IMPROVED MEANS OF AND APPLIANCES FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREVENTING THE BACK RUSH OF GAS FROM GASOMETERS FOR PURIFYING THE GAS, AND FOR IMPROVING THE BRILLIANCY OF THE LIGHTS OR FLAMES OF GAS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert May Caffall, of Alton, in the County of
Hants, and of Fleet Street, in the City of London, for the Invention
of "IMPROVED MEANS OF AND APPLIANCES FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREVENTING
THE BACK RUSH OF GAS FROM GASOMETERS FOR PURIFYING THE GAS, AND
FOR IMPROVING THE BRILLIANCY OF THE LIGHTS OR FLAMES OF GAS."
Sealed the 11th July 1873, and dated the 17th May 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert May Caffall at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 17th May 1873.
I, ROBERT MAY CAFFALL, of Alton, in the County of Hants, and of
Fleet Street, in the City of London, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS OF AND APPLIANCES FOR AUTOMATICALLY
PREVENTING THE BACK RUSH OF GAS FROM GASOMETERS FOR PURIFYING THE GAS,
AND FOR IMPROVING THE BRILLIANCY OF THE LIGHTS OR FLAMES OF GAS," to be
as follows:-
This Invention relates to a kind of box, with a self-acting closing cup
fitting loosely over the end of a gas inlet, arranged between the exhaust

page_text: vessel and the gasometer chamber, or in the chamber itself, which box
is filled with water to a proper level to prevent all back rush of gas
from the gasometer to the purifiers and exhausters after the ingoing
pressure is removed. The box is provided with an inlet and an outlet
pipe for the passage of the gas into and from opposite ends or sides, or
from the top and bottom, or from both. The box contains water to a
certain level, and the cup dips into it by its own weight, except while
the pressure is on to force the gas into the gasometer, cup being
then lifted by the pressure, and the gas allowed to flow. The water, if it
contains lime, can be used for washing or purifying the gas in its passage,
or in lieu of water petroleum or other volatile or spirituous oil can be
used, such oils giving off their vapours in combination with air or not,
which commingle with the coal gas, and increase the brilliancy of the
flame.
the
upon
Where several gasometers are supplied from one main I purpose fitting
a box between each of them, as also between that nearest the purifier
and the purifier itself. If the cup is fitted over the inlet end of the
pipe in the gasometer chamber the box into which the cup dips is of
tubular shape. The cup may have openings or perforations near its
edge, so that the instant the ingoing pressure is applied the gas passes
through freely, but on the pressure ceasing the cup falls down the
top of the pipe, dipping its edges into the liquid in the box, and shuts it
off against the back pressure, thus effectually sealing the pipe. The cup
lifts only to a certain height, it being limited by a strap or other appli-
ance, serving also as a guide. Balance weights or their equivalents may
be employed in connection with the cup, if found desirable, or can be
applied to top of the inlet pipe in the gasometer at the ordinary water
level.

page_text: Fourthly. To increase the illuminating power of the gas by causing it
to come into contact with a volatile or spirituous body within the apparatus
on its way to the gasometer.
The apparatus consists of a rectangular shaped box A, attached to the
pipe between the exhauster and gasometer by the flanges B, B, so that
the gas in passing through in the direction of the arrows lifts the bonnet C
into the position shown by dotted lines.
The box A contains tar water or other liquid up to a certain level, and
the bottom edge of the bonnet dips into the liquid when the ingoing
pressure is removed, and also when a back pressure occurs from any
cause. The vessel is supplied with liquid by the dip pipe E, whose cap F
can be removed when fresh liquid has to be poured in. The bonnet is
connected by a rock lever G with a counterpoise H on its opposite end,
the lever being held by a rod stretching across the vessel for that purpose.
The gas in entering from the exhauster passes down a "lead" J into an
open onded outlet K, which is covered by the bonnet C, but which can
be lifted to the required height by the gas to allow it to pass. The gas.
then traverses along the vessel, and finds its way to the gasometer to be
stored for use in the usual manner.
I have referred to the vessel as containing water or other liquid
intended for sealing the passage against the back rush of gas, and to
take the back strain off from the exhauster; but by placing lime water
or other liquid containing a gas purifying agent the liquid would not
only act as a water joint but also as a purifier. Again, by placing a
volatile oil or a spirituous body within the vessel the liquid would act as a
seal when the bonnet is immersed in it, and also as a means of increasing
the illuminating power of the gas by absorbing the volatile vapour or the
spirituous agent contained within it, or of which it is composed as
the case may be, while the gas is passing across it. The apparatus can
also be fitted between the several gasometers of gas works, to prevent a
the gas flowing from one to the other, the apparatus working automati-
cally. D is a draw-off pipe for condensed liquid.

page_text: Secondly. The means for additionally purifying the gas in its passage
by the apparatus described.
Thirdly. The means of increasing the illuminating power of gas in its
passage from the exhauster to the gasometer, as described with reference
to the apparatus shown.
Fourthly. I claim fitting an automatic opening and closing apparatus
between the gasometers of gas works, as and for the purposes described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert May Caffall, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of November, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
Witness,
T. P. MAY.
R. M. CAFFALL. (L.S.)