Improved Process for Generating Oil Enriched and Illuminating Water Gas, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 15th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 14th Dec., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process for Generating Oil Enriched and Illuminating
Water Gas, and in Apparatus therefor.
I BENJAMIN HOWARTH THWAITE of 95 and 97 Finsbury Pavement London
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved process and plant having for their object
the production of an oil enriched and luminous water gas.
My invention has for its aim the following improvements on existing systems.
First The reduction of the percentage of carbon-dioxide in the gas produced.
Second-The more complete volatilization of the oil.
Third A lessened consumption of the oil gas during the periods of revivification.
Fourth A more perfect safety arrangement of working.
Fifth Greater power of production with a given size of plant.
Sixth-A more convenient method of removing the clinker.
Seventh A simpler method of effecting the reversals of the gas valves.
Referring to the two sheets of drawings accompanying this Specification,
Figure 1, Sheet 1 of drawings, is a vertical section, Fig. 2 a side elevation and
Fig. 3 is a plan in section of the apparatus constituting in its ensemble the plant
arrangement of my invention.
Figs. 4 5 6 and 7 on Sheet 2 shew a detail of the arrangement of introducing the
petroleum oil into the generating vessels.
I will briefly describe these illustrations so as to enable my invention to be quite
clearly understood.
Before referring in detail to the figures, I wish it to be clearly understood that I
do not confine myself to the exact details therein shewn, as they may be modified
without departing from the nature of the said invention.
A and B are both fuel fed vessels, the fuel used may be either coal, coke, anthracite,
or charcoal.
The third vessel C, is filled with refractory materials, built up in such a way, as
to obtain the maximum amount of heating surface & heat absorbing capacity in the
space available. The mass of refractory material is superposed on a solid substratum
of walls, that have for their aim, the equal distribution of the heat to the absorbing
bricks.
Both vessels A & B, are provided with special facilities for the rapid removal
of the clinker, and in such a manner as not to interfere with the progress of gas
making.
both
The fuel is fed into the first vessel A. by the bell type of hopper marked 2, and
into the vessel B by the retort kind of feed shewn. The base of the fuel
vessels rests in water baths, in the first vessel A by means of hanging firebars 3.
suspended from the inverted cast iron cone 4, the steam and air can enter into the
fuel between such hanging bars, as well as by means of the cone shaped mass of fuel,
as it rests on the solid water filled bath 5, this water filled bath extends on one side
beyond the gas generator casing as shewn in Figure 3, but by the simple expedient
of allowing such casing to dip beneath the surface of such water for say 8
to 12 inches the accumulated clinkers can be removed by merely inserting a
rake below the generator casing and without involving the escape of gas steam
or air.

page_text: The second vessel B, has also a water bath 5 which may or may not be connected
to that of the first vessel A, by a pipe or conduit fixed at the level of the bottom of
such water bath.
The inverted cone 8 of the second vessel B, has not however the suspended
firebars of the first vessel, but the cone dips into water for a depth of some 8 inches-
any tarry matter descending along with the clinker into the water bath-floats on
the surface of such water and can easily be removed therefrom. The coke or other
fuel is fed into both vessels, up to the level of the connecting upper conduit 9, which
is lined internally with refractory materials 10, at about two thirds the height of
the first vessel, I provide an annular flue 11 which serves for the introduction of a
secondary supply of air blast to the fuel-or steam may be introduced-through
the annular flue 11 into the fuel. This secondary air supply is supplied through
a vertical main 12, and is connected to the under grate part of first generator
vessel A.
A third air supply is provided to the refractory lined flue 13 (connecting the
vessel B to the vessel C by the vertical air mains 12, & 14) both vertical air
maius 12 and 14 are provided with dead weight valves 15.
The procedure of operations can now be described. Assuming that fuel is
charged into the two vessels A and B. The air blast is introduced into the
annular cavity 16 surrounding the suspended grill and inverted truncated coue.
