AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS POR PRODUCING COLD
Year: 1867

page_text: REECE AND FOX'S DISCLAIMER..
[REECE'S PATENT.]
Filed 24th December 1873.
In the Matter of Letters Patent granted to REES REECE, of
Llandilo, in the County of Carmarthen, Chemist, for the
Invention of "AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS POR PRODUCING
COLD," bearing date the 31st day of May, A.D. 1867, No. 1621,
one half interest in which Letters Patent has been assigned to
Edwin Fox, of Gresham Street, in the City of London,
Auctioneer.
DISCLAIMER proposed to be entered by the said REES REECE and
EDWIN Fox.
WHEREAS since the Specification was filed in pursuance of a proviso
contained in the said Letters Patent we have been advised that one of →
the claims in the said Specification may be considered too extensive.
Therefore we are desirous of amending the same as follows, that is to
say, in the printed copy of the said Specification in line 6 of page 9 we
strike out the words." or without."
And in order that the effect of this Disclaimer may be clearly under--"
stood we annex a copy of the description and claims as they will appear
after the said Disclaimer has been made.
23
"

page_text: "NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Rees Reece, do hereby declare"
"the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to "
"be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and "
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying "
Drawings forming a part of this Specification :-
"
دو
"The said Invention consists chiefly in the peculiar construction"
"and arrangement of apparatus for effecting the continuous distillation"
" and rectification of dilute solution of ammonia upon what is known
"
"
"
as the separative principle, and in the combination with the said "
apparatus of a condenser and refrigerator. The ammoniacal
gas is "
"reduced by its own pressure to a liquid condition in the said "
" condenser, from which it passes into the refrigerator, and having a
"
66
"
very low temperature quickly abstracts the licat from any fluid"
passed through the latter.
"
"
"A boiler is connected with an analyzer which consists of a series"
of plates arranged in the usual manner inside a strong iron vessel."
"The analyzer is connected with a rectifier which is provided with a"
"series of vertically arranged tubes surrounded by cold water, through'
"which tubes the ammoniacal fluid passes to the condenser, or a "
rectifier may be provided with a series of vessels arranged one above"
"the other with a space between them. The said vessels are con-
"nected in such a manner that a passage is formed from end to end"
"of the same for a continuous stream of cold water..
"
$6
"
دو
"
"
"The condenser may be constructed of tubes arranged like those of"
" 'the rectifier, or may be simply a cylindrical or other suitably shaped"
iron vessel strong enough to resist the internal pressure of the gas,
the said vessel being immersed in cold water. The condensed"
" ammonia passes from the condenser to a refrigerator which may be "
"of any convenient form and construction. The fluid cooled in the "
refrigerator parts with the greater portion of its heat to the con- "
"densed ammonia which is thus again vaporized, and in this form "
passes into an absorbing vessel which is kept cold by water, and "
"which serves to maintain the required vacuum in the refrigerator.."
"The ammoniacal solution passes from the absorber into a heating".
"vessel from which it is returned into the analyzer. In some cases"
"the analyzer may be dispensed with and the boiler connected imme-
diately with the rectifier."
$
"
"

page_text: "
THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the general arrangement of "+
"the parts of my improved apparatus.
6
"The following Figures are drawn to an enlarged scale.
"Figures 2 and 3 are a transverse and longitudinal section of the
analyzer shown in Figure 1.
!!
"Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the rectifier shown in "
Figure 1; Figure 5 is an end view of the said rectifier.
"...
"
"Figures 6 and 7 are a plan and section illustrating a modification"
of the same.
66
Figures 8 and 9 are a plan and longitudinal section of the re-
frigerator shown in Figure 1.
"Figure 10 is a transverse section on the line x, x, of the absorbing
vessel shown in Figure 1.
""
بود
,,
Figures 11 and 12 are a longitudinal section and end view of the "
"heating vessel shown in Figure 1.
"Like letters indicate corresponding parts in each of the Figures. "'"'
}
"The boiler A may be of iron or other suitable metal, and may be "
"constructed in any manner that will render it strong enough to "
"withstand the required pressure. Where the analyzer B is used the "
"said boiler is connected to the same by pipes a, provided with stop-"
"cocks 6 or other convenient means of regulation. The said analyzer "
is provided with a series of cups c, or with plates arranged as in"
"other analyzing vessels employed for separative distillation." Ä"
heating apparatus O is provided to heat the solution of ammonia
previous to its introduction into the analyzer B, and is connected to
the top of the said analyzer by a suitable pipe or tube d, and by "
another pipe e to the boiler A. The said analyzer is also provided
with a tube f, to convey the spent liquor to the boiler. The
** rectifier D is placed above the analyzer B, and is connected thereto
B
وو
by a short tube g or by other convenient means: The said rectifier
"is provided with a series of vertical tubes h, placed in a cistern
containing water at the proper temperature for provided with means
for causing a stream of water to flow over the said tubes. - The "

