IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFacture and PURIFICATION OF ILLUMINATING AND OTHER GASES AND IN APPARATUS USED PRO
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Gibb Henderson of Wood Green in tho
County of Middlesex and James Anderson Kelman of High Holborn in tho
same County for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFacture and
PURIFICATION OF ILLUMINATING AND OTHER GASES AND IN APPARATUS USED
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Gibb Henderson
and James Anderson Kelman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 30th July 1883.
ALEXANDER GIDD HENDERSON of Wood Green in the County of Middlesex.
and JAMES ANDERSON KELMAN of High Holborn of the same County. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND PURIFICATION OF ILLUMINATING AND OTHER
GASSES, AND IN APPARATUS USED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE AND PURIFICATION
This invention relates firstly to a novel construction of Washer Scrubber for
the purification of gas from ammonia, tarry matters, and other well known
impurities
This invention relates secondly to the condensation, and partial purification of the
Gas, preparatory to its passage to the Scrubber.
This invention relates thirdly to the recovery from the liquid deposited in the
hydraulic main of certain illuminating properties of which the Gas has been
deprived while passing through the main, and of restoring the same to the gas
before passing to the Condensers: and also to the partial purification of the Gas so
treated.
And in order that this our invention may be properly understood we now
procoed to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is
or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to the
annexed sheets of drawings, and to letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
sayFig I represents a vertical section of our novel construction of washer
Scrubber. Figs II and III illustrate the details of the gasways through the
apparatus.

page_text: This apparatus as shown in Fig I consists of an upright case x in any convenient
form, divided horizontally into eight chambers A' to A³.
Each chamber has its floor pierced with numerous holes and each hole is fitted
with a Gas Distributor D (illustrated in its details Figs II and III) which consists
of a vertical bellmouth tube surmounted by a fixed cap.
Each of these caps are furnished with numerous vertical divisions (curved)
forming gas ways Fig III.
By means of these Distributors, the Gas admitted by the inlet E into the lower
chamber A³ passes from chamber to chamber in succession until discharged from the
top chamber A' by the outlet F.
The chambers are furnished with overflow tubes B, terminating and sealed in the
liquid below, as used in Coffey's still
Each chamber has also fitted to its roof a valve C the spindle of which penetrates
the case through a stuffying-box
The apparatus is fitted with a Gas inlet E at the bottom chamber, and a Gas
outlet at the top Chamber F: also a liquid supply pipe G on the top chamber: and
a liquid discharge pipe H on the bottom chamber.
By means of the connection G each chamber is charged with wator up to the
level of the overflow tubes B.
The inverted caps of the distributors are slightly sealed in the liquid as shewn in
Fig II. The apparatus thus charged, the gas is admitted and in a divided state
ascends the Distributors D. Under the inverted Caps the Gas is further divided
into smaller streams, the caps being fitted with curved vertical partitions, which
while dividing into streams, cause it to travel in a Circular direction through the
water, and further cause the water to take a whirlpool motion.
By this means all inequalities of seal is overcome, and the gas-flow in the water
is broken_up_and_at a minimum_loss of pressure, besides which the Gas before
issuing from the water is brought into intimate contact therewith, and thoroughly
washed, it being denuded of all ammonia, and of a large modicum of other impurities
before the Gas leaves the apparatus.
In Fig II the arrows shew the Gas-ways between chambers and also the amount
of seal of the inverted caps in the liquid.
Fig III shews the curved partitions forming gas-ways and producing the
circulation of the liquid.
For the condensation and partial purification of the Gas we employ vertical
multitubular, vessels A Fig IV, with closed water chambers at bottom B and open
water chambers at top C. These Cylindrical vessels A are each divided up
horizontally by one or more perforated discs I Figs. IV and V, the perforations
being sufficiently large to form annular passages around the cooling tubes x.
The area of those passages for the gas should equal the area of the adinission
pipe to allow of the Gas passing freely and without pressure through the
apparatus.
The vertical tubes are open to both water chambers.
The cooling water being supplied by gravatation the quantity is controlled at
will by a valve, and entering chamber B the water risos up the cooling tubes into
Chamber C and flowing through the apparatus is finally discharged at the
outlet G.
The cylindrical chambers enclosing the tubes have inlet connections at D and
outlet connections at E by means of which the onflow of Gas is carried through the
Cylindrical vessels A¹ A3 and A³ in succession
These cylindrical chambers afford to the Gas a large open space; allowing it to
flow through at a slow speed whereby condensation is effected by gravity.
The numerous water tubes x and discs I offer surfaces to the inflowing gas
whereby condensation is effected by friction; while the surface of the cylindrical
vessel itself allows of the radiation of heat, and the cooling effected by the
continuously flowing water through the tubes completes the operation required for

page_text: the condensation and partial purification of the Gas from tarry matters, aqueous
vapours, and other impurities.
The cooling water being thus progressively raised in temperature, the
condensation will be progressive, the hottest gas meeting the hottest water.
The discharges for the condensed matters are at.F¹ F and F³.
