IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU. FACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID. AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS USED FOR SUCH MANUFACTURE
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Gossage, of Widnes, in the County of
Lancaster, Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU.
FACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID. AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS USED
FOR SUCH MANUFACTURE."
Scaled the 10th July 1857, and dated the 13th January 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Willian Gossage at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
13th January 1857.
the
1
I, WILLIAM GOSSAGE, of Widnes, in the County of Lancaster, Chemist, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS USED
FOR SUCH MANUFACTURE,' to be as follows:-
Sulphuric acid has hitherto been manufactured in apparatus consisting of
large rectangular chambers constructed of sheet lead supported by framework
of timber. In these constructions it has been found most convenient to make
such chambers of much greater dimensions horizontally than as respects' the
height, also to conduct the gases used in such manufacture through the
chambers employed in the direction of their horizontal length.
I have discovered that much advantage arises in the manufacture of sul-
phuric acid when the height of the chambers employed is greatly increased
and the proportionate horizontal area diminished, also when the gases employed
[Price 8d.1

page_text: are caused to pass through the chambers vertically either upwards or down-
wards, or both. I have also found it advantageous to employ showers of liquid
sulpuric acid, or of liquid nitro-sulphuric acid or of water in such chambers,
falling from the upper part thereof, to assist in mixing and condensing gases
contained in such chambers, and thereby promoting the formation of sulphuric
acid from such gases.
The construction of sulphuric acid chambers having greatly increased height
as compared with those hitherto used, increases the efficiency of such showers
of acid or of water in promoting the mixing and condensing of such gases. I
also promote the mixing of such gases by the introduction of jets or currents
of atmospherical air or of steam, or of both air and steam, moving at high
velocity into such sulphuric acid chambers.
My Invention also comprizes the construction of apparatus suitable to be
used for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, by the application of a coating or
plaster composed of melted sulphur mixed with sand, coke, or other suitable
material, and applied whilst hot to the surfaces of walls forming such apparatus,
and constructed of brickwork or stonework, or to surfaces of framework of
timber, or of timber and slates forming such apparatus, the said coating or
plaster being so applied for the purpose of protecting the surfaces of the said
walls or framework from the action of the gases or liquids employed in or
resulting from the manufacture of sulphuric acid.
My Invention also comprizes the combined use of towers containing coke or
other suitable material in conjunction with chambers for the manufacture of
sulphuric acid, one or more of such towers being used for the absorption by
means of strong sulphuric acid of nitrous gas or nitrous acid from the uncon-
densed gases passing off from such chambers in the ordinary course of manu-
facture, and another or more of such towers being used for the preparation
of strong sulphuric acid by the evaporative action of hot sulphurous acid gas
passing through such tower or towers.
I also employ in the construction of sulphuric acid chambers certain siliceous
sandstones or other suitable stones of somewhat porous quality, the pores of
which stones are previously. filled up by immersing the same in melted sulphur
or other suitable melted material, and allowing the same to soak therein during
a suflicient period of time.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Gossage in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
July 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
GOSSAGE, of Widnes, in the County of Lancaster, Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Gossage, Her special license that 1, the said William Gossage, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Gossage, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for " IMPROVEMENTS
THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS
USED FOR SUCH MANUFACTURE, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said William Gossage, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
IN
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Gossage, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters
and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
Sulphuric acid has hitherto been manufactured in apparatus consisting of
long rectangular chambers constructed of sheet lead: supported by framework
of timber. In these constructions it has been found most convenient to make
such chambers of much greater dimensions in their horizoptal length than as
respects their height, also to conduct the gases used in such manufacture
through the chambers employed in the direction of their length.
I have discovered that much advantage arises in the manufacture of sul-
phuric acid when the height of the chambers employed is greatly increased
and the proportionate horizonial area diminished, also when the gases employed
are caused to pass through the chambers vertically or nearly vertically either

