IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING AND OTHER GASES AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE.
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Gibb Henderson and
James Anderson Kelman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 13th December. 1882.
ALEXANDER GIBB HENDERSON of Wood Green in the County of Middlesex,
and JAMES ANDERSON KELMAN of High Holborn in the same County "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING AND OTHER GASES AND IN
APPARATUS TO BE USED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE.".
This invention relates firstly to the recovery from the liquid deposited in the
hydraulic main of certain illuminating properties, of which the gas has been
deprived while passing through the main, and, of restoring the same to the Gas
before passing to the condensers, and also to the partial purification of the gas so
treated...
•
For this purpose we provide an apparatus consisting of several chambers-say
five set one above the other, between which a communication is maintained..
The lowest chamber is fitted with a steam heater and the chambers above it,
with serpentine plates, which extend from floor to roof and divide the chambers
vertically in two.
Numerous small openings are made through the serpentine partitions. for the
passage upwards of the gas which is led into the lowest chamber fitted with the
vertical serpentine partition and passes out at the topmost chamber.
The floor of this lowermost chamber is pierced with holes for the purpose to be
presently explained, and it is fitted midway with a gutter which is slit at bottom
to ensure the flow of its contents evenly, and in a continuous stream upon each of
the steam pipes (composing the heater) in succession.
Each serpentine partition is pendent from a gutter which forms the termination
of the floor above; and each of these partitions dips into a gutter that forms the
termination of the floor below. The openings in these floors are alternately on the
right hand and on the left hand of the serpentine partitions, and the apparatus is
closed in at top by a gas-tight cover. The liquid deposited in the hydraulic main
is run into the top of this apparatus through a trapped pipe which enters the top
chamber; and in overflowing the top gutter it spreads evenly over the first
serpentine partition... After traversing this metallic surface. it falls into the gutter
below, and overflowing the second gutter it spreads evenly over the second partition

page_text: 蒈
and finds its way into a third gutter. In this manner it is eventually discharged
as already explained onto the steam pipes in the lowest chamber.
The liquid in flowing over the steam pipes is caused to give up the more valuable
illuminating gases occluded in it, and these rising through the openings in the floor
of the chamber above will flow into that chamber, and mingle with and enrich the
gas admitted thereto from the hydraulic main.
The admitted gas enriched with the volatile hydrocarbon vapours, and raised in
temperature, will then find its way through the serpentine partitions, and passing
through the descending liquid stream becomes partially and progressively condensed
and purified to a certain degree until it arrives at the top chamber where an exit
pipe is provided to receive it. The apparatus is provided with a trapped exit for
the continuous discharge of the denuded liquid.
The apparatus might be used for the purification of the gas by the use of other
suitable liquids and without the steam heater.
The invention relates secondly to the condensation of the gas preparatory to its
passage to the scrubber. For this purpose we employ a vertical multitubular
vessel with a closed water chamber at bottom and an open water chamber at top.
This vessel is divided up horizontally by one or more perforated discs; the per-
forations being sufficiently large to form annular passages around the cooling tubes.
The areas of these passages for the gas should equal the area of the admission pipe,
to allow of the gas passing freely and without pressure through the apparatus.
The vertical tubes are open to both water chambers. The cooling water enters
at the bottom chamber and is discharged at the top chamber. Its supply is by
gravitation and the quantity is controlled by a valve.
The cylindrical chamber enclosing the tubes has gas inlet and outlet connections
near the top; the outlet connection being continued to near the bottom of the
¿chamber.
. The cylindrical chamber affords to the gas a large open space; allowing it to flow
through at a slow speed. whereby condensation is effected by gravity. The
numerous water tubes and discs offer surfaces to the inflowing gas whereby
condensation is effected by friction, while the surface of the cylindrical vessel itself
allows of the radiation of heat, and the cooling effected by the continuously flowing
water through the tubes and which is controlled at pleasure, completes the cooling
required for the, condensation of tarry and aqueous vapours from the gas.
To conduct this operation more perfectly, two or more such vessels might be
used, the same cooling water being made to flow through each in succession. The
water. being thus. progressively raised in temperature the condensation will be
progressive the hottest gas meeting the hottest, water,
The invention relates thirdly to an improved construction of washer-scrubber,
which washer-scrubber consists of an upright case in any convenient form divided
horizontally into three or more chambers. Each chamber has its floor fitted with
'short vertical bell-mouth tubes surmounted by fixed caps. Each of these caps is
divided into numerous open channels for the passage of the gas. The chambers are
furnished with overflow tubes terminating and sealed in the liquid of the chamber
below, as used in Coffey's Still! Each chamber has also fitted to its roof a valve
the spindle of which penetrates the casing through a stuffing box.
The apparatus is fitted with a gas inlet at the bottom chamber and a gas outlet
at the top chamber; also a liquid supply pipe on the top chamber and a liquid
'discharge pipe' on the bottom.
به
By means of the water supply connection each chamber is charged with water
up to the level of the overflow tube. The inverted caps are slightly sealed in the
liquid. Thus charged the gas is admitted and in a divided state ascends the short
bell-mouth tubes. Under the inverted caps the gas is further divided into
smaller streams, the caps being: furnished with curved vertical partitions which,
while dividing the gas into streams, cause it to travel in a circular direction through
the water, and further causes the water to take a perpetual whirlpool motion. By
'this means all inequalities of seal are overcome, and the gas flow in 'tlie water is
"

page_text: broken up. Besides this, the gas before issuing from the water is brought into
intimate contact therewith, and thoroughly washed; it being denuded of all ammonia,
and of a large modicum of other impurities before the gas leaves the apparatus.
In lieu of the fixed caps referred to a hollow half sphere might be used either
fixed or loose upon upstand pipes the flat or lowermost part of the half ball being
close to, or slightly submerged in, the liquid and perforated with numerous fine holes
to break up the flow of gas to ensure the more perfect contact of the gas with the
liquid.