Year: 1888

page_text: 1, HENRY GREEN, of Fishergate, Preston, in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to provide apparatus of simple kind that may be
constructed at moderate cost for treating ammoniacal liquor.
In order to obtain a regular and continuous flow of crude ammoniacal liquor from
a liquor cistern there is provided in connexion therewith a syphon that is supported
by a float in the cistern so as to maintain a constant dip or extent of submersion of
the one leg of the syphon in the crude liquor. The other leg dips into a pipe in
communication with the apparatus in which the liquor is to be treated. I may
provide a chain and pulley arrangement with counterbalance weight or load to aid in
supporting and steadying the syphon.
For liberating the free ammonia the liquor is heated by contact with a steam pipe
or pipes arranged in a horizontal pipe or pipes or vessels into which or one of which
crude liquor enters from the before mentioned syphon through a U pipe or other
suitable form of trap to prevent escape of ammoniacal gas from the horizontal pipe or
pipes or vessels in which the liquor constantly flows. When more than one horizontal
pipe is used they are connected by other suitable pipes so that liquor after attaining a
certain level may flow from one to another. The ammoniacal gas and vapour pass
away by suitable pipes to a saturator.
For liberating fixed ammonia the liquor from which it is to be liberated is treated
in a series of communicating annular chambers that may be formed by providing
suitable annular partitions in a tank. Into these chambers suitable substance-such,
for example, as milk of lime or caustic soda-is introduced and mixed with the
gas liquor.
The ammoniacal gas and vapours are then evolved by the injection of steam, the
steam injected acting also as an agitator, this being effected by the steam being
admitted into the respective annular chambers through a series of stationary orifices
but I prefer obtaining these results, i.e., the injection of and agitation by the steam
by a removeable apparatus having a to and fro movement in a rotary sense and which

page_text: is constructed of suitably arranged pipes through which the steam is admitted. There
may be one or more series of chambers with such steam distributors or agitators.
The liquor treated therein may be liquor from which the free ammonia has previously
been removed either by the apparatus herein described or by other means, or it may
in some cases be liquor taken from the crude liquor reservoir. In such cases the
apparatus with horizontal pipe or pipes and steam pipe or pipes hereinabove mentioned
may be dispensed with. The ammoniacal gas flows to the saturator, which may be of
any suitable construction, preferring that hereinafter described. The reservoir for
the milk of lime or other liberating liquor is furnished with a syphon and float
arrangement similar to that of the crude liquor reservoir to ensure a uniform
supply.
and vapour
motion and
For the purpose of enabling the contents of the saturator to be more effectually
agitated by the inflowing ammoniacal gas than heretofore has been the case with the
apparatus usually employed I make the saturator of conical form at the lower part, or
with inclined walls with the pipe for the admission of the ammoniacal gas
fixed near its lower end the contents of the vessel being thereby set in
deflected and this formation also enables it to be completely emptied.
saturator it is convenient to provide a tumbler or vessel on trunnions to
contents of the saturator, then by tilting the tumbler the liquor can be
after the salts have been allowed to settle, and the salts can be allowed to remain until
the moisture has been to a large extent evaporated therefrom.
Below the
receive the
poured off
The crude liquor may in some cases he carried on its way to the apparatus for
liberating the ammonia to pass through preliminary heating apparatus in which
the waste gases from the saturator are utilized to raise the temperature of the
crude liquor.
Apparatus according to my invention may be used in the manufacture of liquid
ammonia by substituting for the saturator a cooling worm or other cooler into
which the gas is caused to pass (instead of into the saturator) and in which condensation
takes place, the resulting liquid being liquid ammonia.
Dated this 6th day of March 1888.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per James G. Stokes,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Ammoniacal Liquor.
I, HENRY GREEN, of Fishergate, Preston, in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer, 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 :-
This invention has for its object to provide apparatus of simple kind that may be
constructed at moderate cost for treating ammoniacal liquor.
In order to obtain a regular and continuous flow of crude ammoniacal liquor from
a liquor cistern there is provided in connection therewith a syphon that is supported
by a float in the cistern so as to maintain a constant dip or extent of submersion of
the one leg (usually though not necessarily the shorter leg) of the syphon in the
crude liquor.
The other leg (usually though not necessarily the longer leg) dips into or hangs
over a pipe in communication with the apparatus in which the liquor is to be
treated.
I may provide a chain and pulley arranged with counterbalance weight or load to
aid in supporting and steadying the syphon.
For liberating the free ammonia an apparatus I will call a "free ammonia evolver"
is used. In this apparatus the liquor is heated by contact with a steam pipe or pipes
arranged in a horizontal pipe or pipes or vessels into which or one of which crude
liquor enters from the before mentioned syphon through a trap which may be a
U pipe that forms a trap to prevent escape through itself of ammoniacal gas from the
horizontal pipe or pipes or vessels in which the liquor constantly flows. When more
than one horizontal pipe is used they are connected by other suitable pipes so that
liquor after attaining a certain level may flow from one to another.
The ammoniacal gas and vapour pass away by suitable pipes to a saturator.
For liberating fixed ammonia an apparatus is employed that I will call for distinc-
tion a
"fixed ammonia evolver." In this apparatus the liquor from which fixed
ammonia is to be liberated and which flows from the free ammonia evolver through a
pipe is treated in a series of communicating annular chambers that may be formed by
providing suitable annular partitions in a tank.
Into these chambers suitable substance such, for example, as milk of lime or caustic
soda, is introduced and mixed with the liquor.
The ammoniacal gas and vapours are then evolved by the injection of steam, the
steam injected acting also as an agitator, this being effected by the steam being
admitted into the respective annular chambers through a series of stationary orifices;
but I prefer obtaining these results, i.e., the injection of and agitation by the steam by
a movable apparatus having a to and fro movement in a rotary sense and which is
constructed of suitably arranged pipes through which the steam is admitted.
There may be one or more series of chambers with such steam distributors or
agitators. The liquor treated therein may be liquor from which the free ammonia has

