Purpose of Distillation. HEATING SUBSTANCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISTILLATION
Year: 1884

page_text: Purpose of Distillation.
I, BERNARD PEARD WALKER of N° 1 Brighton place Alcester road Moseley
Nr Birmingham Consulting engineer do heraby declare the nature of my invention
for HEATING SUBSTANCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISTILLATION to be as follows:
My improvement relates to heating substances in closed vessels in process of
distillation In carrying out my invention I apply heat directly to the material to
be acted upon by means of a heated current of vapour or permanent gas of, either
similar constitution to what is evolved by the action of heat upon this material or
having such chemical properties as to be incapable of injuriously affecting the
distillate, during its passage from the source of supply to the closed vessel first
named I convey the current of vapour or gas through a heating apparatus
similar to "hot air oven used in smelting iron I furnish this hot air oven with
means for adjustment so that the heat required for volatilizing the substances placed
in the closed vessel may be regulated as requisite. The heated stream of vapour
or gas thus supplies the heat directly to the material to be distilled.

page_text: Improved Method of Heating Substances for the Purpose
of Distillation.
I BERNARD PEARD WALKER of Waterloo Street, Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Consulting Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
for IMPROVED METHOD OF HEATING SUBSTANCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIS-
TILLATION and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement as follows, that is to
Bay:
"
In place of heating the material to be operated on' in closed vessels the outside
of which is subjected to the action of fire.-I apply the heat directly to the
material by passing through and amongst a current of vapour or gas of the same
kind as what is evolved by the action of heat from the material to be distilled.
This vapour or gas being previously heated sufficiently to volatilize the substances.
to be driven off.
Thus supposing the object is to make coal gas and coke I pass a stream of
hydrocarbon vapour first through a heating arrangement similar to the well known
hot air ovens used for heating the blast for iron furnaces by which a sufficient heat
is readily attained and moreover easily regulated so as to drive off the volatile
matter by one or a succession of stages beginning with a low temperature for the
lighter substances and increasing the heat for the more dense portions.
The vessells in which the distillation takes place may be moveable and of
sufficient capacity to contain as large a mass of coal in the case supposed as may
adinit of the coke being taken out in masses and being carbonized under pressure
to acquire the density now wanting in gas coke.
My invention may be carried into effect as follows:-By means of an air
compressing or. blowing machine of ordinary construction I force a stream of gas
or gaseous matter through any heating chamber or stove such for instance as those
in common use for heating the blast in Iron smelting Furnaces and in which a
temperature of desired intensity is maintained..
The substance to be operated upon is placed in a vessel or retort of convenient
capacity according to the nature of the substance under treatment.
This vessel or retort is provided with an inlet and outlet but otherwise it is
_carefully closed.
The vessel or retort is connected by pipes with the before mentioned heating
stove and blowing machine at the inlet and with condensing and purifying or other
apparatus as the case may be at the outlet. The stream of gas or gaseous or other
matter then passes through the substance or material in the chamber or retort
mingling with the matter given off therefrom and is conveyed through the outlet
pipes to suitable receiving or storeing vessels. The air or gaseous matter employed
must be of a suitable kind having reference to the materials to be distilled and to
the distillate. Generally I use a portion of the gaseous matter evolved taking the
supply at the commencement of the process from a special generator and as soon as
a How of gaseous matter is established I connect the inlet of the blowing machine

page_text: with either the retort direct or any convenient part of the apparatus. For instance
when my invention is used for coal, gas, and coke making the supply may be
drawn from the hydraulic main or the gas holder. It will however be evident
that any other gas, fluid or gaseous matter may be employed in the process which
will not injuriously effect the results.
When the process is complete as regards the substance operated upon in one
vessel or retort the connection may be made with another vessel or retort
previously charged for the purpose and the former operation as above described is
repeated while the exhausted retort is emptied of its more solid contents.
Though I have for the sake of example mentioned the case of coal and coal gas
and its apparatus I do not confine myself to any particular substance, as the
apparatus and process is applicable to many other substances requiring such
treatment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
The improved method of heating substances for the purpose of distilation by
subjecting them directly to a heated current of gas or gaseous matter of the same
or of a similar nature to that given off from the particular substance at the time
under treatment substantially as herein set forth.
GEORGE BARKER,
Agent for the Applicant,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham,