US1177171A - Apparatus for making gas. - Google Patents

Description

H. A. CARPENTER.

APPARATUS FOR MAKiNG GAS.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.12. 1914.

l 1 7?, 1 7 1 Patentefl Mar. 28, 1916.

SHEETSSHEET i- H. A. CARPENTER.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING GAS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12. 19.4.

1,17%1 "7 1. Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

QQQOO CO MJOOOO fmOOQQQQQ WITNESSES THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (20., WASHINGTON, D. c.

H. A. CARPENTER.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING GAS.

APPLlCATION FILED OCT. 12. 1914.

1,177,171. A Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

N 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3. a;

FIG-4.

WITNESSES INVENTOR Tm: COLUMBIA PLANOGRAI'H 60.. WASHINGTON, n. c

H. A. CARPENTER.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING GAS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12 1914.

1 1 7?, l '7 l Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

INVENTOR barren srarns PATEN @i f ffilil HENRY A. CARPENTER, 0F SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO RITER-CONLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATIQN OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. as, rare.

Application filed October 12, 1914. Serial No. 868,185.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. CARPENTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sewickley, county of Allegheny, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Making Gas, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gas generating apparatus and more particularly to the general structure of the retort benches, etc.

Retort benches constructed of refractory material in being brought to working conditions, are subjected to high temperatures with the result that there is a considerable amount of expansion of the materials forming the bench, and where the retort house is provided with a comparatively large number of benches, this expansion becomes of considerable importance owing to the strains and stresses which are provided thereby. In addition to this expansion difliculty, a bench structure is also subjected to several other conditions. 'For instance, where the circulation of the products of combustion used for heating the bench are provided by an exhauster structure, leakage of air into the fines is a possibility. Another condition is the liability of heat losses through radiation from the refractory mass which forms the bench.

The difficulty of expansion of the refractory mass itself lengthwise of the stack of benches has been overcome, as disclosed in com aanion applications filed by me, by providing expansion spaces running vertically and from front to rear between benches or through benches, the spaces being of such width as to correspond to the expansion of the retorts themselves, so that when the benches are brought to the proper temperature, the spaces will be closed and thus provide the complete structure with a minimum amount of strain and stress difliculty.

In attempting to meet the difliculties relative to leakage of air and heat losses, the use of an outer covering in the form of a structure of lesser conductivity has been had, the mouth pieces of the retorts being secured directly to the refractory structure. It has been found, however, that this arrangement is unsatisfactory for several reasons; First, the application of a covering of lesser con ductivity over the fire brick structure increased the temperature of the fire brick immediately adyoming said covering, and the cast Iron parts attached to this lire brick structure became heated red hot, and by reason of the heat being drawn forward through the refractory materials and of the lngher temperature of the cast iron parts, the radiation through these cast iron parts was tremendously increased, offsetting, in a large measure, any advantage gained by the insulation of the fire brick parts in between the cast iron attachments. Second, it was found very difficult to retain suitable insulated materials in place on the large plane surfaces on the exterior of benches or retort-s. To overcome these latter dil'liculties, I have provided a metal casing for the bench construction, this casing being of special arrangement to enable the various difliculties of bench construction and operation to be met, the general arrangement of the casing being somewhat similar to a sheathing provided by the use of vertically extending plates, the plates being connected along their overlapping edges.

In forming the casing, provision is made to accommodate for expansion in the direction of length of the stack of benches, this structure, in connection with the expansion spacing of the benches heretofore referred to, practically taking care of expansion of the stack in this direction, enabling the casing to be tied together externally of the casing, permitting the ends of the stack to be positioned permanently in contact with the framing of the'retort house without 1iability "of damaging the house or the retort structures. This result is provided by making the plates individually expansible in such direction, the expansion effect being taken up along the overlapping joints. Obviously, this external tying together of the structure eliminates the necessity for placing tying structures within the refractory mass, thus overcoming some of the d1sadvantages relating to such tying structures, such as-the liability of damaging the mass under the expansion action, and the liability of damaging'the tiesthrough the high temperatures employed in the mass.

Vertical expansion is taken care of through the particular arrangement which provides complete separation between the casing and refractory mass. The known difference in expansion between the material of the casing and that of the refractory mass enables the casing to be properly constructed so that when the mass is brought to its working conditions, the proper alinement of parts will be provided, suitable adjusting devices being provided to acconr modate for variations due to differences in working temperatures to be employed in the retorts.

The expansion of the refractory mass from front to rear of the retorts (laterally of the stack) is employed to produce certain results in connection with forming an efficient insulating structure between the casing and mass. No tying means is employed in connection with the expansion in this direction, the amount of expansion being within limits such as will not provide an actual displacement or other action which would damage the retorts and their settings. The length of the retorts being known, the ends of the casing are formed without expansion joints (excepting possibly in the portion between the retort bench structures and the structure of the producer), the relative difference in expansion referred to in connection with the vertical expansion being taken care of in a similar manner, the differences in length of the ends of the casing and of the benches, however, being such that a compressing action is had on the insulating structure as' presently referred to.

In connection with the casing I provide an insulating material between the casing and the refractory mass, employing a special arrangement of parts in connection with the mouth pieces of the retorts, the general arrangement as an entirety being such as to provide for maximum efficiency, greater life to the benches, and minimum heat losses.

To these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the invention is hereinafter disclosed, my invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the views, Figure 1 is a view in end elevation of the general arrangement of the interior of the retort house, the view being somewhat diagrammatic, and disclosing the relative arrangement of the retort benches, the producers and the connection therebetween, together with the tracks for the producer and retort chargers, and the channel for the coke co-nveyer, the view illustrating the general arrangement of the external casing employed in connection with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of the retort benches shown in Fig. l, the view showing standpipes, retort openings, etc; Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken through the overlapping portion of the sheathing, showing the means for permitting expansion of the outer casing and at the same time provide for a minimum leakage of air; Fig. 4: is a detail view, part being shown in rear elevation and part broken away, of the rear portion of a retort bench, illustrating the means employed for damming the filling material and for insulating the mouth piece from the refractory mass; and, Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Figs. 6 and 7 are detail side and front elevations, respectively, of the supporting structure of a front buck-stay showing an adjustment feature; Figs. 8 and 9 are rear and vertical sectional detail views of the supporting structure showing an adjustment feature; and F ig. 10 is a detail View showing the ad justment of the buclestays of the rear bench and producer.

As heretofore referred to, the questions of expansion and contraction and heat insulation are matters of serious consideration in connection with the installation of gas generating apparatus. The fact that the installation is required to produce large quantities of gas to meet the various demands upon it makes it essential that the installation be of large capacity, present practice providing for installations having as many as twenty benches lengthwise of the retort house with a corresponding number of producers, and with the number of retorts in vertical rows as great as eight. As these structures are generally refractory material of high conductivity, which material is subjected to the action of high temperatures, the matter of expansion of the refractory mass becomes of great importance owing to the pressures which are placed on the structures by reason of such expansion. These refractory masses are provided in various forms, and in prior structures are generally tied together by the use of suitable tie rods extending through the mass, but the strains. and stresses which are provided by this expansion in bringing the retorts to working conditions and while operating under such conditions, are so great as to tend to damage the general structure. To meet conditions of this character, I have heretofore constructed the refractory mass by using blocks or settings of appropriate shapes designed to provide meeting faces which will permit the individual blocks to have their relative expansions in proper relation, and, in constructing retorts, etc., of these blocks or settings, have arranged them with expansion spaces running vertically and from front to rear of the mass at proper points with respect to the several benches. In this manner, I have been able to reduce the liability of damage to the mass by reason of such expansion lengthwise of the stack of benches, and thus eliminating to a great extent, the difficulties in this respect in connection with the refractory mass. These particular structures form the sub jccts matter of companion applications and are not specifically disclosed herein,'the present application assuming the refractory mass structure to be of a type which will substantially accommodate for expansion in the direction of length of the stack, thus mitigating the effects of expansion in this direction. understood from the fact that where the stack is of considerable length, the amount of expansion is such as would provide actual displacement and damage of parts; this, together with the variability in number of benches employed in the installation, causes the special arrangement which I have made to meet these conditions to be of particular advantage in this connection.

