IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Steel, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS,
AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Steel at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th January 1876.
**
JAMES STEEL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
This Invention which relates to improvements in the manufacture of illumi-
nating gas, and in the machinery or apparatus employed therefor, consists in the
first place of a new or improved retort or arrangement of retorts.and system or
manner of working the same so that the gas is produced constantly, having an
equal amount of illuminating power.
The new or improved retort or arrangement of retorts has either a partition in
the centre, which may be fixed or movable, with a hole or passage through the said
partition, or in lieu thereof two ordinary solid-ended retorts may be used with their
solid ends towards one another, and connected together by a short tube.
In making illuminating gas with this improved arrangement of retorts; each
retort or half of the divided retort is charged alternately, so that the gas can be
directed from one retort or one half of the retort through the pipe or passage into
the other retort or half retort. The direction in which the gas is caused to
flow is effected by closing a valve or cock in the stand pipes at the outer end of
either retort or half retort. By means of this arrangement when one of the retorts
or half retort is charged with fresh gas-producing material, the gas arising there-
from passes through the tube or passage into the other retort or half retort, and
there combines or mixes witli the residual and poorer gas escaping from the partly
spent charge therein. Thus by alternately working in this manner the quality of
the mixed gases is made constant, and by being submitted to the high temperature
of the partly spent charge more of the tars are volatilized and carried over with.
the gas to the condensers.
In order to prevent the return or escape of gas through the passage or tube con-
necting the two retorts or half retorts at the time of drawing a spent charge from

page_text: one of them, a light rod or tube is provided with a plug or stopper at one end of
it, which is of sufficient length that an attendant may insert it into the hole or
passage the moment that either door is opened; or this may be effected by fixing
such plug or stopper on the inner end of the steam drawing or discharging appa-
ratus herein-after described.
In place of connecting the two retort or two half retorts by a tube or passage,
as herein-before mentioned, they may be connected by one or more stand pipes with "
a valve or valves for opening or closing them as required.
This Invention relates in the second place to machinery or apparatus whereby
the charging operation of retorts is effected, this consisting of a hollow cylinder or
tube which may either be straight or curved throughout its length and laid hori-
zontally or inclined. One end of the hollow cylinder or tube is situated near to
the mouth of the retort which is to be charged, and into the said hollow cylinder or
tube one or more annular jets or nozzles are introduced. Behind the jets or nozzles
a hopper is situate in communication with the hollow cylinder or tube, and in the
said hopper the coal or other material to be charged into the retorts is placed.
When it is desired to charge a retort steam is introduced through the nozzles or jets
herein-before referred to, which steam by its inducing action forcibly draws the coal
or other material from the lower end of the hopper and through the hollow cylinder
or tube so that the coal thereby becomes deposited within the rétört.
رسد ماند
T
The apparatus herein-before described may be mounted on a carriage of truck
running on rails or otherwise in front of the bench of retorts, or it may be
suspended by ropes or chains from the roof or from beams or girders within thie
retort house. Under either arrangement the mechanism is capable of being raised
and lowered to the level of different retorts in the series. A screen is or may be
provided at the charging end of the apparatus to protect the operator from the
steam escaping at that end, and also from the heat of the open retorts.
As regards improvements in macliinery or apparatus for drawing retorts the In-
vention consists, under one modification; of a tube or. hollow rake, to one end of
The opposite
which a flexible.pipe communicating with a steam boiler is secured.
end of the tube or rake is bent downwards and formed with one or more holes or
When it is
openings made parallel with or at an angle to the length of the tube..
desired to withdraw the charge from the retort the bent end of the tube or rake is
pushed thereinto through 'the retort induth. A cock or valve is 'then opened so as
to admit steam from the boiler to the tube or rake, which steam on issuing through
the holes or openings in the bent portion of the tube. blows or forces the charge of
material out of the retort through the open mouth thereof.
A shield is or, may be fitted to the front of the retort to protect the operator and
to guide the discharged materials into the hutch or wagon placed to receive them,
and a carriage may also be provided, "if desired, on which to support the tube and
its connections, which are capable of being raised and lowered to the level of any
retort in a bench. The boiler in which the steam employed in both the charging
and drawing apparatus is generated inay either be a fixed boiler, in whicli case it
may conveniently derive its heat from the heated waste products of combustion
passing through the flues of the retort 'setting, or it may be a movable boiler and
mounted on a carriage or truck.
Under another modification of this Invention 'the tube or hollow rake is dis-
pensed with, and the flexible pipe is provided with a cock or vale and with a
nozzle through which the steam passes into the retort to blow or force out the
chiargo therefrom. In accordance with this arrangement an opening is made in the
rear end of the retort to receive the nozzle, which opening-when-the-retort.is_in
operation is closed by a stopper or plug which may be luted with clay or other
material to prevent escape of gas. When the charge is to be withdrawn the stopper
or plug is removed and the nozzle inserted; the door at the retort mouth is then
opened, and steam being conducted through the nozzle the charge is forced, out
through the retort mouth. A fixed or inovable boiler may also be used with this
form of the apparatus.

page_text: In lieu of employing steam in connexion with the charging and drawing appa-
ratus herein-before described compressed air may be used for the purpose of this
Invention.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Steel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th July 1876.
JAMES STEEL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain..
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
My said Invention which relates in the first place to improvements in the
manufacture of illuminating gas consists of a new or improved retort or arrange-
ment of retorts, and of a new or improved system or manner of working the same,
so that the gas is produced constantly, having an equal amount of illuminating
power.
My said Invention relates in the second place to machinery or apparatus whereby
the charging of gas retorts is effected, and also whereby the coke or residual
products of distillation are removed from the retorts after the gas has been driven
off from the charge.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I now proceed
more particularly 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 the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say :-
On Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto appended Figure 1 is a longitudinal section
of a gas retort as constructed in accordance with one arrangement of the first
part of my said Invention; Figure 2, Sheet 1, is a transverse section of the retort
on the line x, y, Figure 1.
As shewn on the Drawings the retort is provided with a partition or division
A at its centre in which a hole or passage B is made communicating with the
parts of the retort on each side of the division. In making illuminating gas
with this improved arrangement of retort, each half or part is charged alternately
with the other, so that the gas can be directed from one half of the retort through
the passage B into the other half. The direction in which the gas is caused to
flow is regulated by closing valves or cocks placed in the stand pipes Cat the
outer end of each half of the retort. By means of this arrangement when one
half of the retort is charged with fresh gas producing materials, the gas arising
therefrom is caused to pass through the opening B into the other half, where it
combines or mixes with the residual and poorer gas escaping from the partly
spent charge therein. Thus by alternately charging the two halves or parts of
the retort, and closing the valve or stop-cock in the stand pipe C of the half
last charged, the quality of the mixed gases is made constant and by being sub-
mitted to the high temperature of the partly spent charge in the half of the retort
into which the gas is conducted through the passage B, more of the tars are
volatilized and carried over with the gas to the condensers.
In order to prevent the return or escape of gas through the passage B at the
time of drawing a spent charge from one half of the retort, a light rod or tube.
is provided with a plug or stopper at one end, which rod or tube is of sufficient
length that an attendant may insert it into the passage B the moment that either
door is opened. It is however preferred to effect this operation by means of a
stopper or plug fixed on the end of a tube or pipe constituting part of the retort
charging and drawing apparatus constructed in accordance with my said Invention
and herein-after described.
Instead of the partition or division A placed at the centre of the retort being
formed of a separate portion, as indicated at Figure 1; Sheet 1 of the Drawings, the
said partition or division may be made in one piece with the retort, or it may be

page_text: arranged as seen in vertical longitudinal section at Figure 3, Sheet 1, in which
case the division or partition may be easily removed, and another partition
or division inserted when required.
'
The improvements in the manufacture of illuminating gas constituting the first
part of my said Invention besides being carried into effect with retorts which are
charged from both ends as herein-before described may also be practised with
ordinary solid ended retorts, in which case these retorts are placed with their solid
ends towards one another, and connected by a short tube or pipe, as seen in vertical
section at A, Figure 4, Sheet 1 of the Drawings. In making gas with this arrange-
ment of retorts the gas from the retort last charged is conducted to the condenser
through the stand pipe of the other retort, as and for the purpose herein-before sct
forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1.
