IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INFLAMMABLE GASES AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INFLAMMABLE
GASES AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."-A communication from
abroad by Edward Harris Potter, of the City and State of New York,
United States of America.
Sealed the 21st November 1871, and dated the 2nd October 1871.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 2nd October 1871, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS, I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INFLANNABLE GASES AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREFOR," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my

page_text: executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the
same, and have made solemn Declaration that it has been communicated
to me from abroad by Edward Harris Potter, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby b
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
scal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed in and by the following
statement:-
1
In my present Invention I employ a bench of three retorts arranged 1
as follows:-The bench for holding the retorts is made in the usual
form. One of the retorts is set in the bench in a horizontal position, as
is usual in gasworks; the other two retorts are set in a vertical position.
ono on either side of the horizontal retort. The latter retort I have
for convenience denominated the receiving retort, as the fuel to be sub-
jected to the process is placed in this retort, which is made larger than
the vertical retorts. The vertical retorts are made in form of a boot,
that is, the lower ends of these retorts when placed in position turn
outward and protrude through the wall of the bench in order to admit
the attachment of mouth picces to the retorts, so that when the mouth
piece is also attached to the receiving retort the bench presents the
appearance of an ordinary bench of three retorts. The receiving retort
is connected with one of the vertical retorts by means of a pipe inserted
into the mouth picce of both. The two vertical retorts are connected
with each other at the top of the bench by means of a pipe. To the
mouth piece of the vertical retort not connected with the receiving
retort is attached the stand pipe to convey the gas from the retorts to
the hydraulic main.
In order to give a clear understanding of the nature and object of my
Invention I deem it necessary to make some general statements as to
the effect of heat upon the products given off from ordinary fuel when
subjected to the process of distillation. The materials usually employed
in the production of artificial heat are coal, wood, and peat, which
though very dissimilar in appearance are composed mainly of the same
elements, namely, carbou, hydrogen, oxygen, and small but variable
proportions of nitrogen, sulphur, and other elements, which constitute
the ash when fuel is burned. But of all these elements two only in
their union with oxygen by combustion can take any part in the pro-

page_text: duction of heat; these are carbon and hydrogen. The other elements
in fuel are very objectionable, because being in combustion with the
heat producing elements they reduce the available quantity of these
substances, and in combustion they enter into new combinations, which
again reduce the heat producing elements, while the compounds thus
formed become the vehicle for the transmission of a large share of the
heat from the point of ignition to the surrounding atmosphere, so that
the actual caloric effects of the combustion of ordinary fuel are by this
means reduced to a mere nominal power. Beside, the most of the heat
thus generated, as ordinarily used, is carried off by the flues and lost
for practical purposes, so that the actual quantity of heat utilized from
ordinary fuel is only about ten per cent. of the whole amount that
the heat producing agents are capable of yielding. To obviate these
objections, so far as to utilize the heat producing elements contained in
fuel, I propose to eliminate theso in the form of gases. To accomplish
this object I subject ordinary fuel, as well as some other substances
containing hydrogen and carbon, to distillation out of contact with the
atmosphere, and decompose and convert such of the distillates as contain
the heat producing elements that are condensable and non-inflammable
into inflammable gases.
It is well known that when bituminous and cannel coals are subjected
to the process of distillation at a low red heat (700° to 800° Fahrenheit,
they yield a variety of compounds, among which aro aqueous vapor, free
hydrogen, carburetted hydrogen, carbonic acid, light volatile hydro-
carbons, condensable into spirit or oil, and as the distillation goes on
other condensable oils of different specific gravities are given off, and
among which are heavy oils and what is called dead oil, which mix
mechanically with other products, and settle to the bottom of the
receiving vessel, and the compound thus formed is called tar. The
nitrogen and sulphur present enter into new combinations, producing
ammoniacal and sulphur compounds. In the retort there finally remains
a quantity of fixed carbon or coke containing the ash, which usually
consists of silica, alumina, lime, and the oxides of manganese, iron, and
some other substances. The condensable distillates which constitute the
principal product of the coal subside in the receiver into different strata,
according to their specific gravities.
11
If the coal be subjected to higher temperatures than those referred to,

page_text: gases is produced and less condensable matter, and consequently more
carbon remains in the retort. When bituminous and cannel coals
are subjected to the process of distillation under a full white heat
the products are chiefly hydrogen, light carburetted hydrogen, and
carbonic acid. Bi-sulphite of carbon, sulphuretted hydrogen, ammonia,
cyanogen NC, CY, and sulphocyanogen C, NS, CYS, are also formed.
The amount of carbonaceous matter left in the retort under a white heat
is much larger than under a red heat. Under the latter temperature
from forty to forty-five per cent. of the carbon contained in the coal
remains in the retort, while under a white heat from sixty-five to seventy
per cent. remains.
It is evident from the products obtained from the distillation of coal
under various temperatures that neither a high or low heat alone is
suited to the process of eliminating and gasifying the heat producing
elements contained in coal. Under the former the products given off
from the coal are mostly gaseous and solid, under the latter fluid and
solid. The gases produced under a high heat, though much larger than
under a low heat, seldom amount to more than ten thousand cubic feet
to the ton of coal. Beside, the compounds produced other than gaseous
hydrocarbons under both a high and low heat are not only numerous,
but are wholly unfitted for the production of heat.
An example of what occurs in the distillation of bituminous coal under
different temperatures is afforded in the manufacture of illuminating
gas. The process of the distillation of coal as ordinarily practiced in the
manufacture of illuminating gas is attended with the production of a
great variety of compounds other than illuminating gas, and hence the
results both to the manufacturer and the consumer are unsatisfactory.
With a low heat the quantity of gas produced is small though its
luminosity is good. With a high heat a larger quantity is produced,
yet its luminosity is very poor, while a medium temperature is attended
with neither economy nor the production of a gas of satisfactory quality.
Ilence in either case the result is a costly product to consumers.
Wood and peat subjected to the process of distillation under various
temperatures yield similar products to those obtained from bituminous
coal. In the distillation of wood the following are obtained :-Light
carburetted hydrogen, hydrogen, hydrocarbons of the olefiant gas series,
carbonic oxide, carbonic acid, pyroligneous or impure acetic acid,
eupione, pyroxanthine, paraffine, creosote, oxyphenic acid, pittacal,

page_text: passed through tubes heated to an intense whiteness it is also decom-
posed, its carbon is deposited, and a volume of hydrogen double that of
the original gas is liberated.
Second series. The light oily hydrocarbons when distilled at a red
heat deposit a portion of their carbon and are converted into gascous 5
hydrocarbons of the oil series C, H. Each volume of these gascous
compounds as its vapor density proves contains double the proportions
of carbon and hydrogen existing in olcfiant gas. When these gases are
passed through highly heated tubes they are decomposed, depositing all
but one equivalent of their carbon, and double their volume of light 1
carbureted hydrogen is formed.
Third series.-The solid bydrocarbons for the most part may be dis-
tilled when subjected to a very high heat, but without much change
in their composition. When distilled at a white heat in contact with
highly heated steam they are decomposed and a rearrangement of 1
their elements occurs, a large proportion of their carbon is deposited,
and hydrocarbon gases are formed of the ethylene series C, H, tho
oxygen of the steam combines with a portion of the carbon to form
carbonic oxide, while the hydrogen of the steam is set free. The hydro-
carbon gases of this series like olcfiant gas are decomposed when passed
through highly heated tubes, forming a light carburetted hydrogen and
depositing carbon.
Fourth series. When the vapor of nitro-hydrocarbons is passed
through highly heated tubes carbon is deposited, ammonia and a small
quantity of hydrocyanic acid are given off, and a dense hydrocarbon
liquid remains in the receiver. If this liquid be subjected to a whito
heat in contact with highly heated steam, similar results occur to that
described in the decomposition of the compounds in the third series.
Fifth series.-Carbonate of ammonia is volatilized by heat, and when
passed through a heated tube with steam it is decomposed, a portion
of the ammonia and carbonic acid is evolved, and a solution of a single
carbonate remains. When sulphate of ammonia is subjected to a tem-
perature of only 536° Fahrenheit it is decomposed, nitrogen and ammonia
are liberated, and sulphite of ammonia and water are formed. Hydro-
sulphate of sulphide of ammonium is decomposed when passed through
highly heated tubes. A small quantity of sulphur is deposited, and
ammonia and sulphuretted hydrogen are liberated.

page_text: Sixth series. Sulphuretted hydrogen is decomposed when the gas is
passed through a tube heated to full redness, the sulphur is deposited in
the receiver, and the hydrogen is set free.
Seventh series. The vapor of bisulphide of carbon is decomposed
when passed through tubes heated to whiteness with intensely heated
steam. The oxygen of the steam unites with the carbon to form carbonic
oxide, and the hydrogen with the sulphur to form sulphuretted hydrogen,
which is decomposed by heat as above stated.
Eighth series. Carbonic oxide remains unchanged when passed
through tubes heated to the highest intensity. Carbonic anhydride
(acid), when passed through tubes filled with carbon highly heated, is
decomposed and converted into carbonic oxide.
Ninth series.--Carbonic acid is decomposed only to a limited extent
when passed through a red-hot tube yielding a small quantity of solid
olcfiant gas (napthaline), but when passed with highly heated steam
through a tube heated to whiteness it yields a variety of compounds,
among which are the oxides of carbon, free carbon, and hydrocarbon
gas identical with olefiant gas. This gas burns with a white smokeless
flame of peculiar splendour and brilliancy. !
Tenth series. Aqueous vapor as is well known is decomposed when
passed through a tube filled with small shavings or strips of iron heated
to a bright redness, also when highly heated steam is brought in contact
with the vapor of metallic zinc and when highly heated steam is brought
in contact with incandescent carbon. In the former cases the oxygen
of the steam combines with the metals forming solid oxides while the
hydrogen is liberated. With the latter the oxygen unites with the
carbon to form the gaseous oxides of carbon, while the hydrogen is set
free.
Eleventh scrics.-Substances obtained from the distillation of wood
and peat, acetic acid (C, H, O, H). When the vapor of acetic acid is
passed through a red-hot tube a portion is decomposed, yielding free
carbon and combustible gases, acetone, napthaline, hydrate of phenyl,.
and benzole. If the vapor of acetic acid be passed through carbon in
a highly heated tube it is entirely decomposed, yielding hydrocarbon.
gases and carbonic oxide. Acetone (O H. O₂) when passed in a state
of vapor through a red-hot tube deposits carbon and is converted into
a peculiar oil called dumasin. This oil when passed over incandescent

page_text: carbon is converted into inflammable gases, cupione (C,H₁). The
vapor of eupione is decomposed when passed through a highly heated
tube yielding hydrocarbon gases, methylic alcohol (C, II. O₂) syn-
wood naphtha pyroxilic spirit. The vapor of methylic alcohol passed
through a red-hot tube yields olefiant gas and aqueous vapor. Pyrox-
anthine (C, H, O₁) when highly heated is decomposed depositing
carbon and yielding inflammable gases and aqueous vapor. Creosote
(CHO) the vapor of creosote when passed through a tube heated
to whiteness is decomposed, depositing carbon and yielding inflammable
gases and aqueous vapor. Oxyphenic acid (O, H. O₂) is decomposed
when its vapor is passed through carbon in a tube heated to whiteness,
carbonic oxide and propylene are produced. There are a few other
compounds resulting from the distillation of crude fuel, but not of
sufficient importance to our present object to require notice.
From the foregoing statement it is evident that the products (except-
ing the permanent gases) resulting from the distillation of the various
kinds of crude fuel may be decomposed, and the heat producing
elements they contain isolated and converted into permanent inflammable
gases.
This constitutes the nature of my Invention, the operation of which is a
as follows:-The two aforesaid vertical retorts are filled with small pieces
of fire-brick or other suitable substance indestructible by heat. These
retorts are kept at a white heat of from 2700° to 3000° Fahrenheit.
The crude fuck or material subjected to the process of volatilization is
first placed in the receiving retort where it is subjected to the process 2
of distillation under a red heat of from 800° to 1000° Fahrenheit accord-
ing to the nature of the material employed. The volatile products as
eliminated from this material are conveyed directly into the vertical
retort connected with the receiving retort, and pass up through the
white hot material contained in this retort.
3
The object of the material in the vertical retorts is to divide the
volatile products into infinitesimal particles of streams, and to retain
in the retorts the free carbon and solid hydrocarbons by filtration, so
that none of these substances go over with the gases from the retorts.
By this means the volatile hydrocarbons given off by distillation from 3
the materials employed are decomposed, depositing free carbon and
solid hydrocarbons of the third series, and forming a variety of gases
of different specific gravities. These gases, with more or less vapors

