Improvements in and relating to Evaporating Apparatus.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 13th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Evaporating Apparatus.
I, JAMES FOSTER, of Lilybank, St. Andrew's Drive Pollokshields, in the City
and County of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to
be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to evaporating
apparatus and particularly applicable to multiple effect apparatus of the vertical
class for evaporating sugar juice and like liquore.
The improvements consist, first, in forming the heating vessel or "calandria" of
each evaporator with a series of inlet branches or ports both in the horizontal and
vertical direction. Thus a horizontal row of the multiple ports would be fitted at
the top and at the bottom of the heating vessel and multiples of these may be fitted
at intermediate levels, or they may be formed as a series of single parallel slotted
branches extending from top to bottom of heating vessel, each formed either of a
straight parallel or of a tapering shape increasing from top to bottom, or these
ports may be formed as a series of parallel slots at short spaced distances apart.
The branches would lead from the steam pipe of first or the downtake vapour pipe
of the succeeding vessels to port flanged branches formed in the shell of the heating
chamber, and these port branches would lead the vapour direct into contact with
the juice evaporating tubes. Or the ports may be formed in a transverse plate
cast or fitted in an inlet vapour chest, and so not require to have additional ports
in the heating vessel.
The sugar juice or liquor would be fed and distributed to the top of evaporating
tubes in heating vessel under one arrangement as follows:-A large main trunk
chamber or tube would be fitted horizontally, transversely across the evaporating
vessel above the level of top of juice tubes in heating chamber, and may be
supported on brackets or foot rests above top of tube plate. This main tube would
be formed with a closed inner end and an open outer end through which the sugar
juice would be fed, and be fitted with a cock at this inlet end outside the shell
of vessel. Screw. rods may extend longitudinally from flanges at inner end of
main tube and pass through corresponding flanges at its front end, and on shell
of vessel, and the flanges of cocks be adjusted or portably secured on these rods by
screw nuts, the jointing ends of main tube and cock being preferably formed
tapered and with a ring of rubber insertion or packing material intermediate
between to form a fluid tight joint. By this arrangement the main tube can be
detached by slackening the nuts on the long bolts outside and it with its accessory
fittings as hereinafter described, can be hoisted by suitable tackle up the inside of
vessel so as to get access to clean out the juice tubes. Or the cock or its
containing casings may be secured by a bolted hinged joint at the one side and a
kneed bolt at the other side and so hinge or be detached when elevating up the main
tube for access to get cleaning. Or the longitudinal rods may be dispensed with
and the trunk be secured by screw bolts passing through shell of vessel, and
having duplex heads, to engage with slotted flanged lugs on end of trunk, so that
in the one position they secure trunk up against valve face and by turning them
round free the trunk.
Horizontal branch tubes would lead in parallel lines from ports or flanged
branches on each side of lower part of main supply tube over the top of all the sets
of juice tubes which would be ranged in parallel rows, and these branch tubes

page_text: would be secured by screw bolts passing through flanges in these and in the main
tube, preferably one flange plate would be used for securing each pair of branch
tubes. Short vertical branch tubes would be brazed to and lead from the lower
end of these horizontal branches in line with each of the vertical tubes of heating
vessel, and be formed with conoidal or narrow ends; and a movable cap or hood
would be mounted on these vertical tubes to prevent liquor spraying backwards,
and the top of this cap would be formed with apertures to permit of the escape of
ascending vapour. A juice or liquor spreading or distributing appliance would be
fitted over the top of each vertical tube in heating vessel. This appliance would
consist of a vertical casing or shell preferably cylindrical, with a series of ribs or
flanged feet (with open spaces between) resting on the tube plate and fitting into
the-upper end of each juice tube in heating vessel. A horizontal disc or raised or
dished hood would be formed within this casing, and have an annular aperture or
a series of segmental slots formed through it, while a series of ribs may extend
from disc to the tube plate, and from these form a conoidal or tapering solid shield
a short distance down the juice tube.
A
The movable cup on lower end of vertical tubes dip a short distance into the
open end of the casing, and the juice passes on to the disc partition and flows
through the annular or segmental openings, down on to the conoidal shield
which spreads or distributes it so that it flows in a thin annular film or stream
down the inner surface of vertical tubes in heating vessel. If desired a series
of short vertical tubes may extend from annular openings in partition disc to
carry juice down on to distributing shield. This arrangement prevents entrain-
ment of juice and any ascending vapour can pass up through central open space
in distributing shield and escape laterally through the open ribbed parts of
shell into vessel above tube plate or by other equivalent means, while a pro-
jecting flange may be formed annularly round the casing to deflect backwards
any escaping juice. Similar juice spreading devices would be fitted in each
heating tube between the upper and lower tube plates so as to re-direct any
juice that may travel from the surface of tube and make it proceed on its journey
in a thin film. This would be effected by having an inner tube of zinc or other
suitable metal and suspending same some considerable distance down each of the
vertical juice tubes, or through its entire length, and these inner tubes would
be each suspended by a central rod screwed or secured to the lower part of
the upper juice spreading shield, and have radial projections formed on
ring at its lower end to act as guides, while the top end of each tube
would rest against a series of ribs or a ring flange formed on under surface
of top shield. A series of conoidal or tapering annular shields or they
may be formed of spiral or other suitable shape would be formed
or soldered or otherwise secured to the outer surface of this inner tube at
spaced distances apart so as to re-direct the juice from same on to the inner
surface of the outer tube, while any impurities in the juice would adhere to the
surface of the inner zinc tube and these shields or hoods may be made of gradually
increasing diameter downwards towards lower end of tubes so as to decrease the
annular juice space between them and outer tube. Radial slots or openings would
be formed on the inner tube under each of the conoidal shields, so as to permit the
inlet of vapour into inner tube, which would then pass up and escape through the
outlet orifices on top shield above the upper tube plate of heating vessel; and by
means of these duplex arranged tubes, a double film evaporating effect.takes place
at the same time first by the vapour in heating chamber proper surrounding the
outer tubes, and second by the vapour from the juice being evaporated passing
through the slits in and ascending up the inner tube, on the outer surface of which
a film of juice flows and thus a compound evaporating effect is obtained from the
primary heat.
As previously described when the juice heating tubes require cleaning out the
main tube with the horizontal and vertical branch tubes would be elevated out of
position, while the shield regulating fittings may be removed by hand. Similar

page_text: film or stream down the inner surface of vertical tubes 6 in heating vessel. If
desired a series of short vertical tubes may extend from annular openings D³ in
partition disc to carry juice down on to the distributing shield D. This
arrangement prevents entrainment of juice and any ascending vapour can pass
up through central open space in distributing shield D₁ and escape laterally
through the open ribbed parts D₁ of shell into the vessel above tube plate 61
or by other equivalent means, while a projecting flange D' may be formed
aonularly round the casing D to deflect backwards any escaping juice. Similar
juice spreading devices D would be fitted in each heating tube 6 between the upper
and lower tube plates so as to re-direct any juice that may travel from the surface
of tube b and make it proceed on its journey in a thin film and these devices would
or may be suspended on a rod D secured between the lower part D of the top
device and an upper cap Dx on the lower device. Or as shown in Figures 15
and 16, this would be effected by having an inner tube E of zinc or other suitable
metal and suspending same some considerable distance down each of the vertical
juice tubes b, or through its entire length, and these inner tubes E would each be
suspended by a central rod E' screwed or secured to the lower part of the upper
juice spreading shield, and have radial projections formed on a ring E³ near its
lower end to act as guides, while the top end of each tube E would rest against a
series of ribs or a ring flange formed at 93 on under surface of top shield g. A
series of conoidal or tapering annular shields e, or they may be formed of spiral
or other suitable shape, would be formed on or soldered or otherwise secured to
the outer surface of this inner tube E at spaced distances apart so as to re-direct
the juice from same on to the inner surface of the outer tube b, while any impurities
in the juice would adhere to the surface of the inner zinc tube E; and these
shields or hoods e may be made of gradually increasing diameter downwards
towards lower end of tubes E so as to decrease the annular juice space between
them and outer tube b. Radial slots or openings el would be formed on the
inner tube E under each of the conoidal shields e so as to permit the inlet of
vapour into inner tube E which would then pass up and escape through the outlet
orifices 9' on top shield above the upper tube plate of heating vessel; and by
means of these duplex arranged tubes 6 E, a double film evaporating effect take
place at the same time, first by the vapour in heating chamber proper surrounding
the outer tubes b and second by the vapour from the juice being evaporated passing
through the slits el in and ascending up the inner tube E, on the outer surface of
which a film of juice flows and thus a compound evaporating effect is obtained
from the primary heat.
