Improvements relating to Gas Plant.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Apr., 1896-Accepted, 6th June, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by RICHARD NICKERSON OAKMAN the younger,
of Greenfield, in the State of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Gentleman.]
Improvements relating to Gas Plant.
1 HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of The Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to that description of plant which is used for
making water gas and producer gas, or a combination of water and producer gas,
the latter being particularly suitable for power purposes, and the invention consists
partly in the general arrangement of the plant, which has been found to be
extremely simple and economical, a plant equal to furnishing gas up to about
200 H.P. being contained in a floor space of about 11 ft. by 25 ft., and partly to
various details of construction of some of the parts.
In carrying out this invention, a double generator is used, which preferably
consists of a large chamber divided into two parts by a vertical partition wall, and
having a common feed hole. Each compartment will have a grate an ashpit, and
suitable connections below the ash-pit, with a common exhaust pipe, and also air
and steam inlets, as is now well understood.
For larger plants, two separate generators may, however, be employed, having
connection with one another at the top.
The exhaust connections are provided with water-cooled valves, suitably
operated, as will be hereafter described, and the exhaust pipe is connected with
a single boiler or cooler, in which the steam used in the process is produced.
From this apparatus; the hot gases pass to a second and similar apparatus which is
used as a feed water heater. From this apparatus, the gases pass to a wet
scrubber, thence to a dry scrubber, and are finally driven by the action of an
exhauster, in a purified state, into a gas holder.
The water used for cooling the valves is taken away to a tank near the
feed-water pump.
The above named arrangement is superior to those hitherto employed, as the
valves heretofore have been placed beyond the boiler or cooler, that is to say,
away from the generator, in which case the boiler has had its tubes filled with
steam during the water gas run.
In operating the apparatus, both exhaust valves will be opened, a valve between ·
the exhauster and the gas holder will be closed, and the valve of a smoke stack
will be opened. The top or charging door to the generators will also be opened.
A fire in each generator having been kindled, and well burnt up, the exhauster is
started, and the fire is blasted downwards, until the required temperature is
obtained in both fuel beds.
The stack valve is now closed, the gate to gasometer is opened, and the
exhauster valve on generator No. 1 closed. The top or charging doors are also
closed. An interlocking lever, which controls the air and steam valves, is
operated so that air and steam are admitted to the bottom of generator No. 1...
The air and steam are taken (by draught of the exhauster) up through No. 1, and
the resultant gases down through generator No. 2, then through boiler, feed water
heater, scrubbers (wet and dry), to exhauster, and thence delivered to the.
gasometer. After a few minutes run, depending upon the fuel and the condition..
of fuel bed, as well as the quality of gas desired, the operation is reversed, valve
DU

page_text: on No. 1 being closed, and that on No. 2 opened, and air and steam valve lever
being thrown over, so as to admit air and steam to No. 2 generator. This may be
repeated many times before a second downward blast with charging doors open.
As it is necessary that the operator shall be prevented (by carelessness or
otherwise) from admitting air to the bottom of No. 1, when valve No. 1 is open,
because this would take air and steam away to boiler etc., and an explosive mixture
of gases would be formed, a special valve-operating mechanism with locking device
is provided, so that he cannot open valve No. 1 while the air is on that side. He
must throw the air lever over to unlock the valve rod of No. 1, and before this, he
must close valve No. 2. The valves may be locked open also. Means are also
provided to allow of both valve rods being sustained with open gate when blasting
or exhausting down through the charging doors. The valve working must be
beyond any chance of the operator making a mistake; indeed, he must be
prevented from throwing open the wrong valve. The air and steam valves are
operated by the same stem. The amount of steam admitted to the bottom of the
generator can be regulated by a valve on the steam supply pipe. The air supply
may also be regulated, if necessary, by suitable valves placed in the air pipe.
This plant can be operated for making, then, either producer gas without
steam, a mixed gas using as much steam with the air as can readily be decomposed,
or a pure water gas, by admitting steam only. In operating the ordinary down
draught generator, the steam is admitted at the bottom, and the resultant water
gas taken away at the top of the generator. Unless the coals at the top of the
fuel bed are well distilled, the water gas carries away a large amount of tar.
