Improvements in Gas Producing Apparatus in which the Carbonization of Coal is Continuously Effected.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Gas Producing Apparatus in which the
Carbonization of Coal is Continuously Effected.
I, JAMES ELLIOTT of The Gas Works, Ludlow in the County of Salop, Gas Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention has for its object improvements upon an invention for which I obtained
Letters Patent dated April 15, 1887 No. 5519.
In carrying my present invention into effect I preferably use retorts, which are
gradually larger as they approach the outlet end than they are at the feeding end to
allow for the expansion of the coal during the process of carbonization.
In com-
I employ an open hopper, to which coal is supplied in any convenient manner, and
from which feeding tubes descend to the retorts, as shown and described in the
specification of the aforesaid patent; instead however of employing the regulators as
therein described, I now make such regulators as simple plates loosely fitting the
interior of the tubes and capable of being partially turned on their axes.
bination with these regulators 1 employ means for preventing the escape of gas from
the retort, whilst coal is being let into the scoop or charger inserted in the mouthpiece.
This consists of a gas tight cover to each feeding tube working on a true surface fixed
on the bottom of the hopper. These gas tight covers are connected together by means
of a rod operated by means of a lever or screw, so that on turning a wheel or moving
a lever, they shall all open or close simultaneously. The regulators, which only
require a quarter turn to fully open them, may be turned separately by means of levers
fixed on their axes, or they may be turned together by connecting the said levers to
a rod.
The scoop of each retort, is, as described in my aforesaid specification, fixed to a
rod or axis passing through the lid of the retort, but, according to my present inven-
tion, I fix on such rod or axis, exterior of the retort lid, a semi-circular toothed or
worm wheel, and all of such toothed or worm wheels are operated simultaneously by
worms or screws fixed to a shaft running along the front of the retorts.
The scoops are, according to my present invention, thrust in or withdrawn simul-
taneously from the retorts by the following means.

page_text: I employ a cross har provided with arms extending opposite the centre of each
retort and connected to the rod or axis of the scoop. and such cross bar has connected
thereto two or more toothed racks, which are taken into and driven to and fro by
means of, toothed wheels mounted on a shaft or axis supported in suitable bearings, so
that on said shaft or axis being rotated, the cross bar will either advance or recede
carrying with it the rods or axes of the scoops, which latter will be thrust in, or drawn
out, of the retorts by the action of the arms.
As described in my aforesaid specification, the opposite or back end of each retort
is fitted with a mouthpiece (which, for the sake of distinction, I will call a tailpiece)
and a discharging cylinder, whilst the ascension pipe rises from the tailpiece, and the
latter is also fitted with a handhole and lid, to enable the said ascension pipe to he
cleaned; according to this part of my present invention I keep the discharging
cylinders in contact with their seats in the tailpieces by means of springs acting on
their bearings and instead, of rotating such discharging cylinders simultaneously by
the means described in my aforesaid specification; I may operate each of them
separately by means of a landle attached to the axle of cach cylinder, or I may
operate them simultaneously by means of toothed wheels attached to the axes of the
cylinders and operated by means of toothed pinions mounted on an operating shaft
controlling one series of discharging cylinders.
JAMES
ELLIOTT.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings,
Agents..

page_text: Carbonization of Coal is Continuously Effected.
I, JAMES ELLIOTT of The Gas Works, Ludlow, in the County of Salop, Gas 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:
'
The invention has for its object improvements upon an invention for which I obtained
Letters Patent, dated April 15, 1887, No. 5519.
In carrying my present invention into effect, I preferably use retorts which are
gradually larger as they approach the outlet end than they are at the feeding end, to
allow for the expansion of the coal during the process of carbonization.
1 employ an open hopper, to which coal is supplied in any convenient manner, and.
from which feeding tubes descend to the retorts, as shown and described in the
specification of the aforesaid patent; instead however of employing the regulators as
therein described, I now make such regulators as simple plates, loosely fitting the interior
In combination
of the tubes, and capable of being partially turned on their axes.
with these regulators, I employ means for preventing the escape of gas from the
retort whilst coal is being let into the scoop or charger inserted in the mouthpiece.
