Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Gąs.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 5th Feb., 1889
TROYIDIONAL STEIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Gąs.
I, WILLIAM TEMBEY BATE, of Fourth Avenue, in the Borough of Conshohocken,
in the County of Montgomery, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Boiler Maker and Gas Works Constructor, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to that class of gas apparatus in which the gas is produced by
decomposing steam, mixing hydrocarbon vapor therewith, and fixing the gas by
effecting the intimate commingling of the decomposed steam and oil vapour, under
intense heat, my invention comprising certain improvements in the details of
construction of gas apparatus of this character.
One of the objects of my invention is to prevent excessive heating of the casings
of the fire place and superheater in apparatus of this class. Another object is to so
construct the top of the metal casing of the fire place or superheater, that the
application of the brick lining thereto can be readily effected and the joints in the
inetal casing protected.
Another object is to provide means for readily effecting the vaporization of the oil
and superheating of the steam, before they are commingled in the flues of the
apparatus. Another object is to effect the intimate commingling of the steam and
vapor in said flues.
Another object is to prevent injury to the caps or covers of the passages in the
superheater.
Another object is to economically construct the lining of the superheater.
Another object is to provide effective means for operating the valves which control
the supply of air to the fireplaces of the apparatus.
Another object is to provide for the ready removal of tar from the wash box, and
another object is to prevent the unsealing of the gas pipes which terminate in said
box.
The fire box or furnace, and the superheater or fixing chamber of gas apparatus
such as that to which my invention relates, are usually placed end to end, the
superheater having a dome which is provided with a valved elbow pipe communicating
with a hydraulic main or wash-box, the discharge end or mouth of said elbow pipe
being submerged in the water in said box.
Usually, two sets of such apparatus are placed side by side, the elbow pipes of both

page_text: sets communicating with the wash box, and the sets being worked alternately, that is
to say, gas being made in one set while the products of combustion are being allowed
to pass through the superheater of the other set, and to escape from the dome of the
same into the smoke stack, the valve in the elbow pipe of the latter set being closed,
and the valve on the top of the dome being open, while in the set in which gas is
being made the valve in the elbow pipe is opon and the valve at the top of the dome
is closed.
The fire place and superheater in such apparatus usually consist of an outer
rectangular casing of wrought iron plates with a suitable fire-brick lining.
In order to relieve the wrought iron casings of cach chamber from the strain due
to the expansion of the fire brick lining, I interpose between said casing and the
lining a filling preferably of loam, asbestos, or some other material which, while
possessing a considerable degree of elasticity, will not be injuriously affected by the
heat, this filling being compressed as the fire brick lining expands, so that the outer
metal casing of the chamber is not unduly strained by such expansion.
The internal T-iron braces for the iron casing are placed vertically, so as to permit
the close packing of the filling between the fire brick lining and the casing, and
around said braces, the inwardly projecting vertical ribs formed by the T-irons
offering no obstacle to such packing, and being, therefore, preferable to horizontal or
transverse braces.
The casing of the superheater is at some distance from that of the fire, place, the
two casings being connected by a neck so that while there is free communication
from one chamber to the other, an air space intervenes between the casings of the
two chambers, and a similar air space is formed between the chambers of one set of
apparatus and those forming the adjoining set, whereby a free circulation of air on all
four sides of each chamber is provided, the heat transmitted to the metal casings of
the chambers being rapidly faliated therefrom, and the said casings prevented from
becoming so highly heated as to cause the plates of which they are composed to warp
or buckle and thus strain or disrupt the joints between the plates.
It is usual to complete the wrought iron casing of each chamber before the
application of the firo brick lining thereto, the top plate of each chamber having
therein a central opening of a size sufficient to permit the introduction of the fuel, or
to permit the escape of the products of combustion.
With an opening of such contracted area in the top plate, however, much difficulty
is experienced in laying the bricks to form the lining of the chamber, owing to the
fact that when the lining approaches the top of the chamber the bricks must be pushed
into place laterally instead of being built up directly from above, as in laying the
lower courses.
•
This results in defective lining of the chamber, and causes the rapid burning out of
said lining and of the wrought iron casing.
I, therefore, discard the usual plan of rivetting the top plates directly to the angle
iron which extends around the sides of the casing at the top, and secure thereto,.
instead, a flanged collar, the area of the opening of which is almost as great as that of
the casing of the chamber. This collar, therefore, does not materially interfere with
the proper laying of the upper courses of fire bricks of which the lining of the
chamber is composed, and after these courses have been laid up to the level of the top
of the collar, the top plate is applied thereto and secured in position by means of bolts
passing through the external flange at the top of the collar, through openings around
the edges of the plate and through openings in a reinforcing ring on the top of the
plate.
These fastening devices are, therefore, on the outside of the casing, where they are
not subjected to heat, and are readily accessible whenever it becomes necessary to
remove the top plate of the casing for any purpose.
The top plate has a central dome which, in the case of the fire box, is provided with
a detachable cover, and in the case of the super heater, is extended vertically so as to
receive the gas discharge elbow pipe, and so as to provide at its upper end a seat for
the valve

page_text: A novel feature about this part of the apparatus is the expansion of the base of the
dome of the fire-pot and the projection of an unbroken continuation of the fire brick
lining of the casing up into the dome, thereby protecting from the destructive
influence of the heat the joint between said dome and the top plate of the casing.
The smoke stack is hung to the roof of the structure, or in any other convenient
manner, the lower end or mouth of the stack being of considerably greater area than
the upper end or mouth of the dome, and being, preferably, some distance above the
same, so that air circulates freely around the dome valve at all times and thus prevents
such an excessive heating of said valve as would have an injurious effect upon the
same, the valve, moreover, being at all times readily accessible for inspection or
repairs. The structure in which the apparatus is located is preferably provided with
transverse beams which serve as trucks for wheeled hangers, the latter providing
supports for tackle when it is desired to lift the dome or top plate from any of the
chainbers.
The outer casing of the dome of each fire place is of cast metal, and has cast in it
two sets of pipes, one of which receives the oil and the other the steam. The pipes,.
being subjected to the heat of the fire brick lining of the dome, of course become
very highly beated so that the steam in its passage is superheated or partially
decomposed, and the oil is vaporized, and excessive heating of the dome casing is
prevented.
The superheated steam and vaporized oil are discharged into the first chamber of
the superheater, or into the flue which affords communication between the fire place
and superheater the oil vapor preferably descending from the roof of the chamber or
flue and the steam entering at one side.
The mixed oil and steam, are here subjected to the direct action of the heated
products of combustion as soon as; or before the latter reach the superheater and are
carrried along by said products of combustion, through the superheater. A deflector
is placed in the passage or flue to break up the steam jet and insure intimate mixing
of the same and the oil.
The superheater passages are lined with sections of tile piping, placed inside the
brick lining of the superheater, these sections being flanged, and the flanges connected
by suitable bolts and keys, and fire proof packing being interposed between the
flanges, to prevent the escape of any vapors or gases from the chambers or
passages.
The passages are arranged in a spiral or descending course around a central
ascending or discharge flue of the superheater, the last passage of the set communi-
cating through suitable small flues with the base of said discharge flue which may be
packed with brick if desired.
The side and end passages are continued to the outer casing of the superheater, to
permit the cleaning of said passages, each passage being closed, by a suitable cover
when the apparatus is at work.
To prevent the undue heating of these covers, each passage has in it, some distance
from the end, a stop tile or plug, which almost fills the passage and prevents the gas
from gaining access to the cover.
The valves which control the flow of air to the fire places of the apparatus have
stems with racks which engage with pinions, one on a tubular shaft mounted in
bearings on the casing of the apparatus, and the other on a shaft passing through
said tubular shaft, each shaft having a hand wheel by which it is operated and each
hand wheel having a ratchet with which engages a weighted pawl to hold it in
position.
The hydraulic main or wash box is mounted upon suitable columns at the end of
the apparatus, and from the bottom of the box extends a straight discharge pipe, for
the escape of the tar which accumulates in the wash box, this pipe communicating at
the bottom with a receiving tank or box which can be cleaned at intervals, thus very
materially reducing the risk of clogging as compared with a wash box having a
discharge pipe curved or bent, as it must be when the wash box is located on top of
the gas generating structure.

page_text: In order to clean the tar from the bottom of the wash box and direct it to the discharge'
pipe when the valve closing the mouth of the latter has been raised, I provide each,
end of the wasli box with a blast pipe, that portion which is within the box being
spread and flattened, these blast pipes being in connection with any available source
of steam supply, so that the steam issues therefrom in a broad flat sheet close to the
bottom of the box, the tar which may have accumulated in the box being softened
under the influence of the heat, and carried forward by the action of the jet until it
escapes through the discharge pipe.
..In the operation of duplex gas apparatus of the character which I have described,
and in which both gas pipes communicate with the wash box, one near, each end, a
violent surging of the water from end to end of the wash box frequently takes place
when the flow of gas through one pipe is cut off simultaneously with the inflow of
gas through the opposite pipe, this movement of the water being frequently such as
to unseal the mouth of the gas inlet pipe and permit the hot gas therefrom to enter
the wash box without passing through the water and explosions sometimes occur from
this cause.
In order to overcome this difficulty, I provide the wash box, at or about the centre,
with a transverse partition, which terminates some distance from the bottom of the
box, so that while it does not,cut off communication between the opposite ends of the
box, it provides an opening of contracted area; through which the water must pass
in flowing from one end of the box to the other, thereby preventing any such
rapid movement of the water in either direction as would permit a reduction of the
level in either end of the box sufficient to unseal the mouth of the pipe communicating
therewith.
This partition plate also serves as a means of supporting a guide for the rod of the
valve which closes the discharge pipe.
Manholes, provided with suitable covers, are formed in the opposite ends and in
the front of the wash box, so that ready access to the interior of the same can be had
when necessary.
Dated this 11th day of December 1888.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Gas.
1. WILLIAM TEMBEY BATE, of Fourth Avenue, in the Borough of Conshohocken,
in the County of Montgomery, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Boiler Maker and Gas Works Constructor, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to that class of gas apparatus in which the gas is produced by
decomposing steam, mixing hydrocarbon vapor therewith, and fixing the gas by
effecting the intimate commingling of the decomposed steam and oil vapor, under
intense heat, my invention comprising certain improvements in the details of construc-
tion of gas apparatus of this character.
One of the objects of my invention is to prevent excessive heating, of the casings
of the fire-place and superheater in apparatus of this class. Another object is to so
construct the top of the metal casing of the fire-place or superheater that the applica-
tion of the brick lining thereto can be readily effected and the joints in the metal
casing protected.
Another object is to provide means for readily effecting the vaporization of the oil
and superheating of the steam before they are commingled in the flues of the apparatus.
Another object is to effect the intimate commingling of the steam and vapor in said
flues.
Another object is to prevent injury to the caps or covers of the passages in the
superheater.
Another object is to economically construct the lining of the superheater.
Another object is to provide effective means for operating the valves which control
the supply of air to the fireplaces of the apparatus.
Another object is to provide for the ready removal of tar from the wash box;
and another object is to prevent the unsealing of the gas pipes which terminate in
said box.
In the accompanying drawings-
Fig. 1, is a side view of gas apparatus embodying my invention.
Fig. 2, is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 3, is a sectional plan view, partly in elevation and on a larger scale, of one of
the generators and superheaters of the apparatus.
Fig. 4, is a longitudinal section of the hydraulic main or wash box.
Fig. 5, is a transverse section of the same.
Fig. 6, is an enlarged section of the dome and part of the upper portion of the
generator, and
Figs. 7, and, 8, are views of parts of the air valve operating gearing of the apparatus.
The fire box or furnace, A, and the superheater or fixing chamber, B, of gas appa-
tus such as that to which my invention relates, are usually placed end to end, the
superheater, B, having a dome, B', which is provided with a valved elbow pipe, B²,
communicating with a hydraulic main or wash box, D, the discharge end or mouth
of said elbow pipe being submerged in the water in said box.
0

page_text: Usually, two sets of apparatus are placed side by side, the elbow pipes of both sets
communicating with the wash box, and the sets being worked alternately, that is to
say, gas being made in one set while the products of combustion are being allowed to
pass through the superheater of the other set, and to escape from the dome of the
same into the smoke stack, the valve, a, in the elbow pipe of the latter set being closed,
and the valve, b, on the top of the dome being open, while in the set in which gas is
being made, the valve, a, in the elbow pipe is open and the valve, b, at the top of the
dome is closed.
The fireplace and superheaters in such apparatus usually consist of an outer rect-
angular casing of wrought iron plates with a suitable firebrick lining.
In order to relieve the wrought iron casings, d, of each chamber from the strain due
to the expansion of the firebrick lining, d, I interpose between said casing and the
lining a filling, d², (Fig. 3) preferably of loam, asbestos, or some other material which,
while possessing a considerable degree of elasticity, will not be injuriously affected by
the heat, this 'filling being compressed as the firebrick lining expands, so that the
outer metal casing of the chamber is not unduly strained by such expansion.
The internal T-iron braces, e, for the iron casing are placed vertically, so as to
permit the close packing of the filling between the firebrick lining and the casing and
around said braces, the inwardly projecting vertical ribs formed by the T-irous offering
no obstacle to such packing, and being, therefore, preferable to horizontal or trans-
verse braces.
