IMPROVEMENTS IN THE Purifi- CATION OF COAL GAS USED FOR ILLUMINATING PURPOSES AND FOR MECHANICAL PURPOSES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Spencer, Civil Engineer, of 77, Cannon
Street, London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE Purifi-
CATION OF COAL GAS USED FOR ILLUMINATING PURPOSES AND FOR MECHANICAL
PURPOSES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR." A communication from
abroad by Edward White, of 176, Lexington Avenue, New York,
United States of America.
Sealed the 24th December 1872, and dated the 30th August 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Spencer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th August 1872.
I, GEORGE SPENCER, Civil Engineer, of 77, Cannon Street, London,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS USED FOR ILLUMINATING PURPOSES AND FOR ME-
CHANICAL PURPOSES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR,' a communication from
Edward White, of 176, Lexington Avenue, New York, United States of
America, to be as follows:-
-
"

page_text: mode of rendering gas made from bituminous coals and similar sub-
stances to its proper condition by friction, thereby securing greater
economy in the purification; also, to have it retain all the illuminating
ingredients without the use of water in washing, which ever has had a
tendency to extract from the gas the volatile and light hydrocarbons,
thereby injuring its illuminating power.
The nature of my discovery or Invention consists in the introduction
of mechanical appliances into a series of pipes, as set forth, reference
being had to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters of reference
marked thereon, making a part of this Specification. To enable others
skilled in the art to make and use my discovery and Invention, I will
proceed to describe its construction and operation.

page_text: plates I. These plates are held in their places by small projections or
brackets cast on the inside of the pipes F, also in three or four lengths,
so as to be easily taken out for any repairs that may be necessary.
Fourth. The covers J are made of corrugated iron, and are fitted into
a cup K, filled with water of a given depth to correspond with the seals,
syphons, and cups of the purifiers, etc., and are held in their positions
by a strap hinge fastened with a pin, and are adjustable, so they can be
removed to clear any obstructions that may in time occur.
Fifth. The gas, after passing between the lattice work G, is divided
into separate volumes by the corrugated plates I, and rising in the
pipe F to the top, is carried across to the opposite pipe F by the covers J,
and enters it and descends to the tar well D. It then moves forward on
this same side until it comes in contact with a corresponding plate E,
which causes it to enter the pipe F, and passes between a similar lattice
work G and corrugated plates I, ascends to the next cover J, by which
it is brought across to the opposite pipe F, and again descends to the tar
well D, and so on alternately until it passes through the whole of the
condenser into the main L, and is conducted to the purifier.
Sixth. The lattice work G is secured in a framework 6, which is bolted
to the bonnet d, and slides into the pipes F upon projections or grooves
cast on the inside of the pipes F, and is further supported by a horizontal
reversing bar h, which projects through the stuffing box e so as to receive
the handle H, by which it is moved to the desired position to secure the
amount of friction necessary upon any volume of gas that may be
passing, which is determined by the graduated arc f upon the bonnet d
and the pressure gauges M attached to the inlet and outlet of the
condenser.
Seventh. The inner end of the horizontal bar h is provided with a
double arm i, which engages with the upper and lower tier of slats G
by means of parallel bars c, secured to the pins which rotate the slats G.
The lattice work G is secured to the framework b, that is bolted to the
bonnet d, which is fastened by tap bolts to the vertical pipes F, and is
easily removed for any repairs or cleaning that may be needed by
opening the valves O and shutting off the gas from the condenser by the
valves N, and passing it through the by-pass P, as shown in the plan,
Fig. 3.
It is also located at the base of the pipes F, in which the gas
ascends, which is alternately on each side of the condenser. The cor-

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Spencer in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 21st February 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
SPENCER, Civil Engineer, of 77, Cannon Street, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said George Spencer, Her special licence
that I, the said George Spencer, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said George Spencer, 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 PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS USED FOR ILLUMINATING PURPOSES AND FOR MECHA-
NICAL PURPOSES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR,” a communication to me from
abroad by Edward White, of 176, Lexington Avenue, New York, United
States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
George Spencer, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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 immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Spencer, 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 :-
A new and improved mode of rendering gas made from bituminous
coals and similar substances to its proper condition by friction, thereby
securing greater economy in the purification; also, to have it retain all
the illuminating ingredients without the use of water in washing, which

page_text: Fourth. The covers J are made of corrugated iron, and are fitted into
a cup K, filled with water of a given depth to correspond with the seals,
syphons, and cups of the purifiers, and are held in their position by a
strap hinge fastened with a pin, and are adjustable, so they can be
removed to clear any obstructions that may in time occur.
Fifth. The gas, after passing between the lattice work G, is divided
into separate volumes by the corrugated plates I, and rising in the
pipe F to the top, is carried across to the opposite pipe F by the covers J,
and enters it and descends to the tar well D. It then moves forward on
this same side until it comes in contact with a corresponding plate E,
which causes it to enter the pipe F, and passes between a similar lattice
work G and corrugated plates I, ascends to the next cover J, by which
it is brought across to the opposite pipe F, and again descends to the tar
well D, and so on alternately until it passes through the whole of the
condenser into the, main L, and is conducted to the purifier.
Sixth. The lattice work G is secured in a framework b, which is bolted
to the bonnet d, and slides into the pipes F upon projections or grooves
cast on the inside of the pipes F, and is further supported by a horizontal
reversing bar h, which projects through the stuffing box e so as to receive
the handle H, by which it is moved to the desired position to secure the
amount of friction necessary upon any volume of gas that may be
passing, which is determined by the graduated arc f upon the bonnet d
and the pressure gauges M attached to the inlet and outlet of the
condenser.
'
Seventh. The inner end of the horizontal bar h is provided with a
double arm i, which engages with the upper and lower tier of slats G
by means of parallel bars c, secured to the pins which rotate the slats G.
The lattice work G is secured to the framework b that is bolted to the
bonnet d, which is fastened by the tap bolts to the vertical pipes F, and is
easily removed for any repairs or cleaning that may be needed by
opening the valves O and shutting off the gas from the condenser by the
valves N, and passing it through the by-pass P, as shown in the plan,
Fig. 3. It is also located at the base of the pipes F, in which the gas
ascends, which is alternately on each side of the condenser. The cor-
rugated lattice work G or slats have upon their ends a journal or pin, ..
which works in a loose socket and are moved by the action of the
parallel bars c, above described. The base of the pipes F are enlarged
"

page_text: in proportion to the room occupied by the lattice work G, so that their
area is maintained. The sections of the corrugated plates I in the
pipes F are placed alternately over the intermediate space of the section
below in order to divide the volume of gas into separate columns, thus
distributing and securing greater amount of friction, and are supported
in their position by small brackets cast on the inside of the pipes F,
which form grooves to receive a corresponding projection upon their
ends.
+
Eighth. It is claimed that the friction' introduced is so arranged
that the same condenser is applicable to any volume of gas from fifty
thousand to five million cubic feet, more or less, per day, and will arrest
all of the tar existing in the volume of gas without the use of water, and
at the same time send forward the gas in a better condition, with all its
volatile and light hydrocarbons, thereby increasing its quantity and also
improving its illuminating power.
Ninth. In the above description and in the Drawings corrugated plates
are shown for producing the friction in the condensers or scrubbers,
which form of plates I prefer, but plain plates may be used instead in
the same manner, which, as well as the corrugated plates, may be placed
in a vertical, diagonal, or horizontal position, leaving space for the
passage of the gas; or a series of louvre plates in suitable frames may be
used, the object being to pass the gas over dry surfaces and to dispense
with the use of water, as in the present plans in use.
What I claim as my Invention and desire to secure by Letters
Patent,―
First. Is the application of hydraulic seals to the gas, which is divided
into several volumes by the branch at the entrance of the condenser or
scrubber.
Second. The adjustable lattice work and appliances.
Third. The corrugated or other plates dividing the vertical pipes into
compartments; also, the corrugated covers, as herein described and sub-
stantially set forth in the Specification and Drawings.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it
particularly understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details
or proportions herein mentioned so long as the peculiar character of

page_text: either part of my said Invention be retained, as herein set forth; but
what I claim is, the manner of treating illuminating gas to be used for
illuminating or mechanical purposes, as herein described and set forth,
for the various purposes mentioned.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Spencer, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
GEORGE SPENCER. (L.s.)