Improvements in Condensing or Liquefying Vapors or Gases and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Condensing or Liquefying Vapors or Gases and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, JOHN GAMGEE of 6 Lingfield Road, Wimbledon in the County of Surrey,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to condensing or liquefying vapors or gases such as
arise from stills or from the exhaust of engines or other apparatus worked by
steam or other vapor or such as are used in refrigerating or freezing apparatus and
the invention mainly consists in effecting the condensation or liquefaction of the
vapors or gases by causing them to overcome the resistance of liquid columns in
their transit to receivers in which they are collected.
I have discovered that the use of condensing water is altogether unnecessary for
the cooling and liquefaction of distillates or for the condensation of steam or other
vapors notably ether, ammonia and other fluids used in motors or ice machines and
that such liquefaction or condensation is most effectually and economically done
by causing the vapors to ascend through coils traversing various length of tubing
or through pipes arranged in zig-zag or spiral manner so that the vapor or gas is
made to lift alternating columns of liquid until its elasticity disappears and con-
densation is complete; also space is economized.
With this method or system there is no waste of material as the liquid and vapor
can if required be caused to interact in hermetically sealed apparatus, thus delicate
perfumes, the lighter vapors of bydrocarbons, the expensive liquids used in ice
machines &c. can be so confined that deterioration and loss are avoided. The
usual great expense of condensing water in the case of condeusing steam engines
is entirely saved and also the cost of running circulating and vacuum pumps for
condensers. The exhaust of a motor traversing a condenser arranged according
to my method and which may be appropriately called a "work condenser in
contradistinction to the common water condenser restores the motor fluid to the
boiler automatically or almost automatically at the highest possible temperature
with consequent saving of much fuel. Condensation occurs readily at all tem-
peratures so that my "work condenser" should in most cases be protected by a
non-conducting covering and be constructed so as not to permit of the slightest
escape of the motor fluid.
GC
"
My work condenser" is operative below the temperature of the environment
and thus I can utilize as motor fluids, liquids of low boiling point with high vapor
tension at the normal temperatures on the earth's surface. My work condenser
arranged vertically with a chamber above at an altitude varying with the density
of the liquid, and with a vertical return pipe effectually relieving such chamber of
accumulating liquid can therefore be combined with a vacuum without the use of
an air pump. Thus in a steam work condenser a Torricellian vacuum at 33 feet
above the sea level saves the great cost of the vacuum pumps of the compound
condensing engines.

page_text: I will proceed to describe how my invention can be applied respectively to a
still and to condensing the exhaust from a prime mover. In applying it to a still
the pipe through which the vapor from the still rises is fitted with a check valve.
Beyond the valve the pipe terminates in a chamber or enlarged pipe from the
upper part of which is carried a continuation pipe whose lower end extends down
some distance into the said chamber.. The continuation pipe. at its upper end
communicates with a zig-zag pipe or a coil whose other end is carried up into a
chamber. From this chamber at a lower level than the mouth of the zig-zag pipe
a pipe is carried to a reservoir below. On starting to work the still the first
named chamber, the continuation pipe and more or less of the zig-zag pipe may be
filled with spirit. As the distillation proceeds in the still the distilled vapor rises
and passing through the check valve enters the liquid column. In overcoming the
resistance of this column it becomes condensed or liquefied and mixes therewith.
The liquid or mixed liquid and vapor travel up and down the zig-zag pipe,
the vapor lifting the liquid in the alternate columns and gradually losing its
elasticity until it is completely condensed. Soon the liquid begins to enter
the chamber above and to flow down the pipe leading to the reservoir below.
There is always a cushion of vapor in the upper part of the first named chamber
and this ensures a steady action. When the reservoir is sufficiently full the
mouth of the pipe leading thereto is closed by a float valve. At top of the
reservoir is a chamber communicating therewith and fitted with inlet and outlet
valves communicating with the atmosphere. If the pressure in the apparatus
becomes too great the outlet valve opens; if on the other hand the pressure is
too low and a partial vacuum exists the inlet valve opene.
In applying my invention to condensing the exhaust from a prime mover a check
valve is placed in the exhaust pipe. There are one or more chambers forming
continuations of the exhaust pipe; above the last of these chambers is a con-
tinuation pipe communicating with a coil; this coil communicates at its other end
with a zig-zag pipe whose mouth terminates in an upper chamber. There is a
downflow pipe from this chamber to a receiver belos from which a pipe leads to
the boiler. There is another downflow pipe leading from the upper chamber at a
point below the opening of the first described downflow pipe to the first of the
continuation chambers so that a continuous circulation is always maintained
through the continuation chambers, coil, zig-zag pipe and downflow pipe, while
the overplus liquid which is equivalent to the vapor or steam condensed passes
down the other downflow pipe to the receiver and thence to the boiler.
رو
If necessary for special purposes, my "work condenser may be used in com-
bination with a water condenser; such a combination may be important where
large volumes of distillate have to be promptly cooled for special uses such as in
the condensation of the vapor of distilled water to be charged with gases for
making artificial aërated waters or when distilled water has to be obtained rapidly
and continuously as cold as possible for the supply of ice moulds in a freezing
machine.
When however the distillate is required hot either to return to a steam generator
or for other purposes such combination is not desirable. In short condensation cannot
be more rapid than in my work condenser, but if the discharge is required at a low
temperature as fast as it flows this is facilitated by cold water, evaporators or other
known means.
In the exhaust of a steam engine, losses by radiation can be prevented by using
a beater such as that described in the Specification of my Patent No. 11078 dated
31 July 1888 without at all interfering with condensation by work and this com-
bination is sometimes advantageous.
4 1
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Condensing or Liquefying Vapors or Gases and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, JOHN GAMGEE, of 6 Lingfield Road, Wimbledon, in the County of Surray,
Gentleman, 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 has reference to condensing or liquefying vapors or gases such as
arise from stills or from the exhaust of engines or other apparatus worked by steam
or other vapor or such as are used in refrigerating or freezing apparatus and the
invention mainly consists in effecting the condensation or liquefaction of the vapors
or gases by causing them to overcome the resistance of liquid columus in their
transit to receivers in which they are collected.
I have discovered that the use of condensing water is altogether unnecessary
for the cooling and liquefaction of distillates or for the condensation of steam or
other vapors, notably ether, ammonia and other fluids used in motors or ice
machines and that such liquefaction or condensation is most effectually and
economically done by causing the vapors to ascend through coils traversing
various lengths of tubing or through pipes arranged in zig-zag or spiral manner
so that the vapor or gas is made to lift alternating columns of liquid until its
elasticity disappears and condensation is complete; also space is economized.
With this method or system there is no waste of material as the liquid and
vapor can if required be caused to interact in hermetically sealed apparatus;
thus delicate perfumes, the lighter vapors of hydro-carbons, the expensive liquids
used in ice machines &c., can be so confined that deterioration and loss are avoided.
The usual great expense of condensing water in the case of condensing steam
engines is entirely saved and also the cost of running circulating and vacuum
pumps for condensers. The exhaust of a motor traversing a condenser arranged
according to my method and which may be appropriately called a
"work .con-
"
denser in contradistinction to the common water condenser, restores the motor
fluid to the boiler automatically or almost automatically at the highest possible
temperature with consequent saving of much fuel. Condensation occurs readily
at all temperatures so that my " work condenser" should in most cases be pro-
tected by a non-conducting covering and be constructed so as not to permit of
the slightest escape of the motor fluid.
My work condenser is operative below the temperature of the environment and
1.
thus I can utilize as motor fluids liquids of low boiling point with high vapor
tension at the normal temperatures on. the earth's surface. My work condenser.
arranged vertically with a chamber above at an altitude,varying with the density of
the liquid and with a vertical return pipe.effectually relieving such chamber of
accumulating liquid can therefore be combined with a vacuum without the use
of an air pump.
Thus in a steam work condenser a Torricellian vacuum at 33 feet
above the sea level saves the great cost of the vacuum pumps of the compound
condensing engines.
י
Figures 1.and 2 of the accompanying drawings will enable my invention to be
readily understood. Figure 1 indicates how it can be applied to a still, and
Figure 2 how it can be applied for condensing the exhaust from a prime mover.
Referring first to Figure 1, a represents the still and b is the pipe through which
the vapor from the still rises. c is a check valve in this pipe. Beyond the valve c
the pipe b terminates in a chamber or enlarged pipe d from the upper part of which.
s carried a continuation pipe e whose lower end extends down some distance. into
the chamber d. The pipe at its upper end communicates with the zig-zag pipe (or .
t might be a coil) f whose other end is carried up into a chamber g. From the
hamber,g.at. a lower level than the mouth of the pipe fa pipe his carried to a
J

page_text: reservoir below. On starting to work the still the chamber d, pipe e and more or
As the distillation proceeds
less of the zig-zag pipe f may be filled with spirit.
in the still a the distilled vapor rises and passing through the check valve c enters
the liquid column. In overcoming the resistance of this column it becomes con-
densed or liquefied and mixes therewith. The liquid or mixed liquid and vapor
travel up and down the zig-zag pipe f, the vapor lifting the liquid in the alternate
Soon
columns and gradually losing its elasticity until it is completely condensed.
the liquid begins to enter the chamber g and to flow down the pipe h to the
reservoir below. There is always a cushion of vapor in the upper part of the
chamber d and this ensures a steady action. When the reservoir i is sufficiently
full the mouth of the pipe h is closed by the float valve k. At top of the
reservoir i is a chamber communicating therewith and fitted with inlet and outlet
valves m and n communicating with the atmosphere (see the enlarged view
Figure 1A). If the pressure in the apparatus becomes too great the outlet valve n
opens; if on the other hand the pressure is too low and a partial vacuum exists
the inlet valve m opens.
Referring now to Figure 2, b is the exhaust pipe from the prime mover and ca
check valve therein. d dare chambers forming continuations of the pipe b;
above the second of these chambers is the continuation pipe e communicating with
the coil (scen in side elevation in Figure 24); this coil communicates at its
other end with the zig-zag pipe f whose mouth terminates in the chamberg. his
a downflow pipe from the chamber g to the receiver i from which a pipe p leads to
the boiler. q is another downflow pipe leading from the chainberg at a point
below the opening of the pipe h to the chamber d so that a continuous circulation
is always maintained through the chambers d d¹, coil f, zig-zag pipe f and pipe q,
while the overplus liquid which is equivalent to the vapor or steam condensed passes
down the pipe h to the receiver i and thence to the boiler.
I have found in practice that the more abundant the liquid in circulation
relatively to the volume of vapor the more ready is the condensation and the
more efficient is the apparatus. Instead therefore of using spirals or coils of
tubes of uniform diameter from which the liquid is liable to be projected leaving
the tubes only charged with vapor, I have found great advantage in employing
progressively diminishing cylindrical pipes so arranged in graduated series as to
make the liquid and vapor travel as great a distance as may be required. A
constant liquid level is maintained in the apparatus, and from its peculiar con-
struction the complete liquefaction of the vapor before final discharge of the liquid
prevents priming or wasteful rejection of the fluid. Figure 3 is a vertical section
A is a vessel
and Figure 4 a plan of an apparatus constructed as last described.
in which are placed a series of concentric pipes or cylinders B B of progressively
diminishing diameter which are connected alternately to the top and bottom of the
vessel A so as to form a continuous annular and progressively diminishing up and
down passage from the outermost to the innermost of the pipes B B. The inner-
most of the pipes B B communicates with a chamber C above while the outermost
of the said pipes has opening into it all round a series of nozzles D which com-
municate with a chamber E below. The nozzles D are fitted at top with check
valves as seen in Figure 5 which represents one of these nozzles in section on a
large scale. The exhaust steam or vapor to be condensed enters the chamber E
by the pipe G and passes through the nozzles D into the outermost of the
pipes B B, these pipes and the vessel A having been previously charged with
water which is prevented by the check valves F from falling into the chamber E.
The steam on coming in contact with the water overcomes the resistance of the
liquid column and consequently a circulation of the water and steam is started and
maintained through the up and down passage formed by the pipes B B. During
this travel the steam becomes condensed and the water which rises in the upper
chamber C flows back through the pipes H H, the surplus, which is equivalent to
the amount of steam condensed, passing off by the pipe I to the boiler feeder or
otherwise. K is a pipe attached to the vessel C by means of which a vacuum may

page_text: be formed by a pump to facilitate the withdrawal of the exhaust steam or vapor
from the engine or other apparatus.
In order to afford a practical explanation of the operation of my method of
condensing steam or vapor it may be contrasted with the process of discharging
steam or vapor from water or liquid which is best ensured by free surfaces and
circulation, so as to separate the gaseous from the liquid mass. Devaportion,
solution or liquefaction of the steam or vapor is on the other hand favored by depth
of liquid through which the rising bubbles have to pass. In other words liquids
and their vapors at all temperatures pass insensibly into each other, and the least
obstacle to their separation suffices to prevent the escape of what is known as dry
steam. My work condenser may therefore be regarded as an automatic devaporator
in which a vapor is continuously dissolved in its own liquid at the point of
ebullition; in short the steam leaving the engine at high velocity is so entangled
in a closed cycle current of hot water flowing at high speed that it liquefies spon-
taneously. The boiling point varies with the pressure and is therefore lowest in
vacuo and in the case of a steam engine condenser by discharging in a vacuum the
liquefied exhaust is maintained at about 180° Fahrenheit without the intervention
of any cooling medium.
If necessary for special purposes my work condenser or devaporator may be used
in. combination with a water condenser; such a combination may be important
where large volumes of distillate have to be promptly cooled for special uses such
as in the condensation of the vapor of distilled water to be charged with gases
for making artificial aërated waters or when distilled water has to be obtained
rapidly and continuously as cold as possible for the supply of ice moulds in a
freezing machine.
When, however, the distillate is required hot either to return to a steam
generator or for other purposes such combination is not desirable. In short cor-
densation cannot be more rapid than in my work condenser but if the discharge is
required at a low temperature as fast as it flows this is facilitated by cold water,
evaporators or other known means.
In the exhaust of a steam engine losses by radiation can be prevented by using
a heater such as that described in the Specification of my Patent No. 11078 dated
31 July 1888 without at all interfering with condensation by work, and this com-
bination is sometimes advantageous.
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 method or process of condensing or liquefying vapors or gases which
consists in causing them to pass through coils or lengths of tubing or pipes
arranged in a zig-zag, spiral or analogous manner and containing liquid which the
vapors or gases lift and by which they become absorbed, the said liquid moving in
a closed cycle, all substantially as set forth.
2. The work condenser" or devaporator herein before described.
3. The combination with the "work condenser" or devaporator herein before
described of a condenser for cooling with cold water as set forth.
4. The combination with the "work condenser " or devaporator herein before
described of means whereby a vacuum is produced to reduce the pressure in the
apparatus and relieve the exhaust of a steam or other vapor engine, as set forth.
5. Constructing apparatus for condensing or liquefying vapors or gases as herein-
before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent.