Improvements in and relating to Machines or Apparatus for Manufacturing Gas.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Machines or Apparatus for
Manufacturing Gas.
I, WALTER CLARK, residing at Drexel Building, in the City of Philadelphia,
County of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, one of the United States of
America, Gas 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 relates to the construction of an apparatus intended to make a mixed
gas, to wit: Water-gas and ordinary coal-gas from bituminous coal; my object
being to generally improve the construction and efficiency of such apparatus, and
more particularly to so combine and arrange the various parts making up my
apparatus as to save, for use or storage, substantially all of the coal gas.
Generally speaking, the leading characteristic of my invention consists in the
hereinafter described construction and arrangement of the parts whereby the
externally-heated coal-distilling retorts are so arranged with respect to the water-gas
generators, and the hydraulic main or passage leading to the storage tank, that the
coke can be pushed from them into the generators, and also so that the coal-gas, either
alone or mixed with gas from the generators, traverses the retorts and escapes from
near their closed or charging ends into the main. The inclined arrangement of the
retorts, the double arrangement of the system, and the system by which the Siemen's
gas is used to heat the retorts as hereinafter described, are also valuable and
important elements of my new invention.
Reference being now had to the drawings which illustrate a small gas-producing
apparatus embodying my invention in what I believe to be its best form and in
which--
Figure 1, is a front elevation of the apparatus partially sectioned on the line, L-M,
of Figure 8.
Figure 2, is a sectional elevation on the line, A-B, of Figure 4.
Figure 3, is a similar sectional elevation on the line, C-D, of Figure 4.
Figure 4, is a front sectional elevation, the part to the right on the line, G―H,
of Figures 2 and 3, and the part to the left on the line, E-F, of the same figures.
Figure 5, is a front sectional elevation, the part to the right on the line, K-W,
of Figure 4, and the part to the left on the line, I-J, of the same figure.
Figure 6, is a sectional plan on the line, X-X, of Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 7, is a sectional plan on the line, Y-Y, of Figures 2 and 3, and
Figure 8, is a sectional plan on the line, O-P, of Figure 2.
The apparatus as shown is a double one; this construction being essential, as
will be seen, where a continuous mixture of water-gas and coal-gas is to be made
with but little waste of the coal gas or admixture with Siemen's gas.
A, A, are generators of the kind commonly used in the alternate production of
Siemen's and water-gas; A¹, being the air-blast pipe, a, the coal-hole, a', the ash-pit.
I provide these generators with two openings near their tops; one, indicated by, a²,
being for the escape of Siemen's gas when it is being made, and the other, a³, serving
for the escape of the water-gas, and also for the entrance of coke from the retorts,
as will be hereafter described. B, indicates the structure containing and supporting
the retorts and flue systems to be described; the mere construction of the
structure, B, is of course unimportant, and forms no part of my invention. C, is a
an inclined passage or conduit passing upward from the opening, a³, and into the
bottom of a chamber, C¹. The passage, C, is provided with a valve and valve-
actuating rod, as indicated at, cl, so that it can be closed at will. C, is a chamber
having a hopper-shape bottom, as is best seen in Figure 4, and terminating in the
conduit, C.

page_text: D, D, D, are coal-distilling retorts preferably inclined, as shown, opening at one
end (the lowest) into the chamber, C₁, and having at their other end (the highest)
an opening, d, from which extend pipes, E, E', leading into a hydraulic main, E².
The upper ends of the retorts having removable caps or covers, d², through which
bituminous coal can be from time to time introduced into them; small blocks, d³,
being attached to handles, d', extending to the outside of structure, B, so that when
thrust forward they will lie in the open mouth of the retorts and prevent the coal
from sliding through them into chambers, C. When the coal is coked and the
blocks drawn back into chambers, C, the coke can be easily forced out of the retorts
into the chamber.
Returning again to the generators, A, F, F, are pipes or conduits leading from the
opening, a²; as shown, they are virtually made up of a single pipe divided by a
cross-partition, f. ff, are openings leading out of pipes, F, and, f,f, valves
with their operating rods or handles arranged to cover and uncover the openings, f¹.
G, is a chamber into which both openings, f, lead, and in which the valves, f², are
situated. G¹, is a conduit or passage leading from the box, G, to a flue or passage, G².
which opens at each end into the two passages or flues, (4³, which extend beneath the
two sets of retorts, D. 9, 9, etc., are openings extending upward from the flue, G³,
into the chambers, H, which in turn connect with chambers, I, by means of
passages, h. The chambers, I, are formed by partitions, h, which also separate the
chambers, H, from each other and, as will be seen, the retorts, D, are either wholly
or partially embraced by the chambers, I, which are arranged side by side throughout
their length. These chambers, I, open through a series of passages, i, i, into passages
or flues, J, which, in turn, open through apertures, k, into the passages or flues, K,
which should extend beneath the lower retorts, D, I), as shown, and at their further
end communicate, through passages, k¹. with flues, L, L'; said flues, of which there
are two for each set of retorts, opening into the cross-passages, L², L². From these
cross-passages, L2, apertures, 1, lead into flue passages, M; thence into cross-
passages, N, leading to a gas outlet as, O, in Figure 5, which should communicate
in some convenient way with a stack, S.
P, P, are air inlet passages or flues communicating with the bottom of a series of
flues or passages, Q, arranged alternately with the flues, M, and opening through
apertures, r, into cross-passages, R, from which flues, R', which should run alongside
of the passages, L', lead. R2, R2, are passages leading from the flues, R¹, R¹, and
lying, as in the case of the passages, G³, beneath the retorts, D. From these
passages, R², small passages, 2, arranged along their length, lead into chambers, H.
The above described plan for utilizing the Siemen's gas in the external heating of
the retorts, while an important, is not an essential feature of my invention, and as is
clearly indicated in the claims, I claim as new, the described combination of the
generators with the retorts and the gas pipes leading from the retorts irrespective of
the means used to heat the retorts.
T, T, are chambers adapted for use when it is desired to enrich the water-gas made
in generators, A, by hydro-carbon oil. They communicate with the top of the
generators by means of conduits, U, leading into the openings, at, in the generators
and are provided with checker work of refractory material, as indicated at, T¹, oil
injector, V, and gas exit passages, T2, through which, by any of the well known
systems in use, communication is made with the stack, and either directly or indirectly,
with the gas main leading to the storage tank.
The operation of my apparatus is as follows:
Fires are made in the generators, A, A, and the valves, c¹, being closed, the
Siemen's gas escapes through passages, F, F, and openings, f', which, in the beginning.
would both open into box, G ; thence the gas passes through flue, G³, into the
flue, G2, which is common to both sets of retorts and from which the gas escapes
into both of the flue passages, G³, and through the series of passages, g, into the two
sets of chambers H. While the gases are following this course and after the flues and
retorts are properly heated, the air is admitted at, P, P, and passes upward through
passages, Q, into the cross-passage, R, and thence through passages or flues, R¹,

page_text: into
through the flues, R2, from which it escapes through small passages, 72, into the
chambers, H, where it mingles with the Siemen's gas from the generators which is
ignited by the mixture. The burning gases pass upward through passages, h¹,
the chambers, I, where they are brought into contact with the retorts, D, and from
which they pass through openings, i, into flues, J; thence into flues, K, both of these
sets of flues being in contact with the lower retorts, D, D, and thence through
passages, k, and, L, L', and into the cross-flues, L2, which distribute them among the
passages, M, lying side by side with the air passages, Q; from these passages, M,
the gases escape into the cross-flues, N, and thence to the stack. The arrangement
of the air passages in contact with the passages through which the hot gases escape
of course, results in heating the air to a high degree before it mixes with the
Siemen's gas in the chambers, H. The particular arrangement shown is not new
with me, but is one of many similar devices well known in the arts, and any of which
could of course he used to accomplish the same purpose.
When the retorts, D, are sufficiently heated, or indeed before they are heated, if
desired, bituminous coal is introduced into them, the blocks, d³. being pushed into
their lower ends to prevent the coal from sliding through them into chambers, C ;
whatever gas is driven off from the coal in the retorts, escapes through the
pipes, E, E, into the hydraulic main, E², and is conducted to the reservoir. The
apparatus being at a proper temperature, the air supply is cut off from one of the
generators, the valve, f², moved so as to close the passages, F, leading from this
generator, and the valve, c', moved so as to open the passage, C, leading from it.
Steam is then admitted at the bottom of the generator through pipe, A³, and the
water-gas formed by the decomposition of the steam in passing through the
incandescent charge in the generator, passes then through opening, a³, and passage or
conduit, C, into chambers, C, and thence through the retorts, D, D, D, escaping,
together with the gas distilled from the coal by the external and internal heat applied
to the retorts, through pipes, E, E', into the main, E². While this is going on, the
second generator continues to make Siemen's gas which is delivered in the way
already described, into the common flue, G2, and thence distributed so as to heat
both sets of retorts externally. When the coal has been converted into coke, it is
pushed out of the retorts, D, into the chamber, C, falling through which, it enters
the inclined passage, C, and falls into the generator. When this fresh charge of coke
is delivered to the generator the valve, c', leading from it, should be closed, and the
valve, 2, closing the passage, F, which communicates with it, open; the steam
passage, A2, closed, and the air blast, A¹, open; while the other generator should be
arranged to manufacture water-gas and deliver it to the other set of retorts.
It is of course evident that by a proper system of charging and discharging the
various retorts with corresponding changes or alterations of the action of the
generators, the whole apparatus may be maintained at the efficient temperature and
the manufacture of gas carried on continuously and with great economy; in no event
is any appreciable amount of the coal gas wasted, nor need any Siemen's gas be mixed
with the water-gas and coal-gas; while at the same time, whatever amount of such
gas is necessarily produced, is economically used in the external heating of the
retorts.
While, as I have already stated, I prefer the double arrangement shown and
described, my apparatus contains valuable novelties of construction apart from its
double character, and I therefore, do not limit myself to the double apparatus except
where this limitation is expressly made in the claims.
In my preferred apparatus, it will not, I think, be necessary or desirable to carburet
the gas by the use of hydro-carbon oils; if, however, it is desired to so carburet the
gas, it will best be done by the use of the device indicated in the drawings.
A chamber, T, filled with checker work, as indicated at, T', should be provided and
connected with the generator by a conduit, such as, U. Siemen's gas from the
generator should be passed through this chamber and preferably ignited in it so as
to heat the checker work to a proper temperature, the gases escaping through
passage, T2, and being conducted thence to the stack in the usual way; their surplus

page_text: heat being untilized if desired to raise the temperature of any of the other parts of
the apparatus. When the generator of Siemen's gas is stopped and that of water-
gas begun, any desired portion of such gas may be made to pass through the
carbureter, T, and oil is injected into the gas as it enters it through the oil injector, V,
the oil vapor being fixed and made into a permanent gas by the intense heat of the
checker work and the gas being then conducted in any usual way to the storage tank,
and mixed with the gases coming from the retorts, D. I have not shown a pipe
connection uniting the chambers, T, with the main, E2, as such a connection can be
made in any number of ways, or the connection can be made in the holder. These
chambers, T, may, as aforesaid, be conveniently used with my improved device,
but I do not claim their use to constitute a new combination or to involve
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what !
claim is-
First In an apparatus for manufacturing gas, the combination of a generator
provided with air blast and steam pipes; a set of retorts arranged above the generator;
a chamber into which the retorts open freely at one end; a passage extending from
said chamber downwardly into the generator: gas pipes leading from the ends of the
retorts opposite to those opening into, the chamber aforesaid; combustion chambers
arranged externally around the retorts, said retorts being closed with respect to the
combustion chambers; an, independent flue system leading from the generator into
said combustion chambers; an air flue system also leading into the combustion
chambers, and valves in the inclined passage and flue leading from the generator,
whereby both can be opened or closed at will, all as and for the purpose
specified.
Second: In an apparatus for manufacturing gas, the combination of a generator
provided with air blast and steam pipes; a set of inclined retorts arranged above
the generator; a chamber into which the retorts open freely at one end; a passage
extending from said chamber downwardly into the generator; gas pipes leading from
the ends of the retorts opposite to those opening into the chamber aforesaid;
combustion chambers arranged externally around the retorts, said retorts being
closed with respect to the combustion chamber; an independent flue system leading
from the generator into said combustion chambers; an air flue system also leading
into the combustion chambers, and valves in the inclined
passage and flue
leading from the generator, whereby both can be opened or closed at will, all as and
for the purpose specified.
Third: In an apparatus for manufacturing gas, the combination of a generator
provided with air blast and steam pipes; a set of retorts arranged above the generator;
a chamber into which the retorts open freely at one end; a passage extending from
said chamber downwardly into the generator; gas pipes leading from the ends of the
retorts opposite to those opening into the chamber aforesaid; combustion chambers
arranged externally around the retorts, said retorts being closed with respect to the
combustion chambers; an independent flue system leading from the generator into
said combustion chambers; an air flue system also leading into the combustion
chambers; a flue system leading from the combustion chambers to the stack arranged
to heat the air flue system, and valves in the inclined passage and flue leading from
the generator, whereby both can be opened or closed at will, all as and for the
purpose specified.
Fourth In an apparatus for manufacturing gas, the combination of two independent
generators provided with air blast and steam pipes; two sets of retorts arranged
above the generators; two chambers, one for each set of retorts into which said
retorts open freely at one end; a passage leading downward from each chamher to
the top of one of the generators so as to connect each independent chamber with one
of the generators; gas pipes leading from each retort at the end opposite to that
opening into the chambers aforesaid; combustion chambers arranged externally

page_text: around each set of retorts, said retorts being closed with respect to the combustion
chambers; an independent flue system consisting of separate and independent flues
leading from each generator to a common flue connection with both sets of combus-
tion chambers; air Hues also leading into the combustion chambers; valves arranged
to close the passage leading from the generators to the chambers into which the
retorts open, and valves arranged to close each of the passages leading from the
generators to the common flue aforesaid.
Fifth In an apparatus for manufacting gas, the combination of two independent
generators provided with air blast and steam pipes; two sets of inclined retorts
arranged above the generators; two chambers, one for each set of retorts into which
said retorts open freely at their lower ends; a passage leading downward from cach
chamber to the top of one of the generators so as to connect each independent
chamber with one of the generators; gas pipes leading from each retort at their
upper ends; combustion chambers arranged externally around each set of retorts,
said retorts being closed with respect to the combustion chambers; a flue system
consisting of independent flues leading from each generator to a cominon flue having
connection with both sets of combustion chambers; air flues also leading into the
combustion chambers; valves arranged to close the passages leading from the
generators to the chambers into which the retorts open, and valves arranged to close
each of the passages leading from the generators to the common flue aforesaid.
:
Sixth In an apparatus for manufacturing gas, the combination of two independent
generators provided with air blast and steam pipes; two sets of inclined retorts
arranged above the generators; two chambers, one for each set of retorts into which
said retorts open freely at their lower ends; a passage leading downward from each
chamber to the top of one of the generators so as to connect each independent
chamber with one of the generators; gas pipes leading from each retort at their
upper ends; combustion chambers arranged externally around each set of retorts,
said retorts being closed with respect to the combustion chambers; a flue system
consisting of independent flues leading from each generator to a common flue baving
connection with both sets of combustion chambers; air flues also leading into the
combustion chambers; a flue system leading from the combustion chambers
arranged in close contact with the air flue system so as to heat the entering air;
valves arranged to close the passages leading from the generators to the chambers
into which the retorts open, and valves arranged to close each of the passages
leading from the generators to the common flue aforesaid.
Dated this 4th day of J 1000
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.