This usually happens, and the effort is made to run a fire hot at the top. With
many English coals, this causes trouble, and a low fire-bed in consequence.
With
the double generator, it does not matter if the coal at top of each fuel bed is
fresh, as the hydrocarbons must pass down through one fuel bed, and the gas
goes away from the bottom of the generator quite free from tar, and also enriched
by the distillation and gasification of the fresh coal at the top.
The trouble with double generators operated with air and steam, or air alone,
has been the risk of obtaining an explosive mixture. If steam were alone admitted
to the bottom of the generator, there would be no fear of obtaining an explosive
mixture, even if the steam was taken through the boiler, instead of through the
generators.
The small holder acts as a governing holder.
There will be less wear and tear to the apparatus, which is quickly put into
operation. The exhauster is run steadily while the operation of gas-making is
going on. The valve system is an improvement, as steam cannot "back up" into the
boiler. This not only entailed a loss of gas and heat, but tended to the destruction
of the tubes in the boiler, through the combination of sulphuretted hydrogen and
the moisture.
The exhaust valves consist of hollow circular castings, which are faced on one
side, and are provided with means by which they are kept up to their seats, when
closed. This casting is connected with two pipes, which project through stuffing
boxes, and into other tubes, which serve respectively as water inlet and outlet
tubes. By these means, cold water is always passing into the valve, thereby
keeping it cool, and the water warmed by contact with the parts is passing out.
The valve seat is also made hollow, with suitable inlets and outlets for water, and a
constant stream of cold water is continually passing through. The chamber in the
valve is provided with a central partition, which ensures a constant movement of
the water.
The valve is of the slide order, and is moved by means of a rod, which is
attached to a boss on the edge.
The valve rod extends upwards above the operating floor, and through one of a
pair of boxes carried by standards on the floor, and is pivotted to a hand lever, by
which the rod is raised when required. The rod is notched to catch on a pin, so
that it may be held up, when the valve is to remain open.

page_text: At the point where the rod passes through the box, when the valve is closed,
a hole is made in the rod, to receive the point of a locking bar which enters
the box.
This bar is operated by the air valve lever, with which it is connected by a
suitable link, so that in whichever direction the lever is moved, the opposite gas
valve will be unlocked.
When the lever is in a central position, the air valves will be closed, and both
gas valves will be unlocked.
The air valve rod projects upwards through a socket carried by a bridge piece
between the two standards, and on which the locking bar rests, and the lever is
keyed on the end of the rod.
The air valve rod operates not only the air valves, but also a three way steam
valve.
The valve body consists of a box having a central partition, and at either end
flanges, by which it can be bolted to ends of air tube, which are connected with
each generator respectively. The top of the box is faced to make a valve seat,
and has two suitably shaped parts set at an angle of 45 degrees to the centre line.
On the top of this seat is secured the valve, which consists of a disc having two
correspondingly shaped ports on opposite sides of, and at right angles to, the centre
line.. This disc is keyed on the rod, and according as the rod is turned to the
right or left, so cne or other of the valve ports is brought opposite its corre-
sponding port, and air will be allowed to rush in, under the influence of the
exhauster. At the same time, steam will be admitted with the air, and both will
pass up and through the incandescent fuel in the generator.
Dated this 5th day of July 1894.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
I HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of The Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of London, Patent Agent, 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 has reference to that description of plant which is used for making
water gas, producer gas, and a combination of water and producer gas, which latter
gas, it has been found, is particularly suitable for use in gas engines, and for other
power purposes.
The subject of the production of water and producer gas is now well known, and
many attempts have been made to bring these gases into general use, but hitherto
without any very satisfactory results.
As the result of a series of tests extending over several years, it is believed that
one reason for the failures is, that a complete and satisfactory plant has never yet
been devised for carrying out the several processes.
Inventors have turned their attention to modifying this part or that part of the
plant, and have made a general statement with regard to other parts, being satisfied
with some broad remarks, such as "in the usual mauner," etc.
The tests which have been made, as referred to above, have clearly demonstrated
that, to get the best results, the parts should be arranged in some relation to one
another, and in close proximity, another reason for failure being, it is believed, the
want of compactness in the arrangement of the plant.