This consists of a gas tight cover to each feeding tube working on a true surface
fixed on the bottom of the hopper. These gas tight covers are connected together
by means of a rod operated by means of a lever or screw, so that on turning a
wheel or moving a lever, they shall all open or close simultaneously. The regulators,
which only require a quarter turn to fully open them, may be turned separately by
means of levers fixed on their axes, or they may be turned together by connecting -
the said levers to a rod.
The scoop of each retort is, as described in my aforesaid specification, fixed to a
rod or axis, passing through the lid of the retort, but, according to my present inven-
tion, I fix on such rod or axis, exterior of the retort lid, a semi-circular toothed or
worm wheel, and all of such toothed or worm wheels are operated simultaneously by
worms or screws, fixed to a shaft running along the front of the retorts.
The scoops are, according to my present invention, thrust in or withdrawn simul-
taneously from the retorts by the following means.
i
.
-
i
I employ a cross bar provided with arms extending opposite the centre of each
retort, and connected to the rod or axis of the scoop, and such cross bar has
connected thereto, two or more toothed racks, which are taken into and driven to
and fro by means of toothed wheels mounted on a shaft or axis, supported in suitable..
bearings, so that on said shaft or axis being rotated, the cross bar will either advance..
or recede, carrying with it the rods or axes of the scoops, which latter will be thrust-
in or drawn out of the retorts by the action of the arms.
As described in my aforesaid specification, the opposite or back end of each retort,
is fitted with a mouthpiece (which, for the sake of distinction, I will call a tailpiece)
and a discharging cylinder, whilst the ascension pipe rises from the tailpiece, and the
latter is also fitted with a handhole and lid, to enable the said ascension pipe to be
cleaned; according to this part of my present invention, I keep the discharging,

page_text: cylinders in contact with their seats in the tailpieces by means of springs acting on
their bearings, and instead of rotating such discharging cylinders simultaneously by
the means described in my aforesaid specification, I may operate each of them
separately, by means of a handle attached to the axle of each cylinder, or I may
operate them simultaneously by means of toothel wheels attached to the axes of the
cylinders, and operated by means of toothed pinions mounted on an operating shaft,
controlling one series of discharging cylinders.
.
And in order that my said invention may be more clearly understood, and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings, more fully to
describe the same..
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, Figure 2 is a back end elevation, and Figure 3 is a
section drawn on line 1. 1. of figure 1, representing a bench of retorts with some of
my improvements applied thereto. Figure 4 is a front elevation and Figure 5 is a
section showing my improved means for simultaneously rotating the scoops or
chargers E of a bench of retorts:
In all the figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
-A A are retorts, which may be of the ordinary character, or, as shown in the
drawing, they may be larger at the outlet end, to allow for the expansion of coal
during the process of carbonization. B is a small open hopper for containing a
quantity of coal; this hopper is connected to the mouthpiece of each retort by a
pipe D. These pipes are provided with an arrangement to. prevent the escape of gas
whilst coal is being let into the scoops or chargers E inserted in the mouthpieces.
The arrangement for each pipe D, consists of a gas tight cover F working on a true
surface fixed on the bottom of the hopper B, and a coal regulator G, consisting of a
simple plate loosely fitting the interior of the pipe D. The covers F F are connected
by a rod H, so that on pulling the lever J, they simultaneously open or close all the
pipes D D, or the covers FF may be moved by means of a screw. The regulators GG,
which only require a quarter turn to open on full, may be opened separately by means
of levers fixed on their axes, or they may be all opened simultaneously by connecting
the levers g to a rod K. The scoops E are each fixed to a rod L passing through the
lid of the retort, and this rod may have a lever T attached to the other end, by which
each scoop may be separately operated, or, according to my present invention, I may
fix on each of such rods L, a semi-circular toothed wheel M, (or it may be a cam)
geared to worm wheels RR, fixed to the shafting S, as shown in figures 4 and 5.
