IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OR IMPROVEMENT OP INFLAMMABLE GASES
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henri Ulliel, of the Avenue de Neuilly, in the
Department of Seine, France, Manufacturer of Gas Apparatus, for the
Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OR IMPROVEMENT
OP INFLAMMABLE GASES."
Sealed the 16th August 1867, and dated the 5th March 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henri Ulliel at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th
March 1867.
I, HENRI ULLIEL, of the Avenue de Neuilly, in the Department of Seine,
France, Manufacturer of Gas Apparatus, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OR IMPROVEMENT
OF INFLAMMABLE GASES," to be as follows:-
The said Invention consists of appliances for effecting the combination or
saturation of aëriform or gaseous currents with hydrocarbon of any suitable
nature. This object is accomplished in a closed reservoir or receptacle for the
elements to be combined. The reservoir has an aperture for the admission of
the hydrocarbon, which aperture is kept shut by a cover or valve after the
space, division, or vessel reserved for such purpose is charged. Another
orifice is contrived for the admission of the current to be combined with
the hydrocarbon, which current is supplied and regulated by any of the usual
methods of passing such currents through vessels, pipes, or other spaces for
circulation, whether by the use of special means of production and regulation

page_text: of the currents or by pressure from the source of their production or collection.
The saturation is effected in the interior of the receptacle by the dispersion
of the hydrocarbon and current over the surfaces and through the pores of
porous materials of adequate durability, and with the properties as well of
filtration as of discharging the impurities or superfluities of the elements and
excess of hydrocarbon in the action of the process itself. By this means the
proper proportions of the elements purified to a certain extent are united and
form a new gaseous product which is passed out of the reservoir through a
third orifice as an eduction port at the extremity of the internal space or
spaces arranged for saturation. This gas may be directed in the usual way
along conduits to be applied for light or heat, whether as the generator of
motive power or other purposes of utilizing caloric or as a supply for artificial
illumination. To prevent the return into the reservoir of any incandescent
gas involving the risk of explosion a box, cover, or valve with a facing of
'metallic wire is interposed at the eduction port through which the gas passes,
and in such case the flame of the incandescent gas is intercepted on the
principle of the Davy lamp. In the process of dispersion and saturation of
the elements the filtered impurities or superfluities, if any, are collected in
one compartment of the reservoir; and from time to time are drawn off by a
tap or otherwise. In another compartment the superfluous hydrocarbon is
allowed to fall or drain, and by any suitable mechanism is returned to the space
or vessel appropriated to contain the hydrocarbon for dispersion, or is drawn off
by tap or otherwise.
This improved apparatus may be adapted to single or isolated jets or
burners for the use of the incandescent gas, or to the distribution of the gas
through pipes or other means of circulation for any required number of jets or
.burners.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henri Ulliel in the Great Seal Patent Office
Patent Office on the 30th
August 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRI
ULLIEL, of the Avenue de Neuilly, in the Department of Seine; France,
Manufacturer of Gas Apparatus, send greeting.
(1.) WHEREAS Her most, Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by. Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her

page_text: reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Heuri Ulliel, Her special license that
the said Henri Ulliel, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Henri
Ulliel, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR THE PRO-
DUCTION OR IMPROVEMENT OF INFLAMMABLE GASES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Henri Ulliel, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said. Letters
Patent.
(2.) NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henri Ulliel, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):
"
(3.) The said improved apparatus, which I call a saturator," " consists of
appliances for effecting the combination or saturation of aëriform or gaseous.
currents with bydrocarbons or any fluid containing or combining carbon of
suitable nature whether in a normal or volatilized state, and which I herein-after
term "saturating element" in order to distinguish it from the other element
or "current" to be saturated. The result of this saturation by these means is
the emanation of a new gaseous product of improved quality and economical
in regard to cost and consumption.
(4.) This process is effectuated in a closed case or receptacle for the
elements to be combined, which receptacle may be of any convenient materials
whether metallic, ceramic, vitreous, or vitrified, or of any combination of such
materials. The form of the apparatus may be rectilinear or curvilinear, or of
any requisite combination of these shapes, subject to the condition of a
gradual and constant application of the saturating element to the current
over the most extended space possible within the limits of dimension allowed,
so that the absorption of the essential properties of the saturating element may
ensue to the full extent of the corresponding chemical affinities of the other
element or current or as nearly so as practicable. The space provided for such.
saturation may also be tubular with any convenient adaptation for the admission.

