Improvements in Apparatus for Vaporizing and Burning Liquid Hydro-carbons.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 20th May, 1887.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Vaporizing and Burning Liquid
Hydro-carbons.
I, WILLIAM GEORGE BUSSEY, of No. 155 Temple Court, in the City, County and
State of New York, United States of America, Counsellor at Law, do hereby declaro
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 :-
My invention relates to an apparatus for burning liquid hydro-carbons, such
for example as kerosene oil, in which the liquid is vaporized, and then mingled
with air, and this mixture is burned; and my invention consists in the devices
and their combinations as hereinafter particularly described, adapted to operato.
as, and for the purpose specified, and as more at length hereinafter set forth.
Figure 1, is a vertical central sectional view of an apparatus containing my invention,
and showing the liquid supply tube and reservoir in clevation; and
Figure 2, is a cross section of the apparatus on the line a, a, Figure 1.
Corresponding letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
A is a vaporizing or gas generating chamber. It is preferably constructed in the
form shown, namely, with its upper part or dome hemispherical and its lower part
a section of an inverted cone, thus furnishing the flaring side walls a, a, which
however may be either straight or curved as in a sphere or spheroid. I find this
form effective but do not confine myself to it as essential. It is essential that tho
lower sides of this chamber shall project outwardly from the base sufficiently to
permit the mixing tubes E E to be located wholly or partly under the same.
It may
be made of cast iron or other suitable material. A pipe or tube B, leads into
this chamber through its base K, as shown, from a reservoir at H, and the hydro-
carbon is thus supplied to the chamber. CC, are outlet tubes leading from the
interior upper part of said chamber to the tubular mixing chambers E E. Theso
mixing tubes as shown, are simply tubes open at both ends, having their combustion
or burner ends located wholly or partly under the lower sides of the vaporizing
chamber and so directed towards the under sides of the vaporizing chamber that
the flame from said tubes will impinge upon the under sides of said chamber. I pre-
ferably cut these tubes.off diagonally at the top as shown, inorder to more effectually.

page_text: direct the flame against the under sides of the chamber A. Each of the tubes CC, may
be provided at G with a cap I, in which the aperture D (one or more) is formed as
shown and there may be an opening d in the wall of the mixing tube E, as shown,
to permit the cap I, to be screwed to the end of the tube C and to be unseated
at pleasure. Below the chamber A may be placed the cup F which may conveniently
be mounted on the supply tube as shown.
When operated, the cup F may be filled with asbestos or other similar material
saturated with oil or alcohol and ignited. The flame from the cup F will heat
the chamber A. The oil or other hydro-carbon to be vaporized is then allowed
to flow through the supply tube B into the chamber A. As soon as the hydro-
carbon comes into contact with the interior of the heated chamber A, the generation
of vapor from the hydro-carbon commences, and the vapor rising from the hydro-
carbon fills the upper interior part of the vaporizing chamber A and is forced
through the outlet tubes CC, into the interior of the mixing tubes E E, and
is mixed with air in the open space therein and the mixture of vapor and air rising
through said mixing tubes is ignited and burns at the combustion or burner ends e, e.
The flame arising from the said mixing tubes coming into contact with the sides
of the chamber A, keeps it hot and causes the generation of vapor to continue as
the hydro-carbon continues to flow into the chamber A, and the vapor continues
to be forced through the outlet tubes CC, into the mixing tubes E E, thus making
the flame from the mixing tubes continuous.
or c
The
The tubular mixing chamber E as constructed and used in my apparatus has
its interior space open and unobstructed from the point where the vapor enters the
tube, to the top or combustion end of the tube and the combustion end is located
either wholly or partly under the lower side of the vaporizing chamber. The
special advantages of this method of construction and location are as follows:
The vapor enters the chamber in a strong jet from the orifice "D," and the open
space in the mixing tube between the point where the vapor enters and the mouth
combustion end thereof allows the mixture of vapor and air to take place quickly
and freely without in any way obstructing or retarding the upward flow of the vapor,
so that all of the vapor which enters the tube is rapidly and freely discharged
from the top of the tube, the mixture with air taking place on its way upward, without
retarding it. The top of the tube being open the mixture of vapor and air escapes
freely therefrom. The force of the jet of vapor combined with tho natural draft
resulting from the heat at the top of the tube causes the mixture of vapor and
air to be driven from the top of the tube in a strong and. rapid current.
