Apparatus for Producing an Inflammable Gas by Carburation of Air.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 29th July, 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Producing an Inflammable Gas by Carburation of Air.
I, ABRAHAM ANTHELME FRITZ, of Laeken, Brussels, Belgium, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The
This invention relates to the production of an inflammable gas for illumination or
heating by carburating air, that is to say mixing with it the vapours or gases resulting
from the heating or distillation of suitable hydrocarbon liquids. From a reservoir of
the hydrocarbon, which may be at a higher level than the apparatus, or may be at a
lower level but subject to pressure of air or gas forced into the reservoir by a pump,
the liquid passes to a space at the bottom of a gasometer where its level is regulated
by a float controlling, a stopcock or valve for its admission. From this space the liquid
passes to a boiler or generator, the quantity that passes being regulated by a cock or
valve governed by the greater or less height of the bell of the gasometer. In the
boiler or generator the liquid passes through tubes or vessels of other forms heated by
Bunsen burners, whereby it is converted into vapour or gas or partly both. From
the boiler or generator the gaseous fluid passes to injectors whence, issuing with
considerable velocity, it draws with it a proportion of air which enters the space sur-
rounding the injector jets through check valves that close against any outflow.
mixed air and gaseous fluid passes into the gasometer the bell of which is loaded to
give the desired pressure. When, owing to too great production, the gasometer bell
rises, it closes or partly closes the cock or valve leading to the boiler or generator thus
reducing the supply of liquid. When, on the other hand, the gasometer bell descends
it opens the cock or valve to a greater extent, thus increasing the supply of liquid.
From the gasometer the mixed gaseous fluid passes through a scrubber which is kept
cool by water circulating through a jacket enclosing it. In this scrubber there are
several layers of coke or other suitable material supported on wire gauze screens
through which the gaseous fluid passes for its purification. A portion of the vapour
may become condensed in the scrubber, the resulting liquid passes by a small pipe
back to the supply space below the gasometer. From the scrubber the gaseous
mixture passes either directly to the service pipe to supply burners or heaters, or,
preferably, to a gasometer where it may be stored for use. For apparatus on a small
scale, the supply reservoir and float may be dispensed with, the space under the
gasometer being charged from time to time by liquid poured in through a funnel
pipe and in this case there should be a glass gauge to shew the level of the liquid.
The pipe leading from the boiler or generator to the injectors should be enclosed in a
non conducting casing to prevent loss of heat. The whole apparatus is preferably
enclosed in a metallic casing, and, when it is employed on ship board, the gasometer
tank should have its upper edge turned in with a deep lip to prevent escape of the
water when the vessel rolls.
Di ai 1
COL1000
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Producing an Inflammable Gas by Carburation of Air.
I, ABRAHAM ANTHELME FRITZ, of Laeken Brussels, Belgium, 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 the production of an inflammable gas for illumination or
heating by carburating air, that is to say mixing with it the vapors resulting from the
heating or distillation of suitable hydrocarbon liquids.

page_text: L
My invention consists, in addition to numerous improvements in the construction of
apparatus for distilling petroleum and similar liquids as also for the purification of the
carburated air by filtration and condensation, of a special means for effecting the
carburation of the air, which consists in the combination, with the generators of vapor,
of various constructions of injectors of the "Gifford " or other suitable systems,
wherein the carburating vapors constitute the vehicle which carries with it the
carburated air into the gas holder. This combination of injectors with the generators
is effected in various ways, which I will proceed to describe with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 shews the construction A with four views in detail, of which Fig. 1 is a
section of the air suction with valve and the injector, Fig. 2 shews a horizontal section
of the annular generator K, Fig. 3 shows another generator of lenticular shape and
Fig. 4 shews a section of a cylindrical generator with double sides, the generator
being in this case placed beneath the apparatus.
Sheet 2 shews the construction Abs which is a modification of the above, the
generator being of a construction with two compartments and placed at the side of
the apparatus, the pressure upon the bydrocarbon being produced by the vapors pro-
duced in one of the compartments.
Sheet 3 shews construction B which is a modification of the preceding construction
with the generator beneath.
Sheet 4 shews the construction C which is similar to the foregoing one with the
details of modified construction.
Sheet 5 shews the construction D which has a different system of heating and also
is otherwise generally differently arranged.
Sheet 6 shews 'the construction E which is a modification of the preceding one as
regards the feed arrangements.
Sheet 7 shews the construction F which differs from construction E also in the feed
arrangements.
