IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF GAS FOR GIVING LIGHT AND HEAT, AND OF SOME OF THE PRODUCTS OF THE SAID SUBSTANCES; AS ALSO IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUCH GAS, AND IN DISCHARGING AND GIVING MOTION TO GAS
Year: 1851

page_text: DARL
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, THOMAS
GREAVES BARLOW, of 32, Bucklersbury, in the City of London, Civil and
Consulting Gas Engineer, and SAMUEL GORE, of Park Road, Old Kent Road,
in the County of Surrey, Engineer, 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 Fifteenth day of April,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, in the fourteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
Thomas Greaves Barlow and Samuel Gore, our exors, admors, and assigns,
Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the
said Thomas Greaves Barlow and Samuel Gore, our exors, adñors, and assigns,
or such others as we, the said Thomas Greaves Barlow and Samuel Gore,
our exors, admors, 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 ex-
pressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in the
Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her
Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, our Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE TREATMENT OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF GAS FOR
GIVING LIGHT AND HEAT, AND OF SOME OF THE PRODUCTS OF THE SAID SUBSTANCES;
AS ALSO IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUCH GAS, AND IN
DISCHARGING AND GIVING MOTION TO GAS;" in which said Letters Patent is con-
tained a proviso that we, the said Thomas Greaves Barlow and Samuel Gore,
shall cause a particular description of the nature of our said Invention, and

page_text: the manner in which the same is to be performed, by an instrument in
writing, under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us,
to be inrolled in Her 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, we, the said
Thomas Greaves Barlow and Samuel Gore, do hereby declare that the nature
of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
are fully described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures
and letters marked thereon, that is to say
Our Invention consists,-
Firstly, in certain improved modes of treating certain substances for producing
gas, and some of the products thereof;
Secondly, in improvements in the arrangement of retorts, valves, and appa-
ratus adapted for the manufacture of gas.; and
Thirdly, in an improved apparatus for discharging and giving motion to gas,
and adapted for withdrawing the gas. from the retorts, or, forcing it through
the mains.
Sheet I., Figure 1, of the Drawings, is a front view; Figure 2 is a longi-
tudinal section; and Figure 3 is a back view of a bench of three retorts, with
valves and pipes, adapted for the purpose of our Invention. A, B, C, are the
retorts, provided at each end with mouthpieces and lids, secured by screws in
the ordinary manner; D is a three-way pipe, connecting all the retorts, and
provided with three valves, E, F, G, or a three-way cock for closing the
passages. Figure 5. is a section of a three-way cock adapted for this purpose.
H, I, K, are three rising pipes from the opposite ends of the retorts. These
pipes are connected with three slightly inclined pipes L, M, N,, which com-
municate with each other by the three-way pipe O, in which are three valves
P, Q, R, or a three-way cock. Vertical dip pipes S, T, U, descend from the
pipes L, M, N, and enter the hydraulic main V, where they are sealed by
dipping into the liquid contained in it. The dip of these pipes may be
increased by means of cups s, t, u, only one of which s is visible in the
Drawing, attached to rods w, x, y, which pass through stuffing boxes at the top of
the vertical pipes, and are capable of being raised and lowered by means of levers
and rods, one of which is shewn in Figure 2. The pipes L, M, N, pass
through a cistern W, which is supplied with water for the purpose of cooling
the gas, or the same object may be obtained by allowing water to flow into the

