Improvements in Apparatus connected with the Manufacture of Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus connected with the Manufacture of
Acetylene Gas.
I, Sir CILARLES STEWART FORBES, Baronet, Castle Newe, Strathdon, Aberdeen-
shire, N.B., Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists in "Improvements in apparatus connected with the manu-
facture of acetylene gas "and is carried out as follows:--It is well known that
in the generation of acetylene gas from carbide of calcium by treating the same
with water considerable heat is evolved. Moreover the gas is generally highly
charged with moisture.
The object I have in view is by means of the apparatus hereinafter described
to first cool the gas and then cause it to part with its moisture before it enters the
gas holder, the water collected from it being discharged automatically from time
to time. To this end I form preferably from galvanized sheet iron two cylinders
of a diameter and length depending upon the volume of gas treated. These two
cylinders are joined together by means of a flanged diaphragm to which they are
respectively riveted, this diaphragm is usually cast in iron, brass, or like metal
or it may be stamped out of sheet metal.
The lower end of the cylinder is stopped by a disc of similar construction. Into
the space above the diaphragm is placed a coil of piping preferably spun up from
lead, composition pipe, or it may be made from block tn, or tinned iron, this pipe
is fitted at its top end with a union by which it is coupled to the gas pipe from the
generator.
The lower end is screwed, sweated, or otherwise fastened into the diaphragm
and continued by means of a pipe nearly to the bottom of the cylinder. A delivery
pipe passes through the bottom of the cylinder, ond extends nearly up to the
diaphragm, its opposite end being connected to a pipe leading to the gasometer.
Near the base of the cylindrical vessel I mount a flexible gas bracket into which
is screwed a pipe fitted with a funnel head.
The cylindrical cooling and drying device is sometimes separate from the gas
holder tank but is. for convenience frequently attached to it, by straps or the like.
In such case I find it convenient in order to keep it and the coil chamber always
filled with water to stretch one leg of an ordinary syphon over the side of the
cylinder and the other over the side of the gas holder tank; this syphon is con-
veniently fitted with a cock at its bend, a water pipe from the town house service
or other source of supply being connected to it.
By this means both the gas tank and coil chamber can be filled up by turning
on the cock, but if it be shut the two cisterns are kept by the action of the syphon
at the same level. The operation of my invention is as follows:-Since the gas
coming from the generator is compelled to pass through the coil it is robbed of
its heat by the water surrounding it which as the temperature rises is conducted
away by a waste pipe. Any moisture coming over with the gas is deposited in

page_text: the base of the cylinder where it acts as a seal, the height of this seal may be
regulated by bending down or up the overflow pipe flexibly mounted as described.
Since the gas is conducted from just beneath the diaphragm it passes into the
gas bell or holder in a nearly dry state.
Dated this 25th day of June 1898.
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent for the Applicant, 21, Finsbury Pavement, London, E.C.
Improvements in Apparatus connected with the Manufacture of
Acetylene Gas.
I, Sir CHARLES STEWART FORBES, Baronet, Castle Newe, Strathdon, Aberdeen-
shire, N.B., Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by, the following statement:-
-
My invention consists in improvements in apparatus connected with the manu-
facture of acetylene gas and is carried out as follows:-
It is well known that in the generation of acetylene gas from carbide of calcium
by treating the same with water considerable heat is evolved. Moreover the gas
is generally highly charged with moisture. The object I have in view, is, by
means of the apparatus hereinafter described, to first cool the gas, and then cause
it to part with its moisture before it enters the gas holder, the water collected
from it being discharged automatically from time to time. To this end I form
preferably from galvanized sheet iron two cylinders of a diameter and length
depending upon the volume of gas treated; these two cylinders are joined together
by means of a flanged diaphragm, to which they are respectively riveted; this
diaphragm is usually cast in iron brass or like metal or it may be stamped out
of sheet metal. The lower end of the cylinder is stopped by a disc of similar con-
struction. Into the space above the diaphragm is placed a coil of piping prefer-
ably spun up from lead, composition pipe, or it may be made from block tin or
tinned iron; this pipe is fitted at its top end with a union, by which it is coupled
to the gas pipe from the generator; the lower end is screwed sweated or otherwise
fastened into the diaphragm, and continued by means of a pipe nearly to the
bottom of the cylinder. A delivery pipe passes through the bottom
of the cylinder, and extends nearly up to the diaphragm, its opposite end
being connected to a pipe leading to the gasometer. Near the base of the
cylindrical vessel I mount a flexible gas bracket into which is screwed a pipe fitted
with a funnel head. The cylindrical cooling and drying device is sometimes
separate from the gas holder tank, but is for convenience frequently attached to
it by straps or the like. In such case I find it convenient in order to keep it and
the coil chamber always filled with water to stretch one leg of an ordinary syphon
over the side of the cylinder, and the other over the side of the gas holder tank;
this syphen is conveniently fitted with a cock at its bend, a water pipe from the
town, house service, or other source of supply, being connected to it; by this
means both the gas tank and coil chamber can be filled up by turning on the
cock, but if it be shut the two cisterns are kept by the action of the syphon at
the same level.
The operation of my invention is as follows: Since the gas coming from the
generator is compelled to pass through the coil, it is robbed of its heat by the water
surrounding it, which as the temperature rises is conducted away by a waste pipe.

page_text: Any moisture coming over with the gas is deposited in the base of the cylinder
where it acts as a seal, the height of this seal may be regulated by bending down
or up the overflow pipe flexibly mounted as described. Since the gas is conducted
from just beneath the diaphragm, it passes into the gas bell or holder in a nearly
dry state.
To enable my invention to be more clearly understood I will now describe the
same by means of the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1, is a sectional view shewing part of a gas tank and bell with my improve-
ments connected thereto.
Fig. 2, shews the cooling apparatus mounted on separate base.
Fig. 3, shews detail of moveable funnel.
In the drawing 1, is the gas tank, and 2, the rising and falling bell therein,
within which the acetylene gas is stored. At a suitable point near the base of the
tank I mount a bracket 6. This may be made of cast iron or other suitable metal,
preferably tinned or galvanised, and is secured to the tank by rivets or the like 4.
I form preferably from galvanised steel or iron plate, two cylinders, 5, 5¹, these
vary in diameter and length, in a manner depending upon the size of the plant and
the volume of gas dealt with, but may be formed by riveting up steel or iron plate
of a suitable thickness; the two cylinders formed as described may be joined
together by means of a galvanised cast or wrought iron or other metal flanged
diaphragm 3, to which they are respectively riveted as shewn at 4; the bottom 3,
of the lower cylinder 5¹ is usually stepped into the bracket 6, and secured by
rivets. A wrought iron strap C, riveted to the tank surrounds the upper part
of the cylinder, and keeps it in position. Into the space above the diaphragm 3*,
is placed a coil of piping preferably spun from lead, composition, block tin or
galvanised iron 7; this pipe is fitted at its top end with a union 8, by which it is
coupled to the gas pipe from the generator 9. The lower end is fastened by screw-
ing or like means into the diaphragm 3ª, and continued by means of a socket 10,
nearly to the base of cylinder 5'. A delivery pipe 9, reaching nearly to the top
of the lower chamber is screwed into a boss 11, formed on the bracket 3, and con-
nected by means of an elbow 12, and short length of piping 9b, with the inlet
pipe 9°, supplying the bell 2. Near the base of the lower cylindrical vessel I
mount by soldering or like means a flexible gas bracket back 13, into which is
screwed a short length of pipe 9d, terminating in a funnel shaped head 14.
Sometimes it is more convenient that the cooling and drying device should be
separate from the gas tank as shewn in Fig. 2. In such case the cylinders 5, 51,
may be conveniently mounted upon a cast iron base 15, or this may be tied to the
gas tank if desired by a strap or straps 6, 6, see Fig. 1. In such or either case
I find it very convenient in order to keep the tank and coil chamber always filled
with water to stretch one leg of an ordinary syphon 16, over the side of the cylinder,
and the other over the side of the tank. I prefer to insert a cock 17, at the upper
part of the bend and to connect this cock with the town or house service or equiva-
lent source of supply; by this means both the gas tank and coil chamber can be
filled up by simply turning on the cock, but if it be shut, the two cisterns are
maintained by the action of the syphon at the same level, or the two cisterns may
be connected by means of a plain pipe, as see dotted lines. A waste pipe 18, is
inserted in both gas tank and cooler.
The operation of my invention is as follows:--Since the gas coming from the
generator is compelled to pass through the coil it is robbed of its heat by the water
surrounding it, which as the temperature rises is conducted away by a waste
pine 18. Any moisture coming over with the gas is deposited in the base of the
cylinder where it acts as a water seal; the height of this seal may be regulated by
bending down or up the pipe mounted in the flexible back 13, as described, through
which the accumulated water will flow, thereby automatically maintaining the
head of the seal at a constant level. Since the gas entering the bell is collected
from just beneath the diaphragm it follows that it is nearly in a dry condition,

page_text: and being cool does not readily pick up moisture from the water in the lower
cylinder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
(1.) In apparatus connected with the manufacture and storing of acetylene gas,
the combination and use therewith of the particular cooling, drying and sealing
device constructed and operating as described and for the purposes specified.
(2.) In apparatus for use in the manufacture and storing of acetylene gas, the
combination and use of the particular stationary device for filling the gas and
cooler tank and automatically adjusting the level therein by syphoning action when
the water supply is cut off.
(3.) In apparatus connected with the manufacture of acetylene gas, the com-
bination and use with a fixed or detachable cooling and drying device of the
bracket back or equivalent moveable joint and tube for regulating the depth of
seal and automatically discharging the water deposited by the gas.
Dated this 25th day of March 1899.
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent for the Applicant, 21, Finsbury Pavement, London, E.C.