Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use / A Practical Handbook on the Production, Purification, and Subsequent Treatment of Acetylene for the Development of Light, Heat, and Power

by F. H. Leeds; W. J. Atkinson Butterfield

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

The generating plant known as "L'Éclair," 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 passes 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 cock 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 passes from the holder through the pipe with tap F to the service-pipe. A purifier is supplied if desired.

References

A Gasholder. B Generator. C Agitator. D Handle of agitator. E Sludge-cock. 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.

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

A generating plant known as "L'Étoile" 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 PETITS- HÔTELS, 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 cock b. A deflecting plate d in the tank distributes the carbide and prevents the evolved gas passing out by way of the funnel B. The gas evolved passes through the pipe O into the condenser, which is packed with coke, 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 passes through the pipe J, with cock e, to the purifier, which is charged with frankoline, puratylene, or other purifying material, whence it passes to the pipe N leading to the place of combustion. The generating tank is provided with a sludge-cock 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.