Improvements in the Combustion of Carbohydrates of High Boiling Point in Incandescence Burners, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1895

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Combustion of Carbohydrates of High Boiling
Point in Incandescence Burners, and Apparatus therefor.
I, CASIMIR WURSTER, of No. 25, Somerset Terrace, in the County of London,
England, Chemist, 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 :-
The well known spirit incandescence lamps are well known to be injurious to
health in consequence of the intoxicating effect of the alcohol vapour and the
injurious influence of the aldehyde evolved by incomplete combustion. Moreover,
they are dangerous in as much as they very easily cause explosions and fire.
Furthermore, spirit in countries where the same is heavily taxed is out of the
question as an illuminant on account of its high cost. On the other hand the
use of the uninjurious and safe carbohydrates of high boiling point such as
kaiser oil, solar oil, creosote, oleic acid, resin oils and vaseline is impossible
with the spirit incandescence lamps already known on account of the formation
of soot.
My invention obviates these drawbacks and provides an incandescence lamp for
use with cheap fluid illuminants which are safe, uninjurious, difficult of combustion,
of high boiling point, and liable to give off smoke and soot. This object is
attained in the simplest manner by continuously volatilizing and superheating the
vapour of the heavy illuminant which gives the light by means of a light
inflammable and non-smoking combustible fluid. The two burning materials are
arranged in two receptacles separated from one another, the smaller of which feeds
the continuously burning and regulatable volatilizing flame. In order to prevent
the smoking of the carbohydrates of high boiling point, and to neutralise the
tendency of their vapour to condensation a very effective heating and quick
combustion is necessary which is not attainable by means of the construction at
present known because in this only the combustion gases of the volatilizing flame
already partly deprived of oxygen reach the incandescence burner. To remedy
this drawback, in my burner the air for combustion of the illuminant of high
boiling point is drawn for some distance through special tubes projecting away
from, or to underneath the volatilizing flame. These air tubes serve at the
same time for cooling the receptacles of the illuminant and for warming the
air supplied through them for which purpose the lower openings of the tubes
are turned towards the receptacles so that the latter are constantly in contact
with the cooled air drawn in. In like manner, fresh air is introduced into
the crown of the lamp and in the upper part of the mantle, whereby, at the
same time the combustion in the upper part of the mantle which is usually
somewhat slow is quickened. This is moreover improved by providing the middle
part of the cylinder with air openings and constructing the upper cylinder in the
form of an injector in order to cause a powerful further draught of air for
combustion.
A further improvement of the activity of the combustion in my incandescence
burner is secured by forming the same of several Bunsen burners, which are
enclosed by a single mantle tube provided with apertures for the passage of air
and terminate above in a chimney piece acting as an injector. In order to prevent
a cooling of the volatilizing receptacle and at the same time to prevent the con-
densation of the illuminant in the burner, the volatilizing receptacle is surrounded

page_text: by a mantle tube open at the top which conducts the combustion gases around the
rolatilizing receptacle into the incandescence flame. Finally, it is advisable to
add to the heavy oil bodies which are capable of partially replacing the oxygen of
the atmosphere, and particular oxidising agents which are miscible with petroleum
or soluble in the same.
The accompanying drawings show various methods of constructing the apparatus
of my invention as follows:-
Figures 1 and 2 show one modification of the lamp in vertical section in which
the alcohol receptacle 18 is placed in the interior of the heavy oil receptacle.
Figures 3 to 5 show details of the same.
Figure 6 shows a second modification of the lamp in vertical section in which
the alcohol receptacle 18 is placed beneath the heavy oil receptacle 1*.
Figure 7 shows a detail of the same.
Figure 8 shows a third modification of the lamp in vertical section containing
the alcohol in a flexible metal receptacle 18 lying in the heavy oil receptacle 1°.
Figures 9 and 10 show a fourth modification of the lamp in vertical and
horizontal section in which the alcohol receptacle 18° forms a segment of the
cylindrical heavy oil receptacle 1°.
Figure 11 shows a fifth modification of the lamp in horizontal section in which
the alcohol receptacle 18d surrounds the heavy oil receptacle 1d in the form of a
mantle.
Referring now to the first modification:-
Figures 1 to 5:―
Figure 1 displays the oil receptacle together with the volatilizer.
Figure 2 shows the upper part of the lamp.
Figure 3 a horizontal section through the mantle on the line x-x of Figure 2.
Figure 4 a horizontal section on the line y-y of Figure 2.
Figure 5 the same on the line z-z of Figure 2.
The heavy oil passes from the reservoir 1 by means of the wicks 2 into the
volatilizing chamber 3. From this chamber the petroleum vapours pass through
the tubular support 4 into a group of several Bunsen burners 6, surrounded by the
mantle tube 5. The necessary air for combustion is supplied to the burner 6 and
mantle tube 5 through the tubes 7. The ducts of the Bunsen burners are
preferably each provided with three very small holes, Figure 5. At the exit of
the heavy oil vapcurs mixed with air from the Bunsen burners there is caused, by
means of the action of the chimney piece acting as an injector, a further
admixture of fresh air. A third supply of air is obtained in the crown 9 through
the tubes 10. Moreover, by means of the tubes 11, the tube connections 12 and
the tubes 13 which serve at the same time for suspending the mantle, fresh air is
introduced into the upper part of the mantle 14. Finally, the upper part 15 of
the cylinder, widened in the shape of an injector draws air through the holes
which can be opened or closed in the middle part 16 of the same which air burns
the last traces of unburnt gases. The aperture 17 which can be opened or closed
in the middle part 16 of the same serves at the same time to facilitate the lighting
of the lamp. The volatilizing flame arranged beneath the volatilizing space 3
my be fed with amyllic alcohol or with other alcohols or etbers or ketones from
the inner receptacle 18 by means of the wick 19. The screw 20 serves to
regulate the wick 19. The cover 21 closes the wick tube when the lamp is not in
use.
For the regulation of the supply of air to the volatilizing flame there is
provided a double mantle 22 with narrow openings, and by adjusting the two
mantle tubes with respect to one another the admission of air can be regulated. In
order to assist the filling of the alcohol receptacle 18, the tube 23 is prolonged to
the exterior. To prevent overheating of the receptacle for the illuminant, between
this and the alcohol receptacle an air space is arranged. In order to further cool
the receptacle 1, the tubes 7 which conduct the air for combustion to the heavy
oil burner are directed with their lower apertures against the heavy oil
receptacle 1. The heated combustion gases of the volatilizing flame warm the

