IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING GAS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, HENRY HUTCHINSON, of No 90 Cannon Street, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Metallurgical and Chemical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING GAS" to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for generating gas whether
for illuminating or heating purpose and has for object to construct apparatus of
simple form in such manner that solid and liquid hydrocarbons and carbonaceous
materials may be readily and effectively converted therein into illuminating gas or
into heating gas, or into gas that will answer both purposes.
Ordinarily in generating illuminating gas it is usual to submit coal or other
carbonaceous materials to destructive distillation in retorts or other vessels of
refractory material subjected to the action of externally applied heat which method
necessitates the consumption of a considerable quantity of fuel.
In apparatus according to this invention however, which apparatus is an
improvement on one of the forms of apparatus described and shown in the
specification of former Letters Patent granted to me dated 7th June A.D. 1883
No 2843 gas, whether for illuminating or for heating or for both purposes is
generated froin carbonaceous materials by the action of the heat produced within
the apparatus by the more or less complete combustion of a portion of the
carbonaceous material or materials therein, or by that of solid or liquid hydro-
carbons blown or otherwise introduced into the apparatus by means of air and
steam.
By the term solid carbonaceous substances are included such substances as coals,
coal shales, bituminous shales, anthracite, albertite, brown coal, kimmeridge shale,
coal coke, charcoal, peat, wood, tan, bones, leather cuttings, stable refuse, cinders
etc, whilst by the term solid or liquid hydrocarbons are included such substances as
tars, mineral and vegetable creosote and anthracene oils, shale oil, paraffin and
petroleum oils, ozokerite, mineral wax, stearin, wood tar pitch etc.
In the accompanying drawing which is a vertical section of apparatus according
to this invention A is a vertical gas generator of any well known form, comprising
an outer metal casing A¹, preferably of iron and an inner lining A² of refractory
material such as fire brick. B is a hopper provided with a lid B¹ and with a
charging bell or cone B² operated by a lever or other convenient means for the
purpose of charging the generator at intervals with carbonaceous materials, without
liability to admit of escape of gas therefrom, as will be readily understood C. C.
are boilers for utilising the waste heat of the apparatus and producing steam for
a purpose hereinafter specified. In the centre of the generator A is arranged a

page_text: vertical structure which forms an important feature of this invention and comprises
in the example illustrated three concentric tubes of cast iron, fire brick or other
refractory material serving respectively as a downward flue, a heater, vaporiser, or
decomposer and a tuyere blower or injector. D is the inner tube of this structure
conveniently formed of metal provided with a conical top D* and with openings D²
communicating with the interior of the generator A
The tube D serves as a downward flue for the gases generated in the said
generator and is in communication at its base with a gas main or mains N leading
to gas holders, not shown in the drawing. E is the intermediate tube also
conveniently of metal and of such size with respect to tube D as to leave an
annular space between the two into which hydrocarbon in a liquid state (it may
have been rendered liquid by previous heating) are caused to pass from supply
pipes O. O.
Here the hydrocarbon is heated, volatilized or decomposed by the
heat of the gas escaping down the tube D. The vaporized hydrocarbon is caused
to enter the body of the generator through openings at E¹ and is there further
subjected to intense heat to ensure decomposition and the gas or gases resulting
therefrom is or are caused to mingle with and enrich that or those produced from
the solid carbonaceous materials in the generator. F is the outer tube of the
central structure. It is made of refractory material such as fire brick in which is
or are formed an annular space or a series of flues channels or passages Fl
communicating by means of openings F with the interior of the generator A or
furnace proper. The outer tube F also serves to protect the inner tubes E and D
from being burnt or injuriously heated.
A series of flues, channels or passages A³ are also formed in the lining A² of the
generator A and communicate by means of the openings Aª with the interior of
the same.
Through the openings F2 and A* jets of air and steam mixed or not with vapours
of hydrocarbon are caused to be blown or injected as more fully hereinafter
set forth.
I, I, are tubes with conical ends mounted upon the upper extremities of vertical
pipes or tubes J. J (conveniently four in number) which serve to support the outer
casing of the generator as shown. K. K' are valves arranged within the pipes J and
provided with means for operating the same so that they may be placed in either
of the positions shown in full or dotted lines. J¹ and J2 are pipes or passages
connecting the pipes J with the flues channels or passages A³ and F1 respectively
and these with each other. L. L are. hydrocarbon supply pipes in communication
with the pipes J. J. H. H. are steam pipes cach communicating at one end with
the steam boilers C and terminating at the other end within a pipe I. H'. H' are
steam valves for regulating the flow of steam from the pipes H M M are coils of
pipes containing water arranged within the flue or inner tube D for the purpose of
utilising further the heat of the gases passing away down the tube D. The
coils M M each communicate at one end with water supply pipes M* which are
themselves in communication with a pump or other forcing apparatus. The other
ends of the coils M M communicate with the water chambers M' which partly
surround the lower end D₁ of the flue or tube D which forms the commencement
of the gas main or mains N. The chambers M' are in communication with the
boilers C by means of the horizontal tubes or passages M² and vertical tubes M³
passing through the lining A2, whereby the water heated by the waste heat of the
escaping gases and heated apparatus may pass to the said boilers for the production
of steam. The tubes M³ are provided with portions M presenting enlarged
heating surfaces, S are clinkering wheels mounted upon hollow tubes or axles T
through which air may be blown into the furnace for supporting or aiding the
combustion or decompositions taking place therein whilst at the same time serving
to keep the said tubes or axles T comparatively cool. The wheels S and axles Tare
provided with any convenient means for rotating the same intermittently from the
exterior of generator whereby clinkers and other refuse material may be removed
at intervals from the furnace and caused to fall into the ash-pits U provided with

page_text: air tight doors U' V V are gas pipes communicating with a gas holder or
reservoir and with the interiors of the pipes J. A³ A5 are holes formed in the
generator A through which air may be admitted when desired, or the state of
combustion may be viewed A6 A6 are plugs valves or the like for closing these
openings when desired.
The action of the apparatus above described is as follows. When starting the
apparatus for work a suitable quantity of solid carbonaceous substance or
substances with or without solid or liquid hydrocarbon is first charged into the
interior of the generator through the hopper B and the gas supply from the
pipes V V is turned on. This gas passes to the pillars or tubes J through
the tubes JJ, flues, channels, or passages A³ and F¹ and openings A* and F² to
the interior of the furnace where it is ignited in any convenient manner, a supply
of air to support combustion being admitted through the hollow axis T, or in any
other convenient manner. When the carbonaceous material in the generator
furnace is well ignited the gas supply may be shut off and the valves K K¹, which
should have previously occupied the positions shown in full lines to prevent escape
of gas from the tubes J should now be moved into the positions shown in dotted
lines. Jets of steam are now caused to pass from the pipes H to the tubes I which
acting after the well known manner of injectors cause air to be drawn inward and
forced through the tubes ♫ ♫¹ J² flues channels or passages A³ and F¹ openings A*
and F into the interior of the burning fuel thereby causing its active combustion
or decomposition to take place. In lieu of air and steam air alone may be blown
into the furnace by any suitable blowing apparatus. A supply of liquid or gaseous
hydrocarbon may be turned on from the pipes L L' and carried by the mixed jet
of air and steam, or air alone into the interior of the furnace. Water should now
be caused to flow through the coils M. Liquid hydrocarbons or solid hydrocarbons
previously rendered liquid by heat should also be now caused to pass from the
pipes OO to the space between the tubes D E, where, being subjected to the
intense heat of the furnace and the heat of the generated gases passing away down
the flue D, they become heated and volatilized or more or less decomposed and
pass through the openings E1 to the interior of the furnace. Here they become
mixed with the other gases generated from the carbonaceous materials employed
and after being further acted upon by heat pass through the openings D2 to the
flue D. Any soot or liberated carbon which may be produced by decomposition
of the hydro-carbons between the tubes D and E, passes therefrom to the furnace
and is utilized in the production of gas. As the carbonaceous materials are
consumed fresh supplies are to be admitted through the hopper B so long as it is
desired to continue the production of gas. By suitably regulating the quantity of
air and steam, and the quantity and kind of hydrocarbons and carbonaceous
materials employed the desired quantity and quality of illuminating or heating
gas may be obtained as will be readily understood. The illuminating and heating
gas produced as above described passes through the openings D' to the flue D and
after imparting more or less of its heat to the water coils M therein and the
tubes D and E, passes to the gas mains N. From these mains the gas passes to a
condenser of the kind shown and described in the herein before mentioned former
specification In this condenser tar, benzine and its homologues, ammoniacal liquor
and other condensible bodies contained in the gas, are separated therefrom.
The bodies thus obtained from the gas as well as the gas itself may then be
further purified by any well known methods.

page_text: I, HENRY HUTCHINSON, of N° 9 Cannon Street, London in the County of
Middlesex, Metallurgical and Chemical 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for generating gas whether
for illuminating or heating purpose and has for object to construct apparatus of
simple form in such manner that solid and liquid bydrocarbons and carbonaceous
materials may be readily and effectively converted therein into illuminating gas or
into heating gas, or into gas that will answer both purposes.
Ordinarily in generating illuminating gas it is usual to submit coal or other
carbonaceous materials to destructive distillation in retorts or other vessels of
refractory material subjected to the action of externally applied heat which method
necessitates the consumption of a considerable quantity of fuel.
