Improved Process of and Apparatus for the Production of Illuminating Gas.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process of and Apparatus for the Production of
Illuminating Gas.
We, WENZL KNAPP, of 46, Peterstrasse, Hamburg, Germany, Civil Engineer,
and RICHARD STEILBERG, of 16, Weidenstieg, Hamburg-Eimsbüttel, Germany,
Merchant, 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 an improved process of and apparatus for the produc-
tion of illuminating gas and has for its object to effect this production by a
single operation, thereby essentially differing from all previous methods, in which
several reactions in succession are necessary.
The improved process consists principally in passing liquified or melted resin―
corresponding to the gas-production required-through a series of superimposed.
retorts filled with iron-or steel turnings, whereby the resin is volatilised and
subsequently gasified. The resulting gas, which is free from moisture and all.
impurities, is led direct into the gasometer, from which it can then be with-
drawn for use for various purposes.
The melted resin, prepared from solid lumps, is fed continuously and in
uniform quantity from a reservoir into the upper row of retorts, where it is
volatilised at a red heat. The resulting vapours are led into the second row of
retorts situated immediately under the first and are there gasified, the gas being
dried in a thorough manner by passing it through a third set of retorts in con-.
nection with the second row, and it is then conveyed direct through a pipe to the
gasometer.
The gasifying surface is greatly increased by the iron or steel turnings con-
tained in each retort, whilst at the same time the flow of the melted resin is
restricted so as to increase the intensity of the vaporisation and subsequent
gasification.
The superimposed rows of retorts, which are formed of a number of pipes
corresponding in quantity to the gas consumption in view, are placed in a charg-
ing oven wherein they are raised to a red heat. The vaporisation and immediate
gasification of the melted resin which is fed to the apparatus in a continuous
stream of uniform dimensions, is effected very rapidly by the aid of the turnings
contained in the pipes. Any impurities that may have accompanied the gas are
retained by the said turnings so that the gas is delivered to the pipes leading to
the gasometer, in a thoroughly dry and pure state.
In order to make this invention fully understood, an apparatus suitable for
carrying out the improved process is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
where in
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section along the line A-B in Fig. 2, and Fig. 3 is
a cross section along the line CD in Fig. 1;
Fig. 2 being a top view and
Fig. 4 a front view of the apparatus.
The resin in lumps, is placed in the reservoir a and melted by the heat of the
stove b, or by a special heating arrangement.
The liquified resin then flows through a pipe c, fitted with tap d, into a lateral
tube e, and thence to the retorts g through small pipes f. In the first row of
retorts the liquid resin is vaporised, and passes in this condition to the second
row, where the vapour is gasified in order that the residual moisture in the gas
may be there expelled.

page_text: The perfectly dry and absolutely pure gas is then conducted into a common
pipe through which it passes into the gasometer.
The retorts 9 are charged with iron-or steel turnings, the prime object of
which is to considerably increase the surface of gasification. In addition to this
they help to retard the flow of the liquid resin and assist in subdividing the liquid
and thus accelerate the vaporisation of same. The resulting vapours are, move-
over, retarded in their passage by the said turnings, on which they are to some
extent precipitated and become converted into gas, furnishing a high yield.
Any impurities that may be present are retained by the turnings.
Each separate retort g of the first row is connected with one of the second row.
by means of caps which can be fastened tightly on to the ends of the said
retorts by the aid of bows k and screws 1. The retorts themselves are enclosed
in fire brick m, and the interior of the oven or furnace is also fitted throughout
with a fireproof lining n.
At the top the firebox is bounded by an arch o pierced by apertures p for the
discharge of the furnace gases into the space above the arch, whence they escape
into the smoke stack g. A kind of charging oven may be advantageously
employed, provided with two doors, one below r, and the others above, an ashpit
being situated below the hearth t.
The rate of feed of the melted resin to the retorts is regulated in accordance
with the gas-production required. If the gasometer bell is raised to its highest
point, then the tap in the pipe is shut off, this being automatically effected
in the following manner: An arm is firmly fastened on the tap d, and also
connected by a rod with the lever worked either directly or indirectly by the
gasometer. In Fig. 4 of the drawings a double lever is shewn. When the
gas in the gasometer causes the cover or bell to ascend the tap d is closed under
the influence of the lever, connecting rod and arm , as indicated by the dotted
lines, whilst the sinking of the bell causes the tap to open again.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The improved process of the production of illuminating gas described above.
2. The apparatus for the improved production of illuminating gas, substan-
tially as set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
!.
3. In the process of the production of illuminating gas according to the first
claim, the continuous feeding of melted resin, prepared from solid lumps-
corresponding to the gas production required into a series of superimposed
retorts filled with iron-or steel turnings, whereby the resin is volatilised and
subsequently gasified, substantially as set forth.
4. In the apparatus for the improved production of illuminating gas, according
to the second claim, the employment of a series of superimposed retorts filled with
iron-or steel turnings, where, in the upper row, the resin is at once volatilised
by means of a red heat, the resulting vapours being led into a second row of
retorts situated immediately underneath, in which they are gasified, substantially
as set forth and illustrated in the drawings.
5. In the apparatus for the improved production of illuminating gas, according
to the second claim, an arrangement for automatically regulating the supply of
melted resin to the retorts by means of rods and levers actuated by the rise and
fall of the gasometer bell and opening or closing a tap in the resin supply pipe,
substantially as set forth and illustrated in Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 16th don of two 1900