IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF COMBUSTIBLE GASES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Seddon Sutherland of Birmingham in the County
of Warwick Engineer for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION
AND APPLICATION OF COMBUSTIBLE GASES.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Williain Seddon Sutherland
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th August 1882.
WILLIAM SEDDON SUTHERLAND of Birmingham in the County of Warwick,
Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF COMBUSTIBLE
GASES
"
The main objects are (1) to produce by the incomplete combustion of coal com-
bustible gas of greater purity and strength than has heretofore been effected.
that is to say carbonic oxide is produced with little or no admixture of free air,
carbonic acid, tar, ammonia, or other objectionable matter; and (2) to provide
improved apparatus and appliances to be used in the production and application of
the said gas.
Whilst the tar ammonia and other products may be collected and
utilized as set forth in my British Patents of 1874 and 1878 or in any other
suitable way.
Under the first part. I construct a producer of preferably a cylindrical casing or
vessel of iron lined with fire resisting brick or material and having poking holes
arranged at a suitable height on the sides. The internal contour of the producer
is preferably made so that the cylinder may be wider at the top than at the
bottom but this varies with the coal employed. The cylinder is closed at the top
with a plate lined with non-conducting material preferably fire brick and has a
feed hopper, and poking holes are arranged round the hopper in suitable positions.
The gas is withdrawn preferably tangentially at the side above the fuel or to
prevent dust going into the mains it may be taken away through suitable holes
D017

page_text: under the top level of the fuel. The bottom of the cylinder is open and under is a
movable grate so that it may be easily lowered and lifted. It is best to carry the
producer upon iron struts or pillars so arranged that the fire bar frames may slide
up and down between guides formed upon the pillars and may be fixed at any
convenient height.
Under the second part. I combine with a gas producer of any ordinary or suitable
construction, a movable bottom or grate carried on wheels and a water jacket which
latter is placed where the greatest heat is produced.
Under the third part. I fit poke holes or stirring apertures through producers
with steam jet apparatus in such manner that jets of steam may be projected
across the said holes or apertures during stirring and by so doing prevent the
passage of air into the producer; doors close the said holes or apertures when not
in use.
Under the fourth part. I fit the interior of the producer with a stirrer or stirrers
and connect such stirrer or stirrers to a piston working in a steam or other power
cylinder. The stirrer or stirrers besides having a to and fro motion may have a
rotative motion imparted to them.
Under the fifth part. I combine together two producers and two regenerators
and cause air and gas or products of combustion to flow alternately in opposite
directions, through the regenerators and producers. A regenerator is advantageously
placed at each end and the two producers coupled in the middle over the fuel and
each connected to the regenerator under the hot fuel, the object being to accumulato
heat in the producer and regenerator.
Under the sixth part. I cause the gases and products of combustion from pro-
ducers constructed as above set forth to pass through a regenerator and impart
heat to the air which enters the said producer and supports combustion therein.
Under the seventh part. I provide a slide valve for opening and closing the
ways or passages leading to the producers and regenerators described under the
fourth part; the ways and passages being so arranged that the motion of the valve
is made to reverse the direction of the currents of air and gas. The valve and
seat is cooled with water or suitable means.
Under the eighth part. I construct heating furnaces with water tuyeres and
regenerators at each side thereof and cause the combustible gas or gases and air to
enter the said furnace at opposite sides or ends alternately either end being
alternately feed and escape.
Under the ninth part. I insert in the gas main between the producer and
condenser a box receptacle or trap in which the pitch and dust is precipitated the
bottom of the trap ending preferably in a water seal so that the pitch and dust
may be conveniently drawn out the whole being so arranged as to facilitate the
deposition of the dust, or I insert between the producer and condenser a filter of
suitable material preferably of small coke kept moist which coke can conveniently
be taken out and fresh inserted. The filters may be arranged in pairs so that the
gas may pass through either alternately whilst the other is cleaned.
