IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND PURIFICATION OF GAS FOR LIGHTING, AND IN THE MEANS OF APPLYING THE SAME TO HEATING PURPOSES PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE PURIFICATION OF MINERAL OIL
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Eveleigh, of Tredega: Road, Bow, in the
County of Middlesex, Consulting Chemist, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND PURIFICATION OF GAS FOR
LIGHTING, AND IN THE MEANS OF APPLYING THE SAME TO HEATING PURPOSES
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE PURIFICATION
OF MINERAL OIL,"
Sealed the 2nd July 1869, and dated the 7th January 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Eveleigh at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th January 1869.
I, GEORGE EVI LEIGH, of Tre legar Road, Bow, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND PURIFICATION
or GAS FOR LIGHTING, AND IN THE MEANS OF APPLYING THE SAME TO HEATING
PURPOSES. PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE
PURIFICATION OF MINERAL OIL," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to the manufacture of gas for lighting purposes
from coal, shale, wool, bitamen, petroleum, or other substances con-

page_text: taining carbon, hydrogen, or nitrogen, in their chemical composition,
and to the purification thereof; also to certain means of producing gas
from such liquifiable substances for and applying it, or impure gas
otherwise obtained from the substances above mentioned, to the purpose
of generating heat in furnaces or in other situations where heat is
required; and to the purification of mineral oil for the purpose of
rendering it non-explosive below a temperature of 300° Fahrenheit.
The improvements in the manufacture and purification of the gas
obtained from the substances referred to consist in the application of
certain means for the distillation or redistillation thereof, and the reduc-
tion during that distillation or redistillation of all or any of the waste
products originally produced in the distillation of such gas from those
substances, so as to convert the whole (or nearly the whole) of such
distilled waste products into an increased quantity and improved quality
of gas for lighting or heating purposes.
I effect the above improvements by passing the gas as soon as
produced from the substances through upright tubes, cylinders, or
chambers, which for convenience I call "redistillation retorts," and of
which one or more may be employed of dimensions suitable to the
quantity of gas to be produced and the extent of purification required.
These "redistillation retorts" are loosely filled with any one or more, as
may be required, of the following or any other substances which will
produce similar effects, namely, charcoal, coke, chalk, lime, bones,
limestone, filings, turnings, or pieces of iron or other metal, or scorius
metal not charged with sulphur, or of metals somewhat oxidized, which
substances I shall for convenience call "chemical purifiers." The
"redistillation retorts" (if more than one are employed) are then con-
nected together and to the gas generating retorts by suitable pipes so
as to allow the gas as produced to pass through them and amongst the
chemical purifiers contained therein. They are placed in a suitable
furnace and raised to a more or less red heat, according to the nature of
the gas or the substance from which it is produced and the extent of
purification required. The gases and waste products in passing through
the heated chemical purifiers in the "redistillation retorts" will
undergo the necessary chemical changes to produce gas of the required
quality and purity, and there will be little or no residue left in such
retorts, the quantity of gas resulting will be much increased, while the
sulphur will be united to the metallic substances or calcarious earths

page_text: contained in the redistillation retorts, and can thus be removed in a
dry and inoffensive state when needful. The purified gas may then be
cooled by passing through pipes exposed to any ordinary cooling
influence, and if needful it may bo washed by passing through water or
lime water, or it may go at once to the gasholder for use.
The improvements in the means of producing gas from any such
liquifiable substances as before reforred to and applying it or the impure
gas from said substances to tho purposes of generating heat in furnaces
consist in allowing the said liquified substances or impure gas to flow
into a cylinder or other vessel filled with heated charcoal or coke mixed
(if needful) with any of the other "chemical purifiers" above mentioned
which cylinder is provided with suitable orifices or openings or other,
burners for the escapo of the gas, and is placed in the opening of the
furnace or other place where the heat is required. The orifices, openings,
or burners in the cylinder are supplied with air for combustion by tubes
loading directly from the external air, the front of the furnace opening
boing otherwise closed, or partially closed, as may be required; and to
prevent tho hent being carried off too quickly by the current of air the
heated products of combustion are made to circulato in pipes or tubes
ropeatedly backwards and forwards through the water or other fluid or
spaco required to be heated, so that the heat is sufficiently abstracted
before the heated products make their escape into the chinnoy.