The casing of the superheater is at some distance from that of the fireplace, the two
casings being connected by a neck, F, so that while there is free communication
from one chamber to tlie other, an air space intervenes between the casings of the
two chambers, and a similar air space is formed between the chambers of one set of.
apparatus and those forming the adjoining set, whereby a free circulation of air on all
four sides of each chamber is provided, the heat transmitted to the metal casings of
the chambers being rapidly radiated therefrom and the said casings prevented from
becoming so highly heated as to cause the plates of which they are composed to warp
or buckle, and thus strain or disrupt the joints between the plates.
It is usual to complete the wrought iron casing of each chamber before the applica-
tion of the firebrick lining thereto, the top plate, f, of each chamber having therein a
central opening of a size sufficient to permit the escape of the products of combustion..
With an opening of such contracted area in the top plate, however, much difficulty
is experienced in laying the bricks to form the lining of the chamber, owing to the
fact that when the lining approaches the top of the chamber the bricks must be pushed
into place laterally instead of being laid directly from above, as in laying the lower
courses. This results in defective lining of the chamber, and causes the rapid burning
out of the wrought iron casing.
1, therefore, discard the usual plan of riveting the top plate directly to the angle-
iron,, which extends around the sides of the casing at the top, and secure thereto,
instead, a flanged collar, G, the area of the opening of which is almost as great as that
of the casing of the chamber. This collar therefore does not materially interfere with
the proper laying of the upper courses of firebricks of which the lining of the chamber
is composed, and after these courses have been laid up to the level of the top of the
collar, the top plate, f, is applied thereto and secured in position by means of bolts, g,
passing through the external flange at the top of the collar through openings around
the edges of the plate, f, and through openings in a reinforcing ring, g¹, on the top of
the plate. (See Fig. 6.)
These fastening devices are, therefore, on the outside of the casing, where they are
not subjected to heat, and are readily accessible whenever it becomes necessary to
remove the top plate of the casing for any purpose.
The top plate has a central dome, H, which, in the case of the fire box, is provided
with a removable valve or cover, and in the case of the superheater is extended
vertically so as to receive the gas discharge elbow pipe, and so as to provide at its
upper end a seat for the valve, b.
A novel feature about this part of the apparatus is the expansion of the base of the

page_text: dome of the fire-box, and the projection of an unbroken continuation of the firebrick
lining of the casing up into the dome, thereby protecting from the destructive influence
of the heat the joint between said dome and the top plate of the casing.
The outer casing of the dome of each fireplace is of cast metal, and has cast in it
two sets of pipes, i, m, the pipe, m, receiving oil, and the pipe, i, receiving steam from
any convenient source.
The pipes, being subjected to the heat of the fire brick lining of the dome, of course,
become very highly heated, so that the steam in its passage is superheated or partially
decomposed, the oil is vaporized, and excessive heating of the dome casing is prevented.
The superheated steam and vaporized oil are discharged through pipes, 1, and, m²,
into the first chamber, I, of the superheater, or into the flue which affords communica-
tion between the fireplace and superheater, the oil vapor preferably descending from
the roof of the chamber or flue, and the steam entering at one side.
The mixed oil and steam are here subjected to the direct action of the heated pro-
ducts of combustion as soon as or before the latter reach the superheater, and are
carried along by said products of combustion through the superheater. A deflector, I,
is placed in the passage or flue to break up the steam jet, and insure intimate mixing
of the same and the oil.
The superheater passages, I, are lined with sections of tile piping, n, placed inside
the brick lining, d, of the superheater, these sections being flanged, and the flanges
connected by suitable bolts and keys, and fireproof packing,, being interposed
between the flanges to prevent the escape of any vapors or gases from the chambers
or passages.
The passages are arranged in a spiral or descending course, (as shown by dotted
lines in Fig. 1.) around a central ascending or discharge flue, J, of the superheater,
the last passage of the set communicating through suitable small flues, p, with the base
of said discharge flue, which may be packed with brick if desired.
The side and end passages are continued to the outer casing of the superheater, to
permit the cleaning of said passages, each passage being closed by a suitable cover, s,
when the apparatus is at work.
To prevent the undue heating of these covers, cach passage has in it, some distance
from the end, a stop tile or plug, s', which almost fills the passage and prevents the
gas from gaining access to the cover, s.
The valves, K, which control the flow of air to the two fireplaces of the apparatus,
have stems,, with racks, &', which engage with pinions, t, one on a tubular shaft, L,
mounted in bearings on the casing of the apparatus, and the other on a shaft, L',
passing through said tubular shaft, each shaft having a hand wheel, t¹, by which it is
operated, and each hand wheel having a ratchet, t2, with which engages a weighted.
pawl, 3, to hold it in position. (See Figs. 7, and S.)
The hydraulic main or wash box, D, is mounted upon suitable columns, D', at the
end of the apparatus, and from the bottom of the box extends a straight discharge
pipe, M, for the escape of tar which accumulates in the wash bhox, this pipe communi-
cating at the bottom with a receiving tank or box, M', which can be cleaned at
intervals, thus very materially reducing the risk of clogging, as compared with a wash
box having a discharge pipe curved or bent, as it must be when the wash box is
located on top of the gas generating structure.
In order to clean the tar from the bottom of the wash box and direct it to the
discharge pipe when the valve closing the mouth of the latter has been raised, I
provide each end of the wash box with a blast pipe, u, that portion which is within the
box being spread and flattened, as shown in the detached view, Fig. 4, these blast
pipes being in connection with any available source of steain supply, so that the steam
issues therefrom in a broad, flat sheet, close to the bottom of the box, the tar which
may have accumulated in the box being softened under the influence of the heat,
and carried forward by the action of the jet until it escapes through the discharge
pipe.
In the operation of duplex gas apparatus of the character which I have described,
and in which both gas pipes communicate with the wash box, one near each end, a
+

page_text: violent surging of the water from end to end of the wash box frequently takes place
when the flow of gas through one pipe is cut off simultaneously with the inflow of gas
through the opposite pipe, this movement of the water being frequently such as to
unseal the mouth of the gas inlet pipe and permit the hot gas therefrom to enter the
wash box without passing through the water, and explosions sometimes occur from
this cause.
In order to overcome this difficulty, I provide the wash box, at or about the centre,
with a transverse partition, w, which terminates some distance from the bottom of the
box, so that while it does not cut off communication between the opposite ends of the
box, it provides an opening of contracted area, through which the water must pass
in flowing from one end of the box to the other, thereby preventing any such rapid
movement of the water in either direction as would permit a reduction of the level
in either end of the box sufficient to unseal the mouth of the pipe communicating
therewith.
This partition plate also serves as a means of supporting a guide for the rod, a¹,
of the valve, a, which closes the discharge pipe, M
Man-holes, provided with suitable covers, are formed in the opposite ends and in
front of the wash, box, so that ready access to the interior of the same can be had
when necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―
1. In gas apparatus of the character described, having brick-lined metal casings,
the separating of said casings, and the connecting of the generators and superheaters
by means of necks, whereby a free play of air around the casing of each of the
structures is permitted, and said casings are kept cool, substantially as specified.
2. The combination of the metal casings of the various structures, and the fire-
brick linings, with the T-iron braces placed vertically, and the packing inserted
between the metal casings and the firebrick linings, substantially as specified.
3. The flanged ring or collar secured to the casings of the structures, and pro-
viding a means whereby the cap plate can be readily holted to said casing after the
lining of the same has been completed, substantially as specified.
4. The combination of the casings of the various structures, with the domes
expanded at the base, so that the firebrick lining can be carried up without break or
joint in said dome, as specified.
5. The location of the steam or oil vaporizing pipes, one or both, in the dome of
the fireplace or generator, so that the steam or oil may be vaporized by the waste
heat from said generator, as set forth.
6. The introduction of the oil and steam in the form of heated and intermingling
jets in or near the primary passage or chamber of the superheater, with or without
the deflector therein, as specified.
7. The lining of the passages of the superheater with refractory tiles or pipes, to
protect the brickwork lining of the superheater from the action of the gas, in said
passages, as specified.
8. The combination of the open-ended passages in the super-heater, and the caps
or covers for said passages, with stop plugs or tiles in the passages, to prevent the
gas from gaining access to said caps or covers, as set forth.
9. The hydraulic main or wash-box, supported independently of and at one end of
the gas generating structure, and having a tar discharge pipe extending down straight
from the same, to prevent clogging, as specified.
10. The hydraulic main or wash-box, supported independently of and at one end o
the gas generating structure, and having a straight tar-discharging pipe, communi-
cating at its lower end with a tar receptacle, as set forth.
11. The hydraulic main or wash-box, provided at the ends with steam jets for
directing the tar towards the central outlet, as set forth.
12. The hydraulic main or wash-box, having gas inlets on each side of the centre

page_text: of the same, and having between said gas inlets a transverse partition, which prevents
rapid flow of the water from one end of the box to the other.
13. The combination of the wash-box, having gas inlets on opposite sides of the
centre, with the central partition, which prevents rapid, flow of water from one end
of the box to the other, but is discontinued some distance from, the bottom of the box,
so as not to cut off communication between the opposite ends.
.
14. The combination of the air, supply valves, and their stems having racks, with
pinions for operating said racks, one pinion being carried by a tubular shaft and the
other by a shaft passing through said tubular shaft, as set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of January 1880
:
DAY, DAVIES, & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicant.