Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use Part 25

_Maker:_ RICH. KLINGER, GUMPOLDSKIRCHEN, NEAR VIENNA.

_Type:_ Non-automatic; carbide-to-water.

The generating plant made by this firm consists of the generator _A_ which is supported in a concrete water and sludge tank _B_, a storage gasholder _J_, and purifiers _K_. In the top of the generator are guide-ways _F_, through each of which is pa.s.sed a plunger _C_ containing a perforated cage charged with about 8 lb. of lump carbide. The plungers are supported by ropes pa.s.sing over pulleys _D_, and when charged they are lowered through the guide-ways _F_ into the water in the tank _B_. The charge of carbide is thus plunged at once into the large body of water in the tank, and the gas evolved pa.s.ses through perforations in the washer _G_ to the condenser _H_ and thence to the storage gasholder _J_. After exhaustion of the charge the plungers are withdrawn and a freshly charged cage of carbide inserted ready for lowering into the generating tank.

There is a relief seal _f_ through which gas will blow and escape by a pipe _g_ to the open should the pressure within the apparatus exceed the depth of the seal, viz., about 9 inches. There is a syphon pot _N_ for the collection and withdrawal of condensed water. The sludge is allowed to acc.u.mulate in the bottom of the concrete tank _B_ until it becomes necessary to remove it at intervals of about three months. Water is added to the tank daily to replace that used up in the generation of the gas. The gas pa.s.ses from the storage holder through one of the pair of purifiers _K_, with water-sealed lids, which are charged with a chemical preparation for the removal of phosph.o.r.etted hydrogen. This purifying material also acts as a desiccating agent. From the purifiers the gas pa.s.ses through the meter _L_ to the service- pipes.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 28.--KLINGER'S GENERATING PLANT.]

BELGIUM.

_Maker_: SOC. AN. DE L'ACeTYLITHE, 65 RUE DU MARCHE, BRUSSELS.

_Type_: Automatic; contact.

The generating apparatus made by this firm uses, instead of ordinary carbide, a preparation known as "acetylithe," which is carbide treated specially with mineral oil, glucose and sugar. The object of using this treated carbide is to avoid the effects of the attack of atmospheric humidity or water vapour, which, with ordinary carbide, give rise to the phenomena of after-generation. The generator comprises a water-tank _A_ with conical base, a basket _C_ containing the treated carbide inserted within a cylindrical case _B_ which is open at the bottom and is surmounted by a cylindrical filter _D_. At starting, the tank _A_ is filled with water to the level _N N'_. The water rises within the cylindrical case until it comes in contact with the treated carbide, which thereupon begins to evolve gas. The gas pa.s.ses through the filter _D_, which is packed with dry cotton-wool, and escapes through the tap _M_. As soon as the contained air has been displaced by gas the outlet of the tap _M_ is connected by a flexible tube to the pipe leading to a purifier and the service-pipe.

When the tap _M_ is closed, or when the rate of evolution of the gas exceeds the rate of consumption, the evolved gas acc.u.mulates within the cylindrical case _B_ and begins to displace the water, the level of which within the case is lowered from _S S'_, first to _S1 S'1_ and ultimately to, say, _S2 S'2_. The evolution of gas is thereby gradually curtailed or stopped until more is required for consumption.

The water displacement causes the water-level in the outer tank to rise to _N1 N'1_ and ultimately to, say _N2 N'2_. The lime formed by the decomposition of the carbide is loosened from the unattacked portion and taken more or less into solution as sucrate of lime, which is a soluble salt which the glucose or sugar in the treated carbide forms with lime. The solution is eventually run off through the c.o.c.k _R_. The cover _T_ of the filter is screwed down on rubber packing until gas- tight. The purifier is charged with puratylene or other purifying material.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 29.--ACeTYLITHE GENERATOR.]

_Maker_: L. DEBRUYNE, 22 PLACE MASUI, BRUSSELS.

_Type_: (1) Automatic; carbide-to-water.

The generating plant made by this firm, using granulated carbide, comprises an equalising gasholder _E_ alongside a generating tank _B_, which is surmounted by a closed carbide receptacle _A_ and a distributing appliance. The carbide receptacle is filled with granulated carbide and the lid _N_ screwed down; the carbide is then withdrawn from the base of the receptacle by the distributing appliance and discharged in measured quant.i.ties as required into the water in the generating tank. The distributing appliance is actuated by a weighted cord _H_ attached to the bell _I_ of the gasholder and discharges at each time a quant.i.ty of carbide only sufficient nearly to fill the gasholder with acetylene. The gas pa.s.ses from the generator through the pipe _J_ and seal-pot _D_, or bypa.s.s _F_, to the gasholder. The generating tank is provided with a funnel _G_ for replacing the water consumed, a sludge-stirrer and a draw-off c.o.c.k _L_, and a water-level c.o.c.k _C_. The gas pa.s.ses from the gasholder through a purifier _K_, charged with heratol, to the service-pipe.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 30.--L. DEBRUYNE'S GENERATING PLANT FOR GRANULATED CARBIDE.]

