Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants Part 14

=The Lift-Valve.=--The lift-valve is formed by a disk of conical or spherical shape moved up and down by means of a lever having a counter-weight for adjustment. The valve is used in the Winterthur (Fig.

92) and Bollinckx (Fig. 98) generators.

This device serves as an automatic closure and insures a tight joint irrespective of wear. Moreover, it presents the advantage that, at the moment of opening, it distributes the fuel evenly in the generator; but on the other hand, it has the drawback of not allowing the fuel to be examined or shaken through the charging-box. In apparatus provided with this kind of valve, it is therefore advisable to furnish the upper part of the generator with agitating holes closed by an air-tight slide.

=Slide-Valve.=--The slide-valve closure consists of a smooth-finished metallic plate movable below the charging-box proper. Operated as it is from the outside, it is evident that the slightest play, the wearing of the pivot, or the weight of the charge, will form s.p.a.ces between the plate and its seat through which air may rush in.

Furthermore, the manipulation of the slide-valve may be interfered with if too much fuel is put in the generator.

The valve or damper may move parallel to itself or swing about the operating axis. The Taylor apparatus (Fig. 94) and the Benier apparatus (Fig. 104) are provided with such valves.

The Pintsch generator (Fig. 96) is provided with a device which, properly speaking, is not a damper, but which consists of two boxes movable about a vertical axis and arranged to be displaced alternately above the shaft to effect the charging. This system effects only a single closure, but explosions are scarcely to be feared with an apparatus of this kind, owing to the considerable height of fuel contained between the charging opening and the gas-producing zone.

=c.o.c.k.=--The c.o.c.k is applied particularly in the modern apparatus of the Otto Deutz Co. (Fig. 106) and the Pierson generator (Fig. 101). It consists of a large cast-iron cone, having an operating handle and an opening. The cone moves in a sleeve formed by the charging-box.

This arrangement appears to be preferable to the others on account of its simplicity and of the ease with which it can be taken apart for cleaning. Moreover, the fuel can be poked directly through the feed-hopper. In apparatus provided with a c.o.c.k, it is advisable to place on the outside cover a mica pane through which the condition of the fuel may be examined without danger.

=Feed-Hopper.=--Below the charging-box is arranged, as a rule, a hopper tapered conically downward. This part of the generator should serve only as a storage chamber for fuel. It can therefore be made of cast-iron, and has the advantage of being removable, easily replaced, and of allowing ready access to the retort for the purposes of examination and repair.

The annular s.p.a.ce surrounding this feed-hopper generally forms a chamber for receiving the gas produced, as in the Winterthur (Fig. 92), the Bollinckx (Fig. 98), and the Taylor apparatus (Fig. 99).

In generators having an internal vaporizing-tank, this tank itself serves as a feed-hopper, which is the case in the Deutz apparatus (Fig.

106) and Wiedenfeld generator (Fig. 95).

=Connection of Parts.=--In order to facilitate the thorough cleaning of the retort, preference is given to removable charging-boxes and feed-hoppers. These are features of apparatus of the Bollinckx type (Fig. 98), in which the charging-box is secured to the generator by means of its yoke and by catches provided with k.n.o.bs, and also of apparatus of the Winterthur kind (Fig. 92), having a charging-box pivoted about a vertical axis, or apparatus of the Duplex type (Fig.

110), in which the charging-box can swing about a horizontal hinge.

=Air Supply.=--We have seen that, when starting the generator, the gas is produced with the aid of a fan. This fan may be operated mechanically, but is generally operated by hand.

It is customary to convey the air-blast through a pipe leading to the ash-pit, as in the Winterthur apparatus (Fig. 92). Often, however, the air supply pipe is directly branched on that which leads from the vaporizer to the ash-pit, as in the Deutz apparatus (Fig. 106). In this case a set of valves or dampers permits the disconnection of the fan or its connection with the ash-pit.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 110.--Duplex charging-hopper.]

In some apparatus an air inlet is provided immediately adjacent to the ash-pit. This arrangement is faulty for the reason that it gives rise to gaseous emanations which take place by reaction after each suction stroke of the engine. Furthermore, it is advisable that the air supplied below the ash-pit be as hot as possible. For this reason the employment of preheaters is desirable. The dry air forced in by the fan stimulates combustion, and the hot gas produced and mixed with smoke escapes through a separate flue, generally arranged beyond the vaporizer and serving as a chimney. This chimney should in all cases be extended to the outside of the building, and should never terminate in a brick chimney or similar smoke-flue. The direct escape of such gas and smoke through a telescopic chimney above the charging-box has been generally abandoned in modern structures.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 111.--Bollinckx flue and scrubber.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 112.--Winterthur flue and air-reheater.]

The escape-pipe mentioned, being branched on the gas-pipe leading to the engine, should be capable of disconnection when desired, by a thoroughly tight system of closure. For this purpose, some employ a simple c.o.c.k (Bollinckx, Fig. 111), a three-way c.o.c.k, a set of c.o.c.ks, or, still better, a double valve, as in the Winterthur apparatus (Fig. 112) and the Deutz apparatus (Fig. 113). A double seated valve is also used, as is the case in the Benz generator (Fig. 114).

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 113.--Otto Deutz flue.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 114.--Benz flue.]

=Vaporizer-Preheaters.=--As has been stated before, there are vaporizers internal or external, relatively to the generator.

=Internal Vaporizers.=--The Deutz apparatus (Fig. 106), for example, consists of an annular cast-iron tank mounted above the retort of the generator.

The hot gases given off by the burning fuel travel around this tank and vaporize the water which it contains. The air drawn in by the suction of the engine enters through an opening located above the tank, travels over the surface of the water which is being vaporized, and thus laden with steam pa.s.ses to the ash-pit.