Now, one object of the present invention is to overcome these difficulties, and to
this end, the invention consists, partly in the general design or arrangement of the
plant; another object is is to improve certain parts of the plant; so that the

page_text: °
also consists in various details of construction of these parts, by which
improved results are obtained.
By the arrangement of the plant which will now be described, and which will be
found to be extremely simple and economical, a plant including a gas-holder of the
capacity of 500 cubic feet, equal to furnishing gas up to about 200 H.P., will be
contained in a floor space of 11 feet by about 25 feet.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 shows in plan view a complete plant for making the various gases before
enumerated.
Fig. 2 shows the same in side elevation, the gas holder being omitted.
Figs. 3 & 4 show in sectional elevation, and in transverse section, a construction of
double generator, suitable for a plant of the capacity above mentioned; and
Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 show various details, which will be more particularly referred
to hereafter, of gas and air valves, and the means for operating the same.
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, A represents the double generator; B B' indicate
the positions of the gas valves; and B* B* the air valves. C is exhaust main
common to the two parts of the generator. D is a tubular boiler. E is a tubular
feed water heater. F is a wet scrubber, G a dry scrubber, H an exhauster; J a
chimney, and K is a gas holder.
Except as will be more particularly referred to hereafter, the construction of
the parts enumerated above, present no special feature of novelty, as any of the
well known contrivances may be employed for the purposes of this invention.
It has before been stated, that an essential feature of the invention consists in
the arrangement of the plant, to obtain economy of construction, economy of space
taken up by the plant, and the best results from the working, all of which objects
are effected in the plant herein shown and described, and are the result of careful
study and experiments extending over several years.
The mode of heating up is that described in the English Letters Patent granted
to Burdett Loomis dated Nov. 5th 1888, No. 15983, in which a downward
draught is employed.
In carrying out the present invention, the double generator A. consists of a large
chamber divided into two parts 1, 2, by a vertical partition wall A', and having a
feed hole A, common to both chambers 1. 2, as shewn in Figs. 3 and 4. Each
compartment has a grate A³, an ashpit A', and a connection A below the ashpit,
with the common exhaust pipe C, and also an air inlet A. Steam will also be
introduced to the ash-pits, or the generator chambers, as may be desired, by suitable
steam pipes, which will be conveniently placed for the purpose.
For larger plants, two separate generators may however be employed, being
connected with one another at the top. Such an arrangement has, however, already
been suggested, and is open to any one to use.
The exhaust connections A are provided with water-cooled valves, suitably
operated, as will be hereafter described, and the common exhaust pipe C is
connected with the lower part of a single hoiler or cooler D, in which the steam
used in the process is produced by the hot gases passing upwards through it.
From this apparatus, the partly cooled gases pass at the top into a second and
similar apparatus E, which is used as a feed-water heater, the gases passing down-
wards through the apparatus. From this apparatus E, the gases, which have thus
been further cooled, pass to the lower part of the wet scrubber F, which they enter
by a dip pipe. The gases pass up through this scrubber F, and out at the top, to a
dry scrubber G, which is placed on a platform arranged on a level with the top of
the generator, and from which the generator is charged from time to time with
fuel, and they are finally drawn off by the action of the exhauster H, which is
connected with the scrubber by the pipe G', in a purified state, and quite cool, and
are forced into the gas-holder K, where they are stored for future use.
gas-holder will also act as a governing holder.
This
The water used for cooling the valves is taken away to a tank near the feed-water
pump.

page_text: The above named arrangement is superior to those hitherto employed, because
the exhaust valves heretofore have been placed beyond the boiler or cooler, that is
to say, away from the generator, in which case the boiler has had its tubes filled
with steam during the water-gas run, often a matter of considerable inconvenience,
not to say danger.
In operating the apparatus, both exhaust valves B B¹ to the two chambers 1, 2,
of the generator A will be opened, a valve L between the exhauster H and the gas
holder K will be closed, the valve J' of the smoke-stack J will be opened, and the
top or charging door to the generator A will also be opened. A fire in each
generator chamber 1, 2, having been kindled, and allowed to burn well up, the
exhauster Hisstarted, and air being drawn in at the top of the generator A, both
fuel beds are brought to a high state of incandescence.
The stack valve J' is now closed, the gate to gasometer K is opened, and the
exhaust valve B on generator chamber No. 1, and the top or charging door of the
generator A, also closed. Air and steam are then admitted to the bottom of
generator No. 1 by operating an interlocking lever, which controls the air and steam
valves. The air and steam are drawn (by the draught of the exhauster H) up
through No. 1, and the resultant gases down through generator No. 2; then, by
exhaust valve B', exhaust passage C, through boiler D, feed water heater E,
scrubbers F, G, (wet and dry), to exhauster H, and thence delivered to the
gasometer K. After a few minutes run, depending upon the fuel and the condition
of the fuel bed, as well as the quality of gas desired, the operation is reversed,
the exhaust valve B' on No. 2 being closed, and that, B, on No. 1 opened, and air
and steam valve lever being thrown over, so as to admit air and steam to No. 2
generator. This may be repeated many times, before a second downward blast or
draught with charging-doors open. As it is necessary that the operator shall be
prevented (by carelessness or otherwise) from admitting air to the bottom of No. 1
when valve B of No. 1 is open, because this would take air and steam away to
boiler, etc., and an explosive mixture of gases would be formed, a special valve-
operating mechanism with locking device is provided, so that he cannot open
exhaust valve B of No. 1 chamber while the air is on that side. He must throw the
air-valve lever over to unlock the valve rod B of No. 1, and before this, he must
close valve B' of No. 2. The valves B B' may be locked open also, for which
purpose means are provided to allow of both valve rods being sustained with open
gate, when blasting or exhausting down through the charging door. The valve
working must be beyond any chance of the operator making a mistake; indeed, he
must be prevented from throwing open the wrong valve. The air and steam valves
are operated by the same stem. The amount of steam admitted to the bottom of
the generator A can be regulated by a valve on the steam supply pipe. The air
supply may also be regulated, if necessary, by suitable valves placed in the
air pipe.
This plant can be operated for making therein, either producer gas without
steam, a mixed gas, using as much steam with the air as can readily be decomposed,
or a pure water-gas, by admitting steam only. In operating the ordinary down-
draught generator, the steam is admitted at the bottom, and the resultant water-gas
taken away at the top of the generator. Unless the coals at the top of the fuel
bed are well distilled, the water-gas carries away a large amount of tar. This
usually happens, and the effort is made to run a fire hot at the top.
With many
kinds of English and other coals, this causes trouble, and a low fire bed in
consequence. With the double generator, it does not matter if the coal at top of
each fuel bed is fresh, as the hydrocarbons must pass down through one fuel bed,
which is in a high state of incandescence, and the gas goes away from the bottom
of this generator quite free from tar, and also enriched by the distillation and
gasification of the fresh coal at the top.
The trouble with double generators operated with air and steam, or air alone,
has been the risk of obtaining an explosive mixture. If steam were alone admitted
to the bottom of the generator, there would be no fear of obtaining an explosive

page_text: mixture, even if the steam was taken through the boiler, instead of through the
generators.
In the above described arrangement, there will be less wear and tear to the
apparatus than heretofore, and it is quickly put into operation.
"
The exhauster is run steadily while the operation of gas-making is going on.
'The valve system is an improvement, as steam cannot "back up"
into the boiler,
which heretofore not only entailed a loss of gas and heat, but tended to the
destruction of the tubes in the boiler, through the combination of sulphuretted
hydrogen and the moisture.
Referring now to the figures on Sheets IV & V.
Fig. 5 shews, in partial sectional elevation, an arrangement of water-charged
valves;
Fig. 6 indicating the position of the operating levers with regard to the platform,
and also the position and arrangement of the steam and air valves; and Fig. 7 is a
plan view of the latter; while
Fig. 8 indicates a locking arrangement.
A will indicate the outlets from the generator chambers, and C the common
exhaust main. Between these two parts are the valves B B¹, each of which
consists of a valve box M, containing a hollow circular casting a, which is faced on
the generator side, and is provided with side wedge-shaped ears or lugs a', which,
coming into contact with similar shaped pieces on the inside of the box M, will,
when the valve is lowered, drive it against the seat, and make a gas-tight valve.
The valve is raised and lowered vertically in a recess in the box by the rod b,
which passes through a suitable stuffing box c in the top.
