Process of and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Chlorine and Bleaching Powder.
Year: 1898

page_text: Process of and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Chlorine and
Bleaching Powder.
PAUL NAEF, Doctor of Philosophy, Chemical Engineer, of 15, 3rd Avenue, New
Brighton, S.T., New York, U.S.A., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved process of & apparatus for, the manufacture of
chlorine, one object of the invention being the automatic & continuous production
of chlorine from ammonium chloride, magnesium chloride & to reduce the cost of
the manufacture of chlorine to a minimum.
A further object is to carry out the process of making chlorine from ammonium
chloride so as to prevent loss of ammonia.
A further object is to perform the several steps in the process of making chlorine
so as to reduce the cost of fuel to a minimum.
A further object is to make the production of bleaching powder from dilute
chlorine gas, a continuous operation; to do away with bleaching powder chambers
heretofore used, to enable the production of a large amount of bleaching powder in
a compact apparatus, by removing the heat evolved in the reaction.
A further object is to provide an apparatus for the manufacture of chlorine, which
shall be comparatively simple in construction; which shall be automatic, continuous
& economical in operation and which shall be effectual in all respects, in the
performance of its functions.
With these objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of
construction & combinations & arrangements of parts of an apparatus & certain
novel steps in the process of taking chlorine as hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view of my improved apparatus in
position for use. Figure 2 and 3 are sectional views of the furnace, and Fig. 4 is a
sectional view of the absorber.
My improved process is to be carried out in combination with the ammonia soda
process. In the latter process, brine saturated with ammonia, is treated with
carbonic acid gas. Sodium bicarbonate is precipitated and ammonium chloride
Paine S17

page_text: and undecomposed salt are left in solution. From this solution, pure solid
ammonium chloride is produced by freezing or evaporation, which forms one of the
raw material for the process to be hereinafter described.
A metallic oxide, preferably magnesium oxide, is mixed by mechanical means
with ammonium chloride. This mixture is passed continuously through a retort
furnace. At the same time carbonic acid or nitrogen gas is drawn from the discharge
end to the feed end thereof. The gas, containing ammonia vapors, is drawn from
the furnace through condensers and a slight vacuum will be maintained in the whole
apparatus. The magnesium oxide which has been partly converted into magnesium
chloride during the passage through the furnace is continuously charged into
another retort furnace, preferably on a lower level than the first & preferably of a
larger size.
Heated air is passed into the lower end of the lower furnace and the oxygen of
the atmosphere decomposes the magnesium chloride which is heated to dark-red
heat in the furnace.
Chlorine escapes from the higher end of the lower furnace
magnesium oxide is discharged at the lower end of the furnace and is again utilized
in carrying out the process.
The reactions which take place in the upper furnace can be expressed
thus:-
MgO +2 NH⭑CI
=
MgCl, +2 NH¸ + H₂O.
