Improvements in Gas Producing. Apparatus.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Gas Producing. Apparatus.
I, MAURICE TAYLOR, of 16, Rue Grange Batelière, Paris, in the Republic of
France, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The subject of this invention is a gas producing apparatus enabling the furnace
or retort to be readily cleansed without the necessity of employing a gasometer
and ensuring uniformity in the composition of the gas.
This gas producer is characterized by the fact that the pressure of the gas pro-
duced is lower than the atmospheric pressure, while escapes are effectually
prevented.
The apparatus comprises a metal chamber lined with fire-resisting blocks or
pieces forming the furnace or retort. The upper part of this chamber (which is
hereinafter termed the furnace chamber) is closed by a plate or cover supporting
the fuel charging apparatus.
The lower part of the furnace chamber is closed by a removeable door, covered
with a fire-proof plate supporting the fuel at the base. This plate is situated
sufficiently far from the lower part of the furnace chamber to leave a space wide
enough to admit air and steam into the said chamber and to enable the slag to
be removed therefrom.
The removeable door is supported by two levers which are caused to press upon
it by means of set screws.
The furnace chamber has, at or near its centre, a reduced part which forms
an annular space into which the air and steam are admitted through a suitable
orifice before entering the furnace chamber.
A metal casing surrounding part of the furnace chamber and supported by
rods secured to the before mentioned door, forms a continuation of the annular
space. The air and steam leave this annular space through perforations whence
they enter the retort or furnace. In passing through the annular space the steam
as it passes over the highly-heated walls thereof, becomes dry and superheated
this being a condition the fulfilment of which is necessary to enable the furnace
or retort to decompose the maximum of steam, and consequently to impart the
maximum richness to the gases.
A furnace door permits the fire in the furnace to be kindled and the slag to be
removed.
At or near the top of the furnace chamber there is provided an orifice for the
escape of the heated gases: A vaporiser formed by a metal tube enveloped in a
casing connects this orifice with a combined gas scrubber and refrigerator.
Water is admitted into the vaporizer through a U-trapped tube while another
similar tube serves to discharge the overflow or superfluous water and determines
the water-level in the vaporiser. The pressure in the vaporiser is limited by the
depth of the U-shaped portion of one of the above named tubes for, the moment

page_text: that pressure exceeds the pressure determined by the water-column, the height of
which equals the depth of the said U-shaped bend the steam must escape through
this tube. A pipe conducts the steam from the top of the vaporizer to the before
mentioned orifice which admits air and steam into the furnace chamber.
To the furnace chamber there is attached a pump of which the suction valve is
connected to the scrubber by a pipe hereinafter referred to as the "suction pipe"
and the delivery valve is connected to an india rubber or other equivalent regu-
lating bag or pouch by a pipe which is hereinafter referred to as the "delivery
pipe.
"
The cylinder of the pump is provided with an annular channel in constant
communication with the suction pipe, this annular passage being constantly closed
by the piston. The object of this passage or channel is to collect any gases which
may pass the piston during the foreing or compression stroke; these gases
are then drawn in anew and no escape can therefore take place.
33
**
The rod of the suction valve comes in contact with one arm of a three-armed
rocking lever though, whilst the pump is in normal operation, this does not prevent
the said valve from remaining on its seat. A second arm of the rocking lever
supports another valve hereinafter termed the steam valve" in such a manner
that, during the normal operation of the pump, such valve is constantly raised.
This steam valve is situated in the before mentioned steam-conducting pipe
leading from the vaporizer to the furnace chamber and, so long as the pump
continues in normal operation the steam flows unimpeded from the vaporiser to the
said gas producer.
The india-rubber bag or pouch is secured to a plate whereon one of its faces
rests, when this pouch is inflated by the normal pressure of the gases its opposite
face comes into contact with a hinged metal plate capable of oscillating on its
pivot, the upper part of which is acted on by springs, so that such plate is in
light contact with the pouch when the gases with which the pouch is filled, are
at normal pressure. A link or rod connects the oscillating plate to the third arm
of the before mentioned three-armed lever.
Having thus stated the object and nature of the invention I will now describe its
operation
When a fire has been kindled in the furnace chamber and the latter has been
charged with incandescent fuel steam under pressure is generated in the vapouriser
owing to the passage of the hot gases. When the furnace door, through which
the fire has been started, has been shut, the pump is set in operation.
