IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR, AND FOR LIGHTING AND HEATING RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Abraham Pope, of the Gotha Iron Works, Slough, in the
County of Bucks, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF GAS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR, AND FOR LIGHTING
AND HEATING RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Abraham Pope at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th September 1880.
ABRAHAM POPE, of the Gotha Iron Works, Slough, in the County of Bucks,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS AND IN APPARATUS
THEREFOR, AND FOR LIGHTING AND HEATING RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND FOR
SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of gas from petroleum or other hydro
carbon liquids, also to the production of an improved quality of gas by enriching
ordinary coal or hydrogen gas with hydrocarbon fluid. It also relates to improved
apparatus for the above purposes, and to apparatus for regulating the supply and
pressure of gas, and for conducting the saine to the burners and effecting its
combustion in the most advantageous manner for lighting or heating railway or
other carriages, ships, state-rooms, or cabins, and other enclosed spaces, rooms, or
apartments, or where portable light or heat may be required.
According to one part of my Invention, I generate gas from petroleum-oil, or
other hydrocarbon-liquid by means of apparatus constructed and arranged as
follows, that is to say:-I use a set of three or other suitable number of retorts.
These retorts are preferably of a cylindrical shape, and are set vertically on or
attached to a chamber connecting all of the said retorts. The first retort is plain,
and through its cover the petroleum-oil or other hydrocarbon is admitted. In the
bottom of such retort is 'a loose pan or cup to catch this petroleum or other
bydrocarbon which is supplied by a swan neck pipe or pipes; this cup is partially
filled with flints, pieces of brick, or the like. This first retort is provided with two
vertical pipes, one within the other, both extending down nearly into the said cup.
The outer pipe serves to conduct the petroleum to the cup, and the inner or small
pipe to admit water, a very small quantity of which is introduced, not for the

page_text: purpose of generating hydrogen, but to sufficiently moisten the escaping gas to
prevent the deposit of solid carbon in the form of lamp-black. The second retort,
which receives the crude gas from the first one, is connected at the top with the said
first retort, and has a central pipe which extends nearly to the bottom of the retort,
and is open at its lower end. The gas from the first retort is caused to descend
against the outer red hot surface of the said second retort nearly to the bottom,
whence it escapes up the central tube and passes therefrom to the next retort of
the series. A sufficient number of retorts must be used to ensure the conversion of
the whole of the hydrocarbon vapour into gas. The gas is then passed through
ordinary dip-pipes, hydraulic mains, and purified as may be required. The above
process may be carried on either with or without the use of the water, as may be
desired. At their upper ends the said retorts are provided with detachable covers,
which may be readily removed for cleaning the retorts or pipes, or for other
purposes. But although I prefer to use the retorts above described, any y.other
suitable retorts may be used if desired.
According to another part of my Invention, instead of using petroleum or the
like for the entire making of the gas, I take ordinary coal or hydrogen gas from a
supply pipe. I admit this gas into the first of the said retorts, causing it to descend
nearly to the bottom thereof, and at the same time I admit into the inner or small
tube a sufficient quantity of hydrocarbon to enrich the gas to any extent that may
be required up to complete saturation. I also in this process use a small quantity
of water for the purpose above stated.
-I-compress-tho-gas..so_obtained_into_cylinders or other receptacles capable of
working under pressure, and to distribute the same to the burners by the aid-of-a-
regulator. I may use any suitable kind of regulating-apparatus, but I prefer_to_
use one which I have specially devised for this purpose, and which I will now
describe.
My improved regulator is constructed in the form of a case or box provided with
an elastic diaphragm, and with a valve for admitting the gas into the space below
the said diaphragm. The said valve is controlled by means of levers, and I make
the said levers compound, that is to say, one lever has its fulcrum near the valve,
and its short arm bears on the said valve, while its long arm extends to and works
in a slot in the other lever, which is fulcrummed at the opposite side of the
apparatus. By means of these compound levers the valve may be worked with a
much slighter pressure on the diaphragm than has been heretofore practicable. I
thereby prevent danger of the rupture of the diaphragm. The said slotted lever
is connected with a spiral spring placed in a direct line with the centre of the
diaphragm. The tension of this spiral spring may be adjusted according to the
pressure required in the regulator from the outside of the latter; for this purpose
connect the lower end of the said spring with a screw which extends through a
a plate into a neck or socket, which is closed externally by a screw plug; the latter
may be readily removed to permit the insertion of a screw-driver to turn the said
screw, and thereby adjust the spring. Between the high pressure reservoir and the
said regulator I place a filter, wherein cotton, wool, or other suitable material is
compressed into a small cylinder to prevent the passage of any bodies or particles
that might derange or impede the action of the said regulating valve.
