IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS
Year: 1846

page_text: HILLARY'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AUGUSTUS
WILLIAM HILLARY, of 66, Cadogan Place, Chelsea, but now residing at
146, Avenue des Champs Elysees, in the City of Paris, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-third day of
July, in the tenth year of Her reign (One thousand eight hundred and forty-
six), did for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Augustus William Hillary, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Augustus
William Hillary, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Augustus William Hillary, my exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said Augustus William
Hillary, should cause a particular description of the nature of my said Ir-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument
in writing under his hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Augustus William Hillary, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are .par-

page_text: ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the figures
and letters marked thereon (that is to say):-
-
The Invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of gas;
but in order that the Invention may be better understood, I will proceed to
describe the Drawing:-
In which Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectional view of the furnace
'and of the retort, showing the tubes I, I, I", and the cooling syphon J, and
the tubes M, M', M", and the bydraulic main N. The tubes I, I, 1", seen
also in Fig. 2, communicate from the retort A to the cooling syphon J, and
the tubes M, M', M", communicate from the refrigerator at J to the
hydraulic main at M".
Figure 2 represents a sectional view of the furnace and the retort, showing
the refrigerator J with four tubes of the series M, M', M", and masking the
four tubes belonging to the series of the tubes I, I', I".
Figure 3 represents a horizontal section of the furnace and of the retort A,
and of the decomposing and purifying apparatus B, C, D.
Figure 4 represents a horizontal view of part of the upper part of Figuro
1 and 2. N is the hydraulic main and part of retort A with the cooling
syphon or refrigerator J, and the tube X for drawing off the material. This s
Figure represents the two arrangements of tubes I, I, I", and M, M', M".
The dotted lines indicate the inner separation of the cooling syphon J, in
order to force the gas to rise and fall, as in the syphon J, Figure 1, above
the line of condensation t, from the point T to the point T, and from the
point T to the point T, and then through the tubes M¹ and N". The
furnace is drawn upon a scale of one-tenth of its natural size; it is supported
by uprights and metal rods, as shewn in the Drawing. The proportions
of the different parts may be readily arranged by a workman accustomed to
the construction of furnaces, so as to obtain a good draft and an economy of
combustion and equal distribution of the heat.
In order to insure a perfect working of this Invention, the following pre-
parative processes should be carried out:-
First, to introduce currents of air between the lines U, U, V, V, taking care
that the furnace should be kept free from the cold air. In keeping the parts
corresponding from U to U, and from V to V sufficiently open, the cooling is
obtained to the parts of the apparatus situated in these currents of air. It is
of the utmost importance to construct a retort capable of resisting the heat of
the furnace and of the currents of hot air, and of such a form as to be able to
apply a decomposing and purifying apparatus, and also that the dilatation of

page_text: the retort should not destroy the cooling apparatus placed upon the furnace
and the hydraulic main N. The form of the retort shewn in the Drawing
enables me to comply with these conditions, where Figure 2 shows a vertical
section of the retort with these centres indicated by the points Y, Y, Y,
forming a triangle. The section R represents an ellipse flatted at its base,
and it will be seen that it is sunk in the brickwork on a line with the
channels x, xc.
The fire acts upon two lines parallel to themselves and with
the points of the centres Y, Y, on the other side, the upper channels of
Figure 2, shewn by dotted lines under the tube I in Figure 1, acting equally
by a longitudinal and central line upon the upper part of the retort, and the
resistance to the line is opposed by the bottom of the retort resting upon
the arch. After considerable experience with the form of retort shewn in.
the Drawings, by submitting it to the changes of temperature of heat and cold
it has been found to succeed well, the lower part of it being acted upon by
the fire, but in no case causing any disformation, by which the apparatus in the
inner part of it at all times remains without any disarrangement by means of
the ear pieces F, F, upon the carrying pieces G, G, which are cast with the
retort.
In order to obtain the second condition it will be seen that the retort is of
a sperical form at the end and upon the two sides in the same direction. The
retort on the line o, o, Figure 3, is drawn of about five-eighths of an inch
smaller, and lower than upon the line R of the same Figure; the lower part
rests horizontally upon the first arch, as in Figure I. In the dilatation of the
retort the furnace is not injured, because it naturally becomes lengthened from
the side of the end; the non-resistance which it meets with prevents its injury
as the apparatus is placed between it, and the main N is made of soft thin
metal which yields by its flexibility at I for the increased length of the retort.
I will now describe the apparatus which is placed in the interior of the
retort: This apparatus is supported by means of bolts at a, a', which connect
the ear picces at b, b', to the tail piece, as shewn at Figures 2 and 3. It is
also supported in the centre of the interior part by the ear pieces F, F¹, F", F,
in the Figure 3 upon the carrying pieces G, G, in Figures 1 and 2; over the
surface is placed a metallic cement, so as to form a joint when the bolts are
closed.
I will now describe the refrigerator and the compensator for the pressure of
the gas-This apparatus is placed upon the furnace; it forms a syphon at the
elbow part c, c, and a refrigerator from the receiver J to the upper part of the
two series of tubes I and M, Figures 2 and 4. d, d, are small tubes, which
descend from the points c, c, as far as the apparatus of the retort at C, D

page_text: communicating with the receiver J by a small opening at e, and with the retort,
as shewn at Figure 1. Before proceeding to the description, I would remark
that the tubes B, C, D, shewn at Figure 3, should be filled up to the three
lines ffffff, with plates or bands of twisted metal, or other suitable
material, which will tend to decompose the fluids, and to absorb the sulphurous
and ammoniacal parts of the matters employed; but the plates above spoken of
are preferred, being more convenient to obtain the greatest amount of surface
in a small space for the circulation of the gases, vapours, and fluids. Tho
operation of the apparatus is as follows:-Into the retort A is placed about
two hundred pounds of coal; as soon as the retort and the apparatus B are
closed, as shewn at Figure 1, the retort is then submitted to the action of a
quick fire, when the coal will quickly become decomposed, and the. vapours
arising therefrom, together with the vapours of the pitch and ammoniacal
waters combined therewith, will rise into the apparatus B through the opening f
as shewn at Figure 3, and will pass through the metal tubes through the
opening, Figures 1, 2, 8, into the refrigerator J, rising up and descending
down the tubes I, I, I", as far as the parts J', where they are plunged into
the condensator, as shewn at Figure 2, in order to keep the pitch and
ammoniacal water continually mixed whilst it flows into the retort through the
hole the syphon c, and the tube d, Figures 1 and 2; the gas which is formed
in the retort A. cannot flow into the refrigerator J except by the apparatus C, D,
and the small tubes d, because they are retained by the syphon c, which will be
seen is placed between two equal pressures, that of the interior of the retort
and the refrigerator J; for which reason I have called tho refrigerator J and
the syphon c the compensating apparatus for the pressure of the gas. It is
this equal pressure which causes also the fluid as it is condensed to pass freely
from the refrigerator J through the small tubes d, d, into the apparatus C, D.
When the liquids arrive in the tubes at the points f, f, Figure 3, they are
again decomposed into gas and vapours, which mix in the centre tube B with
the vapours and products of combustion arising from the retorts A, then rise
again to the refrigerator J to be again submitted to a new condensation; from
these repeated condensations the carbonized gas becomes purified and escapes
into the hydraulic main N. The gases and vapours, in passing through the
three tubes of metal plates, arranged as before described, will come in contact
with a large number of heated surfaces, which are kept properly heated by the
steam coming from the coal and the continued condensation; the oxyde of iron,
produced by the action of the steam upon the twisted metal, absorbs the
sulphurous parts of the materials, and the hydrogen, becoming free by its
separation from the oxygen, combines with the carbon from the pitch, and
e,

