Electric arc production of combustible gases

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Drawing sheet — no readable text.

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Patented Nov. 24, 1953

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

ELECTRIC ARC PRODUCTION OF

COME BUSTIBLE GASES

Donald G. Butler, Millersburg, Ohio

Application September 8, 1952, Serial No. 308,498

This invention relates to improvements in closed by the rubber groimmet 4 for receiving the electric arc production of combustible gases. upper electrode 5. The side wall of the tank near The principal objects of this invention are: the bottom thereof is provided with another open First, to provide an economical method for pro ing in which the rubber grommet S is positioned ducing a combustible gas that is clean and which 5 for Sealingly receiving a second or lower elec has reducing properties which permit the gas to trode 7. An outlet connection from the top of the be used in welding aluminum. tank is indicated at 8 and a filler opening 9 is also Second, to provide a method and apparatus for provided through which the ingredients of the producing combustible gas which method and proceSS can be introduced into the tank through apparatus are adapted for portable use. a funnel () having a valve . Third, to provide a novel apparatus for pro The outlet Connection 8 is adapted to be con ducing a mixture of hydrogen and acetylene gases nected by Suitable piping 2 to a liquid separator from a hydrocarbon such as kerosene which ap 3 and the dried gases issuing from the separator paratuS can be carried to the work as distin. 3 are conducted to a pump i which functions guished from a stationary gas producing appara to decrease the preSSure within the tank and also tuS. to deliver the gas at increased pressure through a Fourth, to provide a novel method for pro flexible tube 5 to the bune" tip or nozzle 6. ducing a gas that burns with an extremely hot The electrodes 5 and are adapted to be ener and clean flame when combined with atmospheric gized at a high potential from the secondary al. of a transformer 8. The upper electrode 5 in Other objects and advantages of the invention cludes an inner metallic core 9 surrounded will be apparent from a consideration of the fol throughout its upper portion by an insulating lowing description and claims. The drawings of sleeve 20. The upper end of the sleeve 2 forms a which there is one sheet illustrate a practical ap Socket for releasably receiving a plug 2 on a flex paratus for producing the gas and practicing the 2. 5 ible conductor 22. The lower electrode includes method of the invention. an inner rod-like portion of carbon 23 that is car Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the gas produc ried in a metal sleeve 24. The sleeve 24 also forms ing apparatus, portions of the electrical elements a socket for receiving the plug 25 on the end of a of the apparatus being conventionally illustrated. second flexible conduit 26. Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the As is illustrated in Fig. 3 the transformer 8 main gas producing tank With the tank partially and pump 4 may be conventiently housed in a broken away in vertical CrOSS Section. carrying case 27. A motor for operating a pump Fig. 3 is an elevational view partially broken 4 is indicated at 28 and a Supply line or cord 29 away in croSS Section of a chest and enclosed for connecting the transformer to a Source of al auxiliary equipment for use with the tank shown ternating current is housed in the case. The at Fig. 2. flexible electrical conduits from the transformer This invention relates to a convenient and in 8 can extend through an opening 3 in the side expensive method and apparatus for producing a of the box to the appropriate Sockets on the elec combustible gas from light hydrocarbon liquids trodes 5 and . The gas conducting conduits such as kerosene. The gas produced is a mixture 40 from the pump f4 to the separator and the nozzle of hydrogen, acetylene, and other hydrocarbon can also be housed within the case and ex that is readily combustible with a clean hot flane. tend through the opening 39. The gas is produced by creating an electric arc The method by which the foregoing apparatus through a body of the hydrocarbon liquid and the is utilized to produce a combustible gas is as foll arc is maintained in efficient manner by materials lows:

mixed in the hydrocarbon and in a body of liquid which forms the terminal or one side of the arc A quantity of Water is introduced into the bot as will be described. ton of the tank around the carbon electrode 23 The apparatus for carrying on the method as at 3:. An additional quantity of number one consists primarily of a tank or generator that is 50 grade of kerosene or a similar light hydrocarbon desirably made in relatively Small size to be liquid is floated on top of the water as at readily portable. The tank is provided with 32. The kerosene surrounds the bared end 9 handles 2 and is lined as at 3 with a layer of glass of the upper electrode and floats upon the water or other electrically insulating material. The top as at 33. Note that the upper electrode 5 is ad of the tank is provided with an opening partially 55 justable in the grommet 4 to bring the bare elec

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trode 9 into close proximity with the surface fresh ingredients and the system should be again of the Water 33. Operated through the 30 minute break in period. Dissolved in the water 3 is a Small amount of Having thus described my invention, What I sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide and claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat a slightly larger amount of aluminum chloride. ent is:

Also dissolved in the water 3 is a quantity of a 1. The method of producing an inflammable detergent such as is commonly sold as a house gas which conprises the steps of floating a mix hold Washing product. ture of kerosene and finely divided manganese A satisfactory amount of the ingredients in dioxide in the proportions of 3.25 grams of the the water 31 is i gram of the hydroxide and 1 ) dioxide to il liter of the kerosene on a solution gram of the detergent with 6 grams of the alu of water, aluminum chloride, sodium hydroxide minum chloride to a liter of Water. These ‘and a detergent in the proportions of 6 grains of amounts may be varied considerably and other the chloride, 1 gram of the hydroxide and 13 metallic hydroxides such as potassium hydroxide grams of the detergent to one liter of water, the may be substituted for the sodium hydroxide. tWO liquids being retained in an electrically in The hydroxide functions to make the water elec Sulating tank, electrifying the Water solution by trically conductive while the aluminum chlo a carbon electrode immersed therein, immersing ride acts as a catalyst to assist the cracking ac a metal electrode in Said kerosene to near the tion. The detergent acts to hold in Suspension level of the water, agitating the mixtures ini in the Water Srial particles of Carbon that are 2) tially to intermix the dioxide with the kerosene, applying an alternating voltage of about 7000 formed by the gracking process as Will be de scribed. volts between said electrodes to create an arc The kerosene has mixed therein 6 to 7 grams from Said metal electrode to said water, with of finely powdered manganese dioxide. This drawing Combustible gases created by the arc manganese dioxide Sinks to the Surface of the 2 5 for approximately 30 minutes at substantially Water and acts as a further catalyst in aSSisting atmospheric pressure, Subsequently reducing the the cracking action of the arc. preSSure on Said liquids to a vacuum of between The Voltage applied across the electrodes is 5 to 40 millimeters of mercury while continuing desirably in the neighborhood of 7000 volts and to maintain the arc and to withdraw gas, and is at least 3000 volts. Direct current has ad conducting the gas thus formed through a liquid vantages over alternating current but since it is Separator to a burner.

easier to obtain the high voltage With alternat 2. The method of producing an inflammable ing current this alternating current has been gas Which comprises the steps of floating a mix found to be satisfactory. ture of kerosene and finely divided manganese After the tank has been charged as de dioxide on a Solution of Water, aluminum chlo scribed, the contents are agitated by sharply ride, Sodium hydroxide and a detergent, the two Shaking the tank J. Or 3 times to assure that the liquids being retained in an electrically insulat manganese dioxide is intermixed in the kero ing tank, electrifying the water solution by a Sene. The voltage is then applied to the elec carbon electrode immersed therein, immersing a trodes to create the electric arc within the body metal electrode in said kerosene to near the level of kerosene. The gas created by the arc is drawn of the Water, agitating the mixtures initially to off and the interior of the tank is maintained internix the dioxide with the kerosene, apply at approximately atmospheric pressure for about ing an alternating voltage of about 7000 volts 30 minutes. This initial break-in operation of between said electrodes to create an arc from the apparatus causes finely divided carbon to be Said metal electrode to said water, withdrawing precipitated into both the kerosene and the water combustible gases created by the arc for approxi and increases the rate of gas generation. After mately 30 minutes at Substantially atmospheric the carbon content has built up in the liquids, preSSure, Subsequently reducing the pressure on the tank is closed except for the outlet pipe 2 Said liquids to a vacuum of between 5 to 40 milli and a vacuum of between 5 and 40 millimeters meters of mercury while continuing to maintain of mercury is drawn on the tank while the gas is the arc and to withdraw gas, and conducting the being withdrawn. It has been found that less gas thus formed to a burner.

of the residual carbon is formed under low pres 3. The method of producing an inflammable Su'e and also that the gas produced has a higher gas which comprises the steps of foating a mix acetylene content and burns with a hotter filame. 5 5 ture of kerosene and finely divided manganese The gas is, of course, delivered from the pump dioxide in the proportions of 3.25 grams of the 4 to the burner tip. for use as desired. As dioxide to 1 liter of the kerosene on a solution was previously pointed out, the gas burns in air of Water, aluminum chloride, sodium hydroxide With a clean, hot flame that is superior generally and a detergent in the proportions of 6 grams of to commercial acetylene and approximately equal 60 the chloride, 1 gram of the hydroxide and 13 in heating properties to purified acetylene. grams of the detergent to one liter of water, the The method and apparatus may be employed two liquids being retained in an electrically in continuously with periodic replenishing of the Sulating tank, electrifying the water solution by kerosene. After a shutdown of the apparatus, an electrode immersed therein, immersing an the tank should be agitated to release the man- 6 electrode in said kerosene to near the level of ganese dioxide particles prior to restarting the water, agitating the mixtures initially to in the process. The process can then be continued termix the dioxide with the kerosene, applying an alternating voltage in excess of 3000 volts be at low pressure as set forth above. At long in tervals it may be found desirable to replenish tween said electrodes to create an arc from the the tank with small amounts of the catalyst, (). upper electrode to Said water, withdrawing com dietergent and water. After long periods of oper bustible gases created by the arc for approxi ation, the ingredients in the tank may become mately 30 minutes at substantially atmospheric OYelly charged. With precipitated carbon and the pressure, Subsequently reducing the pressure on Said liquids to a vacuum of between 5 to 40 mil rate of gas picoduction will fall off. At this time the tank should be emptied and recharged with 75 limeters of mercury while continuing to maintain

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the arc and to withdraw gas, and conducting the 7. The method of producing an inflammable gas thus formed to a burner. gas which comprises the steps of floating a mix 4. The method of producing an inflammable ture of kerosene and finely divided manganese gas which comprises the steps of floating a mix dioxide in the proportions of 3.25 grams of the ture of kerosene and finely divided manganese 5 dioxide to 1 liter of the kerosene on a solution of dioxide in the proportions of 3.25 grams of the water, aluminum chloride, potassium hydroxide dioxide to 1 liter of the kerosene on a Solution. and a detergent in the proportions of 6 grams of of water, aluminum chloride, sodium hydroxide the chloride, 1 gram of the hydroxide and 13 and a detergent in the proportions of 6 grams of grams of the detergent to 1 liter of water, the the chloride, 1 gram of the hydroxide and 13 0 tWO liquids being retained in an electrically in grams of the detergent to 1 liter of water, the Sulating tank, electrifying the water solution by two liquids being retained in an electrically in an electrode innersed therein, innersing a sec Sulating tank, electrifying the water Solution by Ond electrode in said kerosene to near the level an electrode immersed therein, immersing an of the water, agitating the mixtures initially to electrode in said kerosene to near the level of the 5 intermix the dioxide with the kerosene, applying water, applying an alternating voltage in excess Woltage in excess of 3000 volts between said elec of 3000 volts between Said electrodes to create trodes to create an arc from said second elec an arc from the upper electrode to Said Water, trode to said water, withdrawing combustible Withdrawing combustible gases created by the arc, reducing the pressure on said liquids to a 20 gases created by the arc thus formed through a liquid separator to a burner.

vacuum of between 5 to 40 millimeters of mercury 8. The method of producing an inflammable while continuing to maintain the arc and to with gas which comprises the Steps of floating a mix draw gas, and conducting the gas thus formed ture of kerosene and finely divided manganese to a burnel.

dioxide in the proportions of 3.25 grams of the 5. The method of producing an inflammable 25 dioxide gas which comprises the Steps of floating a mix to 1 liter of the kerosene on a Solution of ture of kerosene and finely divided manganese water, aluminum chloride, potassium hydroxide dioxide on a Solution of water, aluminum chlo and a detergent in the proportions of 6 grams of ride, metallic hydroxide and a detergent, the two the chloride, 1 gram of the hydroxide and 13 liquids being retained in an electrically insulat 30 grams of the detergent to 1 liter of water, the ing tank, electrifying the Water Solution by an tWO liquids being retained in an electrically insul electrode immersed therein, iminersing a second lating tank, electrifying the water Solution by electrode in Said kerosene to near the level of an electrode immersed therein, immersing a sec the water, agitating the mixtures initially to in Ond electrode in said kerosene to near the level termix the dioxide with the kerosene, applying 35 of the water, applying voltage in excess of 3000 voltage in excess of 3000 volts between said elec volts between Said electrodes to create an arc trodes to create an arc from Said Second elec from said second electrode to said water, with trode to said water, withdrawing combustible drawing combustible gases created by the arc gases created by the arc for approximately 30 and conducting the gas thus formed to a burner. minutes at Substantially atmospheric preSSure, 40 9. The method of producing an inflammable subsequently reducing the pressure on Said liquids gas which comprises the steps of floating a mix to a vacuum of between 5 to 40 millimeters of ture of kerosene and finely divided manganese mercury while continuing to maintain the arc dioxide on a Solution of water, aluminum chlo and to Withdraw gas, and conducting the gas ride, metallic hydroxide and a detergent, the two thus formed to a burner. 45 liquids being retained in an electrically insulat 6. The method of producing an inflammable ing tank, electrifying the water solution by an gas which comprises the steps of floating a mix electrode immersed therein, immersing a second ture of kerosene and finely divided manganese electrode in said kerosene to near the level of the dioxide On a Solution of Water, aluminum chlo Water, applying voltage in excess of 3000 volts ride, metallic hydroxide and a detergent, the two between Said electrodes to create an arc from liquids being retained in an electrically insulat 50 said second electrode to said water, withdrawing ing tank, electrifying the water solution by an combustible gases created by the arc and con electrode immersed therein, immersing a second ducting the gas thus formed to a burner. electrode in Said kerosene to near the level of DONATD G. BUTLER, the water, applying voltage in excess of 3000

Wolts between Said electrodes to create an arc References Cited in the file of this patent from Said Second electrode to Said Water, With UNITED STATES PATENTS drawing combustible gases created by the arc, reducing the pressure on Said liquids to substan Number Name Date tially below atmospheric pressure while continu 60 1,282,445 McKee ------------ Oct. 22, 1918 ing to maintain the arc and to withdraw gas, 2,013,996 Baumann et al. ---- Sept. 10, 1935 and conducting the gas thus formed to a burner. 2,353,770 Suits -------------- July 18, 1944