For the recovery of the valuable illuminants lost to the gas while passing
through the hydraulic main, and for the partial purification of the Gas so troated,
we provide an apparatus A Fig VI consisting of several chambers B¹ to B° set one
above the other between which a communication is maintained.
The lowest chamber B¹ is fitted with a steam heater C, and the chambers above
it with serpentine plates D2 to D' which extend from floor to roof and divide the
chamber vertically in two.
Numerous small openings are made through the serpentine partitions for the
passage upwards of the gas which is led into the lowest chamber B and passes out
at the topmost chamber Bº.
The floor of the lowermost chamber Bª is pierced with openings for the purpose
presently to be explained, and it is fitted midway with a gutter which is slit at
bottom to ensure the flow of its contents evenly and in continuous stream upon
each of the steam pipes (composing the heater) in succession.
These serpentine partitions are pondent from gutters E to E' cach of which forms
the termination of the floor above: and cach of these partitions dips into a gutter
that forms the termination of the floor below.
The openings in these floors are alternately on the right hand and on the left
hand of the serpentine partitions, and the apparatus is closed in at the top by a
gastight cover.
The liquid deposited in the hydraulic main is run into the top of this apparatus
through a trapped pipo E, and in overflowing the top gutter it spreads evenly over
the first serpentine partitions D³.
After traversing this metal surface into the gutter E and overflowing which it
spreads evenly over the second partition and finds its way into tho gutter E³.
In this manner it is eventually discharged, as already explained, into
chamber B¹
The liquid in flowing over the steam pipes is caused to give up the more valuable
illuminating gasses occulded in it and these rising in the openings in the floor of
the chamber above will flow into that chamber, and mingle with and enrich the
crudo gasses admitted thereto at H from the hydraulic main.
The admitted gas enriched with the volatile hydrocarbon Vapours, and raised in
temperature, will then find its way through the serpentine partitions and passing
through the descending stream becomes partially condensed and purified to a
certain degree until it arrives at the top chamber whero an exit pipe I is provided.
A trapped pipe G is provided for the continuous exit of the denuded liquid to
the tar well from Chamber B¹.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Gibb Henderson and James Anderson Kelman in the
Patent Office on the 30th January 1884.
ALEXANDER GIBB HENDERSON of Wood-Green, in the County of Middlesex, and
JAMES ANDERSON KELMAN of High Holborn, in the same County IMPROVE
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND PURIFICATION OF ILLUMINATING AND OTHER
-GASSES AND IN APPARATUS. USED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE AND PURIFICATION "
Our Invention of "Improvements in the Manufacture and Purification of
Illuminating and other Gasses and in Apparatus used in such Manufacture and
Purification has referenco firstly to a novel construction of Washer-Scrubber for 1
the purification of Gas from ammonia, tarry matters and other well known
impurities. This Invention relates secondly to the Condensation and partial
purification of the Gas preparatory to its passage to the Scrubber-Washer. This
invention relates thirdly to the recovery from the liquid deposited in the hydraulic-
main of certain illuminating properties of which the Gas has been deprived 1
while passing through the main, and of restoring the same to the Gas before
passing to the Condensers; and also to the partial purification of the Gas so
treated.
3
And in order that this our Invention may be properly understood we now proceed
to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may be
used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to the annexed sheets of
drawings, and to letters and figures marked theron, that is to say: Fig I of the
accompanying sheets of Drawings represents a vertical section of our novel
construction of Washer Scrubber, Figs II, and III illustrates the details of the
Gas-ways through the apparatus. This apparatus as shown in Fig I consists of an
upright Case in any convenient form, divided horizontally into eight chambers
A to A. Each chamber has its floor pierced with numerous holes, and each hole
is fitted with a Cas-distributor D, (illustrated in its details Figs II and III) which
consists of a vertical bell mouth tube sur-mounted by a fixed cap. Each of these
Caps are furnished with numerous vertical divisions (curved) forming gas-ways
Fig III By means of these divisions, tho gas admitted by the inlet E into the
lower chamber A³ passes from Chamber to Chamber in succession until discharged
from the top Chamber A¹ by the outlet F. The Chambers are each furnished with
overflow tubes B, terminating and sealed in the liquid below, as used in Coffey's
Still. Each Chamber has also fitted to its roof a valve C to C7 the spindles of
which penetrate the case through a stuffying box. The apparatus is fitted with a
Gas-inlet E at the bottom Chamber, and a Gas outlet at the top Chamber F; also a
liquid supply pipe G on the top chamber: and a liquid discharge pipe Hf on the
bottom Chamber. By means of the connection G each Chamber is charged with
water up to the level of the Overflow tubes B. The inverted caps of the 4
distributors are slightly sealed in the liquid as shewn in Fig II. The apparatus
thus charged, the Gas is admitted, and in a divided state ascends the distributors D.