Under the tenth part. I construct condensers for separating ammonia from gases
produced by the incomplete combustion of coal, of vertical tubes contained in a
chamber and I cause water to flow in an upward direction through the chamber
around the tubes and in a downward direction over the internal surfaces of the
tubes. The gas from which the ammonia is to be separated is caused to flow
preferably in a downward direction through the tubes.
Under the eleventh part. I combine a producer a trap, a filter, a condenser, a
blower and scrubber and tar separator with water tuyeres and regenerators, when
the blower is placed after the condenser so as to prevent its being clogged by pitch,
whilst the tar tends to keep it tight and in good order.
Steam may be admitted into the producers with the air to support combustion
or at any other convenient point, and valves may be provided for allowing the

page_text: first products of combustion, or products of combustion weak in or having but a
small proportion of carbonic oxide to pass away.
Under the twelfth part. I construct tube welding apparatus with a movable
hearth of refractory material or coated with refractory material and I retain the
hearth in its place by means of balance weights levers or equivalent devices. The
hearth is heated by solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel in convenient or suitable
manner.
When gaseous fuel is used I prefer to construct the hearth with passages for
the said fuel and I cause such gaseous fuel to travel at such a speed as to blow
out and prevent the choking of the said passages by dross or molten metal. When.
a double hearth is used either or both may be movable.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Seddon Sutherland in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th February 1883.
WILLIAM SEDDON SUTHERLAND of Birmingham in the County of Warwick
Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF COMBUSTIBLE
GASES
"
The main objects are (1) to produce by the incomplete combustion of coal
combustible gas of greater purity and strength than has heretofore been effected
that is to say carbonic oxide is produced with little or no admixture of free air
carbonic acid, tar, ammonia or other objectionable matter, and (2) to provide
improved apparatus and appliances to be used in the production and application of
the said gas, whilst the tar ammonia and other products may be collected and
utilized, as set forth in my British Patents of 1874 and 1878 or in any other
suitable way.
Under the First Part. I construct a producer of preferably a cylindrical casing or
vessel of iron lined with fire resisting brick or material and having poking holes
arranged at a suitable height on the sides. The internal contour of the producer is
preferably made so that the cylinder may be wider at the top than at the bottom
but this varies with the coal employed. The cylinder is closed at the top with a
plate lined with non conducting material preferably fire brick and has a feed
hopper and poking holes are arranged round the hopper in suitable positions. The
gas is withdrawn preferably tangentially at the side above the fuel or to prevent
dust going into the mains it may be taken away through suitable holes under the
top level of the fuel. The bottom of the cylinder is open and under is a movable
grate made so that it may be easily lowered and lifted. It is best to carry the
producer upon iron struts or pillars so arranged that the fire bar beams may
slide up and down between guides formed upon the pillars and may be fixed at
any convenient height.
Under the second part. I combine with a gas producer of any ordinary or suitable
construction a movable bottom or grate carried on wheels and a water jacket which
latter is placed where the greatest heat is produced.
Under the third part. I fit poke holes or stirring apertures through producers
with steam jet apparatus in such manner that jets of steam may be projected across
the said holes or apertures during stirring and by so doing prevent the passage of
air into the producer: doors close the said holes or apertures when not in use.
Under the fourth part. I fit the interior of the producer with a stirrer or stirrers
and connect such stirrer or stirrers to a piston working in a steam or other power
cylinder. The stirrer or stirrers besides having a to and fro motion may have a
rotative motion imparted to them.
Under the fifth part. I combine together two producers and two regenerators and
cause air and gas or products of combustion to flow alternately in opposite directions
through the regenerators and producers. A regenerator is advantageously placed
at each end and the two producers coupled in the middle over the fuel and each
connected to the regenerator under the hot fuel. The object being to accumulate
heat in the producers and regenerators.
Under the sixth part I cause the gases and products of combustion from
producers constructed as above set forth to pass through a regenerator and
impart heat to the air which enters the said producer and supports combustion
therein.
Under the seventh part I provide a slide valve for opening and closing the
ways or passages leading to the producers and regenerators described under the
fifth part; the ways and passages being so arranged that the motion of the valve

page_text: is made to reverse the direction of the currents of air and gas. The valve and seat
is cooled with water or suitable means.
Under the eighth part I construct heating furnaces with water tuyeres and
regenerators at each side thereof and cause the combustible gas or gases and air to
enter the said furnace at opposite sides or ends alternately either end being
alternately feed and escape.
Under the ninth part. I insert in the gas main between the producer and
condenser a box receptacle or trap in which the pitch and dust is precipitated the
bottom of the trap ending preferably in a water seal so that the pitch and dust
may be conveniently drawn out the whole being so arranged as to facilitate the
deposition of the dust or I insert between the producer and condenser a filter of
suitable materials preferably of small cokes kept moist which cokes can con-
veniently be taken out and fresh inserted. The filters may be arranged in pairs so
that the gas may pass through either alternately whilst the other is cleaned.
Under the tenth part I construct condensers for separating ammonia from gases
produced by the incomplete combustion of coal, of vertical tubes contained in a
chamber and I cause water to flow in an upward direction through the chamber
around the tubes and in a downward direction over the internal surfaces of the
tubes. The gas froin which the ammonia is to be separated is caused to flow
preferably in a downward direction through the tubes.
Under the eleventh part I combine a producer a trap a filter a condenser a
blower and scrubber and tar separater with water tuyeres and regenerators. When
the blower is placed after the condenser so as to prevent its being clogged by pitch
whilst the tar tends to keep it tight and in good order.
Steam may be admitted into the producers with the air to support combustion
or at any other convenient point and valves may be provided for allowing the
first products of combustion, or products of combustion weak in or having but a
small proportion of carbonic oxide to pass away.
Under the twelfth part I construct tube welding apparatus with a movable
hearth of refractory material or coated with refractory material and I retain
the hearth in its place by means of balance weights levers or equivalent devices.
The hearth is heated by solid liquid or gaseous fuel in convenient or suitable
manner.
When gaseous fuel is used I prefer to construct the hearth with passages for
the said fuel and I cause such gaseous fuel to travel at such a speed as to blow out
and prevent the choking of the said passages by dross or molten metal. When a
double hearth is used either or both may be movable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Under the first part of my invention Sheet fig 1 shows a gas producer for
non caking coal and fig 2 a producer for caking coal. The cylindrical casing A
lined with fire brick B is covered with the plate C protected by fire brick as shown.
D feed hopper E poking holes arranged round it. F tangential gas exit (see fig 3)
G movable grate H iron struts or pillars carrying producer. The fire bar bearers I
slide in grooves in the pillars H and are held up by the pins K which are easily
removed. Poking holes L are also arranged at suitable distances around the side
and are closed as shown by plugs M. In fig 1 the producer is narrower at the
bottom than at the top whilst in fig 2 this is reversed the cavity widening out at
the bottom to prevent the fuel from choking the producer. In this producer an
arrangement is shewn to enable the bottom part to be easily replaced N is a ring
of fire clay in suitable segments held up by the strap O which has lugs P forged
on the ends through which eye bolts pass. A Tee headed bolt Q passes through
each eye bolt and secures the ring to the bottom of the casing of the producer by
means of the brackets R which are rivetted to the producer bottom. Nuts or
cotters are of course used when required.
Fig I sheet 1 is also illustrative of the fourth part of my invention, S is a

page_text: hydraulic or steam cylinder, the ram or piston of which carries the cross head T.
The said cross head T has grooves U cast or formed in it so that a poker or
pokers V can be inserted and forced up into the fuel where necessary.
If desired
the above apparatus may be placed over the producer the pokers being forced
down through poking holes. The piston may be caused to revolve and various
motions may be given to the whole as is easily understood.
Fig 4 Sheet 1 illustrates the third part of any invention. W poking hole,
Steam is admitted into the annular chamber X and passes as shewn in a thin
sheet across the orifice of the poking hole thus preventing air from being drawn
in when the plug is out of the hole a complete apparatus is shown on the top
of the producer in fig 1.