page_text: previously been removed either by the free ammonia evolver herein described or
by other means, or it may in some cases be liquor taken from the crude liquor
reservoir.
It will however not in all cases be needful to use both the free ammonia evolver
and the fixed ammonia evolver. One may be used without the other.
For examples. In some small works where the use of lime or caustic soda might
be considered to involve a disproportionate amount of trouble the free ammonia
evolver might be used without the fixed ammonia evolver and the same in the case
of larger works where the amount of fixed ammonia in the liquor is small.
On the other hand although I consider it advantageous that the free ammonia
should be evolved before the liquor enters the fixed ammonia evolver, yet in some
cases this may not be considered necessary; then both the free ammonia and the fixed
ammonia may be liberated in the fixed ammonia evolver.
The aminoniacal gas flows by a pipe or pipes to a saturator. The reservoir for the
milk of lime or other liberating liquor is furnished with a syphon and float arrange-
ment similar to that of the crude liquor reservoir to ensure a uniform supply. The
milk of lime or caustic soda as the case may be flows from the reservoir to the fixed
ammonia evolved by a pipe.
For the purpose of enabling the contents of the saturator to be more effectually
agitated by the inflowing ammoniacal gas than heretofore has been the case with the
apparatus usually employed, 1 make the saturator of conical form at the lower part
or with inclined walls with the pipe for the admission of the ammoniacal gas and
vapour fixed near its lower ond, the contents of the vessel being thereby set in motion
and deflected; this formation also enables it to be emptied with facility. Below the
saturator it is convenient to provide a tumbler or vessel on trunnions to receive the
contents of the saturator, then by tilting the tumbler, the liquor can be poured off
after the sulphate of ammonia has been allowed to settle, and the sulphate of ammonia
can be allowed to remain until the moisture has been to a large extent removed and
evaporated therefrom by drainage and contained heat.
The crude liquor may in some cases be caused on its way to the apparatus for
liberating the free ammonia to pass through preliminary heating apparatus in which
the waste gases from the saturator are used to raise the temperature of the crude
liquor and by the exhaustion of heat from these gases in this way they are condensed
or partly so and are rendered fit to pass on to the purifiers.
Apparatus according to my invention may be used to cause evolution of ammo-
niacal gas from liquids whether in the form of crude liquor or otherwise for the
manufacture of liquid ammonia by substituting for the saturator, a cooling worm into
which the gas is caused to pass (instead of into the saturator) and in which condensa-
tion takes place, the resulting liquid being liquid ammonia.
Referring to the accompanying two sheets of illustrative drawings ;-
Fig. 1 illustrates, partly in vertical section and partly in elevation, apparatus
according to this invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan or top view thereof.
Figs. 3 to 8 are detail views hereinafter referred to.
a is a cistern (Figs. 3 and 4) from which the crude ammoniacal liquor to be treated
flows by a syphon a a² (furnished with a float) into a pipe d.
The syphon has connected to it a chain e arranged to pass over pulleys ƒ and
provided with a counterbalance weight g for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.
h is a horizontal pipe through which passes a steam pipe ; these pipes constitute the
free ammonia evolver to which the liquor to be treated is conducted by the pipe d, a
part of which is trapped to prevent escape of ammoniacal gas as before stated. m is a
pipe to convey the ammoniacal gas and vapours liberated in the free ammonia evolver
to a saturator n hereinafter described.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified form of free ammonia evolver in which the
pipe may be made in two longitudinal parts between or to which is or may be
h
secured a plate or diaphragm i that divides the interior of the pipe into an upper and
a lower passage into which liquor and steam respectively are introduced. kk (Figs. 1

page_text: and 2) are annular chambers of which there are two series shewn in the drawings.
These chambers, which are in communication with each other, constitute the fixed
ammonia evolver and are formed by partitions secured in tanks 2. is a pipe for
conveying the liquor, after treatment in the free ammonia evolver, to the fixed
ammonia evolver. p is a pipe for introducing milk of lime or caustic soda to the
liquor contained in the chambers k.
The milk of lime or caustic soda is received from a reservoir o through a syphon a¹ a³
that is provided with a float and counterbalance weight like that in the cistern a.
o' is a reservoir for slaking lime; it is provided with screens o² and with pipes o³ for
admitting steam, the communication between it and the cistern o being controlled by
a plug or stopper 01. 050 are pipes for admitting steam or air into the milk of lime
contained in the cistern o hy this admission of steam or air the milk of lime is agitated
and kept at a uniform consistency.
In practice I consider it advantageous to use air only; if steam be used and the
milk of lime becomes too hot the syphon will be liable to work irregularly and to
frequently stop working whereas when using air I have found the syphon to
work regularly.
17 are pipes that extend into the liquor and milk of lime or caustic soda in the
chambers and through which steam is ejected to heat and agitate the contents of
the chambers as already explained.
These pipes are carried by a central main steam pipe that is provided with a
lever arm to which a to and fro movement in a rotary sense is imparted by a
crank (Fig. 2) in order that the pipes shall assist in agitating the liquor in the
chambers k. m is a pipe that conducts the ammoniacal gas and vapour, liberated in
the chambers k, to the pipe m and thence to the saturator n, the lower part of which
is made of conical form to facilitate emptying. n' is a removable cover enabling the
contents of the saturator to be discharged when necessary. n² is a supply cistern for
acid for use in the saturator. n³ is a cistern for mother liquor to be treated in the
saturator for the recovery of ammonia contained therein. is a pipe for conducting
away waste steam and gas from the top of the saturator n to a cooling apparatus r
through the vertical pipes of which they pass to an outlet s and thence to a
purifier.
Through the space surrounding the pipes the crude liquor can be caused to flow
on its way from the cistern a to the free ammonia evolver, and thus to receive a
preliminary heating as already described. t is a tumbler or vessel mounted on
trunnions and arranged below the saturator to receive the contents thereof.
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. In apparatus for treating ammoniacal liquor a tank provided with a syphon
adapted to be automatically adjusted as the level of the liquid varies in such a
manner as to maintain an uniform flow of liquid through the syphon substantially
as described.
2. For liberating free ammonia from ammoniacal liquor a free ammonia evolver
substantially such as hereinabove described in which the liquor is heated whilst
flowing through a passage or passages chamber or chambers by contact with a metal
partition or wall or partitions or walls that is or are heated by steam flowing at the
opposite side or sides thereof, a trap being provided, through which the liquor to bo
heated is admitted and the said free animonia evolver being in connection with a
suitable saturator as set forth.
3. For liberating fixed ammonia from ammoniacal liquor a fixed ammonia evolver
substantially such as hereinabove described wherein the liquor from which the fixed
ammonia is to be liberated is treated in a series of communicating chambers whilst
flowing in a continuous manner therethrough, suitable substance such for example as
milk of lime or caustic soda being introduced continuously in suitable proportions into
the said chamber and steam being injected in such a manner as to agitate mix and

page_text: heat the liquor and milk of lime or caustic soda and to cause evolution of the fixed
ammonia the said fixed ammonia evolver being in connection with a saturator as
set forth.
4. A tank provided with a syphon adapted to be automatically adjusted as the level
of liquid such as water in the tank varies and with apparatus for injecting steam or
air so as to agitate the water or other liquid and mix milk of lime or other substance
therewith the arrangement being such as to ensure an uniform flow of milk of lime or
other mixture of uniform strength from the tank through the syphon substantially
as described.
5. In apparatus for treating ammoniacal liquor my improved saturator in which
the lower part is of conical form or inclined substantially as described for the
purpose specified.
6. In apparatus substantially such as hereinabove described for treating ammoniacal
liquor the use in conjunction with a saturator such as referred to in the preceding
claim of a tumbler or vessel on trunnions adapted to receive the contents of the said
saturator and to be tilted so as to pour the liquor off after the sulphate of ammonia has
been allowed to settle as described.
7. The construction and arrangement substantially as hereinabove described with
reference to and illustrated in the drawings annexed of my improved combined
apparatus for treating ammoniacal liquor.
Dated this 3rd day of December 1888.
HENRY GREEN.
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.