Instead of having a main trunk distributing pipe C with branches as shown in
Figures 8 and 9 by a slightly modified arrangement as shown in Figure 17 the
juice may flow on to a distributing deep tray or open dished vessel F fitted some
distance above and extending over the upper tube plate b¹, and having conoidal or
other branches or ducts F¹ formed on its under surface so as to lead the juice direct
into the inlet or dished receptacle of each upper distributing shield, and "paps" or
projections F may be formed on under surface of tray F for directing the juice
into the shield D, the vapour passing out radially through V slots on the top outer
edge of shield and in this case a cap would not be required above the shield
receptacle. A vertical ridge or tapered projection F³ would be formed at centre of
tray, and the juice would be led to this by a radial pipe F having a slot or
opening F at its outer end so that the juice may drop on to the ridged surface_F³,
and be equally distributed over the dish and be carried away by the various tubes.
A series of larger tubes would be fitted through the tube plate between the centre
and outer shell of the heating vessel and one at the centre the latter being shown
at Figure 17 and extend from below the lower tube plate to a few inches above
the upper tube plate 6' for carrying off any vapour that may accumulate below the
bottom tube plate; while the channel bottom plate or lower cover 6ª of vessel,
may be slightly inclined to juice outlet branch as shown in Figure 16.
Uuder another modified arrangement the juice distributing organ above the top
°

page_text: Figure 16 is a sectional elevation of two evaporators arranged in stepped line,
and having my improvements applied thereto. While
Figure 17 is a vertical detached section of a modified arrangement of juice
distributing trough.
Referring to these drawings:-
:-
The improvements consist, first, in forming the heating vessel or "calandria" A
of each evaporator with a series of inlet branches or ports a both in the horizontal
and vertical direction. Thus a horizontal row of the multiple ports a would be
fitted at the top and at the bottom of the heating vessel A and multiples of these
may be fitted at intermediate levels, or they may be formed as a series of single
parallel slotted branches as shown in Figure 7 extending from top to bottom of
heating vessel A each formed either of a straight parallel shape as in Figure 1 or
of a tapering shape as shown in Figure 7 or these ports may be formed as a series
of parallel slots at short spaced distances apart. The branches would lead from
the steam of first or the downtake vapour pipe of the succeeding vessels to flanged
port branches a formed at A' in the shell A of the heating chamber and these port
branches would lead the vapour direct into contact with the juice evaporating
tubes b. Or the ports a may be formed in a transverse plate A' cast or fitted in an
inlet vapour chest as shown in Figure 2, and so not require to have additional ports
in the heating vessel.
