Improvements in and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Gas, and the Obtainment of Bye-products therefrom.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 31st July, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 28th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 9th July, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Gas, and the
Obtainment of Bye-products therefrom.
I, EMILE GOBBE, of Jumet, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Glass-works Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows;
-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the manufacture of
gas whereby the bye-products contained in the coal or fuel gases can be collected
by separating the rich gas, which contains these bye-products, from the poor gas
which passes to place of storage, or utilization.
Gas generators as heretofore constructed necessitate the washing of the whole
volume of the gases generated and as these gases leave the furnace at a very high
temperature, therefore there is a very considerable loss of heat and very extensive
washing apparatus is needed.
Generators of this kind yield little sulphate of ammonia per ton of coal, and
are not economical because a great quantity of heat is wasted.
According to my invention the gas generator is designed to obviate these incon-
veniences, by permitting of the separation of the rich gas from the poor gas, so
that only the former is subjected to the washing process.
The volume of the rich gas is usually not more than from 5 to 10 per cent. of
the total volume of the gas produced, and this rich gas contains the tar and the
ammonia desired to be collected. It is evident that by this separation of the
gases the size of the washing apparatus will be greatly reduced, as it is only
required to wash the rich gas. Moreover, as the rich gas is comparatively cool,
it does not contain such an amount of active heat as calls for its recovery. Finally,
as experience has shewn that the yield of ammonia is increased by injecting as
much wet steam as possible into the gas-generator, I have constructed the generator
in such a manner as will enable me to supply such steam at the place where its
presence is necessary, in order to increase the yield of ammonia or sulphate of
ammonia without interfering with the proper working of the gas-generator.
The gas generator may be arranged as follows to attain the objects of my
invention.
The fuel, instead of being directly introduced into the furnace, is first passed
into a feed-box and thence into a hopper in which it is converted into coke, before
it passes into the gas generator proper.
The carbonic oxide, poor in quality, and comparatively hot, which is produced
in the gas generator proper passes through a channel and collector leading there-
from to any place of storage or utilization, without undergoing any washing or
cooling operation, whereas the rich and comparatively cold gas, containing all
the hydrocarburet, all the ammonia, and little carbonic oxide is sucked up by
an extractor and passes through a special conduit leading from the aforesaid
hopper to the washing apparatus in which the gas is deprived of its tar and its
ammonia, and subsequently returns to the collector, where it is mixed with the
poor gas and then passes with the latter to the place of storage or utilization.
A steam conduit permits of wet steam being passed to the bottom of the hopper.
This steam is sucked or drawn in by the extractor which draws the rich gas through

page_text: the aforesaid conduit, so that the said steam passes through the fuel, contained
in the hopper where it is decomposed by contact with the hot fuel at the lower
part of the hopper and the yield of ammonia is considerably increased without
the proper function of the gas generator being interfered with the grate of the
said generator remaining open to the passage of air and free for removing the
refuse.
The hopper may be made in the form of a vertical rectangular chimney or com-
partment slightly wider toward the base than at the top; so that it is practically
a vertical coke-furnace, in which the distillation of the fuel and its transformation
into coke takes place, before it passes into the gas generator proper.
This coke-furnace can be heated by the poor and very hot gas, which leaves the
gas generator through suitable openings and passes successively through conduits
so as to come into contact with the whole exterior surface of the coke-furnace
part before it reaches the conduit which conveys it to the collector and thence to
the place of storage or utilization, without undergoing a washing operation.
The rich gas which is produced in the coke-furnace part is sucked up by the
extractor which communicates with the conduit therefrom and compels it to first
pass into a cooling-apparatus and then into a washing apparatus (by which the
tar and the ammonia are retained) before allowing it to mix with the poor gas
in the main collector.
A steam conduit likewise permits of the injection of wet steam into the fuel
at the bottom of the coke-furnace part; this injection has for its object as in the
preceding arrangement to increase the yield of ammonia through the action of
the nascent hydrogen upon the nitrogen combined or not with the carbon which
is then set free from the coal. Or I may simply add to an ordinary generator a
metal bell-shaped piece arranged immediately below the fuel-feed box and descend-
ing sufficiently low down into the gas generator proper to allow the reserve-
quantity of fuel introduced into this bell-shaped part to be distilled and converted
into coke before its passing into the gas generator proper. A steam conduit per-
mits of wet steam being conveyed to the base of the column of fuel in the said
bell-shaped piece so as to cause as before the combination of the nitrogen of the
carbon with the hydrogen of the water, in order to increase the yield of ammonia.
The gas, rich in hydrocarburet and ammonia, which is produced in the interior
of the bell-shaped piece is drawn or sucked up by the extractor through the con-
duit therefore in order to be washed so as to retain the condensable parts thereof,
before it unites with the poor gas, which latter as before leaves the generator
proper by the conduit leading therefrom and passes to the place of storage or
utilization.
