An Improved Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
We, FREDERICK HENRY HAVILAND, of St. Peter's Chambers, Solicitor,
ARTHUR HOLLOWAY, of Hagley, Drummond Road, Science Master, JOHN
BRUCE COLLIER, of Delphi Chambers, Electrical Engineer, and WILLIAM
HENRY MURCH, of Upper Terrace Road, Engineer, all of Bournemouth, in
the County of Hampshire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for use in generating, drying and purifying
acetylene gas, and consists of an improved form of such apparatus' by the use
of which the gas can be produced in a convenient and economical manner, and
consumed under the most favourable conditions.
An apparatus according to our invention is constructed as follows:-A main
water cistern is divided by two horizontal diaphragms into three compartments,
the upper of which is filled with water from any convenient source of supply, while
the lower constitutes a gas holder. In the space between the two diaphragms, or
on the same level outside the cistern, is' disposed a small tank closed at top and
bottom. From the top of this a syphon-shaped pipe connects the interior of 'this'
tank with the main cistern, and there is also arranged a small vertical vent pipe
having a cock or plug by means of which the upper end of the small tank can be
opened to the atmosphere. From the underside of this small tank a pipe passes to
a point near to the bottom of the lower compartment, which forms the gas
holder.
To one side of 'the cistern is attached a generator in which the calcium carbide
is placed, and from the bottom of the gas holder a pipe is carried to the lower end
of this generator, and arranged in such manner that the water can only reach the
calcium carbide by passing through a wick and preferably also through a perforated
metal cylinder which is arranged in an annular space surrounding the carbide.
Instead of the water being led by capillary attraction to the carbide, it may be
arranged to drip upon the same, in such case the generator being arranged at a
lower level. A pipe passes from the upper part of the generator to a purifying
and drying chamber from whence the gas passing through pipes can issue either to
the supply pipe or to the gas holder. Taps, cocks or plugs are provided to these
pipes by means of which they may be opened or closed.
The apparatus operates as follows:-
The cistern and tank being filled with water and the lower compartment
containing both gas and water, it follows that as soon as the water enters 'the
generator, and percolates through the wick and perforated metal cylinder to the
calcium carbide, acetylene is generated. If the supply pipe is open a portion
passes off to the point of consumption while 'the excess enters the gas and water
holder and forces the water back into the tank until the water level in the gas
holder is below the mouth of the pipe which conveys water to the generator. The
water then ceasing to pass, gas is not generated, and the pressure diminishing by
reason of the gas being consumed the water once more rises, and reaching the
calcium carbide more gas is generated and the water is once more forced back into
the tank. The apparatus thus automatically governs its own operation while
providing for a constant pressure in the supply pipe.

page_text: Two or more generators may be connected to the main cistern and gas holder,
and in such case by inserting a glass or other transparent medium in the wall of
the purifying chamber the condition of any generator may be ascertained by
inspection.
Dated this 8th day of July 1896
W. H. MURCH,
Upper Terrace Road, Bournemonth, Hants, Agent for Applicants.
An improved Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
We, FREDERICK HENRY HAVILAND, of St. Peter's Chambers, Solicitor,
ARTHUR HOLLOWAY, of "Hagley," Drummond Road, Boscombe, Science
Master, JOHN BRUCE COLLIER, of Delphi Chambers, Electrical Engineer, and
WILLIAM HENRY MERCH of Upper Terrace Road, Engineer, all of Bourne-
mouth, in the County of Hants, 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 apparatus for generating, drying and purifying
acetylene gas; and consists of an improved form of such apparatus, by the use
of which the gas can be produced in a convenient and economical manner, and
consumed under the most favourable circumstances.
A single generating chamber may be employed but we prefer to use an apparatus
containing two or more, which may be arranged to come into operation successively,
and if necessary automatically. The gas is preferably cooled before being led to
the holder or purifier, this cooling serving a double purpose, in that it avoids
danger from excessive heat, and also hinders or entirely prevents the formation of
certain objectionable compounds which commonly result from the action of the
water upon the calcium carbide.
The flow of the water reaching the calcium carbide may be governed either by
using a wick through which the water percolates, assisted by capillary attraction,
or by allowing the water to drip upon the calcium carbide contained in the generating
chamber.
In the accompanying drawing which is an elevation of an apparatus shewing two
generators partly in vertical section, one is shewn as having the flow of water governed
by a wick, and the other by a dripping device.
The vessel employed which is preferably cylindrical is divided into two compart-
ments A and B by means of two horizontal diaphragms D and E, between which a
space is left, the whole being formed of sheet steel or other suitable material. The
upper compartment A forms a cistern which is of such dimensions that it contains
water sufficient for a considerable time; while the lower compartment B constitutes
the gas holder. The water may flow directly from A into B, but we preferably
employ a pressure vessel or cylinder C which is shewn as partly interposed
between the two diaphragms D and E, though it may be arranged at any
convenient height preferably by the side of the vessel A. This pressure cylinder C
is supplied with water from the cisteru A through a syphon-shaped pipe g the
mouth of which is at such a level that the pressure cylinder C is kept supplied
from the vessel A as long as any water remains in the latter. The cylinder Chas
also a small vertical vent pipe g' which is used only to allow the air to escape from
the cylinder C when it is being filled in the first place. From the underside
of the cylinder C a pipe g², controlled by a cock or valve 98, communicates with

page_text: bottom.
gas nomer D, entering it At a point g
ts close to its
H and I are two forms of generating chambers or generators similar exteriorly,
but having different internal arrangements; H shewing the wick, and I the drip
device. It will be understood that two or any greater number of either type may
be arranged in the same apparatus.
In H an inner vessel or liner & is arranged concentrically with the outer shell,
and having its sides perforated and its bottom conical in shape. The vessel H
and liner are of such relative diameters that an annular space is left between
the two in which a wick A is inserted. Inside the perforated liner h the calcium
carbide is placed, being inserted through a cover 2 which can be rendered air-tight
by the device shewn, or by any other convenient means. The interior of the
lower end of the generator H is placed in communication with the gas holder B by
means of a pipe c, the end of which enters the gas holder at the point c'. The
branch pipe c is controlled by means of a cock 3, and a cock c allows of the water
and residue being drawn off from the generator H. In some instances the lower end
of the liner being closed and not perforated in the same manner as the siles, the
water reaches the calcium carbide only by passing through the wick ', and chiefly
by capillary attraction.
Communicating with the interior of the pipe c is a pipe i which descends and
entering the lower part of the cylinder I is continued by the pipe which passes
up through the calcium carbide. Its upper end being open the water flows
slowly out and drips or falls upon the calcium carbide; the supply may be
governed by the cock, while is a cock or valve for drawing off the water and
residue from the generator I when necessary; is a cover. In some cases the
generator I has a liner in which, the calcium carbide is placed.
The gas from the generator H escapes by the pipe A, and that from the generator I
by the pipe to a coil of pipe J which is immersed in the water contained in-
the cistern A, thus forming the cooling device. Theuce it passes by a pipe K to
the supply pipe M and to the point or points of consumption; and by a pipe L.
to the gas holder B. When no gas is being consumed the gas fills the gas
holder B and the pressure increasing forces the water e intained therein down and
through the pipe g up into the pressure cylinder C and cisteru A until the level in-
the gas holder is so low that water ceases to enter the generators. When this occurs
the generation of gas ceases until gas is again consumed, the pressure in the gas holder.
diminishes, and water again entering the generator produces a fresh supply of gas,
and the cycle of operations is repeated. In practice a balance is established anl the
apparatus automatically governs its own operation, while ensuring a constant pressure
in the supply pipe M.
Before reaching the supply pipe the gas may be caused to enter a purifier N, in
which it passes through a liquid purifying agent, preferably dilute sulphuric acid,
sulphate of copper, salt or fresh water; and also through a drying chamber O
containing carbide of calcium, pumice stone saturated with concentrated sulphuric
acid, lime or other similar substante which serves to absorb the moisture contained
in the gas.
The operation of the apparatus has been sufficiently explained in the foregoing
description.
By arranging any number of generators at different levels as shewn, and connecting
them by the pipes c* and i also at different levels, their contents can be used
successively, and this can be effected automatically as follows:-
Both generators H and I being filled with calcium carbide, the covers, are
secured gas-tight, the taps c, are closed and the taps T, T' and 3 and 3 opened;
the water then rises in the gas holder B and pipe C to the level of the branch
pipe c*, when the water enters the generator H and the calcium carbide contained
therein is decomposed. When this is exhausted, and not before, the water rises
until it reaches in the pipe e to the mouth of the pipe i, when it immediately flows
into the generator I and decomposes the calcium carbide contained therein. Any

page_text: convenient number of these generators may be arranged at different levels in the
same apparatus.
A guage glass is provided to enable the quantity of gas in the holder B and the
condition of the carbide in the generators H and I to be readily ascertained by
inspection of the water level in the glass.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An improved apparatus for generating acetylene gas consisting essentially of
a water cistern, a gas holder, a generator having a wick through which the water
reaches its interior, and pipes connecting the same; all constructed and operating
substantially as shewn and described.
2. An improved apparatus for generating acetylene gas consisting essentially of
a water cistern, a gas holder, a generator having a drip pipe through which the
water reaches its interior, and pipes connecting the same, all constructed and
operating substantially as shewn and described.
3. In an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination of the water
vessel A, the pipe 9, the pressure cylinder C, the pipe 2, the gas holder B, the
pipe, the generator H, having an inner vessel or liner h with a wick interposed
between the two, the pipe, the coil J and the pipes K and L, the whole
constructed and operating substantially as shewn and described.
4. In an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination of the water
vessel A, the pipe g, the pressure cylinder C, the pipe 92, the gas holder B, the
pipe e, the generator I having a drip pipe i, the pipe, the coil J and the pipes K
and L, the whole constructed and operating substantially as shewn and described.
5. In an apparatús for generating acetylene gas, the combination of the water
vessel A, the pipe g, the pressure cylinder C, the pipe g², the gas holder B, the
pipe c, the pipes c* and i, two or more generators at different levels, the pipes
and, the coil J, the pipes K and L and the pipe M, the whole constructed and
operating substantially as shewn and described.
6. In an apparatus for generating acetylene gas the combination of the water
vessel A, the pipe g, the pressure cylinder C, the pipe 92, the gas holder B, the
pipe c, the pipes cx and i, two or more generators at different levels, the pipes /
and, the coil J, the pipes K and L, the purifying chamber N, the drying
chamber O, and the pipe M, the whole constructed and operating substantially in
the manner shewn and described.