Improvements in Apparatus for Generating Illuminating Gas and Gaseous Fuel, and for Burning the Latter.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 8th June, 1889-Accepted, 17th Aug.,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Generating Illuminating Gas and
Gaseous Fuel, and for Burning the Latter.
I OSCAR LANGBERG of 373 Sixth Street in the City of Brooklyn in the State of New
York, United States of America Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the construction of apparatus and the combination of
apparatus for generating Illuminating Gas and Gaseous fuel for heating, generating
steam smelting metals, ores and like purposes and generally stated consists in the com-
bination with a closed fire box which forms a retort chamber of a series of connected
retorts or generating chambers the grate being of peculiar construction, forming a
chamber into which one or more of the generating retorts deliver and wherein the gas
intermingles with the air which is to support combustion from whence the mixed air
and gas is delivered for consumption as Gaseous fuel for heating the retort chamber,
the surplus forming a supply of Gas for Illuminating or Fuel purposes.
Dated this 10th dow of Santamber 188e
EDMUND KIMBER,
15, Walbrook, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Generating Illuminating Gas and
Gaseous Fuel, and for Burning the Latter.
I OSCAR LANGBERG a citizen of the United States residing at 64 Broadway City of
New York State of New York, United States of America Engineer, 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 :-
Fig. 1. is a vertical cross section through the generator or chamber for making the
illuminating Gas or gaseous Fuel on the line V. V. Fig. 3.
Fig. 2. is a front elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line W, W. Fig. 2. .
Fig. 4 is a sectional plan on the line Y. Y. Fig. 2.
Fig. 5. is a sectional plan on the line X X. Fig. 2.
.
Fig. 6. is an enlarged sectional view of the injector used for supplying superheated
steam and oil to the retorts or generating pipes.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of one of the deflectors or cones used in the retorts or
generating pipes.
All of the aforesaid Figures embody my invention. Like Letters refer to like parts
wherever they occur.
My present invention relates to the construction of apparatus and the combination
of apparatus for generating Illuminating gas and gaseous Fuel for heating generating
steam smelting metals, ores, and like purposes; and generally stated consists in the
combination with a closed fire box which forms a retort chamber of a series of con-
nected retorts or generating chambers the grate being of peculiar construction, forming
a chamber into which one or more of the generating retorts deliver and wherein the
gas intermingled with the air which is to support combustion from whence the mixed
air and gas is delivered for consumption as Gaseous Fuel for heating the retort
chamber the surplus forming a supply of gas for Illuminating or fuel purposes.
The preferred construction and arrangement of the devices will now be specifically
set forth.
In the drawings is shewn a closed chamber or one which can be closed so as to

page_text: prevent the direct admission of the external air and which is preferably provided with
an arch A for confining the gases until combustion is complete and also for storing
heat and deflecting it amongst the generating retorts; such closed chamber is called
the "generating chamber " or the "generator," when the generating retorts are in
place ready for operation.
Within the generating chamber there are placed one or more distinct sets or
"nests" of retorts pipes or tubes (marked at a 1 to a 10, 61 to 6 10, c 1 to c 10), the
retorts, pipes, or tubes of each "nest" are connected by either a series of return bends
or elbows or both or tees or unions; each "nest" forming a continuous generating
chamber.
These pipes or tubes a 1 61 c 1 &c. may be two inch pipes or larger if desired and
all except the last one or two of each series or nest" are provided in the interior
with a series of cónical deflectors having serrated or perforated bases (sec B fig. 7)
and arranged at short intervals with their apices towards the current to break up and
intermingle the gases &c., in the retorts and to force the gases to pass in contact with
the walls of the same. These deflectors or cones may be separated by spacing
sleeves (C.) and supported on a central rod (D) or otherwise secured in the retort at
the will of the constructor.
The receiving end of each "nest" is closed by a head E (fig. 6) through which
projects a steam injector F the jet of which is connected with one of the steam super-
heaters d4e4f4 and the oil supply is also connected with the said injector by means
of a pipe H fig. 6 having a valve with which to regulate the supply.
As a supply of steam is essential to start as well as to maintain the operation of
these devices.a separate steam generator may be provided in case the devices are used
with other than boiler furnaces and a separate connection (as for instance branch
pipe K (fig. 2) should be provided leading to some source of steam supply.
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For cleaning and warming the "nests" the steam may be conducted from the steam
supply pipe K through suitable branch pipes direct to the receiving end of each
nest," having thus served its purpose by means of valves U. U. U. this direct
admission of steam may be cut off and the steam directed into several series or gridirons
of pipes d 1 to d4, el to e4, f1 to f4, g1 to g4 which are arranged within the
generating chamber by which means the steam becomes highly superheated, thence it
passes through the injector F and with the oil passes into the nests at their
receiving ends a 1, 61 c 1.
