Improvements in and relating to the Method of and Apparatus for Manufacturing Gas.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 26th Jan., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Method of and Apparatus for
Manufacturing Gas.
We, JAMES LANCE HASTINGS, of 1709 Jefferson Street in the City and County
of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, Gas Engineer, and CHARLES DURBIN
HAUK, of 5611 Washington Avenue in the City of Chicago, County of Cook and
State of Illinois, Gas Engineer, citizens of the United States of America, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and the manner in which the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
Reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which-
Figure 1 is in part a plan view, and in part a section of the apparatus employed
by us in practicing the invention, one set of apparatus being shown in the plan
view and the other in section, the sections being divided on the line, and the
section to the right being taken on line y-y Figure 2, while a section to the left is
taken on the line z-z, Figure 3;
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the apparatus on the line 2-2 Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 Figure 1; and
Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 Figure 1.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures.
Our invention relates to the manufacture of gas for illuminating or heating
purposes, its object being, so far as the manufacture of illuminating gas is concerned,
to provide for the generation of a large body of water gas, and the proper
carburizing of the same, and the fixing of the resultant gas and vapor, as well as
the reduction of any carbonic acid formed, and to provide for the maintaining
of the heat for fixing the hydrocarbons, so that a longer continuous run in the
manufacture of the gas may be carried on, and during said run a heat may be
maintained that is proper for carburizing and fixing, but which is not so high
as to break up the hydrocarbons, so that a smaller proportional quantity of
hydrocarbons is required to form an illuminating gas of high candle power, and
the gas formed shall be of more even quality. For the formation of a heating
gas we are also enabled to produce a large quantity of gas of high heating power
in proportion to the materials employed, and to manufacture the same without
the necessity of so frequent a heating up of the apparatus.
To these ends our invention consists, generally stated, in generating water gas,
and without superheating the gas, introducing oil or like hydrocarbons into the
water gas generated in the first part of the run and carrying the combined gas
and vapors through a body of fixing materials, and generating water gas in a
later part of the run, superheating such gas and introducing the oil into the
superheated water gas, and carrying such combined gas and vapor through the
fixing materials; such course being followed during a single run, or operation, of
gas making, and the heated fixing material serving during the first part of the
run to both vaporize the oil and fix the gas, while during the latter part of the
run the superheated gas serves for the vaporization of the oil and, to some extent,
causes the fixing of the gases formed therefrom, overcoming the chilling effect of
oil upon the gases and so providing for the continuation of a run for a longer
period than in the ordinary operation of gas making, and the production of a
more even quality of gas. Our invention also consists in burning suitable gas and

page_text: passing the heated products of complete combustion thereof through a body of
carbon, and thereby heating the same by the direct contact of the highly heated
products of combustion without consuming the carbon to any great extent, and
subsequently passing the gas containing hydrocarbons through said heated carbon.
It also consists in a gas apparatus employed for practicing the above described
methods, as well as other methods, which is compact in form and cheap in
construction, the said apparatus consisting, generally stated, of a central circular
air tank and a circular casing around the same, the space between the casing and
tank having suitable gas generating and fixing chambers formed therein and
having air pipes leading from the upper part of said air tank through the tank to
the gas generating chambers. It also consists in certain other improvements
in method and apparatus, which will be hereinafter particularly set forth and
claimed.
We will first describe the apparatus which is preferably employed for practicing
the methods above referred to, stating, however, that said methods may be
practiced in other forms of apparatus, such as would be known to the skilled gas
engineer.
