IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF PRODUCING HEATING GASES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS FOR THIS PURPOSE
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hermann Haug, of Strassburg, in the Empire of Germany,
:
Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF PRODUCING
HEATING GASES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF
APPARATUS FOR THIS PURPOSE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hermann Haug at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th July 1881.
HERMANN HAUG, of Strassburg, in the Empire of Germany, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE METHOD OF PRODUCING HEATING GASES, AND IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS FOR THIS PURPOSE."
This Invention relates principally to an improved method for generating
combustible gases from crude carbonaceous materials, and to novel constructions
and arrangements of apparatus for this purpose.
The essential novelty of this mode of obtaining combustible gases consists in the
adoption of the following principles of working:
The quantity and intensity of heat necessary for this process are produced
principally by superheating to a high degree the converting materials which may
be steam, or carbonic acid, or mixtures of them with air or with combustible gas.
The crude carbonaceous material contained in a converting chamber may at the
same time be heated through the walls of this chamber. In case the above mixture
with air be employed the crude material is also heated by direct combustion;
but contrary to other methods, the crude material is not burned by air exclusively
in intervals between the times of generating the gas.
The superheating of the converting materials takes place in a separate heating
apparatus heated by the gas produced in the converting chamber. The process of
conversion starts with the production of common gas containing some 70% of
nitrogen. The air required for this conversion is then mixed in or out of a super-
heating apparatus with a gradually increasing proportion of steam so as to produce
a gas containing less and less nitrogen. The increase of purity of the combustible
gas increases the temperature of its flame within the heating apparatus, and
D. 1
77

page_text: consequently the converting materials are superheated gradually to a higher degree.
This mutual increase of actions may still more be intensified by superheating the
material (air and gas) forming the flame within the heating apparatus until a
maximum of effect be produced, and at last pure steam of highest temperature
may be employed and a purest gas be produced. Thus one part of this product
is consumed within the gas furnace for carrying out the converting process, and
the other part is disposable for external use.
According to this description of the method the gas furnaces adapted to it
consist of converting chambers, the lower parts of which may be heated from the
outside, and of superheating apparatus set below or beside the converters, and
providing them with the superheated converting materials, while the combustion
chambers of the superheaters are supplied with the product of the converters.
"
The heating apparatus, "hot blast" or "hot steam stoves as they are called, for
superheating the converting material, are either of the reverse current system
acting continuously, or of the heating chamber system with two symmetrical
sets of chambers which may be piled with loose bricks, and acting alternately by
means of devices which reverse the currents of gases in regular intervals of time.
Gas furnaces with the latter kind of heating chambers working alternately produce
at very high temperatures the purest gas, and these (of the reverse current
system) on account of their less intense heating effect generally produce a gas of
less purity.
The gas furnaces are generally worked under low pressure, or draught regulated
by slides within the channels leading to the smoke stack, or it may be by an
exhauster drawing off the gas from the converting chambers, but they may be
constructed of a higher pressure.
The gas furnace, with a reverse current heating apparatus, consists of a converting
chamber, a superheater, and a dry steam generator (instead one of the common
kind). The crude material to be treated is placed in the converting chamber or
converter, which is contracted at bottom, and may be surrounded at the contracted
part and above it by a combustion chamber or by flues. The converter is supplied
through flues or passages connected with the superheating apparatus with the
superheated converting material. The upper part of the converter is in communi-
cation with a flue or passage, from which the gas, as it is produced, may be drawn
off by an exhauster. Part of this gas is carried into the combustion chamber or
chambers of the gas furnace by a branch passage provided with a suitable valve,
the other part is carried off for external use by a main passage, also with a suitable
valve. The top of the converter is closed and provided with suitable means for
supplying the crude material thereto. At the bottom of the converter there are
suitable arrangements and a closed ash pit to provide for the withdrawal of the
exhausted material. The reverse current steam superheaters are as follows:-Of-
two system of tubes or passages with walls between them (common to both), of
any suitable form and material, the one serves for the descending gases of the
heating flame, and the other for the current of the gaseous converting material,
which enters at the coolest and leaves for the converter at the hottest part. Other
pairs of such systems may serve for heating air or gas employed in forming the
heating flames for use throughout the gas furnace. The dry steam generators are
arranged in those passages carrying the products of combustion from the super-
heaters to the smoke stack, and consist of vessels of metal of any suitable
form charged with loose pieces of metal, or stone, or coke. Into the closed upper
end water under pressure is allowed to enter in a regulated quantity. The steam
thus produced with constancy, and at a low pressure, works an air injector of
suitable construction, and thus mixes with a regulated quantity of air before
entering the steam superheater, after which the heated mixture passes into the
converter.
This form of gas furnace is worked in the following manner :-The converter is
filled with the crude carbonaceous material, and when the latter has been ignited
from below, the ash pit and main gas outlet are closed, and the valve of the branch

page_text: The
passage into the combustion chamber of the steam superheater is opene.
combustion of the crude material is supported by air entering past the injector of
the steam generator, as yet out of action, and flowing through those passages of
the superheater which serve to convey the converting material to the converting
chamber. Common gas, with some 70 % of nitrogen, thus produced. This gas
passes through the branch gas outlet into the combustion chamber of the super-
heater. Here the gas is ignited, its combustion being supported by air entering
through a separate passage. The gas as well as the air before uniting may be
heated either in their passage through the masonry or in separate air heaters. The
flame descends its proper passages, travelling over the surfaces of the superheaters,
and the products of combustion pass thence around the steam generator and escape
in a comparatively cooled state into the smoke stack. When the temperature of
the steam generator is sufficiently high, water is let into it by a drip pipe and
steam is generated. This steam in leaving the generator sets in action the air
injector, and mingling with the air thus drawn in it passes to the superheater.
The mixture now becoming superheated passes into the converter, and from the
coal of the converter produces a gas containing less nitrogen than the gas first
produced. This purer gas gives a hotter flame to the superheater. If the air
and gas are heated as above stated, a still better result will be obtained. Corres-
ponding with this increase of heat, more water is gradually fed into the steam
generator, and the admixture of air to it is proportionately diminished until the
gas furnace produces its maximum quantity of comparatively pure gas.
while the main gas outlet of the converter is gradually opened to carry off the
part of the produced gas which is not required for the process within the gas
furnace.
Mean-
By cutting off the supply of water to the steam generator, diminishing the
quantity of air entering past the injector, and closing the main gas outlet, the
production of gas for external use may be suspended. Gas furnaces with air
heaters of the heating chamber system may be employed for superheating the con-
verting material, as well as one of the materials (air or gas) that support combustion
in the combustion chambers. Furnaces of this kind under the various forms which
follow consist of converters, heaters for the steam and the air, and dry steam
generators. The converters are of the principle of construction above described,
but combustion chambers may be arranged within and around their lower parts.
One arrangement is as follows:-The steam heater has two pairs of heating
chambers set in a row. Each pair consists of an air and a steain chamber, and the
two steam chambers are placed between the two air chambers. The chambers of
each pair above the refractory filling form one combustion chamber heated by the
same flame. The two steam chambers, and also the two air chambers, have at
their base passages leading to the smoke stack, which are provided with reversing
valves and slides, and with steam and air inlet passages. Above the arched covers
of the two steam chambers in the middle line of the four chambers there are two
passages, each connected with one steam chamber, and leading to the crude material
of the converter. Above these two passages is a narrow combustion chamber of
retort shape extending the whole length in place of width of the furnace and
forming with two outer walls of the converting chambe bove it at the lower end
of the latter two necks provided with openings for the scharge of the exhausted
material. The interior of the retort shaped combustion chamber communicates at
the one end with the one, and at the other end with the other air chamber by
openings in the arched covers, and gas inlets from the branch gas outlet of the
converter are provided at each end. The pairs of chambers work alternately by
means of the reversing valves situate at their base. When the cool pair of chambers
are being heated, the steam chamber of the other or hot pair of chainbers discharges
its superheated steam mixed with some air (or gas) into the crude material of the
converter, while the heated air from the hot air chamber of this pair passes into
the retort and produces, with some gas, the flame. This flame first heats the
crude materials and then descends through the first or cool pair of chambers, and