Sheet S shews the construction G wherein a different arrangement for the distilling
operation is provided, and
Sheet 9 shews the construction H with the same system of distillation combined
with generators of a special construction, provided with a special injector which pro-
duces an indraught of atmospheric air by means of the carburated air itself.
CONSTRUCTION A.
This apparatus which is constructed of metal or other suitable material consists of a
gas holder A with bell I provided with hydraulic joint and with a reservoir B enclosing
gasoline or other mineral oil which is supplied from a recipient C through a tube D.
The liquid is always automatically maintained at a constant level by means of a suitable
float valve E. It escapes by cocks H and y and the discharge is regulated by a
key H acted upon by the regulator G which follows the upward and downward move-
ment of the bell 1. If this bell rises too much in consequence of excess of gas it
actuates the regulator and closes more or less the cock H. When the bell descends
the cock H opens and allows a larger quantity of liquid to pass, causing an increase
of production of gas. At the ends of the chain are a weight and a counterweight
which keep it stretched and assist in the movement of the key of the cock in passing
over a small pulley fixed on the bar e e. The liquid flows through the tube F into the
recipient K on both sides of which is an annular tube L. These tubes are heated as
may be required by one or more Bunsen's burners. The liquid being heated to a
considerable degree is converted into gas and passes through the conduit Q and
through the twin injectors R where it draws in air through the cocks h. The air thus
carburated passes through the tube T into the gas holder A and causes the bell I to
rise. It then escapes by the discharge tube U, passes through the condenser V and
cube X, which passes through the hydraulic joint and finally it rises to the point Y
where is situated the discharge cock for the gas through which it issues into the main
conduit. The feed recipient C containing the gasoline or other suitable liquid can be

page_text: ituated at any distance from the gas holder provided that it is higher than the level
of the reservoir B in order to allow of the flow of the liquid into the latter. The float
levice allows the cocks jj to remain open so that the reservoir B is always supplied
vith gasoline; any possible interruption is thus prevented. In the production of the
gas it suffices to take care that the recipient C is always supplied with gasoline. It
may be constructed of any size and should be hermetically closed and protected
against any contact with fire. The device d is a level indicator constructed in the
ower part of the apparatus. The cock a serves either for removal of the condensed
iquid at bottom or if necessary for emptying or cleansing the reservoir B.
For increasing under certain circumstances the pressure of the gas, the size of the
weights placed upon the bell may be increased. The vapor generator K placed below
the bottom of the apparatus or at the sides thereof in which the gasoline is evaporated
may have the form shewn at Fig. 2 and 3 with several projections for increasing the
heating surface and for collecting the deposits which may be left by a bad quality of
gasoline. In these generators the spheroidal globules which form at the bottom by
the great heat have to pass through the upper strata of liquid, and in doing so become
reduced and thereby diminish condensation in the tubes into which they would other-
wise be drawn off. The construction of generator K with its annular tubes equalises
the temperature of the liquid. The same results are obtained by the circular or
conical generator with double sides shewn in section at Fig. 4, Z Z at the centre of
which are placed one or more Bunsen's burners. These burners are lit at the com-
mencement of the working after having raised the bell I by forcing in air by means
of a caoutchouc tube adapted to the cock, such injection being effected by a pump or
bellows. These burners may be used either separately or all together. The twin
injector R is employed for preventing all possibility of interruption and for increasing
the indraught of air. If by chance one of the injectors should get out of order the
other would still continue to draw in air. The tube T is terminated at an angle in
order to prevent the gases from projecting with force upon the surface of the liquid
enclosed in the reservoir B and thus produce a disturbance whereby globules of liquid
might get mixed with the air. The condenser V consists of a double casing between
the sides of which cold water is circulated, being introduced through a funnel f. This
water, as also that of the hydraulic joint of the gas holder may have an addition of
glycerine in winter for preventing freezing. Within the casing are several layers of
horse hair, coke or other suitable permeable matter, which serves as filter and con-
denser alternately and which are separated by wire gauze. The liquid resulting from
the condensation from the gas escapes by the tube U and returns to the reservoir B.
The tube X which is immersed in the hydraulic joint further cools the gas and the
small quantity of liquid of condensation which might still be produced flows off by
the squall tube branching from the tube X. In order to utilise fully the heat of the
Bunsen's burner and to isolate the flames in order to prevent all danger I surround
the parts K, L, M, and N with wire gauze with very small meshes covered by a jacket
of cork or other bad conductor of heat which surrounds the tube Qtill near the
air inlets R. It results from this that the gas arrives at a high temperature in the
injectors and draws in air with all the more energy, the more rapid is its flow. This
outer tube may be extended beyond the apparatus and may constitute a chimney for
carrying off the heat and smell produced by the Bunsen's burners. The gas holder A
has its upper circular edge bent inward order to prevent the water of the joints from
escaping in case of transport. The funnel Z is useful in the case of a small apparatus.
In this case the reservoir C its tube D and float E can be suppressed, and the gasoline
is only poured in through the funnel Z every day if necessary and before the apparatus
is set to work. The cock b serves for emptying the hydraulic joint for renewing the.
water.

page_text: a pump, bellows or other means, or a pressure being exercised directly upon the
surface of the liquid. The construction Abs allows of one or other of the generators
being placed at any desired distance from the gas holder, either at the same level or
even above.
For this purpose I have separated the reservoir B from the gas com-
partment A by means of the plate Z B having a safety valve X Y. The twin
generator is constructed of two distinct parts, one being larger than the other, or I
employ two distinct generators separate from each other. The tuve conducting the
gasoline or other liquid from the reservoir communicates with the two sections of the
generator. The gas which is formed after lighting the Bunsen's burner M rises
through the conduit Q and passes through the injector with valve ', then descends
through the tube which passes through the plate Z B and flows into the compart-
ment B in which the liquid is situated. The gas accumulates in this and produces a
sufficient pressure for causing the gasoleine to issue, passing through the cock H and
rising through the tube F and flowing into the large section of the generator. When
this takes place the remaining Bunsen's burners are lit and the gas produced passes
through the tube and injector and the resulting carburated air is conducted into
the gas holder A by the tube T, the bell I of which rises. The gas then passes through
the tube U, the cylindrical condenser V, and issues through the tube X, which is
immersed in the water of the condenser and hydraulic joint of the gas holder and
finally rises to the discharge cock Y and issues into the main conduit. The casing E
encloses the float which allows the cocks jj to remain open, thereby putting into
communication the feed recipient and the reservoir B. The small tube / in the
construction A, B, C, and D should not discharge the compressed gas directly
into the reservoir B, but into a small recipient attached to the casing E as otherwise
the gasoline would be forced by the pressure up this small discharge tubes As it is
necessary to have a sufficient pressure from the commencement, air is forced first into
the reservoir B by means of a pump or bellows through a flexible tube connected to
the branch O and afterwards air is also forced into the gas holder A.
'
CONSTRUCTION B. (SHEET III.)
In the apparatus shewn on the drawing, the height between the generator and the
bottom of the other apparatus as shewn in the arrangement A is also diminished. The
twin generator. has in this case also two separate sections as in the construction Abla
but the gas which is produced in the small compartment of the generator, or in the
small generator if two separate ones are used, is led directly through the tube pp into
the reservoir B where it produces a sufficient pressure for starting the working of the
apparatus in the same manner as above described. If the production of gas under
pressure is too great, it escapes by the safety valve SP which conducts it by the
tube into the pipe Q from which it passes through the injectors hh and the tubes T n
into the
gas holder A.
CONSTRUCTION C. (SHEET IV.)
In this arrangement, in order to obtain a sufficient pressure upon the gasoline or
other liquid of the reservoir B, 1 have put this reservoir in communication with the
tube VU containing a piston with valve. This piston operates by means of the
toothed rod CK having at top a sufficient weight OP. When the flow of liquid from
the reservoir B is nearly at an end, the part n n of the weight OP strikes against the
point of an alarum B A so as to put it in action, thereby signalling the fact that
the reservoir B requires feeding with gasoline. This, of course, only takes place if
the cocks as also that of the float box E have been closed. For raising the piston
again, a wheel with crank handle CK is turned whereupon the valve of the piston V U
opens and allows air to pass. The small tubes with cock serves for allowing the
liquid resulting from the condensation in the gas holder A to flow into the reservoir B.
In certain cases I employ an air pump for giving a strong pressure upon the liquid of
the feed reservoir C by which means I am enabled to place the same at any distance
from the apparatus and below the same; for instance in a distant cellar of the house to
be lighted.

page_text: CONSTRUCTION D. (SHEET V.)
This construction consists in addition to the generator W of lenticular or other form
placed beneath the apparatus or at the side thereof as shewn of a small vapor
generator LO which I place directly either at the side or above the gas holder for the
purposes firstly of accelerating the putting in action, and secondly to prevent all
possibility of interruption. The working is similar to that of the preceding arrange-
ments. The liquid is fed from the reservoir Cinto the recipient B by the tube D.
For putting in action I introduce air by means of a bellows through a cock on
the branch pipe whereby the pressure causes the liquid to rise through the tube o p
into the generator W. The Bunsen burner N is then lit and the gas produced
passes through the tube Q injector and tube into the recipient B provided with
a safety valve ay. Considerable pressure is thus produced by the expansion of
the gas, which forces the gasoline to rise through the tube n and to fill the
generator IO. I then force air through the upper cock S2; the bell rises. I then
fight the Bunsen's burner M whereby gas will be produced, drawing in air through
the injector and passing through the tube T into the gas hoider A and bell I. From
this it passes through the tube U, condenser V, tube X and escapes at Y into the main
conduit.
When required, I provide the apparatus with a pressure gauge for indicating the
pressure of the gas. For the constructions Ab B, C and D, 1 place this pressure
gauge above the level gauge for indicating the pressure produced in the recipient B.
If required, the tube X for the issue of the gas is made to pass through the
hydraulic joint of the condenser V in order to effect a still further condensation before
issuing into the main. If it is desired to dispense with the float, I separate the
reservoir E from the reservoir B, the former serving thus only for the discharge of
liquid of condensation from the small tube l.
CONSTRUCTION E. (SHEET VI.)
In this construction I do away with the partition Z B described in the construction D
existing between the recipient B and the gas holder A. The vapor generator W
is placed at the bottom of the apparatus and fed like that above, LO, through
tubes U D and or which are connected to the cock U B in communication with
the reservoir of gasoline placed at sufficient height for producing the required head
of pressure for the proper working of the apparatus. For increasing the entry of
air and effecting its more intimate admixture with the vapor of gasoline, I employ
a Giffard or other injector at a suitable point of the conduit U B before the gasoline
passes into one of the generators.
In certain cases I accumulate the carburated air in a gas holder with bell placed
in proximity to the apparatus so as to have a reserve of the gas and do away with
the necessity of lighting the Bunsen's burners and putting the apparatus in operation
every time that gas is required for use, either for lighting, heating or motive power.
I have not only been able to accumulate carburated air in this way without
apparent condensation but have also been able to compress it like ordinary coal gas
for transport.
CONSTRUCTION F. (SHEET VII.)
This differs from the preceding one in that the generator W is fed by the condensed
liquid from the reservoir B. The cock and the tube for the supply of liquid are
similar to those in construction A and in extending the tubes leading the gasoline
to the generators which may be at a distance from the other part of the apparatus I
produce a novel combined construction. According to one arrangement I use two
feed reservoirs, one of which is placed at the required height, feeding the upper
generator L 0, while the other reservoir is placed at the required height for feeding
the lower generator, W which is placed for example about 3 feet below the apparatus.
For the use of ordinary or rectified petroleum I have constructed conical generators

page_text: and of serpentine form, in which the petroleum arrives drop by drop. Each drop is
dispersed and spreads against the heated inner projections of the generator whereby
it is converted into gas. At the side of the apparatus I provide a piston in a cylinder.
which forces air into the gas holder by the up and down movement of the hell, whereby
the air is carburated in a less degree and is more economical, and whereby I am
enabled to utilise the same for evaporating the drops of petroleum. In this construction
I provide the discharge tube for the gas with a regulator.
CONSTRUCTION G.
(SHEET VIII.)
and
In no apparatus for the production of carburated air proposed up to the
present time has the principle of distilling the mineral oils effected automatically by
the apparatus itself been employed. I have constructed for this purpose several
arrangements of generators wherein the heat is supplied by several burners placed
above or below the apparatus. The mineral oil arising from the reservoir
passing through the tube m passes into the retort Z Z provided with a cock, and
discharge reservoir t. It is there subjected to a preliminary heating, the resulting
vapors, being carried towards the serpentine generator Z also provided with a discharge
tube (in,extending these tubes I can lead them to the compartment B below, into
which I can then allow the discharged liquid to flow). The vapors are there purified
and are further volatilised at a high temperature, giving off the remainder of their
residues, and they are then conducted into the injector R where they draw in air for
filling the gas holder A, from which the carburated air issues through tubes U and Y
into the general conduit, passing on its way through the condenser purifier V. The
product of condensation which is situated in the lower reservoir B is utilised; it flows
off through cocks H and y, passes through one or more generators ZZ or Z³, and
rising through the tube the vapour passes through the injector, R, where it is
transformed into carburated air for filling the gas holder A.
This system is based firstly upon the principle of the distillation of the petroleum or
other more or less heavy mineral oils supplied to gas producing apparatus which
effects automatically the distillation of the oils for illuminating purposes, and secondly
the application of several burners a, a a, adapted to the central tube of the bell by
means of branches, thus permitting the oils to be heated and distilled in several small
generators placed above, below or at the side of the apparatus.
CONSTRUCTION H. (SHEET IX.)
This construction differs from the preceding one. in that it not only effects the
distillation of mineral oils, but also washes or rectifies the same and thus allows the
more effectual utilisation and conversion into gas of a greater proportion, and of
the products of the condensation produced by the use of more or less heavy oil. The
apparatus also has for its object to obtain automatically a larger proportion of air
mixed with the petroleum vapors. The application of one or several injectors branched
parallel to the tube through which the petroleum vapours are supplied, give a very
rich and very brilliant gas at a sufficiently low price as compared with the other
processes, but which price might be still further reduced. It would be necessary for
this purpose not only to utilise the cheap heavy liquids but also to increase the
proportion of air without using an additional force for this purpose. I have effected
this by causing the carburated air itself to produce an indraught of air by one or more
injectors. The rectified mineral oil arrives from the reservoir 7 by the tube 'm, is
' distilled a first time in the generator Z Z and a second time in the generator Z both
of which are heated by the Bunsen's burners a. Tbe generators are provided with
discharge tubes and with a recipient t collecting the heavy oils. This arrangement
may also be replaced by my new construction of generator with superposed compart-
ments according to Fig. 2. The vapors thus distilled pass through the injector R¹ for
producing carburated air, which in its turn passes through the injector N R where its
proportion of air is increased, and whence it penetrates into the tube S which leads it
to the gas holder A, with bell I and regulator g. From this it issues through the

page_text: tube U, passes through the condenser purifier V with or without water jacket, and
from which the gas, perfectly pure and colorless, descends and rises through tubes U U
and Y in order to enter into the main conduit. The washing or purifying is effected
in various ways. (1) The reservoir B is provided with a bottom X with discharge
cock as in the construction G. In order to precipitate the heavy oil which might
accumulate I introduce through a small graduated funnel E Fig. 1 sulphuric acid to
an extent proportionate to the contents, indicated by the level N, of heavy oils, and
the residues s in the reservoir ( in which the washing is effected. When the liquid
has risen to the height d of the level indicator p, the reservoir is filled with water by
the funnel E up to the height indicated at h. A vane wheel O V is then rotated
either by hand or automatically by a spring atv v during any required time. The
impurities of the gas are withdrawn with the water at the bottom CO, and the
clarified fluid can flow through the cock into the reservoir q'which feeds the gas
holder.
It will be evident that this system of washing could be carried out in the feed
reservoir 2, in which case that in C can be dispensed with.
(2). It is preferable in many cases to replace the above manipulation by a perfectly
automatic purification. I have invented for this purpose an apparatus which completes
and improves my condenser purifier V. For simplification it replaces all the
mechanism of the reservoir C. The carburated air rises through the tube U into the
new purifier, being projected on to a layer of acidulated water at the bottom I N. A
condensation is brought about, and the heavy residues of the gas are precipitated, the
gas being made to traverse the spongy or other permeable material beforementioned
in order to escape in a purified condition by the tube U into the main conduit. The
condensed liquid is returned automatically through the cock T and the tube m into
the apparatus in order to be again utilised.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In apparatus for the production of carburated air for illuminating and other
purposes from hydrocarbon liquids, and in particular from heavy oils, the combination
with the gas holders and their accessory feed and distilling devices, of a Giffard or
other injector, whereby the use of crude hydrocarbons and a continuous production is
effected, the indraught of the air to be carburated being effected by means of the
products of the distillation of the hydrocarbons which are made to flow through the
injector, substantially as herein described.
2. In apparatus for producing carburated air provided with a Giffard or other
injector, the various apparatus for evaporation and distillation of the hydrocarbons
combined and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
3. In apparatus for producing carburated air provided with an injector, the use of
the various systems of purification, condensation and filtration for the carburated air,
constructed and operating substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
4. In apparatus for producing carburated air, with injector, the application of the
various accessories for feeding the hydrocarbon liquid into the vapor generators,
arranged and operating substantially as described, with reference to the drawings.
5. The construction of the several apparatus for producing carburated air A, Abis
B, C, D, E, F, G and H herein described with reference to the drawings.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.