US404206A - Process of and apparatus for the manufacture of gas - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

B. Lpolvns. PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS.

INVENTOR.

Patented May 28', 1889.

I .dttorney 2 SheetsSheet 2.

(No Model.)

B. LOOMIS.

PROGESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 01 GAS.

Patented May 28; 1889..

mvxm h NXWW IJVVEJVTOR .dttorney' UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

BURDETT LOOMIS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 404,206, dated May 28, 1889.

Application filed May 18, 1887- Serial No. 238,652. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, BURDETT LOOMIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Manufacturing Heating or Fuel Gas; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. i

This invention relates to the manufacture of a cheap fuel-gas having superior heating qualities as compared with producer-gas, and which is particularly adapted for manufacturing purposessuch as melting and working metals, making glass and pottery ware, firing steam-boilers, &c., and for domestic heating and cooking purposes.

I manufacture gas from cheap fuel-such as bituminous coal or slack coaland by my method convert the oily and tarry condensable vapors ordinarily given off from such coal in producers into fixed non-condensable gas, and my finished product contains alarge per cent. of combustible gases having a high calorific value, such as hydrogen, carbureted hydrogen, and carbonic oxide. I provide also for generating water-gas and conducting it off separately, either for any particularly fine work or for carbureting to form illuminating-gas. I use a down blast or draft of air for heating the fuel, whereby it is kept clear of ash and clinker, the ashes being blown into the ash-pit, which is kept hot thereby and by the outgoing hot products, thus preventing the condensation of steam when it is subsequently admitted through the ash-pit to the fuel for decomposition. Highlyheated gases resulting from decomposed steam are passed off below the surface of the fuel, so as to avoid melting and caking freshly-charged coal on top, and also to cause the rich hydrocarbon vapors and gases evolved from such coal to pass down into the heated fuel below, and thus be converted into fixed gas. I provide for passing steam up or down through the fuel, according to the state of the heat in different portions thereof. My generators are built comparatively narrow, butdeep from front to back and top to bottom, and are set adjacent to each other in pairs or in blocks of two to six or eight, or other larger number, as required. The producer-gas and the water-gas made at the same time in different chambers or generators of the block are miked together in any desired proportions and conducted off through the same take-off pipe.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents 'a front elevation of the generators, partly in section. Fig. 2 represents a vertical transverse section through one of the chambers and through the outlet-pipes for products of combustion and producer-gas. Fig. 3 represents a vertical transverse section through one of the chambers and the outletpipes for water-gas. Fig. 4. represents a horizontal section through the generators and a top view of the gas cooler and exhauster.

A represents the block of generators, composed of chambers B B B set adjacent to each other and separated by brick partitionwalls Y and iron plates y passing through the brick and riveted to the usual iron jacket surrounding the brick walls of the generators. The generators are to be set upon piers to accommodate the gas-take-off pipes and valve-boxes arranged below. I however do not confine myself to this arrangement, as the pipes may be connected at the fronts or backs of the generators above the bases thereof.

The generating-chambers are provided with the usual grate-bars, Z7, and ash-pits C, and have the fire and ash doors 0 0 arranged above and below the grate. They are also provided at the top with fuel-openings I), having tightfitting lids a. Passages p are formed in the tops of the chambers for the insertion of stoking or clinking bars, and these passages are closed by balls 4 or other suitable devices. Annular passages or fiues D E F are formed in the brick walls, respectively near the top, near the middle, and near the bottom, below the grate of each generator, and are provided with numerous short ports or tuyeres, d e f, opening into the chamber, and these fines and ports or tuyeres serve for the admission of steam to, or for taking off the generated gas from, different portions of the fuel. A main steam-supply pipe, L, has a branch, L, with valve Z, leading into flue D, a branch, L, with valve Z, leading into flue E, and abranch, L

with valve 1, leading into flue F. An oilsupply pipe,N, having valve 01, connects with branch pipe 1/, leading into flue i or directl y with such line. A gas-take-ott' pipe, G, for water-gas and carbureted. hydrogen, connects by a short branch having a valve-box and valve, g, with flue 1), and extends down and connects, by means of a horizontal branch, G", with the main take-01f pipe 0. llranch G" has at its outer end a removable lid, t, so that access may be had for cleaning the pipe, if necessary. Abranch pipe, G',having valve g, extends upward, for conducting oif water gas independent of pipe 0, which also receives producer-gas. Apipe, II, having valve 71,0011- neets with annular flue E, and a branch, II, having valve connects such pipe with pipe G. The downwardly-exteiuling pipe J and valve-box I, havin ball-valve 1:, connects with annular flue F and with pipe 0 by horizontal branch J, which, at its outer end, is closed with a lid, n. An escape-pipe, K, for products of combustion, having a closing-valve, 71:, at its top, connects by horizontal pipe K with valve-box I, and the outer end of pipe K is provided with a removable lid, 0*. Valve-box I is provided att-he bottom with a seat, so that by means of ball-valve i the openin of pipe J can be closed. \Vhen theiireis being repaired, valve 1' is closed downward, valve 71) is opened, and the waste products are allowed to escape up pipe K. \Vhen it is desired to pass prod ucer-gas into pipe 0, valve i is raised about half-way and suspended, when the gas will pass around it and on through pipes J J' into pipe 0.

