A New and Improved System of Apparatus for Evaporation and Distillation and for Practical Applications of the same.
Year: 1884

page_text: A New and Improved System of Apparatus for Evaporation and
Distillation and for Practical Applications of the same.
I WALTER ALFRED BARLOW Patent Agent and Engineer of 6 St. Pauls
Churchyard in the City of London do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for A NEW AND IMPROVED SYSTEM OF APPARATUS FOR EVAPORATION
AND DISTILLATION AND FOR PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF THE SAME, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The principle upon which the system of this apparatus is based is the
following:
First. To "pulverize" or break up (by convenient means) in a close vessel the
liquid to be evaporated or distilled and to "ventilate" the spray thus produced by a
current of air (purified or not, heated or not) which (in case the apparatus is employed
for evaporation) after having "ventilated" the spray, spreads itself with the
vapours which it carries with it in the atmosphere (or in case the apparatus is used
for distillation) passes with the vapours which it carries with it through one or
more condensers (after having " ventilated" the spray) where a portion of the
vapours thus carried away condense, and form the product of distillation, and then
it either spreads through the atmosphere, or it returns, conducted by a pipe to the
interior of the apparatus, and renews the process of "ventilating" the spray so
that the same air will so circulate indefinitely in the interior of the apparatus.
Second. When it is necessary to remove the whole of the water contained in the
liquid first treat the liquid by the apparatus until the liquid has lost all its fluidity
and afterwards submit the matter thus obtained to a treatment in which a stream
of air (either purified or not, heated or not) acting on a great surface of this matter
bears away the last remnants of the water which could not be taken away by the
first process.
This principle can be practically applied in various ways. A type of the
apparatus, whereof the system of construction is based on this principle, is the
following
The apparatus represented in the annexed Drawing and constructed according
to this Invention is composed of the following parts; viz:-
(A) An air purifier A, serving to purify the air which feeds the apparatus. This
part consists of a cylindrical reservoir closed in its upper part by a lid, pierced in

page_text: its middle by a large opening to allow the entrance of the air. Within the reservoir
are disposed: 1, one or several filters B of wadding (enveloped with a tissue)
suspended concentrically from the lower surface of the lid, and surrounding the
opening through which the air penetrates into the air purifier; 2nd a washer, C
disposed so as to force the air, after its passage through the filters to pass several
times through two sheets of water according to the direction shown by the arrow
in this part of the Drawing. The purifier may be provided with filters only
(without the washer) or only with the washer (without the filters). Any other
system for the purifying of the air may be made use of instead of this one.. If
the nature of the liquid to be treated by the apparatus does not require the
purifying of the air the air purifier may then be suppressed. To render the
passage of the air more free the part of the apparatus which purifies it I provide
with either two or more purifiers (of the above described system containing several
tubular filters) each one of which communicates with the exterior air by an
opening in the lid. These purifiers communicate with one another by tubes :-
(B) The water pump a destined to pulverize the liquid to be treated. The suction
pipe b of this pump (the extremity of which may be provided with a screen to
prevent solid matters from being carried into the pipe and stopping up the slit of
the pulverizer) communicates with the liquid to be treated (contained either in the
lower part of the evaporating vessel F or in a special recipient) and its forcing
pipe c with the pulverizer N fixed in the lower part of the evaporating vessel
The liquid is sucked up and forced through the slit M of the pulverizer. When
the liquid does not admit the use of a water pump in order to be pulverized I
then employ for its pulverization, a forced current of air produced by an air pump
which sucks up the air either from the air purifier or (when the purifying of the
air is not required) directly from the atmosphere and forces it through the slit M
of the pulverizer. Any other system of pulverization may be made use of instead
of the two above mentioned.
Of a ventilator D, drawing in the air from the purifier or (when the
purifying of the air is unnecessary) directly from the atmosphere, and forcing it
into a heating column E.
