Improved Process of Refrigeration and Improved Refrigerating Apparatus.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process of Refrigeration and Improved Refrigerating
Apparatus.
I, MARTIN WANNER, residing at 405 Kent Street, Denver, Arapahoe County,
Colorado, Metallurgist and Chemist 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved process of refrigeration, and to an improved
refrigerating apparatus, by which my process may be practiced. It is specially
applicable to the refrigeration of cold warehouses, and to the refrigeration of com-
partments in vessels, abattoirs, breweries and the like places, and it is also applicable
to the manufacture of artificial ice.
In my apparatus, I employ carbon bi-sulphide, in somewhat the same manner that
ammonia is now used, that is to say, the carbon bi-sulphide is caused to evaporate
rapidly, thus producing the cold. There are, however, certain important differences
between the use of ammonia in any form, and the use of carbon bi-sulphide, whereby
I am enabled to employ my novel apparatus, and by the use of this material, and
my improved apparatus, I secure many marked advantages, some of which are as
follows:
In the use of aqua ammonia, the original cost of the apparatus is so great, as
practically to preclude its use, excepting under unusually favorable conditions,
consequently in the large majority of refrigerating plants now in operation, the
an-hydrous ammonia is employed, in the use of which, however, there are also very
grave objections; among them is the first cost of the plant, the same as in the case
of aqua ammonia, and in addition to this, the great difficulty of confining the
an-hydrous ammonia during transportation and during use in the plant; the cost of
the an-hydrous ammonia itself, the cost of the tanks to contain it in transportation,
the transportation charges owing to the weight of the tanks, the liability to
accident consequent upon bursting of the tanks, the very heavy repair account of
the plant resulting from the necessity for confining the material under heavy
pressure and also the expense in addition to those already suggested necessitated
by the re-compression of an-hydrous ammonia for re-use.
By the employment of my novel apparatus, I overcome many of the objections
recited above altogether, and others I measurably reduce; and my apparatus is so
constructed that after it is once set up and charged, its running expenses are
exceedingly small, all that is required being sufficient power to run an exhaust fan
or pump and the cost of a small percentage of the material, carbon bi-sulphide,
which may become lost through wastage.
Generally stated, my invention is as follows: I employ as the refrigerating
medium carbon bi-sulphide and it is owing to the peculiar properties of this very
volatile substance that I am enabled to employ my novel apparatus whereby
I secure the results above suggested and the advantages claimed. These properties
are as follows:-
First, its volatility combined with its low "critical" pressure, i.e., the pressure at
which it will reliquefy, after having been in a condition of vapor, in other words,
evaporated; this pressure, in the case of carbon bi-sulphide, being about fifteen
pounds to the square inch, i.e., about atmospheric pressure, as compared to a
pressure of 120 pounds to the square inch necessary for reliquefaction of an-hydrous
ammonia. Other advantages, i.e., cheapness of the plant, low running expenses, etc.,
I secure by a simple form of apparatus in which I employ the carbon Di-sulphide.
The more important features whereof are a reservoir to contain the carbon
bi-sulphide, a pipe to convey the same to evaporating pans or devices, a fan or
FD 01

page_text: blower to cause air drafts over the surface of the carbon bi-sulphide in the
evaporators and a return trunk from the fan to the reservoir to convey the vapors
and condensed carbon bi-sulphide back again to the source of supply.
The drawings hereof illustrate a vertical section of what may be assumed to be
the refrigerator room in an abattoir.
A is the floor; B, B, the sides; C the ceiling or floor above; D is an ordinary
suction fan; E is a pipe or trunk preferably of metal, which connects with the eye
of the pan as shown and is enlarged at places by depressed or pan-like parts F, F, F.
I show them of different sizes, because it will sometimes be desirable to make them
larger in certain parts of the apartment or space to be refrigerated than at other
parts. The pipe E, and these pans F, F, F are suitably supported upon the walls
G, G are
or from the ceiling or floor of the apartment in any suitable manner.
valves set in the pipe E, and at its end, the pipe has a strainer or is provided with
perforations G¹, so that the air may freely enter, but obstructions to the apparatus
will be prevented from being drawn in. H, is a tank or reservoir ;- I is a small
pipe connecting with it at or near its bottom, provided with branch pipes, J, K,
and L, which respectively enter the pans F, as shown, and each of them is
provided with a float valve M, pivoted at N, to the pan or other suitable support
which control and stop the inflow of the carbon bi-sulphide when the desired
depth or amount of it is in each pan, thus the right quantity is permanently
maintained in each pan so long as there is any in the reservoir H. O is a return
pipe or trunk which connects the delivery port of this pan with the lower interior
part of the reservoir. It is set on a descent during its passage through the second
floor, room or space, so that such of the vapors of the carbon bi-sulphide as
condense before reaching the reservoir will flow down it to the reservoir. P, is a
pipe connecting with any suitable source of water supply and Q is an overflow pipe
for the reservoir which may for convenience connect with a sewer or other point of
discharge. R, R are supports for the trunk O. It may be supported in any other
suitable manner.
There is a constant running stream of water flowing into and out
of the reservoir H at all times. It may be a small one.
The operation of the apparatus is very simple, and it is based upon the fact that
carbon bi-sulphide, being an exceedingly volatile substance will, when subjected to
currents of air evaporate with great rapidity, thus producing great cold.
The valves G, being both opened, the carbon bi-sulphide is first poured into the
reservoir through its open top, until all of the pans F have been filled up to the
normal level as shown by the dotted lines. Then the reservoir is filled about half
full by additionally pouring the material into it, then the water is allowed to enter
the reservoir through the pipe F, which floating on the carbon bi-sulphide (which
bas greater specific gravity than it) soon fills up the reservoir and overflows at A.
Thereupon the fan, which, of course is a suction fan, is started, and it generates a
current of air (more or less rapid depending upon the degree of cold desired) to
pass through the pipe or trunk E, entering it at the perforated end G¹. This
-current of air coming in contact with the surface of the carbon bi-sulphide in the
pans F, rapidly evaporates it, the vapors pass up through the trunk E, enter the
eye of the fan and are delivered into the return duct O, in which they may
commence to condense again, if the temperature be sufficiently low, if so, they flow
along through the trunk O, back again to the reservoir and are delivered there
below the water, which is superposed upon it, as shown by dotted lines. If there is
no condensation in the trunk O, then the vapors, or such of them as do not condense
are delivered into the reservoir together with the air and rise through the super-
posed body of water in the form of bubbles. During the passage of these bubbles
composed of air and carbon bi-sulphide vapor through the water, the temperature
of which will be so far below 108° F., at about which temperature the carbon
bi-sulphide begins to condense, as to secure its rapid condensation and consequently
the carbon bi-sulphide leaves the air and re-liquefies, falling to the bottom of the
reservoir below the water, the air meantime escaping from the surface of the water
in the reservoir, in the form of bubbles.

page_text: It will thus be seen that the process is continuous, the reservoir being constantly
supplied with the re-liquefied or condensed carbon bi-sulphide, which is in turn
again conveyed to the pans F.
It will be understood that where there are a number of floors in a building,
as for instance, a cold storage ware-house requiring refrigeration, that there
should be appliances such as described or their equivalents on each floor, or that
the cold generated in one space, room or floor should be conveyed to the
others.
I do not limit myself to the details of construction shown and described, because
it will be apparent to those who are familiar with this art, that many modifications
may be made in them and still the invention be employed, and particularly the
enlarged portions F of the pipe E, need not be employed, because the pipe itself,
if large enough to contain the carbon bi-sulphide in its lower section, and allow
space for the air currents over it, will answer very well. I show the form of
apparatus described, simply as one form in which my process may be practiced.
It is also obvious that my invention both as to process and apparatus or a
modified construction of the latter is well adapted to the manufacture of artificial
ice. That is to say, sets or groups of the pans F or pipes E, or other devices
suitable for the purpose may be placed within the brine tank in which the
vessels containing the water to be frozen will be submerged in the ordinary way,
the end of the pipe E, through which the air is drawn, being of course outside
of the brine tank. In such a use of my invention, the apparatus should be adapted
to very rapid evaporation of the carbon bi-sulphide, to generate a great degree of
cold.
It will be observed that the carbon bi-sulphide is sealed against atmospheric
contact and consequently evaporation while in the reservoir by the superposed body
of water which is constantly maintained by the supply pipe P. And it will also be
observed that the bottom of the reservoir is not below the normal surface of the
carbon bi-sulphide in the pans or pipe F, consequently they will always be supplied
with material by gravity. It will also be observed that in my process and
apparatus, I employ a constantly renewed current of fresh air obtained from the
surrounding atmosphere, and not as in many other apparatus, attempting to use the
same air over and over again, thus I secure always fresh air and am relieved of
the expense of building an air tight apparatus; moreover, I wish exposure to
the atmosphere that I may avail myself of the atmospheric pressure to aid in the
condensation, i.e., to supply pressure, the cold water supplying the low temperature.
Also the continually renewed water not only supplies the low temperature for the
condensation, but if the water column be high enough, the air will be thoroughly
washed of carbon bi-sulphide and practically none will escape in the air bubbles.
Moreover, the height of the water column can be regulated to give such pressure
on the returned carbon bi-sulphide vapors as may be necessary to facilitate their
condensation, and the volatile liquid being of greater specific gravity than water
and insoluble in it, is sealed by it. I employ the valves in the pipe E, so that when
the apparatus is not in operation, they may be closed and the carbon bi-sulphide
in them prevented from evaporating and being wasted.
I claim,
1st. The method of refrigeration herein described consisting in subjecting
a volatile liquid specifically heavier than, and not soluble in water in a closed
receiver to the action of a current of fresh air supplied from the surrounding
atmosphere, substantially as set forth.
2nd. The method of refrigeration herein described consisting in subjecting a
volatile liquid, specifically heavier than and not soluble in water, in a closed
receiver, to the action of a current of fresh air, supplied from the surrounding
atmosphere, moving the resulting vapors through the apparatus under confinement
and collecting and condensing them for re-use, substantially as set forth.
3rd. The method of refrigeration herein described consisting in subjecting a

page_text: volatile liquid specifically heavier than and not soluble in water, in a closed receiver,
to the action of a current of fresh air, supplied from the surrounding atmosphere,
moving the resulting vapors through the apparatus, and conveying then in vaporous
or liquid form, as the case may be, into direct contact with a sufficient body of
cold water to condense the vapors and separate the liquid from the air, substantially
as set forth.
4th. The method of refrigeration herein described, consi-ting in subjecting a
volatile liquid specifically heavier than and not soluble in water, in a closed receiver,
to the action of a current of fresh air, supplied from the surrounding atmosphere,
moving the resulting vapors through the apparatus, conveying them in vaporous or
liquid form, as the case may be, into direct contact with a sufficient body of cold
water and sealing the volatile liquid against atmospheric contact by said body of
water, substantially as set forth.
5th. The combination in a refrigerating apparatus of a reservoir adapted to contain
the refrigerating material, a receptacle for the said material, connected with the
reservoir, in which receptacle, the material may be exposed to the action of a
-current of air a pipe open to the exterior atmosphere and connecting said receptacle
with the device which produces the current of air, and said device, substantially as
set forth.
6th. The combination in a refrigerating apparatus of a reservoir adapted to
contain the refrigerating material, a receptacle for the said material, connected
with the reservoir, and in which the material may be exposed to the action of a
current of air, a pipe open to the exterior atmosphere and connecting said receptacle
with the device which creates the current of air, said device and pipe being con-
structed and arranged to draw the vapors from said receptacle and confine the same
substantially as set forth.
7th. The combination in a refrigerating apparatus of a reservoir adapted to
contain the refrigerating material, a receptacle for said material, connected with
the reservoir, and in which the material may be exposed to the action of a current
of air, a pipe open to the exterior atmosphere, and a device to create a current of
air, both constructed and arranged to draw the vapors from said receptacle and
confine them and a return pipe connecting the device which creates the current of
air with the reservoir and means within the reservoir to condense the vapors,
substantially as set forth.
8th. The combination in a refrigerating apparatus of a reservoir adapted to
contain the refrigerating material, a receptacle for the said material, connected with
the reservoir, in which it may be subjected to a current of air, a pipe connecting
said receptacle with the device which creates the current of air, said pipe being
open at one end to the external atmosphere, and constructed and arranged to draw
the vapors from said receptacle and confine the same, a return pipe connecting the
device which creates the current of air with the reservoir, and means to convey
running water to and from said reservoir, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 19th day of June 1893.
MARKS & CLERK,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.