The sugar juice or liquor would be fed and distributed to the top of evaporating
tubes 6 in heating vessel A. under one arrangement shown in the figures on Sheet 2
of drawings as follows:-A large main trunk chamber or tube C would be fitted
horizontally, transversely across the evaporating vessel B above the level of top of
juice tubes in heating chamber A and may be supported on brackets or foot
rests C' above top of tube plate 6¹. This main tube C would be formed with a
closed inner end and an outer eud through which the sugar juice would be fed, and
be fitted with an ordinary cock at this inlet end outside the shell of vessel B. The
trunk tube C would be secured by screw bolts c passing through shell B of vessel,
and. baring duplex heads c', c² to engage with slotted flanged lugs C' on end of
trunk C, so that in the one position they secure trunk up against face of vessel
and by turning them round free the trunk, these screw bolts c being secured
outside the vessel by screw nuts c³ pressing on a flanged plate c* at end of inlet
pipe c. By this means both trunk and tubes can be lifted out to enable the latter
to be cleaned when desired. Horizontal branch tubes C would lead in parallel
lines from ports or flanged branches C³ on each side of lower part of main supply
tube Cover the top of all the sets of juice tubes 6 which would be ranged in
parallel rows, and these branch tubes C would be secured by screw bolts passing
through flanges at C' in these and in the branches C³ of main tube C. Short
vertical branch tubes d would be brazed or secured to and lead from the lower
end of these horizontal branches C in line with each of the vertical tubes 6 of
heating vessel A, and be formed with conoidal or narrow ends; and a movable cap
or hood would be mounted on these vertical tubes d to prevent liquor spraying
backwards, and the top of this cap d' would be formed with apertures d² to permit
of the escape of ascending vapour. A juice or liquor spreading or distributing
appliance would be fitted over the top of each vertical tube 6 in heating vessel A.
This appliance would consist of a vertical casing or shell D preferably cylindrical,
with a series of ribs or flanged feet D' (with open spaces between) resting on the
tube plate and fitting into the upper end of each juice tube in heating
vessel A. A horizontal disc or raised, or dished hood D2 would be formed within
this casing, and have an annular aperture or a series of segmental slots D³ formed
through it, while a seies of ribs may extend from disc D' to the tube plate 6' and
from these form a conoidal or tapering hollow shield D* a short distance down the
juice tubes b. The movable cap d' on lower end of vertical tubes d dips a short
distance into the open end of the casing D' and the juice passes on to the disc
partition and flows through the annular or segmental openings D³ down on to the
conoidal shield D'which spreads or distributes it so that it flows in a thin annular

page_text: By a slightly modified arrangement the top cones or shields for the supply of
juice into the heater tubes will be regulated from the bottom as follows:-The
bottom of centre rod to which the top shields and inner zinc tube is attached will
rest on a loose plate in the bottom cover. This plate is fitted on the under side
with four or more sockets into which work the screws for raising or lowering it.
These screws are worked by a wheel from the outside of the bottom cover, to
which is fitted a pointer and index plate that will show the exact opening of the
cone in the top of the tube. This loose plate is perforated to allow the free fall of
the juice from the tubes into the bottom cover and the bottom cover will be kept in
position by four or more guides and the sockets into which the regulation
screws fits.
The evaporating vessels would preferably be placed at different levels, that is
stepped ways, and have juice connecting pipes between them fitted with regulating
valves. By this means the juice will How by gravity combined with the action of
the vacuum from the one vessel to the other in rotation.
Dated the 12th February 1895.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Evaporating Apparatus.
I, JAMES FOSTER, of Lilybank, St. Andrew's Drive, Pollokshields, in the City
and County of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement in writing:
―:
This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to evaporating
apparatus and particularly applicable to multiple effect apparatus of the vertical
class for evaporating sugar juice and like liquors.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing or carrying same
into effect may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended three sheets of
explanatory drawings, in which the same reference letters are used to indicate
corresponding parts in the several figures where shown.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1, is an elevation of an evaporating vessel, Figure 2 is a
horizontal section of same through the heating vessel, and Figure 3, is a sectional
elevation at right angles to Figure 1, all to show one arrangement of multiple
ports in heating vessel in accordance with my improvements.
Figure 4 is a detached elevation showing a heating vessel as formed with a
modified arrangement of ports, and Figures 5 and 6 are views as taken on the
Lines 5-5 and 6-6 respectively of Figure 4. While Figure 7 is a detached view
showing another arrangement of ports.
Figures 8 and 9 on Sheet 2 are vertical and horizontal views showing a main
juice trunk tube and its distributing branches.
Figure 10 is a detached sectional elevation corresponding to Figures 8 and 9
showing the juice distributing and vapour escape fittings.
Figure 11 is a detached sectional view of the juice distributing fittings to an
enlarged scale, and Figure 12 is a horizontal section as taken on the line 11-11 on
Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a detached view of the lower juice distributing shield, and
Figure 14 is a horizontal section as taken on the line 13-13 of Figure 13.