page_text: upwards or downwards. I have also found it advantageous to employ showers
of liquid sulphuric acid, or of liquid nitro-sulphuric acid, or of water in such
chambers, falling from the upper part thereof, to assist in mixing and con-
densing gases contained in such chambers, and thereby promoting the formation
of sulphuric acid from such gases. The construction of sulphuric acid
chambers in such manner that these may have greatly increased height as
compared with those hitherto used, increases the efficiency of such showers of
acid or of water in promoting the mixing and condensing of such gases. I
also promote the mixing of such gases by the introduction of jets or currents
of atmospherical air or of steam, or of both steam and air, moving at high
velocity) into such sulphuric acid chambers.
My Invention also comprizes the construction of apparatus suitable to be
used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, by the application of a coating or
plaster composed of melted sulphur mixed with sand and coke, or with sand
or coke, and applied in a semi-fluid state to the inner surfaces of walls of brick-
work or of stonework forming such apparatus, or to the inner surfaces of a
framework of timber or of timber and slates forming such apparatus, the said
coating or plaster being so applied for the purpose of protecting the inner
surfaces of the said walls or framework from the action of gases or liquid's
employed in or resulting from the manufacture of sulphuric acid.
My Invention also comprizes improvements in the construction and appli-
cation of certain apparatus to be used for effecting the absorption (by means of
concentrated sulphuric acid) of nitrous gas or of nitrous acid produced in the
process of manufacturing sulphuric acid; also improvements in obtaining con-
centrated sulphuric acid, for the purpose of applying such concentrated acid to
the absorption of nitrous gas, or of nitrous acid produced in the process of
manufacturing sulphuric acid.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed, Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent such an
arrangement of apparatus as I prefer to employ for the manufacture of sul-
phuric acid according to my Invention.
In Figure 1, A is a square tower, formed of a framing of timber B. and lined
with sheet lead C. In the lower part of this tower I place a quantity of
coke in large pieces, in such manner as to form a number of open channels,
through which gas can pass readily. On this large coke I place some pieces
of a smaller size, and the tower is then nearly filled with pieces of coke about
the size of walnuts. I place a quantity of fine coke in contact with the lining
of lead, as shewn in the Drawing, and marked D. for the purpose of protecting
the lead. E is a pipe, through which hot sulphurous acid gas produced by the
combustion of sulphur or of pyrites is conducted from suitable sulphur or pyrites

page_text: burners into that part of the tower A which contains large pieces of coke, and
such hot gas becoming diffused in the channels before mentioned ascends
through the interstices existing between the pieces of coke with which the
tower A is nearly filled, and passes from the said tower through a pipe G; H
is a cistern, which is supplied with sulphuric acid (usually containing nitrous
gas), and such acid is run off through a regulating cock I into a cistern J,
which is provided with a number of pipes K, K, the upper ends of which pipes
project above the bottom of the cistern J, and are covered with loose caps so
applied as to admit of liquid acid running through the said pipes without per-
mitting escape of gas through the same. By means of this arrangement I
introduce a regulated supply of sulphuric acid in streams on to the surface of
the coke contained in the tower A, and such acid gradually descending through
the interstices existing between the pieces of coke contained in the said tower
meets with currents of hot sulphurous acid gas ascending through such inter-
stices, and becomes deprived of water and of nitrous gas (if such gas has been
previously contained therein), thereby producing concentrated sulphuric acid,
which passes off from the said tower through a pipe F, and is conducted into a
reservoir for use. I regulate the supply of acid to the tower A so that the
sulphuric acid passing therefrom may have such degree of concentration as I
require it to have; also, so that such acid may be sufficiently deprived of nitrous
gas or other nitrous compound previously contained therein. I prefer to con-
struct the pipe G of earthenware, and I introduce a supply of nitrous gas or
vapour (produced by the decomposition of nitre by means of sulphuric acid)
into such pipe through a branch pipe g, and the nitrous gas or vapour so intro-
duced mingles with the gases proceeding from the tower A, and the mixed
gases are conducted into that portion of the apparatus marked Figure 2. In
the Figure marked 2, A is a square chamber, constructed of a framing of
timber B, put together in a similar manner to that usually adopted in the con-
struction of sulphuric acid chambers. I apply to the inner side of the framing
B a casing of boards or of slates C, which I secure to the said framing by nails
or pegs; I then apply next to the casing C a coating or plaster D, composed
of melted sulphur mixed with sand and coke, or mixed with sand or coke; I
compose and apply such coating or plaster in the manner herein-after described.
H is a cistern, having a discharge pipe and regulating cock I for passing
liquid into a cistern J, which is provided with delivery pipes K, K, similarly
arranged to the pipes marked K, K, in Figure 1. The upper part of the
to joists, in the manner
chamber A, Fig. 2, is covered with sheet lead, attached
usually adopted in covering sulphuric acid chambers. P, P, are pipes com-
municating with a steam boiler for supplying high-pressure steam; these pipes

