IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND HYDRATING SULPHUROUS ACID AND OTHER GASES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND HYDRATING SULPHUROUS ACID AND OTHER
GASES." A communication from abroad by William Maynard, of New York
City, United States of America.
Sealed the 24th November 1876, and dated the 2nd August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left. by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd August 1876.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND HYDRATING
SULPHUROUS ACID AND OTHER GASES."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for generating and
hydrating sulphurous acid and other gases. It consists,-
First. In the construction of the furnace for burning the sulphur, which is
provided with a door of peculiar construction and a sulphur pan having a conical
bottom tapering upwardly to an apex, which form of pan enables me to conserve a
larger amount of heat, and by rapidly heating the sulphur to ignite the same before
it commences to sublime.
The Invention consists, secondly, in the construction and arrangement of the
"condenser" or receptacle in which the absorption of the gas by the water is
effected, said "condenser" being provided with a water reservoir at the top and an
inlet for the gas below, and having inclined imperforate shelves alternating with
each other, and provided with cleats or ledges at their lower ends which hold a
permanent surface of water on the shelves, which surplus water in its descent
through the apparatus drops from one shelf to the next through the ascending gas.
The Invention consists, thirdly, in a tank or reservoir located upon the top of the
condenser, which reservoir holds the water that is fed to the apparatus, and while
preventing the bad effects of the pulsations from the pump and other irregularities
of impulse from the source of supply also serves, by reason of a pipe connecting
with the condenser, as a secondary condenser for the anhydrous sulphurous acid gas
Price Gd]

page_text: which might otherwise escape through the condenser proper, and also as a receiver
for the azotized air, as herein-after more fully described.
The Invention consists, fourthly, in an air-tight reservoir for receiving the
hydrated gas or solution of the gas in water, which reservoir is made water sealed
with respect to the condenser, for the purpose of preventing the back lash of the
unabsorbed gas into the condenser and furnace, which would have for effect to stop
the generation of gas in the furnace.
Referring to the furnace, a stand or tripod supports in its circular or other shaped
rim the sulphur pan, which pan may be inade either a fixture with the stand, or be
detachable therefrom, and upon its upper projecting edge fits the cupola. The
bottom of the sulphur pan is made conical in shape and tapers upwardly, so as to
leave a funnel-shaped bottom on the outside and a projecting apex forming an
annular trough upon the inside. This form of sulphur pan secures important
advantages, first, because there is a larger amount of heated surface, and the sulphur
is therefore melted more quickly; secondly, because the funnel-shaped bottom
permits of the conservation of a larger amount of heat; and, thirdly, because the
heat being concentrated at the apex of the cone the sulphur at this point quickly
ignites and prevents the sublining of the same; to obviate this sublining of the
sulphur is a special desideratum, for the reason that the sublining of the sulphur
leaves in the narrow conduit of the cupola leading to the condenser deposits of
sulphur which obstruct the passage of the heavy gas, which when forcing apparatus
is not employed, as in this case, will only pass freely under the most favorable
circumstances. The construction of the sulphur pan then obviates the necessity of
a forcing apparatus by preventing the deposits of sublimed sulphur. A lamp is
located beneath the sulphur pan for the purpose of burning the same, which lamp
may be of any suitable construction and heating capacity.
The cupola is made preferably of pot fire-clay braced with strengthening bands
and tapers upwardly and to one side in the form of a pipe or conduit that enters
the lower portion of the condenser. The said cupola is provided at one side with
an inlet connection for the air which supports the combustion of the sulphur, and
forms by the oxidation of the same sulphurous acid gas. With this inlet a pipe
leading to the outer air may be connected, which will be brought into requisition
whenever the air in the room is deficient in oxygen. By reason of the peculiar
circumstances attending the generation of the gas the cupola is provided with a
door of peculiar construction. The gas being insidious and penetrating in its
character it is desirable that the door should fit tightly, and the cupola being made
of clay and subjected to a high temperature buttars or ordinary fastenings could
not be employed, for the reason that the unequal rate of expansion would crack the
cupola, and being hot the manipulation of the same would be inconvenient.
To provide a door meeting all of the requirements I undercut the upper edge of
the opening and rabbit the other three sides. The door is then made of the same
material as the cupola, to correspond to this conformation of edges, and is provided
with a non-conducting handle or knob. The door is inserted by adjusting the
upper edge first and then pressing it in below, in which position it will be tightly
held against the gas without other fastening, and in such a manner to be readily
removed and replaced.
The condenser is constructed of glass, earthenware, or other analogous material
which possesses the qualities of resisting the action of acids, and consists of a
rectangular case containing two series of alternating inclined imperforated shelves
provided with cleats or ledges at their lower ends, and forming tapering lateral
chambers, through which the gas passes in its ascent, while the water drops from
one shelf to the other in its descent through the apparatus. The imperforate shelf
with the cleats or ledges hold a comparatively still surface of water, which is
desirable, for the reason that a rapidly passing sheet of water would by abrasion
beat down the heavy rising gas. While therefore a surface of-water is thus main-
tained the inclination of the adjacent shelves makes a tapering horizontal chamber
for the gas which, as it passes laterally, is driven by the upper shelf against the

page_text: surface of the subjacent water, bringing it into more direct contact with the water
and condensing it throughout the entirety of its surface up to the very point where
This effects in a better manner the
the water drops from the next shelf above.
absorption of the gas, and facilitates the ascent of the same by the displacement
which the falling water produces.
The cleats of the shelves are provided with notches which breaks up the surface
of the water and prevents it from falling in a continuous sheet or veil, which would
prevent the uprising of the gas, and the notches are sawed down to form narrow
slits or scores, which extend to the level of the inclined shelf, and serve to drain
the said shelves of their surface of water after the operation has ceased.
The reservoir is provided with an inlet pipe for the water coming from the pump
or other source of supply and a stop cock for the delivery of its water to tho
condenser. It is also connected through a pipe at a point above the level of the
water with the condenser and is provided with a removable cover with a pipe
connection. The function of this reservoir is twofold; in the first place it is
necessary to have such a reservoir, in order to make the feeding stream for the
condenser uniform, as the pulsation directly from the pump would force out the gas
in such a manner as to make it inconvenient and even injurious to the operator, by
reason of the inhaling of the gas. It is also necessary to have an escape vent and
receiver at the top of the absorber for the unabsorbed gas and agatized air in order
to insure the transmission of the gas through the condenser and prevent its back
lash into the generating furnace. This reservoir serves both these purposes, and in
such a manner as to prevent the escape of any considerable quantity of the
anhydrous sulphurous gas, for that which passes out through the pipe above
mentioned is absorbed by the water contained in the reservoir, while the agotized
air passes out through the pipe of the cover of the reservoir, which may be
connected with the chimney or carried out of doors. The cover is made removable
to admit of the inspection of the interior, and also for the purpose of introducing
lime and other alkalies when the apparatus is used for the purpose of producing a
solution of the sulphite of lime or other salt of sulphurous acid.
The reservoir for the hydrated gas or the solution of the gas in water consists of
an air-tight receptacle made, like the other parts of the apparatus, of any material
which is capable of resisting the action of the gases. Said reservoir may be of any
shape and located immediately beneath the condenser, and has direct communica-
tion therewith through a straight pipe, which receives the water impregnated
with the gas from the lower portion of the condenser and conducts it to the said
reservoir. The said pipe extends nearly to the bottom of the reservoir, so that after
a small quantity of the liquid has passed into the same this pipe constitutes an
automatic water seal. The object of this is to prevent the escape of unabsorbed
gas from the reservoir back to the condenser, which would tend to choke up the
generating furnace and obstruct the passage of the gas through the condenser. There
is always a quantity of the gas carried mechanically by the water into the reservoir
which afterward is set free and rises supernatant above the saturated liquid. By
keeping this in the reservoir by means of the water seal the afore-mentioned
objection is obviated and the liquid in the reservoir always kept fully charged with
the gas.