(2) Automatic; carbide-to-water.

The "Debruyne" generator comprises an equalising bell gasholder _A_ placed alongside a generating tank _B_ containing water into which lump carbide is discharged as necessary from each in turn of a series of chambers mounted in a ring above the generating tank. The chambers are removable for refilling, and when charged are hermetically sealed until opened in turn above the shoot _C_, through which their contents are discharged into the generating tank. The carbide contained in each chamber yields sufficient gas nearly to fill the gasholder. The discharging mechanism is operated through an arm _E_ attached to the bell _G_ of the gasholder, which sets the mechanism in motion when the bell has fallen nearly to its lowest position. The lip _L_ serves for renewing the water in the generator, and the gas evolved goes through the pipe _K_ with tap _F_ to the gasholder. There is an eccentric stirrer for the sludge and a large-bore c.o.c.k for discharging it. The gas pa.s.ses from the gasholder through the pipe _J_ to the purifier _H_, charged with heratol, and thence to the service-pipe.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 3l.--THE "DEBRUYNE" GENERATING PLANT FOR LUMP CARBIDE.]

_Maker_: DE SMET VAN OVERBERGE, ALOST.

_Type_: (1) Automatic; carbide-to-water.

This generating apparatus comprises an equalising gasholder _A_ placed alongside a generating tank _B_, above which is mounted on a rotating spindle a series of chambers _C_, arranged in a circle, which are filled with carbide. The generating tank is closed at the top, but on one side there is a shoot _D_ through which the carbide is discharged from the chambers in turn into the water in the tank. The series of chambers are rotated by means of a cord pa.s.sing round a pulley _E_ and having a weight _F_ at one end, and being attached to the bell of the gasholder at the other. When the bell falls, owing to the consumption of gas, to a certain low position, the carbide chamber, which has been brought by the rotation of the pulley over the shoot, is opened at the bottom by the automatic liberation of a catch, and its contents are discharged into the generating tank. The contents of one carbide chamber suffice to fill the gasholder to two-thirds of its total capacity. The carbide chambers after filling remain hermetically closed until the bottom is opened for the discharge of the carbide. There is a sludge-c.o.c.k _G_ at the bottom of the generating tank. The gas pa.s.ses from the gasholder through a purifier _H_, which is ordinarily charged with puratylene.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 32.--AUTOMATIC GENERATING PLANT OF DE SMET VAN OVERBERGE.]

(2) Non-automatic; carbide-to-water.

This apparatus comprises a storage bell gasholder _J_ placed alongside a generating tank in the top of which is a funnel _E_ with a counter-weighted lever pivoted on the arm _B_. The base of the funnel is closed by a flap valve _C_ hinged at _D_. When it is desired to generate gas the counter-weight _A_ of the lever is raised and the valve at the bottom of the funnel is thereby opened. A charge of carbide is then tipped into the funnel and drops into the water in the generating tank. The valve is then closed and the gas evolved goes through the pipe _G_ to the gasholder, whence it pa.s.ses through a purifier to the service-pipe. There is a sludge-c.o.c.k on the generating tank.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 33.--NON-AUTOMATIC GENERATING PLANT OF DE SMET VAN OVERBERGE.]

_Maker_: SOC. AN. BELGE DE LA PHOTOLITHE, 2 RUE DE HUY, LIeGE.

_Type_: Automatic; carbide-to-water.

The "Photolithe" generating plant made by this firm comprises an equalising bell gasholder _A_ in the tank _O_, alongside a generating tank _B_ which is surmounted by a carbide storage receptacle divided into a number of compartments. These compartments are fitted with flap bottoms secured by catches, and are charged with carbide. Through the middle of the storage receptacle pa.s.ses a spindle, to the upper end of which is attached a pulley _b_. Round the pulley pa.s.ses a chain, one end of which carries a weight _n_, while in the other direction it traverses guide pulleys and is attached to a loop on the crown of the gasholder bell. When the bell falls below a certain point owing to the consumption of gas, it pulls the chain and rotates the pulley _b_ and therewith an arm _d_, which liberates the catch supporting the flap-bottom of the next in order of the carbide compartments. The contents of this compartment are thereby discharged through the shoot _C_ into the generating tank _B_. The gas evolved pa.s.ses through the c.o.c.k _R_ and the pipe _T_ into the gasholder, the rise of the bell of which takes the pull off the chain and allows the weight at its other end to draw it up until it is arrested by the stop _f_. The arm _d_ is thereby brought into position to liberate the catch of the next carbide receptacle. The generating tank is enlarged at its base to form a sludge receptacle _E_, which is provided with a sludge draw-off c.o.c.k _S_ and a hand-hole _P_.

