IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Cutler, of Millwall, in the County of Middlesex,
for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION
Sealed the 20th October 1877, and dated the 27th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Cutler at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th April 1877.
SAMUEL CUTLER, of Millwall, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION OF GAS."
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This Invention has reference to the construction of vessels known as washers,"
and has for its object such an improved arrangement of the various parts as to
ensure with greater convenience and certainty the more complete removal of the
ammonia and other impurities contained in unpurified gas than is now commonly
done.
The apparatus consists of an upright, circular, or other conveniently shaped
vessel, wherein a number of shallow annular ledged trays are fitted one above the
other and fixed to the sides thereof. Above each tray just described is another
This tray
shallow annular tray, but of less diameter than those before referred to.
has a rim or side attached to it, and is serrated at its bottom edge, on which it
rests in the tray immediately beneath it, and it may also have one or more other
flanges or projections therefrom similar to the other rim or side.
The serrations may be slightly less in depth than the tray in which it stands for
first, second, or third tier, but in all the upper tiers the serrations are slightly
deeper than the trays in which they stand. Over each of the central openings in
the trays last described, a cover having a perforated rim is placed, the lower edge
of the said rim standing on the tray immediately beneath it. At the top of the
washer an annular water tank is formed, and around it is an outlet chamber
provided with an outlet for the gas.
In the centre of the top plate is a spindle that operates upon a very taper or
needle shaped plug valve, the raising or depressing of the plug or needle causing a
greater or lesser quantity of water to be admitted to the vessel. The valve itself is

page_text: supported by hollow arms through which water flows to the valve, and are fixed to
the bottom of the water tank. Beneath the nozzle of the valve is either a flat,
concave, or convex disc supported by arms attached to the tank, so that the water
that falls from the valve inay impinge upon it and be converted into spray. This
disc is so arranged as to be adjustable and removable.
The bottom of the washer is made of a convex shape in plan with a recess
forming the outlet for tar and liquor. Under the tank near the top of the washer
a number of glass plates are inserted so as to enable an observer to see whether the
water is falling as it should do. There is also a gallery protected by a railing for
the use of the workmen when adjusting or viewing the action of the apparatus, and
a circular or other form of staircase for obtaining access thereto.
The gas outlet pipe, as it descends to the ground level, or the pipe through which
the water or other liquor ascends, may be used for supporting the circular or other
formed staircase.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Water or other liquid being supplied
to the tank, it is allowed to pass through the valve to the nearest tray beneath it,
and when charged, the surplus water runs through the perforations (if any are
made) or over its top edge into the tray next below it, from thence the further
surplus water will fall into the next tray, and so on throughout the series. The
gas is admitted at or near the bottom of the washer, and after forcing its way
through the water and under the upper part of the serrations in the rim before
spoken of, travels over the surface of the water in the trays above to the next tray
having a serrated rim. Here it passes over the water and through the space left
between the surface of the water and the top of the serrations, and from thence
proceeds in the same order and manner as just described throughout the whole
series of trays until it reaches the top, where it is led off at the outlet to the
purifiers or other apparatus used for purification.
If the disc is used, the water will be converted into spray before falling into the
trays. It will, however, soon condense and fill the upper trays, when the water
will descend from tray to tray, as before described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Cutler in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th October
1877.
SAMUEL CUTLER, of Millwall, in the County of Middlesex.
APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION OF GAS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
This Invention has reference to the construction of vessels known as washers,
and has for its object such an improved arrangement of the various parts as to
ensure with greater convenience and certainty the more complete removal of the
ammonia and other impurities contained in unpurified gas than is now commonly
done.
The apparatus consists of an upright, circular, or other conveniently shaped
vessel A, wherein a number of shallow annular ledged trays B are fitted one above
the other, and fixed to the sides thereof. Above each tray just described is another
shallow annular tray D, but of less diameter than those before referred to. This
tray has a rim or side E attached to it, and is serrated at both its top and bottom
edges, and rests in the tray immediately beneath it. It may also have one or more
other flanges F or projections therefrom similar to the other rim or side.
The upper tray may rest on paper blocks as at G, which may be formed with
graduated levels, so that the projections of the serrated edges into the liquid may
be regulated.
The serrations may be slightly less in depth than the tray in which it stands for
the first, second, or third tier, but in all the upper tiers the serrations are slightly

page_text: deeper than the trays in which they stand. Over each of the central openings in
the trays last described, a cover H, having a perforated rim, is placed, the lower
edge of the said rim standing on the tray immediately beneath it. At the top of
the washer an annular water tank I is formed, and around it is an outlet chamber
J, J, provided with an outlet K for the gas.
In the centre of the top plate L is a spindle M that operates upon a very taper or
needle-shaped plug valve N, the raising or depressing of the plug or needle causing
a greater or lesser quantity of water to be admitted to the vessel. The valve itself
is supported by hollow arms O, O, through which water flows to the valve, and are
fixed to the bottom of the water tank. Beneath the nozzle of the valve is either a
flat, concave, or convex disc P, supported by arms attached to the tank, so that the
water that falls from the valve may impinge upon it and be converted into spray.
This disc is so arranged as to be adjustable and removable, but the arrangement of
valve and removable disc is not indispensable.
The bottom of the washer Q is made of a convex shape, with a recess R forming
the outlet S for the liquid. Under the tank, near the top of the washer, a number
of glass plates T may be inserted so as to enable an observer to see whether the
water is falling as it should do. There is also a gallery U protected by a railing
for the use of the workmen when adjusting or viewing the action of the apparatus,
and a circular or other form of staircase for obtaining access thereto. The gas
outlet pipe K, as it descends to the ground level, or the pipe through which the
water or other liquor ascends, may be used for supporting the circular or other
formed staircase.
'The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Water or other liquid being supplied
to the tank, it is allowed to pass through the valve to the nearest tray beneath it,
and when charged, the surplus water runs through the perforations (if any are
made) or over its top or serrated edge into the tray next below it; from thence the
further surplus water will fall into the next tray, and so on throughout the series.
The gas is admitted at or near the bottom of the washer at V, and after passing
over or through the water and under the upper part of the serrations in the rim
before spoken of, travels over the surface of the water in the trays above to the next
tray. Here it passes over the water and through the space left between the surface
of the water and the top of the serrations, and from thence proceeds in the same
order and manner, as just described, throughout the whole series of trays until it
reaches the top, where it is led off at the outlet to the purifiers or other apparatus
used for purification.
The foregoing refers to the arrangement of trays marked 1, 2, and 3 on the
Drawings.
A modification or variation of this arrangement is shown by the trays marked
4, 5, and 6 on the Drawing. Here the gas after issuing from the inlet travels in
the direction of the arrows.
If the disc is used the water will be converted into spray before falling into the
trays. It will, however, soon condense and fill the upper trays, when the water
will descend from tray to tray as before described.
Trays and water supply apparatus, arranged as described, in the foregoing may be
applied either wholly or in part to existing scrubbers or washers, and the same
may be combined when wooden boards, coke, or other suitable material are used, as
is now commonly the case.
Although water is here mentioned, the apparatus is not confined to its use, since
any other suitable purifying liquid may be employed.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise details
or arrangements I have described or referred to, as variations may be made there-
from without deviating from the principles or main features of this Invention,
but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore, claim as the Inven-
tion secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the con

page_text: struction of washers provided with trays having serrated edges, whereby the gas is
compelled to travel in thin divided streams through or over the surface of the
liquid, and arranged as herein described and shown on the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Cutler, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.