Ammonium chloride is raised and deposited into a hopper I by means of an
elevator 2 and magnesium oxide is elevated from a hopper 3 and deposited into a
hopper 4, said hoppers 1 and 4 being preferably disposed side by side above the inlet
or charging end of the upper furnace A. Screw conveyors 5 and 6 deliver the two
materials, viz. ammonia chloride and magnesium oxide, into a hopper 7. The
speed of the conveyors is so regulated that hopper 7 contains a mixture of chloride
and oxide suitable for the purpose. A large excess of magnesium oxide over that
required in the above equation is used chiefly for the purpose of preventing a sintering
of the magnesium chloride in the lower furnace and also for the purpose of reaching
a complete elimination of ammonia in the upper furnace. The mixture of magnesium
oxide & ammonium chloride in the hopper 7 is so regulated that the material, which
is discharged from furnace A, contains one part of magnesium oxide to one to two
parts of magnesium chloride. The ammonia gas escapes from the furnace A through
a pipe 8 into a cooler 9 comprising a cylinder containing a number of tubes. The
gas passes through the pipes or tubes 10, of the cooler, which are surrounded by cold
water entering through a pipe 11 and having its exit at 12. The object of the
cooler is to cool the gases and to remove any ammonium chloride which may
escape undecomposed. For this latter purpose, water is run into the top of the
cooler through pipes 13 and allowed to run through the pipes or tubes 10 and wash
out the ammonia and run off at 14. To ensure a complete condensation of the
chloride vapors, the spaces 15 above and below the pipes or tubes 10 are filled with
porous material such as coke or wood. The ammonia gas leaves the cooler through a
pipe 16 and enters a scrubber 17, or another washing apparatus, for absorbing the
ammonia. In the drawing I have shown a scrubber of ordinary construction, through
which water, or any other absorbing liquid is circulated. In order to assist the evolu-
tion and complete elimination of ammonia, a gas may be circulated through the
furnace and the condensing apparatus which has no decomposing action on ammonia
and magnesium chloride. Such a gas may be obtained in the shape of a waste gas in
the ammonia-soda process and consists mostly of nitrogen and contains some carbonic
oxide and carbonic acid. Instead of the waste gas above mentioned, gas from a lime
kiln, or any other gas containing carbonic acid can be used, in which case the
ammonia is obtained as carbonate. The apparatus is usually worked in such a manner
that always the saine gas is circulating and only losses are made up by drawing gas
from a gas holder at 18.
A pump 19 draws the gas from the scrubber 17 and delivers it to the upper
furnace A through a pipe 20. A slight vacuum will be maintained in the whole

page_text: apparatus. If the vacuum rises above one inch measured at the charging end of the
furnace, gas will be drawn in at 18 from the gas holder, not shown in the drawing,
preferably through a reducing valve of any preferred form of construction. The
presence of oxygen in the gas circulating through the apparatus must be avoided
because it may destroy some of the ammonia. The gas acts mechanically in carrying
off ammonia. For the purpose of hydrating sofne of the magnesia in the cooler parts
of the furnace where most of the ammonia is evolved steam is introduced through
pipe 21 which terminates about centrally between the ends of the furnace. The
reaction of the steam is not introduced near the discharge end of the furnace
because it is desirable to prevent moisture being retained in the material.
It may be here stated that ammonia can, to a certain extent, be eliminated without
circulating gas, or introducing steam, but the use of the latter is preferable, both for
preventing loss of ammonia and for facilitating the reaction.
The hoppers 14 and 7 are connected at 22 to the pipe 8 leading into the
condensers, so as to draw off any ammonia gas which may be evolved from these
vessels. All the elevators and hoppers are preferably made of iron and are made
air tight.
The gas circulating through the apparatus can be heated in Cowper or other stoves
before entering the furnace at 20 and thus all or part of the heat necessary for the
reaction can be supplied in this way. If a sufficient volume of gas, free from oxygen,
can be easily procured to supply all the heat a furnace with a solid lining instead of
with a lining constructed with heating flues may be used.
The furnace A is the same in construction as the furnace B which is nsed for the
evolution of chlorine, & a detailed description of which will be herinafter given but
the furnace A is smaller than furnace B.
Instead of arranging the furnace A above furnace B both furnaces may be disposed
on the same plane if desired but this would require an additional hopper & elevator to
raise the material into hopper 24.
As stated when describing the action of furnace A part or all the heat can be
In such cases &
supplied also to furnace B by preheating the air in hot air stoves.
especially if an excess of air is not objectionable, such as in the manufacture of
chlorate of potash, where the chlorine is absorbed by milk of lime, furnaces with
solid lining can be used.
The material which is continuously discharged from furnace A consists of mag-
nesium chloride and oxide and runs continuously into hopper 24 from which it is
In the furnace B,
continuously fed into furnace B, by means of a conveyor 25.
chlorine is evolved by the action of oxygen on the chloride.
The reaction may be expressed as follows
MoCLO = MgO CL.
The magnesium oxide which is formed in the furnace B is continuously discharged
from the furnace into hopper 3 from which it is elevated to hopper 4 as previously
The
explained. Air enters the furnace B at 26 and chlorine gas leaves at 27.
chlorine gas passes through two scrubbers 28 28 into a chlorine absorber C where it
is absorbed by lime and is converted into bleaching powder. With the absorber, a
suction fan or pump 29 is connected and serves to draw off the waste gases and
creates a slight vacuum in the entire apparatus as above intimated.
The scrubbers 28, 28* are of the ordinary construction used in chlorine works. In
the first scrubber any hydrochloric acid is washed out by water, and in the second
scrubber the chlorine gas is dried by means of strong sulphuric acid.
At the same time, the gas is cooled (by radiation) during passage through pipes
and scrubber.
Each furnace (A and B) is revolubly mounted and provided with flues 30 in the
periphery, which flues may be conveniently formed by chauneled tiles 31 Fig. 2.
Each furnace is provided with lifting partitions 32 for agitating or showering the
material. Each furnace is also provided with a fire chamber 33, at one end, said fire

page_text: chamber having perforated crowns 34, 35, beneath which a gas jet 36 is projected.
Two flue rings 37, 38, are located on the periphery of the furnace; the one near the
discharge end having communication with the fire chamber and the one near the
inlet or charge end of the furnace being in communication with the chimney 39.
The annular flues 40 extend around the periphery and are preferably formed by
two rings, placed apart and encircled by a ring 41 which rests on the pedestal, said
ring 41 being also made in two parts secured together. By this arrangement, ready
access may be had to the annular flues, the latter being always in communication
with the longitudinal flues 30.
The fire gases pass from the fire chamber through the perforated crowns into the
annular flues and thence through the longitudinal flues.
The furnace carries, at the charging end, a plate 42 against which a stationary
plate 43 is located and through the latter the conveyors and the gas pipe enter, said
gas pipe or furnace B, being lettered 27 in the drawing. The plate 43 is made of as
small diameter as possible so as to reduce leakage to a minimum. The discharge
end of the furnace is closed by a plate 45 to which is fastened the entrance pipe 20
of furnace A and 26 of furnace B. The pipe 20 (furnace A) is connected, by a turn-
ing joint 47 with the stationary main.
The material is discharged from the respective furnaces through holes 48 in the
plate 45.
To prevent leakage of gas a stationary hollow or chambered ring 49, is
made to bear closely against the plate 45 and communicate with all the holes
therein. The hollow rings 49 are connected by suitable pipes with the hoppers
below them.
Each revolvable furnace A, B, is supported by rollers 50 and kept in position by
means of V-shaped rollers 51. The furnaces may be slowly revolved by means of
worm gear or in any other preferred manner.
The chlorine absorber C, herein before referred to, consists (preferably) of an iron
cylinder mounted and revolved in the same manner as the furnaces A B. The absorber
is fitted with iron pipes 52, which run through the end plates 53, 54 and these pipes
act in two ways. They lift and shower the lime and they are also used for cooling,
to carry off the heat formed by the combination of lime & chlorine.
For this pur-
pose the pipes are open at both ends, so ás to allow a free flow of air through them.
The discharge end of the absorber is surrounded by a casting 55 which is in con-
nection with a chimney to increase the draft. If necessary, water can be circulated
through these pipes. The cylinder is also fitted with radial lifting partitions 56.
The charging end of the absorber is the same as the furnaces A and B. Lime is
continuously fed from a hopper 57 through conveyor 58 into the absorber and leaves
it as bleaching powder at 59.
My improved process can be used for decomposing chloride of magnesium obtained
from other sources than by decomposing chloride of ammonia. In this case, the 4
furnace A is unnecessary and the arrangement of furnace B is exactly as described,
the only difference being that the hoppers 1 and 4 and mixing conveyors 5 and 6 are
placed above the hoppers 24. The hopper 1 contains, in that case, magnesium
chloride instead of ammonium chloride. The conveyors 5 and will be so regulated
that the hopper 24 contains a material of similar composition, as when decomposing 4
ammonium chloride. The magnesium oxide, produced in furnace B can then be used
in other industries.