page_text: passes around the steam generator before escaping through the reversing valves
into the smoke stack. The gas may constantly be let into this combustion
chamber at both of its ends at the same time. The inner pressures of gases and steam
have to be regulated, so that the superheated steam neither escapes into the smoke
stack nor is much diluted by gases of combustion. In order to regulate this it is
preferable to construct the converter with a vertical division wall, and to make
such other arrangements that the one steam chamber with its steam passage
shall work exclusively into one division, and the other steam chamber into the
other division of the converter. In this case the common main gas outlet may
have a reversing valve.
The above gas furnace may be modified, so as to direct the heating flame
constantly in one direction, and the superheaters may be heated by a direct flame
instead of by waste heat from the retort-shaped combustion chamber.
Another kind of gas furnace has superheaters for the converting material, as
well as for both of the materials, air and gas forming the flame, and has also
combustion chambers at the lower part of the converters.
The other improvements in air heaters of the reversing principle which are
applicable to the gas furnaces, either in combination with steam superheaters of the
reverse current system, or after themselves having been completed to steam
superheaters, are as follows:-
Superheaters with Chambers Working Diagonally.-Two pairs of chambers, the
one for air, the other for gas, with separate passages and four-way valves at the
base, are arranged four square. They have the relative position of the two four-way
valves, so that an air and a gas chamber lying diagonally will work together. The
most simple construction then is as follows:-The crossing of the division walls
has a cross shaped passage of proper extension for the developement of the flame
below the arched cover, in other words, above the surface of the refractory filling
of the chambers. Thus the hot air and gas of two chambers lying diagonally flow
directly against and into each other, and two flaines start at right angles in opposite
directions to heat the other two diagonal chambers. A third part of the flame
may, through an opening in the arched cover just above the wall crossing, pass into
a working chamber. Outlet passages with the proper division walls as tongues in
them may be provided for outside work, with one or the other or with both of the
superheated materials. To convert this air heater (but without its upper outlet
passages) into a steam superheater, a pair of steam chambers with their own four
way valve at the base has to be arranged four square with the pair of air or gas
chambers, or one pair with each of the latter pairs, the partition walls between
pair and pair being opened below the arched cover, so as to permit of each steam
chamber being heated together with its next air or gas chamber by one and the
same heating flame. Steam outlet passages with the prolonged partition walls as
tongues in them have to be-provided, one for each pair of steam chambers, and just
below their arched covers.
Superheaters with Chambers Working beside one Another.-They result from
the above four square arrangement by simply reversing the position of one of the
four-way valves, so that each air and its adjoining gas chamber will work together.
Then the hot air and gas from two chambers heated before will meet each other
within the cross passage at right angles, giving two flames at right angles for
heating the other two chambers. Outlet passages with the proper division walls
prolonged as tongues in them may be provided as before for external work, with
one or the other, or with both of the heated materials. A pair of steam chambers
with their own four-way valve, and embracing this air heater (but without its
upper outlet passages), so that the combustion chamber of each steam chamber is
the prolongation at the same time of the combustion chambers of an air and a gas
chamber, and may be heated by their flames, will make the apparatus a steam
superheater.
Superheaters with Parallel Chambers.-A pair of chambers for instance for air
has the usual four way valve at the base. Its division wall at the one end is

page_text: provided with a lateral opening below the arched cover, but above the refractory
filling. This part of the wall is double, and into the space between, open above,
some gas is constantly supplied at the base from outside, so as to form with the hot
air ascending through the one chamber the requisite flame which, passing that
opening and descending the other chamber, will heat the same, and the products of
combustion being there robbed of their heat will pass off to the smoke stack. The
other part of the division wall is in conjunction with the arched cover, and extends
as a tongue into a common outlet passage which leads another part of the ascending
hot air into a working chamber. If this outlet passage is supplied with gas from
outside, a flame of constant direction will be produced. Thus by partly opening
the division wall, the chamber head is divided into a combustion zone and an outlet
zone. The better to separate both these zones, arches in conjunction with the
arched cover may be set, leaving space for the passage of the flame between their
under side and the surface of the refractory chamber filling.
This apparatus will become a steam superheater (or, generally speaking, a stove
for superheating vapor or gas not forming heating flame) by suppressing its outlet
zone, setting in four square a pair of steam chambers with their own four-way
valve at the base, and opening the division walls between pair and pair below the
arched cover, so that the head space of each steam chamber is the prolongation of
its next air chamber. Thus one and the same flame will heat one air chamber
together with its adjoining steam chamber, and alternately the other set of them.
The steam outlet passage common to both steam chambers below the arched cover
has the prolonged division wall as a tongue. The inner pressures being properly
regulated, no part of the superheated steam of the one chamber will pass around
the tongue down the other chamber, and escape through the smoke stack. In this
four chamber superheater the two air chambers for the combustion zone, and
the steam chambers the outlet zone. Air chambers of greater length may be
intersected by a greater number of pairs of steam chambers with steam outlets
passing through the arched covers.
To heat both the flame forming materials a pair of air and a pair of gas
chambers, with separate four-way. valves at the base, are set parallel in one line, the
one pair between the chambers of the other pair, the inner pair, for instance,
working with gas, the outer pair with air. At one side of the row the threo
division walls are kept low, and thus the zone of combustion is formed.
Air and gas
heated and ascending in two chambers lying side by side form the flame, which
descends the other two chambers to heat them. At the other side of the row the
division walls are in conjunction with the arched covers, and extend as tongues
into the common outlet passages, either for hot air or for hot gas, or for both of
them, forming in this latter case a flame of constant direction. To provide for a
better mixture of air and gas before the flame descends, the set of chambers to be
heated, the air as well as the gas chambers, as far as the combustion zone extends,
may be divided parallel with the division walls by several small partitions, and
these divisions, though preserving their connection with their lower passages to
their respective four-way valves, may be arranged, each gas space between two air
spaces. Several zones of combustion may be arranged between zones of outlet
with their passages going through the arched covers.
With this four chamber air heater a pair of steam chambers may be combined
in the manner before described. In conjunction with the zone of combustion of
the air heater (without its zone of outlet), the pair of steam chambers is arranged
as a second row, or as the zone of outlet with four-way valve at the base, and with
upper outlet passage into which the prolonged division wall extends as a tongue,
and the division walls between each steam chamber and its adjoining air and gas
chambers are kept open at top. Each set of three adjoining chambers, viz., an air,
a gas, and steam chamber, is alternately superheating the gaseous materials, and
afterwards being heated. The combustion zone of the air heater with chambers
of greater length may be intersected by several pairs of steam chambers with their
outlets passing through the arches. In case hot air or hot gas, or both of them, are