In order to produce gas for lighting or heating purposes other than a
furnace, as above nained, from any liquifiable fuel or refuse distilled
from coal or other of the substances referred to such substanco may be
introduced either in a liquid or solid state, or be distilled over into and
beneath or upon the "chemical purifiers" in one or more of the "redis-
tillation retorts" heated as above described, so that the vapour of the
liquid or other substance shall be converted directly into the purified gas
as required.
By the employment of one modification of this process I am enabled
to purify mineral oil so as to make it non-explosive below 300° Fahren-
heit with greater certainty than has been effected heretofore by distilling
it in a sand bath, through charcoal, or certain other of the chemical
purifiers before mentioned at a heat of about 325°, or just above its
boiling point.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Eveleigh in the Great Seal Patent Offico
on the 7th July 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
EVELEIGH, of Tredegar Road, Bow, in the County of Middlesex,
Consulting Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said George Eveleigh, Her special licence that
I, the said George Eveleigh, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said George Eveleigh, my executors, admi-
ustrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE AND PURIFICATION OF GAS FOR LIGHTING, AND IN THE MEANS
OF APPLYING THE SAME TO HEATING PURPOSES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS
ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE PURIFICATION OF MINERAL OIL," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said George Eveleigh, my executors or
adininistrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said George Eveleigh, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to bo particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement and accompanying Drawings, that is to say:-
My Invention relates to the manufacture of gas for lighting purposes
from coal, shale, wood, bitumen, petroleum, or other substances con-
taining carbon, hydrogen, or nitrogen in their chemical composition, and
to the purification thereof; also to certain means of producing gas from
such liquifiable substances for and applying it or impure gas other-

page_text: wise obtained from the substances above mentioned, to the purpose of
generating heat in furnaces, or in other situations where heat is required.
and to the purification of mineral oil for the purpose of rendering it
non-explosive below a temperature of 300° Fahrenheit.
The improvements in the maunfacture and purification of the gas
obtained from the substances referred to consist in the application of
certain means for the distillation or redistillation thereof, and the
reduction during that distillation or redistillation of all or any of the
waste products ordinarily produced in the distillation of such gas from
those substances, so as to convert the whole (or nearly the whole) of
Buch distilled waste products into an increased quantity and improved
quality of gas for lighting or heating purposes.
"
effect the above improvements by passing the gas as soon as pro-
ducod from thesubstances through upright tubes, cylinders, or chambers,
which for convenience I call "redistillation retorts," and of which one
or more may be employed of dimensions suitable to the quantity of gas
to bo produced and the extent of purification required. These "rodistilla-
tion retorts" a ro loosely filled with any one or more as may be required of
the following or any other substances which will produce similar effects,
namely, charcoal, coke, chalk, lime, bones, limestones. filings, turnings, or
pieces of iron or other inetal, or scorious metal not charged with sulphur,
or of metal somewhat oxidized, which substances I shall for convenience
call "chemical purifiers." The "redistillation retorts (if more than
one are employed) are then connected together aud to the gas generating
retorts by suitable pipes, so as to allow the gas as produced to pass
through them and amongst the "chemical purifiers" contained therein;
they are placed in a suitable furnace and raised to a more or less red
heat according to the nature of the gas or the substance from which it
is produced, and the extent of purification required. The gases aud
waste products in passing through the heated "chemical purifiers" in
the "redistillation retorts" will undergo tho necessary chemical changes
to produce gas of the required quality and purity, and will leave little
or no residue, the quantity of gas resulting will be much increased, while
the sulphur will be united to the metallic substauces or calcarious carths
contained in the "redistillation retorts" and can thus bo removed in a
dry and inoffensive state when needful. The purified gas may then be
cooled by passing through pipes exposed to any ordinary cooling
influence; it may then go at once to the gas holder for use.