I
To prevent the bursting of the regulator diaphragm, if all of the cocks should be
closed, or from other causes, I place between said regulator and the main cock an
apparatus consisting of a cylinder or box, in which a small dip pipe extends down
from the gas supply pipe. The said cylinder or tube is supplied with any suitable
liquid which seals the lower end of the dip pipe except when the proper pressure is
exceeded. The dip pipe then acts as a safety valve to the regulator and allows the
gas to escape. The liquid used for sealing the said pipe may be petroleum, oil,
soap suds, glycerine, or any liquid not acted on by frost or liable to dry up.
I provide means for preventing waste of gas in railway carriages as follows:-
In the supply pipe, which in each carriage conducts the gas from the regulator to
the burners, I place an apparatus in which a small governing valve is attached to a

page_text: diaphragm capable of motion. Through this valve a small hole is drilled of
sufficient size to allow gus to pass to each burner to cause it to burn at a definite
height, and preventing the extinguishing of the flame when passing out of a tunnel
or during day light. The said valve, where pressure is exerted on the diaphragm,
closes an aperture in the top of a chamber, and thereby interrupts the supply of
gas to the burners. From the space below the diaphragm a pipe communicates
with a main pipe traversing the entire length of the train. In this pipe, in the
guard's van, or within reach of the engine driver, is a cock communicating with a
reservoir containing air, water, or other fluid under pressure; on opening this cock
the diaphragm valve in each carriage throughout the train is closed by the fluid
pressure, and the gas is thereby cut off from each carriage; the valves will remain
closed while this pressure is determined. But when it is desired to admit the full
supply of gas to the burners, the said cock (which is made with a "bye-pass" for
this purposo) is turned or adjusted to allow the air or other fluid to escape from the
pipe and from under the diaphragm without permitting any escape from the reservoir.
The diaphragm then lowers the valve from its seat, thereby opening the passage
for the gas. The fluid pressure may be produced and maintained by any suitable
means, but a weighted bellows will serve very advantageously. If preferred, the
said valves may be controlled by electro magnets arranged to act on the diaphragm,
wires being carried along the train to the carriages and to the guard's van or
engine, or a cord may be used to open and close the valves or cocks which control
the admission of gas to the burner.
According to another part of my Invention I provide for the heating of railway
carriages as follows, vis. -Under the floor, or in some other convenient position,
I place a gas holder, preferably a cylinder, capable of containing gas under
compression, and I supply the same with ordinary coal or other suitable gas at the
required pressure. From this cylinder I extend a pipe to a regulating valve or
other contrivance for reducing the pressure of the gas from that in the cylinder to
the ordinary burning pressure.
Under the seat, or in any other suitable position, I place a tube; this tube has
a T piece in the centre, under or within which I place a gas burner level with the
floor, the two ends of the said tube are turned downwards through the floor and
carried to a level much below the said gas burner. The outlet ends of the said
tube are so contracted or reduced in diameter as to allow only just sufficient air to
pass through them to the gas burner to properly support combustion of the gas.
The carbonic acid gas and other products of combustion of the gas at the burner
will so be reduced in temperature that they will be heavier than the surrounding
air and will descend by gravity and escape from the said turned down mouths of
the tube under the body of the carrirge into the open air, no vapour whatever
being allowed to escape in or enter the carrage or compartment. The quantity of
gas burnt will determine the heat of the pipe and the temperature, which should
be so regulated as to prevent the escape or loss of heat at the ends of the said
pipe.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Abraham Pope in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th March
1881.
