IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF Gas FOR HEATING AND ILLUMINATING PURPOSES
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Melville Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th September 1881. A. com-
munication from abroad by Frederic Egner, of Norfolk, in the County of
Norfolk, State of Virginia, United States of America.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF Gas
FOR HEATING AND ILLUMINATING PURPOSES." [A communication from abroad
by Frederic Egner, of Norfolk, in the County of Norfolk, State of Virginia, United
States of America.]
The object of this Invention is to construct an apparatus by which gas can be
made from coal at less expense than heretofore, and in a manner not detrimental
to the health of men engaged in the retort works.
The Invention consists mainly of a revolving retort heated externally and
provided with inlet and outlet mouthpieces and valves for supply and discharge of
coal and coke, the retort being constructed and arranged as hereafter described.
The retort is preferably cylindrical and arranged in an inclined position. Its
inner surface is divided transversely by a series of annular flanges which form
compartments that are divided by longitudinal flanges, thus forming a series of
pockets on the inner surface of the cylinder. Or a continuous spiral flange may
be used in place of the flanges, and in that case the retort may be placed in a
horizontal position instead of being inclined.
The retort is provided with mouthpieces at each end, revolving with it in close
contact with stationary mouth pieces connecting the retort with the feed and
discharge pipes. The coal reservoir is mounted above the upper fixed mouthpiece.
It is provided with a gate or valve at its upper side for closing the feed opening
when the apparatus is in operation, and the pipe leading thence to the retort is
provided with a revolving gate and with a valve which may be closed or opened
as required to prevent escape of gas from the retort, or the admission of coal to the
same. A cogged wheel or rim is secured on the lower revolving mouth piece and
engages a pinion on a shaft which is suitably connected to power, and which also
Price 2d1

page_text: imparts motion to the gate of the coal reservoir. The revolving mouth pieces are
mounted in half bearings or pillow blocks which support the main weight of the
retort, while the lower fixed mouth piece sustains the end thrust. A pipe from the
lower mouth piece conveys the gas to the hydraulic main, and the coke chamber
connects to the lower mouth piece and is provided with a gate for closing its outlet
airtight.
METHOD OF OPERATION.
The retort being heated and the coal supply valve closed, the reservoir is filled
with coal and then closed. The retort is then revolved slowly, and the revolving
gate is also turned at the required speed. The valve is then opened, and the coal
supplied in successive charges by the gate passes to the retort, and by the flanges
on the interior thereof is carried upward and drops again by gravity. The coal is
thus moved gradually endwise of the retort until the lower end is reached, when it
passes to the coke chamber. As soon as the coke chamber is filled its upper valve
is closed, and the door opened for discharge of the coke into carts or other
receptacles below. The discharge door is then closed and the operation continues.
By this apparatus the operation can be continuously carried on, and the severe
labor of charging retorts and withdrawing the coke as usually practiced is
dispensed with.
It is to be understood that any suitable number of retorts may be employed in
the same oven or setting.