page_text: and passage of the elements for the discharge of their impurities or superfluities
and for the other functions of the apparatus.
(5.) The said receptacle has three principal orifices. The first aperture or
orifice is for the admission of the saturating element, and after the space,
division, or vessel reserved for such purpose is charged this aperture is closed
and kept shut by a plug, stopper, tap, cover, or valve of any sort adequate to
the retention of this element. If the saturating element be introduced in a
distinct vessel, the closing of the aperture may be effected by that vessel with
proper fastening according to the form of the vessel and mode of its admission
within the saturator. But the saturating element may also be allowed to
enter the dispersing chamber after mentioned with or without a valve,
whether continuously or intermittingly, from a vessel or tank of reserve, or
from any apparatus or vessel for the preliminary treatment of the saturating
element.
י
(6.) The saturating element is thus introduced into a portion of the appa-
ratus, which by way of illustration I designate as the "dispersing chamber,"
and which for convenience is shown on the Drawings as placed in the upper
part of the apparatus, but any other disposition suited to the shape of the
apparatus may be used consistently with the object of the greatest practicable
comminution and dispersion of this element.
(7.) The second orifice is contrived for the admission of the current to be
saturated. This element, whether aëriform or gaseous, or a compound of
several gases, or of air and gas, or gases, may be supplied, regulated, and
meted by any of the usual methods of passing such currents into or through
vessels, pipes, or other spaces for accumulation or circulation, and of meting
such currents, whether by special or distinct means of production and regu-
lation of the current separately attached to each saturator, or by pressure
from the source of production or. collection, more or less remote, for the
alimentation of the saturator or any requisite number of saturators, and in
such case with appropriate means of regulating and measuring the quantities
supplied..
(8.) The saturation or combination of elements is effected in the interior of
the receptacle or saturator in that portion shown in the Drawings as
"saturating space" by the dispersion of the saturating element over the
surfaces and through the pores of a porous material, where it meets the other
element or current surrounding and permeating this porous matter. The
essential requisites of such porous material according to my system are;
firstly, a certain amount of durability in order to obviate the necessity of
frequent removal; secondly, the property of filtration; and, thirdly, the

page_text: adaptability of this porous material to a cleansing action by the effect of the
process. Preferentially, and as the simplest form of this medium of saturation,
I employ pumicestone, which substance has not to my knowledge been before
effectually or successfully employed for this purpose, although other porous
materials not possessing all the same properties, such as sponge, coke, and
other substances, which deteriorate more or less rapidly, or eventually become
partially or entirely inoperative, have been tried for the like purpose; but
any other material may be used as a substitute for punicestone, whether
artificial or natural, that may be available with the same properties which by
constant experiment have been found beneficial, if not indispensable, for more
or less completely uniting the elements and producing a clear, uniformi, and
continuous flame of approved color and intensity, and at the same time for
ensuring increased economy of cost and consumption.
(9.) By the means of saturation herein-before described the elements in
due proportion (or nearly so), and to a certain extent purified, become united
and form the gaseous product herein-before mentioned in a state available for
every purpose of artificial light and beat.
(10.) The third principal orifice of the apparatus is in the nature of an educ-
tion port, and situated at the outlet extremity of the space or spaces arranged
for the process of saturation. It is appropriated to the emission of the current
so converted into the said gaseous product in the nature of inflammable gas, to
be conveyed or directed to the burners or jets immediately or remotely
connected with the saturator; this may be accomplished in the usual way
along conduits, or by any other method, whether in a natural or compressed
state, to be applied either for generating motive power or other purposes of
utilizing caloric, or as a supply for artificial illumination.
(11.) In order to prevent the return into the saturator of any incandescent
gas involving the risk of explosion a cover or valve with a facing of metallic
gauze or wire web (which is berein-after called a safety cover) is interposed at
the eduction port through which the gas passes. This safety cover may be
replaced by a diaphragm of one or more discs or plates of metallic gauze set
and secured at the eduction port or in the passage or conduit leading there-
from. In the event of such possible return of a volume of incandescent gas
towards the eduction port, the flame of the incandescent gas would be inter-
cepted by the wire gauze and prevented from entering into the saturator or
acting on the elements contained therein, by ignition or otherwise, so far as to
occasion explosion, the principle of this effect being well recognized from the
action of the miner's Davy lamp.
(12) In the operations of the dispersion and the saturation of the