Fig 2. Sheet 1 illustrates the ninth part of my invention Y is the box or trap
to catch the pitch and dust. The down pipe Z passes beneath the surface of the
water thus forming a water seal. At the bottom of this pipe a cone valve A¹ may
be placed as shown. Side openings B' sealed with water are shown for extracting
the pitch and dust whilst the whole is at work. The gas is drawn from the
producer by means of suitable exhausting apparatus.
Fig 5. Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings is a sectional view illustrative
of the second fifth and seventh parts of my invention. Under the fifth part two
producers C fitted with hoppers D₁ and poking holes E¹ are connected together
by the passage F' above the fuel. A steam pipe G₁ is provided preferably at the
junction as as shown. The lower portions of the producers are widened out so as to
form annular passages H¹ round the fuel. The annular passages are connected to
regenerators I¹ by the ways K¹. The other ends of the regenerators are in con-
nection with the two opposite sides of the valve box or seat L' by the pipes or
ways M. the valve N₁ and valve seat L' are so arranged as alternately to open
one of the ways M' to the air whilst the other is in connection with the gas
main P. The producers are filled up with fuel to the proper level and the said
fuel is ignited round the annular passages. The passage P₁ is put into connection
with an exhauster thus causing a current through the whole apparatus in the
direction of the arrows. In the position of the valve shown the air burns the fuel
in the producer which is in connection with the atmosphere and forms carbonic
oxide gas.
The said gas passes downwards through the second producer giving
up its heat to the fuel and second regenerator. When the fuel in the first producer
is thoroughly hot the action is reversed and the fuel in the second producer is
ignited and gas is formed in it which passes down through the ignited and white
hot fuel in the 1st producer at the same time some steam is admitted through
the pipe G¹, which passes on with the hot gas and forms a certain amount of water
gas which enriches the other gas. In passing through the hot fuel any tar formed
is decomposed and forms gas with the superbeated steam. After passing through
the fuel the hot gases pass away through the first regenerator and give up their
heat to it. The said gas is finally drawn away past the valve N' and through the
main P to be utilized. When the fuel in the first producer is sufficiently cooled
down the current is reversed and so on. After the gases pass away they may be
scrubbed and further purified if necessary. This arrangement is well suited for
making a good gas from cokes, or anthracite coal as well as from ordinary
bituminous coal when the residual products are not wanted. The producers
regenerators and passages are as much as possible kept circular and are formed
of iron casings lined where necessary with refractory and non conducting material.
The second part of my invention is illustrated by the bottoms of the producers
being movable and carried on the carriages R'. Adjusting screws S¹ are provided
for raising and lowering the bottoms but hydraulic power may be used or other
equivalent means. Ash pits T are formed under the fuel which is held up by the
grate U. Clearing out doors V' are provided where necessary. The necks of the
producers are kept cool by the water jackets W'. This arrangement of double gas
producers may it is evident be as well worked under pressure as suction by suitably
constructing the valve seat L' and valve N'...

page_text: The seventh part of my invention is illustrated by the valve seat L' and valve N'
The valve seat L' is formed with three ways or passages the two outside ways or
passages being similar and each leading to a regenerator or other required place.
The centre way is in communication with the gas delivery main. The orifices
of these ways form a smooth surface X' X' on which the valve N¹ having likewise
a smooth surface slides forming a gas tight joint or nearly so. The valve is so
formed that it places one of the outside ways or passages in communication with
the atmosphere whilst the other outside way or passage, communicates with the
centre way or passage. A lever O¹ is shewn for, moving the valve. The valve and
valve seat is kept cool by water and may be used to reverse currents of air and gas
when these are at a very high temperature. The inside surfaces in contact with
the hot gases and air may be coated with fire brick or other refractory and non-
conducting material so as to prevent loss of heat. This arrangement of reversing
valve is well suited for using in the methods of making malleable iron described in
British Letters Patent N° 3864 of the year 1882 granted to me.
