Improved Method of and Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
I, MAURICE CHARLES ALFREDE FOURCHOTTE, of 101 Rue Lauriston, Paris, in
the Republic of France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
The apparatus which forms the subject of this invention, serves for the production
of acetylene gas, in quantities proportionate to the consumption of the gas by
decomposing calcium carbide or other appropriate substance by water.
This apparatus comprises a generator proper and a gas holder, placed side
by side.
The generator consists of a receiver open at the top and containing water. Above
the water level within the receiver is placed a perforated basket which serves to receive
the carbide; a bell or bell shaped cover descending to the bottom of the receiver is
also provided, the said bell or cover is sufficiently loaded for this purpose, and forms
together with the water a hydraulic seal.
From the upper part of the carbide vessel there passes a tube which communicates
with another tube rising in the gas holder to nearly the level of the water therein.
Around this latter tube another tube fixed to the bell of the gas holder slides.
The consequence of this arrangement is that, when the bell of the gas holder
descends, the air or the gas, contained in the tube fixed to the bell, becomes compressed
and exerts a pressure upon the water which is contained in the inner tube of the
holder whereupon the water is forced back into the tube of the generator and is caused
to flow over or on to the carbide and thus generate more acetylene gas which passes
into the gas bolder and causes the bell to rise again. The pressure in the tube of the
holder is thus diminished and the water then re-ascends in this tube and therefore
ceases to flow over or come in contact with the carbide.
A special device prevents the acetylene contained in the bell from returning to the
génerator. For this purpose a reservoir is arranged beneath the generator and is filled
with water to a certain height. The upper part of the reservoir lying above the water
level, is placed in communication with the interior of the bell shaped cover of the gas
holder by means of a pipe. At the top of the generator where the acetylene is disengaged,
a tube terminates, which reaches into the water of the reservoir, and through which.
the acetylene is discharged. By these means the gas produced in the generator is
forcibly agitated and washed in the water of the reservoir before it arrives at the tube
which conveys it to the gas holder and the water of the reservoir constitutes a
hydraulic seal which prevents the gas from flowing back.
I have further to add that the time when the water flows upon or comes in contact
with the carbide, can be regulated at will by regulating the pressure of the air
contained in the tube of the bell by means of a cock provided at the upper end of the
tube.
In this tube a pressure may be maintained which is equal to that which exists in the
bell as long as no water comes in contact with the carbide. It is sufficient for this
purpose to pierce it with holes to a fixed height. As long as these holes are above
the level of the water the pressure will not increase in the tube of the bell during the
descent of this latter, but as soon as the holes lie to a certain extent below the water
level, the pressure will increase in the tube of the bell and the water will be forced
back on the carbide. Holes may also be provided in the tube of the holder, in order

page_text: to fix the exact point, at which the immersion of the bell will cause the water to flow
on the carbide.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W., Agents for the Applicant.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
I, MAURICE CHARLES ALFREDE FOURCHOTTE, of 101bis, Rue Lauriston, Paris, in
the Republic of France Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to he particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to means for the production of acetylene gas according to the
requirements of, or in proportion to, the consumption of the said gas, by the
decomposition by water of calcium carbide, and consists mainly in the hereinafter
described mode of utilizing the movement of the bell of a holder of the gas generated
for regulating the flow of the water to the carbide of calcium. For this purpose I fix
to the bell a chamber, preferably constituted by a vertical tube which can move over
another tube which communicates with the generator where it discharges the water
into the receptacle containing the calcium carbide. The tube of the tank is, like the
tank itself, filled with water and the tube fixed to the bell holds, above this water, a
certain quantity of air, or acetylene, or other gas, so that, when the bell descends, the
gas in the bell tube is compressed and, by pressing on the water contained in the tube
of the tank, it pushes some of this water on to the carbide whereby more acetylene
gas is generated and the bell is consequently caused to ascend by which operation
the pressure of the air or gas in the bell tube is diminished and the water ascends
in the tube of the tank and water ceases to flow on to the carbide.
I will describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which
Figure 1 is a vertical section of one form of the apparatus constructed according
to the said invention, and Figure 2 is a similar view of another form of the apparatus.
