Improvements in Apparatus for Use in the Production and Utilization of Acetylene.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Sept., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 16th Dec.. 1895-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1896
•
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Use in the Production and
Utilization of Acetylene.
We, EUGENE DUCRETET and LÉON LEJEUNE, both of No. 75 Rue Claude-
Bernard, Paris, in the Republic of France, Builders, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to apparatus for use in the production and utilization of
acetylene.
One form of our apparatus is shown in vertical section in Figure 1 of the
accompanying drawing.
The said apparatus comprises a metallic vessel or receptacle B into which is
introduced the carbide of calcium serving for the production of the gas acetylene.
This receptacle is then closed by a cover C¹ (secured by means of bolts for rapid
closing, these bolts not being shown in the drawing) on which is arranged a second
metallic vessel or receptacle B' containing the water. This water H° can pass
into the first vessel B through the tube T, but, if desired, its passage from B1 to B
may be prevented or controlled either by the addition of a needle-valve arranged
on the outlet-piece A, or by the movement, by hand, of the parts E, E¹ to close
the lower opening of the tube T as hereinafter mentioned.
The long tube T' establishes an equality of pressure between the two vessels B, B';
and consequently the gas accumulates in G, G' as it is generated.
Beneath the cover C, in the interior of B, is an adjustable pressure-regulator Re;
whereby, at the proper moment, when the pressure in G is sufficient, the opening
of T is automatically closed by the movement of the regulator Re and the flow
of water from B¹ to B is stopped. It again takes place when the pressure is again
reduced.
The regulator Re is shown as an example, it may be replaced by any other
pressure-regulator operating as herein mentioned. A pressure-gauge M indicates.
the pressure in G, G.
The gas accumulated in G, G', which form reservoirs, is delivered and used at a.
pressure less than that indicated at M; for this purpose the delivery is controlled
by a second pressure-regulator Re¹ (which may be independent of the gas
apparatus but is preferably fixed thereto). A manometer M' indicates this.
reduced pressure.
As mentioned above with respect to Re, the regulator Re¹ is shown as an
example only, it may be replaced by any other pressure-regulator with or without
a safety-valve, and with or without capability of adjustment. It is preferable to
give the chamber Ch a considerable capacity. This chamber can depend from
another intermediate vessel forming a reservoir for the gas at the reduced
pressure.
The gas may be delivered through Ro to any desired apparatus where it is to
be used as required, either for lighting or for carburetting, or as a chemical
product.
This apparatus may supply gas-burners which may be independent of or secured.
to the gas apparatus.

page_text: To dry the gas, it is only necessary to pass it through a vessel containing a
suitable desiccator such as those employed in chemistry; the carbide of calcium
may be used for this purpose.
In the lower part of B we can arrange a stirrer with paddles, operated from the
exterior, its shaft passing through a stuffing-box. A cock or a simple blow-off
aperture may be provided in B; as well as a tight chamber to receive the saturated
liquid which has become inactive on the carbide of calcium.
Figure 2 of the drawing shows the same parts and details, as an example; this
arrangement permits the automatic flow of the liquid into contact with the carbide
of calcium contained in B, according to the consumption of the acetylene; this
being done as above mentioned at various pressures, as may be desired.
In the arrangement shown in this figure, the carbide of calcium contained in the
vessel B is placed in the interior of a receptacle or cylinder S made of metal
gauze, perforated sheet iron or other sheet metal, or of other suitable material.
The liquid is distributed between this movable cylinder S and the vessel B; it
thus acts uniformly at the bottom and sides of S on the carbide of calcium, which
it completely decomposes.
Ref. is a refrigerator in which the apparatus is placed; it may operate by
circulation or otherwise.
The vessel B', B' may be provided with gauge-glasses to show the level of
water, or with removable screws arranged at different heights.
At A' we also provide a suitable valve or cock serving to control the exit of the
compressed acetylene gas from G, G¹.
For large sizes of our apparatus we can employ several liquid supply pipes, each
automatically closed as above mentioned.
This closing may be effected by electric devices controlled electrically by the
pressure itself according to the production and consumption of the acetylene gas.
The delivery regulator in communication with the vessels B, B' may he fixed
to A or be independent of and arranged at a distance from the apparatus as above
mentioned. We can also utilize, as independent delivery-regulators, hydraulic
regulators, with a movable bell forming a gas-holder of variable volume, or
the regulators used in gas-works under the name of pressure-regulators, delivery-
regulators, distributing-regulators, consumption-regulators; whence the gas can
afterwards be used or received, at a lower pressure, into intermediate holders or
gasometers, forming reservoirs as above mentioned.
In Figure 2 the vessels B B' are shown superposed; they may have any other
arrangement with respect to one another with tubes ad hoc connecting them
together, and with or without cocks.
As above mentioned, the regulator for the delivery and for the flow of the water
to the carbide, according to the consumption of the acetylene, may be of any
suitable form whereby the above-mentioned object can be attained automatically.
The closing membrane or surface m can act directly on the orifice where
the water enters; or it may be replaced by a suitable valve producing the effect
indicated.
