IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING, EXPLOSIVE, AND HEATING GAS, AND THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Keith, of the City and County of Edinburgh,
and of Arbroath, in the County of Forfar, North Britain, Gas and Water
Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
ILLUMINATING, EXPLOSIVE, AND HEATING GAS, AND THE APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Keith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th May 1881.
JAMES KEITH, of the City and County of Edinburgh, and of Arbroath, in the
County of Forfar, North Britain, Gas and Water Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING, EXPLOSIVE, AND HEATING GAS, AND THE
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
This Invention relates to the manufacture of illuminating, explosive, and
heating gas from crude, or partly refined, or refined mineral and other oils, such as
shale, paraffin, petroleum, or other similar oils, or from vegetable oils, or from any
form of gaseous oil, by a novel arrangement of apparatus therefor, whereby the gas
is more thoroughly extracted from such oils and made more permanent than
hitherto, either for illuminating, motive-power, or heating purposes.
The apparatus employed in carrying out this Invention consists of an improved
arrangement of furnace retorts, retorts setting, outside casing for furnace and retorts,
washers and spreaders, coolers. The mode of connecting these parts together and
to the gas holder or gas holders, and the mode of mixing the gas with air when
necessary, either before it enters the gas holder or when it leaves the gas holder, are
new features of the Invention.
The furnace is of square, oblong, oval, or circular form, but preferably square or
oblong, constructed of brick-work, and fire-clay or ganister, and is provided with a
heavy metal grate and water pan beneath; and the fuel is fed into the furnace by
a bevilled door or shaft lined with brick-work all round the inside. One, two,
three, four, or more retorts can be placed right over the one fire, protected in a
novel manner from the direct action of the fire, and all are set on and round with
brick-work. Over the retort or retorts is placed a novel arrangement of "brick-
setting" so as to retain the heat and bring the heated gas and flames all over the
Price 6d1

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"
top of the retorts, and thereafter send it out at the sides upwardly, when the gases
and flames have again to come to the centre on the other side or top of this
brick setting" before escaping up the chimney. The retorts can also be set in
brick-work without exterior metal casing if necessary, and the whole being tied
together by tie bars and rods, or the metal casing referred to can also be covered
over on the outside with brick-work or any nonconducter to retain the heat if
desirable.
The retorts are made of metal of an equal thickness throughout, are flat
bottomed, and of a long inverted narrow V pipe shape in cross section so as to give
large internal distilling surface, and allow of a number of them being placed nearly
close together over a small fire. The retorts are made open at both ends for
cleaning purposes, the ends being fitted with wheel or lever screw clasped doors.
When the retorts are properly heated, the oil is run into the front of the retort in
a thin continuous stream from a contiguous metal cistern through a filler and pipe
trap, and passes off in the form of gas right through the retorts to the other end,
where it ascends up ascension or fixing pipes attached to the retorts for conveying
the gas to the "washers."
To further the more complete distillation of the oil into gas, each retort is so
arranged that a light or other metal-frame can be slipped into the centre of the
retort to break up the gas more while passing through the retort, or a piece or
pieces of rough hard coke can be inserted into the retort instead of the said frame-
work to serve the same purpose. This form of retort resting on a solid flat bottom
is very durable, owing to its peculiar and high narrow shape, and the heat of the
furnace not being allowed to impinge directly upon the retorts; these retorts can
also be made of fire-clay when necessary for constant heating. The constructions
of retorts described are equally applicable for the production of gas from coal,
shale, or other bituminous substances, with slight modifications to admit of the
charging of such material, and the withdrawal of the coke, oil, or other rsesidues, in
which case the retorts can be made of various sizes to suit the particular mineral
or material being distilled in them.
The retorts, furnace, and setting are enclosed in a circular, oval, oblong, or square
metal casing, square or oblong cast plates bolted together being preferred; and this
casing is so constructed that the parts can be easily removed for the examination
or renewal of retorts, without taking the whole to pieces or interfering with the
principal brick setting. The whole is surmounted or covered with a metal top
plate in one or more pieces, with or without air casing between the brick setting
and plate, through the centre of which top-plate the flames and smoke pass into
the chimney, which is of metal fitted on the top of said plate, and provided with
damper and air regulator. Opening flat doors are also arranged in the metal
casing round the setting of the retorts, to enable the attendant to watch the
heating operation, or clean out the setting or flue spaces.
The washer is a round, square, or oblong metal vessel, nearly half full of water,
with a large filling and cooling trough on the top of it, fitted with suitable dip
pipes into water of washer below, which stand full of water. The washer is
preferably made oblong, with flat bottom and close flat top, on the top of which the
Baid water trough is attached, the trough being also of metal and forming part of
the whole washer; a separate pipe is carried from each retort into this washer or
into these washers, and these pipes dip through the gas space into the water inside
the washer. On the end of each pipe in the water is attached a peculiar flat
corrugated or ribbed "spreader," which spreads the gas amongst the water over a
large area, and thereby more thoroughly washes the gas as it passes off. These
washers can be divided internally when necessary, and one or two or more washers
can be used with each gas producer, so as to wash the gas more than once or twice
if necessary. In this case the washers are connected together by suitable uprising
pipes. Cleansing doors and improved trap overflow syphons are fitted to these
washers to keep the water at a uniform level, and emptying pipes and cocks aro
provided for cleaning out the connections or pipes between the retorts, and the

page_text: washers are fixed and pass from the retorts directly through the top of the washers,
no lutings or movable connections being required.
After the gas has been thoroughly washed it is passed by suitable pipes from the
washers to the "cooler," which cooler" is formed of one, two, or more rows of
pipes placed vertically in a closed metal water base with internal divisions dipping
into water. There are no bends or syphons joining these pipes at the top, but all
the pipes are joined into a peculiar metal box, open in the top and half filled or
more with water, and extending the whole length of the row or rows of pipes
mentioned, the ends of the said pipes standing up inside this box and thus forming
a water lute. Into this water lute one or more light gas-tight metal or other
boxes or covers dip, entirely sealing gas tight the ends of the said upright pipes;
and by divisions placed inside vertically in these light boxes or covers the gas is
made to travel up and down the long pipes through the gas spaces thus left at
top and bottom, and in row after row if necessary, till it is thoroughly cooled.
•
On the top of these light boxes or covers is another space or tray for water to
keep the cover tops cool, a screw being inserted into the bottom of each tray for
emptying when required, and suitable handles are attached to the said boxes or
covers for lifting them out of the water lute when desired.
To examine or clean out the cooler pipes inside, there are no joints to undo or
bolts to unscrew, but the water in the top tray of the cover is merely liberated and
the cover or covers lifted out of the water seal, when all the upright pipe ends are
open at once for inspection or cleaning if necessary, while the covers have simply
to be again placed in the water seal over the ends of the pipes and the tray refilled
with water, when the cooler is again ready for action.
These "coolers," together with the gas producing retorts and connections already
described and the "washers," can be multiplied to suit the size or necessities of the
gas works, and all can be placed and connected side by side to form a very large
work occupying very small space.
From the "cooler" or "coolers the gas can be passed into the gas holder or gas
holders by an improved "dreep box" direct for storing, or when certain oils are
used it may be necessary for greater purity to pass the gas through an intermediate
vessel or vessels filled with layers of coke or charcoal, or lime, or any other
purifying material, for the purpose of clarifying or purifying it, but in ordinary
circumstances and with shale oil or crude paraffin oil this is not required.
Before passing the gas into the gas holder or gas holders, it can be mixed with
air for certain purposes to reduce the quality of the gas, or it can be so mixed
with air as it enters the gas holder or gas holders, or mixed in the proper
proportions after it leaves the gas holder or gas holders for consumption by a
special air and gas meter for the purpose, or other air supplying appliance
suitable.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Keith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th November
1881.
JAMES KEITH, of the City and County of Edinburgh, and of Arbroath, in the
County of Forfar, North-Britain, Gas and Water Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING, EXPLOSIVE, AND HEATING GAS, AND THE
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR.'
"
My said Invention relates to the manufacture of illuminating, explosive, and
heating gas from crude or partly refined or refined mineral and other oils, such as
shale, paraffin, petroleum, or other similar oils, or from vegetable oils, or from any
form of gaseous oil, by a novel arrangement of apparatus therefor, whereby the gas
is more thoroughly extracted from such oils and made more permanent than
hitherto, either for illuminating, motive-power, or heating purposes.
