A New or Improved Continuous Method of Generating Carbonic Acid Gas from a Soluble Carbonate in Solution and an Acid in Solution, and in Apparatus connected therewith.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 890
Complete Specification Left, 20th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 13th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Continuous Method of Generating Carbonic
Acid Gas from a Soluble Carbonate in Solution and an Acid in
Solution, and in Apparatus connected therewith.
I, JAMES MCEWEN of 11 Rushton Street, Hulme, Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, Aerated Water Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
to be as follows :-
This invention relates to a new or improved continuous method of generating
carbonic acid gas from a carbonate in solution and an acid in solution and in
apparatus connected therewith and consists in providing means to allow of the
continuous generation of carbonic acid gas automatically with self-feeding and self-
discharging arrangements without the admission of atmospheric air or loss of gas.
This principle of generating carbonic acid gas from a soluble carbonate in solution
and an acid in solution l' effect by employing two or more cisterns or a cistern
with two or more compartments to contain separate solutions of carbonate of
soda or any other suitable carbonite soluble in water, and a separate solution of
vitrol or any other acid that will release carbonic acid gas when in contact
with a carbonate. These cisterns or compartments are provided with taps or valves
to regulate the flow of the two solutions together into a generator or vessel in
such proportions as will saturate the soda or other carbonate and release the carbonic
acid gas. The generator or vessel is fitted with any number of inclined trays or
divisions sufficient to retard or prolong the movement of the solutions flowing over
the same until the liquid or mixture is as noar neutralized by the acid as found
practicable. Sufficient space is provided round each tray or division to allow of the
free passage of carbonic acid gas, as it is generated, to a gas-holder suitably disposed.
Valves and taps in combination, valves alone, or taps alone are provided to admit
the separate solutions to the generator or vessel, the same being so constructed
that they can be regulated by hand, or by the rising and falling action of the gas-
holder, or any other suitable automatic arrangement. After the mixture of the
solutions bas travelled or passed over the trays or divisions of its own gravity it
is deposited into the lower end of the generator or vessel and flows away through
a syphon of its own weight, or may be assisted in the operation by pressure if
necessary.
Dated the 1st May 1890.
EDMUND CHADWICK,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Continuous Method of Generating Carbonic
Acid Gas from a Soluble Carbonate in Solution and an Acid in
Solution, and in Appartus connected therewith.
1, JAMES MOEWEN of 11 Rushton Street, Hulme, Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, Aerated Water Engineer, 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 statement :-
This invention relates to a cew or improved continuous method of generating
carbonic acid gas from a carbonate in solution and an acid in solution and in
apparatus connected therewith and provides means for the continuous generation
of carbonic acid gas automatically with self-feeding and self-discharging arrangements
P71

page_text: without the admission of atmospheric air or loss of gas. In the ordinary plan
in which a given quantity of the carbonate is treated with acid in a generator,
it is necessary to stop the process at intervals in order to clear ont the spent
materials and recharge the apparatus. According to my invention I provide for a
regular inflow of fresh materials and outflow of spent materials, so that the process
is continuous and no stoppage or opening of the generator is necessary. I employ
two or more cisterns or a cistern with two or more compartments to contain separate
solutions of carbonate of soda or any other suitable carbonate soluble in water, and a
separate solution of vitrol or any other neid that will release carbonic acid gas when
in contact with a carbonate. These cisterns or compartments are provided with taps
or valves to regulate the flow of the two solutions together into a generator or vessel
in such proportions as will saturate the soda or other carbonate and release the carbonic
acid gas. The generator or vessel may be fitted with a number of inclined trays or
divisions sufficient to retard or prolong the movement of the solutions flowing over the
same until the liquid or mixture is as near neutralized by the acid as found practicable.
Sufficient space is provided round each tray or division to allow of the free passage
of carbonic acid gas, as it is generated, to a gas-holder suitably disposed. Valves
and taps in combination, valves alone, or taps alone, are provided to admit the separate
solutions to the generator or vessel, the same being so constructed that they can bo
regulated by hand, or by the rising and falling action of the gas-holder, or any other
suitable automatic arrangement. After the mixture of the solutions has travelled or
passed over the trays or divisions of its own gravity it is deposited into the lower
end of the generator or vessel and flows away through a syphon by its own weight,
or may be assisted in the operation by pressure if necessary.

