IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter William Monk, of Bournemouth, in the County of
Hampshire, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF GAS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter William Monk at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd June 1880.
WALTER WILLIAM MONK, of Bournemouth, in the County of Hampshire.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS."
This Invention has for its object the construction of an improved apparatus in
reference to the sealing and unsealing of the dip pipe in the hydraulic main,
whereby the retorts are almost constantly and entirely relieved from pressure while
in action, or may be subjected and regulated to any pressure it is thought desirable.
while at the same time provision is made for the more easy flow of the gas, for
converting the light giving properties contained or retained by the tar into
permanent gas, for keeping the ascension and dip pipe clear, and for causing a
circulation through the hydraulic main, thereby keeping it clean and free from
thick tar.
The Invention consists in forming the hydraulic main of a peculiar shape, so as
to throw down all the heavy tar to the point to be drawn off, and so supporting
the main from the retort bench by crutches that its front shall overhang the bench
sufficiently to admit of the ascension pipe passing through and extending a
considerable distance above it. Fixed to the top of the hydraulic main there is a
pipe that surrounds the ascension pipe, but of such diameter as to allow of the
existence of a concentric space for the passage of the gas. The top of the ascension
pipe is open, but the pipe enclosing it is closed at top by a removable bonnet, while
the lower part of it descends into the hydraulic main low enough to permit of it
being sealed by the liquid contained therein. A separate and distinct hydraulic
main is provided for each bench of retorts, and from each retort there rises an
ascension pipe which passes through the said main, and is enveloped by its
corresponding exterior pipe, as before described. Attached to the wall in front of
the retort benches, or to some other suitable support, is a syphon box or vessel
capable of containing liquid, and of being adjusted to any height by means of a nut
Drine G71

page_text: and screw. Extending from the hydraulic main to the syphon box is a pipe with
two descending legs, one of them entering the hydraulic main, and the other which
is the longest of the two enters the syphon box, and thus constitutes a syphon.
The syphon box has an overflow pipe that passes through the bottom of the box,
and dips into, but is free to rise and fall in, an overflow tar main. Each length of
bydraulic main is provided with a pipe for conveying away the gas to a conducting
gas main.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Liquid is supplied both to the
hydraulic main and the syphon box, and the syphon is also charged with liquid.
Supposing the retorts to be open, it will be necessary that the level of the liquid in
the hydraulic main should be of such height that it will effectually seal the lower
part of the pipe that surrounds the ascension, and the liquid in the syphon box will
then be at the same level, and correspond with the top of the overflow pipe.
When the retorts are closed and it becomes necessary to unseal the gas passage, the
nut in connection with the screw fixed to the syphon box is turned until the latter
is lowered sufficiently to bring the syphon into action, when the heavy tar will be
drawn off by it from the hydraulic main, until the level in it is reduced to below
the bottom of the pipe surrounding the ascension, when the enveloping pipe will
become unsealed, and a free passage will be afforded for the gas to enter the upper
part of the hydraulic main, and flow away to the conducting gas main by the pipe
before mentioned and designed for that purpose.
The syphon box is made of a capacity in known proportion to the hydraulic
main, so that the lowering of the former for a foot, say, would reduce the level of
the liquid in the main a couple of inches, and this is indicated by a pointer
attached to a rod in continuation of the screw, and placed in front of a scale fixed
to the wall.
By these means the depth of seal in the hydraulic main may be varied and
adjusted with great nicety, or its entire removal and subsequent renewal may be
made in accordance with the conditions under which it is desired that the retorts
should be worked.
In addition to the foregoing there is placed in the main flue and in connection
with each bench of retorts a coil of pipe, so as to form a steam superheater, from
one end of which steam is conveyed to the top and within the dip pipe, where it
issues from a ring pierced with holes on its under side. The result of introducing
steam in this way is to cause the gas to flow more freely, and by increasing the
heat of the gas at this point, the light giving constituents of the uncondensed tar is
converted into permanent gas; a further advantage being that the liquid in the
hydraulic main being made to circulate more actively, no accumulation of thick tar
can take place, while what steam there is that condenses and flows down the
ascension pipe tends to keep it clear.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Walter William Monk in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd December 1880.
WALTER WILLIAM MONK, of Bournemouth, in the County of Hampshire.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS."
This Invention has for its object the construction of an improved apparatus in
reference to the sealing and unsealing of the dip pipes in the hydraulic main,
whereby the retorts are almost constantly and entirely relieved from pressure while
in action, or may be subjected and regulated to any pressure it is thought desirable,
while at the same time provision is made for the more easy flow of the gas, for
converting the light giving properties contained or retained by the tar into
permanent gas, for keeping the ascension and dip pipes clear, and for causing a
circulation through the hydraulic main, thereby keeping it clean and free from
thick tar.
The Invention consists in forming the hydraulic main of a peculiar shape, so as
to throw down all the heavy tar to the point to be drawn off, and so supporting
the main from the retort bench by crutches that its front shall overhang the bench
sufficiently to admit of the ascension pipe passing through and extending a
considerable distance above it. Fixed to the top of the hydraulic main there is a
pipe that surrounds the ascension pipe, and of such diameter as to allow of the
existence of a concentric space for the passage of the gas. The top of the ascension
pipe is open, but the pipe enclosing it is closed at the top by a removable bonnet,
while the lower part of it descends into the hydraulic main low enough to permit
of it being sealed by the liquid contained therein. A separate and distinct
hydraulic main is provided for each bench of retorts, and from each retort there
rises an ascension pipe which passes through the said main, and is enveloped by
its corresponding exterior pipe, as before described. Attached to the wall in front
of the retort benches, or to some other suitable support, is a syphon box or vessel
capable of containing liquid, and of being adjusted to any height by means of a
screw and bevil gear. Extending from the hydraulic main to the syphon box is a
pipe with two descending legs, one of them entering the hydraulic main, and the
other which is the longest of the two enters the syphon box, and thus constitutes a
syphon. Each length of hydraulic main is provided with a pipe for conveying
away the gas, tar, and liquor to a conducting main.
In addition to the foregoing there is placed in the main flue and in connection
with each bench of retorts a coil of pipe, so as to form a steam superheater, from
one end of which steam is conveyed to the top and within the dip pipe, where it
issues from a ring pierced with holes on its under side.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, Drawings are
attached hereto of which the following is a description. Fig. 1 is a front elevation
of a bench of retorts with ascensions, hydraulic main, and a side elevation of the
dip seal regulator; Fig. 2 is a plan of the same; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation
through Y, Z, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation to a larger scale, and showing
the detail of the ascension, hydraulic, and dip pipe arrangement, and Fig. 5 is part
plan and part section of the hydraulic main and the dip seal regulating tank. In
each of the Figs. similar letters of reference relate to the same parts. In Fig. 1
A is the retort bench; B, B, the ascension pipes; C, the bydraulic main; D, D, the
pipes surrounding the upper part of the ascensions, and E, the syphon pipe leading
from the hydraulic main to the seal regulating tank F; G is a rod or shaft which
supports the tank F, and is screwed at its lower end, so that by means of the bevil

page_text: gear H, the tank which is furnished with suitable guides I may be raised or
lowered at pleasure. The rod or shaft G is provided with an indicator J which
points to a scale fixed to the wall K. In Fig. 2 L represents the steam coil placed
in the flue M with a steam pipe N leading from it to the pipe O, which has a
number of branches P, P. Each bench of retorts has an outlet gas, tar, and
liquor main Q with a valve R, which main leads into a general outlet main S.
In Fig. 4 it will be seen that the steam pipe P is continued through D, and
terminates in a tubular ring T like the ring burner of a gas stove, and having a
number of holes on the under side for the issue of the steam in jets; U is the cap
or bonnet to D. The arrows indicate the direction in which the gas flows.
In Fig. 5 V shows D with the bonnet removed, and W is a section through X, a,
Fig. 4.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Liquid is supplied to the hydraulic
main and the syphon box, and the syphon is also charged with liquid. Supposing
the retorts to be open, it will be necessary that the level of the liquid in the
hydraulic main should be of such a height that it will effectually seal the lower
part of the pipe that surrounds the ascension, and the liquid in the syphon box
will then be at the same level, and correspond with the top of the overflow pipe.
When the retorts are closed and it becomes necessary to unseal the gas passage, the
wheel-nut in connection with the screw fixed to the syphon box is turned until the
latter is lowered sufficiently to bring the syphon into action, when the heavy tar
will be drawn off by it from the hydraulic main until the level in it is reduced to
below the bottom of the pipe surrounding the ascension, when the enveloping pipe
will become unsealed, and a free passage will be afforded for the gas to enter the
upper part of the hydraulic, and flow away to the conducting gas main by the pipe
before mentioned and designed for that purpose.
The result of introducing steam to the pipe surrounding the ascension in the
way before referred to, is to cause the gas to flow more freely, and by increasing
the heat of the gas at this point the light giving constituents of the uncondensed
tar is converted into permanent gas; a further advantage being that the liquid in
the hydraulic main being made to circulate more actively, no accumulation of thick
tar can take place, while what steam there is that condenses and flows down the
ascension pipe tends to keep it clear.
The syphon box is made of a capacity in known proportion to the hydraulic
main, so that the lowering of the former for a foot, say, would reduce the level of
the liquid in the main a couple of inches, and this is indicated by the pointer
attached to the rod in continuation of the screw, and placed in front of a scale
fixed to the wall.
By the means hereinbefore described the depth of the seal in the hydraulic main
may be varied and adjusted with great nicety, or its entire removal and subsequent
renewal may be made in accordance with the conditions under which it is desired
that the retorts should be worked, and the further objects herein mentioned may be
achieved.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the
precise details or arrangements that I have described or referred to, as variations
may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features
of this Invention; but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
Firstly. The construction of the hydraulic main in the form shown on the
Drawings.
Secondly. The dip seal regulating tank F with its attendant pipe E, rod or
shaft G, and the bevil gear arrangement for raising or lowering the said tank, as
herein described and shown on the Drawings.

page_text: Thirdly. The pipes D together with the tubular pipes T, as herein described and
shown on the Drawings, and
Fourthly. The use of steam, either superheated or otherwise applied, as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Walter William Monk, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
WALTER W. MONK. (L.S.)