page_text: The improvements in the means of producing gas from any such
liquifiable substances, as before referred to, and applying it or the
impure gas from said substances to the purposes of generating heat in
furnaces consist in allowing the said liquified substances or impure gas
to flow into a cylinder or other vessel filled with heated charcoal or coke
mixed (if needful) with any of the other "chemical purifiers" above
mentioned; which cylinder is provided with suitable orifices, openings,
or burners for the escape of the gas, and is placed in the opening for
the furnace or other place where the heat is required.
By the employment of one modification of this process I am enabled
to purify mineral oil so as to make it non-explosive below 300° Fahrenheit
with greater certainty than has been effected heretofore, by distilling it
in a sand bath through charcoal or certain other of the "chemical
purifiers" before mentioned. at a heat of about 325°, or just above its
boiling point.
And in order more fully to explain the manner of carrying the said
Invention into effect I have hereunto appended the following description
of apparatus, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings.
When distilling gas from coal or other substances in the ordinary
retorts I employ the following arrangement of apparatus for the purpose
of purifying such gas and producing other gas from oil or other similar
liquifiable substances. Each ascension pipe passing from a retort is to
be provided with a stop valve, by means of which the connection can be
cut off from the retort whilst the latter is being cleared or charged. I
connect a number of such ascension pipes with a main pipe leading to a
sot of "redistillation retorts," see Figs. 1, 2, & 3 of the Drawings hereto
annexed, wherein a represents the main pipo loading from the retorts
connected near the upper ond of first "redistillation retort" b; cand d
aro two valves fitted into the said main pipe a; e is another pipe leading
from a reservoir of creosote, oil, petroleum, or other such liquifiable
substances; fis a valve by which the influx of such substances into the
space between the valves c and d can be regulated at pleasure. The
"redistillation retorts" 6, 61, 63, et cetera are placed in a brick or other
furnace, and supported on brickwork in the manner shown. The furnace
is provided with upper and lower sets of doors 9, 9, 9, on either side, and
a chimney in any convenient position. The "redistillation retorts
may be placed in a row or in any other convenient position. I prefer to
employ them about eight feet high by two feet diameter for a main
"

page_text: "
and
supply pipe of from six inches to nino inches diameter; they may be of
wrought or cast iron, or clay, and are connected together by short necks
in the manner shown; these junctions must be made quite secure from
leakage. The bottons of the "redistillation retorts" are closed, and the
tops made to open with any ordinary mouth piece arrangement. pro-
jecting above the furnace top. In each "redistillation retort" is a loose
perforated falso bottom h just above the opening near the bottom of
cach "redistillation retort." The false bottom is connected by legs i, i, i,
to a flat iron plate resting on the bottom of the "redistillation retort."
The false bottom allows the gas to pass freely through but restrains the
"chemical purifiers" above it, while the flat plate receives the ashes as
formed. The false bottoms and plates are raised or lowered in clearing
and charging the "redistillation rotorts by means of rods
chains 7, 1, 1, fastened to them. The "redistillation retorts'
may be
hoated by nu ordinary furnace, but I prefer to heat them by first
lighting a fire from the lower doors and then filling up the whole space
surrounding the "redistillation retort" and between them and the sides
of the furnace with coke to within about nine inches of the top by
menns of the doors above referred to, or fro n doors at the top of furnace,
moveable bars being employed inside the doors to retain the fuel when
opening the doors; I then regulate the heat by opening or shutting
any or all of the said doors as may be required to keep the "redistillation
retorts" at a red heat only, say 760° Fahrenheit. The ash-pits should
be fitted with dampers to check the draught as needful. These
"redistillation retorts" may be heated by gas in jets in the manner
I shall hereafter more particularly describe.
"
Before using the "redistillation retorts" they are to be charged with
charcoal in small lumps mixed with about one-third its weight of small
picces of chalk, lime, or other alkili, not too finely broken, as it would
prevent the proper filtration of the gas; when they are nearly full a
layer of coarse iron filings or turnings is laid over the top of the
"chemical purifiers" about one or two inches thick, or these substances
may be charged in alternate layers. The proportions may however bo
varied according to the chemical nature of the substances from which the
gas is to be produced. When the "redistillation retorts are thus filled
from the false bottom to the lower edge of the connecting opening or pipe
at the top, the covers are screwed firmly on, and the fire of the furnace
lighted and kept to the required heat. Most of the oils require only
"

page_text: "
600° Fahrenheit, but for coal gas about 700° Fahrenheit will be required,
and if any pitchy substance is forming an increased heat is required;
this however can seldom occur if sufficient lime or chalk be used.
Until the "redistillation retorts" have attained the required heat the
vapours from the chalk and charcoal may be allowed to escape by
leaving the lil of the last one partly open, the valves & d in main
inlet pipe, and that m in outlet pipe n being closed. When thus
prepared the last lid can be closed and the valves above mentioned
opened; the gas will then flow through from the retorts, which are not
to be charged until the "redistillation retorts' are ready. When the
flow of gas from the retort slackcus sufficiently the oil or other fluid
substance may be gradually introduced into the first "redistillation
retort," and during the recharging of the ordinary retorts a larger
quantity thereof can be introduced. The oil or other liquid is soon
vapourized in the "redistillation retorts," and the impure gas coming
from the retorts being in a state of vapour hoth of these are forced
onwards by their own pressure, "a turgo," first down, then up, down
and up, et cetera. through the whole series of the "redistillation retorts,"
or they may be drawn by exhaustion in a manner well known. The
following changes then take place :-Bi-carburetted and carburetted
hydrogen are seperated from the gas and vapours, passing over from
the retorts and produced from the oil; the other parts, such as ammonia,
carbonic acid, pitch vapour, water, crcosote, naphthaline, and the liko
are decomposed by the "chemical purifiers' in the "redistillation
retorts," the result being the production of more bi-carburetted and
carburetted hydrogen, carbonic oxide, cyanogen, and free hydrogen,
which pass forward, together forming a good available lighting gas. The
sulphuretted hydrogen contained in the gas from the retorts is decom-
posed by the iron filings, and also by the lime with which the sulphur
combines forming a sulphuret. The hydrogen combines with carbon,
forming a further portion of carburretted hydrogen which goes over with
the other products, as above explamed.
In the common process of gas making the peroxide of iron has been
used for abstracting the sulphur, but as it contains two proportions of
oxygen to one of metal; the former take up four proportions of hydrogen
from the gas, water being formed. By my process the sulphur combines
with the base forming a dry sulphuret, and the hydrogen, which would
be lost in the common process, combines with carbon in the "redis-

page_text: tillation retorts," and is utilized as above explained. The gas pusing
onward in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 1 becomes purified by the
time it has reached the outlet pipen at the end of the series of retorts;
from thence it may be passed direct to a condenser or cooling apparatus
of any ordinary construction, but I prefer a coil of pipe in a tank of
running water, as used in ordinary spirit distillation; it thence passes
through a syphon tank, in which if not thoroughly purified it will leave
a deposit, and the extent and nature or non-existenco of any deposit will
show whether there is any defect or not in regard to the "redistillation
retorts," furnaces, or other means employed in its manufacture. From
the syphou the gas goes into the gas holder for use. If preferred this
apparatus may be used for the purification of coal gas alone without
the use of oil or other liquifiable substance, as described. It is important
that the "redistillation retorts" should be placed in a vortical position,
as otherwise the gases and vapours would form a channel in the
"chemical purifiers" at the upper side of the retort, and would pass on
unchanged. It is also important to make these retorts of sufficient
length, especially when dealing with impure coal products, as if they
are too short the effect will be imperfect.
