Improvements in method and apparatus for the conversion of gases into another substance by partial oxidation

摘要

Reactions such as the oxidation of methane to methanol are performed in a gas engine having means for varying the ratio of air and gas without involving throttle control, means for varying the compression while the engine is working, and speed-regulating means involving control of the exhaust valve. The engine is operated normally until a sufficient speed is attained; the ratio of fuel to air and the compression are then increased and the ignition is discontinued, whereupon self-ignition and partial combustion of the mixture take place. The pressure on the reaction product should be suddenly released to avoid the occurrence of cracking. Auxiliary fluids may be introduced at suitable points of the cycle to produce the optimum conditions of temperature and pressure. Driving-gear.--The size of the compression chamber is varied by screwing the piston rod 24 to a variable extent into the hub 26 of the cross-head 13. For this purpose the rod is provided with longitudinal ribs 27, Fig. 5, splined through a worm wheel 28 which is rotatably mounted in a recess at the inner end of the cylinder and is operated by a worm 29 and handle 31. Regulating.--The methane admitted by the valve 58, Fig. 6, passes through the annular space 64 and is mixed with air entering at 34 before reaching the inlet valve 38. A sleeve 63 surrounding the space 64 may be raised or lowered to vary the sizes of the fuel and air ports without affecting the total quantity of mixture. Fig. 4 shows the speed-regulating device, which puts the exhaust valve out of action at excessive speeds. The valve tappet 81 is mounted on a crank 80 which is operated by the cam-actuated push-rod 94 through the medium of a trip 84. This is pivoted on an arm 96 to which the push rod is connected by a ball and socket joint. It eomprises a blade 98 adapted to engage a shoe 83 on the crank arm, and a weight 97 acting in opposition to a spring 100. At excessive speeds the inertia of the weight causes the trip to turn on its pivot so that the blade misses the shoe.