluble valve at which closes the
thoroughfare through the syphon trough a².
By turning this valve at intervals the ashes are passed downward into
the trough and can be raked Out. Means for turning the said valve
will be mentioned when describing the drawings on Sheet 4. It has been
said that the retorts B are charged with coal or gas producing substance.
When it is considered that the gas has been driven off from such charge the
valve 6 is lowered so as to drop the coke into the producer and the retort is
re-charged. Poker holes closed by removable stoppers are formed around each of
the hoods B1 B2 in order that any coke sticking to the retort or valve may be
cleared away. One of these holes appears at 77 in Fig. 1.
In some cases the retorts may be charged with wood or with wood chips or sawdust.
In some cases I provide the apparatus with only one producer. In such cases the
production of gas is not so continuous as when two producers are used. When
working with a "one producer plant" the gases from the producer pass straight to
the condenser when making gas but at intervals it is necessary to shut off the
connection with the condenser and to pass the gases through the chamber C in
order to restore the heat both of the producer and of the said chamber. When
making gas which is intended for heating or power generating purposes only_the
purifier and the carburetter can be dispensed with or not be used.
A
The drawings in Sheet 4 illustrate a larger gas producing apparatus parts
corresponding with similar parts in the other drawings being marked with the same
letters of reference. In this example the producer which appears in the drawing
is provided with three retorts and with two steam injectors. The chamber C is of
a different form and is provided with eighteen fixing retorts in place of the six in
the first example. The re-heating retort ( in Fig. 1) is dispensed with. The gas
is conveyed from the condenser to purifiers which do not appear in the drawing
and from the purifiers by a pipe which is connected by a breeches pipe with two
side pipes which deliver the gas through branches to the fixing retorts.
carburetter or vapouriser F is fixed upon the top of each producer and is supplied
with hydro-carbon. The vapourised oil or spirit is conveyed through a pipe t to
meet the gases passing to the fixing retorts. The gases on leaving these retorts
pass through the branch pipes the side pipes the breeches pipe into the pipe k
which conveys away the finished gas. There is a similar arrangement of pipes
previously referred to on the other side of the chamber C. The retorts Bare
mounted so that they can be readily lifted out of place for repairs or renewal. The
lever cross a³ is for operating the ash valve corresponding to the valve a in
Fig. 1.
As it is important that the fixing retorts g shall be worked at a high temperature
it may be advisable in some cases and especially in the cases of large plants to
employ special furnaces to heat such retorts. In such cases one bench of fixing
retorts may serve for more than two producers.
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 I
claim is :-
1. The combination of parts constituting the apparatus for use in the manu
facture of illuminating gas substantially as set forth with reference to Figs. 1 to 4
of the drawings hereto.

page_text: 2. The combination of parts constituting the apparatus for use in the manu-
facture of illuminating gas substantially as set forth with reference to the drawings
in Sheet 4.
3. The gas producer provided with a distilling retort or with two or more such
retorts and with means for charging such retorts and for dropping the coke or
charcoal from such retorts into the producer to serve as fuel for heating the same,
substantially as set forth and indicated.
4. The gas producers provided with distilling retorts connected together so as to
be worked in pairs the gases from one producer being conveyed upward through
the incandescent fuel in the other producer and thence through the distilling retort
or retorts of such producer substantially as set forth and indicated.
5. The gas producer or producers provided with a retort or with retorts in which
coal, wood or suitable carbonaceous matter is charred or converted into coke or
charcoal preparatory to being dropped into the producer or producers in combination
with condensing apparatus and with connections so arranged as that the tar and
products of condensation flow back into the said retort or retorts substantially as
set forth and indicated.
6. The gas producer or producers for generating gas in combination with retorts
charged with fragments of iron and with means for passing the produced gases
through such retorts and for highly heating such retorts substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
7. The gas producer or producers for generating gases in combination with
suitable apparatus and material for purifying the produced gas and with means for
carburetting the purified gases by means of fluid hydro-carbon and with highly
heated retorts charged with fragments of iron and with provision for the conveyance
and passage of the carburetted gases through such retorts substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
8. The process for the manufacture of illuminating gas consisting in producing
gases by passing steam and air through incandescent fuel purifying such gases
carburetting the gases by means of vapourised hydro-carbon and bringing the
carburetted gases into contact with highly heated fragments of iron substantially
as set forth.
9. The process for the manufacture of illuminating gas consisting in producing
gases by passing steam and air through incandescent fuel purifying such gases
reheating the purified gases passing the hot gases into a carburetter supplied with
liquid hydro carbon and finally passing the gases through the interstices between
highly heated fragments of iron substantially as set forth.
10. The process for the manufacture of illuminating gas consisting in producing
gases by passing steam and air through incandescent fuel thence through distilling
retorts charged with gas producing matters thence through a condenser and from
the condenser to purifying apparatus carburetting the purified gas by means of
vapourised liquid hydro-carbon and finally converting the mixture into a stable gas.
by means of highly heated fragments of iron substantially as set forth.
Dated this 6th day of February 1891.
DUTTON & FULTON,
1, St. James Square, Manchester, Agents.