The pump piston draws the gases into the scrubber and consequently into the
furnace chamber. As an effect of the vacuum thus created in the upper part of
the furnace chamber atmospheric air is drawn in at the base of the said chamber
through the before mentioned orifice annular space and ports. This air as it
enters through the orifice is charged with steam, the volume of which steam-
whose pressure is constant-is determined once for all by the area of aperture of
the steam valve, in such a manner that the proportion of air and steam is in all
cases alike. This mixture of air and steam drawn up to the top of the furnace
chamber as before stated passes through the incandescent fuel, becomes decom-
posed, and forms combustible gas. The gases thus displaced by the pump are
forced into the pouch whence they may be conducted through a suitable gas
supply pipe to any part at which they are required to be used.
It will be understood that if the supply of utilised gas were constant and uniform
the composition of the gases would in all instances be the same, the amounts of
air and steam being always proportioned whilst the operation is normal, and what
is understood by normal operation is that condition where the volume of utilized
gases equals the volume generated by the pump, that is to say, where the gas
producer yields its maximum supply of gas. But in actual practice this never
occurs, as the maximum supply is hardly ever utilised but varies according to
requirements. It is therefore necessary that the gas produced should at all times
be equal to the volume of gas expended and that this equality be ensured auto-

page_text: matically. This result is attained through the agency of the before mentioned
india rubber pouch. Whilst the supply is normal the two faces of the pouch bear
lightly the one upon the stationary plate and the other upon the swinging plate
but the moment the discharge from the gas supply pipe diminishes, the supply
from the pump continuing the same-the gases will further inflate the pouch
and the faces of the pouch expand accordingly and the hinged plate is moved
farther away from the stationary plate. As this movement is performed the link
connected with the hinged plate operates the three-armed lever and through it
raises the suction valve off its seat so that the gases drawn in, are forced back
into the suction pipe and are not delivered into the pouch as before, and they
will not again be so forced into the pouch until after the latter has resumed
its normal degree of distension and the hinged plate has returned to its normal
position. The three-armed lever will then also resume its initial position, thereby
enabling the suction valve to return to its seat and the pump to resume its normal
working.
During these several stages more or less air is drawn into the furnace chamber
according as the suction valve is opened to a greater or less extent and as the
steam invariably enters the suction pipe at a constant pressure and the supply
is uniform (though the volume drawn in by the pump varies) there would be too
large a proportion of steam and the gases would vary in composition, which should
be avoided. Now to ensure a uniform proportion the before mentioned steam
valve is provided, this valve being arranged in such relation to the three-armed
lever which as before explained is also adapted to operate on the suction valve
that while the said suction valve remains open more or less the steam valve closes
to a corresponding extent and that by and by a time comes when-the suction
valve remaining sufficiently wide open to stop the suction of the pump-the steam
valve will shut completely. It will therefore be seen that owing to this relative
arrangement of the suction and steam valves, actuated by the same three-armed
lever, the supply of steam will always be proportionate to the quantity of air
drawn in, whatever may be the amount of gases utilised.
By these means a gas producer is obtained which will always supply gases
identical in composition, and the purification whereof may be proceeded with
whilst gas production is in progress, since the gas producer operates below atmos-
pheric pressure or should the suction of the pump discontinue altogether-at
not greater than the pressure of the atmosphere.
It will thus be seen that owing to this mode of operation the purifying or
cleansing of the retort no longer necessitates the employment of a gasometer
which besides taking up too much space cannot, with safety, be employed in
dwellinghouses.
Instead of the pump before referred to there may be employed a fan which
would be used to draw the gases from the top of the gas producer and to force
them into the regulating pouch, and within the suction pipe there would be
placed a valve or damper adapted to more or less throttle the gas current and
thereby regulate the volume of gas displaced. The valve or damper should in
that case be operated by a bell-crank lever actuated by the regulating pouch in
a manner similar to the before mentioned three-armed lever. The steam valve
is also controlled by the bell crank lever so that when the valve or damper closes
and thereby reduces the gas supply the steam valve also closes and in the same
proportion reduces the amount of steam passing through it.