page_text: by the action of the acid releasing carbonic acid gas from the carbonate in solution.
The inclined trays O and standards P are made of lead or other suitable materials, or
a combination of materials. Each inclined tray O is provided with a shallow end Q
to prevent the solutions or mixture thereof flowing over the sides R, thereby ensuring
the solutions or a mixture of the same flowing the entire length of each tray. The
pipes I and J extend internally into the generator or vessel K to a point near the
highest point of the top inclined tray, from whence the two solutions commence to
flow over the trays as shown by the arrows on the drawings in Figs. 4 and 7.
Between the sides and onds of the generator or vessel K and the sides and ends of the
trays O sufficient space is left to allow of the free passage of carbonic acid gas as it
is generated, from whence the gas passes through the pipe L in the cover S to the gas-
holder M. The inclined trays O and the standards P being secured together allow of
the whole being lifted bodily into and from the generator or vessel K. The inclined
trays and the standards P are supported on the brackets T secured to the generator
or vessel K. The outlet of the syphon pipe N can be fitted with the pipo U to allow
of a portion of the spent or neutralized solution remaining in the bottom end of the
generator or vessel K, and which cannot flow away until the level of the said solution
rises to the highest point of the pipe U as shown in Fig. 4. Immediately the
carbonate and acid solutions come in contact with each other carbonic acid gas is
released from the former, which action is prolonged during the time the mixture of
the said solutions is flowing over the inclined trays in its passage from the
point of admission to the point of delivery at the bottom end of the generator or
vessel K.
In another modification I construct the internal arrangement of the generator or
vessel Kas shown in Fig. 7; the inclined trays O being fed from the vessel or
chamber V, in which is placed the pipes L' and J'held in position by the cross bar W.
The pipe J conveying the carbonate solution exten Is below the perforated grid or
plate X, and the pipe conveying the acil solution to a point above the said
perforated grid or plate. The object of this is to ensure of the two solutions being
thoroughly mixed in their passage up the vessel or chamber V.
As the said solutions are fed into the vessel or chamber V they rise in the same until
the point Y is reached, from which they commence to flow over the inclined trays ①
as shown, the operation being as before described. If desired the pipe U can be
employed as shown in Fig. 4.
In case of large generators it may be found necessary to agitate the spent or
almost spent solution in the bottom end of the generator to ensure of the greatest
possible amount of carbonic acid gas being extracted therefrom. To effect this I
provide the generator or vessel K, as shown in Fig. 9, with the stuffing box a and
bearing b, in which are mounted the agitator Z in the form of an Archimedian
screw to mix and retard the liquid in its passage towards the syphon pipe N. The
agitator is fittel with the pulley c or its equivalent, and is rotated in any
convenient manner from any motive or other power.
If desired the screw Z can be fixed in the top end of the generator or vessel K,
as shown in Fig. 10, to retard or prolong the movement of the said solutions, or
a mixture thereof, in their passage over the top inclined tray O.
This invention operates in the following manner:-When the gas-holder bell M¹
descends in the holder M through a reduction in the quantity of gas the long end of
the lever d, pivoted to the arm e, drops and opens the valves D and F by the inter-
vening levers and rods, by which action the before mentioned solutions are supplied
to the generator or vessel K from the cisterns A and B ; the amount of opening of
the said valves regulating the amount of solutions supplied.
Immediately gas is generated through the admittance of the solutions into the
generator or vessel K and it is passed into the gas-holder M the bell M' of the latter
rises and operates the lever d and closes the valves D and F, and so on continuously.
The lever d extends through the slot in the stationary rod g forming tho guide for
the bell M of the gas-holder M in its rising and falling actions.
This arrangement of levers and rods allows of the valves D and F being operated

page_text: by hand if desired. The generator or vessel K can be fixed to the gas-holder M by
the support or otherwise as desired or requisite. The valves D and are attached
to the generator or vessel K by the fixing or otherwise according to requirements.
The method of governing the valves D and F is old and I make no claim to it.
Although I prefer the forms of apparatus which I have illustrated and described I
wish it to be understood that the precise construction of the apparatus admits of
considerable variation, so long as the essential features of the invention are preserved.
Having thus stated the nature of my invention and described the mode of
performing the same, I would leave it understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details or configuration of the parts I have shown and described, which are
obviously capablo of considerable variation without departing from the principle of
my invention, but what I claim is :—
1. The method of generating carbonic acid gas herein before described consisting
essentially in admitting a soluble carbonate and a suitablo acid to the generator in
the form of solutions which there mix and flow through the apparatus and are
sufficiently retarded or mixed to enable the carbonic acid to he properly liberated, the
spent solution being permitted to flow ont of the generator, so that a steady and
continuous inflow of frush materials and outflow of spent materials may be maintained.
2. The apparatus for the manufacture of carbonic acid gas hereinbefore described,
consisting essentially of reservoirs for holding the carbonate and acid solutions,
channels for conveying the solutions to the generator, means for regulating the flow
of the solutions, and means for mixing them or sufficiently retarding the flow, and
an exit for spent liquor, the whole being arranged so that a continuous inflow of fresh
materials and outflow of spent materials may be maintained.
3. For carrying out the before described method of generating carbonic acid gas
the use construction and arrangement of apparatus consisting of the generator or
vessel K provided with the inclined trays O, inlet pipes 1 and J, outlet pipe U, and
the valves D and F for charging a soluble carbonate in solution and an neid in
solution simultaneously either automatically or otherwise, substantially as described.
4. The arrangement use and construction of the various modifications hereinbefore
described of my apparatus for continuously generating carbonic acid gas from a
soluble carbonate in solution and an acid in solution, without loss of gas or the
admittance of atmospheric air into the generator substantially as described and as
shown in the drawings.
Dated the 17th October 1890.
EDMUND CHADWICK,
Agent.