The apparatus is enclosed primarily in the outer casing A and the inner casing B,
the two casings forming together the annular body portion of the gas apparatus,
and the said inner casing B being closed at the bottom by the base d', with which
the air supply pipe leading from a suitable air compressor communicates, and
closed at the upper end by the annular plate c, the box e forming an extension from
the plate, and the enlarged head of said box forming a circular extension from
the box of practically the same diameter as the main body of the tank C which
is formed by the circular plate B and the parts above described. The circular
body portion is lined by two aunular walls a b, said walls being supported by the
circular plates A B; and it is divided into a series of chambers by the vertical
arches e, which arches extend from the walls a to the walls band so forming the
end walls of the chambers, the crowns of the arches of the two adjoining chambers
either bearing on each other or being close to each other, so as to form proper
braces for the pressure from the generators within the chambers. The body
portion as thus shown is divided into several chambers which may be designated
as follows:-The cupola generator F, the cupola generator G, the cupola
generator H, fixer K, and steam superheater L. By the location of the several
walls the sizes of these chambers can be varied as desired, it being desirable to
provide a large fixing surface within the fixer K, and it not being necessary to
have the cupola generators of as great section or capacity. The construction of
the cupola generators F G is shown to the right of Figure 3, and in Figure 5, said
chambers having the coal space F' G' in the lower part thereof, and the super-
heating chambers F G in the upper part thereof, the two chambers being
separated by the arch of with the central port through which the fuel may be
introduced into the coal chamber, a passage being formed through the checker
work of the upper chamber to permit the coal to pass directly through the same
into the lower chamber F'. Directly above said passage is the coal feeder
which opens into the chamber through the roof i thereof and below which is the
feeding chute which is built of solid brick work resting upon the checker
work of the upper chamber, so that the coal or like fuel can be directed by the
funnel into the passage and thence into the lower chamber. This solid brick
funuel, as shown in Figure 1, does not extend entirely over the surface of
the checker work, but the said checker work extends to the upper part of
the chamber around the sides of the funnel and in this way the gases
generated in the lower chamber, either in blowing up or in the making of
water gas, will pass into the body of checker work in the upper chamber or
superheater. The lower chamber has also the grate bars f, and it is arranged
to be fed with air and steam as hereinafter described. The cupola generator G has
the coal chamber G' and the superheater G filled with checker work, and is of
exactly the same construction as the cupola generator F. The cupola generator H,

page_text: which is next to the fixing chamber K is of the same form as the generators F, G,
but has no superheater located therein, being simply a long coal chamber having
the coal feeder at the upper en:! and being so constructed because the
gases formed
therein do not require to be superheated in their course to the fixing chamber.
The fixer K is made of greater superficial area than the several cupola generators,
and is constructed as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, having substantially the same
width as the several generators and arranged concentric with the air reservoir C,
but being of greater length, that is, occupying a greater portion of the space
around the air reservoir, this being desirable, as it is desired both to introduce the
oil or other hydrocarbons into the same and to fix the gases generated in the
several chambers. It is provided with the coke chamber K' in the lower part
thereof, and the fixing chamber K2 in the upper part thereof, said fixing chamber
being composed of checker work and being supported on the perforated arch k
extending across above the coke chamber and having the ports therein, the
fixing chamber having the same form of coa! feeder f' at the upper end and having.
formed through the checker work the central passage above the port k¹ with the
solid funnel above said chute or passage k³, such funnel being of the construction.
above described in connection with the cupola generator F and extending over a
portion only of the checker work within the fixing chamber K'. The passages for
the gas are arranged in the upper parts of the chambers by means of the ports
between the cupola generators F and G at the upper ends of the superlieaters
thereof, and the ports between the cupola generators F and H in the upper parts
of such cupola generators in about the same line as the ports and the ports
leading from the cupola generator H into the upper part of the fixing chamber K
and in about the same horizontal plane as the ports. The gases are carried
from the base of the coke chamber K' into the steam superheater L through a
series of ports or passages which extend through the division wall between the
chambers KL, opening into the base of the chamber L and rising through a per-
forated arch m therein. Above this arch is supported the mass of checker work m',
and above the checker work in the upper part of the superheater is the steam super-
heating coil m³, a pipe m³ leading to such steam superheater and the pipe m* leading
from the same into the proper position for carrying the superheated steam into the
several chambers. The exit pipe M leads from the upper end of said superheater L
and has at the upper end thereof the valve M' through which the heated products
of combustion can escape into the atmosphere, while below said valve is the gas
eduction pipe M² through which the gas escapes, passing into the scrubber, feed
water heater, or into any other suitable chamber n, the gas eduction pipe M
having the valve M³ located therein. The several chambers in the apparatus
have suitable doors which may be employed either for feeding the fuel, the
withdrawal of the ashes, or to obtain access to the different parts of the furnace,.
which are illustrated in the drawing and which it is not deemed necessary to refer
to specifically.
