IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FOR LIGHTING HEATING OR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FOR LIGHTING HEATING OR OTHER
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to manufacturing, gas for lighting heating and other
purposes by utilising the incandescent coke remaining in gas retorts or other gas
generators after the ordinary process of distillation is concluded. Combustible
gases suitable for heating purposes for example are produced according to this
Invention by injecting water or steam into or on to the incandescent coke and in
order to obtain a gas suitable for lighting purposes a liquid hydro-carbon is brought
into contact with the coke or carbon preferably at a red heat as hereinafter described.
This system which may be employed with advantage in ordinary gas works also
enables the coke dust or refuse produced in such works and which has heretofore
been regarded as of little or no value to be utilised for generating useful gases
which can be supplied at a price considerably less than that of ordinary coal gas.
The gases produced according to this invention may be enriched to any desired
extent by mixing them with coal gas or by the employment of volatile hydro-
carbons either during or subsequently to the process of producing the said gases.
In order to obtain a gas suitable for heating purposes for example a mixture is
produced consisting of carbonic oxide gas and hydrogen as hereinafter described.
At the upper part of a common gas retort a perforated pipo (which may be either
fixed or removable and is provided with a cock or valve) is employed to inject
water or steam into the retort after the completion of the ordinary distilling process
which water or steam by coming in contact with the incandescent coke produces
free hydrogen and oxide of carbon or carbonic oxide gas. The upper part of the
retort is provided with an ascension pipe communicating with two hydraulic mains
used respectively for the escape of the ordinary gas resulting from the distillation
and for the escape of the gas that is produced by the subsequent operations
Prind

page_text: according to this Invention immediately after the common gas ceases to be
generated. The said hydraulic mains are provided with valves so connected that
either passage is closed when the other is opened.
The gases produced according to this Invention may be treated in a purifier in
the same way as ordinary common gas is treated and for the purpose of removing
carbonic acid gas and undecomposed steam and the gas may be stored in a separato
gasometer or in the same gasometer with the gas produced in the ordinary way.
A gas possessing great lighting power may also be produced in the same apparatus
by introducing a liquid hydrocarbon into the retort directly after the distillation of
tho coal the heat of the incandescent coke being then utilised to decompose the
hydrocarbon and produce an excellent lighting gas.
In order to manufacture gas by the employment of coke dust or refuse these
materials are placed in a retort with or without the admixture of raw coal and
after heating the retort to redness water or steam superheated or otherwise is or
are introduced and decomposed by contact with the incandescent coke thus
producing a combustible gas chiefly consisting of hydrogen, carbonic acid and
carbonic oxide; In order to insure that the steam shall be brought into intimate
contact with the incandescent contents of the retort it is preferred to inject the said
steam into the incandescent coke by means of a number of perforated pipes which
may have pointed or taper extremities. With these pipes refractory plates
perforated with holes may be used the said plates being arranged on the bottom of
the retort and the holes therein being preferably taper or conical the wide parts
being next the pipes. These plates may if desired be made in undulated trough
shaped or other forms whereby the holes are presented in a horizontal or
approximately horizontal direction. This arrangement prosents the advantage of
preventing dust and ashes from choking the holes provided for the escape of steam
without opposing the transmission of heat.
A gas of good lighting power may also be obtained from coke dust or refuse by
providing at the upper part of a retort a perforated pipe through which liquid
hydrocarbon is injected on to the incandescent coke as in the case before described.
Instead of falling directly on to the incandescent coke the hydrocarbon is preferably
received in a passage or gutter into which the gas produced by the reaction of the
steam upon the carbon is caused to pass.
Pure hydrogen gas is produced by means of this invention by the employment of
apparatus similar to that used for the production of gas by means of coke dust.
By introducing steam by an arrangement analogous to that employed for injecting
the hydrocarbon in the apparatus lastly hereinbefore described this steam owing to
the elevated temperature to which it and the carbonic oxide evolved from the
inc indescent coke are brought completes the conversion of the carbonic oxide into
carbonic acid, the hydrogen remaining free or separate; this decomposition is
further facilitated by the passage of the gas along the heated passage or gutter
surrounding the steam pipe. The gas escaping froin the retort is almost entirely
composed of hydrogen and carbonic acid the latter is subsequently absorbed by
lime or a mirk of lime in a purifier.
The operation whereby the carbon oxide is converted into carbonic acid in the
se of highly heated steun way if preferred be performed in a separate
apparatus supplied with steam and containing refractory materials so arranged as
to form baflies whereby the gas and steam are intimately mixed and are caused ta
remain for a longer time in the pro-enco of an elevated temperature.
Retorts arranged for the purpose of producing pure hydrogen gas according to
this Invention may be set in the ordinary manner in the furnaces of the gas works
and provided with suitable covers and with ascension pipes for the escape of the
gas generated by distillation in the ordinary way. When the ordinary distilling
operation is terminated the ascension pipe is closed and steam is admitted at the
lower part of the retort at a rate regulated by means of a valve. This steam enters
passages formed in the bottom or lower part of the sides of the retort and
communicating with the interior thereof through branch orifices. On coming in

page_text: contact with the incandescent coke inside the retort the steam which has already
been superheated by passing along the said passages is decomposed; carbonic oxide
and hydrogen are forined and enter a passage at the upper part of the retort and
communicating with the latter at the front part thereof. In this passage a second
injection of steam takes place the quantity of which is regulated by means of a
valve, this steam being likewise superheated by passing along a passage formed in
the retort.
In order to ensure the decomposition of the oxido of carbon and of the steam
blocks of refractory materials forming obstructions or baffles are arranged in the
passage for the escape of the gases. These battles or obstructions retard the motion
of the gaseous mixture which is thus caused to flow slowly over a large extent of
highly heated surface. After flowing along this passage the gas escapes at the rear
end of the retort into a pipe leading to the lime purifiers where the carbonic acid is
eliminated as well as any remnant of carbonic oxide that may have escaped the
second reaction.
The retort is preferably of less width than height so as to admit of its being
employed without difficulty for distilling coal for producing common lighting gas
and also for the manufacture of a combustible gas consisting either of oxide of
carbon and hydrogen or of pure hydrogen (if preferred) according to this Invention.
Dated this 10th day of January 1884
J. HENRY JOHNSON,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.

page_text: I JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FOR LIGHTING HEATING OR
OTHER PURPOSES 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 manufacturing gas for lighting heating and other
purposes by utilizing the incandescent coke remaining in gas retorts or other gas
generators after the ordinary process of distillation is concluded.-Combustible
gases suitable for heating purposes for example are produced according to this
Invention by injecting water or steam into or on to incandescent coke in a retort,
and in order to obtain a gas suitable for lighting purposes a liquid hydrocarbon is
brought into contact with the said coke or carbon preferably at a red heat as
hereinafter described.
This system which may be employed with advantage in ordinary gas works,
also enables the spent coke dust or refuse produced in such works and which has
heretofore been regarded as of little or of no value to be utilized for generating
useful gases which can be supplied at a price considerably less than that of ordinary
coal gas. The gases produced according to this Invention may be enriched to any
desired extent either by mixing them with coal gas or by the employment of
volatile hydrocarbons, either during or subsequently to the process of producing
the said gases according-to-this-Invention which are thus rendered susceptible of
a great variety of applications such as for heating furnaces ovens and the like, for
domestic or manufacturing purposes, also for the production of motive power by
means of gas engines. The gas may also be employed for lighting purposes by
using it to heat substances such as magnesia platina and the like to incandescence
or by mixing or combining it in the course of manufacture or subsequently thereto
with rich hydrocarbons.
And in Order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the samo letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
In order to obtain a gas suitable for heating purposes for example a mixture is
produced consisting of carbonic oxide gas and hydrogen as hereinafter described
with reference to figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. At the upper part of
a common gas retort A a perforated pipe B (which may be either fixed or removeable
and is provided with a cock or valve) is employed to inject water or steam into
the retort after the completion of the ordinary distilling process; which water or
steam by coming in contact with the incandescent coke, produces free hydrogen
and oxide of carbon or carbonic oxide gas.
The
In the arrangement illustrated the steam (or water) is supplied to the pipe B by
a pipe C provided with valve C The upper part of the retort A is provided with
an ascension pipe 1 communicating with two hydraulic mains E and F
main E is used for the escape of the ordinary gas and the pipe F serves to carry off
the combustible gas that is produced according to this invention immediately after
the common gas ceases to be generated. The said hydraulic mains are provided
with valves G H which are connected together as indicated at the lower part of
figure 1 so that when either passage is opened the other is closed automatically.

page_text: The gases produced according to this Invention are treated in a purifier in the
same way as ordinary coal gas is treated for the purpose of removing carbonic acid
gas and undecomposed steam, and the gas may be stored in a separato gasometer
or in the same gasometer with the gas produced in the ordinary way.
A gas possessing great lighting power may also bo produced in the same apparatus
by introducing a liquid hydrocarbon into the retort directly after the distillation of
the coal, the heat of the incandescent coke being utilized to decompose the hydro-
carbon and produce an excellent lighting gas which may be stored in a separate
gasholder or be taken to the gas holder containing the lighting gas produced by the
original distillation of the coal. If preferred the gas may be conducted to the
gasholder containing combustible gas produced by the process herein before
described that is to say by decomposing steam in the presence of incandescent coke.
In either caso the proportion of coal gas, or of tho said combustible gas that is
mixed with the gas obtained by the employinent of hydro carbon liquids as herein-
before set forth, is regulated according to the richness or quality of the ultimato
product to be obtained.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section and figure 3 a transverse section of a retort
arranged for manufacturing gas from coke dust or refuse with or without the
admixture of raw coal and figures 4 and 5 are similar views of a modified
arrangement employed for the saine purpose.
The retort A containing the material or materials hereinbefore specified is heated
to redness by a furnace of any ordinary or suitable construction (not shown in the
drawing) but which may be such as is commonly employed for heating gas retorts.
Water or steam (superheated or not) or both is or are then introduced into the
retort and decomposed by contact with the incandescent coke thus producing
a combustible gas chiefly consisting of hydrogen carbonic oxide and carbonic acid,
which latter may be removed by means of a lime purifier. According to the
arrangement illustrated in figures 2 & 3 the steam or water vapour is brought into
intimate contact with, and effectually distributed throughout the mass of materials
in the retort, by means of a number of perforated pipes I having pointed or taper
extremities as indicated in Figure 2 in order to enable then to be readily pushed
into the mass of materials contained in the retort.
In order to facilitate the operation of setting the injection pipes I in position in
the retort A plates J of refractory material perforated with holes for the passage
of the steam or water vapour may be used as indicated in Figures 4 and 5. These
plates are placed in the bottom of the retort and protect the pipes I from contact
with the highly beated contents. The holes in the said plates are preferably made
taper or conical the wide parts being next the pipes. In place of the flat plates J
Figures 4 and 5 undulating plates K or trough shaped perforated plates L inade as
illustrated (drawn to a larger scale) in Figures 6 and 7 respectively inny bo
employed to cover the pipes I The holes in these plates are presented in a
horizontal or approximately horizontal position as shewn in the drawing and are
thereby rendered less liable to become choked.
The arrangements illustrated in Figure 7 present the advantage of protecting the
steam injection pipes and preventing dust and ashes from choking the holes in the
plates and in the said pipes, without impeding the transmission of heat by keeping
the materials out of direct contact with the sole of the retort.
A
gas of good lighting power may also be obtained from incandescent spent coke
or refuse by providing a perforated pipe M at the upper part of the retort A as
indicated in figures 4 and 5 and injecting a liquid hydro carbon through holes in
this pipe on to the incandescent coke.
Instead of falling directly on to the incandescent coke the hydrocarbon is
preferably received in a passage or gutter N through which the gas produced by
the reaction of the steam or water vapour upon the incandescent carbon is caused
to pass before leaving the retort.

page_text: Pure hydrogen gas is produced according to this invention by the employment of
apparatus similar to that used for the production of gas by means of incandescent
coke dust or refuso as herein before described For this purpose steam is injected
into the retort A through the pipe M figures 4 and 5 and this steam (owing to
the elevated temperature to which it and the carbonic oxide evolved from the
incandescent coko are brought) completes the conversion of the carbonic oxide
into carbonic acid the hydrogen remaining free this decomposition of the steam
is further facilitated by the passage of the gas along the heated passage or gutter N
surrounding the steam pipe The gas escaping from the retort is almost entirely
composed of hydrogen and carbonic acid the latter is subsequently absorbed by
lime or a milk of line in a suitablo purifier.
The operation whereby the carbonic oxide is converted into carbonic acid in the
presence of highly heated steam may if preferred be performed in a separate
apparatus in which case the gaseous mixture issuing from the retort containing the
incandescent carbon is conducted into an adjacent retort supplied with steam and
containing refractory materials so arranged as to form obstructions or baffles
whereby the gas and steam are intimately mixed and are exposed for a long time
to the action of an elevated temperature.
The alterations which the manufacture of gas according to this invention
involves in the retorts used for distilling the coal are inconsiderable and the said
retorts may be used for the production of ordinary lighting gas in the usual manner,
the production of the combustible gas resulting from the action of the water or
steam upon the incandescent coke or carbon after the conclusion of the distillation,
being subsequently effected as hereinbefore described.
A inore perfect and efficient apparatus for producing pure hydrogen gas according
In this Invention is constructed as next hereinafter described with reference to
Figures 8, 9 and 10 which represent respectively a longitudinal section, a transverse
section, and a detail (hereinafter referred to) of the said apparatus.
This apparatus is provided with a retort P so constructed as to admit of being set
in the ordinary manner in the brick work of the furnaces of the Gas works, and
provided with a suitable cover Q, and with an ascension pipe O, for the escape of
the gas generated by distillation in the ordinary way. When the ordinary distilling
operation is terminated, the passage through the ascension pipe O is closed, and
steam is admitted at the lower part of tho retort, the rato of admission being
regulated by means of a valve R. This steam enters passages S S formed in the
bottom or lower part of the sides of the retort and communicating with its interior
through horizontal branch passages 8 as shown in Figure 9.
On coming in contact with the incandescent coke inside the retort, the steam,
which has already been superheated by passing along the said passages S S, is
decomposed, carbonic oxide and hydrogen are formed and enter a passage Tarranged
at the upper part of the retort, and communicating with the latter at the front part
thereof. A further supply of steam (the quantity of which is regulated by means
of a valve U) is injected into this passage, this steam being likewise superheated by
passing along a passage V formed in the upper part of the retort.
In order to cause the steam to be effectually decomposed so that the carbonic
oxido may take up the oxygen thereof, and thereby become converted into carbonic
acid, blocks or projections of refractory materials forming obstructions or baffles X
shown in horizontal section in Figure 10, are arranged in the passage for the
escape of the gases. These battles or obstructions retard the escape of the gaseous
mixture which is thus caused to flow slowly over a large extent of highly heated
surface. After flowing in a zig zag direction along this passage as indicated by the
arrows in Figure 10 the gases escape at the rear end of the retort at Y into a
pipe Z leading to the lime purifiers, where the carbonic acid is eliminated as well
as any remnant of carbonic oxide that may have escaped the second reaction.
The outlet pipe Z is provided with a valve connected with the valvo in the
pipo O which may be effected by an arrangement analogous to that illustrated in

page_text: UI
other is opened.
The retort P is preferably of less width than height as shown in the drawing
and arranged so as to admit of its being employed without difficulty for distilling
coal in the ordinary way for producing common lighting gas, and also for the
manufacture of a combustible gas consisting either of oxide of carbon and hydrogen
or of pure hydrogen (if preferred) according to this Invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declaro that what
I claim is
First Manufacturing gas suitable for lighting, heating or other purposes, by
treating gas yielding materials or agents by the incandescent coke or carbon
remaining in gas retorts or producers, after the ordinary process of distillation
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second-The manufacture in gas retorts or producers, of a combustible gas
consisting of a mixture of hydrogen and carbonic oxide obtained by injecting
(immediately after the evolution of the ordinary gas has been completed) water or
steam (or both) into or on to the mass of incandescent coke or carbon in the retort,
the carbonic acid produced being subsequently separated by means of a lime
purifier substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third: In manufacturing gas as claimed in the preceding claim, rendering the
gas suitable for lighting purposes either by injecting a liquid hydrocarbon into or
on to the mass of incandescent coke or carbon in the retort, or by mixing the
combustible gas obtained as aforesaid and after it has left the retort, with a volatilo
hydrocarbon substantially as herein before described.
Fourth-Obtaining hydrogen gas by injecting steam as herein before setforth
into or on to the mass of highly heated coke or carbon remaining in gas retorts or
producers after the ordinary distillatory process, and causing the gaseous mixture of
hydrogen and carbonic oxide to pass over highly heated surfaces in company with
a second supply of steam, whereby the carbonic oxide evolved from the coke becomes
effectually converted into carbonic acid by taking up additional oxygen from the
said second supply of steam, and subsequently separating the hydrogen from the
carbonic acid thus formed substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fifth Obtaining hydrogen gas by subjecting the gaseous mixture of hydrogen
and carbonic oxide obtained as setforth in the preceding claim, to the action of
superheated steam in the presence of incandescent refractory surfaces in a separate
chamber or apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described.
Sixth-Obtaining gas for lighting heating or other purposes by heating spent
coke dust or the like refuse of distillation, and treating it as hereinbefore described.
Seventh-For the manufacture of gas as herein before setforth for lighting
heating and other purposes, a retort provided with a fixed or reinoveable pipe or
passage, or pipes or passages, for supplying steam or water or both, and with an
ascension pipe communicating with two hydraulic mains, one of such mains being
used for the escape of the ordinary gas or first product of distillation, and the other
for the escape of the gas produced according to this Invention, the said mains being
provided with valves so arranged that when either valve is closed the other is
opened substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the
accompanying drawings.
Eighth For the manufacture of gas as hereinbefore setforth for lighting heating
or other purposes, the arrangement consisting of a retort having a pipe or passago,
or pipes or passages, for injecting stcam or water or both, arranged at the bottom
of the retort, and whether protected or not by refractory plates or double bottoms
of flat or of undulating or trough form substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 45, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Ninth For the manufacture as herein before setforth of hydrogen gas retorts,
having passages for the supply of steam arranged at the upper and lower parts

page_text: thereof, and a passage for the escape of the gas, provided with blocks projections or
surfaces of refractory materials, forming obstructions or baffles, in order to ensure
the effectual decomposition of the steam, and the oxidation of the carbonic oxide
gas at the expense of the oxygen in the steam, substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying Drawings.
Dated this 18th day of September One thousand eight hundred and eighty