US484475A - Apparatus for the manufacture of carbureted hydrogen - Google Patents

Description

(N0-Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

J. W. TALLMADGE.

APPARATUS POR THE MANUPAGTURE 0F GARBURBTED HYDRUGE. No. 484,475. Patented Oct. 18, 1892.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. W. TALLMA-DGE.

APPARATUS FOR THB MANUFAGTURE 0F GARBURBTBD HYDRUGEN.

No. 484,475. Patented Oct. 18, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT EETCE.

JAMES WINANTS TALLMADGE, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO FRANK l/V. BEARDSLEY, OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F CARBURETED HYDROGEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 484,47 5, dated October 18, 1892.

Application led September 12, 1891. Serial No. 405,523. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern,.-

Beit known that I, JAMES WINANTS TALL- MADGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Oarbureted Hydrogen Gas, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for the production of a carbureted hydrogen gas in which the hydrocarbon liquid is floated on the acid solution, said apparatus being especially adapted for the illumination of buildings from isolated plants.

The objects of this invention are to provide a safe portable gas apparatus of this character of comparatively-large capacity, which can be placed in the cellar or other convenient location within the building to be illu minated; to provide safe, easy, and convenient means for recharging the apparatus with the metal to be consumed in the production of the hydrogen gas without permitting the escape of the gas; to provide asafety-valve that will not choke from condensation and which will prevent the hydrocarbon liquid from being forced out of the generating-compartment in case of undue gas-pressure, and to provide an automatic drip to free the service-pipe from condensation wthout the escape of gas therefrom.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings represents a perspective View of the apparatus, lparts of the tank being broken away, eX- posing the interior thereof, the metal tray and its supporting mechanism being shown in normal position. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of the apparatus, the tray being swung out from the tank for replenishment. Fig. 3 represents a transverse section of the apparatus. Fig. 4 represents a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the safety-valve and hood. Fig. 5 represents a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the iilling-drip device connected with the gas-governor.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

The tank 10, constituting a part of this gas apparatus, may be disposed in the cellar or basement of a building to be illuminated or at any other convenient point within or adj acent thereto. This tank is elongated horizontally to enable it to hold a large quantity of acid solution and is preferably of such width and height as to enable it to be passed through an ordinary window or door. It is preferably made up of wooden strips nailed together and provided with a lead or other suitable acid-proof and gas-tight lining 11. The upper part of this tank is divided into a generating-compartment l2 and a reservoircompartment 13 by a transverse partition 14, which extends downward from the top of the tank and terminates above the bottom thereof. A iixed deck 15 covers the generatingcompartment, and a fixed deck 16 partially covers the reservoir-compartment.

A perforated tray 20, or its equivalent, for containing scrap-iron or other suitable material to be consumed in producing hydrogen gas is supported in the generating compartment, being pivoted at the ends of two dependent bent arms 21, attached to a plate 22, hinged to the deck 15 and constitutinga partial cover for the reservoir-compartment. A segmental gear 23 is bolted to the hinged plate 22, and a bracket 24. is fastened to the front wall of the tank. A worm-shaft 25 is journaled in said bracket and carries a worm 26,which meshes with said segmental gear. This shaft is provided with a crank 27 at its outer end. When in its normal closed position, the plate 22 is fastened down by studbolts 2S, disposed in the sides of the reservoir compartment and' projecting loosely through holes in said plate, and by nuts 29 on said bolts. By these means the tray can be withdrawn for replenishing, and restored to its normal position through the opening beneath the transverse partition 14 and through the reservoir-compartment without the escape of hydrocarbon or gas. During its Withdrawal and reinsertion the tray maintains a horizontal position and the worm prevents any sudden movement of the arms, which might disturb the liquids within the tank.

The top of the reservoir-compartment 13, between the closed deck 16 and the plate 22, is closed bya movable cover 17.

The reservoir-compartment is provided with an automatic overflow and drawing-off device for carrying off an excess of the solution and' for use in emptying the tank when vthe solo` tion needs to be renewed. This device comprises a siphon, whereof the short leg 30 is disposed in the reservoir, its lower end being open near the bottom thereof and its upper end passing out through the end of the tank near the top thereof. The long leg 31 ofthe siphon extends downward below the bottom of the tank, preferably connecting with the sewer when a sewer is accessible, being provided in such case with a trap 32 to prevent the rising of sewer-gas. The Siphon is provided with atube 33,which constitutes an upward extension of the long leg thereof. This extension-tube is provided with a cock 34, which is located above the plane of the top of the solution, and consequently the acid of the solution cannot act injurionsly therein. The upper end of this tube is provided with a funnel 35 to receive water for starting the Siphon. l

A gas-educton pipe 40, provided with a stop-cock 41, leads from the top of the generating-compartment to a gas-pressure governor 42, the outlet of said governer being connected with the service-pipe 43.

A compound device for supplying hydrocarbon and for freeing the service-pipe 43 from condensa-tion is disposed in the top of the generating-compartment 12, and comprises a pipe 50, extending above and below the deck and trapped by a U-shaped bend near the bottom of the generating-compartment, a branch-pipel, connecting said pipe 50 above the deck with the outlet of the governor, and a branch-pipe 52 for supplying hydrocarbon liquid, preferably extending to the outside of the building and closed vwhen not in use by the cock 53 above the branch 51. The branch 51 serves to automatically remove condensation from the service-pipe 43 and avoids the necessity of opening a petcock from time to time for the purpose, as usual 1n gas-governors.

A safety-valve is disposed in connection with the generating-compartment 12 to prevent the hydrocarbon liquid from being forced out of the generating-compartmentin case of undue pressure. This safety-valve comprises a dependent tube 60, extending downward through the deck l5 of the gas-generating compartment 12, and a float 6l, having a hollow stem 62, adapted to slide vertically on said dependent tube. The stem 62 is of larger diameter than the dependent tube 60, in order to permit the gas to pass through said stem around said tube. The lower end of the hollow stem 62 is closed and a small quantity of mercury is disposed therein,which forms a liquid seal for closing said tube. The Heat 61 is of such gravity as to sink in the hydrocarbon and to float in the solution. The dependent tube is provided above the deck of the generatingcompartment with an olset 63 to prevent the mercury from being blown outwith the gas. An escape-pipe 64, preferably extending to the outside of the building, is connected to the odset 63 by a hood 65, said hood" being open at its bottom to permit the condensation that forms in the hollow stern 30 to drop away when blown out before attaining a height suliicient to choke the pipe 64 and prevent the safety-valve'from performing its proper function.

In the use of this apparatus the tank is placed in the desired position and the proper pipe connections, as hereinbefore referred to, are made. The stop-cock 41 on the gas-educ tion pipe 40 is closed and the stop-cock 34 on the pipe 33 is opened. The tank is then filled in anysnitable manner to the level of the horizontal part of the overflow-pipe 30 in the reservoir-compartment 13 with a dilute sulphuricacid solution. This solution will rise in the generating-compartmenthigh enough tochoke the trap 54 of the hydrocarbon-lining device 50, but not to a height sucient to touch the tray 2O when said tray is normally disposed therein. Aquantity of hydrocarbon liquid is then fed throughbranch 51 into the generating compartment 12 and oats upon the surface of the solution within said compartment, after which a small quantity of water is fed into the pipe 51 to push out the hydrocarbon remaining therein. Thus odor of hydrocarbon about the apparatus is avoided. The crank 27 is then turned,whereby the tray 20 is swung downward from the generating-compartment 12, thence outward under the partition, and upward through the reservoir-compartment 13, being suspended in convenient position for filling. VIt is filled with scrapiron and then swung into the tank and into normal position in the generating-compartment 12. The plate 22 engages 1the stud-bolts 28, and the nuts 29 are placed on said bolts and the plate locked. ln this position the iron scrap is not submerged in the solution until the stop-cock 41 on the gas-eduction pipe is opened and the gas turned on. Then the pressure is relieved and the solution rises in the gas-compartment 12 and attacks the iron and hydrogen gas is generated, which rises through the layer of hydrocarbon liquid floating onr the solution within the generatingcompartment and becomes impregnated with hydrocarbon vapor. The carbureted hydrogen gas thus formed in the generating-coinpartment passes out through the eductionpipe 40 for supplying the burners connected with the gas apparatus. When the burners are shut off, gas accumulates in the generating-compartment and the pressure thereof forces down the solution in said compartment until the level thereof falls below the tray 2O and the iron therein. The formation of gas then ceases. If sufficient solution remains in the pores of the iron to continue the generation of gas'after the burners are shut off to such an extent as would cause the level of the solution to fall below the lower end of the transverse partition 14 and permit the hydrocarbon to escape into the reservoir-compartment 13, the safety-valve will permit the gas IOO IIO

to blow off before the hydrocarbon, can es cape. The iioat 61 of said valve in such case descends until the mercury within the hollow spindle 62 falls below the lower end of the dependent tube 60, whereby the gas is permitted to escape downward through said hollow spindle, upward through said tube 60, and out through the oset63 and escape-pipe 64 to the outside atmosphere. As undue pressure is removed, the level of the solution within the generating-compartment rises, carrying the floating Valve upward, causing themercury seal to close the lower end of the tube 60. A proper level of the solution is thus maintained in the generating-compartment and escape of the hydrocarbon is impossible. The blow-off pipe 62 is liable to become filled with condensation of the gas, which will be blown out when the safety-valve operates. The hood permits this condensation to esj cape, and hence it does not interfere with the operation of the blow-off.

When this gas apparatus is in use, the cock 34 of the combination overflow and draw-off pipe must be left open, and the pipes 30 and 31 will remove only the surplus solution in case the tank is overfilled. When itis necessary to renew the solution, said cock is closed and the funnel 35 is lled with water, after which the cock is opened and permitted to remain open until the funnel 35 is nearly empty. Then by closing said cock the siphon is started, which will empty the tank. It. is impera-tive that this and all cocks about the apparatus are placed above the level of the acid solution. Otherwise they will be destroyed by the acid.

I am aware that a similarly-constructed gas apparatus has before been used; but in its construction there was no means provided for an overflow or vfor drawing off the spent solution; also, it required great strength, skill, and care to manipulate the tray; also, the safety-valve would choke from condensation and allow the hydrocarbon to escape from the gas-generating compartment into the reservoir-compartment, thereby endangering life and property, and also the service-pipe would choke from condensation, and thereby put the lights out, all of which made it of little or no commercial value. This invention obviates all elements of danger and the above` mentioned fatal objections.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a gas apparatus, the combination of a tank for containing an acid solution, bent hinged arms depending into said tank, a tray forcontaining metal, pivoted to said arms, a gear fixed to said arms,aworm journaled adjacent to and meshing with said gear, and means for rotating said worm to swing said tray into and out of its normal position within said tank.

2. In an apparatus for producing carbureted hydrogen gas, the combination of a reservoir-chamber for containing an acid solution, a generating-chamber open at its lower end into saidreservoir-chamber and terminating above the bottom thereof, a tray for holding metal to be acted upon by said solution, supported within said generating-chamber above the lower open end thereof, and an automatic blow-off valve connected with said generating-chamber for regulating the h eight of the acid solution therein, the outlet-pipe of said blow-off valve being provided with a hood open at its bottom and surroundlng the end of said outlet-pipe for guiding the condensation therefrom.

3. In a gas apparatus, the combination 0f a generating-compartment for containing an acid liquor, a tray for containing metal, supported within said generating-compartment, a dependent tube extending through the top of said compartment, a float-valve adapted to float on said solution and provided with a hollow stem surrounding said dependent tube and with a mercury seal, an offset near the upper end of said tube, and a hood open at its bottom and surrounding said oset and provided with an escape-pipe extending above the hood.

4. In a gas apparatus, the combinatlon of a generating-chamber, an eduction-pipe provided with a governor, and a drip-plpe extending from said governor into said generating-chamber and provided with a trap at its lower end.

5. In a gas apparatus, the combination of a generating-compartment for containing an acid liquor, a tray for containing metal scrap, supported in said compartment, a filling-pipe for hydrocarbon liquid, extending into said compartment and provided with a trap at its lower end, an eduction-pipe for the gas, and a drip-pipe for condensed matter, connecting said eduction-pipe with said filling-pipe.

In testimony that I, claim the invention above set forth I aiix my signature in pres-v ence of two witnesses.

JAMES WINANTS TALLMADGE.

Witnesses: Y

F. C. SoMEs, M. P. CALLAN.

IOC

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