The apparatus above described is what I employ when using ordinary
retorts for distilling the gas, but I also employ an improved retort which
cannot only be used as a distilling retort, but also as a purifying
chamber or "redistillation retort." Figs. 4 & 5 show the arrange-
ment when using this retort. represents the rotort, which may
conveniently be made six feet high, twenty-eight inches long, and twelve
inches wide. In the lower part is an opening closed with a fire-brick
or tiles, and the usual retort door or lid ; this opening is for the
purpose of clearing the retort, it is to be firmly closed before filling ;
u is the lid of the retort turning on a pivot to one side, so that it can be
instantly closed when the charge is in and screwed down firmly. A tube
e enters the retort near the top, it is provided with two cocks f & f.
for the purpose of introducing the oil or other liquids for the purpose of
making gas in the same manner as already described with respect to
Fig. 1.
a is an outlet pipe of about three inches diameter with valve c
leading to the first of a series of redistillation retorts b, b', 6³, et cetera,
set in the same furnace and of precisely similar structure to those above
described, but as proportioned to the size of retort described are only
about six feet high by twelvo inches diameter; n is the outlet pipe

page_text: and valve leading to condensing coil.
The retort and "redistillation
retorts" are set in the same furnace, which may be of similar structure
to that shown in Figs. 1, 2, & 3, and provided with a door o at top for
convenience of charging fuel into the centre of furnace.
Fig. 6 shows a similar retort with two openings at bottom for clearing
and two at top for charging, but they may be constructed of a size
proportioned to the quantity of material to be operated upon at once,
care being taken that they shall be of sufficient height. The "redis-
tillation retorts," employed in connection with it being proportioned
thereto similarly to those used with the retort shown in Figs. 4 & 5.
To charge these retorts I reduce the coal to a coarse powder, and mix
it with one-fourth, or one-fifth of its weight of resinous pine or fir saw-
dust, or other light well dried material suitable for producing gas. To
this mixture I add chalk equal to one-fortieth of the weight of coal or
lime equal to one-eightieth thereof. The retort may be charged by
a hopper or hoppers fitting over the mouth or mouths of the retort
and provided with slide or slide doors, which being withdrawn allows
the fuel charged into the hopper to fall into the retort. (The hoppers
may be first filled any then brought by a tram rail over the mouths of
the retorts if preferred.) The lid of the retort is immediately closed
and screwed down, and the valve in communication with the "redis-
tillation retorts" opened at same time. The sawdust yields nearly four-
fifths of its weight in gas, its acetic acid, tar water, ammonia, and
carbonic acid, as also the similar substances resulting from the distillation
of the coal, being all decomposed by the action of the "chemical purifiers"
in the "redistillation retorts" in the same manner as before explained.
The sawdust besides yielding gas has also the effect of deadening the
fall of the coal, and the retort is not so liable to injury as it would be
if lumps of coal alone were allowed to fall into it. By the employment
of this kind of retort, and the mode of charging above explained, the
gas is much more quickly disengaged, and at a lower temperature,
whereby it escapes the attenuating influence to which the bicarburretted
hydrogen is subject at high temperatures. When the first force of the
gas is exhausted, the oil or other liquid can be admitted by the
valves,, in pipe e as long as may be required or until shortly
before the time for withdrawing the charge, which is done principally
through the lower opening, the valve c being at that time closed to
prevent regurgitation of the gas. A retort of this description pro-

page_text: portioned to contain three tons will be distilled off in about three hours,
and will be opened only once for the whole operation, ordinary retorts
filled with the scoop would have to be opened, say, twenty times in dis-
tilling the same quantity, and a large quantity of air thus admitted,
which causes very much water and ammonia to be formed, a result which
does not take place with this kind of retort.
Fig. 7 shows how the same kind of retort may be used for obtaining
gas from cil or other similar liquid substances, and nt the same time
may bo made to act as a "redistillation retort." represents the retort; e,
the inlet pipe for the oil or other liquifiablo material for making gas;
n, the outlet pipe and valve; w, a pipe joined to outlet pipe, and passing
down inside the retort, is terminated by a perforated false bottoin or
cage x.
The retort is charged with charcoal or other "chemical
purifiers," as for a single "redistillation retort," and being heated in a
furnace in a similar mannor, the oil or other such liquid is introduced by
the pipe c. The vapour of the oil descends through the charcoal or other
"chemical purifiers," and being thereby converted into purified gas, passes
through the falso bottom, escaping by the pipe w into the outlet pipe n.
Figs. 8 & 9 show how gas may be produced from oil, creosote, or
other such liquifiable substances for the purpose of generating heat to
raise steam or for other purposes. 1 is a tall cup placed in a cylinder 2
on a false bottom 3 contained therein; 4 is the inlet pipe for oil passing
down to near the bottom of the cup 1, and 5 is the outlet pipe for con-
voying the gas to the burners. The cylinder containing the cup is
placed by preferenco in the front part of an ordinary furnace, and heat
applied to it by means of charcoal or coke. After the apparatus is onco
heated by such means, the heat may be maintained by burning in jets
part of the gas produced in the apparatus itself, or the heat of the
flue can be conveniently used to maintain the apparatus at the necessary
heat. Tho vapour of the oil generated by the heat imparted to the
apparatus first rises over the top of the cup (which, as well as the
cylinder, is filled with some or other of the "chemical purifiers") then
descends through the cylinder, and becomes couverted into gas, then
through the false bottom, and escapes by the outlet pipe to be led whero
it is required, no gas holder being necessary. By these means petroleum,
creosote, turba, or other oils, or liquifiable resins, or fuels of any kind
may be used, as they are completely and entirely converted into gas
without the deposition of naphthaline in the flues, as that substance forms

page_text: by this process the best part of the gas produced. By placing this
apparatus as shown in Fig. 9 in connection with a modification of the
"redistillation retorts" before described, the gas when a larger quantity
is required is made to pass through a longer course of charcoal, or other
"chemical purifiers" so as to ensure the complete changes necessary
for the production of a pure gas. When an intense heat is required the
gas should be generated in a seperate stove or furnace, or the cylinder
can be placed in its own small stove furnace as shown by 6, Fig. 8, being
first heated by charcoal or coke, and as that burns away it is substituted
by gas given off in a small pipe from the larger discharge gas pipe
and made to encircle the cylinder, as shown at 7, in Fig 8, the gas being
lit up by the burning charcoal or coke, so that when the latter has
burnt away the gas continues to supply the heat and can be regulated
by a cock, as at 8, Fig. S.
Figs. 10, 11, & 12 show one arrangement I adopt for burning the gas
produced in the apparatus above described for the purpose of generating
Bleam in the ordinary form of flued boilers. 5 shows the pipe leading
the gas from a generating apparatus, such as above described; the said
pipe passing into the brickwork of the furnace introduces the gas into
passages 9, 9, 9, formed in the brickwork, which communicates with a
number of small openings 10, 10, 10, in the side walls and bottom of the
furnace, as shown, which is to be constructed of fire-brick other
openings 11 are also made in the brickwork for the admission of a proper
supply of air, which openings should be close to or in connection with
those for admitting the gas to the furnace so as to ensure a full and proper
supply of air to effect the combustion of the gas; or instead of openings
as described for the admission of air it may enter by a single opening 12
in front of the furnace.