While the stack is of comparatively great length, its width (the direction of length of the retorts) is much less, so that the expansion of the refractory mass is not su'tlicient to provide an actual displacement or dam age to the structure, especially when constructed along lines disclosed in companion applications, actual installations showing that in structures where the retorts are of a length approximating sixteen feet, the ex pansion is approximately three inches, an amount which can be had without damage to the structure; hence it is'not necessary to employ expansion spaces to accommodate for expansion laterally of the stack, no at tempt being made to mitigate this expansion.

As is well known, the temperatures employed in heating retorts for the distillation of coal are high, and as the refractory mass is of high conductivity, it will be understood that losses of heat by external radiation provide another serious condition in connection with the production of gas at a minimum cost. Attempts have been made to meet this condition, but, so far as I am aware, the success of the attempts has been comparatively small. For instance, attempts have been made to provide an external covering of suitablematerial for the retorts, the tying of the refractory mass be ing depended upon to hold the expansion so as to not materially damage the covering, but this attempt to insulate has not met with success for various reasons, among which are the difiiculties in causing the material to remain in position on the plane sur faces which form the exterior of the refractory mass. Attempts to use a preformed metallic covering for the refractory mass, and especially for retaining this insulating material in position, would be substantially impractical for the reason that although The advantage of this will be the insulating material is of comparatively low conductivity, it, nevertheless, acts as a heat conductor to the casing itself with the result that the latter becomes heated to a temperature which will provide for considerable expansion of itself and as the mouth pieces of the retorts would be secured to the metallic casing, where the latter is used, it will be understood that such expansion of the metallic casing would have a tendency to destroy the alinement of the retorts and mouth pieces.

the use of my present invention, I have been able to overcome substantially all of these objections, employing the metallic casing together with an insulating material between the refractory mass and the casing, and at the same time properly position the retort mouth pieces in alinement with the retorts when the refractory mass is brought to its working conditions. This effect is brought about by forming the refractory mass and the casing as separate entities, there being nofixed connections between the two, the casing having an approximately fixed height suiliciently greater than that of the stack when the installation is made, that when the mass is brought to its working condition, the total expansion in a vertical direction will position the mass properly relative to the mouth piece opening of the casing.

Inasmuch as the desired working temperature of the retorts may vary according to the amount of gas to be generated, the positions of the mouth piece openings in the plates are approximate, the calculations contemplating the use of a resultant error between the top and bottom mouth pieces of a plate, this error being distributed by the use of liners or other adjusting devices, examples of which are shown in Figs. 6-10 inclusive, these devices serving to distribute the error through the space between the center lines of the top and bottom retorts, proper adjustment being made with respect to a predetermined retort and the corrections being in correspondence. In this way, not only may variations in working temperatures of the mass be taken care of, but in addition, variations from the calculated expansion of the plates which may result from variations in effect of the insulation layer, are provided for. The liners or other adjusting devices are located beneath the proper buck-stays of the apparatus and provide for adjusting the positions of the plates. This action is possible owing to this separate entity construction.

In forming the casing and mass and sepa rate entities, the casing is formed of a width (the direction of length of the retorts) to provide for the presence of the insulating material between the mass and the casing. As will be obvious, the front and the rear of the casing will, owing to these portions forming the means of communicating with the interior of the retorts, be provided with numerous openings of large size, and it is necessary to meet the conditions which result from this fact and the effects of the lateral expansion of the stack. This is pro vided by forming the ends of the casing of substantially fixed length laterally of the stack (with the possible exception of the connections between the retort and stack and the producer), this length being sufficiently greater than the installation width of the stack, as will permit the formation of an insulating space between the mass and casing at the front and rear after the expansion is had. As heretofore pointed out, the expansion of the mass is approximately three inches in the direction of length of the retorts, and I, therefore, preferably pro vide an installation width of space between the casing and the mass of approximately five and one-half inches, into which space the insulating material is placed.

As a result, the expansion of the mass reduces this width to approximately four inches at both front and rear of the mass, the expansion effecting a compressing action on the insulating material, the insulating material being of comparatively low conductivity, and in this manner preventing excessive heating of the casing and consequently, providing a comparatively small expansion effect on the casing itself. As heretofore pointed out, this effect lengthwise of the stack is mitigated by providing for individual expansion of the plates of the casing, and since the ends of the stacks are not subjected to the high temperatures to as great an extent as the front and rear portions of the casing, the comparatively small expansion of the ends of the casing is immaterial, the insulating material used accommodating itself to the small variations in the lateral length of the ends without affecting the efficiency of the insulation layer itself. This result is provided by a casing built up of plates having their directions of length extending vertically and with their side edges in overla 'iping relation the plates being secured together in a manner to pro-- vide individual expansion thereof in the direction of lei'lgth of the stack, the expansion of the refractory mass acting to properly place the insulating material so as to provide an efficient means for reducing external heat radiation. Instead of tying the refractory mass internal of the mass, I place the tying means external of the casing so that the mass itself is free from any metallic tying structure. As will he understood and as shown by the drawings. this tying arrangement does not extend laterally of the stack, the only means for this effect being the fixedly securing of the plates together at the ends of the stack and possibly the securing together of the spaced end por tions of the tying structure, as shown, for instance, in Fig. l of the drawings.

The insulating material which I preferably employ is formed from diatomacere or diatomaceous earth, a commercial example of which is known as hieselguhr, this material being of a silicious type which forms an cfiicient insulating material for this purpose. The material for forming this insulation is preferably finely ground so that when compacted or compressed, it will flow in proper directions and be packed into a layer which will be of low conductivity. This material permits the relative'movements of the mass and casing provided by the expansion without affecting the efficiency of the insulation.

The mouth pieces are secured to the casing and in order to prevent this finely ground insulating material from flowing out into the mouth piece before or during the heating up operation and to hold it in place permanently thereafter immediately surrounding the mouth piece opening, I preferably provide a suitable retainer, in the form of tongue and groove blocks which extend around the upper portion of the mouth piece opening, these blocks being formed to rest upon the bolts which secure the mouth pieces in position, the material for this purpose preferably being similar to that referred to above, as hieselguhr, formed into blocks and being of much lighter weight and less dense than the fire brick materials of which the refractory mass is composed, thus giving these looks or the retainer formed thereby much less conductivity than the mass itself. lhese blocks are not intended to be pressed or compacted under the expansion of the refractory mass, and hence have a depth approximately equal to the width of the compressed or compacted insulating layer so that the expansion of the mass practically brings the mass into contact with the rear faces of these blocks. As the finely ground material extends throughout the width of the initial space, 1 preferably place a suitable temporary supporting means betweenthe retainer and the insulating material and, if desired, between the mass and the material, this supporting means may be in the form of sheets of asbestos, cardboard or paper,

these materials offering little or no resistance to expansion, simply crumpling up as the finely ground material above the retainer is compressed under the expansion action which, as heretofore pointed out, closes the space between the blocks and the mass through which this material might flow.

As heretofore pointed out, the stack is generally of considerable length, some being one hundred feet in length, so that when the retorts of the benches are brought to their working conditions, the heat which is transferred to the casing from the insulating layer necessarily causes expansion in directions lengthwise of the stack and to provide against a leakage of gas or air, the overlapping edges of the metallic sheathing portions are preferably arranged so as to permit expansion without, however, affecting this gas tight joint, practically permitting individualexpansion of the sheathing portions and thus retain the length of the casing substantially constant, this fact permitting the external tying of the casing with a minimum liability of the tie connections being broken or damaged by expansion action.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, l0 designates the retort portion of the gas generating apparatus, 11 the producer portion of the apparatus, and 12 the con nections therebetween, the detailed arrangement of the refractory masses of these portions not being" disclosed, these structures preferably following the various structural features ofcompanion applications and of 7 general practice, the present invention pertaining more particularly to that portion which is external of the mass portions themselves. that the refractory mass is formed of refractory an arrangement materials, sub ect to expansion, and is properly formed to provide for heating the retorts to working c0ndition temperatures.

13 designates theplatform or track on which the charging and discharging apparatus is adapted to operate, 14: the platform or track on which the producer charger operates, and 15 the bay into which incandescent coke from the retorts is discharged and which carries a conveyer 16 for transporting this coke to the proper position.

The stack is shown] as formed of a plurality of benches each formed of vertlcal roWs of retorts -with intervening stand pipes, the retorts being shown diagrammatically at 17 and the stand pipes at 18.

As shown in Figs. land 2, the metallic casing is built up of plurality of vertically extending plates 20, these plates overlapping at their vertical edges and practically covering the exterior of the refractory mass.-

As shown more particularly by Fig. 3, the overlapping edges of the plates are connected by expansion joints, the outer plate of the joint having an opening 20 preferably circular, and, if desired, countersunk, the under plate of the joint preferably having an opening 20* elongated in a direction correspond ing to the direction of lenlgthof the stack, the openings 20 and 20 being in superposed alined relation and i at the It is to be understood, of course,

joint.

adapted to receive a y threaded bolt 21 having a head with its inner portion formed to close the circular opening 20 when the bolt is secured in position. The threaded end of the bolt is adapted to be threaded into a member 22 located on the inner side of the joint; this member may be a nut, but preferably is an elongated bar having a length sufficient to receive a plurality of bolts, the bolts and member acting to clamp the opposing faces of the plates together in such manner as to provide for a gas tight joint therebetween, the shank of the bolt and the opening 20 being of relative sizes such as to permit the head of the bolt to properly close the opening; as shown in Fig. 2, the member 22- is preferably made in short lengths, each, however, having a length to receive a plurality of bolts 21.

The joint referred to is generally located margins between vertical buckstays or stand-pipes, any joint may be located beneath the buck-stay or standpipebeing secured to the latter by a fixed joint. The expansion joint is not tightened until the mass has been brought to its working condition, after which the threaded mem here 21 are tightened (the spherical or tapered under-surface of the member coacting with the opening 20 to provide an efficient seat for the member). After these members have been tightened, the joint is calked to prevent leakage. When it is desired to place the stack out of service, the members 21 are loosened so as to permitthe individual contraction of plates. Obviously, when restored to service again, the tightening action is had followed by again calking the As will be understood, this arrangement not only provides an efiicient joint, but enables individual expansion of the plates so that the aggregate length of the casing is not materially affected by the expansion of its plate members. The casing is preferably tied together by the use of suitable end members 23 connected by tie rods or other suitable devices 24, these being located externally of the casing, the tie rods extending in the direction of length of the stack. The refractory mass is, as heretofore pointed out,

preferably arranged with expansion spaces which run vertically and from front to rear, thus taking up for lengthwise of the stack; as the casing isalso arranged to provide for individual expansion in the same direction, both mass and casing cooperate to prevent material elongation of the stack through the use of parts individually expansible.

2 5, 25 designate plates adapted to cover openings leading to the combustion chamber below the retorts.

The mouth pieces, indicated at 26, are bolted to the plates at the front and rear of the retorts in proper relation to the retort openings 17 in the plates 20. In the draw ings, I have shown the mouth piece at the rear of the retort; it will be readily underthe expansion of the mass stood that the mouth piece at the front of the retort is similarly secured in position. As shown in Fig. 5, the plates 20 are spaced distant from the refractory mass indicated generally at 27 in this figure, the retort being indicated at 28. Between the plate and the face of the mass, I have shown an insulating layer or lining 29, this being in the form oi the finely ground material heretotore referred to, Fig. 5 showing the general arrangement prior to the expansion of the mass. As will be understood, this layer is formed substantially throughout the space between the mass and the casing, it being understood, of course, that the continuity of the layer is broken in alinement with the re-' torts and their openings.

30 designates the blocks of material of low conductivity positioned within the space between the mass and plates around the top of the retorts, and forming a retainer tor the insulating material 29, and acting to provide a dam tor the latter to prevent its flowing into the mouth piece. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the blocks 30 have a depth less than the installation distance between the mass and plates, and are preferably formed with tongue and grooves as in Fig. 4, the blocks having shoulders which are adapted to rest upon the securing members for the mouth piece.

