Improvements in or connected with Apparatus used in the Distillation of Ammonia.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Dec., 1890-Accepted, 7th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Apparatus used in the
Distillation of Ammonia.
We, JAMES JONES MELDRUM, Engineer, and THOMAS FREDERICK MELDRUM,
Engineer, both of 25, Cathedral Yard, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
do hereby declare the nature of our said invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates mainly to the agitation and feeding of milk of lime to
ammonia stills, and to the mixing of such lime with the fluid to be treated.
:
The lime is contained in a tank or cistern conveniently placed at or near the
ground level it is best provided with sloping sides. The lime is either slacked
and mixed with water in a separate vessel and then run into this tank at intervals:
or the lumps of lime slacked, or otherwise, are placed in a sieve fitted over this
tank but dipping into the water. The clean water is best run in continuously, but
may
be poured in intermittently, and in either case it should run over the lime in
the sieve.
We agitate the milk of lime, and thereby the lime is kept in suspension; and we
effect this agitation by blowing atmospheric air through suitable apertures into it.
This may be done by employing a pipe or conduit near the bottom of the tank and
provided with holes for distributing the air. The air is preferably supplied by
means of a steam jet blower, or air injector, consisting of a steam nozzle and com-
bining cylinder (with or without coned inlet and diverging outlet tube). With this
arrangement the lime-water is at the same time warmed as well as agitated. In
one form of apparatus the air is distributed by means of an inverted trough or
U pipe; the distributing pipe or trough should be approximately horizontal to
obtain equal agitation.
The milk of lime is continuously fed into the still by means of a steam jet
elevator or injector, consisting, preferably, of a steam nozzle and combining
As a lime injector when
cylinder with coned inlet, and diverging outlet tube.
made sufficiently small to give a continuous feed soon becomes choked by a deposit
of lime, we construct it with a withdrawable steam nozzle, and a cleaning plug at
each end, so that a rymer or scraper, properly formed, can be easily applied to
remove the deposit of lime. The line indicators may be fixed in duplicate, so that
one of them is always in working condition.
With very small plant we may allow part of the milk of lime passing through
the injector to return into the tank so as to reduce the feed to the still. For this
purpose a branch pipe on the outlet from the injector will be necessary, leading
back into the tank and provided with a cock or valve for regulating the quantity
of water so returned.
Milk of lime is usually fed intermittently either by means of a comparatively
large injector or a feed pump but with continuous feed less lime is required, and
less ammonia is left in the waste liquor.
:
For mixing the milk of lime with the gas liquor, we use a kind of injector with
a central nozzle for introducing milk of lime, and a combining cylinder, in which
the two liquids flow together, the lime forming a central core and the ammonia
liquor surrounding it: the liquor may enter at a branch on the side of the mixing
injector and the milk of lime at the end. At the outlet end of the injector is
placed a device such as a dash plate at right angles to the current, or an obstruction
in the form of a ploughshare or the like, the effect of the latter being to twist the
stream, and of both to more intimately mix the ammonia and lime liquors.
The mixed liquid then flows into a cistern or vessel and is steamed or otherwise
heated, for the extraction of the fixed ammonia.

page_text: It is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the construction of the
apparatus to the particular one set forth, as it is susceptible of various modifications
both in arrangements and in detail.
Dated this 20th day of March 1890.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicants' Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Apparatus used in the
Distillation of Ammonia.
We, JAMES JONES MELDRUM, Engineer, and THOMAS FREDERICK MELDRUM
Engineer, both of 25, Cathedral Yard, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster
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:—
This invention relates mainly to the agitation of milk of lime, and to the feeding
of the same to ammonia stills; and it has also reference to the mixing of such lime
with the fluid to be treated.
The lime is contained in a tank or cistern conveniently placed at or near the
ground level such tank being preferably provided with sloping sides. The lime
is either slacked and mixed with water in a separate vessel and then run into
this tank at intervals; or the lumps of lime slacked or otherwise may be placed in
a sieve fitted over this tank but dipping into the water. The clean water is best
run in continuously, but it may be poured in intermittently.
We agitate the milk of lime, and thereby keep the lime in suspension, by blowing
atmospheric air or other gas or vapour through suitable apertures into it. This
may be done by employing a pipe or conduit near the bottom of the tank and
provided with holes for distributing the air. The air is preferably supplied by
means of a steam-jet blower or air injector, consisting of a steam nozzle and
combining cylinder, (with or without coned inlet and diverging outlet tube).
this arrangement, the lime-water is at the same time warned as well as agitated.
In a modified form of apparatus the air is distributed by means of an inverted
trough or pipe; the distributing pipe or trough should be approximately
horizontal to obtain equal agitation.
With
To clear the air pipe after the lime water or milk of lime has been left standing
in the tank, and the suspended lime allowed to settle, steam may be delivered direct
to the air pipes or conduits.