Between the generating tank proper and the sludge receptacle is a grid, which is cleaned by means of a rake with handle _L_. The gas pa.s.ses from the gasholder through a purifier _H_ charged with puratylene, to the service-pipe.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 34.--"PHOTOLITHE" GENERATING PLANT.]

The same firm also makes a portable generating apparatus in which the carbide is placed in a basket in the crown of the bell of the gasholder.

This apparatus is supplied on a trolley for use in autogenous soldering or welding.

FRANCE.

_Maker_: LA SOC. DES APPLICATIONS DE L'ACeTYLeNE, 26 RUE CADET, PARIS.

_Type_: Automatic; carbide-to-water.

The "Javal" generating plant made by this firm consists of an equalising bell gasholder _A_ in the tank _B_ with a series of buckets _D_, with removable bottoms _h_, mounted on a frame _F_ round the guide framing of the holder. Alongside the gasholder stands the generating tank _H_ with shoot _K_, into which the carbide discharged from the buckets falls. On top of the generator is a tipping water-bucket _I_ supplied with water through a ball c.o.c.k. The bell of the gasholder is connected by chains _a_ and _c_, and levers _b_ and _d_ with an arm which, when the bell descends to a certain point, comes in contact with the catch by which the bottom of the carbide bucket is held in place, and, liberating the same, allows the carbide to fall into the shoot. When the bell rises, in consequence of the evolved gas, the ring of carbide buckets is rotated sufficiently to bring the next bucket over the shoot. Thus the buckets are discharged in turn as required through the rise and fall of the gasholder bell.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 35.--"JAVAL" GENERATOR.]

The carbide falling from the opened bucket strikes the end _i_ of the lever _k_, and thereby tips the water-bucket _I_ and discharges its contents into the shoot of the generator. The rise in the level of the water in the generator, due to the discharge of the water from the bucket _I_, lifts the float _L_ and therewith, through the attached rod and chain _u_, the ball _s_ of the valve _t_. The sludge, which has acc.u.mulated in the base _N_ of the generator from the decomposition of the previous portion of carbide, is thereby discharged automatically into a special drain. The discharge- valve closes automatically when the float _L_ has sunk to its original level. The gas evolved pa.s.ses from the generator through the seal-pot _M_ and the pipe _r_ with c.o.c.k _q_ into the gasholder, from which it pa.s.ses through the pipe _x_; with condensation chamber and discharge tap _y_ into the purifier _R_, which is charged with heratol.

_Maker_: L'HERMITE, LOUVIERS, EURE.

_Type_: (1) Automatic; carbide-to-water.

The generating plant known as "L'eclair," by this firm comprises an equalising bell gasholder _A_ floating in an annular water-seal _N_, formed in the upper part of a generating tank _B_ into which carbide enters through the shoot _K_. Mounted at the side of the tank is the carbide delivery device, which consists of the carbide containers _J_ supported on an axis beneath the water-sealed cover _H_. The containers are filled with ordinary lump carbide when the cover _H_ is removed. The tappet _O_ attached to the bell of the gasholder come in contact with a pawl when the gasholder bell descends to a certain level and thereby rotates a pinion on the protruding end of the axis which carries the carbide containers _J_.

Each time the bell falls and the tappet strikes the pawl, one compartment of the carbide containers discharges its contents down the shoot _K_ into the generating tank _B_. The gas evolved pa.s.ses upwards and causes the bell _A_ to rise. The gas is prevented from rising into the shoot by the deflecting plates _G_. The natural level of the water in the generating tank, when the apparatus is in use, is shown by the dotted lines _L_. The lime sludge is discharged from time to time through the c.o.c.k _E_, being stirred up by means of the agitator _C_ with handle _D_. When the sludge is discharged water is added through _M_ to the proper level. The gas evolved pa.s.ses from the holder through the pipe with tap _F_ to the service-pipe. A purifier is supplied if desired.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 36.--"L'eCLAIR," GENERATOR.]

_References_

A Gasholder.

B Generator.

C Agitator.

D Handle of agitator.

E Sludge-c.o.c.k.

F Gas outlet.

G Deflecting plates.

H Cover.

I Carbide.

J Automatic distributor.

K Shoot.

L Water-level.

M Water-inlet.

N Water-seal.

O Tappet.