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 passes 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 cock M to a purifier charged with a special purifying material mixed with cork waste and covered with wadding. There is a drainage cock 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.
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-cock 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 passes 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 passes 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 passes 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.
(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."