D-Of a heating column E disposed in such way, that the current of air produced
by the ventilator is forced to pass through this column, first from bottom to top,
and then from top to bottom according to the direction shown by arrows in the
Drawing. The heating column represented in the Drawing is disposed for the
heating of the air by gas. To heat the air by coal, or wood or steam, I dispose the
heating column (according to the same principle which has just been laid down) in
the way suitable to each of these modes of heating. Any other disposition than
that therein described may be given to the heating column. If the natural
temperature of the air is at a sufficient elevation, the ventilation of the pulverized
liquid may be effected without the air being heated. If the apparatus is exclusively
employed for the treatment of liquids which do not admit of the use of heated air,
the heating column is then suppressed. The heating column communicates by a
pipe with the evaporating vessel F.
E. Of an evaporating vessel F, in the cavity of which are effected the pulverization
of the liquid the ventilation of the broken spray formed thereby and the evaporation
in the lower part of the evaporation vessel is established the "pulverizer," N with
the following disposition, a very narrow ring shaped slit M is surrounded with the
concentric ring shaped orifices of the suction canals, which communicate by a
tube (and in this case the inferior extremity of the tube Q is provided with
openings O) common to all of them with the liquid to be pulverized contained
either in the lower part of the evaporating vessel, or in a recipient apart. Above
the pulverizer is fixed a small barrel (or drum) P. If a water pump is employed
to "pulverize" the liquid, the liquid sucked up by the pump and forced through
the slit, M of the "pulverizer," gushes out through the slit with the portion of the
liquid sucked up by this current and is projected and breaks upon the inner
surface of the small barrel and is thus pulverized." When the liquid to be
(4

page_text: treated is contained in a recipient apart, the lower extremity of the suction tube Q
(which in that case does not communicate with the cavity of the evaporation
vessel) is put in communication with the liquid by another tube. When a forced
current of air is made use of to pulverize the liquid this current escaping through
the slit M of the pulverizer, sucks up the liquid and pulverizes it. If the liquid
is contained in the evaporating vessel the lower extremity of the suction tube Q
of the "pulverizer" communicates with the cavity of the evaporating vessel; but
if the liquid is contained in a recipient apart, this communication is suppressed
and in that case the extremity communicates with the liquid through a pipe.
Instead of this "pulverizer," any other, disposed after the same principles may be
employed. The lower part of the evaporating vessel is provided with a plate, d in
the form of a funnel the cavity of which is turned upwards. This plate has in its
middle an opening which allows the jets of liquid coming from the "pulverizer" to
be projected towards the sommit of the evaporating vessel the pulverized liquid to
fall back into the bottom of the evaporating vessel, and the current of air with
the vapours it carries along with it to pass in order to arrive at the opening G of
the evaporating vessel and to find egress there. This plate is intended to prevent
the carrying off by the current of air of the molcules of the pulverized liquid.
"
The evaporating vessel has, moreover in its summit two plates H (pierced with
a multitude of holes disposed contrary wise) and meant to prevent the jets of
'pulverized" liquid from penetrating into the air channel whilst at the same time
it allows the current of air by which the ventilation of the liquid spray is effected
a free entrance into the cavity of the evaporating vessel.
Any other disposition may be made use of for the same purpose.
In order to heat the liquid in treatment when it is not of a nature to be altered
by the direct action of the heat the evaporating vessel may have a double bottom
or be provided with a serpentine pipe at its lower part in order to allow the liquid
to be heated by steam. The evaporating vessel is provided with three cocks, I, J, K
the first of which serves to pour in the liquid and prevents by its filling canal, L.
