Care of the Apparatus.—Each producer-gas plant will require special instructions for running it, according to the system, the construction, and the size of the plant. Such instructions are generally furnished by the manufacturer. However, there are some general rules which are common to the majority of suction gas-producers, and these will here be enumerated.
Starting the Fire for the Gas Generator.—This
operation calls for the presence of the engineer of the plant and an assistant. The proper procedure is as follows:
First: Open the doors of the furnace and of the ash-pit. Then open the outlet flue and make sure that the grate of the generator is clear of ashes and clinkers. It should also be seen to that the parts of the charging-box work well and that the joints are tight.
Second: Ascertain whether there is the proper amount of water in the vaporizer, in the scrubber, etc., and that the feed works properly.
Third: Through the door of the combustion-chamber introduce straw, wood shavings, cotton waste, etc.; light them and fill the generator with dry wood up to one-quarter or one-half of its height; then add a few pailfuls of coal.
Fourth: Close the doors of the ash-pit and of the combustion-chamber and start the draft by means of the fan. As soon as the draft is started, it must be kept up without interruption until the engine begins to run, which may be ten or twenty minutes after lighting the fire.
Fifth: After the draft has been continued for a few minutes, the coal becomes sufficiently incandescent to start the production of gas, which may be ascertained by trying to light the gas at the test-cock near the generator. Then the opening in the outlet flue is half closed for the purpose of producing pressure in the apparatus.
Sixth: Open the outlet flue adjacent to the engine for
the purpose of purging the apparatus and the conduits of the air which they contain until the gas may be lighted at the test-cock placed near the motor.