The bell-shaped piece may be provided with a jacket to allow of water circulating
between the outer and inner walls thus formed if there should be reason to appre-
hend any deterioration through the action of the fire.
The grate of the generator may be supplied with air through a jacket in which
small holes are arranged to allow of the passage of tools to stir the fuel and clear
the grate.
All cinders and ashes may fall into water contained in a reservoir which is
arranged underneath the gas generator and forms a hydraulic joint to close the
lower part of the metal jacket which does not reach down to the bottom of the
reservoir, so that the cinders and ashes can be easily removed without the ash-
pit being opened or the working of the generator interfered with.
A conduit may be provided for the return to the gas generator of the condensed
tar if it be of a quality too inferior to be distilled, so that the said tar is formed
into a non-condensable gas by coming into contact with the ignited coke through
numerous openings thus enriching the produced gas.
1
T... 1807
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.

page_text: Improvements in and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Gas, and the
Obtainment of Bye-products therefrom.
I, EMILE GOBBE, of Jumet, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Glass-works Engineer,
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 improvements in apparatus for the manufacture of
gas whereby the bye-products contained in the coal or fuel gases can be collected
by separating the rich gas which contains these bye-products, from the poor gas
which passes to place of storage or utilization.
Gas generators as heretofore constructed necessitate the washing of the whole
volume of the gases generated and as these gases leave the furnace at a very high
temperature there is a very considerable loss of heat and very extensive washing
apparatus is needed.
Generators of this kind yield little sulphate of ammonia per ton of coal and
are not economical because a great quantity of heat is wasted.
According to my invention the gas generator is designed to obviate these incon-
veniences by permitting the separation of the rich gas from the poor gas so
that only the former is subjected to the washing process.
The volume of the rich gas is usually not more than from 5 to 10 per cent. of
the total volume of the gas produced and this rich gas contains the tar and the
ammonia desired to be collected. It is evident that by this separation of the
gases the size of the washing apparatus will be greatly reduced as it is only
required to wash the rich gas. Moreover, as the rich gas is comparatively cool
it does not contain such an amount of active heat as calls for its recovery. Finally
as experience has shewn that the yield of ammonia is increased by injecting as
much wet steam as possible into the gas-generator, I have constructed the generator
in such a manner as will enable me to supply such steam at the place where its
presence is necessary in order to increase the yield of ammonia or sulphate of
ammonia without interfering with the proper working of the gas generator.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will describe the same
with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent gas generators
constructed in accordance with my invention.
Figure 1 is a vertical section and Figure 2 is a partial plan and partial section
on the line CD of Figure 1 of an ordinary gas generator modified according to
my invention for causing the separation of the rich gas from the poor gas.
Figures 3 and 4 represent in sections at right angles to each other a modification
of the gas-generator furnace.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section through the feed hopper or funnel of the
furnace represented in Figures 3 and 4 shewing the arrangement of the flues, in
which the poor gas circulates.
Figures 6 and 7 are a vertical section and plan respectively of another form or
arrangement of gas generator according to my invention.
Figures 8, 9 and 10 shew in vertical section and horizontal sections on the
lines CD and A B respectively another form of the generator according to this
invention.
In the gas generator represented in Figures 1 and 2, according to my invention
the fuel instead of being directly introduced into the furnace is first passed into
a feed box 1 and thence into a hopper 2 in which it is converted into coke, before
it passes into the gas generator proper 3.
The carbonic oxide poor in quality and comparatively hot which is produced

page_text: in the gas generator proper 3 passes through a channel 4 and collector 5 leading
to any place of storage or utilization without undergoing any washing or cooling
operation, whereas the rich and comparatively cold gas containing all the hydro-
carburet, all the ammonia, and little carbonic oxide is sucked up by an extractor
and passes through a special conduit 6 leading from the aforesaid hopper to the
washing apparatus in which the gas is deprived of its tar and its ammonia and
subsequently returns to the collector 5, where it is mixed with the poor gas and
then passes with the latter, to the place of storage or utilization.
A steam conduit 7 permits of wet steam being passed to the bottom of the
hopper 2 this steam is sucked or drawn in by the extractor which draws the
rich gas through the aforesaid conduit 6 so that the said steam passes through
the fuel contained in the hopper 2 where it is decomposed by contact with the
hot fuel at the lower part of the hopper, and the yield of ammonia is considerably
increased without the proper function of the gas generator being interfered with
the grate of the said generator remaining open to the passage of air and free for
removing the refuse.
In the gas generator represented in Figures 3, 4 and 5 the compartment 2 in
which the rich gas is produced is above the body 3 of the gas generator which only
contains ignited coke and consequently only produces carbonic oxide, poor in
quality.
