Illuminating Gas.
Year: 1886

page_text: Illuminating Gas.
I, JAMES ROBERTS, of the City, County, and State of New York, gentleman,
residing at, 418, West 27th. Street, in the said City of New York, in the United
States of America, 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 :-
My invention relates to a process of, and an apparatus for, the manufacture of
heating and illuminating gas, from water and hydrocarbons, which process consists
of certain steps, in an apparatus of peculiar construction which will be more fully
hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims. The object of my invention is
to provide a beating and illuminating gas, of superior quality, by a simple and
economical process, in an apparatus cheaply manufactured, readily understood and
operated, which may be adapted to furnaces of any ordinary construction when
desired for heating simply, or be used separately for the generation of illumi-
nating gas. I am aware that many attempts have been made to produce such
gas as I manufacture, from water and hydrocarbons by various processes and
apparatuses, but as far as I know with only partial success. The processes and
apparatus heretofore employed for this purpose have been based upon the theory
that by the combination of steam, at a normal temperature, or superheated, &
hydrocarbons or hydrocarbon vapors, in a retort or mixing chamber, heated to a
high degree a fixed gas is produced possessing the desired heating and illuminating
qualities. My invention differs from those above mentioned in this, that in my
apparatus, as I contemplate using it, the water is separately converted into a gas &
at the same time the hydrocarbon is converted into a fixed gas and these several
gases are then brought together in a common chamber and there united forming
a resultant gas possessing the necessary qualities for heating or illumination as may
be desired. When this gas is to be used for illumination, water and hydrocarbons
are used in about equal quantities, but where it is to be used for heating, the
quantity of water is increased as may be desired thereby producing a greater pro-
portion of hydrocarbon. The degree of heat may be increased or diminished by
increasing or diminishing the relative quantity of water. In the accompanying
drawings I have illustrated the apparatus I prefer to use in the manufacture of
this gas, although it is evident that changes and modifications therein may be made,

page_text: without departing from the principle of my invention, or the steps necessary to be
taken in carrying out my process. In the drawings wherein like letters and figures
refer to similar parts in the several views:
Figure, 1, is a perspective view of any apparatus for manufacturing gas, illustrated
as applied to a furnace and showing the said furnace partly broken away.
Figure, 2, is a perspective view of the apparatus with the burner running in the
reverse direction.
Figure, 3, is a plan view of the apparatus shown in fig. 1.
Figure, 4, is a cross sectional diagrammatic view, showing the manner of
arranging the several pipes.
Fig. 5, is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in fig. 1.
Figure, 6, is a detail view of a modified form of burner.
Figure, 7, is a detail view of a further modification of the burner.
Figure, 8, is a modified form of my invention.
Figure, 9, is a modified form of air feed.
As shown in figure, 1,-A, indicates a bench of a furnace having a suitable.
grate, A¹, mounted therein, & an extended support A', which acts to keep the
apparatus in position. In figures, 2, 4, and, 5, the apparatus is shown as supported
upon suitable end trestles, B, B, which may be connected & braced by tie rods, b, b.
The apparatus consists essentially of a burner, 1, provided with a row of apertures,
2, 2, on each of its sides, situated radially at right angles to the centre of said
burner, 1, as shown in the diagrammatical sectional view figure, 4. To the front
portion of this burner, 1, two elbows, 3, 3, extend downward on an incline in the
form of a V, & unite in chamber, C, just ahead of the coupling, 4, which joins the
burner, 1, to these united elbows. Where these elbows, 3, 3, join, a short par-
tition, 5, is constructed, as shown in dotted lines in fig. 3, & adapted for a purpose
which will be more fully hereinafter described. To the elbows, 3, 3, are secured
pipes, 6, 6, by couplings, 7, 7, said pipes, 6, 6, extending rearwardly in a longi-
tudinal direction, and are secured to the elbows, 8, 8, at the rear end of the
burner, 1. To the other side of these rear elbows, 8, 8, pipes, 9, 9, of smaller
diameter are secured being held in the said couplings, 8, 8, by bushings, 10, 10.
These pipes, 9, 9, extend forward to the front of the burner, 1, and directly over
the same & have connected to their front ends the small feed pipes, 11, 11, which
are provided with valves, 12, 12, said pipes connecting with reservoirs of water &
hydrocarbon oil. 16, 16, are suitable gauges on the feed pipes, 11, 11. 17, 17, are
suitable automatic cut off valves. It will be observed that the diameters of the
series of pipes increase from the feed pipes, 11, to the elbows, 3, 3, where the
chamber, C, is formed by the uniting of said elbows, & the burner, 1, made some-
what smaller than the said chamber. Also as illustrated in figs. 1, &, 2, the pipes,
9, 9, are slightly inclined downwardly toward the couplings, 8, 8, & the pipes, 6, 6,
have a like incline toward the front portion of the apparatus, where they are
connected to the elbows, 3, 3. The pipes, 6, 6, &, 9, 9, are so arranged in relation
to the burner, 1, that the greatest heat may be brought to bear upon the same at
whatever angle they may be placed. The purpose of these details of construction
will be more fully hereinafter described. In fig. 6, a modified form of the burner
is illustrated. In this modification the said burner has an extension pipe, 13,
which has a suitable valve opening or covering, as, 14. This extended pipe, 13, is
adapted to supply the burner, 1, with atmospheric air when it is desired. In fig. 7,
a further modification of the burner is illustrated. In this modification the said
pipe, 1, is shortened, & has a small pipe, 15, secured thereto, & the gas as manu-
factured is burnt immediately at this point, & the flame thus forced under the pipes
with a greater flame & concentrated heat. This form of burner is especially adapted
to be used in connection with blast furnaces, throwing a steady & intense flame
into said furnaces. With this form of pipe, 1, having the burner, 15, connected
therewith, is used the extension, 13, as shown. By this means of feeding the
burner, 15, with atmospheric air, a considerable amount of force or pressure is given
to the flame at the same time extending the same. In fig. 8, I have illustrated a

page_text: The
modified form of my apparatus. In this instance the small pipes, 9, 9, are each
constructed with two small feeding pipes, 11, &, 161. The pipes, 11, in this instance
are continued by being coupled to extensions, 171, which are supported in & pass
through the pipes, 9, through the couplings, 8, into & through the pipes, 6, & into
the elbows, 3, into which they may extend as far as is necessary for practicable
results. These pipes, 11, with their extensions, 17', are adapted to be fed with oil
which is treated & undergoes the same process as heretofore described.
pipes, 16 are coupled by unions, 18, to the pipes, 9, & are adapted to feed water
to the said pipes. The pipes, 171, connect with pipes, 17-2, at the upper portions
of the elbows, 8, said pipes, 17-2, being of larger diameter than the pipes, 17¹.
The pipes, 171, &, 17-2, are constructed of any suitable metal, preferably copper,
& may be supported by any suitable means in the pipes & couplings through which
they pass. These pipes, 171, &, 17-2, are constructed of diameters proportionate
to the pipes, 6, &, 9, through which they pass. Two feeding tanks are used in
connection with each of the pipes, 171, thereby greatly increasing the action of the
apparatus & consequently expediting the steps of the process. In fig. 9, perforated
atmospheric air pipes, 19, 19, are provided, which extend outside of the front wall
of the furnace, as shown by dotted lines, the apertures thereof being situated
adjacent to the apertures in the burner, 1, thereby feeding the flame, by affinity,
with oxygen, & producing a stronger flame, & a more intense heat. The front
portion of these pipes, 19, 19, may be supplied with suitable regulating dampers, as
may also the feeding apertures therein. By this means the flow of air may be
regulated at the entrance, as well as at the outflow or feeding apertures of the said
pipes. The construction & arrangement of the apparatus having been fully carried
out as heretofore described, my improved process of manufacturing the gas will be
as follows: The fire having been started on the grate, A', as shown in figure, 1, or
by suitable source of heat placed under and between the end trestles as shown in
figure, 2, the pipes are heated.
When the pipes, 6, 6, &, 9, 9, attain a cherry red heat, valves, 12, are slightly
opened one or both as may be desired, & the water or oil, allowed to gradually
drop into the smaller pipes, 9, 9, and be decomposed or converted into a gas. If
either the water or the oil is first introduced, say for illustration the oil, a small
quantity is allowed to drip into the pipe, 9, & there be converted into a fixed gas.
This pipe, 9, being small, causes the gas to have a considerable amount of pressure
due to the expansive effort of the same confined in a small space. In this state it
then flows into the pipe, 6, of greater diameter through the elbow 8, & in this pipe
it is again subjected to heat, & consequently its expansion & pressure increases.
In this reinforced condition it passes through one of the elbows, 3, into the
chamber, C, formed by the uniting of said elbows, & thence passes into the
burner, 1, & through apertures, 2, 2, & becomes ignited by the source of heat, & it
immediately becomes a source of heat in itself, producing a flame in the chamber
about it, which greatly intensifies & aids the source of heat in keeping the pipes
up to the proper degree of temperature. This step of the process may be pursued,
though not necessary, in order to quicken & aid in keeping the pipes in a highly
heated state when the process will become continuous, using both oil and water.
In ordinary practice the pipes, 6, 6, &, 9, 9, being at the desired degree of tem-
perature, the valves, 12, are both slightly opened & oil & water allowed to drop
gradually & intermittently into the pipes, 9, 9.
As heretofore described the oil will immediately be converted into a fixed gas, &
flow through the series of pipes of increasing diameter with a resultant increase of
pressure of the said gas, until the partition, 5, is reached at the point where the
two elbows, 3, 3, unite & form the chamber, C. As the water drops into its
pipe, 9, it is decomposed into gas.
This gas expands & flows out of the small pipe, 9, with considerable pressure,
into the pipe, 6, through the elbow, 8, & is heated to a still greater degree in this
pipe, & its expansive force & pressure also increased, & from thence it flows
through the elbow, 3, down to the partition, 5. The fixed gas produced from the

page_text: hydrocarbon oil & the gas resulting from the decomposed water, flows down
through the oppositely situated elbows, 3, & strikes against the partition, 5, & flow
into the enlarged chamber, C, formed by the junction of the two elbows, 3, 3, &
unite. The affinity which oxygen has for carbon & hydrocarbon causes the said
oxygen & hydrocarbon gas to unite first forming carbonic-oxide gas, the hydro-
carbon then unites or is absorbed by this carbonic oxide gas, the resulting
compound gas passes into the burner, 1, & may pass through the apertures, 2, 2,
on each side of said burner, & be ignited & form a source of heat, or be carried
through suitable pipes into a receiver, & be used for illuminating purposes. In
using the gas which flows into the burner, 1, as a source of heat by ignition, no
other source of heat is necessary to keep the pipes up to the required degree of
temperature, as the heat resulting from said ignited gas is so intense as to keep
said pipes at a required temperature. By having the pipes, 9, &, 6, formed with a
downward incline to the rear & front respectively, any tendency to a backing of
the fluid will be prevented. A further advantage of this inclined construction of
the pipes is that the oil or water will spread out more quickly, & thereby be more
readily converted from the fluid into the gaseous forms, if any of the said oil or
water should have a tendency to remain in liquid form. The oil & water used
may be heated before being fed into the pipes, 9, 9, & 6, 6, or be introduced into
said pipes at its normal or any desired temperature.
As seen in figures, 6, and, 7, after the gas has been formed and passed into
the burner, 1, atmospheric air may be introduced into said gas through the
extension, 13. In this instance, as the gas and the atmospheric air commingle,
the oxygen of the said atmospheric air passes into the center of the flame of the
ignited gas passing through the apertures, 2, 2, and produces a more intense heat,
and a greater amount of pressure. This pressure may be increased or decreased,
as may be desired, by providing the front end of the extended pipe, 13, with a
suitable valve, or other regulating device, as, 14. The quantity of oil or water
admitted to the pipes, 9, 9, through the pipes, 11, 11, may be ascertained by the
gauges, 16, 16, suitably situated on said pipes, 11, or in connection with the
valve, 12. It is obvious that the number of the pipes, 9, and, 6, may be increased
or decreased.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,
1st. The hereindescribed process of manufacturing heating or illuminating gas,
from water and hydrocarbon oils, which consists in passing said water and oil
separately through heated pipes of increasing diameters, and thus subjecting the
vapors therein formed to continuous & increasing expansion until said fluids are
separately converted into gases, then combining said gases in a common heated
mixing chamber, thereby forming a fixed gas.
2nd. In an apparatus for manufacturing heating or illuminating gas, from water
and hydrocarbon oils, the combination of a heating chamber, water & oil supply
pipes, two or more series of longitudinal pipes of differing diameters for converting
the water and hydrocarbon oil into gases, and a mixing chamber or receptacle.
3rd. In an apparatus for manufacturing heating or illuminating gas, from water
& hydrocarbon oils, the combination of a heating chamber, water & oil supply
pipes having suitable cocks to regulate the flow of the fluids therethrough, two or
more series of longitudinal pipes of differing diameters for converting the water &
oils into gases, a mixing chamber, and a burner for supplying the necessary heat,
substantially as described.
4th. In an apparatus for manufacturing heating or illuminating gases, from
water & hydrocarbon oils, the combination of a heating chamber, water & oil
supply pipes, two or more series of longitudinal pipes of differing diameters,
having a rearward & forward downward incline for converting the water & hydro-

page_text: carbon oil into gases, a mixing chamber or receptacle, & a burner, having an air
ingress in its front, substantially as described.
5th. In an apparatus for manufacturing heating & illuminating gases from water
& hydrocarbon oils, the combination of a heating chamber, water & oil supply
pipes having suitable cocks & gauges to regulate & indicate the flow of the liquids
therethrough, two or more series of longitudinal pipes of differing diameters for
converting the water & oils.into gases, uniting in a mixing chamber, said series of
pipes being arranged above a burner at suitable angles, substantially as described.
6th. In an apparatus for manufacturing heating & illuminating gases from water
& hydrocarbon oils, the combination of a heating chamber, water & oil supply
pipes, 11, 11, having valves, 12, & gauges, 16, for regulating & indicating the flow
therethrough, two or more series of pipes, 9, &, 6, of differing diameters, & down-
ward incline for converting the water & oil into gases, a common mixing chamber,
& a burner, 1, having apertures 2, 2 substantially as described.
7th. In an apparatus for manufacturing gas from water & hydrocarbon oils, the
combination of a heating chamber, two series of longitudinal pipes, 9, &, 6, of
differing diameters for converting the water & hydrocarbon oil into gases, two sets
of oil and water feeding pipes, 11, &, 161, the oil pipes, 11, having extensions 17',
which pass partially through each of said series of longitudinal pipes & are of
corresponding increasing diameters therewith, and a mixing chamber, C, sub-
stantially as described.
8th. In an apparatus for manufacturing gas from water & hydrocarbon oils, the
combination of a heating chamber, two series of longitudinal pipes, 9, &, 6, of
differing diameters for converting the water & hydrocarbon oil into gases, two sets
of oil & water feeding pipes, 11, &, 16', the oil pipes, 11, having extensions, 17',
which pass partially through each of said series of longitudinal pipes & are of
corresponding increasing diameters therewith, a mixing chamber, C, a burner, 1, &
air feeding pipes provided with suitable apertures adjacent to the said burner, 1,
substantially as described.