An additional system of links, levers or the like will allow of all the movements
of the membrane or closing surface or of the valve being followed from the
exterior.
In all cases, the regulators for controlling the flow of the water onto the carbide
can be placed either in the interior, or on the exterior of the vessel containing the
carbide, or may be placed at a distance with tubes and fittings or mountings ad hoc.
It must be understood that the form and arrangement of the apparatus may Le
varied, the figures of the drawing being given merely as examples.
Dated the 3rd day of September 1895.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Use in the Production and
Utilization of Acetylene.
We, EUGENE DUCRETET and LÉON LEJEUNE, of No. 75 Rue Claude-Bernard,
Paris, in the Republic of France, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to apparatus for use in the production and utilization of
acetylene.
Our improved apparatus, shown by way of example, in the figures of the
accompanying drawing, and the size and form whereof may be varied, has been
designed specially for the production or manufacture of acetylene and its general
utilization.
The parts, which we are about to describe, enable this gas to be automatically
produced according to the consumption thereof. This manufacture, in our
apparatus, can take place at any pressure from the lowest up to the maximum at
which the acetylene can be properly evolved without danger of explosion.
The internal parts ensure also an efficient distribution of the water in contact
with the carbide of calcium. Our apparatus differs entirely from those heretofore
known in which the pressure of the acetylene gas removes the liquid from the
carbide of calcium, but does not prevent its contact with water vapour, whereby
slow, but continuous decomposition can take place, with consequent danger and
loss of the acetylene gas, apparatus of this kind not being capable of storing it at
the high pressure which is produced by its evolution. These disadvantages, which
are very serious, do not exist in the apparatus which we are about to describe and
which is constructed according to our invention.
Figure 1 shows the apparatus for producing acetylene at all pressures.
It may be of any form and can be constructed of any dimensions. A metallic
receiver B contains the carbide of calcium for the production of the acetylene
gas. We shall describe further on how we arrange the carbide in the interior
of B to obtain an efficient distribution of the liquid and ensure the proper
operation of the apparatus.
The receptacle B is closed by a cover (1 (secured by means of bolts for rapid
closing, these bolts not being shown in the drawing). A second metallic vessel or
receptacle B containing the water is secured to the cover C¹, and consequently
to B. The water Ho can pass into the first vessel B through the tube T, but, if
desired, its passage between B and B may be prevented or controlled by the
addition of a stop-valve arranged on A.
The tube T' establishes an equality of pressure between the two vessels B, B¹;
and consequently the gas accumulates in the spaces G, G' as it is generated.
Beneath the cover C¹, in the interior of B, is an adjustable regulator Re.
Figure 1 clearly illustrates the movement of this regulator. The water runs into
the interior of B and rises from the bottom, the carbide is decomposed, whence the
production of the acetylene gas. At the proper moment, according to the adjust-
ment of the regulator Re, when the pressure in G is sufficient, the lower opening
of the water-supply tube T is automatically closed by the movement of the
diaphragm m and of the closing valve of the regulator Re and the flow of water
is stopped. It again takes place when the pressure in G is reduced to the
predetermined limit. This flow or supply is thus controlled mechanically.
According to the adjustment of the regulator Re, the acetylene can be
generated at any pressure as above stated.
..
The regulator Re is shown as an example, it may be replaced by any other
pressure-regulator operating as herein described.

page_text: It may be placed in the interior or outside of the apparatus and even at a
distance. In cases where B and B are independent, they are connected together
by suitable pipes or conduits of the required length. The diaphragm m can
be replaced by a valve-regulator of any suitable form, as will be hereinafter
described.
These regulators for controlling the supply of the water may also be operated
by electrical devices, being themselves controlled by the pressure of the acetylene,
and this being done either near to the apparatus or at a distance.
For a large industrial apparatus, several automatic water-supply regulators may
be arranged on the same apparatus. A pressure gauge M indicates the pressure
and the apparatus may be provided with a safety-valve.
R is a refrigerator in which the vessel B is placed. It may operate by water-
circulation with a drain or outlet-cock. The winged or ribbed form ensures the
most efficient dissipation of the heat.
The acetylene gas that accumulates in G, G¹, is delivered and used as required,
and its pressure can be reduced and regulated by employing the well-known
pressure-regulators, either those with movable discs, or with a diaphragm or with
a movable bell, etc. These regulators may also be adjustable, and may be used
with or without a safety-valve.
In all these cases, the acetylene gas produced with our apparatus can be used
directly, or can be stored in any suitable receivers or in gasometers with a
movable bell, and be used either for lighting or for carburetting, or as a chemical
product.
This apparatus may supply gas-burners which may be independent of or secured
to the gas apparatus, as required.
To dry the gas, it is only necessary to pass it through a vessel containing a
suitable desiccator such as those employed in chemistry; the carbide of calcium
may be used for this purpose.
The gas produced can also be caused to pass through zig-zag or like passages
provided in the apparatus itself or at a distance. These passages may be arranged
in any suitable manner. Series of superposed discs, perforated or cut into helices,
or with inclined ribs, give good results.