Under the inverted caps the Gas is furthur divided into smaller streams, the Caps
being fitted with curved vertical partitions which while dividing the Gas into
streams, cause it to travel in a circular direction through the water, and furthur 4
cause the water to take a whirl pool motion. By this means all inequalities of seal
is overcome, and the Gasflow through the water is broken up and at a minimum
loss of pressure, besides which the Gas issuing from the water is brought into
intimate contact therewith, and thoroughly washed, it being denuded of all
ammonia, and a large modicum of other impurities before the Gas leaves the i

page_text: apparatus. In Fig II the arrows show the Gas ways between chambers and also
the amount of seal of the inverted caps in the liquid. Fig III shews the curved
partitions forming Gas-ways and producing the circulation of the liquid.
For the Condensation and partial purification of the Gas we employ vertical multi-
tubular vessels A Fig IV with closed water chambers at bottom B, and open Water
chambers at top C. These cylindrical vessels A are each divided up horizontally by
one or more perforated discs I Figs IV and V the perforations being sufficiently
largo to form annular passages around the cooling tubes x. The area of those
passages for the Gas should equal the area of the admission pipe to allow of the
Gas passing freely and without pressure through the apparatus. The vertical
tubes are open to both water chambers. The cooling water being supplied by
gravatation, the quantity is controlled at will by a valve, and entering Chamber B³
the water rises up the cooling tubes into Chamber C³ and flowing through tho
apparatus is finally discharged at the outlet G. The cylindrical chambers enclosing
the tubes have inlet connections at D and outlet connections at E by means of
which of which the onflow of Gas is carried through the Cylindrical vessels A¹, A³, A³,
in succession
These Cylindrical Chambers afford to the Gas a large open space, allowing it to
flow through at a slow speed whereby Condensation is effected by gravity. The
numerous water tubes and discs I offer surfaces to the inflowing gas whereby
condensation is effected by friction, while the surface of the cylindrical vessel
itself allows of the radiation of heat: and the cooling effected by the continuously
flowing water through the tubes, completes the operation required for the con-
densation and partial purification of the Gas from tarry matters aqueous vapours
and other impurities.
The cooling water being thus progressively raised in temperature the condensation
will be progressive, the hottest gas meeting the hottest water. The discharges for
the condensed matters are at F1 F2 and Fa
For the recovery of the valuable illuminants lost to the Gas while passing
through the hydraulic main, and for the partial purification of the Gas so treated
we provide an apparatus Fig VI letter A consisting of several chambers B' to Bo
set one above the other between which a communication is maintained.
The lowest chamber B' is fitted with a steam heater C, and the Chambers
abovo it are fitted with serpentine plates D¹ to Dª which extend from floor to
roof and divides the chambers vertically in two. Numerous small openings aro
made through the serpentine partitions for the passage upwards of the Gas which
is let into Chamber 13 and passes out at the topmost Chamber B. The floor of
Chamber B is pierced with openings for the purpose presently to be explained,
and it is fitted mid-way with a gutter which is slit at bottom to insure the flow
of its contents evenly and in a continuous stream upon each of the steam pipes
(composing the heater) in succession. Those serpentine partitions are pendent
from Gutters E² to Eª each of which forms the termination of the floor below.
The openings in these floors are alternately on the right hand and on the left hand
of the serpentine partitions and the apparatus is closed in at the top by a Gas tight
cover. The liquid deposited in the hydraulic-main is run into the top of this
apparatus through a trapped pipe E, and in overflowing the top gutter it spreads
evenly over the first serpentine partition D: after traversing this metal surface
into the gutter E and overflowing which it spreads evenly over the second partition
and finds its way into gutter E³.
In this manner it is eventually discharged, as already explained into Chamber B¹.
The liquid in flowing over the steam pipes is caused to give up the more valuable
illuminating gasses occulded in it and these rising in the openings in the floor of the
chamber above will flow into that chamber, and mingle with and enrich the crude
gasses admitted thereto at H from the hydraulic-main. The admitted gas enriched
with the volatile hydrocarbon vapours, and raised in temperature will then find
its way through the serpentine partitions; and, passing through the desconding

page_text: becomes partially condensed and purified to a certain degree until it arrives at the
top chamber where an exit pipe is provided I
A trapped pipe G is provided for the continuous exit of the denuded liquid to
the Tar-well from Chamber B¹. Having thus described the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which the same may be used or carried into effect,
we have to state that we do not restrict ourselves to the precise details herein
described or delineated: but that what we claim to be novel and original, and
claim as the Invention secured to us by the herinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is:-
First The construction of Washer-Scrubbers with Gas-distributors, or Gas-ways 1
marked D as herin described or delineated on Drawings. Sheet I Figs
1. 2. and 3.
Secondly The construction of Washer-Scrubbers with liquid taps or valves marked
Cas herein described or delineated on Drawing. Sheet I Fig 1.
Thirdly The general arrangement and construction of apparatus for slow-speed 1
condensation and cooling Crude Gas as herein described or delineated on
Drawings Sheet II Figs 4 and 5.
Fourthly Providing perforated discs marked I, Sheet II Figs 4 and 5.
Fifthly. The general arrangement and construction of the apparatus herein
described or delineated on Drawing Sheet III Fig 6.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Gibb Henderson, for. and on
behalf of myself and the said James Anderson Kelman, have hereto set
my hand and seal, this twenty ninth day of January in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty four.
2
HENDERSON
2
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