page_text: to be drawn off as well as the superheated steam, the four chamber air heater is
left complete as above, but with its outlets through the arched covers, and a
complete pair of steam chambers is arranged against it as a second zone of outlet.
The above steam superheaters working on the reversing principle and with
chambers heated by direct flames impart so high a temperature to gases and steam
that the latter will convert the crude combustible materials without additional heat
required to be applied through the walls of the lower part of the converters or of
combustion chambers arranged within them. The temperature is so intense as to
decompose the steam (or the carbonic acid) to a considerable extent, and thus to
make the converting material a highly superheated mixture of steam, oxygen, and
hydrogen (or of carbonic acid, oxygen, carbon, and carbonic oxide) able to
transport, by its contents of specific heat, heat of evaporation and heat of decom-
position into the converter all the heat necessary for the conversion of the crude
combustible material. The converters then may be arranged side by side with
the steam superheaters, and the whole gas furnace thus becomes more simple and
solid.
For instance, the six chamber steam superheater last described may be combined
with an adjoining converter, the lower part of which, without any combustion
chambers, communicates with the steam outlet passage of the former, while the
branch gas outlet of the converter is connected with the lower gas inlet of the gas
chambers of the superheater. The purity of the produced gas depends on the inner
gas pressures being properly regulated, and this may more easily be attained by
giving the converter a vertical division wall and gasifying alternately in the one
and the other of the two divisions with every change of position of the reversing
valves.
The mode of working all similar gas furnaces using steam superheaters working
on the reversing principle may be explained by means of the above six chamber
gas furnace as follows:-
The converter is to be filled with crude combustible material and then ignited
from below. The air necessary for a partial combustion is allowed to pass in either
at the ash pit, kept open for this purpose, or through one of the air chambers by
way of its air inlet, or preferably through one of the steam chambers. For this
purpose they may have provisional openings at the base. The main gas outlet of
the converter is closed, but its branch gas-outlet in connection with the lower gas
inlet of the gas chambers is open. By means of an exhauster the gas produced in
the converter, which contains about 70% of nitrogen, is allowed to pass from
below into and through one of the gas chambers. The reversing valves being in
proper position air, ascends through the adjoining air chamber and supplies the
flame of the ignited gas. The flame of this group of three chambers passes through
the zone of combustion to the other set of three chambers, and descending heats
them, and the products of combustion may be led around dry steam generators
before escaping through the three reversing valves into the smoke stack. Part of
the fire gases may pass through the upper steam outlet into the converter, but
whilst their steam and carbonic acid are reduced their nitrogen will scarcely
diminish the practical value of the produced gas.
So soon as the second group of three chambers have become heated the valves
are reversed. Steam taken from a separate steam generator is made to pass into
the steam chamber of this group, and the quantity of air heretofore exclusively
used in gasifying the crude material is diminished. Ascending through the steam
chamber this mixture of air and steam becomes heated, passes the steam outlet
into the converter, and produces with the incandescent coal a gas containing less
nitrogen than before. This gas, and also the air for its combustion, ascend through
their respective chambers of this group, become heated, and give a flame of greater
intensity, heating the first group of chambers now to a higher degree than the
second group could attain with cold gases. The valves are then again reversed;
more steam, now from the dry steam generators situate in the lower passages to
the reversing valves, is mixed with a diminished quantity of air and may be

page_text: heated to a higher degree within the steam chamber of the first group.
The result
is a gas of greatly increased purity, giving a flame of increased intensity, which
will therefore heat the second group of chambers again to a higher degree. The
heating effect of the flame within each of the three chambers of each set may be
regulated at will by means of the slides in the lower passages to the smoke stack
until the gas furnace gives the most favorable production of gas in quality and
quantity. Thus with every reverting of the valves a gas of increasing purity is
produced until the whole furnace is in its full and constant action, and may by the
ash pit being completely closed, and with proper regulation of the internal pressures,
at last gasify with pure steam the crude material and produce the purest gas
possible. Meanwhile the main gas outlet of the converter is gradually opened to
allow the surplus of produced gas to pass off, for instance, into the gas holder.
Crude material in powder or liquids may be treated in the following manner:
The superheated steam is led into the upper part of the converter, the lower part
of which is loosely piled with refractory material or filled with lump coal, and the
powder or liquid is constantly fed from above into the current of highly
superheated steam. The gases and ashes are drawn off at the lower part of the
converter. When less steam is applied lighting gas may be produced, and the
coke, if some be discharged, may be converted separately into combustible gas..
In the same furnace pure hydrogen may be produced by charging the converter
with scrap iron in lieu of carbonaceous material.
Converting or working chambers, as above, in conjunction with steam super-
heaters, may also be used as lime kilns to produce from the limestone, with the
addition of superheated steam, pure carbonic acid for replacing some portion of
the steam used as converting material, or for other purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Hermann Haug in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
January 1882.
HERMANN HAUG, of Strassburg, in the Empire of Germany, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF PRODUCING HEATING GASES, AND IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS FOR THIS PURPOSE."
This Invention relates principally to an improved method of generating
combustible gases from crude carbonaceous materials, and to novel constructions
and arrangements of apparatus for this purpose.
The essential novelty of this mode of obtaining combustible gases consists in
the adoption of the following principles of working:
The quantity and intensity of heat necessary for this process are produced
principally by superheating to a high degree the converting agent, which may be
steam or carbonic acid, or mixtures of them with air or with combustible gas. The
crude carbonaceous material contained in a converting chamber may at the same
time be heated through the walls of this chamber. In case the above mixture with
air be employed, the crude material is also heated by direct combustion, but
contrary to other methods in practice the crude material is not burned by air
exclusively in intervals between the times of generating the gas.
The superheating of the converting agent takes place in a separate heating
apparatus heated by a portion of the gas produced in the converting chamber.
The process of conversion starts with the production of common gas containing
some seventy per cent. of nitrogen. The air required for this partial com-
bustion is then mixed within or out of a superheating apparatus with a gradually
increased proportion of steam, so as to produce a gas containing less and less
nitrogen. The increase of purity of the combustible gas increases the temperature
of its flame within the heating apparatus, and consequently the converting agents
are gradually superheated to a higher degree. This mutual increase of actions
may be still more intensified by superheating the materials, air, and gas forming
the flame within the heating apparatus until a maximum of effect is attained, and
at last pure steam of highest temperature may be employed, and a perfectly pure
gas be produced. One part of the gas thus produced is consumed within the gas
furnace for carrying out the converting process, and the other part is available for
external use.
The gas furnaces adapted to the carrying out of this method of working consist
of converting chambers, the lower parts of which may be heated from the outside,
and of superheating apparatus set below or beside the converters and provided
with the superheated converting agents, while the combustion chambers of the
superbeaters are supplied with a part of the product of the converters.
The heating apparatus "hot blast" or "hot steam stoves," as they are called, for
superheating the converting agents are either of the reverse current system acting
continuously, or of the heating chamber system with two symmetrical sets of
chambers which may be filled with loose bricks, and which act alternately by
means of valves which reverse the currents of gases at regular intervals. Gas
furnaces with the latter kind of heating chambers working alternately produce at
very high temperatures the purest gas; those on the reverse current system,
on account of their generally less intense heating powers, produce a gas of less
purity.
The gas furnaces are generally worked under low pressure or draught regulated
by suitable slides or valves within the channels to the smoke stack, and may be
worked by an exhauster drawing off the gas from the converting chambers, but
the whole furnaces may also be constructed in metal casings.

page_text: The gas furnace with a reverse current heating apparatus consists of a converting
chamber, a superheater, and a dry steam generator instead of one of the common
kind. The crude material to be treated is placed in the converting chamber or
converter which is contracted at bottom, and may be surrounded at the contracted
part and above it by a combustion chamber or by flues. The converter is supplied
with the superheated converting agent through flues or passages connected with
the super-heating apparatus. The upper part of the converter is in communication
with a flue or passage or with two of them starting from the same or from different
points, and from which the gas as it is produced may be drawn off by an exhauster
or any other suitable device. Part of this gas is carried into the combustion
chamber or chambers of the gas furnace by one of the flues or tubes which may be
called the branch passage, and which is provided with a valve or other suitable
device, the other part of the gas is carried off for external use through the other or
main passage provided also with a suitable valve.
The top of the converter is closed and provided with suitable means for supplying
the crude material thereto. At the bottom of the converter there are suitable
arrangements, and a closed ash pit to provide for the withdrawal of the exhausted
material.
The reverse current steam superheaters consist of two systems of tubes or
passages (with walls between them common to both) of any suitable form and
material; the one serves for the descending gas of the heating flame, and the other
for the current of the gaseous converting agent which enters at the coolest and
leaves for the converter at the hottest part. Other pairs of such systems may
serve for heating air or gas employed in forming the heating flames for use
throughout the gas furnace.
The dry steam generators are arranged in those passages carrying the products
of combustion from the superheater to the smoke stack, and consist of vessels of
metal of any suitable form charged with loose pieces of metal or stone or coke.
Into the closed upper end water under pressure is allowed to enter in a regulated
quantity. The steam thus produced with constancy and at a low pressure works
an air injector of suitable construction, and thus mixes itself with a regulated
quantity of air before entering the steam superheater, after which the heated
mixture passes into the converter. Part of the steam necessary for the conversion
may be generated, if desired, by the waste heat of the produced gas.
In Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings, Figures 11° and 12" shew a furnace
in which is combined a converter, a counter-current steam superheater, and a dry
steam generator, Fig. 11ª being a sectional clevation taken on the line A, B, of
ths sectional plan, and Fig. 12ª, a horizontal section on the line C, D, of Fig. 11º.
These Figures shew one way of constructing a gas furnace of this kind; g is the
converting chamber with ash pit o and upper appliances for supplying the crude,
_material thereto. This converter may be provided with combustion chambers-at
its lower part and heated from outside. The produced gas is allowed to pass off
through the tube c, a branch 6 of which carries part of the gas into the com-
bustion chamber h of the steam superheater. The gas main as well as the branch
passage is provided with suitable devices t and i for regulating or cutting off the
current of the gas. The steam superheater is a tube n, of metal or fire clay, with
hollow projections containing baffle plates and radial ribs. The converting agent,
is allowed to enter from below and pass through the passage p into the converter g.
The parts of the tube may be jointed in any well known suitable way. This
tube is situate within a chamber h, from the walls of which plates reach between.
the projections of the tube n in order to cause the heating flame to pass close to its
surfaces. The gas branch b carries the gas into this chamber at e, while the air for
its combustion passes in through the passages a. The descending flame passes into
a horizontal passage and into the lower part of the smoke stack R, within which
the dry steam generator m is placed. The water is supplied thereto by the drip
pipe w. The generated steam of low pressure works the injector d, which sucks.
the air past at which point its quantity can be regulated.

page_text: Such gas furnace is worked in the following manner:-The converter g being
filled with crude combustible material is ignited from below. The ash pit o and
valve t of the gas main c are closed, and the valve i of the gas branch b'is opened.
The draught of the smoke stack then causes some air to pass from around the
injector d (as yet inoperative), through the tube n and the passage p into the crude
material to sustain its partial combustion. The resulting gas, containing some
seventy per cent. of nitrogen, passes through b into the combustion chamber h at e,
where it is ignited and its combustion supported by air entering at a. The
descending flaine first heats the tube n, then ascending heats the dry steam
generator M, and the waste gases escape at R into the smoke stack. When the
dry steam generator has become hot enough some water is let into it by the drip
pipe w. The generated steam works the injector d, and thereby is mixed with a
quantity of air less than before was entering at l. The mixture of steam and air
is superheated within the tube n, and passing through p into the converter
produces a gas containing less nitrogen than before. This gas gives a flame of
higher temperature within the combustion chamber h. The previous heating of
the air and gas within the walls of the furnace or within similar separate heaters
causes also an increase of the temperature of the flame within the combustion
chamber. Now successively more water is supplied to the dry steam generator,
and less air is allowed to enter at land mix with it until the maximum of the
working capacity of the furnace in regard to quantity and purity of the gas is
attained. At the same time the valve t of the gas main c is gradually opened and
the surplus of gas allowed to pass off for external use.
By cutting off the water supply to the steam generator, regulating the quantity
- of air entering.at l, and closing the valve t of the gas main c, the production of gas
for external use may be suspended.
Gas furnaces with steam superheaters on the heating chamber system may be
constructed for superheating the converting agent, as well as one of the materials,
air or gas, that supports combustion in the combustion chambers. Furnaces of
this kind under the various forms, which are hereafter described as examples of
construction, consist of converters, superheaters for steam and air, and dry steam
generators. The converters are of the principle of construction above described,
but combustion chambers may be arranged within as well as around their lower
parts.
Figures 4, 5, 64, and 6b, in Sheet I. of the Drawings, shew a gas furnace con-
sisting of converting chambers, combustion chambers, and superheaters; Figures 4ª
and 5ª are sectional elevations on the line A B and CD, EF respectively of the
sectional plan, Fig. 6a, which is a horizontal section on the line G H of Fig. 4º.
The dry steam generators are not represented in the Drawings, their special
construction and arrangement being of no great consequence provided they are
heated by the waste fire gases (or the product of the converter) before they pass
through the reversing devices into the smoke stack.
In these Figures the superheaters consist of two pairs of heating chambers
L¹, W, and L2, W2, set in a row. Each pair consists of an air and a steam chamber,
and the two steam chambers W' and W² are placed between the two air chambers
L' and L. The chamber heads of each pair by means of openings e, e, above the
refractory filling form one combustion chamber, and can be heated by the same
flame. The two steam chambers, and also the two air chambers, have at their base
passages leading to the smoke stack which are provided with reversing valves vs
and, and dampers, or with corresponding devices and with steam and air inlet
passages d and L. Above the arched covers of the two steam chambers in a line
midway of the four chambers there are two passages, one above the other, each
connected by openings in the arched covers with one steam chamber (p' being
connected with W1 and p2 with W2), and having in their sides openings 8' and 82
leading to the crude material within the converter g. Above these two passages
there is a narrow combustion chamber 7, of retort-shape, extending the whole
length of the furnace, and forming with two-outer walls of the converting

page_text: chamber above it at the lower end of the latter two channels provided with
openings (for the discharge of the exhausted material). The interior of the
retort shaped combustion chamber communicates at the one end with one air
chamber and at the other end with the other air chamber by openings and lin
the arched covers, and gas inlets b' and be from the gas main b from the converter
are provided at each end. The pairs of chambers work alternately by means of
the reversing valves situate at their base. When the cool pair of chambers L³, W',
for instance, is being heated the steam chamber W of the other or hot pair of
chambers discharges its superheated steam mixed with some air or gas through the
passage pl and its openings s¹ into the crude material of the converter g. Mean-
while the heated air from the hot air chamber L₁ of this pair passes into the
retort, and there produces with some gas from b' the flame. This flame first
heats the crude material surrounding the retort, and then descends through the
first or cool pair of chambers and passes around the steam generator before escaping
through the reversing valves into the smoke stack at R. The gas may be
constantly admitted into this combustion chamber through 61 and 6° at both, of
its ends at the same time. The inner pressures of gases and steam have to be
carefully regulated, so that the superheated steam neither escapes into the smoke
stack nor is much diluted by gases of combustion. In order the better to effect
this regulation it is preferable to construct the converter with a vertical division
wall situate above the division wall of the two steam chambers, as will be
described, and to make such other arrangements that the one steam chamber with
its steam passage shall work exclusively into one division, and the other steam
chamber into the other division of the converter. In this case the common main
gas outlet of the latter may have a reversing valve.
The above gas furnace may be modified, as shewn in Figs. 7, 8, 98, and 9b,
which represent sectional views taken on the lines marked on those Figures. In
these furnaces the heating flame within the retort has a constant direction, and
the superheaters are heated by direct flame instead of by waste heat from the
retort shaped combustion chamber . For this purpose two pairs of chambers
with the usual fittings at their base are set four square, each air chamber and its
adjoining steam chamber have a common combustion chamber above the refractory
filling, their division walls being opened at e, e. Above the arched covers of the
chambers in the direction of the division wall w there are arranged the two
steam passages p₁ and p², each of which at one end is in communication with the
respective steam chamber p' with W', and p² with W2, and which passages have
openings s¹ and s² in their long outer walls leading into the respective divisions g¹
and g of the converter. At the other end these passages p', på, are closed, leaving
free spaces and 2 between them and the outer wall of the furnace. Above the
body of these passages the combustion chamber ? is arranged, which communicates
by those openings and with both of the air chambers L' and L2, the division
wall of which is here carried up to about the height of the bottom of the retort r.
At this same end of the retort the gas branch b divided into two branches b' and b
allows by means of the valves and , or their equivalents the gas to enter
alternately above the one and the other opening and 2 of the air chambers.
Thus if hot air from chamber L' for instance ascends through into the retort it
forms with the gas passing in through 62 a flame, the gases of which partly descend
the other air chamber L', and its adjoining steam chamber W¹ partly fill and heat
the retort, and may pass off to the smoke stack at R directly or through the side
flues. The converter is divided in two parts gl and g by a vertical division wall
situate above the wall w, and the superheated steam from each steam chamber
is allowed to pass only into its respective division of the converter, for instance, as
shewn in the Drawing, the steam from chamber W* passes through p², s, into g³,
while the other steam chamber W' is being heated. The two divisions of the
converter may have a reversing valve or similar device in their common gas
main c.
. Another form of gas furnace having superheaters for the converting agent-as

page_text: well as for both the air and gas forming the flame, and having also combustion
chambers at the lower part of the converter is represented in Figures 13", 14ª, 15ª,
and 15. A pair of air chambers L' and L, and a pair of gas chambers H and H
are arranged four square. They have the usual fittings at the base, viz., reversing
devices and v², and dampers and inlets 7 for air, and b for gas, from the gas
branch b of the converter. The division walls between the chambers have no
openings. Each chamber is arched over, but openings are left in these arched
covers near the outer wall common to both chambers of each pair. A third arched
cover is arranged over the arched covers of both chambers of each pair. Thus the
intervening space L by means of these openings m', and m² communicates with
both the air chambers, and the intervening space H by means of the openings n'
and n² communicates with both the gas chambers at the same time. Besides each
air chamber and its adjoining gas chamber communicates with each other by means
of flues or passages situate above the arched covers. Thus the air chamber L'
communicates with the gas chamber H2 through the passages m³, r1, n², and the air
chamber L' with the gas chamber H through the passages m¹ º, n³. Now the
relative position of the reversing devices v', and v² is designed so as to cause these
chambers taken diagonally to work together, that is alternately to heat the gaseous
materials or to be heated themselves. For instance, as shewn in the Drawing, the
air heated in chamber L₁ passes partly through m', L, and m², into chamber L²,
and partly through m³, 1, and n, into chamber H². At the same time the gas
heated in chamber H¹ passes partly through n¹, H; and n² into chamber H2, and
partly through n³, r², and n' into chamber L². Thus there meet in air chamber L'
and its diagonally placed gas chamber H both the heated air and gas and form the
flames which heat those chambers, and in passing to the smoke stack at R may
heat the dry steam generators not shown in the Drawing.
If there be a separate gas generator this hot air stove may be used for external
work. Hot air from L or hot gas from H may be allowed to pass by a suitable
flue into a working chamber, or both the air and gas may be drawn together from
both those intervening spaces Land H, or from both the passages 71 and 7³ into
a working chamber where they will form a flame of constant direction.
For its application to the gas furnace or converter a passage p is arranged above
the arched covers. This passage communicates by openings in its bottom with the
intervening space L, and thus may receive some hot air and discharge it through
the side apertures 8 into the converter g. The combustion chamber communicates
at one end with both the flues and r³, and is supplied by them with both hot
air and gas, the flame of which passes at R to the smoke stack. For the generation
and the superheating of the necessary steam it is presumed that the fire gases
leaving the retort r before they escape into the smoke stack are made to work a
complete steam superheater (with dry steam generator). on. the counter-current
system, as described with reference to Figures 11, 12, or one of similar con-
struction. The steam thus produced and superheated enters through the passage pl
situate within the passage p, and is discharged through the side apertures 81 and 8
into the converter g together with some hot air.
In Sheet II. of the Drawings, Figures 16ª, 17ª, 180, and 18b, represent a modifi- 4
cation of this class of gas furnace. In this modification the outer flues m³, r', n³,
and m, n, previously described are simply replaced by openings and 2 in the
upper part of the division walls w¹, and the passages m¹, m², and n¹, n², to the
intervening spaces L and H are arranged close to the same division walls. The
internal working of this hot blast furnace and its application to external use are 5
principally the same as in the previous case, the reversing devices v¹ and v² having.
always such position that the chambers work together diagonally, alternately
heating the gaseous materials or being themselves heated.
The superheating of the steam necessary for the gas furnace is done in this case
by means of a complete pair of steam chambers W₁ and We with steam inlet d 5
which are set four square to the pair of gas chambers H1, H2, and the upper
part of the division walls between each gas chamber and its adjoining steam

page_text: chamber has openings e¹, e³. Each set of the two chambers may thus be heated
by one and the same flame. Above the arched covers there are arranged two
passages p', and 2, each in communication (at one end) with one steam chamber.
They have discharge openings 8' and s² in their sides, and thus allow the super-
heated steam of one steam chamber, W', for instance; to be discharged into the
respective division g' of the converter. Meanwhile the other steam chamber W2 is
being heated by the same flame as chamber H2. The combustion chamber which
may have side flues is in communication with the intervening space L, and is
thence supplied with hot air, while the pipe 61 from the gas branch 6 of the
converter constantly allows some gas to pass in and form the flame for heating the
crude material in g¹ and g². The waste gases then pass off at R to the smoke
stack.
The other improvements in air heaters of the reversing principle which are
applicable to the gas furnaces either in combination with steam superheaters on the
reverse current system (as explained with respect to Figs. 13 to 15b) or after they
have been provided with steam superheating chambers are as follows, the
Drawings exemplifying their general application having all corresponding parts
marked with the same letters of reference.
Figures 19a, 19b, 190, and 19d, Sheet II. are sectional views (taken on the lines
marked on those Figures) of a hot air stove consisting of four chambers having a
cross-shaped flue in their division walls, which chambers worked diagonally
and alternately.
Two pairs of chambers L¹, L³, for air, and H¹, H*, for gas, with separate passages,
dampers, four way valves v', v2, and inlets for air and b for gas at the base, are
arranged four square. The two four-way valves are so arranged that an air and a
gas chamber lying diagonally will work together, and either heat the gaseous
inaterials or be themselves heated.
The most simple construction then is as follows:-At the point of intersection of
the division walls is a cross-shaped passage a of proper dimension for the
development of the flame below the arched cover, in other words, above the surface
of the refractory filling of the chambers, thus, the hot air and gas of two
chambers L, H', for instance lying diagonally, flow directly against and into each
other, and two flames start at right angles in opposite directions to heat the other
two diagonal chambers L³, H². A third part of the flame may through an opening
in the arched cover just above the wall crossing pass into a working chamber or
hearth. Outlet passages p with the proper division walls as tongues in them, may
be provided for external work within a working chainber q of any description.
The Drawing represents the case of the heated air being allowed to pass partly
through p into the working chamber q where the air may be used as an oxydizing
agent, or with gas passing in through b' form a flame of constant direction. Slides
or equivalent devices in all passages leading to the smoke stack at R allow the
inner pressures and the currents of the gases being regulated.
To convert this air heater (but without its upper outlet passage p) into a steam
superheater (as shewn in Figures 20 to 20°), a pair of steam chainbers W', W2,
with their own four way valves vs and steam inlet & at the base has to be arranged
four square with the pair of air chambers and gas chambers, as represented, or one
pair with each of the latter pairs, the partition walls between pair and pair being
opened at e below the arched cover so as to permit of each steam chamber being
heated together with its adjoining air (or gas) chamber by one and the same
heating flame.
A steam outlet passage p with the prolonged partition wall w³,
as a tongue in it has to
provided, one for each pair of steam chambers and just
helow their arched covers. All pressures being properly regulated the superheated
steam of one steam chamber (W, for instance) is allowed to pass into the working
chamber or hearth q of any description and act upon any suitable material, upon
crude combustible material, for instance, if it be a gas generator. Meanwhile the
other steain chamber. W is being heated together with the two other chambers Lª
and Hof its set of three chambers.

page_text: Superheaters with chambers working beside one another instead of diagonally
result from the above four square arrangement, Figures 10 to 19d, by simply
reversing the position of one of the four way valves, for instance, v³, so that each air
chamber and its adjoining gas chamber will work together. Then the hot air and
gas from two chambers L' and H2, for instance, heated before will meet each other
within the cross passage a at right angles, giving two flames at right angles for
heating the other two chambers. Outlet passages with the proper division walls
prolonged as tongues in them may be provided as before for external work with
one or the other, or both, of the heated materials.
Figures 21a, 21b, and 21c, Sheet II., show in vertical and horizontal section a
modified construction of the last described furnace, in which the gas and steam
superheating chambers are arranged side by side.
These Figures explain another way in which a steam superheater may be formed
with the last described air heater. The pair of steam chambers W' and W with
their own four-way valve and steam inlet d at the base is arranged in
conjunction with the four common chambers, and the division walls between each
steam and its adjoining air and gas chamber are opened below the arched covers
so as to allow each set of three chambers L¹, H₁, and Wand L2, H2, and W³,
to be alternately heated by one and the same flame, while the heated steam
chamber W, for instance (as the Drawing shews), discharges its superheated steam
through a suitable passage p into a working chamber g of any description and for
any purpose.
Figures 224, 22b, and 22c, in Sheet II., are vertical and horizontal sectional
views of a furnace constructed with two superheating chambers arranged side by
side.
In these Figures a pair of chambers L', L2, for air arranged side by side have
the usual fittings at the base. Its division wall at the one end is provided
with a lateral opening below the arched cover, but above the refractory filling.
This part of the wall is double, and into the intervening space b', open above, some
gas is constantly supplied at the base from so as to form with a part of the hot
air ascending through the one chamber L, for instance, the requisite flame, which
passing that opening and descending the other chamber L' will beat the same, and the
products of combustion will pass off to the sınoke stack at R. The other part of the
division wall is in conjunction with the arched cover, and extends as a tougue into
a common outlet passage p which leads another part of the ascending hot air into
a working chamber q of any suitable form. If this outlet passage be supplied with
gas through the passage b² a flame of constant direction will be produced. Thus
by partly opening the division wall the chamber head may be considered as
divided into a combustion zone or region L1, L2, and an outlet zone L, L, and the
relative quantities of heated air passing the one and the other may be regulated at
will by means of the dampers or their equivalents in the lower passages. The
better to separate both these zones, or regions, arches in conjunction with the
arched cover may be set, leaving space for the passage of the heating flame
between their under side and the surface of the refractory chamber filling.
A modification of this apparatus is shewn at Figures 23ª, 23b, 23c, and 23d,
Sheet III., which are vertical and horizontal sectional views taken on the lines
indicated in the Figures. By this modification the above apparatus will become
a steam superheater (or generally speaking a stove for superheating vapour or gas
not forming heating flame), by suppressing its outlet zone or region L, L., and
setting four square a pair of steam chambers W₁ and W2 with their own four way
valve and steam inlet d at the base, and opening at e the division walls between
pair and pair below the arched cover, so that the same flame will heat one air
chamber and its adjoining steam chamber, and alternately the other set of them.
The steam outlet passage p, common to both steam chambers below the arched
covers, has the division wall w³ prolonged as a tongue in it, and allows the steam
superheated in one chamber W₁, for instance, to pass into a working chamber g of
any description and for any purpose. In this four-chamber steam superheater the

