Improvements in Apparatus for the Liquefaction of Aeriform Fluids.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 17th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Liquefaction of Aeriform Fluids.
We, OSCAR PATRIC OSTERGREN, of 605, Halsey Street, Brooklyn, and MORIZ
BURGER, of 431, West 154th Street, New York, both of the State of New York,
United States of America, Mechanical Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement;
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for refrigerating or liquefying
aeriform fluids or gases, particularly atmospheric air, the object of our invention
being principally to produce liquefied atmospheric air by such means and in such
a form that it may be preserved for domestic and commercial use in suitable non-
conducting receivers under ordinary atmospheric pressure, also that cold may be
produced, accumulated and stored up in the most concentrated form and applied
whenever required for use, or that cold air in gaseous form may be supplied
immediately for cooling and ventilating purposes in dwelling houses, hospitals,
hotels, threatres, restaurants, etc.
In carrying out our invention, we first provide a means or apparatus for initially
compressing and cooling aeriform fluid, or we may receive the aeriform fluid in
a partially compressed and cooled form from other sources. We then provide
what we term a counter current apparatus which receives the partially compressed
and cooled aeriform fluid at its periphery and conveys same through a spiral
channel or through spiral channels to the centre thereof; the aeriform fluid is
then expanded and conveyed through another spiral channel or other spiral channels
out again to the periphery. The ingoing and outgoing spiral channels are
arranged parallel and adjacent to each other and the expanding return currents
will produce an intense coldness.
In the form of apparatus shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, atmospheric air is drawn
in and conveyed through a third spiral channel arranged between the before
mentioned ingoing and outgoing channels. During its passage, it is rendered
intensely cold by its contact with the walls of the adjacent channels, the coldness
being intensified as it reaches the centre until finally it is liquefied and may be
drawn off through a suitable discharge orifice.
In the form of apparatus shown in the remaining figures we expand a certain
amount of what we may term the working current itself, and certain portions of
this will become liquefied, the remainder expanding out through the return
channels in the form of apparatus shown in the Figures 4 and 5 or will pass
through a series of expansion and returning through a plurality of return channels,
as in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10.
In connection with the last mentioned arrangement we have shown diagram-
matically, a system of compressors and coolers, which we may conveniently employ
in connection with the various currents of aeriform fluid from the different channels
at varying pressures.
Having described the nature of our invention, we will now proceed to describe
with reference to the accompanying drawings, the manner in which the same is
to be performed

page_text: Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a heater, a compressor, a cooler, and a
counter current condenser embodying our invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged
central, vertical section of the cooler and condenser.
Figure 3 is a view in somewhat diagramatic form, corresponding to a horizontal
section through the condenser, but showing the condenser casing on a reduced
scale, and the spiral channels for the counter currents of aeriform fluid on an
enlarged scale in sectional area, but of less length than in the previous figure, in
order to better illustrate the working of the apparatus:
Figure represents a central vertical section through a counter current con-
denser of slightly modified form and in which portions of the working currents
are condensed, instead of an independent current, as in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section, having the same reference to Figure 4, as
Figure 3 has to Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a central, vertical section of a counter current condenser of still
further modified form of construction.
Figure 7 is a horizontal section of the same.
Figure 8 is an enlarged view in cross section of certain details of construction.
Figure 9 is a similar view, showing a slight change in the arrangement of the
channels.
Figure 10 is a diagramatic view, illustrating a system of compressors and
coolers which may be employed.
Similar reference characters, where used in the various figures will be found
to always designate corresponding parts. Referring more particularly to Figures 1,
2 and 3, A designates an air heater, B an air compressor, C an air cooler, D & E air
purifiers, which may or may not be used as may be necessary or desirable and F
designates a counter current condenser.
The heater A consists of a furnace, in which any suitable fuel is consumed and
which is provided with passages through which the aeriform fluid to be heated,
may be circulated. Any suitable furnace may be used for this purpose.
The compressor B may be of any ordinary or well known form and as here
shown, comprises a working cylinder 20, and a compressing cylinder 30. A valve
chest 21 is disposed on one side of the working cylinder 20 and contains a slide
valve which operates in the usual manner, to control the admission and exhaust
of the working fluid to and from the working cylinder.
The compressor cylinder is provided with suction and discharge valves in the
usual manner. The pistons of the working and compressing cylinders are con-
nected with the crank shaft 23. A feed pump 31 takes air directly from the
atmosphere and discharges. it through the suction valve of the compressor
cylinder 30, being operated by the crank shaft. A circulating pump 32, also
operated by the crank shaft forces a current of cooling water through the jacket
surrounding the feed pump, and thence through the pipe y to the cooler C, and
through said cooler to the exit pipe z. The discharge ports of the compressor
cylinder 30 are connected with the pipe f, whereby the air compressed by said
cylinder is driven into the heater A.
The cooler C may be of any suitable construction. As shown it comprises a
series of annular chambers 40, 41 and 42, through which the cooling water afore-
said is circulated, and a connected series of cooling coils 43, 44 and 45 disposed
in the said chambers. The pipe b connects the said coils with the exhaust port
of the valve chest 21.
The condenser F' comprises a cylindrical shell, provided with suitable heads 50
and 52. These heads are provided with linings 51, 53 composed of soft rubber
or other flexible material.
The interior of this cylinder is divided by means of spiral partitions into three
separate spiral channels 55, 56. 57, which lead from the periphery of the cylinder
to the center thereof. The channel 55 may be termed the ingoing channel; it is
preferably gradually contracted so that its inner end is of smaller width than its
outer end and is connected at its outer end with the cooling coils 43, 44 and 45

page_text: through the pipe d, the purifier D (when used) and the pipes c. A valve c¹ is.
provided in the pipe c,, which operates as a pressure regulator for the flow of
aeriform fluid therethrough. The edges of the partitions forming the said
channels are embedded in the linings 51 and 53, whereby tight joints are effected
between the channels.
The interior end of the ingoing channel 55 is connected with a central pipe G
through a port 62. The central pipe G is provided with a diaphragm 60, which
divides the interior thereof into two chambers, 61 and 65. The port 62 leads into
the upper chamber 61 as shown. 63 is a port leading out from the upper
chamber 61 into the inner end of the outgoing channel 50, which channel is of
larger area than the ingoing channel 55, and is preferably gradually expanded
so that the outer end is of smaller width than its inner end. The outer end of the
outgoing channel 56 is connected through a pipe e with the compressor cylinder 30
of the compressor B.
The intermediate spiral channel 57, which is arranged throughout its length
between the ingoing and outgoing channels is in communication at its outer end
with the aeriform fluid desired to be liquefied, in this case atmospheric air. When
desired, the said aeriform fluid is first passed through a purifier. In the drawings g
designates the inlet pipe communicating with the atmosphere, E the purifier and h
the pipe leading to the outer end of the intermediate channel.
70 designates a valve arranged in the upper chamber 61 of the central pipe G
and adapted to open and close communication between the inner ends of the
channels 55 and 56 through the ports 62 and 63, and 80 is a valve arranged in the
lower chamber 65 of the central pipe G and adapted to open and close the said
port 66 leading from the intermediate channel 57. This valve is provided with
a channel 81, which terminates in a nozzle 83 controlled by a stop cock 82.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Aeriform fluid in a compressed
state is heated to a high temperature in the heater A and passes in a working
current through the pipe a to the valve chest 21 of the compressor B, thence into
the driving cylinder 20 thereof, where it operates the compressor, thence back into
the valve chest, thence through the pipe 6 to the cooler C, thence through the
cooler to the purifier D and through said purifier and pipe d to the ingoing
channel 55 of the condenser, thence through said channel to the central pipe G,
through the port 62 thereof into the upper chamber 61 thereof, thence out through
the outlet port 63 of said pipe and expanded through the outgoing spiral channel 56,
thence through the suction pipe e to the compressor chamber 30 of the com-
pressor B, whence it is forced again in a highly compressed state, into the heater A.
The working current when passing through the ingoing channel 55 of the con-
denser is in a cold compressed state, and on passing the pipe G and into the
enlarging channel 56, it is permitted to expand, whereby its coldness is intensified.
