Method and Apparatus for Producing Gas from Liquid Combustible Materials.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Dec., 1896-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Method and Apparatus for Producing Gas from Liquid Combustible
Materials.
I, GUSTAV TRESENREUTER, of 28, Ackerstrasse, Berlin, N., Germany,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a flame suitable
for the most varied technical purposes, especially for illuminating-purposes and
for incandescence-lighting in particular, by utilizing a principle which obviates
all the drawbacks that are attendant on the arrangements hitherto employed.
There are two properties that must be possessed by an efficient gas-lamp for
utilizing combustible liquids, viz. :-
(1) The production of the requisite pressure; and
(2) The keeping cool of the combustible liquid to be burned, particularly when
petroleum is used."
The insufficient attainment of these two most important requirements has
prejudicially affected all the arrangements hitherto employed.
The present invention therefore starts primarily by fulfilling the above mentioned
requirements, and this object is achieved by forcing the petroleum or other com-
bustible liquid up to the desired height by the use of a circulating current of
air; the circulation of the current of air possesses the further advantage that the
air-layers that exert direct pressure upon the combustible liquid are cold, which
renders the heating of the combustible liquid quite impossible.
The accompanying drawings illustrate an arrangement of apparatus for carrying
out the method;
Fig. 1 being a vertical section; and
Figs. 2 and 3 showing sections on the lines x-x and y y respectively of
Fig. 1.
The apparatus essentially comprises two vessels a and b the vessel a is intended
to hold the combustible material (petroleum) which is introduced through a feed-
hole ; and the vessel b contains atmospheric air. The connexion between the
two vessels is formed by suitable pipes c. The vessel b, which is closed so as
to be quite air-tight, is traversed centrally and longitudinally by a vertical
passage d that serves for the reception of a chimney e. The chimney is mounted
on a truncated cylinder f of insulating material that rests at one end directly
upon an air-supply basket or gallery u surrounding the heating-flame g. From
the vessel a for containing the combustible liquid there lead pipes which extend
almost down to the bottom of the liquid-receptacle for the purpose of enabling
the last drop of liquid to be used up. These pipes pass over the heating flame
into the chimney e and open into a vaporizing-chamber i from which a small pipe k
leads the gas to the burner m, into which it passes through an exceedingly fine
outlet-aperture l.
The burner itself is held in a suitable manner in its position
above the air-vessel by means it may be, of supports o, which are mounted
upright in openings p in the vessel. The chimneye is formed at its upper end
with apertures 9 which allow of the escape of the gases of combustion of the
heating-flame g. Directly connected to the chimney is a bell-shaped part r, which
is provided with apertures that enable air to reach the flame. The bell-shaped

page_text: part is arranged directly on the chimney in order that the burner may be uniformly
heated by the heating flame, whence result more rapid starting and more uniform
burning. The air-vessel has also an outlet t, the purpose of which will be described
hereinafter.
Between the chimney and the wall of the shaft of the air-vessel, there is
inserted a metal ring which serves to conduct the heat from the chimney to the
air-vessel. The thickness of the ring and the height at which it is situated depend
essentially on the proportions of the dimensions of the lamp, and have a very
important function in this arrangement, as will be seen later on from the mode of
operation of the lamp.
The mode of operation of the apparatus is as follows:-The, heating-flame g
which in this case is an ordinary petroleum-flame and is not a spirit flame as in
the arrangements heretofore employed, is ignited and burns, (in consequence of the
chimney arranged above it, which causes a very strong draught) with such intensity
that the combustible liquid is vaporized in a very short time.
The heat is communicated first to the chimney and by means of the metal ring
to the air contained in the vessel b. The air now passes from the vessel 6 through
one or more of the tubes c towards the lower vessel a, whilst on the other hand
the air contained in the vessel a circulates through another or others of the
tubes towards the upper air-vessel. The downwardly moving air is cooled in
passing through the tubes c and exerts on the liquid contained in the liquid-vessel
a pressure that is sufficient to force the same upwards through the tubes h. In
these tubes there is a lining or insertion of asbestos or other suitable inaterial for
the purpose of conducting the liquid upwards in a cool state, so that the vaporiza-
tion of the combustible material does not commence until it reaches the chimney e,
through which the tubes h pass.
From the above it will be seen that the heating of the combustible material in
the vessel a is absolutely impossible, whence results the complete capability of this
apparatus. It is evident that the greater is the air-vessel, the greater must be
the metal ring in order to heat the air contained in the vessel to the same
temperature in the same time and that the ring may be of smaller dimensions if
it be placed nearer to the heating-flame, its dimensions being therefore, essentially
dependent upon its position and the dimensions of the other parts of the
apparatus.
When the apparatus is to be put out of operation, the heating-flame g is first
of all extinguished, after which the outlet t is opened; as a result, air passes out of
the air-vessel and pressure therein is immediately reduced. This outlet can,
of course, also be used for regulating the pressure, it being then not entirely but
nly partially opened.
Dated this 22nd den of November 1900
F. WISE HOWORTH,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Method and Apparatus for Producing Gas from Liquid Combustible
Materials.
I, GUSTAV TRESENREUTER, of 28 Ackerstrasse, Berlin, N., Germany,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a flame