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The drawings hereto annexed show a generator containing three "nests of retorts
(which are supported in proper position by the walls of the chamber) each containing
cones as heretofore described. The middle "nest" (a 1 to a 10) is employed in making
gaseous fuel for heating the whole generator, including the other two nests 61. to 10
and c 1 to c 10 and the superheating gridirons d. e. f. g.
The two outside "nests" 61 to 10 c1 to c 10 are employed either for supplying
Illuminating gas to a gasholder or otherwise, or for supplying gaseous fuel for any
purpose whatsoever. The delivery ends of these two outside "nests" are shown.to
enter suitably enlarged mains J which may join into a still larger main K to allow for
the expansion of the gases without back pressure.
In the main K a small steam injector N may be inserted to act as exhaust for the
retorts and at L a valve is attached by means of which atmospheric air may be
admitted and intermingled with the gas to any requisite degree so that the product
becomes either illuminating gas or gaseous fuel at the will of the operator.
Oil is supplied to the "nests" from any suitable reservoir by means of suitable
pipes and governed by valves r, r, r, which regulate the supply into feed cups hij,
which are connected with the steam injector (fig. 6) at the receiving ends a 1, 61
c.1 of the "nests."
The delivery end a 10 of the middle "nest" (a 1 to a 10) is provided with a bend or
continuation O, of substantially the same size as the retort and projects beyond the
fire box MI, and this bend terminates in a short pipe or nozzle P. I prefer to combine
therewith a central steam jet Q supplied with superheated steam from the gridiron gl
to g 4, to operate as an exhaust on the middle." nest" a 1. to a 10...
.

page_text: The nozzle Fenters a cross tee P supplied with valves Q and ending in a suitably
enlarged pipe R.-The valves Q are for the admission and regulation of air to permit
of the proper combustion of the gas, which thus intermingled, passes into the pit or
chamber $ which is formed by placing a few inches above the floor T of the generating
chamber a layer U of fireclay terra cotta or other suitable tiles or plates perforated as
closely as possible with small holes, through which the gaseous fuel escapes into the
fire box M and is consumed.
To prevent sagging the "nests "of retorts and the superheaters are supported with
cross rods S, S, S, S, of iron or other suitable material and the bottom layer in the
middle by a thin fire brick arch V.
By means of long nipples T (fig. 3 each retort in each "nest" may be carried
through the front or rear wall of the generating chamber where they are plugged in
such a manner that on removing any plug the cones from that retort can be drawn
out for inspection, repairs, &c.
In the drawings hereto annexed these nipples are all shown to be in the front, they
could however be equally well made to pass through the rear wall if convenient to
get at. So also the delivery ends b. 10 c 10, and the mains J J and K, could all be
put at the back of the generator simply by making the connections with retorts b. 9 c 9,
at the rear instead of with b. 10 and c 10 in the front.
The delivery end of the middle nest at a 10 has to come out where connection can
best be made with the pit S.
The devices being of substantially the character described will operate as
follows:-
Steam from any suitable source may be conducted through the pipe K, (fig. 2)
direct to the receiving ends a 1, 1, c 1 of the three nests; when no longer needed for
cleaning purposes the steam is cut off by the valves U, U, U, fig. 2 then the
valves U1 U2 U3 U4 fig. 2 are opened and the steam passes into the superheaters
at d1, e1, f1, g1, whence it makes exit as superheated steam at d4e4f4g4-the
first three d4e4 f4 to the receiving ends of the three "nests" of retorts, the
fourth g 4 supplying the inspirator Q.
Fire having been made (with wood or some other suitable fuel) under the retorts so
that they have become heated to between 1500° and 2000° and the steam passing
through the superheaters has become superheated the process is ready for the addition
of crude petroleum or any other oil or substance or fuel that the operator may
desire.
Ashes from the starting fire can be swept or raked off from the grate surface into
the ash pits Was soon as the gaseous fuel begins to operate.
From any suitable tank the oil is fed into cups h. i.j, so that the flow can readily
be seen by the operator-the cups through the regulating valves W1 W 2, W 3 feed
into the receiving ends of the nests a 1 61 c1, whence in passing througli the retorts
intermingling with the superheated steam and absorbing heat from the walls of the
retorts (being forced by the cones into constant contact therewith) the result at the
delivery end of each "nest" is a fixed gas of very high candle power.
To dispense with the wood fire to start the process with, gas may be used,
taking the same from the large gasholder where illuminating gas that has been
made on the premises is stored, or by erecting a small gasholder for the storage
of a few hundred feet of fuel gas for "starting up
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purposes.
As soon as gaseous fuel commences to pass from the middle nest at a 10, it
becomes no longer necessary to use wood or other fuel for heating the generator
the rich gaseous fuel as it comes from a 10 is impelled by the inspirator Q, through
the connection pipe O whence it empties at the nozzle P into the cross tee P which is
supplied with two large air valves QQ for the admission and regulation of a supply of
air which becoming carbonized by the gaseous fuel passes through the feed pipe R
and empties into the chamber or pit S where it expands and passes through terra cotta
lava fireclay or other suitable tiles or slabs which are perforated with small holes U
the free combustion taking place in the fire box M whence it.heats the whole generating
chamber Retorts superheaters &c. intense heat being deflected thereon by the arch-A.

page_text: The gas which is generated by one or both of the two outside "nests" of retorts
can be conducted as it comes from 610 c10 either through the mains J. J. and K
direct to a gasholder as a storage chamber, for subsequent distribution for illuminating
or fuel purposes at the will of the operator or from one or both to steam boilers,
furnaces, stoves, &c. as a gaseous Fuel the addition of air being accomplished by
means of similar cross tees P and valves Qas heretofore described.
Figs. 1 a, 2a, 3a, 4a and 5 a, are meant to show a simple form of the application of
my invention to a steam boiler locomotive &c.
Fig. 1a. is a front elevation.
Fig. 2 a. a longitudinal section through the line A. Fig. 1a.
Fig. 3 a. a sectional plan through B. B Fig. 1a.
Figs. 4 a. & 5 a. are similar to those described in figs. 6 and 7 which are enlarged
sections of the oil injector and the cone &c.
Like letters refer to like parts wherever they occur in each plate as well as each
figure.
The drawings show only one nest of retorts placed under the boiler; two or more
can be placed there if found necessary and the grate surface increased.
To start up either a wood or other suitable fire must be made under the boiler so as
to get say 10 lbs. pressure of steam-a small storage gasholder would obviate this
as heretofore described.
As soon as steam is obtained from the boiler or any other source and the "nest" of
retorts a 1 to a 10 is heated up to say 1500° the process is ready to begin. The steam
is turned into the superheater d 1 to d 10 from whence it passes into the first retort a 1
carrying with it a supply of oil with which it intermingles and aided by the heat it
absorbs from the retorts, it passes out of the "nest" at its last retort a 10 through the
connecting.pipe O into the cross tee P mixes with the air admitted by the valves Q
and passing throngh the perforated grate U it is consumed in the fire box M heating
the retorts superlicaters and boilers at the same time.
In cases where it is found that one "nest" of retorts will not produce sufficient gas,
one or more sets may be put in each supplied with a nozzle F and cross tee P &c. &c.
the pit S must be enlarged and the grate surface U also.
The proper proportioning of these various parts is a matter of vast importance to
get the best results with the smallest consumption of oil.
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In cases of isolated 'factories without any outside supply of illuminating gas an
extra nest" of retorts placed under the boiler would supply a large amount of
illuminating gas thereby saving the cost and space of a separate generator.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is
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1st. That within a closed fire chamber 1 have invented a way of constructing and
building therein one or more nests of retorts in a smaller space and consequently
at much saving of expense. and room than has heretofore been devised I therefore
claim the triangular zigzag form of the "nests as my invention.
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2nd. That by placing my retorts entirely within the chamber I overcome great
wear upon materials a saving in fuel and a production of higher quality of gas from
superheated steam and oil than as heretofore been obtained,-heretofore the bends
connecting the retorts have been constructed beyond or outside the walls of the
Chamber, thus creating unequal expansion of the retorts and their joinings, loss of fuel
from the projecting bends cooling off and impoverished gas. By my improvements
the retorts pipes tubes &c. and connecting elbows tees &c. which form the "nests" of
retorts in which gas is generated are kept at the same even heat from the receiving to
the delivery ends so that there is no unequal expansion of metals which caused rapid
decay leaky joints &c. and the gas generated is of even and richer quality; there is
practically no "residual" showing that the generating of gas has been more perfect
and complete for the quantity of oil fed to each "nest" than has heretofore been
... obtained.

page_text: 3rd. I claim the invention of using tees, nipples and plugs by which any retort
can be emptied of its rod of cones and cleaned or inspected without displacing the
"nest" of which it forms part or the brickwork of the chamber said tees nipples and
plugs or any part thereof can be placed at the front or rear end of each "nest" yet
the joints being all wholly within the walls of the chamber the circulation of the gases
within each "nest" remains at an even temperature thus securing the advantages
made in my second claim.
4th. I claim as my invention the combination of "nests" of retorts in one chamber
whereby gas as fuel is generated and used to manufacture itself and a large surplus
for other useful purposes.
5th. I claim as my invention the combination of the use in this process of fireclay
terracotta lava or other suitable material that will resist a sufficiently high degree of
'heat for a fire-grate; suitable sized slabs or plates of these materials are made per-
forated with small holes placed very close together piercing each slab through its
narrowest thickness; when laid flat covering a suitably proportioned pit or chamber
beneath, into which the gaseous fuel is emptied they form a fire grate superior to all
inventions so far made to the best of my knowledge and belief.
6th. I claim the improvement in introducing a steam inspirator in the gas main
close to the generator, which acts as an exhaust to the "nests."
Dated this 9th dor of Lun 1000
EDMUND KIMBER,
15, Walbrook, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.