page_text: two air chambers form the combustion zone or region, and the steam chambers the
outlet zone. Air chambers of greater length may be placed alternately with a
greater number of pairs of steam chambers with fittings at the base common to all
of them, and with steam outlets passing through the arched covers.
Figures 24, 24b, and 24c, Sheet III, shew in vertical, and horizontal sectional
views an arrangement of parallel chambers for heating both the flame forming
materials. A pair L', and L2, of air chambers, and a pair H, and H2, of gas
chambers with complete fittings at the base are set parallel and abreast, the one
pair between the chambers of the other pair, the inner pair, for instance, working
with gas, the outer pair with air. At one side of the row the three division
walls w², w, w, are kept low, and thus the zone or region of combustion L', H',
H2, L, is formed. Air and gas heated and ascending in two adjacent chambers L
and H form the flame which descends the other two chambers to heat them, and
the products of combustion pass off at R to the smoke stack. At the other side of
the row those division walls meet the arched covers, and extend as tongues into
the common outlet passage p, either for hot air or for hot gas, or for both of them
from H, and L., for instance, forming in this latter case a flame of constant direction
within a working chamber q. Thus the outlet zone or region L, H, H, L, is
formed. To provide for a better mixture of air and gas before the flame descends
the set of chambers to be heated, the air as well as the gas chambers as far as the
combustion zone extends may be divided parallel with the present division walls
by several small partitions; and these divisions though preserving their connection
with their lower passages to their respective four-way valves may be arranged with
gas spaces between two air spaces. Several zones of combustion may be arranged
between zones of outlet, with their passages going through the arched covers.
With this four chamber air heater a pair of steam chambers may be combined in
a manner similar to that already described.
Figures 25°, 25b, and 25c, Sheet III., shew in vertical and horizontal sectional
views such an arrangement. The zone or region of outlet is suppressed, and a pair
of steam chambers W and W with valve 3 and steam inlet d at the base is
arranged against the four common chambers as a second row, or as the zone of
outlet of the whole furnace. The division walls w¹ between each steam, and its
adjoining air and gas chambers are provided with openings e below the arched
covers to allow of the passage of the heating flame. Each set of three adjoining
chambers, viz., an air, a gas, and a steam chamber L', H, WI, and L2, H3, W², is
alternately superheating the gaseous materials, and is afterwards being heated.
The division wall us of the steam chambers extends as a tongue into the common
outlet passage 2, which allows the superheated steam of one chamber W*, for
instance, to pass into a working chamber q of any description, and for any purpose.
The air heater with chambers of greater length may be intersected by several pairs
of steam chambers with fittings at the base common to all, and with their outlets
passing through the arched covers. In case a part of the hot air, or the gas, or of
both of them is to be drawn off for external use as well as the superheated steam,
the four-chamber air heater (Figures 24 to 24c) is left complete with outlet zone,
but with its outlets passing through the arched covers, and a complete pair of steam
chambers is arranged against it as a second zero or region of outlet.
The above steam superheaters working on the reversing principle, and with
chambers heated by direct flames impart so high a temperature to gases and steam
that the latter will convert the crude combustible materials without additional
heat required to be applied through the walls of the lower part of the converters,
or of combustion chambers arranged within them. The temperature is so intense
as to decompose the steam (or the carbonic acid) to a considerable extent, and thus
to make the converting material a highly superheated mixture of steam, oxygen,
and hydrogen (or of carbonic acid, oxygen, carbon, and carbonic oxide), able to
carry by reason of its specific heat, heat of evaporation, and heat of decomposition
into the converter, all the heat necessary for the conversion of the crude carbonaceous

page_text: material. In such a case the converter may be arranged side by side with the
steam superheater, and the whole gas furnace thus become more simple and solid.
For instance, the six chamber steam superheater Figures 25ª to 25 may be
combined with an adjoining working chamber of the special form of a vertical gas
retort; Figures 26° to 26d represent this gas furnace. The lower part of the
converter which has no separate combustion chambers (but may be provided
with them) communicates with the steam outlet passage 2 of the superheater. The
gas produced by the reaction of the superheated steam upon the crude combustible
material within the converter g is partly allowed to pass through the gas branch b,
and the lower gas inlet 6 of the gas chambers of the superheater alternately into
one chamber H³, for instance, or the other gas chamber. For this purpose a fan,
not shown in the Drawing, or an equivalent device is working in the gas main c
drawing the gas from the converter, and conveying it whither it is wanted. The
necessary steam may be generated in dry steam generators, not shown in the
Drawing, situate in the lower passages to the valves v¹, 2, . The purity of
the produced gas depends on the gas pressures being properly regulated, and this
may more easily be attained by giving the converter a vertical division wall in
the prolongation of the wall w³, and by working alternately the one and the other
of the two divisions with every change of position of the reversing devices v¹, v², v³.
The heating of the gas forming the flame may be given up and the more simple
four-chamber steam superheater (Figures 23° to 23d) be combined in a corresponding
manner with the converting chamber.
Or the intense previous heating in separate chambers of the materials air and
gas forming the heating flame throughout the gas furnace may be altogether
dispensed with, and the gas generator be constructed as shewn in Figures 27ª,
27b, 27c, and 27d, Sheet IV., which shew in vertical and horizontal sectional views
the arrangement of a converting chamber with a pair of steam chambers W1
and W2, which have the usual fittings at their base, and are provided with dry
steam generators, which however are not shewn in the Drawing. The upper
outlet p of the steam chambers discharges the superheated steam into the crude
material to be converted, and part of the produced gas by means of an exhauster x¹
(or similar device working on the gas main c near its junction with the converter,
is caused to pass from the gas branch b alternately into the combustion chamber
of one or the other steam chambers when the devices v¹, and v³ are reversed.
Before entering the combustion chambers, either W' through the passage r', or W2
through the passage, the gas is mixed with air in a proportion ensuring complete
combustion and highest temperature of flame. This air enters through the passage
and is drawn or forced by an exhauster a² or corresponding device. These materials
or their mixture may be previously heated in a moderate degree, but the usual
precautions, such as suitable pressure, and the arrangement of finely divided metal
packing or its equivalent placed in the passage of the inflammable mixture, are
taken to prevent the running back of the flame and consequent explosion. The
converter ginay be provided at its lower part with combustion chambers or flues,
as already described.
Of course in this as in all other forms of gas generators, the gas for the combustion
chambers instead of coming more or less directly from the converter, may be first
led to a gas holder to be purified from ash particles, for instance, by any suitable
contrivance, the principle of the method and arrangement remaining the same in
every instance, that is to say, the combustion chambers of the furnace are heated
by the chief product itself of the converter.
The mode of working all similar gas furnaces using steam superheaters working
on the reversing principle, may be explained by means of the above six chamber
gas furnaces, Figures 26 to 26d, as follows:-
The converter q is to be filled with crude combustible material and then ignited
from below. The air necessary for a partial combustion is allowed to pass in either
at the ash pit o kept open for this purpose, or through one of the air chambers L!,
for instance, by means of its air inlet l, or preferably through one of the steam

page_text: chambers W₁ for instance. For this purpose they may have provisional openings
at the base. The main gas outlet c of the converter has its valve t closed, but the
valve of the gas branch b in connection with the lower gas inlet b of the gas
chambers is open. By means of an exhauster working on c the gas produced in
the converter, and containing some seventy per cent. of nitrogen, is forced to pass
through b from below into and through one of the gas chambers H¹ for instance.
The reversing valves v¹, v², v³, being in proper position as shewn, air ascends
through the adjoining air chamber E and supplies the flame of the ignited gas.
The flame of this group of chambers passes through the zono or region of com-
bustion to the other set of three chambers H, L2, and W2, and descending heats
them, and the products of combustion may be led past dry steam generators before
escaping through the three reversing valves v1, 3, 23, into the smoke stack at R.
Part of the gases of combustion may pass through the upper steam outlet P into
the converter; but whilst there, steain and carbonic acid are reduced, their nitrogen
will scarcely diminsh the practical value of the produced gas.
So soon as the second group of three chambers H², L³, and We have become
heated, the valves v1, v2, v3, are reversed. Steam taken from a separate steam
generator is made to pass through d into the steam chamber W2 of this group, and
the quantity of air heretofore exclusively used in gasefying the crude material is
diminished correspondingly. Ascending through the steam chamber W this
mixture of air and steam becomes heated, passes the steam outlet p into the
converter, and produces with the incandescent coal a gas containing somewhat less
nitrogen than before. This gas and also the air for its combustion ascend through
their respective chambers H2 and L2 of this group, become heated, and give a flame
of greater intensity, heating the first group of three chambers L', H', and W₁ now
to a higher degree than the second group L³, H2, and W2 could attain with cold
gases; the valves v1, v2, v3, are then again reversed. More steam now from the
dry steam generators is mixed with a diminished quantity of air, and may be
heated to a higher degree within the steam chamber W₁ of the first group; the
result is a gas of greatly increased purity, giving a flame of increased intensity
which will therefore heat the second group of chambers L2, H2, and W* again to a
higher degree. The heating effect of the flame within each of the three chambers
of each set may be regulated at will by means of the slides or corresponding con-
trivances in the lower passages to the smoke stack until the gas furnace gives the
most favorable production of gas as to quality and quantity, thus with every
reversal of the valves v1, v2, v3, a gas of increased purity is produced until the
whole furnace is in its full and constant action, and may by the ash pit being
completely closed and with proper regulation of the internal pressures, at last
convert the crude material with pure steam, and produce the purest gas possible;
meanwhile the valve t of the gas main outlet of the converter is gradually opened
to allow the surplus of the produced gas to pass off for external use, or, for instance,
first into a gas holder for storage or purifying.
Crude material in powder or liquids may be treated in the following manner :-
The superheated steam is led not into the lower but into the upper part of the
converter, the lower part of which may be piled loosely with refractory material or
filled with lump coal, and the powder or liquid is constantly supplied from above
into the current of highly superheated steam. The gases and ashes are drawn off
at the lower part of the converter. When less steam is applied, lighting gas may
be produced, and the coke, if some be discharged, may be converted separately into
beating gas which will work the lighting gas generator. In the same furnaces
- pure hydrogen may be produced by charging the converter with scrap-iron in lieu
of carbonaceous material.
Converting or working chambers as above in conjunction with steam super-
heaters, but without the branch passage b, may also be used as lime kilns to produce
from the lime-stone by the application of superheated steain pure carbonic acid
for replacing some portion of the steam used as coal converting material, or for
other purposes.

page_text: Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in the
Method of Producing Heating Gases, and in the Construction and Arrangement of
Apparatus for this Purpose," and explained the manner of carrying the same into
effect, I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters
Patent I claim,―
First. The production of heating gases from crude carbonaceous material, as
herein described, the temperature necessary for the production of the said gases
being mainly derived from superheated steam or other converting agent, and under
such conditions that starting with the production of gas obtained from the partial
combustion of the crude material with cold air the said air is gradually replaced by
steam (or carbonic acid), or both, the said steam, carbonic acid, or a mixture thereof
being superheated, and the purity of the produced gas, the temperature of its flame
within the gas furnace, and the temperature of the converting agent (or at the
same time also the previous heating of one or both of the flame forming materials,
air and gas) being mutually increased by reaction the one on the other until the
maximum of effect is attained, and at last almost pure steam (or carbonic acid) of
highest temperature may serve to produce gas of the purest quality, a portion of
such gas being used within the furnace for carrying out the process either before
or after purifying and storing, the other portion being available for external use.
Secondly. The construction and arrangement of converting chambers (whether
or not the crude material at the seat of active generation within said chambers be
heated externally by special combustion chambers or flues) in combination with
separate steam superheaters (or with steam superheating and air and gas heating
chambers), the said superheaters by means of connecting passages supplying the
converter with the superheated agent, while they themselves are supplied with and
heated by a part of the gas produced in the converter, the whole apparatus being
used in combination with dry steam generators, as described.
Thirdly. A furnace constructed as above described in combination with a
converter or kiln for the production, by the application of superheated steam, of
pure carbonic acid for replacing some of the steam used for generating gas, or for
other purposes, the heating gases used in such furnace being derived from a
separate gas generator.
Fourthly. The hot air furnaces with chambers arranged to be worked diagonally,
and having a cross-shaped flue at the intersection of the division walls, as and for
the purpose described, with reference to Figures 19, 19, 19, and 19d, Sheet II. of
the Drawings.
Fifthly. The hot air furnaces constructed with parallel chambers, the division
walls of which are opened below the arched covers in those zones or regions where
the heating flames are formed, while in the zones or regions of outlet they are
prolonged as tongues extending into the outlet passages, as and for the purpose
described with reference to Figures-22,-22; 22°, and-244, 24, -249,- Sheets II..
and III. of the Drawings.
Sixthly. The superheaters for steam (or for gases and vapors not forming
heating flame) as described with reference to Figures 20°, 20°, 20°, 23ª, 23, 23°, 23,
and 25, 25, 25, Sheets II. and III. of the Drawings, such superheaters being
combined with the air and gas heating chambers working diagonally or parallel in
such manner that the steam chambers form the outlet zone or region, and the air
and gas chambers the combustion zone or region of the whole furnace.
Seventhly. The hot air furnace, such as that shewn in Figures 21", 21", 21°,
Sheet II. of the Drawings, with chambers working side by side, and with cross-
shaped flue at the intersection of the division walls, in combination with a pair of
chambers for gases or vapors, such as carbonic acid or steam not forming heating
flame.
Eighthly. As a modification of furnace for heating one only of the flame forming
materials, as described with reference to Figures 22ª, 22, 22, Sheet II., the
arrangement of the division wall, as far as the combustion zone or region extends,

page_text: as a double wall having the intervening space open at the top, and supplied from
below with one or the other of the flame forming inaterials.
Ninthly. The gas generator consisting of a converter, counter-current steam
superheater and dry steam generator, as shewn in Fig. 11 and 12ª, Sheet I. of the
Drawings.
Tenthly. The gas generator consisting of a converter, a pair of steam chambers
which are in proper connection with the converter, and are alternately heated by
a proper mixture of the produced gas and of air, and which alternately discharge
their superheated steam into the converter, in connection with dry steam generators,
substantially as described with reference to Figures 27", 27, 27°, and 27ª, Sheet IV.
of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hermann Haug, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Witnesses,
J. MASSENEZ.
L. H. W. JUNIUS.
HERMANN HAUG. (L.S.)