Process of and Apparatus for the Production of Gas for Illuminating and other purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Process of and Apparatus for the Production of Gas for Illuminating
and other purposes.
I, FRIEDRICH SCHWANDER, Junior, of Durlach, in the Grand Duchy of Baden,
Germany, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a process of, and apparatus for, producing a gas suit-
able for illuminating, heating, and motive power purposes and composed of
acetylene, air, and the vapours of easily volatilizable hydrocarbons such for
example as benzine, gasoline, petroleum-ether, and the like, such gas being
produced in a continuous manner and at a rate commensurate with its con-
sumption.
This invention is chiefly based on the observed fact that the natural amount
of moisture in the air is sufficient to cause the generation of acetylene if the air
is conducted through, or over, a large quantity of carbide, the necessity of
moistening the air before passing it through the carbide container arising only
if the air be extremely dry. This process offers, when compared with known
methods, the following important advantages:
1. Complete consumption of the carbide coupled with the best results as regards
the production of acetylene, one kilogramme of carbide producing nearly 330 litres
of acetylene;
2. Generation of the gas in a regular manner and completely devoid of the
danger consequent on the after generation of acetylene gas within the carbide
container. This after-generation has heretofore been invariable in all such
processes and very often causes explosions, but in my process the generation of
the gas is arrested practically instantaneously on cutting off the admission of
air;
3. The obtaining of a residue in the container in the form of a fine, dry, and
dust-like powder of lime which may be employed for many technical purposes,
instead of a useless sediment or mud as hitherto.
The proportion of non-combustible gas in the gas mixture produced as above
described, of course very largely preponderates and it is consequently useless for
illuminating purposes and to render it available the mixture is led through a
carburetting apparatus in which benzine, gasoline, petroleum-ether, or similar
substances are volatilized. The crude gas (i.e. the mixture of acetylene and air)
is by this means saturated with the said combustible vapours and a gaseous
mixture suitable for illuminating, heating, and motive power purposes is obtained.
This mixture may be burnt in all kinds of burners, whether slitted or Argand,
and also in burners for incandescent gas lighting. When the mixture is burnt
in ordinary burners there is no carbon deposit and its illuminating and heating
powers greatly exceed those of coal gas while the cost of production is exceedingly
low.
The apparatus is preferably so constructed as to admit of a small hot-air motor
being used for producing the necessary current of air which is directly admitted

page_text: to and through a carbide container which may merely be the barrel in which
carbide, as generally sold in trade is contained, the crude gas thus produced
being led through a chamber in which the petroleum-ether or the like is exposed
on an extended surface for example by means of large wicks, in order that the
vapours may be taken up by the current of crude gas passing therethrough.
Means may be provided for readily enabling communication to be effected between
the pipes conveying respectively the crude gas and that for immediate use, in
order that the proportion of the gaseous mixture may be regulated by leading
the crude gas into the service pipes and so diluting the richer gas as may be
required.
It is to be remarked that, as will be evident from the drawings,--a gasometer
for storing the gas is not required as the gas is produced continuously only in
sufficient quantity for immediate consumption so that all danger of explosion is
avoided.
The apparatus is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure
shews a front view partly in section; Figure 2 a side view; and Figure 3 a plan
of the apparatus.
Figure 4 is a section through the carburetting vessel, on
line 44 Figure 1; and Figure 5 a section of the suction valve and the air-
moistening device.
D is a pump which is operated by the hot-air motor B and draws in air through
a non-return valve beneath the cup K which preferably contains shot which by
being kept wet would serve to moisten the air (in case the latter is too dry)
before it passes through the pipe c into the carbide container E. The moisture
of the current of air passing through the carbide generates crude acetylene gas
which passing through the pipe G is discharged at a into the carburetter A.
This carburetting apparatus consists of an air-tight casing in which pieces of
felt or the like are suspended with their bottom. extremities dipping into a
stratum of petroleum-ether or the like, which is nearly two centimetres in depth.
These pieces of felt are so arranged as to alternately leave a space between the
wall of the casing and themselves so that the gas is compelled to follow a zig-
zag course in passing through the casing as will be seen in Figure 4. The crude
gas which enters at a into the casing, leaves the same at d after having become
richly saturated with the hydrocarbon vapours, and the gas then passes through
pipe H (which is furnished with a cock m) to the union J by which connection
may be established with the service pipes.
The petroleum-ether is supplied to the carburetter A through pipe f which dips
slightly into the ether at its lower extremity and is connected at the top with a
reservoir F which when once filled can be closed air-tight by means of cock g
beneath the feeding hopper i. A cock is provided for the regulation of the
direct supply of the crude gas to the service pipe by way of the union J.
By means of this cock the operator is enabled to introduce more or less
of the crude gas (that is to say the mixture of acetylene gas with air before
being carburetted) into the mixture of gas which passes through J into the
service pipe. Near the cock m a branch pipe is led from the main pipe H
to feed the flame which actuates the hot-air motor B, or to a gas engine
serving the same purpose. Should the supply of volatile hydrocarbon to the
carburetting apparatus fail for any reason, the flame which actuates the hot-air
motor will be extinguished on account of the non-carburetted or crude
gas being
non-combustible, and the whole apparatus will consequently cease to act.
The apparatus is worked in the following manner:-First the hot-air motor
is set in motion either by hand or by burning gas, spirits, or paraffin or the like.
As soon as the generation of acetylene gas begins (which occurs after a few
minutes) the gas for feeding the flame of the hot-air motor being produced by
the apparatus itself, may be allowed to pass to the motor flame by way of the
branch pipe n, whereupon the entire process proceeds automatically. În large
installations a cooling water receptacle is moreover provided and connected in
the usual manner with the hot-air motor.

page_text: The gas producing apparatus described above is specially suitable for use in
a private house in which it is preferably placed in the cellar. It is of course
possible to apply the new process and apparatus on any scale, so as to meet the
requirements of a whole community, and may even with advantage be employed
for providing a whole town with gas for illuminating, heating and motive
purposes.
It is to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the particular form of
apparatus and details of construction herein described, as these may be varied
to suit different circumstances without departing from the essential principles
of the process and of the apparatus by means of which the process is carried into
effect.
1
11
2000
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.
Process of and Apparatus for the Production of Gas for Illuminating
and other purposes.
I, FRIEDRICH SCHWANDER, Junior, of Durlach, in the Grand Duchy of Baden,
Germany, 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:-
-
This invention relates to a process of, and apparatus for, producing a gas suit-
able for illuminating, heating, and motive power purposes and composed of
acetylene, air, and the vapours of easily volatilizable hydrocarbons such for
example as benzine, gasoline, petroleum-ether, and the like, such gas being
produced in a continuous manner and at a rate commensurate with its con-
sumption.
This invention is chiefly based on the fact that the natural amount of moisture
in the air is generally sufficient to cause the generation of acetylene if the air
is conducted through, or over, a large quantity of carbide, the necessity of
previously moistening the air arising only if the air be extremely dry.
The advantages of this process are:-
1. Complete decomposition of the carbide and the production of the maximum
of acetylene, one kilogramme of carbide producing nearly 330 litres of acetylene;
2. Generation of the gas regular and completely devoid of the danger conse-
quent on the after-generation of acetylene gas within the carbide container which
has heretofore been inevitable and very often causes explosions, whereas by my
process the generation of the gas is arrested practically instantaneously on cut-
ting off the admission of air;
3. The obtaining of a residue in the container in the form of a fine, dry, and
dust-like powder of lime which may be employed for many technical purposes,
instead of being a useless sediment or mud as hitherto.
As the proportion of non-combustible gas in the gas and air mixture produced
as above described, very largely preponderates it would consequently be useless
for illuminating purposes and to render it available the mixture is led through
a carburetting apparatus in which benzine, gasoline, petroleum-ether, or similar
substances are volatilized. The crude gas (i.e. the mixture of acetylene and air)
is by this means saturated with the said combustible vapours and a gaseous mixture.
suitable for illuminating, heating, and motive power purposes is obtained. This

page_text: mixture may be burnt in all kinds of burners, whether slitted or Argand, and
also. in burners for incandescent gas lighting. When the mixture is burnt in
ordinary burners there is no carbon deposit and its illuminating and heating
powers greatly exceed those of coal gas while the cost of production is exceed-
ingly low.
The apparatus is preferably so constructed as to admit of a small hot-air motor
being used for producing the necessary current of air which is directly admitted
to and passed through a carbide container which may merely be the barrel in
which carbide, as generally sold in trade is contained, the crude gas thus produced
being led through a chamber in which the petroleum-ether or the like is exposed
on an extended surface for example by means of large wicks, in order that the
vapours may be taken up by the current of crude gas passing therethrough.
Means may be provided for readily enabling communication to be effected between
the pipes conveying respectively the crude gas and that for immediate use, in
order that the proportion of the gaseous mixture may be regulated by leading
the crude gas into the service pipes and so diluting the richer gas as may be
required.
It is to be remarked that,-
-as will be evident from the drawings, a gasometer
for storing the gas is not required as the gas is produced continuously and only
in sufficient quantity for immediate consumption so that all danger of explosion
is avoided.
The apparatus is illustrated in the drawings filed with my Provisional Specifi-
cation wherein Figure 1 shews a front view partly in section, Figure 2 a side
view, and Figure 3 a plan of the apparatus. Figure 4 is a section through the
carburetting vessel, on line 4-4 Figure 1; and Figure 5 a section of the suction
valve and the air-moistening device.
D) is a pump which is operated by the hot-air motor B and draws in air through
a non-return valve beneath the cup K which preferably contains shot which by
being kept wet would serve to moisten the air (in case the latter is too dry)
before it passes through the pipe e into the carbide container E. The moisture
of the current of air passing through the carbide generates crude acetylene gas
which passing through the pipe G is discharged at into the carburetter A.
This carburetting apparatus consists of an air-tight casing in which pieces of
felt or the like are suspended with their bottom. extremities dipping into a
stratum of petroleum-ether or the like, which is nearly two centimetres in depth.
These pieces of felt are so arranged as to alternately leave a space between the
wall of the casing and themselves so that the gas is compelled to follow a zig-
zag course in passing through the casing as will be seen in Figure 4. The crude
gas which enters at a into the casing, leaves the same at d after having become
richly saturated with the hydrocarbon vapours, and the gas then passes through
pipe H (which is furnished with a cock m) to the union J by which connection
may be established with the service pipes."
or less
The petroleum-ether is supplied to the carburetter A through pipe f which dips
slightly into the ether at its lower extremity and is connected at the top with a
reservoir F which when once filled can be closed air-tight by means of cock g
beneath the feeding hopper i. A cock is provided for the regulation of the
direct supply of the crude gas to the service pipe by way of the union J.
By means of this cock the operator is enabled to introduce more
of the crude gas (that is to say the mixture of acetylene gas with air before
being carburetted) into the mixture of gas which passes through J into the
service pipe. Near the cock m a branch pipe n is led from the main pipe H
to feel the flame which actuates the hot-air motor B, or to a gas engine
serving the same purpose. Should the supply of volatile hydrocarbon to the
carburetting apparatus fail for any reason, the flame which actuates the hot-air
motor will be extinguished on account of the non-carburetted or crude gas being
non-combustible, and the whole apparatus will consequently cease to act.
The apparatus is worked in the following manner:-First the hot-air motor

page_text: is set in motion either by hand or by burning gas, spirits, or paraffin or the like.
As soon as the generation of acetylene gas begins (which occurs after a few
minutes) the gas for feeding the flame of the hot-air motor being produced by
the apparatus itself, may be allowed to pass to the motor flame by way of the
branch pipe n, whereupon the entire process proceeds automatically. In large
installations a cooling water receptacle is moreover provided and connected in
the usual manner with the hot-air motor.
The gas producing apparatus described above is specially suitable for use in
a private house in which it is preferably placed in the cellar. It is of course
possible to apply the new process and apparatus on any scale, so as to meet the
requirements of a whole community, and may even with advantage be employed
for providing a whole town with gas for illuminating, heating and motive
purposes.
It is to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the particular form of
apparatus and details of construction herein described, as these may be varied
to suit different circumstances without departing from the essential principles
of the process and of the apparatus by means of which the process is carried into
effect.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is-
The herein described method of producing a combustible gaseous mixture which
consists in passing moist air over calcium carbide and then carburetting the
resultant mixture of acetylene and air by passing it over petroleum ether or
other volatile hydrocarbon.
1
1000
A. M. & WM. OLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.