The fan is enclosed in a metal or other case through which is formed a passage
for the main shaft to pass through with slight friction. Into this case the suction
pipe would open and the case would be filled with gas at a pressure below that
of the atmosphere. Consequently all the gases escaping through leakages will
be drawn in again.
All that has been hereinbefore explained with reference to the operation of
the pump and its regulating pouch will also apply to the case of a fan and the
regulating pouch belonging to it.

page_text: The details of the before described apparatus may be varied without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
Dated this 30th day of April 1898.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Gas Producing Apparatus.
I, MAURICE TAYLOR, of 16, Rue Grange Batelière, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
The subject of this invention is a gas producing apparatus enabling the furnace
or retort to be readily cleansed without the necessity of employing a gasometer
and ensuring uniformity in the composition of the gas.
This gas producer is characterized by the fact that the pressure of the gas
produced is lower than the atmospheric pressure, while escapes are effectually
prevented.
And in order that my invention may be clearly understood I will describe the
same in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the gas producing apparatus on line A-B
Figure 3.
Figure 2 is a vertical section on line C-D Figure 3.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line E-F Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a vertical section (corresponding to the A-B section shewn in
Figure 1) of a modified form of the apparatus.
The gas-producing apparatus comprises a metal chamber 1 lined with fire-
resisting blocks or pieces 2, 8, forming the furnace or retort. The upper part of
this chamber is closed by a plate or cover supporting the fuel charging apparatus.
The lower part of the chamber 1 is closed by a removable door 4, covered with
a fire-proof plate 5, supporting the fuel at the base. This plate 5 is situated
sufficiently far from the retort block 3 to leave a space wide enough to admit¸ air
and steam into the retort and to enable the slag to be removed from the retort.
The door 4 is held against the chamber by two lever arms 6, 6, which are caused
to press upon such door 4 by means of set screws 7, 7.
The chamber 1, has at or near its centre a reduced part which forms an annular
space 8 into which the air and steam are admitted through the orifice 9, before
entering the gas producer.
A metal casing 10 held against the chamber 1 by the rods 11 secured to the
door 4, forms a continuation of the annular space 8. The air and steam leave
this annular space through perforations 12 whence they enter the retort or furnace.
In passing through the annular space the steam, as it passes over the highly-
heated metal walls thereof, becomes dry and superheated, this being a condition
the fulfilment of which is necessary to enable the furnace or retort to decompose
the maximum of steam, and consequently to impart the maximum richness to
the gases.
A door 13 permits the fire in the furnace to be kindled and the slag to be
removed.
At or near the top of the chamber 1 there is provided an orifice 14 for the escape
of the heated gases. A vaporiser 15" formed by a metal tube 15 enveloped in a
casing 16 connects this orifice 14 with the combined gas scrubber and refrige-

page_text: rator 17, which is provided with a valved pipe or flue, not shewn in the drawings,
communicating with a chimney or other outlet.
Water is admitted into the vaporiser 15" through the U-trapped tube 18, while
another similar tube 19 serves to discharge the overflow or superfluous water and
determines the water-level in the vaporiser. The pressure in the vaporiser is
limited by the depth of the U-shaped portion of the tube 19, for, the moment that
pressure exceeds the pressure determined by the water column, the height of
which equals the depth of the said U-shaped bend in the tube 19, the steam
must escape through this tube. A pipe 20, 21 conducts the steam from the top
of the vaporiser 15" to the orifice 9 which, as before described, admits air and
steam into the furnace.
To the chamber 1 there is attached a pump 22 the crank disc of which actuates
the piston 23 through the medium of a connecting rod or link. Motion is
imparted to the pump through the medium of pulleys 24 from any suitable motor.
The pump 22 is provided with a suction valve 25 and a force or delivery valve 26.
The suction valve 25 is connected to the scrubber 17 by a pipe 27, while the
delivery-valve 26 is connected to an india-rubber or other equivalent regulating
bag or pouch 28 by a pipe 29.
The cylinder of the pump 22 is provided with an annular channel 30 in constant
communication with the suction pipe 27 through a pipe 31, this annular passage 30
being constantly closed by the piston 23. The object of the passage or channel 30
is to collect any gases which may pass the piston 23 during the "forcing
pressure stroke these gases are then drawn in anew and no escape can therefore
take place.
