IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF INCREASING THE ILLUMINATING POWER OF GAS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Hugo Carstanjen at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th April
1861.
I, HUGO CARSTANJEN, of Cologne, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF INCREASING
THE ILLUMINATING POWER OF GAS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a novel apparatus, and in the method of using and
employing the same, for the purpose of increasing the illuminating power of
gas. The apparatus consists of a chamber or vessel through which the gas is
caused to pass and circulate previously to its being consumed.
The said appa-
ratus, materials employed in conjunction therewith, and the method of using
or employing the same, as herein-after described, is combined with the use or
employment of benzoine as an agent for increasing the illuminating power of
gas to any required degree.
I prefer to construct the apparatus, according to my present Invention, in
the following manner:-I form a chamber or vessel of any convenient external
shape or configuration, and of an internal capacity proportionate to the quan-
tity of gas to be passed therethrough in a given time. I divide this chamber
by means of a horizontal diaphragm fitted in the lower portion thereof, and
connect the superior and inferior portions or compartments by means of a
series of tubes; or instead of tubes I may, in some cases, prefer to substitute
sheet spaces therefor, which pass for a certain distance into the lower com-
partment. Through the series of tubes or sheet spaces I draw cotton wicks

page_text: or other suitable twisted or plaited fibrous material, or sheets of such material.
Whilst passing through the upper end of the tube or sheet space the one end
rests upon the diaphragm or division plate, and the other end, after passing
through the opening, whether of tubular or sheet space form, passes there-
through into the lower chamber containing the liquid benzoine, and from which
it is caused to ascend by capillary attraction. Attached to a convenient part
of the apparatus just described is a vessel serving as a reservoir for the ben-
zoine, from this vessel the benzoine passes into the inferior compartment of
the said apparatus through a suitable opening provided for that purpose. At
one end or side of the vessel, and communicating with the upper portion
thereof, a tube or main pipe is connected, by which the gas to be charged is
admitted, and which, after passing through the apparatus, may be discharged
from the opposite end or side thereof under regulation. By making a junction
piece or circuit pipe between the inlet and outlet pipes, and inserting cocks or
taps in such position as the supply of gas may be shut off from the apparatus
and be caused to pass direct to the delivery side instead of through the appa-
ratus, the gas may be consumed without being impregnated or charged with
the benzoine; or, subject to regulation, it may be passed in part only through
the apparatus according to my Invention; and any lesser degree of illuminating
power than that which the apparatus is capable of effecting may be imparted
to the gas on its way to the burners, and thus the advantages belonging to
the use or employment of my said Invention may be demonstrated. By the
insertion of cocks or taps in the upper and lower parts of the apparatus
facilities are afforded for drawing off the liquid material; and by means of a
moveable top or cover access is given to the interior thereof for the purpose of
cleansing and removing the capillary arrangements.