page_text: "lower end of the first tube in the series is connected to the "
"analyzer B, and each tube in the said series is connected with the "
"next tube in such a manner that a passage is formed from end to "
end of the series of tubes, the last tube h of which is connected to "
"the condenser. A chamber is formed at the upper end, and "
another chamber at the lower end of the tubes h, and division
"plates j, are placed in the said chambers to prevent the fluid passing"
"direct through the chambers instead of through the tubes h. The"
liquid condensed in the tubes h, falls into the chamber , and flows."
"therefrom through small apertures k into the analyzer B.
$:
to ond
A
"
"
"
"
"
"
"A rectifier constructed as shown in Figures 6 and 7 may be "
"employed instead of that above described. The vessels or hollow"
"metal discs or cylinders are arranged one over the other with a
"space between them. Each of the said vessels is connected to the
"next in the series by a short tube l, so that a passage is formed "
"from end
of the series of vessels through which a continuous
stream of cold water passes from a cistern or other vessel placed i
"over the rectifier, and escapes from a discharge pipe at the lower
"end of the said series, I prefer however to use the rectifier shown"
"in Figures 1, 4, and 5. The upper end of the said rectifier is "
connected by a pipe or tube m to the condenser F, over which "
"a stream of cold water flows from a cistern or other vessel. The "
" said condenser is connected at its lower end to a vessel G which "
receives the condensed ammonia. Stop cocks or valves n are"
provided to close the communication between the condenser F"
and receiving vessel G, and to regulate the supply of ammonia
to the latter.
1.
"
"
""
"
"The condenser F is preferably constructed of a series of vertical"
tubes o arranged in the same manner as those in the rectifier,"
"Figures 4 and 5. The tubes both in the rectifier and condenser must "
"be well fitted and brazed or soldered into the sockets o¹ of the "
chambers at the ends of the said tubes; and these chambers must "
"be tied together by rods or bolts p passing through the tubes and'
secured by nuts p¹at the ends of the same. The rectifier and "
"condenser, and other parts of the apparatus, must be carefully made
"and of sufficient strength to work safely under the pressure to which"
"they are to be subjected. The receiver G is connected with the'
"refrigerating apparatus H, which, by preference, consists of a gas
"
"

page_text: "
"
"
"
"
"
وو
"
"tight chest or box q containing a series of tubes r closely and "
"compactly arranged, and communicating with each other at their."
"ends in such a manner as to form a passage from end to end of the "
"series of the said tubes. The fluids to be refrigerated pass through"
the tubes r, whose exterior surface is surrounded by the liquid
"ammonia, which flows into the gas-tight chest q from the receiving
"vessel G of the condenser. Any suitable blowing or pumping
"apparatus may be employed to force the fluids through the tubes r."
"The liquid ammonia in the refrigerator rapidly abstracts heat from
"the fluids passing through the tubes r, and is again converted into "
gas; the chest or box q is connected by a pipe 8 to an absorbing
"vessel
containing a coil or other arrangement of pipes t, over
"which a stream of water is kept flowing. The ammoniacal gas
"generated in the refrigerator H passes therefrom into the vessel I,"
"and is dissolved in the water in the same; at the same time a stream
"of cold water passes through the inside of the pipes t to abstract the "
"heat generated by the solution of ammonia in water. A pipe u is "
"provided to convey this ammoniacal solution into the heating
"apparatus C, through which it is forced into the analyzer B by".
"means of the pump J. A relief valve or cock is provided between "
"the receiver G and refrigerator H, or at any other convenient portion".
"of the apparatus to allow the air to escape, and a valve wo may be ".
placed between the refrigerator and absorber to regulate the flow of "
the gas from the former into the said absorber. In a small apparatus
"it may be desirable to dispense with the analyzer and to connect the
"rectifier directly with the boiler; in this case the ammoniacal solution"
"would be introduced directly into the boiler instead of into the "
"analyzer.
"
"
"
"
.J
"
.93:
"The boiler A is charged with distilled water containing from five
"to ten per cent. of ammonia and steam is got up. The cocks b
"leading from the boiler to the analyzer B are opened, also the cocks"
v, v³, to allow the confined air to escape; when the air is all driven
"out all the cocks on the apparatus are closed with the exception of"
"those leading from the boiler to the analyzer. In driving the air"
"from the apparatus it is advisable to send it through washing appa-
"ratus to dissolve any ammonia escaping with it; the apparatus is
"known to be free from air when the fluid passing into the washer">
"is completely dissolved in it. When the pressure in the boiler is equal"
"to. that of eight atmospheres a solution of ammonia is pumped into"
وو
وو

page_text: "
66.
ور
"
"
"the top of the analyzer B, and falling from plate to plate comes in
" contact with the ascending steam and becomes exhausted of its "
" ammonia; the liquid then flows into the boiler A and thence through"
"the cock e¹ passes into the heater C and there heats to the boiling
point the ammoniacal liquor flowing through the pipes y, Figure 11,
" and is itself cooled down to the ordinary temperature. The spent "
liquor flowing from the boiler A must be regulated to maintain a
"constant level of water in the same; the mixture of ammonia and "
"steam passes into the rectifier D which is kept cool by a current of"
"cold water passing over it. The steam being condensed flows back into "
"the analyzer B, while the rectified ammonia passes onward into the "
"condenser F in which it is liquified by its own pressure. To facilitate"
"this liquefaction the said condenser is also kept as cold; as possible
by a current of cold water passing over it. The liquified ammonia"
"collects, in the bottom of the condenser F and passes into the "
"receiver G, thence to the refrigerator H until that vessel is about "
"three-fourths full; the cock w¹ on the absorber I is now opened to '
"allow the water in the receiver G₁ to ascend into it when a vacuum
"is formed by the solution of the ammonia in the water.
The "
"cock w between the refrigerator H and absorber I is also opened,
"and the ammonia regaining its gaseous condition passes into the "
"said absorber and is dissolved in the water flowing over the pipes.
"
33-
"
"
"1
"
"The two cocks w, w¹, may be regulated so that the water and "
"ammoniacal gas are admitted in suitable proportions, which pro-
"portions are indicated by a vacuum gauge on the absorber.
"
"
"The temperature of the absorber I must be kept down by allowing"
"a current of water to flow through the interior of the pipost over"
"which the ammoniacal solution passes; the ammoniacal liquor thus"
"obtained collects at the bottom of the vessel I, and thence is pumped "
"into the analyzer B in a continuous manner; the spent water of the "
"boiler A may be used in the absorber I to dissolve the ammonia;
"the ammonia as it passes into the absorber I from the refrigerator H".
"reduces the temperature in the latter to a very low point, and a "
"solution of chloride of calcium is passed through the tubes r,
"wherein it parts with its heat to the ammonia, the temperature of "
"the said chloride being reduced to twenty or thirty degrees or more ";
"below zero, centigrade; the liquid thus cooled may be used to freeze":
"water, to refrigerate brewers' wort, ale, wines, and for other re-
".
་

page_text: "frigerating purposes.
purposes. Any other liquid of a non-congealable'
" character may be passed through the tubes, but a solution of "
"chloride of calcium is preferable, owing to its cheapness and the low "
temperature to which it may be reduced without congealing; air"
may also be cooled by passing through the tubes.
"
"Having thus fully described my said Invention, and shown how"
" the same may be conveniently and advantageously carried into "
"practice, I claim,―
"
"First. The method of obtaining nearly anhydrous liquid ammonia "
by means of the analyzer B, the rectifier D, and condenser F,
"combined and arranged substantially in the manner set forth.
"Second. The arrangement of the said rectifier and condenser with
the analyzer in combination with the refrigerator, absorber, heater,"
and boiler, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
mid
and Edwin Fox
^
""
"
"
"
In witness whereof, we, the Rees Reece, have hereunto set
our hands and seals, this Twenty-second day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
I hereby grant my fiat giving leave to the above-named Rees
Reece and Edwin Fox, to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with
the Specification to which the same relates, the above-written
Disclaimer, dated this Twenty-third day of December, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-three.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Rees Reece, of Llandilo, in the County of Carmarthen,
Chemist, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR
PRODUCING COLD."
Sealed the 26th November 1867, and dated the 31st May 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Rees Reece at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st May
1867.
I, REES REECE, of Llandilo, in the County of Carmarthen, Chemist, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF
AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COLD," to be as follows:-
· The said Invention consists chiefly in the peculiar construction and arrange
ment of apparatus for effecting the continuous distillation and rectification of
dilute solution of ammonia upon what is known as the separative principle,
and in the combination with the said apparatus of a condenser and refrigerator.
The ammoniacal gas is reduced by its own pressure to a liquid condition in the
said condenser, from which it passes into the refrigerator, and having a very.
low temperature quickly abstracts the heat from any fluid passed through the
latter.
A boiler is connected with an analyser which consists of a series of plates
arranged in the usual manner inside a strong iron vessel. The analyser is
connected with a rectifier which is provided with a series of hollow discs or
drums arranged one above the other with a space between them. The said discs
or drums are connected in such a manner that a passage is formed from end to..

page_text: end of the same for a continuous stream of cold water. The rectifier may also
be formed of a series of vertically arranged tubes surrounded by cold water,
through which tubes the ammoniacal fluid passes to the condenser; the latter
may be constructed of tubes arranged like those of the analyser, or may be
simply a cylindrical or other suitably shaped iron vessel strong enough to
resist the internal pressure of the gas, the said vessel being immersed in cold
water. The condensed ammonia passes from the condenser to a refrigerator,
which may be of any convenient form and construction. The fluid cooled in
the refrigerator parts with the greater portion of its heat to the condensed
ammonia, which is thus again vaporized, and in this form passes into an
absorbing vessel; the said vessel is kept cold by water, and serves to maintain
the required vacuum in the refrigerator. The ammoniacal solution passes
from the absorber into a heating vessel, from which it is returned into the
analyser. In some cases the analyser may be dispensed with and the boiler
connected immediately with the rectifier. The boiler may be of iron or other
suitable metal, and may be constructed in any manner that will render it
strong enough to withstand the pressure. Where an analyser is used the said
boiler is connected to the same by pipes provided with stop-cocks or other
convenient means of regulation. The said analyser is provided with a series
of plates arranged as in other similar vessels employed for separative dis-
tillation. A heating apparatus is provided to heat the solution of ammonia
previous to its introduction into the analyser, and is connected to the top of
the said analyser by a suitable pipe or tube, and by another pipe to the boiler.
The said analyser is also provided with a; tube to, convey. the spent liquor to
the boiler. The rectifier is placed, above the analyser, and is connected
thereto by a short tube or other, convenient means; the said rectifier is
provided with a series of hollow metal, discs or cylinders arranged, one over
the other with a space between them. Each of the said discs or cylinders is
connected to the next in the series by a short tube, so that a passage is formed
from end to end of the series, through which a continuous streain of, cold water
passes from a cistern or other vessel placed over, the rectifier and escapes
from a discharge pipe, at the lower end of the series. The upper end of the
rectifier is connected by a pipe or tube, to a strong iron, condenser, which is
enclosed in a cistern of cold water provided with suitable inlet and outlet pipes
for the same. The said condenser is connected, at its lower end to a vessel
which receives the condensed ammonia. Stop-cocks or valves are provided to
close the communication between; the condenser and receiving vessel and to
regulate the supply of ammonia. to the latter. The receiver is connected with
the refrigerating apparatus,, which, by preference consists of a gas-tight chest

