Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Use in the Production; Storing, and Application of Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1897
Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Use in the Production;
Storing, and Application of Acetylene Gas.
I THOMAS HOLLIDAY of Edgerton, Huddersfield, in the County of York, Manu-
facturing Chemist 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:---
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for use in the production or
generation, in the storing and the application of acetylene gas, the apparatus consisting
of one or more generators and a displacement holder the generators being placed on
a level with or below the holder.
By generator I mean a vessel in which carbide of calcium or other carbide (capable
of giving off acetylene when treated with water) is treated with water entering at a
lower and the gas being withdrawn at a higher level than the level of the carbide
therein.
And by displacement holder I mean a gas holder in which the acetylene gas is
allowed to displace water which is thereby forced to a higher level and can re-enter
the holder as gas is withdrawn from 'it, arranged in such a manner that the gas formed
in the generator passes direct to service pipes or through a cooler and thence into
service pipes and if more gas is formed than is withdrawn from the service-pipes' the
first effect is to force the water from the carbide through a pipe or passage. from the
lower level of the generator into the gas holding part of the holder. at as high a level
the gas: will
as practical, so as to ensure that before the water returns to the generator
have returned to it through the same passage on its way to the service pipe and after
the water is forced from the carbide in this manner any surplus gas enters the gas
holder by the same passage and lowers the level of the water therein this passage for
the water and gas serves also to allow water to re-enter the lower part of the generator
after the surplus gas is withdrawn through the generator and service pipes.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 represents a vertical section of such parts of an acetylene gas apparatus fitted
with one generator as are necessary to illustrate the application of my improvements.
Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the same.
Figs. 3 and 4 are views of detail on a larger scale hereinafter referred' to.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 the cylindrical holder A has a
water cistern B above it but separated from it by the diaphragm or horizontal
partition C. A pipe D passing through the diaphragm and extending down to near
the bottom of the holder connects the cistern B with the holder. A drain cock A² is
fitted in the bottom A³ of the holder and the bottom is preferably made conical so as
to incline towards this cock.
The generator E is fitted with a lid' E' fixed in position by the screw E* and carbide
of calcium is placed in a removable perforated cage contained in this generator.
The lower end of this generator is connected to approximately the highest point of
the holder by the pipes F and F and a three-way valve G is placed between the two
pipes.
Figures 3 and 4, represent sectional views of this valve showing the passage G²
through the plug G³. The plug G³ may be turned to connect the pipes F and For

page_text: to stop the passage between them as required and it may also be turned to the position
shown in Figure 3 so as to connect the pipe F with the waste pipe F³ when it is
required to empty the generator. A gas delivery pipe H is connected to the top of
the generator and is preferably coupled to the cooling coil H2 located in the cistern B.
To put the apparatus into operation the holder A is filled with water and a little
water is also placed in the cistern B. The generator may now be charged with calcic
carbide preferably placed in a basket cage that can be lifted in and out.
This basket cage I (shewn in section in Fig. 1 and in plan in Fig. 2) occupies
the upper portion of the said generator and is of a somewhat smaller diameter than
that of another basket cage K which occupies the lower part of the generator. The
latter cage is preferably made of (say) wirework sufficiently fine to retain the lime,
or other material employed that may fall from the upper cage I whilst yet allowing
the water to drain through.
The use of this lower cage is to prevent either of the passages F or F2, or the
tap G from becoming choked, or made useless by lime se.liment.
The handle K' of the said lower cage K is made to serve as a support for the upper
cage.
о
After the lid E³ is secured the valve G is turned so as to connect the pipes F
and F, then the water from the holder flows into the generator as air or gas is
withdrawn through the service pipe and the generation of gas cominences.
In case the gas is generated faster than it is required it first accumulates in the
genrator and drives the water therefrom back into the holder. After that any gas
generated in excess of what is immediately required also passes by the pipes F and F²
into the holder thus displacing the water therein and forces it up by the pipe D into
the cistern B. This gas remains in the holder until the consumption of gas exceeds
the speed of generation when such gas passes from the holder through the generator
to the pipe H. As the pipe F is coupled to the holder at its highest point water is
not again admitted to the generator until the gas accumulated in the holder is
practically exhausted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An improved apparatus for generating and storing acetylene gas consisting of a
displacement gas holder and an exteriorily arranged generator, said generator being
from its upper part directly in connection with the service pipe and from its lower
part and below the level of the carbide being in connection with the upper part of
the gas holder, substantially as described and shewn by the drawings.
2. An improved apparatus for generating and storing acetylene gas, consisting of
a displacement gas holder and a generator, situate exteriorily of the said holder, and
having direct gas connection from its upper part to the service pipe, and from its
lower part to the upper part of the gas holder, at a point below the level of the
carbide, with a controlling tap, or valve to control the passage from the lower part of
the generator to the upper part of the holder, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth, and shewn by the drawings.
3. An improved apparatus for generating and storing acetylene gas consisting of
a displacement gas holder and a generator arranged exteriorily of said, holder said
generator being provided with connections arranged and controlled as set forth
and also with an internal basket cage capable of removal and replacement to hold
calcic carbide and a second wirework,. or reticulate cage, to intercept lime, or other
falling material whilst allowing water to pass, all substantially as and for the purpose
set forth and illustrated by the drawings.
4. The combination or arrangement and use of parts of apparatus for generating
and storing acetylene gas consisting of the generator with its removable calcic carbide
holding and lime, or like matter, intercepting cages, means of connection with the
parts of the said gas holder, as set forth.

page_text: 5. The construction and use of the said generator with a basket cage above for
calcic carbide and a wire work, or reticulate intercepting cage for lime, or the like,
below, arranged therein as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
Dated the 19th day of January 1897
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.