Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants / A Practice Treatise Setting Forth the Principles of Gas-Engines and Producer Design, the Selection and Installation of an Engine, Conditions of Perfect Operation, Producer-Gas Engines and Their Possibilities, the Care of Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants, with a Chapter on Volatile Hydrocarbon and Oil Engines

by Rodolphe Edgard Mathot

Seventh: Adjust the normal outflow of wash-water for the scrubber.

Eighth: As soon as the gas burns continuously at the test-cock with an orange-colored flame the engine may be started.

The gas at first burns with a blue flame; this color indicates that it contains a certain amount of air. The opening of the test-cock should be so regulated as to reduce the outlet pressure of the gas sufficiently to prevent the flame from going out. During the production of the draft, as well as during the ordinary running of the plant, the filling of the apparatus with fuel should be done with care to prevent explosions of gas due to the entrance of air. Particular care should be taken never to open at the same time the lid of the charging-box and the device, be it a cock, valve, or damper, which controls the connection of the charging-box with the generator. All the operations which have been mentioned above should be carried out as quickly as possible.

STARTING THE ENGINE

The manner of starting the engine depends on the type of the engine and on the starting device with which it is provided, as we have already explained in connection with engines working with gas from city mains.

It is, however, important for the production of a good explosive mixture to regulate the amount of air supplied to the engine according to the quality of the gas employed. It is advisable to continue the operation of the fan until several explosions have taken place in the cylinder and the engine has acquired a certain speed so as to be able to draw in the normal amount of gas.

Naturally the gas-outlet tube near the admission-cock should be closed after starting the engine, as well as the opening in the outlet flue of the generator. When the motor is running properly, the amount of water fed to the vaporizer and overflowing to the ash-pit is properly adjusted. The generator is then filled up to the level indicated by the manufacturer.

Care of the Generator during Operation.—As soon as the apparatus is running under normal conditions, it presents the advantage of requiring only very slight supervision and very little manual tending. The supervision consists:

First: In regulating and keeping up a proper feed of water to the vaporizer.