IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND APPLICATION OF CHLORINE
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hargreaves, of Appleton-within-Widnes,
in the County of Lancaster, Chemist, and Thomas Robinson, of
Widnes, in the County of Lancaster, Iron Founder, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND APPLICATION OF CHLORINE,
Sealed the 6th September 1870, and dated the 7th March 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Hargreaves and
Thomas Robinson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 7th March 1870.
We, JAMES HARGREAVES, of Appleton-within-Widnes, in the County
of Lancaster, Chemist, and THOMAS ROBINSON, of Widnes, in the County
of Lancaster, Iron Founder, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND APPLICATION OF
CHLORINE, & IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows :—
The object of the first part of our Invention is to obtain chlorine
economically. For this purpose we mix chloride of iron and chloride

page_text: of sodium in solution and concentrate to dryness, or we use chloride
of iron in a dry state by itself. We then break the mass into pieces of
suitable size and heat them in a closed vessel so as to expel hydrochloric
acid and water. We next force or draw through or amongst the said
pieces a current of heated air and thereby liberate chlorine, of course |
mixed with nitrogen. Instead of passing a current of heated air through
the said pieces we may heat them and pass a current of air at atmo.
spherio temperature through or amongst them. In practice we prefer
to use several closed vessels, and to lead the same current through two
or more of them in succession. The said chlorides may be mixed in the
dry state, but we prefer to use one or both of them in solution. Chlorides
of potassium, barium, calcium, and magnesium may be used instead of
chloride of sodium,
The second part of our Invention consists of a new mode of applying
and using chlorine. We take the chlorine and nitrogen obtained under 1
the first part of our Invention or a mixture of chlorine and nitrogen
otherwise obtained, and force or draw such mixture through or amongst
a column or mass of hydrate of lime contained in a suitable vessel or
through two or more columns or masses of hydrate of lime in succession
so as to absorb all or nearly all the chlorine and form bleaching 2
powder.
The third part of our Invention consists of apparatus for the more
effectual carrying into operation of the second part of our Invention.
Within a vessel of any suitable shape fitted with inlet and outlet,
openings we fit an agitator or agitators whereby to stir up the hydrate of 2
lime and facilitate the absorption of the chlorine. The currents of air
and of chlorine mixed with nitrogen can be produced by pumps or other
convenient means capable of producing tho required pressure.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Hargreaves and Thomas Robinson in the 3
Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th September 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JAMES.
HARGREAVES, of Appleton-within-Widnes, in the County of Lancaster,
Chemist, and THOMAS ROBINSON, of Widnes, in the County of Lancaster,
Iron Founder, send greeting,
3

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-third
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto us, the said James Hargreaves and Thomas Robinson, Her
speical license that we, the said James Hargreaves and Thomas Robinson,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
James Hargreaves and Thomas Robinson, our 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 MANUFACTURE
AND APPLICATION OF CHLORINE, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon the
condition (amongst others) that we, the said James Hargreaves and
Thomas Robinson, our executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under our, or their, or one of our or their hands and seals,
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 we, the said James Hargreaves and Thomas
Robinson, do hereby declare the nature of our 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:-
The object of the first part of our Invention is to obtain chlorine
economically. For this purpose we mix chloride of iron and chloride of
sodium in solution and concentrate to dryness, or we use chloride of iron
in a dry state by itself. We then break the mass into pieces of suitable
size and heat them in a closed vessel so as to expel hydrochloric acid
and water. We next force or draw through or amongst the said pieces
a current of heated air and thereby liberate chlorine, of course mixed
with nitrogen. Instead of passing a current of heated air through the
said pieces we may heat them and pass a current of air at atmospheric
temperature through or amongst them. In practice we prefer to use
several closed vessels, and to lead the same current through two or more
of them in succession, The said chlorides may be mixed in the dry

page_text: state, but we prefer to use one or both of them in solution when being
mixed. Chlorides of potassium, barium, calcium, and magnesium may
be used instead of chloride of sodium.
The second part of our Invention consists of a new mode of applying
and using chlorine. We take the chlorine and nitrogen obtained under
the first part of our Invention or a mixture of chlorine and nitrogen
otherwise obtained, and force or draw such mixture of chlorine and
nitrogen through or amongst a column or mass of hydrate of lime con-
tained in a suitable vessel, or through two or more columns or masses of
hydrate of lime in succession so as to absorb all or nearly all the chlorine
and form bleaching powder.
The third part of our Invention consists of apparatus for the more
effectual carrying into operation of the second part of our Invention.
Within a vessel of any suitable shape fitted with inlet and outlet openings
we fit an agitator or agitators whereby to stir up the hydrate of lime 1
referred to in the second part of our Invention and facilitate the
absorption of the chlorine. The currents of air and of chlorine mixed
with nitrogen can be produced by pumps or other convenient means
capable of producing the required pressure.
Having now described the nature and particulars of our said Invention 2
so that others may be enabled to carry our improvements into practical
operation, we claim obtaining and applying chlorine and employing
apparatus substantially in the manner herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Hargreaves, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifth day of September, in the year 2
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
OHA. ROBINSON.
JAMES HARGREAVES. (L.S.)