Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Manufacture of Gas for illuminating and other Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 2nd May, 1891-Accepted, 27th June, 1891
PROVIDIONAL DILUITION
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Manufacture of
Gas for illuminating and other Purposes.
.I, JAMES LOVE, of 1, Millias Terrace, Leyton Road, Stratford, in the County
of Essex Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
to
(apparatu
My invention relates to (apparatus for the manufacture of gas for illuminating
and other purposes.
An important feature in my said invention consists in the provision of suitable
apparatus whereby water gas, hydrocarbon or other gas for carburetting or
enriching the said water gas, and the necessary steam for the formation of the
latter are produced and mixed in one retort.
My said invention comprises moreover various other improvements hereinafter
set forth.
In carrying my said invention into practice I provide a cylindrical retort some-
what similar to an ordinary upright or vertical boiler. The said retort is provided
with a central furnace or combustion chamber the upper portion of which is fitted
with cross tubes and forming with the outer shell of the said retort an annular
water and steam space. The said water and steam spaces are provided with the
usual water gauge, try cocks, pressure gauge and safety valve. On the side of the
said retort and firmly secured to the outer shell thereof is provided a small steam
engine supplied with the necessary steam from the steam space of the said retort.
This engine works a feed pump for supplying the feed water to the water space in
the said retort, a centrifugal or rotary blower or fan for creating the necessary air
blast when the charge of coke or other fuel is being rendered incandescent, and
also for working an endless screw or other elevator for raising the fuel to the
charging hopper. The steam for forming the water gas is taken from the upper
part of the hereinbefore mentioned steam space and is conducted by means of 'a
suitable pipe provided with a stop cock or valve to a valve box which latter is also
connected by means of a pipe provided with a three-way stop valve or stop cock,
This three-way cock is also
with the hereinbefore mentioned fan or blower.
connected to the steam space so that the air may be shut off and steam admitted
thereby or vice versa for the purpose hereinafter mentioned. The said valve casing
is connected to one extremity of a coil placed in the interior of and surrounding
the lower part of the combustion chamber but separated therefrom by means of a
suitable shield or guard, or fire brick lining. This coil terminates at its other
extremity in a perforated pipe or nozzle placed in the ash-pan or ash-pit and
beneath the fire-bars. The above mentioned valve casing is fitted with a suitable
slide valve somewhat similar to an ordinary slide valve which is provided with a
rod or stem passing through a stuffing box and gland and connected to a pivoted
lever by means of which the said valve can be operated so as to admit either air or
steam to the hereinbefore mentioned coil.
The hereinbefore mentioned endless screw or elevator is enclosed in a suitable
cylindrical or other casing and a suitable hopper or receptacle adapted to contain
a sufficient quantity of fuel to form a charge and communicating therewith, is
provided at the lower extremity of the said casing. This hopper or receptacle is
fitted with an air tight door or cover which can be closed when the charge is being
inserted into the apparatus. The upper extremity of the said casing opens into the

page_text: feed hopper or into an inclined airtight chute or channel communicating therewith.
The said feed hopper is placed on the crown or upper part of the retort and passes
through the outer shell of the said retort and the steam space thereof, and the lower
extremity communicates with the combustion chamber. For normally closing the
said aperture into the combustion chamber during the manufacture of the gas, I
provide a suitable weighted valve provided with an asbestos or other packing ring
or rings and capable of being operated from the outside of the said hopper by
means of a pivoted lever one extremity of which is connected therewith by a rod
passing through a stuffing box and gland, and the other extremity of which is
provided with a hanging rod or chain. The feed hopper is provided moreover with
a suitable door having means for forming an air tight joint round the same and
which can be removed for examining or permitting of access to the interior of the
said hopper, or for inserting a charge of fuel if required.
In the upper part or crown of the said combustion chamber I provide a suitable
pipe passing through the steam space and communicating with a valve chamber
provided with a double conical valve fitted with asbestos or other packing rings.
This valve chamber is also connected with two other pipes one of which is intended
for carrying away the producer gas given off whilst the fuel in the combustion
chamber is being blown into a state of incandescence and the other for carrying
away the water gas. The said double conical valve is provided with suitable
seatings and is so arranged that when moved in one direction it closes the aperture
of the water gas pipe, and when moved in the other direction it closes the aperture
of the producer gas pipe. The double conical valve is provided with a valve rod
or stem extending through stuffing boxes and glands one of which is provided at
either extremity of the said valve chamber.
I prefer to connect the lower valve rod with the hereinbefore mentioned lever
for operating the air and steam slide valve and to so arrange the said double
conical valve that when the said slide is moved by the said lever into position for
admitting air from the fan or blower into the coil and through the perforated pipe
in the ash-pan or ash pit the said double conical valve will close the aperture to
the water gas pipe, and when the said slide is moved by the said lever into
position for admitting steam to the said coil and perforated nozzle the said double
conical valve will close the aperture to the producer gas pipe. In order to prevent
the above mentioned double conical valve from becoming overheated I form the
said valve and the valve stems or rods hollow and I connect the upper stem or rod
by means of a flexible pipe or tube, or in any other manner that will permit the
necessary movement of the said valve, with a tank or other suitable source of
water supply, the lower stem or rod is connected in a similar manner to the
said tank so that a constant circulation of water through the said valve is
maintained.
1
For forming the hydrocarbon vapour I provide a suitable chamber or receptacle
having a suitable pipe governed by a stop cock or valve for permitting the
chamber or receptacle to be filled or charged with oil. A suitable drain cock and
a gauge glass for ascertaining the height of the hydrocarbon or other liquid in the
said chamber or receptacle are also provided. The said chamber or receptacle is
fitted with a tray or trays and with wicks or cottons and has arranged therein a
coil through which is passed hot water or steam for vaporizing the said hydro-
carbon. The upper portion of the said hydrocarbon chamber or receptacle is
provided with a pressure gauge safety valve and with a pipe governed by a suitable
stop cock or valve placed within easy reach of the operator, for carrying off and
delivering into the combustion chamber of the retort the said hydrocarbon vapour.
The said hydrocarbon vapour delivery pipe has two branches one of which is
provided with a perforated nozzle extending into the ash pan or ash pit and under-
neath the fire bars, and the other with two or more nozzles projecting loosely into
the lower and open extremities of flattened pipes extending into the combustion
chamber furnace and having elongated or slotted holes communicating therewith,
or into chambers provided in the said fire brick lining.

page_text: In some instances I employ hollow fire-bars through which water is caused to
circulate in a manner substantially similar to that described in the Specification of
former Letters Patent granted to me on the 17th March 1886 No. 3779 the water
required for circulation through the said hollow fire-bars is contained in a small
tank or hot-well situated in the ash pit or ash pan, and the said tank or hot well
may be supplied with water when required from the pipe for circulating water
through the hereinbefore mentioned double conical valve by means of a small pipe
having a suitable stop cock or valve. The water after circulating through the said
fire-bars instead of being returned directly to the said hot well or tank may be
passed through the said coil in the hydrocarbon chamber or receptacle and the heat
imparted thereto whilst passing through the said hollow fire-bars thus utilized for
vaporizing the said hydrocarbon or other carburetting or enriching liquid. In this
case I also provide a suitable pipe governed by means of a stop cock or valve and
connected with the steam space of the apparatus for permitting live steam to be
admitted to the said coil when the heat of the said water circulating through the
hollow fire-bars is insufficient for the purposes of evaporation.
The feed pump is preferably connected to the said hot-well or tank and the water
space of the apparatus fed therefrom.
For clearing the said fire-bars I provide a device comprising a series of knife
blades or prickers projecting between the said fire-bars and supported upon a
suitable rod or bar arranged to slide or move lengthways of the said fire-bars on
suitable guides or ways. A screw threaded spindle rack and pinion, or other
device which can be operated from the exterior of the ash-pit or ash-pan is
provided for traversing the said rod or bar and knife blades or prickers from one-
end of the said fire-bars to the other and thus clearing the spaces between the
latter.
The retort and the ash-pan or ash-pit have air tight doors, for permitting of
access thereto, and the said retort is provided with two or more spy holes or
apertures fitted with screw plugs or other closing devices, and through which when
the said plugs are removed rods may be inserted for stirring up the fuel in the
combustion chamber after which the state of the said fuel may be observed.