The apparatus employed in carrying out this Invention consists of an improved
arrangement of furnace retorts, retort setting, casing for furnace, and retorts,
washers, spreaders, and coolers. The mode of connecting these parts to the gas
holder or gas holders, and the mode of mixing the gas with air when necessary,
either before it enters the gas holder or when it leaves the gas holder, are also new
features of the Invention.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended for that purpose two Sheets
of explanatory Drawings, to be hereinafter referred to, and representing modifica-
tions of my improved gas making plant. In these Drawings the same reference
letters are used to mark the same or like parts where repeated.
--
-
-
-->>
Figures 1 and 2 on Sheet 1 of these Drawings are transverse and longitudinal
vertical sections taken as at the lines 1 1 and 2. 2 in each other of a modi-
fication of my improved retort and furnace; Figures 3 and 4 are longitudinal and
transverse vertical sections on the lines 3 3 and 44 in each other of my
improved washers and spreaders; and Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section of
the improved coolers; while Figure 6 is a perspective view of the retort, furnace,
washers, and coolers, all shown connected and as adapted for small gas works for
private use; Figures 7 and 8 on Sheet 2 of the Drawings are transverse and
longitudinal vertical sections taken as at the lines 55 and 6. - 6 on each other
of a modification of my improved retort furnace as adapted for gas works of a
larger class; Figure 9 is a transverse vertical section of the same as at the line
77 in Figure 8; and Figure 10 is a horizontal section corresponding to
Figure 8:
Referring to the Figures on Sheet 1 of the Drawings, my improved furnace A is
of square, oblong, oval, or circular form, but preferably, as shown, square or oblong,
constructed of brick-work and fire-clay or ganister, and is provided with a heavy
metal grate A¹ and water ash-pan A³ beneath, and the fuel is fed into the furnace
by a bevilled door-way or shaft As lined with brick-work all round the inside, and
fitted with a movable door a. Two retorts B, B, are placed right over the one
fire A', or any other number of retorts may be so placed, and they are protected in
a novel manner from the direct action of the fire by a solid flat bottom C of brick-
work or fire-clay, and all are surrounded with brick-work. Over the retort or
retorts B, B, is placed a novel arrangement of brick-setting C', carried by the
walls A of the furnace, and supported in the centre by a web piece c resting over
the retorts. This arrangement is designed to retain the heat of the fire gases

page_text: which ascend from the grate A¹ by the ducts or passages a³ at the sides of and
between or round the retorts B, are thence directed- upwardly against the brick-
setting C, and towards the side walls of the furnace, when the gases and flames
have again to come to the centre on the other side or top of this "brick-
setting" C, as indicated by the arrows in Figures 1 and 2, before escaping
up the chimney a¹.
The retorts B, B, are made of metal of an equal thickness throughout, are flat
bottomed, and of a long inverted narrow V or U pipe shape in cross section, as
shown, so as to give large internal distilling surface, and allow of a number of
them being placed nearly close together over a small fire. The retorts B, B, are
made open at both ends for cleaning purposes, the ends passing outside the furnace
walls, and being fitted with close doors B' clasped by brackets b and screws b¹
turned by wheels or levers; or these brackets b and screws b¹ can be arranged and
pivotted on the retorts, front and back crossways, so as to fold up or down, instead
of side-ways, as shown, if necessary. When the retorts B, B, are properly heated
the oil is run into the front of the retort in a thin continuous stream from a
contiguous metal cistern through a filler and pipe trap D for each retort, as shown
in Figure 6, and the oil passes down a slight incline towards the middle of the
retort, where it is converted into gas, and passes right through the retorts to the
other end, where it ascends up ascension or fixing pipes E attached to the retorts B
for conveying the gas to the "washers."
To further the more complete distillation of the oil into gas each retort is so
arranged that a light metal or other framework can be slipped into the centre of
the retort to break up the gas more completely while passing through the retort ;
or a piece or pieces of rough hard coke can be inserted into the retort instead of
such frame-work. To serve the same purpose I prefer to make the upper sides of
the retorts to dip down, or be contracting towards the centre at B³, so that the gas
strikes against this part, and is thereby deflected downwards, but the retorts may
be made without this contraction, as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1.
form of retort B, resting on a solid flat bottom, is very durable, owing to its
peculiar and high narrow shape, and the heat of the furnace A' not being allowed
to impinge directly upon the retorts. These retorts can also be made of fire-clay,
when necessary, for constant heating.
"
This
The retorts, furnace, and setting are enclosed in a circular, oval, oblong, or square
metal casing A to suit the form of furnace, square or oblong cast plates bolted
together being preferred; and this casing is so constructed that the parts can be
easily removed for the examination or renewal of retorts by simply taking down
the plates at the ends of the retorts and as much of the brick-work as will allow
the retorts to pass through without taking the whole to pieces or interfering with
the principal brick-setting." The whole furnace is surmounted or covered with
a metal top-plate A³ in one or more pieces, with or without air casing, between the
brick-setting and plate, through the centre of which top-plate A³ the flames and
smoke pass into the chimney, which is of metal, fitted on the top of the said
plate A, and provided with damper and air regulator. Opening flap doors are
also arranged in the metal casing over openings a* in the brick-work round the
setting of the retorts B between the retorts in front, and back if necessary to enable
the attendant to watch the beating operation or clean out the setting C¹ or flue
spaces a. The retorts can also be set in brick-work without exterior metal casing A*
if necessary, and the whole being tied together by tie-bars and rods; or the metal
casing referred to can also be covered over on the outside with brick-work or any
non-conductor to retain the heat if desirable.
The gas produced in the retorts passes through the pipes E, E', as shown par-
ticularly in Figure 6, to the improved washer, which is shown in Figures 3 and 4,
and consists of a square or oblong metal vessel F about half filled with water, with
a large filling and cooling trough F" on the top of it fitted with suitable dip pipes f
dipping into the water of the washer below, the water overflowing [from the

page_text: trough F, thereby to fill the washer F. The washer F is preferably made of
metal, and oblong with flat bottom and close flat top, on the top of which the said
water trough F' is attached, the trough F¹ being also of metal and forming part of
the whole washer. A separate pipe is carried from each retort and connected to
the pipes E' leading into this washer or into these washers when they are double,
and these pipes El dip through the gas space into the water inside the washer F,
as shown. On the end of each pipe in the water is attached a peculiar flat corru-
gated or ribbed "spreader" G which spreads the gas amongst the water over a large
area, and thereby more thoroughly washes the gas as it passes off. These washers
can be divided internally when necessary, and fitted with a discharge gas pipe H
for each division, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 3, and one or two or
more washers can be used with each gas producer so as to wash the gas more than
once or twice if necessary, as indicated in the perspective view, Figure 6. In this
case the washers are connected together by suitable uprising pipes H2 fitted with
cleaning doors h at the bends. Cleansing doors F and improved trap overflow
syphons F3, the latter shown in Figure 4, are fitted to these washers to keep the
water at a uniform level, and the whole structure is carried on box framings F
resting on the ground on a suitable foundation. Emptying pipes and cocks are
provided for cleaning out the connections or pipes between the retorts, and the
pipes E may be fixed and pass from the retorts directly through the top of the
washers, no lutings or movable connections being required.
After the gas has been thoroughly washed it is passed by suitable pipes H from
the washers to the "cooler," which "cooler" is formed of one, two, or more rows
of pipes I, I, placed vertically in a closed metal water base 12 with internal
divisions dipping into water. There are no bends or syphons joining these pipes
at the top, but all the pipes are joined in a peculiar metal box J open in the top,
and half filled or more with water, and extending the whole length of the row or
rows of pipes I, I', the ends of the said pipes standing up inside this box, and thus
forming a water lute. Into this water lute one or more light gas-tight metal or
other boxes or covers J' dip, entirely sealing gas-tight the ends of the said up-right
pipes I, J. By divisions; placed inside vertically in these light boxes or covers J'
and the divisions i at the base I between alternate pairs of pipes I or I³, the gas
is made to travel up and down the long pipes J, I', through the gas spaces thus
left at top and bottom, and from the row I to the row I', or row after row if
necessary, till it is thoroughly cooled. On the top of these light boxes or covers J'
is another space or tray J' for water to keep the cover tops cool, a screw plug
being inserted into the bottom of each tray for emptying when required, and
suitable handles are attached to the said boxes or covers for lifting them out of the
water lute when desired.
°
To examine or clean out the "cooler" pipes I, I¹, inside there are no joints to
undo or bolts to unscrew, but the water in the top tray J2 of the cover is merely
liberated by unscrewing the plug j³, and the cover or covers lifted out of the water
seal or lute formed by the box J when all the up-right pipe ends I, I', are open at
once for inspection or cleaning if necessary, while the covers J' have simply to be
again placed in the water seal over the ends of the pipes, and the tray re-filled
with water when the "cooler" is again ready for action. Any excess of water in
the box J forming the lute at the top passes down the pipes I, I', into the base I*,
to which a suitable over-flow trap is connected.
These "coolers" I, I, together with the gas producing retorts B and connections
already described and the washers F can be multiplied to suit the size and
necessities of the gas works, and all can be placed and connected side by side to
form a very large work occupying very small space.
From the "cooler or "coolers" the gas can be passed into the gas holder or gas
holders by a "dreep box" direct for storing, or when certain oils are used it may
be necessary for greater purity to pass the gas through an intermediate vessel or
vessels filled with layers of coke, or charcoal, or lime, or any other purifying

page_text: material for the purpose of clarifying or purifying it, but in ordinary circumstances
and with shale oil this is not required.
Before passing the gas into the gas holder or gas holders it can be mixed with
air for certain purposes to reduce the quality of the gas, or it can be so mixed with
air as it leaves the gas holder or gas holders for consumption, or as it is being used
at the extremities of the mains, or where the gas is delivered for use by a special
air and gas meter mixer for the purpose, or other air supplying appliance
suitable.
In the arrangement of retort furnace and setting shown in Figures 7 to 10 on
Sheet 2 of the Drawings, four retorts B, B, are placed side by side, and with only
a small clear space between them on an arch A³ over the fire-grate A¹, in which
only small ports or openings a' are formed, partly for heating purposes and partly
for allowing any dust which may collect between the retorts to fall through. The
fire gases pass up by the flue space a behind the arch and the retorts, then over
the retorts B between these and the brick-setting C₁ or roof, and thence round a
bridge or arch A towards the chimney a¹, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 8.
The construction of the retorts in this arrangement is very similar to that described
in reference to Figures 1 and 2, but the body of the retort where it is contracted
in depth in the centre is made of greater width to maintain an equal or nearly
equal area of cross section throughout.
The "brick-work" of the furnace is encased with metal plates A³, and doors a*
are provided for examining the interior. The oil is led into the retorts through the
opening D¹ by means of filler tubes, as in the modification shown in Figure 6, and
the gas formed passes off to the washer by means of the pipes E.
The construction of retorts described are equally applicable for the production
of gas from coal, shale, or other bituminous substances with slight modifications to
admit of the charging of such material, and the withdrawal of the coke, oil, or
other residues, in which case the retorts can be made of various sizes to suit the
particular mineral or material being distilled in them.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not confine myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The general arrangement and construction or combination of the parts of
apparatus for manufacturing gas for illuminating, heating, and motive-power
purposes from oils, comprising furnaces and retorts, washers, and spreaders, and
arrangement of "coolers," all substantially as herein described and as shown in the
accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
Second. The arrangement and construction of furnaces and retorts for the manu-
facture of gas, in which the retorts are formed of narrow inverted V or U shape,
with or without a depression in the centre, and set on "brick-work" protecting thera
from the direct action of the fire, while the hot flames and fire gases circulate round
the retort, brick-setting (as C¹) being provided to retain the heat over the retorts,
and the entire furnace being cased or not with movable metal plates, all substan-
tially as herein described in reference to the accompanying Drawings, or any mere
modification thereof.
Third. The arrangement and construction of washers or apparatus for washing
or purifying gas, in which the gas is directed through the water within the
washing vessel by means of spreaders dipping thereinto, the vessel being provided
with an open water tank over it overflowing into the washer, all substantially
as herein described in reference to the accompanying Drawings, or any mere
modification thereof.
Fourth. The arrangement and construction of "cooler" or apparatus for cooling
gas, wherein the gas traverses a series of vertical pipes fitted on a water base, and
fitted above with movable covers dipping into a water box or lute, such covers

page_text: being provided with plugs covered by water, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth in reference to the accompanying Drawings, or any mere
modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Keith, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this First day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty-one.
JAMES KEITH. (L.S.)