The hopper may be made in the form of a vertical rectangular chimney or com-
partment 2 slightly wider toward the base than at the top, as shewn in the draw-
ings. It is filled with fuel through the feed box 1 as in the preceding
arrangement. This compartment 2 is therefore a vertical coke-furnace in which
the distillation of the fuel and its transformation into coke takes place, before it
passes into the gas generator proper 3.
This coke furnace 2 can be heated by the poor and very hot gas which leaves the
gas generator 3 through suitable openings 8 Figure 4 and passes successively
through conduits 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 so as to come into contact with the whole
exterior surface of the coke furnace part 2 before it reaches the conduit 4 which
conveys it to the collector 5 and thence to the place of storage or utilization with-
out undergoing a washing operation.
The rich gas which is produced in the coke furnace part 2 is sucked up by the
extractor which communicates with the conduit 6 therefor and compels it to
first pass into a cooling apparatus and then into a washing apparatus (by which
the tar and the ammonia are retained before allowing it to mix with the poor gas
in the main collector.
A steam conduit 7 likewise permits of the injection of wet steam into the fuel
at the bottom of the coke furnace part 2, this injection has for its object as in the
preceding arrangement to increase the yield of ammonia through the action of the
nascent hydrogen upon the nitrogen combined or not with the carbon which is then
set free from the coal.
In the gas generator shewn in Figures 6 and 7, I simply add to an ordinary
generator a metal bell-shaped piece 2 arranged immediately below the fuel feed
box 1 and descending sufficiently low down into the gas generator proper 3 to
allow the reserve quantity of fuel introduced into this bell-shaped part,
to be distilled and converted into coke before its passing into the gas
generator proper 3. A steam conduit 7 permits of wet steam being
conveyed to the base of the column of fuel in the part 2 so as to cause as
before the combination of the nitrogen of the carbon with the hydrogen of the
water, in order to increase the yield of ammonia.
The gas rich in hydrocarburet and ammonia, which is produced in the interior
of the bell shaped piece 2 is drawn or sucked up by the extractor through the
conduit 6 therefor in order to be washed so as to retain the condensable parts
thereof before it unites with the poor gas, which latter as before leaves the part 3
by the conduit 4 to pass to the place of storage or utilization.
The bell shaped piece 2 may be provided with a jacket to allow of water circu-

page_text: lating between the outer and inner walls thus formed if there should be reason to
apprehend any deterioration through the action of the fire.
In the gas generator represented in Figures S, 9, and 10, the coal is first intro-
duced into the heater 2, made in the form of a chimney, wherein it is converted
into coke before it enters the gas generator proper 3.
The heater 2 receives its active heat externally from the carbonic-oxide which
is produced in the gas generator 3 worked at intense heat. The said carbonic
oxide ascends the small flues 8 which surround the heater 2 and subsequently
passes directly by the conduit 4 and thence to the place of storage or utilization
without travelling through the washing apparatus.
The rich gas which is disengaged from the fuel contained in the heater 2, is
sucked up, as in the preceding arrangements by an extractor through the conduit 6,
in order to be deprived of its tar and of its ammonia before being mixed with the
poor gas as herein before described.
The grate of this gas generator may be supplied with air through a conduit 15,
the said grate being enclosed in a jacket 16, in which small holes 17 are arranged
to allow of the passage of tools to stir the fuel and clear the grate.
All cinders and ashes may fall into water contained in a reservoir 18 which is
arranged underneath the gas generator and forms an hydraulic joint, to close the
lower part of the metal jacket 16, which does not reach down to the bottom of the
reservoir, so that the cinders and ashes can be easily removed without the ash-
pit being opened or the working of the generator interfered with. A conduit 19
may be provided for the return to the gas generator of the condensed tar if it be
of a quality too inferior to be distilled, so that the said tar is formed into a non-
condensable gas by coming into contact with the ignited coke through numerous
openings 20 thus enriching the produced gas.
Steam admitted by the conduit 7, placed in the direction of the axis of the gas
generator, likewise permits of increasing the yield of ammonia as hereinbefore
stated.
I do not limit myself to the precise details hereinbefore described and shewn in
the drawings.
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 manufacture of gas and the production of bye-products therefrom the
separation of the rich gas and of the poor gas, in order to eliminate the bye-pro-
ducts produced in such apparatus without the necessity for washing the whole
volume of generated gas, substantially as herein explained.
2. In the manufacture of gas and the production of bye-products as hereinbefore
described and claimed the injection of steam into the zone, where the nitrogen of
the carbon is disengaged from its combinations and can readily enter into chemical
union with the nascent hydrogen of the steam in order to form ammonia substan-
tially as herein explained.
3. The several constructions of apparatus herein before described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings for manufacturing gas and obtaining bye-products
therefrom.
out
די
1000
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.