IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS AND GASES FOR ILLUMINATING AND HEATING PURPOSES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Isham Baggs, of High Holborn, in the County
of Middlesex, Practical Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS AND GASES FOR ILLUMINATING AND HEATING
PURPOSES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.'
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Isham Baggs at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th June 1873.
I, ISHAM BAGGS, of High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Practical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS AND GASES FOR ILLUMINATING
AND HEATING PURPOSES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN CONNECTION THERE-
WITH," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, firstly, in the production of a permanent
gaseous mixture, and in the combination of the same with the vapour of
petroleum or other hydrocarbon liquids, so as to be applicable for illumi-
nating and heating purposes.
This Invention consists sooondly in tha conatenation and

page_text: In order to produce the gaseous mixture a close furnace, retort, or
receptacle constructed of iron, or, by preference, of fire-clay is employed.
The same is set or fixed in a vertical position, and closed at both ends,
and furnished with mouth pieces for easy access to the interior thereof
when required, an inlet tube being fixed at one end to admit atmospheric
air, and an outlet tube at the other end for effecting a communication
with the hydraulic main, as will be well understood. Or instead of an
iron or clay retort or close furnace or vessel an air-tight furnace may be
built of fire-bricks, the same being furnished with pipes and mouth
pieces built into the brickwork, and capable, when desired, of affording
access to the interior thereof, or the furnace itself may be so built that a
supply of atmospheric air, regulated by a damper, shall have access to
the bottom thereof, and the top of the furnace be in constant communi-
cation with the hydraulic main, a moveable air-tight cover being also
placed at the top for feeding purposes. At the bottom of such retort or
furnace, as the case may be, is placed an iron grating of fire-bars, or a
perforated plate, or slab of fire-clay, upon which a fire may be ignited,
and fuel may be piled, a current of air being allowed to percolate through
the mass.
A fire of coke is first formed upon the furnace bars or per-
forated plate, and the furnace or retort is then nearly filled with coke,
charcoal, coal, or other suitable carbonaceous material or materials, the
whole being afterwards closed and made air-tight. A gas exhauster is
then applied to the outlet pipe of the hydraulic main, or a blast or
current of atmospheric air is admitted below the furnace bars, and blown
continuously through the mass of fuel (which has become incandescent)
until the fire requires replenishing. The products of combustion drawn
or forced through the hydraulic main (as well understood), and thence
through condenser, purifier, and carburizer (herein-after mentioned) to
the gas holder, whence they are distributed for consumption as required.
The carburizer is a vessel which exposes a great extent of surface of
petroleum or other hydrocarbon liquid, and which may be arranged in
any convenient mode, as for instance upon a series of shelves, which
support pumice stone, coke, sponge, or other porous substances, which
are saturated with the hydrocarbon liquid or material, or the permanent
gas is allowed to flow in one direction through a pipe or channel, and
the hydrocarbon fluid to flow in the opposite direction to meet it and
produce saturation. Or any suitable textile fabric or material may be
saturated with hydrocarbon fluid, and the gas caused to pass over the
same, and thus to become saturated therewith. Or fountains or sprays

page_text: of hydrocarbon fluid are caused to come in contact with the gas. By
either of these means not only will the gas become charged with hydro-
carbon fluid, but the latter, if crude oil, will be rectified at the same
time. For this purpose, or for the treatment of the spirit itself, an
apparatus known as " Coffee's still " is employed, the gas to be saturated
being blown through the apparatus, and during its progress taking up
the volatile spirit.
The principal portion or feature of this part of of the present Invention
consists however in passing the permanent gas through a scrubber or
other analogous vessel containing divided or porous materials, such as
coke, pumice stone, sawdust, spent tan, or other suitable absorbent sub-
stance or substances saturated with hydrocarbon oil or spirit, and
through which the gas is caused to percolate or filter until it is charged
with the volatile vapours; or bituminous shale, or schist, or rock is
broken up and mixed with sawdust or other suitable material, and the
gaseous mixture in its passage through the scrubber takes up the volatile
hydrocarbon vapours therefrom, and is thus economically converted into
illuminating gas. Heat is advantageously used under these circum-
stances. Small pebbles or bricks may be also used for filling the scrubber,
and when any hydrocarbon liquid is employed for carburizing the gas
the liquid should be pumped up to the top of the scrubber, and allowed
to flow downwards in a continuous stream while the gas ascends. When
a dip pipe is employed for the above purposes, one terminating in many
branches or tubes of small diameter all dipping to the same length in the
liquid is used. Other gases, such as carbonic oxide, hydrogen, light car-
buretted hydrogen, and olefiant gas are sometimes advantageously added
to the gaseous mixtures previously mentioned.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Isham Baggs in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 4th December 1873.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Isham Baggs, Her special licence
that I, the said Isham Baggs, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Isham Baggs, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS AND GASES FOR ILLUMINATING AND HEATING PURPOSES,
AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH,'
upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Isham Baggs, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
"
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Isham Baggs, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, that is to say:
-
My said Invention consists, firstly, in the production of a permanent
gaseous mixture, and in the combination of the same with the vapour of
petroleum or other hydrocarbon liquids so as to be applicable for illu-
minating and heating purposes.
And, secondly. In the construction and arrangement of apparatus to
be employed for obtaining the desired results.
In order to produce the gaseous mixture, a close furnace, retort, or
receptacle, constructed on the large scale of iron or fire-clay, or other
suitable material is employed. The same is set or fixed in a vertical
position, and closed, or capable of being closed at both ends. The furnace,
retort, or receptacle is furnished with mouth-pieces, or with suitable inlets
for easy access to the interior thereof when required. An inlet tube is

page_text: fixed at one end to admit atmospheric air, and an outlet tube at the other
end to effect a communication with the hydraulic main, as will be under-
stood by persons conversant with the manufacture of gas. These com-
munications are reversible at pleasure by means of cocks, valves, or other
equivalent contrivances, and in cases in which it is requsite that the full
effect of the heat should be utilized the hydraulic main may be dispensed
with altogether, or, instead of an iron or clay retort or close furnace or
vessel an air-tight furnace may be built of fire-bricks, the same being fur-
nished with pipes and mouth pieces built into the brickwork, strengthened
in any convenient way, and capable, when desired, of affording access to
the interior thereof. A damper may be employed when necssary, and
a moveable cover, air-tight when necessary, is placed at the top for
feeding purposes. At the bottom of such iron, clay, brick, or other
vessel or furnace is placed a grating of fire-bars, or a perforated plate
or slab of fire-clay or other equivalent upon which a fire may be ignited
and fuel may be piled, a current of air being caused to traverse or
percolate through the incandescent mass. A fire of coke is first formed
upon the furnace bars or perforated plate or other suitable support, and
the retort or furnace is then nearly filled with coke, charcoal, coal, or
other carbonaceous material or materials, the whole being afterwards
closed and made air-tight, but due regard being had to the admission of
atmospheric air, and the egress of the products of combustion, as may
be desired, as herein-before mentioned. A gas exhauster is then applied
to the outlet pipe of the hydraulic main, or to the outlet pipe of the
retort or furnace, or a blast or current of atmospheric air is admitted
below the furnace bars and blown continuously or intermittently through
the mass of fuel which has become incandescent. The direction of
these draughts, blasts, or currents may be reversed at pleasure by
means of the cocks or valves, or equivalents therefor herein-before
mentioned, and the machinery for producing such draughts, blasts, or
currents, are either exhausting or condensing pumps, or fans, blowers,
or other effective substituto or substitutes for the same, worked by steam
or other motive power, or in cases in which it is available the draught is
simply obtained by means of a hot tube, pipe, or passage directed down-
wards, into, or among, or adjacent to the fuel, and acting upon the
principle of the syphon so that the gases and atmospheric air may be
drawn downwards and percolate through the mass of ignited fuel, and
then be drawn upwards through the longer leg of the syphon, and so
producing the necessary draught. This latter process or downward

page_text: direction given to the incoming air and nascent gases is especially useful
and advantageous where coal is the fuel employed.
The retort or furnace is replenished with fuel as often as may be
required through an opening in the top or mouth picce provided with
a moveable cover, which is afterwards made air-tight, after the manner
of a gas retort; or it may be fed continuosly by any suitable apparatus.
When the gas is required for distribution it may be cooled down as it
leaves the retort or furnace by passing through a condenser, and thence
through a purifier into an ordinary gas holder. I avail myself of the
heat so given off, whenever opportunity occurs, for any purpose of
utility, such as the generation of steam; but when there is no such
opportunity I simply pass the hot gas through a suitable length of iron
or other conducting tube immersed in cold and flowing water. When
the gaseous mixture is applied locally for heating purposes, as, for
instance, for metallurgical and manufacturing operations, or for the
direct raising of steam for actuating engines, and other purposes; the
highly heated gases are led direct from the generating retort or furnace
into the smelting furnace, cupola, stove, fire-place, or other receptacle
or locality where the combustion of the gases is to be completed and
utilized, and before they are there absolutely burnt; they are some-
times, when desirable, mixed in transitu with a further portion of
atmospheric air. This is effected in any convenient manner, as, for
instance, by admitting a supply of air through the conveying pipes,
and regulating such supply by suitable cocks or valves, or by allowing
the gas to issue at a pressure of, say, from one to two pounds to the
inch, from a number of jets, nozzles, or apertures, and to blow against
an obstruction, which, by partly arresting the blast regulates the point
of ignition. The distance of this obstruction from the points of
effluence may be varied at pleasure, and the quantity of air entering
into the mixture thereby altered at will, or absolutely fixed at any
required point. The heat produced under these arrangements is
applicable to all the various purposes to which coal, coke, peat, charcoal,
coal gas, and other descriptions of fuel are now employed.
In certain cases, as in generating steam for working steam engines,
whether fixed or locomotive, and either for land or marine purposes, I
cause the blast or the exhaust to be worked by the engine itself, and
to be generally dependent thereon, so that when the engine stops the
blast or exhaust stops, and when the engine moves it moves also; the

page_text: absolute quantity of air passing through the furnace in a given time
being further regulated at the discretion of the driver or attendant by
means of a damper, throttle valve, stop cock, or other contrivance, or
simply by varying the velocity of the machinery by which the blast or
exhaust is produced.
By the dependence of the blast upon the engine, as above described,
the gas is generated precisely as it is required, and the necessity for
storage superseded.
In applying the gaseous mixture to the evolution of heat for domestic
purposes I cause the flame to play upon asbestos, fire-clay balls, or other
non-combustible material or materials, as well understood, in order to
produce a cheerful and genial appearance, as well as to increase the
warmth by effective radiation by means of well known arrangements.
It is obvious that for the production of heat for domestic purposes, as
also for manufacturing and other purposes, the gaseous mixture may
either be manufactured and used upon the spot or it may be made in
any convenient locality and distributed by pipes, as may be desired, in
the same manner as common coal gas.
In applying my Invention to illuminating purposes I cause the
gaseous mixture to be properly carburized by passing through a vessel
which exposes a great extent of surface of petroleum or other hydro-
carbon liquid, and which may be arranged in any convenient mode,
so as to increase the surface, as, for instance, it may be poured upon
a series of shelves which support pumice stone, coke, sponge, or other
porous substance or substances, which is or are thus saturated with the
hydrocarbon liquid or material, or the permanent gas is allowed to
flow in one direction through a pipe or channel, and the hydrocarbon
liquid to flow in the opposite direction, so as to meet the former and
produce saturation; or any suitable textile fabric, or fibrous or
absorbent material, such as cotton or asbestos, may be saturated with
hydrocarbon liquid, and the gas caused to pass over the same, and thus
become itself charged or saturated therewith; or fountains or sprays
of hydrocarbon liquid are caused to come in contact with the gas and
thus to produce the same results. By either of these means not only will
the gas become charged with the hydrocarbon fluid, but the latter, if
in the form of crude oil, will be rectified at the same time. For this
purpose, or for the treatment of the oil itself, an apparatus known as

page_text: "Coffee's still" is employed; the gas to be saturated being blown
through the apparatus, and during its progress taking up the more
volatile spirit. The permanent gas may also be passed through a
scrubber or other analogous vessel containing divided and porous
materials, such as coke, pumice stone, sawdust, spent tan, or other
suitable absorbent substance or substances, saturated with the hydro-
carbon oil or spirit, and through which the gas is caused to percolate or
filter until it is charged with the vapour of the hydrocarbon liquid, or
bituminous shale, or schist, or rock, is broken up and mixed with sawdust
or other suitable material, and the gaseous mixture in its passage
through the scrubber takes up the hydrocarbon vapours therefrom, and
is thus economically converted into illuminating gas. Small pebbles
or bricks may be also used for filling the scrubber or other vessel, and
when any hydrocarbon liquid is employed for carburizing the gas the
liquid should in such cases be pumped up to the top of the scrubber
and allowed to flow downwards in a continuous stream, while the
gas ascends; and when a dip pipe is employed for the above-mentioned
purposes I prefer to employ one terminating in many branches or
small tubes, all dipping to the same depth in the liquid, whereby the
surfaces or points of contact are multiplied. Heat is advantageously
used under the circumstances for promoting the combination of
the gas with the hydrocarbon fluid, especially in cases in which the
heavier hydrocarbons are employed, and where the application of the
illuminating gas is limited or local, as for a building or railway station,
or for single and separate burners. The manufacture of the gaseous
mixture of heating or basic gas and hydrocarbon vapour is then best
effected in the tube, passage, or receptacle, adjacent or contiguous, or
as near as may be convenient to the burner or burners employed, such
tube, passage, or receptacle holding or containing one or more of the
absorbent materials or fibrous substances before referred to, as con-
venient vehicles for the liquid hydrocarbon. The heat for effecting
the vaporization of the hydrocarbon is either that of the flame itself,
'conveyed by contact with the metal and conducted through its
substance, or by one or more small jets of either the basic gas or of the
compound gaseous mixture, so disposed as to effect the necessary
vaporization. An imperfect conductor, such as porcelain, glass, ebonite,
or other suitable material is placed at such a distance from the source of
heat along the volatilizing tube, passage, or receptacle, as shall break
the continuity of the metal, and so prevent the hydrocarbon reservoir