page_text: which have escaped decomposition in the first vertical retort pass from
this retort through the connecting pipe into and down through the
other vertical retort, where in their passage through the incandescent
material contained in this retort again deposit a portion of their carbon
and are converted into permanent inflammable gases. The aqueous
vapor formed in the receiving retort is also decomposed in the first
vertical retort, where it comes in contact with carbon deposited there,
and which under the high heat has become incandescent. Both carbonic
oxide and carbonic acid are formed in the decomposition of the aqueous
vapor by carbon, and the hydrogen of the steam is set free, while the
carbonic acid is decomposed in its passage through the incandescent
carbon deposited in the second vertical retort, and is changed into
carbonic oxide.
When the material subjected to distillation in the receiving retort
ceases to give off gaseous and volatile products, then steam heated to
redness is admitted in small and regulated quantities into this retort
where a portion of it is décomposed, forming the oxides of carbon and
liberating hydrogen; but the greater portion of the steam passes on in
contact with the free carbon and solid hydrocarbons remaining in the
vertical retorts, where a re-arrangement of the clements of steam and
the solid hydrocarbons and free carbons takes place, and which results
in the formation of permanent inflammable gases of different specific
gravities.
The hydrocarbons of the third series are principally formed in the
receiving retort and volatilized by heat, and hence are displaced by
distillation with the other volatile products and carried into the vertical
retorts where they are partially decomposed, giving up a portion of the
hydrogen they contain and become solid, and aro deposited in theso
retorts where they are no longer volatilized by heat, but may be trans-
formed into inflammable gases by highly heated steam as above stated.
It is these compounds that are so annoying and troublesome to the
manufacturers of ordinary illuminating gas. They are given off from
coal by distillation with other products, and become deposited in the
stand pipes, often filling them. These deposits have to be removed
with bars of iron, and are a dead waste in the ordinary manufacture of
illuminating gas, yet they are composed of carbon and hydrogen, the
very materials essential to the production of gas, but cannot be utilized
in the ordinary process of gas-making.