page_text: fresh air arising through the tubes 7 considerably thereby effecting the active
combustion of the heavy oil and preventing the smoking of the flame, and
consequent sooting of the incandescence mantle. By means of the mantle 24 the
combustion gases are conducted round about the volatilizing receptacle 3 into the
incandescence flame and so, not only made harmless, but utilised for heating the said
receptacle. The latter can moreover be further protected by an asbestos cover 25.
This construction renders it possible to re-arrange the receptacles of ordinary
petroleum lamps, without alteration for the incandescence light.
Second construction, Figures 6 and 7. The modifications of these in comparison
with the first construction consist in the arrangement of the two combustible holders,
and the construction of the alcohol burner. The alcohol receptacle 18" is arranged
underneath the heavy oil holder 1*. In order to assist the rising of the alcohol in
the dry wick 19, the filling tube is lengthened by means of a prolongation 26. In
order to secure a rapid lighting and a more energetic heating the alcohol wick tube
is formed at the above as a vapour burner, and provided with an outer wick 27.
In use, the outer wick is lighted above the flame, evaporates the alcohol rising up
the inner wick 19" and ignites the alcohol vapours given off from the top of the
wick tube. As soon as the volatilizing of the heavy oil is in progress the flame of
the outer wick can be diminished, for which purpose the mantle 28 is raised up by
means of the rack and pinion 29 to the openings of the wick tube. For the
purpose of completely extinguishing the alcohol Hame, the mantle 28 is raised
higher still and the duplex cover 30, (Figure 7) is closed by means of the scissor
shaped double lever 31. Moreover, in addition to the action of the mantle 28,
the flame can be regulated by a more or less complete closing of this cover 30.
Third construction, Fig. 8. The modification as compared with the first and
second constructions consists essentially of placing the alcohol in a flexible metal
container 18 which is placed in the heavy oil receptacle 1. This construction
also enables the receptacles of ordinary petroleum lamps to be made available for
incandescence light without alteration.
Fourth construction, Figures 9 and 10. The alcohol receptacle 18° here forms
a section of the cylindrical heavy oil holder 1°. The alcohol is conducted to the
volatilizing flame outside the container by means of a bent tube 32.
Fifth construction, Figure 11. The alcohol container 18 is in this construction
arranged into the form of a jacket around the heavy oil receptacle 1. The
conduction of the alcohol to the volatilizing flame corresponds to that in con-
struction 4. The parts indicated by letters in the Figures 6 to 11 correspond to
those indicated by the same letters in Figures 1 and 2.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A heavy oil incandescence light in which the illuminant is continuously
volatilized by means of a more inflammable, and not smoking combustible.
2. The means for carrying into effect the operation described in Claim 1 in
which the auxiliary combustible placed in a separate container 18, 18ª, 18ª, 18º,
and 18ª feeds a continuous and adjustable volatilizing flame.
3. In apparatus for carrying into effect the operations indicated in Claims 1
and 2, the conduction of the air for combustion to the air apertures of the incan-
descence burner as well as to the lamp crown 9 and to the upper part of the
mantle 14 by means of the tubes 7, 10, 11, 13, which may either project vertically
or be prolonged underneath the volatilizing flame for the purpose of supplying
fresh air rich in oxygen to the incandescence burner and thereby effecting an
energetic combustion at the same.
4. A construction of the conducting arrangement for the air for combustion
specified in Claim 3 in which the lower openings of the air conducting tubes 7 are
directed against the upper part of the oil receptacle for the purpose of effecting a
continuous cooling of the same through the draught of cold air.

page_text: 5. In the apparatus for heavy oil incandescence light set forth in the foregoing
claims. A heavy oil burner consisting of numerous Bunsen burners 6 which are
surrounded by a common mantle tube 5 provided with the air apertures and
terminate above in a shaped chimney piece 8 acting as an injector for the purpose
of causing an energetic conduction of air currents to the oil vapour.
6. In heavy oil incandescence light as set forth in the foregoing claims, the
arrangement of air openings in the middle part 16 of the cylinder and the forming
of the upper cylinder 15 in the shape of an injector for the purpose of causing a
more energetic draught of fresh air for combustion and for increasing the energy
in the upper part of the mantle.
7. In the heavy oil incandescence light set forth in the foregoing claims, a
mantle tube 24 open above, surrounding the volatilizing receptacle 3 which
conducts the gases of combustion of the volatilizing flame around the volatilizing
receptacle causing a complete combustion of the same and preventing any
.condensation of the illuminant.
8. In combination with the heavy oil incandescence light set forth in the
foregoing claims, a combustible for the heavy oil burner characterised by the
addition of soluble oxidising bodies for the purpose of increasing the energy of
combustion.
Dated this 13th day of December 1895.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
31, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.