Having thus described in detail the leading features of the Invention I would
have it understood that while the same is more particularly intended for the
hydration of sulphurous acid and chlorine gases as commercial bleaching agents I
do not confine myself to this use exclusively, and I may also modify the apparatus
without departing from the Invention. Thus for instance, in the condenser forming
the second feature of the Invention I may extend the shelves horizontally to form
partitions, and provide them with upwardly projecting tubes, which tubes are cut
away upon one side. A permanent surface of water then rises to the level of the
lower cut-away portion and passes down the tube upon one side only, while the gas
rises through the tube upon the other side, exposed only upon one side to the
friction and beating-down eflect of the water. To facilitate the cleaning of these

page_text: partitions of accumulated impurities, which could not be effected through the short
tubes, a continuous vertical pipe passes through the apparatus and is provided with
openings upon a level with the upper surface of the partitions. The condenser
being now flooded with water it mechanically washes the impurities into the
openings of the continuous pipe and out through an exit to the same below.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
February 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND HYDRATING
SULPHUROUS ACID AND OTHER GASES." A communication from abroad by William
Maynard, of New York City, United States of America.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for generating and
hydrating sulphurous acid and other gases. It consists,-
-סיוון
First. In the construction of the furnace for burning the sulphur,
which is
vided with a door of peculiar construction and a sulphur pan having a conical
bottom tapering upwardly to an apex, which form of pan enables me to conserve a
larger amount of heat and by rapidly heating the sulphur to ignite the same before
it commences to sublime.
The Invention consists, secondly, in the construction and arrangement of the
condenser or receptacle in which the absorption of the gas by the water is
effected, said condenser being provided with a water reservoir at the top, and an
inlet for the gas below, and having inclined imperforate shelves alternating with
cach other and provided with cleats or ledges at their lower ends which hold a
permanent surface of water on the shelves, which surplus water in its descent
through the apparatus drops from one shelf to the next through the ascending gas.
The Invention consists, thirdly, in a tank or reservoir located upon the top of
the condenser, which reservoir holds the water that is fed to the apparatus, and
while preventing the bad effects of the pulsations from the pump and other irregu-
larities of impulse from the source of supply also serves by reason of a pipe con-
necting with the condenser as a secondary condenser for the anhydrous sulphurous
acid gas which might otherwise escape through the condenser proper, and also as a
receiver for the ozotized air, as herein-after more fully described.
The Invention consists, fourthly, in an air-tight reservoir for receiving the
hydrated gas or solution of the gas in water, which reservoir is made water sealed
with respect to the condenser for the purpose of preventing the back lash of the
unabsorbed gas into the condenser and furnace, which would have the effect to
stop the generation of gas in the furnace.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus with the front plate of the condenser
removed,
Figure 2 are detail views of the ledges or cleats.
Figure 3 is a sectional detail of the sulphur pan.
Figure 4, a sectional detail of the furnace, cupola, and door.
Figure 5, a modification of the condenser as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 6, a sectional detail of one of the tubes e¹.
A represents the furnace; B, the condenser: D, the reservoir for receiving the
solution of gas in water; and C, the reservoir located upon the top of the condenser
for holding a supply of water.
Referring to the furnace, a stand or tripod supports in its circular or other shaped
rim the sulphur pan E. This pan may be made either a fixture with the stand o

page_text: be detachable therefrom, and upon its upper projecting edge fits the cupola F. The
bottom a of the sulphur pan is made conical in shape and tapers upwardly so as to
leave a funnel-shaped bottom on the outside, and a projecting apex forming an
annular trough upon the inside. This form of sulphur pan secures important
advantages. First, because there is a larger amount of heated surface and the
sulphur is therefore inclted more quickly; secondly, because the funnel-shaped
botton permits of the conservation of a larger amount of heat; and, thirdly,
because the heat being concentrated at the apex of the cone the sulphur at this
point quickly ignites and prevents the sublining of the same. To obviate the
subliming of the sulphur is a special desideratum, for the reason that the subliming
of the sulphur leaves in the narrow conduit of the cupola leading to the condenser
deposits of sulphur which obstruct the passage of the heavy gas, which when
forcing apparatus is not employed, as in this case, will only pass freely under the
most favorable circumstances. The construction of the sulphur pan then obviates
the necessity of a forcing apparatus by preventing the deposits of sublimed sulphur.
G is a lamp located beneath the sulphur pan for the purpose of burning the same,
which lamp may be of any suitable construction and heating capacity.
The cupola F is made preferably of pot fire-clay, braced with strengthening
bands b, and tapers upwardly and to one side in the form of a pipe or conduit that
enters the lower portion of the condenser. The said cupola is provided at one sido
with an inlet connection c for the air which supports the combustion of the sulphur
and forms by the oxidation of the same sulphurous acid gas. With this inlet ca
pipe leading to the outer air may be connected which will be brought into requisi-
tion whenever the air in the room is deficient in oxygen. By reason of the peculiar
circumstances attending the generation of the gas the cupola is provided with a
door d of peculiar construction. The gas being insidious and penetrating in its
character it is desirable that the door should fit tightly, and the cupola being made
of clay and subjected to a high temperature buttons or ordinary fastenings could
not be employed, for the reason that the unequal rate of expansion would crack the
cupola, and being hot the manipulation of the same would be inconvenient. To
provide a door meeting all of the requirements I under cut the upper edge c of the
opening and rabbet the other three sides f. The door is then made of the same
material as the cupola to correspond to this conformation of edges, and is provided
with a non-conducting handle or knob g. The door is inserted by adjusting the
upper edge first and then pressing it in below, in which position it will be tightly
held against the gas without other fastening, and in such a manner as to be readily
removed or replaced.
The condenser B is constructed of glass, earthenware, or other analogous material
which possesses the qualities of resisting the action of acids, and consists of a
rectangular case A¹ containing two series of alternating, inclined, imperforated
shelves B', provided with cleats or ledges at their lower ends, and forming
tapering lateral chambers through which the gas passes in its descent, while the
water drops from one shelf to the other in its descent through the apparatus. The
imperforate shelf with the cleats or ledges holds a comparatively still surface of
water, which is desirable for the reason that a rapidly passing sheet of water would
by obrasion beat down the heavy rising gas, while therefore a surface of water is
thus maintained the inclination of the adjacent shelves makes a tapering horizontal
chamber for the gas, which as it passes laterally is driven by the upper shelf against
the surface of the subjacent water, bringing it into more direct contact with the
water and condensing it throughout the entirety of its surface, up to the very point
where the water drops from the next shelf above. This effects in a better manner
the absorption of the gas, and facilitates the ascent of the same by the displacement
which the falling water produces.
The cleats a¹ of the shelves are provided with notches b', which break up the
surface of the water and prevents it from falling in a continuous sheet or veil,
which would prevent the uprising of the gas, and the notches are sawn down to
form narrow slits or scores c', which extend to the level of the inclined shelf, and

page_text: serve to drain the said shelves of their surface of water after the operation has
ceased.
The reservoir C is provided with an inlet pipe for the water coming from the
pump or other source of supply, and a stop-cock i for the delivery of its water to
the condenser. It is also connected through a pipe j at a point above the level of
the water with the condenser, and has a removable cover with a pipe connection l.