page_text: By my Invention these compounds are wholly utilized as well as
the product known as coal tar by conversion into permanent inflammable
gascs.
The advantages of my process of gas manufacture are, first, a ton, of
gas coal will yield from eighty to eighty-five thousand cubic feet of gas,
whereas the ordinary yield of illuminating gas from the same quantity
of coal is scarcely ten thousand cubic feet.
5
Second. Tho receiving retort is designed to hold a ton or more of coal
at a single charge, which is placed in the retort by machinery so quickly
that little or no loss of gas occurs, at the same time a great saving of 1
time and labor is effected..
Third. The receiving retorts require charging only three times in
twenty-four hours, whereas in the manufacture of illuminating gas, as
ordinarily conducted, the retorts are charged about every four hours,
which is very destructive to the retorts, from the frequent introduction 1
of cold material into them while highly heated.
Fourth. All the coal tar and other heavy hydrocarbons and free
carbons not utilized in the ordinary manufacture of illuminating gas
are converted into permanent inflammable gases.
Fifth. The gas manufactured contains very few impurities, and these 2
in small quantities only. It is evident that it could not contain more
than one-eighth the amount of impurities existing in ordinary illumi-
nating gas, as eight times the quantity of gas is made by the new
process from a given quantity of coal, that is made of illuminating gas.
Not only is this the case, but the sulphuretted hydrogen, bi-sulphide of 2
carbon, and most of the ammoniacal compounds formed in the distillation
of coal, are decomposed in the vertical retorts, and the hydrogen they
contained set free, while the carbonic acid is converted into carbonic
oxide, a gas as inflammable as hydrogen, and both of which add to the
volume of gas produced. The purification of the gas made by the new 3
method will therefore cost less than one-cighth that of illuminating
gas as ordinarily made.
Sixth. It is evident that as eight times the quantity of gas are made
than by the old processes much less room for the storage of coal is
required, and much less capital to conduct the business, there is also no 3
tar to dispose of or deposit of solid carbon or other material to remove
from the retorts and pipes in the manner practised in the old process of

page_text: gas manufacture; beside, the new. method is in nowise a nuisance to
the neighbourhood in which the gas is produced.
Seventh. The gas produced though consisting of a variety of gases
of different specific gravities, becomes, (according to the well known
law of diffusion of gases) perfectly mixed, that is, they intermingle with
each other throughout the entire body of the gas, so that the free
hydrogen present, though lightest of all the gases, exists in uniform
proportions throughout the entire gaseous body. These gases are also
permanent in their character, and therefore not condensable by cold, or
ordinary pressure in the holder or pipes, as is the case with the lumi-
niferous constituents of ordinary coal gas, which constitutes a very serious
waste of the very best light producing elements existing in the gas.
It is a well established fact that a small proportion only of the heat
producing clements is utilized in the use of ordinary fuel. This is the
result of imperfect combustion of these elements. Perfect combustion
of fuel cannot be obtained without flame, and no form of fuel can be
made to produce flame unless first converted into gas. The temperature
of an ordinary fire from bituminous coal, wood, or peat is too feeble to
convert the entire volatile products of these substances into gas, and
hence a very large proportion of the heat producing elements they
contain is wasted. The burning of wood, peat, or bituminous coal as
ordinarily practised is a process of simple distillation in contact with
the atmosphere, by which the fuel is mainly converted into smoke,
aqueous vapor, hydrocarbon vapors, and gases. These vapors and
unoxidized carbon or smoke and carbonic acid when mingled with the
inflammable gases generated so far envelop them as to partially obstruct
the free contact of the oxygen of the atmosphere with the gaseous
body, so that a partial combustion only of the inflammable gases them-
selves takes place, while the vapors and smoke not only escape combustion,
but also become a vehicle for the transmission of a portion of the heat
by the flue.
In burning anthracite coal, charcoal, or the coke of gas houses, a
flame is produced whenever the supply of oxygen is sufficient to form
carbonic acid beneath the mass of ignited coal. The first effect of
combustion of anthracite coal is a glow flame, the form of which is
scarcely visible, and as the carbonic oxide passes up through the red-
hot coal it is changed into carbonic acid by taking up an additional
quantity of carbon equal to that it already contained.. This gas when