The channel 57 disposed between the channels 55 and 56 is subject, on opposite
sides, to the extreme cold of the compressed and expanded currents of working
air by conduction through the walls between said channels. At the beginning of
the operation the intermediate channel for containing aeriform fluid to be liquefied
for use is closed, as by closing the screw valve 80 which covers the port G6 at the
outlet end of said channel. A cock at the inlet end may be, and preferably is,
dispensed with. The channel 57 is kept closed until the air contained therein
has been reduced to, or below, the critical temperature, by conduction of cold
through the walls of the channels 55 and 56. Then this channel may be opened.
As a consequence of refrigeration and contraction and the difference in pressures
produced thereby, aeriform fluid at atmospheric pressure when supplied to the
channel 57 will be drawn therethrough in a continuous stream, and will take the
place of the condensed or liquefied Huid which has been drawn off through the
channel 81 and the nozzle 83. The aeriform fluid will be so liquefied by contact
in its passage through the said channel 57 with the walls of the channels 55
and 56.
Dr. Carl Linde, in his article entitled "Process and Apparatus for Attaining

page_text: Lowest Temperature for Liquefying Gases, and for Mechanically Separating Gas
Mixtures," published in the periodical "The Engineer" of London, England,
Volume 82, page 485, 486 and page 509, of November 13th and 20th, 1896 has
stated that is impossible to liquefy atmospheric air at a temperature above - 140 C.
and at a pressure of less than 39 atmospheres; and thus if it be desired to liquefy
atmospheric air at atmospheric pressure, the air must be cooled to-191 C. Now
if the intermediate chamber 57 be closed for a certain time, the apparatus being
perfectly insulated by the peculiar arrangement of the spiral channels of the
condenser, wherein one channel insulates the other; then according to the there-
available
modynamical laws pointed out by Dr Linde, we always have an
quantity which is continuously obtained by expansion of the refrigerating current.
The effect of this current will necessarily be reduced by the presence of the air
in the intermediate channel 57, but it is only a matter of time for it to reach
the critical point of temperature. The outgoing expanded stream of air in
channel 56 will, of course, cool the ingoing counter current of compressed air,
even if some part of the produced cooling quality is given up into the channel 57,
but this process may be kept up, not only until the temperature necessary for
liquefaction is reached, but even to some extent below.
The body of working air is by the successive heating, cooling, expanding and
compressing actions to which it is exposed while passing through its cycle, first
utilized as a power in the power cylinder for operating the air compressor, and
then used in the condenser as a cooling medium in both its compressed and
expanded conditions, for producing the liquefaction of the aeriform Huid drawn
into the condenser.
In using the working air as a motor medium for running the compressor, we
obtain a cooling range which will answer the purpose; for example, say that the
initial pressure in the motor is 90 atmospheres and it expands in the working
cylinder to say 60 atmospheres then in passing through the cooler to the condenser
at 20 atmospheres we would have a cooling range of 40 atmospheres.
-
In the apparatus just described, we have used what we have termed a working
current of air, or other aeriform fluid, under pressure in the condensing channels 55
and 56 and an independent current of air taken in at atmospheric pressure to be
liquefied, in the channel 57 and drawn off for commercial purposes. Now, as is
well known and has been before stated herein, air under pressure will liquefy
before air at atmospheric pressure, to wit: at 140 C. at 39 atmospheres, and
191 C. at 1 atmosphere, then it will be seen that we have a constant state of
liquefaction in the centre of our condenser in the condensing channels 55 and 56,
the temperature in this part of the apparatus being necessarily brought below
that required to liquefy air under pressure in order to liquefy the air in the
intermediate channel at atmospheric pressure. In Figures 4 and 5, we have shown
a slightly modified form of the condenser, in which we have arranged to draw off
the liquefied aeriform fluid from the condensing coils 55" and 56 at the centre
of the apparatus. In this form we have dispensed with the intermediate channel 57,
and do not take in an independent supply of air or aeriform fluid. Fa designates
the condenser comprising a cylindrical shell, heads 50 and 52ª, linings 51"
and 53", spiral partitions, dividing it into spiral channels 55", 56" and a central
pipe G¹.
The central pipe G¹ has a port 62, which affords communication between the
inner end of the channel 55" and the interior of said pipe, and an outlet port 63"
which communicates with the inner end of the outgoing channel 56ª. A suitable
valve 70 is provided to open and close the said ports. 66" is another port open-
ing into the lower part of said pipe G', which port may be controlled by a
valve 80. The port 66 communicates with the space around the central pipe G
which is the point of greatest cold, and the aeriform fluid which has become lique-
fied will collect at this part of the apparatus and may be drawn off into suitable
receptacles through the channel 81ª in the nozzle 83".
In Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, we have shown a further modification in which the

page_text: ingoing and outgoing spirals are divided up into a series of coils formed of a
number of spiral pipes superposed alternately upon each other, each alternate
spiral carrying currents going in opposite directions, and have left a space between
each turn of the coils constituting a separate and additional return channel for
further expanded outgoing currents. Fb is the condenser comprising a cylindrical
shell and having heads 50, 52b;-55 and 56b designate the ingoing and outgoing
spiral channels which in this instance are composed of a series of spiral tubes or
pipes superposed upon each other, the alternate pipes carrying the currents running
in opposite directions. All of the pipes constituting the series 55b, are connected
together at their outer ends with a common pipe d', with which is connected the
inlet pipe. The inner ends of the series of pipes constituting the ingoing
channel 55 are connected with the central pipe or collector g. The inner ends
of the outgoing series of pipes 56b are connected with the central pipe g', which
surrounds the central pipe g. The outer ends of said pipes 56b are connected with
a common pipe el, with which is connected the outlet pipe.
70 designates a valve which controls communication between the two central
pipes g and g at their lower ends.
56bb designates a secondary return channel, formed in the space between each
turn of all of the coils, the said coils being in close contact with each other
vertically, in fact they are preferably brazed or soldered together in order to form
a continuous wall. The said channel communicates at its inner end with the
expansion chamber through the ports in the side thereof, and at its outer end
communicates with the interior of the cylindrical casing or shell, which in turn
is in connection with the branch outlet
.
H designates a valve which, when open at the same time as the valve 70b permits
a second expansion of the return currents and permits same to enter and flow
through the secondary outgoing channel 5Gbb.
The liquefied fluid will drop down to the bottom of the chamber 2 and may
be drawn off into suitable receptacles through the channel 81b and nozzle 83b.
In this last described apparatus we so arrange the outgoing channels as to com-
pletely surround the ingoing current with the outgoing expanding currents and
hence obtain an enormous refrigerating surface acting directly upon the ingoing
currents in an exceedingly compact form and that without any loss through
external conduction or radiation. If desired, we may arrange the ingoing and
outgoing spirals in the manner shown in detail figure 9, in which the one surrounds
the other.
In Figure 10 we have shown diagrammatically, a system of compressors and
coolers which may be used to advantage in connection with the last described form
of condenser.
Tis intended to represent a compressor for compressing air or gas at atmo-
spheric pressure and T a compressor for drawing the air or gas from the interior
of the cylindrical shell of the condenser Fb, through the branch outlet c³.
U U are their respective coolers. The air or gas coming from the cylindrical shell,
which is the discharge of the secondary outgoing channel 56bb may be considered
to be at about atmospheric pressure or less. T is a compressor for drawing the
air or gas from the discharge or outlet pipe, connected to the common outlet
pipe e in communication with the outgoing spirals 56b. The compressor T³
receives the air or gas from said discharge pipe and compresses it together with
the partially compressed air or gas from T U, TU¹ and from thence it passes
through the required coolers and compressors as U2 T3 U³ to the inlet end d of
the ingoing spirals 55b.
As a result of the successive expansions the incoming air is subjected to a more
perfect cooling action, thereby increasing refrigeration and effecting economy in
the operation.
We have described our apparatus principally with reference to its use in the
liquefaction of atmospheric air, but it is of course, understood that we do not
limit ourselves to such use as we may use other aeriform fluids either for the

page_text: working currents or for the currents. of air or gas to be liquefied for commercial
use or for both. Neither do we wish to limit ourselves as to the exact details of
construction as shown and described, as the same might obviously be varied with-
out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is;
-
1. A condenser for an air, liquefying apparatus having two concentric spiral
channels, one for incoming air under pressure the other for expanded air, said
channels being connected at the centre of the apparatus so that air in the former
expands into the latter and an intermediate channel for the passage of air to be
liquefied.
