Improvements in Gas Making Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gas Making Apparatus.
1 ALFRED KITT of the Gas Light and Coke Company's Works, Lupus Street,
Pimlico in the County of Middlesex, Civil 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 object of this invention is to effect the charging and discharging of the retorts
used in the manufacture of gas, in a more convenient and efficient manner than
heretofore.
For the purposes of my invention, I make use of the old and known plan of inclined
retorts, so that the charging and discharging may be effected by gravitation; and
the invention consists in a novel arrangement of the retorts and settings, and in the
apparatus for supplying the gas producing material thereto.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a cross section of a bench of double
retorts with my improvements adapted thereto. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing a
slight modification, and Fig. 3 is a front elevation, partly in section. Figs. 4 and 5
are partial end views of the setting, showing two arrangements for supplying the gas-
producing material to the retorts.
I would here remark that my invention is inore particularly intended for use in the
manufacture of coal gas, and will be described with reference thereto, for convenience.
A is the setting, B the furnace, B the heading passages from the furnace, C the
ascension pipes, and the hydraulic main or mains, all of which may be of the
usual construction.
D are the retorts, which 1 make of inverted Y shape, the arms D being longer
that the stem D³. The retorts will thus have three mouthpieces, namely, one at the
end of either arm D, which are the discharging mouth pieces, and one at the stem.
which is the charging mouth piece, and these mouth pieces will be closed by vertical
covers for the arms and a horizontal cover for the stem. The arms D will be set
at any suitable angle, which will allow the coal to run or slide down by gravitation,
so as to leave an even layer on the bottom of the retort, and the covers may be
provided with stops D2 to arrest the fall of the material, and retain it in position in
the retort. In Fig. the ascension pipes C are connected with the lower ends.of
the retorts, and in Fig. 2 with the stem D1, in both cases two hydraulic mains being
preferably provided. The charging of the retorts is effected by means of a funnel E
or shoot, with a curved or bent lower end, which is let down into the stem portion D¹.
and which will guide the coal to either arm of the retort, according to the direction
in which the bent mouth is turned, as shown in the drawings. The funnel E will
receive the coal from trucks F, which will run upon lines of rails arranged along the
top of the setting, the charging mouthpieces being in a line along the centre of the
setting, for the purpose; or from a fixed or movable coal hopper F1, as shown in
Figs. 4 and 5.
Means will be provided for hoisting the funnel out of, and lowering
it into the charging mouths.
Referring now to Fig. 4, F is a coal hopper or store, which is supported on
columns arranged on the top of the setting. This coal hopper is filled by trucks from the
collier, and may be provided with a shoot G for each charging mouthpiece of the
benches of retorts. These shoots G are closed at the bottom by a door, and are of
such a size as to contain the proper amount of coal for a charge, a screw door or
other means being provided to shut off connection with the hopper when the shoot
is full and ready to be discharged..
In Fig. 5, the coal bopper or receptacle is shown as mounted on wheels, which run
on rails carried by columu. The hopper is provided with a shoot G, which may be
detachable, so that the hopper may be lowered into the collier or barge to be filled
with coal.

page_text: It will be seen that by my invention the charging and discharging of the retorts is
effected by gravitation, and the coal being stored in hoppers or receptacles above
the setting, instead of on stages in front, the labour of charging is greatly
diminished.
It will he evident that if desired the measuring shoot may also be made to travel,
so that one shoot may be made to serve one or several benches of retorts. The shoots
may also be arranged at the sides of the hoppers.
By the use of a travelling hopper. I am enabled to convey a quantity of coal
sufficient to charge at least one hench of retorts, and thus save not only time and
labor, but plant.
Although the Y shaped retorts are shown inverted in the drawings, they may be
used the right way up, the central mouths being used as discharging, instead of
charging mouths.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would remark that I do not
intend to confine myself to the precise details of arrangement as shown and described.
as circumstances may necessitate more or less modifications being made to suit
various kinds of work, but what I claim is :-
1. In gas-making apparatus, the use of retorts formed in the shape of the letter Y,
and having three months, as described.
2. In gas-making apparatus, setting Y shaped retorts with the central mouths
uppermost, so that the retorts may be charged from the centre and discharged from
the ends by gravitation, as set forth.
3. In gas-making apparatus, the combination with Y shaped retorts set with the
central mouths uppermost, of mouth pieces having double outlets for the gas applied
to the central mouths, as set forth.
4. In gas-making apparatus, the combination with Y shaped retorts, of a reunov-
able funnel or shoot, as described, for guiding or distributing the charges of coal into
or in the retorts as set forth.
5. In gas-making apparatus, the combination with a retort setting, of a fixed coal
hopper or storage receptacle situated above the retort setting, and a shoot or shoots
arranged to measure charges of coal, and discharge the same to, the retorts, as set
forth.
6. In gas-making apparatus, the use of a travelling coal hopper or storage
receptacle running upon rails supported above the retort setting, in combination with
a shoot or shoots arranged to measure charges of coal, and discharge the same to the
retorts, as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In gas-making apparatus, the combination with a retort setting, of a travelling
coal hopper or storage receptacle, arranged above the setting, and provided with
suitably closed openings for discharging the coal in limited quantities, as desired.
8. The general arrangement of apparatus for making gas as herein shown and
described.
Dead this toch dow of Santawhar 1000