Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 17th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 18th July, 1896
A communication from CARL DELLWIK, of Liljeholmen, Stockholm, in the
Kingdom of Sweden, Engineer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The present invention relates to a process and to apparatus for carrying the
same into effect, for the production of the so-called " water-gas," consisting
essentially of hydrogen and carbonic oxide, which gases are generated by the
action of steam on glowing fuel.
In particular, the new process relates to the production of such gases from
bituminous coal, or other fuel such e.g. as brown-coal, peat, or wood, containing
considerable quantities of perishable or volatile substances.
The apparatus is composed of a gas-tight jacket or shell, lined with refractory
material.
It comprises a generator, properly so called, and a coking chamber, communi-
cating directly with the generator, also chambers proportionately of considerable
size, filled with brick masses or checkerwork, intended to retain and store up the
heat, a combustion-chamber, communicates with the generator by conduits. The
apparatus has a chimney which can be temporarily closed by means of a flap-valve.
The generator is fitted with doors, for the removal of ashes and cinder.
The upper part of the generator is accessible by means of a door, or in a
modification, it is the upper part, or coking chamber which is made accessible by
means of doors at top and bottom.
The fuel is introduced into the generator through the top door; and in the lower
part of the same is the air-inlet pipe, while the air-outlet pipe is provided in its
upper portion; and from the latter pipe the air is conducted by branch-tubes into
the combustion-chamber.
The water-gas outlet-openings are .at top middle and bottom of the apparatus.
The steam inlets are at about the middle and bottom, and a pipe is provided
for the admission of oil: All these openings can be closed by suitable .cocks or
valves.
The fire and fuel are situated in the lower portion of the generator, where: they,
are advantageously supported by a grate.
After the fire has been set fairly burning, the generator and the coking or
carbonising chamber are charged with coke.
Thereupon, fresh air is allowed free admission through the bottom.air-opening
until the coke in the bottom part of the generator is completely incandescent. The
air can either be forced 'in, or drawn in through the same opening by an exhaust-
fan or blower acting on the chimney..
As soon as the gas thereby generated is hot enough to take fire with air, the air
is again admitted through the middle pipe, to set fire to it.
.
The combustion-products thus evolved pass through the space encircling the
coking-chamber and with the aid of the brickwork in that space, heat it to an
extremely high temperature.
In the modification, the combustion products. pass first through the coking-
chamber, and then through the brick-charged space, which in this case lies
on the slant beneath the floor of the coking-chamber which slopes also. In both

page_text: cases, however, the gases escape, through the chimney and flap-valve, from the
apparatus.
As soon as the coking-chamber is sufficiently heated, the combustible material,
such as e.g. bituminous coal, is charged into the coking-chamber through the
opening therein, and this chamber is again filled; whereas previously, in con-
sequence of the combustion taking place in the generator the coke in the
coking-chamber had gone down; while, in the modified arrangement, this fresh
charge is simply scattered in a thin layer over the inclined sole of the coking
chamber.
Under the influence of the heat to which the coking chamber is exposed, the
charge rapidly gives up all its volatile matter, and is carbonised, i.e. changes into
a mass of coke, which can be heated to a high temperature... In proportion as the
coke in the generator is consumed,-the-coked charge runs down, so that the
generator is constantly full. From time to time fresh fuel is introduced through
the top door, and is gradually coked and sinks down into the generator.
In the preferred form of the apparatus the combustible gas and tarry vapours
given off in the coking-chamber pass to the lower part of the same and mingle
there with the generator-gases ascending from the generator through the passages
or conduits aforesaid into the combustion chamber, where they take light and burn,.
contributing thereby to the heating of the brick-filled chamber.
In the modification the gases evolved in the coking-chamber mingle with the
combustion-products of the generator and are kindled and burnt by the in-coming
air from the air-jets. The combustion-products are carried away, beneath the sole
of the coking-chamber, which they heat, thus preventing the adherence of the coal
to the sole, and finally escape through the chimney.
:
When the combustible in the generator is thoroughly incandescent, the chimney-
closing valve and the air inlet pipes are closed, while the gas outlet pipes, and the
steam-admission-pipes, are respectively opened. The in-coming steam is thus
brought into contact with the incandescent coke and is decomposed into its
constituent elements hydrogen and oxygen whereof the latter, combines with the
carbon of the glowing coke to form carbonic-oxide. To this mixed gas,
cousisting of hydrogen and carbonic oxide, known shortly as
66 watergas," is added
a certain proportion of coal-gas and tar-vapours, given off in the combustion
chamber during the continuous dry-distillation process; the latter being effected
by the heat stored up in the brick checker-work aforesaid.
The steam gradually cools down the combustion in the generator until the
temperature is below the point of watergas generation. Then the steam-
admission is cut off and the gas outlet-pipe closed; and thereupon the chimney-
closing valve is opened, and the air-admission inlets also, to admit fresh air for
combustion.
;
In this manner, the entire process is alternating and intermittent.
As is well-known, many combustibles expand during the coking-process,
wherefore the form given to the coking-chamber bas a cross-section increasing
in area from its upper to its lower part. In apparatus of large size two or
more coking-chambers or retorts are arranged, as these cannot practically be made
of larger size, in cross-section, than will permit the thorough concentration of the
heat.
1
Although this apparatus is intended for the gasifying of bituminous fuels, it is
evident that, in both the above-described forms, it would be suitable for application
to the generation of watergas from other materials, such as coke or anthracite, in
which cases the coking-chambers serve, preliminarily, to heat the fuel thoroughly,
and so to facilitate the subsequent gas-production.
In the forms of apparatus here. illustrated there are still a few details needing
case, which, though not essentially indispensable to the invention, are yet of some
importance in its practical working.
"
The ashpit is of circular section, horizontally. Just above the grate, the
diameter of the generator is considerably enlarged, and in this part the brick-

page_text: work is gathered in by steps to a sectional area only slightly larger than the
grate.
The object of this arrangement is that the molten or semi-solid slag, which runs
down the walls of the generator, should thereby be prevented from adhering to the
walls, and compelled to deposit itself lightly on the grate, whence it can readily be
removed. Inasmuch as the grate is thus of smaller diameter than the narrowest
opening between the generator walls, the air is necessarily forced through the
heart of the combustibles, whereas, otherwise, it would stream along the generator-
walls; whereby, indeed the greatest heat would be concentrated against the
fire-brick lining, which might easily suffer therefrom.
Besides the gas-outlet and the steam-admission inlet other openings are also
provided for the same purpose, so that occasionally the process can be carried on
with the aid of these supplementary openings, so that any overheating of the lower
part of the generator may be avoided, while simultaneously, by the influence of
the live force of the steam-jet the cinder may be made brittle, and hence easily
removable.
The third gas-outlet and the oil-inlet pipe are used for the production of
illuminating gas.
In this case steam and oil are injected.
The oil-vapours thus evolved are mixed with the water-gas and changed by
contact with the superheated brick-masses into fixed hydro-carbon gases which
impart a greater illuminating power to the burning watergas.
The sloping floor in the modified apparatus is so arranged that the layer of coal
upon the sole is not piled up too high, but, owing to its own weight, constantly
slips downwards towards the generator so that, between the roof of the chamber
and the surface of the fuel, there may always be enough room remaining to allow
of the passage and removal of the gases generated in the generator.
Dated this 18th day of July 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
A communication from CARL DELLWIK, of Liljeholmen, Stockholm, in the
Kingdom of Sweden, Engineer.
