GB776070A - Improved method and apparatus for generating gas - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0776070/IV(b)/1> In a gas generator, especially for acetylene, the supply of solid material is below the level of liquid in the generating chamber, the solid is conveyed up to the chamber and through the side of the chamber at a point above the liquid surface and, on discharge into the liquid, is sprayed to prevent formation of islands of solid on the liquid surface. With the apparatus of Figure 1, carbide from a hopper C is fed up a helical conveyer F, discharged through short conveyer flights by a sweeper blade into water contained in a chamber G kept at a uniform temperature by tandem stirrers 25. Water sprays 18 and 20 prevent aggregation of carbide particles on the water surface. The water to the sprays is controlled by an electro-pneumatically-operated valve 24. When the level of liquid reaches H, a float causes opening of a valve 29 to discharge water by a pipe 27. When the liquid level falls to L valve 29 closes. Discharge of calcium hydroxide sludge is prevented by a screen 28. Removal of sludge is effected periodically by opening manually a valve 54; if too much liquid is run off a white warning light indicates that the valve 54 should be closed and the water supply replenished. Acetylene is withdrawn at 48 by way of a cooling tower 42, the extent of such cooling being regulated by control of the water passing to sprays 44 and 22. Time delay relays ensure that the solids conveyer motor is actuated only when the water supply shuts off a predetermined time after stopping of the conveyer motor. A pressure switch 70, thermo-control 53 and float control also terminate operations under abnormal conditions. The pressure of gas in the generator may regulate the solids feed using a conventional pressure controller 81 and variable speed drive 80.