Improvements in Apparatus for Manufacturing Gas.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1894-Accepted. 24th May, 1895
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i
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Manufacturing Gas.
I, FREDERICK MAYER, of 1336 Hollins Street, in the City of Baltimore, State
of Maryland, United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
my invention, and in what manner the sanie is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
In the description of the said invention. which follows, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which,-
Figure 1 is an exterior front elevation of the apparatus.
Figure 2 is an exterior. end elevation.
Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal central sectional elevation of the same.
Figure 4 is a transverse section of Fig. 3 taken on the dotted line -, except
that a part of a pipe or tube hereinafter described and the adjacent brickwork, are
shown in section.
Figure 5 is a sectional plan of Fig. 3 taken on the dotted line 2-2.
Figure 6 is a similar section of Fig. 3 taken on the dotted line x-x.
Figure. 7 is an exterior plan of the apparatus.
Figures 8 to 17 inclusive, are details of the apparatus on an enlarged scale.
Referring to the drawings, A and B are circular twin generators. The wall of
the generators is formed of brick of different qualities, the inner circular shell >>
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 being of fire brick of the highest grade, the outer circular shell c
of a cheaper grade, and the filling-in d Fig. 5 of common brick. The entire wall is
encased in sheet iron.
The portion of the wall situated between the generators is cut away to form the
connecting space C, see Figure 3.
At the bottom of each generator are grate bars e, and below these bars are ash
pits f. Figs. 3, 4, 5 & 6.
D and E are pipes or tubes extending transversely through the brick-work near
its bottom, and the ash pits f, and these pipes or tubes are connected by small pipes
or tubes g and h.
The generator A has a feed opening F covered by a valvei, which is sand sealed,
and the generator B has a similar opening G, provided with a blow through valve j
over which is suspended a hood H shown only in Fig. 1.
The blow through. valve is manipulated through the medium of sprocket
wheels a and b, rods. connected at their ends by chains d', and the lever et on
the shaft of the sprocket wheel &, see Fig. 1.
I is a pipe leading from the pipe or tube D into the hydraulic main K, see
Figures 1,18 and 9.
L is a pipe similar to the oue. I, lending from the pipe or tube E on the opposite
side of the generator to the hydraulic main, see particularly Figs. 2 and 7.
M and Nare branch pipes leading, respectively, from the pipes I and L, to the
main blast pipe O Figs. 2 & 7 which extends to some source of supply of air under
pressure.
Qand R are stop.valves respectively in the pipes Mand. N. These valves are
best shown in Figs. 2 and 7.
The stem a' of each of the valves Q and R is attached to a spindle
united to a

page_text: double or branched arm c' of a lever P, the other arm of which is loosely
connected to a vertical rod f³. A. similar.rody is attached at the upper and lower
ends to the one f³ by chains 3 which pass over sheaves, thus making an endless
connection, best shown in Figs. 15-17. The rod is operated by a hand lever P
hinged to the sheet iron casing around the brickwork of the generators. Figs. 1 & 7.
T is the main steam pipe leading from a boiler not shown, to the main steam
valve n; best shown in Figs. 11 and 13 and U and V are branch steam pipes
extending from the main steam pipe T below the valve n, Figs. 1-11-13 to the
ends of the pipes D and E which are opposite to the pipes I and L, and which are
closed by heads o* and p,-see Fig. 6.
The valves in the steam pipes U and V are, respectively denoted by q and r.
Figs. 7, 11 and 13.
W is a blow through steam pipe, controlled by a valves, branching from the
main steam pipe T, and leading to the upper part of the interior of the generator A,
see Figs. 1 and 3.
A
"Ashaft stepped in the head of the main blast pipe O, extends upward to a
point above the generators where it enters a suitable bearing box u, Figs. 2 and 11
and it carries a beveled gear wheel a' in engagement with a similar wheel b¹ on a
counter shaft c¹ hung in brackets d'. Figs. 11 and, 13.
:
At the outer end of the counter shaft.c.is a sprocket wheel el united by a chain
belt to a similar sprocket wheel f¹ on a stud Figs: 1 & 12 having a second sprocket
wheel. Figs. 2. and 12 united by a chain belt to the sprocket wheel m³ on a
spindle A', which serves to operate the dip valves in the hydraulic main K as
hereinafter described.