The apparatus first makes producer gas which is removed through the herein-
before mentioned pipe. When the fuel is blown by the fan or blower into a proper
state of incandescence. The hereinbefore mentioned three-way cock is turned so
as to shut off the air blast and admit steam to drive out all the air. The herein-
before mentioned lever is then thrown or moved over (a wedge or other suitable
means being provided for locking or fixing the said lever in either position) and
the slide valve is moved thereby so as to admit steam to the combustion chamber
through the hereinbefore mentioned coil and perforated nozzle. At the same time
the said lever also moves the double conical valve so as to close or shut off the gas
producer pipe and open the water gas pipe. The hydrocarbon vapour is then
admitted to the combustion chamber through the hereinbefore mentioned pipes
and nozzles. The proper amount of the said hydrocarbon vapour for enriching or
carburetting a given volume of the water gas can be measured by noting on the
pressure gauge the amount of pressure in the hydrocarbon tank or receptacle and
the decrease thereof as the said hydrocarbon vapour is admitted into the com-
bustion chamber. The water gas and hydrocarbon or enriching gas are fixed and
rendered permanent by contact with the incandescent fuel in the upper part of
the combustion chamber between which the said gases pass on their way to the
water gas pipe. When the incandescent fuel in the combustion chamber is
exhausted a fresh charge is admitted the said lever being moved over to the other
position and locked or wedged in place and the three way cock opened and pro-.
ducer gas is then again made. This alternate action continues so long as the appa-
ratus is in operation.
It will be seen that my improved apparatus for the manufacture of gas is.
entirely self-contained and the employment of several separate apparatus is thus
avoided. Thus creating an economy in the space required, as compared, with other.

page_text: water gas producers and rendering the said apparatus much more easy to work
and requiring less labour. Moreover the steam generated in the said retort is
usually more than sufficient for the manufacture of the water gas when the appa-
ratus is in constant use and a portion of it can thus be utilized for other purposes.
Although I have hereinbefore described a convenient and advantageous method
of carrying my said invention into practice it is obvious that I can somewhat
further modify the construction of my improved apparatus for the manufacture of
gas without however in any way departing from the nature of my said invention.
Dated this 3rd day of July 1890
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co..
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Manufacture of
Gas for Iluminating and other Purposes.
I, JAMES LOVE, of 1 Milias Terrace, Leyton Road, Stratford, in the County
of Essex, 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 :—
My invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of gas for illuminating
and other purposes.
According to my said invention, I provide suitable apparatus wherein the
generation of steam, and the production of water-gas and of hydrocarbon or other
vapor or gas for carburetting or enriching the said water-gas, are all effected in
one retort.
My said invention moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings, I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation,
Figure 2 is a vertical section on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line y, y, Figure 2, and
Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line z, z, Figures 2 and 3, illustrating my
improved apparatus for the manufacture of gas.
Figure 5 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, showing a slight modifica-
tion hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is a cylindrical retort having a central furnace or combustion-chamber A¹
fitted with fire-bars A² hereinafter described, and forming with the outer shell of
the said retort an annular water and steam space, the whole being somewhat
similar to an ordinary upright or vertical boiler. A³ is the ash-pit, A' is a hot-well,
A³ is a carburetting chamber, which partially surrounds the retort above the said
hot-well. The water and steam spaces are provided with a water-gauge B, try-
cocks B¹, B¹, a pressure-gauge B2, and a safety-valve B³, all of the usual or
ordinary construction. C is a small steam-engine firmly secured to the outer shell
of the retort A, and supplied with the necessary steam from the steam-space of
the said boiler or retort by means of a steam-pipe C D is a feed-pump firmly
secured to the lower portion of the retort and worked by the said engine C. The
pump D is intended for supplying the feed-water from the hot-well A to the
water-space in the said retort. E is a centrifugal or rotary blower or fan for
creating the necessary air-blast when the charge of coke or other fuel is being
rendered incandescent. The fan or blower E is also secured to the lower portion
of the retort or to a bracket thereon, and is driven by means of belt gearing or

page_text: otherwise from the engine C. F is an endless screw or elevator for raising the
to the charging hopper G hereinafter described.
