IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FOR ILLUMINATION AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THE SAME
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Hawkins, of Walsall, in the County of Stafford,
Manufacturer, and Charles Hawkins, formerly of Selly Oak, in the
County of Worcester, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FOR ILLUMINATION AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THE SAME."
Sealed the 29th July 1864, and dated the 2nd February 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hawkins and Charles
Hawkins at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 2nd February 1864.
We, JOHN HAWKINS, of Walsall, in the County of Stafford, Manufacturer,
and CHARLES HAWKINS, of Selly Oak, in the County of Worcester, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FOR ILLUMINATION AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THE SAME," to be as follows (that is to say):-
It is customary in manufacturing gas for illuminating purposes to produce
it in a confined chamber or retort, heated from the exterior by suitable fires

page_text: or flues; and these confined chambers or retorts we purpose entirely dispensing
with, and to obtain our gas from the coal in the process of converting it into
coke, as described in a Patent granted to us on the 5th December, 1859,
No. 2748, as we find from carrying out this Invention the gas that escapes
to the furnace is purer than we anticipated, which arises from the impurities
generally mixed with the gases, in the ordinary process of manufacturing coke,
escaping through the covering placed over the coal heap, leaving the gas as
collected by our Patent process herein referred to to a considerable extent
thereby purified, and the gas so generated being excessive and continuous, that
is, more than is required to generate steam in ordinary boilers, which in some
cases are not required to work night and day; we purpose to collect such
surplus gas by means of a fan or other suitable exhaust apparatus, and conduct
it to an intermediate receiver, from which it escapes to one or more holders or
gasometers, either purifying it in its transit or after escaping from the holder
and before entering the main service pipe to be conducted away in tubes as
may be required for illumination, using such means and appliances for its
purification as are ordinarily applied, as also pressure on the main holder or
gasometer, to force it through the purifier and to the pipes and tubes for
burning...
Although we have described these improvements, in connection with the
generation of steam by the use of the gas, nevertheless that of itself forms no
part of our Invention, for in places where no steam is required or other use
for the
gas for heating, we purpose collecting and using the whole as generated
in the process of making coke in the manner herein-before stated' for
illuminating purposes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Hawkins and Charles Hawkins in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 2nd August 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOHN
HAWKINS, of Walsall, in the County of Stafford, Manufacturer, and CHARLES 3
HAWKINS, formerley of Selly Oak, in the County of Worcester, but now of
Bordesley, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of February, in the year of our Lord
'One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Her 3

page_text: :
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said John Hawkins and Charles Hawkins, Her special license that we, the
said John Hawkins and Charles Hawkins, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the said John Hawkins and Charles Hawkins,
our 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 Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU
FACTURE OF GAS FOR ILLUMINATION AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE APPARATUS
CONNECTED WITH THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the
said John Hawkins and Charles Hawkins, by an instrument in 'writing
under our 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 we, the said John Hawkins and Charles Hawkins,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly, described and ascertained. in and
by the following statement (that is to say) :-
It is customary in manufacturing gas for illuminating purposes to produce
it in a confined chamber or retort, heated from the exterior by suitable fires or
flues; and these confined chambers or retorts we purpose entirely dispensing
with, and to obtain our gas from the coal in the process of converting it into
coke, as described in a Patent granted to us on the 5th December, 1859,
No. 2748, as we find (from carrying out this Invention) the gas that escapes
to the furnace therein described for the generation of steam is purer than we
anticipated when describing that Patent, which arises from the impurities
generally mixed with the gas when generated in the ordinary process of manu-
facturing coke, escaping through the loamy or fine coating or covering placed
over the coal heap to be converted into coke, leaving the gas thereby generated
to be collected by our new process herein referred to, and which gas is to some
extent purified in the course of production; and the gas so generated being
excessive and continuous, that is, more than is required to generate steam in
ordinary boilers, which in some cases are not required to work day and night,
we purpose to utilize and collect such surplus gas by means of a fan or other
suitable exhaust apparatus, and conduct it to an intermediate receiver, from

page_text: which it escapes to one or more holders or gasometers, either purifying it in
its transit or after escaping from the holder and before entering the main
service pipe to be conducted away in tubes as may be required for illumination,
using such means and appliances for its purification as are ordinarily applied,
as also pressure on the main or intermediate holder or gasometer to force it
through the purifier, and to the pipes and tubes for burning.
Although we have described these improvements in connection with the
generation of steam by the use of the gas, nevertheless that of itself forms no
part of our Invention, for in places where no steam is required or other use
for the gas for heating, we purpose collecting and using the whole as generated
in the process of making coke in the manner herein-before stated for illu-
minating purposes, either adopting the ordinary plan of building up the coal
heaps, and as described in our Patent No. 2748, 1859, before referred to, or
any modification of that plan, such as by enclosing the heap of coal within a
suitable fence of brick or iron, or both combined, and covering the same over
with a suitable portable or other roof that may be conveniently made secure
from the escape of gas or the ingress of an unnecessary supply of air, but
'nevertheless using convenient means for supplying and regulating the admission
of air, as also. the supply of steam for the purpose of desulphurising and cooling
the cokes when burnt, as mentioned in our former Patent. But as our
improvements will be more completely and thoroughly understood by referring
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, we will proceed to describe the same,
reference being had to the various figures and letters marked thereon.
A, Fig. 1, is a short stack built or constructed below the dotted line a, a
open jointed, in order to form escape ways to the flué from the coals B in the
process of coking, and from the line a, a, to the top the brickwork is close, as
described and exhibited in our former Patent of the date herein-before referred
to, and in which we exhibited the stack A as being connected with a
descending flue, and which may be used in this case, but have exhibited the
flue as continued up by means of iron piping marked C, C, having a valve
'way at the top, from which part the flue is conducted along in like manner by
the pipe D, D, which is fitted with a throttle valve at b. The flow way
through the pipė D is connected with the vessel E, which rests as hero
exhibited on brickwork, but which may be otherwise supported or arranged
according to position or convenience of situation, but it may be found advan-
tageous to build in the brickwork here shown. F, F, a small furnace for the
purpose of generating heat within the vessel E, as also around the pipe G, the
use of which is for carrying off the ammoniacal liquid and tar that separates

page_text: itself from the gas in its passage through the flue, and will deposit itself in
this vessel, while the gas itself is drawn off from the vessel E through the
pipe H by means of a fan, as exhibited at I, the size and width of which, as
also the velocity with which it may be driven must be regulated according to
requirement, but we believe that if a force or pressure of four cunces on the
square inch be generated by the fan, that will be found sufficient for all
purposes. From the fan the gas passes off through the pipe J to the con-
denser K, which is here shown in section fitted with a bottom at c, c, through
which any sufficient number of tubes are fixed of sufficient size and capacity to
allow the gas to freely descend. The lower portion of this condenser contains
water which rises around the lower ends of the tubes some three or four
inches more or less, as 'may be desired, yet not sufficient as to resist the
pressure on the gas produced by the action of the fan, and which pressure
causes the gas to descend through and rise above the water in this chamber;
as indicated by the line d, d, and follow the direction of the arrows to escape
through the tube L and L', where it is united to the curved cast-iron or
other pipe M, to which on its lower side is applied or fitted to or constructed
with the bent pipe N, through which the ammoniacal liquid and tar escapes
over its upper bent curve, shown in a dotted line marked e, and the lower.
portion being full to this line prevents the gas within the pipe M escaping,
but which is carried through the pipe M to the part O, and in continuation
with the pipe or tube P, and which pipe ascends near the centre of the base
part of a gasholder which contains water up from the bottom to the line f,f,
and as the gas escapes from the pipe P with a slight pressure together with
its lightness lifts the cover, which is also shown in section marked Q, Q, up to
its present position, which is its highest range; and for the purpose of
steadying the part Q, and retaining it in its concentric position with the base
or part R, R, we apply a central vertical bar 9, 9, on its top which passes
through a loose hole connected with three radial bars fixed to suitable uprights
marked h, h, but of course other similar equivalent means may be adopted
for effecting this. From the gasholder Qit escapes down through the tubė
S, S, to pass to the purifier, condenser, and gasholder in the ordinary way
for purifying and storing away gas for illumination. The bricked well T is
for holding the tar and ammoniacal liquid collected and retained here from
the gas, as before stated, and which well we have exhibited as covered over
with an iron plate, on which is placed a pump marked U, by which the said
liquid deposit is drawn off as required.
i
We will now proceed to describe our improvements in the manner of

page_text: placing and protecting the coal to be burnt into coke, which we believe will
be found beneficial, as also the mode of desulphurising when sufficiently
burnt. We purpose building a wall, circular, octagonal, square, or other
suitable shape, around. the centre stack A, but, by preference, have adopted
the octagonal form, and have exbibited in dotted lines as much of that form
in plan necessary for this description. On the outside of the side walls V, shown
in section in this view, we place a casing of thin plate iron, put together by
the ordinary process by which such ironwork is usually connected, either by
rivetting in the manner ordinarily adopted in boiler making or otherwise;
and around the stack A we place the collar k, having a projecting flange
formed on it, but which collar may be extended down so, as to form a second
flange, as exhibited in dotted lines at 1, the use of which will be hereafter
referred to. After the whole space is filled up with coal, as at B, iron covers
are placed over it, the shape of which is exhibited in dotted lines in the plan
from n, n, to p, p. The inner end n, n, rests on the flange of the collar-k, and
is supported at the outer end by simple crooks, as at r, two or three being
used to each segment or part, and which crooks not only support the seg
mental cover in position; but form handles for lifting and removing them away
when required; but as the charge of coal may vary, sometimes less than
others, that is the reason why we recommend the use of an additional lower
flange,, to the collar k, and we also recommend that the crooks r may be
Joose and not united to the respective segmental covers, in order that crooks
longer in their, shank or middle part may be used for allowing the cover to be
placed down on the coal intended to. be coked, and which covers we provide
with light angle iron at their joints and inner ends, that when put together
troughs will be formed for the purpose of holding sand, mould, or other fine
granular matter that will be close, and make a close joint for preventing the
otherwise than through the flue way in the stack A. But as
escape of the gas
certain amount of air is essential to the combustion of the coals, we purpose
adopting, air ways, as exhibited in a front view at Fig. 2, and in a sectional
side view at Fig. 3, drawn to double the size scale exhibited at Figure 1.
This air way consists of a box with inside and outside flanges arranged of a
convenient size to be built in with the wall V, and on the front plate a circular
disc is applied with radial openings after the manner of ordinary ventilators,
the corresponding radial openings also being. formed in the plate below, by
which means the air ways through the radial openings are exposed, contracted,
regulated or hid by the position of the outer one.
a
In connection with this air regulator we combine the means of supplying
:

page_text: steam to the cokes when sufficiently burnt, which not only has the effect of
desulphurising and freeing them from that pernicious element, but also to
extinguish the fire, and more readily cool the cokes for removal. And although
we described this in our former Patent, nevertheless we think it advisable to
exhibit and describe the efficient way of effecting that object, which is by
making steam ways through the centre of the air regulators; and connecting
them with four or more radial or other placed tubes, more or less perforated
that, the steam may escape, and taking the direction of the draught induced by
the action of the fan would free from the burning mass and carry off the sulphur
it may contain, and which is highly injurious to the coke when subsequently
used for manufacturing purposes connected when the heating or working of
iron. And although we have described the manner of arranging and burning
only one heap or charge of coal into coke, nevertheless we intend several
such like erections, as far as the stack, outer walls, and coverings are con-
cerned, as well as flue ways, so arranged and placed that the gas generated in
the process
of converting the coal into coke according to 'their several
positions shall be conducted into the vessel E, Figure 1, the face way and
diameter of the fan being regulated according to the number of coke heaps
or charges that is being burnt, or, as before stated, the amount of gas
generated.
Having now given a clear and somewhat concise description of our
Invention, as also of the manner in which the same may be practically carried
into effect, we wish it understood that we do not purpose limiting or confining
ourselves to the general details and proportions here given, as the same
may be greatly diversified with affecting the spirit of our Invention, as, for
instance, if the gas so evolved is required for the generation of steam, so
universally employed in and about ironworks, we propose for it to be con-
ducted away as described in our former Patent, before referred to, or from the
vessel E, Figure 1. The draught of the stack connected with the boiler fire
will be sufficient to extract the gas from the burning cokes without the use of a
fan, but such gas way may be stopped by suitable means, and the one opened
in connection with the fan when such gas may be required in a purer state
for illuminating and other purposes; and, further, if the building of the coal
heaps be preferred, as described in our former Patent, the same may be done,
and in like manner the flue ways from such coal heaps may be constructed
under ground for any suitable number of heaps, brought under regulation by
dampers or valves, and conducted to one general or main flue way before
entering the vessel E. But what we claim as, our Invention, and wish to
'

page_text: protect by these our in part recited Letters Patent is, the general utilization
of the gas evolved in the conversion of coal into coke for illuminating and
other purposes, in the manner herein described and exhibited.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Hawkins and Charles Hawkins,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this' First day of August, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
JAMES S. COCKINGS,
C. E. & Patent Agent,
Birmingham.
(L.S.)
JOHN HAWKINS.
CHARLES HAWKINS. (L.B.)