Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use Part 26

(2) Automatic; water-to-carbide; contact.

A generating plant known as "L'etoile" made by this firm. A tappet on the bell of an equalising gasholder depresses a lever which causes water to flow into a funnel, the outlet of which leads to a generating chamber containing carbide.

_Maker_: MAISON SIRIUS, FR. MANGIAMELI & CO., 34 RUE DES PEt.i.tS- HoTELS, PARIS.

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

The generating plant made by this firm comprises a drum-shaped carbide holder mounted above a generating tank, a condenser, a washer, an equalising gasholder, and a purifier. The drum _A_ is divided into eight chambers _a_ each closed by a fastening on the periphery of the drum. These chambers are packed with lump carbide, which is discharged from them in turn through the funnel _B_ into the generating tank, which is filled with water to the level of the overflow c.o.c.k _b_. A deflecting plate _d_ in the tank distributes the carbide and prevents the evolved gas pa.s.sing out by way of the funnel _B_. The gas evolved pa.s.ses through the pipe _O_ into the condenser, which is packed with c.o.ke, through which the gas goes to the pipe _E_ and so to the washer _P_ through the water, in which it bubbles and issues by the pipe _G_ into the gasholder. The bell _L_ of the gasholder is connected by a chain _C_ to the axis of the drum _A_, on which is a pinion with pawl so arranged that the pull on the chain caused by the fall of the bell of the gasholder rotates the drum by 1/8 of a turn. The catch on the outside of the carbide chamber, which has thereby been brought to the lowest position, is at the same time freed, so that the contents of the chamber are discharged through the funnel _B_. The evolved gas causes the bell to rise and the drum remains at rest until, owing to the consumption of gas, the bell again falls and rotates the drum by another 1/8 of a turn. Each chamber of the drum holds sufficient carbide to make a volume of gas nearly equal to the capacity of the gasholder. Thus each discharge of carbide very nearly fills the gasholder, but cannot over-fill it. The bell is provided with a vent-pipe _i_, which comes into operation should the bell rise so high that it is on the point of becoming unsealed. From the gasholder the gas pa.s.ses through the pipe _J_, with c.o.c.k _e_, to the purifier, which is charged with frankoline, puratylene, or other purifying material, whence it pa.s.ses to the pipe _N_ leading to the place of combustion. The generating tank is provided with a sludge-c.o.c.k _g_, and a cleaning opening with lid _f_. This generating plant has been primarily designed for the use of acetylene for autogenous welding, and is made also mounted on a suitable trolley for transport for this purpose.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 37.--"SIRIUS" GENERATOR.]

(2) Automatic; carbide-to-water.

A later design of generating plant, known as the Type G, also primarily intended for the supply of acetylene for welding, has the carbide store mounted in the crown of the bell of the equalising gasholder, to the framing of the tank of which are attached a purifier, charged with frankoline, and a safety water-seal or valve. The whole plant is mounted on a four-legged stand, and is provided with handles for carrying as a whole without dismounting. It is made in two sizes, for charges of 5-1/2 and 11 lb. of carbide respectively.

GERMANY.

_Maker_: KELLER AND KNAPPICH, G.m.b.H., AUGSBURG.

_Type_: Non-automatic; carbide-to-water.

The "Knappich" generating plant made by this firm embodies a generating tank, one-half of which is closed, and the other half of which is open at the top, containing water. A small drum containing carbide is attached by a clamp to the end of a lever which projects above the open half of the tank. The lever is fastened to a horizontal spindle which is turned through 180 by means of a counter-weighted lever handle. The carbide container is thus carried into the water within the closed half of the tank, and is opened automatically in transit. The carbide is thus exposed to the water and the evolved gas pa.s.ses through a pipe from the top of the generating tank to a washer acting on the Livesey principle, and thence to a storage gasholder. The use of closed carbide containers in charging is intended to preclude the introduction of air into the generator, and the evolution and escape of gas to the air while the carbide is being introduced. Natural circulation of the water in the generating tank is encouraged with a view to the dissipation of heat and washing of the evolved gas. From the gasholder the gas pa.s.ses in a downward direction through two purifiers arranged in series, charged with a material supplied under the proprietary name of "Carburylen." This material is stated to act as a desiccating as well as a purifying agent.

The general arrangement of the plant is shown in the ill.u.s.tration. (Fig.

38).

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 38.--"KNAPPICH" GENERATING PLANT.]

_Maker_: NORDISCHE AZETYLEN-INDUSTRIE; ALTONA-OTTENSEN.

_Type_: Automatic; water-to-carbide; "drawer."

The apparatus made by this firm consists of an equalising gasholder with bell _D_ and tank _E_, a water-tank _O_, and two drawer generators _C_ situated in the base of the gasholder tank. The water-supply from the tank _O_ through the pipe _P_ with valve _Q_ is controlled by the rise and fall of the bell through the medium of the weight _J_ attached to the bell. When the bell descends this weight rests on _K_ and so moves a counter-weighted lever, which opens the valve _Q_. The water then flows through the nozzle _B_ into one division of the funnel _A_ and down the corresponding pipe to one of the generators. The generators contain trays with compartments intended to be half filled with carbide. The gas evolved pa.s.ses up the pipe _T_ and through the seal _U_ into the bell of the gasholder. There is a safety pipe _F_, the upper end of which is carried outside the generator house. From the gasholder the gas is delivered through the c.o.c.k _M_ to a purifier charged with a special purifying material mixed with cork waste and covered with wadding. There is a drainage c.o.c.k _N_ at the base of the purifier.

The nozzle _B_ of the water-supply pipe is shifted to discharge into either compartment of the funnel _A_, according to which of the two generators is required to be in action. The other generator may then be recharged without interfering with the continuous working of the plant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 39.--GENERATING PLANT OF THE NORDISCHE AZETYLEN- INDUSTRIE.]

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

_Maker:_ THE ACETYLENE CORPORATION OF GREAT BRITAIN LTD., 49 VICTORIA STREET, LONDON, S.W.

_Type:_ (1) Automatic; water-to-carbide; contact, superposed pans.

The "A1" generating plant made by this firm comprises a bell gasholder, with central guide, standing alongside the generator. The generator consists of a rectangular tank in which is a generating chamber having a water-sealed lid with pressure test-c.o.c.k _I_. Into the generating chamber fit a number of pans _J_, which are charged with carbide.

Water is supplied to the generating chamber from an overhead tank _B_ through the starting tap _D_ and the funnel _E_. It flows out of the supply-pipe near the top of the generating chamber through a slot in the side of the pipe facing the corner of the chamber, so that it runs down the latter without splashing the carbide in the upper pans. It enters first the lowest carbide pan through the perforations, which are at different levels in the side of the pan. It thus attacks the carbide from the bottom upwards. The evolved gas pa.s.ses from the generating chamber through a pipe opening near the top of the same to the washer _A_, which forms the base of the generating tank.

It bubbles through the water in the washer, which therefore also serves as a water-seal, and pa.s.ses thence to the gasholder. On the bell of the gasholder is an arm _C_ which, when the holder descends nearly to its lowest point, depresses the rod _C_, which is connected by a chain to a piston in the outlet-pipe from the water-tank _B_. The fall of the gasholder thereby raises the piston and allows water to flow out of the tank _B_ through the tap _D_ to the funnel _E_.

The generating tank is connected by a pipe, with tap _G_, with the washer _A_, and the water in the generating tank is run off through this pipe each time the generating chamber is opened for recharging, thereby flushing out the washer _A_ and renewing the water in the same. There is a sludge discharging tap _F_. With a view to the ready dissipation of the heat of generation the generating chamber is made rectangular and is placed in a water-tank as described. Some of the heat of generation is also communicated to the underlying washer and warms the water in it, so that the washing of the gas is effected by warm water. Water condensing in the gasholder inlet-pipe falls downwards to the washer. There is a water lip _H_ by which the level of the water in the washer is automatically kept constant. The gasholder is provided with a safety-pipe _K_, which allows gas to escape through it to the open before the sides of the holder become unsealed, should the holder for any reason become over-filled. The holder is of a capacity to take the whole of the gas evolved from the carbide in one pan, and the water- tank _B_ holds just sufficient water for the decomposition of one charge of the generator. From the gasholder the gas pa.s.ses through a purifier, which is ordinarily charged with "Klenzal," and a baffle-box for abstraction of dust, to the service-pipe. With plants intended to supply more than forty lights for six hours, two or more generating chambers are employed, placed in separate compartments of one rectangular generating tank. The water delivery from the water-tank _B_ then takes place into a trough with outlets at different levels for each generating chamber. By inspection of this trough it may be seen at once whether the charge in any generating chamber is unattacked, in course of attack, or exhausted.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 40.--THE "A1" GENERATING PLANT OF THE ACETYLENE CORPORATION OF GREAT BRITAIN, LTD.]

(2) Automatic; water-to-carbide; contact.

The same firm also makes the "Corporation Flexible-Tube Generator," which is less costly than the "A1" (_vide supra_). The supply of water to the generating vessels takes place from the tank of the equalising bell gasholder and is controlled by a projection on the bell which depresses a flexible tube delivering into the generating vessels below the level of the water inlet to the tube.

(3) Automatic; water-to-carbide; "drawer."

The same firm also makes a generator known as the "A-to-Z," which is less costly than either of the above. In it water is supplied from the tank of a bell gasholder to a drawer type of generator placed in the base of the gasholder tank. The supply of water is controlled by an external piston- valve actuated through the rise and fall of the bell of the gasholder.

The flow of water to the generator is visible.

_Maker_: THE ACETYLENE GAS AND CARBIDE OF CALCIUM CO., PONTARDAWE, R.S.O., GLAM.

_Type_: Automatic; water-to-carbide; flooded compartment.

The "Owens" generator made by this firm comprises an equalising bell gasholder alongside which are placed two or more inclined generating cylinders. The front lower end of each cylinder is fitted with a lid which is closed by a screw clamp. There is inserted in each cylinder a cylindrical trough, divided into ten compartments, each of which contains carbide. Water is supplied to the upper ends of the cylinders from a high-level tank placed at the back of the gasholder. In the larger sizes the tank is automatically refilled from a water service through a ball-c.o.c.k. The outlet-valve of this tank is operated through a counter- weighted lever, the unweighted end of which is depressed by a loop, attached to the crown of the gasholder bell, when the bell has nearly reached its lowest position. This action of the bell on the lever opens the outlet-valve of the tank and allows water to flow thence into one of the generating cylinders. It is discharged into the uppermost of the compartments of the carbide trough, and when the carbide in that compartment is exhausted it flows over the part.i.tion into the next compartment, and so on until the whole trough is flooded. The gas pa.s.ses from the generating cylinders through a water-seal and a baffle plate condenser placed within the water link of the gasholder to the bell of the latter. There is a water seal on the water supply-pipe from the tank to the generators, which would be forced should the pressure within the generators for any reason become excessive. There is also a sealed vent- pipe which allows of the escape of gas from the holder to the open should the holder for any reason be over filled. The gas pa.s.ses from the holder through a purifier charged with "Owens" purifying material to the service pipe. The plant is shown in Fig 41.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 41.--"OWENS" GENERATOR.]

_Maker_ ACETYLENE ILLUMINATING CO, LTD, 268-270 SOUTH LAMBETH ROAD, LONDON, SW

_Type_ (1) Non automatic, carbide to water

The generator _A_ of this type made by this firm is provided with a loading box _B_, with gas tight lid, into which the carbide is put.

It is then discharged by moving a lever which tilts the hinged bottom _D_ of the box _B_, and so tips the carbide through the shoot _E_ on to the conical distributor _F_ and into the water in the generating chamber. There is a sludge c.o.c.k _G_ at the base of the generator. Gas pa.s.ses as usual from the generator to a washer and storage gasholder. Heratol is the purifying material supplied.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 42.--CARBIDE-TO-WATER GENERATOR OF THE ACETYLENE ILLUMINATING CO., LTD.]

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

The generator _A_ is provided with a carbide container with perforated base, and water is supplied to it from a delivery-pipe through a scaled overflow. The gas evolved pa.s.ses through the pipe _E_ to the washer _B_, which contains a distributor, and thence to the storage gasholder _G_. There is a sludge-c.o.c.k _F_ at the base of the generator. From the gasholder the gas pa.s.ses through the purifier _D_, charged with heratol, to the service-pipe.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 43.--WATER-TO-CARBIDE GENERATING PLANT OF THE ACETYLENE ILLUMINATING CO., LTD.]

_Maker_: THE ALLEN CO., 106 VICTORIA STREET, LONDON, S.W.

_Type_: Automatic; water-to-carbide; contact, superposed trays.

The generating plant made by this firm comprises an equalising bell gasholder, from the tank of which water is supplied through a flexible tube to the top of a water-scaled generating chamber in which is a vertical cylinder containing a cage packed with carbide. The open end of the flexible tube is supported by a projection from the bell of the gasholder, so that as the bell rises it is raised above the level of the water in the tank and so ceases to deliver water to the generator until the bell again falls. The water supplied flows by way of the water-seal of the cover of the generating chamber to the cylinder containing the carbide cage. Larger sizes have two generating chambers, and the nozzle of the water delivery-pipe may be switched over from one to the other.

There is an overflow connexion which brings the second chamber automatically into action when the first is exhausted. One chamber may be recharged while the other is in action. Spare cylinders and cages are provided for use when recharging. There is a c.o.c.k for drawing off water condensing in the outlet-pipe from the gasholder. The gas pa.s.ses from the holder to the lower part of a purifier with water-scaled cover, through the purifying material in which it rises to the outlet leading to the service-pipe. Purifying material under the proprietary name of the "Allen" compound is supplied. The plant is shown in Fig. 44.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 44.--"ALLEN" FLEXIBLE-TUBE GENERATOR.]

Maker: THE BON-ACCORD ACETYLENE GAS CO., 285 KING STREET, ABERDEEN.

Type: Automatic; water-to-carbide; contact, superposed trays.

The "Bon Accord" generating plant made by this firm comprises an equalising displacement gasholder _B_ immersed in a water-tank _A_. Alongside the tank are placed two water-jacketed generating chambers _G1_ and _G2_ containing cages _K_ charged with carbide. Water pa.s.ses from within the gasholder through the water inlet- pipes _L1 L2_, the c.o.c.k _H_, and the pipes _F1 F2_ to the generating chambers, from which the gas evolved travels to the holder _B_, in which it displaces water until the water-level falls below the mouths of the pipes _L1_ and _L2_, and so cuts off the supply of water to the generating chambers. The gas pa.s.ses from the holder _B_ through the pipe with outlet-c.o.c.k _T_ to a washer containing an acid solution for the neutralisation of ammonia, then through a purifier containing a "special mixture of chloride of lime."

After that through a tower packed with lime, and finally through a pressure regulator, the outlet of which is connected to the service-pipe.

There is an indicator _I_ to show the amount of gas in the holder.

One generator may be charged while the other is in action.