Improvements in and Apparatus for Obtaining Gas for Illuminating, Heating, and other Purposes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1886.
Complete Left, 25th Oct., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 1st Mar., 1887.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Obtaining Gas for Illuminating,
Heating, and other Purposes.
I HUGH WILLIAMS of Stockport in the County of Chester Civil Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in an apparatus for making Hydrogen Gas and saturating
or carburetting the said Gas with liquid Hydro-Carbons.
Hitherto apparatus for making Hydrogen Gas on a large scale consists chiefly in an
outer vessel containing dilute Sulphuric Acid-Within this outer vessel another vessel
with perforated sides and bottom and containing fragments of Zinc and Iron or either
is placed.
Inverted over the latter vessel and within the outer vessel another vessel is placed
somewhat after the manner of an ordinary Gasometer-excepting that in this case it
is held rigidly to the outer vessel containing the dilute Acid-The action in this case
is that the dilute Acid within the outer vessel comes in contact with the fragments of
Metal before described within the perforated or inner vessel-A copious disengage-
ment of Hydrogen Gas then takes place and so long as the Gas is conveyed away
as rapidly as it is evolved the level of the dilute Acid is held uniform and the pressure
of the Gas also remains uniform but if the conveyance of Gas ceases or partially ceases
then the Hydrogen Gas still being evolved presses the dilute Acid back into the outer
vessel and out of contact with the fragments of metal aforesaid until the chemical
action ceases or partially ceases to be renewed only when more Gas is required-And
the result of this operation is the pressure of Gas is always irregular owing to the
fluctuating height to which the weak Acid is ejected into the outer vessel.
The object of my Invention in the first place is to avoid this irregularity of pressure
when generating and using the Gas in fluctuating quantity and pass it on in an
uniform stream-through a vessel known as a Carburator containing the liquid Hydro-
carbons to be employed and thence to its destination at a uniform or nearly uniform
pressure.
The apparatus which I use for my purpose is somewhat similar in arrangement to
that above described excepting that instead of expelling the dilute Acid into the

page_text: outer vessel and generating uncertain heads of liquid and thereby fluctuating pressure
I firmly attach the perforated inner vessel, containing the fragments of Zinc and Iron
or either of them to the Inverted vessel. The weight of these two vessels and the
weight of the fragments of Zinc or Iron contained therein are counter balanced
desired degree by weights after the manner of the Gasometer holders employed in
ordinary Gas Works. The action in this case is that on the lowering of the inner
vessel with the fragments of metal and its inverted attachment into the dilute Acid
contained in the outer vessel Hydrogen Gas immediately becomes disengaged and
accumulates in the inverted vessel and any excess of pressure beyond that which is
desirable is avoided by the generation of the Gas lifting the fragments of Zinc or Iron
out of the dilute Sulphuric Acid until generation and pressure of the Gas is always
uniform no matter what quantity (up to the full capacity of the apparatus) is conveyed
away.
The Hydrogen Gas having been formed is then conveyed as required through a
vessel or carburator containing liquid Hydro Carbons To more effectively saturate
or carburate the Hydrogen with the liquid Hydro-Carbon-Any desired uniform
quantity of the liquid Hydro-Carbon is maintained within the carburator by means of a
Ball tap or other suitable arrangement. I then arrange and attach to the upper side
of the carburatar and above the liquid Hydro-Carbon a series of strips or pieces of
flannel or some other absorbent material. These strips or pieces of flannel dip into the
liquid Hydro Carbon and become more or less saturated with the liquid Hydro Carbon.
The Hydrogen Gas in its passage forward presses slightly against the dippers causing
them to constantly float on the surface of the liquid Hydro Carbon and the Gas passes
in a more or less thin film or stream between the strips of flannel and skimming the
surface of the liquid Hydro Carbon thus becomes thoroughly impregnated with the
liquid Hydro Carbon.

page_text: Improvements in and Apparatus for Obtaining Gas for Illuminating,
Heating, and other Purposes.
I HUGH WILLIAMS of Stockport in the County of Chester Civil 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:
My Invention consists in an apparatus for making hydrogen gas and saturating or
carburetting the said gas with liquid hydrocarbons.
Hitherto apparatus for making hydrogen gas on a large scale consists chiefly in an
outer vessel containing dilute sulphuric acid Within this outer vessel another vessel
with perforated sides and bottom and containing fragments of zinc and iron or either
is placed.
Inverted over the latter vessel and within the outer vessel another vessel is placed
somewhat after the manner of an ordinary Gasometer excepting that in this case it is
held rigidly to the outer vessel containing the dilute acid. The action in this case is
that the dilute acid within the outer vessel comes in contact with the fragments of
metal before described within the perforated or inner vessel. A copious disengage-
ment of hydrogen gas then takes place and so long as the gas is conveyed away as
rapidly as it is evolved the level of the dilute acid is held uniform and the pressure
of the gas also remains uniform but if the conveyance of gas ceases or partially ceases
then the hydrogen gas still being evolved presses the dilute acid back into the outer
vessel and out of contact with the fragments of metal aforesaid until the chemical
action ceases or partially ceases to be renewed only when more gas is required. And
the result of this operation is the pressure of the gas is always irregular owing to the
fluctuating height to which the weak acid is ejected into the outer vessel.
The object of my invention in the first place is to avoid this irregularity of pressure
when generating and using the gas in fluctuating quantity and pass it on in an
uniform stream through a vessel known as a "carburator" containing the liquid
hydrocarbons to be employed and thence to its destination at an uniform or nearly
uniform pressure.
The apparatus which I use for my purpose is somewhat similar in arrangement to
that above described excepting that instead of expelling the dilute acid into the outer
vessel and generating uncertain heads of liquid and thereby fluctuating pressure
I firmly attach the perforated inner vessel containing fragments of zinc and iron or
either of them to the inverted vessel. The weight of these two vessels and the weight
of the fragments of zinc and iron contained therein are counterbalanced to any desired
degree by weights after the manner of gasometer holders employed in ordinary
gas works.
In order that my invention may be understood and carried into effect I hereunto
annex drawings in which Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section and Fig. 2 a plan
also partly in section of an arrangement of apparatus for carrying my invention into
effect. The same letters of reference are applied to corresponding parts in both of
the figures.
a is a tank or vessel sunk below the level of the ground or floor b within the tank a
is a cylindrical inverted vessel c formed of lead copper or copper coated with tin or
the vessel may be formed of other suitable material which vessel c is closed at the top
с

page_text: and open at the bottom Within the vessel c is a tray d which is formed with holes
or perforations and provided with a side or flange d projecting above and below
the surface of the said tray d To the tray d are secured the lower ends of bolts e
which pass through the top of the vessel c and are provided at their upper ends with
winged nuts by means of which nuts fand collars e¹ formed upon the bolts e the
tray d is secured to the vessel c ggare vertical posts secured respectively at their
lower ends to carriages or frames h provided with and supported upon wheels j
Secured to the vertical posts g g are horizontal beams k.
Carried by the beams are pulleys l m n o each of which is provided with an axle
capable of turning in brackets or pedestals secured to the beams k. The vertical
posts gg beams k carriages or frames h and wheels j constitute a travelling crane the
use and purpose of which I will hereinafter describe Secured by bolts to the top of the
vessel c is an eye or hook p to which are secured two ropes or chains gr
The rope
or chain 9 passes over the pulleys 1 m and from its end is suspended a weight s
The
rope or chain passes over the pulleys n o and from its end is suspended a weight t.
For convenience of description I will assume that the tank a has been filled to the
level indicated by the line A B with dilute sulphuric acid and that fragments of zinc
and iron or either of them have been placed upon the tray d The dilute sulphuric acid
will have free access to the interior of the vessel c by means of the openings c¹ formed
in the lower edges of the sides of the vessel c The said dilute sulphuric acid will also
have free access to the fragments of zinc and iron or either of them upon the tray d
by means of the perforations d¹ formed in the said tray d and by means of the
notches d formed in the flange d of such tray d Hydrogen gas will be disengaged
and will accumulate within the upper part of the interior of the inverted vessel c and
may be conducted away by means of the pipe u which is made of any suitable flexible
material either for use or to be stored in any convenient manner or to be further
treated as will be hereinafter described. So long as the hydrogen gas passes away
from the interior of the vessel c as quickly as it is evolved the vessel c and tray d will
rest upon the bottom of the tank a as shewn but if the hydrogen gas does not pass
away by the pipe u as rapidly as it is evolved the accumulation of hydrogen gas in
the upper part of the interior of the vessel c will cause some of the dilute sulphuric
acid in the interior of the vessel c to be displaced and the vessel c will be caused to
ascend The weights st are so adjusted in relation to the weights of the vessel c and
tray d and the parts connected therewith that the required amount of pressure will be
given to the hydrogen gas passing along the pipe u A further accumulation of
hydrogen gas in the interior of the vessel c will cause such vessel c to ascend until
the fragments of zinc or iron or both upon the tray d will be lifted out of the dilute
sulphuric acid contained in the tank a so that a further generation of hydrogen gas
will be prevented Upon the accumulated hydrogen gas being allowed to escape from
the upper part of the interior of the vessel c the fragments of zinc or iron or both will
be again dipped into or immersed in the dilute sulphuric acid and a further disengage-
ment of hydrogen gas will take place By the above described arrangements the
pressure of the hydrogen gas within the vessel c will be kept uniform or nearly
uniform no inatter what quantity up to the full capacity of the apparatus is conveyed
away by the pipe u.
j
I charge the tray d with zinc and iron or one of them in the following manner By
means of the ropes or chains qr the vessel c and tray d are raised until they are above
the level of the ground or floor b and the vessel c carriages or frames h vertical
posts gg beams k and parts supported thereby are moved until the vessel c is moved
clear of the tank a the wheels allowing such motion to take place. The vessel c and
tray d are then allowed to rest upon the surface of the ground or floor b The winged
nuts are then removed from the bolts e Then by means of the ropes or chains qr
and pulleys mno the vessel c is raised clear of the tray d Any refuse matter which
may be upon
the tray d is removed therefrom and a supply of fragments of zinc and
iron or either of them is placed upon the tray d The vessel c is then raised by means
of the ropes or chains 9 and pulleys Im no and by means of the carriages or
frames h the said vessel ĉ is brought above the tray d and is then allowed to descend,
l

page_text: The winged nuts f are then screwed upon the bolts e so as to secure the tray d to
the vessel c.
The spent dilute sulphuric acid is when requisite removed from the tank a by means
of a pipe or in any other suitable manner and afterwards the tank a is again filled
with dilute sulphuric acid up to the level indicated by the line A B. The vessel c
and tray d are then raised clear of the ground by means of the ropes or chains q r
and the carriages or frames are moved so as to bring the vessel c above the centre
of the tank a into which tank a snch vessel c is allowed to descend until it rests upon
the bottom of the said tank a when hydrogen gas will be generated within the interior
of the vessel c as previously described.
To
The
The hydrogen gas having been formed is conveyed as required by means of the
flexible pipe u to a vessel or carburator containing liquid hydrocarbon To the
bottom plate of the vessel or carburator v are attached raised sides the bottom
plate v and sides ² forming a trough the top of which is closed by a cover w fitted
closely thereon The vessel or carburator is partially filled with liquid hydro carbon
which may be supplied to the said vessel or carburator v by means of the pipe
the cover w are secured by their upper edges a number of strips of flannel y or other
suitable absorbent material made sufficiently wide to reach from side to side of the
vessel or carburator and to act as so many curtains the lower edges of which dip
into the liquid hydro carbons contained in the vessel or carburator v
The said strips
of flannel y or other absorbent material will be more or less saturated with the liquid
hydro carbon To the cover w is secured a pipe z by which the hydrogen gas after
passing through the vessel or carburator v is conducted as may be required
hydrogen gas in its passage through the vessel or carburator presses slightly against
the strips of flannel y or other absorbent material causing them to constantly float
on the surface of the liquid hydrocarbon The strips of flannel y or other absorbent
material are so placed in the vessel or carburator v as to cause the hydrogen gas
to pass along the vessel or carburator v in a tortuous course as indicated by the
arrows C in Fig. 1 The hydrogen gas passes along the vessel or carburator in a
more or less thin film between the strips of flannel y or other absorbent material
and skimming the surface of the liquid hydrocarbon thus becomes thoroughly
impregnated with the liquid hydro carbons by the time it arrives at the outlet pipe z.
In order to maintain the liquid hydro carbon at an uniform level within the vessel
or carburator v I employ an arrangement shewn in Figs. 3 and 4 Fig. 3 being a
side view partly in section and Fig. 4 a plan partly in section Upon the vessel
or carburator v I form a small vessel 1 which communicates with the interior of the
vessel or carburator v by means of the pipe 2. Liquid hydrocarbon is supplied to
the vessel 1 by means of the pipe 3 which is provided with a tap 4 of the kind known
as "ball taps" by means of which the liquid hydro carbon in the vessel 1 and vessel
or carburator v will be maintained at an uniform or nearly uniform level as will be
readily understood.
In Figs. 1 and 2 previously referred to the tank a is shewn as being below the
level of the ground or floor 6 Figs. 5 and 6 shew an arrangement in which the
tank a is above the level of the ground b In Figs. 5 and 6 the same letters of
reference are applied to the parts as are applied to the corresponding parts in
Figs. 1 and 2. As the arrangement shewn in Figs. 5 and 6 only differs from that
shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 in certain details I will not further describe the arrangement
shewn in Figs. 5 and 6.
The tank a and vessel c are shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 as being circular in form and
are shewn in Figs. 5 and 6 as being square in form but they may be made in any other
form as desired.
The vessel or carburator may be placed as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 or as indicated
in Figs. 5 and 6 or may be placed in any other desired position.
Fig. 7 shews an arrangement of portable apparatus by which my invention may be
carried into effect To those parts of the apparatus which are similar to those
previously described I shall affix the same letters of reference as have previously been
applied to the parts corresponding thereto. In Fig. 7 a is a tank mounted upon a

page_text: vessel or carburator carried upon axles 5 supported by wheels 6 of which two only
are shown in the drawing Within the tank a is an inverted vessel c to which is secured
a tray d, which is formed with holes or perforations d¹ 7 is a pipe which passes through
a hole formed in the tray d the upper end of which pipe 7 is in communication with
the upper part of the interior of the vessel c while the lower end of such pipe 7 is in
communication with the vessel or carburator v.
The tray d is provided with a vertical tube 8 which surrounds the upper part of the
pipe 7 and prevents any of the zinc and iron or either of them contained in the tray d
from falling through the hole formed through such tray d 9 is a frame the arms 9 of
which pass through lugs 10 secured to the tank a The frame 9 is provided with
collars 9 which rest upon the upper pair of the lugs 10.
11. 12. are arms or levers mounted so as to be capable of oscillating respectively
upon studs 13 14 secured to the frame 9 The arm or lever 11 is at its ends
provided with curved parts 11° 11° to the upper ends of which are secured chains or
ropes 15 16 respectively the chain or rope 15 being connected at its lower end to
the vessel c and the chain or rope 16 being connected at its lower end to a weight 17
The arm or lever 12 is provided at its ends with curved parts 12ª 12b to the upper
ends of which are secured chains or ropes 18. 19 respectively the chain or rope 18
being connected at its lower end to the vessel e and the chain or rope 19 being
connected at its lower end to the weight 17. The weight 17 by means of the arms
or levers 11 12 serves to counter balance the whole or a part of the weight of the
vessel c and tray d. The tank a is filled with dilute sulphuric acid up to the level
indicated by the line A B and the tray d is charged with fragments of zinc and
iron or either of them. The hydrogen gas evolved passes by means of the pipe 7
to the vessel or carburator from which it is conducted by the pipe z. In order to
charge the tray d with zinc and iron or either of them the frame 9 with the arins
or levers 11 12 weight 17 and inverted vessel c together with the tray d is lifted
bodily out of the lugs 10 the tray d is then separated or removed from the vessel c.
อ
As the parts shewn in Fig. 7 are similar in construction and operation to the parts
previously described no further description of them will be necessary.
Apparatus similar to that above described in reference to Fig. 7 may be employed
for producing hydrogen gas in railway trains and when so employed such apparatus
may be carried by or in the Guards Van or by or in any other convenient part of
the train which it is desired to supply with such gas.
Fig. 8 shews a mode of applying my invention to portable lamps. As certain
of the parts shewn in Fig. 8 are similar to parts previously described I shall affix
to such parts the same letters of reference as have been previously applied to parts
corresponding to such parts. In Fig. 8 20 is the base of the lamp which constitutes
a tank corresponding to the tank a shewn in the Figures previously described.
Within the base 20 is an inverted vessel e carrying a tray d which is formed with
holes or perforations d¹ 7 is a pipe communicating at its upper end with the interior
of the inverted vessel c and communicating at its lower end with the vessel or car-
burator v. The base 20 supports the upper portion 21 of the lamp by the joint 22
the upper portion 21 and the base 20 being capable of being separated on the
line DE. The base 20 supports the upper portion 21 by means of a shoulder or
socket 23. Upon pins 24 25 secured to the upper portion 21 of the lamp are respec-
tively mounted pulleys 26 27, passing over the pulley 26 is a rope or chain 28
secured at one end to the inverted vessel cand at its other end to the weight 17.
Passing over the pulley 27 is a rope or chain 29 secured at one end to the inverted
vessel c and at its other end to the weight 17. The weight 17 acts so as to wholly or
partially counter balance the weight of the vessel e and tray d.
The handle 30 is secured at its upper end to the upper portion 21 of the lamp and
is secured at its lower end by means of a screw 31 to the base 20 of the lamp.
The handle 32 is formed hollow and in conjunction with a tube 33 formed in the
base 20 forms a tube or passage leading from the vessel or carburator v to a
chamber 34 from which a pipe 35 leads to the burners 36. The handle 32 is pro-
vided with an union-joint 37 provided with a milled collar or other similar part by

page_text: The hydrogen gas evolved
and thence by the tube 33
which such joint 37 may be screwed or unscrewed.
passes along the pipe 7 through the vessel or carburator
and handle 32 to the chamber 34 and burners 36. The pipe 35 is provided with a
cock or tap 38 by means of which the supply of hydrogen gas to the burners 36 may
be controlled.
When it is desired to charge the base 20 of the lamp with dilute sulphuric acid or
to charge the tray d with fragments of zinc and iron or either of them the screw 31
is removed and the union 37 unscrewed and the upper portion 21 of the lamp and the
parts connected are removed.
After the dilute acid or zinc and iron or either of them have been supplied to the
base 20 of the lamp or to the tray d the upper portion 21 of the lamp is placed upon
the base 20 and secured thereto by means of the screw 31 and union 37. As the parts
shewn in Fig. 8 are similar in operation to the parts previously described no further
description of them necessary.
Although I have only described certain arrangements and methods for carrying
my invention into effect yet it is obvious other arrangements may be employed for
carrying out my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of ny said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
gas
1. The hereinbefore described arrangements of apparatus by which metallic frag-
ments employed in the production of hydrogen gas are by the varying pressure of the
evolved lifted out of or imersed in the dilute acid employed in the production of
the gas aforesaid all constructed arranged and operating substantially as herein before
set forth and described and indicated in the annexed drawings at Figs. 1. 2. 5. 6. 7. 8.
2. The combination and arrangement of parts, forming my hydrogen gas generator
whereby the pressure of the generated hydrogen is kept uniform or nearly uniform
and consisting of parts such as inverted vessel c with its openings c¹ tray d with its
holes or perferations d¹ flange d' notches d³ bolts e winged nuts f pulleys I m no ropes
or chains q rweights st and flexible pipe u in the various modifications described and
indicated in the annexed drawings Figs. 1. 2. 5. 6. 7. 8.
3. The herein before described arrangements of carburator for impregnating
hydrogen gas with liquid hydrocarbon which arrangements consist in a series of
strips of flannel or pieces of other suitable absorbent material arranged to dip into
liquid hydrocarbon and cause the hydrogen gas in its passage through the carburator
to pass between the edges or tips of the flannel or other suitable absorbent material
and the liquid hydrocarbon so that the hydrogen gas shall become impregnated there-
with substantially as hereinbefore set forth and indicated in Figs. 3. 4 of the
annexed drawings.
4. The hereinbefore described arrangements of apparatus by which the liquid
hydrocarbon in the carburator hereinbefore described is automatically maintained at
an uniform or nearly uniform level which apparatus consists in a vessel 1 ball cock 4
or other equivalent therefor and pipe 2. all arranged and operating substantially as
and in the manner hereinbefore described and set forth with reference to and shewn in
Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
5. The combination of the hereinbefore described apparatus to be employed in the
production of hydrogen gas and the herein before described apparatus for impreg-
nating the said hydrogen gas with liquid hydrocarbon all arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described and set forth and shewn in the various
modifications and illustrated by Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive of the drawings hereunto
annexed.