The hoppers 24 and 3 are used so that furnace B can be operated during short
stoppages of furnace A and vice versa.

page_text: Process of and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Chlorine and
Bleaching Powder.
PAUL NAEF, Ph.D., Chemical Engineer, of 15, 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, S.T.,
New York, U.S.A., do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to an improved process of and apparatus for the manufacture
of chlorine, one object of the invention being the automatic and continuous
production of chlorine from ammonium chloride and magnesium chloride and to
reduce the cost of the manufacture of chlorine to a minimum.
A further object is to carry out the process of making chlorine from ammonium
chloride so as to prevent loss of ammonia.
A further object is to perform the several steps in the process of making chlorine so
as to reduce the cost of fuel to a minimum.
A further object is to make the production of bleaching powder from dilute chlorine
gas a continuous operation, to do away with bleaching powder chambers heretofore
used, to enable the production of a large amount of bleaching powder in a compact
apparatus by removing the heat evolved in the reaction.
A further object is to provide an apparatus for the manufacture of chlorine, which
shall be comparatively simple in construction; which shall be automatic, continuous
and economical in operation and which shall be effectual in all respects, in the
performance of its functions.
With these objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of
construction and combinations and arrangements of parts of an apparatus and certain
novel steps in the process of making chlorine as hereinafter set forth and pointed out
in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings filed with my Provisional Specification Fig. 1 is a
view of my improved apparatus in position for use.
Figures 2 and 3 are sectional views of the furnace and Fig. 4 is a sectional view
of the absorber.
My improved process is to be carried out in combination with the ammonia soda
process. In the latter process brine saturated with ammonia is treated with
carbonic acid gas. Sodium bicarbonate is precipitated and ammonium chloride and
undecomposed salt are left in solution. From this solution, pure solid ammonium
chloride is produced by freezing or evaporation, which forms one of the raw materials
for the process to be hereinafter described.
A metallic oxide preferably magnesium oxide, is mixed by mechanical means with
ammonium chloride. This mixture is passed continuously through a furnace. At
the same time carbonic acid or nitrogen gas is drawn from the discharge end to the
feed end thereof.. This gas containing ammonia vapours, is drawn froin the furnace
through condensers and a slight vacuum will be maintained in the whole
apparatus.
The magnesium oxide, which has been partly converted into magnesium chloride
during the passage through the furnace, is continuously charged into another retort
furnace, preferably of larger size.
Heated air is passed into the lower end of the lower furnace, and the oxygen of the
atmosphere decomposes the magnesium chloride, which is heated to red heat in the
furnace.
Chlorine escapes from the higher end of the lower furnace and magnesium oxide is
discharged at the lower end of the furnace and is again utilized in carrying out the

page_text: The reactions which takes place in the upper furnace can
thus:
be expressed
TB
2
3
Ammonium chloride is raised and deposited into a hopper 1 by means of an
elevator 2 and magnesium oxide is elevated from a hopper 3 and deposited into a
hopper 4, said hoppers 1 and 4 being preferably disposed side by side above the inlet,
or charging end of the upper furnace A. Screw conveyors 5 and 6 deliver the two
materials, viz. ammonium chloride and magnesium oxide, into a hopper 7. The
speed of the conveyors is so regulated that hopper 7 contains a mixture of chloride
and oxide suitable for the process. A large excess of magnesium oxide over that
required in the above equation is used chiefly for the purpose of preventing a
sintering of the magnesium chloride in the lower furnace and also for the purpose of
reaching a complete elimination of ammonia in the upper furnace. The mixture
of magnesium oxide and ammonium chloride in hopper 7. is so regulated that
the material, which is discharged from furnace A contains one part of magnesium
oxide to one to two parts of magnesium chloride. The ammonia gas escapes from
the furnace A through a pipe 8 into a cooler 9 comprising a cylinder containing
a number of tubes. The gas passes through the pipes or tubes 10 of the cooler,
which are surrounded by cold water entering through a pipe 11, and having its exit
at 12. The object of the cooler is to cool the gases and to remove any ammonium
chloride, which may escape undecomposed. For this latter purpose, water is run into
the top of the cooler through pipes 13 and allowed to run through the pipes or tubes
10 to wash out the ammonia and run off at 14.