The endless screw, worm or elevator F is enclosed in a suitable cylindrical or
other casing F', and a suitable hopper or receptacle F adapted to contain a
sufficient quantity of fuel to form a charge, and communicating therewith, is pro-
vided at the lower extremity of the said casing. The upper extremity of the
casing F opens into the feed or charging hopper G, or into an inclined air-tight
chute or channel communicating therewith. Fis an air-tight door or cover
which can be closed when the charge in the hopper or receptacle F is being raised
and delivered into the hopper G.
F
1
H is a box or casing having ports or ways H1, H2, H3. The port or way H¹ is
connected, by means of a pipe H' provided with stop-cocks or stop-valves H³,
with the upper part or steam-space of the retort A, and the port or way H2 is con-
nected, by means of a pipe H provided with a stop-valve or stop-cock H', with
the hereinbefore mentioned fan or blower E. I is a coil arranged in the interior of,
and surrounding the lower part of the combustion-chamber A', but separated there-
from and protected by a lining of firebrick, fireclay or other refractory material
provided in the said combustion-chamber. The coil I terminates at one extremity
in a perforated pipe or nozzle I' arranged in the ash-pan or ash-pit A³ beneath
the fire-bars A, and the other extremity thereof is connected by means of a pipe
12 with the port or way H in the box or casing H. J is a slide-valve somewhat
similar to an ordinary D slide-valve and mounted in the box or casing H. The
slide-valve J is fitted with a rod or stem J¹ passing through a hole provided in the
valve-box or casing H, a stuffing-box and gland Ho, or other suitable means being
provided for forming a tight joint. The rod or stem J is connected to a lever K
one extremity of which is pivoted at K¹ to a bracket K² firmly secured to or formed
on the outer wall of the carburetting-chamber A³. By operating the lever K so
as to move the slide valve J upwards or downwards, communication is established
either between the ports or ways H' and H³, or H and H³, thereby establishing
communication between the steam-pipe H and the pipe I and coil I, or between
the air-pipe H and the pipe 12 and coil I, and consequently admitting either air
or steam to the said coil. K is a bracket also secured to the outer wall of the
carburetting chamber A. The free end of the lever K works in a slot in the
said bracket (which forms a guide) and can be secured in its upper or lower posi-
tion by means of a wedge-pin K which is passed through holes K* in the said
bracket. The steam for forming the water gas is superheated or surcharged to
the requisite degree whilst passing through the said coil I in the heated lining
of fire-brick, fireclay or other refractory material.
The feed hopper G is supported on the crown or upper part of the retort and
extends through the outer shell and the steam space thereof, its lower extremity
communicating with the crown or upper part of the combustion chamber A¹. G'is
a weighted valve provided with asbestos or other packing rings G² for closing the
aperture into the combustion-chamber during the manufacture of the gas. G³ is a
lever pivoted at G to a bracket G secured to the outer surface of the hopper G.
The short arm of the lever G is connected, by a link G6 and a rod G7 passing
through a stuffing-box and gland G8, with the valve G¹, and the long arm of the said
lever is provided with a hanging rod or chain G by means of which the said valve
G¹ can be operated from the outside of the said hopper G. The feed hopper G is
provided, moreover, with a suitable door G₁ having means for forming an air-tight
joint around the same, and which can be removed to permit access to the interior
of the said hopper for examination or for the insertion of a charge of fuel if required.
