Improvements in Apparatus used in the Production and Storage of Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 7th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 31st Dec.,
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus used in the Production and Storage of
Acetylene Gas.
I, TOM MITCHELL, of Cemetery House, Shaw, near Oldham, Analytical Chemist,
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide simple and efficient apparatus in which
to conduct the generation of acetylene gas in combination with means for storing
the gas and automatically regulating its production, also enabling the gas to be
used at a lower pressure than that at which it is at first collected, and to auto-
matically cut off the further flow of gas into a gasometer after a certain capacity
has been filled.
In carrying out my invention I employ a large drum, by preference, some 2 ft.
6 inches high by 2 ft. wide, and of galvanised iron. This drum is provided with
a partition about half-way down its interior, which serves to divide the drum
into upper and lower compartments. The upper compartment is open to the atmo-
sphere, but the lower compartment is closed with the exception of two small
orifices as hereinafter described.
The said upper compartment contains a small pocket or chamber, divided off
from the main chamber, in which the supply of water for generating the gas is
contained.
This said pocket (or smaller drum) communicates by a pipe with the lower end,
or part, of a small cylinder (hereinafter called the "generator") in which the cal-
cium carbide is held and in which the gas is generated. The said pipe serves to
convey the water in the pocket into the "generator," and then bring such water
into contact with the carbide which is contained in a suitable "cage" or "holder,"
adapted for the water, as it rises, to entirely surround and submerge the carbide.
From the upper end, or part, of such generator I connect another pipe, which
extends upwards to a point above the level of the drum, and then bends downwards
and communicates with one of the orifices leading into the lower compartment
of the drum. Connected with the other orifice in said lower compartment is a
further pipe which terminates in the upper compartment, and slightly above
the plate which divides the two compartments.
In starting the apparatus, the said upper and lower compartments are filled
with water, also the pocket, or smaller drum. A tap on the pipe leading from the
pocket to the generator is then opened, and the water in said pocket then flows
into the generator and reaching the carbide immediately commences the generation
of the gas. As such gas is evolved it finds its way through the said upper and
bent pipe into the lower compartment of the drum where it bubbles through the
water and accumulates in the upper part of the said lower compartment,
from whence it is drawn off for use, or further storage.
If the gas is generated too quickly it displaces the water in the generator and
causes it to sink beneath the level of the carbide, run back into the pocket, and
so automatically stop the production of gas.

page_text: As the water in the lower compartment of the drum is displaced by the gas,
it flows through the pipe aforesaid into the upper compartment and thus in icates
the quantity of gas generated, and ensures of the pressure being maintained instead
of being variable as would be the case if the same water was used for generating
purposes.
In conjunction with the aforesaid apparatus I sometimes employ a gas holder
comprising a tank, partly filled with water, and containing an inverted dome,
or shell-like float, which is sustained by cord, and balance weight from a wheel
on the plug of a valve on the length of a gas pipe. This pipe conveys the gas from
the drum aforesaid, and leads it into a space beneath the dome, where it collects,
and from whence it is drawn for use.
This dome is so poised as to give a definite pressure on the gas, which may be
more, or less, than the pressure at which the, gas is collected in the drum, and
serves to give a steady light. To ensure of the pressure being constant the move-
ments of the dome are designed to operate the valve aforesaid, and in such a
manner that as the dome rises it shuts off the further flow of gas, whilst as the
dome sinks or falls it opens the valve and allows the gas to flow freely through.
By thus combining the generator, storage drum, and gas holder, I provide a
unique arrangement of apparatus which possesses many advantages, and fulfils
every requirement for the proper generation of acetylene gas, and a notable advan-
tage being that the apparatus can be recharged with carbide whilst the gas is
being consumed.
In lieu of the aforesaid pocket for supplying water to the generator being, within
the upper compartment of the drum, I may arrange it in a separate receptacle,
and in lieu of a single divided drum I may arrange two drums at the same or
different elevations and side by side, or separated from each other with the pipe
connections arranged to suit.
Dated this 11th day of Wa 1000
Improvements in Apparatus used in the Production and Storage of
Acetylene Gas.
I, TOM MITCHELL, of Cemetery House, Shaw, near Oldham, Analytical Chemist,
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 fol-
lowing statement:-
The object of my invention is to provide simple and efficient apparatus in which
to conduct the generation of acetylene gas in combination with means for storing
the gas and automatically regulating its production, also enabling the gas to be
used at a lower pressure than that at which it is at first collected, and to auto-
matically cut off the further flow of gas into a gasometer after a certain capacity
has been filled.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and carried
into practical effect I have hereunto annexed 2 sheets of drawings and will now
. proceed to describe the same with the aid of the various figures and letters of
reference marked thereon.
On Sheet. One

page_text: Fig. 1 is a vertical section, and Fig. 2 an exterior plan view of my improved
apparatus for use in the generation of acetylene gas.
On Sheet Two,
Fig. 3 represents (in diagram) the generator in combination with a gasometer
and pipes for storing the gas and maintaining it at a uniform pressure.
In accordance with my invention, I employ a drum (A) of, by preference, gal-
vanised iron, and for a medium size about 4 feet high and 2 feet in diameter or
like proportions for other sizes. Such drum is divided into upper and lower com-
partments (B) and (C), the upper compartment being open, and the lower com-
partment closed. The upper compartment contains a small tank or auxiliary
drum (D), or is fitted with a vertical partition to divide the upper compartment (B)
into two parts. From the said upper compartment (B), I lead a pipe (E) into the
lower compartment (C) as illustrated, and from the tank or drum (D), I lead a
pipe (F) into the lower end of the generator (G). This generator has thick walls
to withstand pressure, and its upper end is closed by an air-tight lid (H), carried
and adjusted by screw (I), hand-wheel (J) and cross-bridge (K) rising from the
swivel ring (L), which is fastened on stud (M) and engages with stud (N).
Within the top end of said generator I suspend the perforated zinc cage, basket
or carbide holder (O), resting by its flange (01) upon the mouth of the generator,
and the joint between it and lid made by a thick india-rubber washer (02).
From the upper end of the generator I connect a pipe (P) extending upwards
above the level of drum (A), and connected to the lower compartment (C). The
pipe (1) is fitted with a plug cock (F).
In using the apparatus the cage (0) is charged with carbide. Water is then
placed in the upper compartment (B) of drum (A),-which,--with the gas outlet
pipe (C) open,-flows down pipe (E) into the lower compartment (C) until such
compartment is full, or nearly full, the measure of which may be indicated by a
gauge glass, or by the quantity of water put into the upper compartment. With
the cock (F) turned off, water is then placed in the tank or drum (D) until full
or nearly full. With the pipe (C*) closed, and the lid (H) of the generator secured
in position, the apparatus is ready to be started, which is gradually effected by
the turning on of the cock (F) thereby opening the way for the water in drum (D)
to run into the generator, and rising in such generator (which is permitted by the
balance between such water and the water in chamber (C)) to come in contact
with the carbide in cage (0), as illustrated in Fig. 1. The gas is then generated
and rising upwards escapes into the pipe (P), and when a sufficient pressure is set
up, drives down the water in the lower end of pipe (P) and bubbles through the
water in compartment (C) as illustrated, where it is collected ready for use, or for
delivery into any suitable form of gasometer.
As the gas accumulates in compartment (C) the level of the water therein falls,
and the displaced water rises in pipe (E) into the upper compartment (B), until
the pressure of the head of water is such as to exceed the pressure of the water in
the tank (D), when the generation ceases, due to the pressure of gas driving the
water in the generator up into the tank (D) and thereby removing such water out
of contact with the carbide.
Immediately the pressure falls, due to drawing off the gas through pipe (C)
the water from tank (D) rises in the generator, and the water from the compart-
ment (B) rises in the compartment (C) and the generation of gas is automatically
restarted, and continued, until the balance is again exceeded, and so on continu-
ously.
Due to the head of water in compartment (C) being variable, the pressure of
the gas as it is drawn off through pipe (C) is variable, hence to prevent unsteadi-
ness of the light or fluctuation of pressure, I employ, in combination with my
gas generating apparatus, the construction, and arrangement of gasometer shewn
on Sheet Two of the drawings, which comprises the tank (Q) and central cham-
ber (R) over which latter is a dome or inverted vessel (S) floating in the water
in the tank (Q).

page_text: Gas from the generator (G) passes along pipe (P) into the lower part of cham-
ber (R) where it bubbles through the water and collects in the upper part. It is
then led by pipe (T) into the interior of dome (S) where it accumulates and
gradually raises the dome (S) until by reason of a wheel (U) mounted on, or con-
nected with, the axle or plug of a cock on the tube (T), and the passing of the
balance weight (V) and cord (W) over such wheel, the passage through the tube (T)
is closed, when the gas is maintained at a constant pressure, and the back pressure
of the gas in pipe (P) stops the further generation in the generator.
The gas is drawn from beneath the bell for use through pipe (X), or through
one of its branches, and by the balancing of the bell, is fed at a uniform pressure,
whatever be the volume of gas beneath the bell, and as the bell is lowered the
cord (W) and pulley (U) acting in a reverse manner upon the plug of the cock
on tube (T) open up the communication again with the generator (G), and allowing
the gas to enter the bell (S) decrease the pressure of the gas in the generator,
and restart the generation, and so on continuously.
It will be obvious that the generator and drum or gasometer may be in close
proximity, or be removed some distance from each other.
Having thus 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: Apparatus for use in the manufacture of acetylene gas, consisting of a
generator connected with a gas collecting chamber and said generator and collecting
chamber supplied with independent volumes of water through separate pipes or
passages from separate tanks, with facilities for flowing back into said tanks under
the increase of pressure and volume of gas, and said tanks and pipes placed and
arranged, substantially as set forth.
2: In means for generating acetylene gas, storing it and delivering it at a
uniform pressure, the combination of a generator, water tank, with gasometer,
comprising a tank, a central chamber and bell, a pipe from the said gas collecting
chamber leading to the said central chamber, and a pipe leading from said chamber
to the bell with a valve or cock on said pipe under control of the said bell, and
a pipe leading from said bell to the gas outlet, substantially as set forth and shewn
on Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.
3: The combination and arrangement of parts substantially as and for the
purposes herein described and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
TOM MITCHELL,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents, 55, Market Street, Manchester.