IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND BURNING GAS FOR HEATING PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, LEVI DEE YORK, of Portsmouth, in the County of Scioto, and State of Ohio,
one of the United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND BURNING GAS
FOR HEATING PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
J
In what I esteem the best means of carrying out the invention I employ an
upright boiler: A fire of coal is kept on the grate, and a small quantity of air is
allowed to flow up through it. The door of the furnace is perforated, to supply а
liberal quantity of air flowing into the furnace in separate streams.
The large quantity of gas required is received through a branched pipe, and the
connection is controlled by a valve mounted on a vertical shaft, which extends out
through a tight fitting bearing. By partially turning this valve, the gas may be
received through either branch.
These branches connect respectively with upright cylinders or gas generators
each provided with a grate formed of tubes kept filled with water.
The branch pipes connect below the grate. So also do two smaller pipes which
bring air at a sufficient pressure, to insure a prompt and reliable movement, being
forced by blowing or pumping mechanism. The flow of the air is controlled by a
valve which is fixed on a vertical spindle extending out through a tight bearing
and adapted to be conveniently seized for turning it partially in one direction and
the other so as to direct the air through branch pipes into the base of either
cylinder as preferred..
The top of each cylinder is equipped with a funnel controlled by a close fitting
conical valve held up to its seat by a lever or other convenient means.
The space in each cylinder above the grate is kept nearly filled with coal of
a gas producing quality supplied from time to time through the funnels by
momentarily lowering the valve. The mass of coal in each cylinder is ignited and
kept at a high temperature.
I employ a pipe which may be of only small diameter which takes steam from
the upper portion of the boiler, and after leading it around in the hot products of
combustion so as to insure that it is perfectly dry and somewhat superheated
conducts it down and controlled by a valve discharges it into the cross connection
between the cylinders.

page_text: In what I esteem the most complete form of the invention each cylinder is made
of double thickness the space between being filled with water from a-pump or
other source not represented. Any steam which is generated in this water jacket
thus formed, may flow into the boiler, The effect is to produce combustion to the
lowest particles of the coal, the gaseous products of combustion in the form of;
carbonic oxide carbon monoxide flowing upwards through the mass of gas coal
above, maintains the latter at a high temperature and expels therefrom large volumes
of gas which mingles with the products of combustion in the upper portion of that
cylinder, flows across through the liberal, connection and fills the upper portion of
the other cylinder.. It thence flows downwards through the mass of coal in the
second cylinder distilling still more gas with which it combines, and the whole
flows from the base of this second through the pipes into the furnace of the
boiler where it receives the finely divided air and is burned as above described.
After this action has proceeded for a certain length of time, the valves are
simultaneously shifted into position each being turned about a quarter revolution.
Now the action goes on as before but the flow through the cylinders and the cross
connection is in the reverse direction.
In burning highly bituminous or smoking coal, this invention contributes to the
diminution of the smoke by the complete manner in which the combustion is
carried out.
Modifications may be made in the details. I can use a more elaborate form of
lock to supply the coal into the cylinders, with less escape of gas. The devices
shown will, however serve as very well by previously charging coal of proper size
into the funnels and momentarily shutting off the stream of fresh air, and thus
allowing the pressure in the cylinders to drop to that of the atmosphere. The
opening of the valves under these conditions will induce no considerable escape
of gas..
The cylindrical form of the gas producing vessels is not essential.
Instead of one pair of gas-producing vessels or cylinders, two pairs, four pairs, or
any other number may be used if preferred. The reversing of the valves at intervals
of a few minutes, may be effected automatically by machinery if preferred.
I can dispense with the pipe for mingling steam with the air, and supply the air
alone, or I can supply the steam without the means for superheating here shown,
In situations where a number of different furnaces are required for the production
of heat, as in a rolling mill, I can feed the gas from the proper number of gas
generators into one large main, enveloped in masonry, ashes or other suitable non-
conducting material, to maintain its heat and supply the gas therefrom to the
several furnaces or pipes branched therefrom.
T: oth
1001i
1

