Abstract: An improved artificial candle having an exterior appearance of a traditional wax candle, but which provides illumination by means of producing and burning acetylene gas.

Abstract: There is provided a nickel-base alloy with service enhanced strengthening properties. When exposed to ethylene pyrolysis conditions, namely a carbon containing environment and at temperatures of at least about 900.degree. C., the alloy forms M.sub.6 C and MC carbides that strengthen the alloy. The alloy may be formed into internally finned tubing.The alloy includes about 0.08-0.11% carbon, 41-45% nickel, 23-26% chromium, 0.6-0.95% manganese, 1-1.7% silicon, 0.2-0.6% titanium, 0.25-0.55% aluminum, 1.3-1.7% molybdenum, 0.25-0.6% niobium, 0.15-0.45% tantalum, 0-0.2% tungsten, 0.001-0.005% boron, 0.01-0.03% zirconium, and the balance iron with trace commercial impurities.

Abstract: A multi-stage generator for generating dry acetylene gas from calcium carbide while leaving a residue of dry lime has a generator housing including a plurality of vertically spaced shelves, each shelf and its associated components providing a stage of the generator. Each shelf has an exit slot and a water spray zone circumferentially spaced therefrom. A deposit zone is formed intermediate the water spray zone and the exit slot. Stirring arms are rotatably mounted to cooperate with each shelf to sweep the calcium carbide mixture received in the deposit zone into the wetting zone and thereafter into the exit slot. The exit slot of each shelf is offset angularly relative to the exit slot of the preceeding shelf so that the calcium carbide mixture is swept about each shelf through a substantial angle prior to exiting to the next shelf.

Abstract: An acetylene gas generator is comprised of inner and outer nested chambers in which the inner chamber has a plurality of trays inserted therein, with a grid located above each tray. Water is provided to the inner chamber and is dispersed throughout the inner chamber by the grids to the trays containing calcium carbide or like material. Space between the inner and outer chambers is used to provide liquid cooling of the inner chamber.The generator can be used for a variety of purposes including the provision of acetylene for primary or auxiliary power for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an apparatus for generating gas by the reaction of water reactive gas producing fuel with water vapor. A chamber houses the metal hydride fuel and a water vapor is introduced into the fuel chamber through a pair of spaced porous hydrophobic membranes. Reaction of the water vapor with the fuel produces a gas such as hydrogen (if calcium hydride fuel is used) or oxygen for use in a fuel cell. A "dead space" is positioned between the porous hydrophobic membranes which provides a safety feature that is unique in its use. If, during operation, an excessive sudden demand is made for the generated gas, i.e. hydrogen, and in turn for water vapor, with this invention, unvaporized water which might be pulled through the outer membrane or membranes will then pass through the hydrogen outlet rather than accidently directly contacting the fuel.

Abstract: A relatively small size apparatus for generating hydrogen by the reaction of a metal hydride with water vapor is disclosed. The metal hydride utilized to generate the hydrogen gas is housed in a fuel chamber of the apparatus and water vapor is introduced into the fuel chamber through a porous membrane having selected characteristics. The metal hydride reacts with the water vapor in a conventional manner to produce pure hydrogen. A variable gas pressure - liquid pressure balance means for introduction of water vapor enables automatic hydrogen generation on demand and enables complete shut down when demand ceases. The apparatus of this invention may be operated at any selected constant pressure feed rate. Further, with the apparatus of this invention the water source is effectively isolated from the metal hydride by the porous membrane, which has hydrophobic characteristics, and as a consequence, both contamination of the water source and caking of the metal hydride fuel is minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating acetylene gas by reacting water and calcium carbide wherein a tank containing water is pressurized by a pump in a manner feeding the water to another vessel wherein it reacts with particulate calcium carbide to generate acetylene gas. A portion of the acetylene gas is returned through a pressure regulator to the water tank in a manner maintaining regulated system operating pressure on the water to sustain the reaction without overproduction of the gas. The apparatus can be located in a vehicle for on board generation of acetylene gas as fuel for the internal combustion engine thereof.

Abstract: In a liquid decomposing system including a decomposer having an inlet located at its bottom, a liquid tank having an outlet at its bottom, a reservoir connected between the outlet of the tank and the inlet of the decomposer, and a buffer and condensate vessel, the gas pressure at the outlet of the decomposer is maintained constant with the aid of a back pressure regulator connected between the vessel and the reservoir to set up constant driving pressure in the liquid inlet of the decomposer.