IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE HYDROGEN AND CAR- BURETTED HYDROGEN Gas Apparatus
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE HYDROGEN AND CAR-
BURETTED HYDROGEN Gas Apparatus."—A communication from abroad
by William Frank Browne, of the City and State of New York
United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 5th September 1874.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE HYDROGEN
AND CARBURETTED HYDROGEN Gas Apparatus,” a communication, to be as
follows:

page_text: gas generator, carbureter, and condenser, whereby the apparatus is
adapted to be transported from place to place and supply gasometers.
Secondly. In a tubular boiler having hollow trunnions in combination
with a casing and lining of the said hydrogen gas apparatus.
Thirdly. In the combination of boilers with pipes for obtaining a t
circulation of water between the boilers.
Fourthly. In the combination with the casing and end plates of sectional
fire-clay lining and tiling.
Fifthly. In a perforated fire-clay cylinder, conical cylinder, and pipe
in combination with the fire-box and ash-pit.
Sixthly. In dampers and, flues formed by the tiling in combination
with the chambers of the gas apparatus.
Seventhly. In the employment of doors in combination with the
sectional fire-clay lining of the casing.
Eighthly. In the employment of a safety stop-stock in combination
with a gas generator.
Ninthly. In the arrangement of a pipe for conveying gas to the
cylinder in combination with the pipe for bringing gas from the retort
and with the engine and its steam pipe.
I mount upon wheels the apparatus and fixtures for manufacturing
gas. To generate the gas the boilers are first supplied with water, one
boiler being entirely full, while the other boiler should be only about
one half full. The water is forced into the first boiler from the
pump through a connecting pipe, the second boiler being filled through
the cold water pipe connecting the lowest two points of the boilers. The
unfilled part of the second boiler is for a steam chamber. A steam
pressure gauge and safety valve connect with this chamber, and there is
a pipe for conducting the steam to the retorts.
As the hydrogen gas produced by this apparatus is made from water it
becomes necessary to convert the water into steam and then decompose
or separate the two gases, oxygen and hydrogen, by introducing the
steam into retorts, the retorts being charged with substances having an
affinity for the oxygen contained in the steam and none for its bydrogen.
The retorts after being charged are heated to a very high temperature,

page_text: the heat being generated in the furnace below the row of tiling. The
fire is built upon the grate, the heat passing up through the open flue in
the tiling at the back end of the retorts and filling all of the space
between the tiling and side linings not occupied by the retorts. It then
passes from this chamber through, the open flue in the tiling into the
space surrounding the second boiler; it then passes through this space
and the tubes in the boiler to the rear end of the generator, making its
exit through the draft pipe. If at any time the steam should be gene-
rated too rapidly the damper at the rear end of the boiler should be
opened and allow a portion of the heat to pass across the rear end of the
boiler to its exit. If after the damper is closed the heat is too great it
will be necessary to close the front damper, thereby making all of the
heat pass through the rear flue to its exit. By a judicious management
of these two dampers it will be seen that they are very effective in
controlling the heat, and consequently the generating of steam within
the boiler. The two dampers in the tiling are for controlling the heat
about the retorts.
To make hydrogen gas I turn either of two safety cocks, allowing
first a current of air and then a current of steam to fill the retort, the
steam in passing through the front to the rear end of the retort will
be deprived of its oxygen in consequence of the affinity possessed
by the incandescent material or substance through which it passes on its
way, and the hydrogen being liberated from its oxygen is left free to
make its exit through a pipe to the condensing coil. As it is not
necessary to run this gas through a desulphurating tank it can pass off
through a branch pipe and be directed through flexible or inflexible
pipes or any other channel for transmitting the same to a reservoir or
any place desired.
The engine and pump are employed to pump and force water into the
condenser; also to inject water into the boilers when desired. When
great heat is desired superheated steam is forced from the second boiler
through a pipe to a hollow cone in and under the grate. This pipe
terminates a short distance below the exit of the cone for the purpose
of creating a draft as the steam escapes from the pipe to the perforated
cylinder above. This arrangement will produce a powerful blast and
heat should a more nowerful heat he required a ist of an
L

page_text: pass to the steam pipe and unite with the steam and pass on to the exit
in the cone cylinder, thereby producing within the furnace an oxyhydro-
carbon flame.
The first boiler around the fire-box is for the purpose of holding a
large supply of water and to economise the heat. Were it not for this
boiler a great amount of heat would escape through the walls surrounding
the furnace and ash-pit.
The above described gas apparatus may be used for supplying cities,
towns, and country villages with illuminating gas; in supplying manu-
factories with hydrogen gas for motive power, being admirably adapted
for the manufacture of both kinds of gas; and it can be easily transferred.
from place to place and manufacture gas and fill gasometers to order.
Where two villages are within a few miles of each other this apparatus
may be used to fill gasometers in each village, as two horses can easily
draw the same from one to the other.
This said apparatus may be drawn about and fill private or individual
gasometers as a matter of business by the parties owning the same.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 5th March 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special licence
that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,

page_text: exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "Im.
PROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE HYDROGEN AND CARBURETTED HYDROGEN GAS APPARATUS,"
a communication to me from abroad by William Frank Browne, of the
City and State of New York, United States of America," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Robert Lake, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawing forming a part of this Specification :—
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a portable hydrogen and car-
buretting hydrogen gas apparatus; Fig. 2 represents a horizontal section
and top plan of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 represents a vertical longitudinal section
of Figure 1; Fig. 4 represents a vertical cross section of the same.
1
1
AL

page_text: their hinges X, X, ▲; F" is a smoke pipe; N, a safety valve; 2,2', re
two cast-iron end plates, provided with flanges and necessary apertures
for the working parts of the apparatus. The flange is to give strength
to the casting; also support and form to casing A. The ends of the
casing A are bent upward at right angles, forming a flange to which the
end plates Z, Z¹³, are bolted, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
their ninges A, A, A; F*** is a smoкe pipe; N, a salety valve; 2, 4,
two cast-iron end plates, provided with flanges and necessary apertures
for the working parts of the apparatus. The flange is to give strength
to the casting; also support and form to casing A. The ends of the
casing A are bent upward at right angles, forming a flange to which the
end plates Z, Z¹, are bolted, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
In Fig. 1 and 3 Y represents a water gauge, connected with the
interior of the boiler a by the pipes t, t.
In Fig. 1 and 2 C represents a condenser which contains a coil G, as
shown in Fig. 3.
In Fig. 1 and 2 D represents a desulphurating tank partly filled with
lime water H, as shown in Fig. 3; T, T, T, T, are rods, shown in
Fig. 1, 2, & 3, for the purpose of supporting the oil tank E;
P, P¹, are retorts, shown in Figs. 1, 2, & 3′;` n, n, are stay bōlts, as.
shown in Figs. 1, 3, & 4; W, W, is a cast-iron bed on which the
generator rests, and serves as a bottom to the ash-pit. This cast-iron bed
or base is bolted to the frame B, B. On this frame the entire apparatus
rests. J & I represent a steam cylinder and force pump, as seen in
Fig. 1 and 3.
In Fig. 1 and 2 i, i, i, i, are handles connected to rods operating the
dampers within the generator, thereby controlling the heat; a', a¹, repre-
sent the ends of two trunnions or supports to the boiler a, as shewn in
Figure 3; d & b, are pipes connecting the boiler a with the boiler R;
U, U, U, represent pipes through which the gas flows from the generator
to the gasometer, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3; h, h³, h³, represent
pipes for conducting carbon from the tank E to the retorts P, P¹;
v, v, v, is a pipe for conducting steam from the boiler a to the engine J,
also to the furnace when desirable. The pipe X, X, is for conducting
gas from the pipe U to the engine; also through the pipe v, v, v, to the
furnace.
Figs. 1, 1, 2, 2¹, 2¹¹, 3, & 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10¹, 11, 12, are stop-cocks
to regulate the steam, gas, & oil or carbon.
Figure 2 represents a horizontal section of the generator, showing the
retorts P, P¹, and a plan of the framework B, B, condensing tank C,
desulphurating tank D, gas pipes V, U¹, U", carbon pipes h, h³, h', and