ABRAHAM POPE, of the Gotha Iron Works, Slough, in the County of Bucks,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS AND IN APPARATUS
THEREFOR, AND FOR LIGHTING AND HEATING RAILWAY-CARRIAGES, AND FOR
SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of gas from petroleum or other hydro-
carbon fluids; also to the production of an improved quality of gas by enriching
ordinary coal or hydrogen gas with hydrocarbon fluid. It also relates to improved
apparatus for tho above purposes, and to apparatus for regulating the supply and
pressure of gas, and for conducting the same to the burners and effecting its
combustion in the most advantageous manner for lighting or heating railway or
othor carriages, ships, state-rooms, or cabins, and other enclosed spaces, rooms, or
apartments.
According to one part of my Invention I generate gas from petroleum, oil, or
other hydro-carbon fluid by means of apparatus constructed and arranged as shewn
in Figures 1 and 2-of-the-accompanying-Drawings; Figure 1 being a horizontal
-section,-and-Figure 2.a_vertical_section of the said apparatus.
In carrying this part of my Invention into practice-I-employ-a-set-of-three
or other suitable number of retorts a. These retorts are preferably of a cylindrical
shape as shewn, and are set vertically on or attached to a chamber u* connecting
all of the said retorts. The first retort is plain, and through its cover a¹ the
petroleum, oil, or other hydrocarbon is admitted. In the bottom of such retort is a
loose pan or cup b to catch this petroleum or other hydrocarbon, which is supplied
by a swan neck pipo or pipes communicating with a vertical pipe c; this cup is
partially filled with flints, pieces of brick, or the like. The said retort is provided
with the aforesaid vertical pipe c and with a pipe d within the same, both of the
said pipes extending downward nearly into the said cup b; the outer pipe c serves
to conduct the petroleum or other hydrocarbon fluid to the cup b, and the inner or
small pipe d to admit water, a very small quantity of which is introduced, not for
the purpose of generating hydrogen, but to sufficiently moisten the escaping gas to
prevent the deposit of solid carbon in the form of lamp black. The second retort,
which receives the crude gas or vapour from the first one, is connected at the top
with the said first retort by the passage e in the chamber a*, and has a central
pipe a which extends nearly to the bottom of the said second retort, and is open
at its lower end. The gas and undecomposed vapour from the first retort entering
the annular spaco between the said pipe a² and the red hot surface aº of the retort,
is caused to descend against the said surface of the said second retort and nearly
to the bottom, whence it escapes up the central tube a³, and passes therefrom
through a passage e' in the chamber a to the annular space surrounding the
tube a in the next retort of the series, and passes up the said tube a² and escapes
at a³. A sufficient number of retorts must be used to ensure the conversion of
the whole of the hydrocarbon vapour into gas. The gas is then passed through
ordinary dip pipes, hydraulic mains, and purifiers, as may be required. The above
process may be carried on either with or without the use of the water, as may be
desired. At their upper ends the said retorts are provided with the detachable
covers a', which may be readily removed for cleaning the retorts or pipes, or for
other purposes. Although I prefer to use the retorts above described, any other
suitable retorts may be used if desired, and may be arranged horizontally instead
of vertically.
According to another part of my Invention, instead of using petroleum or the

page_text: like for the entire making of the gas, I take ordinary coal or hydrogen gas from a
supply pipe. I admit this gas through the pipe c into the first of the said retorts a,
causing it to descend nearly to the bottom thereof, and at the same time I admit
into the inner or small tube da sufficient quantity of hydro-carbon to enrich the
gas to any extent that may be required up to complete saturation, the process being
continued in the other retorts as above described. I also in this process use a
small quantity of water for the purpose above stated.
I compress the gas so obtained into cylinders or other receptacles capable of.
working under pressure, and distribute the same to the burners by the aid of a
regulator. I may use any suitable kind of regulating apparatus, but I prefer to
use one which I have specially dovised for this purpose and which I will now
proceed to describe. This regulator is illustrated in Figures 3 and of the
Drawings, in which Figure 3 is a plan of the said regulator with the cover and
diaphragm removed, and Figure 4 is a vertical central section of the same.