At the top of the generating-ehamber, above the fuel-level, an annular flue, M, and ports or tuyeres m are formed in the walls, and with such fine the air-supply pipe M, having controlling-valves o, is connected, so that air may be supplied to the top of the fuel for a down blast or draft. The air maybe supplied by a blower, but is preferably drawn in by an exhauster, as P, or any of the wellknown kinds. Between the generator and the exhauster a tubular cooler, R, is preferably interposed for cooling the gas, so that it will not injure the exhauster. \Yhile hot gas is passed through the tubes, air is circulated outside of them and heated and then tlows on through pipe M into the generator.

The operation is conducted as follows: The fires being kindled in the generators, the lids a and valves it: are closed, valve 1'. is raised and suspeluled, and air is supplied through tlues M and tuyeres m till. the bodies of fuel are highly heated. Then the air is shut off from any desired number of the generators, preferably alternate ones, where sets or blocks of four or more are used, and. steam is admitted to those from which the air is shut oil; Before the admission of steam valve '11 is dropped upon its lower seat and valve 5 is opened. Then steam is admitted through line 1 and tuyeresf', and is decomposed by passage up through the fuel and the resulting watergas (hydrogen and carbonic oxide) is passed off through tuyeres (I, line D, and pipe G. At the same time that steam is decomposed rich hydrocarbon gas and vapors are distilled from the upper fresh. layers of coal above line 1.) and caused to pass down into the heated fuel, where they are converted into fixed gasbefore escaping by way of tuyeres (Z and flue D. If the state of the fuel is right for decomposin steam between the grate-bars and flue E, then valve 9 may be closed and valve 71. opened and water-gas conducted by pipes H II into pipe G. In this case the gas and vapor evolved from the upper portion of coal is caused to pass down through. the heated fuel to fine E, and thereby converted into fixed gas. Should the body of fuel between tines D and E be so hot as to destructively decompose the gas and vapors evolved from the top layers of coal, at small supply of steam is admitted through line 1') and tuyeres (1 till the tei'nperatu re is properly reduced. In case the temperature of the fuel is reduced too low just above the grate and the heat is carried up too much by admitting steam through flue and tuyeres F f, it is shut off therefrom, valve i is opened and valves g and h are closed, and steam is admitted to either through line and tuyeres '1) (Z or E e, or both, if desired, while gas passes off through pipe J. The heat is thus controlled and utilized to the best advantage in the different parts of the generator, and injury from a destruetivelyhigh heat is prevented. Steam is admitted to different portions of the generator till the fuel is reduced below an effective deeompos in g temperature, when itis shut off, and valve i being open, thatis suspended above its seats, the air blast or draft is admittedthrough line and tuyeres M m at the top, and. the resulting producer-gas is passed off through tuyeres j", flue 1*, and pipe J to main 0, Where it mingles with the hydrogen, carbureted hydrogen and carbonic oxide being generated in the other chambers. Since the air blast or draft is downward through the fuel, the oily and tarry vapors evolved from fresh bituminous coal on top are carried down into the hot fuel and converted into rich fixed gas, so that the leaving the generator contains no condensable matter and is of superior quality for heating purposes.

The mixture of water-gas and producer-gas made according to my process is much better for heatii purposes than either producer-gas or water-gas alone, as onlinarily manufactured, since the water-gas is too thin and light to be consumed well at the burner and since the ordinary producer-gas has not the desired caloritic value and contains a detrimental percentage of non-eoml)ustible gas and impurities. Bypassing the blast or draft of air downward the ashes are blown into the ash-pit and the surface of the fuel is kept clean, so that it will more effectively decompose steam. liy passing gas from. the ashpit through the small ports into flue l the dust and ashes are mostly retained in the ashpit. A block of my generators is very simple to operate and can readily be managed by, one man.

The manufacture of gas is so conducted that usually one-half of the generators are making water-gas and earbureted hydrogen, while the remainder are making producergas, and the two kinds of gas are mixed in the main take-off pipe. Of course the proportion of generators making water-gas can be increased or deereasedat pleasure, and the quality of mixed gas thus varied and controlled as required. I11 case an increased yield of gas is required, the plant can readily be enlarged by building additional generating-chambers upon either or both ends of the block and extending the gas and air mains and connections. \Vhen a generator is open for any purposesuch as charging it with fresh fuel, removing ashes, or cleaning the firevalve 2' should be shut down and valve or cap it opened, so that smoke and dustmay escape up pipe K.

ly exhausting the gas and thus drawing in the air to the generators workmen can much more conveniently open the top lids, a, to supply coal or use a bar for poking thefire,without annoyance of flame and smoke, and the interior of the generator can also be inspected through the sight or peep holes 00, to ascertain the heat and condition of the fuel, without smoke and flame being blown into the face of the operator, since the draft is inward.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. Theprocess of manufacturing heating or fuel gas, which consists in decomposing steam in contact with a body of incandescent fuel, distilling bituminous coal by contact with such body of incandescent fuel, and conducting the resulting oily and tarry vapors downward into contact with such incandescent fuel, thereby converting them into fixed carbureted hydrogen gas, and at the same time generating producer-gas by the admission of air to the ignited fuel in a separate chamber, and mingling the water-gas resulting from decomposed steam, the earbureted hydrogen from the distilled coa and the producer-gas in the same main.

2. The process of manufacturing gas, which consists in decomposing steam in contact with a body of incandescent fuel, thereby producing water-gas in one chamber and simultaneously generating producer-gas in a separate chamber by causing the air blast or draft to pass down through bituminous coal and heated fuel, whereby oily and tarry vapors evolved from the coal are carried into the heated fuel and converted into fixed carbu- 5. The process of manufacturing gas, which separate chamber by causing the air blast or draft to pass down through bituminous coal and heated fuel, whereby oily and tarry vapors evolved from the coal are carried into the heated fuel and converted int-o fixed carbureted hydrogen, and finally mixing the water-gas and prod ucer-gas and earbureted hydrogen in a pipe or chamber beyond the generator.

l. In combination with two or more generating-chambers, the air-supply pipes connect in g with the tops thereof, outlet-pipes for producer-gas leading from the bottoms thereof, and outlet-pipes for water-gas leading from the upper portions thereof, but below the level at which the charge of fuel is maintained, whereby oily and tarry vapors evolved from the fresh coal supplied to the tops of the bodies of heated fuel are caused to pass down into contact with such heated fuel and thereby converted into fixed gas in both the producergas and the watergas,and whereby both kinds of gas may be simultaneously generated and the manufacture of both kinds be alternated in each chamber.

5. In combination with two or more gener-- ating-chambers, the air-supply pipes connecting with the tops thereof, outlet-pipes and valves for producer-gas leading from the bottoms thereof, and outlet-pipes'for water-gas leading from the upper portions thereof, but below the fuel level, and a main take-off pipe, both sets of outlet-pipes connecting with the said main take-off pipe, whereby oily and tarry vapors evolved from the fresh coal supplied to the tops of the bodies of heated fuel are caused to pass down into contact with such heated fuel, and thereby converted into fixed gas in both the producer-gas and the water-gas, and. whereby both kinds of gas may be simultaneously generated and mixed in the same main for heating purposes.

6. In combination with a gas-generating chamber, the annular escape-flue F, located in the wall below the grate, and ports or tuyeres fileading from the ash-chamber below the grate into such fiue, and the gas-outlet pipe connecting with such flue, whereby dust and ashes are better deposited from the outgoing gas in the ash-chamber.

7. I11 combination with a gas-generating chamber, the fines D, E, and F, formed at different heights in the f urnace-wall and having ports or tuyeres d cf opening into the fuel-chamber and ash-chamber, and outletpipes connecting with said fines for conducting off water-gas, coal-gas, and producer-gas and leading to the main take-off pipe,whereby gas distilled from the coal may be caused to pass down through the proper depth of hot fuel to fix the volatile vapor and be passed off at such height as to avoid destructive decomposition of such vapors by excessive heat, according to the temperature of the body of fuel and the depth thereof in the generatingchamber.

8. In combination with a gas-generating chamber having an air-supply at the top, the gas-ontlet-val've box 1, connecting with its base, pipes J J, connecting the valve-box with main 0, ball-valve i, arranged in the valve box to close pipe J, and eseape-pipeK K, eonneeting with the valve box and having a valve or cap at its top, for the purpose described.

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