page_text: steam pipe v, water pipes a, b, in section. A, A, represents the case or
covering; Z, Z, represent the end plates in section, showing their
flanges with corresponding recesses in the fire-clay lining", "; m, m, is
a row of tiling beneath the retorts, extending doross the interior of the
generator and resting on top of the boiler B, as shown in Figures 3 & 4;
K, K, are flues covered by dampers and controlled by rods & handles,
as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4; ¹, ¹, represent fire-clay lining resting upón
the tiling m, m, and within the end pieces 7, 7, as shown in Figs. 2
& 4.
=
In Fig. 3 a represents a tubular boiler in section a¹, a¹; it
supports t,, two bent pipes, the pipe t extending to the highest point
of the boiler a, and the pipe t' to the lowest point; these pipes extend
through the support a¹ and are bent upward & downward & con-
nected to the water gauge Y, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby indicating
the height of the water in the boiler a; d, d, is a pipe connecting
the boiler a through its support a¹ with the boiler R at its highest
point, or just beneath the tiling m, m; the pipe b, b, connects the
bottom of the boiler a with the bottom of boiler R, thereby uniting
the two highest and two lowest temperatures by their respective
pipes. By this arrangement we have a constant circulation of water
from one boiler to the other. 8, S, is a pipe for conducting steam
from the boiler a to the front ends of the retorts P, P¹; m, m, m³, m³,
represent a cross section of the tiling above & below the retorts
P, P¹; N¹, N', shows a vertical section of the two end pieces formed
as shown in Figs. 8 & 9. These and pieces rest upon the upper
row of tiling m³, m³, & with the outer casing A, A; 7, ³, are two
end pieces fitting between the two rows of tiling m, m, m², m¹
L represents an interior view of the retort P, also showing the pipe ¹
as extending nearly the entire length of the retort; M is a projection
cast to the retort extending backward, and through. the end piece
and cast end plate for the purpose of support; 0¹,0", & O, represent
the fire-box, grate bars, ash-pit, & doors; K represents the fuel; B
The boiler is made
represents a boiler surrounding the fire-box O¹.
of boiler plate iron about four inches in thickness, & strengthened
with stay bolts n³, n², n², n², as shown in Figs. 1, 8, & 4; V represents
a hollow cylinder closed at one end with its side next to the flue full
of small perforations. This is secured to the grate O in any desirable
manner; directly beneath this oylinder there is a conical cylinder U.
'

page_text: resting upon and secured to the base W, W. These two cylinders are
made of fire-clay. Within the cone u the pipe v terminates.
In Figs. 1 & 3 c represents an induction pipe to convey water to
the pump I; c, c, is an eduction pipe to conduct the water from the
pump to the condensing tank O. The pipe g is connected to the boiler R
and pipe c, c, for the purpose of supplying the boilers R & a with
water by means of the pump. The pipe is an induction pipe for
conducting the steam from the pipe to the engine J. The pipe *"
is an eduction pipe conducting the exhaust steam to the pipe v, v, v.
The pipe X, X, X, is to connect the gas pipe U with the engine J, &
connected by stop-cocks with induction pipe v¹ & steam pipe v, v, v.
In sectional view, Figure 3, o, o¹, o", are stop-cocks and pipes con-
nected with the bottoms of the boiler R, condensing tank C, and desul-
phurating tank D.
Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section of Figure 1, showing the internal:
parts.
Figs. 5 & 6 are views of the cast end plates Z, Z¹. In plate Z
a" is the aperture in which the trunnion a² of the boiler a rests. S¹, S¹,
apertures for the steam pipe S; Pч, P", are openings for the retorts P, P¹.
In plate Z, Fig. 6, a¹¹ is an aperture for the trunnion a¹; 6¹ is a hole 2
for the pipe 6 connecting the boiler a with the boiler R; j³, j¹‚ j¹³, j³,
are holes for the damper rods; h¹, h¹¹, are holes through which the
pipes ², h², pass to the retorts P, P; U", U", are apertures through
which the pipes U¹, U¹, pass to the retorts; M³, M', are openings to
receive the projections M, M, & support the rear end of the retorts.
2
Fig. 7 represents three views of a section of lining within the generator;
these sections are moulded from fire-clay, in the form as shown in the
Figure. The V shaped ends, put together as shown in Fig. 4, with their
lower ends slightly bended & resting upon a corresponding bevel on
the ends of the tiling m³, m³, will keep their respective places while 8
being moved about from place to place. It is not necessary that the
V shaped ends should exist as square ends & sides will keep their
positions equally as well, but whenever the V shape is used the angle
projecting outward should be more obtuse than the angle projecting
inward. In consequence of this difference of two angles there will 3
be a space between the ends & sides; this space can be filled with
asbestos or other non-conducting substances to prevent the escape of