page_text: are furnished with regulating cocks, and terminate in small orifices forming
steam jets, through which I pass steam at high velocities into the chamber A,
Fig. 2. Q, Q, are pipes, open at each end, communicating with the atmosphere
and with the interior of the chamber A. By the action of steam passing at
high velocities from the pipes P, P, through the steam jets, currents of atmo-
spherical air are caused to pass with velocity through the pipes Q, Q. into the
chamber A, and thus to assist in mixing the gases contained in such chamber.
I regulate the quantity of air so admitted by restricting or closing the orifices
surrounding the steam pipes P, P. L is a pipe for conducting off acid from the
chamber A; and M is a pipe for conducting gas from the chamber A to the
apparatus marked Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, A is a square tower, similar to the tower
marked A in Fig. 1, except that it is lined with a coating or plaster of sulphur
composition, marked D, applied to a casing of boards or slates, marked C. This
tower is nearly filled with coke, in the same manner as the tower marked A in
Fig. 1; it has also a cistern H, with a discharge pipe and regulating cock I
delivering acid into a cistern J, from which such acid flows through pipes K, K,
on to the surface of the coke contained in such tower. N is an exit pipe for
the escape of uncondensed gases from the tower A, Fig. 3, into a chimney
draft or otherwise; O is a pipe for conducting liquid acid from such tower
into a reservoir for use.
In manufacturing sulphuric acid according to my Invention by means of the
apparatus I have hercin-before described, I cause hot sulphurous acid gas
(whether produced by the combustion of sulphur, or of pyrites, or by other
means) to be conducted through the pipe E into the lower part of the tower A,
Fig. 1, and to ascend through the interstices existing between the pieces of coke
contained in such tower, at the same time that liquid sulphuric acid (usually
containing nitrous gas) is supplied through the pipes K, K, on to the surfaces
of such pieces of coke, and descends through the said interstices, thus meeting
the currents of hot sulphurous acid gas, and being acted upon by such gas, the
consequence of such action being the evaporation of water, and production of
steam from such acid, and the extrication of nitrous gas therefrom when such
gas has been previously contained therein, and in such case the immediate
conversion of some sulphurous acid into sulphuric acid. I regulate the supply
of liquid sulphuric acid to the tower A, Fig. 1, so that the concentrated acid
flowing from such tower may have a specific gravity of 1750 or upwards, and
may be sufficiently free from nitrous gas. I employ some portion of such con-
centrated acid so obtained for absorbing nitrous gas as herein-after explained,
and I transfer the remaining portion for use. I conduct uncondensed gases,
together with the steam produced by the hot gas from the tower A, Fig. 1,

page_text: through the pipe G into the chamber A, Fig. 2, and I supply such an addi-
tional quantity of nitrous gas through the pipe g as I find to be sufficient to
insure the rapid formation of sulphuric acid in the chamber A. The mixed
gases flow into the chamber A at the upper part thereof, and descend through
the same, as shewn by arrows marked on Fig. 2. I also supply steam at high
pressure into such chamber through the pipes marked P, P, Fig. 2, such steam
passing through small orifices forming steam jets, which are so arranged as to
cause the injection of atmospherical air into such chamber, together with the
steam, as herein-before explained, and thus to promote the mixing of gases
contained therein. I cause streams of liquid sulphuric acid (usually con-
taining nitrous gas) or of water to flow from the cistern J through the
pipes K, K, Fig. 2, and to fall through, the gases passing down the chamber
A, Fig. 2, and thus to promote the mixing of such gases; and to facilitate
their reaction upon each other, so as to cause the production of sulphuric
acid from such gases. I supply the requisite quantity of liquid sulphuric
acid to the cistern H, Fig. 2, from the stream of acid which flows from the
pipe L, Fig. 2, or from the pipe O, Fig. 3. I regulate the quantity of nitrous
gas or vapour supplied through the pipe g, so that the uncondensel gases
passing from the chamber A, Fig. 2, shall contain a large proportionate quantity
of free nitrous gas, as indicated by such uncondensed gases being of a full
red colour. In place of introducing nitrous gas or vapour into the said
apparatus, as herein-before explained, I sometimes use liquid nitric or nitrous
acid, which I prefer to introduce into the cistern J, Fig. 2, together with sul-
phuric acid, and from thence into the chamber A, regulating the quantity of
liquid nitric or nitrous acid supplied, so that the uncondensed gases passing
from the chamber A may have a full red colour. I conduct the uncondensed
gases passing from the chamber A through the pipe M into the lower part of the
tower A, Fig. 3, and cause such gases to ascend through the interstices existing
between the pieces of coke contained in such tower, at the same time that
a large supply of concentrated sulphuric acid descends through such interstices.
I supply the requisite quantity of concentrated sulphuric acid (having a
specific gravity of not less than 1750) from that which flows from the tower A,
Fig. 1, and after cooling this, I cause it to be elevated to the cistern H,
Fig. 3, from whence it flows through the cistern J into the tower A, Fig. 3,
and during its passage through such tower it absorbs nitrous gas from the
uncondensed gases ascending through the same, and thus produces nitro-
sulphuric acid, which I transfer to the cistern H, Fig. 1, and thence into the
tower A, Fig. 1; or I use some part thereof in the chamber A, Fig. 2. The
residual uncondensed gases pass off from the tower A, Fig. 3, through the