Figure 3 is a plan partly broken away, of the apparatus shewn in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a plan of the generator shewn in Figures 2 and 3 with the cover
removed and
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are respectively a plan, an elevation and a section on the
line 7-7 of Figure 5 of a pair of the calcium carbide containing compartments
shewn in Figure 2.
Figures 8 and 9 shew in vertical section modifications as hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate like parts in all the figures.
The apparatus shewn in Figure 1 comprises a generator A and a gasholder B
placed side by side and connected as hereinafter described. In the illustration given
the generator is composed of a vessel or reservoir open at the top and containing
water and into which is placed a bell or cover C sufficiently loaded to cause its lower
edge to enter the water seal contained in the generator A and form. a. hydraulic seal
and not to be raised by the pressure of the generated gas.
In the top part of the generator A underneath the bell or cover C thereof and above
the water, is placed a basket or receptacle D for the calcium carbide. A pipe E
communicates with the space under the bell or cover C and passes through the
bottom of the generator A and dips down into the water contained in a lower
reservoir or chamber F. The gas produced in the generator A passes through the

page_text: pipe E into the water in the reservoir F, by which it is cleansed of any impurities
carried with it, and from the upper part of the reservoir F the gas passes through
another tube E into the gas holder B.
To the top of the bell B₁ of the gasholder B is fixed a pipe b which moves with
the said bell and is free to slide, easily on another pipe 6' fixed to the bottom of the
tank B2 of the gas holder. This pipe which forms a continuation of a pipe G
allows water from the tank B2 to be brought into contact with the carbide contained
in the receptacle D. A pipe B³ conveys the acetylene gas from the gasholder B to
the place where it is to be utilized.
The bell B' of the gas holder is in Figure 1 presumed to be about half full of
acetylene gas. In the pipe & air is enclosed and retained by the water of the tank; a
cock 62 allowing the pressure of this air to be regulated according to requirements.
To charge the apparatus the bell or cover C in the generator must be lifted, after
having opened a cock e secured to its upper part so as to admit air; then the calcium
carbide is put into the receptacle D, the level of the water in the generator A being
constantly kept below the level of the bottom of the said receptacle. The bell or
cover C is then replaced in the generator A and a hydraulic seal thereby made after
which the cock e is shut.
At this time the pressure in the gas producing apparatus is the same as that of
the atmosphere; the water cannot ascend in the pipe G higher than the level of the
water at the outside of the bell B' in the tank B of the gasholder and as the pipe G
extends to above this level the water from the tank B2 will not come into contact with
the calcium carbide and acetylene gas will therefore not be produced. This will be
the case as long as the bell of the gas holder remains in the same position.
But if air or gas be withdrawn from the gas holder the bell B¹ will descend and
the air enclosed in the tube will be compressed and caused to press on the water in
the tube and force water through the tube G into the generator A where it is
brought into contact with the calcium carbide. Acetylene gas will thus be generated
and will pass through the pipes E and E' into the gasholder B the bell B₁ of which
will thereby be caused to rise; and the pressure of the air in the tube being thus
diminished the water previously forced up the pipe G will descend therein thus
stopping the production of acetylene gas until a fresh descent of the bell B' of the
gas holder by reason of removal of acetylene gas from the said holder causes more
water to be introduced into the generator. Under these conditions therefore the
acetylene gas is produced only when there is consumption, and automatically according
to that consumption. The cross sectional areas of the pipe & and of the bell B¹ of the
gasholder are such that the quantity of water caused to come into contact with the
calcium carbide at each descent of the bell B₁ gives a quantity of gas sufficient to
raise the bell of the gasholder to such a height that the water in the gasholder tank B²
ascends sufficiently in the pipe & to fill the pipe 6 at each ascent of the bell.
The reservoir F serves as a hydraulic seal and prevents the gas escaping from the gas
holder B, by the pipe E when the generator is open to the air for the purpose of
refilling it with calcium carbide.
Instead of employing air in the pipe b it is preferable to employ acetylene gas and
to arrange the two pipes bb so as to permit the acetylene gas being kept at a pressure
either equal, or superior, to that of the gas in the gasholder, but not inferior to it.