rapidity of the current through the tube prevents combustion from taking place
below the top. The result of this construction is that the mixture of vapor and
air burns at the top of the tube in a strong and vigorous flame which strikes directly
upon the under side of the vaporizing chamber and then rising above. it, becomes
available for heating purposes. The vigor and strength of the flame result from
the force of the vapor jet,, the rapid mingling of the vapor with air in an open
and unobstructed space, and the free exit of the mixture from the top. of the tube..
The force of the jet is the result of the rapid and continuous generation of vapor,
caused by throwing a strong flame directly upon the under sides of the vaporizing
chamber. Another result of the strong heat thrown directly upon the under sides
of the vaporizing. chamber is that thic hydro-carbon is almost. entirely vaporized
and the residuum does not accumulate so rapidly, so that the vaporizing chamber.
does not require frequent cleaning. I commonly arrange two or more mixing tubes
under opposite or nearly opposite sides of tho vaporizing chamber and thereby
produce a flame which surrounds. the vaporizing chamber and rises some distance
above it.
Whenever I deem it desirable in order to prevent the possibility of the combustion.
taking place within the tubo I cover the top of the tube E with wire gauze or
perforated metal, which offers but slight resistance to the passage of the vapor
and air but effectually prevents the flame from running down within the tube..

page_text: By my method of construction I am enabled to use vaporizing chambers of very
much greater proportionate capacity than any I have seen or known of. The
advantages are obvious-vapor is generated more rapidly and more steadily, the
volume of vapor remaining continuously in the chamber during use is greater,
and impurities or sediment from the hydro-carbon.cause less difficulty. I therefore
deem it desirable, though not essential, that the generator should be of twenty-five
cubic inches interior capacity or more.
It is essential that the tube or tubes which convey the vapor from the vaporizing
chamber to the mixing tube shall in each case lead from the upper interior part
of the vaporizing chamber and shall terminate in one or more apertures opening into.
the interior of the mixing tube. There may be one tube only extending to the
interior of the vaporizing chamber, and branches leading to the several mixing tubes
or there may be distinct outlet tubes to each mixing tube.
It is essential in the use of my apparatus that the hydre-carbon shall be introduced
into the generator under pressure. This feature taken alone is not novel but forms
an essential part of my combination. This pressure may be obtained either by
elevating the reservoir H above the level of the generator or by making the reservoir
Hair tight and by connecting therewith an air pump (as shown at L) or equivalent
device by means of which air may be forced into the reservoir until the desired
pressure is obtained. Steam pressure may be used for the same purpose. The
outlet tubes C Care constricted (as at the aperture D) so that the vapor generated
is retarded in its escape from the chamber A. The result of this arrangement
of parts is that the vapor generated stands in the chamber A, at considerable pressure
and this back pressure retards or holds back the flow of the hydro-carbon into the.
chamber A, so that as a matter of fact when the apparatus is in actual use the
hydro-carbon usually stands in the chamber A, as water stands in a steam boiler,
the pressure from the vapor generated preventing it from rising in the chamber
sufficiently to overflow into the outlet tubes CC. I am thus enabled to so construct
my apparatus by making the size of the orifices in the outlet tubes through which
the vapor escapes in proper proportion to the size of the chamber A, and the pressure:
at which the hydro-carbon enters the chamber, that the flow of the hydro-carbon into
the chamber Å is controlled automatically largely independent of valves upon the.
supply tube or tubes and is prevented from overflowing into the outlet tube or tubes,
thus producing a comparatively steady flame and I have determined by actual
experiment what these proportions should be. I claim this method of adjustment.
in connection with my apparatus as a distinctly novel feature. I now give the
following rule of proportionate adjustment: When ordinary kerosene oil is introduced
at a pressure of two pounds per square inch, into a vaporizing chamber having
an interior capacity of thirty-five cubic inches, the total area of all the orifices D,
(whether one or more) through which the vapor escapes into the mixing tubes
(whether one or more) should be from 100 to 500 of a square inch. It is obvious
that when a hydro-carbon of more or less specific gravity than kerosene oil is used
or when the interior capacity of the vaporizing chamber is materially increased
or lessened or when the pressure at which the hydro-carbon is introduced into the .
vaporizing chamber is increased or lessened, a corresponding variation in the
stated area. of the orifices will be necessary. A variation somewhat upon these
proportions will not produce a wholly ineffective operation of the apparatus but I find
that by using these proportions the apparatus operates effectively and well. There
may be one or more apertures to the outlet tubes C, opening into each of the
mixing tubes E E.
Any convenient method of heating the generator preparatory to starting inay
be used. I do not confine myself to the use of the cup F. Any suitable means
for introducing the hydro-carbon to the vaporizing chamber may be used.. I do not.
confine myself to the special construction of supply tubes as shown.
My apparatus is mainly designed to be used in connection with steam boilers
and hot air furnaces, but I do not confine myself.to its use for. these purposes..

page_text: 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 :
1st. In an apparatus for the burning of liquid hydro-carbons the combination
with a vaporizing chamber provided with suitable means for the introduction therein
of a liquid hydro-carbon under pressure, of a mixing tube adapted for the mingling
of hydro-carbon vapor and air within the same before combustion the interior of said
tube being open and unobstructed from the point where the vapor enters the same
to the mouth or combustion cnd thereof, said tube being provided with a suitable
opening at its bottom or side for the admission of air and having its combustion
end located wholly or partly under the lower side of said vaporizing chamber and
adjacent thereto, together with a vapor outlet tube leading from the upper interior
part of said vaporizing chamber and terminating outwardly in an orifice opening into
the interior of said mixing tube at a point below the combustion or burning end
thereof, constructed substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
2nd. In an apparatus for burning liquid hydro-carbons the combination with
a vaporizing chamber, provided with suitable means for the introduction therein
of a liquid hydro-carbon under pressure, of a mixing tube constructed and adapted
for the mingling of hydro-carbon vapor and air within the same before combustion,
and provided with a suitable inlet for air at its bottom or side, the interior of said
tube being open and unobstructed from the point where the vapor enters the same
to the mouth or combustion end thereof, and the said mouth or combustion end being
covered with wire gauze or perforated metal, and located wholly or partly under the
lower side of said vaporizing chamber, together with a vapor outlet tube leading
from the upper interior part of said vaporizing chamber and terminating outwardly
in an orifice opening into the interior of said mixing tube at a point below the
combustion or burner end thereof, constructed substantially as described and for the
purpose-stated.
3rd. In an apparatus for burning liquid hydro-carbons the combination of the vapor-
izing chamber A, provided with suitable means for the introduction therein of a liquid
hydro-carbon under pressure, of a mixing chamber adapted for the mingling of gas
or vapor and air before combustion and the outlet tube C leading from the upper
interior part of the vaporizing chamber to the chamber E, and provided with the
constricted orifice or vapor outlet D opening into said mixing chamber E the sum
total of the area of which orifice or vapor outlet (whether one or more) is proportioned
to the interior capacity.of the vaporizing chamber and the pressure upon the liquid
entering the chamber, substantially as stated whereby the pressure of the vapor
in the vaporizing chamber is maintained substantially equal to the pressure-at which
the liquid is forced into the said vaporizing chamber constructed substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
4th. In an apparatus for burning liquid hydro-carbons the combination with the
mixing chamber of the outlet tube C, the cap I, the aperture D, and the opening d,
in the side of the mixing chamber E constructed substantially as described and for
the purpose stated.
5th. In an apparatus for the burning of liquid hydro-carbons the combination with.
the vaporizing chamber A of a series of two or more mixing tubes E E, arranged
wholly or partly under opposite or nearly opposite sides of the chamber A, together
with the vapor outlet tubes C C all located, arranged, and, constructed substantially
as and for the purpose stated..