B' is a short, vertical revoluble shaft situated near the shaft t and connected to
the said shaft by means of two spur gears g' and ', see particularly Figures 11, 12
and 13. At. the upper end of the short, shaft B is a worm in gear with a
toothed sector j on a rock-shaft k having a double pointer m², see Figs. 11, 12, 13,
and 14.
and r
The pointer m when in a horizontal position, is either, below the valves
as shown in Fig. 2, or above them as shown in Fig. 11. When, however, the
pointer is inclined, in either direction to its. fullest extent, it indicates the position of
one of the valves 9 and r as hereinafter fully described.
Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, it will be seen that the pipes I and L in the hydraulic
main Kextend through the contained water into cylindrical boxes Chand D', in
which the dip valves E' and F', before alluded to, are situated: Figure 8 is a
section of, Figure..10 taken on the dotted line y-y: Figure 9 is a section of
Figure 10 taken on the dotted line z―z.
These dip valves E and F which cover the pipes I and L consist of. cylindrical
shells closed at the top, and at the.bottom immersed in the water of the hydraulic
main, see Figures 8 and 9.
Extending from the dip valves E' and F! are racks s¹ which pass through the
heads, of the cylindrical extensions C and D of the hydraulic main K, and into
-closed tubular cases
:
}
The spindle Abefore alluded to; passes through the bases of the tubular cases t¹
which are enlarged and provided with stuffing boxes u to prevent leakage of gas.
Within the enlarged portions of the cases t¹, are pinions a secured to the spindle 'A'
and in engagement, with the racks s, see Figs. 8 and 9.
Referring now particularly to Figure 10 which is a plan of Figure 8, it will be
seen that the pipes. I, and L with their dip valves E and F are not situated on the
longitudinal centre line of the hydraulic main, but are placed oue on each side
thereof. The object of this arrangement is to have the pinions a' on opposite sides
of the racks so that inthe rotation of the spindle Aone of the valves will be
raised as the outer is lowered.
..
At the back of each racks is a supporting roll 6' which prevents the rack from
being forced back in the operation of the spindle A', see Figure 9.
t
Supposing the feed and purge valves i and j to be open, the steam valves closed,
.:
A
++

page_text: and the dip valves E and F in the hydraulic main equalized in height, the first
step in making gas consists in charging the generators with lump anthracite coal,
coke or other carbonaceous material through the openings F and G, and bringing
the coal to an incandescent state by the air blast admitted under the grates, through
the pipes M and N and pipes D and E. Figs. 1-3 & 4.
The air blast is now shut off, the openings F and G closed, and the dip valves E.
and F' brought into the relative positions shown in Figure 8, when the main steam
valve n and the branch steam valve rare opened, which,adınits steam to the
generator A by means of the pipe D and the pipe g.
The steam passes upward through the incandescent coal in the generator A and
in this operation is disassociated into its elements the oxygen combining with the
coal forming carbonic-oxide and the hydrogen being liberated. These gases then pass
through the connecting space C to the generator B, thence through the incandescent
coal in the said generator, thence to the pipe E by means of the pipes, and thence.
to the pipe L through which they are conducted to under the dip valve F, and are
delivered through the water to the hydraulic main.
41.
The operation as described is continued until the coal in the generator A becomes
somewhat cooled, when the steam valve is closed and the dip valves E' and F
reversed in position.
The steam valve q is now opened, and the operation above described repeated,
except that the process is reversed the steam passing upward "through the
generator Band downward through the one. A but the gases finally pass from
under the dip valve E¹ to the hydraulic main, as in the first operation..
This secondary process is continued until the coal in the generator B has been
cooled to a point below which the operation cannot be properly, worked, when the
steam valve is closed.
The blow through valve ; is now opened, as are also both the steam valves g
and r to drive out through the opening G, the inflammable gases contained in the
generators. This purging process is completed after the closing of the steam
valves and by admitting steam through the blow through pipe W.
The blow through valve being still open the air blast to both generators is turned
on, and this is continued until the coal in both generators is again heated to an
incandescent state or a proper temperature, after which the first and secondary
processes as described are repeated.
.
It will be understood from the foregoing description that in operating the dip
valves E and F in the hydraulic main, to change them from one extreme position
to another, or to bring them to a common position wherein the depth of dip is
equal, the double pointer m' is also and simultaneously moved; in other words, all
move together. For instance, when the said dip valves are equalized in height or
have the same dip, the pointer is in a horizontal position which indicates to the
attendant that the apparatus is in a condition for the application of the blast, the,
dip valves both offering by the depth of seal, sufficient resistance to the escape of
air to prevent its passing to the take-off pipe of the hydraulic main, and also, to
prevent the backward 'passage or return of gas from the hydraulic main to the
generators. It also indicates that both the steam valves 9 and r should be or are
closed.
