February 27, 1914.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

481

Brighton, Sussex.—The lower portion of the lamp consists
of a cylindrical metallic casing having a circular foot or
base of larger diameter. The cylindrical casing or lamp
body may conveniently be in aluminum alloy casting. The
said cylindrical casing is provided at its upper end on the
exterior, with a suitable thread adapted to fit an internal
thread upon a split flanged locking ring fitted with a
clamping screw operated by a key. Two, three, or more
small incandescent bulbs of, say, 1-candle power each, are
mounted on a vulcanite disc base. The said bulbs are
enclosed within a cylindrical casing or tube of glass. On
the exterior of the glass tube is a metallic cage or housing
consisting of three, four, or more vertical bars integrally
formed with a cover plate at the top and with a ring at the
lower end, which ring is provided on its exterior with a
flange, and on its interior with a screwed ring supporting
the said vulcanite base. The said flange fits the top edge of
the casting forming the cylindrical body of the lamp. The
flan ge or shoulder formed on the inner upper part of the sa id
locking ring serves when the ring is screwed home to grip
the flange of the housing to the top of the body casing, and
the said clamping screw then serves to lock the ring in
position so that it may not be unscrewed by an unauthorised
person. Between the top of the accumulator and the under
surface of the said vulcanite base are the two battery
terminals, each fitted with a coil spring within short length
of telescopic tubes. One such spring terminal is fitted
centrally in the lamp. The switch consists of a spring-
controlled plunger or push rod adapted to slide in a tube

which together with the holders is fitted to the said
vulcanite base. The switch when depressed by hand pro-
trudes through a hole in the said vulcanite base and makes
contact with the centre spring terminal of the accumulator,
connecting same to the outside portion of the lamp holders,
which are of the screw type with centre contacts. The
centre contacts of the holders are connected to a conducting
ring, secured to the underside of the vulcanite base. This
ring forms the connection to the other spring terminal of the
accumulator. The switch push rod or plunger is operated
by, and insulated from a rod, which projects through the
top of the lantern cover plate, and terminates in an external
knurled button. A hole is drilled through the rod and a
pin fitted in the same. This pin is arranged to slide in
slots formed in a boss inside the top cover plate of the
lantern casing. To operate the switch the rod is depressed
until the pin is clear of the slots. The rod is then given a
quarter turn, and is prevented from rising by the pin being
in contact with the end of the tube or sleeve. The locking
or clamping screw or bolt of the locking ring is placed
through a split projecting boss having the screw passing
through it. The screw head to which the key is to be fitted
is placed at some distance within a recess to prevent the
screw being tampered with. It is operated by a hollow end
key, which has an internally projecting portion, fitting a
keyway or flat cut in the clamping screw head. Fig. 1 is a
central sectional elevation of the lamp : fig. 3 is a plan, and
fig. 4 is a sectional plan on the line ZZ of fig. 1. (Four
claims.)

3284 (1913). Improved Process for the Distillation of
Carbonaceous Material and Apparatus therefor. H. G. Hills,
Northern Assurance-buildings, Manchester, and R. W. Thom,
5, Lord-street West, Southport.—.In this process the produc-
tion of a large quantity of gas is not considered of so much
importance as the quality of the coke and the quantity and
quality of by-products. According to the invention a retort
or oven externally heated and made to exclude air is
provided, and into this retort are inserted any number of
trays which contain the material to be distilled in thin



layers. So soon as this tray or the trays are inserted in the
retort the door is closed, and the air which is contained in
the retort is exhausted. The distillation is then started at
a low temperature, and the heat is regulated so that distilla-
tion is effected in successive stages at different temperatures,
and the distillates are collected in separate tar tanks or
receivers. If the coke is to be of a free-burning nature the
maximum temperature is kept comparatively low. If, on
the other hand, hard coke is required the maximum tempera-
ture is raised suitably after the lighter hydrocarbons have
been given off, when the heavier hydrocarbons will be
distilled and leave the coke theoretically free from volatile