The scoops E are thrust into or withdrawn sinultaneously from the retorts by means
of a cross bar P, having as many arms Q as there are retorts in a setting. Each
scoop rod L passes through an opening near the extremity of its respective arm, so
that on the shaft N being made to revolve, the pinions n will operate on the racks 00
attached to the cross bar, and cause the cross bar, and consequently the scoops, to
advance or recede.
To the opposite or back end of the retort, there is also a kind of mouthpiece U,
(which I call the tailpiece), and from which the ascension pipe V rises. The tailpiece
is provided with a handhole d for cleaning the said ascension pipe; it has also an
opening W, which corresponds with an opening in the short cylinder X that is pivotted
to arms Y Y attached to the tailpiece. The tailpiece is made to a curve of a true
circle, so that when the cylinder X is brought up against it, the cylinder may turn,
though in close contact with the facings of the tailpiece, and ensure a gas-tight joint.
The openings in the cylinders may be exposed for the discharge of coke, by a handle
attached to the axis of each cylinder X, or the whole may be actuated simultaneously
by means of cogged wheels b. b fixed to the shaft a, and genred into other toothed
wheels ZZ attached to the cylinders. The bearings of the cylinders XX are mounted
in slots in the arins Y Y, and are there supported by springs c. c, which keep the
cylinders in close contact with the tailpieces.
The action of the apparatus, which is very simple, is as follows: The hopper B
being charged with coal, the covers F. Fure withdrawn from the tous of the nives D'D:

page_text: the coal then falls till it fills the space between F and G, which, when full, contains a
fixed quantity of coal. The covers FF are returned till they close the openings at the
top of the pipes DD; the regulators G G are opened, whereupon the coal will fall
into the scoops below. The rods L, and consequently the scoops E, are then thrust in
to their full length by the operation of the racks O and pinions N, and the scoops are,
according to the arrangement shown at figures 1 and 3, turned over by means of the
levers T, or, according to the arrangement shown at figures 4 and 5, they may be
turned over simultaneously by revolving the shaft S. The coal will thus be deposited
on the bottom of the retort, ready for carbonization. The rods L are then drawn out-
wards, and the scoops returned to their former or normal position under the
pipes DD. After a short interval, to allow the coal to become caked, the scoops
are again charged with coal, thrust forward, and turned over; in thrusting forward
the second charge of coal, the coal already introduced, will be pushed towards the
opposite end of the retort, and by repeating the operation, the coal which has been
converted into coke, will fall through the opening in the tailpiece into the cylinder X.
This cylinder, on being turned by the means herein before described, will allow the
coke to fall out of the opening in it, into a barrow or other convenient receptacle.
The coke will now be discharged at the same rate as coal is being introduced at the
other end.
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. The arrangement of valves F and G for enabling coal to be fed from the hopper
to the scoops, and for preventing the escape of gas at such time, substantially.as herein
shown and described.
2. The peculiar arrangement and combination of parts for enabling the scoops or
chargers of one bench of retorts to be simultaneously thrust forward into the retorts,
and withdrawn therefrom into the mouthpieces, substantially as herein shown and
described.
3. The combination with the axial rods of the scoops or chargers of a bench of
retorts, of semi-circular toothed or worm wheels, and a shaft provided with a series
of worms taking into the same, for the purpose of enabling all the scoops or chargers
of a bench of retorts to be simultaneously turned over, substantially as herein shown
and described with respect to figures 4 and 5.
4. The method of keeping the discharging cylinders in close contact with the facings
of the tailpieces, by means of springs acting on their bearings, substantially as herein
shown and described.
5. The method of enabling a row of discharging cylinders to be simultaneously
rotated by toothed wheels fixed on their axes, which toothed wheels are revolved by
means of pinions fixed on a shaft extending across such row of cylinders, substantially
as herein shown and described.
1
6. In gas producing apparatus in which the carbonization of coal is continuously
effected, the various improvements substantially as herein shown and described and for
the purposes stated.