Under another arrangement, in place of connecting the two retorts or two halves
of one retort by a tube or passage as set forth, they may be connected by one or more
stand pipes provided with a valve or valves for opening or closing them as required.
This arrangement is illustrated in dotted lines at Figure 4, Sheet 1 of the
Drawings, the stand pipe being marked a and the plug or valve b. A rod or
spindle c.passing down through a pipe fis attached to the plug or valve band to a
cup d, which is inverted in a tank or vessel e containing liquid, and so forms a
water seal or joint, whereby escape of, the gas from the retorts is prevented when
the retorts are in operation; the valve or plug is drawn upwards by a lever áttached
to the upper end of the spindle c, until a free passage is made between the retorts
through the stand pipe a, and when it is desired to charge one of the retorts or one
half of a retort (in cases where the arrangement is applied to retorts charged from
both ends), the valve or plug is lowered, thereby closing the passage through the
pipe a.
This arrangement is also applicable for the manufacture of illuminating gas
according to my said Invention in retorts placed parallel with each other, and
whose closed or solid ends project through or are flush with the back of the retort,
setting the stand pipe a communicating with two retorts as and for the purpose set
forth.
The improved machine or apparatus constructed in accordance with my said
Invention for charging gas making materials into retorts, and for withdrawing the
spent charge from the retort after the gas has been driven off is illustrated in side
elevation at Figure 1, in plan at Figure 2, and in rear end elevation at Figure 3,
Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings. As shewn by these Figures the machine
or apparatus consists of a platform A which is mounted upon wheels running on
rails in front of the retort mouths. Vertical standards or framings B are bolted
on the platform A, and in these framings or standards the charging and drawing
apparatus is supported and guided.
The charging apparatus consists of a cylinder or tube C, the front part of which
is situated in a horizontal position near to the mouth of the retort which is to be
charged, the said part of the cylinder or tube being secured to the front end of a
horizontal framing D. The rearward part of the cylinder cr tube C is capable of
assuming either a horizontal or inclined position according to the level of the retort
to be charged, and it is formed in a separate piece from the front part of the
cylinder or tube, being inserted into a bell mouth formed thereon, as shewn at a on
the detailed view, Figure 4, Sheet 2 of the Drawings. The two parts of the tube
or cylinder are connected together by studs or equivalent joints, so at to cause them
to-move-together_in_a_vertical_direction. An annular steam jet or nozzle b is
introduced into the rearward end of the cylinder or tube-C, as-seen-in-horizontal
section at the detailed view, Figure 5, Sheet 2, and behind the jet or nozzle; the
cylinder or tube communicates with a hopper E in which the coal or other material
to be charged into the retorts is placed. A pipe F attached to the cylinder.or
tube C at the nozzle or jet b. cominunicates between the said nozzle or jet and a
steam boiler G, placed on the platform or truck A, as shewn. The hopper E is
supported on wheels or rollers c, which run on rails d attached to the truck or

page_text: On
platform A, and at its lower end the hopper is provided with a shaft e carrying a
series of blades, by which the coal or other material is forced forward towards the
nozzle or jet b. The shaft e carrying the blades is rotated by the spur wheel f fixed
on one end thereof, and geared with the pinion g secured on one end of a shaft h,
which is supported in brackets formed on or fixed to one side of the hopper E.
the other end of the shaft h a pulley I is fixed, and around the said pulley, and also
round a pulley J fixed on the crank shaft of an engine K, an endless belt or band L
is conducted as seen on the Drawings, or in lieu of this arrangement the shaft e
carrying the blades may be otherwise rotated. Above the shaft e the hopper is
provided with a sliding plate l, which is capable of entirely closing the passage
through the hopper, the said plate being operated by a lever m centred on a
bracket or projection on the cylinder or tube C, or on a bracket or its equivalent
fixed to the platform or truck A. The plate is closed or moved in whilst the
hopper is being filled with material, and drawn out whilst the retort is being
charged.