matter. The tray (cr trays) is then withdrawn and the
operation is completed. Another tray or trays may then be
inserted and the operation repeated. This intermittent
system distinguishes the process from one in which a
conveyor is used, as in that case the material is being
continually fed into the distilling chamber. The trays
containing the material to be distilled are comparatively
shallow, so that the material in thin layers thereon is
quickly and evenly acted upon by the heat. The depth of
the trays, however, can be increased if there are divisions
provided to admit the heat into the body of the fuel.
Instead of having one retort and completing the distillation
therein, two or more retorts may be provided and worked
consecutively—that is to say, the distillation is started in
the first retort at a low temperature—the trays are
then transferred to the second retort where the tempera-
ture is higher, and again in a similar manner to whatever
number of retorts are in use. Where a series of chambers
is used it is economical to have the first one cold
merely for the purpose of exhausting the air so that the
trays containing the material can be transferred to the
second chamber without any air entering. The trays con-
taining the material can be run into the retort on rollers
by gravitation, by traction, or can be carried on trucks as
may be found most convenient. Fig. 1 is a plan of a
carbonising plant comprising a series of retorts, by-product
tanks, and gas washing cistern arranged for the purposes of
the invention; fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same, and
fig. 3 is a sectional end elevation showing the beaters and
the gas washing cistern. (Two claims.)

21427 (1913). Atomising Apparatus for Washing, Purifying,
and Cooling Gases. H. E. Theisen, of 34, Elisabethstrasse,
Munich, Germany.—Relates to various improvements in
apparatus of the type in which the gas flows past partly
fixed and partly rotating atomising surfaces, or past

fl ft7
errrr°i i
e [

oppositely rotating atomising surfaces, and more par-
ticularly to the kind in which the partly fixed and partly
rotating atomising surfaces and perforated plates or wire
cloth cylinders are cast on cast iron rings inserted in the
apparatus, or secured to sheet metal rings in such manner
that when being put together and taken apart the upper
half of thecasing and the atomising surfaces may be inserted
and withdrawn from above. The object of the invention is
to provide improvements in the devices by which the liquid
is introduced and distributed, to the end of securing more
uniform treatment of the gas. Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation
of an improved apparatus ; fig. 3 is an end elevation of part
of the atomising bars ; fig. 2 is a detail sectional elevation
representing one method of introducing water laterally.
The water-supply tubes are fixed while the disintegrator
bars rotate. The gas is then caused to pass radially through
the atomised liquid. In one arrangement both the water-
supply tubes and the disintegrator bars are caused to rotate
in opposite directions. The water injection apparatus, for
example pipes c, is so arranged on annular discs G1 carry-
ing the atomising surfacesand covering internally a water-
supply passage a, that when the atomising device is removed
the water injection pipes c are also removed. Further
injection pipes d may be arranged, in addition to the inner
injection pipes c, between the rotating atomising devices,
and in which water is conveyed to these pipes from the
main pipe a or through a separate feed pipe/. (Ten claims.)

21465 (1913). Automatic Grab. O. Weigner, Kostler-
gasse 5, Vienna, Austria.—The distinctive characteristic of
the invention is the automatic grab in which the whole
weight of load opens the shovels to as great width of jaw
as desired, whilst in closing, the closing force increases
steadily at a constant speed. These two peculiarities are
calculated to ensure a heavy load for given measurements
of the grab, and consequently great working capacity of the
same. Figs. 1, 2, and 3 show respectively a side elevation
in one form of construction when closed, a plan, and a side
elevation, when open. The method of working of the grab
is as follows :—The closed grab hangs in the load ropes or
chains h hx of a winch, while the control ropes g g1 are
without tension. Then, if in any desired position the empty
or full grab be opened, the control ropes or chains will be
held fast or drawn on, whilst the load ropes h hT will be
released. The whole weight of the grab now depends from
the suspensory points k kY of the levers c clt which slew
owing to the oblique pull of the rods fflt and in consequence
open the shovels wide. An adjustable stop 1 limits the
opening of the shovels. The grab is now placed open on
the material (coal, coke, earth, or the like) to be transported.
On winding up the closing ropes or chains h hT the shovels
of the grab close with a pull of the ropes h hlf the force of
which is multiplied according to the number of the block
rollers r rlf whereby the full grab is lifted up. Protecting
plates shield the ropes or chains of the block from being

injured by the material transported. The grab as it
becomes filled increases in weight, and the rope tension on
h h^ likewise increases thereby, as also in increased degree
the closing power of the, shovel edges m mlf which is
important for the loading capacity of the grab. Moreover,
the great closing power which is attained by the edges mmx

Fig-.l

Fig-.2

Jt

Fiy.S £Aa.

of the shovels at the end of the closing movement, enables
any large pieces of the transported material which may
have got between the edges to be cut through, so that the
shovels can quite close, and thereby prevent any small-
grained material in transportation from being scattered.
(Four claims.)

25318 (1913). A Method of and Means for Preventing the
Accumulation of Firedamp in Coal and like Mines. J. Kemper-
mann, of 45, Ardeystrasse, Dortmund, Germany.—Relates
to a method of preventing the accumulation of firedamp in
coal or like mines, in which the coal layers or strata, or the
adjoining seams or veins of other minerals exhale gases
which, when getting mixed with the ventilation air, form
with the same an explosive mixture, the so-called firedamp.
The invention relates to means for ventilating spaces or
cavities, and this object is attained by means of a com-
pressed-air conduit running along the gangway below the
cavities, and by means of branch pipes extending upwards

into the said spaces or cavities, the distance from one
branch pipe to the next amounting from about 5 m. to about
25 m., as the case may be. The compressed air escaping
from the nozzle-shaped ends of the branch pipes supplants
and removes the firedamp out of the places stated, or dilutes
it so far that an explosion is practically impossible. The
nozzles may deliver the compressed air either constantly or
at intervals, especially, however, slightly previous to a
blasting. The accompanying drawing represents a vertical
longitudinal section through a gangway provided with the
means in question. (Three claims.)

28972 (1912). Improvements in Coal Tar and the like
Hydrocarbon Distillation. J. Rosen, Apollo Lodge, Maples-
bury-road, London, N.W. (Societe Anonyme des Combus-
tibles Industriels, of 75, rue de Maubeuge, Paris, France).—
The invention has shown that it is only possible to
satisfactorily improve the distillation of coal tar or similar
hydrocarbons and keep the light oil introduced for this
purpose within reasonable limits, if said oil is supplied at a
considerably lower temperature and the tar is heated
before the light oil is introduced. The liquid used as a
carrying medium must be capable of fulfilling the following
requirements : (1.) It must readily mix with the tar that is
to be treated and be entirely absorbed by the tar, dissolve
in the same, and on being evaporated act as a solvent for the
coal tar vapours. (2). It must belong to the same chemical
class of substances as the constituents of the mass to be
distilled, and have similar properties thereto. (3.) It must
have a boiling point that is at least 80 degs. Cent, below
that of the material to be distilled. (4.) It must be passed
into the mass to be distilled at a temperature considerably
lower than its boiling point—i e., in a liquid state. The
light oils of coal tar that distil at comparatively low
temperatures are perfectly suitable under these circum-
stances for eliminating the heavier constituents that distil
at higher temperatures. In order to carry the improved
process into effect the liquid medium with a lower boiling
point is slowly and progressively passed into the material
to be distilled, such as coal tar, schist oils or heavy
petroleum oils. Thus in the case of petroleum tar, for
instance, that boils at 330 degs. Cent., light petroleum oils
that boil at 170’5 degs. Cent., will be introduced. The
difference between the boiling point of the liquid carrier
and that of the mass to be distilled must be large enough
to allow of the liquid carrier being evaporated subsequently
to its introduction, and the carrier is therefore introduced
at a considerably lower temperature. The liquid thus
passed into the mass to be distilled is absorbed and
produces by its evaporation and the expansion of its vapours
a very active carrying medium, the effect of which is
particularly visible in connection with substances having a
similar composition—that is to say, having analogous
properties. The result obtained is considerably facilitated
by the suction of the bubbles of vapour that rise to the
surface, as well as by the dissolving effect of the liquid
used. The vapour tension of the substance that is carried
over is diminished in proportion to the volume of the
mixture of vapours produced, the evaporation of the heavy
oils is thus increased, and the same are more readily carried
over to the condensers. In order that but a small quantity
of the carrying medium shall be required and in order to
avoid possibility of explosion, the liquid introduced can be

{Continued from page 484).