page_text: or box containing a series of tubes closely fitted to each other and com-
municating at their ends in such a manner as to form a passage through
them from end to end of the series. The fluids to be refrigerated pass through
these tubes, whose exterior surface is surrounded by the liquid ammonia which
flows into the gas-tight chest from the receiving vessel of the condenser. Any
suitable blowing apparatus may be employed to force the fluids through the
tubes. The liquid auimonia in the refrigerator rapidly abstracts the beat frou
the fluids passing through the tubes, and is again converted into gas. The
chest or box is connected by a pipe to an absorbing vessel containing a coil of
pipes, over which a stream of water is kept flowing. The ammoniacal gas
generated in the refrigerator passes therefrom into the said vessel, and is'
dissolved in the water in the same. A pipe is provided to convey this
ammoniacal solution into the heating apparatus. A relief valve or cock is
provided between the receiver and refrigerator or other convenient portion
of the apparatus to allow the air to escape, and a similar valve may be
placed between the refrigerator and absorber to regulate the flow of the gas'
from the former into the said absorber. The rectifier may be formed of a
series of vertical tubes placed in a eistern containing water at the proper
temperature; or a stream of water may be caused to flow over the said tubes."
The lower end of the first tube in the series is connected to the analyser, and
each tube in the series is connected with the next tube in such a manner that'
passage is formed from end to end of the series of tubes, tlie last of which'
is connected to the condenser. A chamber is formed at the lower end of the
tubes, and division plates are placed in the said chamber to prevent the
ammoniacal fluid passing direct through the chambers instead of through the'
tubes. The liquid-condensed in the tubes falls into the said chamber, and
flows therefrom through small apertures into the analyser. "The condenser may
also be constructed of a series of vertical tubes arranged in the same "manner"
as those in the rectifier. The tubes both in the rectifier and condenser must'
be well fitted and brazed or soldered into the chambers, and the latter must be
tied together by rods or bolts passing through the tubes and secured by nuts at
the ends of the same. The rectifier and condenser and other parts of the
apparatus must be carefully made and of sufficient strength to resist the'
pressure to which they are subjected. In a small 'apparatus it may be
desirable to dispense with the analyser and to connect the rectifier directly
with the boiler; in this case the ammoniacal solution would be introduced
directly into the boiler instead of into the analyser..
ต

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
j
by the said Rees Reece in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th
November 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, REES
REECE, of Llandilo, in the County of Carmarthen, Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Rees. Reece, Her special licence that I, the said Rees Reece, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Rees Reece, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS
FOR PRODUCING COLD," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Rees Reece, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of; the said Invention, and in what manner,
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent..
• NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Rees Reece, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings forming a part of this
Specification:
The said Invention consists chiefly in the peculiat construction and arrange-,
ment of apparatus for effecting the continuous distillation and rectification_of
dilute solution of ammonia upon what is known as the separative principle,
and in the combination with the said apparatus of a condenser and refrigerator.
The ammoniacal gas is reduced by its own pressure to a liquid condition in
the said condenser, from which it passes into the refrigerator, and having a
very low temperature quickly abstracts the heat from any fluid passed through,
the latter.
A boiler is connected with an analyzer, which consists of a series of plates
.

page_text: arranged in the usual manner, inside a strong, iron vessel. The analyzer is
connected with a rectifier, which is provided with a series of vertically arranged
tubes, surrounded by.cold water, through which tubes the ammoniacal fluid,
passes to the condenser; or à rectifier may be provided with a series of
vessels arranged one above the other, with a space between them. The said
vessels are connected in such a manner that a passage is, formed from end to:
end of the same for a continuous stream of cold water. The condenser may:
be constructed of tubes arranged like those of the rectifier, or may be simply
a cylindrical or other suitably shaped iron vessel strong enough, to resist the:
internal pressure of the gas, the said vessel being immersed in cold water..
The condensed ammonia passes from the condenser to a refrigerator, which.
may be of any convenient form and construction. The fluid cooled in the
refrigerator parts with the greater portion of its heat to the condensed ammonia,
which is thus again vaporized, and in this form passes into an absorbing vessel,
which is kept cold by water, and which serves to maintain the required,
vacuum in the refrigerator. The ammoniacal solution passes from the absorber
into a heating vessel, from which it is returned into the analyzer. In some
cases the analyzer may be dispensed with, and the boiler connected immediately.
with the rectifier.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the general arrangement of the parts
of my improved apparatus.
The following Figures are drawn to an enlarged scale:
"...)
:
'
:
Figures 2 and 3 are a transverse and longitudinal section of the analyzer.
shown in Figure 1:
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the rectifier shown in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is an end view of the said rectifier.,
Figures 6 and 7 are a plan and section illustrating a modification of the
same.
ו'
Figures. 8 and 9 are a plan and longitudinal section of the refrigerator,
hown in Figure 1.
Figure 10 is a transverse section on the line x, x, of the absorbing, vessel.
hown in Figure 1.
Figures 11 and 12 are a longitudinal section and end view of the heating
essel shown in Figure 1.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts in each of the Figures.
The boiler A may be of iron or other suitable metal, and may be constructed
a. any manner that will render it strong enough to withstand the required

page_text: pressure. Where the analyzer B is used the said boiler is connected to the
same by pipes a provided with stop-cocks 6, or other convenient means of
regulation. The said analyzer is provided with a series of cups c or with plates'
arranged as in other analyzing vessels einployed for separative distillation. A
eating apparatus C is provided to heat the solution of ammonia previous to
its introduction into the analyzer: B, and is connected to the top of the! said
analyzer by a suitable pipe or tube d, and by another pipe e to the boiler A.
The said analyzer is also provided with a tube'f to convey the spent liquor to
the boiler. The rectifier D is placed above the analyzer B, and is connected
The said rectifier is
thereto by a short tube 9 or by other convenient means.
provided with a series of vertical tubes h placed in a cistern containing water
at the proper temperature or provided with means for causing a stream of
water to flow over the said tubes. The lower end of the first tube h¹ in the
series is connected to the analyzer B, and each tube in the said series is
connected with the next tube in such a manner that a passage is formed from
end to end of the series of tubes, the last tube h of which is connected to the:
condenser. A chamber i is formed at the upper end, and another chamber i¹
at the lower end of the tubes h, and division plates jare placed in the said
chambers to prevent the fluid passing direct through the chambers instead of
through the tubes h. The liquid condensed in the tubes h falls into the
chamber, and flows therefrom through small apertures k into the analyzer B.
upper
A rectifier constructed as shown in Figures 6 and 7 may be employed instead
of that above described. The vessels or hollow metal dises or cylinders are
arranged one over the other with a space between them. Each of the said
vessels is connected to the next in the series by a short tube ; so that a
passage is formed from end to end of the series of vessels, through which a
continuous stream of cold water passes from a cistern or other vessel placed
over the rectifier, and escapes from a discharge pipe at the lower end of the
said series. I prefer, however, to use the rectifier shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5.
The end of the said rectifier is connected by a pipe or tube m to the
condenser F, over which a stream of cold water flows from a cistern or
other vessel. The said condenser is connected at its lower end to a vessel G,
which receives the condensed ammónia. Stop-cocks or valves n are provided
to close the communication between the condenser F and receiving vessel G,
and to regulate the supply of ammonia to the latter. The condenser. F
is preferably constructed of a series of vertical tubes o, arranged in the same
manner as those in the rectifier, Figures 4 and 5. The tubes both in the
rectifier and condenser must be well-fitted and brazed or soldered into the
sockets of of the chambers at the ends of the said tubes; and these chambers

page_text: minst be tied together by rods or bolts p passing through the tubes and secured'
by nuts p at the ends of the same.. The rectifier and condenser and other
parts of the apparatus must be carefully made, and of sufficient strength to
work safely under the pressure to which they are to be subjected. The
receiver G is connected with the refrigerating apparatus'H, which by: pre-
ference consists of a gas-tight chest or box q containing a series of tubes r
closely and compactly arranged, and communicating with each other, at
their ends in such a manner as to form a passage from end to end of the:
series of the said tubes. The fluids to be refrigerated pass' through the tubes 7,
whose exterior surface is surrounded by the liquid ammonia, which flows into
the gas-tight chest q from the receiving vessel G of the condenser.. Any
suitable blowing or pumping apparatus may be employed to force the fluids
through the tubes r. The. liquid ammonia in the refrigerator rapidly abstracts'
heat from the fluids passing through the tubes r, and is again converted into.
gas; the chest or box q is connected by a pipe s to an absorbing vessel I,
containing a coil or other arrangement of pipes t, over which a stream of
water is kept flowing. The ammoniacal gas generated in the refrigerator H
passes therefrom into the vessel I, and is dissolved in the water in the same;
at the same time a stream of cold water passes through the inside of the
pipes t to abstract the heat generated by the solution of ammonia in water.
A pipe is provided to convey this ammoniacal solution into the heating
apparatus C, through which it is forced into the analyzer B by means of the
pump J. A relief valve or cock vis provided between the receiver. G and
refrigerator H, or at any other convenient portion of the apparatus to allow
the air to escape, and a valve w may be placed: between the refrigerator
and absorber to regulate the flow of the gas from the former into the said
absorber. In a small apparatus it may be desirable to dispense with the
analyzer and to connect the rectifier directly with the boiler; in this case
the ammoniacal solution would be introduced directly into the boiler instead
of into the analyzer.
The boiler A is charged with distilled water containing from five to ten per
cent. of ammonia, and steam is got up. The cocks 6 leading from the boiler
to the analyzer B are opened, also the cocks v, v, to allow the confined air to
escape; when the air is all driven out all the cocks on the apparatus+are
closed with the exception of those leading from the boiler to the analyzer.
In driving the air from the apparatus, it is advisable to send it through
washing apparatus to dissolve any ammonia escaping with it; the apparatus
is known to be free from air when the fluid passing into the washer is
completely dissolved in it. When the pressure in the boiler is equal to that

