An Improved Process and Apparatus for Purifying Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1896-Accepted, 11th July, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process and Apparatus for Purifying Acetylene Gas.
I, EMILE FRANÇOIS JEAN CLEMENT BAUWERAERTS of 15 Rue du Singe, Brussels,
in the Kingdom of Belgium, Inventor, 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 :-
Acetylene gas generated in my improved apparatus-which forms the subject
matter of another application for Letters Patent-or by any other process in which'
carbide of calcium and water are employed, contains impurities which not only
reduce the illuminating power of the light but also produce smoke and give out a
disagreeable odour.
Acetylene gas contains in varying proportions, according to the method of
producing the carbide of calcium impurities such as ammonia, carbonic oxide,
hydrogen, sulphuretted hydrogen, arseniuretted hydrogen, carburetted hydrogen.
These various impurities have in addition to the before mentioned objections the
drawback of producing with the greater part of the ordinary metals, certain.
compounds or combinations several of which are of an explosive nature.
The object of this invention is to overcome these objections, and it consists of a
process and an apparatus for purifying acetylene gas by which it is rendered
absolutely pure, and consequently, quite innocuous, whilst the gas has imparted to
it at the same time the maximum of illuminating power. As this. is effected.
without the necessity of maintaining a low temperature during the manufacture of
the gas the cost of production is materially reduced.
Acetylene gas purified by my process may be liquefied by means of an ordinary
compressing pump without the least loss.
My purifying process consists:-First in cooling the acetylene gas and in absorbing
the impurities thereof by means of a suitable absorbing agent such as caustic lime,
or lime hydrate saturated with sulphate of iron and mixed with sawdust. Secondly
in passing the gas through water which has been acidulated with 50% of hydro-
chloric, nitric, acetic, citric, or, salicylic acid, for the purpose of removing the
ammonia from the gas. Thirdly in removing the acidity of the gas by means of
a suitable absorbent such as caustic soda or potash, and fourthly in drying the gas
in a.suitable material such as sawdust, bran or. other absorbent material.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates my improved apparatus ;
Figure 1 is a view of an apparatus for operating on an industrial scale, and
Figure 2 is a view of an apparatus suitable for private use where liquefaction of the
gas is not necessary.
In both views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
Referring to Figure 1 the vessel or basin G contains a suitable mixture of materials
such as caustic lime or lime hydrate saturated with sulphate of iron with sawdust for
absorbing the heat and the impurities of the gas. A pipe I having a pointed outlet
supplies the acetylene gas at its temperature of production, and injects it into the
purifying materials.
The gas, cooled and partly purified, passes by the pipe 2 into the bottom of the
vessel H containing water acidulated with hydrochloric, nitric, acetic, citric, or
salicylic acid, which removes the ammonia from the gas. Then the gas passes by the
pipe 3 into the vessel J that contains a suitable absorbing material such as caustic
potash or caustic soda. The gas now freed from its acidity and from its impurities,
passes by the pipe 4 into the vessel K wherein it is completely dried by means of a

page_text: suitable absorbent such as sawdust, bran or the like. The pipe 5 conveys the pure
acetylene gas, either to a gasholder, or to liquefying apparatus.
The various parts of the purifying apparatus are enclosed in a basin or trough filled
with cold water which maintains them at a normal temperature.
Referring to Figure 2 the gas is led from the generator through the pipe 6 into
the compartment L of the purifying apparatus. This compartment contains water
acidulated with hydrochloric, nitric, acetic, citric or salicylic acid. After the gas has
passed through the acidulated water it flows through the tubular connection m into
the compartment M that contains a suitable absorbent such as caustic soda or potash,
and sawdust, bran or the like.
The pure acetylene gas passes out through the pipe 7 to, the burners. The
apparatus is provided with a tubular connection or union n for the purpose of
introducing the materials.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my, said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
(1) A process for purifying-acetylene gas so as to allow of its complete liquefaction
without previous refrigeration, characterized by the use, successively of first a suitable
mixture such as caustic lime or lime hydrate saturated with sulphate of iron and
mixed with sawdust, bran or the like for absorbing the heat and the impurities of the
gas, secondly of water acidulated with hydrochloric, nitric, acetic, citric, or salicylic
acid, thirdly of a suitable absorbent such as caustic soda or potash; and fourthly of
sawdust, bran or other suitable absorbent material.
(2.) A modification of the process specified in Claim 1, when liquefaction of the gas
is not necessary, characterized by the use, successively, of water acidulated with
hydrochloric, nitric, acetic, citric, or salicylic acid, and of a suitable absorbent such as!
caustic soda or potash mixed with sulphate of iron and with sawdust, bran or other
suitable absorbent material.
(3) An apparatus for purifying acetylene" gas for industrial purposes consisting
essentially of the vessels G, H, J, K, connected together by means of pipes 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5, all arranged in a trough adapted to contain water, substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
(4.) An apparatus for purifying acetylene gas when liquefaction of the gas is not
necessary consisting essentially of two compartments L, M, connected to each other
by means of a tubular connection or union m, and provided with pipes 6, 7, and with'
a tubular connection or union n, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore.
described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 23rd day of M 1000
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.