IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS RETORTS, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Roswell Sabine Ripley, of 8, New Inn, Wych Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
GAS RETORTS, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS." A communication from
abroad by William Harkness, of the City of New York, United States of
America.
Sealed the 24th June 1879, and dated the 30th December 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Roswell Sabine Ripley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th December 1878.
ROSWELL SABINE RIPLEY, of 8, New Inn, Wych Street, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS RETORTS, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
GAS." A communication from abroad by William Harkness, of the City of New
York, United States of America.
The Invention relates to gas retorts, and it consists of a retort having three
circular compartments covered by two arched flues, all extending lengthwise of the
retort, and in one of which is placed a vaporizer, the compartments being so con-
nected by passages that the gas will travel through the entire series of compartments
and flues, as herein after more fully explained.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal view of underneath the retort; Figure 2 is an end
view of retort before the cast iron head or end is bolted on, showing positions of
compartments or chambers, and openings from one to the other, as shown by the
dotted lines.
Figures 3 and 4 are transverse vertical sections on lines A, B, and C, D, of
Figure 1; Figures 5 and 6 are cast iron beads or ends, showing necks or nozzles,
lids, bars, &c.; Figure 7 is a longitudinal section on line a, a, of Figures 3 and 4,
showing the position of the vaporizer; Figure 8 is a longitudinal view of the upper
side of vaporizer, showing its position and supporting rods.
The present Invention has for its object the production of a compound retort
adapted to various offices, it being more especially intended for the manufacture of

page_text: gas according to the process described in the Specification of the Patent dated
June 22nd, 1874, and numbered 2169. The retort, as illustrated in Figure 2, is
made with three tubular compartments or chambers G, H, and I, arranged in a
triangular form, and two chambers or flues J and K, formed by an extension of the
outer walls of the compartments or chambers G and H in a circular line over the
top of the compartment of chamber I, thereby enclosing the space on either side of
the compartment or chamber I, as shown in Figure 2, the whole so constructed and
arranged as to give each compartment or chamber as much surface exposed to the
direct heat as possible. The two compartments or chambers G and H are connected
near one end by an opening or passage b, as shown in Figure 3, and the compart-
ments or chambers G and I are connected in like manner by an opening or passage c,
as shown in Figure 4; the chambers or flues J and K are also connected in a like
manner by a passage d, as shown in Figure 3, and the chamber or flue J is in like
manner connected with the compartiment G by a passage e, as shown in Figure 4.
In one of these compartments is placed a vaporizer, which is shown in Figure 8, and
consists of a plate having a transverse groove or pan h at one end, from which
extends at right angles a series of grooves i. The hydrocarbon, as it is delivered
through the opening containing the pipe j, falls into the groove or pan h, from
whence it flows gradually along the grooves i, of which there may be any number,
and it is thus vaporized without coming in contact with the highly heated parts of
the retort while in a liquid state.
The vaporizer M being detached can be removed from the retort, and a fresh one
supplied whenever necessary.
The vaporizer M rests on supporting rods with self acting keys to give or take, as
the case may be, during contraction and expansion caused by heating or cooling,
which rods and keys are shown in Figures 7 and 8. The said rods keep the vaporizer
always in the same position, and prevent any sagging of the same, thus rendering
the free flow of the hydrocarbon the entire length of the vaporizer.
The retort, which is made of clay or other suitable materials, is provided with cast
iron heads or ends or other suitable heads, which are connected with the retort by
bolts, as shown in Figures 1, 5, and 6.
The head or end represented by Figure 6 is provided with protruding necks or
nozzles E and F, F being provided with a collar f, as shown in Figures 1 and 6.
These necks or nozzles, together with the other openings corresponding with the
compartments or chambers of the retort, are provided with lids or covers which are
provided with suitable bars, screws, and other requisites for rendering the retort
gas tight. The neck or nozzle E, as shown in Figure 1, is provided with a small
opening or pipe j for the introduction of the hydrocarbon into the pan of the
vaporizer, as shown in Figure 7. The head or end shown by Figure 5 is also
provided with a protruding neck or nozzle L, which has a collar g, as shown in
Figures 1 and 5; this neck or nozzle, together with the other openings corresponding
with the compartments or chambers of the retort, are also provided with lids or
covers, which are provided with suitable bars, screws, and other requisites for ren-
dering the retort gas tight. The lids may be self sealing or otherwise. Compartment
or chamber G is provided with a vaporizer with its supporting bars as shown in
Figure 7.
Chamber or flues K and J are employed for bringing the gas which is taken from
the intermediate holder, or the products of decomposed steam, to the same high
temperature as the retort before coming in contact with the vapors of the hydro-
carbon, which prevents any condensation of said vapors.
The gas having become heated by passing through chamber K and J is conveyed
into compartment or chamber G, in which the hydrocarbon is vaporized, and mingling
with the hydrocarbon vapors they all pass from compartment G into compartment
H, when the fusing process commences, and from thence to compartment I, through
which it passes and escapes through nozzle L into the steam pipe.
It will be seen that by this construction a series of compartments or chambers
are formed, through all of which the gas is obliged to pass, and thus we have a

page_text: retort which performs three distinct offices, as follows:-The heating or reheating
of the gas before mingled with the hydrocarbon vapors, the vaporizing of the
hydrocarbon, and the fusing of the combined gases and vapors, all being under the
same temperature.
In use the gases or products of decomposed steam are introduced through the
neck or nozzle F into chamber K, along which they pass, and through the opening d
enter the chamber J, and after passing along said chamber and through opening e
enter compartment G, which is always full of the vapors of hydrocarbons, and
mingling with the said vapors the mingled gases pass along the said compartment,
and through the opening benter compartment H, and after traversing its length
then passes through the opening c, and enters the compartment I, and after passing
along compartment I finally emerges through neck or nozzle L and collar g.
When the retort is set for use the cast iron heads or ends, with the neck or
nozzles, lids, &c., will all he outside of the furnace, so that the joints will not be
subjected to great heat.
Having thus described the Invention, what I claim is,―
First. A compound gas retort composed of three circular compartments or chambers
G, H, and I, arranged in a triangular form, and two arched chambers or flues K
and J on either side of compartment or chamber I, with internal connecting passages
d, e, b, and c, to operate substantially as shown and described.
Second. The process of bringing gas or gases to a high temperature in a retort by
passing them through chambers or flues before being mingled with hydrocarbon
vapors, substantially as set forth and described.
Third. The process of vaporizing hydrocarbons in a compartment of a retort,
substantially as described.
Fourth. The process of mingling gas or gases with the vapors of hydrocarbons, as
set forth and described.
Fifth. The using of a vaporizer in a retort for the purpose of converting the
hydrocarbons into vapors without coming in contact with the retort while in a liquid
form, as set forth and described.
Sixth. The removeable vaporizer M provided with the transverse groove or pan h
and the longitudinal grooves i, substantially as shown and described.
Seventh. The supporting rods under the vaporizer, and the manner of fastening
at either end of the compartment, as shown and described.
Eighth. The processs of heating or reheating gas or gases, the vaporizing of
hydrocarbons, the mingling of the vapors and gases, and the fusing of the same
under the same temperature and in the same retort, as set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Roswell Sabine Ripley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
D
DIDI V Gol
R. S. RIPLEY
(L.S.)