L is a pipe extending through the steam-space and communicating at one end
with the upper part or crown of the combustion-chamber A¹, and at the other end
with a valve-box or chamber L' fitted with a double conical valve L² having
asbestos or other packing rings L. M, M are pipes or mains each of which is
connected at one end with the valve-box or chamber L¹, and the other end whereof
is intended to be connected with suitable receivers or holders. The pipe M is

page_text: intended for carrying away the producer-gas given off whilst the fuel in the com-
bustion-chamber A is being blown into a state of incandescence, and the pipe M¹
for carrying away the carburetted water-gas. The double conical valve L is so
arranged that when, moved in one direction, it closes the aperture to the water
gas-pipe M, and, when moved in the other direction, it closes the aperture to the
producer-gas pipe M. L, L are valve-rods or stems, one of which is firmly
secured to each end of the valve L, and which extend through stuffing-boxes and
glands L in the said valve-box or chamber L'. The lower valve-rod Lis
connected at L' with the lever K and the said double conical valve L' is so
arranged that, when the slide J is moved by the said lever into position for
admitting air from the fan or blower E into the coil I and through the perforated
pipe or nozzle I¹ into the ash-pan or ash-pit A", the aperture to the water-gas pipe
or main is closed by the double conical valve L, and, when the said slide J is
moved by the said lever into position for admitting steam to the said coil I and
perforated pipe or nozzle 1', the aperture to the producer-gas pipe or main is closed
by the said double conical valve. In order to prevent overheating of the valve L³
by the hot gases, I form the said valve and the valve stems or rods L L³ hollow,
and I provide for circulating water or other cooling medium through them. For
this purpose, I connect the upper stem or rod L, by means of a flexible pipe or
tube L or in any other manner that will permit the necessary movement of the
said valve, with a tank N or other suitable source of water supply, and I also
connect the lower stem or rod L³, by means of a flexible pipe or tube L and a
pipe L, to the said tank, so that a constant circulation of water through the said
valve Land rods L, L is maintained. O is a staging or platform for supporting
the tank N and other parts of the apparatus, and for permitting access to the
hopper G and other parts by the operatives or others.
The carburetting-chamber A³ is provided with a pipe P governed by a stop-
cock or valve P¹, and through which the said chamber may be filled or charged
with a suitable hydrocarbon or other carburetting liquid in a manner substantially
similar to that described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to
me and dated 5 September A.D. 1889, No. 14,031. P2 is a drain cock, P³ a
gauge-glass for ascertaining the height of the hydrocarbon or other liquid in the
said chamber, and P is a pressure-gauge. The said chamber or receptacle is fitted,
moreover, with a tray or trays Q and with wicks or cottons Q1, substantially similar
to those described in the said former Specification. R is a coil arranged in the
said carburetting-chamber A, and supplied with hot water or steam for evaporating
purposes as hereinafter described.
S is a pipe for carrying off and delivering into the combustion-chamber of the
retort, the hydrocarbon vapour from the carburetting-chamber A³. The pipe S
is governed by a suitable stop-cock or valve S¹ placed within easy reach of the
operator, and is connected at one end with the carburetting-chamber A5. S2 is a
lever safety-valve fitted in the pipe S. The hydrocarbon-vapour delivery-pipe S
has two branches, one of which is connected with a perforated pipe or nozzle S³
extending into the ash-pan or ash-pit A3 and underneath the fire-bars A2, and the
other with a ring or pipes S4 having one or more nozzles S projecting into the
lower and open extremities of flattened pipes T extending into and embedded in
the firebrick, fireclay or other refractory lining in the combustion-chamber or fur-
nace A¹, and communicating therewith through elongated holes T¹.
The fire-bars A2 may be of any suitable construction, I prefer, however, to
employ fire-bars substantially similar to those described in the Specification of
former Letters Patent granted to me and dated 17th March A.D. 1886, No. 3779
that is to say, hollow fire-bars through which a circulation of water is inaintained.
In this case, the water required for circulation through the said hollow fire-bars A2,
is supplied by means of a pipe A* from the hereinbefore mentioned tank or hot-
well A, which is situated in the ash-pit A3, and the said tank or hot-well A is
supplied with water when required from the pipe L10 by means of a small pipe or
by-pass L fitted with a suitable stop-cock or valve L¹ The water, after

page_text: circulating through the fire-bars A², is passed through the coil or pipes R, and the
heat imparted thereto whilst passing through the said hollow fire-bars, is thus
utilized for vaporizing the hydrocarbon or other carburetting or enriching liquid.
After passing or circulating through the said coil or pipes R the said water is
returned to the tank or hot-well A through a pipe R'. U is a pipe governed by
means of a stop-cock or valve U' and connected at one end with the coil or pipes K,
and at the other end with the valve-box or casing H, or directly with the steam-
space of the retort. Live steam can be admitted to the said coil or pipes R through
the pipe U, when the heat of the water circulating through the hollow fire-bars A²
is insufficient for the purposes of evaporation. The feed-pump D is connected as
indicated at D' to the hot-well or tank A' and with the water-space of the retort
as indicated at D².
For clearing the fire-bars A² so as to permit the free passage of the air, steam
and hydrocarbon vapour therethrough, I provide the following device, that is to
say, V, V are knife-blades or prickers which project between the said fire-bars and
are supported upon a suitable cross-piece or bar V₁ arranged to slide or move
lengthways of the said fire-bars on suitable guides V2. W is a screw-threaded
spindle restrained from endwise motion and working in a correspondingly screw-
threaded hole or in a nut in the cross-piece or bar V, and provided with a crank-
handle W, which can be operated from the exterior of the ash-pit or ash-pan A",
and by means of which the said cross-piece or bar V₁ and knife-blades or prickers
V can be traversed to and fro from one end of the said fire-bars A² to the other end
thereof, thus clearing the spaces between the latter. A rack and pinion or other
convenient device may, however, be employed instead of the screw-threaded spindle
for a like purpose.
Suitable apertures or manholes fitted with air-tight doors A are provided for
permitting of access to the interior of the retort and to the ash-pit. A', A7, are
tubes passing through the shell of the retort and of the combustion-chamber or
furnace, the outer ends of which tubes are fitted with screw-plugs or other closing
devices As, and which form spy-holes or apertures through which, when the said
plugs A are removed, rods may be inserted for stirring up the fuel in the
combustion-chamber, and through which the state of the said fuel may be
observed.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows, that is to say, a charge of fuel is
inserted into the combustion-chamber or furnace A' and ignited the proper stop-
cocks or valves are closed or opened as required, and the slide-valve J is moved or
adjusted so as to connect the pipes H and 12, and the said charge is blown by the
fan or blower E into a proper state of incandescence the air delivered through the
perforated nozzle I' being raised to the proper temperature during its passage
through the coil I. The producer gas given off is removed through the herein-
before mentioned pipe M. The cock H is then operated to shut off the blast and
admit steam to displace all air in the producer after which the lever K is operated
to move or adjust the slide-valve J to connect the pipes H₁ and 12 and to admit
steam to the combustion chamber A¹, through the coil I and perforated nozzle I'
and thus superheat the steam and produce water-gas, the double conical valve L²
being also moved to close the aperture to the pipe M and open the aperture to the
pipe M. The stop cock or valve S' is opened and hydrocarbon-vapour is admitted
to the combustion-chamber through the perforated pipe S3 and through the
nozzles S5 and pipes T. The proper amount of the said hydrocarbon vapour for
enriching or carburetting a given volume of the water-gas can be measured by
noting, on the pressure gauge P', the amount of pressure in the hydrocarbon tank
or receptacle A5, and the decrease thereof as the said hydrocarbon-vapour is
admitted into the combustion-chamber A'. The water-gas and hydrocarbon or
enriching gas are fixed and rendered permanent by contact with the incandescent
fuel in and the heated walls of the combustion-chamber, I sometimes, however,
arrange cross-tubes in the upper part of the combustion-chamber, hetween which
the said gases pass on their way to the water-gas outlet,

page_text: When the incandescent fuel in the combustion-chamber is exhausted, the lever K
is moved back to its former position, a fresh charge of fuel is admitted through
the hopper G, and producer-gas is again made. This alternate action continues so.
long as the apparatus is in operation.
My improved apparatus for the manufacture of gas is entirely self-contained and
the employment of a separate apparatus for heating the air-blast and generating
The said
the necessary supply of steam and carburetting vapour is avoided.
apparatus, moreover, occupies less space than other water-gas producers as
hitherto constructed, thus rendering it much more easy to work, and requiring less
labour. Moreover the steam generated in the retort is usually more than sufficient
for the manufacture of the water-gas when the apparatus is in constant use, and
consequently a portion of it can be utilized for other purposes.