page_text: elements the filtered impurities or superfluities (as waste which I call
residuum) if any, are collected at the bottom of the saturating space, and
from time to time are drawn off by a tap or otherwise. The superfluous
saturating element is also allowed to fall or drain through a pipe, conduit, or
percolator into a compartment of the saturator at its base, and by any suitable
mechanism or other obvious means raised and returned to the chamber or
vessel for dispersion anew, or it may be drawn off by a tap' or otherwise to be
added to any supply, or for preparatory treatment or other disposal. Both
these objects may be accomplished in separate compartments or in the same
compartment, for the residuum being of greater specific gravity than the
superfluous saturating element will be deposited on the bottom, while the
saturating element can be drawn off or raised without disturbing the residuum
by placing the corresponding tap or the elevator for returning the overcharge
to the dispersion chamber at a sufficient level above the line of residuum which
can be readily computed with sufficient practical accuracy.
(13.) The elevator or passage with the necessary mechanism for raising
the overcharge or surplus saturating element may be on the plan of any known
system for conveying fluids in like cases, whether by buckets or pockets, or
by flaps or floats in vertical or inclined passages by any rotatory, reciprocating,
or helical action of pumping, by forcing or lifting, or by exhaustion, and even
in some case by capillary attraction, all of which are well known in applica-
tion. I do not claim any of these mechanisms as my Invention, save and
except so far as the same may be included in the arrangement and, combi-
nation of parts of my said apparatus by adaptation to the special purpose of
the same; naturally, any, such elevator or mechanism will require a motive
power to give it a continuous or periodical action; this power may be of any
kind, whether specially attached to the elevator or employed for any other
functions of the apparatus, as, for instance, the supply of one or both of the
elements. Provisionally, and as a temporary expedient, I use for this object
an ordinary clockwork with an endless chain to work a pulley communicating
with the elevator, as shown in the Drawings, to which means, however, I do
not confine myself. But it is unnecessary to illustrate by Drawings the
application of any other of the systems, for the adaptation of other arrange-
ments to any peculiar form or modification of the said apparatus will be obvious
to a skilled mechanic.
'
(14.) This improved apparatus may be adapted to isolated jets or burners,
as, for instance, to portable or stationary lamps or heaters, or to the distri-
bution of the gas through pipes or other means of circulation for any required
number of jets or burners for light or heat in the same manner as the ordinary

page_text: carburetted hydrogen is at present supplied, or by any desired modification of
that system.
(15.) Having thus set forth the nature of my said Invention I proceed to
explain the accompanying Drawings (which are given to a scale of one-fifth
of full size) in order that the said Invention and the mode of performing the
same may be fully understood.
(16.) Figure 1. of the accompanying Drawings is the front elevation,
Figure 2 and Figure 3, sectional elevations of the sides respectively of
Figure 1 of an apparatus to be constructed in conformity with the description
herein-before contained, the Figures 1 and 3 showing in blue lines the internal
arrangement of an elevator; Figure 4 is a sectional elevation at the line Z, Z,
marked on the plan; Figure 5 is the plan of the said apparatus; Figure 6
is a sectional plan on the line n, n, marked on Figure 1, showing in part the
pumicestone filled into the divisions of the saturating space B, and in part
showing perforations in the floor of the dispersing chamber; Figure 7 is a
sectional plan on the line x, x, marked on Figure 1, and Figure 8 shows the
safety cover O of the eduction port; 0, 0¹, showing the cover and diaphragm ;
0, 0, sections thereof.
(17.) A is the dispersing chamber or compartment for the saturating
element, and a, a, a channel, lead, or spout for passing the fluid from the
elevator into this compartment in order to admit the supply from the lower
reservoir C. The bottom of the compartment (A) may be either perforated
or of wire gauze or webbing, or fitted with any textile fabric of a sufficiently
durable nature, permitting the free and continuous passage of the fluid in a
5 comminuted state, which is the most conducive to efficient dispersion,
although this element may be admitted to the saturating space (B) in streams
falling into the several divisions of this latter space; L is the aperture or
orifice for charging this compartment, and is there shown as shut with a plug
or stopper.
(18.) B is the saturating space which is divided by partitions b, b, alter-
nating from above and from below to form a passage so as to direct the
current, as shown by the arrows. The partitions 6', 6', rising from below are
not carried quite down to the bottom for the purpose of affording free space
for removing the refuse which settles down on the floor of this compartment.
The superfluous fluid or saturating element rises in this compartment to the
level of the line 6", ", where it forms a base in connexion with the par-
titions 6', ', and completes the course of the current to be saturated; this
course may be varied by any other arrangement of the divisions on an analogous
plan. The divisions of this compartment (B) are filled with pumicestone or

