US1585400A - Gas producer - Google Patents

Description

May 18 1926.

V. D. MCDONNELL.

GAS PRODUCER 2 Sheets-Shout 1 'im :1 llll l In Filed Oct. 19, 1922 May 18, 1926.

v. n. nacomlmJ.v

GAS Pnonucsli Find 00h19. 1922 2 Sheets-Shut 2 Patented May 18, 19726.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VINCENT D. MODONNELL, 0F CHICAGO; iILLINOIS.

ons rnonncnn.

Application led October 19, 1922. Serial No. 585,518.

My invention relates to an improved apparatus for producing a combustible gas4 from Water and carbon adapted for heat or power generation. The invention contemplates the provision of an apparatus Whereby a substantially continuous production of gas may be had and wherein a minimum quantity of air is admitted, which is automatically controlled for the purpose of controlling or regulating the tem erature in the producer so as to produce a iighly combustible gas.

Another object of my invention is to produce an apparatus wherein a regulable quantity of water will be admitted in a minute jet or stream and in such manner as to cause the water to be vaporized to such an extent as to be converted substantially into a dry steam, before it is admitted into the combustion chamber or fire-pot; my improved method providing a greater percentage of oxygen from the Water used and enabling less use of free oxygen from air and therefore providing a product o t low nitrogen content but of high hydrogen and other combustible content.

Another object of my invention is to provide means whereby the amount of water may be automatically controlled and its How into the producer regulated or increased when the temperature in the apparatus exceeds a predetermined degree.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the vaporized water will bc admitted iu'a finely divided manner at a plurality of points into the bottom of the fire-pot and immediatelyr beneath the mass ol" carbonaceous matter in order to compel the vaporized water to percolate through the incandescent zone of carbonaceous matter.

The objects and advantages of my invention will he more fully comprehended from the detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 .is a side elevation of my im` proved apparatus with a portion of the Walls or shells broken away and shown in section and the air *and water admitting conduits with the control mechanism omitted.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view with a portion of the fuel magazine of the apparatus broken away.

`Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of a type of valve employed in the Water and air-admitting lines orconluits,

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 1--4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

The apparatus, as disclosed in the drawings, comprises a preferably cylindrical shell or outer housing 10 of suitable dimensions an'd provided with a to or dome portion 11 which constitutes t e fuel-receiving hopper or magazine having a fuel-introducing chute 12 adapted to be sealed against the admission of air by a suitable cover 13.

The outer shell or housing 10 is provided with an inner shell 14 of smaller dimensions to provide a chamber l5 disposed intermediatc of the outer shell` '10 and the inner shell 14 and extending eircumferentiall thereabout; the upper end of the inner she 14 being open, while the lower end is pro vided with a bottom 1G disposed at a distance removed from the lower end of the outer shell 10. Mounted within the shell 14 and in spaced relation therewith is a third and open ended shell 17 of less length and width than the inner shell 14 so as to provide the spaced relation between the two shells 17 and '14. This inner shell 17 has an inner lining of suitable refractory material as at 18 throughout the entire length of the shell to constitute the fire-pot or generating portion of the producer; the refractory material 18A being supported in any suitable manner, as for example by an annular flange or ring 19 secured adjacent to the bottom of the shell 17. The upper end of shellv 17 is flanged or provided with a ring 20 whereby the upper end of the chamber, intermediate of shells 17 and 14, is closed.

The shell' 17 on its outer surface is provided With a spirally disposed trough 21 extending from a point adjacent the upper end of the shell 17 to the bottom thereof as shown in Fivure 2. At the lower end of the inner shell l? I provide a chamber-ed ring 22 whereby the inner shell 17 is supported and a closure provided for the lower end of the chamber in which the spiral trough 21 is 'located; the ring 22 also constituting supporting means for the gratehars 23. As shown in Figure 2, the ring 2Q is provided with a plurality of ports or tuyres 24 extending therethrough for electm communication between the chambern w `ch trough 21 is of the contact points 54, through the circuit induced by the thermo-couple 55 which eX- tends into the chamber in which the spirally wound trough 2l is located.

The water-admitting conduit 3i', iutermediate of the shut-oli4 valve 3B and the point of communication with the chamber in which the spiral trough ill is located, is also provided with a control valve 43 whose spring controlled lever 4V) is adapted to be attracted by an clectroniagnet ad arranged in circuit with the pyronictcr previously re ferred to; that is to say the magnet 5G is adapted to be energized when the needle 53 moves into Contact with one of the contact points 5l. The valve ifi, in the air conduit 3l, is normally closed, while the valve 43 in the water line 37 is normally slightly open so as to constantly admit a minute, predetermined quantity or stream of water.

In order to compensate for unequal expansion and contraction between the refractory lining 1li and the metallic wall or shell 17 I mount the refractory lining 18 in slight spaced relation with the shell 17 and lill the intervening space with a suitable granular substance 18* which is not a heat insulator, as for example sand` whereby the heat will be conducted to the shell 1T, in order to prevent the vapor, which passes through tuyres 2li, from passing upward between the lining 18 and the shell 1T and mixing with the gas ,at the upper end ol the lire-pot.

In operating the apparatus to carry ont m improved method, the carbonfuel, `to wit: charcoal or other suitable carbonaceous matter, is introduced' into the magazine or hopper through the chute or inlet 13 and disc urged onto the grate of the tire-pot. The fuel is then ignited in the lire-pot, while at the same time both valves in the air supply line are opened to permit a suihcient amount of air to be formed through conduit 3l, manifold 28, into the respective hollow bars of the grate from whence it is discharged by the plurality of minute ports or openings 2i' inthe different gratebars. This free admission of air is continued until the fuel and Walls ot the tire-pot are brought to an incandescent heat, at which time shut-oil valve 38 in the water supply line is opened to admit Water into conduit 37. The control valve 43 in the water supply line is normally set to admit a predetermined minute quantity' of water into the conduit 3T in order that a small jet or stream of water will be continuously discharged into the upper end or turn ot' the spiral trough 2l.

lt is apparent that the lower.fii'epot end ol the inner shell or cylinder will he at a greater heat than the upper end, and as a result the minute uantity of water flowing slowly downward t irough the spiral trough, in intimate relation with the inner wall or shell 17, will be gradually and progressively subjected toan increasing temperature which will cause it to he vaporized and brought to a substantially dry state, namely substan tially convert it into supi-rheated steam, be fore it is admitted into the bottom of the tire pot beneath the incandescently heated carbonar-cous mass; the vapor being evenly dis4 tributed throughout the bottom of the grate. so that complete gasitication will take place instantly upon Contact with and during passage through the incandescent carbon.

After initial generation. namely after the mass has been brought to an incandescent temperature, the valve 43 in air line 31 is released so as to close through the action of its spring 49, and combustion maintained mainly through the oxygen derived from the water, thus providing a gas high in hydrogen or other combustible content and comparatively free of a high nitrogen content which would result if air was freely and continuously admitted.

By reason of the grate-bariconstruction and method of introducing the air, the carbonaccous mass will be quickly brought up to incandescence, as the air is evenly distributedthroughout the entire base of the irefpot by means of the small ports 27 arranged in the longitudinal or body portions of the bars.

With the pyrometer control of the air supply and water suppy lines` namely with electro-magnets controlling the two valves 43 and arranged in circuits established when indicator or needle 53 contacts with either l of the terminals or contact points 54, 54, it is possible to maintain substantially continuous generation of gas as long as a sufficient supply of unconsumed carbonaceous material is in the generator. The thermo-couple 55, arranged in the vapor Generating chamber, is intendtl to cause needle 53 to move into contact with one of the terminals or contact points 54 when thc temperature in said chamber drops below a predetermined degree and to Contact with the other terminal 54 when the temperature exceeds a predetermined degree; the needle causing an electric circuit to be established whereby either eectro-magnet 50 or magnet 56 becomes energized. For example, if the temperature in the vaporiaing chamber (namely the chamber in which spiral trough 21 is located) drops below a predetermined degree the thermo-couple 5? will induce needle 53 to swingr to the left in Figure 2 and thereby. establish a circuit whereby electro-magnet 5G becomes energized so as to attract the end of lever 46, of the control valve 43 in the air supply line` and cause the valve 43 to he opened to allow air to pass through conduit 31 and into the fire-pot through the ports in the grate-bars. This admission of a small quantity of air will increase the combustion and bring the temperature up to the desired degree. when the eireuit will he broken or openel. therelo "i-njj the Spi-in;r if* to elo\e the \al\'e in the airline.

(ln the oher hand. il' ti e temperature in tbe vapm'izing ehamber exeeedsI a predeterV mined degree` needle ."I will be eansed to mere to thal right in Figure 2 and eomplete a eireuit whereh;v eleetroanagnet TIG beeomes energized: therehv :ttraetinLIr the lever 46 of eontrol vare ft in the water supply line` with the rtw-ult that. thi. valve will be opened beyond its normal setting. thereby permitting: a greater flow of water to enter the vnporizing chamber. lhie` eondition will maintain until the temperature drop` bark to the desired degree. when the eireuit will he broken and the spring til otl the control valve 43 in the water-suppl)Y lim Il? will move the valve. bark to its normal position (namely slightly open) -o :e: to diminish the admitted water t0 its normal llow.

In praetice. I have found` in order to produce :1 suitable eombnstihle gus, that the area of the vaporizing ehamber, de'i mined by the height ot' the tire-pot. and tne grate area should be proportional or of a ratio within a eertain'runge; that is to say, the area ot' the vaporizing eharnber should be between six and a half to ten times the area of the grate. It' the ratio between the total area of the Ynporizing eltamber and the area ot' the grate is less than the minimum proportionS above given. the vapor will not be brought to a proper' temperature and :is a result the steam dioeharginlrr into the lire pot will be :xt a temperature whieh soon eools the incandescent eerhon below the temperature for producing methane` hydrogen and a carbon monoxide.r On the other hand. if too great a difference between the arenal in provided, whereby the vapor caused to have an extreme length of travel. the eat-bon monoxide will be eonverted into au inert gas and improper operation of the `generatinresults.

The gas produced in the tre-po| rises to the upper end thereof and pas-:es through the ehannels2 3U into ehaniber 13 disposed about the shell 14 whieh eonstitntey one wall of the vaporizing ehamber; the ,f faa tending to heat the wall or shell 14 and therefore the vaporiziner ehaluher. with the result that the temperature ol the out-550mg gas is reduced.

I have shown and dewerihed an apparatus adapted to carry out my method oll gas produetion` but moditieatiomV may be made without` however, departlner from the epirit of my invention.

That I claim inzw- 1. In a 4as produeer. an aiirtilht generating chamber provided with a lerate in the, lower end thereot', a elteed water vaporirim*r chamber disposed about the generztingr chamber and to be heated thereby, mean.`- lorated in the vaporizingr Chamber whereby the ineominl"r water will he eansed to flow about the wall ot' th'e `generating. ehantber from the upper to the lower end tliereot' a Chamber dispowtl beneath the grate oi the generating eliainber. means whereby @one munieation between the vaporizin;r chamber and said laf t mentioned eliamber is etfeeted and the steunt vapor delivered to said la t ehanlher in small jets, a gafereeeiving chamber arranged about said \'alt,rn"tiri;`y chamber :ind beneath naid third mentioned chamber so :H to conve)r the heat ot' t` gas to Said chambers. regulable means for introdneing water into the upper end of the vaporiziug Chamber, means whereby air ma); he et' velved through the gratix into the generating chamber. and means controlled by the temperature in the vaporiziug chamber when-hy :tir i# admitted when the temperature fat'ls below a predetern'iined degree and nu increased flow of water provided when the tempel-attire exeeedri a predeternlinetl degree.

In :l gas produc-er`r un airtight eenen ating eltamber` a clomid writer vaporizing;r eliatnher disposed about the 'entratiner Chamlter from top to bottom and to be heated therebv. .Caid vztporizing ehamher on it. bottom being provided with a plurality ol' tn veres whereby the steant vapor ieonvelved beneath the ,Qrnte of the generatin;r ehainber. :1 gas-reeeivine ehamber disposed about and lengthwil ot the vaporixv ing eliantbet' No as to Convey heat thereto and havingF eonunnnieation at itsy upper end with the upper end ol' the generating chatte bei'. automatic regulable water introducing meam` conuuunieatingr with the upper i l of the vaporizi1r\ r eliambrr. regulable ain, ilo-- during means` ettnuuunieating with the la=ttom ot' the generatingA 'haifiber, anu nienns eontrollet'l h v the temperature in the vaporixing ehainher adapted to atleet the waieriutrodueing meute` and the air-introdueing means. where-hv an inerezied tlow ot' water admitted into the vaporizinj:- ehaniber when the temperature exeeed` a predeten mined deggree and air in admitted into the generatingrhamber when the temperatnre talle below a predetermiited degree,

i). ln a fan produl'er. a `generating chain'- lver provided with a grate in the lower end thereof. a rinsed water vaporiiiing ehaniher, disposed about the geneintiinr ebuniber from top to lioltinnq liatin y :t totril :it'ta of predetermined proportioiw relative to the area ofthe grate` mean whei ehi: the steam vapor from said vaporiinif eliatnlfer nitt'orzoljt' diseharjed in minute pdx l=eneath the gratet a gaH-Ieeeiving ehumher liavin;I4 eononuniefrtion arrows the top of the raporlf/,ing rhumller with the upper end otthe generating' ehand er and di po aed about and throughout the length of the vaporixinu rhamher` and antematie means ctnitrolled h v the tempera- EGO ture in the vaporizing chamber, whereby air is admitted to the bottom of the enel-ating chamber when the temperature fa ls below a predetermined degree and an increased flow of water is admitted to the vaporizing chamber when the temperature rises above a predetermined degree.

4. In a gas producer, a generating chamber, provided with a grate having hollow trunnions eommuncatin with the chamber exterior and provided wlth dischar e ports in the bars of the grate, controjla le air admitting means communicatingiwith said hollow trunnions, a water vaporizing chamber disposed about the generating chamber, regulable water-conveying means communieating with said vaporizing chamber, means whereby the steam va or is discharged in minute quantities in t e lower end of the nerating chamber, and means controlled y the temperature in the vaporizing chamber whereby air is permitted to flow through the air-admitting means when said temperature falls below a predetermined degree and an increased l'low of Water through the water-conveying means permitted when said temperature 'exceeds a predetermined degree.

5. In a gas producer of the character; described, a generating chamber provided with a grate in the lower end thereof, the'bars of the grate being provided with air passages, regulable means whereby air may be admitted to said passa s, a water va orizing chamber disposed a ut said genetiiiting chamber and communicating with tl* latter at the bottom thereof, means whereby a regulable quantity of water is admitted to said vaporizing chamber, a gas-receiving chamber disposed about the vaporizing chamber and communicating with than upper end of the generating chamber and terminating at the bottom in a precipitating chamber, and gas outlet means dis dsed centrally within said precipitating c amber.

6. In a gas producer of the character described, a generating chamber rovided with a. grate in the bottom thereo a water vaporizing chamber disposed about the generating e amber from top to bottom,iw regulable means wherebyY a continuous dow of water in a minute stream or jet is ddmitted into the upper end of the vaporizing cham= ber, means whereby the steam vapor from said vaporizing chamber is discharged in a plurality of small jets into the bottom of the generating chamber, automatically controlled means whereby air may be intermittently admitted to the bottom of the generating chamber, a gas-receiving chamber disposed about the vaporizing chamber and beneath the generating chamber, said chamber communicating at its to with the upper end of the generating cham er and termlnatin at the bottom in a precipitating portion, an gas outlets means extending centrally `from the preci itating portion of said gasreceiv in cham er.

In a gas producer, a water vaporizin chamber, a generating chamber provide with a rate in the lower end thereof, the bars of t e grate having air passa extending lengthwise thereof and lateral dis osed discharge orts, theends of the rs ing extended t irough the walls of the erating chamber, a manifold in which e ends of the bars are rotatably secured, an air line connected with said manifold, and automatic means controlled by' the tem rature within the vaporizin chamber o the producer whereby the a miion of air to said manifold is controlled.

8. In a producer, a generating chamber provi ed with a grate in the lower end thereof, the bars of the grate havin air assagcs extendinglengthwise thereo and aterally disposed discharge ports, the ends of the bars being extended through the walls of the enerating chamber, a manifold in which t e ends of the rs are. rotatably secured, an air line-conn d with said manifold, a water vaporiz'ing chamber disposed about the generating chamber and extending from top to bottom, said vaporizing chamber communicating with the enerat'- ing chamber through a plurality o spaced ports opening beneath the grate, a spiral trough 1n the vaporizing chamber disposed about the wall of the generating chamber, means whereby a minute quantity of water is admitted to said trough, a gas-receiving chamber disposed about the vaporizin chamber, and automatic means controll by the temperature in the vaporjzin chamber whereby air is admitted to sai manifold when the temperature in the Vaporizing chamber falls below a predetermined degree and an increased uantity of water is admitted into the troug of the Vaporizing chamber when the temperature of said chamber exceedsa redetermined de ree.

VINCET D. MCDON LL.

Images