To obtain this result the pipe b at a convenient height is provided with holes or
slots 62 as shown in Figure 2 and the pipe has several holes or slots ³ in it these
latter being situated underneath the level X-X of the water situated under the
bell.
Under this condition, the gas contained in the pipe will remain at the same
pressure as the gas in the bell B', and the water in the pipe b will be at the same
height as that under the bell, as long as the holes 2 do not descend below the
level X-X.
The water will only be forced through the pipe G to come in contact with the
calcium carbide, when the openings 62 have descended below the level X-X and below
the holes

page_text: When the bell again ascends under the influence of the acetylene gas produced, a
soon as the openings 62 arrive at the level X-X, the gas enclosed in the tube b will
again take the pressure of the gas in the bell B'.
The part of the pipe & above the openings & is not essential to the working of the
apparatus and can therefore be dispensed with.
Instead of constructing the apparatus so that the water is delivered on to the top of
the calcium carbide as in the arrangement Figure 1 whereby the whole of the carbide
is more or less exposed to the water at each descent of the gasholder bell, I prefer to
arrange it so that the water is applied to the carbide from below and so that a certain
proportion only of the bulk of the said carbide is wetted at each descent of the
gasholder bell. For this purpose I form the cage D of a number of trays or separate
compartments d as shewn in Figure 2, each preferably constructed in the manner
shewn in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Each tray d is provided with a recess d' for
accommodating the gas outlet pipe E and water supply pipe G and at its centre is
provided with a tube d through which is passed a bolt with a nut at top for
securing all the trays together. Each tray d is divided into compartments 1 and 2 by
a partition d' and the cylindrical wall of the said tray is provided with openings
and d' at, or near, the top, the openings to one compartment being deeper than those
to the other compartment. These compartiments contain calcium carbide.
The generator A shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 is provided with a lining A' between
which and the outer wall of the said generator an annular space is formed for
containing water to form a hydraulic seal around the bell or cover C and keep this
water separate from the water introduced into the generator for decomposing the
calcium carbide.
When, in the hereinbefore last described apparatus, the water is delivered through
the pipe G it falls down between the outside of the trays d and inside of the lining A¹
and accumulates within the bottom of the lining until it reaches the level of the
deeper of the two sets of openings (d) then nearest its surface. As soon as the
water attains this level it flows into the compartment with which the openings
communicate and thereby causes acetylene gas to be generated, and this gas in
passing into the gasholder raises the bell B' and consequently, as herein before
explained, the further supply of water to the generator is prevented. As soon as
gas is withdrawn from the gasholder the bell thereof again' descends and water is
again supplied to the generator until it passes through the openings d', next
presented to it, this operation or series of operations continuing until the contents
of all the compartments 1 and 2 (of which in the example illustrated there are
twelve) are exhausted.
In Figure 2 I have shewn the pipe El provided with a branch or outlet e
dipping down into water contained in a tank e. This serves for the escape of any
moisture or impurities which may be carried along with the gas on its passage from
the chamber F to the gasholder B.
Figures 8 and 9 represent modifications of my apparatus, the parts which
correspond with those shown in the previous figures being marked with the same
letters of reference, they therefore require no further description except so far as
regards the variations hereinafter described.
In the modification shewn in Figure 8, the pipe G does not extend up into and
through the inner case A of the generator containing the carbide trays'd with its
orifice at a higher level than the said trays but the said pipe G rises externally
beyond the highest level Y to which the water in the tank B is capable of rising,
and it opens to the atmosphere above the funnel G' which fannel is at the top of
a pipe G which leads down to the lower part of the chamber holding the trays d
so that the water forced into the pipe G owing to increased gas pressure within the
pipe b', rises between the inner wall A' of the generator and the external walls of the
trays d, as hereinbefore explained.
The advantage of this arrangement is that it enables the flow of the water from
the pipe G into the funnel G to be watched, or kept under control, and that the
pipe G, being situated outside, may be provided with a window, enabling the height

page_text: or level of the water in the generator to be at any time ascertained; so that the
amount of water contained in the generator and also, consequently, the amount of
carbide consumed may be readily ascertained.