My improved regulator is constructed in the form of a case or box ƒ provided
with an elastic diaphragm f', and with a valve 9 for admitting the gas into
the space below the said diaphragm. The said valve is forced towards its seat by
levers h, i, against the action of a spring g' which tends to retract the said valve.
These levers are compound, as shewn, that is to say, the lever h has its fulcrum h¹
near the valve, and its short arm h² bears on the said valve, while its long
arm ³ extends to and is provided with a pin which works in a slot i¹ in the
lever i fulcrumed at i* to the opposite side of the apparatus. By means of these
compound levers the valve may bo worked with a much slighter pressure on the
diaphragm than has been heretofore practicable; I thereby prevent danger of
the rupture of the said diaphragm. The slotted lever i is connected with a spiral
spring placed in a direct line with the centre of the diaphragm f¹. The tension
of this spiral spring may be adjusted according to the pressure required in the
regulator from the outside of the latter; for this purpose I connect the lower
end of the said spring with a screw j¹ which extends through a plate into a
neck or socket f* closed externally by a screw plug 3. The latter may be readily
removed to permit the insertion of a screw driver to turn the said screw, and
thereby adjust the spring without permitting any gas to escape.
Between the bigh pressure reservoir and the gas inlet aperture of the said regulator
I place a filter k, as shewn in section in Figure 5; within this filter I arrange
perforated plates k³, k³, between which cotton wool or other suitable material is
compressed into the small cylinder k². This cotton wool or other material
prevents the passage of any bodies or particles that might derange or impede the
action of the said regulator or regulating valve.
To prevent the bursting of the regulator diaphragm, if all of the cocks should
be closed or from other causes, I place in the outlet pipe of the said regulator, and
between the same and the main cock, an apparatus, as shewn in section in Figure 6;
this apparatus consists of a cylinder or box in which a small dip pipe l' extends
down from the gas supply pipe. The said cylinder or tube is supplied with any
suitable liquid which scals the lower end of the dip pipe l'except when the
proper pressure is exceeded. The dip-pipe then acts as a safety valve to the
regulator, and allows the gas to escape through an aperture 1. The liquid used
for sealing the said pipe may be petroleum, oil, soap suds, glycerine, or any liquid
not acted on by frost or liable to dry up or evaporate.
I will now proceed to describe my improved light governing devices or means
for preventing waste of gas in railway carriages. These devices are so arranged
as to enable the supply of gas to the lamps or burners to be controlled by the
engine driver or guard of a train, in such a manner that the flame may be
increased when passing through a tunnel or at night, and decreased in the day
light as desired. In places where governing devices are not required the gas is
taken directly from the regulator to the lamps. This part of my Invention is
illustrated in Figures 7 and 8; Figure 7 being an elevation partly in section, and
Figure 8 a sectional view of a portion of Figure 7 with some of the parts in a

page_text: different position. In these Figures, m represents the supply pipe, which in eachı
carriage conducts the gas from the regulator to the burners. In this pipe I place
a box or chamber m', in which a small governing valve n attached to a diaphragm n¹
is capable of motion. Through this valve n a small hole is drilled, as shewn at n²,
of sufficient size to allow gas to pass to each burner to cause it to burn at a definite
height, and prevent the extinguishing of the flame when the pressure of gas is
decreased when passing out of a tunnel or during day light. The said valve, when
pressure is exerted on the diaphragm n', closes an aperture m² in a chamber m³,
and thereby interrupts the supply of gas to the burners. From the space below
the diaphragm a pipe o' communicates with a main pipe o traversing the entire
length of the train. In this pipe in the guard's van, or within reach of the engine
driver, is a cock of communicating with a reservoir containing air, water, or other
fluid under pressure; on opening this cock, the diaphragm-valve n in each carriage
throughout the train is closed by the fluid pressure and the gas is thereby cut off
froin each carriage, and the valves will remain closed while this pressure is
maintained. But when it is desired to admit the full supply of gas to the burners,
the said cock 0 (which is made with a "bye-pass" o*, as shewn) is turned or
adjusted to allow the air or other fluid to escape from the pipe o and from under
the diaphragm n¹ without permitting any escape from the reservoir.
diaphragm then lowers the valve n from its seat, thereby opening the passage m³
for the gas. The fluid pressure may be produced and maintained by any suitable
means, such as a pump, but a weighted bellows, as shewn at p, will serve very
-advantageously. If preferred, the said valves may be controlled by electro-
magnetic apparatus arranged to act on the diapliragm, wires being carried-along-
the train to the carriages and to-the guard's van-or-engine,-or_a.cord may be used
to open and close the valves or cocks which control the admission of gas to the
burner.
