A New or Improved Process of Producing Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application; 5th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 11th.Feb., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Process of Producing Acetylene Gas.
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I, LAURITZ PETERSEN HVIID, of 115, Vesterbrogade, Copenhagen, in the Kingdom
of Denmark, Inventor, 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: —
With the portable generators for the production of acetylene gas hitherto known
there has always been this inconvenience that they cannot in a sense be said to be
portable nor have they been able to withstand being upset
Then again one has not been able to ignite or to extinguish the flame as occasion
requires as the only way in which the light could be put out was by stopping the
supply of water. In this case however the carbide with the water which has been
added continues to produce acetylene for some considerable time after the cock has
been turned off.
My invention has for its object to prevent these inconveniences. In the pro-
cesses hitherto known water alone or solutions or mixtures of hygroscopic salts
have been used as decomposing liquids. Other inventors have proposed to use,
with the water, spirits of wine, glycerine and other bodies inert with respect to the
carbide.
It is a well known fact that by using water the process is most irregular whereas
when solutions of hygroscopic salt, mixtures of water and spirits of wine or
glycerine and the like are used it offers a more uniform though not more constant
process as the action grows fainter when by degrees the water it hitherto contained
is consumed, as the inert materials remain present to the same extent whereas the
water is consumed; so that the time will come when the process ceases altogether.
To avoid this I use a saturated solution of sodic chloride which solution possesses
several advantages over other solutions. The strength of a saturated solution of sodic
chloride is always the same however much water may be used as the sodic chloride
is set free when the water is consumed and the free chloride in the form of powder
is precipitated immediately together with the calcic hydrate formed.
I do not use raw carbide but carbide moistened with petroleum or a mixture
of mineral oils. This may be effected by dipping the carbide in a receptacle con-
taining the fluid. The carbide may remain in the fluid from one to five minutes
according to the grade of saturation.
To this mixture may be added an odorous inert oil such for example as oil of
roses.
This moistening is to fit the carbide for use in the household as the carbide so
prepared can be kept in the open air and thus become an object for retail sale.
Besides the carbide has then a very agreeable smell which is of great importance as
regards the extent of use of the material.
My process may be conveniently carried out in the apparatus specified in my
application filed simultaneously with the present application.
Under this process of producing acetelene gas the following chemical reaction
takes place. The water contained in the solution of sodic chloride splits the carbide
into calcic hydrate and acetylene and sodic chloride is precipitated. The free cálcic

page_text: hydrate and the sodic chloride sink to the bottom of the generator wherefrom it can
be subsequently removed. The surface of the calcium carbide is maintained fresh
and surrounded by a saturated solution of sodic chloride as long as gas is produced.
As soon as the liquid has left the carbide the production of gas ceases almost
immediately and this is of great importance.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The new or improved process of producing acetylene gas substantially as set
forth.
2. In a process of producing acetylene gas, moistening the carbide with petroleum
or a mixture of mineral oils substantially as set forth.
Dated this 5th day of March 1898.
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Norfolk House, Victoria Embankment, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.