31 designates the temporary supporting means for the finely ground insulating material. As shown, the blocks 30 extend around the top and sides of the space in front and rear of the retorts. While the arrangement may provlde for carrying these blocksentirely around th1s space, I preter to limit the length of this retainer as shown,

permitting the insulating material 29 to fill the remaining portions of the spaces which it is desired to close.

Should the expansion action of the mass tend to force the insulating material into the mouth piece space below the blocks, this can be readily taken care of by removing the excess portion and properly shaping the exposed portions of the layer and preferably providing a coating thereon in the form of a cement which may contain the silicious material referred to, this being applied when the mass has been brought to its Working condition.

A preferred arrangement of adjusting means for taking care of dilierences of expansion is-shown in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive, in which 35 indicates a series of plates inserted in the support beneath the front buckstay, 36 plates inserted under the rear producer buck-stay, and 37 adjusting devices under the rear-bench and front producer buck-stays, Figs. 6 to 10 showing these parts enlar ed as compared with Figs. 1 and 2.

In Fist. 4 I have shown the refractory mass 1 as in the form of blocks or settings, these latter being indicated in dotted lines and shown as provided with expansion spaces 32 intersecting the retorts, this arrangement providing for the individualexpansion of the bench-es. V

As will be understood, the above disclosure, in connection with the drawings, illustrates a preferred embodiment of the general invention which forms the disclosure of this application. As the exigencies of use may necessitate changes or modifications thereon to meet the various conditions which installations for this purpose may require, I desire to be understood as reserving the right to make such changes and modifications therein as may be found necessary or desirable in so t'r'ar as the same may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims.

What I claim is a 1. In gas generating apparatus, the com bination with a refractory mass adapted to be subjected to high temperatures, the mass having means to provide compensation for its expansion lengthwise of the apparatus, of a metal casing for and spaced from the mass, insulating material between the mass and casing, said casing comprising metallic plates extending vertically of the apparatus and having overlapping edges, opposite side portions of predetermined plates being provided with openings adjacent the edges, said openings being within the overlapping portions of adjacent plates with the openings of the under plate portion elongated in the direction of length of the apparatus, and means extending through said overlapped openings to secure adjacent plates together.

In gas generating apparatus, the combination with a refractory mass adapted to be subjected to high temperatures, the mass having means to provide compensation for its expansion lengthwise of the-apparatus, of a metal casing for and spaced from the mass, insulating material between the mass and easing, said casing comprising metallic plates extending vertically of the apparatus and having overlapping edges, opposite side portions of predetermined plates being provided with openings adjacent the edges, said openings being within the overlapping portions of adjacent plates with the openings of the under plate portion elongated in the direction of length of the apparatus, a plurality of threaded members projecting through said openings, and means on the interior of the overlapped plates to which the threaded members are threaded.

3. In gas generating apparatus,'the combination with a refractory mass adapted to be subjected to high temperatures, the mass having means to provide compensation for its expansion lengthwise of the apparatus, of a metal casing for and spaced from the mass, insulating material between the mass ioe and casing, said casing comprising metallic plates extending vertically of the apparatus and having overlapping edges, opposite side portions of predetermined plates being provided with openings adjacent the edges, said openings being within the overlapping tions of adjacent plates with the openings of the under plate portion elongated in the direction or length of the apparatus, a plurality of threaded members projecting through said openings, and means on the interior of the overlapped plates to which the threaded members are threaded, said latter means comprising abar extending vertically and provided with threaded openings to receive members.

4:. In gas generating apparatus, a refractory mass having a retort therethrough, Inetallic casing elements at the opposite ends of the retort and spaced from the mass and provided with openings opposite the ends of the retort, mouth pieces secured to the elements in alinement with the retort, in sulating material between the mass and the metallic elements, and means between the mass and the elements for supporting the insulating material against flow into the plane of the retort.

5. In gas generating apparatus, a retrac tory mass having a retort therethrough, metallic casing elements at the opposite ends of the retort and spaced from the mass and provided with openings opposite the ends of the retort, mouth-pieces secured to the elements in alinement with the retort, insulating material between the mass and the metallic elements, and a plurality of refractory blocks of low conductivity between the mass and said elements and acting as a support for the insulating material.

6. In gas generating apparatus, a refractory mass having a retort therethrough, metallic casing elements at the opposite ends of the retort and spaced from the mass and provided with openings opposite the ends 6f the retort, mouth-pieces; secured to the elements in alinement with the retort, insulating material between the mass and the metallic elements, and a plurality of refractory blocks of low conductivity between the mass and said elements and acting as a support for the insulating materiahsaidblocks having a length less than the installation distance between the mass and said elements.

7. In gas generating apparatus, a refractory mass having a retort therethrough, metallic casing elements at the opposite ends of the retort and spaced from the mass and provided with openings opposite the ends of the retort, mouth-pieces secured to the elements in alinement with the retort, in-

sulating material between the mass and the metallic elements, and a plurality of refractory blocks of low conductivity between the mass and said elements and acting as a supporport for the insulating material, said blocks having a length equal to the distance between said metallic elements and the mass when the latter has been brought to working conditions.

8. In gas generating apparatus, a refractory mass having a retort therethrough, metallic casing elements at the opposite ends of the retort and spaced from the mass and provided with openings opposite the ends of the retort, moutlrpieces secured to the elements in alinement with the retort, insulating material. between the mass and the metallic elements, and a plurality of refractory blocks of low conductivity between'the mass and said elements and acting as a support for the insulating material, said blocks having a length less than the installation distance between the mass and said elements, saidblocks having a tongue and groove connection.

9. In gas generating apparatus and in combination, a refractory mass structure adapted to be subjected'to high temperatures and including a row of retorts vertically alined, and a metallic casing for the mass and spaced from the opposite ends of the retorts, said casing having openings substantially corresponding in position to the posi tions of the retort openings when the retorts are in working condition, said mass structure and the casing being formed as separate entities to permit relative movement therebetween vertically, said mass being expansible in a vertical direction in reaching its working condition, said expansion approximately spacing the retorts and casing openings in working alinement.

0. In gas generating apparatus and in combination, a refractory mass structure adapted to be subjected to high temperatures and including a row of retorts vertically alinecl, and a metallic casing for the mass and spaced from the opposite ends of the re torts, said casing having openings substantially corresponding in position to the positions of the retort openings when the retorts are in working condition, said mass structure and the casing being formed as separate entities to permit relative movement therebetween vertically, said mass being expansible in a vertical direction in reaching its working condition, said expansion approximately spacing the retorts and easing openings in working alinement. and means for adjusting the casingto provide the working alinement when the mass has been brought to working condition.

11. In gas generating apparatus and in combination, a refractory mass structure adapted to be subjected to high temperatures and including a row of retorts vertically alined, and a metallic casing for the mass and spaced from the opposite ends of the retorts, said casing having openings substantially corresponding in position to the positions of the retort openings When the retorts are in Working condition, said mass struc ture and the casing being formed as separate entities to permit relative movement therebetween vertically, said mass being expanse ble in a vertical direction in reaching its Working condition, said expansion approximately spacing the retorts and easing openings in Working alineinent, buck-stays to which the casing is attached, and means he neath the buck-stays for adjusting the easing to provide such Working alinelnent When the mass has been brought to Working condition.

12. In gas generating apparatus, the co1nbination with a refractory mass adapted to be subjected to high temperatures, the mass having means to provide compensation for its expansion lengthwise of the apparatus, of a metal casing for and spaced from the mass,

insulating material between the mass and casing, said casing comprising metallic plates extending verticall of the apparatus and having overlapping edges, opposite side por tions of predetermined plates being provided W1th openings adjacent the edges, said openings being Within the overlapping portions oi adjacent plates with the openings of the under plate portion elongated in the direction of length of the apparatus, and means extending through said overlapped openings to secure adjacent plates together, said plates having their joints calked When the mass has been brought to Working condition 111 testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

HENRY A. CARPENTER.

Witnesses Ana M. STEELE, M. J. STEELE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

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