In apparatus according to this invention however, which apparatus is an
improvement on one of the forms of apparatus described and shown in the
Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me dated 7th June A. 1). 1883
No 2843 gas whether for illuminating or for heating or for both purposes is
generated from carbonaceous materials by the action of the heat produced within
the apparatus by the more or less complete combustion of a portion of the car-
bonaceous material or materials therein or by that of solid or liquid hydro-carbons
blown or otherwise introduced into the apparatus by means of air and steam.
By the term solid carbonaceous substances are included such substances as coals,
coal shales, bituminous shales, anthracite, albertite, brown coal, kimmeridge shale,
coal coke, charcoal, peat, wood, tan, bonès, leather cuttings, stable refuse, cinders
etc, whilst by the term solid or liquid hydrocarbons are included such substances
as tars, mineral and vegetable creosote, and anthracine oils, shale oil, paraffin and
petroleum oils, ozokerite, mineral wax, stearin, wood tar pitch etc.
In the accompanying drawing which is a vertical section of apparatus according
to this invention A is a vertical gas generator of any well known form comprising
an outer metal casing A¹ preferably of iron and an inner lining A2 of refractory
material such as fire brick. B is a hopper provided with a lid B¹ and with a
charging bell or cone B² operated by a lever or other convenient means for the
purpose of charging the generator at intervals with carbonaceous materials, without
liability to admit of escape of gas therefrom, as will be readily understood.
C. C are boilers for utilizing the waste heat of the apparatus and producing steam
for a purpose hereinafter specified. In the centre of the generator A is arranged
a vertical structure which forms an important feature of this invention and
comprises in the example illustrated three concentric tubes of cast iron, fire brick
or other refractory material serving respectively as a downward flue, a heater,
vaporiser or decomposer, and a tuyere blower or injector. D is the inner tube of
this structure conveniently formed of metal provided with a conical top D* and
with openings D2 communicating with the interior of the generator A. The tube D

page_text: serves as a downward flue for the gases generated in the said generator and is in
communication at its base with a gas main or mains N leading to gas holders not
shown in the drawing. E is the intermediate tube also conveniently of metal and
of such size with respect to tube D as to leave an annular space between the two
into which hydrocarbon in a liquid state (it may have been rendered liquid by
previous heating) are caused to pass from supply pipes O. O. Here the hydro-
carbon is heated volatilized or decomposed by the heat of the gas escaping down
the tube D. The vaporized bydrocarbon is caused to enter the body of the
generator through openings at E¹ and is there further subjected to intense heat
to ensure decomposition and the gas or gases resulting therefrom is or are caused
to mingle with and enrich that or those produced from the solid carbonaceous
materials in the generator. F is the outer tube of the central structure. It
is made of refractory material such as fire brick in which is or are formed an
annular space or a series of flues, channels or passages F¹ communicating by means
of openings F2 with the interior of the generator A or furnace proper. The outer
tube F also serves to protect the inner tubes E and D from being burnt or
injuriously heated. A series of flues channels or passages A³ are also formed in
the lining A2 of the generator A and communicates by means of the openings A¹
with the interior of the same. Through the openings F2 and A jets of air and
steam mixed or not with vapours of hydrocarbon are caused to be blown or
injected as more fully hereinafter set forth. I, I are tubes with conical ends
mounted upon the upper extremities of vertical pipes or tubes J. J. (conveniently
four in number) which serve to support the outer casing of the generator as shown.
K. K' are valves arranged within the pipes J and provided with means for
operating the same so that they may be placed in either of the positions shown
in full or dotted lines. J and J are pipes or passages connecting the pipes J with
the flues channels or passages A³ and F1 respectively and these with each other.
are hydrocarbon supply pipes in communication with the pipes J¹, J, H. H are
steam pipes each communicating at one end with the steam boilers C of any
known construction and terminating at the other end within a pipe or tube I.
HH' are steam valves for regulating the flow of steam from the pipes A. M. M are
coils of pipes containing water arranged within the flue or inner tube D for the
purpose of utilising further the heat of the gases passing away down the said
tube D. The coils M. M each communicate at one end with water supply pipes M*
which are themselves in communication with a pump or other forcing apparatus.
The other ends of the coils M. M. communicate with the water chambers M¹
which partly surround the lower end D¹ of the flue or tube D which forms
the commencement of the gas main or mains N. The chambers M¹ are in
communication with the boilers C by means of the horizontal tubes or passages M²
and vertical tubes M³ passing through the lining A³, whereby the water heated
by the waste heat of the escaping gases and heated apparatus may pass to
the said boilers for the production of steam. The tubes M³ are provided with
portions M presenting enlarged heating surfaces. S S are clinkering wheels
mounted upon hollow tubes or axles T through which air may be blown into the
furnace for supporting or aiding the combustion or decompositions taking place
therein whilst at the same time serving to keep the said tubes or axles T com-
paratively cool. The wheels S and axles T are provided with any convenient means
for rotating the same intermittently from the exterior of generator, whereby clinkers
and other refuse material may be removed at intervals from the furnace and caused
to fall into the ash-pits U provided with air-tight doors U₁. V. V are gas pipes
communicating with a gas holder or reservoir and with the interiors of the pipes J.
A5, A5, are holes formed in the generator A through which air may be admitted
when desired or the state of the combustion may be viewed. A6 Aº are plugs
valves or the like for closing these openings when desired.
L
The action of the apparatus above described is as follows: When starting the
apparatus for work a suitable quantity of solid carbonaceous substance or
substances with or without solid or liquid hydrocarbon is first charged into the

page_text: interior of the generator through the hopper B and the gas supply from the
pipes VV is turned on. This gas passes to the pillars or tubes J through
the tubes J. Ja, flues channels or passages A³ and F and openings A and F" to
the interior of the furnace where it is ignited in any convenient manner, a supply
of air to support combustion being admitted through the hollow axis T, or in any
other convenient manner. When the carbonaceous material in the generator
furnace is well ignited the gas supply may be shut off and the valves K K¹, which
should have previously occupied the positions shown in full lines to prevent escape
of gas from the tubes J should now be moved into the positions shown in dotted
lines. Jets of steam are now caused to pass from the pipes H to the tubes I
which acting after the well known manner of injectors cause air to be drawn
inward and forced through the tubes J, J, Ja flues channels or passages A³ and F¹,
openings A and F2 into the interior of the burning fuel thereby causing its active
combustion or decomposition to take place.
In lieu of air and steam air alone may be blown into the furnace by any suitable
blowing apparatus. A supply of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon may be turned on
from the pipes L L' and carried by the mixed jet of air and steam, or air alone
into the interior of the furnace. Water should now be caused to flow through the
coils M.
Liquid hydrocarbons or solid hydrocarbons previously rendered liquid by heat
should also be now caused to pass from the pipes O, O to the space between the
tubes D. E, where being subjected to the intense heat of the furnace and the heat
of the generated gases passing away down the flue D they become heated and
volatilized or more or less decomposed and pass through the openings E¹ to the
interior of the furnace. Here they become mixed with the other gases generated
from the carbonaceous materials employed and after being further acted upon by
heat pass through the openings D2 to the flue D. Any soot or liberated carbon
which may be produced by decomposition of the hydrocarbons between the tubes D
and E passes therefrom to the furnace and is utilized in the production of gas. As
the carbonaceous materials are consumed fresh supplies are to be admitted through
the hopper B so long as it is desired to continue the production of gas. By suitably
regulating the quantity of air and steam, and the quantity and kind of hydro-
carbons and carbonaceous materials employed the desired quantity and quality of
illuminating or heating gas may be obtained as will be readily understood.
The illuminating and heating gas produced as above described passes through
the openings D² to the flue D and after imparting more or less of its heat to the
water coils M therein and the tubes D and E passes to the gas mains N. From
these mains the gas passes to a condenser of the kind shown and described in the
herein before mentioned former specification. In this condenser tar, benzine, and
its homologues, ammoniacal liquor and other condensible bodies contained in the
gas, are separated therefrom.
The bodies thus obtained from the gas as well as the gas itself may then be
further purified by any well known methods.
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 for making gas, the arrangement of a passage or passages such
as D for escape of gas from the generator, and a passage or passages such as E* for
conducting hydrocarbon into the generator in such a way that the entering hydro-
carbon will be heated in the passage or passages E* on its way to the generator
by gas that is on its way by the passage or passages D from the generator to the
condenser, substantially as described.
2. In apparatus for producing gas, the use of a central passage D for escape of
gas from the generator, a passage or passages E* for the introduction of hydro-
carbon, and a passage or passages F1 with openings F2 for the introduction of air

page_text: and steam to the generator, with or without hydrocarbon, substantially as herein-
before described.
3. In apparatus for producing gas, the use in combination with a vertical gas
generator having a central structure constructed substantially as hereinbefore
described, of means for blowing or injecting air, air and steam, air and hydro-
carbons, or air steam and hydrocarbons through flues, tubes, passages or openings
formed in the inner wall or lining of the generator and in the outer wall lining or
tube of the central structure, into the interior of the furnace substantially as
herein before described for the purposes set forth.
4. The combined apparatus for producing gas and utilizing surplus heat to
generate steam constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown in the drawing.
Dated this 3rd day of October 1885.
HENRY HUTCHINSON.
W. Lloyd Wise,
Per James G. Stokes,
45, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.
Applicant's Agent.