Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Gases by Liquids.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left 27th Jan. 1890-Accepted. 15th Mar. 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Gases by Liquids.
A communication to me from abroad by Dr. GEORGE LUNGE, Professor, of Zurich,
Switzerland, and LUDWIG ROHRMANN, Chemist, of Krauschwitz, Prussia.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for treating gases by liquid
matters. The improvements which form the object of the present invention are
particularly intended to be applied to apparatus of the kind for which I have
previously obtained Letters Patent in the United Kingdom numbered 10355 of 1885
and 10037 of 1886 respectively. It has been found by experience that for some
purposes the construction and arrangement of parts of the apparatus described in the
aforesaid Letters Patent should undergo some modifications, which are hereinafter
described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a "plate-column,"
Figures 2, 3, and 4 are plan views of modifications of the plate supporting rings or
bearers,
Figure 5 is a cross section of a plate supporting ring,
Figures 6 and 7 are a plan and side elevation, respectively, of one modification of
the upright joint of the segments composing the supporting rings,
Figures 8 and 9 are a plan and side elevation, respectively, of another modification
of the segment-joint,
Figures 10 and 11 are a plan and side elevation respectively, of a third modification
of the said joint;
Figures 12 and 13 are plans of the upper and lower surfaces of a perforated plate.
Figure 14 is a cross section, shewing three modifications of the perforated
plates, and
Figures 15 and 16 are a cross-section and plan, respectively, of another modification
of the perforated plates.
In the previous Patents the shell of the "plate column," as it may be termed, was
described as consisting of the same material as the perforated plates themselves; but
according to the present improvement, the said shell a is constituted of a suitable
metal, such as lead, or of suitable stone, or volvic lava, or a similar material, while
the plates b are made, as before, of burned clay, such as stone-ware or the like, the
perforations of the said plates being preferably arranged in such a manner as to
alternate in each two successive plates, in order to compel the liquid, while descend-
ing in the column, to take a specific course from one plate to the next one, by
dropping on to a solid part of the latter and remaining for a short time upon the
same. For the last-mentioned purpose the surface of each plate is covered with a
network of small ledges, and everyone of the perforations is provided with a raised
margin, somewhat lower than the just mentioned ledges, as can be plainly seen in the
drawings, figures 12 to 16, which exhibit the principle of the system, but which may
be modified in details, so as to suit the special requirements of each case arising in
practice. By the same arrangement the gaseous current is divided into very many
small streams which are constantly deviated from their course and are made to
encounter solid surfaces, such impact being a very useful means of promoting
reactions in special cases. Where columns of cylindrical shape are being used, the
perforated plates b are supported and kept apart by annular bearers c; every such
bearer may consist of one solid piece, or they may be composed of several segments,
as shewn in figures 2, 3, 4, and 5; in the latter case they need not occupy the entire

page_text: circumference of the column, but support the plates only at several parts of their rim.
With square, rectangular or otherwise shaped columns, the bearers are suitably
modified so as to correspond to the shape of the column. In the drawings, Figure 1,
the reservoir containing the absorbing liquid, is shewn arranged at the top of the
column from this reservoir the liquid passes down through a pipe e to a reaction
wheel d. The gas to be treated enters through the pipe g and escapes through the
pipe h.
All these parts are only indicated for the purpose of better understanding
the invention, but they form no part of the same, nor of the principle of the apparatus;
the arrangement for feeding the plate columns with liquid and for introducing
and taking away the gas may be varied according to the special requirements of each
practical case."
1
The purpose of the improved construction, as before described, is the following
In many cases a shell made of metal or stone is preferable to one made of earthen-
ware (stone-ware) or the like, partly for the reason that it is more easily constructed
(for instance with square or rectangular columns) and partly because it is not so
much liable to cracking and is more easily preserved gas-tight. The material of
which the shell a is made must be of such a kind as to resist the chemical action
of the reagents coming into contact with it.
Thus, in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, a shell made of lead will answer very
well, but not for either nitric or hydrochloric acid. On the other hand it is some-
times found a drawback, that the inside "packing" of a column is more subject to
wear and tear by chemical action, than its shell. This is, for instance, the case with
leaden plates, for the reason that such plates are not protected, like the shell, by the
cooling action of the air from outside, or even with coke, which is acted upon by
certain of the substances passing through the columns. In all such and similar cases
the improvements of the present invention are usefully employed, because they provide
a packing" that resists the chemical influence of the substances and at the same
time provide a shell not exposed to cracking, which shell moreover may be protected
against any immediate contact with the gases and liquid by means of the bearers c by
making these to line the entire inner surface of the shell.
*
The new and improved apparatus is particularly adapted for employment in the
manufacture of sulphuric acid, namely as a Gay-Lussac-column, or Glover-tower or for
the purpose of being placed between any two lead-chambers of a set in lieu of the
ordinary connecting pipes. By this apparatus a more intimate mixture of the gases
is produced and by the impact upon the plates, the condensation of the particles,
floating about as a mist, into larger drops of liquid is also promoted, and in con-
sequence of all this, a more complete reaction between the liquids and gases, all of
which tends to effect a considerable saving of chamber space. The columns, accord-
ing to the special objects to be attained, may be fed with steam, water, acids, or any
other liquid matters, or else they may be worked without any such feeding. The
annular bearers or plate supports c may be composed of several segments; in the
drawings Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, six segments are shewn, the joints of which may be
either flush, Figure 2, or overlapping each other, Figures 3, 6 and 7, or provided
with a groove, Figures 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11, which groove may or may not be filled up
by molten lead or any other convenient substance for the purpose of better preventing
the escape of gas through the joints.
The annular bearers are provided with flanges or brackets i moulded on to them
and projecting inside, on which brackets the perforated plates brest, without suffering
any pressure from the superposed portions of the columns; the bearers c supporting
one another from bottom to top. By this means the column may be built up to any
desired height, without any risk of the lower plates being cracked by the pressure of
the upper parts of the column. The annular bearers c may or may not have a suitable
lute or cement applied between each other to prevent the substances within the
columns from coming into contact with the outer shell.
Dated this 26th day of April 1889.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Gases by Liquids.
A communication to me from abroad by Doctor GEORGE LUNGE, Professor, of Zürich,
Switzerland, and LUDWIG ROHRMANN, of Krauschwitz, near Muskau, in the
Empire of Germany, Chemist.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex 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 and accompanying drawing, (that is to say):-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for treating gases by liquid
matters, and particularly the improvements which form the object of this invention
are destined to be applied to apparatus of the kind for which I have previously obtained
Letters Patent in the United Kingdom No. 10355 of 1885 and No. 10037 of 1886.
By experience it has been found, that for some purposes, the construction and arrange-
ment of parts of the apparatus described in the Specification of the aforesaid Letters
Patent should undergo some alterations or modifications, which will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
“
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a plate-column."
Figures 2, 3, and 4, are plan views of three modifications, respectively, of the plate
supporting rings or brackets.
Figure 5 is a cross section of a plate supporting ring.
Figures 6 and 7 are a plan and side elevation respectively, of one modification of
the standing joint of the segments composing the supporting ring,
Figures 8 and 9 are a plan and side elevation, respectively, of another modifica-
tion of the segment-joint.
Figures 10 and 11 are a plan and side elevation, respectively, of a third modification
of the said joint,
Figures 12 and 13 plans of the upper and lower surface respectively of a perforated
plate,
Figure 14 is a cross section, shewing three modifications of the perforated plate, and
Figures 15 and 16 are a cross-section and plan, respectively, of another modification
of perforated plate.
In the previous patents already referred to the jacket surrounding the "plate column"
was described to consist of the same material, as the perforated plates proper, but
according to the present improvement the said jacket a is constructed of a suitable
metal, such as lead, or of slabs of suitable stone, or lava, or a similar material, while
the plates b, are made, as before, of burned clay, such as stoneware or the like,
the perforations of the said plates being preferably arranged in such a manner, as
to compel the liquid, while dripping down, to take a determined course from one
plate to the next one, the said plates carrying webs which facilitate the escape of
the liquid from the surface of each plate down to the succeeding one, without
remaining on the said plates for any length of time.
Where columns of cylindrical shape are being used, the perforated plates b are
each supported and kept apart by annular supporting brackets c; such brackets or
rings may consist, each, of one solid piece, or they may preferably be composed
of several segments, as shewn in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5; in the latter case they
need not occupy the entire circumference of the column, but support the plates
only at several parts of their rim. With square rectangular or otherwise shaped
columns, the brackets are made corresponding to the cross-section of the column.
In the drawings (Figure 1) the reservoir f, containing the absorbing liquid, is
shewn arranged at the top of the columu; from the said reservoir or tank the liquid
passes down through a pipe e to a reaction wheel d. The gas to be treated enters
through the pipe 9 and escapes through the pipe h. All these parts are only
indicated for the purpose of better understanding the invention and they form no

page_text: part of the same nor of the principle of the apparatus, the feed of the liquid, as
well as the admission and exhaust of the gas may be varied according to the
requirements of practice.
-
The purpose of the improved construction, as before described, is the following:-
In many cases a jacket made of metal or stone is preferable to one made of
earthenware (stone-ware) or the like, partly for the reason that it offers greater
convenience and facilities in constructing the jacket (for instance with square or
rectangular columns), and partly because it is not so liable to become creviced,
hut may effectually he kept tight, so as to prevent any escape of gas. Of course,
the material of which the jacket a is made must be of such a kind as to resist
any influence of the chemical agents which may enter into contact with the said
jacket.
In the manufacturing of sulphuric acid, a jacket of lead will answer very well, while
in the manufacturing of nitric or hydrochloric acid the lead jacket would not do. On
the other hand it has often been experienced as a defect, that the inside lining of a
column is more subject to wear and tear by chemical action, than its jacket. This is,
for instance, the case with leaden plates, for the reason that such plates are not
protected, like the jacket, by the cooling action of the air from outside, or even with
coke, which may work an influence on some gases. In all such and similar cases the
improvements of the present invention may be usefully employed, because they
provide an inside lining to the jacket, which resists the chemical influence of the gases
and at the same time provide a jacket not liable to become leaky by crevices, which
jacket moreover, may be protected against all immediate contact of the gases, by means
of the supporting brackets c.
The new and improved apparatus is particularly adapted for use in manufacturing
sulphuric acid, serving as a "Gay-Lussac "column or "Glover" column, or,
especially, by being arranged between any two lead chambers of the system, in
exchange for the connecting pipes usually employed. By the use of the improved
apparatus, a more intimate mixture of the gases is obtained, as also the condensation
of the vapours of liquid floating about; in consequence a superior reaction of the
liquid matter on the gases is obtained, all of which tends to effect a considerable
saving of chamber space.
The columns may be worked, according to the special objects to be obtained, either
by steam, water, acids, or any other liquid matters, or even without the feeding of any
such substance.
The annular brackets or plate supports c, may consist, each, of several segments; in
Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, six segments are shewn, the joints of which are either in a line
(Figure 2), or overlapping each other (Figures 3, 6, and 7), or with a groove between
them (Figures 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11), which groove may be filled up by molten lead
or any other suitable substance for the purpose of better preventing the escape of
gas through the joints.
use.
Such additional tightening substance, however, will scarcely be necessary in general
The annular brackets c have a web or rib i formed to them and projecting
inside, and on the said web the perforated plate 6 loosely rests and there is no pressure
on the plates, the brackets e supporting each other by themselves. By this means the
column may be constructed up to any desired height, without risk of the lower plates
being cracked by the pressure of the upper column. The rings or brackets c may have
a suitable packing, lute, or cement, applied between them to prevent the gases from
escaping and entering into contact with the jacket.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
-1
1. The construction of "plate-columns" of the kind described in the previous
Letters Patent herein referred to, of a jacket made of metal, stone or other suitable
material, and of perforated plates made of earthenware, the annular supports or
brackets of which plates, either made of one solid piece or in segments, and having

page_text: supporting webs or ribs i, may either occupy part or the whole of the circumference
of the column, the said segments being jointed either in line, or overlapping each other
(Figure 6) or with grooves between them (Figures 8, 10) to be filled up by a suitable
tightening substance, substantially as described and shewn.
"
2. The application of plate-columns, substantially as described, in manufacturing
sulphuric acid, by using the same as "Gay-Lussac" columns, or Glover" columns,
and by arranging the same between the separate lead chambers, for the purpose of
producing a better reaction between the liquid and gaseous matters, thereby obtaining
a saving of chamber-space required for the commercial production of sulphuric acid,
substantially as described.
Dal 11: 52711
1006
EDWARDS & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.