Improvements in Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1897
Complete Specification Loft 10th Feb. 1898-Accented 2nd Apr. 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
I, FREDERICK DRESSER, of 20, Bixteth Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in and relating to apparatus for
generating acetylene gas from carbide of calcium, and the objects of my said
invention are (A) to prevent the too rapid absorption of water by the carbide and
(B) to enable the residuum of the carbide to be readily withdrawn from the generat-
ing apparatus without it being necessary to first run off the water therefrom.
In carrying my said invention into effect I employ a vertical cylindrical vessel-
the dimensions of which are varied according to the quantity of gas required to
be evolved in a given time.
This vessel is divided vertically into two equal or unequal compartments by a
partition extending from the top thereof to within a short distance of the bottom.
One of the said compartments is closed at the top by an airtight cover and is pro-
vided with a tap or valve fixed therein.
In the lower part of the vessel is fitted an inclined diaphragm of wire gauze or
perforated sheet metal slanting in the direction of the said closed compartment,
and opposite to its lowest point a tap or valve is fixed in an opening in the side of
the vessel.
The vessel is completely filled with water-prior to being charged with carbide--
and while being filled the air in the closed compartment is allowed to escape through
the tap at the top thereof.
The calcium carbide is enclosed in certain quantities in small bags of canvas
or other equivalent suitable material to which a chain or cord is attached, and one-
or more of these said bags is lowered into the vessel and the water therein and
coming upon the said slanting diaphragm slides downwards beneath the said
partition to the lowest point or as far as may be determined by the length of the
chain or cord.
The carbide being enclosed in a bag of somewhat close texture the water is pre-
vented from combining therewith at a too rapid rate.
The gas as evolved from the carbide passes through the water up into the closed
side of the vessel and as it accumulates therein displaces the water which is free
to rise in the open side of the vessel and overflows at a predetermined level to
insure a certain pressure of gas being set up and maintained but never exceeded.
A tubular glass gauge is fitted upon the vessel to indicate the level of the water
in the said closed or gas compartment.
When the carbide has become spent the bag is lifted out and the residuum
removed. It can then be dried and again filled with fresh carbide ready for
another charge.
Deted this 25th day of May 1897

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
I, FREDERICK DRESSER, of 20, Bixteth Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in and relating to apparatus for
generating acetylene gas from carbide of calcium or like material and the objects
of my said invention are (A) to prevent the too rapid absorption of water by the
carbide and (B) to enable the residuum of the carbide to be readily withdrawn
from the generating apparatus without it being necessary to first run off the water
therefrom.
In carrying my said invention into effect I employ a vertical cylindrical or other
shaped vessel of suitable dimensions which are varied according to the quantity
of gas required to be generated in a given time. This vessel is divided vertically
into two equal or unequal compartments by a partition extending from the top
thereof to within a short distance of the bottom. One of the said compartments
is closed at the top and is provided with one or more taps or valves.
In the lower part of the vessel is fitted an inclined diaphragm of wire gauze or
perforated sheet metal slanting in the direction of the said closed compartment.
A tap or valve is provided in the lower part thereof for drawing off the water from
the vessel.
Figs. 1 and 2 on the sheet of drawings appended hereunto are elevation and
plan respectively of my said improved apparatus. A being the vertical partition,
B the closed gas space, D the slanting diaphragm and C a valve or tap for drawing
off the gas.
The vessel is completely filled with water prior to being charged with carbide,
and while being filled the air in the closed compartment is allowed to escape, either
through a small tap such as E provided for the purpose or the
the 3-way type and serve also as a vent for the air.
gas valve
may be of
The carbide is enclosed in certain quantities in small bags of canvas or other
equivalent material which are attached by chains, cords or other means to a suit-
able rod or rods and are thereby introduced into the said vessel and guided down
the slanting diaphragm into position beneath the closed or gas compartment, or
the said bags have merely cords or chains attached thereto and are guided into
position by means of a suitable rod or tool which may be afterwards withdrawn
from the vessel.
Immediately the water penetrates the said bags and comes into contact with the
carbide, reaction commences and gas is evolved which distends the said bags and
prevents the direct contact of the water with the carbide, the bags are thus rendered
buoyant and rise up within the closed compartment to such height as may be
determined by the length of the cords, chains, etc. to which the said bags are
attached. By thus enclosing the carbide in bags of somewhat close texture the.
direct contact of the water with the carbide is prevented and by this means retard-
ing the process of decomposition of the carbide and insuring slow generation of
gas, the gas so evolved is of much greater purity than if generated rapidly by the
unrestrained action of the water upon the carbide.
The gas, as evolved from the carbide, passes up into the closed compartment
of the vessel and as it accumulates therein displaces the water which is free to rise
in the open side and overflows at any pre-determined point, such as G, this insures
a certain pressure being set up but never exceeded.

page_text: When the carbide is spent the bags are lifted out and the residuum removed
therefrom; they are then dried and refilled with carbide ready for another charge.
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. In the process of and in apparatus for generating acetylene gas by the decom-
position of calcium carbide, or the like, with water, the employment of bags
formed of canvas or other suitable flexible porous material designed to hold a
specific quantity of such carbide and the method of enclosing the carbide in such
bags before immersion in water for the purpose of preventing the quick generation
of gas by retarding the reaction due to the contact of the water with the carbide,
substantially as herein described.
2. The apparatus for generating acetylene gas from calcium carbide or the like,
consisting of a vertical cylindrical or other suitably shaped vessel, divided into
two compartments by a vertical partition, one being closed in at the top to form a
gas chamber and having an opening in, or a space beneath the said partition for
communication between the said compartments, and provided with a suitable
diaphragm or grid slanting in the direction of the closed or gas compartment,
designed to facilitate the introduction of carbide enclosed in bags and to carry
into effect the objects sought to be attained thereby, substantially, as herein
described and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 8th day of February 1898.