2. A condenser for an air liquefying apparatus having two concentric spiral
channels, one a gradually contracted channel for incoming air under pressure, the
other a gradual expanding channel for expanded air, said channels being con-
nected at the centre of the apparatus so that air in the former expands into the
latter and an intermediate channel for the passage of air to be liquefied.
3. A condenser for an air liquefying apparatus having two concentric spiral
channels, one for incoming air under pressure the other for expanded air, said
channels being in communication with each other at the centre of the apparatus
through suitable ports and valves so that air in the former expands into the latter
and an intermediate channel for the air to be liquefied.
4. An apparatus for producing liquefied air or gas consisting of a condenser
provided with an ingoing spiral channel for compressed air and an outgoing spiral
channel concentric therewith and connected thereto and into which said air is
expanded, an intermediate channel for drawing in air to be liquefied, an air com-
pressor for drawing off the expanded air, a cooler for cooling the air compressed
in the compressor, a central pipe provided with ports for the compressed air and
the expanding outgoing air respectively and a port for drawing off the liquefied
air.
5. An apparatus for producing liquefied air or gas comprising a compressor, a
cooler, a condenser, a pump and a heater substantially as shown and described.
6. A condenser for an air liquefying apparatus consisting of two or more spiral
channels running from the periphery to the centre, and from the centre to the
periphery alternately, the alternate channels carrying the one ingoing currents
and the other outgoing currents, and means for drawing off the liquefied air from
the centre of the apparatus.
7. A condenser for an air liquefying apparatus consisting of a closed vessel
having three metallic sheets, wound in parallel spirals adapted to form three
channels for the ingoing cooled and compressed air, the outgoing expanded air
and the air to be liquefied respectively, a central chamber connecting the two
first mentioned channels and a valve nozzle for drawing off the liquefied air from
the last mentioned channel.
8. A condenser for an air liquefying apparatus consisting of a closed vessel
having two metallic sheets wound in parallel spirals adapted to form two channels,
the one for ingoing cooled and compressed air, and the other for outgoing expanded
air, and means for drawing off the air liquefied in the centre of the apparatus.
9. In an apparatus for liquefying air the combination of a hermetically closed
condenser, having spiral partitions disposed therein forming two channels, a
pipe disposed in said condenser and provided with ports, means for opening and
closing said ports, a pipe for supplying cooled and compressed air to one of said
channels a pipe connected to the other channel for drawing off the expanded air,
and means disposed at the bottom of said condenser for drawing off the liquefied air
and conducting it into suitable receivers.
10. A condenser for an air refrigerating or liquefying apparatus consisting of
a closed vessel having a number of spiral tubes or pipes, superposed upon each

page_text: other, carrying currents in opposite directions and themselves forming the walls
of a spiral channel formed between the coils of said spiral tubes or pipes and
adapted to carry other currents.
11. In a condenser for an air or gas refrigerating and liquefying apparatus, the
combination of two spiral concentric channels, one arranged above the other in the
same vertical plane, one of said channels arranged to carry the ingoing currents
of aeriform fluid, and the other of said channels arranged to carry the outgoing
currents of expanded fluid, another spiral channel arranged intermediate of the coils
of the first mentioned spiral channels, and arranged to carry outgoing currents
of further expanded fluid, a plurality of expansion chambers with which said
channels are connected and connections between said expansion chambers, sub-
stantially as specified.
12. In a condenser for an air or gas refrigerating and liquefying apparatus the
combination of two spiral concentric channels, each comprising a series of spiral
coils, the coils of each series being arranged alternately with each other and in
the same vertical plane, and another spiral channel arranged intermediate of the
coils of the first mentioned spiral channels, one of said channels arranged to carry
the ingoing currents of aeriform fluid, and the others of said channels arranged
to carry the outgoing currents of expanded aeriform fluid, a plurality of expansion
chambers with which said channels are connected, and connection between said
expansion chambers, substantially as specified.
