Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Illuminating or Heating Gases.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 13th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 13th Sept., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Illuminating or
Heating Gases.
I WALTER WOOD, of 400 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennyslvania, in the
United States of America, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows :-
This invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of illuminating or heating
gases. It is of that class in which hydrogen gas is produced by the decomposition of
steam in the presence of incandescent carbon.
The invention consists of improvements whereby the steam may be superheated
before it passes to the incandescent carbon, oil introduced into the generator or between
it and the fixing chamber and the products be led to the cooler part of the fixing
chamber at pleasure.
I will now proceed to describe my improvements by reference to the accompanying
sheet of drawing, premising that although they are here shown as applied to the
apparatus patented by William Moreland Cosh No. 5181 A.D. 1889, they are applicable
wholly or in part to other apparatus for the manufacture of water gas.
In connection with the apparatus I have also hereinafter necessarily explained
various methods of use by which improved results are obtained.
In the accompanying drawing forming part of this Specification
Figure 1 represents partly in side elevation, mainly in section, my improved apparatus.
Figure 2 is a back elevation of same.
In these figures A represents a generator provided with a cover a and adapted to
receive a charge of coal. Below the grate M is a pipe f, to admit the air blast with
a steam supply g connected therewith having a stop cock g¹. On each side of the
generator is built a chamber adapted to act as a axing chamber or as a superheater,
one being marked B, and the other B. These are to be filled with pieces of brick or
any suitable refractory material through which the steam may freely pass and be
heated in its passage. These superheaters may have each a combustion chamber h h¹
in the base with passages therefrom to the superheating and fixing chamber above,
and with an air supply pipe i having a suitable valve for regulating or cutting off
the supply of air. These superheaters or fixing chambers have suitable covers on the
tops. The combustion chambers underneath are connected by pipes C, C¹ directly
with the space in the generator beneath the grate M, and these pipes are provided
with valves c, c. From the pipes C, C¹, vertical pipes D, D', extend to the upper
part of the fixing chamber and are provided with branches E, E', communicating
with the upper part of the generator A, suitable valves b 61, 62, 63 which serve to
establish a close communication between the upper part of the generator A and the
lower or the upper portion of the fixing chamber and the generator, as may be
desired, while the valves c, c¹, serve to cut off connection between the lower part of
the generator and the combustion chambers. Another set of pipes connects the upper
part of the superheaters and the generator with the purifying chambers W. Of these
pipes H, H', are exit pipes from the superheaters. They extend from the upper parts
of the superheaters and are turned to meet in a pipe Ğ, which is the exit from the
generator and extends down therefrom to the wash box, the entrance to the generator
being shown at G'. From the lower portion of the pipe G, two pipes L, L', furnished
with valves 1, ', lead from the lower part of the fixing chambers B B'. The pipes H
and H', have valves d, d', and pipe G, valve e respectively, by means of which com-
munication may be shut off between the upper part of the superheaters or upper part
of the generator and the wash box. The valve e in the upper extension of the pipe G,
above the junction of the pipes H and H', may close the passage when the valves.d

page_text: and d are open. In addition to the steam supply pipe g, there is a second k, and a
third, leading into the upper portion of the chambers B B and a fourth m in the
upper extension of the pipe G above the valve e. These steam pipes all have stop
cocks and suitable connections with a steam generator (not shown). In addition to
these pipes is a pipe m entering the upper part of the pipe 'G, for supplying naptha
or other liquid hydrocarbon. In the branches or pipes EEL or pipes D D are suitable
pipes n, n, for introducing liquid hydrocarbon either with or without the addition of
steam. This introduction of hydrocarbon may take place either directly into the
pipe or into an enlargement of the pipe which may be constructed of tile or firebrick
as may be found most desirable; or I may introduce the oil directly into the
superheater.
The apparatus above described is capable of a variety of methods of use, all
productive of valuable results by slight and easy manipulations.
Supposing the generator be charged with coal and the cover of the generator be
secured in place, and the covers of the superheaters removed; the valves b, b¹, are
opened and the valves c and c¹, and d¹ and d, and e and 62 and 63 and 7, are closed,
the valve of the blast pipe fis opened and the air admitted at the bottom of the
generator and to the chambers h and h¹.
While this access of air is bringing the mass of coal in the generator to an
incandescent condition the carbonic oxide and unconsumed carbon in the products of
combustion are carried through the pipes E, E, D, D', and C, C', to the chamber h, h
where they may meet an additional supply of air and undergo complete combustion,
the products thereof passing through the refractory contents of the superheaters. This
brings the refractory material within the superheaters up to an intense heat. When
the coal within the generator has been brought to a state of thorough incandesence
the covers of the superheaters (if both are used) are secured in place, the air is cut
off at the bottom of the generator and superheater, the valves d'd' in the outlet pipe
are open, and steam is admitted at the bottom of the generator. This passes through
the body of incandescent coal and by removal of its oxygen is converted to hydrogen
gas. If it be desirable to manufacture illuminating gas, naptha or other hydro-
carbon liquid may be admitted to the top of the generator, the vapor of which is
taken up by the hydrogen and the whole passes through the pipes E, E¹, and their
connections to the bottom of the superheaters, through the superheaters, acting then
as fixing chambers, and thence to the wash box or purifying chamber.
The apparatus may be used in the way above described, but the construction of the
apparatus is adapted to give better result by another mode of operation by which the
quality of the gas is improved and a larger quantity obtained from a given quantity
of coal.
For the production of the hydrogen gas by the method just referred to the coal in
the generator is brought to a proper condition of incandesence as heretofore described.
The blast from the pipe is then shut off and the top of the superheaters secured in
place. The valves b, b', and d, d', and 1, 1, are closed, the valve e in the outlet pipe
from the generator and the pipes c¹, c, in the connecting pipes at the bottom of the
generator are opened. Steam shut off elsewhere is then admitted to the top of the
superheaters B, B', through the pipes k, k¹, and the steam passes through the intensely
heated refractory material contained in the superheaters and is brought thereby to a
highly superheated and attenuated condition and is then admitted through the
pipes C, C, into the bottom of the generator. In this dry and heated state the steam
is brought more readily into contact with the heated coal and is more thoroughly
decomposed. The hydrogen gas thus generated passes through the opening G¹ into
the pipe G and thence directly down into the wash box, and in its passage may be
made to take up bydrocarbon vapor admitted through the pipe m¹. After this
process has been continued for a time, the length of which may be determined by an
operator skilled in the art the point for admitting the steam is changed. The
valves b, b, and e are closed, and the valves d, d', c, c¹, are opened, and steam is
admitted at the top of the generator through the steam pipe m. The steam is thus
brought into contact with a fresh surface of coal, and passes downward through the

page_text: mass of coal, being decomposed in its passage. The hydrogen gas passes through the
pipes C, C¹, up through the superheaters and by way of the outlet pipes to the wash
box.
Thus the apparatus may be made to operate in two directions in a single heat for
the production of hydrocarbon gas, or the direction of the current may be reversed
in the manner above described, as many times as may be desired, since after the supply
of coal has been exhausted, it may be renewed and brought to a proper condition as at
first described.
The apparatus is adapted to another method of manufacturing gas more especially
applicable to the manufacture of illuminating gas. In accordance with this method
after the requisite heat has been obtained as heretofore described, the valves b, d, e, cl, l
and and 63 are closed and the valves c, b'; d, are opened, the steam is admitted at
the top of the superheaters B and passes through the heated material therein, and to
the bottom of the generator through the connecting pipes in a superheated state. It
then passes up through the incandescent coal and by removal of its oxygen is con-
verted into hydrogen gas. In the top of the generator or in the pipes E E¹ or D D'
it meets hydrocarbon vapor from the liquid hydrocarbon introduced in any suitable
and well known way as through the pipe m¹ or n' and the hydrogen with the vapor
taken up passes to the bottom of the superheater B¹ and in ascending through the
highly heated material therein; it becomes thoroughly mixed and fixed and thence
passes through the outlet pipe to the wash box as above explained. It is obvious that
the direction of the passage of the steam may be reversed in this method of operation
and that it may be made to pass down through the coal and from B to B¹. The
operation just described could be varied by the closing of valves b' and d' and the
opening of valves 63 and so that the current of decomposed steam and hydro-
carbon vapor could be made to pass into the upper part of the fixing chamber B1 and
pass out through the pipe L' to the wash box. This process could be reversed by the
opening and closing of appropriate valves so that the products should pass into the
upper part of the fixing chamber B instead of into chauber B¹. By inserting valves
at 1, 2, 3, 4 I may pass the steam and gas in substantially the same manner through
the machine although in different directions, with possibly better results.
I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the construction and com-
bination of parts hereinbefore described and illustrated on the drawing as it may not
be desirable always to combine in a single machine the several methods of operating
herein before described-for example I might dispense with a portion of the pipes D
and D used to lead the gas to the upper and lower part of the generator, or of the
pipes H H or G or one or more of them retaining however in every case the conduits
leading the gases to the top of the fixing chamber, and from the bottom thereof to the
wash box W.
Dl
1
1000
•
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Illuminating or
Heating Gases."
I WALTER WOOD, of 400 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the
United States of America, Merchant, 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 :-
This invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of illuminating.or.heating
gases. It is of that class in which hydrogen gas is. produced by the decomposition of
steam in the presence of incandescent.carbon.
The invention consists of improvements whereby the steam may be superheated
before it passes to the incandescent carbon, oil.. introduced into the generator.or

page_text: between it and the fixing chamber and the products be led to the cooler part of the
fixing chamber at pleasure.
I will now proceed to describe my improvements by reference to the sheet of
drawing left with the Provisional Specification, premising that although they
are here shown as applied to the apparatus patented by William Moreland Cosh
No. 5181 A.D. 1889, they are applicable wholly or in part to other apparatus for the
manufacture of water gas.
In connection with the apparatus I have also hereinafter necessarily explained
various methods of use by which improved results are obtained.
:-
Referring to the drawing left with the Provisional Specification :-
Figure 1 represents partly in side elevation, mainly in section, my approved
apparatus.
Figure 2 is a back elevation of same.
In these figures A represents a generator provided with a cover a and adapted to
receive a charge of coal. Below the grate M, is a pipe f, to admit the air blast with
a steam supply g connected therewith having a stop cock gl. On each side of the
generator is built a chamber adapted to act as a fixing chamber or as a superheater,
one being marked B, and the other B. These are to be filled with pieces of brick
or any suitable refractory material through which the steam may freely pass and be
heated in its passage. These superheaters may have each a combustion chamber h
in the base with passages therefrom to the superheating and fixing chamber above,
and with an air supply pipe i having a suitable valve for regulating or cutting off
the supply of air. These superheaters or fixing chambers have suitable covers on the
tops. The combustion chambers underneath are connected by pipes C, C³, directly
with the space in the generator beneath the grate M, and these pipes are provided
with valves c, c. From the pipes C, C, vertical pipes D, D¹, extend to the upper
part of the fixing chamber and are provided with branches E, E', communicating
with the upper part of the generator A, suitable valves 1, 62, 63, which serve to
establish a close communication between the upper part of the generator A and the
lower or the upper portion of the fixing chamber and the generator, as may be desired,
while the valves c, c¹, serve to cut off connection between the lower part of the
generator and the combustion chambers. Another set of pipes connects the upper
part of the superheaters and the generator with the purifying chambers W. Of these
pipes H, H', are exit pipes from the superheaters. They extend from the upper parts
of the superheaters and are turned to meet in a pipe G, which is the exit from the
generator and extends down therefrom to the wash box, the entrance to the generator
being shown at G. From the lower portion of the pipe G, two pipes L, L', furnished
with valves, ', lead from the lower part of the fixing chambers B B'. The pipes H
and H', have valves d, d', and pipe G, valve e respectively, by means of which com-
munication may be shut off between the upper part of the superheaters or upper
part of the generator and the wash box. The valve in the upper extension of the
pipe G, above the junction of the pipes H and H', may close the passage when the
valves d and d' are open. In addition to the steam supply pipe g, there is a second k,
and a third k¹, leading into the upper portion of the chambers B B¹ and a fourth m
in the upper extension of the pipe G above the valve e. These steam pipes all have
stop cocks and suitable connections with a steam generator (not shown). In addition
to these pipes is a pipe m¹ entering the upper part of the pipe G, for supplying naptha
or other liquid hydrocarbon. In the branches or pipes E E¹ or pipes 1 D¹ are
suitable pipes n, n', for introducing liquid hydrocarbon either with or without. the
addition of steam. This introduction of hydrocarbon may take place either directly
into the pipe or into an enlargement of the pipe which may be constructed of tile or
firebrick as may be found most desirable; or I may introduce the oil directly into
the superheater.
The apparatus above described is capable of a variety of methods of use,
of valuable results by slight and easy manipulations.
all productive
Supposing the generator be charged with coal and the cover of the generator be
secured in place, and the covers of the superheaters removed; the valves b, b¹, are

page_text: opened and the valves c and c¹, and d¹ and d, and e and b² and 63 and 11' are closed.
the valve of the blast pipe fis opened and the air admitted at the bottom of the
generator and to the chambers h and h¹.
While this access of air is bringing the mass of coal in the generator to an
incandescent condition the carbonic oxide and unconsumed carbon in the products of
combustion are carried through the pipes E, E, D, D' and C, C³, to the chamber h, h¹
where they may meet an additional supply of air and undergo complete combustion,
the products thereof passing through the refractory contents of the superheaters.
This brings the refractory material within the superheaters up to an intense heat.
When the coal within the generator has been brought to a state of thorough
incandesence the covers of the superheaters (if both are used) are secured in place,
the air is cut off at the bottom of the generator and superheater, the valves d d' in
the outlet pipe are open, and steam is admitted at the bottom of the generator. This
passes through the body of incandescent coal and by removal of its oxygen is con-
verted to hydrogen gas. If it be desirable to manufacture illuminating gas, naptha
or other hydrocarbon liquid may be admitted to the top of the generator, the vapor of
which is taken up by the hydrogen and the whole passes through the pipes E, E',
and their connections to the bottom of the superheaters, through the superheaters,
acting then as fixing chambers, and thence to the wash box or purifying chamber.
The apparatus may be used in the way above described, but the construction of the
apparatus is adapted to give better result by another mode of operation by which the
quality of the gas is improved and a larger quantity obtained from a given quantity
of coal.
For the production of the hydrogen gas by the method just referred to the coal in
the generator is brought to a proper condition of incandescence as heretofore
described. The blast from the pipe is then shut off and the top of the superheaters
secured in place. The valves b, b₁, and d, d¹, and 1, 1, are closed, the valve e in the
outlet pipe from the generator and the pipes c¹, c, in the connecting pipes at the bottom
of the generator are opened. Steam shut off elsewhere is then admitted to the top
of the superheaters B, B', through the pipes k, k¹, and the steam passes through the
intensely heated refractory material contained in the superheaters and is brought
thereby to a highly superheated and attenuated condition and is then admitted through
the pipes C, C, into the bottom of the generator. In this dry and heated state the
steam is brought more readily into contact with the heated coal and is more thoroughly
decomposed. The hydrogen gas thus generated passes through the opening G¹ into
the pipe G and thence directly down into the wash box, and in its passage may be
made to take up bydrocarbon vapor admitted through the pipe m'. After this process
has been continued for a time, the length of which may be determined by an operator
skilled in the art, the point for admitting the steam is changed. The valves b, b₁,
and e are closed, and the valves d, d¹, c, c¹, are opened, and steam is admitted at the
top of the generator through the steam pipe m. The steam is thus brought into
contact with a fresh surface of coal, and passes downward through the mass of coal,
being decomposed in its passage. The hydrogen gas passes through the pipes C, C',
up through the superheaters and by way of the outlet pipes to the wash box.
Thus the apparatus may be made to operate in two directions in a single heat for the
production of hydrocarbon gas, or the direction of the current may be reversed in the
manner above described, as many times as may be desired, since after the supply of
coal has been exhausted, it may be renewed and brought to a proper condition as at
first described.
The apparatus is adapted to another method of manufacturing gas more especially
applicable to the manufacture of illuminating gas. In accordance with this method
after the requisite heat has been obtained as heretofore described, the valves b, d, e,
c, and and 63 are closed and the valves c, b¹, d¹, are opened, the steam is admitted
at the top of the superheaters B and passes through the heated material therein, and
to the bottom of the generator through the connecting pipes in a superheated state.
It then passes up through the incandescent coal and by removal of its oxygen is
converted into hydrogen gas. In the top of the generator or in the pipes E E¹

page_text: or D D' it meets hydrocarbon vapor from the liquid hydrocarbon introduced in any
suitable and well known way as through the pipe m¹ or n¹ and the hydrogen with
the vapor taken up passes to the bottom of the superheater BI and in ascending
through the highly heated material therein, it becomes thoroughly mixed and fixed
and thence passes through the outlet pipe to the wash box as above explained. It is
obvious that the direction of the passage of the steam may be reversed in this method
of operation and that it may be made to pass down through the coal and from B
to B. The operation just described could be varied by the closing of valves b¹ and d¹
and the opening of valves and so that the current of decomposed steam and
hydrocarbon vapor could be made to pass into the upper part of the fixing chamber B¹
and pass out through the pipe L' to the wash box. This process could be reversed
by the opening and closing of appropriate valves so that the products should pass into
the upper part of the fixing chamber B instead of into chamber B¹. By inserting
valves at 1, 2, 3, 4 I may pass the steam and gas in substantially the same manner
through the machine although in different directions, with possibly better results.
1 desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the construction and
combination of parts hereinbefore described and illustrated on the drawing as it may
not be desirable always to combine in a single machine the several methods of
operating hereinbefore described-for example I might dispense with a portion of the
pipes D and D' used to lead the gas to the upper and lower part of the generator, or
of the pipes H H or G or one or more of them retaining however in every case the
conduits leading the gases to the top of the fixing chamber, and from the bottom
thereof to the wash box W.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In the manufacture of illuminating or heating gases, a machine or apparatus so
arranged as to superheat the steam before it passes to the incandescent carbon, a
means of introducing oil either into the generator or between the generator and the
fixing chamber and conduits loading the products into the cooler part of the fixing
chamber, substantially as described.
2. In the manufacture of illuminating or heating gases, a machine or apparatus so
arranged as to superheat the steam before it passes to the incandescent carbon, a
means of introducing oil either into the generator or between the generator and the
fixing chamber and conduits leading the products into the cooler part of the fixing
chamber in combination with a conduit or conduits which may be used to lead the
same if desired into the hotter portion of the fixing chamber, substantially as
described.
3. The machine or apparatus for the manufacture of illuminating or heating gases
herein before described and shown on the drawing.
Dated this Thirteenth day of August 1890.