GB627435A - Improvements in acetylene generators - Google Patents

Abstract

A carbide basket or the carbide itself is placed within and rests on the flow of an acetylene generating chamber in which terminates a narrow duct or port which communicates with a water supply tank open to the atmosphere and containing water which is higher than said duct or port. The pressure of the gas generated is determined by the water level in the tank, and the tank is arranged so that the water level is kept substantially constant in relation to the gas chamber during the operation of the generator, e.g. by moving the water supply tank upwards or downwards. A compensating reservoir which receives the gas generated after the cessation of the demand, may be provided under the bottom of the gas generating chamber between the duct or port and the water supply tank. The gas generating chamber may be cooled, e.g. by means of a water jacket which may be the water supply tank itself, and the water may be circulated in the jacket by a thermo-syphon arrangement. The water supply <FORM:0627435/IV (b)/1> <FORM:0627435/IV (b)/2> tank may have an upper section of greater area than the lower section, the gas generating chamber and compensating reservoir being preferably located inside such a tank, the gas generating chamber being preferably of one piece construction having a removable base provided with a narrow orifice, the sealing joint of the gas generating chamber being immersed in the water. The removable base may be formed by the top of the enclosure forming the compensating reservoir. The generating chamber may be attached to the tank to prevent it floating on the water. The acetylene generator may include a condenser on the gas outlet to collect water carried over by the gas and a syphon to return such water to the supply tank. In Figs. 1 and 2, the carbide is contained in a basket 2 inside the gas generating chamber 1 into which a narrow duct 3 passes for the admission of water from the balancing reservoir 6 which is connected to the water supply tank. In Fig. 1, the gas generating chamber is cooled by water in jacket 10 and in Fig. 2 by the water supply tank 25.