Improvements in the Construction and Method of Operation of Hydrogen Gas Producing Apparatus.

摘要

17,591. Lane, H. July 29. Hydrogen. - In the process for preparing hydrogen by passing steam and reducing-gas alternately over iron, iron oxide, or other oxidizable material, as described in Specification 10,356/03, it is found that reduction of the material requires a much longer time than oxidation. To allow for this, the retorts are arranged in three or more groups X, Y, Z, and the gas-ways to them are controlled bv threeway valves x1, y1, z1 and x3, y3, z3, which have the additional advantage that air may be passed periodically through the retorts to restore the material to its original activity. In working the apparatus, water gas from a producer A passes into a seal-box a2, where it mixes with the excess of reducing-gas returned from the retorts through a pipe L, a part of this excess being drawn off to heat the retorts, which are maintained at will in an atmosphere of combustible gas so as to prevent undue corrosion The gas then passes through a washer and cooler B, where it is deprived of mechanical impurities, into a compressor D controlled by a regulating gas-holder C. The compressed gas is purified in a receiver E packed with coke &c., down which water trickles, removing sulphurous acid, sulphuretted hydrogen, carbonic acid, moisture, &c. The gas passes through a reliefvalve e1 into a holder F, from which it is passed into the retorts. After the material has been reduced, steam is admitted by a pipe g5, the first portion of the gas being mixed with the excess of reducing-gas, until such a time as pure hydrogen is evolved, which is then passed into a washer H. Air is supplied to the retorts through a fan J and a three-way valve j1, the waste gases escaping through a three - way valve K.