Improvements in Multiple-effect Evaporators.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Multiple-effect Evaporators.
I, JOHN NORMAN SPENCER WILLIAMS, of The London Road Iron Works,
Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, 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,
that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object to construct evaporators, in which one or
more stages of evaporation are effected, in a simple and inexpensive manner and so
as to render them economical and effective in action.
In carrying out my invention I employ a vessel which is divided horizontally
into three or more separate chambers and in each of these chambers I form an
inner chamber containing tubes which are inclined and communicate with the large
chamber. The liquid, for example a saccharine or other solution, to be evaporated
is passed first into the uppermost large chamber filling it partly and the tubes of the
inner chamber and steam is admitted into the inner chamber to act on the outsides
of the tubes. The liquid begins to boil and gives off vapor which with the water
of condensation in the small chamber is passed to the second inner chamber the
boiling liquid being also transferred to the second large chamber where after having
been partly evaporated again it passes to the next lower large chamber to be
similarly dealt with there, and is finally withdrawn in a concentrated state.
vapor and water of condensation from the intermediate chambers pass to the lower-
most chamber and act as before the vapor finally passing to a condenser where it
is condensed in a manner to produce a vacuum in the evaporator and thereby
facilitate the work of evaporation. The water of condensation from the lower-
most small chamber is taken off by a pump or otherwise.
The
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings, to be
hereinafter referred to and showing my improved evaporator.
Figures, 1, and, 2, of the drawings are vertical sections of my improved evaporator
as at right angles to each other.
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
In the case of an evaporator in which three stages of evaporation are effected I
employ as shown in the drawings a vessel preferably rectangular in form and built
up of cast iron or steel plates and divided horizontally into three separate
chambers, A, B, and, C, hereinafter termed the liquor chambers. In each of these
liquor chambers, A, B, and, C, inner chambers, D, E, and, F, are formed with top
and end plates, G, fixed to the bottom division plate, H, and to the sides of the
liquor chamber. Each of the inner chambers, D, E, and, F, is fitted with tubes, J,
which communicate at both ends with the liquor chambers, A, B, or, C. The
liquor to be concentrated by evaporation is passed into the uppermost liquor
chamber, A, by pipes, K, and it fills the tubes, J, and the liquor chamber partly.
Steam is admitted to the uppermost inner chamber, D, by pipes, L, and as a
circulation of the liquor is caused by the tubes, J, being inclined the liquor boils
and throws off vapor which passes by pipes, M, into the next lower inner chamber, E.
The liquor is also transferred gradually by pipes, N, fitted with regulating valves
(not shown) to the next lower liquor chamber, B, and circulates through the
tubes, J, in the inner heating chamber, E, which is heated by the vapor from the
liquor chamber, A, and water of condensation from the chainber, D, which has
passed by the pipes, P, and M, (the former being also fitted with regulating valves
not shown). Vapor is again given off by the liquor and passes by pipes, Q, to the

page_text: next lower heating chamber, F, where it is employed as before to evaporate the
liquor transferred by pipes, R, to the chamber, C, the liquor being finally drawn
off through pipes, S, in a concentrated state. The vapor escapes from the lower-
most liquor chamber, C, by pipes, T, to a condenser, V, of ordinary construction
placed above the evaporator where it is condensed, and from which it is afterwards
discharged by the pipe, W, the act of condensation producing a vacuum in the
evaporator which facilitates the evaporation of the liquor. The inclination of the
division plates, H, and tubes, J, causes circulation of the liquor and the drainage of
the water of condensation to its lowest point thus insuring separation between the
steam and the water and promoting circulation of the steam and liquor so that a
very high efficiency of evaporation per square foot of heating surface is obtained.
Doors, X, are fitted to the vessel for cleaning and inspecting the internal parts.
The passing of the water of condensation from the heating chamber, D, to the
chamber, E, and from the chamber, E, to the chamber, F, and from which it is
afterwards discharged by pipes, Z, effects great economy in working the apparatus;
and the process is continuous as long as fresh liquor is supplied to the top
chamber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The construction, arrangement, and combination of parts constituting my
improved multiple-effect evaporator substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described.
Dated this Fourth day of October 1893
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.