IMPROVE- MENTS IN MANUFACTURING GAS PROM PEAT, AND IN TREATING HYDROGEN GAS IN ORDER TO RENDER IT ILLUMINATING
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Archibald Brooman, of 166, Fleet Street,
in the City of London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MANUFACTURING GAS PROM PEAT, AND IN TREATING HYDROGEN
GAS IN ORDER TO RENDER IT ILLUMINATING."-A communication from
C. M. J. de Flers, of Paris.
Sealed the 30th May 1856, and dated the 10th December 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Archibald Brooman.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 10th December 1855.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING GAS FROM PEAT, AND IN TREATING.
HYDROGEN GAS IN ORDER TO RENDER IT ILLUMINATING," (communicated to me by
C. M. J. de Flers, of Paris, a foreigner residing abroad,) to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the following method of preparing gas from peat
and hydrogen, and rendering it illuminating:
.. I first fill a retort (made of cast iron or fire clay) similar to those used for
coal gas, close it with a suitable, stopper, and heat the furnace containing.
it to the same temperature as that required for distilling coal for pro-
ducing coal gas. The gas evolved passes into a cylindrical receiver, carrying
with it the tar, oils, and ammoniacal waters, the greater portion of which

page_text: become disengaged from the gas in the receiver and condense therein.
The gas passes thence into a condenser similar to that used in pro-
ducing coal gas, in which the tar, oils, and ammoniacal waters, which may
have escaped the action of the cylindrical receiver are condensed. The
gas then passes through purifying and drying apparatus of the ordinary.
description. The object of the drying apparatus is to liberate the gas
from the particles of. water or humid vapors which it may contain, and
which would prevent it becoming carburetted, and thus acquiring the necessary
illuminating properties, as presently explained. This drier contains. pumice.
stone, coke, or brick impregnated with sulphuric acid. The gas next passes
through a regulator, the object of which is to transmit it continuously and
regularly into a carburetting retort, (there is one such retort to each furnace,
of dimensions proportionate to the quantity of gas to be carburetted.) In this
retort the tar contained in a vessel placed above the furnace is also admitted
through a reversed syphon, the lower end of which passes across the gas entry
pipe. The vessel which holds the tar rests in the brickwork of the furnace, so
as to acquire a sufficient amount of heat in order to maintain the tar in a
liquid state. The tar collected in the receivers is prepared by a peculiar
process to be herein-after described. In this retort it becomes decomposed,
and entering into the gas carbonizes, and imparts to it a strong illuminating
power. Thence the gas passes through a chamber in which the tar which
may have escaped the decomposing process is collected; the gas then under-
goes a final purification, and thence passes into the gasometer.
Hydrogen Gas-Pure hydrogen has no illuminating power, but such may
be imparted to it by carburetting it in a manner similar to that employed
for gas produced from peat, substituting for the apparatus used for distilling
gas from peat, any apparatus for producing hydrogen gas. The gas is brought
into the purifiers and drying apparatus, and thence into the carburetting
retort, as in the case of peat gas, and the process carried on in the same
manner, the same carburetting matters being employed.
Drying. Gas entering lime purifiers is charged with hydro-sulphuric acid,
hydro-sulphate of ammonia, acetate and carbonate of ammonia, &c., &c., also
with vapour or steam; on coming in contact with the lime, the substances
which may be combined with sulphur and the acetic. and carbonic acids
combined with ammonia are deposited, and the gas, then only holding. in
suspension watery and ammoniacal vapors, passes through the top of the
purifier into the first of two or more columns of a drying apparatus. On coming
in contact with the numerous surfaces of the pumice stone or other. porous
body impregnated with sulphuric acid, the gas becomes anhydrous, and this

page_text: loss of watery vapors prévents the protoxide of hydrogen, or water exercising
a decarburetting action on the bicarburets of hydrogen, which constitute the
illuminating property of the gas. The ammoniacal vapors combine with
hydrated sulphuric acid to form sulphate of ammonia, which may be collected
at a high degree of concentration. The gas escaping from the first column
passes into a second and similar column, where it loses the remaining traces
of watery or ammoniacal vapors, which may have escaped the action of the
first column. On leaving this apparatus, the acid, partially saturated with
ammonia, may be made available for several processes. It is evident that the
number of drying columns should vary according to the quantity of gas to be
produced. This arrangement deprives the gas entirely of the ammonia which
it contained. This has not hitherto been effected in distilling coal gas, the
employment of sulphuric acid always depriving gas from coal of a considerable
part of its illuminating power.
I now proceed to explain the plan which I adopt for heating peat tar to carburet
gas, and thereby impart or increase its illuminating power. It is proper first
to premise that tar from peat differs essentially from that from wood, resin; or
coal, and also that in order to impart its due illuminating power it is necessary
to deprive it entirely of all water or watery particles it may contain. I use a
cast-iron. retort or boiler, the lower part of which is shaped like a reversed
truncated cone, which form facilitates the expansion of the tar, and allows
of its volatilization without choking up the head of the retort. Con-
densing apparatuses, to be more fully described in my final Specification,
communicate with this retort, and are connected to two cylinders intended to
produce alternately a vacuum by means of a jet of steam, which is 'afterwards
condensed by a stream of cold water. The purpose of this is to diminish
pressure in the distilling and condensing apparatuses, and thus effect the
expulsion of water from the tar at a low temperature. The steam required is
generated in a small generator heated by the waste heat: The distilling
apparatus may also be used for converting the tar not required to carburet the
gas into bitumen and oils of different densities.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Archibald Brooman in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 7th June 1856:
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
ARCHIBALD BROOMAN; of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, send greeting

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Richard Archibald Brooman, Her special licence that I, the said. "Richard
Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from. time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING GAS FROM PEAT, AND IN TREATING
HYDROGEN GAS IN ORDER TO RENDER IT ILLUMINATING," (communicated to me by
C. M. J. de Flers, a foreigner residing abroad,) upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
.
- NOW. KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hercunto
annexed, that is to say:-
This Invention consists in certain methods of preparing gas
from peat and
bydrogen, and rendering it illuminating by means of certain improved
processes, and of apparatus for effecting the desiccation and carburetting of the
gas, and for distilling and treating the tar employed in the process.
Peat Gas. I first fill a retort (made of cast iron or fire clay) similar to those
used for coal gas, close it with a suitable stopper, and heat the furnace
containing it to the same temperature as that required for distilling coal for pro-
ducing coal gas, or other suitable temperature. The gas evolved passes into a
cylindrical receiver carrying with it the tar, oils, and ammoniacal waters, the
greater portion of which become disengaged from the gas in the receiver and
condense therein. The gas passes thence into a condenser similar to that used for
producing coal gas, in which the tar, oils, and ammoniacal waters which may
have escaped the action of the cylindrical receiver are condensed. The gas

page_text: then passes through purifying and drying apparatus. The object of the drier
or drying apparatus is to liberate the gas from the particles of water or
humid vapours it may contain, and which would prevent its becoming carbu-
retted, and thus acquiring the necessary illuminating properties. This drier
contains pumice stone, coke, or brick impregnated with sulphuric acid. The
gas next passes through a regulator, the object of which is to transmit
it continuously and regularly into a carburetting retort, (there is one such
retort to each furnace, of dimensions proportionate to the quantity of gas to be
carburetted.) In this retort the tar contained in a vessel placed above the:
furnace is also admitted through a reversed syphon, the lower end of which
passes across the gas admission pipe. The vessel which contains the tar is
rested in the brickwork of the furnace, in order that it may acquire a sufficient
amount of heat to maintain the tar in a liquid state. The tar collected in the
chamber is prepared by a process herein-after described. It becomes decomposed
in the retort, and entering into the gas carbonizes it, and imparts a strong
illuminating power thereto. The gas next passes through a chamber in which
the tar which may have escaped the decomposing process is collected. The
gas then undergoes a final purification, and thence passes into the gasometer..
Hydrogen Gas. Pure hydrogen gas has no illuminating power, but such
may be imparted to it by carburetting it in a manner similar to that employed
for gas produced from peat, substituting, however, for the apparatus used in dis-
tilling gas from peat, any apparatus suitable for producing hydrogen gas. The
gas is brought into the purifiers and drying apparatus, and thence into the
carburetting retort, as in the case of peat gas, and the process carried on in the
same manner, the same carburetting matters being employed. I treat the peat'
tar which I employ to carbonize the gas, and thereby impart or increase its
illuminating power, in the following manner:-It is proper first to premise
that tar from peat differs essentially from that from wood, resin, or coal, and
also that in order to impart its due illuminating power it is necessary to
deprive it entirely of all water or watery particles it may contain. I'use a
cast-iron retort or boiler, the lower part of which is shaped like a reversed
tumucated cone, which facilitates the expansion of the tar, and allows of its'
volatilization without choking up the head of the retort. Condensing appa-
ratuses are connected with this retort, and also to two cylinders intended to
produce a vacuum alternately by means of a jet of steam, which is afterwards
condensed by a stream of cold water; the purpose of this is to diminish
pressure in the distilling and condensing apparatuses, and thus effect the expul-
sion of water from the tar at a low temperature: The steam required is
generated in a small generator heated by the waste heat. The distilling

page_text: apparatus may also be used for converting the tar not required to carburet
the
gas into bitumen and oils of different densities.
...I now proceed to describe in detail the method of operation, supposing gas
from peat to be under consideration:-I first regulate the flow of tar so
that it shall enter the retort in proportion to the volume of gas produced.
The retorts are then charged regularly, and the charge for each retort is
carefully weighed. The retorts should be completely filled up with peat, as
it is subject to considerable depreciation while being carbonized. From the
retort the raw gas rises through a tube into a receiver, in which it deposits
a portion of its condensible products, and is thence conveyed through; con-
densing and purifying apparatuses, similar to those employed; in the manu-
facture of coal gas, but contrary to the usual practice, I prefer to place the
washing vessels. after the purifiers, because on leaving the latter the gas
contains free ammonia in a state of vapor, which is soluble in water.
Thence the gas passes through a regulator or small gasometer, which receives
the gas and keeps up an uniform pressure on the retorts, when communication
has to be shut off with the carburetting retort. The gas is next conveyed
into the driers or drying apparatus, which consists of a number of vertical
cylindrical vessels containing pumice stone; each cylinder has a double bottom
and two side openings, one near the top for admitting the gas, and the other
at bottom for its exit, and also an opening in the top directly over the false.
bottom for introducing pumice stone, and an opening at bottom for removing
it. The waters of condensation escape through holes formed in the double
bottom of the cylinder. From the driers the gas is conveyed into the car-
buretting retort, into which it is admitted through a double syphon, which also
admits the tar. The gas, having circulated through the retort above and below
a diaphragm across and among certain substances placed there to increase the
heating surface, escapes through the lower branch of the syphon into a receiver
containing water, in which it deposits any excess of tar which it may have
acquired. To prevent, however, any waste of tar a condenser is provided, the
refrigerating surface of which need not be extensive, as the oils easily condense
on leaving the retort.
Figure 1 of the annexed Drawings is an end elevation of the carburetting
apparatus; Figure 2, a longitudinal section through the retort. A is the vessel
for containing the tar; B, bent pipe for conveying the tar into the carburetting
retort. This pipe is shaped like a common syphon and inverted syphon
combined. C, C, are the retorts in which the gas is produced'; D, retort in
which the gas is carburetted; G, pipe through which the gas passes from the
retort to the receiver E; F, furnace; H, cock in the vessel A; I, bridge

page_text: which supports the scoop on to which the tar is discharged, and which is so.
contrived as to force the gas to make a double circuit, and thereby remain
longer in contact with the heated sides of the retort; K, tube through which
the gas to be carburetted is admitted into the retort D; L, L, pipes for the
exit of the gas from the distilling retorts; M, pipe inserted in the receiver;
P, fire bars; Q, flues through which the products of combustion pass from the
furnace to the retorts; R, flues through which the flame and products of
combustion escape after passing round the retorts; S, chimney.
Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, and Figure 4, a plan, of the
drying apparatus. A is the tube for the admission of the gas to be dried;
D, D, D, are the cylinders provided with pumice stone, in which the drying is.
effected; C, C, C, are pipes by which the cylinders communicate with the pipe
A, and with each other; L is the pipe for the exit of the gas after being dried;
E, pipe leading from the pipe A to the pipe L, and communicating with the
pipes C, C, by short tubes H, H; B, B, are cocks, so constructed as to open
and close communication between the pipes A and C, L and C, C and H, and
also between the pipes C themselves, so that the gas may, if desired, be con-
veyed.through the pipe E from the entry to the exit pipe without entering the
drying cylinders; or it may enter any one or more of the cylinders, and be
prevented from entering the other or others of them by opening any one or
more of the short tubes H, and closing the other or others. G, man-hole;
F, opening at top through which the cylinders are charged; K, false bottoms,
inclined or rounded off to facilitate the descent and removal of the pumice
stone. From the condenser the gas passes through hydrated lime purifiers,
and thence into. a gasometer.
. Gas entering lime purifiers is charged with hydrosulphuric acid, hydro-
sulphate of ammonia, acetate and carbonate of ammonia, &c. &c., and also
with vapours or steam; on coming in contact with the lime, the substances
combined with sulphur, and the acetic and carbonic acids combined with"
ammonia, are deposited, and the gas then only holding in suspension watery
and ammoniacal vapours passes through the top of the purifier into the first of
two or more columns of a drying apparatus. On coming in contact with the
numerous surfaces of the pumice stone or other porous body impregnated with
sulphuric acid, the gas becomes anhydrous, and this loss of watery vapours
prevents the protoxide of hydrogen or water exercising a decarburetting
action on the bicarburets of hydrogen, which constitute the illuminating property
of the gas. The ammoniacal vapours combine with hydrated sulphuric acid
to forin sulphate of ammonia, which may be collected at a high degree of con
centration. The gas escaping from the first column passes into a second and

