IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CHLORINE
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Deacon, of Appleton House, Widnes, in
the County of Lancaster, Alkali Manufacturer, for the Invention of
Sealed the 25th March 1875, and dated the 28th January 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Deacon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th January 1875.
I, HENRY DEACON, of Appleton House, Widnes, in the County of
Lancaster, Alkali Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF
CHLORINE," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to the apparatus employed in the manufacture
of chlorine by what is known as Deacon's process, and consists of a
vessel which may be made of cast iron containing gratings so supporting
the porous chemically active material employed (which may be pieces of
burnt clay impregnated with sulphate of copper that it may be casily
withdrawn and replaced, and forming on its upper and under surfaces

page_text: angles with the horizon parallel to each other, and not materially
different from the angle formed by the same material when dry and
carefully filled up in a heap, being usually about 36 degrees. Any
inclined parallel layer or number of such layers of chemically active
porous material may thus be obtained, and by suitable openings at the
lowest portion of the inclined layers the upper portion or the whole layer
may beʼwithdrawn, and after such withdrawal, and when the lower
openings are closed, a fresh quantity of material may be introduced
through suitable openings in the apparatus at the upper part of the
inclined layers to form a new layer.
The heated gases employed in manufacturing chlorine by the process
before referred to pass through the layers and gratings, entering and
leaving the apparatus through suitable pipes and openings, and the
whole apparatus is enclosed in brickwork or masonry, and heated in any
convenient manner.
I prefer that the apparatus should be of a circular form, but other
forms may be adopted.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henry Deacon in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th July 1875:
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
DEACON, of Appleton House, Widnes, in the County of Lancaster,
Alkali Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in
the 38th year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Henry Deacon, Her special license
that I, the said Henry Deacon, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry Deacon, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
thercin expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the

page_text: Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CHLORINE," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Henry Deacon, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly 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 I, the said Henry Deacon, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:-
My said Invention relates to the apparatus employed in the manu-
facture of chlorine by what is known as "Deacon's process," and consists
of a vessel which may be made of cast iron, containing gratings so
supporting the chemically active porous material (which may be pieces of
burnt clay impregnated with either sulphate of copper or with other
active material, or which may consist of other active chemical agents),
that it may be easily withdrawn and replaced, and may form on its
upper and under surfaces angles with the horizon parallel to each other,
and not materially different from the angle formed by the same material
when dry and carefully piled up in a heap, this angle, which I call the
angle of repose and which varies with the material employed, being
usually within the limits of from about thirty-six to forty-two degrees.
An inclined parallel layer or number of layers of chemically active
porous material or materials may thus be obtained, and by suitable
openings at the lowest portion of the inclined layers either the surface
portion only or the whole layer may be withdrawn, and after such with.
drawal and when the lower openings are closed a fresh quantity of
material or materials may be introduced through suitable openings in
the apparatus at the upper part of the inclined layers so as to form a
new layer.
The heated gases employed in the manufacture of chlorine by the
process before referred to pass through the layers and gratings, entering
and leaving the apparatus through suitable pipes and openings, and the

page_text: whole apparatus is enclosed in brickwork or masonry and heated in any
convenient manner.
I prefer that the apparatus should be of a circular form, but other
forms may be adopted.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the two Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in both the
Figures.
Figure 1 of my Drawings is a longitudinal vertical section, and
Figure 2 is a sectional plan of an apparatus constructed according to
one mode of carrying out my Invention, and of a circular form.
A is a cast-iron air-tight vessel containing inclined gratings B, B,
(which may be made of cast iron) for supporting the porous material C,
which is introduced into the vessel A from an upper reservoir D in the
manner herein-after mentioned. The gratings B, B, are supported upon
bars E, E, which rest at their upper end against the sides of the
vessel A, and at their lower end upon a support F carried upon the
bottom of the vessel and arranged so as to leave side apertures, and a
hole in the centre serving for the passage of the porous material C from
the vessel A, as more fully herein-after explained. Upon the support F
there is placed a series of rings F¹, which form with the central hole
before mentioned a continuous tube, whilst below such support Fis
arranged a discharge tube F2 which communicates through the apertures
formed in the sides of the support F with a chamber A¹ situate beneath
the bars B, B, and through the tube F¹ with the interior of the vessel A.
The
porous material before its introduction into the vessel A is subjected
to a preliminary heating in the reservoir D, which is closed by a lid or
cover D¹, and a portion of such material descends from time to time into
a central box G, closing the man-hole G¹, where it remains ready to be
discharged into the vessel A below. The bottom of the box G has
formed in it an opening for the passage of the porous material therefrom,
and carries a pendent tube a, around which latter there is fitted a
sliding tube b, carrying at its lower end a cone H, which is attached to
the tube 6 in such a manner as to leave an annular opening c between :
the sides of the cone and the bottom of the tube. The cone II is
mounted upon a spindle d supported by standards e resting upon the