In adjusting the valve-operating mechanism by means of the hand wheel A³ so
as to open, or elevate to its highest position, the dip 'valve F, the pointer m¹ is
automatically moved so as to point to the steam valve T, and by, this, the attendant
knows that the steam valve r must be opened in order that the gas making process
may be carried out. Figs. 7-11 and 12..
To effect the secondary process, the hand wheel is turned in an opposite direction
so as to lower the dip valve F¹ and raise the one E' and at the same time the steam
valver is closed. The position of the pointer now indicates that the steam valve g
is to be opened.
7
.
Thus, the pointer always indicates the position of the dip valves, and shows
which steam valve has to be opened.

page_text: Having now 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 I
claim is
1. In a gas making apparatus, twin generators having two pipes or tubes which
extend through the brick-work thereof, and are in communication with blast pipes,
the said pipes or tubes having small pipes which connect them with the generators,
a gas pipe leading from each pipe or tube to a hydraulic main, a system of steam
pipes whereby steam may be introduced into the said pipes or tubes alternately,
vertically moving dip valves in the hydraulic main and 'mechanism to connect the
dip valves whereby on the elevation of one valve the other is depressed or lowered,
combined substantially as specified.
2. In a gas making apparatus, twin generators having pipes or tubes adapted to
receive an air blast-situated in the brick-work of the generators, the said pipes or
tubes having small pipes which connect them with the generators, gas pipes leading
from the pipes or tubes to the hydraulic main, a'system of steam pipes-whereby
steam may be introduced into the pipes or tubes alternately, vertically moving dip
valves in the hydraulic main, mechanism to unite the dip valves whereby in the
raising of one dip valve the other is lowered; and' an indicator or a pointer having
a movement in common with the dip valves to indicate their positions in the
hydraulic main, combined'substantially 'as specified.
3. In a gas making apparatus, twin generators having pipes or tubes adapted to
receive an air blast and in communication with the generators by means of 'small
pipes, gas pipes leading from the pipes or tubes to a hydraulic main, a system of
steam pipes, whereby steam may be introduced to the pipes or tubes alternately,
controlling valves in the steam pipes, dip 'valves. in the hydraulic main, connecting
mechanism which unites the dip valves and whereby the same are moved in opposite
directions, a pointer having a movement in common with the dip valves arranged
to indicate their positions and also to indicate which controlling steam valve is to
be opened at certain stages of the gas making operation, combined substantially as
specified.
4. In a gas making apparatus, twin generators' each having a pipe or tube adapted
to receive an air blast and in communication with the generator, a gas pipe leading
from each pipe or tube to a hydraulic main and controlled by a dip valve, and a
system of steam pipes whereby steam may be introduced into the said pipes or tubes
and thence through the generators to the said hydraulic nain, combined substantially
as specified.
5. In a gas making apparatus, the combination with two generators and a
hydraulic main, a gas pipe leading from the bottom of each generator and
underneath the fuel therein, to the hydraulic main and through the water in the
said main to a point somewhat above the water level, dip valves which at all times
cover the gas pipes and are sealed-by the water, and mechanism whereby the dip
valves are moved together, vertically, but in opposite directions, whereby the
relative resistance offered by the two valves to the passage of gas from the two
generators may be changed or the resistance equalized substantially as; and for the
purpose specified.
6. In a gas making apparatus, the combination with two generators and a
hydraulic main, a gas pipe leading from the bottom of each generator and
underneath the fuel therein to the hydraulic main, and in communication with the
air blast pipe, dip valves which at all times cover the gas pipes and are sealed by
water, and mechanism whereby the dip valves are moved together, vertically, but
in opposite directions, whereby the relative resistance offered by the two valves to
the passage of gas from the two generators may be changed or the resistance
equalized; substantially 'as, and for the purpose specified.
7. In a gas making apparatus, the combination with two generators and a
hydraulic main, a gas pipe leading from the bottom of each generator and
underneath the fuel therein to the hydraulic main, and through the water in the

page_text: main to a point somewhat above the water line, two dip valves having actuating
racks situated in reverse positions, a spindle, and pinions on the spindle in engagement
with the said racks, whereby in the revolution of the spindle, one valve is raised
and the other lowered, substantially as, and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 21st day of June 1894.
FREDERICK MAYER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.