The milk of lime is continuously fed into the still by means of a steam-jet
elevator or injector, consisting, preferably, of a steam nozzle and combining
cylinder with coned inlet, and diverging outlet tube. As a lime injector when
made sufficiently small to give a continuous feed is liable to become soon choked by
a deposit of lime, we construct it with a withdrawable steam nozzle, and a cleaning
plug at each end, so that a rymer or scraper, properly formed, can be easily
applied to remove the deposit of lime. The lime elevators or injectors may be
fixed in duplicate, so that one of them would always be in working condition.
With very small plant we may allow part of the milk of lime passing through
the injector to return into the tank so as to reduce the feed to the still. For this
purpose a branch pipe on the outlet from the injector will be necessary, leading
into the tank and provided with a cock or valve for regulating the quantity
of liquid so returned. This mode is also generally applicable to the feeding of milk
of lime, as, and for the purposes, hereinafter explained.
Milk of lime is usually fed intermittently, either by means of a comparatively
large injector or a feed pump: but with continuous feed less lime is required and
less ammonia is left in the waste liquor.
For mixing the milk of lime with the gas liquor, we use a kind of injector with a

page_text: .
central nozzle for introducing milk of lime, and a combining cylinder, in which the
two liquids flow together, the lime forming a central core and the ammonia liquor
surrounding it the liquor may enter at a branch on the side of the mixing injector
And the milk of lime at the end. At the outlet end of the injector is placed a
device such as a dash plate at right angles to the current, or an obstruction in the
form of a ploughshare or the like, the effect of the latter being to twist the stream,
and of both to more intimately mix the ammonia and lime liquors. The mixed
liquid then flows into the still or vessel and is steamed or otherwise heated, for the
extraction of the fixed ammonia.
In the drawings which serve to illustrate this invention
Figure is a general elevation shewing an ammonia still provided with the
improvements herein described.
Figure 2 is a view shewing the milk of lime raising and supplying apparatus
partly in section.
Figure 3 shews the apparatus employed at or about the point where the milk of
lime passes into the still."
Figures 4 and 5 are, respectively, elevation, and end view, illustrating the mode
of and means for mixing lime and water.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of the device used for mixing the milk of lime
with the gas liquor.
With reference in the first instance to Figures 1 and 2, X designates an ordinary
ammonia still; a is the body of the elevator or injector; is the withdrawable
steam nozzle thereof; c is a steam pipe for conveying the steam to the nozzle b;
dis an intake conduit or pipe through which the milk of line flows into the
apparatus; e is a delivery pipe of the apparatus ; ƒ is a return pipe having on it a
regulating cock g.
The withdrawable steam nozzle is provided with a thread externally, and is
secured in the body a by screwing it into the neck a¹ thereof, whilst the shoulder
Between this shoulder
thereon at a forms a joint with the metal of the body a.
and the screwed part, an annular port a³ is provided round the nozzle b, apertures ¹
being provided in the nozzle by which the steam from such port enters the nozzle.
The outer end of the nozzle is provided with a screwed cleaning plug 6², whilst the
opposite end of the body a is provided with a cleaning plug h which is screwed into
said body. By removing both these plugs a through way is provided, so that the
whole of the interior of the nozzle and the outlet and mixing portion at of the body a
can be cleaned; access to the port a³ and the exterior of the nozzle & being had by
withdrawing it, that is, by unscrewing it out of the neck a¹ of the body a.
For gaining access to the interior of the delivery pipe e another screwed plug h¹
is provided directly beneath said pipe in the body a.
In working stills with this apparatus, milk of lime is continuously fed to the
stills, and a portion of the feed is returned to the supply tank by the pipe f, the
quantity so returned being controlled by the cock
9.
This arrangement and mode of continuously feeding milk of lime to stills is
particularly applicable to cases of a very small plant, as in such cases, if an elevator
or injector be used which will not become readily choked up, it must be of such a
size that the amount of lime fed would be too great, but by returning to the feed
tank or other source of supply a portion of the milk of lime fed into the delivery or
supply pipe e, such an elevator or injector can be used as will provide for a
continuous feed, without the liability of becoming quickly blocked Besides,
however, the usefulness of the return feed for the purposes, and under the
conditions above mentioned, it may also be used for all sizes of apparatus to serve
as a means of shewing the operators of the plant whether the elevator or injector is
working properly, or not; and thus this mode of feeding constitutes as it were a
sight-feed.'
66
22
up.
At the part of the apparatus where the milk of lime is fed into the still X, the
arrangement of parts shewn in Figures 1 and 3 is employed. With reference to

page_text: these figures e is the delivery pipe from the elevator or injector a shewn in Figure 2
i is a cross-pipe from the upper part of e; and is a descending pipe, connected to
its upper part being provided with an air vessel k, and its lower end at 7 is connecte
to the still X; thus, the liquid passes up above the point at which the liquid enter
the still, and above the level of liquid therein, and then down again in the form o
a syphon pipe or bend. The height of the cross pipe i must be such that the
pressure of vapour within the still will not be able to force the liquor back over the
pipe when the elevator or injector a is not at work; whilst the end served by
the air vessel is, that it prevents the long leg or pipe e causing a back syphoning
of liquid. The pipes e, ), and, as will be seen, are all provided with caps by
moving which access is had to the interiors of said pipes, and they can be cleaned by
any suitable instruments.
0), and
In Figure 4 we shew the lime mixing or agitating apparatus. In this figure m
is the steam-jet blower or injector; is a steam valve for controlling the supply of
steam to the injector; o is a cock for controlling the outlet pipe m' of the injector m
pis a pipe connecting the steam pipe and the pipe m below the valve
having upon the cock is a horizontal pipe fixed to the end of the pipe m
by which the air supplied by the blower is distributed are perforations in said
pipe for distributing the air; and is the liming tank, the lower parts of the sides a
of which, slope inwards towards the distributing pipe, near the bottom of said
tank. The effect of this shape of tank together with the disposition therein of the
pipe is, that the agitation and circulation of the liquor in the tank is rendered
thoroughly effective.
"'
The action of the blower m is that of an ordinary steam-jet blower, whilst the
pipe serves to supply live steam from the steam pipe n' to the pipe (provided
the pressure of air delivered by the blower is not sufficient) to cleanse the pipe and
apertures, and remove any matters that may have found their way therein and
become deposited.
When recourse is had to this cleansing action, the steam supply valve n will be
shut, as will also the valve o, whilst the valve p' will be opened.
In Figure 6 the mode or means of effecting the mixing of the milk of lime and
gas liquor is shewn.
It consists of a tube 7, having openings at , and secured to
the shell of the still Xa nozzle provided in the cutlet end of the tube through
which the milk of lime is injected and directed into such tube; and a mixing and
distributing device e, (which in the drawings is a plate) disposed in front of the
outlet orifice of the tube t. In action, as the milk of lime is discharged from the
nozzle (it being led thereto by the pipe 7) concentrically into the tube t, it causes
the introduction through the apertures of gas liquor about the tube; this liquor
passing through the tube as an annular stream, the core of which is occupied by
the stream of the milk of lime which caused its introduction. After the two streams
leave the tube & they meet in their flow the device, and are by it sharply turned,
and in consequence become thoroughly mixed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In apparatus used for feeding milk of lime to ammonia stills, the use in con-
nection with the still, of apparatus for agitating and circulating the lime-water,
having a steam-jet air blower by which air is forced through said lime water; and
a steam jet elevator or injector in combination therewith by which said milk of lime
is withdrawn from the agitating apparatus and delivered into the still.
2. The herein described mode of feeding ammonia stills with milk of lime,
consisting in supplying said milk of lime to said stills by a steam jet elevator or
injector, and returning from the feeding apparatus a portion of the liquid forced and
supplied thereby; for the purposes set forth.
3. In ammonia stills, the combination of an injector or elevator for feeding

page_text: milk of lime, having a return pipe or conduit with a regulating valve or cock, by
which a portion of the milk of lime moved by the apparatus is returned; substantially
as described.
4. Apparatus for feeding milk of lime to ammonia stills, consisting of a steam jet
clevator or injector having a withdrawable steam nozzle arranged and adapted to
operate substantially as and for the purposes set forth also the use in combination
therewith of the cleaning plugs arranged and disposed as and for the purposes
described.
:
5. In apparatus for supplying ammonia stills with milk of lime, the use in com-
bination with the milk of lime supply pipe, of means, substantially as herein
described, by which back syphoning action is prevented.
6. In apparatus used in connection with ammonia stills for agitating and circulating
milk of line, a tank having sloping sides in combination with a pipe or other
agitating conduit at the bottom thereof by which air or other gas is distributed to
the lime water, whereby the agitation and circulation is facilitated and accelerated.
7. In apparatus used in connection with ammonia stills for agitating and circulating
milk of lime, wherein said circulation and agitation is effected by air (or other gas)
supplied by said apparatus substantially as described, effecting the cleaning of the
pipes or conduits thereof by steam substantially as described.
8. The apparatus for feeding milk of lime to ammonia stills, constructed and
adapted to operate substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of
the drawings.
9. The construction and arrangement of milk of lime elevator or injector a, having
a steam pipe, milk of lime inlet and outlet, return pipe, and means for cleaning,
arranged and constructed as set forth and described with reference to Figure 2.
10. The agitating apparatus for mixing and circulating lime water for feeding
to ammonia stills, consisting of the combination of steam-jet air blower, tank, air
distributing pipe, and steam pipes, arranged, constructed and adapted to operate
substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 4 and 5.
11. In apparatus for feeding milk of lime to ammonia stills, the use in combina-
tion of a steam jet elevator or injector by which the milk of lime is forced, and a
supply pipe or conduit carried up and adapted to prevent the return of the liquor
from the still while the injector is not working; operating substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
12. The arrangement of delivery pipes e, i, j, and parts connected therewith in
combination with an ammonia still, as and for the purposes set forth with reference
to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.
13. In connection with ammonia stills effecting the mixing of the milk of lime
and ammonia liquor substantially in the manner and by means as set forth: also
the arrangement and combination of the parts of the apparatus set forth with
reference to Figure 6 of the drawings by which said mixing is effected.
Dated this 20th day of December 1890.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicants' Patent Agents.