page_text: tube forming the man-hole G¹, which spindle also carries a conical valve I,
closing the opening formed in the bottom of the box G, so that both
the cones H and I are operated simultaneously.
In the upper portion of the vessel A and below the cone H there is
placed a hollow truncated cone K, the surface of which forms a larger
or more vertical angle with the horizon than the angle of repose, and the
axis of which coincides with the axis of the vessel A, to which vessel
the truncated cone K is attached by brackets f, and upon the top of the
hollow truncated cone K there is fitted the base of a similar but smaller
truncated cone L, the open upper portion of which is of less diameter
than the cone H. The aperture in the cone L is intended for the
passage of the gases, the porous material when the valve I is opened
passing over the sides of the cone H and of the truncated conc K on to
the bars B, B, as herein-after more fully explained.
M is the furnace from which proceed the smoke flues N, commu-
nicating by the outlet O with the chimney; the whole being sur-
rounded by the masonry P. The heated gases (hydrochloric acid gas
and air) are admitted into the apparatus by a tube Q, which is pro-
vided with a branch R (Figure 1) for the facility of cleaning, or to
enable a pyrometer to be introduced, and the gases are withdrawn from
the apparatus through a tube S, as shewn in Figure 2.
The courses of the gases within the apparatus and of the smoke outside
the apparatus are indicated by arrows, and the Drawings shew the
apparatus as charged and at work. The depth and surface of the
chemically active porous materials upon the gratings B, B, are regulated
by the position of the lower edge of the cone K. If it be desired to
have the bed of chemically active porous material of an equal thickness
throughout, the gratings B, B, should either be placed at the angle of
repose, or a layer of inert coarse porous material, such for example as
pieces of burnt clay, by preference approximating to a spherical shape,
should be arranged and retained thereon with a surface at the angle of
repose. The apparatus being thus prepared each charge of such active
material may be completely withdrawn through the tube F. The dust
falling through the grating and bars in the apparatus shewn in the
Drawings may be withdrawn through the same tube F³.
In the apparatus represented the upper surface of the gratings B, B,
or the upper surface of the layer of inert coarse porous material thereon

page_text: form a portion of an imaginary hollow inverted cone, whose axis is
vertical to the horizon, and whose surface forms the angle of repose.
In order to obtain a parallel layer upon this bed the edge of the cone K
is horizontal and concentric with the axis of the imaginary inverted
cone just referred to, that is to say, the edge of the cone K regulates the
final distribution and the surface of the porous material, but the body of
the cone K merely assists in the distribution of the material.
porous
A horizontal circular plate of the same diameter and in the same
position, as the base of the cone K may be employed in substitution for
the latter for the purpose of regulating the thickness and upper surface
of the porous material, or other contrivances may be employed. What-
ever may be the shape in horizontal section of the upper surface of the
gratings B, B, or of the bed of inert coarse porous material thereon
(such surface forming the angle of repose), if the edge of the cone K or
of its substitutes have the same shape or section, and the two sections
or shapes be in parallel planes so placed that each is a vertical projection
of the other the upper surface of the layer of active porous material will
bc parallel with its lower surface, and its thickness will be equal
throughout. In other words the edge of the cone K or of its substitute
forms in every part the upper limit of the plane of the surface of the
porous material, the rest of the surface being that formed by the natural
arrangement of the material itself; this edge therefore must be so
shaped and fixed that it occupies the whole of the desired limit.
The operations of filling and emptying the furnace are carried out in
the following manner, videlicit:-In the reservoir D I place a charge of
material, which in the first instance, if required, may be inert coarse
porous material to form a bed upon the gratings B, B, for supporting
the active porous material, and I use one or more of the rings F¹ to
regulate the depth of this first inert bed.
porous
It will be observed that the lid D' is moveable as are also the box G,
the valve I, the tube a, and the cones H and L, whereby facility is
afforded for obtaining access to the interior, and for removing and
replacing from time to time by the introduction of a long rod or other-
wise one or more of the rings F¹.
The apparatus being heated the materials contained in the reservoir D
can be introduced by lowering the valve I with its attachments, videlicit,
the tube a and the cone H, until the latter rest on the truncated cone L.

page_text: The valve hole of the valve I will then be open; its superficial arca
should be less than the area of the opening between the tube a and the
cone H. The opening at F2 should be firmly closed by a door g. The
coarse incrt material in the reservoir D may then be introduced through
the valve opening I, and passing through the tube a over the cones H, L,
and K, will accumulate on the gratings B, B, partially filling the tube F2.
If the material be in large pieces, its upper surface will be irregular
from the impetus the pieces acquire in their descent carrying them
beyond the angle of repose; and to obtain a surface at the necessary
angle I fill in a considerable excess of the coarse porous material and
withdraw the excess through the tube F, the surface of the material
then left resting on the gratings B, B, (and retained by the-rings F³)
will assume the angle of repose. I then close the tube F and through the
valve hole I, I introduce the chemically active material and proceed as
before described, excepting that if the pieces be small the material itself
will assume the angle of repose in the first instance.
When the surface of the material reaches the edge of the cone K in
any part of its circumference additional material remains on its surface,
and this takes place in all parts of the cone in succession, and ultimately
the opening c between the tube a and the cone H becomes closed by this
accumulation on the surfaces of the cones K and L. It is then known
that the apparatus is fully charged, the valve I may be lifted and secured,
and the apparatus is ready for work.
When it is desired to remove the porous material the door g of the
tube F is opened and the material withdrawn therefrom, the upper
surface of the material being the first to follow the descent of that which
is contained in the tubes F2 and F¹, thus the thickness of material on
the gratings B, B, will not be greatly diminished until after the material
on the cone K has descended, so that if a large quantity were distributed
over the surface of the cone K, the effect of withdrawing a similar quantity
from the tube F2 would be to distribute the material from the surface of
the cone K over the upper surface of the lower material, where it would
occupy the place of that which had descended into the tubes F and F2.
In this manner as much of the upper surface of the fresh portion of
porous material T may be withdrawn and replaced as is required, or the
whole charge may be withdrawn down to the upper edge of the tubo F¹,
which is capable of adjustment as herein-before described.

page_text: In the apparatus shewn in my Drawings several layers of porous
material are superimposed one on the other, and the upper layers can be
removed and replaced without disturbing the lower layers.
The porous materials employed in this apparátus should be dry and
not adhesive, but if in course of working these materials more or less
adhere together, they can be broken up by tools passed through the
man-hole G¹ when the lid D and the box G and if necessary also the
T26
In the apparatus shewn in my Drawings several layers of porous
material are superimposed one on the other, and the upper layers can be
removed and replaced without disturbing the lower layers.
The porous materials employed in this apparátus should be dry and
not adhesive, but if in course of working these materials more or less
adhere together, they can be broken up by tools passed through the
man-hole G¹ when the lid D and the box G and if necessary also the
Loone L are removed; or tools may be introduced through the tube Fif
required.
It is also evident that the same apparatus is applicable to many cases
where a dry material and a current of gases are required to act one upon
the other.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that I do not confine
myself to the form or arrangements of apparatus herein-before described,
but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is, the application and use to and in the manufacture of chlorine
by what is known as the Deacon's process, of an apparatus so con-
structed and arranged as that the chemically active porous materials
shall be contained and supported in such a manner that when charged
or introduced into the apparatus they shall form on their upper and
under surfaces angles equal to each other, and not materially differing
from the angle of repose, which is formed, when similar materials are
heaped together, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated
by my Drawing.
་་
HENRY DEACON. (L.S.)