IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATES OF SODA AND POTASSA
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hargreaves, of Widnes, in the County of Lancaster,
Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES
FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATES OF SODA AND POTASSA."
Sealed the 30th December 1879, and dated the 10th July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Hargreaves at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th July 1879.
JAMES HARGREAVES, of Widnes, in the County of Lancaster, Chemist. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATE
OF SODA AND POTASSA."
The said Invention relates to improvements in apparatus or appliances used in
the well known Hargreaves & Robinson direct action sulphate process, in which
sulphurous acid, air, and water vapour are passed through, amongst, and in contact
with common salt or chloride of sodium contained in suitable chambers, and
consists,-
First. In diminishing the risk of air leaking into the decomposing cylinders or
chambers, and in simplyfying the construction of the apparatus, by placing the
circulating pipes or flues which convey the gases frome one decomposing cylinder or
chamber to another in the interior of the said cylinders or chambers, each pipe or
flue being against or near to that side of the said cylinder or chamber which is
nearest to the one through which the gases next pass. Each said circulating pipe
or flue is either a continuous tube or is made semicylindrical, a portion of the
decomposing cylinder or chambers forming a side thereof.
Second. In preventing the upper and lower sections of the decomposing cylinders
or chambers from moving from their respective positions, and in more effectually
preventing leakage, by forming the socket which is upon the upper portion of the
lower section of the decomposing cylinder or chamber with double lips, or grooved
so as to cover both the inside and outside edges of the lower portion of the upper
section of the said decomposing cylinder or chamber when in position. The upper
section of the decomposing cylinder or chamber is also formed with a double lipped
socket or groove into which a flange on the cylinder or chamber cover is inserted, so
as to prevent the sides from moving outwards, leaving the said cover unsupported
in places, an allowing of the entrance of air.

page_text: Third. In preventing buckling or warping in the cylinder or chamber covers by
casting the said covers and the charging necks in one piece, such covers being
further strengthened by means of ribs or stiffening pieces.
Fourth. In heating the converting cylinders or chambers by-having-the-fire
places level with the ground, and leading the products of combustion upwards
through the flues or passages:into-fire chambers placed or constructed at a heighth
about half that of the converting-cylinders or chambers. The said fire chambers
are preferably divided into upper and lower portions, the products of combustion
passing from the lower to the upper portions-through-perforated tiles or equivalent
devices. The products of combustion pass from the said fire chamber into spaces in
-the-brickwork which surrounds the said decomposing cylinders or chambers, thence
downwards so as not to infringe on the surfaces of the said-decomposing-cylinders
or chambers, and finally to the chimney.
Fifth. In preventing loss of heat from the tops of the decomposing cylinders or
chambers by covering the said chambers with a mixture of clay, sawdust, small
chopped straw, or other combustible matter, which is burned so as to leave the clay
full of cavities containing air or gases which prevent the transmission of heat by
conduction. The said clay should, before being treated, be mixed with about one
fourth its weight of salt or slaked lime to render it less liable to be crushed or
disintrigated by the action of the poisons working thereon. The proportion of
combustible matter may be varied, but it is advantageous to have it about one half
of the weight of the clay.
Sixth. In retaining the segments which form the bottoms or floors of the decom-
posing cylinders or chambers in their respective positions by dovetailed retaining
pieces, which are inserted between the various segments.
Seventh. In conducting the gas from the sulphurous acid flue to the decomposing
cylinders or chambers by means of fixed syphons having a movable top. A valve
or cover is fitted both to the leg leading to the sulphurous acid flue and to the leg
leading to the cylinders or chambers. When the passage of the sulphurous acid gas
from the flue to the cylinders or chambers is closed the valves rest on their seats,
and the space above them is filled with salt, sulphate of soda, or other suitable
material. When the sulphurous acid gas is free to pass from the flue to the
cylinders or chambers the filling material is removed and the valves are raised from
their seats by means of spindles passing through the loose cover previously placed
in position.
Eighth. In carrying away the hydrochloric acid and other gases produced during
decomposition by placing an hydrochloric acid flue of circular section along the
floor above the top of the decomposing cylinders or chambers, and using movable
tubes or pipes to connect the said flue with the circulating pipes or flues mentioned
under the first part. The passage of air into the said connecting pipe is prevented
by means of a damper or plate placed between the circulating pipe and the following.
cylinder or chamber.
Ninth. For carrying off the heated gas from the decomposing chambers or
cylinders when being discharged, one of the openings in the covers of the said
cylinders or chambers is connected to a waste flue or chimney.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Hargreaves in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th January
1880.
"IM-
JAMES HARGREAVES, of Widnes, in the County of Lancaster, Chemist.
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATES
OF SODA AND POTASSA."
The said Invention relates to improvements in apparatus or appliances used in
the well known Hargreaves and Robinson direct action sulphate process, in which
sulphurous acid, air, and water vapour are passed through, amongst, and in contact
with common salt or chloride of sodium contained in suitable chambers, and
consists,-
First. In diminishing the risk of air leaking into the decomposing cylinders or
chambers, and in simplifying the construction of the apparatus by placing the
circulating pipes or flues which convey the gases from one decomposing cylinder or
chamber to another in the interior of the said cylinders or chambers, each pipe or
flue being against or near to that side of the said cylinder or chamber which is
nearest to the one through which the gases next pass. Each said circulating pipe
or flue is either a continuous tube or is, made semi cylindrical, a portion of the
decomposing cylinder or chamber forming a side thereof.
Second. In preventing the upper and lower sections of the decomposing cylinders
or chambers from moving from their 'respective positions, and in more effectually
preventing leakage by forming the socket or portion of the socket which is upon
the upper portion of the lower section of the decomposing cylinder or chamber with
double lips or grooved, so as to cover both the inside and outside edges of the lower
portion of the upper section of 'the said decomposing cylinder or chamber when in
position. The upper section of the decomposing cylinder or chamber is also formed
with a double lipped socket or groove, into which a flange on the cylinder or chamber
cover is inserted, so as to prevent the sides from moving outwards, leaving the said
cover unsupported in places, and allowing of the entrance of air.
Third. In preventing buckling or warping in the cylinder or chamber covers by
casting the said covers and the charging necks together, and forming the said cover
in one piece, or, when necessary, in two halves; such covers being further
strengthened by means of ribs or stiffening pieces.
Fourth. In heating the converting cylinders or chambers by having the fire
places level with the ground and leading the products of combustion upwards
through flues or passages into fire chambers placed or constructed at a height about
half that of the converting cylinders or chambers. The said. fire chambers are
preferably divided into upper and lower portions, the products of combustion
passing from the lower to the upper portions through perforated tiles or equivalent
devices. The products of combustion pass from the said fire chamber into spaces
in the brickwork which surrounds the said decomposing cylinders or chambers,
thence downwards so as not to impinge on the surfaces of the said decomposing
cylinders or chambers, and finally to the chimney.
Fifth. In preventing loss of heat from the tops of the decomposing cylinders or
chambers by covering said chambers with a mixture of clay or saw dust, small
chopped straw, or other combustible matter, which is burned so as to leave the clay
full of cavities containing air or gases, which prevent the transmission of heat by
conduction. The said clay should before being treated be mixed with about one
fourth its weight of salt or slaked lime, to render it less liable to be crushed or
disintegrated by the action of the persons working thereon. The proportion of
combustible matter may be varied, but it is advantageous to have it about one half
of the weight of the clay.
Sixth. In retaining the segments which form the bottoms or floors of the decom-
posing cylinders or chambers in their respective positions by dovetailed retaining
pieces, which are inserted between the various segments.

page_text: is connected by the pipe w to a flue at the back, so that the heated gases shall be
carried off from the said chamber or cylinder.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim,―
First. Arranging circulating pipes or flues, substantially in the manner and for
the purposes set forth.
Second. Constructing the bottoms, sides, and covers of decomposing cylinders or
chambers, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
Third. In constructing decomposing cylinder or chamber covers, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. Arranging fire places, combustion chambers, and flues substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
Fifth. Covering decomposing cylinders or chambers with non-conducting compo-
sition composed and prepared substantially as set forth.
Sixth. Constructing decomposing cylinder or chamber bottoms, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
Seventh. Constructing, arranging, and operating syphons, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
Eighth. Arranging hydrochloric acid flues and their connections, substantially as.
and for the purposes set forth.
Ninth. The arrangement of parts, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Hargreaves, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
JOB. PERINS.
JAMES HARGREAVES. (L.S.)