13. In a condenser for an air or gas refrigerating and liquefying apparatus
the combination of two series of spiral channels consisting of coils, the coils of
each series arranged alternately with each other, a spiral channel arranged inter-
mediate of the coils of the first mentioned spiral channels, a plurality of expansion
chambers with which the said channels are connected, and valves controlling the
connection between the said expansion chambers, substantially as specified.
14. In a condenser for an air or gas refrigerating and liquefying apparatus, the
combination with a spiral channel for incoming currents of acriform fluid under
pressure and a plurality of expansion chambers, connected together, and with one
of which the inner end of said channel is connected, of a plurality of spiral channels,
concentric with the first mentioned spiral channel, for outgoing expanded air of
successively lower pressure, said spiral channels being connected with successive
expansion chambers, substantially as specified.
15. In a condenser for an air or gas refrigerating apparatus, the combination
with a spiral channel for incoming current of aeriform fluid under pressure, a
plurality of chambers, connected together, and with one of which the inner end
of said channel is connected, and valves for controlling the connection between
the said expansion chambers, of a plurality of spiral channels concentric with the
first mentioned spiral channel for outgoing expanded air of successively lower
pressures, said spiral channels being connected with successive expansion chambers,
and means whereby said air or gas may be collected as liquefied and drawn off
when desired, substantially as specified.
16. In an apparatus for refrigerating and liquefying gas or air the combination
with a spiral channel for incoming currents of aeriform fluid under pressure
a plurality of expansion chambers connected together, and with one of which the
inner end of said channel is connected, and a plurality of spiral
channels concentric with the first mentioned spiral channels for out-
going gas or air of successively lower pressures said, spiral channels being
connected at their inner ends with successive expansion chambers, of a system of
compressors and coolers whereby the expanded gas or air is conducted away from
ihe last mentioned channels, compressed and cooled, and returned to the first
mentioned channel, and means for compressing and cooling fresh gas or air to
take the place of that liquefied, substantially as specified.
17. In a condenser for an air or gas refrigerating and liquefying apparatus the
combination with series of spiral channels for incoming currents of compressed
aeriform fluid, of a series of spiral channels for outgoing currents of expanded

page_text: aeriform fluid, the said channels carrying the outgoing currents being arranged to
completely surround the channels carrying the incoming currents, a plurality of
successive expansion chambers, of different pressures connected together, and to
the inner ends of the several channels, substantially as set forth.
18. In a condenser for an air or gas refrigerating and liquefying apparatus
the combination of a stand pipe, a central collector, a series of spiral coils con-
nected at their outer ends with the stand pipe and at their inner ends with the
collector, an expansion chamber, a communication between the collector and the
expansion chamber, another series of spiral coils arranged alternately with the
first series, and in the same vertical plane therewith, said coils being connected
at their inner ends with said expansion chamber and at their outer ends with a
common return pipe, another expansion chamber, communicating with the afore-
said expansion chamber, and another spiral channel arranged intermediate of each
turn of the spiral coils, the inner end of said channel being connected to the last
mentioned expansion chamber, substantially as specified.
19. The combination of compressors and coolers, substantially as shown
diagramatically in Figure 10 with a condenser which returns the expanded air
through more than one channel at different pressures.
20. The counter current condenser substantially as described and shown in
Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.
21. The counter current condenser substantially as described and shown in
Figures 4 and 5 of the drawing.
22. The counter current condenser substantially as described and shown in
Figures 6, 7, and 8 of the drawings.
23. The process of refrigerating and liquifying aeriform fluid, which consists
in subjecting it to successive cooling actions of increasing intensity and insulat-
ing each successive step in said cooling actions by that preceding it, substantially
as described.
24. In a condenser for refrigerating and liquifying aeriform fluid, the com-
bination of a series of cooling channels, each successive channel being of lower
temperature than, and arranged within the channel preceding it, substantially, as
described.
25. In a condenser for refrigerating and liquifying aeriform fluid, the com-
bination of a series of cooling channels, communicating with each other, each
successive channel being of lower temperature than, and arranged within the
channel preceding it, substantially as described.
Datad this 10th day of Sunil 1899
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.