Having now described the different chambers in the apparatus, and the construction
of the same, we will proceed to describe the arrangement of the pipes for feeding
the steam and air into the several chambers. As above stated, the air tank C is
formed of a circular plate metal body closed at one end by the base d' and at the
upper end having the neck c' and the enlarged head which extends out beyond
the neck, as clearly shown in Figure 2, and the top view of which is shown to the
right of Figure 1. The purpose of this enlarged head c of the tank is to provide
for the feeding of air to the different air pipes, and for the location of the valves of
such pipes in position for easy access. It will be seen that several air supply pipes
lead downwardly from this head c³ around the neck c¹ and extend through the plate c
into the tank C, leading through the walls of the furnace body into the several
chambers at the points desired. For example, the pipe pleads to the base of the
chamber F, the pipe pleads into said chamber Fat the top thereof under the
arch, and the pipe leads into the upper end of the superheater F'. The pipe pl
is broken off in Figure 3, but is shown in Figure 2, and like pipes are carried into

page_text: the several cupola generators at approximately the same points, so that in the
heating up of the apparatus the air may be fed to the base of the coal chambers, to
the upper ends of the coal chambers, and to the upper ends of the superheaters.
As shown in Figure 2, the valves in these several pipes are arranged around the
top of the apparatus outside of the neck c', as at p³, it not being considered
necessary to refer to each valve by a reference letter. The supply of air to the
apparatus is thus received entirely through the air tank C, the air being delivered
by the compressor into that tank and passing up within the body of the apparatus
and being heated as it rises therein and being delivered through the neck c¹ to the
head and thence to the several air pipes leading to the several parts of the
apparatus. The pipe mt, which carries the superheated steam from the super-
heating coil m², communicates with the ring pipe which extends around the
neck c¹, and is preferably located just below the head c³ of the air tank ; and
leading from said ring piper are the necessary steam supply pipes which com-
municate with the several cupola generators at suitable points as found necessary,
these reparate steam pipes leading down through the plate c of the air tank and
opening into the bases of the cupola generators, and the pipes being controlled by
the valves, which valves are also exposed around the upper part of the tank in
the position of easy access.
As above stated, we prefer to employ two sets of apparatus which can either be
operated alternately or simultaneously, as found desirable, and both of which com-
municate with the same storage tank by suitable valve connections, the preferred
construction being that both the eduction pipes shall lead into a single scrubber or
other form of apparatus in which the gases are cooled, and, if necessary, the heat
utilized for the heating of the feed water or generation of steam. For example,
these pipes may lead through the scrubber by a pipe entering at the top of the
same and opening into the water seal at the base of the same, or may lead into a
suitable feed water heater or boiler, whichever apparatus desired being shown at n
in the drawing, the gas then being carried through the pipe n¹³ to scrubbers or
purifiers, as found necessary.
In practicing the methods above described in said apparatus, the coal is fed to
the several cupola generators which are gradually heated either by the ordinary
air current by opening the doors at the base thereof, and the opening of the coal
feeders or outlets at the tops of the several chambers, or by air through the pipes
above described, as found desirable, this being continued until a body of heated
coal is formed in each cupola generator and it is desired to heat up the rest of the
apparatus in which case the doors are closed and the blast continued at a proper
pressure, the air being fed to the different chambers at suitable points so that the
generator gas formed in the coal chambers is ignited and burned within the
checker work of the superheaters of the cupola generators F G and passes through
the ports over the cupola generator H, the gas formed in this chamber also
being burned by the admission of air at the upper end thereof, and coal being fed
through the coal feeders f to the several coal chambers until the proper bodies of
ignited and heated coals are formed in the same. Meanwhile, the gases so
generated pass over into the fixer K and are burned within the checker work in
the chamber K' in the upper part thereof passing down from the same into
the coke chamber K' in the lower part thereof which has been previously filled
with coke through the coal feeder f above the same, and the heated products
passing down through the body of coke and raising the same to the proper heat for
gas making.
It will be noticed that only the heated products of complete combustion are
carried down through the body of coke or carbon employed for heating the same,
and that there is no combustion, or practically none, in this muss of carbon, the
action of such heated products of complete combustion being to heat the coke by
direct contact therewith and by passing through the pores thereof, it being found
that by heating in this way by direct contact with these heated products, without
permitting the combustion, the coke is raised to the uccessary heat without waste

page_text: of the coke, and for this reason, that the mass of coke in this fixing chamber
lasts much longer than if it were heated by its own combustion, an important
point in the economical manufacture of the gas. The heated products then pass
over into the chamber L¹ and any unconsumed portions of the products of com-
bustion are consumed therein by an air blast and rise through the checker work m¹
and circulate around the steam superheating coil m³ and finally escape through
the outlet pipe M. This is continued until the whole apparatus is brought to the
proper condition for gas making, the coal in the several coal chambers of the
cupola generators F, G, H, being brought to a high state of incandescence,
the checker work in the gas superheaters F' G' and in the chamber K' and
the checker work m' being raised to a high heat, while the coke in the coke
chamber K is brought to the proper condition for fixing the gases. Steam is
then admitted to the cupola generator H, and passing up through the body of
incandescent fuel therein unites therewith to form water gas, and this water gas
without superheating passes over into the fixer K and the oil or other hydrocarbon
is introduced through the pipe s into the upper part thereof above the checker work,
the oil being vaporized (being introduced, if desired by a steam jet) and uniting with
the water gas formed in the cupola generator H and being fixed primarily in the
checker work of the chamber K' and passing thence into the coke chamber K¹ and
being fixed within the body of heated coke therein, the making of the gas being
completed in this chamber, and the gas flowing thence into the steam superheater L
and passing first into the pipe M and thence into the eduction pipe M², and finally
into the scrubber or feed water heater and thence to the tank. This is continued
for a considerable time, and a large body of gas can be formed in the cupola
generator H because of the deep body of coal which it is adapted to hold; and
steam may, if desired, be admitted to this generator at different points in the
height thereof on account of the deep body of coal therein. At the proper time
steam is admitted to the coal chamber F' and combines with the incandescent coal
to form water gas, and this water gas rises into the gas superheater F² and is super-
heated therein and then passes through the ports through the upper end of the
cupola generator H into the fixing chamber K, the gas being thus superheated
before the oil is introduced into the same through the pipes and the superheated
gas acting largely to fix the gases by its own heat. At the proper time steam is
also admitted to the coal chamber G¹ and the cupola generator G, and the gases
formed superheated in the superheater G and flowing through the upper parts of
the cupola generators F H into the fixing chamber K, the gases being superheated
as above described before the oil is introduced in to the same, and so aiding in the
fixing of the gases, as described in said application. By the superheating of the
gases made in the latter part of the run the heat of the apparatus for fixing
purposes is thus maintained through the heat of the gases themselves, and, the
gases can be made for a much longer period than where such gases are not super-
heated, and a much more even and regular body of gas obtained. During all this
operation the gases flow through the steam superheater and the heat necessary to
properly superheat the steam is maintained by the re-heating of the gases in the
mass of checker work m¹ which had been previously heated as above described, so
that the proper heat for maintaining a body of highly superheated steam is always
maintained.
