This ‘Autocet’ automatic acetylene gas generator was built by Croydon-based Weldcraft Limited sometime in the mid-1950s before being installed at the Trafford Park works operated by Associated Electrical Industries (AEI) and eventually General Electrical Company (GEC). This manufacturing works specialized in the production of low-pressure turbines. The generator has a cylindrical metal body approximately six feet tell and three feet in diameter which is painted white. At the top of the generator is a replaceable carbide hopper which would control to pouring of carbide into the tank below which would contain water. Inside the tank is an automatic stirring agitator. On the outside of the tank is a set of pressure gaskets with relief and outlet valves. The generator, when installed, would be connected to gas lines which would pump the acetylene gas to storage tanks, as well as being connected to a sludge outlet pipe which would remove the byproduct of the water-calcium carbide reaction. A label is found at the front of the tank which identifies this object as a generator and lists the pressure of the tank when in use at 9 P.S.I. "Auto-cet" acetylene gas generator 1950s
Gas generator by A. Gallenkamp and Co. Ltd., in glazed cream stoneware, c.1950 Gas generator by A. Gallenkamp and Co. Ltd. circa 1950