page_text: suitable for the most varied technical purposes, especially for illuminating
purposes and for incandescence lighting in particular, by utilizing a principle
which obviates all the drawbacks that are attendant on the arrangements hitherto
employed.
"
There are two properties that must be possessed by an efficient gas-lamp for
utilizing combustible liquids, viz.
(1) The production of the requisite pressure; and
(2) The keeping cool of the combustible liquid to be burned, particularly when
petroleum is used.
The insufficient attainment of these two most important requirements has.
prejudicially affected all the arrangements hitherto employed.
The present invention therefore starts primarily by fulfilling the above mentioned
requirements, and this object is achieved by forcing the petroleum or other com-
bustible liquid up to the desired height by the use of a circulating current of
air; the circulation of the current of air possesses the further advantage that.
the air-layers that exert direct pressure upon the combustible liquid are cold,.
which renders the heating of the combustible liquid impossible.
The drawings filed with my Provisional Specification illustrate an arrangement.
of apparatus for carrying out the method,
Fig. 1 being a vertical section, and
Figs. 2 and 3 showing sections on the lines x and y y respectively of Fig. 1.
The apparatus essentially comprises two vessels a and b: the vessel a is intended.
to hold the combustible material (petroleum, spirit or the like) which is introduced
through a feed-hole z, and the vessel b contains atmospheric air. The connexion.
between the two vessels is formed by suitable pipes c. The vessel b, which is
closed so as to be quite air-tight, is traversed centrally and longitudinally by a
vertical passage d that serves for the reception of a chimney e. The chimney is.
mounted on a cylinder of insulating material that rests at one end directly upon
an air-supply basket or gallery surrounding the heating-flame g. From the
vessel a for containing the combustible liquid there lead pipes / which extend
almost down to the bottom of the liquid-receptacle a for the purpose of enabling-
the last drop of liquid to be used up. These pipes pass over the heating flame
into the chimney e and open into a vaporizing chamber i from which a small
pipe k leads the gas to the burner m into which it passes through an exceedingly
fine outlet-aperture 1. The burner itself is held in a suitable manner in its.
position above the air-vessel b by means it may be, of supports o, which are
mounted upright in sockets p in the vessel b. The chimney e is formed at its.
upper end with apertures 9 which allow of the escape of the gases of combustion
of the heating-flame g. Directly above the chimney is a bell-shaped part r, which
is provided with apertures & that enable air to reach the flame. The bell-shaped
part is arranged directly above the chimney in order that the burner may be
uniformly heated by heat' from the heating-flame 9; this facilitates a more
rapid starting and also a more uniform burning. The air-vessel 6 has also an
outlet t, provided with a closing device and the purpose of which will be herein-
after described.
Between the chimney e and the wall of the vertical passage d through the air--
vessel b, there is inserted a metal ring which serves to conduct the heat from
the chimney to the air-vessel. The thickness of the ring and the height at which
it is situated depend essentially on the proportions of the dimensions of the lamp,.
and have a very important function in this arrangement, as will be seen later on
from the mode of operation of the apparatus. The mode of operation of the
apparatus is as follows:-The heating flame g, which in this case is an ordinary
petroleum flame and is not a spirit-flame as in the arrangements heretofore
employed, is ignited and burns, (in consequence of the chimney arranged above it
which causes a very strong draught) with such intensity that the combustible
liquid commences to vaporize in a very short time. The heat is communicated
first to the chimney e and by means of the metal ring to the air contained in the

page_text: vessel. The air now passes from the vessel 6 through one or more of the tubes c
towards the lower vessel a, whilst on the other hand the air contained in the
vessel a circulates through another or others of the tubes c towards the upper air
vessel. The downwardly moving air is cooled in passing through the tubes c and
exerts on the liquid contained in the liquid vessel a pressure that is sufficient to
force the same upwards through the tubes h. In these tubes there is a lining or
insertion of suitable absorbent material for example asbestos for the purpose of
conducting the liquid upwards in a cool state, so that the vaporization of the
combustible material does not commence until it reaches the chimney e, through
which the tubes h pase.
From the above it will be seen that the heating of the combustible material in
the vessel a is absolutely impossible, whence results the complete practicability of
this apparatus. It is evident that the greater is the air-vessel, the greater must
be the metal ring in order to heat the air contained in the vessel to the same
temperature in the same time and that the ring may be of smaller dimensions if
it be placed nearer to the heating-flame, its dimensions being, therefore, essentially
dependent upon its position and the dimensions of the other parts of the
apparatus.
When the apparatus is to be put out of operation, the heating-flame g is first
of all extinguished, after which the outlet t is opened; as a result, air passes out
of the air-vessel' and pressure therein is immediately reduced. This outlet can, of
course, also be used for regulating the pressure, it being then not entirely but only
partially opened.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A method for producing gas from liquid combustible material, especially
petroleum, spirit, and the like, for illuminating, cooking, heating, and other
technical purposes, wherein the pressure necessary to the production of the gas
and maintenance of a gas flame is produced by a circulating air-current.
2. For carrying out the method referred to in the preceding claim, apparatus
in which two vessels a and b, of which the one (a) is intended for the reception of
combustible liquid and the other (6) for atmospheric air, are connected by air
circulation tubes so that the pressure requisite for the production of the gas flame
can be set up in the vessel a, and in which there is a chimney that contains the
vaporizing tubes and serves for leading away the products of combustion of the
heating-flame used for vaporizing the combustible liquid.
3: In apparatus of the kind referred to in Claim 2, an arrangement for putting
the apparatus out of operation and for regulating the gas-flame, consisting of a
controllable outlet arranged in the air-vessel and whereby the pressure in the
air-vessel can be immediately reduced to that of the external atmosphere, or to
less than the full working pressure, to suit varying requirements, substantially as
described.
4. For producing gas from liquid combustible materials, apparatus constructed
arranged and operating substantially as described and shown.
Dated this and dove at Thoambar 1906
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant..