IMPROVEMENTS IN REFRIGERATING AND London, for the Invention of PURIFYING AIR IN ROOMS OR SPACES, IN REFRIGERATING LIQUIDS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES, AND IN RESTORING THE FRIGERIFIC SALTS EMPLOYED IN SUCH REFRIGERATION TO THEIR SOLID STATE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Willian Mort, of 155, Fenchurch Street, in the City of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REFRIGERATING AND
London, for the Invention of
PURIFYING AIR IN ROOMS OR SPACES, IN REFRIGERATING LIQUIDS AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES, AND IN RESTORING THE FRIGERIFIC SALTS EMPLOYED IN SUCH
REFRIGERATION TO THEIR SOLID STATE." A communication from abroad by
Eugene Dominique Nicolle and Thomas Sutcliffe Mort, both of Sydney, in the
Colony of New South Wales.
Sealed the 9th September 1876, and dated the 21st March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Mort at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st March 1876.
" IMPROVE-
WILLIAM MORT, of 155, Fenchurch Street, in the City of London.
MENTS IN REFRIGERATING AND PURIFYING AIR IN ROOMS OR SPACES, IN REFRIGE-
RATING LIQUIDS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES, AND IN RESTORING THE FRIGERIFIC SALTS
EMPLOYED IN SUCH REFRIGERATION TO THEIR SOLID STATE."
This Invention has for its object improvements in refrigerating and purifying air
in rooms or spaces, in refrigerating liquids and other substances, and in restoring the
frigerific salts employed in such refrigeration to their solid state.
According to this Invention artificial cold is obtained under the greatest
simplicity and economy by the use of frigerific salts in consolidated shapes or
blocks instead of in the ordinary crystallized form, and by which method very large
advantages are obtained. To put the salt in this condition a concentrator is used
which effects its object at a minimum consumption of fuel without loss of any of
the component parts of the salts, and which is so worked as to avoid the use of
pumps in the passing of the liquor from vessel to vessel, its whole construction
specially fitting it for use on board ship.
The inachines employed for producing artificial cold with these salts are shewn in
3 forms,
1st. As used for domestic and minor purposes.
2nd. As employed for refrigerating on a large scale by acting upon a liquid
vehicle by conduction. This is especially applicable for cargoes of meat.
3rd. Where air is used as the medium, and which is cooled by direct contact with
the freezing agent.
The modes of refrigerating may be adapted to every purpose for which cold is

page_text: maintamed, in fact, for purposes of refrigeration their application is universal,
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the concentrator.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the refrigerating apparatus as applied to
domestic purposes.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the refrigerating apparatus as applied to more
extensive requirements, and where the cold is carried through the medium of a
fluid.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of the refrigerating apparatus as arranged for
cooling air and other gases by direct contact with the refrigerating agent.
I now proceed to describe the various portions of the concentrator, reference
being made to the plan hereunto attached.
FIGURE 1.
A is a vacuum pan for concentrating the salt solution by evaporation. This pan
is fitted with an internal heating coil, with admission and emission cocks. It is
also fitted with steam pet cock connected with main steam pipe for the purpose of
forcing the air out of the pan by jet of steam. At the bottom of it is a delivery
valve for letting off the concentrated solution, and on the top is a stop valve;
the latter is for connecting with or shutting off the communication with A
There is also a connection at the side of this vessel fitted with a cock for leading
the fluid from the evaporator B into itself.
A is the priming vessel, the object of which is to receive any of the solution
which may be lifted by the vapour during concentration. This vessel is connected
with pan A by downward pipe, and with the coil and the vessel B by upward pipe,
as indicated in the plan.
B is a heating and vacuum evaporator fitted also internally with heating coil, a
branch of which leads into the vapor space of the vessel itself, the coil being
connected by pipe and stop-cock with similar coil in vessel B'. This vessel B is
also connected at the bottom by pipe and stop-cock with the vessel B¹.
B is also a heating and vacuum evaporator similarly constructed to vessel B,
and having in addition a steam pet cock connected with the main steam pipe. It
is also connected with the surface condenser C by a pipe fitted with a stop-cock,
and also with the solution tender E by a syphon pipe fitted with a stop-cock.
These vessels B and B are continuations of the pan A, their object being to utilize
the waste heat coming from pan A in further evaporating and in preparing the
liquor for finishing in the pan.
C is a surface condenser fitted with internal coil or other substitute for passing
refrigerating water through. This vessel is connected with the distilled liquid
receiver D by pipe and stop-cock, and is also provided with a vacuum gauge,
1) is the distilled liquid receiver fitted at top with pet steam cock and pipe,
which connection leads to the main steam pipe. At the bottom of this vessel are
fitted an air-cock and a delivery cock, the latter leading into the exchanger in the
refrigerator.
E is a solution tank to which the air has access, into which the syphon pipe
from vessel B is conducted near to its bottom. This vessel is also connected with
the priming vessel A', and the solution supply pipe coming from the exchanger of
the refrigerator, each provided with stop-cock. This vessel has an exchanging coil
in it, which is connected with the delivery valve of the pan A at one end and by
delivery pipe and cock with the mould F at the other.
F is a mould to receive the concentrated solution. This mould is by preference

page_text: G is a tank for receiving the condensed water resulting from the steam or other
condensed liquid which passes through the coil in the vacuum pan.
The various vessels are fitted with level gauges.
MODE OF WORKING THE APPARATUS.
Preparations for Charging. The tank E having been filled with the saturated
solution to be evaporated, by preference nitrate of ammonia and steam, or other
heating agent, by preference steam, being at command, open the stop valve of
vessel A and see that all the cocks communicating from that vessel to the distilled
liquid tank D are open, included the air-cock in that vessel, so as to form a free
passage through the apparatus. See that all the other cocks are shut, and then let
in steam by the pet cock, which is situated immediately above the heating coil in
vessel A until all the air is expelled through the air-cock. Now shut off the steam
and shut the air-cock. Open the cold water supply cock leading into the bottom
of the surface condenser C so as to allow the water to pass upwards through
the coil. Open the cock at the vacuum gauge and see that a vacuum has been
established.
Charging. Open the syphon cock and leading into the solution tank E, also the
feed cock between B and A, and allow the liquor in tank E which will asceud by
the external atmospheric pressure to flow into the vessels B and B and on to the
pan A until the liquor has reached the point marked on the level gauge. Now shut
that stop-cock and regulate the amount of liquid in B and B according to the
level indicated in plan or thereabout, and then shut the two syphon cocks between
B and E and open the coil stop-cock leading from the coil in B to that in B'.
The
Evaporating. Now begin work by opening the steam cock leading into the
heating coil in pan A, and also the cock at the end of the coil leading into the
condensed liquid tank G. On the application of the heat to the solution it will
begin to evaporate at a low temperature under the influence of the vacuum.
hot vapor resulting therefrom will pass through the priming vessel A' and enter
into the heating coil of B, through which it will find its way to the coil in B',
whence it is led into the surface condenser, where it is immediately condensed by
contact with the refrigerating coil therein, eventually finding its way into the
distilled liquid tank D.
Should the heat be applied too quickly and priming result, the downward pipe
in the vessel A¹ will lead the mixed vapour and solution into the bottom of that
vessel, where by the level gauge its presence will be seen, and its removal must be
effected by applying steam pressure through the steam pet cock and opening the
purging cock into the vessel E. During this operation the cock between the vessels
B and C must be temporarily closed. The hot vapour, in passing through the
heating coils in B and B, causes the liquid in those vessels to evaporate, and which
vapour is drawn by the vapour pipes connected with each heating coil mixing with
the vapour from vessel A, eventually finding its way into the vessel D, as before
described.
When the proper amount of water has been abstracted from the liquid in the
vessel A to produce the desired concentration, and which will after a short
experience be ascertained by the amount of liquid recovered in the vessel D by
the level guage on that vessel, this being accompliced shut the stop valve of the
concentrating pan A, also shut the steam off and open the pet steam cock until a
slight pressure is established in the pan A, when on opening the delivery cock,
leading into the mould F, the concentrated solution will flow through the coil
placed in the tank E, imparting its heat to the solution in that vessel and which is
the next to be acted upon. When one mould is filled replace it with an empty
one, and continue drawing off until the pan is empty. Now, shut the delivery
cock and open the stop valve at the top of the vessel A, and the vacuum will be

page_text: again obtained.
This done, open the stop-cock between the vessel B and the con-
centrator A, and the liquid in B will by gravitation fall into the concentrator A.
When B is empty shut the stop-cock and also the vapour coil cock between B
and B', together with the cock between B and condenser C. Now open the pet
steam cock on the dome of the vessel B¹ and the pressure of steam will force the
liquid in B' into the vessel B. When that is effected, shut the pet steam cock and
open the two cocks previously shut, and the vacuum will be restored, upon which
the vessel B will be refilled by opening the syphon cock leading into the tank E,
proceed as before by opening steam cock into heating coil, and so on, in manner
herein described.
Although I have described the manipulation by steam, which I use by preference,
the same object may be effected by atmospheric air or other medium, although I
obtain the vacuum under which I work by preference in the manner described.
I produce the same effect where steam is not at command by dry heat applied
under the use of an air pump connected with the vessel D, and which in order
to secure continuity in the operations in the mode herein described, and which
might be interrupted by leakage in the pipes or vessels. I complete the apparatus
by attaching an air pump, in order to abstract the air which would enter through
the leaky places.
Having fully described the mode by which I obtain the concentrated salt, which
on cooling solidifies, it is now converted into a cold producing agent, occupying
only half the bulk of that obtained by crystallization in the mother liquor in the
usual way;
in this state the salt possesses a larger freezing power and less affinity
for atmospheric moisture, absolutely protected as it is except on its upper surface.
In this solid form it is introduced in its own mould into the vessel H.
I now proceed to describe the various portions of the "Domestic Refregerating
Apparatus," reference being made to the plan hereunto attached.
FIGURE
A is the refrigerating well.
B is an agitator for disturbing the salt.
C is a dome, through which the shaft worked by the handle passes.
D, D, is a circular channel fitted with india-rubber, fitting air-tight on the top
of well A.
E is a turned pin on which a shaft revolves.
F is a socket into which the pin E is tightly fitted.
H is an outer cylinder, made of wood or other non-conducting substance.
I, I, are ice moulds, made of good conducting substance.
J is a fine strainer for the double purpose of admitting the air and straining the
spent liquor. N.B.-The air might be made to pass in by pipes leading from the
top to the bottom of the well instead of by strainer.
K is a flexible pipe for passing the spent liquor from the well A into the spent
liquor tank "O.”
L is a flexible pipe connecting the exchanger with the cold water tender T.
M is the outer pipe of the exchanger N, one end of it receiving the solution from
the well A and discharging it at the other into the vessel O by the pipe K.
N is the temperature exchanger, and which consists of one or more pipes coiled
within another pipe or pipes, in which the colder liquor is made to pass in through
one set of pipes in an opposite direction to the warmer fluid in the other pipes.
O is a vessel iuto which the saturated salt solution flows after having done its
work. This vessel may, for convenience, be an evapourating pan.
P, P, are handles to the evaporating pan.
Qis a fresh water tender.
R is a cock, which, when opened, allows the water to flow from the water
tender through the exchanger coil on its way to the vessel T.
$ is a flexible pipe connecting the water tender Q with the inner coil of the
exchanger.

page_text: Tis the cold water tender for receiving the
passed through the exchanger.
Water OH C
43325
U is a flexible tube connected with the tank T for filling the ice moulds I, I.
V is the inlet pipe or channel through which the air is propelled when the
apparatus is used for cooling that gas.
Vis an outer channel surrounding the well A, leading the air to the perforated
portion of that vessel.
W is the outlet pipe or channel through which the air passes after having been
refrigerated.
X is a frame fitted with one or more divisions of metallic or other gauze. This gauzo
is for the purpose of arresting any particles of solution which may pass with the air.
Y is a receiving vessel fitted with a draining pipe, which latter is connected with
the frame X. This vessel is fitted with a stop-cock for removing any fluid which
may find its way there.
Z is a chamber or vessel fitted with wire or perforated trays resting upon each
other for the purpose of holding loosely chloride of calcium or other moisture
absorbing substance. This vessel is fitted with an air-tight cover at the top, and at
the bottom with an air-tight drawer, the latter to catch droppings or drainings.
There is a space between the drawers and the bottom tray, and open communication
with Z, by which the air passes into that vessel.
Z is a vessel similarly constructed for the purpose of holding pieces of quick or
slaked lime. A fine perforated bonnet fits over the top tray in this vessel, and alsc
in the vessel Z.
Z is a close chamber, in which are one or more frames of flannel or other good
water absorbing substance, each supplied with water from above, or dipping in
water contained in a drawer or tank at the bottom. This is only required when
refrigerating mixtures are not used.
Z is the pipe or channel through which the air passes out; a cap is fitted on
this when the apparatus is not at work to prevent the air getting in. This outlet
pipe is connected with the space desired to be cooled, and that space again
connected with the air propeller so as to complete the continuous circuit. It is also
to this outlet pipe that meat safes, vessels, or chambers, requiring to be cooled must
be connected, either to be acted upon by direct contact or by transmission through
metallic substances, the exit pipe going to the suction valve of air propeller.
"MODUS OPERANDI."
I will first describe the way in which I should use the domestic apparatus for tho
production of ice.
Preliminary Cooling Charge-Having arranged the water tender Q about four
feet above the machine on a shelf or bracket, and made the connection with the
machine by flexible tube S, first see the water-cock R and regulator K are closed, then
fill the water tender Q with the water intended to be used for freezing and drinking
(this tender Q should always be kept full); then open the cock R and allow the
water to flow into vessel T up to the bottom of the mark on the inside of that
vessel; now remove covers G and H, fill the ice moulds within two inches of the top
by the tube V, replace cover H to prevent the salt falling into the moulds, then
allow the remainder of the water in vessel T to flow into the well A; this done,
put on the funnel and introduce into the refrigerating well A about six pounds
more or less of the salt (say nitrate of ammonia), according to the temperature and
the climate, which will fill the well A up to the lead ring inside. (Note, that
whatever quantity of salt by weight is used where the salt is nitrate of ammonia,
the same quantity by weight also of water must be used, and to obtain the greatest
amount of cooling power it is essential that the salt should be absolutely dry, or as
near thereto as possible.) Now replace the cover G and put the agitator moderately
in motion by turning the handle B, and the whole of the salt will be quickly
dissolved, and the water in the ice moulds reduced to the temperature of the
solution. (Note, should it be found diflicult to move the agitator raise the ice

page_text: moulds slightly, turning the handle B at the same time from left to right, which
is the proper direction to move in.) Allow this charge to remain in, giving an
occasional turn of the handle for about ten minutes if the weather be hot, or fifteen
minutes if cool; then proceed to the freezing charge.
Freezing Charge-Have your next charge of salt ready, remove cover C, put on
funnel, open water-cock R, and observe when the water begins to flow into
vessel T, then open the regulator K to the first notch, and as the solution in well A
falls, owing to its passing by the tube M into the tank O, keep adding salt until
the whole is introduced, care being taken not to raise the solution above the ring
lest it might get into the moulds. By this process the salt will be cooled to the
temperature of the solution. When the whole of the charge of salt is introduced
into the well A open the regulator K to the second or third notch, taking care to
have the flow by cock R and at the notch K so regulated as to ensure the water
in vessel T reaching the mark at the same time as the solution in well A has
drained off, which latter will be easily perceived by taking out the plug Mand
applying the ear to the opening or by moving the handle, which will become set if
the draining is properly affected; now shut first the regulator K and then the
cock R, thon introduce by the tube U the water from vessel T into the well A up
to the bottom of ring, same as before, put on cover G and agitate by handle B for
two or three minutes, which movement repeat occasionally, and in half an hour the
water in the moulds will be frozen. With the water remaining in vessel T fill the
second spare set of moulds, ready to replace immediately the first set when frozen
and taken out; allow the second spare set of moulds to remain in the solution 10
to 15 minutes; then proceed with another freezing charge as before. This may be
repeated until the requisite quantity of ice is obtained. Much time will be gained
when continuous work is the object by taking the ice moulds out of the well before
the centres of the cakes are quite frozen, as the inherent cold in the cold in the ice will
finish them if the moulds as taken out are put together and plunged in sawdust. The
second set of moulds (being ready filled with the water next to be frozen) must of
course immediately replace those removed, for this way the quantity of ice may be
increased, and the cold left in the solution utilized up to 28°, which temperature the
liquor in the well must attain before it is allowed to exchange with the salt and
the water for the next charge. To get the icc out of the moulds readily dip them
in a little water at the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere. The solution
ought not to be allowed to leave the well to exchange with next charge below a
temperature of 28° Fahr., otherwise there is a risk of freezing the pipes.
TO REFRIGERATE WATER.
When only refrigerated water is required the ice moulds should not be put in,
the charge of salt should be increased, the well A filled up to the top and agitated
till all the salt is dissolved, the water should then be allowed to flow into the
vessel T by opening cock R and the regulator K (if the flow of water and solution
is carefully adjusted the exchange of temperatures will be perfect). Should the
water vessel T become full before the well A is drained dry the cold water must
be taken off by the tube U into another vessel, as the regular K must be shut
down tight before the cock R is stopped, otherwise the water in pipe will be frozen.
This charge will refrigerate about 20 lbs. or two gallons of water; should a
smaller quantity be required the charge must be reduced in proportion.
COOLING AIR.
Where use the machine for cooling and purifying air rapidly I place
equal portions (if nitrate of ammonia be used) of the salt and water into the a
well A, filling the trays in the vessel Z with fragments of chloride of calcium
or other moisture absorbing substance, and the vessel Z with pieces of quick or
slaked lime or other substance capable of taking up carbonic acid gas. Care
must be taken that the covers and drawers of the several vessels are firmly
replaced, so as to prevent escape of air, and the bonnet removed from the exit
pipe. I now connect the exit pipe with the space or chamber intended to be

page_text: cooled, and the suction pipe of the air propeller with the same space or chamber,
so as to ensure circulation. It is scarcely necessary to say that the space to be
acted upon should be as perfectly closed as may be against the admission of the
external air. I now set the air propeller in motion, and may may be a fan,
pump, blower, bellows, or other air propeller, by preference a pump, and worked
by hand or other motive power, and at the same time turn the handle so as to
allow the air to pass through and amongst the salt and water. The effect will be
an immediate reduction of temperature to the extent of the refrigerating power of
the solution, and which will be found to be about 14 lbs. of salt for 750 cubic feet
of air, starting at 80° and reducing to 32º.
'
NOISELESS AND FRICTIONLESS AIR PROPELLER.
I use by preference an oscillating cylinder, with piston fitting the cylinder
sufficiently near to propel the air and loose enough to prevent friction by rubbing
internally. The arrangement of the air propeller enables me to work at high speed
without producing heat resulting from friction. It is made to act single or double
effect and capable of overcoming deep seal of fluid.
Having exhausted the source of cold in the first charge I proceed to place fresh
salt in the well A, and to exchange the temperature of the water, &c.. as in the
case of ice making before described. Again I set the air propeller in motion, at
the same time turning the handle of the propeller B, and an intensified cold is the
result, which may be increased up to the refrigerating power of the salt when
exchanged or iced water or cooled salt are used.
Having described the cooling action of the apparatus I now explain the uses of
the chloride of calcium and lime. It is well known that the former has a great
affinity, when either in the fixed or crystallized condition, for water, as well as a
large destructive power over miasm or germs of infection, whilst lime, owing to its
great affinity for carbonic acid gas and moisture, completes the purification of the
air passed through these agents.
The foregoing will show that whilst I have cooled the air I have also purified
and dessicated it, the balance of oxygen being supplied by the inevitable fissures
in windows, doors, fire-places, and other openings.
The description given thus far has reference simply to cooling and purifying
rooms or spaces, but it will be obvious that chambers such as Z, Z, ZI, may bo
added to suit any special requirements. In the ordinary cooling of the room where
only a moderate reduction of temperature is sought it will not be worth while
to use the exchanger or the refrigerating salt, as by passing the air through the
empty well A, thence through the chloride of calcium and lime chambers, and on
through the wet flannels in the chamber 21, a sufficient reduction of temperature
will be obtained, particularly when the suction pipe is made to draw from the
space which has been cooled." Where ice is at command it may be advantageously
used to increase the cold, either in the refrigerating well with the salt, or in the
cold water supply in the chamber Z. It will of course be unnecessary to use
the water chamber Z" when the refrigerating well is used with refrigerating salt,
unless for the purpose of imparting odours to the air, such as eau de Cologne, or
for medicating the air with sulphurous or carbolic acid, &c., when this chamber will
be found useful, as the water space may be made a convenient receptacle for adding
the substances sought to be mixed with the air passing, as they will be taken by
capillary attraction into the blankets through which the air will pass.
It may be well also to state at this point that where it is desired to heat a rooni
or space, boiling water, or boiling salts and water, may be introduced in the refri-
gerating well in lieu of the frigorific salt, and by a simple contrivance the water
may be kept hot by spirit or other lamp burning underneath.
The machine is capable of various applications where the air propeller is sought
to be avoided, I will describe a few of them :-
On board ship the lower end of the windsail may be made to conduct the air to
the inlet channel V.

page_text: For the cooling of railway cars and meat -vans I affix as many of the compart-
ments as I require in or under the car or van, and attach a trumpet-mouthed
funnel covered with gauze to the opening to the air channel V, taking care that
the funnel is at the going end, so as to take in the full air as the vehicle goes along.
Of course the vehicles to be cooled should be kept as well protected against the
admission of the outer air as may be, a small outlet only being required to creato
current. Rooins, meat safes, or spaces may be kept cool by carrying a funnel-
mouthed pipe to the top or other exposed part of the house, and connecting the
pipe with the space to be cooled or ventilated, the outlet from such space being
made to lead into the chimney or other warmest part of the room or space. The
funnel or hood which receives the wind must of course be made to move with the
wind, so as always to face it.
Having described Figures Nos. 1 and 2, I now proceed to describe the refrigerating
apparatus as applied to more extensive requirements where the cold is carried
through the medium of a fluid.
FIGURE 3.
His a vertical internal cylinder surrounded by another cylinder, the spaces
between the two being protected by a non-conductor. These vessels are fixed upon
another vessel marked H. The lower portion of the cylinder H is a corrugated
cone, underneath which is a bracket through which the vertical shaft J revolves;
at each side of this vessel is a slot corresponding with the depth of the salt
mould F.
H is a cylindrical vessel also surrounded by a non-conducting substance.
I is a hollow base upon which the cylinders H and H¹ rest, through the centre of
which the upper portion of the vertical shaft rotates in a stuffing box, and revolves
in a bearing fitted in a bracket at the lower portion.
J is a vertical shaft or spindle for giving motion to the several parts attached
to it.
K is a driving pulley.
L, L, L, L, L, are stirrers having several corrugated blades and fixed on to the
shaft J.
M is a couical corrugated dise upon which the knives which cut the salt are
secured; this disc is fitted on to the shaft. By preference the knives are serrated
in order to increase their cutting surface.
F is the concentrated salt mould as described in connection with Figure 1.
N is a self-compensating lever for regulating the pressure of the salt upon the
knives affixed to the disc M; this lever is fitted with a balance weight, pulleys, and
suspending chains.
0, 0, 0, 0, 0. These are hollow corrugated discs, three of which are flat, and
two conical, and are connected by suitable pipes. The flat dises are fixed in the
cylinder Hat intervals, and the conical ones form a close joint against the cylinder.
In lieu of these hollow discs, pipes coiled in spiral or other form may be used,
the medium flowing through the pipes, and the salt and solution going over their
surface, indeed I use these pipes by preference. Each of these coils is made to rest in
a tray of sufficient depth to ensure their immersion. When I use pipes instead of
hollow discs I place them by preference parallel to each other and horizontally, the
shaft passing through their centro in the same way as in the discs. When the
pipes are used, brushes affixed to the stirrers are by preference employed to spread
the salt and solution. These discs or coils may be increased or diminished in
number or surface, the object being to cool fractionally and thereby ensure that
the vehicle or medium shall gradually give off its heat, and be enabled to leave the
upper disc or coil at the temperature which the solution gives at that point, and
which will be its extremest cold.
P is the water regulator composed of oscillating lever fitted at one end with a
perforated vessel, and in the middle with a rod connected with the balance lever of
the water delivery cock.

page_text: Qis a supply water pipe leading into the injector fitted with the regulating cock,
and immediately below the regulating cock is a stop-cock.
R is a water injector; this is composed of a circular pipe fitted with several
jets.
S is the ice and cold water box, and which is placed on an incline.
T is the temperature exchanger composed of one or more pipes in one or more
channels, open or closed, made of good conducting material, by preference metal,
and placed in other pipes or channels made of bad conducting material, by preference
india-rubber, gutta-percha, or wood; the inlet or inlets to one or more of the pipes
or channels being where the outlet or outlets of the other or others is or are. The
object of this exchanger is to exchange temperatures between two liquids flowing
in opposite directions without mixture of the liquids, and at same time to reduce
to a minimum the loss caused by radiation and conduction.
U is a salt cooler placed above the level of the refrigerator in order to obtain
gravitation power.
V is a distilled liquid tank. When nitrate of ammonia is used this liquid will be
water.
MODE OF WORKING.
Having filled the tank V with the distilled water obtained during the con-
centration, it will pass through the temperature exchanger T by gravitation, and
rise after exchanging temperature with the spent liquor to the injector R. I now
invert the mould I containing the solidified salt, and place it in its inverted
position on to the shaft J, which latter passes through the hole in its centre, the
ribs on the sides of the mould fitting into the vertical slots of the cylinder H; in
this position it rests upon the knives. I now hook the chains on to the mould,
which brings the compensating lever N into a horizontal position, and so balances
the mould as to ensure an equal and constant pressure on the knives during the
process of cutting.
Water must be placed in the moulds fitted in the ice box S, and the refrigerating
medium having been prepared, by preference, liquor of ammonia of a strength
which will not congeal at the temperature required to be obtained, and the necessary
connections having been made with the suction and delivery ends of the circulating
pump, the pump is set in motion and circulation takes place through the hollow
dises or pipes, as indicated by the arrows on the plan, and thence through the rooms
or troughs or spaces where the cold may be required to act. Where the cooling
of rooms or spaces by air is the object desired, the connections with the liquid pump
must be removed, and the cooling medium withdrawn from the hollow dises, and
connection made at the same points with the air pump, fan, or other contrivance for
forcing in air, the air being made to enter by the lower pipe, and to pass out by
the upper one; much better results will however by obtained by cooling air by
direct contact as in Figure 4. I now cause the shaft J to revolve by the pulley K,
which latter may be moved by hand or other motive power, and open the distilled
water stop-cock underneath the regulator which causes the water to flow from the
distilled water tank V through the exchanger and the injector R, which latter
causes it to divide into a spray and to play against the face of the solidified salt,
which by the rotation of the disc M on to which the knives are secured causes the
salt to be cut or scraped into fine particles, which particles coming in contact with
the spray causes the first step to take place in the dissolution of the salt and
consequent production of cold. This mixture of salt and solution is carried by
gravitation and current on to the conical disc M, the corrugations in which fitting
as they do into like corrugations on the lower portion of the cylinder assisted by
their rotatory motion cause a continuous movement of the particles, and so promote
further dissolution. This solution and the undissolved particles of salt having
attained their maximum degree of reduction of temperature are now conveyed by
the cone to the centre of the hollow disc O, where by the stirrer L they are spread
and conducted to the outer rim of the disc, whilst by the circulation of the medium

page_text: within the disc heat is supplied, which causes further dissolution of the salt, and a
consequent further reduction in the temperature of the circulating medium. This
process goes on as the solution and the salt pass over each of the hollow discs,
meeting the medium as it ascends in an opposite direction.
The solution having reached the bottom disc is led through a pipe into the per-
forated vessel, wherein any undissolved particles are arrested. The accumulation of
this salt disturbs the equilibrium, and causes the regulating water cock to admit an
increased flow into the injector, by which an increased dissolution of the salt takes
place, and so an exact adjustment of water and salt is secured. The solution having
been strained through the perforated vessel escapes into the ice and cold water box,
where its cold is mainly absorbed, thence passing into the temperature exchanger T
it imparts the remainder of its cold to the water coming from vessel V on its way
to the injector, the spent liquor itself passing through the salt cooler U, depositing
itself at last in the solution tank E.
I may here mention that in the event of the ammoniacal solution employed in
preference as the medium for carrying the cold passing by accidental leakage into
the nitrate of ammonia solution, which I also use by preference, it will be necessary
to restore the solution to its original condition by nutralizing the distilled water
given off during evaporation by the addition of nitric acid, thus re-forming it into
nitrate of ammonia.
Having described Figure 3, with its "modus operandi," I now proceed to give
a description of the refrigerating apparatus, as arranged for cooling air and other
gases by direct contact with the refrigerating agent.
FIGURE 4.
Those portions of the machine which are similar to those in Figure 3 are ex-
plained by the description given under that Figure, and the other portion I now
proceed to describe:-
P the salt regulator, but varied from that described in connection with Figure 3,
as in connection with the refrigeration of air it is necessary to seal the delivery
pipe in the strainer to an extent in excess of the resistance offered by the pas-
sage of air through the refrigerating plates, which will necessitate the delivery
of the spent liquor being on the level marked in plan as Pt.
P is the inlet pipe or channel through which the air is propelled. The
outlet of this pipe is under the centre of the sealed dome, in which the cold
solution flows.
P1 is a dome, on the upper portion of which is a cup into which the liquor from
the upper plate falls, and as it rises above the edge of the cup overflows,
meeting the current of air which passes through it, thus commencing its re-
frigeration of the air, and finally passing out by the pipe P into the ice box S.
3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, are evaporating plates, each of them being minutely per-
forated over the whole surface so as to allow a passage of air to be forced through
them. A delivery pipe is fitted upon each at alternate ends projecting upon the
upper surface of the plate to the desired amount of seal or depth of liquid, say,
about 1 inch. On the lowest plate is affixed a pipe immediately over the cup at
the top of the dome 2. These plates may be increased or diminished in number or
surface, as also the depth of seal.
2
4 is the exit pipe through which the refrigerated air passes to the space it is
intended to refrigerate.
In reference to the working of this portion of the apparatus it is only necessary
to say that air is forced in by the propeller at the inlet pipe I, and goes out to do
its work at the exit pipe 4, having passed through the various plates, and thus been
fractionally refrigerated.
The application of the additional compartments for dessicating, purifying, and
deodorizing, as also for cooling by evaporation of water may, of course, be added
to this apparatus, as in Figure 2, and the directions therein followed generally, and
the pipes may be connected with the spaces to be acted upon at one end, and with

page_text: the suction pipe at the other, by flexible or other tube or channel, or in either appa-
ratus they may be made to draw from the outer air, and to discharge into the space
to be acted upon.
The use of the temperature exchanger must also be availed of
to accomplish extreme cold, as in the domestic machine, indeed the temperaturo
exchanger is the soul of the apparatus where intensity of cold is sought, and without
loss of the cold, which would otherwise be wasted.
Although I have shown certain forms of vessels, &c., and arrangements of same,
I do not confine myself to such forms or arrangements, as it is obvious that other
forms and other arrangements might be employed which would effect the same
purposes, but, by preference, I use them, as shewn in the plan and described in the
Specification. Some of the vessels might be avoided, as in the evaporator for
instance, but only at a loss of economy, and where dessication or purification was
not the object; the chloride of calcium and lime chambers for instance might be
left out, and in lieu of the well A a simple vessel might be substituted to hold the
cooling agent into which the air was propelled, but of course the same advantageous
results would not he ensured at all points.
It is necessary to be understood that the whole of the vessels or pipes which
come in contact with the salts employed must be made of material which will
not be affected thereby; by preference I use pure tin or enamelled iron.
I would mention that although I have only spoken of using moulded salt in the
vessels described in Figures 3 and 4, loose crystallized salt may be used by removing
the mould F, and substituting a feeder or other form of salt distributer.
In the evaporator also I speak of evaporating to a point at which the salt will
solidify in the mould, but the evaporator is equally applicable to the making of the
ordinary crystallized salt by drawing off the evaporated liquor at an earlier stage
into cooling pans.
I may mention also that when I use the apparatus on board ship I place it
by preference on a swinging floor, so as to overcome the oscillations of the
vessel, connecting it with the place or spaces to be cooled by flexible pipes or tubes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Mort in the Great Scal Patent Office on the 21st September
1870.
WILLIAM MORT, of 155, Fenchurch Street, in the City of London. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN REFRIGERATING AND PURIFYING AIR IN ROOMS OR SPACES, IN REFRIGE-
RATING LIQUIDS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES, AND IN RESTORING THE FRIGERIFIC SALTS
EMPLOYED IN SUCH REFRIGERATION TO THEIR SOLID STATE." A communication
from abroad by Eugene Dominique Nicolle and Thomas Sutcliffe Mort, both of
Sydney, in the Colony of New South Wales.
According to the Invention artificial cold is obtained under the greatest simplicity
and economy by the use of frigerific salts in consolidated shapes or blocks instead
of in the ordinary crystallized form, and by which method very large advantages
are obtained. To put the salt in this condition a concentrator is used, which effects
its object at a minimum consumption of fuel without loss of any of the component
parts of the salts, and which is so worked as to avoid the use of pumps in the
passing of the liquor from vessel to vessel, its whole construction specially fitting it
for use on board ship.
The machines employed for producing artificial cold with these salts are shown in
three forms—
1st. As used for domestic and minor purposes.
2nd. As employed for refrigerating on a large scale by acting upon a liquid vehicle
by conduction. This is especially applicable for cargoes of meat.
3rd. When air is used as the medium, and which is cooled by direct contact with
the freezing agent.
The modes of refrigerating may be adapted to every purpose for which cold is

page_text: FIGURE 1.
A is a vacuum pan for concentrating the salt solution by evaporation. This pan
is fitted with an internal heating coil with admission and emission cocks. It is also
fitted with steam pet cock connected with main steam pipe for the purpose of forcing
the air out of the pan by jet of steam. At the bottom of it is a delivery valve for
letting off the concentrated solution, and on the top is a stop valve. The latter is
for connecting with or shutting off the communication with A¹. There is also a
connection at the side of this vessel fitted with a cock for leading the fluid from the
evaporator B into itself.
A is the priming vessel, the object of which is to receive any of the solution
which may be lifted by the vapour during concentration. This vessel is connected
with pan A by downward pipe, and with the coil and the vessel B by upward pipe,
as indicated in the plan.
B is a heating and vacuum evaporator, fitted also internally with heating coil, a
branch of which leads into the vapour space of the vessel itself, the coil being con-
nected by pipe and stop-cock with similar coil in vessel B¹. This vessel B is also
connected at the bottom by pipe and stop-cock with the vessel B¹.
B is also a heating and vacuum evaporator similarly constructed to vessel B, and
having in addition a steam pet cock connected with the main steam pipe. It is also
connected with the surface condenser C by a pipe fitted with a stop-cock, and also
with the solution tender E by a syphon pipe fitted with a stop-cock. These
vessels B and B are continuations of the pan A, their object being to utilize the
waste heat coming from pan A in further evaporating and in preparing the liquor
for finishing in the pan.
C is a surface condenser fitted with internal coil or other substitute for passing
refrigerating water through. This vessel is connected with the distilled liquid
receiver D by pipe and stop-cock, and is also provided with a vacuum gauge.
D is the distilled liquid receiver, fitted at top with pet steam cock and pipe,
which connection leads to the main steam pipe. At the bottom of this vessel are
fitted an air cock and a delivery cock, the latter leading into the exchanger in the
refrigerator.
E is a solution tank, to which the air has access, into which the syphon pipe from
vessel B is conducted near to its bottom. This vessel is also connected with the
priming vessel A' and the solution supply pipe coming from the exchanger of the
refrigerator, each provided with stop-cock. This vessel has an exchanging coil in
it, which is connected with the delivery valve of the pan A at one end and by
delivery pipe and cock with the mould Fat the other.
F is a mould to receive the concentrated solution. This mould is by preference

page_text: Mode of WORKING THE APPARATUS.
Preparations for Charging.-The tank E having been filled with the saturated
solution to be evaporated, by preference nitrate of ammonia, and steam or other
heating agent, by preference steam, being at command, open the stop valve of
vessel A and see that all the cocks communicating from that vessel to the distilled
liquid tank D are open, including the air cock in that vessel, so as to form a free
passage through the apparatus. See that all the other cocks are shut, and then let
in steam by the pet cock, which is situated immediately above the heating coil in
vessel A, until all the air is expelled through the air cock. Now shut off the steam
and shut the air cock; open the cold water supply cock leading into the bottom of
the surface condenser C, so as to allow the water to pass upwards through the coil.
Open the cock at the vacuum gauge and see that a vacuum has been established.
Charging. Open the syphon cock leading into the solution tank E, also the feed
cock between B and A', and allow the liquor in tank E, which will ascend by the
external atinospheric pressure, to flow into the vessels Band B', and on to the pan A,
until the liquor has reached the point marked on the level gauge. Now shut that
stop-cock and regulate the amount of liquid in B and B₁, according to the level
indicated in plan, or thereabout, and then shut the two syphon cocks between B
and E, and open the coil stop-cock leading from the coil in B to that in B'.
The
Evaporating. Now begin work by opening the steam cock leading into the
heating coil in pan A, and also the cock at the end of the coil leading into the
condensed liquid tank G. On the application of the heat to the solution it will
begin to evaporate at a low temperature under the influence of the vacuum.
hot vapour resulting, therefrom will pass through the priming vessel A¹ and enter
into the heating coil of B, through which it will find its way to the coil in B',
whence it is led into the surface condenser, where it is immediately condensed by
contact with the refrigerating coil therein, eventually finding its way into the
distilled liquid tank D. Should the heat be applied too quickly and priming result,
the downward pipe in the vessel A' will lead the mixed vapour and solution into
the bottom of that vessel, where by the level gauge its presence will be seen, and
its removal must be effected by applying steam pressure through the steam pet
cock and opening the purging cock into the vessel E. During this operation the
cock between the vessels B and C must be temporarily closed. The hot vapour
in passing through the heating coils in B and B' causes the liquid in those vessels
to evaporate, and which vapour is drawn by the vapour pipes connected with cach
heating coil mixing with the vapour from vessel A, eventually finding its way into
the vessel D, as before described.
When the proper amount of water has been abstracted from the liquid in the
vessel A to produce the desired concentration, and which will after a short
experience be ascertained by the amount of liquid recovered in the vessel D by the
level gauge on that vessel, this being accomplished shut the stop valve of the con-
centrating pan A, also shut the steam off and open the pet steam cock until a slight
pressure is established in the pan A, when on opening the delivery cock leading
into the mould F the concentrated solution will flow through the coil placed in the
tank E, imparting its heat to the solution in that vessel, and which is the next to
be acted upon. When one mould is filled replace it with an empty one, and
continue drawing off until the pan is empty; now shut the delivery cock and open
the stop valve at the top of the vessel A, and the vacuum will be again obtained.
This done open the stop-cock between the vessel B and the concentrator A, and the
liquid in B will by gravitation fall into the concentrator A.
When B is empty

page_text: A is the refrigerating well.
B is an agitator for disturbing the salt.
C is a dome through which the shaft worked by the handle passes.
D, D, is a circular channel fitted with india-rubber, fitting air-tight on the top of
well A.
E is a turned pin on which a shaft revolves.
F is a socket into which the pin E is tightly fitted.
His an outer cylinder made of wood or other non-conducting substance.
I, I, are ice moulds made of good conducting substance.
J is a fine strainer for the double purpose of admitting the air and straining the
spent liquor. N.B.-The air might be made to pass in by pipes leading from the top
to the bottom of the well instead of by strainer.
K is a flexible pipe for passing the spent liquor from the well A into the spent
liquor tank O¹¹.
L is a flexible pipe connecting the exchanger with the cold water tender T.
M is the outer pipe of the exchanger N, one end of it receiving the solution from
the well A and discharging it at the other into the vessel O by the pipe K.
N is the temperature exchanger, and which consists of one or more pipes coiled
within another pipe or pipes in which the colder liquor is made to pass in through
one set of pipes in an opposite direction to the warmer fluid in the other pipes.
O is a vessel into which the saturated salt solution flows after having done its
work. This vessel may for convenience be an evaporating pan.
P, P, are handles to the evaporating pan.
Qis a fresh water tender.
R is a cock, which when opened allows the water to flow from the water tender Q
through the exchanger coil on its way to the vessel T.
S is a flexible pipe connecting the water tender Q with the inner coil of the
exchanger.
Tis the cold water tender for receiving the water from the vessel Q after it has
passed through the exchanger.
U is a flexible tube connected with the tank T for filling the ice moulds I, I.

page_text: ratus is used for cooling that gas.
Vis an outer channel surrounding the well A, leading the air to the perforated
portion of that vessel.
W is an outlet pipe or channel through which the air passes after having been
refrigerated.
X is a frame fitted with one or more divisions of metallic or other gauze; this
gauze is for the purpose of arresting any particles of solution which may pass with
the air.
Y is a receiving vessel fitted with a draining pipe, which latter is connected with
the frame X; this vessel is fitted with a stop-cock for removing any fluid which
may find its way there.
Z is a chamber or vessel fitted with wire or perforated trays resting upon each
other, for the purpose of holding loosely chloride of calcium or other moisture
absorbing substance. This vessel is fitted with an air-tight cover at the top, and
at the bottom with an air-tight drawer, the latter to catch droppings or drainings.
There is a space between the drawers and the bottom tray, and open communica-
tion with Z by which the air passes into that vessel.
Z is a vessel similarly constructed for the purpose of holding pieces of quick or
slaked lime; a fine perforated bonnet fits over the top tray in this vessel, and also
in the vessel Z.
Zis a close chamber in which are one or more frames of flannel or other good
water absorbing substance, each supplied with water from above, or dipping in
water contained in a drawer or tank at the bottom; this is only required when
refrigerating mixtures are not used.
Z is the pipe or channel through which the air passes out; a cap is fitted on
this when the apparatus is not at work to prevent the air getting in. This outlet
pipe is connected with the space desired to be cooled, and that space again con-
nected with the air propeller so as to complete the continuous circuit; it is also to
this outlet pipe that meat safes or chambers requiring to be cooled must be con-
nected, either to be acted upon by direct contact or by transmission through metallic
substances, the exit pipe going to the suction valve of air propeller.
"MODUS OPERANDI."
I will first describe the way in which I should use the domestic apparatus for
the production of ice.
I'reliminary Cooling Charge.-Having arranged the water tender Q about 4 feet
above the machine on a shelf or bracket, and made the connection with the machine
by flexible tube S, first see the water-cock R and regulator K are closed, then fill
the water tender Q with the water intended to be used for freezing and drinking
(this tender Q should always be kept full). Then open the cock Rand allow the
water to flow into vessel T up to the bottom of the mark q on the inside of that
vessel. Now remove covers G and II, fill the ice moulds within two inches of the
top by the tube U; replace cover H to prevent the salt falling into the moulds;
then allow the remainder of the water in vessel T to flow into the well A. This
donc put on the funnel and introduce into the refrigerating well A about six pounds,
more or less, of the salt (say nitrate of ammonia), according to the temperature
and the climate, which will fill the well A up to the lead ring w inside. (Note, that
whatever quantity of salt by weight is used, where the salt is nitrate of ammonia,
the same quantity by weight also of water must be used, and to obtain the greatest
amount of cooling power it is essential that the salt should be absolutely dry, or
as near thereto as possible.) Now replace the cover G and put the agitator
moderately in motion by turning the handle B, and the whole of the salt will be
quickly disolved, and the water in the ice moulds reduced to the temperature of
the solution. (Note, should it be found difficult to move the agitator raise
the ice moulds slightly, turning the handle B at the same time from left to
right, which is the proper direction to move in.) Allow this charge to remain iu,

page_text: giving an occasional turn of the handle for about ten minutes if the weather be hot,
or fifteen minutes if cool, then proceed to the freezing charge.
Freezing Charge-Have your next charge of salt ready, remove cover G, put on
funnel, open water cock R, and observe when the water begins to flow into vessel T,
then open the regulator K to the first notch, and as the solution in well A falls
owing to its passing by the tube M into the tank O, keep adding salt until the
whole is introduced, care being taken not to raise the solution above the ring w
lest it might get into the moulds; by this process the salt will be cooled to the
temperature of the solution. When the whole of the charge of salt is introduced into
the well A open the regulator K to the second or third notch, taking care to have
the flow by cock R and at the notch K so regulated as to ensure the water in the
vessel T reaching the mark q at the same time as the solution in well A has drained
off, which latter will be easily perceived by taking out the plug M and applying
the car to the opening, or by moving the handle, which will become set if the
draining is properly effected. Now shut first the regulator K and then the cock R,
then introduce by the tube U the water from the vessel T into the well A up to
the bottom of ring w, same as before. Put on cover G and agitate by handle B
for two or three minutes, which movement repeat occasionally, and in half an
hour the water in the moulds will be frozen. With the water remaining in vessel T
fill the second spare set of moulds ready to replace immediately the first set when
frozen and taken out, allow the second spare set of moulds to remain in the solution
10 to 15 minutes, then proceed with another freezing charge as before. This may
be repeated until the requisite quantity of ice is obtained. Much time will be
gained where continuous work is the object by taking the ice moulds out of the
well before the centres of the cakes are quite frozen, as the inherent cold in the
ice will finish them if the moulds as taken out are put together and plunged in
sawdust. The second set of moulds (being readily filled with the water next to be
frozen) must of course immediately replace those removed. In this way the quantity
of ice may be increased, and the cold left in the solution utilized up to 28°, which
temperature the liquor in the well must attain before it is allowed to exchange
with the salt and the water for the next charge; to get the ice out of the moulds
readily dip them in a little water at the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere.
The solution ought not to be allowed to leave the well to exchange with next charge
below a temperature of 28° Fahrenheit, otherwise there is a risk of freezing the pipes.
TO REFRIGERATE WATER.
When only refrigerated water is required the ice moulds should not be put in, the
charge of salt should be increased, the well A filled up to the top and agitated till
all the salt is dissolved; the water should then be allowed to flow into the vessel T
by opening cock R and the regulator K. (If the flow of water and solution is
carefully adjusted the exchange of temperatures will be perfect.) Should the water
vessel T become full before the well A is drained dry the cold water must be
taken off by the tube U into another vessel, as the regulator K must be shut down
tight before the cock R is stopped, otherwise the water in pipe will be frozen.
This charge will refrigerate about 20 lbs. or 2 gallons of water; should a smaller
quantity be required the charge must be reduced in proportion.
COOLING AIR.
Where I use the machine for cooling and purifying air rapidly I place equal
portions (if nitrate of ammonia be used) of the salt and water into the well A,
filling the trays in the vessel Z with fragments of chloride of calcium or other
moisture absorbing substance, and the vessel Z₁ with pieces of quick or slaked
lime or other substance capable of taking up carbonic acid gas. Care must be
taken that the covers and drawers of the several vessels are firmly replaced, so as to
prevent escape of air, and the bonnet removed from the exit pipe. I now connect
the exit pipe with the space or chamber intended to be cooled, and the suction pipe
of the air propeller with the same space or chamber, so as to ensure circulation. It

page_text: is scarcely necessary to say that the space to be acted upon should be as perfectly
closed as may be against the admission of the external air. I now set the air
propeller in motion, and which may be a fan, pump, blower, bellows, or other air
propeller, by preference a pump, and worked by hand or other motive power, and at
the same time turn the handle so as to allow the air to pass through and amongst
the salt and water. The effect will be an immediate reduction of temperature to
the extent of the refrigerating power of the solution, and which will be found to be
about fourteen pounds of salt for 750 cubic feet of air, starting at 80° and reducing
to 32°.
NOISELESS AND FRICTIONLESS AIR PROPELLER.
I use by preference an oscillating cylinder, with piston fitting the cylinder
sufficiently near to propel the air, and loose enough to prevent friction by rubbing
internally. The arrangement of the air propeller enables me to work at high speed
without producing heat resulting from friction; it is made to act single or double
effect, and capable of overcoming deep seal of fluid.
Having exhausted the source of cold in the first charge I proceed to place fresti.
salt in the well A, and to exchange the temperature of the water, &c., as in the caso
of ice making before described. Again, I set the air propeller in motion, at the
same time turning the handle of the propeller B, and an intensified cold is the
result, which may be increased up to the refrigerating power of the salt when
exchanged, or iced water and cooled salt are used.
Having described the cooling action of the apparatus I now explain the uses of
the chloride of calcium and lime. It is well known that the former has a great
aflinity when either in the fixed or crystallized condition for water, as well as a
large destructive power over miasm or germus of infection, whilst lime owing to its
great affinity for carbonic acid gas and moisture completes the purification of the air
passed through these agents.
The foregoing will show that whilst I have cooled the air I have also purified and
dessicated it, the balance of oxygen being supplied by the inevitable fissures in
windows, doors, fire-places, and other openings.
The description given thus far has reference simply to cooling and purifying
roons or spaces, but it will be obvious that chambers such as Z, Z1, Z¹, may be
added to suit any special requirements. In the ordinary cooling of the room, where
only a moderate reduction of temperature is sought, it will not be worth while to
use the exchanger or the refrigerating salt, as by passing the air through the empty
well A, thence through the chloride of calcium and lime chambers, and on through
the wet flannels in the chauber Z a sufficient reduction of temperature will be
obtained, particularly when the suction pipe is made to draw from the space which
has been cooled. Where ice is at command it may be advantageously used to
increase the cold either in the refrigerating well with the salt, or in the cold water
supply in the chamber Z". It will of course be unnecessary to use the water
chainber Z when the refrigerating well is used with refrigerating salt, unless for
the purpose of imparting odours to the air, such as eau-de-Cologne, or for medicating
the air with sulphurous or carbolic acid, &c., when this chamber will be found
useful, as the water space may be made a convenient receptacle for adding the
substances sought to be mixed with the air passing, as they will be taken by
capillary attraction into the blankets through which the air will pass.
It may be well also to state at this point that where it is desired to heat a room
or space, boiling water or boiling salts and water may be introduced in the
refrigerating well in lieu of the frigorific salt, and by a simple contrivance the water
may be kept hot by spirit or other lamp burning underneath.
The machine is capable of various applications where the air propeller is sought
to be avoided. I will describe a few of them. On board ship the lower end of the
windsail may be made to conduct the air to the inlet channel V.
For the cooling of railway cars and meat vans I affix as many of the compart-
ments as I require in or under the car or van, and attach a trumpet-mouthed
33

page_text: Turnier covered with gauze to the opening to the air channel V, taking care that the
funnel is at the going end so as to take in the full air as the vehicle goes along. Of
course the vehicles to be cooled should be kept as well protected against the
admission of the outer air as may be, a small outlet only being required to create
current. Rooms, meat safes, or spaces may be kept cool by carrying a funnel-
mouthed pipe to the top or other exposed part of the house, and connecting the
pipe with the space to be cooled or ventilated, the outlet from such space being
inade to lead into the chimney or other warmest part of the room or space. The
funnel or hood which receives the wind must of course be made to move with the
wind, so as always to faco it.
Having described Figures Nos. 1 and 2, I now proceed to describe the refrigerating
apparatus as applied to more extensive requirements where the cold is carried
through the medium of a fluid.
FIGURE 3.
His a vertical internal cylinder surrounded by another cylinder, the spaces
between the two being protected by a non-conducter. These vessels are fixed upon
another vessel marked H. The lower portion of the cylinder H is a corrugated
cone, underneath which is a bracket through which the vertical shaft J revolves;
at each side of this vessel is a slot corresponding with the depth of the salt
mould F.
H' is a cylindrical vessel also surrounded by a non-conducting substance.
I is a hollow base upon which the cylinders H and H¹ rest, through the centre of
which the upper portion of the vertical shaft rotates in a stuffing box, and revolves
in a bearing fitted in a bracket at the lower portion.
J is a vertical shaft or spindle for giving motion to the several parts attached
to it.
K is a driving pulley.
L, L, L, L, L, are stirrers having several corrugated blades and fixed on to the
shaft J.
M is a conical corrugated disc upon which the knives which cut the salt are
secured; this disc is fitted on to the shaft. By preference the knives are serrated
in order to increase their cutting surface.
F is the concentrated salt mould, as described in connection with Figure 1.
N is a self-compensating lever for regulating the pressure of the salt upon the
knives affixed to the disc M; this lever is fitted with a balance weight, pulleys, and
suspending chains.
0, 0, 0, 0, 0. These are hollow corrugated discs, three of which are flat and two
conical, and are connected by suitable pipes. The flat discs are fixed in the
cylinder H at intervals, and the conical ones form a close joint against the cylinder.
In lieu of these hollow discs pipes coiled in spiral or other form may be used, the
medium flowing through the pipes and the salt and solution going over their surface,
indeed, I use these pipes by preference. Each of these coils is made to rest in a
tray of sufficient depth to ensure their immersion. When I use pipes instead of
hollow discs I place them, by preference, parallel to each other and horizontally, the
shaft passing through their centre in the same way as in the discs. Where the pipes
are used, brushes affixed to the stirrers are, by preference, employed to spread the
salt and solution. These dises or coils may be increased or diminished in number
or surface, the object being to cool fractionally, and thereby ensure that the vehicle
or medium shall gradually give off its heat, and be enabled to leave the upper disc
or coil at the temperature which the solution gives at that point, and which will be
its extremest cold.
P is the water regulator composed of oscillating lever fitted at one end with a
perforated vessel, and in the middle with a rod connected with the balance lever of
the water delivery cock.
Qis a supply water pipe leading into the injector fitted with the regulating cock,
.and immediately below the regulating cock is a stop-cock.

page_text: Having filled the tank V with the distilled water obtained during the con-
centration it will pass through the temperature exchanger T by gravitation, and rise
after exchanging temperature with the spent liquor to the injector R. I now invert
the mould F containing the solidified salt and place it in its inverted position on to
the shaft J, which latter passes through the hole in its centre, the ribs on the sides of
the mould fitting into the vertical slots of the cylinder H. In this position it rests
upon the knives. I now hook the chains on to the mould which brings the
compensating lever N into a horizontal position, and so balances the mould
as to ensure an equal and constant pressure on the knives during the process of
cutting.
Water must be placed in the moulds fitted in the ice box S, and the refrigerating
medium having been prepared, by preference liquor of ammonia of a strength which
will not congeal at the temperature required to be obtained, and the necessary con-
nections having been made with the suction and delivery ends of the circulating
pump, the pump is set in motion and circulation takes place through the hollow
discs or pipes, as indicated by the arrows on the plan, and thence through the rooms
or troughs or spaces where the cold may be required to act. Where the cooling of
rooms or spaces by air is the object desired the connections with the liquid pump
must be removed, and the cooling medium withdrawn from the hollow discs, and
connection made at the same points with the air pump, fan, or other contrivance for
forcing in air, the air being inade to enter by the lower pipe, and to pass out by
the upper one; much better results will however be obtained by cooling air by
direct contact, as in Figure 4. I now cause the shaft J to revolve by the pulley K,
which latter may be moved by hand or other motive power, and open the distilled
water stop-cock underneath the regulator, which causes the water to flow from the
distilled water tank V through the exchanger and the injector R, which latter causes
it to divide into a spray, and to play against the face of the solidified salt, which by
the rotation of the disc M, on to which the knives are secured, causes the salt to be
cut or scraped into fine particles, which particles coming in contact with the spray
causes the first step to take place in the dissolution of the salt, and consequent
production of cold. This mixture of salt and solution is carried by gravitation and
current on to the conical disc M, the corrugations in which fitting as they do into
like corrugations on the lower portion of the cylinder, assisted by their rotatory
motion, cause a continuous movement of the particles, and so promote further dis-
solution. This solution and the undissolved particles of salt laving attained their
maximum degree of reduction of temperature are now conveyed by the cone to the
centre of the hollow disc O, where by the stirrer L they are spread and conducted
to the outer rim of the disc, whilst by the circulation of the medium within the
disc heat is supplied, which causes further dissolution of the salt, and a consequent
further reduction in the temperature of the circulating medium. This process goça

page_text: on as the solution and the salt pass over each of the hollow discs, meeting the
medium as it ascends in an opposite direction.
The solution having reached the bottom disc is led through a pipe into the
perforated vessel, wherein any undissolved particles are arrested. The accumulation
of this salt disturbs the equilibrium, and causes the regulating water cock to admit
an increased flow into the injector, by which an increased dissolution of the salt
takes place, and so an exact adjustment of water and salt is secured. The solution
having been strained through the perforated vessel escapes into the ice and cold
water box, where its cold is mainly absorbed, thence passing into the temperature
exchanger T it imparts the remainder of its cold to the water coming from vessel V
on its way to the injector, the spent liquor itself passing through the salt cooler U,
depositing itself at last in the solution tank E.
I may here mention that in the event of the ammoniacal solution employed in
preference as the medium for carrying the cold passing by accidental leakage into
the nitrate of ammonia solution, which I also use by preference, it will be necessary
to restore the solution to its original condition by neutralizing the distilled water
given off during evaporation by the addition of nitric acid, thus re-forming it into
nitrate of ammonia.
Having described Figure 3, with its "modus operandi," I now proceed to give a
description of the refrigerating apparatus as arranged for cooling air and other gases
by direct contact with the refrigerating agent.
Those portions of the machine which are similar to those in Figure 3 are explained
by the description given under that Figure, and the other portion I now proceed to
describe.
P the salt regulator, but varied from that described in connection with Figure 3,
as in connection with the refrigeration of air. It is necessary to seal the delivery pipe
in the strainer to an extent in excess of the resistance offered by the passage of air
through the refrigerating plates, which will necessitate the delivery of the spent
liquor, being on the level marked in plan as P¹.
1 is the inlet pipe or channel through which the air is propelled. The outlet
of this pipe is under the centre of the scaled dome in which the cold solution
flows.
2 is a dome, on the upper portion of which is a cup, into which the liquor from
the upper plate falls, and as it rises above the edge of the cup overflows, meeting
the current of air which passes through it, thus commencing its refrigeration of the
air, and finally passing out by the pipe P into the ice box S.
3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, are evaporating plates, each of them being minutely per-
forated over the whole surface so as to allow a passage of air to be forced through
them. A delivery pipe is fitted upon each at alternate ends, projecting upon the
upper surface of the plate to the desired amount of seal or depth of liquid, say, about
1/2 inch. On the lowest plate is affixed a pipe immediately over the cup at the top
of the dome 2. These plates may be increased or diminished in number or surface,
as also the depth of scal.
4 is the exit pipe, through which the refrigerated air passes to the space it is
intended to refrigerate.
In reference to the working of this portion of the apparatus it is only necessary
to say that air is forced in by the propeller at the inlet pipe 1, and goes out to do
its work at the exit pipe 4, having passed through the various plates, and thus been
fractionally refrigerated.
The application of the additional compartments for desiccating, purifying, and
deodorizing, as also for cooling by evaporation of water may of course be added to
this apparatus, as in Figure 2, and the directions therein followed generally, and the
pipes may be connected with the spaces to be acted upon at one end and with the
suction pipe at the other by flexible or other tube or channel, or in either apparatus

page_text: they may be made to draw from the outer an and to discharge into the space to be
acted upon. The use of the temperature exchanger must also be availed of to
accomplish extreme cold as in the domestic machine, indeed the temperature
exchanger is the soul of the apparatus where intensity of cold is sought, and without
loss of the cold, which would otherwise be wasted.
Although I have shown certain forms of vessels, &c., and arrangements of same,
I do not confine myself to such forms or arrangements, as it is obvious that other
forms and other arrangements might be employed which would effect the same
purposes, but by preference I use thom as shown in the plan and described in the
Specification. Some of the vessels might be avoided, as in the evaporator for
instance, but only at a loss of economy and where desiccation or purification was
not the object; the chloride of calcium and lime chambers for instance might be
left out, and in lieu of the well A a simple vessel might be substituted to hold the
cooling agent into which the air was propelled, but of course the same advantageous
results would not be ensured at all points.
It is necessary to be understood that the whole of the vessels or pipes which
come in contact with the salts employed must be made of material which will not
be affected thereby by preference I use pure tin or enamelled iron.
I would mention that although I have only spoken of using moulded salt in the
vessels described in Figures 3 and 4, loose crystallized salt may be used by removing
the mould F and substituting a feeder or other form of salt distributor.
In the evaporator also I speak of evaporating to a point at which the salt will
solidify in the mould, but the evaporator is equally applicable to the making of the
ordinary crystallized salt by drawing off the evaporated liquor at an earlier stage
into cooling pans.
I may mention also that when I use the apparatus on board ship I place it by
preference on a swinging floor, so as to overcome the oscillations of the vessel,
connecting it with the place or spaces to be cooled by flexible pipes or tubes.
Having described under each Figure the several machines and the mode of
working the same, I would have it understood that what I claim is the general
arrangement of the several machines, substantially as herein described and set forth
separately or in combination, and I specially claim,-
First. The concentration of salt such as nitrate of ammonia under vacuum whereby
the following advantages are obtained, viz. :-
1st. The production of inother liquor is avoided.
2nd. The evaporation is carried on with rapidity without risk of loss of com-
ponent parts, this latter being due to the low temperature at which the work is done
as compared with that at which the same point of concentration could be reached in
open pan in same time without loss.
3rd. A reduction of bulk to its minimum upon cooling is obtained.
4th. Absorption of moisture after consolidation is mainly prevented owing to the
comparatively small surface exposed.
5th. The full refrigerating power of the salt is secured.
6th. The whole of the salt in solution is recovered in condition for immediate use,
i.c., in those solid blocks or forms suited to requirements.
Second. The use of concreted or consolidated salt in connection with the reduction
of cold in shapes or blocks or other consolidated form resulting from the concen-
trated liquor being run into shapes or moulds after concentration whilst in a state of
fusion.
Third. The use of dilute liquor of ammonia as a medium for conveying the cold
to the rooms or spaces to be acted upon when nitrate of ammonia is employed, as in
the case of leakage, the introduction of any foreign agent is prevented which might
decompose the salt, and so interfere with its refrigerating power, and by neutra-
lization with nitric acid the fluid which has got in by leakage is converted into
nitrate of ammonia itself.
Fourth. The arrangement for refrigerating liquids as also air and other gases by
fractional cooling by passing it through a series of (by preference horizontal) sealed

page_text: perforated plates or discs or coils, the liquids in the discs or coils and the air and
other gases meeting the cooling agent at the bottom at its warmest and gradually
ascending, and as they ascend being as gradually cooled, passing out at the top where
the refrigerating agent is the coldest.
Fifth. The temperature exchanger T which admits of the exchange the tem-
perature of two liquids with the minimum of loss arising from radiation and
conduction.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Mort, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
W. MORT (L.S.)