A NEW PRODUCER GAS PLANT.
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ANEW PRODUCER gas plant, which is said to overcome the difficulties of the existing systems, has recently been designed and patented by Mr. F. J. Wiltshire,-of Dronfield, Derbyshire. There are certain inherent difficulties with producer gas plant such as starting from cold, restarting after a short stop; efficient washing and cooling of the gas, etc., and it is claimed that these matters have been effectively solved in the Wiltshire producer ; moreover, these claims . have, it is asserted, been substantiated by actual tests.
The plant is extremely compact in nature, and ?Es weight is approximately 27 lb. It occupies very little space and can be adapted for driving any type of motor vehicle with the minimum of alteration.
gn dealing first with the fuel, there is fixed on the top of the producer, an automatic feeder which ensures a roper supply of coal or coke at all engine speeds, and it can be regulated by hand if necessary. The coal is supplied from the bunker connected to the inlet of the feeder, and a continuous supply is ensured without opening the hopper, as is the usual practice with most other types. The automatic coal feeder is driven by worm gearing.
The coal, passing through the feeder
into the producer, falls on to a revolving grate, which, is spherical in shape and has at its outer circumference a series of studs and perforations. It is fixed o a shaft supported in automatic airtight bearings, and driven. by worm gearing. The grate revolves within a wedge-shaped fire ring and its action removes all the ash which would eventually form clinker. If by chance clinker should form it is crushed and passed into the ash-pit through the circumferential perforations. The revels,ing action of the grate prevents the fire' from choking, and the steam and air drawn into the ash-pit, when the apparatus is working, keep the grate cool and the fire at the correct temperature.
The fire ring is fixed in the producer, the lining of which is made to be interchangeable. The airtight bearings supporting the shaft carrying the revolving grate ensure that no 'air passes through into the ash-pit. The main gas pipe conveying gas to the scrubber is surrounded by the vaporizer, whereby the steam and air necessary to ensure the proper mixture are admitted. The water is directed on to a special plate fixed to the pipe, where it is vaporized and afterwards passes through a flared opening at the bottom of the vaporizer and, mixing with the air, is conveyed to the ash-pit. The air pipe dips below the bottom of the vaporizer, which induces the steam to travel into the ash-pit, thereby assisting to keep up the tire when standing after working. The scrubber consists of a rotatable drum formed with annular vanes on its peri phery, and with perforations between the vanes, the drum being keyed to the main shaft of the apparatus. -When, the drum revolves, these vanes carry round the water which is maintained at a suitable level in the outer casing of the scrubber, and the gas passes through the perfora tions into the outer circumference and through the water which is being con veyed over the outer surface, and then. it is diverted downwards into the water again by the semi-circular splash plate, when it escapes round the sides of the filtering material.
Above the scrubber is the water tank. which supplies the necessary water to the plant.
The main worm drive which actuates the plant is driven preferably from the engine shaft by means of a chain or belt. Tine shaft operates the worm wheel which rotates freely on the clutch bush keyed to the main shaft. The clutch is mounted on a bush which has two slots with which the operating clutch is al. ways engaged and which take the drive instead of feather keys.