The rod 6 passes upwards above the platform, through a box d carried by a
standard e fixed on the platform, and is pivotted to a leverf which is connected by
a link g to the standard e.
Each of the rods b is provided with a hole h, so that both exhaust valves may,
in case of necessity, be held open at the same time, by placing a pin (the
ends of which will rest upon the top of the box d) through the hole h.
The hollow valve a is connected with two pipes (not shown), one on either side
of, and parallel with, the valve rod b, and these pipes serve as flow and outlet pipes
for the cold water intended to keep the valve cool.
These pipes pass through stuffing boxes, and into fixed vertical pipes connected
with suitably placed tanks.
By these means, cold water is always passing into the valve, thereby keeping
it cool, and the water warmed by contact with the parts is passing away.
The valve seat is also made hollow, with suitable inlets and outlets for water, and
a constant stream of cold water, is continuously passing through. The valve a is
provided internally with a central partition or baffle, which ensures a constant
movement of the water.
The air and steam valves and connections will now be described. A° A° are
the air and steam iulets to the ash-pit of the generator A, and these two inlets are
connected by the elbow and other pipes k k with the opposite sides of a valve
box O. This box is divided into two chambers by a central vertical partition, and
it has on the top a flat horizontal plate or seat O¹, with an opening or port into
each chamber.
This plate O is faced at top to form a seat for a disc valve P, which has
two openings or ports, so placed that one or other port may be opposite one
or other port in the seat; or both ports in the seat may be closed.
In Fig. 7 the passage to generator chamber 1 is open, a handle connected with
the valve P, and shewn in dotted lines, being to the right.
If the passage to generator chamber 2 is open, the handle will be to the left, but
if neither passage is open, the handle will be central.
The disc valve P is mounted on the rod P¹, which extends downwards below the
seat O¹, and upwards through a socket in a cross bar or bridge piece Q, carried by
the standards e e on the platform.

page_text: Above the bridge-piece Q, the rod P' is attached to the handle R, and below the
valve P the rod operates a three-way steam valve S of the steam pipes S¹, which
are connected with the elbows k k of the air and steam inlets Aº Aº.
At the upper end of the exhaust valve rod b, which will be in the box d when
the valve is closed, a hole j is made in the rod, to receive the point of a locking
bar, which enters the box, and which will be more particularly described
later on.
Arranged upon the bridge piece Q is a locking bar T (see Fig. 8), which slides
in the boxes d d on the standards e e, and is provided at each end with bolts T¹ and
catches T. This bar T is operated by the air-valve lever or handle R, with which
it is connected by a link R', so that whichever way the lever R is moved, one of
the bolts T will enter the hole j in one of the rods b, so locking that particular
gas-valve shut, while the catch T2 at the other end of the bar T will pass under
the notch in the opposite rod b, and hold the other gas valve open.
When the lever is in a central position, the air valves will be closed, and both
gas valves will be unlocked.
According to which of the ports is open, air will rush into the generator, under
the influence of the exhauster H, and, at the same time, steam will be admitted
to the elbow k, and both will pass into the ash-pit and up through the incandescent
fuel in the particular generator chamber.
In this way, the air and steam can only enter that generator chamber, the exhaust
valve B or B¹ of which is closed, because the locking bar T will prevent either port
being opened so long as the valves B B₁ are. both open, and if either of the air
ports is open, the valves B & B will be locked in their proper positions, which
cannot be changed without changing the positions of the air and steam valves; thus,
the attendant cannot get wrong with his valves, a matter of very great importance
to the proper working of the process and apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion (as communicated to me from abroad), and in what manner the same is to
be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The special arrangement of plant for manufacturing water-gas, producer-gas,
or water and producer gas combined, whereby economy of construction, economy of
space taken up by the plant, and improved results in the production of the gases,
are obtained.
2. The special construction of double generator as herein shewn and described.
3. The special construction of air valve as herein shewn and described, and the
combination therewith of a three-way steam valve, as and for the purpose set
forth.
4. The combination of exhaust gas valves with air and steam valves of the
construction above described, and an interlocking mechanism, as and for the purpose
set forth.
5. The special construction of water cooled exhaust gas valves and operating
mechanism, as herein shewn and described.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1896
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.