The air blast raises the fuel to a high state of incandescence, the air being
converted along with the water vapour evaporated from the water in the bath, int
carbonmonoxide and hydrogen. The secondary air blast supply entering just above
or below the upper surface of the fuel in the vessel A, provides the air for the
complete or partial combustion of the two combustible gases, the carbonmonoxide
and hydrogen, the flame resulting flows through the upper refractory lined
conduit which connects the two vessels A and B.
The flame flows through the coke or other fuel in the second generator, raising
the fuel to a state of incandescence.
In descending through this incandescent fuel the products of the combustion of
the hydrogen and carbonmonoxide produced in the first vessel A are re-arranged into
carbonmonoxide and hydrogen. All the gases escape through the outlet ports 17
and into the annular flue 18 formed at the base of the second vessel-and are
gathered by this annular flue for introduction into the heavy refractory lined
connecting flue 13, where the introduction of the third supply of air is effected
at 20 by which the combustible gases are enflamed, the flame flowing into the
annular flue 21 from the base of which it escapes into the inner vertical annular
flue 22 ascending through this flue, the flame spreads and fills the upper checker
brickwork part 23 of vessel C.
The flame passes through all the interstices between the bricks because
combustion is effected under pressure. The flame finally escapes from the summit
of the vessel C-through the valve 24 preferably of the inverted mushroom form
into the chimney 25. The whole of the refractory bricks in vessel C become
charged with heat up to at least visible incandescence and sufficient to effect the
fixation of the fixible hydrocarbons.
The residual and sensible heat escaping with the chimney gases can be utilised
for superheating the steam or petroleum oil-required for the process of gasification,
for instance a coil of copper or other metallic pipes may be fixed inside the
chimney 25 and through these pipes the steam or oil may be led “ en route " for
the generators.
When the fuel in the two vessels A. and B and the brickwork conduit 23 of vessel C
are heated up to the required temperature the second cycle of gas production can
be commenced.
This involves as an essential principle the closing off, of the three air supplies and
the introduction of steam and oil into the vessels in the manner described.
The closing off of the air supply is effected simultaneously by the wheel
valve 22 and link chains 27 that actuate the air valves.

page_text: The rotation of any one of these wheels, and this can be done automatically by
means of a water tilting gear having two buckets of unequal size so that there are
alternate periods of reversal of duration that is to say when the largest bucket of
water of the tilting gear is being filled the operation will take say 10 minutes and
when the smaller is being filled the operation will take say 5 minutes.
The chain link action, besides controlling the air valves, actuates the steam and
oil valves when the former or air valves are closed the two latter or steam and oil
valves are opened.
The steam valve 28 enables the steam to enter at the base of vessel A, from which
it flows into the incandescent fuel and in ascending through the latter it is
converted into water gas, when it reaches the air ports part of this water gas can
be consumed because I may maintain a smaller current of air constantly Howing
through this second air supply in order to maintain the temperature of the chamber,
over the fuel levels, at a fairly high temperature.
The water gas and the small proportion of H2O resulting from the introduction
of the secondary supply of air, pass through the connecting conduit into the space
above the fuel in vessel C, where the gases are united with vapour and gus from oil,
which oil is introduced either into the cross-conduit or into the upper level of fuel
in second vessel (and in a manner to be described in greater detail further on).
The oil and gas vapour along with the water gas (CO & H) flow descensionally
through the incandescent fuel in second vessel B. Any H₂O vapour from secondary
combustion is converted into H & CO, and the oil vapour is converted into
permanent gas, any liquid hydrocarbon remaining is gasified in descending through
the incandescent fuel.
The final gases flow into the third vessel through the conduit 13, in passing
through the incandescent brickwork of vessel C the still unfixed gases, are fixed, and
the permanent hydrocarbons or enriched water gas escapes by the downcomer 29 in
the mains leading to purifying or gas holder plant to be stored for use.
The downcomer 29 is provided with a dead weight safety valve and with a
reversal valve 30. In reversing, this valve 30 is the last to be closed, in order
that the whole of the carbondioxide and other residual gases remaining after
revivification may be able to escape through the chimney.