The function of this reservoir is two fold :—In the first place it is necessary to have
such a reservoir in order to make the feeding stream for the condenser uniform, as
the pulsation directly from the pump would force out the gas in such a manner as
to make it inconvenient and even injurious to the operator by reason of the
inhaling of the gas. It is also necessary to have an escape vent and receiver at
the top of the absorber for the unabsorbed gas and azotized air in order to insure
the transmission of the gas through the condenser and prevent its back lash into
the generating furnace. This reservoir serves both these purposes, and in such a
manner as to prevent the escape of any considerable quantity of the anhydrous
Eulphurous gas, for that which passes out through pipe is absorbed by the water
contained in the reservoir, while the azotized air passes out through the pipe l,
which may be connected with the chimney or carried out of doors. The cover of
the reservoir is made removable to admit the inspection of the interior, and also
for the purpose of introducing lime and other alkalies when the apparatus is used
for the purpose of producing a solution of the sulphite of lime or other salt of
sulphurous acid.
The reservoir D for the hydrated gas or the solution of the gas in water consists
of an air-tight receptacle made like the other parts of the apparatus of any material
which is capable of resisting the action of the gases. Said reservoir may be of
any shape, and located immediately beneath the condenser, and has direct com-
munication therewith through a straight pipe , which receives the water
impregnated with the gas from the lower portion of the condenser, and conducts it
to the said reservoir. The said pipe di extends nearly to the bottom of the
reservoir, so that after a small quantity of the liquid has passed into the same this
pipe constitutes an automatic water scal. The object of this is to prevent the
escape of unabsorbed gas from the reservoir back to the condenser, which would
tend to choke up the generating furnace and obstruct the passage of the gas through
the condenser. There is always a quantity of the gas carried mechanically by the
water into the reservoir, which afterwards is set free and rises supernatant above
the saturated liquid. By keeping this in the reservoir by incans of the water scal
the afore-mentioned objection is obviated, and the liquid in the reservoir always
kopt fully charged with the gas.
Having thus described in detail the leading features of the Invention, I would
have it understood that while the same is more particularly intended for the
hydration of sulphurous acid and chlorine gases, as commercial bleaching agents, I
do not confine myself to this use exclusively, and I may also modify the apparatus
without departing from the Invention. Thus, for instance, in the condenser forming
the second feature of the Invention, I may extend the shelves horizontally to form
partitions Y and provide them with upwardly projecting tubes e', which tubes are
cut away on one side. A permanent surface of water then rises to the level of
the lower cut-away portion, and passes down the tube upon one side only, while
the gas rises through the tube upon the other side exposed only on one side to the
friction and beating down effect of the water. To facilitate the cleaning of these
partitions of accumulated impurities, which could not be effected through the short
tubes, a continuous vertical pipe X passes through the apparatus, and is provided
with openings upon a level with the upper surface of the partitions. The condenser
being now flooded with water it mechanically washes the impurities into the
openings of the continuous pipe and out through an exit to the same below.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of perform-
ing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―

page_text: First. The sulphur pan having a conical upwardly tapering bottom, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
Second. The cupola F made of clay with bands b, and having inlet connection c
and a door d in combination with the sulphur pan E, having a conical bottom and
the stand, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Third. The cupola made of clay, and having an opening with undercut edge c
and rabbetted edges f, in combination with the door made of the same material,
with its edges corresponding to. the edges of the opening, and provided with a non-
conducting handle, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Fourth. The combination with the condenser B of the reservoir C, having an
inlet and outlet cock i for conveying the water to the condenser, together with a
pipe j for the mixed sulphurous acid and azotized air connecting the condenser with
the reservoir above the level of the water, and a removable cover having an
outlet for the azotized air, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Fifth. The condenser, consisting of a case having an outlet for the water above
and for the gas below, and provided with alternating inclined imperforate shelves
having cleats at their lower ends or provided with partitions and projecting tubes e¹,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Sixth. The inclined shelves B' having cleats a¹ provided with notches b¹ and
slits c', as and for the purpose described.
Seventh. The combination with the partitions Y having tubes e¹ of a con-
tinuous tube X, having openings upon a level with the upper surface of the said
partitions.
Eighth. The combination with the condenser of a water sealed reservoir,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this First day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
A AT CLARK
A. M. CLADK
INTA
(L.S.)