page_text: I, LEVI DEE YORK, of Portsmouth, in the County of Scioto and State of Ohio,
one of the United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND BURNING GAS
FOR HEATING PURPOSES," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement ::-
In what I esteem the best means of carrying out the invention I employ an
upright boiler. A fire of coal is kept on the grate and a small quantity of air is
allowed to flow up through it. The door of the furnace is perforated, to supply a
liberal quantity of air flowing into the furnace in separate streams.
The large quantity of gas required is received through a branched pipe, and the
connection is controlled by a valve mounted on a vertical shaft, which extends out
through a tight-fitting bearing. By partially turning this valve the gas may be
received through either branch.
These branches connect respectively with upright cylinders or gas generators,
each provided with a grate formed of tubes kept filled with water.
The branch pipes connect below the grates. So also do two smaller pipes which
bring air at a sufficient pressure to insure a prompt and reliable movement, being
forced by pumping mechanism. The flow of the air is controlled by a valve which
is fixed on a vertical spindle extending out through a tight bearing and adapted
to be conveniently seized for turning it partially in one direction and the other so
as to direct the air through branch pipes into the base of either cylinder, as
preferred.
The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent what
I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.
Figure 1 is a side elevation.
Fig. 2 is an elevation at right angles to Figure 1, with certain portions broken
away.
Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly in horizontal section.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where
they occur.
A is an upright boiler, having its main body thickly filled with upright tubes.
It may be in all respects like an ordinary vertical tubular boiler; but it is not
necessary to have so liberal provisions for burning coal, because the principal
portion of the fuel is to be supplied in a gaseous form. A fire of coal is kept on
the grate a, and a small quantity of air is allowed to flow up through it in the
ordinary manner to support the combustion and maintain a fire there sufficient to
insure the ignition of the torrent of gas which is poured in above.
The door A¹ of the furnace is perforated, as indicated by a¹ and arranged to
supply a liberal quantity of air, flowing into the furnace in separate streams.
This mingles, with the gas and presents the air favorably to insure complete
combustion. The large quantity of gas required is received through a pipe B.
This is branched, as indicated by B¹ B2 (see fig. 3) and the connection is controlled
by a valve D, which is mounted on a vertical shaft d, which extends out through
a tight-fitting bearing, and is provided with means, (not represented) for taking
hold of and turning it. By partially turning this valve, the gas may be received
either through the branch B¹ or the branch B². These branches connect,
respectively; with upright cylinders M M², which are each provided with a
grate m. These grates, are formed of tubes kept filled with water, for purposes

page_text: :
which will presently appear. The branch pipes B₁ B2 connect with the chambers
below the grates m. So, also, do two smaller pipes G G2, which are branches
from the pipe G, which brings air forced by blowing or pumping mechanism (not
represented). The flow of the air is controlled by a valve H, which is fixed on
a vertical spindle, h, extending out through a tight bearing, and adapted to be
conveniently seized for turning it partially in one direction and the other, so as to
direct the air into the base either of M or M²; as preferred.
The top of each cylinder M is equipped with a funnel N each controlled by a
close-fitting conical valve O, held up to its seat by a lever or other convenient
means (not represented). The space in each cylinder M¹ M² above the grate mis
kept nearly filled with coal of a good gas producing quality. It is supplied from
time to time, through the funnels N, by momentarily lowering the valves 0; but
care must be taken not to charge these cylinders so high as to obstruct the flow in
either direction through the connecting pipe M. The mass of coal in each cylinder
is ignited and kept at a high temperature, although actual burning only occurs in
one at a time, as will appear further on.
I have not deemed it necessary to represent the pipe which conducts the steam
from the upper portion of the boiler A to a steam-engine or other point where it
will be utilized. The provisions for this purpose may be arranged in any ordinary,
or suitable manner."
.j.
I is a pipe, which may be of only small diameter, coiled in the smoke-box or
chamber above the. boiler. This takes steam from the upper portion of the boiler,
and, after leading it around in the hot products of combustion, so as to insure that
it is perfectly dry and somewhat super-heated, conducts it down, and, controlled
by a valve, J, discharges it into the connection M. The quantity of steam thus
admitted may be slight. It mingles with the gases after they have been formed
in the first chamber, as M¹. Descending with the gas in the second chamber M²,
the steam is decomposed, in the inanner well known in the manufacture of water-
gas. The oxygen of the steam joins with the coal or coke to make carbonic
dioxide, or monoxide, and the hydrogen remains free in the gas and contributes
largely to its heating-power when it is ignited and burned.
In what I consider the most complete form of the invention, each cylinder M¹ M³
is, in addition to an internal lining of fire-brick of any required thickness, provided
with a double wall, the space between being filled with water from a pump or other
source (not represented). Any steam which is generated in this water-jacket thus
formed, may flow into the boiler A through the pipes K. Preferably the water-
supply for the boiler is pumped into these jackets and kept at a high temperature,
with a more or less constant current of heated water flowing through the pipes K
into the boiler A..
OPERATION:
73
The valve H being set to put G in communication with G¹, a constant flow of
air, received at a pressure of one or more pounds per square inch, flows through the
pipes G G into the base of the cylinder M². This fills the chamber in the base of
this cylinder with fresh air, which, as the valve D now closes the communication
from this chamber to the furnace of the boiler, finds no other way of escape but to
flow upward through the interstices in the tubular grate m, and supplies oxygen to
the mass of ignited coal in this cylinder. The effect is to produce ordinary
complete combustion of the lowest particles of the coal The gaseous products of
combustion; in the form of carbonic oxide (carbon monoxide), flowing' upward
through the mass of gas-coal above, maintains the latter at a high temperature, and
expels therefrom large volumes of gas, which mingles with the products of
combustion in the upper portion of M, flows across through the liberal con-
nection M, and fills the upper portion of M². It thence flows downward through
the mass of coal in M, distilling still more gas, with which it combines, and the
whole flows from the base of Mthrough the pipes B² and B, into the furnace of
.

page_text: the boiler, where it receives the finely divided air and is burned, as above described.
After this action has proceeded for a certain length of time, the valves D and H
are simultaneously shifted in position, each being turned about a quarter-revolution.
This puts the air-receiving pipe G in communication with G2, and consequently
with the base of the cylinder M2, and puts the pipe B in communication with the
branch. B¹, and consequently with the base of M¹. Now, the action goes on as
before; but the flow through M, M', M2 is in the reverse direction, the flow being
upward through M², and thence across through M, and downward through M².
Fresh coal may be supplied to each cylinder at intervals, either at the time of
moving the valves and changing the flow or at any other time, as may be preferred.
The alternate combustion in the two cylinders M³ M² maintains the high temperature
required. The gaseous products of combustion from the coal or coke which receives
fresh air, become changed to carbonic oxide in its subsequent movement through
the interstices in the large quantities of incandescent coal which it has to pass.
The result is a highly combustible mixture, which, on being supplied with air in the
furnace of the boiler A, generates an intense heat, and produces steam rapidly and
economically.
The water-jackets around the gas-producing cylinders M² M² greatly increase the
efficiency of the apparatus for generating steam, because they increase the amount
of efficient heating-surface available. Making the grates m of tubes and keeping
them filled with water with provisions for active circulation, enables the grates to
endure what would otherwise be a too intense heat when they are subjected to the
downward flow of the hot gas from the mass of coal and coke above. When a
water-jacket is employed, the connection of these grates may be directly thereto.
If the water-jacket is omitted, special provisions should be made by suitable pipes
for maintaining a constant circulation of water through the grate-bars.
In burning highly bituminous or smoking coal, this invention contributes to the
diminution of the smoke by the complete manner in which the combustion is
carried out.
It will be understood that in passing the air through the ignited gas-producing
coal in proper quantities, perfect combustion will take place in the lower part of
the mass or body of the coal in one of the cylinders, producing carbonic acid
(carbonic dioxide), which passes upward and is reconverted by the upper portion of
the coal into carbonic oxide (carbon monoxide),-
-an inflammable gas-while the
heavy or gas-producing portions of the coal, for want of air to burn them, distil
off in the form of hydro carbon gases and vapors surcharged with carbon. The
super-heated steam, meeting these, causes mutual decomposition, producing carbonic
oxide, with hydrogen in addition, thus largely increasing the volume of inflammable
gas at small cost.
In former efforts to manufacture and consume gases, a single gas-producer has
been surrounded by a water-jacket connected to the boiler which the gas is to beat.
Water-grates have been long known as means for supporting fuel burning with a
down-draft. Two gas-producing furnaces have also been used, connected so that
the draft will be up through one and down through the other. Steam has been
introduced to the bottom or top of a mass of incandescent coal and caused to pass
through the same being decomposed thereby.
It is not new, broadly, to use two gas-producers in connection with provisions
for reversing the movement of air and gases up through one and down through
another; but I attach much importance to the fact that in my apparatus I treat
bituminous coal in the two gas-producers with the reverse current and super
heated steam, thereby utilizing the gaseous constituents of the coal; also, to the
maintaining incandescent solid fuel as an igniter, so as to overcome the difficulty
peculiar to the reversible current; also, to the introducing steam which has been
already superheated by the waste heat from the boiler into the passage M, which
thus mingles with the gases as they traverse said passage in alternate opposite
directions; also, to the arrangement of my branched pipes G, G¹, G², and B, B², B²,

page_text: i
with their respective valves H h, and D d, as simple and convenient means for
effecting the changes of direction of the currents.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The steam-boiler A and furnace for burning solid fuel to maintain an igniter
for the gas, the pipe B; valve D d, and branches B1 B2, and the two gas-producing
furnaces M1 and M2, with connecting passage M, combined and arranged for joint
operation as herein specified.
2. The two furnaces M1 M², and connection M, in combination with means I for
introducing superheated steam into M, to mingle with the gaseous products of
.combustion and traverse therewith down through the second furnace, and with
means as DH, for causing the flow alternately in opposite directions, as herein
specified.
3. In combination with the steam boiler A, the cylinders M² M², and their
connections, as described, and air-inlet, the valves D and H, adapted to be operated
simultaneously to direct the flow of gas through the furnaces alternately in reverse
directions, as may be required, substantially as set forth.
-Dated this Twelfth day of November 1884: