Improvements in or Connected with the Manufacture of Water-gas.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 5th July, 1889-Accepted, 14th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Connected with the Manufacture of Water-gas.
We, JOSEF VON LANGER, of 32 Park Row, Leeds, Yorkshire, Engineer, and
LEONARD COOPER of the same address, Iron Merchant, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of our invention is as follows:-viz. to lessen the cost of manufacturing
Water-gas; and the invention has reference mainly to the construction and working
of the Producers, the general arrangement of the plant, and the system of working
the appliances in groups.
We carry out our invention as follows;-We work a series of our Producers
(which are hereinafter described) in conjunction with a series of Re-generating Stoves,
and cause, air, gas, and steam to pass in and out of these in certain systematic orders;
that is in certain systematic orders or sequences through certain groups of appliances,
in order to bring about greater economy.
We use, by preference, our Vertical Producers, in conjunction with either vertical
or horizontal stoves,—preference being given to the vertical type where a compact
plant is required; and we arrange all necessary pipes, flues, connections, valves, out-
lets, chimneys &c., in such a way that any desired groups of the appliances may be
utilised in blowing up the Producers to the desired heat; and for meanwhile leaving
any other such heated Producers at liberty for yielding up their heat &c. for making
Water-gas. The usual supply of superheated steam forms a necessary part of the
plant; as also does a sufficient supply of air blast, with the requisite apparatus, pipes,
and valves for its distribution.
One mode of working a group on our plan is as follows:-Suppose three producers,
1, 2 and 3, and three Stoves, A, B and C, to be fitted up and at work. Then it will be
seen by what follows:-that a group of two Producers and three stoves are engaged
in, or connected with, blowing up the fuel to the necessary incandescent state &c.
whilst the other Producer is making Water-gas.
In the first group cold-blast enters and passes thro' the first Stove A, thus enabling
hot-blast to be supplied to the first Producer 1; the Siemens'-gas coming from this is
led into the second stove B; the circuit being completed by afterwards passing thro'
Producer, No. 2, and finally thro' the third stove C to the chimney; Air being
admitted where necessary; No. 3 Producer being thus free for making Water-gas.
At the next change the circuit is as follows:-The cold-blast enters Stove B and
travels forward, hot, into Producer 3, then forward thro' Stove C into Producer No. 1,
and finally thro stove A to the chimney; leaving Producer No. 2 for making Water-
gas.
The third order of grouping, stated shortly, is,-Thro' ( into No. 2, then thro' A
into No. 3 and thro' B to the chimney.
It must be understood that an additional stove for superheating the steam is always
;-and
at work. A satisfactory plan of arranging this latter Stove is got as follows
this also allows any superabundance of Siemens'-gas to be used under the steam-
generating-boiler.
Suppose that there are three Producers, one or other always making Water-gas,
and also two or three Re-generative Stoves in conjunction therewith. A main for Hot-
blast runs alongside the three Producers, and, say, between, these and the Stoves
another main carrying the Siemens'-gas away from the Producers is further arranged.
From this intermediate main the necessary gas for heating the Steam-superheating-
stove and also for the Steam-generating-boiler is obtained. The balance of the gas
being burnt in such Re-generating-Stoves (on its way to the chimney) as are not
engaged in heating the blast.

page_text: Our Producers are of the Vertical type and may be either round or square
in the upper part, but the lower portion is preferably square or rectangular
in plan. At the usual point of contraction the weight of the furnace-load is partly
borne on sets of fire-bars which extend across from side to side of the furnace for
this purpose. Two or four opposite sets of bars may be used. In cross section
each lower bar projects further inwards than its upper neighbour and thus a slanting
support is formed; the edges of the bars may be formed to further carry out any
desired line of support. Between these bars an attendant is able to introduce his
cleaning tools, doors, on each side of the Producer, being suitably arranged for this
purpose. In a central line, directly under the load, a portion of the hearth rises up in
the form of a blunt wedge and has its apex on a level, or thereabouts, with the lowest
fire-bars; this also the workman can reach with his cleaning tools from the above-
mentioned doors. The lower portions of the hearth slant away to either side and end
in certain lower doors suitably placed for the removal of ashes &c.
On each side of one half of the Producer, below the point of contraction, and
outside each of the sets of supporting fire-bars, are arranged outlets for the Siemens'-
gas whilst at corresponding positions on the opposite side of the Producer the
Water-gas is led away. Suitable valves are arranged in each and every case, & a
suitable outlet and funnel is arranged at the head of the producer to carry off the
gases when necessary at the furnace top. The fire-bars may be made tubular and
water and other circulating medium may be introduced for the purposes of cooling
them.
Instead of admitting the blast at the foot of the Producer we admit it at the top
(where we, further, admit the hot gases, and also the fuel,) a superior result being
gained thereby. Bituminous coal being better consumed thereby. The steam is also
admitted at the top and forces its way down thro' the fuel and so out at the foot.
Where a scrubber is used we prefer a Vertical one, charged, say, with coke, and having
jets of water admitted from the top. As the Water-gas leaves the foot of the furnace
or producer it can be led, direct, to the foot of the scrubber, a dip-pipe and seal being
used as usual.
The Producer fire-bars may be of iron or steel, or other refractory material, or they
may be formed of blocks of fire-brick provided with holes for admitting the clearing
tools. The bars may be permanently fixed, or only temporarily fixed so as to be easily
changed, or they may be loose, according to circumstances.
By Re-generative Stoves we mean either fire brick stoves, or pipe stoves, or other
such stoves.
The blast may be either forced or sucked, if the former the various air supplies at
any parts of the circuits must be from the pressure blast.
Dated this 17th day of April 1889.
WM. SNO
'
9, Becketts Bank Chambers, Leeds, Yorks, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Connected with the Manufacture of Water-gas.
We, JOSEF VON LANGER, Engineer, and LEONARD COOPER, Iron Merchant, both of
32, Park Row, Leeds, Yorkshire, 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 construction and working of gas generators or producers,
the arrangement of the plant, and system of working in groups, for the efficient and
economical generation of water-gas, or of the producer gas used in obtaining water-
gas.
Figs. 1 and 2, of the accompanying drawings, are vertical sections through the
centre of a generator or producer A ; constructed according to this invention. The
section Fig. 1 is taken upon a line transversely across the fire bars, doors and sloping

page_text: hearth; while section Fig. 2 is taken upon a vertical line at right angles to that of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of Fig. 1 taken upon a horizontal line above the fire bars,
and Fig. 4 is a plan in position of Fig. 2.
In Fig. 1, the hearth, a, slopes downward on each side from the centre, and, with
the fire bars a', supports the fuel placed in the upper part of the producer A. The
upper part, as shown in Fig. 3, is square (or of other convenient shape), and springs
from an elongated rectangular shaped base, which contains the sloping hearth
transverse sets of fire bars a¹, a¹, fire cleaning doors a², a² (opposite each other), ashes
and clinker doors a³, a³, and gas outlets a¹, a
a,
two
The fire bars a', are preferably made tubular and connected to a water service a³, a³,
(shown in Fig. 2) to keep the bars cool. They are shown in Fig. 1 as flattened tubes,
placed horizontally, and stepping outwardly, on each side, from the bottom. This
arrangement, with the sloping hearth is well adapted to support the weight of fuel
above, while facilitating the cleaning of the fire from the doors a², a²; but we may
incline the bar spaces downward and place the doors a² at a corresponding angle.
This would tend to the self cleaning of the fire, as the weight of fuel would more
directly force the ashes outward, and one door may serve at each end of the rect-
angular base for cleaning the bars, and removing ashes or clinker; if a stoke hole
be used.
The current of the air blast and gases, as they are generated, is divided by the
double slope the hearth a, and two sets of fire bars a¹, a', and passing downward
through the bars, finds its way to the oppositely placed gas outlets a, a. The steam
used in the process follows a similar course, and the result is a more equable condition
of the mass of fuel, than where the current is directed to the centre thereof; as in
other forms of producers.
In the plans, Figs. 3 and 4, a belt pipe as, is shown as extending around, and com-
municating with, the producer through the gas outlets a, a, as indicated by dotted
lines. From the belt pipe as, the water-gas is conveyed through the valve h, dip
pipes and to the scrubber H, Figs. 5 and 6; and the producer gas-as generated
from the belt pipe through the valve e to the under ground conduit E, and thence
through valve e to the hot blast regenerator stove C, or to any other point required.
The producer is fed with fuel through the top, in any usual or convenient manner.
Close to the top are placed a steam or water pipe supply valve gand a valve to supply
hot air from a blast pipe B. In working the producer, after it has been charged with
fuel and fired, the hot blast is turned on (the steam pipe being closed), and highly heated
air is passed downward through the burning fuel, passing in the divided manner already
described through the fire bars a¹, and gas outlets a¹ to be carried off through the
producer gas valve until the fuel is in a high state of incandescence. The hot blast,
and producer gas valves are now closed, and the steam valve g and water-gas valve h
are opened until the steam-passing through the incandescent fuel-has cooled the latter
down to a point below which it is not expedient to go; when it is shut off, together
with the water-gas valve h. The steam is decomposed in its passage through the
incandescent fuel and forms water-gas in the well known manner, which may then be
conveyed from the producer to the scrubber, as required. This producer may be used
with slack or other kinds of soft coal, as well as anthracite or coke,
and is suitable for carrying out the process for generating gases, described in the
specification accompanying our application for Letters Patent, filed 16 May, 1889
No. 8192.
eg
Where a large quantity of water-gas, or producer gas or both, is required, we find it
convenient to group two or more separate producers with two or more separate
regenerator stoves, with their requisite connections, so that each producer may be
worked independently of, or alternately with, the other. An arrangement of this
nature is shown by the section Fig. 5, and plan Fig. 6, in which three producers A¹,
A2, and A³ are arranged in line, together with three regenerator stoves C1, C2, and C³,
and three scrubbers H1, H2, and H³. The producers A are supplied with a blast
of hot air from the pipe B, common to all the producers, through a controlling valve b.

page_text: The blast pipe B is supplied with hot air from the regenerator stoves C (heated in
the well known manner) through a controlling valve c adapted to open or close com-
munication with its respective stove C. Each regenerator stove C is likewise con-
nected to the cold air blast pipe D, (common to all the stoves) through the controlling
valve d. A common steam pipe G furnishes steam through a control valve g, the
stean being supplied through the superheater f, from the steam generator F. The
water-gas, as generated, passes from the producer through the belt pipe a, valve h,
dip pipes and 2 into the scrubber H, and after the usual treatinent therein, it is
passed from thence to a point for immediate use, or else to a holder for storage.
The producer gas passes from each producer A, as it is generated, through the belt
pipe a and controlling valve e into the under ground conduit E, which is common to
all the producers. Each regenerator stove C is heated by firing producer gas therein,
(in the well known manner), its supply of gas for this purpose being drawn from the
conduit E, through the supply valve e¹. The steam generator F, and superheater f,
are likewise heated by producer gas from the conduit E, through the control valve f¹,
and the products of combustion therefrom, and from the regenerator stoves C, are
carried off by means of the chimney c¹. A suitable outlet, I, may be provided at the
top of each producer to carry off the products of combustion therefrom, when the fuel
is not under either steam or air blast.
It will be seen on reference to Figs. 5 and 6 that each producer A is combined
with a separate regenerator stove U, and separate scrubber H; with special con-
nections, pipes and valves to the common air and steam supply, and to other parts
required for the full working of the plant. Each producer, therefore, may be worked
without reference to the working of any other producer, thus admitting of stoppages
and repairs; but for the most economical working of the plant, a certain continuous
cycle of operations is necessary. We accomplish this, by making an operative com-
bination of plant in the manner shown in the diagram Fig. 7.
In this diagram, three producers A', A², and A³, are shown, combined with two
regenerator stoves C¹ and C and one scrubber H. A source of cold air supply is
shown at D, hot blast at B, steam supply at F, with all the necessary pipes and con-
nections, indicated by arrows; a conduit E to carry off the producer gas to points
required, and means (not shown) for conveying away or storing the water-gas from
the scrubber H. The arrows shown on Fig. 7 indicate the direction and character of
the various currents employed or resultant from this operative combination.
Fig. 7 shows the working to be as follows;-The producer A¹ is supposed to have
its charge of fuel in an incandescent state by a previous blowing operation, (now shut
off), and the steam pipe G is now opened to the producer. Water-gas is formed and
conducted to the scrubber H, and, after treatment therein, is stored or used as required.
Meanwhile, hot air blast is passing through the producers A3 and A³, being taken from
the pipe B, as supplied from the regenerator stove (, which draws its cold air supply from
the pipe D. At this time producer gas is passing from the generators A² and A³ into
the conduit E, and from thence a portion is taken into the stove C¹ wherein it is fired
in the usual manner, so that the stove C is heating up, while stove (2 is cooling
down. A portion of the producer gas is also taken from E to the steam generator F,
to provide the steam required in the process.
When the generator A¹ is sufficiently cooled down, the steam is shut off therefrom,
and turned on to the next generator A² (assumed to be the hottest); its connection
with the air blast and pipe E being closed therewith but opened instead to A', now
requiring re-heating. The cold blast may now be transferred from the stove C² to C¹,
(which is now to supply B with hot air), while the connections with the producer gas
main E and chimney c¹ are likewise transferred from C to C². The water-gas
generated in A³ has meanwhile been conducted into the scrubber H, and the process
goes on as described at first.
The producer A³ is next used in turn as a water-gas generator, and it will thus be
seen that the whole of the plant forming this operative combination is kept con-
tinuously at work in performing its cycle of operations. The stoves and the scrubber

page_text: are required to be of a suitable capacity for the work to be performed by them; and
although we prefer to use the improved producer described in the first part of this
specification, yet it is to be understood that other kinds of producers may be used.
It is also to be stated, that cold air may be used instead of hot air, and the blast sup-
plied at the bottom of the producer, instead of at the top, as provided for and shown in
the Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, of the accompanying drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
1. A gas generator or producer having an opening through which fuel is fed to the
interior of the producer, a steam or water pipe, and an air blast pipe; all situated
above the ordinary level of the fuel; combined with a double chambered base; sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
2. A gas generator or producer having a base or hearth sloping downward from
the centre in two directions, two sets of fire bars stepping outwardly from the centre,
and two or more gas outlets and fire cleaning doors; each of which is placed at the
outer extremity of the chamber or chambers in which the said fire bars are situated ;
substantially as described.
3. A gas generator or producer having an extended base forming a chamber or
chambers through which all the gases pass as they are generated, combined with two
or more outlets from the said chamber or chambers to a belt pipe provided with suit-
ably controlled exits for the gases; substantially as described.
4. A gas generator or producer having an air blast pipe above the ordinary level of
the fuel, and a chambered base with two or more oppositely placed gas outlets, whereby
the gases generated during the blowing operation are divided into two streams at the
base of the producer; substantially as described.
5. A gas generator or producer having a rectangular chambered base divided by a
central hearth into two divisons each having one or more gas outlets therein and both
the divisions adapted to receive and pass off water-gas and producer gas; substantially
in the manner described.
6. In a gas generator or producer, the combination of a central hearth sloping
downward on two sides, a set of water cooled fire bars parallel to each slope, and a
fire door in line with each set of fire bars; substantially as and for the purpose described.
7. An operative combination of three gas generators or producers, two regenerator
stoves, and one scrubber, with means and connections for supplying steam and air,
and for the disposal of products; substantially as and in the manner described.
ith day of
1000
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicants.
PEO IS JINI Uay U
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicants.