IMPROVEMENTS' IN REFRIGERATING AND APPARATUS THEREFOR"
Year: 1884

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We NATHAN WOODHULL CONDICT Junior, of 310 York Street Jersey City,
Hudson County, New Jersey and THOMAS ROSE, of Madison House Brooklyn,
Kings County, State of New York; both in the United States of America
Engineers do hereby declare the nature of our invention for IMPROVEMENTS'
IN REFRIGERATING AND APPARATUS THEREFOR" and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This Invention relates to the refrigerating of chambers, by forcing through pipes
or passages therein an ammoniacal solution at a low temperature induced by the:
extraction of gases from the said solution.
The Invention consists mainly in cooling a refrigerating Chamber by subjecting
a strong ammoniacal solution or other volatile hydrate, derived from an absorber to
a partial vacuum in a vacuum chamber, forcing the gas evolved therein to the said.
absorber, permitting the weak solution to flow from the vacuum chamber into the
inlet chamber and barrels of a pump, and forcing it from the latter through the
pipes or passages of a refrigerating chamber and thence to the absorber, all
substantially as set forth hereinafter.
The Invention further consists in cooling the strong ammoniacal solution in its
course from the absorber to the vacuum chamber by subjecting it to the influences
of the weak solution, as the latter is being forced from the refrigerating pipes or
passages to the absorber, substantially as explained hereafter.
The Invention also consists of certain machinery and apparatus hereinafter set
forth for carrying the main features of the invention into effect.
In the drawing.
Figure 1 is a general view of the refrigerating apparatus.
Figures 2 and 3 views of the gas pump, which is preferably used in connection
with the apparatus, and
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 views illustrating an absorber which may be used in
connection with the apparatus.
We will in the first instance, describe the refrigerating apparatus as shown in the
general view, Figure 1, without regard to details of construction.
The parts composing the apparatus are as follows:
First A gas pump P preferably constructed in the manner hereinafter set forth,
Second A receiver K.

page_text: Third A pipe m through which the gas is forced from the pump into the
receiver K, the pipe being furnished with suitable stop-valves, x and y.
Fourth-The vacuum chamber 1, and a pipe t, forming a communication between
the said chamber and the inlet chamber of the pump.
Fifth A pump H, below or adjoining the vacuum chamber I, and having an
inlet chamber communicating therewith.
Sixth An absorber A, with which the receiver K communicates through a
pipe a.
Seventh-A secondary absorber B, similar to the first, and communicating
therewith through a pipe n.
Eighth A refrigerating chamber W, which contains a system of refrigerating
pipes, and which may be constructed in different ways without departing from the
invention, part only of the said Chamber being shown in the drawing.
Ninth A pipe e through which the pump H forces the refrigerating solution
derived from the vacuum chamber, into the pipes of the refrigerating chamber, the
said pipes forming a.continuation of the spent liquor pipe e¹.
Tenth A series of vessels, D, D¹, D², D³ and E forming with connecting pipes e²
enlarged continuations of the spent liquor pipe e' and forming a communication
between the latter and the vessel E.
Eleventh A circulating pump R, for forcing the spent liquor into the secondary
absorber B.
Twelfth Another circulating pump T, for forcing the spent liquor received from
the secondary absorber into the receiver K.
:
Thirteenth-A pipe s furnished with a stop or feed valve v, and forming a
communication between the first absorber A, and the vacuum chamber, and in its
course assuming.the form of coils in the several vessels, D, D1, D2, D³ and E.
In order to charge the machine with hydrate of ammonia in the first instance,
the valve y, is closed, and the valves x, z, v, opened after which the pump P is set
in motion so as to expel the air from every part of the machine through a branch x¹
of the valve x.*
2011
If, after this, the valves z and v be closed, and a temporary communication be
made between the pipe and a vessel containing a proper quantity of the solution,
and the stop valve of this pipe be opened, this solution will enter the machine
through the vessel E, and when the solution can be seen through a guage glass on
the absorber A, the apparatus will be properly charged, and the valve of the pipe
may be closed.
To set the apparatus in operation, the valve x must be closed and the valves y
and z opened, and feed valve vso adjusted that, mercury in a guage glass attached
to the vacuum chamber I shall register at about 27 inches of vacuum.
The saturated solution is conveyed by the pipe s to the vacuum chamber I, and
is admitted thereto in suitable quantity through the said valve v.
In this chamber the solution comes under the influence of the pump P by way of
the pipe t, the pump extracting a portion of gas from the solution, and reducing
the temperature of the remaining solution nearly to zero.
This remaining solution, coming under the influence of the pump H, is forced
through any desirable system of pipes or passages in the refrigerating chamber W;
and, when the solution in traversing these pipes has absorbed the requisite amount
of heat, it becomes spent liquor, which, on leaving the said refrigerating chamber,
by the pipe el, has to be returned to the absorber A, to be resaturated with gas,
which is constantly entering the said absorber from the pump P, through the
pipem, receiver K, and pipe a, the latter extending nearly to the bottom of
the said absorber.
C The spent liquor which leaves the pipes of the refrigerating chamber by way of
the pipe e, takes a circuitous course before it reaches the absorber, for the
vessels, D, D¹, D², D³ and E are really enlarged continuations of the said pipe e¹,
and are always full of the spent solution, which, on leaving the vessel E, comes
under the influence of the pump R, and is forced by the latter into the secondary

page_text: absorber B, whence it flows to the pump T, and by the latter is forced into the
receiver K, where it is partially saturated with gas from the pump' P, prior to
entering the absorber A, where it is thoroughly saturated.
The strength of the solution fed to the machine determines in a great measure;
the temperature of the refrigerating solution which enters the pump H, and it is
most desirable to have the solution at its full strength at all times.
In using one absorber only, this is difficult of accomplishment without at times
creating some pressure in the machine, but by adding a second absorber B. to také
up the excess of gas from the first, this trouble is entirely overcome.
The temperature of the feed solution, as it enters the vacuum chamber I, also
influences the refrigerating solution; and hence it is important, that this feed
solution should be reduced in temperature on its way from the absorber A, to the
vacuum chamber I. This is done by continuing the conveying pipe 8, in the form
of coils, one coil in each of the vessels D, D¹, D², D³ and E, before the said pipe
reaches the vacuum chamber. These coils being always' immersed in the spent
liquor as the latter is being circulated through the said vessels in the direction
pointed out, it necessarily follows that the feed solution must be reduced in
temperature in its course from the absorber to the vacuum chamber.
The feed solution will often leave the absorber A. at a temperature of 80° Far
whereas the temperature of the spent liquor from the refrigerator, rarely exceeds 30°,
by passing the feed solution, however, in one direction through the pipes exposed to
the spent solution circulating in a contrary direction, the feed solution will enter
the vacuum chamber I, at or near a temperature of 30°, while the spent liquor will
enter the absorber at or near a temperature of 80°.
But the spent liquor on reaching the absorber, where it is saturated with gas,
must be reduced in temperature, and this is brought about in the present instance
by the circulation of cold water within a jacket d, surrounding the chamber and
through a coil f, in which cold water is also circulated, the secondary absorber B,
being under similar cooling influences.
When the spent liquor has reached the vessel E it flows thence as before
remarked into the Chamber of the small pump R and is forced thereby into the
secondary absorber B and thence it passes to the Chamber of another small pump T
and is forced thereby into the receiver K.
The reason for this arrangement of circulating pumps is to enable gas to pass
from the absorber A to the absorber B through the pipe n and air if any to pass
from the secondary absorber B to the vessel E through the pipe o
While the same
purpose might be brought about by other appliances the pumps are deemed most
simple and reliable.
The presence of air in the machine may sometimes occur owing to leaky joints
Should this be the case it will pass from the secondary absorber into the vessel E
and can be permitted to escape through the pipe l.
The pressure of air in the machine may be indicated by a pressure gauge applied
to the receiver K.
The spent liquor is pumped into the receiver K rather than into the absorber A
because it will take up some gas in its passage from K to A down the pipe a and
so reduce the quantity of gas to be admitted to the absorber.
The receiver K has other uses for example it materially reduces the intermittent
action of the gas pump, and so induces the gas to flow in a comparatively uniform
current into the absorber A but its principal use is to prevent the flow of the
solution into the pump P when the machine is stopped which it would do should.
the pipe m be carried directly into the absorber A.
It should be here understood that in carrying out the main feature of this
Invention it is not essential to adhere to the construction of the several parts or
arrangements of parts illustrated in figure 1 which has been introduced more as. a
diagram to illustrate the mode of operation of the invention and some of its speciál
features than as a definite guide in constructing the apparatus Other systems of
pipes or passages for instance may be adopted for causing the spent solution on its

page_text: way to the absorber to reduce the temperature of the feed solution on its way to
the vacuum chamber-It may be remarked however that it has been found to be
economical and efficient in practice to use lap-welded tubes with cast iron tops
and bases for the several vessels and to use lead pipes for the coils It may be
remarked as a conclusion to the above description of the apparatus that its
operations are entirely under the control of the feed valve v and that when the
latter has once been properly adjusted the apparatus will continue in action
without intermission as long as the movements of the pumps are continued.
One of the things most essential to the successful carrying out of the Invention
is an efficient gas pump That shown in figures 2 and 3 of the drawing has been
especially designed to form part of the apparatus and has proved to be most efficient
in practice.
The casing of this pump forms the inlet chamber which has heretofore been
referred to as being in communication with the vacuum chamber I through the
pipe t and into this chamber extend portions of the two barrels F F which have
lateral openings i i.
A rock shaft J extends through a stuffing box in one side of the casing of the
pump, the other end of the shaft extending into a projection on the opposite side
of said casing..
"
The barrels F F¹ are precisely alike and to the top of each barrel is secured a
valve chest b containing a valve which has its seat on the edge of an opening g in
the bottom of the chest and forming when the valve is raised, a communication
between the interior of the chest and pump barrel.
The chests of the two pumps communicate with the above mentioned. pipe m
through which gas is forced to the receiver K.
In each barrel is a valveless piston G secured to the upper end of a guided
rack M into the teeth of which gear those of the wheel L on the rock shaft J.
The rock shaft is operated in the present instance by a driving shaft q a crank
on which is connected to an arm Y on the rock shaft but different mechanisms]
may be used for actuating the said rock shaft of the pump.
•
"
The pistons are so operated that each, when at the limit of its upward movement
shall be as close as possible to the valve chest, which forms the end of the barrel,
and when at the termination of its downward movement, will be in a position to
expose the inlet openings i of the barrel, so that the gas may freely enter the same
above the piston, and when the latter is raised it will first close the openings i i
and then force the gas through the valve chest and through the pipe m to the
receiver K.
The efficiency of this pump is attributed to the following causes-First, The
avoidance of foot or suction valves common to ordinary pumps, the gas passing
voluntarily through the openings i and the piston serving to close these openings
at the proper time Second, The use of valveless pistons which lessen the chance of
leakage and permit the pistons to be moved so close to the end of the barrel that
little or no gas remains therein when the motion of the piston is reversed.
The absorber A may be constructed in different ways without departing from
the main features of the invention.
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 show a mode of making an absorber which has proved
to be efficient in practice.
The tank is, in the present instance, of an annular shape and consists of an outer
casing 2 inner casing 4, and annular bottom plate 5, cold water being introduced at
the inlet 6 and being discharged at the outlet 7.
The absorber proper, which is suspended or supported in the tank in. any
suitable manner, consists of two parts, namely, the body 8 and cover 9, which are
constructed and adapted to each other in the peculiar manner shown in Figures 5
and 6.
The body 8 has an outer casing terminating at the top in a flange 11, and at the
bottom merging preferably with a curve; into an inner casing, which is closed by:
14

page_text: the top 13, the whole; being cast in one piece, and the cover 9 having a flange 14
adapted to the flange 11 of the body, and having at the top a neck 16.
When the two parts of the absorber are secured by bolts passed through the
flanges they will inclose, the space 17, that is, a space annular from the flange 11 to
the bottom, and merging at the top into the neck 16.
The object of this peculiarly shaped absorber is the exposure of an extended area
to the cooling influence of water circulated through the tank, both the inner and
outer casings of the absorber being thus exposed.
A central pipe 18 has a flange 19 confined to the flange of the neck 16 of the
absorber, and with this pipe communicate branches 20, which extend first radially
from the central pipe and then downward. There are four of these branches in the
present instance, each terminating in a tubular perforated segment 21, situated
near the bottom of the absorber, in which this system of distributing pipes is
suspended.
In using this absorber the gas is forced through the pipe m into the vessel 21,
and thence into the larger vessel 22, while the spent solution from the pipes of the
refrigerating chamber falls into the funnel-shaped top of a pipe 23, and in doing
this absorbs some of the gas, the solution finally passing through the pipe 18, and
being distributed into the lower portion of the absorber in the condition of
numerous small jets.
Other forms of absorbing may be adopted in carrying out the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First: The mode herein described of cooling a refrigerating chamber, the said
mode consisting in subjecting a strong ammoniacal solution or other volatile
hydrate derived from an absorber, to a partial vacuum in a vacuum chamber,
forcing the gases evolved therein to the said absorber, permitting the weak
Bolution to flow by its own gravity from the said vacuum chamber into a pump
chamber, and forcing it from the latter through the pipes or passages of a
refrigerating chamber to the absorber all substantially as set forth.
Second: The mode herein described of cooling the strong solution in its course
from the absorber to the vacuum chamber the said mode consisting in subjecting
the solution to the cooling influences of the spent solution, as the latter is being
forced from the refrigerating pipes or passages to the absorber, substantially as
specified.
Third The combination in refrigerating apparatus of the following elements,
namely: First, an absorber; second, a vacuum chamber communicating with the
absorber; third, a pump for creating a partial vacuum in the said chamber, and for
forcing the gas evolved therein into the absorber; fourth, a system of refrigerating
pipes or passages, also communicating with the absorber; and fifth, a pump
situated between the refrigerating pipes and vacuum chamber, and so far below
the latter that the cold solution will flow by its own gravity into the inlet chamber
and barrel of the said pump prior to being forced thereby through the refrigerating
pipes to the absorber all substantially as described..
Fourth-The combination of the absorber of refrigerating apparatus with a
secondary absorber communicating with the first for receiving from the latter any
surplus gas, and thereby preventing the creation of pressure in the apparatus
substantially as set forth.
Fifth-The combination of the absorber, vacuum chamber, refrigerating pipes,
pumps and their several connections, with a valve for regulating the flow of
strong solution through the pipe s to the said vacuum chamber, and thereby
serving to regulate the action of the entire apparatus, substantially as set forth.
Sixth-The combination of the pipe e through which the spent solution is
forced to the absorber and a series of vessels communicating with and forming a
continuation of the said pipe, with the pipe 8, which passes through the said vessel,

page_text: and through which the strong solution is introduced to the vacuum chamber,
substantially as described.
f..
Seventh In a gas pump for refrigerating apparatus, the combination of the
following elements, namely: First, an inlet chamber: Second, à barrel having a
series of lateral openings communicating with the said chamber. Third, the
valveless piston, and Fourth, the discharge valve, all substantially as set forth.
Eighth The combination of the outer casing of the pump, the inlet chamber
therein, the barrels F, F1 extending into the said chamber and having lateral
openings, and discharge valves, with the pistons, guided racks and cog-wheel, all
contained in the said chamber, and with the rock-shaft J partly contained therein;
but projecting at one end from the casing as set forth.
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