Apparatus for the Manufacture of Gas.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1888
Complete Specification Left. 9th Mar, 1889-Accepted, 11th Sept.,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for the Manufacture of Gas.
We, THE GAS PATENTS SYNDICATE Limited, of 37 Walbrook, in the City of
London, Manufacturers, (a communication to us from abroad by John Burch Archer,
of Washington in the District of Columbia, United States of America, Gentleman)
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for the manufacture of gas,
by bringing superheated steam into intimate adimixture with the vapours of hydro-
cai bon oils so that a chemical combination ensues producing a gas of a great heating
capacity particularly adapted for use as fuel.
We will describe the gas producing apparatus according to this invention referring
to the accompanying drawings, in the figures of which similar letters of reference
designate corresponding parts.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation on the line X X of Figure 5.
Figure 2 is a transverse sectional elevation on the line Y Y. of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a sectional plan on the line Z Z. of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a sectional plan on the line V V of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a plan of the apparatus with the top removed.
Figure 6 is a part section shewing a steam super-heating chamber surrounding the
combustion chamber of the furnace.
Figures 7 and 8 shew details hereinafter refered to.
The furnace is supplied with a circular grate B a combustion chamber C above it,
a circular ash pit D, having front and side doors and a flue E leading vertically up
from the combustion chamber.
The flue E is surrounded by a cylindrical partition E¹ which terminates just below
the top of the furnace so as to form a lateral passage for the products of combustion
from the flue E.
Around the cylindrical partition E¹ and within the four walls of the furnace is
formed a heating chamber E3 with which the lateral escape passage communicates,
and which is connected by down flues E' with the chimney flue E'.
The circular grate B is formed of a number of, in this case four, annular segments
which are supported at their outer edges by the furnace walls, and at their inner
edges by a tubular standard F in the middle of the ash pit D.
On the upper end of F rests a vertical retort G arranged centrally in the flue E,
the lower part of G is conical and is sheathed in a refractory casing.
The retort G which can be raised from its support F and casing has its upper end
closed by a detachable cap G which is provided with an annular flange on which the
removable tiles G₁ forming the top of the furnace rest, so that on removing these
the retort G can be readily removed.
Within the retort G is arranged a second smaller retort H held to the cap G³ by a
pipe I passing upward and outward through the cap G³.
Within the inner retort H are partitions H in the form of spherical segments,
pertorated alternately on opposite sides and connected by a bolt; and at the bottom
of the retort is a laterally perforated cylindrical sprayer H³.
The cap G is provided with a number of, in this instance four, distributing
pipes G leading outward from the retort
The pipe I leading into the inner retort H is provided with a valve T and is con-
nected with a pipe J, and beyond the same, with a pair of like branch pipes K. K.
is provided with valves J J and is connected with a pipe J³
which is in connection with the bottom of the outer retort G and beyond its union
with pipe J is provided with a valve and discharge nozzle.
The pipe

page_text: The branch pipes K K are provided with valves K* and are connected with sets of
horizontal retorts L arranged in the heating chamber E' on opposite sides of the
main flue E.
The other ends of the retorts L L are connected respectively with like branch
pipes M¹ which are provided with valves M³ and are both connected to a pipe M.
The pipe M is provided with a valve M' and is connected with a superheating coil N
which is arranged in the flue E around the retort G and is supported on brackets N¹
projecting from the cylindrical partition E', the lower portions of the coil N being
enclosed in annular refractory casing.
The other end of the coil N is connected by a pipe N³ provided with a valve N*
with an outer super heating coil N' which is cast or formed in the cylindrical
partition E, and with the coil No is connected a steam supply pipe No.
The pipe M is also connected in advance of its valve M directly with the outer
superheating coil N by a branch pipe Me having a valve M
Around the combustion chamber C may be formed as shown in Figure 6 a closed
annular box O which is connected at the top and bottom by valved pipes 01 and 0°
respectively with the steam supply pipe No, a valve N' being arranged in the latter
between the connections with the pipes O¹ and 0' so that the said box can be included
in the main steam circuit or cut out therefrom as desired.
The box is preferably divided into several compartments connected with each
other by tubes and is adapted to serve, either as a superheating chamber for the
steam when connected in the steam supply circuit, or as a boiler for producing steam,
in which case water is introduced through the lower pipe 03 and steam passes out
through the upper O' to the supply pipe Ne.
The pipe N, in advance of the super heater O is provided with a steam super-
heating coil N which is arranged in the chimney Hue E' and is also provided
with valves N' and a valved cross pipe N for cutting out the coil N8 when so
desired
The steam will thus pass from the supply pipe N through the outer superheating
coil N around the main flue E and thence by the pipe N through the inner super-
heating coil N to the pipes M and M, or when the inner coil N is not to be used,
the valve M being closed and the valve M7 in the cut out pipe Me, it will pass from
the outer coil N through the cut out pipe directly to the pipe M
The steam passing from the pipe M to the branch pipes M' is divided into two
equal parts, or, if desired, either set of retorts L may be cut out by the valves M³ so
as to cause all the steam to pass through the one set.
Each pipe M is furnished with a hydrocarbon injector P such as is shewn in
Figure 8 the main central passage of which is for the steam and the lateral induction
passage is connected with a valved branch tube P¹. These branch tubes both lead
from a tube P' which is connected with an oil heater such as that shewn in
Figure 7.
This oil heater consists of a steam chamber P' supplied with steam by a valved
pipe P branching from the pipe M and in the chamber is a double coil P connected
with the oil tube P2 and with the oil supply tubo Pe of an oil feeder Q connected
with an oil reservoir. The oil heater may be also, as shewn, connected directly with
the pipe I which leads into the inner retort H by a valved oil tube R
As the super heated steam passes through the injectors P into the retorts L, the
valves in the branch oil tubes P¹ being open, the hydro carbon vapour produced in
the oil heater is drawn in by the injectors and mixed with the steam, and the mingled
vapours pass through the retorts L in which they are subjected to the heat of the
escaping products of combustion.
The mingled vapours issuing from the retorts L then pass through the branch
pipes K together into the cominion pipe I from which, the valves J¹ in the cut out
pipe J being closed and that in the pipe I open, they pass into the inner vertical
retort H.
In passing through the perforated partitions and sprayer of the
mingled vapours become combined into a gas of great heating power.
retort H the
The gas is

page_text: subjected to a great heat as it passes upward in the space between the inner and outer
retorts H and G, and, when it issues from the eduction pipes G*, is ready for use as
a fuel.
In case the hydrocarbon used does not readily pass through the perforations in the
partitions of the retort H, this retort may be cut out of the circuit by closing the
valve I and opening the valves J1 in the pipe J, and then the mingled vapours will
pass directly from the pipe I into the bottom of the outer retort G, in which they will
be acted on and from which the gas can then be drawn as before.
On opening the valve of the discharge nozzle in the pipe J³ leading from the bottom
of the outer retort G this retort can be "blown off' whenever necessary to remove
obstructive accumulations.
Dated this 11th day of Inno 1888
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Apparatus for the Manufacture of Gas.
We, THE GAS PATENTS SYNDICATE Limited, of 37 Wallbrook, in the City of
London, Manufacturers 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.
1
This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for the manufacture of gas,
by bringing superheated steam into intimate admixture with the vapours of hydro-
carbon oils, so that a chemical combination ensues producing a gas of a great heating
capacity particularly adapted for use as fuel.
We will describe the gas producing apparatus according to this invention with
reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification in the figures of
which similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation on the line ✗x of Figure 5. Fig 2 is
a transverse sectional elevation on the line Y Y of Fig. 1 Fig 3 is a sectional plan
on the line Z Z of Fig. 1 Fig 4 is a sectional plan on the line V V of Fig 1.
Fig 5 is a plan of the apparatus with the top removed.
Fig 6 is a part section showing a steam superheating chamber surrounding
the combustion chamber of the furnace. Figs. 7, and 8 shew details hereinafter
referred to
The furnace is provided with a circular grate B, a combustion chamber C above it,
a circular ash pit D, having front and side doors, and a flue E leading vertically up
from the combustion chamber.
The flue E is surrounded by a cylindrical partition E¹, which terminates just below
the top of the furnace so as to allow above it a lateral passage for the products of
combustion from the flue E.
Around the cylindrical partition E' and within the four walls of the furnace is
formed a heating chamber E with which the lateral escape passage communicates,
and which is connected by down flues E, with the chimney flue E³.
The circular grate B is formed of a number of, in this case four, annular segments
which are supported at their outer edges by the furnace walls, and at their inner edges
by a tubular standard F, in the middle of the ash pit D
On the upper end of F rests a vertical retort G, arranged centrally in the flue E
the lower part of G is conical and is sheathed in a refractory casing
j
The retort G which can be raised from its support F and casing has its upper end
closed by a detachable cap G³, which is provided with an annular flange on which the
removable tiles G¹ forming the top of the furnace rest, so that on removing these tiles
the retort G can be readily removed.
Within the retort G is arranged a second smaller retort H held to the cap G³ by a
pipe I passing upward and outward through the cap G³.

page_text: Within the inner retort H are partitions H' in the form of spherical segments,
perforated alternately on opposite sides and connected. by a bolt, and at the bottom of
the retort is a laterally perforated cylindrical sprayer H³.
The cap G is provided with a number of, in this instance four, distributing pipes G*,
leading outward from the retort.
The pipe leading into the inner retort H is provided with a valve I, and is
connected with a pipe J, and, beyond the same, with a pair of branch pipes K K.
The pipe J is provided with valves J¹ J2 and is connected with a pipe J³, which is
in connection with the bottom of the outer retort G, and, beyond its union with the
pipe J, is provided with a valve and discharge nozzle.
The branch pipes K K are provided with valves K2 and are connected with sets of
horizontal etorts L arranged in the heating chamber E³ on opposite sides of the main
flue E.
The other ends of the retorts L L are connected respectively with like branch
pipes M, which are provided with valves Ms and are both connected to a pipe M.
The pipe M is provided with a valve M', and is connected with a super heating coil N,
which is arranged in the flue E around the retort G, and is supported on brackets Ni
projecting from the cylindrical partition E', the lower portions of the coil N being
enclosed in an annular refractory casing.
The other end of the coil N is connected by a pipe N³ provided with a valve N*,
with an outer superheating coil N³, which is cast or formed in the cylindrical
partition E, and with the coil N is connected a steam supply pipe No
The pipe M is also connected, in advance of its valve M, directly with the outer
superheating coil N', by a branch pipe Me having a valve M
Around the combustion chamber C may be formed as shown in Fig 6, a closed
annular box O, which is connected at the top and bottom by valved pipes O¹ and O'
respectively with the steam supply pipe Ne, a valve N7 being arranged in the latter
between the connections with the pipes O¹ and 0, so that the said box can be included
in the main steam circuit, or cut out, therefrom as desired.
The box is preferably divided into several compartments connected with each
other by tubes, and is adapted to sei ve either as a super heating chamber for the steam,
when connected in the steam supply cucuit, or, as a boiler for producing steam, in
which case water is introduced through the lower pipe 03, and steami passes out through
the upper pipe O¹ to the supply pipe N
The pipe N, in advance of the super heater O, is provided with a steam super-
heating coil N, which is arranged in the chimney flue E, and is also provided
with valves N and a valved cross pipe N10 for cutting out the coil N³, when so
desired
The steam will thus pass from the supply pipe No, through the outer superheating
coil No, around the main flue E, and thence by the pipe N, through the inner super-
heating coil N, to the pipes M and M', o1, when the inner coil N is not to be used, the
valve M being closed and the valve M in the cut out pipe M being opened,
it will pass from the outer coil N, through the cut out pipe directly to the pipe M
The steam passing from the pipe M to the branch pipes M¹ is divided into two equal
parts, or, if desired either set of retorts L may be cut out by the valves M³ so as to
cause all the steam to pass through the one set.
Each pipe M is furnished with a hydrocarbon injector P such as is shown in Fig. 8,
the main central passage of which is for the steam, and the lateral induction passage
is connected with a valved branch tube P¹
These branch tubes both lead from a tube P2 which is connected with an oil heater
such as that shewn in Figure 7. This oil heater consists of a steam chamber P
supplied with steam by a valved pipe P* branching from the pipe M and in the
chamber is a double coil P' connected with the oil tube P2 and with the oil supply
tube P of an oil feeder Q connected with an oil reservoir.
The oil heater may be also, as shown, connected directly with the pipe I which leads
into the inner retort H, by a valved oil tube R.

page_text: As the superheated steam passes through the injectors P into the retorts L, the
valves in the branch oil tubes P₁ being open, the hydrocarbon vapour produced in the
oil heater is drawn in by the injectors and mixed with the steam, and the mingled
vapours pass through the retorts L in which they are subjected to the heat of the
escaping products of combustion.
The mingled vapours issuing from the retorts L then pass through the branch
pipes K together into the common pipe 1, from which, the valves J' in the cut out
pipe J being closed, and that in the pipe I open, they pass into the inner vertical
retort H.
In passing through the perforated partitions and sprayer of the retort H, the
mingled vapours become combined into a gas of great heating power. The gas 18
subjected to a great heat as it passes upward in the space between the inner and outer
retorts H and G, and, when it issues from the eduction pipes G is ready for use as
a fuel.
In case the hydro-carbon used does not readily pass through the perforations in
the partitions of the retort H, this retort may be cut out of the circuit by closing
the valve and opening the valves J¹ in the pipe J and then the mingled
vapours will pass directly from the pipe I into the bottom of the outer retort G,
in which they will be acted on and from which the gas can then be drawn as
before.
On opening the valve of the discharge nozzle in the pipe J³, leading from the
bottom of the outer retort G, this retort can be "blown off" whenever necessary to
remove obstructive accumulations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same 1s to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas the combination of a combustion
chamber, a main flue rising therefrom, an upright retort in the main flue, retort
connections, a superheating coil in the main flue around the retort, a cylindrical
partition surrounding the flue, a superheating coil in said partition, a heating chamber
surrounding the partition, sets of retorts in the heating chamber, and connections for
the superheating coils and retorts, substantially as described
2 In apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claim, the vapour mixing
retort provided with induction and eduction openings and divided by a vertical series
of oppositely perforated partitions which are in the form of spherical segments,
substantially as described
3. In apparatus such as is above referred to, the combination of a steam supply
pipe, a furnace, superheaters connected with the steam supply pipe, sets of horizontal
tubular retorts arranged to be heated by the furnace and connected with the steam
snperheaters, hydro-carbon supply tubes connected with the sets of retorts, injectors at
the junction of said tubes and retorts, and pipes leading from the said retorts,
substantially as described
4. In apparatus such as is above referred to, the combination of a steam reservoir,
and its supply pipe, oil pipes coiled within the reservoir, an oil feeder connected with
one end of the oil pipe coils, an oil supply tube connected with the other end, a retort,
a steam pipe leading thereinto and an injector arranged in the retort steam pipe and
connected with the oil supply tube, substantially as described.
5. In apparatus such as is above referred to, the modified arrangement wheroin a
closed annular chamber surrounds the combustion chamber, substantially as described
with reference to Fig. 6.
Dated th: 0th don Mach 1940
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.