IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF HOT BLAST OR HEATED AIR FOR EVAPORATING SALT, BRINE, AND OTHER LIQUIDS, SUGAB, OR CHEMICALS; ALSO FOR HEATING GAS AND OIL RETORTS, RAISING STEAM IN BOILERS, BOILING WORTS IN BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR BLEACHING, TANNING, AND BAKING; LIKEWISE IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN SOME OF THE AFORESAID APPLICATIONS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Barclay Walker, of Warrington, in the
County of Lancaster, Brewer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE APPLICATION OF HOT BLAST OR HEATED AIR FOR EVAPORATING SALT,
BRINE, AND OTHER LIQUIDS, SUGAB, OR CHEMICALS; ALSO FOR HEATING
GAS AND OIL RETORTS, RAISING STEAM IN BOILERS, BOILING WORTS IN
BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE
FOR BLEACHING, TANNING, AND BAKING; LIKEWISE IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS USED IN SOME OF THE AFORESAID APPLICATIONS."
Sealed the 5th September 1868, and dated the 30th March 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Barclay Walker
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 30th March 1868.
I, ANDREW BARCLAY WALKER, of Warrington, in the County of
Lancaster, Brewer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF HOT BLAST OR HEATED AIR FOR
EVAPORATING SALT, BRINE, AND OTHER LIQUIDS, SUGAR, OR CHEMICALS; ALSO FOR
HEATING GAS AND OIL RETORTS, RAISING STEAM IN BOILERS, BOILING WORTS IN
BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR

page_text: BLEACHING, TANNING, AND BAKING; LIKEWISE IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED
IN SOME OF THE AFORESAID APPLICATIONS," to be as follows:-
My improvements in the evaporation of salt, brine, and other liquids
consist in the application of the hot blast or heated air for that purpose.
The mode of obtaining the hot blast or heated air which I propose
using is that for which Letters Patent, No. 2416, 1866, have been
already granted to me. I construct a suitable stove or chamber of any
metallic substance, fire-brick, or ganister fitted with shelves in which
shallow trays or vessels are placed, which contain the brine or liquid to
be evaporated, the hot blast or heated air is driven into the stove or
chamber by means of a fan, or cylinder, or pump, and discharged
directly upon the brine or liquid in the vessels or into the body of the
stove or chamber. Valves or outlets under control are arranged for
the escape of the vapor and air from the stove or chamber. Or through
the vessels which contain the brine or liquid I pass a series of tubes or
tubular cells connected alternately or opening into one tube at the
ends; through this tubular surface currents of hot blast or heated air
are driven by fan or other suitable arrangement until the evaporation is
completed. The hot blast after passing through the first pan or vessel
I propose to conduct to other pans or vessels for evaporating in like
manner, so that as the air decreases in heat other qualities of salt may
be made. The tubular surface may be hinged to the vessels or
placed in loosely so that it can be readily removed. Or I arrange a
series of tubes one above the other connected together at the ends
alternately through these tubes currents of hot blast or heated air
are driven by fan or other suitable arrangement. Above the topmost
tube a vessel is placed containing the brine liquid or saccharine
matter and extending the whole length of the tube, by which the
liquid is distributed over the whole surface; the bottom of the vessel is
perforated or lined with metallic cloth; the liquid drops through the
bottom of the vessel on to the first tube, thence to the second, and so on
from tube to tube through the entire series, the salt or other deposit
from evaporation being left upon the tubes, whence it can be readily
removed. At the bottom of the tubes is a trough or vessel for receiving
the liquid not evaporated, from whence it can be returned to the vessel
above.
My improvements for boiling or evaporating sugar or saccharine

page_text: purpose I construct the vacuo or boiling pan in the usual way; I
surround it with a jacket or casing, into this jacket or casing I force
by means of fan or other suitable method currents of heated air; I
fix a cock or valve in the jacket for regulating the discharge of air
therefrom.
The modes of application already described may also be applied for
the evaporation of chemicals.
My improvements in the making of oil and gas consist in the applica-
tion of the hot blast or heated air to the vessels or retorts used in the
manufacture for the purpose of boiling, evaporating, or heating. I
encase or surround the ordinary vessels or retorts with a metallic jacket,
or case of fire-brick, or ganister; into this jacket or case currents of hot
blast or heated air are driven by fan or other suitable arrangement
until the boiling or evaporation is completed.
My improvements for boiling worts or liquids consist in the applica-
tion of the hot blast or heated air for that purpose to the copper or
other vessel containing the liquid. I surround the copper or vessel with
an outer casing or jacket; into this casing currents of hot blast or
heated air are driven by fan or other suitable arrangement, the air being
discharged after having made a circuit of the vessel or retained by
pressure valve for any suitable period. Or I enclose the top of the
copper or vessel and sides with an outer casing, and force currents of
heated air directly upon the surface of the wort or liquid, passing from
the top down the sides of the vessel and finally escaping at the bottom.
Or inside of the vessel containing the worts or liquid I place a coil of
tubing or a series of tubes, and through the coil or tubes blow currents of
hot blast or heated air. The same form of application I propose to employ
in breweries and distilleries for boiling water for mashing instead of
steam.
My improvements for raising steam by hot blast or heated air consist
in passing currents of heated air by means of fan or other suitable
arrangement through a series of tubes arranged inside of the boiler, the
hot blast passing in at one end of the tubes and out at the other into
the chimney. Or I divide the tubular surface into two divisions, the
hot blast entering into one division and returning back through the other
division into the chimney.

page_text: My improvements for tanning and bleaching consist in exposing the
products to be tanned or bleached to the action of hot blast air, the said
products being arranged in a stove or chamber formed of metallic or
fire-brick substance, and provided with suitable shelves or rails on which
the goods may be laid or suspended; currents of heated air are driven
into the stove or chamber and caused to circulate throughout the
chamber, suitable valves or outlets being arranged for the exit of
the vapor and air, so that a continuous current or circulation is
maintained.
My improvements in baking consist in the construction of a suitable
stove or chamber of metallic substance, fire-brick, or ganister, and the
application thereto of currents of hot blast air for the purpose of
baking. The oven may be square or rectangular, with doorway and
shelves, on which sliding trays are placed for the bakings; currents of
hot air are driven into the oven from the bottom or sides and circulating
amongst the shelves finally pass out at the top through valves or
chimney. Or the oven may be circular with any number of stories or
floors; each of these floors I attach to a hollow central spindle on which
a spur wheel is fixed geared to a pinion for the purpose of turning the
same, the bread or baking being placed on the floors. The central
spindle is perforated with holes for carrying off the vapor with suitable
valve at top for escape. A door is fixed in the oven for each story;
currents of heated air enter the oven at bottom, driven in by fan, pump,
or air cylinder, and pass up through the perforated floors and sides and
out of the oven through the central spindle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Andrew Barclay Walker, in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 29th September 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ANDREW
BARCLAY WALKER, of Warrington, in the County of Lancashire, Brewer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the

page_text: thirty-first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs. and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Andrew Barclay Walker, Her special
licence that I, the said Andrew Barclay Walker, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Andrew Barclay
Walker, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,.
use, exercise, and. vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
and Ireland, the Channel Islands,, and Isle of Man,, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF HOT. BLAST OR HEATED AIR FOR
EVAPORATING. SALT, BRINE, AND OTHER LIQUIDS, SUGAR, OR CHEMICALS; ALSO FOR
HEATING GAS AND OIL RETORTS, RAISING STEAM IN BOILERS, BOILING WORTS IN
BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR
BLEACHING, TANNING, AND. BAKING; LIKEWISE IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
USED IN SOME OF THE: AFORESAID APPLICATIONS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Andrew Barclay Walker, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and: scals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said. Invention,.. and in what manner the same. was, to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and. immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent...
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Andrew Barclay Walker, 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, that is to say:-
My improvements in. the evaporation of salt brine and other liquids
consist in the application of the hot blast or heated air for that purpose..
The mode of obtaining the hot blast or heated air which I propose
using is that for which Letters Patent, No. 2416, 1866, have been
already granted to me.. I construct a suitable stove or chamber of any
metallic substance, fire-brick or ganister, fitted with shelves in which.
shallow trays or vessels are placed which contain the brine or liquid.
to be evaporated; the hot blast or heated air is driven into the stove.
or chamber by means of a fan, or cylinder, or pump, and discharged.
directly upon the brine or liquid in the vessels, or into the body of the
stove or chamber.. Valves or outlets under control, are arranged for

page_text: the escape of the vapor and air from the stove or chamber; or through
the vessels which contain the brine or liquid I pass a series of tubes
or tubular cells connected alternately or opening into one tube at the
ends; through this tubular surface currents of hot blast or heated air
are driven by fan or other suitable arrangement until the evaportion is
completed. The hot blast, after passing through the first pan or vessel,
I propose to conduct to other pans or vessels for evaporting in like
manner, so that as the air decreases in heat other qualities of salt may
be made. The tubular surface may be hinged to the vessels, or placed
in loosely, so that it can be readily removed. Or I arrange a series
of tubes one above the other connected together at the ends alternately;
through these tubes currents of hot blast or heated air are driven by
fan or other suitable arrangement. Above the topmost tube a vessel
is placed containing the brine, liquid, or saccharine matter, and
extending the whole length of the tube, by which the liquid is
distributed over the whole surface; the bottom of this vessel is per-
forated or lined with metallic cloth, the liquid drops through the
bottom of the vessel on to the first tube, thence to the second, and
so on from tube to tube through the entire series, the salt or other
deposit from evaporation being left upon the tubes, whence it can be
readily removed. At the bottom of the tubes is a trough or vessel for
receiving the liquid not evaporated, from whence it can be returned to
the vessel above.
My improvements for boiling or evaporating sugar or saccharine
matter consist in the application of hot blast or heated air for that
purpose. I construct the vacuo or boiling pan in the usual way; I
surround it with a jacket or casing, into this jacket or casing I force,
by means of fan or other suitable method, currents of heated air; I
fix a cock or valve in the jacket for regulating the discharge of air
therefrom. The modes of application already described may also be
applied for the evaporation of chemicals.
My improvements in the making of oil and gas consist in the
application of the hot blast or heated air to the vessels or retorts used
in the manufacture, for the purpose of boiling, evaporating, or heating.
I encase or surround the ordinary vessels or retorts with a metallic
jacket or case of fire-brick or ganister; into this jacket or case currents
of hot blast or heated air are driven by fan or other suitable arrangement
until the boiling or evaporation is completed.

page_text: My improvements for boiling worts or liquids consist in the appli-
cation of the hot blast or heated air for that purpose to the copper or
other vessel containing the liquid. I surround the copper or vessel
with an outer casing or jacket; into this casing currents of hot blast
or heated air are driven by fan or other suitable arrangement, the air
being discharged after having made a circuit of the vessel, or retained
by pressure valve for any suitable period. Or I enclose the top of the
copper or vessel and sides with an outer casing, and force currents of
heated air directly upon the surface of the wort or liquid, passing from
the top down the sides of the vessel, and finally escaping at the bottom.
Or inside of the vessel containing the worts or liquid I place a coil of
tubing or a series of tubes, and through the coil or tubes blow currents
of hot blast or heated air. The same form of application I propose to
employ in brewéries and distilleries for boiling water for mashing
instead of steam.
My improvements for raising steam by hot blast or heated air consist
in passing currents of heated air, by means of fan or other suitable
arrangement, through a series of tubes arranged inside of the boiler,
the hot blast passing in at one end of the tubes and out at the other
into the chimney; or I divide the tubular surface into two divisions,
the hot blast entering into one division and returned back through
the other division into the chimney.
My improvements for tanning and bleaching consist in exposing the
products to be tanned or bleached to the action of hot blast air, the
said products being arranged in a stove or chamber formed of metallic
or fire-brick substance, and provided with suitable shelves or rails on
which the goods may be laid or suspended, currents of heated air are
driven into the stove or chamber and caused to circulate throughout
the chamber, suitable valves or outlets being arranged for the exit of
the vapor and air, so that a continuous current or circulation is
maintained.
My improvements in baking consist in the construction of a suitablo
stove or chamber of metallic substance, fire-brick, or ganister, and the
application thereto of currents of hot blast air for the purpose of baking.
The oven may be square or rectangular with doorway and shelves, on
which sliding trays are placed for the bakings, currents of hot air are
driven into the oven from the bottom or sides, and circulating amongst
the shelves finally pass out at the top through valves or chimney. Or

page_text: the oven may be circular with any number of stories or floors; each
of these floors I attach to a hollow, central spindle, on which a spur
wheel is fixed geared to a pinion for the purpose of turning the same,
the bread or baking being placed on the floors: The central spindle
is perforated with holes for carrying off the vapor, with suitable valve
at top for escape. A door is fixed in the oven for cach story, currents
of heated air enter the oven at bottom, driven in by fan, pump, or air
cylinder, and pass up through the perforated floors and sides, and out
of the oven through the central spinille.
And in order that my said Invention may be understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the illustrative Figures upon the explanatory
Sheets of Drawings hereunto appended for the purpose of shewing.
certain modifications under which my improvements may be carried
into practice.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10, Sheet A, of the Drawings
accompanying this Specification, illustrate certain modifications of my
improvements for evaporating salt brine and other liquids.
Figs. 1 & 2. A, stove or chamber; a, a, a, a, trays or shallow vessel's
in which the brine or liquid is placed; b, b, b, b, hot air tubes perforated
with small holes; the air enters the stove through the pipes c, c, c, c,
from the main tube in the direction of the arrows; d, d, door-
ways; e, e, escape outlets for steam or air, with hinged covers for
regulation.
Fig. 3. A, stove or chamber; a, a, a, a, trays or shallow vessels
containing the brine or liquid for evaporation; b, hot air tube extending
the length of the stove, and perforated with small holes through which
the heated air is discharged into the body of the stove; c, e, escape
outlets for air or vapor; d, d, doorways.
Figs. 4, 5, & 6. a, a, a, vessels containing the brine or liquid,
connected by flanges a', a¹; b, b, b, b, a series of tubes extending from
end to end of the vessels, into which the heated air enters from the
main tube.6 in the direction of the arrows.
Fig. 5 and the vessel a" shew a hinged arrangement by which the
tubes can be lifted out of the vessel; c, hinges; d, bars connecting
the tubes together; e, toggles for lifting by; the ends of the tubes
fit into socket pieces f, f, for keeping the ends of the tubes air-tight.
Figs. 7 & 8 shew this arrangement on a larger scale.

page_text: Figs. 9 & 10, a trough or vessel containing the brine or liquid up
to the dotted line b, the hot blast enters through the pipe c, and is
discharged at d; e, cover to vessel.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, & 4, Sheet B, shew certain applications of my improve-
ments for boiling worts, water, oil, or liquids. a is the copper or vessel
containing the liquid.
Fig. 1. The heated air enters the casing cat b, and is discharged
at d through the valve e, which may be weighted to any pressure;
f, discharge for liquid; g, supporting columns.
Fig. 2. The heated air enters through the pipe c and is discharged
directly upon the surface of the liquid passing round between the
vessel a and casing in the direction of the arrows and escapes at d;
f, discharge for liquid; 9, supporting columns.
Fig. 3. The heated air enters at c, passes through the worm b, and
is discharged upon the surface of the liquor at d; f, discharge pipe
for liquid.
Fig. 4. The heated air enters the casing at c, and is discharged at d;
f, discharge pipe for liquid; 1, cover enclosing top of vessel.
Figs. 5, 6, & 7, Sheet B, shew the application of my improvements
for the manufacture of gas. a, a, a, shew the ordinary retorts enclosed
in the stove b; the hot blast enters at c, passes round the retort & in
the direction of the arrows through the flue d, in the direction of the
arrows round the retort a', and thence through the flue around the
retort a", passing out at d"; e, e, e, supports for retorts; f, F, F;
fire-brick stoppings; 9, 9, 9, framework and doorways for feeding
retorts; h, outlets for gas.
Figs. 8 & 9, Sheet B, shew certain forms of application of my
improvements for the boiling or evaporation of sugar, saccharine matter,
liquids, or chemicals.
Fig. 8.
a is the ordinary vacuo pan, which is surrounded by an outer
casing b; the heated air enters at c, and traversing the space between
the vacuo pan and casing passes out through the valve d, which may be
weighted to any desired pressure.
Fig. 9.
a is the ordinary vacuo pan, surrounded at the bottom by
the outer casing b; the heated air enters at c, traverses through the
worm d, passing into the outer casing 6 at e, as shewn by the arrows,
finally escaping at f.

page_text: Fig. 10, Sheet B, shews the application of the hot air to the surface
of the worts in an ordinary pan with fire underneath. A is the pan,
b, the fire door; the hot air is discharged upon the surface of the worts
through the pipe c.
0
Figs. 1, 2, 3, & 4, Sheet C, shew certain forms of my improvements
as applied to the raising of steam in boilers by means of hot air.
Figs. 1 & 2.
a is the boiler; the heated air enters the chamber b
through the tube c, and passes through the small tubes d, d, d, into
the chamber e, and out at the chimney f.
Figs. 3 & 4.
a is the boiler; the heated air enters the chamber b
by the tube c, passes through the tubes d, d, d, into the chamber e,
returning back by the tubes fff, into the chamber g, passing out
through the chimney h.
Figs. 5 & 6, Sheet C, shew a certain modification in- the application
of my improvements for tanning and bleaching. a is the chamber, the
roof of which is formed of two coverings of galvanized iron or other
suitable material placed a certain distance apart, the space between
which c is filled with felt or other non-conducting substance; d, d,
ventilators, the covers of which can be raised or lowered by the rods e, e;
fff rails on which the materials to be tanned or bleached arc
suspended; the heated air enters at g, passes up the central column h,
and is disseminated throughout the building by the pipes i, i, i, which
are perforated with small holes.
Figs. 7 & 8, Sheet C, shew a form of application of my improvements
to ovens for baking. a is the oven, with escape traps 6 for air and
vapor; c, c, c, shelves or trays on which the bakings are placed;
d, d, doorways; the heated air is conveyed into the oven by the pipes e, e,
which are perforated with small holes.
Fig. 9, Sheet C, shews another modification of my improvements in
ovens for baking. The oven a is circular, with doorways b, b; c, central
hollow spindle with shelves d, d, fixed to it; e, e, bevel wheel and
pinion with belt wheels f. f, for turning the spindle c, as may be
required, to bring every part of the shelves opposite the doorways.
The heated air enters by the pipes g, g, which extend round the
circumference of the oven and are perforated for the escape of the air;
the shelves d, d, arc also perforated, likewise the upper part of the

page_text: spindle at c', by which the air and vapor pass out through the valve i;
h, rod for raising valve.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same may be carried into effect, I may observe
I do not restrict myself to the precise, details or arrangements which
I have herein described; but what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. The application of hot blast or heated air for evaporating
salt brine and other liquids, and the general arrangement and
construction of apparatus for that purpose, as herein described and
illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10, of the Drawings,
Sheet A, hereunto attached.
Secondly. The application of hot blast or heated air for boiling worts,
oil, and other liquids, likewise the general arrangement and construction
of apparatus for that purpose, as herein described and delineated in
Figs. 1, 2, 3, & 4, Sheet B.
Thirdly. The application of hot blast to retorts for the manufacture
of gas, and general arrangement and construction of apparatus for that
purpose, as herein described, set forth, and illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, & 7,
Sheet B, of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly. The application of hot blast for the purpose of boiling or
evaporating sugar, saccharine matter, or chemicals; also the general
arrangement and construction of apparatus, as herein described and
set forth in Figs. 8 & 9, Sheet B, of the Drawings hereunto attached.
Fifthly. The application of hot air to the surface of the worts in
an ordinary pan or copper, as set forth in Fig. 10, Sheet B of the
Drawings.
Sixthly. The novel mode of application of hot blast for raising steam
in boilers, as herein described and set forth Figs. 1, 2, 3, & 4, Sheet C,
of the Drawings attached.
Seventhly. The application of heated air for tanning and bleaching,
and general arrangement and construction of apparatus for that purpose,
as herein described and illustrated in Figs. 5 & 6 of the Drawings,
Sheet C.

page_text: Eightly. The novel arrangement and construction of ovens and
apparatus for baking, as herein described and delineated in Figs. 7, 8,
& 9, Sheet C, of these Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Andrew Barclay Walker, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-eight.
ANDREW BARCLAY WALKER. (L.S.)
Witness,
WILLIAM REID,
Clerk to Peter Walker & Son,
Warrington.