1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT formerly of 323 High Holborn in the County of
Middlesex, but now of 111 Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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:—
The object of the present invention is a new process and apparatus for the
manufacture of so-called water gas. The manufacture of water gas is, as is well
known, effected by passing steam through a bed of highly-beated coke, the steam
being decomposed in contact with the incandescent coke into its constituents,
hydrogen and oxygen, of which the latter combines with the carbon of the coke
to form carbonic oxide. In this process a considerable quantity of heat is expended
and it follows therefore that the bed of fuel is gradually cooled below the
temperature necessary for the desired chemical reaction. The steam must then
be shut off, and the bed of fuel heated by air being blown through it, the result
being the formation of so-called generator gas, which consists principally of
carbonic oxide and nitrogen. This gas having a low calorific capacity is of little
value and difficult to utilize.
It will be understood from this that the process of water gas making is necessarily
intermittent.

page_text: If the apparatus for the production of water gas is designed for the use of raw
or bituminous fuel, it is usually provided with a coking-chamber or retort or similar
device, in which the volatile constituents of the fuel are driven off, thereby reducing
it to a condition of readiness to become heated to a high temperature by means of
an air blast. It has been proposed to effect this dry distillation by various means,
and to save the coal gas that is developed both during the periods of water gas
making and blowing with air. For this purpose such coking has been designed
to be effected simply by the free heat of the gases from the generator, the coal
gas in such case being either drawn separately from the apparatus or mixed
respectively with the water gas and the generator gas.
Such coking chambers or retorts have also usually been designed to be separated
⚫ more or less effectively from the generator by means of valves or other devices,
intended to make possible the retention of the fuel in the coking chamber for any
-desired length of time before its transfer to the generator. This proceeding,
-which entails extra care and labour in the handling of the apparatus, is necessitated
by the insufficiency of the source of heat, used for the coking.
With a view to remedy these defects this process provides for the coking of the
fuel by the combustion in or around the coking-chamber of not only the generator
gas, but also of the coal gas, given off during the periods of heating, and for
maintaining the necessary temperature during the periods of water gas making
by storing the heat in a mass of loose fire brick surrounding the coking chamber
or placed in close proximity to the same. Also the coking chamber is at all times
in direct and free communication with the generator, which is therefore always
kept filled with freshly coked fuel. This fuel being highly heated in the process
of coking requires shorter periods of blowing up while the periods of water gas
making are correspondingly lengthened.
Thus it will be seen that the process of dry distillation is kept up continuously,
and a great part of the coal gas made to mix and pass off with the intermittently
developed water gas.
The apparatus for the new process differs from the apparatus used hitherto by
baving a combustion chamber arranged round or immediately under the coking
chamber, in which combustion chamber the gases produced during the period of
blowing up, are burnt.
Preferably an arrangement is made for interlocking the air gas and escape valves
in such manner that a valve cannot be opened or closed by ignorance or careless-
ness, without the other valves, necessary to such apparatus, being in such a position
that no accident can happen either from too high a pressure in the generator, or
from escape of gas or from the forcing of air into the gas pipes.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate two arrangements of new kind
of apparatus according to this invention,
Figs. 1 and 2 are vertical sections of one construction of generator,
Fig. 3 being a horizontal section of the same on the line 3, 3 of Fig. 1, and
Figs. 4 and 5 are a vertical central section and a transverse section respectively,
of an alternative construction of generator, the section (Fig. 5) being taken on
the line 5, 5 of Fig. 4.
The gas-tight jacket or shell of each apparatus is lined with refractory material,
and said apparatus comprises in each instance a generator A properly so called,
and a coking chamber B, communicating directly with the generator, also chambers C
proportionately of considerable size, filled with loosely piled brick or a checker-
work of refractory material intended to retain and store up the heat; a_com-
bustion-chamber D communicates with the generator A by conduits L L (in
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 only). The apparatus has a chimney E which can be temporarily
closed by means of a valve F. The generator A is fitted with doors H, for the
removal of ashes and cinder.
3
The upper part of the generator in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. is accessible by means of
a door H', in the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the upper part, or coking
chamber B is made accessible by means of doors H².

page_text: The fuel is introduced into the generator through the top door O; in the lower
part of the same is the air-inlet pipe G, while the secondary air inlet G is
provided in its upper portion; from the latter pipe the air is conducted (in the
modification shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3) by tuyeres 9 into the combustion-
chamber D. g' are nozzles by which air passes from the inlet G to the channels L
by which the chambers A and C are connected.
The water gas outlets are designated III"; S S¹ are steam inlets, and a
pipe P is provided (Figs. 1 and 2) for the admission of oil. All these openings can
be closed by suitable cocks or valves.
The fire is built in the lower portion of the generator A, where it is advan-
tageously supported by a grate.
After the fire has been set fairly burning, the generator A and the coking or
carbonising chamber B are charged with coke.
Thereupon, fresh air is allowed free admission through the bottom. air-opening G
until the coke in the bottom part A of the generator is completely incandescent.
The air can either be forced in through the opening G, or drawn in through the
same opening by an exhaust-fan or blower acting by way of the chimney E.
As soon as the gas thereby generated is hot enough to take fire, air is admitted
through the middle opening G¹ to set fire to it.
The products of combustion thus evolved pass (in the apparatus shown in Figs. 1
2 and 3) through the space surrounding the coking-chamber B and by means of
the brickwork in that space, heat it to a high temperature.
In the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the products of combustion pass first
through the coking-chamber B and then through the chamber C filled with loosely
piled fire brick or brick checker-work, which chamber in this case lies slanting
beneath the inclined floor of the coking chamber B. In both cases, however, the
gases escape through the chimney E and valve F, from the apparatus.
As soon as the coking-chamber is sufficiently heated, fuel such as e.g. bituminous
coal, is charged into the coking chamber through the opening O at its top, and
this chamber is again filled; the coke previously contained therein having gone
down (in the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 2 and 3) in consequence of the combustion
taking place in the generator A. In the modified arrangement shown in Fig. 4
the fresh charge spreads out and forms an even bed of fuel over the inclined floor
of the coking chamber B.
Under the influence of the heat to which the coking-chamber is exposed, the
charge rapidly gives off all its volatile matter, and is carbonised, i.e. changes into
a mass of coke, which can be heated to a high temperature. In proportion as the
coke in the generator A is consumed, the coked charge sinks down, so that the
generator A is constantly full. From time to time fresh fuel is introduced
through the top door O, becomes gradually coked and sinks down into the
generator A.
In the form of apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the combustible
gas and
tarry vapours given off in the coking-chamber B pass to the lower part of the
same and mingle there with the generator gas ascending from the generator A
through the passages or conduits L L into the combustion chamber D, where
they are burnt by means of the air from G¹ contributing thereby to the heating of
the brick-filled chamber C.
In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the gases evolved in the coking-chamber B
mingle with the products of combustion from the generator A and are ignited and
burnt by the air from the air inlets G. The products of combustion are carried
away, beneath the floor of the coking-chamber B, which they heat, thus preventing
the adherence of the coal to the floor, and finally escape through the chimney E.
When the fuel in the generator A of Fig. 1 or Fig. 4 is thoroughly incandescent,
the escape valve F and the air inlet pipes are closed, while one of the gas outlet
pipes and the corresponding steam inlet pipe,. are respectively opened. The
incoming steam is thus brought into contact with the incandescent coke and is
decomposed into its constituent elements hydrogen and oxygen, of which the latter,

page_text: "
66
combines with the carbon of the incandescent coke to form carbonic-oxide. To
this mixed gas, consisting of hydrogen and carbonic oxide known shortly as water-
gas is added a certain proportion of coal-gas and tar-vapours, given off in the
coking chamber B during the continuous process of dry-distillation, the latter
being effected by the heat stored up in the brick checker-work aforesaid.
The steam gradually cools the fuel in the generator A until the temperature is
below the point necessary for the production of water-gas. Then the steam from
pipe S is cut off and the gas outlet-pipe I closed; the escape valve F being
opened at the same time as well as air inlets G G G2 to admit air for another
period of heating.
In this manner, the entire process is alternating and intermittent.
As is well-known, many kinds of fuel expand during the process of coking. To
allow for this quality and facilitate the sinking down of the fuel, the coking
chamber B Figs. 1, 2 and 3 has a cross-section increasing in area from its upper to
its lower part.
In apparatus of large size two or more coking-chambers or retorts.
are arranged, as these cannot practically be made of larger size, in cross-section,
than will permit the thorough penetration of the heat.
Although this apparatus is intended for the production of gas from bituminous
fuels, it is evident that both the above described forms would be suitable to the
generation of water-gas from other materials, such as coke or anthracite, in which
cases the coking-chambers serve to heat the fuel thoroughly and so to facilitate
the subsequent production of gas.
In the forms of apparatus here illustrated there are still a few details to be
observed, which, though not essential to the invention, are yet of some importance
in its practical working.
The ashpit as shown by the Figure 3, is of circular section, horizontally. Just
above the grate, the diameter of the generator is considerably enlarged, and in
this part the brickwork is drawn or racked in (as shown) to a sectional area only
slightly larger than the grate.
The object of this arrangement is that the molten or semi-liquid slag, which
runs down the walls of the generator should be prevented from adhering to the
walls, and compelled to deposit itself on the grate, whence it can readily be
removed. Inasmuch as the grate is of smaller diameter than the narrowest opening
between the generator-walls, the air is necessarily forced through the heart of the
bed of fuel, whereas, otherwise, it would be apt to follow the generator-walls;
whereby the greatest heat would be concentrated against the fire-brick lining,
which might easily be damaged by it.
Besides the gas-outlet I and the steam inlet S, other openings I and I¹¹ and
steam inlet S¹ are also provided for the same purpose, so that occasionally the
process can be carried on by admitting steam through S and drawing the gas off
through 11, so that any overheating of the lower part of the generator may be
avoided, while at the same time by the cooling action of the steam-jet the cinder
is made brittle, and hence easily removable.
The third gas-outlet 1" and the oil-inlet pipe P (Figs. 1 and 2) are used for
the production of illuminating gas. In this case steam is injected through S,
while through the pipe P oil or petroleum is introduced.
The oil-vapours thus evolved are mixed with the water-gas and converted by
contact with the superheated brick in the chamber C into fixed hydro-carbon
gases which make the water gas luminous, when burnt.
An analogous device can obviously be applied to the modified apparatus shown
in Fig. 4.
The sloping floor in this latter is so arranged that the layer of coal upon the
sole is not piled up too high, but owing to its own weight, constantly slips down-
wards towards the generator A so that between the roof of the chamber and the
surface of the fuel, there may always be enough room remaining to allow of the
passage and removal of the gases generated in the generator A.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is ;-
1. A process for the manufacture of water-gas the characteristic feature of
which is that the generator and coking chamber are in free and direct communi-
cation with each other and that the generator gas is burut in a combustion chamber
arranged in the generator, the heat produced by their combustion causing a dry
distillation in the coking chamber and the products of distillation obtained during
the same period being at the same time also burned in the same combustion.
chamber.
2. An apparatus for the process set forth in Claim 1 characterised by passages L.
which connect the generator A on which the coking chamber B is directly placed
with the chambers C and D which surround B and into which chamber D.
through the air inlet G the necessary air is supplied for combustion of gases which.
pass from the coking chamber downwards and from the generator A upwards.
substantially as described.
3. A modification of the apparatus set forth in Claim 2 in which the coking
chamber B is arranged over the generator in an inclined position the generator
gas from the generator A being led through the chamber B there being mixed an
burnt with the products of distillation and having its direction reversed at the end
of this chamber and then passed under the bottom plate of this chamber B
through the chamber C air for its combustion being admitted at the point where
the direction of the flow of the gases is reversed substantially as described.
4. The gas-generating apparatus substantially as and for the purpose described
and illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
1.1.
لبعد
1 1900
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.