CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARA- THIS FOR REFRIGERATING
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hippolyte Charles Vion, of Paris, in the Em-
pire of France, and of 16, Castle Street, Holborn, London,
Chemist, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARA-
THIS FOR REFRIGERATING"
Scaled the 9th April 1858, and dated the 15th January 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hippolyte Charles
Vion at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 15th January 1853.
.I, HIPPOLYTE CHARLES VION, of Paris, in the Empire of France, and
of 16, Castle Street, Holborn, London, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REFRI-
GERATING" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the production of cold by the evaporation
of liquids, & more particularly of liquified gas.
The latent heat absorbed by the liquids in evaporating is employed
without preference to any particular liquified gas or liquid, but accord-
ing to the effects it may be desired to produce.
The apparati are constructed in such a manner that the latent heat
absorbed by the vaporised gas may be only taken from the liquids or
substances the temperature of which it is desired to lower, & not br

page_text: the surrounding heat, or at least in trining quantities, so that this method
allows the vaporised gas to be continually collected & to be employed
for producing the same effects.
Plate 1 Fio 1 Vertical section of the apparatus.
the surrounding heat, or at least in triming quantues, so that this method
allows the vaporised gas to be continually collected & to be employed
for producing the same effects.
Plate 1 Fig 1 Vertical section of the apparatus.
33
"
2. Plan
2.
"
"
"
Vertical section of gas recipient.
2. Exterior elevation of,
"
"
27
3. Plan of the upper part„
4. Vertical section of the precipitating vessel.
Fig. 5. Plan of precipitating vessel.
6. Elevation of the passages which form the commu-
nications between the pump & the recipients.
Fig. 7.-Plan-of-the-passages.
7. Suction pipe.
8. Wormed do., to take the place of the recipient in
certain cases.
Plate 3. Figs. 1, and 2, shew three systems united.
In Figs. 1, & 2, Plate 1, the apparatus is shewn, comprising,
1st, a suction and forcing pump A. entirely immersed in a tank B,
filled with cold water cooling the interior & exterior of the cylinder;
2ndly, two recipients C, D, placed alternately in communication with
the suction & compressing valves of the pump by two pipes a, b, &
by means of cocks e, f, g, h, 3rd, of two vessels E, F, in which the
substances to be operated upon are placed.
Each of the recipients is composed of a cylinder 2; the sides and
upper part are of iron, & the bottom k, of copper. The cast-iron parts
of the recipient have an interior of gutta percha, the lower part of
which is strongly pressed by the right rose or "champignon," so as to
'become fixed between the stays of the upper cock, & above the rose
or champignon. The left rose or champignon bears a discharge cocks,
an-outer gutta percha cylindrical envelope m; surrounding the lower
stays to which it is soldered, & under the upper part of the recipient,
forming round this recipient an annular space for the purpose of
avoiding the useless absorption of the exterior heat. The recipients
are supported at the superior part by means of two roses n, n, under
the heads of which two strong horizontal bars o, o, are placed, resting
8

page_text: on metal or stone or brick supports. The communication between
the pump
& the two recipients is accomplished alternately by means
of two suction cocks e, f, & two forcing cocks g, h, placed over two.
conduits c, d, uniting at their extremities in the recipients. One of
these conduits receives the suction & the other the compressing pipe..
When one of the suction cocks is open the other is shut; it is the
same with the compressing cocks. Upon each suction and compressing
conduits is adapted a small pipe furnished with a cock communicating.
with a manometer: Each of the precipitating vessels E, F, is composed.
of a wooden case' p, lined entirely with a coating of gutta percha q.
This case is enclosed in a wooden covering, and is entirely separated
froin the first by a column of about an inch wide. When the vessel is
to be set in operation it is raised till it adheres firmly to the top.
of the recipient by pulleys, a jack, or any other means.
pump
WORKING OF THE APPARATUS.
The recipient G, is filled with liquified gas, the recipient D, being
completely open, and the manometer which communicates with the
first recipient, indicating a pressure of three atmospheres, and the
manometer communicating with the second recipient, indicating 0
atmosphere of pressure. The cocks are so regulated that the pump:
draws in the recipient G, and forces into. the recipient "D,. the water. in
the vessel F, will become firmly adherent to the top of the recipient C.
It will be understood that the first portions of gas absorbed. by the
would convey to the surfaces of the liquids x, a certain quantity.
of caloric necessary for effecting a change in the state of the liquid a.
As the equilibrium of the caloric is rapidly established. by contact, the
last layers of the liquida, becomes in turn cold. The lower and upper.
layer of the liquid a, are separated by a copper plate perfectly polished.
at the interior, & rough outside, & even covered with a very thin
coating of black varnish. This substance, a good conductor of heat,.
allows by this means x, to absorb by conduction the emission to the
liquid a, and a to give to the liquid x, by refraction, the caloric which:
loses by its own evaporation, & consequently equilibrium is not only
accomplished in the liquid mass, but also in the liquid mass..
the absorption be continued till the manometer of the récipient. C',
If

page_text: indicates O pressure, the liquid a will have received a certain quantity
of caloric. It will now be understood that in order to produce a
considerable reduction in the temperature of the liquid mass a¹, it will
be necessary to know its quantity & its specific heat, so as to introduce
into one of the recipients C, D, a given quantity of such a liquified gas
that its point of ebullition, its tension & density of vapour, its latent
heat, & the volume which it will occupy at the temperature desired
to be attained, may permit the pump to raise in a given time the quan-
tity of caloric which is desired to be drawn from the liquid mass ¹.
It is evident that the maximum of cold produced by this method
depends on the temperature of the surrounding bodies, the force of the
vapour lessening according to the rapidity of the evaporation, & occurs
when the heat communicated by the surrounding bodies equals the heat
absorbed by the vapour. This proves that the cold is increased in
proportion to the lowness of temperature of the surrounding bodies;
& by surrounding the recipients C, D, & the vessels E, F, with non-
conducting bodies, the gas & other substances to be cooled are sepa-
rated from the surrounding heat.
The third Sheet of Drawings represents the apparatus at work.
Two pumps are set in movement by a great cog wheel, & move alter-
nately, when one exhausts in one recipient, the other forces into the
other. Four recipients are constantly at rest. Thus they vaporise in
C, & compress in D, then from C', into D', & lastly from C", into
D", & then commence repeating this operation. Thus time is left for
the gras to be cooled by performing two other operations, during which
the cooling is still carried on by causing a ventilator to act under the
vessel in which the gas is compressed. This arrangement allows of au
excessive cold being obtained around the recipient of the gas, & then
in the precipitating vessel. In certain cases the form of the gas reci-
pients can be changed, & a worm used, or with large vessels constantly
filled with substances; but whatever be the form of the apparati, the
principle is the same, "latent heat absorbed by vaporised gas." This
arrangement & principle of apparati can also be employed for all pur-
poses in which it is necessary to precipitate a salt or a base in solution in
water or in other liquids, & this much more readily when the solubility
of salts & bases is much less than the temperature of the liquid in

page_text: which they are in solution is lower, or for precipitating a liquid in solu-
tion in another liquid, or in general for taking the heat from any body
whatever.
The following are among the applications of this principle :-
Separation of liquids from one another; by the freezing of the liquids,
or by lowering the temperature.
The production of chrystals from salts of soda, chloride of sodium,
&c. &c.; the precipitation of soluble blues, the purification of sea
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Hippolyte Charles Vion in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 18th July 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
HYPPOLYTE CHARLES VION, of Paris, in the Empire of France, and of
16, Castle Street, Holborn, London, Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
Her Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Fifteenth
day of January, in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself,
Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Hippolyte
Charles Vion, my executors, administrators and assigns, Her special
licence that I, the said Hippolyte Charles Vion, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Hippolyte Charles
Vion, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CER-
TAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATING," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Hippolyte Charles Vion, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great

page_text: 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 Hippolyte Charles Vion, 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, and the Drawings hereunto annexed
(that is to say): :
This Invention consists in the production of cold; and is based upon
the evaporation of liquids, and more particularly of liquified gases. The.
latent heat absorbed by the liquids in evaporating is employed without
preference to any particular liquified gas or liquid, but according to the
effects it may be desired to produce.
The apparati are constructed in such a manner that the latent heat
absorbed by the vaporized gas may be only taken from the liquids or
substances, the temperature. of which it is desired to lower, and not
from the surrounding heat, or at least in trifling quantities, so that this
method allows the vaporized gas to be continually collected, and to he
employed for producing the same effects.
:Sheet 1, of the Drawings: Fig. 1, is a longitudinal vertical section
of the apparatus; Fig. 2, transverse vertical section; Fig. 3, vertical
section. of one of the pumps S; Fig. 4, vertical section of an hydraulic
piston...
.
Sheet 2: Fig. 1, plan.
A, precipitating vessel, composed of a wooden tub, and of a tub of
gutta percha ; B, gas recipient; C, iron lid; d, d, supports of the
lid; E, E, &c., cocks for the communication with and separation from
the gas recipients, and the arrangement of cocks; F, junction of the
cocks; G, G, suction cocks; H, H, compressing cocks; I, I, direct
suction cocks, between the two recipients; K, suction pipe; I, com-
pressing pipe; M, float; N, thermometer; 0, manometer; t, manhole;
P, P, &c., iron bars upon which the supports d, d, rest; Q, Q, &c.,
chair supporting the iron bars P; R, R, &c., gearing serving to raise
the precipitating vats by the aid of a cord and a semi-circle 1.. :.
Fig. 8, Plate 1,4S. S. pumps, having at their upper part two valves a
serving. fo draw and force the water; d, pistone suction..valve;

page_text: f, compressing valve: 9, ball filled with mercury, serving as a weight
to the suction valve; h, empty ball of the compressing valve floating:
upon the mercury, which it displaces when the piston lowers, and by
which it is forced back when the piston rises; T, furnace.-serving for
the production of sulphurous acid gas; "U, vessel of iron containing the.
sulphur to be burnt; V, plate supporting the vessel U; ✗,. furnace ;
Y, chimney; Z, pipe serving for drawing the vapours of the sulphur,.
air, and azote, and communicating with the chimney; W, feeding pump;:
serving to make up the loss. which the gas recipients cause ;.
i, pipe,.
serving for bringing the gas into the worm. pipe when it is cooled ;.
A', cooling worm pipe; B'; condenser; C, cock, serving for the ingress.
or egress of the liquified gas; D', float; E¹, thermometer; F¹, mano-
meter; "G, bath filled with water, enclosing the condenser; m; 'man-¨
hole; .n, safety valve.
Fig. 4, Plate 1; the hydraulic piston. a, body of the copper piston;>
b, cylinder of caoutchouc; c, tube of caoutchouc, upon which the:
caoutchouc cylinder is placed; d, plate of copper, which serves to fix
the cylinder of caoutchouc against the collar f, of the body of the piston
by the aid of the screw e; 9, plate of copper, which serves to press the
cylinder of. caoutchouc when it is filled with water by the aid of the'
screw h, and the counter screw i.
.
Working of the apparatus as indicated upon Sheet 1, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4,
and Sheet 2, Fig. 1. The recipient B, contains about six gallons and.
a.half of liquified gas. The recipients B', B", B, contain.about thirty
two gallons of liquified gas. Suppose the recipient B, at the tempera-
ture 20%, and indicating by the .manometer O, 1. atmosphere of pres-
sure; the recipient B', at the temperature + 12°, indicating by. the
manometer O three atmospheres of pressure; the cocks should be.
arranged so as to evaporate in Band to compress in.B; the precipitat-
ing yat being filled with water, and fixed firmly at the upper part of the:
recipient B. When a-body changes its state, it is combined with caloric,
or it gives out caloric, and it will be thus understood, that the first por-
tion of gas absorbed by the pump ought to convey to the uppermost
portions of the liquified gas a certain quantity of caloric necessary for
effecting-the change in condition of the liquified gas. As the equilibrium.
of the caloric becomes established rapidly by contact, the lower portions.

page_text: of the liquified gas become progressively cooled. The lower portion of
the liquified gas and the uppermost portion of the water are separated
by a plate of red copper, perfectly polished in the interior and rough at
the exterior. This body being a good conductor of caloric thus allows
the liquified gas to absorb by conductibility. Emission to the water is also
afforded, and the water gives to the liquified gas by radiation and reflec-
tion the caloric which the liquified gas loses by its own evaporation, and
in consequence the equilibrium is established not only in the mass of
liquified gas, but also in the mass of water. If the absorption be con-
tinued until the manometer of the recipient B', indicates one atmosphere
of pressure, a certain quantity of caloric will be taken away from the
water, which will be thus transformed into ice, and this phenomenon will
be indicated by the thermometer, and by the sudden lowering of the pre-
cipitating vat A, the gearing being arranged so as to give way under a
certain pressure. If the water was charged with salts insoluble in water
at a certain temperature, they would be precipitated to the bottom of
the vat, and be found in a solid state under a coating of ice.
If the water contain alcohol or liquids not susceptible of congealing,
these will be found above or below the ice according to their density.
Thus twenty-six gallons of liquified gas are evaporated in B', and com-
pressed in B; twenty-six gallons are evaporated in Bu, and compressed in
B'; twenty-six gallons are evaporated in B, and are compressed in B".
In this manner, by compressing in the recipient in which the evapora-
tion has just taken place, and which is at a low temperature, a portion
of liquid to be evaporated.is liquified under the influence of the tempe-
rature without the aid of compression. The difference of temperature
which exists between the recipient which contains six and a half gallons
and that which contains thirty-two gallons is used by the aid of the pipe
furnished with four cocks i, i, i, i, which unite or separate at will two
recipients at once. In effect, if one of the cocks i, of the suction pipe
are opened at the same time as the cocks which establish the communica-
tion with the pumps, the liquified gas of the recipient B', will be precipi-
tated with violence, and with a continual rapidity, into the liquid gas of the
recipient A, until the two liquids become of the same temperature, that
is to say, of the same tension, which is indicated by the thermometer and
the manometer of each recipient; and the float M, of the recipient B',

page_text: indicates by the indicator the quantity of gas which has been absorbed
and liquified by the liquid gas of the recipient B, from the liquid gas of
the recipient B' till the moment when the temperature becomes the
same in the two recipients. Immediately the equilibrium is established
the cock i, is shut, and the pumps are lowered to absorb whatever
remains to be evaporated, which is indicated by the float of B, when it
denotes 100, and by the float of B', when it denotes 20. In this manner
two evaporations are obtained at the same time, of which one is regular,
and the other spontaneous. To produce a considerable reduction in the
temperature of the liquid mass to be congealed, or of which it is de-
sired to precipitate the salts, it is necessary to know the quantity of the
liquid and its specific heat, so as to introduce into the gas recipients a
given quantity of such liquified gas, whose boiling point, lensity, tension,
latent heat, and volume (mean average) which it will occupy at the tem-
perature which it is desired to reach, may permit the pumps to take
away in a given time the quantity of caloric desired from the liquid
mass upon which it is desired to operate. The maximum of cold which
can be produced by this arrangement depends on the temperature of the
surrounding bodies, the force of the vapour diminishing without ceasing,
as well as the rapidity of the evaporation, for a period arrives wh the
heat communicated by the surrounding bodies is equal to the heat
absorbed by the vapour. The maximum of cold will be much more
considerable than the temperature of the surrounding bodies, or will be
preserved at a lower temperature, and this is what is sought to be
obtained by surrounding the gas recipients and the precipitating vals
with non-conducting bodies which completely isolate the gases and the
substances to be cooled by the surrounding heat.
Figs. 2, and 3, of Sheet 2, represent an arrangement of apparatus
serving to separate from the water the bodies which are soluble, or
which are congealed at about the point of congelation of the water.
This arrangement permits the latent heat of the ice to be economised,
and of only having to absorb the specific heat of the substances.
Fig. 2, vertical section (longitudinally) of the apparatus. Fig. 8.
Plan of the apparatus. A, precipitating vat filled to the brim with
liquid upon which it is intended to operate. a, liquid contained in
the precipitating vat. B, B', B", B, gas recipients. c, iron lid of

page_text: the recipient. D, caoutchouc washer, serving to make a joint with the
top of the recipient, and with the precipitating vat d, d, interior sup-
ports, serving as a stop at the bottom of the copper cupel of the 'recipient.
E, E, "E", suction cocks, by which the pumps draws in the recipients
B, B, B, BF, F, F, F, feeding cocks, by which the condenser
sends to the gas recipients, when empty, the liquified gas. G, suction
pipe, surrounded with gutta percha. H, 'feeding pipe. I, float, indi-
cating the working of the liquids. L, manometer, indicating the tension
of the liquid gas. K, thermometer, indicating the temperature of the
liquids. M; inanometer, indicating the pressure which the liquid bears,
which is to be operated upon. m, man-hole, made upon the lid of the
recipient. N, N, &c., supports serving to raise the vats by the aid of
gearing O, iron bars supporting the gas recipients. P, P, &c., pieces
serving to fasten the bars of iron to the recipients. Q, Q, &c., supports
of the entire apparatus. R, condenser, enclosed in a bath R'. S, feed-
ing cock going to the recipients. T, compressing cock, by which the
pumps condense the gas which they have absorbed in the gas recipient.
U. float: V, thermometer. X, manometer. Y, safety valve. Z, man-
the recipient. D,'caoutchouc washer, serving to make a joint with the
top of the recipient, and with the precipitating vat: d, d, interior sup-
ports, serving as a stop at the bottom of the copper cupel of the 'recipient.
E, E, "E", suction cocks, by which the pumps draws in the recipients
B, B¹, B","BF, F, F, F, feeding cocks, by which the condenser
sends to the gas récipients, when empty, the liquified gas. G, suction
pipe, surrounded with gutta percha. H, 'feeding pipe. I, float, indi-
cating the working of the liquids. L, manometer, indicating the tension
of the liquid gas. K, thermometer, indicating the temperature of the
liquids. Minanometer, indicating the pressure which the liquid bears,
which is to be operated upon. m, man-hole, made upon the lid of the
recipient. N, N, &c., supports serving to raise the vats by the aid of
gearing O, iron bars supporting the gas recipients. P, P, &c., pieces
serving to fasten the bars of iron to the recipients. Q, Q, &c., supports
of the entire apparatus. R, condenser, enclosed in a bath R. S, feed-
ing cock going to the recipients. T, compressing cock, by which the
pumps condense the gas which they have absorbed in the gas recipient.
U,. float: V, thermometer. X, manometer. Y, safety valve. Z, man-
hole. W, pump.
WORKING OF THE APPARATUS.
The boiling point of water, the same as the point of congelation of
the water, is in accordance with the pressure which it bears; thus
under a pressure of three atmospheres the water is congealed at less
than forty degrees. Supposing that water charged with a salt which it
is desired to precipitate, is to be operated upon, and which is still
soluble in water below. zero, this liquid is submitted to a pressure of
three atmospheres. In this case the water will not be congealed at
less than forty degreed. Then, when the thermometer indicates twenty
degrees below zero, if the precipitating vat be lowered, the water will
quickly abandon its latent heat, a small portion is congealed at the
surface.of the precipitated salt, aud the water above this layer of ice
will. be at an elevated teniperature; the water being removed, the
layer of ice raised, the salt will be found at the bottom of the vat.
In this manner the temperature of the whole mass is lowered fifteen
degrees more than necessary for obtaining the precipitation of the

page_text: salt, but the latent heat of the whole mass is economised; which is at
79° 25; 'so as to obtain the precipitation of the salt, we have taken
away thirty
by this process; to obtain the like result
by the means at present employed, it would be necessary to expend
six hundred and fifty
According to the specific heat of the liquids upon which it is desired
to operate, it is necessary to choose a particular.liquified gas, the latent
heat of which may permit the pumps to take away in a given time the
necessary quantity of caloric for producing the congelation or the preci-
pitation of the salts or the separation of the liquids. To complete the
demonstration, the following is a rule for knowing when to choose any
particular liquid or liquified gas.
The latent heat of vapours is in volume as 1 : 3.
:
1000
Proof of this rule. Water: density of the liquid, 1000, density of
the vapour, 0.620.
620=16123=537 latent heat given
by this rule and by experience. The volume of steam at 0°, is 182,000,
182,000 100 3=606,66 latent heat given by this rule. Ether:
density of the. liquid, 736; density of vapour, 2.58. 736 2.58=
285-27: 8=95-9, the latent heat given by this rule. Sulphurous acid:
density of the liquid, 1440; density of vapour 2.23. 1440 2.23=
645 322 967: 3-322 latent heat of
liquid gas at 0, and 1-5 atmospheres of pressure, given by this rule.
of sulphurous acid
Various applications.-Separation of solid bodies from liquids by the
congelation of the liquids. The productions of crystals, the precipitation
of salts, of soda, of azotate, of potash, of chloride, of sodium, oxalic acid,
binoxalate of potash, Kermes naptha, soluble blues taken from cyanures,
and all other soluble colours, to obtain them in a solid state of salts con-
tained in the waters of the sea, which would, without doubt; be purified
of sugar in solution in water. Separation of liquids among themselves,
by congelation of the liquids, or by a suitable lowering of temperature.
Concentration of alcohol, of essences, of acetic acids, sulphuric, azotic,
and chlorydric. The purification of wines, cyder, and beer, and all liquors.
by congealing a portion of the water which they contain, the hydratation
of the sulphur, carbon, &c. Absorption of heat of any body whatever,
either as a system of condensation for steam engines, or as a condenser
for a gas engine. For houses:-1st, as a supply of pure water by the

page_text: precipitation of salts from sea water; 2nd, for the preservation of food
by the surrounding of it with ice, and by this means preserving sub-
stances which might be deteriorated by contact with the air, or by the
action of heat, such as syrups, liqueurs, chemical and volatile productions,
&c. &c; 3rd, for changing the atmosphere of houses in hot regions,
and for all kinds of culinary preparations. For the Custom House:-As
an apparatus for proving the strength of wine, milk, alcohol, &c.; for
reproducing in any country the natural mineral waters by obtaining by
precipitation of the salts which they contain.
The recipients are of cast iron; they may be of any other material.
The cupel is of copper; it may be of silver, &c. The form of the re-
cipients may be modified, ad infinitum, in the interior where the sub-
stances to be cooled or precipitated are placed. The position of the said
recipients may receive all kinds of modifications, being able to agitate
the surface of the liquids either at their base or around their sides. The
precipitating vats are moveable; they may be fixed with moveable
bottom or receive any other forms. I constantly employ gutta percha;
I might make use of any other body a bad conductor of caloric. Finally,
whatever may be the form, the arrangement, or the combination of ap-
paratus, the principle is the same,-latent heat absorbed by a vapo-
rized gas. My physico-mechanical combination may be applied every
time that it is desired to take away the heat from any body whatever.
I claim, first, the application of cold produced by the evaporation of
liquids and liquified gas by the aid of mechanical means; secondly, the
combination of apparatus herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hippolyte Charles Vion, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Ninth day of July, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.