page_text: pipe N, which may be connected with a chimney draft, or the escape of gases
may be assisted by the action of a steam jet in such pipe. I introduce such a
quantity of concentrated sulphuric acid into the tower A, Fig. 3, as will
ensure the absorption of the whole or nearly the whole of the nitrous gas
contained in the uncondensed gases passing from the chamber A, Fig. 2, and
thus obtain a large supply of nitro-sulphuric acid, which, being applied as
herein-before described, enables me to manufacture sulphuric acid with the
employment of a very small proportionate quantity of nitre.
In the year 1842 a Patent was granted to Charles Maurice Elizee Sautter
for an Invention of "improvements in the manufacture of sulphuric acid,"
which Invention comprised the use of concentrated sulphuric acid for the
absorption of nitrous gas produced in the manufacture of sulphuric acid,
thereby producing nitro-sulphuric acid; also comprised the use of nitro-
sulphuric acid so obtained for the evolution of nitrous gas therefrom, by the
action of steam or water mixed with such nitro-sulphuric acid, for the purpose
of applying nitrous gas thereby evolved in the manufacture of sulphuric acid.
The said Invention has been used extensively, and the term of the patent
right for the same has expired. In reference to the use of the said Invention,
I have found that the users have been compelled to incur a large special
expenditure for fuel in the preparation of concentrated sulphuric acid to be
applied for the absorption of nitrous gas, and consequently that the propor-
tionate quantity of such acid so employed has been restricted, and a considerable
proportion of nitrous gas has been allowed to go to waste, together with the
uncondensed gases passing from the apparatus employed. I have also found
that the means employed by such users for effecting the absorption of nitrous
gas by means of sulphuric acid have been insufficient for effecting such absorp-
tion to the extent which is advantageously practicable. By means of my
Invention I obtain a large supply of concentrated sulphuric acid without
incurring any special expenditure for fuel, and I can thus afford to apply a
much larger proportionate quantity of such acid for the absorption of nitrous
gas in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, so as to prevent entirely or almost
entirely the escape of nitrous gas with the waste gases passing off during the
manufacture of sulphuric acid, and thereby to effect an important economy in
the cost of nitre required for such manufacture. I also provide such a pro-
portionate area in the towers which I employ for absorbing nitrous gas by
means of sulphuric acid relatively to the quantity of sulphuric acid being
manufactured, that I can use pieces of coke in such tower of sufficiently
reduced dimensions as to present a greatly increased extent of surfaces,
moistened or impregnated with sulphuric acid, and thus to provide a greatly

page_text: increased capability for the absorption of nitrous gas than has hitherto been
provided by the users of the Invention patented by the said C. M. E. Sautter,
or by other parties manufacturing sulphuric acid. Such provision of increased
capability for absorption of nitrous gas, and consequent reduction in the quan-
tity allowed to escape in waste, also enables me to employ advantageously a
larger proportionate quantity of nitrous gas in the manufacture of sulphuric
acid than is usually employed, and thereby to increase greatly the productive
capability of the apparatus employed.
In constructing my improved apparatus for the manufacture of sulphuric
acid, in the construction of which I employ a coating or plaster composed of
melted sulphur mixed with sand and coke (which mixture I prefer to employ),
for the purpose of protecting such apparatus from the action of acids and gases,
I prefer to erect an apparatus of timber framework, constructed similarly to
the timber framework usually employed in the erection of sulphuric acid
chambers, and to attach to such framework a lining of slates, covering its
internal surface. 1 place a moveable framing constructed of planks in such
position as to leave a groove or channel about three inches wide between the
said lining of slates and the external surface of the said framing of planks, and
having previously applied a thin coating of clay mixed with water to such
external surface to prevent adhesion of cement thereto, I then fill the said
groove or channel with the melted composition of sulphur, sand, and coke, and
allow the same to solidify by cooling. I remove the said framing of planks
and replace this at a higher level, so as to form a groove or channel immedi-
ately over the composition last applied, and I fill such groove or channel with
composition; I proceed in the same manner, applying successive portions of
composition in channels, until the walls of the apparatus are entirely coated
therewith. I take care to have the upper surfaces of the composition in the
grooves or channels free from dust or dirt at the time that a fresh portion of
composition is being poured thereon, in order to insure the perfect adhesion of
the composition then being applied to that portion on which it is poured. I
form the bottom of the said apparatus first with a dish of sheet lead and I
cover this with the said composition; I form the top of the said apparatus
with a cover of sheet lead. In preparing the said composition, I take good
Sicilian sulphur and melt this in an iron vessel; I add thereto about its own
weight of fine siliceous sand; also for each hundredweight of sulphur I add
bout three-fourths of a cubic foot of hard well-burned coke, previously
rushed and passed through a riddle of half-inch mesh, and subsequently
leprived of fine dust by shaking in a riddle of one-eighth of an inch mesh; I

page_text: apply heat to the mixture, stirring it well together until the temperature rises
to about 340 degrees Fahrenheit; I then take out a sample of the composition
and run this into a slab. I judge from the appearance of the slab when broken
as to the suitability of the composition. If this appear porous, I add more
sulphur and sand to the mixture; or if it appear closer than need-
ful, I add more coke, the desideratum being to use the largest proportion of
coke that will give a composition free from porosity. I prefer to apply the
composition as a coating or plaster, as herein-before explained, at a temperature
ranging from 300° to 340° Fahrenheit.
Apparatus constructed with an interior coating or plaster of such com-
position has a great capability of resisting the destructive action of acid
liquids and gases, consequently provides the means of increasing the pro-
duction of sulphuric acid by using much nitrous gas in its manufacture without
occasioning destruction of such apparatus. I also apply such composition
to the internal surfaces of walls of brickwork or stonework forming parts, of
apparatus for manufacturing sulphuric acid, and thereby protect such walls
from the destructive action of liquid acids and gases.
I have herein-before described certain arrangements and construction of
apparatus, also certain modes of working, which I consider to be most suitable
for effecting my said Invention of "Improvements in the Manufacture of
Sulphuric Acid, and in the Construction of Apparatus used for such Manufac-
ture," but I do not confine myself to the precise details herein-before set forth,
as these may be varied to some extent without deviating from the nature of
my said Invention. I claim as my Invention, secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent,-
First, the construction of chambers to be used in the manufacture of sul-
phuric acid, of which the height is greater than the horizontal length, and
through which gases employed for the manufacture of sulphuric acid are
caused to pass in a vertical or nearly vertical direction.
Second, the construction of apparatus to be used in the manufacture of
sulphuric acid, which apparatus are protected from the destructive action of
such acid and of gases used in such manufacture by a coating or plaster
composed of melted sulphur mixed with sand and coke, or mixed with sand
or coke.
Third, the production of a supply of concentrated sulphuric acid (for the
purpose of applying such concentrated acid for the absorption of nitrous gas
or nitrous acid in the manufacture of ordinary sulphuric acid), by causing hot
sulphurous acid gas proceeding from ordinary "sulphur burners" or "pyrites

page_text: burners" to pass through a tower containing coke or other suitable material,
through which tower sulphuric acid is also caused to pass in such a manner as
to be exposed to the evaporative action of such hot sulphurous acid gas.
Fourth, the application in the manufacture of sulphuric acid of concentrated
sulphuric acid obtained by the action of hot sulphurous acid gas, for the pur-
pose of absorbing nitrous gas or nitrous acid.
Fifth, the arrangement of apparatus (to be used in the manufacture of
sulphuric acid in connection with a chamber or chambers) for the absorption of
nitrous gas or nitrous acid by means of concentrated sulphuric acid, such
apparatus consisting of a tower or towers containing coke or other suitable
material, of which the dimensions are such, that the number which expresses
in square feet the horizontal sectional area of such tower or towers is not less
than one three-hundredth part of the number, which is equal to the cubical
capacity of the chamber or chambers worked in connection with such tower or
towers when such capacity is expressed in cubic feet.
Sixth, the application in the manufacture of sulphuric acid of such a pro-
portionale quantity of concentrated sulphuric acid, for the purpose of absorbing
nitrous gas or nitrous acid (preparatory to such nitrous gas or nitrous acid
being again used in such manufacture), as shall be equivalent to not less than
three-fifth parts of the sulphuric acid so being manufactured.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Gossage, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
WILLIAM (L.S.) GOSSAGE.