The tank in question is supplied with water by means of a c.o.c.k having a sight feed, located on the outside, and the level is kept constant by means of an overflow tube leading to the ash-pit. It is well to bend this tube and to place a funnel on its lower member. The amount of overflow may thus be regulated.

These vaporizers are simple and take up little room; but they are open to the apparently well-founded objection that they heat up slowly and require a considerable time to produce the steam necessary to enrich the gas, this being due to the relatively large ma.s.s of cast-iron and the amount of water contained therein.

The Pierson vaporizer (Fig. 101) and the Chavanon vaporizer (Fig. 115) both consist of an annular tank forming the base of the generator. Steam is formed near the outlet of the ashes, which, as has been described above, leads to the outer air. The development of steam is regulated by mechanical means controlled by the suction of the engine.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 115.--Chavanon producer.]

=External Vaporizers.=--External vaporizers are generally formed by a cylinder with part.i.tions const.i.tuting two series of chambers. In one of these the hot gases from the generator travel, and in the others the water to be vaporized is contained.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 116.--Taylor vaporizer.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 117.--Deutz vaporizer.]

=Tubular Vaporizers.=--Different types of tubular vaporizers are manufactured. The vaporizer with a series of tubes, as in Taylor's apparatus (Fig. 116), Deutz's old model (Fig. 117), or with single tube like Pintsch's generator (Fig. 118), is formed by three compartments separated by two tube sheets or by plates which are connected by tubes.

In some cases the gases pa.s.s within the tubes, while the water to be vaporized surrounds them; as in the Pintsch apparatus (Fig. 118), and Taylor apparatus (Fig. 116), Benz (Fig. 119), and Koerting generators (Fig. 120).

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 118.--Pintsch vaporizer and scrubber.]

In other cases, the water lies inside and the gas outside. In this latter case, a longitudinal baffle is employed to compel the gases to heat the tubes in their whole length, as in the Deutz producer (Fig.

117). In a general way it may be said that such a series of tubes presents the disadvantage of becoming clogged up rapidly by the deposit of lime salts contained in water.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 119.--Benz vaporizer.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 120.--Koerting vaporizer.]

If the set of tubes consists of fire-tubes, the deposit will form on the outer surface, that is, on a portion not accessible for cleaning. From this point of view, water-tubes are preferable, as they allow the deposit or scale to be removed through the tubular heads or plates. On the other hand, such water-tubes have the drawback that their exterior surfaces are readily covered with pitch and soot. The tubular vaporizers of the Field type (Bollinckx, Fig. 98) are composed of a single sheet-iron tube or sh.e.l.l, in which the tubes are arranged, dipping into a chamber through which the hot gases pa.s.s. This arrangement insures a rapid production of steam, but the Field tubes are even more liable than the others to become covered with deposits.

It will be seen that these types of vaporizers should all present the following features: easy access, small quant.i.ty of the body of water undergoing vaporization, and large heating surface with small volume.

The use of copper or bra.s.s tubes should be strictly avoided, as they would be quickly corroded by the action of the ammonia and hydrogen sulphide contained in the gas.

=Part.i.tion Vaporizers.=--Part.i.tion vaporizers comprise a cylindrical sh.e.l.l, generally made of cast-iron and having a double wall in which the water to be vaporized circulates. The gas coming from the generator pa.s.ses into the central portion, where it comes in contact with a hollow baffle, also containing water (Wiedenfeld, Fig. 121). Vaporizers of this kind are strong, simple, and easily cleaned.

=Operation of the Vaporizers.=--The general purpose of vaporizers, whatever their construction may be, is to produce steam under atmospheric pressure, by utilizing the heat of the generator gases immediately after their production, or, as in the Chavanon system, by utilizing the heat radiated from the furnace.

The air drawn by the engine through the generator generally pa.s.ses through the vaporizers and becomes laden with a certain amount of steam which it carries along. The amount thus taken up depends chiefly upon the temperature and the amount of gases coming from the generator, so that the greater the amount drawn into the engine, the more energetic will the vaporization be, and the richer the gas will become. It will be understood that when a generator is working at its maximum production, the interior temperature is highest and most favorable to the decomposition of the largest amount of steam.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 121.--Wiedenfeld vaporizer.]

It follows that with the very simple vaporizers which have been reviewed, a practically automatic regulation is obtained. However, some manufacturers have deemed it advisable to regulate the amount of steam more accurately, and to make it exactly proportionate to the power developed by the motor. Thus in the Winterthur gas-producer (Figs. 92 and 112) the manufacturers have omitted the vaporizer proper, and use instead an air-heater and a super-heater for air and steam.

The heater is formed by a cast-iron box having two compartments, through one of which the hot gases from the generator pa.s.s, while in the other the air intended to support combustion travels. At the inlet of the super-heater a pipe terminates, which feeds, drop by drop, water supplied by a feed device to be described presently. This water is vaporized immediately upon contact with the wall of the super-heater and is carried along with the air contained in it.

The super-heater comprises a hollow ring-shaped cast-iron piece arranged in the chamber of the generator, in which the gases are developed, and is thus heated to a high temperature. The mixture of air and steam circulates in this super-heater before traveling to the ash-pit.

The feeder of the Winterthur gas-generator (Fig. 122) is composed of a receptacle having the shape of a tank or basin containing water and located below a closed cylindrical box. In this box a piston moves, which is provided at its lower end with a needle-valve. The upper portion of the box communicates with the gas-suction pipe through a small tube. At each suction stroke of the engine, according to the force of the suction, the needle-valve piston rises more or less and thus allows a variable amount of water to pa.s.s.