page_text: heat. These sections are about eight inches in width, four inches in
thickness, & of sufficient length & curvature to fit closely to the outer
case or covering A while standing upon the tiling m³, m³.
In Fig. 8 N¹ represents the end lining in the rear of the gas generator;
it is made of fire-clay with it snecessary apertures a", 6", ", "; it is four
inches thick & of sufficient width & height to fill the space bounded
by the covering A & tile m³, as shown in Figure 4. Fig. 9 is a
view of the front end lining corresponding to Figure 8, provided with
its necessary apertures a¹¹, s", s¹.
Figs. 10 & 11 are sections of the end lining placed between the
tiling m, m, m³, m³. In Fig. 10 r is provided with openings Pч, P",
through which the retorts P, P¹³, pass. In Fig. 11 7¹ is provided with
apertures h", ", Uª, U“, ¿ª¹, ¿¹¹, & openings M", M“.
In Fig. 12
In Fig. 13
shows a section of lining between the tiling m, m, m³, m³.
two views of the tiling m, m, are shown with a rabbet
on each end. The length of the rabbet is equal to the thickness of the
side lining 711, 2011.. The lining pil, ll, stands upon the tiling m, m, while
the rabbet on the ends of the tiling m³, m³, rests upon the lining pill, gall.
The rabbet is for the purpose of keeping the lining to its place while the
apparatus is in motion.
Figure 14 represents a view of a tile with a portion removed so as to
form one-half of the flue. In placing two tiles together the whole flue
is formed as shown in Figure 2, at K², K². These tilings are moulded
from fire-clay and burnt in kilns, the same as ordinary fire-brick.
Figure 15 is a cross section of a stop-cock; Fig. 16 is a vertical
section of the same. This cock is what is called a safety cock, it
provides against accidents or explosions which might be the case in
consequence of neglect or carelessness of the operator in charge of the
apparatus.
In Fig. 15, & 16, B¹, B¹, represents that part of the cook that turns ;
Ơ³, 0¹, the part in which B¹ turns; §¹ is the orifice which connects with
the steam pipe 8, 8; 6¹, 6¹, are openings in the part B', through which
the steam passes. The orifice e is drilled into the part B¹ until it com-
municates with a side orifice e", as shown in the Figure, This orifice ell
is for the purpose of charging the retorts with air immediately before the

page_text: steam is let on, the retorts being filled with air while the orifice e¹¹
passes the orifice S', as shown in Fig. 15. The orifice e" leaves the
opposite side of the orifice S¹ just as 6¹ commences to communicate
with S.
When the hydrogen gas is to be carburetted the carbon is allowed to
fill the retorts before the steam is let on. As this apparatus is intended
to manufacture both hydrogen & carburreted hydrogen gas, as cir-
cumstances require, it will be seen that it will be necessary to charge
the retorts with air before admitting the steam when pure hydrogen
gas is to be made, & to insure the necessary charge of air the
safety cock should be used. A slow motion can be imparted to the
cock by the addition of a small toothed wheel working in a toothed
wheel several diameters larger, the large wheel being secured to the
cock, & the given motion through the small wheel.
The following <description will describe the operation & the appli-
cation of the portable gas apparatus:-I mount upon wheels a frame
or base B, see Figs. 1, 2, & 3, upon this frame B the necessary
apparatus & fixtures for manufacturing gas is arranged & scoured,
as shown in Figs. 1, 3, & 4, Fig. 1, being an external side elevation
showing all of its parts complete & ready for operation. Now to
commence making the gas first supply the boiler R & a with water, the
boiler R being full while the boiler a should be only abt one half full,
which will be known by referring to the water gauge Y. The water is
or may be injected into the boiler R by the pump I through the pipe g.
The boiler a is filled through the cold water pipe b, connecting the two
lowest points of the boiler R & a. The unfilled part of the boiler a is
for a steam chamber. The steam pressure gauge O & safety valve N
connect with this chamber, also the pipe s, s, for conducting the steam
to the retorts P, P¹. As the hydrogen gas made by this apparatus is
made from water it becomes necessary to convert the water into steam
& then decompose or separate the two gases, oxygen & hydrogen, by
introducing the steam into retorts, the retorts being charged with
substances having an affinity for the oxygen & none for the hydrogen.
The retorts are heated at a very high temperature, the heat being
generated in the furnace below the row of tiling m, m. The fire
is made upon the grate O, the heat passing up through the open flue in
the tiling m, m, at the rear end of the retorts, & filling all of the space
between the tiling m, m, m¹, m³, & side lining 711, 11, 11, 111, not occupied

page_text: by the retorts; it then passes from this chamber through the open flue in
the tiling m³, m³, into the space surrounding the boiler a, then through this
space & the tubes in the boiler to the rear end of the gas generator,
making its exit through the draft pipe F". If at any time steam should
generate too rapidly the damper at the rear end of the boiler should be
opened & allow a part of heat to pass across the rear end of the boiler
to its exit F". If the heat is to great after closing the damper it will
be necessary to close the front damper, thereby making all of the heat
pass through rear flues to the exit F". By a.judicious management
of these two dampers they will be found to be very effective in con-
trolling the heat around the boiler a.
To make hydrogen gas turn either of the safety cocks 10 10¹, allowing
first a current of air & then steam to fill the retort, the steam in
passing from the front to the rear end of the retort will become deprived
3 of its oxygen in consequence of the affinity possessed by the incandescent
substances through which it passes on its way to & through the pipe U
to the condenser C. As it is not necessary to pass the hydrogen gas
through the desulphurating tank D it can pass off through the branch
pipe Q, & be conducted by pipes to a reservoir or any other place
) desired. This gas can be used as a motive power for driving machinery by
means of gas engines. It can also be used for inflating balloons, & for
various other purposes.
Whenever hydrogen gas is manufactured for illuminating purposes it
becomes necessary to carburet the same, which is done by conducting
; fluid carbon into the retorts through pipes or by other means.
In Figs. 1 & 3 a receiver for holding fluid carbon is shewn. To
carburet the hydrogen gas turn the stop-cock 11, allowing the carbon to
fill the pipe h; after this turn either or both of the cocks Q, Q', allowing
the-carbon-to-pass through the pipe ³,, to the front of the retort,
) where it is converted into a fixed gas & united with the hydrogen, &
forming carburetted hydrogen gas, which passes off through the
pipes U¹, U, head pipe Q, & pipe U, through the coil G and pipe Un
to the desulphurating tank D, where it becomes desulphurated, after
which it passes off through the pipe S to the gasometer, or to any
receiver that may be employed. The engine J & pump I are employed
to pump & force water into the condenser O, also to inject water into
the boilers R & a. In order to inject water into the boiler open

page_text: cock 5, & close cock 4; after the boilers have received a sufficient
quantity reverse the positions of the cocks 4 & 5. The engine is worked
by steam taken from the boiler a & conducted by the pipe v, v, v, v,
to the engine.
When it is not convenient or desirable to use steam, gas may be used
in place thereof, simply by closing cock 9 & opening cock 3 in
pipe X, X, X, allowing a portion of the gas that is being generated to
pass from cross pipe Q through pipe X, X, X, to the cylinder J, the
exhaust passing through V" to pipe v, v, v, the same as for steam.
When great heat is required the device shown in the fire-box
& ash-pit is employed in combination with steam, gas, & atmosphere;
superheated steam is conducted from the boiler a through the pipe v, v, v,
to the hollow cone u under the grate O. This pipe terminates a short
distance below the exit of the cone for the purpose of creating a draft.
As the steam escapes from the pipe v, v, to the perforated cylinder
above, a jet of gas from the cross head pipe Q can pass through the
pipe x, x, x, & by opening the cock 9 it will pass through the pipe vi
to the steam pipe v, v, v, combining at that point with the steam, &
*passing on to the exit within the cone U, thereby producing within the
furnace an oxyo-hydrocarbon flame. When steam is not employed and
gas is required close the cock 11 in pipe v, keeping cocks 9, 3, & 6
open.
The boiler around the fire-box is for the purpose of holding a large
supply of water & to save heat.
Should the heat in the furnace be to great for the inner side of the
boiler it will be necessary to line the furnace with_fire-clay, as shown in
Fig. 4.
All of the interior linings above the boiler R are made of fire-clay,
moulded into their proper forms, & then burnt the same as ordinary
brick. They are made in the forms as shown in the Drawings & as
described above for the purpose of transporting them from one place to
another without their becoming disarranged, as would be the case were
the lining to be formed of ordinary fire-brick. The doors F, F, attached
by hinges X, X, X, to the case A, A, are for the purpose of opening &
adjusting the parts within. All of the lining may be taken out &
replaced with the exception of the end lining N¹, N¹, & r, r¹, which are
held to their places by the retorts, boiler, pipes, and the like. Whenever

page_text: it becomes necessary to remove them, or the boiler retorts, or any of
the other parts, remove the end plates Z, Z', which may be done after
the pipes at each end of the generator have been removed.
The above described gas apparatus may be used for furnishing cities,
towns, and villages with illuminating gas; also manufactories with
hydrogen gas for motive power. It is admirably adapted for the manu❤
facturing of both kinds of gas, as it is only necessary to turn two or
three cocks to have the gas required.
Where two villages are within a few miles of each other this apparatus
can be used to fill gasometers in either, as it may be easily drawn from
one to the other by two horses. Factories, workshops, churches, hotels,
private dwellings, and the like, having their own gasometer or receiver
may have them filled by this means.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here- .
unto set my hand and seal, this Fifth day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
)
Witness,
Hy, Ja³. NOONE,
W. ROB³. LAKE. (L.S.)