Figure 5 illustrates a slight modification of the elevator, wherein I dispense with
the endless screw, worm or helix for elevating or raising the fuel to the hopper G,
and provide an endless band, belt or chain X supported upon wheels or rollers Y
and provided with buckets or scoops X¹ for receiving the fuel from the hopper F2.
X2, X are plates, one of which is secured at each side of each of the said buckets
or scoops X¹, and is arranged to project loosely into the bucket or scoop next
below it, thereby preventing the fuel from falling over the sides of the said buckets
or scoops whilst the latter are passing up the tube or casing F¹. Y¹, Y₁ are guide-
rollers for directing the buckets or scoops X¹ as they pass up and down in the
casing or tube F'. F' is a plate or guide-piece for directing the fuel into the said
buckets or scoops. Rotary motion is imparted to the lower wheel or roller Y by
means of suitable gearing from the crank-shaft of the engine.
It is obvious that I can somewhat further modify the construction of my
improved apparatus for the manufacture of gas without departing from the nature
of my said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood
that I claim:-
First. The manufacture of carburetted water-gas, by raising fuel to incandescence
in a suitable combustion chamber, then generating and superheating steam and
vaporizing hydrocarbon liquid by the heat thus produced, and causing such steam
and the hydrocarbon vapour to pass through the incandescent fuel, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Second. An apparatus for the manufacture of water-gas wherein the fuel
chamber in which the gas is produced extends into or through the boiler or retort
for generating and superheating the steam.
Third. An apparatus for the manufacture of carburetted water-gas, wherein the
chamber for containing the incandescent fuel extends into or through the boiler or
retort for the generation of the steam, and wherein suitable provision is made for
vaporizing hydrocarbon liquid by means of the steam and then passing it therewith
through the incandescent fuel, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. The combination, with a boiler or retort and a fuel-chamber extending
into or through the same, of a chamber for the carburetting liquid provided with
one or more heating coils or pipes through which heated water or steam is con-
ducted from the hollow fire-bars or from the steam space of the said boiler or
retort, for the purpose above specified.
E
Fifth. The combination of a boiler or retort, a closed fuel-chamber or combus-
tion-chamber extending into or through the same, a hopper for charging the said
chamber (with or without an elevator for the fuel), and means for blowing air
through the fuel in the said chamber and for conducting thereto the steam from
the said boiler or retort, substantially as and for the purposes, above specified.
Sixth. The combination of the boiler or retort, the fuel-chamber or combustion-
chamber extending into or through the same, a hopper for charging the said
chamber, an elevator for raising or elevating the fuel thereto, a hot well or tank, a

page_text: feed-pump, a fan or blower, and a suitable motor for working the said pump
and the fan or blower, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
Seventh. The combination, with the boiler or retort and the fuel-chamber or
combustion-chamber extending into or through the same, of the outlet-pipe con-
nected with a valve-box or casing having two valve-seats and containing a valve
whereby the said fuel-chamber may be put in communication with either of two
or pipes, (with or without the means for cooling the said valve), substan-
tially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
g
Eighth. The combination, with the boiler or retort and the fuel-chamber or
combustion-chamber extending into or through the same, of a heating coil
surrounding the fuel-chamber and terminating at one end in a perforated nozzle or
pipe, and connected at its other end to a valve-box or casing fitted with a suitable
valve by means of which the said coil can be readily connected alternately with a
fan, blower or other device for creating a blast or current of air, and with the
steam-space of the said boiler or retort, substantially as, and for the purposes,
above specified.
Ninth. The provision of suitable means for simultaneously effecting the connec-
tion of the air and steam coil alternately with the air-blast and with the steam-
space of the boiler or retort, and the connection of the fuel chamber alternately
with either of the gas-mains or pipes, substantially as, and for the purposes, set
forth.
Tenth. The combination, with the fuel-chamber provided with 'the hollow
fire-bars, of the device comprising the blades or prickers mounted upon a cross-
bar arranged to move to and fro upon suitable guides substantially as hereinbefore
described whereby I provide for clearing the spaces between the fire-bars.
Eleventh. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings and operating as, and for the purposes,
above specified.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.