page_text: exposed to the free action of the atmosphere takes fire above the bed of
coal and burns with a visible flame; but if the supply of oxygen is
insufficient to form carbonic acid at the bottom of the ignited coal, then
a slow combustion takes place, resulting directly in carbonic oxide,
which without a sufficient supply of oxygen escapes combustion, and
is carried off by the flue and wasted as a heat producing agent as truly
so as though it were wood or coal scattered to the winds by a continuous
process, so that the ordinary use of even anthacite coal forms no
exception to the rule of imperfect combustion and consequent waste of
the heat-producing elements contained in crude fuel.
To economize the heat producing elements contained in ordinary fuel
they must first be isolated in the gaseous form out of contact with the
atmosphere, and afterwards burned so as to secure perfect combustion,
which results in the formation of carbonic acid and an aqueous vapor.
The gas made by my process is dry and perfectly free from con- :
densable matter of every kind and therefore capable of rapid and perfect
combustion producing without dust, soot, or ashes a hot smokeless
flame that may be disposed of at will by merely turning off the gas
when the heat is not required.
Great numbers of burners and other appliances for the use of in-
flammable gases as a source of heat are already in existence and new
Inventions for this purpose are almost daily added to the list, and
therefore it is not necessary hero to describe any particular method for
burning inflammable gases.
The gas made by my method may be conveyed through pipes to 2
consumers in the same manner as illuminating gas, and is applicable
to industrial pursuits, and also to all the various purposes of domestic
life requiring artificial heat. It may be compressed and used in loco-
motives with great economy and convenience and the terrible nuisanco
of smoke, cinders, and poisonous gases, which produce so much discom-
fort and sickness among passengers in railway carriages will be avoided.
The gas generated on board of occan steamers and used for generating
steam, and for other purposes requiring heat, would be the means of
an immense saving of coal, as it would not require half the quantity
that is now used to produce the same results.
By this improved process the gas may be so made as to be wholly free
from bicarburetted hydrogen, and in this form well adapted to metal-
3

page_text: lurgical and chemical purposes, especially in connection with oxygen in
producing the oxyhydrogen flame. With the present facilities for
obtaining oxygen this gas may be employed for the production of the
oxyhydrogen light so cheaply that this light may be employed for
many purposes with great economy and convenience.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and shown how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I claim,―
1. The form and arrangement of retorts, in the manner substantially
as specified for the purpose set forth.
2. The method of subjecting crude fuel to the process of distillation,
substantially as specified for the purpose set forth.
3. The method or process of isolating and eliminating in the gaseous
form the heat producing elements contained in crude fuel, substantially
as specified for the purpose set forth.
4. The method of decomposing and converting the various compounds
given off from crude fuel by distillation into permanent inflammable
gases, substantially as specified for the purpose set forth.
5. The method or process of decomposing and converting into per-
manent inflammable gases the solid hydrocarbons generated in the
process of distillation of crude fuel by means of highly heated steam,
substantially as specified.
6. The method of decomposing the heavy oils and other hydrocarbons
generated in the process of the distillation of the crude ſuel into
permanent inflammable gases, in the manner and by the means sub-
stantially as set forth.
7. The method of decomposing and converting the light oily products
and other hydrocarbons given off from crude fuel by distillation into
permanent inflammable gases, substantially as set forth.
8. The method of decomposing aqueous vapor generated in the pro-
cess of distillation of crude fuel into permanent inflammable gases, by
passing the vapor through the vertical retorts in contact with highly
heated carbon deposited in these retorts, substantially as set forth.
9. The method of taking up the residue of free carbon deposited in
the retorts from the decomposition of the various bydrocarbon com-
pounds given off from crude fuel by distillation, and converting this

page_text: carbon into permanent inflammable gases, by means of highly heated
steam, substantially as set forth.
10. The method of converting the carbonic acid generated in the
process of distilling crude fucl into carbonic oxide, by passing the
carbonic acid through the vertical retorts in contact with highly heated 1
carbon, substantially as set forth.
11. The method of decomposing the sulphur and ammoniacal com-
pounds generated in the distillation of crude fucl, and liberating the
hydrogen contained in these compounds, substantially as set forth.
12. A combination of the various processes and means employed as a 1
whole, for the purpose of isolating and eliminating in the gaseous form
the heat producing elements contained in crude fuel, in the manner
described, and this I claim whether the means employed for this
purpose
be in the precise form described by me or otherwise, so long as sub-
stantially the same results are produced.
In witness whercof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and scal, this Second day of October One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
Witness,
EDWARD CLARK JACKSON.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)