GB190806347A - Improvements relating to Apparatus for the Production of Hydrogen for Lighting Heating or other purposes. - Google Patents

Abstract

6347. Vignon, L. March 21. Hydrogen for lighting, heating, &c. is made by a method based on separate and alternate reactions, simultaneously carried out in separate retorts, of (1) steam upon divided iron to form hydrogen, and (2) a reducing-gas or 'poor gas' (CO+H) upon the iron oxide formed, to regenerate the iron for use again. The apparatus used is worked with the aid of four distributing-valves S, S<1>, S<2>, S<3>, operated simultaneously and arranged to reverse the two series of retorts, reducing and oxidizing, for the path of each gas at the end of each period. The poor gas is made in a generator A fed with air and coke, and passes through a pipe a to a purifier B filled with iron and iron oxide to arrest sulphurous gases, whence it goes by another pipe f to a distributing-valve S. The poor gas is then distributed through pipes g to the particular retorts Z, in their furnace C, in which the iron oxide is to be reduced. The carbon dioxide formed is led away through pipes b, a second distributing- valve S<1>, a pipe h, and a heat-interchanger D to a pipe z having a regulating-valve i for discharging the dioxide or leading it in whole or part through a pipe p and regulating-valve q to a fan or the like V, which supplies air to a gas-holder E, fur the generator A. This use of the carbon dioxide is stated to control the generator, reducing its temperature and recuperating a corresponding quantity of carbon. The suction of air by the fan V is regulated by a valve r. The interchanger D heats the air supplied to the generator A. Steam produced in a boiler G passes through a pipe d, a reducing-valve H or the like, a second heat-interchanger F, where it is heated, another pipe j, a third distributing.valve S', and pipes k to the retorts Z in which oxidation is being effected. The hydrogen formed in these retorts passes away through pipes m, a fourth distributing-valve S<3>, another pipe n, and the second heat-interchanger F to an exhauster P, whence it goes through a pipe o to a seal chamber L and gasholder R, after passing, if necessary, through a washer. From the gas-holder R the hydrogen is sent to the supply main, being first enriched with benzene vapour if necessary.