page_text: of eight atmospheres a solution of ammonia, is pumped into the top of the
analyzer B, and falling from plate to plate comes in contact with the
ascending steam and becomes exhausted of its ammonia; the liquid, then
flows into the boiler A, and thence through the cock e¹ passes into the
heater C and there heats to the boiling point the ammoniacal liquor flowing
through the pipes y, Figure 11, and is itself cooled down to the ordinary
temperature.. The spent liquor flowing from the boiler A must be regulated
to maintain a constant level of water in the same; the mixture of ammonia
and steam passes into the rectifier D, which is kept cool by, a current of cold
water passing over it. The steam being condensed flows back into the
analyzer B, while the rectified ammonia passes onward into the condenser F,
in which it is liquified by its own pressure. To facilitate this liquifaction
the said condenser is also kept as cold as possible, by a current of cold water
passing over it. The liquified ammonia collects in the bottom of the con-
denser F and passes into the receiver G, thence to the refrigerator H until
that vessel is about three-fourths full; the cock w¹ on the absorber I is now.
opened to allow the water in the receiver G' to ascend into it, when a vacuum
is formed by the solution of the ammonia in the water. The cock w between
the refrigerator H and absorber I is also opened, and the ammonia regaining
its gaseous condition passes into the said absorber and is dissolved in the
water flowing over the pipes. The two cocks w, w¹, may be regulated so that
the water and ammoniacal gas is admitted in suitable proportions, which pro-
portions are indicated by a vacuum gauge on the absorber. The temperature
of the absorber I must be kept down by allowing a current of water to flow
through the interior of the pipes t, over which the ammoniacal solution passes;
the ammoniacal liquor thus obtained collects at the bottom of the vessel I,
and thence is pumped into the analyzer B in a continuous manner. The spent
water of the boiler A may be used in the absorber I to dissolve the ammonia;.
the ammonia as it passes into the absorber I from the refrigerator H reduces
the temperature in the latter to a very low point, and a solution of chloride of
calcium is passed through the tubes r, wherein it parts with its beat to the
ammonia, the temperature of the said chloride being reduced to twenty or.
thirty degrees or more below zero centigrade; the liquid thus cooled may be
used to freeze water, to refrigerate brewers' wort, ale, wines, and for other,
refrigerating purposes. Any other liquid of a non-congealable character may
be passed through the tubes; but a solution of chloride of calcium is pre-
ferable, owing to its cheapness and the low temperature to which it may be
reduced without congealing; air may also be cooled by passing through the
tubes...

page_text: Having thus fully described my said Invention, and shown how the same
may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I claim,-
First, the method of obtaining nearly anhydrous liquid ammonia by means
of the analyzer B, the rectifier D, and condenser F, combined and arranged
substantially in the manner set forth.
Second, the arrangement of the said rectifier and condenser with or without
the analyzer in combination with the refrigerator, absorber, heater, and boiler,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Rees Reece, have hereunto set my.
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
REES REECE. (L.S.)
Witness,
THO8. N. PALMER,
Clerk to Messrs. Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
8, Southampton Buildings, W.C.