The sliding
surfaces may be circular and a number of combinations may be made of the ways
and passages in the seat and the valve cavity and more cavities and ways or
passages may be formed without departing from this part of my invention. Steain
may be used if necessary to expel the air or gas in the regenerators before reversing
to prevent explosions as is well known.
The tenth part of my invention is illustrated by Fig 8, Sheet 3. The tubes A²
are contained in the chamber B' which is preferably cylindrical. Through this
chamber water passes round the tubes entering at the bottom or cold end through
the pipe C and passing away at the top or hot end through the pipe D². A regulated
supply of water (which may be used over and over again) passes downwards inside
the tubes and mixes with the gas to be cooled. The water is supplied from the
tank E fed by the pipe F2. The hot gas from the producers enters the top or hot
chamber G2 and then passes down through the tubes and gradually loses heat as it
reaches the cold end the water is gradually heated by moving in the opposite
direction. H tar and water escape pipe provided with a water seal and overflow
pipe 12. The tubes are secured in the tube plates by drifting or in any well
known or suitable way. It is evident that the apparatus may be arranged
horizontally or inclined as well as vertically provided the gases and water flow in
opposite directions.
Fig 8 also illustrates the 11th part of my invention. K² producers. L³ traps to
catch the tar the movable bottom and arrangement for extracting the pitch not
being shown as it is similar to that illustrated in fig 1. A to I? condenser.
M2 scrubber of any well known or suitable construction N blower or exhauster,
O tar separater.
It will be obvious that the various parts in combination under the above eleventh
part may be variously constructed as illustrated by fig 9 sheet 1 where like letters
denote parts equivalent to those described in fig 8.
The eighth part is illustrated by fig 6 and 7 sheet 2 which shew a beating
furnace. Q3 is the furnace or hearth. The gases from the mains are driven
through the water cooled tuyere or tuyeres P2 at one side or end of the furnace
whilst heated air from one of the regenerators R2 passes up through the appropriate
passage S to cause or complete the combustion. The currents through the
regenerators are reversed by means of the valve described under the seventh part
herein or in the ordinary way and regulating valves may be supplied as well,
whilst the gases are simply turned on and off at each end alternately. Fig 7 is a
sectional plan of the tuyere and adjacent parts.
To produce the requisite vacuum in the tar separator I byepass the tar and
water exit pipe to the exhaust side of the blower regulating the suction by a
valve.
The sixth and twelfth parts of my invention will be easily understood by the
description, and illustrative drawings have therefore been omitted.

page_text: •
Having now described and illustrated the same in such manner that others will
be enabled to carry my improvements into effect I claim :-
Under the first part. Constructing producers substantially as set forth.
Under the second part, Combining producers with a movable bottom and water
jacket substantially as set forth.
Under the third part. Fitting poke holes or stirring apertures with steam jet
apparatus substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
Under the fourth part. Producers fitted with a stirrer or stirrers connected and
operating substantially as set forth.
Under the fifth part. The combination of two producers and two regenerators
with products of combustion flowing alternately in opposite directions substantially
as set forth.
Under the sixth part. Heating air to support combustion in producers constructed
under the fifth part substantially as set forth.
Under the seventh part. The combination of a slide valve with the ways or
passages of producers, constructed substantially as set forth under the fifth part.
Under the eighth part. Furnaces constructed and operated substantially as set
forth.
Under the ninth part. A trap box or filler combined arranged and operating
substantially as set forth.
Under the tenth part. Condensers constructed and operating substantially in the
manner and for the purposes set forth.
Under the eleventh part. The combination of parts substantially in the manner
and for the purposes set forth.
Under the twelfth part. Tube welding apparatus constructed with a movable
hearth substantially as set forth.
In Witness Whereof I the said William Seddon Sutherland have hereunto
set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of February in the year of Our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
Signed sealed and delivered in the
presence of
HUBERT BEWLAY
The Lindens
Moseley,
Near Birmingham
CREPER