(which is of a height that the level of the liquid poured in must not rise above)
the liquid poured in from attaining the slit M of the pulverizer. The second cock J
serves to draw off from time to time, a sample of the liquid in order to judge of
its degree of density and to draw it off entirely when its aqueous part has been
sufficiently reduced. The third cock K serves to put into communication by means
of a pipe the "pulverizer" with the liquid to be treated whenever this latter is
contained not in the evaporating vessel but in a recipient apart, the evaporating
vessel may be divided horizontally into two parts the upper one of which (disposed
so as to be taken off) makes one with a part of the air channel by which the
ventilation is effected. It may also be constructed of a single piece with an
opening which is provided with a hermetically tight shutter allowing its inner
part to be examined. The evaporating vessel can be disposed in any other way
desired. When the apparatus is employed for distillation it is then provided:
F with two or several special condensers one of the condensers R is with
descending current and the other condenser S with ascending current. Each of
these condensers consists of a cylindrical reservoir, containing a multitude of
vertical tubes T which put into communication with each other two wide barrels
(or drums or chambers) an upper one and a lower one. The upper barrel V of the
condenser with descending current communicates by means of a large pipe V
(adapted to an opening made in its upper surface or ceiling) with the opening G of
the evaporating vessel through which the air with the vapours it bears along with
it finds egress.
Each of the lower barrels of the condensers is divided by a concave medial
partition slightly hollow (with the concavity turned upwards) into two com-
partments an upper one W the larger of the two and a lower one X. The two
upper compartments communicate sideways with each other by a large pipe Y,
each of the upper compartments communicate by a small hole provided in the
middle of the centre partition with the lower compartment. This latter has in one

page_text: of its sides a cock furnishing egress to the product of distillation that collects
therein. The upper barrel of the condenser with ascending current S communicates
either with the outer air or (by a pipe Z) with the suction canal of the ventilator
and in that case the interior of the apparatus communicates with the outer air
only through the opening by which the air penetrates into the purifier. The same
air thus continues to circulate in the interior of the apparatus. If in order to
enlarge the cooling surface and to obtain a larger quantity of the product distilled)
the apparatus is provided with several condensers. The last of these condensers
must communicate together by means of pipes in the following manner the first R
must communicate (as above) by the roof of its upper barrel V with the opening G
of the evaporating vessel, and (as above) by the upper compartment of its lower
barrel with the corresponding compartment of the following condenser S the upper
barrel of this latter must communicate with the upper barrel of the next condenser
(with descending current) and the upper compartment of its lower barrel with the
corresponding compartment of the next condenser (with descending current) and
so on. The upper barrel of the last of the condensers (with ascending current)
will communicate either with the outer air or by means of a pipe with the suction
channel of the ventilator. Any other disposition filling the same purpose as that
exposed above may be given to each condenser and one condenser may be made
use of instead of several.
The working of the apparatus as an apparatus for evaporation is as follows the
liquid to be evaporated is poured into the evaporating vessel in such quantity that
its level shall not rise up to the slit M of the "pulverizer." A water pump sucks
up the liquid forces it through the slit M of the "pulverizer" and "pulverizes " it
with the liquid sucked up by the forced current that escapes through the slit M.
Or the liquid is poured into a recipient apart whence the water pump sucks it up
forces it also through the slit M and pulverizes it, with the liquid sucked up by
the forced current of air thus produced; for in this mode of employment of the
apparatus also the inferior extremity of the suction tube Q of the "pulverizer"
communicates by means of a pipe with the liquid. Or the liquid is poured into
the evaporating vessel and is sucked up and "pulverized" by a forced current of
air, produced by an air pump, and issuing through the slit M of the "pulverizer."
Or the liquid is poured into a recipient apart and is put into communication by
means of a pipe, with the suction pipe Q of the "pulverizer" and is sucked up
and "pulverized" by a forced current of air issuing through the slit M of the
'pulverizer." The apparatus may be employed in any other way it may allow of,
suitable to each particular case.
"
The spray produced by the pulverization of the liquid is ventilated by the
current of air (purified or not, heated or not) produced by the ventilator.
next
The following process is to be employed when a thorough concentration of the
liquid is required; it is first evaporated by the apparatus in the manner just
described until it shall have lost its fluidity. The matter thus obtained
introduced into a recipient high and narrow, communicating with the forcing
orifice of an air pump by means of a pipe the extremity of which reaches the lower
part of the recipient, without, however, touching its bottom, then if the air pump
is put in motion, the current of forced air thus produced passes through the matter,
and takes away from it the remainder of the water, thus effecting a thorough
concentration.
I also employ for the same object a cylindrical recipient (of which the top half
is movable) and placed horizontally containing an agitator (which turns on the
axis of the recipient) whose wings when placed in rotatory movement agitate also
the manner to be concentrated.
The wings of the agitator should be arranged in a way to divide the matter
into several cylindric divisions, with concentric transverse sections. A current of
air (purified or not, heated or not) passes through the recipient; the current of air
enters by an opening made in one of the flat faces of the recipient and comes out
through a similar opening made in the opposite flat face.

page_text: As a still, or apparatus for distilling the apparatus works in the same way as it
does to effect the evaporation, with the sole difference, that the current of air and
the vapours it carries along with it are conducted by a pipe V to the condenser
with descending current R, the current traverses the condenser from top to bottom
passes through the pipe Y to the condenser with ascending current S crosses it
from bottom to top and mingles with the atmosphere. In order to avoid the loss
of the vapours the upper barrel of the condenser with ascending current S is put
into communication by a pipe Z, with the suction canal of the ventilator. In this
way the same air circulates continually in the interior of the apparatus and effects
the distillation of the liquid.
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:-
1 The system of evaporation and distillation based upon the principle set forth
in this description, which system consists in the "pulverization" of the liquid to
be treated in a close cavity (in jets having any direction whatever) and in the
ventilation of the spray thus formed by a current of air, having an opposite
direction, and which taking with it the vapours thus produced conducts them
either into the atmosphere or into one or several condensers.
2nd The practical application of this system by the following disposition; an
apparatus which is composed of a ventilator of a closed cavity or evaporating
vessel (which communicates with the forcing canal of the ventilator and in which
a "pulverizer" is fixed) of a water pump or of an air pump (which by means of
the "pulverizer" produces the "pulverization" of the liquid) and eventually of one
or more condensers.
3rd The combination of the apparatus specified under second head of claim with
a heating column established between the ventilator and the evaporating vessel,
when the apparatus is to be used for the treatment of liquids whose nature permits
the employment of heated air.
4th The combination of the apparatus specified under heads 2 and 3 of claim
with an air purifier (with filters only, without the washer, or with the washer
only, without the filters, or with filters and washer) communicating with the
suction canal of the ventilator, in case the nature of the liquid to be treated requires
the employment of purified air.
5th The disposition of the part destined in the apparatus indicated under
heads 2, 3, and 4 of claim to perform the purification of the air which part is
composed of a cylindrical, vertical reservoir A of filters of wadding enveloped
with a tissue (and surrounding concentrically an opening formed in the lid of the
reservoir) and of several compartments established in the inferior part of the
reservoir, and separated by tubular walls which direct themselves alternately from
the top to the bottom and from the bottom to the top in such a manner that when
these compartments contain water the current of air is forced to pass through it
several times.
6th The disposition of the part (heating column E) destined in the apparatus
specified under the beads 2, 3 and 4 of claim for the heating of the air, and by
which disposition the air, forced by the ventilator, is compelled to traverse several
times (alternately from the bottom to the top and from the top to the bottom) this
column, which according to every particular case, is arranged to heat the air by
means of gas or coal or wood, or vapour, or hot water, or any other means
whatever of heating.
7th The disposition of the evaporating vessel F which is a part of the apparatus
specified under heads 2, 3 and 4 of claim and which consists of a cylindrical
reservoir, divided horizontally into two parts the inferior of which (wherein is
placed the "pulverizer") is provided with a plate d in the form of a funnel, placed
above the opening G (through which the curent of air passes out of the evaporating
vessel) and which has an opening in the middle. The upper part of the (evaporating
vessel) which is movable, contributes to the formation of the wall of the canal,

page_text: through which the current of air enters the cavity of the evaporating vessel and is
provided at its summit with two plates which are arranged in a manner to prevent
the particles of "pulverized" liquid from penetrating the air canal and at the same
time, to leave free passage for the current of air.
8th The disposition of the pulverizer (which forms a part of the apparatus specified
under heads 2, 3 and 4 of claim) in which a slit M (very narrow) (through which
rushes either a jet of liquid or a current of air) is surrounded by the concentric
apertures of the suction cernals communicating by means of a common tube Q
which plunges into the liquid to be "pulverized."
9th The disposition of the condensers K, S (which form a part of the apparatus
specified under heads 2, 3 and 4 of claim) which are traversed by the current of air
saturated with vapours in such a way that the current passes from the top to the
bottom in the first condenser and from the bottom to the top in the second and so
on. Each one of these condensers consists of a cylindrical vertical reservoir (which
is filled with cold water) which contains two barrels (or drums, or chambers) one
superior U and one inferior communicating with each other by means of a large
number of vertical tubes T. The inferior barrel is divided by a concave (medial)
partition into two compartments. The product of the distillation unites in the
inferior compartments.
10th The disposition which relates to the apparatus for distillation specified
under (heads 2, 3 and 4 of claim) which consists in the communication of the last
of the condensers, hy means of a pipe Z with the suction canal of the ventilator.
11 The two dispositions by which are obtained the complete concentration of a
liquid (which has been already partially concentrated by ineans of the apparatus
specified under heads 2, 3 and 4 of claim vis:-
1. In introducing the material to be concentrated completely into a tall and
narrow receptacle, and in forcing a current of air to ass through this material.
The current of air (produced by an air pump) escapes by the inferior orifice of a
tube which leaving the forcing orifice of the air pump, enters the recepticle and
extends to within a short distance of the bottom as berein specified and
2. In introducing the matter to be thoroughly concentrated in a cylindrical
vessel (which has its upper part made movable) placed horizontally which contains
an agitator (placed according to the axis of the vessel) and whose wings when
placed in rotatory movement agitate the matter to be concentrated.
A current of air (purified or not, heated or not) produced by a ventilator passes
through the vessel entering by an opening in one of the flat faces and going out by
an outlet in the other flat face.
12th The practical processes which result from the employment of the apparatus
for evaporation and distillation the system of construction of which is based upon
the principle exposed in the present Specification by which process the following
results are obtained
a-The concentration at a low temperature of liquids containing sugar or
albumen or a substance for dyeing without any alteration of the solid matters
contained in the said liquids; the thorough concentration at a low temperature and
without any alteration of their useful principles of liquids containing medicinal
matters in order to prepare pharmaceutical extracts.
b-The bettering or improving of wine and beer obtained by taking away
at a low temperature (and consequently without any alteration of their constituent
principles and without destruction of the ferment) from the liquids, which produce
these drinks (and when they are ready to ferment) a part of the water contained
therein; C a thorough concentration at a low temperature and without any altera-
tion of grape juice and beer wort in order to produce, at a later period, wine and
heer by adding there to the necessary water and allowing the liquid thus produced
to ferment; d the taking away at a low temperature and without any alteration
of a part of the water contained in very aqueous saccharine vegetable juices in
order to render them apt to undergo a good alcoholic fermentation; e-the thorough
concentration (at a low temperature and without any interversion of the sugar

page_text: contained therein into treacle) of the juice of the beet root and sugar cane for
the subsequent extraction of the sugar. f-a thorough concentration at a low
temperature and without any alteration whatever of the juice of sugared fruits and
others and of any other vegetable juice as also of milk and broth for the preparation
of preserves.
g. the extraction of chloride of sodium from salt water the extraction of the
solid useful mutters from other mineral waters and generally from any other liquid
containing such like matters in solution; h The rapid cooling (obtained by the
by the ventilation with cold air of the pulverized liquid) of great quantities of
liquids, which is most important for the cooling of beet wort; the distillation of
alcoholic odorous and other liquids at a low temperature and consequently without
any formation of empreumatic products and without any alteration whatever;
j-the obtaining of products of distillation at different degrees; the rectification of
alcohol and petroleum. the preparation of distilled water containing a large
quantity of air consequently preferable for drink to the distilled water obtained by
means of the usual distilling apparatus (which is a very important thing for marine
vessels).
WALTER A. BARLOW;
61, St. Paul's Churchyard, E:C;