The water level in the tank B of the gas holder may be maintained constant around
the bell B by means of a continuous water supply (not shewn in the drawings) while
an overflow orifice h constantly conducts the water in excess through the pipe h' to
the lower portion of the water-seal of the generator. Another pipe 4 serves to place
the upper part of the last named water-seal in communication with the lower part
of the hydraulic seal of the chamber F the water in excess overflowing through the
syphon by such means a system of water-circulation is provided which serves to
cool the generator.
In the arrangement shewn in Figure 9 the water which is employed in the
production of acetylene, is suppiiei from an external source through a pipe I instead
of being drawn from the gas holder tank. The water constantly flows into a funnel
which surmounts the pipe G, and through this pipe G. it passes to the gas holder tank
when the dome of such gas heller is raised sufficiently for the openings to be out of
the water, that is to say, when the pressure in the pipe 6' is the same as in the dome
of the gas holler.
But when the grs holder dome descends, the openings & are immersel in the water
in the tank, the gas confined within the pipes bb is compressel and causes the water
to rise within the pipe G, beyond the external level Y of the water in the tank B of
the gas-holder and to the horizontal branch of the bent pipe or knee G² which joins
the pipe G above the level Y just mentioned, so that the water flowing into the funnel
does not pass into the gas-holder tank but flows into the generator through the
pipe G to act upon the carbide. The production of acetylene is consequently
dependent upon the volume of water flowing through the funnel of the pipe G so that
this apparatus enables the quantity of acetylene produced in a given time to be varied
at will, by simply increasing or reducing the supply of water through the supply
pipe I which may be effected by a tap thereon.
Excess of water that may enter the gas-holder tank, flows as before through the
tube hand thence passes into the water seal of the generator and eventually passes
therefrom by the pipe 4 which extends from the upper part of the said water-seal.
In this modification the hydraulic seal situated underneath the generator in the
other arrangement is omitted, and replaced by a simple tube j, which is closed at top,
and has serrations at the lower part; and forms a cover or cap secured to the
acetylene-supply-pipe E within the gas holder, the said tube entering for a
predetermined distance, the water contained in the tank. When in this arrangement
the generator is opened for instance for the purpose of recharging it, the water in the
tank rises in the annular space between the pipes E' and to a level which cannot
exceed the external level Y of the water in the tank and the acetylene is thus
prevented from leaving the gas holder through the supply pipe, and the effects of the
operation of the hydraulic-seal employed in the arrangements previously described
are obtained.
It will of course be understood that in all these modifications the details may be
varied, for example, the number of carbide trays, as well as the number of
compartments in each tray may be varied as desired, and the openings d d for
the entry of water to the trays may be replaced by perforations provided in the
side walls of such trays, on different levels in their several compartiments, as shewn
in Figure 9.
Although I have shewn the tubes as being situated concentrically within
the gas-holder it will be evident that this is not essential, and that they may even
be outside the bell provided that the air or gas tube communicates with the bell
and overlaps another tube full of water leading to the generator.
By utilizing the pressure of gas or air confined in a chamber connected with
the bell to supply water to the calcium carbide as hereinbefore described I dispense
with all external working parts such as taps and the like which renders apparatus
made in accordance with my invention capable of working with facility, economy

page_text: and safety. The damp and dirty places, such as cellars, in which such apparatus
has usually to be placed, being entirely unsuited to external working parts as they
would soon become inoperative.
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 automatic production of acetylene gas according to its consumption by
causing the movements of the bell of a gas-holder to produce a pressure or
depression of confined air or acetylene or other gas and means whereby the said
pressure or depression is caused to bring into contact with the calcium carbide the
necessary water for the production of acetylene in the manner substantially as
hereinbefore described.
2. The apparatus for the production of acetylene gas in accordance with Claim 1
as hereinbefore described and represented in Figure 1 of the accompanying
drawings.
3. The apparatus for the production of acetylene gas in accordance with Claim 1
as hereinbefore described and represented in Figures 2 to 7 of the accompanying
drawings.
4. The apparatus for the production of acetylene gas in accordance with Claim 1
as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figure 8 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. The apparatus for the production of acetylene gas in accordance with Claim 1
as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figure 9 of the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 18th day of February 1897.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX.
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.