"
or
The rod of the valve 25 comes in contact with a three armed rocking lever 32
though, whilst the pump is in normal operation, this does not prevent the valve 25
from remaining on its seat. The opposite arm of the rocking lever 32 supports
a valve 33 in such a manner that, during the normal operation of the pump, such
valve 33, is constantly raised. This valve 33 is situated in the steam-conducting
pipe 20-21 leading from the vaporiser 15" to the gas-producer, and, so long as
the pump continues in normal operation, the steam flows unimpeded from the
vaporiser to the said gas-producer.
The india-rubber bag or pouch 28 is secured to a plate 34 whereon one of its
faces rests. When this pouch 28 is inflated by the normal pressure of the gases
its opposite face comes into contact with a hinged metal plate 35 capable of
oscillating on its pivot, the upper part of the said plate being acted on by two
springs 36, so that such plate is in light contact with the pouch 28, when the
gases with which the pouch is filled, are at normal pressure. A link or rod 37
connects the oscillating plate 35 to the three armed lever 32.
Having thus stated the object and nature of the invention I will now describe
its operation:-
When the connection with the chimney has been opened, through the before-
mentioned valved pipe or flue, a fire has been kindled in the gas producer, and
the furnace charged with incandescent coal, steam under pressure is generated
in the vaporiser 15" owing to the passage of the hot gases. When the valved pipe
or flue and the door 13, through which latter the fire has been started, have been
shut, the pump 22 is set in operation.
The piston 23 draws the gases from the scrubber 17 and consequently from
the gas-producer. As an effect of the vacuum thus created in the upper part of
the gas-producer, atmospheric air is drawn in at the base of the gas-producer
through the orifice 9 annular space 8 and ports 12. This air as it enters through
the orifice 9 is charged with steam from the steam-pipe 21, the volume of which
steam-whose pressure is constant-is determined once for all by the area of
aperture of the valve 33, in such a manner that the proportion of air and steam
is in all cases alike. This mixture of air and steam drawn up to the top of the
gas-producer as before stated passes through the incandescent coal, becomes decom.
posed, and forms combustible gas.

page_text: The gases thus displaced by the pump 22 are forced into the pouch 28 through
the pipe 29 and escape through the pipe 38 ready for use.
It will be understood that if the supply of utilised gas were constant and uniform
the composition of the gases would in all instances be the same, the amounts of
air and steam being always proportioned whilst the operation is normal, and what
is understood by normal operation is that condition where the volume of utilised
gases equals the volume generated by the pump 22, that is to say where the gas
producer yields its maximum supply of gas.
But in actual practice things never assume this aspect, as the maximum supply
is hardly ever utilised but varies according to requirements. It is therefore
necessary that the gas produced should at all times be equal to the volume of
gas expended and that this equality be ensured automatically. This result is
attained through the agency of the india-rubber pouch 28. Whilst the supply
is normal the two faces of the pouch 28 hear lightly the one upon the stationary
plate 34 and the other upon the swinging plate 35. But the moment the supply
from the pipe 38 diminishes the supply from the pump continuing
the same the gases will further inflate the pouch 28, and the faces
of the pouch 28 expand accordingly and the plate 35 is moved further
away from the plate 34. As this movement is performed the link 37
operates the lever 32 and through it raises the valve 25 off its seat so that the
gases drawn in, come back into the suction pipe 27 and are not forced into the
pouch 28 as before. And they will not again be so forced into the pouch 28 until
after the latter has resumed its normal degree of distension and the springs 36
have again brought the plate 35 to its normal position. The lever 32 will then
also resume its initial position, thereby enabling the valve 25 to return to its seat
and the pump to resume its normal working.
During these several stages more or less air is drawn into the gas-producer
according as the valve 25 is opened to a greater or less extent by the lever 32, and
as the steam invariably enters the pipe 27 at a constant pressure and the supply
is uniform (though the volume drawn in by the pump 22 varies) there would be
too large a proportion of steam and the gases would vary in composition, which
should be avoided. Now to ensure a uniform proportion a valve 33 is provided.
By simply glancing at the respective positions of the valves 33 and 25 it will be
seen that while the valve 25 remains open more or less the valve 33 closes to a
corresponding extent and that by and by a time comes when—the valve 25 remain-
ing sufficiently wide open to stop the suction of the pump 22—the valve 33 will shut
completely. It will therefore be seen that owing to this relative arrangement of
the two valves 25 and 33, actuated by the same lever 32, adapted to operate in
opposite directions, the supply of steam will always be proportionate to the quantity
of air drawn in, whatever may be the amount of gases utilised.