In order to ensure a good distribution of water over the carbide, the latter is
placed in one or more cylinders or receptacles S, S₁ of any desired shape and
number, these cylinders or receptacles are perforated and a space is left free
around them which allows the water to reach the lower part and act on the carbide
as required throughout their length. Figures 1 and 2 show one of these cylinders S,
and Figure 3 shows several in the vessel B. In both of these arrangements, the
liquid, in falling, either on the cap Ca, or into the funnel Ca with the split tube or
tubes D, Figure 3, comes into contact with the carbide of calcium from bottom to
top and on the sides of S, S'; the carbide is thus uniformly decomposed and the
residual powder passes into B through the perforations of S, S¹. Clogging is thus
prevented and a good distribution of water ensured from bottom to top, in propor-
tion to the deposition of the residual powder, which accumulates in the lower part
of B without interfering with the supply of water and its action on the carbide as
above described.
This method of operation, employed with our apparatus, Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4,
does not necessitate the use in the apparatus of a hollow float or bell, and
consequently permits of the vessels or receptacles being hermetically sealed and
enables the gas produced to be kept or stored at. different pressures, according to
the design.
Figure 2 shows an apparatus for low pressure which comprises all the described
parts, and permits the automatic delivery of the water over the carbide as above
described as well as the proper distribution of the water. The figures are all by
way of example and are of arbitrary form and dimensions. The water-supply
regulator is at Re; it is a free valve of any suitable form; it opens under the
pressure of the water H° and closes when the pressure of the gas in G, Figures 2

page_text: and 3, becomes greater than a predetermined limit. Figures 2 and 3 show clearly
the operation of this apparatus, and the distribution of the liquid over the carbide
of calcium.
Rel is a safety-valve, which, if necessary, is adjustable. In the case of abnormal
pressures, the gas escapes at a, whence it is expelled to the exterior, or may be
led into the water of a reservoir, or into the reservoir B', or into any suitable.
gasometer.
The vessels B, B₁ may be placed at any suitable distance from each other. The
water-supply regulator Re may be independent of the apparatus. All that has
been said above applies to this apparatus; also as regards the utilization of the
acetylene gas. This apparatus forms an excellent carburettor for lighting gas.
The shape and dimensions of this apparatus, Figures 2 and 3, depend on its
application, and on the volume of the acetylene gas which it is to produce. In:
small sizes it may be used in the laboratory for the analysis of carbides of calcium ;.
in this case its reservoir B and the refrigerator R may be of glass.
Figure 4, which is a more compact form, comprises all the described parts; it
consists of a portable lamp of arbitrary form and dimensions. Re is the water-
supply regulator, bringing the water into contact with the carbide of calcium, as
above described, for its efficient distribution and the automatic production of
acetylene gas. The carbide of calcium is contained in the perforated cylinders S.
The water enters at D, spreads over its outer wall, and acts on the carbide from
bottom to top as hereinabove described. The refrigerator R serves at the same
time as a receiver for the water for acting on the carbide of calcium; its height
ensures a suitable pressure of the gas produced, which accumulates, without loss,.
in G, G. As above described, internal zig-zag passages stop the water carried
along by the gas. They are placed in the interior of G and of T and are arranged
as above described. Outlets or nozzles simple or concentric, with zig-zag holes,
arranged in the interior of T, at its two ends, may be employed. A box containing
a desiccating material may also be intercalated in the path of the gas.
Re¹ is a suitable safety-valve, Re" is the pressure-regulator for the delivery of
the acetylene.
Co. is an accumulator, which may either be used or not, according to
circumstances, and which may be placed either inside the lamp, or outside. Its
purpose is to store up any excess of pressure, and restore it afterwards, if the
pressure should fall below the average. Inside a metal casing there is a set of
bellows, the top of which is weighted according to the average pressure for which
the lamp is set. If any excess of pressure should occur, the gas will enter the
bellows at t, and lift the bottom, the weight being lifted at the same time; the
contrary will occur, if the pressure falls below the average.
If desired accumulators of other suitable form may be employed, for example,
the bellows above mentioned may be replaced by a loaded piston moving in a
cylinder.
Ba is the burner, simple or multiple. We can, in all cases, employ burners
mounted on supports, with or without air-supply, and arranged to receive mantles,.
such as incandescent gas mantles, or other radiators.
In all these cases, we can use carbide of calcium moulded by heavy pressure,
into cylinders or into plates of various forins according to the form of the apparatus..
These kinds of briquettes are very economical and the apparatus can thus contain
a large quantity of carbide of calcium.
It is obvious, that, without departing from the nature of our said invention, we
can, if desired, employ other substances which, when mixed together, generate
acetylene gas, instead of the water and carbide of calcium above mentioned.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
First. An apparatus for the production of acetylene gas, provided with a

page_text: perforated receptacle for the carbide of calcium or like compound, and with a
regulator operated by the pressure of the gas produced, for controlling the supply
of the liquid, so that the liquid can only reach the compound as it is required,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The improved apparatus, constructed substantially as described with
reference to either of the forms or modifications shown in the accompanying
drawings, and operating as, and for the purposes, specified.
Dated this 16th day of December 1895.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.