The frame D carrying the forward portion of the cylinder or tube C is supported
in saddles or straps H to which chains n are fixed, the opposite ends of these chains.
being secured to pulleys or drums M carried on a shaft N, supported in the upper
parts of the framings or standards B; another pulley or drum O is also fixed on
the shaft N, and over the said pulley or chains is conducted a weight or weights,
being suspended from one end thereof to counterbalance the weight of the
suspended apparatus. From the pulley O the chain passes downwards and under
guide pulleys p to a drum u whereon it is wound.
When it is desired to charge a retort by means of the apparatus herein-before
described, steam is introduced from the boiler G through the nozzle or jet b, which
steam by its inducing action forcibly draws the coal or other material fed towards
the nozzle by the blades of the hopper E from the lower end of the said hopper and
through the cylinder or tube C, so that the coal or other material thereby becomes
deposited within the retort.
The passage between the bottom of the hopper E and the nozzle or jet b is
preferably perforated with holes, as seen at Figure 5, through which a small
quantity of air is drawn by the inducing action of the steam, which air causes a
vibrating or trembling motion of the pieces of coal, and thereby prevents the
passage from becoming chocked up. An opening provided with a plug or cover is
also preferably made at o, Figure 5, to afford access to the interior of the passage
when required. The steam pipe F extending between the boiler G and the jet or
nozzle is provided with a flexible portion, or with a telescopic or equivalent gland,
which will permit of a vertical motion of the pipe relatively with the rearward
portion of the cylinder or tube C.
The apparatus for drawing the spent charge out of gas retorts consists of two
pipes supported in the horizontal framing D, and in straps or bands passed round
the said pipes and round the cylinder or tube C. The pipes are connected at
their rearward ends by a tail piece R, which is connected by a flexible pipe (not
shewn on the Drawings) to the boiler G. Each pipe Q is curved or bent at its
forward end so as to direct the steam conducted through it against the bottom or
sole of the retort. The drawing apparatus is moved into and out of the retort by
means of chains or ropes passed round pulleys at the rearward end of the
framing D, and also round pulleys or drums centred on the tube or cylinder C,
as shewn on the Drawings, or on the framing D. The chains or ropes v are
attached to the drawing apparatus at 21, Figures 1 and 2, whereat the projecting
ends of the supporting straps to pass through slots in the framing D, and the said
chains or ropes are caused to draw the tubes Q backwards and forwards by
winding on the pulleys or drums 7. The slots in the framing D act as guides and
insure a steady forward and backward motion of the drawing apparatus.
In conjunction with the drawing apparatus a steam tube S is provided, and
which is connected by a flexible pipe with the boiler G, the pipe being coupled to
the tube Sat x. The tube S is supported at its forward end by the strap or

page_text: saddle H, and at its rearward end-by the strap or band y, a flanch on which rests
on the upper side of the framing D, and a counterweight is also placed on the
rearward end of the tube to maintain the horizontal position thereof when inserted
into the retort. The forward end of the tube S may be formed either as shewn by
the full or dotted lines at Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2, or in any other suitable manner.
Ropes or chains passed round pulleys or drums and attached to the tube S draw the
Baid tube into and out of the retort,
In preparing to draw a charge of spent material out of a retort a plug or door
placed in or covering the opening a formed in the mouth thereof, as seen at Figure 1,
Sheet 1, is first withdrawn, and the tube S passed into the retort through the said
opening. Immediately before or after inserting the tube steam is admitted thereinto
from the boiler G, which steam issuing in a jet from the front end of the tube blows
the gas contained in the retort. through the pipe or passage B communicating with
the other retort or half of the on the retort, the said passage being thereafter closed
by the flanch forward end of the tube bearing against its mouth, as indicated
by the dotted lines at Figure 1, Sheet 1, which prevents the gas from returning
into the retort being charged. When this operation has been effected the ordinary
door in the retort mouth is opened, and the drawing apparatus is inserted to its
full extent by winding on the pulleys or drums, and steam being admitted to the.
said apparatus from the boiler G, such steam issuing from, the open forward ends of
the tubes both on the forward and backward movement of these tubes forces the
spent charge out of the retort through the open mouth thereof. A barrow or
truck X is or may be placed on a platform fixed to the carriage or truck A to
receive the spent material so forced out of the retort, and a shield or guard is
preferably fitted at the front of the truck A or in front of the retort to protect the
operator from the steam and materials issuing from the open mouth of the retort.
After the spent charge has been withdrawn from the retort in the manner herein-
before set forth the drawing apparatus Q is returned to the position shewn on the
Drawings, and a fresh charge of gas making materials is charged into the retort by
the cylinder or tube C, as described. The door of the retort is then closed, and
thereafter the tube S is withdrawn, and its hole or opening plugged up or other-
wise closed, the gas from the newly charged materials being directed into the other
retort or half of the retort through the passage B, Sheet 1.
Instead of combining the charging and drawing apparatus constructed in
accordance with my said Invention so as to constitute one machine, such apparatus
may constitute separate machines, each mounted upon a carriage or truck, or the
said machines may be suspended by ropes or chains from the roof, or from beams or
girders within the retort house. This arrangement may also be adopted when the
machines are combined.
The boiler in which the steam employed in both the charging and drawing
apparatus is generated, in lieu of being situated on the same carriage or truck with
such apparatus, whether used singly or combined, may when the apparatus is sus-
pended, as above set forth, be a fixed boiler, in which case it may conveniently
derive its heat from the heated waste products of combustion passing through the
flues of the retort setting.
Under a modification of the drawing apparatus the tubes are dispensed with,
and a pipe provided with a cock or valve and with a nozzle, through which the
steam passes into the retort employed to blow or force out the charge therefrom.
In accordance with this arrangement an opening is made in the rear end of the
-retort to receive the nozzle, which opening when the retort is in operation is closed
by a stopper or plug, which may be luted with clay-or-other-material-to-prevent
escape of gas. When the charge is to be withdrawn the stopper or plug is removed
with the nozzle and pipe inserted; the door at the retort mouth is then opened,
and steam being conducted through the pipe and nozzle the charge is forced out
through the retort mouth. A fixed or moveable boiler may also be used with this
form of the apparatus. In lieu of employing steam in connection with the
charging and drawing apparatus constructed under either of the arrangements

page_text: herein-before described compressed air may be used for the purposes of this
Invention.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may.
be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I
consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The arrangements of retorts herein-before described and shewn on Sheet 1
of the appended Drawings, wherein either a partition with a hole or passage B,
(Figures 1 and 3) through it is placed at the centre of the retort, or the solid ends of
two retorts are placed close together, and connected by a passage B (Figure 4) sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. The arrangements of retorts placed either end to end or in parallel rows,
and connected together by one or more pipes a, as and for the purpose herein-
before described, and in part illustrated in dotted lines at Figure 4, Sheet 1 of the
Drawings.
Third. The process of making illuminating gas, wherein the gas arising from
newly-charged materials in one retort or half of a retort is caused to mix with the
residual or poorer gases proceeding from the partially spent charge contained in
another retort or part of a retort, as and for the purposes herein-before described.
Fourth. The general arrangement and construction of the combined retort
charging and drawing machine, in which the charge is inserted by the inducing
action of a jet of steam or compressed air, and when spent is drawn out by the
blowing or forcing action of one or more other jets of steam or compressed air, as
illustrated on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification of
such apparatus.
Fifth. The retort charging apparatus as constructed separately from the retort
drawing apparatus, and operated by steam or compressed air under any and all of
the arrangements herein-before set forth.
Sixth. The retort drawing apparatus as constructed separately from the retort
charging apparatus, and operated either by steam or compressed air, under any and
all of the arrangements herein-before set forth.
Seventh. The retort drawing apparatus consisting of a pipe provided with a
nozzle and valve or cock, whereby when the pipe is introduced through the rear end
of the retort and the retort door opened the spent charge is blown or forced
out, as herein-before set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Steel, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Fourteenth day of July One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
JAMES STEEL. (L.S.)