page_text: pipes L, M, N, whence it will escape through the hydraulic main. X is a
pipe leading from a steam boiler, and furnished with branches a, b, c, connected
to the retorts, and provided with cocks.
This apparatus is used in the following manner:-The retorts are, in the
first instance, all charged with cannel or other rich bituminous coal, and all
the gas valves are opened and the steam cocks closed, and the charges are
worked off in the usual manner. The charge of the retort A is then with-
drawn, and it is recharged with coal. The retorts B and C are not recharged,
but the residue of the first distillation is left in them. The cock c is now
opened, and the valves G and P closed, and the cups t and u raised by the
rods a, y. Steam will now enter the retort C, where it will be decomposed by
the incandescent coke or residue, and converted into hydrogen, carbonic oxide,
and carbonic acid gases, which, with any excess of steam, will traverse the
pipes and valves K, N, R, Q, M, I, and enter the retort B. The excess of
steam will, however, be condensed in its passage, and the gases so deprived of
steam will pass through the coke in the retort B, where the carbonic acid will
become converted into carbonic oxide. The removal of the undecomposed
steam in this manner is important, as it permits of the conversion of the
carbonic acid into carbonic oxide in the retort B, which is not easily effected
when an excess of steam is present. The gas passes from the retort B, through
the valves F, E, into the retort A, where it mingles with the rich gas from the
fresh charge of coal, at the same time becoming itself carburetted by the
bituminous products of the distillation of the coal. The whole of the gas
then passes through the pipes H, L, S, into the hydraulic main. When the
charge in the retort A is worked off it is not withdrawn, but left in the retort,
and the charge in the retort C is withdrawn, and it it recharged with coal.
The steam cock 6 is opened, and the other steam cocks closed. The valves
E, G, P, Q, are opened, and the cup u lowered. The other valves and
cups are closed.
The steam will now enter the retort B, where it will
be partially decomposed, and will then pass through the valves and pipes
I, M, Q, P, L, H, where the excess of steam will be condensed, and the
remaining gases will. then pass over, the coke remaining in the retort
A, as the residue of the previous operation. The carbonic acid gas will
thus be converted into carbonic oxide, and the mixture of carbonic oxide
and hydrogen thus obtained will pass through the valves E, G, into the
retort C, where it will unite with the hydrocarbons resulting from the decom-
position of the fresh charge of coal, and the whole of the gas will pass
through the pipes K, N, U, into the hydraulic main.
In like manner, when the charge in the retort C is exhausted, it is not

page_text: withdrawn, but allowed to remain in the retort, and the retort B is then
emptied and recharged with coal. The steam cock a is then opened, and the
valves F, G, P, R, are opened, and the cup lowered. All the other valves
and cups are closed. The steam now enters the retort A, where it is partially
decomposed, and the excess of steam is condensed in its passage through the
pipes and valves H, L, P, R, N, and the gases will then enter the retort C
through the pipe K, and, after traversing that retort and the valves G, F, will
enter the retort B, and unite with the gases and other products given off from
the new charge of coal. The whole of the gas will then pass off through the
pipes I, M, T, into the hydraulic main. When the charge in the retort B is
worked off, the retort A is emptied and recharged as already described,
and the operations thus follow one another in continual succession.
In this mode of operating it will be observed that the residue from each
charge, when it is worked off, in place of being immediately withdrawn and re-
placed by a fresh charge, is, on the contrary, retained in the retort, and employed
in the production of gases of small illuminating power for mixing with the richer
gases given off from the fresh charge which is introduced into another retort.
This mode of treatment is applicable to ordinary coal, especially the richer
or more bituminous sorts, cannel coal, bituminous shales or schists, asphaltes,
lignites, resinous earths, and other similar substances, or mixtures of the same.
In place of employing three retorts as above described, two may be em-
ployed, and in that case each retort is emptied and recharged when the charge
in the other retort is worked off. The steam is admitted into the retort con-
taining the exhausted charge, and the gases there produced pass through the
retort containing the fresh charge, and thence into the hydraulic main. The
gases may either pass at once from one retort to the other, together with any
excess of steam which may have escaped decomposition, or they may be con-
ducted through a condenser and cooled, so as to remove the steam, and then
introduced into the retort containing the fresh charge; and it is preferable so
to remove the excess of steam before introducing the gases into the retort
containing the fresh charge. In thus employing two retorts in place of
three, the valves E, F, G, P, Q, R, are not required.
conducting the process consists in employing a single retort, with a mouth-
piece and outlet pipe for the escape of the gas at each end of the retort, and
also a steam pipe and cock for the admission of steam at each end. The
outlet pipes communicate with the hydraulic main, and are provided with
cups as in the case of the arrangements herein-before described. Each half
of the length of the retort is charged alternately, when the charge in the other
half is exhausted, and the steam is always admitted at the end containing the
Another mode of

page_text: exhausted charge, and the gases allowed to pass off to the hydraulic main
from the opposite end of the retort. The steam is thus decomposed by the
exhausted, charge, and the resulting gases unite with those evolved from the
fresh charge.
The form of the retort itself is not material. Thus, in place of employing a
long retort, and charging it alternately at each end, a shorter retort, furnished
with a partition or diaphragm, may be used, and each compartment may then
be charged alternately when the charge in the other compartment is exhausted.
When it is not desired to condense the excess of steam in the passage of the
gas from one compartment to the other, it is sufficient to make the partition
rather shorter at the back end than the retort, so that the gases may pass
round it. The partition extends completely up to the front end of the retort,
and the two compartments are closed by separate lids. When, however, the
gases are to be cooled in their passage from one retort to the other, the par-
tition must extend from end to end of the retort, and pipes must be connected
from each compartment to the condenser. At the other end of the retort
pipes lead from each compartment to the hydraulic main, where they are
provided with cups, and a steam pipe and cock is also connected to each
compartment, as in the other arrangements herein-before described. When
it is inconvenient to introduce the steam pipe at the opposite end of the retort
to that at which the gas escapes, it may be introduced at the same end by
connecting a pipe within the retort to the steam pipe, carrying it along to the
opposite end of the retort, and allowing-the steam to return over or through
the incandescent charge to the outlet pipe. This internal pipe may be a con-
tinuation of the steam pipe, or it may be a separate piece of pipe which may
be pushed under the charge, or otherwise placed in the retort, and then con-
nected to the steam pipe. In place of using steam of the temperature of two
hundred and twelve degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer, or thereabouts,
steam of much higher temperature may be employed with advantage; for
this purpose the steam is conducted through pipes exposed to a high tempe-
rature, so as to overheat the steam and raise its temperature above that due
to its pressure, and the steam may be advantageously heated to a temperature
of six hundred degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer and upwards. In Figure 2
we have shewn the steam pipe b bent into a loop or convolution, which is
introduced into the furnace or oven which contains the retorts; the steam in
passing through this pipe becomes overheated; the steam cock most advan-
tageously placed, so that it may not be traversed by the overheated steam.
All these arrangements of retorts, and their appurtenances, are applicable
to the same materials as the first-described arrangement of three retorts, and

page_text: in each case it will be observed that each retort or portion of a retort is
emptied and recharged when the charge in the other, or one of the other
retorts or portion of a retort, is exhausted, and that the exhausted residue of
each charge is left in the retort or portion of a retort, and employed in the
production of hydrogen and carbonic oxide gases, which are afterwards passed
through the other retort, or retorts, or portion of a retort, and brought in
contact with the fresh charge. In gasworks conducted on a large scale it
will generally be found most advantageous to manufacture the mixture of
hydrogen and carbonic oxide gases in separate retorts devoted to that purpose,
instead of adopting the alternating system herein-before described. In this
case the steam is first passed through a retort or retorts charged with coke
or other solid residue of the distillation of the substances above men-
tioned, or other solid carbonaceous material, from which the gas has been
.extracted, either in their natural state or sprinkled with a solution of car-
bonate of soda or carbonate of potash, and the resulting mixture of
gases and steam is then passed through a condenser or cooler, so as to
remove the excess of steain, and the gas is then deprived of its carbonic
acid by passing it through another retort or retorts, containing coke or
other suitable residue. When gas is required merely for heating purposes,
the process may be stopped at this point, but when gas for giving light is
required, the mixture of hydrogen and carbonic oxide thus obtained is then
conveyed into another retort or retorts, in which fresh charges of coal, cannel,
bituminous shale, or schist, asphalte, lignite, resinous earth, or other similar
substances, or mixtures of the same, are undergoing distillation, or in which tar,
melted resin, resin oil, oils, fatty liquids, or other liquid or fusible hydrocarbons,
are undergoing decomposition. The quantity of the mixture of hydrogen and
carbonic oxide employed must depend upon the richness of the coal or other
caroonaceous material undergoing decomposition, and on the illuminating power
of the gas required to be produced. In lieu of passing the mixture of hydro-
gen, carbonic oxide, and carbonic acid gases, after the condensation of the
steam, through a second retort as above described, the carbonic acid gas may
be separated, before their introduction into the carbonizing retort, by passing
them through lime, carbonate of soda, protoborate of soda, or other substance
capable of absorbing carbonic acid. The lime may afterwards be deprived of its
carbonic acid by calcining it, and may then be used over again. The carbo-
nate of soda and protoborate of soda, after becoming saturated with carbonic
acid, may be rendered again fit for absorbing carbonic acid by simply boiling
their solutions, which will expel the carbonic acid or a portion of it. What-
ever mode, however, may be employed for removing the carbonic acid gas,

page_text: the mixture of gases is always to be cooled in a condenser or otherwise, so as
to condense the excess of steam which is contained in it. It is convenient to
put a gasholder in communication with the pipe which conveys the mixture of
hydrogen and carbonic oxide gases to the retort or retorts in which the richer
gases are produced, so as to equalize any irregularity in the production of the
hydrogen and carbonic oxide gases, as the gasholder will receive any temporary
excess or supply any temporary deficiency in their production.
We will now proceed to describe an improved method or methods of treat-
ing tar, melted resin, resin oil, oils, fatty liquids, or other liquid or fusible
hydrocarbons, or mixtures of hydrocarbons. For this purpose we employ the
same arrangements of apparatus which we have already described, with the
addition of a pipe and cock communicating with each retort for the adinission
of the tar or other liquid.
g
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet I., Y is the tar pipe, and d, e, f, the branches
and cocks. These branch pipes pass through the sides of the mouthpieces,
and should be continued inside the retort to a sufficient distance to prevent the
tar falling and accumulating in the mouthpiece, but not so far as to endanger
the carbonization of the tar in the pipe, and its consequent stoppage. In the
retort B is shewn a short additional pipe g, which is fitted on the tar pipe,
and a similar one h is fitted on the steam pipe. They are placed on their
respective pipes, with a little red lead or lute, and pressed in contact with
them by a wedgel driven between the two. On the pipe g is a branch or jet i,
to direct the tar into the retort, which has a low diaphragm k, to prevent the
passage of the tar or any of the coke into the mouthpiece. These pipes 9 and 1.
are shewn on a larger scale in Figure 4. In operating with this apparatus, the
retorts are all charged with coke, or the solid residue of the distillation of
cannel coal, bituminous shale or schist, or of asphaltes, lignites, or resinous earths,
or other solid carbonaceous substances, or mixtures of the same, from which
the gas has previously been extracted. Steam is then allowed to pass through
one of the retorts, then through the cooling pipes or condenser, then through a
second retort, and, lastly, into the third retort, into which tar or other liquid
hydrocarbon is injected or suffered to drop; and for this purpose it is prefer-
able to inject the tar or other liquid under pressure, so that it may fly over
and fall upon the incandescent mass in the retort. This effect is produced by
injecting the liquid by a pump or by opening a cock connected with an
elevated reservoir of the liquid, by means of a clockwork motion or other
regular motion, which opens and closes the cock at regular intervals of time.
The handle or lever of the cock is moved by a rod, which receives a to-and-fro
motion by means of a crank, or otherwise, driven by the clockwork or other

page_text: motive power. This rod is capable of being fixed at various distances from
the centre of the cock, so as to enable the amount of opening to be varied,
and more or less tar to be admitted at pleasure. In place of an ordinary.
cock, a slide valve or other valve may be employed, and its amount of opening
varied by a variable lever in a similar manner. By these arrangements the
tar pipe may be placed at a comparatively cool part of the retort, and yet the
tar or other liquid may be caused to fall upon the strongly ignited materials in
the hottest part of the retort. After a time, the coke or other residue in the
third retort becomes saturated and incrusted with a carbonaceous deposit, and
is rendered less fit for decomposing the tar or other liquid. The tar is then
shut off from this retort, and admitted into one of the others, and the residue
with the carbonaceous deposit is used in the production of the mixture of
hydrogen and carbonic oxide gases, and the operations are thus conducted in
a regular succession, in like manner as when treating coal and similar solid
matters, as herein-before described.
The operation of treating coal, cannel, or others of the solid matters herein-
before mentioned, may be combined with the treatment of the tar or other
liquid hydrocarbons in the following manner:-The operation is conducted in
the manner already described with regard to coal and similar substances until
the charge in the retort A is exhausted, and tar or other liquid hydrocarbon
is then injected or allowed to drop upon it. After a time the supply of tar
is stopped, and the retort C is then emptied and recharged, and the operation
conducted as before without the admission of tar. When this charge is
worked off, tar or other liquid hydrocarbon is introduced upon it, as already
described with regard to the retort A, and the operations thus follow one
another in regular succession. The steam employed in operating on tar or
other liquid hydrocarbons, whether alone or in the combined process last
described, may be employed at its ordinary temperature, or it may be over-
heated by previously passing it through pipes heated in the furnace which
contains the retorts, or in a separate furnace, and it will be found that its
decomposition is facilitated by heating it to the temperature of six hundred
degrees and upwards of Fahrenheit's thermometer, particularly when acting
on coke or other residue incrusted with the carbonaceous deposit from the
decomposition of tar.
Another of our improvements consists in the production of gas for giving
light and heat from tar, melted resin, resin oil, oils, fatty liquids, and
other hydrocarbons, by subjecting them to destructive distillation in heated
retorts partially filled with coke or other residuary solid products of the
distillation of coals, canuels, bituminous shales or schists, asphaltes, lignites,

page_text: resinous earths, or other similar substances, or mixtures of the said substances,
upon, through, or over which a stream or an intermittent jet or jets of over-
heated steam is or are permitted to flow. The steam is overheated by being
passed through pipes contained in the furnace or oven which contains the
retorts, or in a separate furnace or oven, and is then introduced into the retort
in either of the modes herein-before described. The tar or other liquid hydro-
carbon is introduced at the same end of the retort, and the gases pass off
at the other end, so that a single retort serves for the whole process. The steam
may be advantageously heated to the temperature of six hundred degrees and
upwards of Fahrenheit's thermometer, by which means the injurious cooling effect
produced by steam of the ordinary temperature is avoided, and the decomposi-
tion of the tar is rendered more perfect.
In all the operations herein-before described in which steam of ordinary
temperature is mentioned as being used, it is possible to substitute water in
place of the steam, and by allowing it to drop or be injected into the retort
it will then be converted into steam, and act in the manner herein-before
described. It is preferable, however, to convert the water into steam in a
separate boiler, so as to avoid the cooling effect which is produced when water
is introduced into the retort. itself. The gases-produced in the various modes
above described may be purified by lime or otherwise in the ordinary manner,
as is well understood.
We have found that some varieties of the solid matters herein-before men-
tioned, particularly that description of coal known as boghead cannel coal,
after having been distilled and exposed to the action of steam in retorts, as
herein-before described, furnish an ash which contains a considerable quantity
of alumina in a state in which it is readily dissolved by acids, and which is
capable of being used in the manufacture of sulphate of alumina and alum.
For this purpose the ash is introduced into a pan or boiler, with a sufficient
quantity of dilute sulphuric acid, and it is heated by a fire or otherwise, so as to
dissolve the alumina, and form a solution of sulphate of alumina. The boiler
which we employ for this purpose has a vertical partition perforated with holes,
which divides it into two compartments. The ash of the boghead cannel coal
is placed in one compartment, and heat is applied under the other compartment.
The acid liquor is thus caused to circulate through the ash, extracting the
alumina from it, while the undissolved silica contained in the ash remains in
the compartment which is not exposed to the direct heat of the fire, and the
danger of burning the bottom of the pan, which would arise from its being
exposed to direct heat and covered with the ash, is thus avoided. The sulphate
of alumina thus obtained is mixed with solution of sulphate of potash or .

page_text: ammonia, and the alum crystallized in the ordinary manner. Sulphate of
ammonia obtained in the manufacture' of the gas may be used for this purpose.
In place of employing the ash resulting from the treatment by steam of the
residue of the distillation in retorts of the boghead coal, this residue may be
employed in the manufacture of aluin, without such treatment by steam,
and in that case we employ such residue as fuel for heating the pans or boilers,
and when it has thus been reduced to the state of ash, we place it in the pans
or boilers, and treat it with dilute sulphuric acid, as above described. By
treating the ash in this manner we obtain a residue of silica in a finely divided
and nearly pure state, suitable for being used with advantage in the manufacturė
of pottery, porcelain, and glass, and which, from its finely divided state, inay
be used as a dentrifice and as a polishing powder. The residue of the distillation
in retorts of boghead cannel coal, and similar substances containing alumina,
may be treated with the dilute sulphuric acid, without previously removing all
the carbonaceous matter by combustion or by treatment with steam. In this
case the residue, after the extraction of the alumina, will be a porous carbo-
naceous-material, which may be advantageously used as a decolorant in a
similar manner to that in which animal charcoal is now employed.
We will now proceed to describe our improvements in apparatus for dis-
charging and giving motion to gas, which apparatus consists of a reciprocating
rotary pump or exhauster, with a regulator in connection with it for regulating
its action. E
Sheet II., Figure 1, is an elevation of the exhauster or pump. Figure 2 is
a vertical longitudinal section; and Figure 3 is a transverse section. Figure 4
is an end view. A, B, C, D, is a cylinder of cast iron or other material, made
in four pieces, and united by flanges and bolts. E, E¹, are the cylinder covers,
one of which is shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 is a plan of the machine, with
the part A of the cylinder removed. The same letters refer to similar parts in
all the Figures. The cylinder covers are dished, as shewn in Figure 2, and
are covered by the end plates F, F, so as to inclose an annular space between
the two. G is a double rectangular piston carried by the shaft H, and capable
of receiving a reciprocating rotary motion through an arc of about one hundred
and twenty degrees. I, I, is an angular partition divided across the centre
at J, and forming two valve chambers, one of which serves for the entrance
and the other for the exit of the gas above the piston. K, K, is a similar
angular partition divided across the centre at L into two valve chambers, which
serve for the entrance and exit of the gas below the piston. The valve cbam-
bers J, K, communicate with the space at the end F of the cylinder by means
of openings in the cylinder covers, as shewn in Figure 5. M, M', N,N',

page_text: are the inlet valves, and O, O', P, P, are the outlet valves.
In Figure 3
the section of the lower valve chamber is taken through the outlet valves
P, P', while the section of the upper chamber is taken through the inlet valves
M, M. The inlet valves N, N', are similar to M, M', but the valve N' is not
seen in the Drawing. The valves M and M are connected by a connecting
rod Q, jointed to them, and the valves N, N¹, are similarly connected by a con-
necting rod, not shewn in the Drawing. The outlet valves are similarly con-
nected by connecting rods R, S. By thus connecting the valves they are made
to balance one another to a great extent, and consequently work casier. The
piston is made light, and consists of two open frames of plate iron, inclosing
and supporting wooden boards, tongued together, as shewn in Figure 7, which
is a section of the piston. It is passed through a slot G in the shaft H. The
shaft passes through a stuffing box at one or both ends of the cylinder, and
carries a lever, which is shewn at T, in Figure 8. U is a socket capable of
sliding along the lever. T, and adjusted by the screw V and handle W. A
connecting rod is jointed at one end to a crank or excentric, and at the other
to the socket U. The crank or excentric, being caused to revolve by a steam
engine or other motive power, produces an oscillating or reciprocating motion
in the lever T, and consequently in the piston G. The effect of this motion
is to draw the gas from the end F, and to deliver it at the end F of the
cylinder. X is an inlet pipe, fixed to the plate F¹, and Y is an outlet pipe
fixed to the plate F.
Sheet III., Figure 1, is an elevation of the governor or regulator, shewing
the mode of applying the exhauster or pump in connection with the regulator.
The exhauster is placed between the inlet pipe X and outlet pipe Y; between
these pipes the pipe now in use G', called the by-pass pipe, is situated, and in
it is a valve box containing a valve I. The side of the valve box is removed
in the Drawing to shew the valve I, which closes the opening between the
pipes G and H. This valve turns upon a spindle J, on which is a lever K,
with a balance weight L screwed upon it, and capable of being moved nearer
t or farther from the spindle. The pipe G turns up into the cistern M,
which is filled with water, and contains a small gasometer N, which, with
the cistern, is shewn in section; O is another pipe entering the cistern. The
gasometer N is furnished with a partition P, which does not extend the whole
depth of the gasometer, but which is connected with it in air-tight mauner at
the top and sides. The gasometer N is suspended to the lever Q, the fulcrum
of which is supported by the pillar R; S is a balance weight, screwed on the
lever, by which it is capable of being adjusted; T is a rod jointed to the lever,
and furnished with a slot at the lower end; the lever K enters this slot. :

page_text: In applying this apparatus to relieve the pressure in the retorts in the
manufacture of gas, the pipe O is connected with the pipe leading from the
retorts, and the pipe H is connected with the gasholder. The gasometer N
being balanced by the weight S, is raised by the slightest pressure of the gas
in the retorts, thereby opening the communication to the exhauster, which,
being in motion, discharges it into the pipe leading to the gasholder. If the
production of gas from the retorts diminishes to less than sufficient to supply
the exhauster, it would then be supplied either by the by-pass pipe G³ with
the gas
before it reaches the gasholder, or by the return pipe, with the gas
direct from the gasholder, as herein-after mentioned; in either case through
the valve I. If from any cause the valve I should stick or adhere to its seat,
the exhauster will. then draw down the gasometer N, and reduce or entirely
seal the passage for the gas by the partition P entering the water in the cistern;
at the same time the end of the slot in the rod T will come in contact with
the long arm of the lever K, and, by depressing it, will force the valve off its
seat, and restore its action. This regulator or compensator is intended to com-
pensate for the variations in the quantity of gas occurring from time to time
in the working of the retorts. When the number of retorts in operation is
varied the apparatus may be adjusted to its work by altering the effective
length of the lever on the axis of the exhauster by means of the screw, as
shewn in Sheet II., Figure 8. The nearer the socket U is moved to the centre
of the shaft the larger will be the quantity of gas discharged at each stroke
of the piston. The socket is prevented by the boss of the lever, or by a stop
on the lever, or on the screw, from coming so close to the centre as to endanger
the striking of the piston against the valves or valve boxes. Instead of con-
necting the pipe H to the pipe Y, these pipes may both be continued as
separate pipes leading to the gasholder, and the pipe H and G', with the
valve I, will then form a return pipe, to supply the exhauster when the
production of gas in the retorts diminishes.
.
The apparatus has been described as drawing the gas from the retorts and
discharging it into the gasholders, but it may be used for drawing the gas
from the gasholders and discharging it into the mains, and, generally, for
discharging and giving motion to gas. It is evident that the cylinder may
be divided in different proportions to those shewn in the Drawing, as may be
desired, preserving the same arrangement of the various parts while varying
their proportions.
In Sheet III., Figure 2, is a section, and Figure 3, a plan of another
arrangement of the exhauster or pump. In this arrangement two semi-