To ensure a complete condensation of the chloride vapours. The spaces 15 above
and below the pipes or tubes 10 are filled with porous material such as coke or wood.
The ammonia gas leaves the cooler through a pipe 16 and enters a scrubber 17, or
another washing apparatus for absorbing the ammonia. In the drawing I have shown
a scrubber of ordinary construction, through which water or any other absorbing
liquid is circulated. In order to assist the evolution and complete elimination of
ammonia, a gas may be circulated through the furnace, and the condensing apparatus,
which has no decomposing action on ammonia and magnesium chloride. Such a gas
may be obtained in the shape of waste gas in the ammonia-soda process and consists
mostly of nitrogen, and contains some carbonic oxide and carbonic acid. Instead of
the waste gas above mentioned, gas from a lime kiln or any other gas containing
carbonic acid, can be used, in which case the ammonia is obtained as carbonate. The
apparatus is usually worked in such a manner, that always the same gas is circulating,
and only losses are made up by drawing gas from a gas holder at 18.
A pump 19 draws the gas from the scrubber 17 and delivers it to the upper
furnace A through a pipe 20. A slight vacuum will be maintained in the whole
apparatus. If the vacuum rises above one inch measured at the charging end of the
furnace gas will be drawn in at 18, from the gas holder not shown in the drawing,
preferably through a reducing valve of any preferred form of construction.
The presence of oxygen in the gas circulating through the apparatus, must be
avoided because it may destroy some of the ammonia. The gas acts mechanically in
carrying off ammonia. For the purpose of hydrating some of the magnesia in the
cooler parts of the furnace, where most of the ammonia is evolved, steam can be
introduced through pipe 21, which terminates about centrally between the ends of
the furnace. The steam is not introduced near the discharge end of the furnace,
because it is desirable to prevent moisture being retained in the material.
It may be here stated that ammonia can, to a certain extent, be eliminated with-
out circulating gas or introducing steam, but the use of the latter is preferable, both
for preventing loss of ammonia and for facilitating the reaction.
The hoppers 14 and 7 are connected at 22 to the pipe 8 leading into the con-
densers, so as to draw off any ammonia gas which may be evolved from these vessels.
All the elevators and hoppers are preferably made of iron-and are made air tight.

page_text: The gas circulating through the apparatus, can be heated in Cowper or other stoves
before entering the furnace at 23 and thus all or part of the heat necessary for the
reaction can be supplied in this way. If a sufficient volume of gas free from oxygen,
can be easily procured to supply all the heat, a furnace with a solid lining instead of
with a lining constructed with heating flues might be used.
The furnace A, is the same in construction, as the furnace B, which is used for
the evolution of chlorine, and a detailed description of which will be hereinafter
given, but the furnace A is smaller than furnace B.
Instead of arranging the furnace A above the furnace B both furnaces may be
disposed on the same plane if desired, but this would require an additional
hopper and elevator to raise the material into hopper 24.
As stated when describing the action of furnace A, part or all the heat can be
In such
supplied also also to furnace B by preheating the air in hot air stoves.
cases and especially if an excess of air is not objectionable, such as in the manufacture
of chlorate of potash, where the chlorine is absorbed by milk of lime, furnaces of
solid lining can be used.
The material which is constantly discharged from furnace A consists of magnesium
chloride and oxide, and runs continuously into hopper 24, from which it is contin-
In the furnace B, chlorine
uously fed into furnace B by means of a conveyor 25.
is evolved by the action of oxygen on the chloride.
The reaction may be expressed as follows:-
NgC, + O
=
MgO + Cl..
The magnesium oxide, which is formed in furnace B, is continuously discharged
from the furnace into hopper 3, from which it is elevated to hopper 1 as previously
explained. Air enters the furnace B at 26, and chlorine gas leaves at 27. The
chlorine gas passes through two scrubbers 28 28 into a chlorine absorber C, where it
is absorbed by lime and is converted into bleaching powder. With the absorber a
suction fan or pump 29 is connected and serves to draw off the waste gases and
creates a slight vacuum in the entire apparatus as above mentioned.
The scrubbers 28 28 are of the ordinary construction used in chlorine works.
In the first scrubber any hydrochloric acid is washed out by water, and in the second
scrubber, the chlorine gas is dried by means of strong sulphuric acid.
At the same time the gas is cooled (by radiation) during passage through pipes
and scrubber.
Each
Each furnace (A and B) is revolubly mounted and provided with flues 30 in the
periphery, which flues may be conveniently formed by channeled tiles 31.
furnace is provided with lifting partitions 32 for agitating or showering the material.
Each furnace is also provided with a fire chamber 33 at one end, said fire chainbers
having perforated crowns 34, 35, beneath which a gas jet 36 is projected. Two flue
rings, 37 38 are located on the periphery of the furnace; the one near the discharge
end having communication with the fire chamber, and the one near the inlet or
charge end of the furnace being in communication with the chimney 39.
The annular flues 40, extend around the periphery and are preferably formed by
two rings, spaced apart and encircled by a ring 41 which rests on the pedesta!, said
ring 41 being also made in two parts secured together. By this arrangement ready
access may be had to the annular flues, the latter being always in communication
with the longitudinal flues 30.
The fire gases pass from the fire chamber through the perforated crowns into the
annular flues and thence through the longitudinal flues.
The furnace carries, at the charging end, a plate 42 against which a stationary
plate 43 is located and through the latter the conveyors and the gas pipe enter, said
gas pipe or furnace B being lettered 44 in the drawing. The plate 43 is made of as
The discharge
small diameter as possible so as to reduce breakage to a miniinum.
end of the furnace is closed by a plate 45 to which is fastened the entrance pipe 20
of furnace A and 26 of furnace B. The pipe 20 (furnace A) is connected, by a
turning joint 47, with the stationary main.

page_text: The material is discharged from the respective furnaces through holes 48 in the
plate 45.
To prevent leakage of gas a stationary hollow or chambered ring 49 is
inade to bear closely against the plate 45, and communicate with all the holes therein.
The hollow rings 49 are connected by suitable pipes with the hoppers below them.
Each revoluble furnace A B is supported by rollers 50 and kept in position by
means of V-shaped rollers 51.
The furnaces may be slowly revolved by means of worm-gear, or in any other
preferred manner.
The chlorine absorber C, hereinbefore referred to, consists (preferably) of an iron
cylinder mounted and revolved in the same manner as the furnaces A and B. The
absorber is fitted with iron pipes 52, which run through the end plates 53 54 and
these pipes act in two ways They lift and shower the lime and they are also used for
cooling, to carry off the heat formed by the combination of lime and chlorine. For
this purpose the pipes are open at both ends so as to allow a free flow of air through
them. The charging end of the absorber is surrounded by a casing 55 which is in
connection with a chimney to increase the draft. If necessary water can be circulated
through these pipes. The cylinder is also fitted with radial lifting partitions 56.
The charging end of the absorber is the same as the furnaces A and B. Lime is con-
tinuously fed from a hopper 57 through conveyor 58 into the absorber and leaves it
as bleaching powder at 59.
My improved process can be used for decomposing chloride of magnesium, obtained
from other sources than by decomposing chloride of ammonia. In this case furnace A
is unnecessary and the arrangement of furnace B is exactly as described, the only
difference being that the hoppers 1 and 4 and mixing conveyors 5 and 6 are placed
above the hopper 24. The hopper 1 contains, in that case, magnesium chloride
instead of ammonium chloride. The conveyors 5 and 6, will be so regulated, that
the hopper 24 contains a material of similar composition as when decomposing
ammonium chloride. The magnesium oxide produced in furnace B can then be used
in other industries.
The hoppers 24 and 3 are used so that furnace B can be operated during short
stoppages of furnace A & vice versa.
I do not claim the chemical reactions as such, but the improved methods for
carrying out the reactions, so as to enable their use for the economic production of
chlorine on a large scale. Important features of my process are, that it works con-
tinuously and automatically, and furnishes a continuous flow of chlorine and ammonia
gas. As the temperature required for the evolution of chlorine is much higher, than
that allowable for the evolution of ammonia, it is of great advantage, that the two
reactions are carried out in separate furnaces, which can be constantly kept at suitable
temperatures by supplying heat to the heating flues in the periphery. As the
ammonia gas cannot mix with chlorine, destruction of ammonia is avoided. As the
oxides are used in a finely divided state, and are brought into intimate contact with
the gases, the reactions take place more completely. None of the working parts of
the apparatus are exposed to the action of corrosive gases.
My process avoids the volatilization of ammonium chloride, which is a feature of
some other chlorine processes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The process of producing ammonia from ammonium chloride, which consists in
passing a mixture of said chloride and magnesium oxide through a heated container
or furnace, and simultaneously passing a gas through said container substantially as
set forth.
2. The herein described process, consisting in mixing chloride of ammonium and
oxide of magnesiumn; passing the mixture through a furnace or container, and
simultaneously passing a heated gas through said furnace or container, substantially
as set forth.

page_text: 3. The herein described process consisting in passing chloride of ammonium and
oxide of magnesium through a container, heating the compound, passing gas through
the container in the opposite direction, to drive off the ammonia, separating the
ammonia from said gas, and then again passing said gas through the container to
drive off ammonia, substantially as set forth.
4. The herein described continuous process, consisting in passing chloride of
ammonium and oxide of inagnesium through a heated container, driving off the
ammonia, discharging the resultant mixture of chloride and oxide of magnesium, into
a second heated container: decomposing the chloride of magnesium in the second
container to drive off the chlorine and creating a partial vacuum in the apparatus,
substantially as set forth.
5. The herein described process consisting in passing chloride of ammonium, and
oxide of magnesium, through a heated container, driving off the ammonia,
discharging the resultant mixture of chloride and oxide of magnesium, into another
heated container, and injecting air into said last-mentioned container, to decompose
said chloride of magnesium and drive off the chlorine, substantially as set forth.
6. The herein described continuous process, consisting in passing chloride of
ammonium and oxide of magnesium through a heated container, driving off the
ainmonia, discharging the resultant mixture of chloride and oxide of magnesium into
another container, injecting air into said second container, to decompose said chloride
of magnesium therein and drive off the chlorine, and again pass the resultant oxide
of magnesium, with chloride of ammonium, through the first container, substantially
as set forth.
7. The combination with a revolving furnace of a hopper communicating there-
with, two hoppers communicating with said first mentioned hopper, a gas outlet at
one end of said furnace, a discharge pipe cominunicating with the other end of said
furnace, and means for injecting a gas into the outlet end of said furnace, substan-
tially as set forth.
8. The combination with a furnace of two hoppers for containing chloride of
ammonium and oxide of magnesium respectively, a third hopper adapted to receive
said chemicals from the first mentioned hoppers and discharge them into the furnace,
means for driving ammonia from said furnace, a pipe for conducting ammonia from
the furnace, and pipes connected with said ammonia pipe and communicating with
the hoppers so as to receive ammonia from the latter, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination with a furnace, and means for mixing chloride of ammonium
and oxide of magnesium and discharging the same into said furnace, of means for
driving off the ammonia, a pipe for conducting ammonia from the furnace, and a
washer with which said pipe communicates, said washer comprising a cylinder, a
series of pipes therein, and absorbent material in the cylinder, above and below said
pipes, substantially as set forth.
10. The combination with a revoluble cylinder having a number of longitudinal
peripheral flues, constructed of flued tiles, an annular flue or passage encircling said
cylinder and communicating with the longitudinal flues or passages, a furnace
communicating with said annular flue or passage, another flue or passage encircling
the other end of the cylinder and a stack communicating with said last-mentioned
annular flue, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination with a revoluble furnace, of two hoppers for containing
chloride of ammonium and oxide of magnesium respectively, a third hopper
communicating with the first two and with the furnace, a pipe for discharging gas
into the discharge end of the furnace, a pipe for conducting ammonia from the inlet
of the furnace, a second furnace, a hopper communicating therewith, means for
conducting the mixture of chloride and oxide of magnesium from the first furnace to
said last-mentioned hopper, means for injecting air into said second furnace, a hopper
communicating with said second furnace to receive oxide of magnesium therefrom,
an elevator for conveying oxide of magnesium from said last-mentioned hopper to
one of the first mentioned hoppers, a chlorine absorber, and a pipe for conducting
chlorine from said second furnace to said absorber, substantially as set forth.
B

page_text: 12. The combination with a revoluble furnace and a pipe communicating with the
discharge end thereof of two hoppers for containing chloride of ammonium and oxide
of magnesium respectively, a third hopper, two conveyors for conducting the
chemicals from the first-mentioned hoppers into the third hopper, and a conveyor
for conducting the mixed chemicals, from the third hopper to the furnace.
13. An absorber consisting of a revoluble cylinder, agitators therein, a ring
secured to one end of said cylinder, a stationary plate supported independently of the
cylinder, and cooperating with said ring to close the end of the cylinder and a
hopper communicating with said cylinder through said fixed plate, substantially as
set forth.
14. The combination with a furnace and means for mixing chloride of ammonium
and oxide of magnesium, and discharging the same into said furnace, of means for
driving off the ammonia, a pipe for conducting ammonia from the furnace and a
washer with which said pipe communicates, substantially as set forth.
15. The combination with a revoluble cylinder, having a number of longitudinal
peripheral flues, a series of rings secured together and encircling one end of said
cylinder and forming an annular flue communicating with the longitudinal flues, a
furnace communicating with said annular flue, another series of rings secured together
and encircling the other end of the cylinder and forming another annular flue
communicating with said longitudinal flues and a stack communicating with said last
mentioned annular flue, substantially as set forth.
16. The combination with a revoluble furnace of a ring secured to and partially
closing one end thereof, a fixed plate supported independently of the fnrnace, and
cooperating with said ring to close the end of the furnace, and inlet and outlet devices
communicating with the furnace through said fixed plate, substantially as set forth.
a
17. An apparatus for producing chlorine from magnesium chloride, comprising
revolving furnace with heating flues in the periphery, and perforated lifting partitions,
means for mixing the magnesium chloride with magnesium oxide and means for
continuously charging the mixture into said furnace, means for conducting air into,
and chlorine from said furnace.
18. An apparatus for the production of ammonia and chlorine from ammonium
chloride comprising two revolving furnaces, having heating flues in the periphery,
and agitating devices; means for continuously circulating magnesium oxide, through
both furnaces, means for mixing the oxide, which leaves the second furnace, with
ammonium chloride, and means for charging the mixture into the first furnace,
means for circulating a gas in the first furnace and for conducting ammonia from
said furnace, and means for conducting air through and drawing off chlorine from
second furnace.
19. The continuous process of producing ammonia and chlorine from ammonium
chloride, which consists in mixing said chloride with magnesia, passing the mixture
through a revolving furnace, heated to a constant temperature by heating flues in
the periphery, for driving off the ammonia, passing the material leaving said furnace,
into a second revolving furnace heated also to a constant but higher temperature by
flues in the periphery, conducting air through said furnace and agitating the mixture
by agitating devices for the purpose of evolving chlorine.
20. The process of producing ammonia and chlorine from ammonium chloride,
which consists in charging the same into a revolving furnace together with magnesium
oxide, conducting hot gas through said furnace for the purpose of driving off the
ammonia; passing the material continuously through a second revolving furnace,
heated by flues in the periphery, conducting hot air through said furnace, and
agitating the mixture by agitating devices for the purpose of evolving chlorine.
Dated this 27th day of Amil 1000