IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING GAS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Brook of Wigan, in the County of Lancaster.
Engineer for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING
GAS.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Brook at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th October 1883.
EDWARD BROOK of Wigan in the County of Lancaster Engineer
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING GAS "
"IMPROVE.
According to this invention of improvements in gas producers or apparatus for
making gas a producer is constructed with its lower part of metal such as iron
suitably formed to receive water for cooling the metallic walls or sides, and in
conjunction therewith there is provided a revolving grate of conical form so
constructed as to move the ashes and incombustible material mechanically to its
outer edge where they are allowed to drop over into the ash-pit, a space being
provided between the revolving grate and the bottom of the metallic portion of
the producer such as will allow of large pieces passing out without its being
necessary to previously break them up. The area or diameter of the producer at
the lower part is contracted and in one arrangement the conical grate is of a step-
like form, it is rotated either intermittently or continuously by manual or other
motive power through the intervention of toothed wheels or gear.
The ash pit at the base of the producer is a closed one, and into it the air or
air and steam required for the combustion of the fuel is or are blown, the ashes
and incombustible matter being removed through one or more door ways provided
for the
purpose.
Gas producers according to this invention as above set forth may be fed with
fuel by any well-known or suitable means either automatically or otherwise.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edward Brook in the Patent Office on the 9th April 1884.
EDWARD BROOK, of Wigan in the County of Lancaster, Engineer IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING GAS ☐
According to this invention of improvements in gas producers or apparatus for
making gas a producer is constructed with its lower part of metal such as iron
suitably formed to receive water for cooling the metallic walls or sides, and in
conjunction there with there is provided a revolving grate of conical form so
constructed as to move the ashes and incombustible material mechanically to its
outer edge where they are allowed to drop over into the ash pit, a space being
provided between the revolving grate and the bottom of the metallic portion of
the producer such as will allow of large pieces passing out without its being
necessary to previously break them up. The area or diameter of the producer at
the lower part is contracted and in one arrangement the conical grate is of a step-
like form, it is rotated either intermittently or continuously by manual or other
motive power through the intervention of toothed wheels or gear.
The ash pit at the base of the producer is a closed one, and into it the air or air
and steam required for the combustion of the fuel is or are blown, the ashes and
incombustible matter being removed through one or more doorways provided for
the purpose.
Gas producers according to this invention as above set forth may be fed with
fuel by any well known or suitable means either automatically or otherwise
Figs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings, shew a gas producer according
to my invention; Fig 1 being a vertical section, Fig 2 an external elevation Fig 3
a sectional plan with the brickwork removed and Fig 4 a sectional elevation of
the rotating conical grate and centre pivot.
H is a hopper through which the fuel may be fed into the producer, O is the
gas outlet and M. M are the metallic walls of the producer having fins or ribs R.
cast on their outer sides which fins dip into an annular channel B containing
water, the channel B being bolted to the fins or ribs R. C is the conical grate
having spiral steps formed thereon for pushing the ashes and incombustible matter
towards its outer edge or periphery, these spiral steps having perforations S on
their vertical sides for admission of air to the fire; at the outer terminations of
these steps curved ribs or vanes V are provided for expelling the ashes into the
ash-pit A; this conical grate is supported and retained in position by a centre
pivot P. around which it is caused to rotate at the required speed by means of the
wheels or toothed gear G, or by other suitable means worked from the exterior, it
being caused to rotate either intermittently or continuously by manual or other
motive power: The conical grate C is fixed in such a position as to leave an annular
space several inches deep between it and the channel B through which space the
ashes and incombustible matter find exit and a further supply of air gains admission
to the fire, from which it will be seen that air is admitted all over the underside
of the fire and that no fuel or products can escape into the ashpit without coming
in contact with the entering air. For convenience of construction I prefer to
make the upper portion of the rotating grate separate from the lower part and to
secure them together by bolts. A is the closed ash-pit into which the air or air
and steam is or are blown by means of a steam jet or other mechanical apparatus
and from whence it (or they) passes (or pass) into the fire partly through the
perforations S in the conical grate and partly through the annular space between
the conical grate and the underside of the channel B, the ashes being removed

page_text: from the ashpit from time to time through one or more doorways D kept closed
when the producer is at work. L L are the firebrick walls of the producer,
supported by the plate E which in turn rests upon brackets bolted to the external
iron casing I.
Having described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of carrying
it into practical effect, I would have it understood that what I consider to be novel
and original and therefore claim as secured to me under the Letters Patent first
herein before in part recited is :-
1, In a gas producer or apparatus for making gas, the use of a rotating conical
grate arranged to move ashes and incombustible material to its outer periphery
substantially as described.
2, In a gas producer or apparatus for making gas, forming the lower portion of
the apparatus of metal, and providing an annular space for the passage of ashes
and incombustible material and admission of air to the fire between the annular
metallic wall and the grate or portion that supports the fuel substantially as
described.
3, In a gas producer or apparatus for making gas the combination of a rotating
conical grate with metallic side wall or walls the arrangement and operation being
substantially such as described above.
4, The improved gas producer or apparatus for making gas constructed, arranged
and operating as hereinbefore described, with reference to and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Edward Brook have hereunto set my hand and
seal this first day of April in the year of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred
and eighty-four.
EDWARD BROOK (L.S.)