This last valve 30 and that of the chimney 24 are the only valves that it is
desired should be reversed by hand, in order to enable the operator to see when
the CO2 and other residuals have been cleared out and the hydrocarbon gas has
appeared a jet light is provided so that when the enriched water gas appears, it
immediately lights up and the operator can then close his chimney valve.
It is clearly to be understood that in some applications the entire set of valves
are automatically reversed.
Figures 4, 5, 6, & 7, on Sheet 2 of drawings shew details of my arrangement for
injecting the enriching oil into the generator vessels A or B or both. Figure 4
shews a section of the upper portion of the generating vessel B.
The oil is lead to distributing coil pipes under pressure.
At one or more positions in the circle I provide spring weighted valves 31-
which prevent the oil from escaping, unless a certain pressure sufficient to overcome
the counteracting pressure of the helical spring in maintaining the valve plugs 31 on
their seat is established. An enlarged section of the valves is shewn on Figure 5.
The central plug 31 of gun metal or turned steel, makes a tight fit on the gunmetal
seat 33. A. coil spring 37 presses against a guide bridge 37, through this guide
bridge the spindle 39 passes and is maintained in a central position by this
bridge.
When the pressure of oil is suddenly increased by the action of the oil-pressure-
pump, the valve plug 31 is forced from its seat 33—and allows the oil to escape,
falling into the gas generating vessel B through the orifices 41 formed in the
refractory blocks 42.
The oil falls in a ring shaped shower on to the upper part of the fuel and is
spread over a considerable area of the fuel.

page_text: Figure 6 shews a plan of the ring distributing pipe with the four outlet
valves 42, 43, 44, 55. The pipe 46 supplies the distributing coil from a force
pump. When the enriching process is desired the feed-pump is put into action,
forcing the valves 31 from their seats.
Immediately it is desired to stop the enriching action the pump is stopped, and
the pressure on the plugs of valves 31 being removed, they immediately close on
their seats, stopping instantly the flow of the oil into the generator vessel.
The valve casing 46, is bolted on to top plate of generator vessel B and is
preferably partly surrounded with top plate cooling water 47.
Dated this Fourteenth day of January 1895
Improved Process for Generating Oil Enriched and Illuminating
Water Gas, and in Apparatus therefor.
I, BENJAMIN HOWARTH THWAITE of 95 Finsbury Pavement London Civil
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 :-
My invention has for its aim the following improvements on existing systems.
First The reduction of the percentage of carbon-dioxide in the gas produced.
Second-The more complete volatilization of the oil.
Third A lessened consumption of the oil gas during the periods of revivi-
fication.
Fourth A more perfect safety arrangement of working.
Fifth-Greater power of production with a given size of plant.
Sixth A more convenient method of removing the clinker.
Seventh-A simpler method of effecting the reversals of the gas valves.
Referring to the three sheets of drawings accompanying this Specification,
Figure 1, Sheet 1, of drawings, is a vertical section, Figure 2 a side elevation and
Figure 3, is a plan in section of the apparatus constituting in its ensemble the plant
arrangement of my invention.
Figures 4, 5, and 6, on Sheet 2, shew a detail of the arrangement of introducing
the petroleum oil into the generating vessels.
Figures 7 and 8 on Sheet 3, of drawings, represent an alternate arrangement
of my invention, shewing respectively by Figure 7, a longitudinal and by Figure 8
a vertical section.
I will briefly describe these illustrations so as to enable my invention to be quite
clearly understood.
Before referring in detail to the figures, I wish it to be clearly understood that
I do not confine myself to the exact details therein shewn, as they may be modified
without departing from the nature of the said invention.
A and B are both fuel fed vessels, the fuel used may either be coal, coke,
anthracite, or charcoal.
The third vessel C, is filled with refractory materials, built up in such a way as
to obtain the maximum amount of heating surface and heat absorbing capacity in
the space available. The mass of refractory material is superposed on a solid
substratum of walls, that have for their aim, the equal distribution of the heat to
the absorbing bricks.
Both vessels A and B, are provided with special facilities for the rapid removal
of the clinker and in such a manner as not to interfere with the progress of
gas making.
