US1397554A

US1397554A - Steam regulation

Info

Publication number: US1397554A
Application number: US188234A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry F Smith
Original assignee: GAS RES CO
Current assignee: GAS RES CO; GAS RESEARCH Co
Priority date: 1917-08-25
Filing date: 1917-08-25
Publication date: 1921-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 1938-11-22

Description

H. F. SMITHa STEAM REGULATION.

APPLICATION FILED Aus.25`. I9II www@ Im 22, I92:I

l ture, and inert gases. It is evident that the iol UNITEDv s*ri\.ila.sl

PATENT oFFicE. c.

yHAIRJIVZ F. SMITH, OF LEXINGTONOHIO, ASSIGNOR, .'BY MESNIL; ASSIGNMENTS, T0 THE ,GAS RESEARCH COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A COBBORATION OF OHIO.

STEAM REGULATION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22,1921.

To all 107mm t may coacem.'

Be it known that I, HARRY FfSMiTH, a

- citizen of the United States of America, .re-

siding at Lexington, Richland county, Ohio.

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam Regulation, of Which the following is ,a full, clear, yandexact description.

This invention relates to a method of regulating the supply of steam to the generating chamber of a gas producer by means of the hydrogen content of the gas produced,

and to a form of apparatus for carrying that 'method into effect:

Itis the general practice, in generating producer gas, to pass a mixture of air and moisture through a bed of incandescent carbonaceous material. The gas thus produced consists principally of a mixture of hydrogen, liberated upon the decomposition of the moisture passed lthrough the incandescent .carbonceous material, carbon m0- noxid, formed by combination of some ofthe carbon' With the oxygen of the air and the oxygen liberated from the decomposed moisquality of the gas is dependent upon the relative proportion of air and moisture introduced into the generating chamber; for the amount of hydrogen present is proportional `to the amount of moisture thus introduced.

In order to secure a gas having a predetermined quality it is, therefore, necessary to regulate the proportions of air and moisture y introduced. This moisture is usually in the rectly into the generating chamber, or into a saturator, Where the air to be introduced into the generating chamber takes up a denite quantity of moisture ,which quantity is dependentupon the temperature, thetenrperature in turn being of course dependent upon the amount' of-steam present. This -steam may be taken from a special source of supply, or from the exhaust of the engine driving the pump, Which serves, in the case of a pressure producer, to force the mixture of air and moisture through the generating chamber, or in the 'case of a suction producer, to draw the -air and moisture through thegenerating chamber. The desired quality of gas may therefore be secured by regulating the amount of steam fed to the producer.

This regulation of the steam may be brought about in several dilferent Ways, each of Which is more or less effective. I prefer to regulate the supply of moisture to the generating chamber according to the quality ofthe gas itself. In such regulation, I govern the supply of moisture by the hydrogen content of the gas, and in carrying out such regulation lmy apparatus ,is so arranged that an increasing quantity of hydrogen over that normally contained in the gas Will Vbringl f about a closing movement of the valve governing the steam pipe Ileading to the generating chamber, While a `decreasing amount of hydrogen will bring about an4 opening movement of the valve, controlling the supply of steam to the generating chainber. v

The principal object of my invention` My method of regulation is based on the fact that as the hydrogen content of the gas increases the specific' gravity of that gas will tend to decrease, and, conversely, that yas the hydrogen content of the gas decreases the specific gravity willy tend to increase.

And on the further fact that the quantity of hydrogen present in producer gas is dependent upon the amount of moisture introduced into the generating chamber. These factsbeing recognized, variations in the specific gravity of the gas lflowing from the producer are used to bring about Icorresponding variatons in the opening Aof the valve contrplling the supply of steam tothe generating chamber in order to thus secure a definite hydrogen content .of the gas. In carrying this method of-regulation into effect I make use of the apparatus illustrated in the drawing herewith, parts of this apparatus'being shown in elevation and other parts in section in order to more `clearly disclose the structure and mode of operationy thereof.

In the apparatus disclosed, l is a gas main for conveying the gas produced in the gen erating chamber to any desired place of use or storage. Leading from this main is a pipe 2, which opens into the lowe`11 end of a vessel 3. This'vessel 3 contains a solution of caustic potash for removing all'carbon dioXid from the gas passing therethrough.

