Improvements in and relating to the Generation of Gas for Motive Power, Illuminating, Heating, and other purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 23rd July, 1898-Accepted, 23rd Sept., 1898
Improvements in and relating to the Generation of Gas for Motive
Power, Illuminating, Heating, and other purposes.
We, FRANK SEPTIMUS DEVONTEAUX SCOTT, of 27, Clement's Lane, in the City of
London, Engineer, and THOMAS HAWKINS, of 16, Compton Avenue, Barking Road,
East Ham, London, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
Our invention relates to the generation of a gas, produced by the action of certain
chemicals upon metals hereinafter explained.
In carrying out our invention we form a suitably shaped vessel of copper or other
material capable of resisting the action of the chemicals we employ.. This vessel is
divided by a horizontal plate in order to form two chambers; the lower one is
to receive the metal hereinafter mentioned and in which also the gas is generated,
and the upper one is to hold the solution as it becomes exhausted of its chemical
action in producing the gas in the lower chamber. There are preferably,three
reservoirs connected with the said vessel, the first is to contain water about 12
gallons, glycerine 4 ounces and potash 2 ounces, or suitable proportions thereof; the
second, sulphuric acid about 40 lbs. and bichromate of potassium 2 ounces; and
the third benzoline or 680 petroleum spirits. It must be understood that these
proportions may be varied according to the strength of the gas required.
Suitable pipes lead from these reservoirs to drip chambers where the amount of
chemical solution and also spirit can be regulated. With these drip chambers is
connected a pipe which is carried through the upper chamber of the vessel into the
lower one and so arranged that the chemical solution is ejected in the form of a
spray on to the metal used in the production of the gas, the said metal is supported
on a grid or perforated plate and consists of iron borings, shavings or turnings or
zine may be used. The effect of the contact of the solution upon the metal is that
chemical action is immediately set up and gas is evolved which after passing
through a suitable condensing chamber is taken off through pipes and used for
the desired purpose.
A pipe is led from beneath the perforated plate to the lower portion of the upper
chamber in order to convey the solution as it becomes exhausted to the upper
chamber, and also to regulate the pressure in both the upper and lower chambers.
Suitable hand holes fitted with covers are formed in the ends of the lower chamber
through which the metal is fed, and small glass windows are provided for the upper
compartment for inspecting the interior of the same.
Drain cocks are fitted in the lower portions of both compartments and also in each
of the reservoirs for drawing off their contents when necessary.
The gas produced in the manner above described when mixed with atmospheric
air, possesses a very high explosive force, and may be used for driving ordinary gas
engines, in which case the gas and air are admitted in suitable proportions into the
cylinder and fired in the usual and well known manner, or by means of an electric
spark from a battery which can be produced by placing in the upper chamber con-

page_text: taining the spent solution, ordinary carbon and zinc plates which are connected with
the engine. It is obvious that by reason of the continuous charging of the upper
chamber with fresh solution the battery is maintained at an even voltage.
For heating and illuminating purposes the gas can be adapted for use with ordinary
gas stoves and burners. If desired it can be collected and stored in suitable
holders. It possesses a very low specific gravity and may therefore be used for
filling balloons and also cylinders for raising sunken vessels.
T
1
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the. Applicants.
Improvements in and relating to the Generation of Gas for Motive
Power, Illuminating, Heating, and other purposes.
Piy
We, FRANK SEPTIMUS DEVONTEAUX SCOTT, of 27, Clement's Lane, in the City of
London, Engineer, and THOMAS HAWKINS, of 16, Compton Avenue, Barking Road,
East Ham, London, Mechanic, 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:-
41451
"
Our invention relates to the generation of gas produced, by the action of certain
chemicals upon metal hereinafter explained.
In order that the invention may be clearly, understood reference is made to the
accompanying drawing which shews the apparatus,, partly in section, used, in the
production of the gas:
7'
In carrying out our invention we form.a vessel such as (A) of copper or other material
capable of resisting the action of the chemicals we employ. The vessel is divided by
a horizontal plate (A') in order to form two chainbers (B) and (B¹); the lower one (B)
is to receive the metal hereinafter mentioned, and in which also the gas is generated,
and the upper one (BI) is to hold the solution as it becomes exhausted of its chemical
action in producing the gas in the lower chamber. A tank having three compart-
ments (C), (C) and (C2) or in lieu thereof three reservoirs or the like connects with
the vessel (A). The first compartment or reservoir (C) is to contain water, to every.
12. gallons of which is added about 4 ounces of glycerine; the second (C) is to con..
tain sulphuric acid, to every 40¹lbs is added about 2 ounces of bichromate of potassium ;.
and the third one (C2) is to contain benzoline or 680 petroleum spirits. It must be
understood that these proportions may be varied according to the, strength of the.
gas required:
Suitable pipes (D), (D¹) and (D2) lead from the said compartiments (C), (C¹) and (C²)"
to glass or transparent drip chambers (E), (E) and (E2)where the amounts of the chemical
solutions and also the spirits can be regulated by manipulating the cocks (F), (F)
and (F2). These drip chambers each connect with a pipe (G) which is carried
through the upper chamber (B1) of the vessel into the lower one and. has a rose head,
such as (H) on the end thereof, or it inay be arranged around the said chamber, and
have perforations therein so as to distribute the solution over the metal used in the
production of the gas. The pipe (G) may be coiled as shewn so, that the spirit can
be more easily vaporised before it enters the lower chamber.
"The said metal is supported on a grid or perforated plate (I) and consists of iron,
borings, shavings or turnings, or zinc. The effect of the contact of the solution,
upon the metal is that chemical action is immediately, set up and gas is evolved.
which after passing through a condenser such as (J) is taken off through the pipe (K),
and used for the desired purpose.

page_text: A pipe (L) fitted with a cock (L) is led from beneath the perforated plate (I) to.
the lower portion of the upper chamber in order to convey the solution, which is forced
to the upper chamber by the pressure of gas, as it becomes exhausted, and also to regulate
the pressure in both the upper and lower chambers.
A suitable hand hole (M) fitted with a cover is formed in the end or side of the
lower chamber through which the metal is fed, also a small glass window (N) is
provided for inspecting the interior of the upper chamber (B¹).
Drain cocks (P) are fitted in the lower portions of the chambers (B) and (B¹) and
also in the chemical and spirit compartments (C), (C¹) and (C2) for drawing off the
contents when necessary.
A cock (Q) is fitted to the upper chamber (B¹) so that any excess of pressure may
be blown off.
The gas produced in the manner above described when mixed with atmospheric air,
possesses a very high explosive force and may be used for driving ordinary gas engines,
in which case the gas and air are admitted in suitable proportions into the cylinder
and fired in the usual and well known manner, or by means of an electric spark from
a battery which can be produced by placing in the upper chamber containing the
spent solution, ordinary carbon and zinc plates such as (0) which are connected with
the engine. It is obvious that by the continous recharging of the upper chamber
with fresh solution the battery is maintained at an even voltage.
For heating and illuminating purposes the gas can be adapted for use with ordinary
gas stoves and burners. If desired it can be collected and stored in suitable holders.
It possesses a very low specific gravity and may therefore be used for filling balloons
and also cylinders for raising sunken vessels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
Firstly. An apparatus for use in the production of gas substantially as herein set
forth.
Secondly. The combination of the vessel (A), the solution supply tank having
compartments such as (C), (C¹) and (C2) or in lieu thereof separate reservoirs or the
like, the drip chambers (E), (E¹) and (E2) connected therewith, the regulating cocks
for the said drip chainbers, and the pipe (G) also connected with the said chambers,
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Thirdly. The combination of the vessel (A) and pipe (G) of a rosehead (H) or
equivalent means for distributing the solution over the metal in the production of the
gas substantially as herein set forth.
Fourthly. The combination of water, glycerine, sulphuric acid, bichromate of
potassium, and benzoline or 680 petrolium spirits with iron or zinc in about the pro-
portions substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Fifthly. The combination of the vessel (A) with carbon and zinc plates such as (0)
and the solution for producing an electric battery substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.