page_text: similar column, where it loses the remaining traces of watery or ammoniacal
vapors which may have escaped the action of the first column. On leaving
this apparatus, the acid, partially saturated with ammonia, may be made
available for several purposes. It is evident that the number of drying
columns should vary according to the quantity of gas to be produced. This
arrangement deprives the gas entirely of the ammonia which it contained..
This has not hitherto been effected in distilling coal gas, the employment of
sulphuric acid always depriving gas from coal of a considerable part of its
illuminating power.
The coke is removed from the retort by means of a scoop of the same
dimensions as the inside of the retort, in such manner that the whole contents'
may without crumbling or waste be got out at one operation, and slidden into
a case or "etouffoir," in which the live coke is extinguished. The peat coke
should be left in the "etouffoir" for about 24 hours, and may then be piled
in a shed in thin heaps; after which it may be screened and is ready for
sale:.
. The
Treatment of the Tar.--I now proceed to describe the process for treating.
the tar. This process is distinct from the manufacture of the gas, and
may even be carried on simultaneously therewith, but in a separate appa-
ratus: The tar and oils from the receivers and condensers should first
be run off, so as to be separated from the lighter oils (which swim on
the top) and from the ammoniacal waters. The tar is then poured into a.
boiler in which it is made sufficiently fluid as to be capable of circulation
through small tubes which convey it into the distilling apparatus.
distilling apparatus is placed in a cylindrical recess formed on the track
taken by the products of combustion, and as near to the furnace as possible.
This distilling apparatus consists of two conical vessels, shaped like truncated:
cones or the frusta of cones; and placed one over the other with their
broadest parts together. The top of the upper cone leads into a tube terminat-
ing at top in a still-head, through which the products of distillation pass away
into a refrigerating apparatus.. The lower cone serves as a receiver for the tar
to be distilled, which is admitted through a tap in the upper side. The heat,
generated by high pressure steam, is raised to and maintained at a temperature:
of 302 Fahrenheit. The lower, cone is surrounded by a cylindrical jacket or
boiler, made capable of resisting a pressure of 5 atmospheres; and provided
with necessary appendages, such as pressure gauge valves; &c. The vessel is
emptied by immersing a tube in it, and introducing steam; which, pressing on
the surface of the liquid tar, forces it out and prevents any choking in the
tubes: When the process of condensation ceases, the tar is ready to be

page_text: employed for carburetting the gas; the products obtained are tar, oils, and
ammoniacal waters.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 6 a plan, of the apparatus
for distilling the tar. A, generator; B, delivery pipe; C, vessel containing
the tar intended for distillation, provided with a cock D; E, tube through
which the tar is conveyed to the retort; H, retort containing the substances to
be distilled; H, double casing or jacket; I, tube for emptying the retort H;
F, F, tube for heating the double casing; G, tap or cock shutting off the
steam from the double casing when the tube E has to be cleaned; K, arrange-
ment for removing the scum from the tar; K', lengthening piece; L, L, still-
head; M, pipe through which the products of distillation escape; N, joint;
O, condensation cylinder; R, condenser; S, coil of pipes.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as of the said
Invention,
First, the carburetting of peat and hydrogen gas by means of the tar from
peat completely deprived of the watery particles which it may contain.
Second, the separate preparation of peat gas and tar, for the purpose of
depriving them of the water and watery particles they may contain, and the
subsequent re-uniting of the anhydrous peat gas and tar, whereby a gas of
strong illuminating properties is obtained.
Third, the arrangement of apparatus for treating the tar, especially in so far
as regards the contrivance for removing the scum from the tar, the arrange-
ment of the tubes and receivers for emptying and filling the retort without
unfixing it, and the supplementary piece added to the mouth of the retort
to prevent the escape of the scum and other mattters with the products
extracted.
Fourth, the driers or apparatus for drying gas, herein-before described.
And, fifth, the processes and general arrangements of apparatus for manu-
facturing peat and hydrogen gas before described, and represented in the
Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of June, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-six.
R. A. BROOMAN. (L.S.)