When the apparatus is cooled below the proper point for gas making, the steam
is cut off, the valve M³ closed, the escape valve M in the pipe M opened and the
apparatus is heated up by the admission of air to the several cupola generators
and superheaters as above described. In the heating up of the apparatus, as the
air is introduced into the air tank C it circulates within the main body of the
apparatus and is brought into close contact with the walls thereof, and in this way
it is raised to a considerable heat before it is introduced into the several chambers,
and the air thus heated aids in the more rapid heating up of the several chambers
through the heated air causing a higher combustion both of the coal and of the
gases generated, this being of considerable importance in the saving of time in

page_text: the rapid heating up of the apparatus for the next run in the making of gas. At
the same time the several valves for the control of air and steam are located at one
point where they are easy of access and can be controlled without difficulty by the
operator. During the gas making step the escape valve in the air tank may be
opened to prevent excess of pressure or overheating therein.
In making fuel gas in accordance with the present invention and with the
apparatus above described, after the proper heating up of the several chambers of
the apparatus, as above described, the air blast is continued to two of the cupola
generators and the gases in rising from the same act to heat up the gas super-
heaters in the upper parts thereof, such as the superheaters F G³ while steam is
admitted to the other cupola generator, such as the generator H, and the combined
water gas and generator gas flow together into the fixing chamber K* into which
the oil is introduced through the pipes in the desired quantities for carburetting
the gases, if a carburetted fuel gas is to be formed. The gases are passed down
through the checker work and through the body of coke and carried through the
steam superheater L and thence to the eduction pipe M. At intervals where one
of the cupola generators is raised to too high a heat, steam is admitted to that
cupola generator and cut off from the cupola generator through which it has been
passing, air being admitted to that cupola generator and the operation continued,
the air being admitted to two of the cupola generators while steam is admitted to
another one (this being changed as found necessary) and the water gas generated
passing in its course through the gas superheater in the upper part of that cupola
generator so as to be superheated in its course and so that all the gases pass into
the fixing chamber at a high heat, a heat sufficient to aid in the fixing of the gases,
because the generator gases are naturally at a high heat while the water gas is
superheated, and it being found that the high heat of the gases will maintain the
fixing chamber at the necessary temperature for the fixing of the hydrocarbons
introduced into the gases for a long period. In the making of this fuel gas the
cupola generator H also has the superheater similar to that in the cupola
generators F and G which will be heated by the generator gas and superheat
the water gas formed therein.
The apparatus above described has the advantage of compactness of form, so
that a large body of gas can be generated in a very small space, and the several
cupola generators and fixing chambers, etc., can be be made of large area. At the
same time, the apparatus can be constructed at a low cost, as the two circular plate
metal cylinders form the supporting structure for the whole apparatus, and the
central cylinders form the outer portion of the central air tank, and these parts can
be constructed at much less cost than where separate cupola generators or other
parts are each enclosed in a separate plate metal cylinder. In addition to this,
provision is made for the heating of the air, and also the necessary valves for the
operation of the several chambers are brought within a small space convenient for
operation, so that there is but little labor in the running of the plant. By the
methods above set forth a large body of gas of even quality can be made at low
cost and the method can be practiced without the necessity of frequent beating
up of the apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what wo
claim is :
1. The herein-described process of making gas, consisting in generating water
gas, and without superheating the gas introducing oil or like hydrocarbons into
water gas generated in the first part of the run and carrying the combined gas
and vapors through a body of fixing materials and generating water gas in the
later part of the run, superheating the same and introducing the oil into the
resultant superheated water gas, and carrying such combined gas and vapor
through a body of fixing material, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. The herein-described process of making gas, consisting in generating water

page_text: gas, and without superheating the gas introducing oil or like hydrocarbons into the
water gas generated, and carrying the combined gas and vapors through a body of
heated refractory fixing material and then through a body of heated coke, and, in
the later part of the run in generating water gas and superheating the same,
introducing oil into the resultant superheated water gas and carrying such combined
gas and vapor first through a body of heated refractory material and then through a
body of heated carbon, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. The herein-described process of making gas, consisting in generating gas from
a mass of carbon, superheating the gas so generated, introducing hydrocarbons into
the superheated gas, and carrying the combined superheated gas and vapor, and any
fixing gases formed thereby, through a body of heated carbon, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
.
4. The herein-described process of making gas, consisting in blowing up two or
more generators, burning the gases formed to heat bodies of refractory material,
and then carrying the heated products of combustion through a mass of carbon and
thereby heating the same, and subsequently introducing steam into one of said
generators, introducing hydrocarbons into the water gas formed, and carrying the
same through a body of heated carbon, and, at a later part of the run, introducing
steam into the other generator, carrying the water gas formed through a body of
heated checker work to superheat the same, introducing hydrocarbons into such
superheated water gas and carrying the same through the body of heated carbon,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. The herein-described process of making gas, consisting in blowing up two or
more cupola generators, burning the gas formed to heat bodies of checker work, or
like loose material, and carrying the heated product through a fixing chamber
containing refractory material, and then downwardly through a mass of carbon to
heat the same, then admitting steam to one of the cupola generators, carrying the
products through the fixing chamber containing refractory material, and during their
passage introducing hydrocarbons into the same and carrying the combined gas and
vapor through the body of heated carbon, and at the later part of the run
introducing steam into the other cupola generator, carrying water gas formed
through the heated bodies of checker work and the superheated water gas through
the fixing chamber containing refractory material, and during their passage
introducing hydrocarbons into the same, and carrying the resultant superheated
water gas and vapor through the heated carbon, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
6. The herein-described process of making gas, consisting in burning suitable gas
and passing the heated products of complete combustion thereof through a body of
carbon and thereby heating the same to (but not beyond) redness, and subsequently
passing gas containing hydrocarbons through said red hot carbon, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
7. A gas making apparatus having a vertical furnace containing a fixing chamber
or chambers, an outlet passage leading from the lower end thereof, a vertical steam
superheater with which such passage communicates at the base, said superheater
containing a coil of steam pipes, and a mass of checker work, and an outlet passage
leading from the upper end of such steam superheater, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
8. A gas apparatus formed of a central circular air tank, and a circular casing
around the same, the space between the tank and casing having suitable gas
generating and fixing chambers formed therein, and having air pipes leading from
the upper part of said air tank, through the tank to the gas generating chamber,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
9. A gas apparatus formed of a central circular air tank, and a circular casing
around the same, the space between the tank and the casing having suitable gas
generating and fixing chambers formed therein, and having air pipes leading from
said air tank to the gas generating chambers, said air pipes having valves outside of

page_text: said air tank and leading thence through the tank to the gas generating chambers,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
10. A gas apparatus formed of a central circular air tank, and a circular casing
around the same, the space between the tank and casing having suitable gas
generating and fixing chambers formed therein, the upper end of said tank having
a neck of less diameter than the tank, and a hollow head of greater diameter than
the neck, and an air pipe communicating with the hollow head and leading outside
of the hollow neck into the tank and to one of the gas generating chambers, the
valve for controlling the air pipe located outside of the tank, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
11. A gas apparatus formed of a central circular air tank, and a circular casing
around the same, the space between the tank and casing having suitable gas
generating chambers, one or more air pipes leading to one or more gas generating
chambers, and a steam superheater in the course of the gases, and having a pipe
leading from said steam superheater to a ring pipe around the tank, and valve
controlled pipes leading from said ring pipes within the tank to the gas generating
chambers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
12. A gas making apparatus formed of two circular casings forming an annular
structure and having formed therein a series of cupola generators communicating
with each other at the top, and air and steam supply pipes communicating with the
generators, and a gas fixer with the upper end of which the adjoining cupola
generator communicates, said fixer having in the upper part thereof a mass of
checker work and an oil entrance pipe, and in the lower part thereof, a coke
chamber, and having an eduction port leading from the base thereof, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
13. A gas making apparatus having in the lower part thereof a coal chamber and
in the upper part thereof a mass of checker work, a central passage through the
checker work communicating with the coal chamber, and a solid brick work funnel
above said central passage, but within the chamber, and having a coal feeder in the
top wall above said furnace, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 18th day of December 1901
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.