The fuel is fed into the first vessel A, by the bell type of hopper marked 2, and

page_text: into the vessel B, by the retort kind of feed shewn. The base of the fuel in both
vessels rests in water baths, in the first vessel A, by means of hanging firebars 3,
suspended from the inverted cast iron cone 4, the steam and air can enter into the
fuel between such hanging bars as well as by means of the cone shaped mass of fuel,
as it rests on the bottom of the water filled bath 5, this water filled bath extends on
one side beyond the gas generator casing as shewn in Figure 3, but by the simple
expedient of allowing such casing to dip beneath the surface of such water for
say 8 to 12 inches, the accumulated clinkers can be removed by merely inserting a
rake below the generator casing and without involving the escape of gas steam
or air.
The second vessel B, has also a water bath 5¹, which may or may not be
connected to that of the first vessel A, by a pipe or conduit fixed at the level of
the bottom of such water bath.
The inverted cone 8, of the second vessel B has not however the suspended
firebars of the first vessel, but the cone dips into water for a depth of some 8 inches,
any tarry matter descending along with the clinker into the water bath floats on the
surface of such water and can easily be removed therefrom. The coke or other
fuel is fed into both vessels up to near the level of the connecting upper conduit 9,
which is lined internally with refractory materials 10. At about two thirds the
height of the first vessel, I provide an annular flue 11 which serves for the
introduction of a secondary supply of air blasts to the fuel, or steam may be
introduced through the annular flue 11, into the fuel. This secondary air supply,
is supplied through a vertical main 12, and is connected to the under grate part of
first generator vessel A.
A third air supply may be provided to the refractory lined flue 13, (connecting
the vessel B, to the vessel C) by the vertical air main 14; both vertical air mains are
provided with dead weight valves 15. The procedure of operation can now be
described; assuming that fuel is charged into the two vessels A and B, the air
blast is introduced into the annular space 16. The air blast raises the fuel
to a high state of incandescence, the air being converted along with the water
vapour evaporated from the water in the bath, into carbon-monoxide and hydrogen.
The secondary air blast supply entering just above or below the upper surface
of the fuel in the vessel A, provides the air for the complete or partial combustion of
the two combustible gases, (the carbon-monoxide and hydrogen) the flame resulting
flows through the upper refractory lined conduit, which connects the two vessels A
and B. The flame flows through the coke or other fuel in the second generator,
raising the fuel to a state of incandescence.
In descending through this incandescent fuel the products of the combustion of
the hydrogen and carbon-monoxide produced in the first vessel A, are re-arranged
into carbon-monoxide and hydrogen. All the gases escape through the outlet
ports 17 and into the annular flue 18, formed at the base of the second vessel, and
are gathered by this annular flue for introduction into the heavy refractory lined
connecting flue 13, where the introduction of the third supply of air is effected
at 20, by which the combustible gases are inflamed, the flame flowing into the
annular flue 21 from the base of which, it escapes into the inner vertical annular
flue 22, ascending through this flue, the flame spreads and fills the upper checker
brickwork part 23 of vessel C. The flame passes through all the interstices
between the bricks, because combustion is effected under pressure. The flame
finally escapes from the summit of the vessel C through the valve 24 preferably of
the inverted mushroom form into the chimney 25. The whole of the refractory
bricks in vessel C, become charged with heat up to at least visible incandescence and
sufficient to effect the fixation of the fixable hydro-carbons.
The residual and sensible heat escaping with the chimney gases can be utilised
for superheating the steam or petroleum oil, required for the process of gasification,
for instance a coil of copper or other metallic pipes may be fixed inside the
chimney 25 and through these pipes the steam or oil may be led
en route for the
generators.
66
"

page_text: When the fuel in the two vessels A and B and the brickwork conduit of vessel C
are heated up to the required temperature, the second cycle of gas production can
be commenced. This involves as an essential principle the closing off, of the
three air supplies and the introduction of steam and oil into the vessels in the
manner described.
The closing off of the air supply is effected simultaneously by the wheel valve 22
and link chains 27 that actuate the air valves.
The rotation of any one of these wheels controls the others. The rotation can
be done automatically by means of a water tilting gear having two buckets of
unequal size, so that there are alternate periods of reversal of duration, that is to
say when the largest bucket of water of the tilting gear is being filled, the
operation will take say 10 minutes, and when the smaller one is being filled,
the operation will take say 5 minutes, or the alternate operations can be effected in
terms of equal duration. The chain link action, besides controlling the air valves,
actuates the steam and oil valves, when the former or air valves are closed the two
latter or steam and oil valves are opened.
The steam valve 28 enables the steam to enter at the base of the vessel A, from
which it flows into the incandescent fuel and in ascending through the latter it is
converted into water gas, when it reaches the air ports part of this water gas can
be consumed; because I may maintain a small current of air constantly flowing
through this second air supply in order to maintain the temperature of the chamber
over the fuel levels at a fairly high temperature.
The water gas and the small proportion of H₂O resulting from the introduction
of the secondary supply of air, pass through the connecting conduit into the space
above the fuel in vessel B, where the gases are united with vapour and gas
generated from the oil. This oil is introduced either into the cross-conduit or into
the upper level of fuel in second vessel (and in a manner to be described in greater
detail further on).
The oil and gas vapour along with the water gas (CO & H) flow descensionally
through the incandescent fuel in second vessel B. Any, H2O, vapour from the
secondary combustion, is converted into H and CO and the oil vapour is converted
into a permanent gas, any liquid hydro-carbon remaining is gasified, in descending
through the incandescent fuel.
The final gases flow into the third vessel, through the conduit 13, in passing
through the incandescent brickwork of vessel, the still unfixed gases are fixed, and
the permanent hydro-carbons or enriched water gas escapes by the downcomer 29,
to the mains leading to the purifying or gas holder plant, to be stored ready for
use.
The downcomer 29 is provided with a dead weight safety valve and with a
reversal valve 30. In reversing, this valve 30 is the last to be closed, in order that
the whole of the carbon-monoxide and other residual gases remaining after
revivification may be able to escape through the chimney.
This last valve 30 and that of the chimney 24 are the only ones that it is
desired should be reversed by hand. In order to enable the operator to see when
the CO, and other residuals have been cleaned out, and the hydro-carbon gas has
appeared, a jet light is provided so that when the enriched water gas appears, it
immediately lights up and the operator can then close his chimney valve.
It is clearly to be understood that in some applications the entire set of valves
are automatically reversed.
Figures 4, 5, and 6, on Sheet 2, of drawings shew details of my arrangement
for injecting the enriching oil into the generators A or B, or both.
Figure 6, shews a section of the upper portion of the generating vessel B.
The oil is led to distributing coil pipes under pressure.
At one or more positions in the circular pipe I provide spring weighted valves 31,
which prevent the oil from escaping, unless a certain pressure (sufficient to
overcome the counteracting pressure of the helical spring in maintaining the valve
plugs 34 on their seat) is established. An enlarged section of the valves is shewn
on Figure 4. The central plug 34 of gun metal or turned steel makes a tight fit

page_text: on the gun-metal seat 33, a coil spring 37, presses against a guide bridge 38,
through this guide bridge the spindle 39 passes and is maintained in a central
position by this bridge.
When the pressure of oil is suddenly increased by the action of the oil pressure
pump, the valve plug 34 is forced from its seat 33, and allows the oil to escape,
falling into the gas generating vessel B, through the orifices 41 formed in the
refractory blocks 42. The oil falls in a ring shaped shower on to the upper part of
the fuel, and is spread over a considerable area of fuel.
Figure 6, shews a section & elevation of the ring distributing pipe-with the
four outlet valves 43, 44. The pipe 46 supplies the distributing coil from a force
pump. When the enriching process is desired, the feed pump is put into action
forcing the valves 34, from their seats. Immediately it is desired to stop the
enriching action, the pump is stopped, and the pressure on the plugs of valves 34
being removed, they immediately close on their seats, stopping instantly the flow
of the oil into the generator vessel. A current of steam is introduced by the
pipe 45, and serves to vapourise and diffuse the oil introduced in each valve before
it enters into the generator through the cone piece 45^.
The valve casing 47 is bolted on to top plate of generator vessel B, and is
preferably partly surrounded with cooling water.
Figures 7 and 8 on Sheet 3 of drawings illustrate respectively a longitudinal
and cross section of my special generator plant with certain modified! details, for
instance, it will be noticed that both generator vessels are provided with doors 48,
which are. equipped with cross bars and tightening screws. These doors permit a
man to enter for effecting repairs, and they greatly facilitate clinkering operations.
The doors are partly immersed in the water of the baths by which they are kept
cool, and are not likely to become distorted by overheating. The bottom of
generators 49, is plated over so as to permit a considerable pressure to be
established under the grate 50, which grate is formed of vertically hanging
firebars 51.
The escape outlet 52, at the top of the recuperator vessel is equipped with a
door 53 of the retort kind, this door is hinged on a shaft 54 that passes right
through the side of the funnel or chimney 55 and having at its termination a
sprocket wheel 56 and is actuated by the same link chain gearing that puts into
motion the different reversal valves of the system.
To facilitate the examination of this hinged outlet lid a side door 57 is
provided.
In order to enable the proper regulation of the runs of water gas making to be
determined and also to enable the proper time to close the escape outlet valve
to be ascertained-I employ a simple form of jet or luminous flame indicator.
This jet equipment is provided with a hydraulic seal, of such a depth that
immediately the outlet valve lid 53 is closed, the gas forces its way through it
and issues from the orifice of the indicator jet nozzle or burner being immediately
ignited by the flame of carburetted water gas. This flame being maintained
constantly alight and sufficiently near the indicator burner, that its flame
immediately ignites any inflammable gas escaping from it.
The luminous character and length of the flame issuing from the indicator
nozzle, will enable the proper length of the run to be rapidly determined.
A second and similar indicator jet is supplied with gas from the flue connecting
the second generator with the recuperator vessel. This second testing or indicator
jet is not supplied with a hydraulic seal the flow of gas to it being turned on or
cut off by means of a valve.
Almost immediately after the steam and oil are turned on, the gas escapes
from the second connecting conduit and flows to the burner of the indicator
arrangement where by an igniting jet always kept alight, it is ignited, and this
ignition shewn by a luminous flame is the signal for the closure of the chimney
valve.
I may prefer to arrange for the closure or opening of the chimney outlet lid,

page_text: independently of the other valves, so that it can be adjusted rather later or rather
sooner than the remaining oil gas steam and air valves which are simultaneously
actuated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same may be performed, I declare that what I
claim is represented by the following statement :-
First. The procedure of generating combustible and enriched or luminous water
gas substantially as described and shewn.
Second. The employment of two fuel filled vessels acting in conjunction with a
third one, this third vessel acting as a fixing chamber for rendering the hydro-
carbons permanent.
Third. The method of employing a secondary and continuous combustion in the
first vessel by which secondary combustion (effected as described) the fuel in the
second vessel is raised to a condition of incandescence, and the carbon-dioxide and
aqueous vapour in descending through the incandescent fuel is converted into
carbon-monoxide and hydrogen.
Fourth. The procedure of operation in which for the production of gas
technically known as water gas, steam superheated as described, descends through
the fuel in a second vessel connected to the first by means of an upper connecting
conduit.
Fifth. The method of employing water baths for the two vessels substantially
as shewn and described and for the purpose of generating water gas.
Sixth. The arrangement of three air supply mains with their respective
reversing valves substantially and for the purpose described.
Seventh. The fire-grate arrangement of the first vessel and the cone plate base
of the second vessel in combination with the water vessel, substantially as shewn
and described.
Eighth. The method of superheating steam and oil to be used in the gas
generating process.
Ninth. The method of introducing the oil under pressure into the fuel filled
vessels and the distributing coil spring, held, valves which only permit the escape
of the oil when a certain pressure has been established substantially as herein
shewn and described.
Dated this 15th day of October 1895.
B. H. THWAITE.