The
According to another part of my Invention, which is illustrated partly in end
elevation and partly in section in Figure 9, I provide for the heating of railway
carriages as follows, viz.:-Under the floor or in some other convenient position I
place a gas holder q, preferably a cylinder constructed of sheet iron or other metal,
and capable of containing gas under compression, and I supply the same with
ordinary coal or other suitable gas at the required pressure. From this cylinder I
extend a pipe to the regulator or regulating valve at f, similar to that hereinbefore
described, or to some other contrivance for reducing the pressure of the gas from
that in the cylinder q to the ordinary burning pressure.
Under the seat or in any other suitable position, I place a tube s; this tube has a
Tpiece al in the centre, under or within which I place a gas burner t, level or
nearly level with the floor. The two ends of the said tube a are turned downwards
through the floor or bottom of the carriage, as shewn at s*, s*, and are carried to a
level below the said gas burner. These ends of the said tube are so contracted or
reduced in diameter as to allow only just sufficient air to pass through the holes r
to the gas burner to properly support combustion of the gas. By thus reducing the
diameter of the ends 8 of the tube, the current of air and the carbonic acid gas
generated at the burner will be caused to pass slowly through the said tube, and
will give off the whole of their heat before passing into the atmosphere. The
carbonic acid gas and other products of combustion of the gas at the burner will
thus be so reduced in temperature that they will be heavier than the surrounding air,
and will descend by gravity and escape from the said turned down mouths of the
tube under the body of the carriage into the open air, no vapour whatever being
allowed to escape into the carriage or compartment. The quantity of gas burnt will
determine the heat of the pipe and the temperature in the carriage, and should
be so regulated as to prevent the escape or loss of heat at the ends of the said
pipe.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same,
I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. The manufacture of gas from hydro-carbon fluid, alone or mixed with

page_text: coal gas, in an apparatus in which the vapour or mixture of gas and vapour from a
heated retort passes into a second retort in which it is caused to descend in contact
with the heated surface thereof, and then to ascend through a central tube to pass
into another retort, this process being continued through any number of retorts
necessary for the conversion of the whole of the vapour into gas.
Second. The combination of parts comprising the first retort (with or without the
pan or cup b, and enclosing the pipes c, d,) the chamber a having the passages e, e¹,
and the retorts enclosing the pipes a², substantially as above set forth and for the
purposes specified.
Third. In a gas-regulator, the combination with the diaphragm and the valve g
of the levers h, i, the spring ; and screw j³, substantially as above set forth and for
the purposes specified.
Fourth. The combination with the regulator of the filter provided with perforated
plates k, k, which have cotton wool or other like material between them, sub-
stantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination with the regulator of the cylinder or box 1, partially
filled with liquid, and provided with a dip pipe and aperture 1, substantially as
above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Sixth. The light-governing devices, connected with the gas supply pipe m, and
comprising the chamber m provided with the valve n having the hole n³, the
diaphragm n' and the passage m² combined and operating, substantially as above
set forth and for the purposes specified.
Seventh. The valve n and the diaphragm n¹, in combination with the pipe o,
the valve o², and the bellows or equivalent apparatus, or with electro-magnetic
apparatus, substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Eighth. The tube, having its ends * extending down below the level of the
burner, and contracted or reduced in diameter, substantially as above set forth and
for the purposes specified.
Ninth. The combination of the tube, having the downwardly extending and
contracted ends 8* with the burner t, the regulator and the gas holder, substantially
as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Tenth. In a railway carriage, a ship's cabin, or other enclosed space, the
combination of the gas holder, the filter, the regulator, and the box l, either with
the heating apparatus or with the light-governing devices or the lamps, substantially
as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Abraham Pope, have hereunto set my hand
ABRAHAM POPE. (L.S.)