page_text: forms a rich gas for lighting purposes. By this operation everything that can
be is obtained from the coal, as nearly the whole of the condensed products are
converted into gas, the pitch furnishing the carbon, and the water producing
the free bydrogen, which combines with the carbon that escapes from decom-
position, might flow into a special retort in a furnace composed of several
retorts, and in a place where a larger quantity of gas is required than coke, or
it may flow into the furnace through the syphon X, as in the Figure 1. If it
happens that when the manufacture is carried on coke is an article in demand,
then the retorts will be arranged to make coke, and the furnace to consume as
little as possible. The iron placed in the tubes B, C, D, will be converted into
sulphate of ammonia and iron. The gas is thus sufficiently purified for
ordinary purposes; but if it is intended to be burnt in private houses I cause
it to pass through a bath of sulphuric acid, diluted to about three times its
volume with water, wherein will be produced sulphate of ammonia, and it is
then to be afterwards passed through lime before it arrives at the gasometer.
I find that in about six hours' operation the whole of the gas is extracted from
the coal; a greater quantity cannot be obtained except at a very great heating
of the retort or cooling of the upper part of the apparatus, but then it will be
at the expence of its density. One of the advantages of this system is, that in
proportion as the gas becomes formed separate from the condensable vapours
it does not remain uselessly in contact with the heated surfaces, which rob it
of a portion of its carbon. The gas, which would be of different densities
during the parts of the operation, becomes of one uniform density by passing
through the hot metal plates of the tube B. According to the ordinary
manufacture of gas, the bituminous or pitchy portions of the coal act
injuriously; but according to my system they are brought into operation to
increase the quantity and richness of the gas. The coal also contains sulphur
and ammonia, which are very injurious; whereas, according to my system the
water, more or less charged with ammonia, furnishes a steam, which, by
preventing the saturation of iron by carbon, preserves the power of absorbing
the sulphur.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to
the precise details herein shewn, so long as the character of the Invention be
retained; but what I claim is,―
gas.
First, the mode of separating the condensable products from the carbonized
Secondly, I claim the converting the bitumen or pitchy matter into gas
without removing it from the annaratus

page_text: Thirdly, the mode of decomposing the matters by the aid of the steam
coming from the pitchy or bituminous matters.
And, lastly, I claim the mode of obtaining from the coal the matters com-
bined therewith, capable of enriching the gas, iiicreasing its volume, and
separating it, by one and the same operation.
In witness whereof, I, the said Augustus William Hillary, liave hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
AUGUSTUS WILLIAM (L.S.) HILLARY.
Taken and acknowledged by Augustus:
William Hillary (party hereto) at Paris,
in the Kingdom of France, this 20th day
of January, 1847, before me,
Ritchie. Sworn this 23 day of January 1847.
J. W. FARRER.
WILLIAM HENRY RITCHIE, of Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, maketh oath and saith, that he is acquainted with the manner and
character of the handwriting of Thomas Pickford, Her Britannic Majesty's
Consul at Paris, in the Kingdom of France. And this deponent further saith,
that the signature of "Thomas Pickford," set, subscribed,. and written in the
margin of the Specification hereunto annexed, marked A, and dated the
Twentieth day of January last, and purporting to be executed by Augustus
William Hillary, of 66, Cadogan Place, Chelsea, but now residing at 146,
Avenue des Champs Elysees, in the City of Paris, whereby it is stated that
the said Specification was acknowledged by him, the said Augustus Williamı
Hillary, before the said Thomas Pickford, on the said Twentieth day of January,
at Paris aforesaid, is of the proper handwriting of the said Thomas Pickford.
W. H. RITCHIE.
Sworn at the Public Office, South-
ampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, this 23rd
day of January, 1847, before me,

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the oath of William Henry Ritchie,
the Specification aforesaid was enrolled word for word as above written. And
also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-third day of January, in the year of our Lord Onc
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.