IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William John Blinkhorn, of St. Helens, in the County of
Lancaster, Chemical Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William John Blinkhorn at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th March 1878.
•
WILLIAM JOHN BLINKHORN, of St. Helens, in the County of Lancaster,
Chemical Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC
ACID."
The main object of my Invention is to economize nitrate of soda or potash in the
manufacture of sulphuric acid.
For this purpose sulphurous acid gas from pyrites or sulphur burners is brought
into contact or admixture with nitrous gas in the necessary or desired quantity,
such nitrous gas being evolved from a liquid solution of nitrate of soda or
potash.
In practice the nitrate of soda or potash dissolved in water is fed in a regular
stream or in jets on to the surface of or brought into contact with sulphuric or other
heated liquid acid, and the nitrous gas evolved is brought, as above mentioned, into
contact or admixture with the sulphurous gas and liquid sulphuric acid thereby
formed.
Ordinarily the heat of the gases from the pyrites or sulphur burners will be
sufficient to ensure the decomposition of the nitrate solution, and evolve the nitrous
gas in the flue or passage from the burners to the towers or chambers, but it will
be obvious heat may be applied to the vessel containing the heated liquid acid. The
nitrous gas produced is brought into contact with the sulphurous gas at any desired
[Price &d1

page_text: point, but preferably in the flue at the instant of formation over the heated acid
vessel.
The sulphate of soda or potash formed in the acid containing vessel is removed
or withdrawn from time to time by any well known means.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions. of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William John Blinkhorn in the Great Scal Patent Office on the 19th
September 1878.
WILLIAM JOHN BLINKHORN, of St. Helens, in the County of Lancaster,
Chemical Manufacturer. “IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC
ACID."
The main object of my Invention is to economize nitrate of soda or potash in
the manufacture of sulphuric acid.
For this purpose sulphurous acid gas from pyrites or sulphur burners is brought
into contact or admixture with nitrous gas in the necessary or desired quantity,
such nitrous gas being evolved from a liquid solution of nitrate of soda or
potash.
In practice the nitrate of soda or potash dissolved in water is fed in a regular
stream or in jets on to the surface of or brought into contact with sulphuric or other
heated liquid acid, and the nitrous gas evolved is brought, as above mentioned, into
contact or admixture with the sulphurous gas and liquid sulphuric acid thereby
formed.
• Ordinarily, the heat of the gases from the pyrites or sulphur burners will be
sufficient to ensure the decomposition of the nitrate solution and evolve the nitrous
gas in the flue or passage from the burners to the towers or chambers, but it will
be obvious heat may be applied to the vessel containing the heated liquid acid. The
nitrous gas produced is brought into contact with the sulphurous gas at any desired
point, but preferably in the flue at the instant of formation over the heated acid
vessel
The sulphate of soda or potash formed in the acid containing vessel is removed
or withdrawn from time to time by any well known means.
Some of the advantages of my improved method of manufacture are,—
(1). Reduced wear and tear of pots or ovens.
(2). Obtaining the sulphates formed during the manufacture separate from the
sulphuric acid.
And (3). Production of nitric or nitrous acid gases or vapours continuously in
uniform and desired quantity.
As mentioned above the sulphurous acid gas is produced in pyrites or sulphur
burners in any ordinary way at usual temperatures.
In preparing the nitrate solution I proceed in manner following:- Having
formed from.ordinary nitrate of soda, or other nitrate, and water, a solution of
about 70° Twaddle, I allow that solution to flow in a stream through a jet or jets,

page_text: the more regular the flow the better, on to the surface of the heated acid in the
containing vessel. The requisite temperature of the acid in the containing vessel in
one method of working is maintained by the sulphurous acid gases and vapours from
the burners or kilns, but heat may be applied directly to the exterior of the con-
taining vessel, and in both cases the resulting nitric or nitrous acid gases or vapours
may be conveyed to any desired part of the plant, and caused to come into contact
or mix with the sulphurous acid gas. The connection may be made at any point
between the burners and the chambers, or into the chambers.
The quantity of solution allowed to flow on to the heated acid will, as is obvious,
be in proportion to the quantity of the sulphurous acid gas passed over from the
burners; and as the decomposition of the nitrate is in regular quantity sulphuric
acid is advantageously produced.
The sulphates formed in the containing vessel are withdrawn therefrom at
intervals by removing a plug or other stopper closing the discharge aperture, or by
other means. Previous to the said withdrawal the flow of the solution is stopped
for a short time to ensure complete decomposition of any solution present in the
said containing vessel.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and particularized the
same in such manner that others will be enabled to carry my improvements into
effect, I claim the improvements in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, effected sub-
stantially as herein described, by causing the gases resulting from the decomposition
of a solution of nitrato of soda, or other nitrate, to come in the necessary or desired
quantity into contact with sulphurous acid gas from pyrites or sulphur burners.
In witness whereof, I, the said William John Blinkhorn, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Eighteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
J. T. KING.
W. JOHN BLINKHORN. (L.S.)