By these means a gas producer is obtained which will invariably supply gases
identical in composition, and the purification whereof may be proceeded with
whilst gas production is in progress, since the gas producer operates below atmos-
pheric pressure or-should the suction of the pump 22 discontinue altogether-at
not greater than the pressure of the atmosphere.
It will thus be seen that owing to this mode of operation the purifying or
cleansing of the retort no longer necessitates the employment of a gasometer
which besides taking up too much space cannot, with safety, be employed in
dwelling houses.
Instead of the pump 22 there may be employed a suction and forcing fan such
as indicated in Figure 4, in which case the said fan 39 would be used to draw the
gases from the top of the gas producer and to force them into the regulating
pouch 28, and within the suction pipe there would be placed a valve or damper 40
adapted to more or less throttle the passing gas current and thereby regulate the
volume of gas drawn in. The valve 40 should in that case, be operated by a
lever 41 actuated in its turn by the regulating pouch 28 in the manner stated
above. The valve 33 is also controlled by the lever 41 so that when the valve 40

page_text: closes and thereby reduces the gas supply the valve 33 also closes and in the
same proportion reduces the amount of steam passing through it.
The fan 39 is enclosed in a metal or other case 42 through which is formed a
passage for the main shaft to pass through with slight friction. Into this case
the suction pipe would open and the case would be filled with gas at a pressure
below that of the atmosphere. Consequently all the gases discharged through
escapes or leakages from the fan 39 will be drawn in again and will in no case
be allowed to pass out.
Indeed, all that has been hereinbefore explained with reference to the operation
of the pump and its regulating pouch will also apply to the case of a fan and the
regulating pouch belonging to it.
The details of the apparatus may be varied without departing from the spirit
of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :--
1. The combination with a gas producer of a pump or fan which draws gas
from the top of the gas-producer and forces it into a regulating pouch for the
purpose of obtaining in the gas-producer a pressure below atmospheric pressure
and thereby preventing any escape of gas substantially as herein before described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim the employment in a
gas producer of a removable bottom formed of metal lined with fire-resisting
material two levers fitted with set screws arranged to press the bottom against
the lower part of the gas producer, a free annular space near the lower part of the
producer and a casing between the two walls constituting the said annular space
for the purpose of superheating the steam admitted along with the air at the lower
part of the gas producer, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
3. In apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim the employment of a
tubular vaporiser heated by the gas drawn from the top of the gas producer,
the pressure in such vaporiser being regulated by a U-shaped tube substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. In apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim the arrangement for
admitting air and steam into the lower part of the gas producer as a result of the
depression produced by a pump which, as it draws gas from the top of the gas
producer forces it into a regulating pouch compressed between two supports one
of which is stationary and the other movable, the latter through the medium of a
connecting rod or link actuating a rocking or swinging T-shaped lever upon
the two arms of which rest the rods of two valves respectively one of such valves
regulating the supply of the gas while the other controls the supply of steam in
due proportion to the supply of the said gas substantially as hereinabove described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. In apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim the arrangement within
the body of the pump of an annular passage or conduit constantly communicating
with the suction pipe so that the gases which the piston would otherwise allow
to escape during the compression stage shall be again drawn in substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. In apparatus such as is characterized in the first claim the arrangement for
admitting air and steam into the lower part of the gas producer as a result of the
depression produced by a fan which as it draws gas from the top of the gas
producer forces such gas into a regulating pouch compressed between two supports
one of which is stationary and the other movable the latter of which through the
agency of a connecting rod or link actuates one of the arms of a bell-crank lever
upon the pivot of which is mounted a valve or damper which is arranged within
the suction pipe and controls the volume of gas drawn in while the other arm of
the said bell-crank lever supports the rod of a valve which controls the supply

page_text: cf steam in proportion to the supply of gas substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
7. In apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim arranging the fan within
a case into which the suction pipe is made to open or discharge, in such a manner
that the pressure within the said case is below atmospheric pressure for the purpose
of obviating any escape of gas substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of January 1899
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.