page_text: B, D. E, E, F, F, are the cylinder covers, which are made without any
inlet or outlet apertures: X, X', X", are the inlet pipe with its branches.
Y, Y, Y", are the outlet pipe and its branches. G, G', are the pistons, and
H, H', the shafts which are fitted into the angular partitions I and K, and
provided with stuffing boxes at one or both ends of the cylinder. The spaces
included between the angular partitions I, K, and the backs B, D, are each
divided into two parts by a transverse partition so as to form two valve boxes
to each semi-cylinder. Each valve box contains two valves. The valve
boxes which communicate with the pipe X are each furnished with two inlet
valves M, M, N, N, opening into the semi-cylinders, as shewn in Figure 2.
The other two valve boxes, which communicate with the outlet pipe Y, are
each furnished with two outlet valves. The two valves in each valve box are
balanced by being connected with connecting rods Q, R, jointed to them, as
shewn in Figure 2. S, T, are balance weights screwed on the rods or set
screws U, V, projecting from the connecting rods Q, R. These weights are
capable of being moved on the rods U, V, so as to adjust the balance of the
valves. The shafts H, H', are driven by levers, connecting rods, and cranks, or
excentrics, as already described with regard to the exhauster, shewn on Sheet II.,
or both shafts may be driven by the same crank or excentric. Motion being
given to the pistons, the gas is drawn in at the pipe X, and discharged-at-the
pipe Y. By arranging the parts so that one piston may be at the end of
its stroke while the other is at half stroke, a very regular flow of gas is
produced. Where perfect regularity in the flow is not required, a single
semi-cylinder or segment of a cylinder may be used, and whether one or
more are used theymay be placed in any position which may be found most
desirable.
Having now described the nature of the Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we
claim,
Firstly, the modes herein-before described of treating the various solid and
liquid substances herein-before mentioned for the production of gas for giving
light and heat.
Secondly, the arrangement and combination of three retorts with three-way
valves or cocks, and their appurtenances, as herein-before described.
Thirdly, the application of a jet pipe and a pump, or an elevated cistern,
with a cock or valve moved by clockwork, or other regular motion, for the
purpose of injecting tar, or other liquid hydrocarbons, into retorts.
Fourthly, the mode or modes of treating boghead cannel coal, and similar

page_text: substances used in the production of gas, for giving light and heat by distilla-
tion in retorts, through which is passed a current of the gases resulting from
the decomposition of water by carbonaceous matter, and the subsequent
operations herein-before mentioned, so as to produce sulphate of alumina,
alum, silica, or decolorizing substances, as herein-before described.
Fifthly, the combination, arrangement, and application of certain parts of
machinery, as before described, to and for discharging and giving motion to
aeriform fluids; and we claim particularly the connecting and balancing the
valves by a connecting rod with or without a weight and set screw in all
the different arrangements of such apparatus when used with one or more
shafts.
Sixthly, we claim the placing of a regulator or adjuster to a gas exhauster,
upon any part of the pipe (or dividing that pipe for that purpose in any part)
between the retorts and the junction of the "by-pass." pipe with the inlet
pipe of the exhauster, or in any other position between the exhauster and the
retorts except on the "by-pass" pipe, or passing the gas through a regulator
or adjuster, or causing a regulator or adjuster to act on the gas in any part
of its passage from the retorts to the gasholder before it reaches the junction
of the by-pass pipe with the inlet pipe, as herein-before described.
Seventhly, wo claim the application and use of a return pipe direct from
the gasholder, to supply the exhauster when the retorts are not making
sufficient gas for that purpose.
Eighthly, we claim the partitioning and dividing a gasholder or gasometer
with two or more compartments, to be used for a regulator or adjuster to a
gas exhauster, and also the arrangement of such apparatus for that purpose,
as shewn in Figure 1, Sheet III.
In witness whereof, we, the said Thomas Greaves Barlow and Samuel
Gore, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fourteenth day of
October, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
THOMAS G. (L.s.) BARLOW.
SAMUEL (L.s.) GORE.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourteenth day of October, in
the year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid Thomas Greaves Barlow came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specifi-
cation aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in
form above written.

page_text: AND ALSO BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourteenth day of Octo-
ber, in the year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid Samuel Gore came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped, according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.