Figs. 13 & 14 represent an application of the apparatus to a tubular
boiler. The generating apparatus is placed in the fire-box zou the
ordinary bars; 13 is a pressure valve box; the oil is led from a main
reservoir to the under side of the said valve box, which is provided with
a pressure valve 14; the pipe 15 conveys the oil to the generating
apparatus 16; a stop-cock with regulating dial is placed just below the
valve box to regulate the supply of oil; 17 is the pipe for conveying the
gas from the generator to the burners 18 in the fire-bos. The heated
products of combustion must be made to traverse as great a distance in
contact with flue or other heating surface as possible by means of

page_text: serpentine tubes, water bridges, or other obstructions in order to prevent
their too rapid escape by the chimney. Suitable couplings 19, 19, arc
provided in the oil and gas pipes to allow of the easy detachment of the
apparatus from thom when requisite for recharging it with "chemical
purifiers." Spare apparatus should be ready to attach in its place imme-
diately it is removed; the heat of the furnace will heat the fresh apparatus
sufficiently to generate the gas, the oil being admitted as soon as the
requisite heat is attained.
Fig. 15 represents a form of cupola for melting iron or other metal
or oros adapted so as to be heated by the gas genorated from oil in the
manner above described. Tho gas is admitted from the gas forming
apparatus by the pipe 5 into the pier 6, formed of hollow brickwork, the
lower portion of which is either clayed over, as shown, or built so as to
allow the passage of the gas up its centre, but not to allow it to escape
Intorally until it arrives at the upper part of the pier at 7, whero tho
spaces in the brickwork being open allow the gas to flow out into the
annular space 8. Blasts of air are introduced at various points round the
said annular space S opposite to the perforations through which the gas
passes, or air may be admitted through a number of openings in the
brickwork similarly to the gas openings. Upon the pier 6 is formed
the core 9, composed of fire-brick; this core being enlarged at the bottom
as shown, and placed about the level of the bosh of the cupola narrows
the opening 10 round it to about two inches at the neck thereof. The
core is supported above as shown, and weighted by brickwork or other-
wise to prevent the possibility of its rising in the melted metal. The ore
or metal to be inelted is supported by the projecting parts of the core and
boshes, and the burning gas passing up through the narrow opening 10
melts the metal which drops down clear of the gas openings into the
chamber 8 below, whence it is tapped in the usual manner. The throat
of the cupola is contracted with fire-bricks as shown, as the use of gas
does not require so large openings for the escape of the products of
combustion as ordinary fuel does. The bridge of brickwork so formed
also reverberates the heat downwards on to the metal to be fused.
Figs. 16, 17, & 18 represent another modification of cupola suitable for
burning gas m the manner explamed. A is the body of the furnace
constructed in an inclined position, the metal or ore to be melted or
sinelted being charged through the openings B, B, B, on to the inclined
bed G; C is the open end of the furnace, through the brick work of which

page_text: the gas is passed, as already explained; D is an arch of brickwork
partially covering a cup or crucible F intended to receive the molten
metal from the hearth through the opening E. The air for supporting
combustion entors by the opening C, and may be either forced in by any
ordinary well-known means or drawn in by means of a jet of storm i
the flues H leading to the chimney I. By this arrangement of the
furnace the interior may be inspected from the open end, and the
blast, and consequently the heat regulated with great facility and
certainty.
gus, the
The distilling retort I have above described and especially referred
to in Figs. 4 & 5 is well adapted for the manufacture of charcoal for
gunpowder and other purposes, or for use in the "redistillation retorts,"
as all the woods so used will yield in addition to the charcoal a large
supply of gas which the "redistillation retorts" will purify as before
described in reference to sawdust, the wood tar yielding a heavy and
good lighting gas which qualifies the inferior gases arising from the
decomposition of the acetic acid, carbonic acid, and water which distil
over with it. In cases where sawdust is scarce the dried sediment of
sewerage or other soft and light material may be employed, or coal can
be used with the chalk or lime only, but in that case the retort should
not be so full.
For the purpose of purifying mineral oils I distil them from or
through charcoal and employ a safety apparatus, shown at Fig. 19.
To avoid explosions in performing this operation I employ pressure
valves so that only a certain quantity can flow into the distilling
apparatus at one time, but it flows in as fast as it distils out, and
should an explosion occur that part only could explodo which is sub-
jected to heat. In the Fig. 1 is the cand bath; 2, the still containing
the charcoal, which is held down by suitable perforated frames not
shown; 3 is a large valve fitting the opening of said still; 4, the hood
or cover; 5, a pipe to convey the gaseous result of an explosion iuto
a gas holder not shown; 6, the throat of the still narrowing to a
pipe 7 to convey the distilled oil to the cooling chamber; 8, a slide
valve connected to large valve 3, which allows the distilled oil to pass
by the narrow slit 9 in it to the throat 6 when the still is working
properly, but if an explosion takes place the slide valve is raised with
the large valve and the throat 6 is closed to the still, and the gases
generated by the explosion pass off into the pipe 5, leading to the gas

page_text: holder; the large valve then closes, and the oil projected above it by
the explosion can be allowed to run back into the still by lifting the
valve by means of the wire and chain 10. 11 is the reservoir of crude
oil, and 12 the pipe leading oil from it to the still 2. A valve 13 in
tho said pipe is weighted so as just to balanco the column of oil
between it and the reservoir, so that as the oil in the still is vapourized
the valve 13 allows more to enter from supply pipe. 14 is a pipe
furnished with a small valve 15 to allow any gases that may escape
into pipe 7 to pass from thence into pipe 5. If desired the still may
bo heated by the combustion of the waste gases escaping into the gas
holder.
When producing gas from coal in ordinary retorts the said conl may
be mixed with chalk and sawdust or other light gas-producing material,
by which means the "chemical purifiers " in the "redistillation retorts'
will not require charging s frequently. The retort may also be charged
much fuller than when coal only is used. If the quantity of chalk,
lime, or other alkali be in insufficient quantity a sulphuret of carbon
is liable to be formed and deposited in the syphon.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, I would
have it understood that I am aware it has been attempted to use chalk
and lime mixed with coal in an ordinary retort to produce gas, and
also that attempts have been made to use charcoal and limo as purifying
agents, but the methods heretofore tried for employing those substances
have been imperfect; by the use of the various methods and apparatus
I have above described I am enabled to employ these and other like
substances so as to produce a much more perfect result than has hereto-
fore been obtained, and what I claim as my Invention is,-
First. The method of purifying gas produced from coal or other
substances in ordinary retorts by passing it through a series of chambers
containing one or more of the "chemical purifiers," as herein-before
described.
Second. The method of distilling and purifying gas from coal or from
coal and the other materials described either in a retort connected with
a series of "redistillation retorts" or in one retort arranged to act
both as a distilling retort and as a "redistillation retort," as herein-
beforo describcd.

page_text: Third. The vertical "redistillation retorts" for purifying coal or other
gas constructed, arranged, and applied substantially in the manner
herein before shown and described.
Fourth. The improved retort for distilling, lighting, or heating gas, or
for preparing the charcoal for use in the "redistillation retorts," or for
other purposes constructed, arranged, and applied substantially as
herein-before shown and describod.
Fifth. The method of and apparatus for converting liquid fuel into gas
before burning it so as to render it suitable for heating purposes, as
herein-before shown and described.
Sixth. The various methods of and apparatus for applying the gas-
produced from liquid or other fuel to heating purposes, substantially as
described and shown in Figs. 10, 11, 15, 16, & 18 of the Drawings.
Seventh. The method of and apparatus described for distilling mineral
oil or liquifiable fuel at or below 325° Fahrenheit, so as to render the
substance so distilled non-explosive below 300° Fahrenheit.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Eveleigh, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventh day of July, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-nine.
GEORGE EVELEIGH. (L.S.)