Figure 15 on Sheet 3 is a detached view to an enlarged scale of a heating tube
as fitted with an inner tube carrying juice distributing and vapour escape fittings
in accordance with my improvements.

page_text: vertical branch tubes would be brazed or screwed at the bottom of horizontal main
tube, and a large heating vapour space would be formed on each side between
these and the adjacent vertical tubes from branches, so that the vapour from
central inlet branch will have considerable acting surface through these spaces;
and as the tubes are ranged in parallel line with the side and centre vapour inlet
branches the vapour gets access to circulate through the narrow spaces between
the parallel lines of tubes and so a maximum useful heating surface is obtained.
"
Instead of having a main trunk distributing pipe with branches by a slightly
modified arrangement the juice may flow on to a distributing deep tray or open
dished vessel fitted some distance above and extending over the upper tube plate,
and having conoidal or other branches or ducts formed on its under surface so as
to lead the juice direct into the inlet or dished receptacle of each upper distributing
shield and " paps or projections may be formed on under surface of tray for
directing the vapour radially outwards through apertures in side of shield and in
this case a cap would not be required above the shield receptacle. A vertical
ridge or tapered projection would be formed at centre of tray, and the juice would
be led to this by a radial pipe having a slot or opening at its outer end so that the
juice may drop on to the ridged surface and be equally distributed over the dish
and be carried away by the various tubes. A series of larger tubes would be fitted
near the four divisional outer parts of heating vessel and one at the centre and
extend from below the lower tube plate to a few inches above the upper tube plate
for carrying off any vapour that may accumulate below the bottom tube plate ;
while the channel bottom plate or lower cover of vessel, may be slightly inclined to
juice outlet branch.
Under another modified arrangement the juice distributing organ above the top
tube plate may be dispensed with and the juice flow along the upper tube plate of
heating vessel to the distributing shields of the vertical tubes. The supply of juice
may be led to a branch of main vessel above the upper tube plate of heating vessel
and a segmental hood or curved baffle plate be fitted over this inlet to deflect the
juice downwards on to tube plate. Or alternatively a duct or channel may be
formed annularly all round the inner surface of evaporator, and be formed with a
series of apertures on its under surface so that the juice may flow from inlet branch
round this duct, and pass down through the apertures on to upper surface of top
tube plate from whence it would travel to the distributing shields and vertical
tubes in heating vessel. In this arrangement each upper shield would be formed
as a short parallel tube with conoidal tapering out surface at its lower end, and
having a series of slots or openings on its lower disc surface, and be supported by
ribs or flanges over the tube plate. The escaping vapour would pass through these
slots and ascend up the parallel tube which extends some distance above the tube
plate. While the juice would flow from top surface of tube plate on to the lower
conoidal surface of shield and be deflected on to the inner surface of vertical
heating tube.
By a modified arrangement the upper shield would be formed with a vertical
tube projecting up from its top end, and the top end of each of these tubes would
in turn be secured to a horizontal loose plate, preferably by screwing or outs and
this plate to which all the tubes are secured would be free to rise and fall in guides
at sides of vessel, and have adjustable stops. This plate would be suspended by
angled rods or stays from a vertical rod passing out through a screwed collar and
stuffing box at top of vessel and fitted with a hand screw wheel or lever outside.
By this meaus the top rod can be adjustably lowered or raised, and by the aforesaid
connections all the top shields and connected lower shields would be correspondingly
lowered or raised within the heating tubes. In this case the top shield would
preferably be formed of a double conoidal or truncated shape tapering outwards
from centre towards top and bottom to receive and deflect the juice and have a
central hollow uptake for the passage of the vapour; while the raising or lowering
of this top shield would regulate the supply or volume of juice that shall flow down
each tube as required.

page_text: tube plate may be dispensed with and the juice flow along the upper tube plate /,1
of heating vessel A to the distributing shields of the vertical tubes. The supply
of juice may as shown in Figure 16 be led to a branch G of main vessel B above
the upper tube plate 6' of heating vessel and a segmental hood or covered baffle
plate G' be fitted over this inlet G to deflect the juice downwards on to tube
plate . Or alternatively a duct or channel may be formed annularly all round
the inner surface of evaporator, and be formed with a series of apertures on its
under surface so that the juice may flow from inlet branch G round this duct, and
pass down through the apertures on to upper surface of top tube plate 6' from
whence it would travel to the distributing shields and vertical tubes in heating vessel.
In this arrangement each upper shield would be formed as a short parallel tube
such as shown at g in Figure 15 with conoidal tapering out surface g¹ at its lower
end, and having a series of slots or openings 9' on its lower disc surface 98. The
escaping vapour would pass through these slots g2 and ascend up the parallel tube g
which extends some distance above the tube plate 6'. While the juice would flow
from the top surface of tube plate b¹ on to the lower conoidal surface g¹ of shield
and be deflected on to the inner surface of vertical heating tube b. By a slightly
modified construction the top shield would be formed of a double conoidal or
truncated shape g¹ o tapering outwards from centre towards top and bottom to
receive and deflect the juice and have a central hollow uptake 9 for the passage of
the vapour; while the raising or lowering of this top shield 9 would regulate the
supply or volume of juice that shall flow down each tube as required.
By a slightly modified arrangement as shown in Figure 16 the top cones or
shields for the supply of juice into the heater tubes b will be regulated from the
bottom as follows:-
t
paps
"
The bottom of centre rod E¹ to which the top shields and inner zinc tube Ę is
attached will rest on a loose plate h in the bottom cover b³. This plate his fitted
on the under side with four or more sockets or
into which work the
screws 2 for raising or lowering it. These screws h² are worked by a wheel h³
from the outside of the bottom cover to which may be fitted and ordinary
pointer and index plate that will show the exact opening of the cone in the top of
the tube. This loose plate h is perforated to allow the free fall of the juice from
the tubes into the bottom cover and the loose plate will be kept in position by four
or more guides and the sockets into which the screws A³ fit.
The evaporating vessels would preferably be placed at different levels, that is
stepped ways as shown in Figure 16 and have juice connecting pipes H between
them fitted with regulating valves H¹. By this means the juice will flow by gravity
combined with the action of the vacuum from the one vessel to the other in
rotation.
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:-
First. In evaporating apparatus the forming or fitting of multiple ports or the
equivalent of these in the heating vessel arranged in the horizontal and vertical
directions in a plane so that the steam supply comes in direct line with the parallel
openings between the tubes substantially as herein described in reference to and
shown in Sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings.
Second. In evaporating apparatus, the arrangement of main trunk tube, with
branches and fittings leading to the tubes in heating vessel substantially as herein
described in reference to and shown on Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Third. In evaporating apparatus, the fitting of a juice or liquor spreading or
distributing appliance constructed as herein described over the top of each tube in
heating vessel, substantially as set forth in reference to and shown in Figures 10
to 12 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In evaporating apparatus, the fitting of juice spreading appliances
within the tubes of heating vessel between the lower and upper tube plates so as to

page_text: re-direct any juice that may travel from surface of tube, substantially as herein
set forth.
Fifth. In evaporating apparatus, the method of giving a compound evaporating
effect, by the primary heat, to the juice passing down the tubes, substantially as
herein described in reference to Figures 15 and 16 of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. In evaporating apparatus, the fitting and use of an inner tube within
each tube in heating vessel, said inner tubes being fitted with juice directing shields
and providing for escape of vapour substantially as and for the purposes herein
described in reference to Figures 15 and 16 of the accompanying drawings.
Seventh. In evaporating apparatus, the fitting and use of a tapering shield at
top of tubes for directing and regulating the flow of juice and permitting of the
escape of vapour, substantially as herein described in reference to Figure 15 of
the accompanying drawings.
Eight. In evaporating apparatus, the regulating of the top shields from the
lower part of heating vessel substantially as and in the manner and with the
appliances shown in Figure 16 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of November 1895.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.