page_text: other'
porous material, as berein-before described. The superfluous saturating
element when it rises above the level of the line 6, 61, falls into the lower
réservoir (C) through the overflow pipe, conduit, or percolator N, the
diameter or area of which passage is to be calculated according to the
estimated rate of accumulation; or several pipes, conduits, or percolators
giving the required area for the passage of the overflow may be employed for
the same purpose. F is the induction port or entrance for the current to be
saturated, which may be regulated by a tap, valve, sluice, or other con-
trivance of the kind for controlling admission, and G is the eduction port for
the passage outwards of the current or gaseous product of saturation with the
safety covering (0), as herein-before described. This orifice or eduction port
may be regulated by a tap, valve, or other appliance of that nature, and the
supply of.. the said gaseous product for consumption may be measured and
distributed from this eduction port by any available system of metage and
circulation. I is a pipe and tap for drawing off the superfluous saturating
clement, and I is another aperture into this compartment (closing with a
plug, stopper, or cover of any kind) for the removal of the refuse or other
purpose of communication.
(19.) C.is a lower reservoir. or compartment communicating, as before
mentioned, with the saturating space (B) through the overflow pipe, conduit,
or percolator N, and also communicating with a canteen or tank of reserve
(E) for the supply of the saturating element directly into this reservoir (C)
through a pipe H, the passage of this latter supply being regulated by the
valve, or tap H¹, or by a valve which may be made to act automatically if
desired; c is a false bottom designed to give a dipping space for the buckets
of the elevator according to the Drawing, but it is not essentially necessary;
an indicator is attached to this reservoir, k being a float and stem, and K a
cap or glass tube closed at one end in which the stem rises according to the
level of the fluid raising the float, as shown by the dotted line c', c';. J is a tap
for emptying this reservoir, and. J' an aperture closing with a plug, stopper, or
cover of any kind for cleansing this reservoir or other purpose of communi
cation; this reservoir (C) is open to the elevator (D) by an aperture at the
adjoining side of the latter; C is the base of the apparatus.
(20.) The elevator D consists of a vertical passage from the lower reservoir
(C) to the dispersing chamber or upper compartment for the saturating
element (A), with the latter of which it communicates by the channel, lead,
or spout (a) before mentioned. In this passage is worked the suitable me-
chanism for raising the fluid from C to A (which in the Drawing is shown as
a chain and bucket pump) worked by clockwork or any other motive power;

page_text: the place for clockwork is there shown at P with the chain p driving the
external wheel or pulley p' of the pump. d, d, are the buckets, and d', d
the internal driving wheel and rollers, the axles of which are set in the vertical
bars or plates du forming a frame. The clockwork or motive power may be
made to act more directly by crank attachment or gearing to the axle of the
driving wheel of the pump, but the Drawing sufficiently shows the function of
the said elevator for the adaptation of any desired mechanism for the same
purpose.
(21.) E is the canteen or tank herein-before mentioned as a supplementary
provision of the saturating element in addition to the charge contained in the
dispersing chamber; this canteen or tank may be either permanently attached
to the apparatus or moveable for the purpose of being placed at any distance
from the rest of the apparatus, to which it may in such more or less remote
position be connected by piping or other means of conveying its contents; or it
may be dispensed with if the contents of the dispersing chamber and lower
reservoir be sufficient for the alimentation of the apparatus in regard to the
required consumption of the gaseous product; M is an aperture at the top of
this canteen for charging the same with the saturating element, and is shut by
8 plug, stopper, or such other system of closing as may be desired.
(22.) I do not however confine myself to the precise details of construction
herein-before and in the said Drawings described, for instance, the elevator
may be placed at the side and in line with the spaces A and B, or it may
consist of a pipe or duct of any suitable nature, giving proper space for the
necessary mechanism and uptake of fluids, and leading from or through any
convenient part of the apparatus so as to pass the overflow of the saturating
element from the proper level of the superfluous fluid at the base of the
saturating space to the dispersing chamber, and the lower reservoir may be
placed entirely under the said space A and B or dispensed with, in which
latter case the overflow of the space B would be taken directly into the
elevator, while the position of the several apertures of the apparatus may be
arranged accordingly in any appropriate manner to suit the modifications
adopted. The internal arrangements may admit also of several other obvious
combinations of the same plan. The circumstances of the use of the said
apparatus may admit of or require such varying adaptations or modifications,
but the essential basis of my said Invention are set forth in the claims herein-
after enumerated and specified.
(23.) Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare

page_text: Firstly, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting the apparatus
herein-before described.
Secondly, the application of the said apparatus, or any modification thereof
within the limits herein-before stated, for the utilization or improvement of
aëriform or gaseous currents, or any compound of such currents, in com-
bination with any system for the supply, metage, distribution, and combustion
of such currents or the saturated product thereof for the purpose of artificial
light or heat.
Thirdly, the use of pumicestone, or any other porous material having similar
properties, herein-before described, as a medium of saturation.
Fourthly, the adaptation to the said apparatus of a safety covering to the
eduction port or outwards passage for the converted current or gaseous
product of saturation.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henri Ulliel, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
JACQUES DOUCKER, Engenieur,
Paris, Rue de Bagnoles, 29.
HENRI ULLIEL. (L.S.)