IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF GAS AND IN THE SYSTEM AND PRODUCERS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT. to Henry Clay Bull of Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF GAS
AND IN THE SYSTEM AND PRODUCERS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Clay Bull at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th September 1883.
HENRY CLAY BULL, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE PRODUCTION OF GAS AND IN THE SYSTEM AND PRODUCERS EMPLOYED
THEREFOR."
My Invention relates to certain improvements hereinafter more particularly
mentioned and in producers to be used in the production of gas, in which
production is employed a new system, or assemblage of parts adjusted together and
working as a whole.
The essential features of my improvements are an improved furnace for
producing gas; and an improved means of heating air, to be applied to such
furnace, and cooling the gas produced; an improved means of generating and
superheating steam to be applied to such furnace, and for the production of the
gas; and an improved means of collecting and separating in a hydraulic main the
tar and aminoniacal liquor from the gas produced.
The essential features of my improved system for the production of gas are: the
assemblage in combination of a multiple producer; a steam generator and
superheater; the necessary heat for generating steam in which, is obtained by
the escaping heated gases from the producer, such gases being led away from
the producer above the steam generator through down pipes, which down pipes
are used to heat the air that is used to support combustion in the producer, such air
being supplied to the producer by a forcod blast of steain taken from the
superheater and carrying the heated air through passages in the fire places of the
producer, so that it enters the bottom of the producer in a highly heated state in
combination with the superheated steam. The system also embraces the use of

page_text: water cooled fire grates, (such water serving for the feed water of the steam
generator) and the leading of the produced gases into a hydraulic nain in which
the tar and ammoniacal liquors are as far as possible separated from the gas and
collected. The gas therefore being produced in a cool state and purer through
being relieved of the tar and ammoniacal liquor than is the case from ordinary gas
producers.
The following is an example of a gas producer and accessory appliances according
to my Invention by which I carry out the system above described. The apparatus
consists of a cylindrical outer casing, having a flat bottom and a dome top. The lower
portion of the casing is lined with fire brick and forms the producer, and is divided
into radial sections by vertical fire brick walls. These sections are constructed to
hold a considerable depth of fuel, say about five feet and form the multiple
producer and each section is provided with a water fire grate hereafter described
and closed ashpit doors. Each section is provided with a feeding shoot, which is fitted
with a valve, or door opening into the section and a closing lid. In the casing and
immediately over the multiple producer I place a steam and air injector apparatus,
such as, a "Korting Injector," the air suction of which is taken from the hot air
chamber hereafter spoken of, and the delivery, or blast of which is delivered
through flues, or passages, which are formed in the walls of the multiple producer
into the ashpits of the producer the steam is supplied from the steam generator to
the injector so as to give a forced blast of steam and air in each section of the
producer. In the casing and over this injector apparatus, I provide a cylindrical
tube filled vessel of smaller diameter than the casing. This vessel is fitted with
an internal division plate, dividing the vessel into a steam generator and a
superheater. Outside of the casing, I provide four, more, or less vertical cylindrical
water vessels having spherical ends, which extend slightly below and above the
tube filled vessel. These side vessels are each conuected by two branches with the
steam generator, and are each connected by a branch with the top of the super
heater, thus the steam generator and super heater and side vessels form a connected
apparatus for producing steam by the heated gases from the producer passing
through the tubes in the vessel, water being contained in the tube filled vessel to
within a short distance of the division plate and at the same level in the side vessels
and circulating from the side vessels through the tube filled vessel, back to the side
vessels. The steam generator being of smaller diameter than the casing, there is
loft an aunular chamber between the shell of the steam generator and the casing.
This annular chamber is carried up slightly above the superheater of the generator
by a plate which forms a cover to the chamber and the chamber is carried down
below the steam generator by a plate which forms the bottom of the chamber.
This chamber is practically a hot air chamber and communicates with the air
supply pipes of the injector apparatus before spoken of. Circumferentially round
the casing and opening into the dome top of the casing just above the superheater,
I provide a series of down pipes preferably of twin, or breeches construction.
These pipes are grouped in sections circumferentially round the casing between the
water supply vessels of the steam generator, and each group of pipes is surrounded
by a casing joining onto the main casing, so that each group of pipes is continued
in a chainber. The upper portion of these chambers communicate with the annular
hot air chamber before spoken of and the chambers are provided with openings, or
apertures at their lower ends through which air gains access to the chambers, so
that the air which is to supply the forced blast to the producers, passes up through
these casings round the downpipes and into the annular hot air chamber and
thence to the injector apparatus. The air in its passage being heated by contact
with the down pipes through which the hot gases from the producer are passing.
The lower ends of the down pipes lead into an hydraulic main, which encircles the
producer and serves to relieve the gases of the tar and ammoniacal liquor. If the
ga-es are required to be further cleaned, they can be led to a scrubber, or washer
such as used in ordinary gas works, or the gases, if required can be used direct from
the hydraulic main,

page_text: I have before mentioned that each section, or fire place is provided with a water
fire grate.
This fire grate, according to my Invention consists of a casting
comprising a series of return tubular fire bars, leading from and returning into a
front hollow bearer and supported by a bearer at the back. One side of the front
bearer has an inlet branch and the other side an outlet branch. These branches
are bevelled, so as to take into female bevel branches, or pipes, fitted at each side
of the fire place and being respectively the water supply and outlet branches.
The bearer is kept up to these branches by forked links, which embrace the ends
of the bearer, each link being provided with a screw, which holds the bearer up to
the branches. By undoing the screws which hold the front bearer to the inlet and
ontlet pipes, the whole fire grate can be removed bodily through the ashpit doors
for cleaning and clinkering
In working the producer before described, I proceed as follows. I charge the
different sections of the producer in rotation so that when the fuel in one section is
getting low, I charge such section with fresh fuel, the adjacent sections being in.
full heat, the heat from such sections expels the volatile gases from the fresh fuel,
in the newly charged section and makes a strong gas very low in nitrogen
assimilating to gas produced in a closed retort.
The essential features of a gas producer according to my Invention, as above
described may be thus summarized namely, I obtain a producer that will produce
gas with a very high per centage of combustible properties; the first feature is the
producer being constructed in multiple, and being charged at different intervals
with fresh fuel, expels the volatile gases of the fuel from such fuel, making a very
strong gas. Another feature is the depth of fuel carried which reduces almost
entirely the carbonic acid formed at the grate to carbonic oxide.-Another feature
is the use of highly heated steam and air under the grate, which high temperature
of the steam and air tends to cause a ready decomposition of the steam in the
furnace with a small per centage of air, without reducing the temperature of the
producer below the gas producing point.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Clay Bull in the Patent Office on the 29th March 1884.
HENRY CLAY BULL, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE PRODUCTION OF GAS AND IN THE SYSTEM AND PRODUCERS EMPLOYED
THEREFOR
My Invention relates to certain improvements herein after more particularly
mentioned and in producers to be used in the production of gas in which production
is employed a new system, or assemblage of parts adjusted together and working
as a whole.
The essential features of my improvements are an improved furnace for producing
gas; and an improved means of heating air to be applied to such furnace and
cooling the gas produced; an improved means of generating and superheating
steam to be applied to such furnace and for the production of the gas, and an
improved means of collecting and separating in a hydraulic main the tar and
ammoniacal liquor from the gas produced.
The essential features of my improved system for the production of gas are the
assemblage in combination of a multiple producer a steam generator and superheater,
the necessary heat for gencrating steam in which is obtained by the escaping
heated gases from the producer, such gases being led away from the producer,
above the steam generator, through down pipes, which down pipes are used to heat
the air that is used to support combustion in the producer, such air being supplied
to the producer by a forced blast of steam taken from the superheater and
carrying the heated air through passages in the fire places of the producer, so that
it enters the bottom of the producer in a highly heated state in combination with
the superheated steam. The system also embraces the use of water cooled fire
grates such water serving for the feed water of the steam generator; and the
leading of the produced gases into a hydraulic main in which the tar and
ammoniacal liquors are as far as possible separated from the gas and collected.
The gas therefore being produced in a cool state and purer through being relieved
of the tar and ammoniacal liquor than is the case from ordinary gas producers.
The following is an example of a gas producer and accessory appliances according
to my Invention by which I carry out the system above described. The apparatus
consists of a cylindrical outer casing having a flat bottom and a dome top. The
lower portion of the casing is lined with fire brick and forms the producer and is
divided into radial sections by vertical fire brick walls. These sections are
constructed to hold a considerable depth of fuel say about five feet and form the
multiple producer and each section is provided with a water fire grate hereafter
described and closed ashpit doors. Each section is provided with a feeding shoot
which is fitted with a valve, or door opening into the section and a closing lid
In the casing and immediately over the multiple producer I place a steam and air
injector apparatus such as a Korting Injector, the air suction of which is taken
from the hot air chamber hereafter spoken of and the delivery, or blast of which is
delivered through flues, or passages which are formed in the walls of the multiple
producer the steam is supplied from the steam generator to the injector into the
ashpits of the producer so as to give a forced blast of steam and air in each section
of the producer. In the casing and over this Injector apparatus, I provide a
cylindrical tube filled vessel of smaller diameter than the casing. This vessel is
fitted with an internal division plate dividing the vessel into a steam generator
and a superheater. Outside of the casing I provide four, or more, or less vertical
cylindrical water vessels having spherical ends which extend slightly below and

page_text: above the tube filled vessel. These side vessels are each connected by two branches
with the steam generator and are each connected by a branch with the top of the
superheater, thus the steam generator and superheater and side vessels form a
connected apparatus for producing steam by the heated gases from the producer
passing through the tubes in the vessel, water being contained in the tube filled
vessel to within a short distance of the division plate and at the same level in the
side vessels and circulating from the side vessels through the tube filled vessel back
to the side vessels. The steam generator being of smaller diameter than the casing
thero is left an annular chamber between the shell of the steam generator and the
casing. This annular chamber is carried up slightly above the superheater of the
generator by a plate which forms a cover to the chamber, and the chamber is
carried down below the steam generator by a plate which forms the bottom of the
chamber. This chamber is practically a hot air chamber and communicates with
the air supply pipes of the injector apparatus before spoken of. Circumferentially
round the casing and opening into the dome top of the casing just above the
superheater, I provide a series of down pipes, preferably of twin, or breeches
construction. These pipes are grouped in sections circumferentially round the
casing between the water supply vessels of the steam generator and each group of
pipes is surrounded by a casing joining on to the main casing, so that each group
of pipes is contained in a chamber. The upper portion of these chambers
communicate with the annular hot air chamber before spoken of and the chambers
are provided with openings, or apertures at their lower ends, through which air
gains access to the chambers, so that the air which is to supply the forced blast to
the producers, passes up through these casings round the down pipes and into the
annular hot air chamber and thence to the injector apparatus. The air in its
passage being heated by contact with the down pipes through which the hot gases
from the producer are passing. The lower ends of the down pipes lead into a
hydraulic main which encircles the producer and serves to relieve the gases of the
tar and ammoniacal liquor. If the gases are required to be further cleaned, they
can be led to a scrubber, or washer such as used in ordinary gas works, or the
gases, if required, can be used direct from the hydraulic main.
I have before mentioned that each section, or fire place is provided with a water
fire grate. This fire grate according to my Invention consists of a casting
comprising a series of return tubular fire bars leading from and returning into a
front hollow bearer and supported by a bearer at the back. One side of the front
bearer has an inlet branch and the other side an outlet branch. These branches are
bevelled so as to take into female bevel branches, or pipes fitted at each side of the
fire place and being respectively the water supply and outlet branches. The bearer
is kept up to these branches by forked links, which embrace embrace the ends of
the bearer, each link being provided with a screw which holds the bearer up to the
branches. By undoing the screws which hold the front bearer to the inlet and
outlet pipes, the whole fire grate can be removed bodily through the ashpit doors
for cleaning and clinkering.
In working the producer before described, I proceed as follows: I charge the
different sections of the producer in rotation, so that when the fuel in one section is
getting low, I charge such section with fresh fuel, the adjacent sections being in
full heat, the heat from such sections expels the volatile gases from the fresh fuel in
the newly charged section and makes a strong gas very low in nitrogen assimilating
to gas produced in a closed retort.
The essential features of a gas producer according to my Invention as above
described may be thus summarized, namely I obtain a producer that will produce
gas with a very high per centage of combustible properties; the first feature is the
producer being constructed in multiple and being charged at different intervals
with fresh fuel expels the volatile gases of the fuel from such fuel, making a very
strong gas. Another feature is the depth of fuel carried, which reduces almost
entirely the carbonic acid formed at the grate to carbonic oxide. Another feature
is the use of highly heated steam and air under the grate which high temperature

page_text: -
of the steam and air tends to cause a ready decomposition of the steam in the
furnace with a small per centage of air without reducing the temperature of the
producer below the gas producing, point.
The beforegoing being the nature, object and purposes of my Invention I will
now proceed to describe more in detail how the same may be carried out into
practical effect and for that purpose, I have hereunto attached two sheets of
Drawings which are marked with figures and letters of reference corresponding with
those in the following explanation, like letters and figures being used to denote like
parts throughout the various figures.
The following is an example of a gas producer and accessory appliances
according to this Invention, by which the system above described may be
carried out.
Figure 1 is an elevation of an apparatus constructed according to this Invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional plan through X X Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus constructed according to this
Invention.
Figure 4 is a sectional plan through Y Y Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional plan through Z Z Figure 3.
Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional plan of the fire grate.
Figure 7 is an elevation of the fire grate coupling and connection.
The apparatus consists of a cylindrical outer casing A having a flat bottom A¹
and a dome top A². The lower portion of the casing A is lined with fire brick A³
and forms the producer B and is divided into four radial sections by the vertical
fire brick walls B₁. The sections B B B B thus form the multiple producer and
are constructed to hold a considerable depth of fuel say about five feet. Each
section B is provided with a water fire grate C hereafter described and closed
ashpit doors D. Each section B is provided with a feeding shoot E which is
fitted with a valve, or door E' opening into the section B and with a closing lid E².
In the casing A and immediafely over the multiple producer B there is placed a
steam and air injector apparatus F such as a Korting Injector, the air suction of
which is taken from the hot air chamber G hereafter described and the delivery, or
blast of which is delivered through the flues, or passages which are formed in the
walls B of the multiple producer B. The steam is supplied from the steam
generator H hereafter described through the pipe to the injector F and thence
through the passages into the ash pits of the producer so as to give a forced
blast of steam and air in each section. The steam generator H is tube filled and is
divided by a diaphragın h¹ into two parts the lower portion is water filled and the
upper portion serves as a steam superheater There are provided four side water
vessels and they are each connected to the boiler by three branches h³ h³ h³.
Water is contained in the boiler and side vessels to within a short distance of tho
diaphragm The hot air which is supplied to the injector F is heated by the
down pipes I, these down pipes receiving their heat from the hot gases which pass
through them and are enclosed in the jacket J. The air enters the jacket J at the
bottom and passes into the hot air chamber G at the top, from thence it passes
into the injector F by the pipes G' and is delivered together with steam under the
grate C both steam and air having been further heated in their passage down the
ways b. The gases evolved in the producers B are led to the hydraulic main K
where they arrive comparatively cool, the heat having been absorbed on their
passage by the hot air chamber G, pipes G¹ steam generator H and down pipes I.
The hydraulic main K serves to relieve the gases of the tar and ammoniacal
liquors. If the gases are required to be further cleaned, they can be led to a
scrubber, or washer, such as used in ordinary gas works, or the gases if required can
be used direct from the hydraulic main.
The firegrate C is of tubular construction and is attached to the producer by
the couplings C2 C3 which connect the grate C to the supply and outlet pipes C¹ C¹
as shown at Figures 6 and 7

page_text: In commencing operation the multiple producer. B is supplied with fuel, the
ashpit doors D are left open and the fuel is burnt as in an ordinary furnace until
steam is generated in the generator H. The multiple producer B is then charged
with fuel the ashpit doors D are closed and steam and heated air are blown in
under the fire grate C by the injector F. In further operation the different sections
of the multiple producer B are charged in rotation so that when the fuel is getting
low in one section, such section is recharged with fresh fuel. The gases as produced
pass up from the producer B through the tubes of the steam generator HI and down
through the pipes I into the hydraulic main K from whence they are drawn off
The air drawn in by the injector F is heated by surface contact with the
pipes I and in the chamber G and the delivery of the steam and air from the
injector F is superheated in its passage. through the passages in the walls of the
producer.
for use.
The improved manufacture is founded upon the following fact; that in order to
produce a gas with a high per centage of combustible properties from water, it
inust contain a small per centage of nitrogen. That this may be accomplished, the
producer is so constructed as to carry a great depth of fuel and the carbonic acid
formed at the bottom of the fuel by air and steam being forced up through such
fuel is almost entirely converted into carbonic oxide at the top of the fuel. The
steam and air employed to make the gas together with the air employed to support
combustion are highly heated by bringing the air and steam employed over the
surfaces heated by the hot gases produced before passing up through the fuel
which tends to cause a ready decomposition of the steam (whilst passing through
the incandescent fuel) with a small per centage of air and without reducing the
temperature of the producer below the gas producing point. The producer being
constructed in multiple and with partition walls and being charged seriatim the
volatile gases of the coal in every fresh charge are expelled by the heat of such
walls and are so preserved; and thus enrich the gas; and all the above features go
to help to make a combined air and water gas having a high per centage of
combustible properties.
Figure 8 is an elevation showing an apparatus according to my Invention
arranged as a single producer.
.
Figure 9 is a sectional plan through X X Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a sectional plan through Y Y Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a sectional plan through Z Z Figure 10.
Figures 13. 14 and 15 are details of the charging door
Figures 16 and 17 are details of the tubes of the steam generator.
The apparatus illustrated at Figures S. 9. 10 and 11 show a small, or single
producer, but the elements of which are contained in the apparatus shown at
Figures 1 to 5. In this case the producer B is a single one and is constructed to
hold a considerable depth of fuel. The fire grate C is constructed with solid fire
bars and the steam generator H is constructed with "Field" tubes and the water
vessels H' are omitted. In other respects this apparatus is of similar construction
and embraces the same features as the apparatus shown at Figures 1 to 5
inclusive.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim
First In a gas producing apparatus the combination of a producer B injector F
passages bair chamber G, steam generator H pipes I jacket J and hydraulic
main K, whereby the heat of the gases produced is utilized to generate steam and
super heat such steam with air, such steam and air being used in the production of
the gases and for supporting combustion of the fuel and a gas low in nitrogen is
produced substantially as herein set forth.
Second In a gas producing apparatus as herein described the combination of a
multiple producer B B B B whereby the volatile gases are expelled and preserved
substantially as herein set forth.

page_text: Third The construction and arrangement of apparatus for producing gas as
herein described and shown at Figures 1 to 7 inclusive of the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Fourth The construction and arrangement of apparatus for producing gas as
herein described and shown at Figures 9 to 12 inclusive of the Drawings hereto
annexed.
In Witness whereof, I, the said Henry Clay Bull have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty four.