Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Condensing or Absorbing and Utilising Sulphuric and Sulphurous Acid Fumes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 28th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 25th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 26th Apr.. 1890
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Condensing or
Absorbing and Utilising Sulphuric and Sulphurous Acid Fumes.
1, WILLIAM THORP, of No. 24 Crouch Hill Road, Crouch End, in the County of
Middlesex, Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has for its object to absorb or condense and utilise the vapours of
sulphuric and sulphurous acid such as are evolved in the roasting of certain sulphates
and sulphides, and in other processes, by causing them to pass directly from the
furnace or other apparatus where they are generated, together with a body of air, into
a tower or chamber constructed of brick or stone, or of wood lined with lead, and
filled with scrap iron, down which water, or the solution of sulphate of iron produced
in the process, is kept flowing. By this means I absorb or condense practically the
whole of the fumes, and at the same time obtain a supply of sulphate of iron.
A single tower may be sufficient for this purpose, but I prefer to use two or more
towers, the vapours being made to pass first down through the one and then up through
the next, and so on, in which case I cause sulphate of iron solution of such strength
to flow down the first tower as to become saturated, while the scrap iron in the next
tower or towers is wetted with a weaker solution, or with water.
In some processes in which sulphuric and sulphurous acid vapours are evolved,
these are already mixed with a certain quantity of air on issuing from the furnace or
apparatus. In this case the separate supply of air to the towers may be lessened or
dispensed with.
Dated this 28th day of May 1889.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Condensing or
Absorbing and Utilising Sulphuric and Sulphurous Acid Fumes.
I, WILLIAM THORP, of No. 24 Crouch Hill Road, Crouch End, in the County of
Middlesex, Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My invention has for its object to absorb or condense and utilise the vapours of
sulphuric and sulphurous acid such as are evolved in the roasting of certain sulphates
and sulphides, and in other processes, by causing them to pass directly from the
furnace, or other apparatus where they are generated, together with a body of air,
into a tower or chamber constructed of brick or stone, or of wood lined with lead,
and filled with scrap iron, down which water, or the solution of sulphate of iron
produced in the process, is kept flowing. By this means I absorb or condense
practically the whole of the fumes, and at the same time obtain a supply of sulphate
of iron.
A single tower may be sufficient for this purpose, but I prefer to use two or more
towers, the vapours being made to pass through them in succession, in which case
I cause sulphate of iron solution of such strength to flow down the first tower as to
become saturated, while the scrap iron in the next tower or towers is wetted with a
weaker solution, or with water.

page_text: If the vapours and gases are not sufficiently hot to maintain a temperature of
about 120° to 160° F. in the towers or chambers, 1 introduce a jet of steam into any
tower requiring increase of temperature.
In some processes in which sulphuric and sulphurous acid vapours are evolved
these are already mixed with a certain quantity of air on issuing from the furnace or
apparatus. In this case the separate supply of air to the towers may be lessened or
dispensed with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. The method of condensing or absorbing and utilizing sulphuric and sulphurous
acid fumes by causing them to pass directly from the furnace or other apparatus
where they are produced, in the presence of oxygen and moisture, through one or
more towers or chambers filled with scrap iron whereby the fumes will be more or
less completely absorbed and at the same time a supply of sulphate of iron produced,
substantially as herein described.
2. The use for carrying out the process referred to in the preceding claim of one
or more towers or chambers containing scrap iron, provided with an inlet for the
vapours to be acted upon together with air, means for supplying a flow of liquid over
the scrap iron filling, and a discharge for the sulphate solution, substantially as herein
described.
Dated this 24th day of March 1890
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.