The only constituent part of the as thus removed is the ca-rbon dioxid. "'Ighe specific gravities ofA the otherl constituents, with the exception of hydrogen, are about the same,

so that variations in the relative amounts' thereof will not substantially atleet the specific gravity of the gas as a whole. AVariations in the amounts of either hydrogenorcarbon dioXid, however, will affect the specilic gravity of the gas as a whole and itis thus necessary to remove the latter if any specially accurate regulation is to be attempted based on varying amounts of hydro` gen. Fromthe upper end 'of the vessel 3 a pipe .4 leads tothe valve 5. l

The valve, 5 has four portsv through its casing,- arranged at intervals of 90` degrees.

One of'these ports, `as stated above,l is connected to the pipe 4; Another port, that one located 180 degrees from the port connected with the pipe 4, is connected with a pipe 6, which communicates with the correis connected to the pipe/4. Rotation of the gas from the s upply pipe 4, while the other spending mechanism romvthe steam valve regulator. -The other two ports, which are located midway between the two above mentioned ports and at opposite sides of the valve, are connected wit-h two stand-pipes 7 and 8. Thevalve plug 9 has therein'two passages lOso arranged that the pipes 4, 6, 7 and 8 can be brought into register in pairs. Attached to the valveplug 9 is an actuating mechanism, (not shown) adapted to impart thereto a continuous rotary motion so'that each or the stand-pipes 7 and 8 is brought alternately into register with the pipev 4 and the pipe 6. As shown, stand-pipe 8 is connected to the pipe 6, while stand-pipe 7 valve 5 will connect stand-pipe'? with the pipe 6 and stand-pipe 8 lwith the pipe 4."'

In this way, one of the stand-pipes is receiving a new charge of hydrogen containing stand-pipe is connected through the pipe 6 with the regulator actuating .mechanism to bring about in that mechanism a change correspondingmto` the specific gravity of that particular charge of gas. It is evident that thereto, between the fulcrum and the point" of connection with the upper bell of the gasometer, a link 14. A

Located in the pipe'l, which supplies the steam tov the generating chamber or saturator, is a valve 16 adapted to control the How of steam therethrough. This valve l 16 has its stem operatively connected to the,

diaphragm 17 of the diaphragm regulator 18., In the regulator 1S is a spring 19 so arranged asto normally tend toclose the valve A16. lCooperating with thespring 19 'is a threaded cap 2O,` wherebythetension of the springv may be regulated to meet any variationsA in operating conditions. Connected to the regulator 1s a pipe 21 leading from any source of supply of iluidunder.` pressure-I prefer to use compressed vairtp.

as the fiuid'under pressure,but of course'- any other pressure luid desired canbe used in place thereof. Situated in the pipe'2-l is a valve 22 adapted to control the How of pressure fluid to the regulator 18.- Leading oi'vfrom the pipe 21, between the valve 22 and the regulator; 18, isa branclr pipe .23

controlled byca valve 2 4. The valve 24," under normal conditions, is somewhat open to permit leakage of the pressure Huid in the pipe 21 therethrough.; the amount of pres.

sure .fluid admittedv through, the valve 22, the leakage through the `valve 24v and the tension of the spring 19 being so adjusted that under normall conditions ,f la predeter- `mined opening'of the valve 16 will be maintained. Adjustably connectedto the stem of the valv 24 is a link 25, pivotally connected to the'lever 12. Attached to the pipel 21 adjacent the regulator 18 is a pressure l gage 26. v

'v Any up'or down motion of the upper bell of the gasometer 11 will produce a corresponding motion of the lever 12 to move' the valve 24 toward or .from its seat. Such movement of the valve 24, in changing the.

amount of opening there at,'will change the pressure in the regulator 18 and thus vary the amount of opening of thesteam controlled valve 16. If, therefore, there is a variation in the specific .gravity of the charge of gas in either of the stand-pipes 7-8, such variation will be transmitted to `the gasometer and through it and the mechanism coperat-ing therewith to the steam valve. 16. Since all the carbon dioxid, which will tend to effect the specific gravity of the gas is removed in the vessel 3, it is obvious that any changes in specific gravity of lsuch gas .will be due to a varyinghydrogen content. If the specific gravity increases,.it is due to a decrease of hydrogen, which means' an insuiiicient supply of steam. This' increase of specific gravity, which is merely another way of saying that the weight of the column of gas in the stand' pipe has increased, will be transmitted to parts a closing movement to the valve 24v and results-inthe building up of pressure in vthe regulator 18, with a consequent opening of the valve 16 to supply more steam to the f -amount of hydrogen present in the gas.

' generating chamber. If this opening of the valve 16 results in the supply of too much Asteam to the `generating; chamber, there will be of course too great an increase in the quantity of hydrogen present, with a corresponding decrease in the specific gravity, which .decrease in specific gravity Will tend to return-the steam control valve 16 to normal position. Andobviously, any 4decrease in the speciiic gravity Would, irl-like manner, cause a further closing of the valve 16, with a consequent decrease in theamount of steam supplied tothe. generating chamber to bring about a corresponding decrease ,in the The stand-pipes 7 and 8 are of considerable length in" order to hold a large quantity of gastothus increase the actual Weight changes due to specific gravity variations.

yAlso the valve 5 has the passages therein so arranged thatthe How of gas from the pipe 4 toeach of the stand-pipes .is cut on' sufficiently in advance of the time of connecting .either of these stand-pipes tothe pipe `6 to permit of the gas therein comingy yto a complete rest before being-so connected. In this Way, all errors due to flow ofthe gas.

in the stand-pipes are entirely eliminated,

since thegas will have come to a completer rest before it is connected with the gasometer l1.

It is of course evident that' more than tvvoi stand-pipes may be used if desired, the num- `berbeing dependent upon the number and arrangement of passages in the valve 5. A greater number of stand-pipes is advantageousat times, since a more continuous. regulation of the steam can be secured; for, by using a greater number of stand-pipes, the valve 5.oan be so` arranged that one of the stand-pipes is lalways in connection with the gasometerll'so that a truly continuous regulation of the valve 16 can be secured.

For very accurate control 'thecarbon dioxid containedin the gas should be removed by utilizingthe tank 3 and its con` tained caustic solution. In general practice,

however, especially in the generation ofv producer gas, there is, during operation, comparatively slight variation in the proportion. of carbon-dioxid present in the gas.

ut there may be," and frequently is, very ,substantial variation in the proportion of hydrogen present. Further the proportion ofcarbon-dioxid present in the gas isusuallyI considerably-lower than the proportion of hydrogen present. Unless especially accurate control is desired, therefore, the removal ofthe carbon-dioxid may be dispensed With, and a satisfactory control se- .i

cured by varying the amount of moisture supplied, in accordance with the.y specific gravity of the gas generated, Without the removal of any of its constituents.

My method of steam regulation is by no means limited in its voperation to the precise form of apparatus disclosed, for it is quite evident that many variations in the form of i ltypes of apparatus might be substituted for the gasometer 11, and, too, for the regulator 18.

ll/Vhile the method'herein described, and the form'of apparatus for carrying this metliodinto effect, constitute preferredembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise method and ,form of apparatus, and that changes maybe made in either Without de arting'from the scope of the invention W ich is deined in the appendedI claims.

lVhat I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is 1. The method, in the generation of gas in which air and moisture are supplied to-the gas generating chamber, which consists in continuously controlling the amount of moisture supplied according to the specilic grav ity of the gas produced;

2.A The method, in the generation of gas in which air andmoisture are supplied to the gas generating cham'ber, which consists in automatically varying the amount of moisture 'supplied according to the hydrogen content of the gas produced.

3.. The method, in thegeneration of gas in which lair and moisture are supplied to the Vgas generating chamber, which consists in removing all carbon-'dioxid from portions of the g'as and controlling the moisturesupply according to variations in thespecitc grav- .gas and controlling the amount of moisture supplied according tothe 'specific gravity of' such portions.

6. The method, in the generation of gas in 4WhichV air and moisture are supplied to the gas generating chamber, which `consists in 1 collecting portions of the gas produced, al-

valve, and separate actuating means for saidv governing mechanism comprising a specific gravity stand-pipe.

9. In a moisture regulator for gasproducers, a moisture supply pipe, a valve for controlling flow therethrough, operating mechanism for said valve, and actuatingv means for said operating mechanism', said actuating means being responsive to varia- .tions in specific gravity of the gas produced.

10. In a moisture regulator for gas producers, amoistu're 'supply pipe leading to the producer, a valve for controlling flow therethrough, operating mechanism for said valve, and actuating means for said operat-.

ing mechanism, said actuating means being responsive to variations in the hydrogen content of the gas produced.

11.1n a moisture regulator, a moisture supply pipe, a valve for controlling flow therethrough, pressure actuated means for operating said valve, and means for actuating said pressure operated means comprising specific gravity stand-pipes.

12. The method of regulatingthe amount of a certain fluid material supplied to a device containing other material adapted to cause a reaction with said certain fluid material to 'produce a resulting'material, which consists in automatically varying the amount of said fluid material supplied according to variations in the composition of said resulting material.

13. The method of regulating the amount of a certain fluid material supplied to a device containing other material adapted to cause a reaction with said certain fluid material to produce a resultant material, which' consists in automatically varying the amount of said fluid material supplied according to variations inthe specific gravity of the said resultant material.

14. The method of regulatingthe amount of a certain lfluid material supplied to a device containing other material adapted to cause a reaction with Asaid certain uid material to produce a desired resulting material, which consists in collecting portions of said resulting material, and. automatically varying the amount of said certain fluid material of a certain fluid material supplied to a device containing other material adapted to cause a reaction With said certain fluid material to produce a desired. resulting materia1, vvhich consists in collecting portions of said resulting material, allowing such collected portions to come to rest, and automatically varying the amount of` said cer-V tain iiuid material supplied according to variations in the specific gravity of said collected portions.

- 16. rl`he method, in the generation of gas 4in which 4air and moisture are supplied to the gas generating chamber, Which consists in collecting portions of the gas generated; removing carbon dioxid therefrom; -allowing carbon ldioXid free portions to come to rest; and then varying the supply of' moisture according to. variations in the specific gravityof such portions.

17. In a device for controlling the supply of moisture to a gas generator, a moisture supply pipe leading to said generator; a valve for controlling fioW through said pipe, operating mechanism for said valve; means for withdrawing portions ofthe gas produced and removing carbon dioXid therefrom; and means for actuating the valve operating mechanism to accord with variations in the specific gravity ofthe carbon dioxid free gas.

18. In a device for controlling the supply of moisture to a gas generator, a moisture supply pipe leading to said generator; a valve for controlling flow through said pipe, operating mechanism for saidvalve; means for withdrawing portions of the gas produced and. removing carbonl dioXid therefrom; means for allowing such portions of gas to come to rest;land means for actuat-Y ing the valve operating mechanism to accord with variations in the specific gravity of the collected portions of carbon dioxid free gas.

19. The method of regulating the amount' of acertain fluid supplied to a device for mixing a plurality of fluids which consists gravity of the generated gas.

21. Av device for controlling the supply of moisture to a Jgas generator, comprising `a moisture supply pipe, through which moistui'e'is introduced into the generator, a controlling valve therein; pressure responsive operating mechanism for said controlling valve, a pipe for supplying pressure iiuid to said operating mechanism, a valve in said last named pipe for regulating the supply of pressure iuid to said operating mechanism; and operating means for said-last named valve responsive to variations in specii'ic gravity of the generated gas.

22. A device for controlling the supply of moisture to a gas generator, comprising a moisture supply pipe, through which moisture is introduced into the generator, a controlling valve therein; pressure responsive operating mechanism for said controlling valve, a pipe for supplying pressure fiuid to said operating mechanism, a valve in said last named pipe for regulating the supply of pressure fluid to said operating mechanism; pressure responsive means operatively connected to said last named valve, a specific gravity standpipe connected to said means, andV means for trapping in said standpipe some of the generated gas, the construction being such that the said pressure responsive means will operate ,the said last. named means in accordance with the specific gravity of the gas trapped in said standpipe.

23.v A device for controlling the supply of moisture to la gas generator having a delivery main, comprising a moisture supply pipe, through which moisture is introduced into the generator, a controlling valve therein; pressure responsive operating mechanism for said valve, apipe for supplying pressure Huid to said operating mechanism,

a bleed valve in said pipe; a gasometer, the upper bell of which is operatively connected to said bleed valve; a specic gravity standpipe connected to said gasometer; and means for connecting said standpipe to the interior of the gasometer or to the delivery main.

24:. The method7 in the genera-tion of gas in which air and moisture are supplied to the generating chambel` of a ygas producer, means being provided for controlling the quantity of moisture supplied, which consists in withdrawing a portion of the generated gas, and collecting fractions of such withdrawn gas in apparatus constructed to actuate the moisture controlling means to regulate the amount of moisture introduced into the generating chamber of the producer to accord" with the speciic'gravity of the generated gas. Y

25. The method, in the generation of gas in which a-ir and moisture are supplied to the generating chamber of a gas producer, means being provided for controlling the quantity of moisture supplied, which consists in withdrawing a portion of the generated gas, vremoving carbon-dioxide therefrom, and collecting fractions of such carbon-dioxide free gas in specific gravity apparatus, constructed to actuate the moisture controlling means, to regulate the amount of ,moisture introduced into the generating chamber of the producer to accord with the specific gravity of the generated gas.

In testimony whereofl I affix my signature.

HARRY r. sMiTH.