IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING OILS AND OTHER LIQUIDS FROM COAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING OILS AND OTHER
LIQUIDS FROM COAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES."-A communication from abroad
by William George Washington Jaeger, of Baltimore, in the State of
Maryland, United States of America.
Sealed the 8th August 1865, and dated the 15th March 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th March 1865.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS. IN APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING OILS AND
OTHER LIQUIDS FROM COAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention relates to retorts or stills in which such
substances are to be treated, and the second part to apparatus for condensing
the vapours which are generated in retorts or stills, and for separating the
uncondensed gases from the liquids.

page_text: In distilling bydrocarbon oils and liquids from coal and other bituminous or
oleaginous substances in retorts having a condensing apparatus attached, the
lighter oils and liquids are set free and evaporated at a low temperature. At
the same time some of the heavy oils are also set free, and if allowed to
remain in the retort until the heat is sufficiently increased to vaporize and
force the heavy vapours over through the condensing apparatus a portion of
the oils previously set free become charred, decomposed, and mostly converted
into a permanent gas, thus not only wasting a portion of the oils, but also
injuring the character of what is evaporated and condensed through the
condensing apparatus.
'
In order to extract all the oils from the bituminous and oleaginous substances
in process of distillation without decomposing part and injuring the oils, a
distilling apparatus is required, in which the heavier oils can be removed from
the retort and action of the fire so soon as formed, and the lighter oils
distilled off by a gradually increased temperature in a perfect and complete
manner.
In order to save the heavy oils from being wasted, and prevent the vapours
of the lighter oils from deterioration, and to hasten the extraction of the oils
from the charge, the heavy oils should be removed from the still or from the
action of the heat of the furnace as soon as they are formed. The lower the
temperature at which hydrocarbons can be vaporized the better the quality,
and the larger the per-centage of illuminating oils.
In the retorts or stills now commonly used the oils and other liquids which
are not driven out of the retort in the form of vapour at the time the lighter
and more volatile oils are vaporized remain therein until the heat is increased
to such a temperature as will be sufficient to convert them into vapour or gas,
and no means are used to withdraw the said oils from the still in their
liquid state.
The object of the first part of this Invention is to separate such heavy oils or
liquids from the coal and other substances as fast as they are produced, and to
withdraw them at once from the retort or still. In carrying out this part of
the Invention the bottom of the retort or still is made of an arched or curved
form, so that its central part is the highest, in order that any liquids which are
formed in the retort may be collected together. The bottom may be inclined
only in one direction, if preferred, instead of being inclined from the centre
towards both its sides. On each side of the retort, along its entire length, are
channels in which the oil and other liquids extracted from the charge without
vaporization are collected. These channels may be constructed separately from
the retort, and applied to and connected therewith at and along its lowest

page_text: points, or they may be made by extending the edges and lowest parts of the
bottom beyond the sides of the retort, and by bringing the sides down upon the
bottom, so as to form channels in those parts of the bottom which are without
the sides. The extensions of the sides of the retort are perforated with
numerous holes through which the oils and other liquids pass into the channels
from the interior of the retort. The sides of the retort may be altogether
supported upon the outer edges of the bottom, and the extension plates may be
only carried down so far as will leave a continuous but narrow opening
between its lower edge and the bottom, through which the oils and liquids
may pass instead of openings as above mentioned. The openings are to be
small enough to prevent the coal and coke and other substances contained in
the retort from passing into the channels, which are inclined towards discharge
pipes with which their lower ends connect, and into which they discharge
whatever liquids are produced in the retort.. The discharge pipes, which are
bent in the form of U, may be placed in any suitable position on the retort;
the channels being inclined in directions corresponding to such change of
position. The front or lower ends of the channels are open and fitted with
covers, which are made removable in order to give the operator access to the
channels when it is necessary to clean and free them from any residuum,
sediment, or deposits which may collect in them.
. In operating this retort or still the oils will collect in the channels, and so
be removed from the hotter parts of the retort. Such oils may be removed
from time to time; or they may be allowed to pass away as fast as collected,
and be discharged into mains or reservoirs. The channels may be partially
enclosed in jackets containing a refrigerating medium for the purpose of
cooling the oils passing through them, and preventing them from being vaporized
by the heat from the furnace and retort, or the channels may be subjected in
any other way to cooling or refrigerating influences for this purpose. As the
bottoms of retorts or stills are liable to be burnt out before the. rest of the
apparatus is impaired, the bottoms may be made separate from the rest of the
retort. The joints where the sides of the retort and bottom meet together are
to be properly bolted and caulked to prevent the escape of gases and vapours.
By this means the retorts may be renewed when the bottoms are burnt out
by merely supplying a new bottom plate...
The second part of this Invention relates to condensing and separating
oils and gases. This part of the Invention has for its object to condense
the vapours of distillation in a more perfect manner than heretofore, and to
separate the oils in such a way as to prevent the escape of gaseous matter
therewith.

page_text: To improve the mode and facilitate the operation of obtaining and separating
the oils sought after from the gases, the Inventor introduces between the retort
or still and the usual condensing worm a large surface condenser, called the
"condensing main," the construction of which is as follows:-There are two
concentric cylinders properly secured to each other, so as to enclose an annular
space. Through the centre of the inner cylinder is placed another cylinder
closed at its inner end, which does not-pass beyond the ends of the other
cylinders, and whose outer end rises to a suitable elevation to receive. water or
other refrigerating matter from any convenient source. The inner pipe is
connected to the annular space by means of a pipe through which the water
or other refrigerating medium used passes into the annular space, and it is
delivered therefrom through the overflow pipe, which rises from the upper.side
of the condensing main to a suitable height, whence it is to be conducted away
by a discharge pipe. The flow of the water can be regulated by the usual
appliances. An annular chamber is enclosed between the exteriors of the
internal pipe and the inner circumference of the cylinder. This chamber is
closed at that end of the main which receives the pipe, and is open at that
end which is connected to the worm." It has a descending pipe which passes
from its lower side through the annular space, through which the heavy
and condensed oils are drawn off, and which may be furnished with a spigot or
trap, and it also has a man-hole at its end. The annular chamber com-
municates with the retort or still by means of a large pipe which enters it. by
passing through the annular space. The annular chamber is connected to the
worm by a pipe, which is so placed that its lower side is inclined towards
the chamber.
The operation of the condensing main is as follows:-The vapors from the
retort or still enter the annular chamber, and the heavier parts, and those
which condense most readily, are there condensed into a liquid and discharged
through the descending pipe, while the vapors which remain uncondensed
pass along through the large horizontal pipe into the condensing worm. If
any of these vapors become condensed in the large pipe, the liquid will run
down its inclined bottom into the annular chamber."
The Invention also has for one of its objects the seperation of uncondensed
gases from the oil or liquids delivered from the worm or condenser, so that
they shall not escape therewith. To this end the delivery end of the worm or
condenser is immersed in a trap, which has its discharge spout or pipe at
'a higher elevation than the delivery end of the worm or condenser, so that the
'oil shall always cover the delivery end; the object is to trap the gases at the
end of the condenser and separate them from the oils and liquids by an opening

page_text: or pipe beyond the exit of the liquids, through which opening and pipe the
gases pass, and which opening and pipe are directly in communication with
the retort or still, by which means the vapors generated pass out of the retort
or still through the condenser free of all obstruction, the uncondensed vapors
or gases pass through the opening and pipe, and the condensed liquids pass
through the trap.
A descending pipe is connected to the worm or condenser near its lower
end, and at a point above the trap, and is connected with a fan if it be desired
to create a suction in the pipe in order to relieve the condensing apparatus
and retort, and the gases thereby withdrawn may be forced into a suitable
receptacle to be further utilized, or the end of the pipe may be left and
the gases be burnt for either light or heat as they issue therefrom, by which a
suction will be created in the pipe, and the condensing apparatus and retort
will be relieved of pressure independent of a fan or pump, or the pipe may. be
carried to the open atmosphere, or led into any convenient flue.
open,
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 15th September 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One-
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of Her reign,.
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Edward Newton, Her special licence that I, the said William Edward'
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Edward Newton, 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 "IM
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING OILS AND OTHER LIQUIDS FROM COAL AND
OTHER SUBSTANCES," being a communication to him from abroad, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Edward Newton, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain

page_text: 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 William Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the 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 Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention relates to an improvement in distilling oils and other liquids
from coal and other oleaginous and bituminous substances from which liquids
can be obtained by treatment with heat.
The first part of the Invention relates to improvements in the retorts or
stills in which such substances are to be treated, and the second part to
apparatus for condensing the vapors which are generated in retorts or stills,
and for separating the uncondensed gases from the liquids.
In the accompanying Drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a retort or still
containing the improvements comprised in the first part of this Invention, and
shewing also the side of the furnace B; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken
on the line y of Fig. 4; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the retort; Fig. 4 is a
vertical section taken on the line of Fig. 1. Similar letters of reference
indicate like parts.
In distilling hydrocarbon oils and liquids from coal and other bituminous
or oleaginous substances in retorts having a condensing apparatus attached,
the lighter oils and liquids are set free and evaporated at a low temperature.
At the same time some of the heavy oils and water (ammoniacal liquor) are
also set free, and if allowed to remain in the retort until the beat is sufficiently
increased to vaporize the same and force the heavy vapors over through the
condensing apparatus, a portion of the oils previously set free become charred,
decomposed, and mostly converted into a permanent gas, thus not only wasting
a portion of the oils, but also injuring the character of what is evaporated and
condensed through the condensing apparatus. In order to save this heavier
oil from such waste, as well as to prevent the deterioration of the distillate by
the burnt vapors, it becomes necessary that this heavier oil should be removed
from the action of the fire and retort as soon as it is formed.
In order to extract all these oils from the bituminous and oleaginous
substances in process of distillation without decomposing part and injuring
the oils and liquids, a distilling apparatus is required, by which the heavier
oils can be removed from the retort and action of the fire so soon as formed,

page_text: and the lighter oils distilled off by a gradually increased temperature in a
perfect and complete manner.
It has been found in distilling bituminous and oleaginous substances that
while at a low temperature of heat the lighter volatile oils are more copiously
vaporized, and a portion of the heavier oils set free; the heavier oils require
a much greater heat for their vaporization, and if allowed to remain in the
retort, and exposed to the action of the intense heat, and to act by contact on
the vapors of the lighter liquids, they are decomposed, and a large quantity of
permanent gas is generated, while the lighter liquids condensed from the
vapors so suddenly exposed to the action of an intense heat become much
heavier, and mix with coloring tarry matter, the consequence of which is a
mixed product containing more "gas tar" than pure hydrocarbon.
In order to save the beavy oils from being wasted, and prevent the vapors
of the lighter oils from deterioration, and to hasten the extraction of the oils
from the charge under treatment, it is desirable to remove the heavy oils from
the still or from the action of the heat of the furnace as soon as they are
formed. It is known to practical distillers of hydrocarbon that the lower the
temperature at which vaporization can be effected the better the quality, and
the larger the per-centage of illuminating oils derived from the coal or other
substances under treatment.
In the retorts or stills now commonly used the oils and other liquids which
are extracted from the substances under treatment, and which are not driven
out of the retort in the form of vapor at the time the lighter and more
volatile oils are vaporized, remain therein until the heat is increased to
such a temperature as will be sufficient to convert them into vapor or gas,
and no means are used to withdraw the said oils from the still in their liquid
state.
The object of the first part of this Invention is to separate such heavy oils
or liquids from the coal and other substances under treatment as fast as they
are produced, and to withdraw them from the retort or still without con-
verting them into gas or vapor. In carrying out this part of the Invention
the bottom a of the retort or still A is made of an arched form, or of such a
form that its central part is the highest, in order that any liquids which are
formed in the retort may be collected together, as berein-after explained.
The bottom a may be inclined only in one direction if preferred, instead of
being inclined from the centre towards both its sides, but it is believed that
the best results will be obtained by means of the form shown in the Drawing.
On each side of the retort, along its entire length in this example, are channels
d, d, in which the oil and other liquids extracted from the charge without

page_text: The openings can
any other suitable
vaporization are collected. These channels may be constructed separately
from the retort, and applied to and connected therewith at and along its
lowest points, or they may be made in the manner shown in the Drawing,
that is, by extending the edges and lowest parts of the bottom a beyond the
sides of the retort, and by bringing the sides, as indicated by the letters p,
down upon the bottom in such a manner as to form channels d, d, in those
parts of the bottom which are without the sides. The extensions p of the
sides of the retort are here shewn to be perforated with numerous holes' m²,
through which the oils and other liquids pass into the channels from the
interior of the retort. The sides of the retort may be altogether supported
upon the outer edges of the bottom, and the extension plates p may be only
carried down so far as will leave a continuous but narrow opening between its
lower edge and the bottom a, through which the oils and liquids may pass,
instead of openings like those designated by the letter m².
be cleared of sediment and deposits by a hooked rod, or
device introduced through the mouth of the retort, and through the open end
of the channels. The openings are to be small enough to prevent the coal
and coke and other substances contained in the retort from passing into
the channels d; these channels are inclined towards discharge pipes e, with
which their lower ends connect, and into which they discharge whatever
liquids are produced in the retort. The discharge pipes are here shown at
the front of the retort, but they may be placed in any other suitable position,
the channels & being inclined in directions corresponding to such change of
position. The bottom of the retort may be inclined or not in the same
direction with the channels. In the Drawing the bottom is shewn to be
inclined in the same direction as the channels d. The discharge pipes e take
the form of U-shaped traps, so as to prevent the entrance of air from without
and the exit of vapor from within the retort, and the lowest point of the trap
so formed has openings f, closed by a plug or cock, in order to afford means
of clearing and cleansing the pipe and trap. Any other suitable trap may
be used instead of the kind here shewn, and the discharge pipes may be
governed by stop-cocks, or other suitable devices. The front or lower ends of
the channels d are open and fitted with covers c, which are made removeable
in order to give the operator access to the channels d when it is necessary to
clean and free them from any residuum, sediment, or deposit which may
collect in them. An opening is made in the door plate, or at any other
suitable place in the front of the retort, for the purpose of rousing the charge
in the retort if desired; this opening is closed by a plate g. The beak i of
the retort is placed at or near the middle of its length, and the upper walls

page_text: are inclined upwards towards the beak, so as to permit the vapors to pass into
it with freedom and without detention as soon as they are formed.
In operating with this improved retort or still the oils which are formed in
the retort will collect in the channels d' away from the hotter parts of the
retort, and they may be removed from the channels from time to time through
the discharge pipes e, or they may be allowed to pass away as fast as collected,
and be discharged into mains or reservoirs, with which the pipes e may be
connected. When the channels dare to be cleaned the openings by which they
communicate with the pipes e or with the traps aforesaid are closed by means
of plates or covers j, for the purpose of preventing any sediment or foreign
matter withdrawn from falling into and clogging the traps or the pipes e.
These covers may be of any suitable form and construction. The chanuels d
may be partially enclosed in jackets containing a refrigerating medium for
the purpose of cooling the oils and other liquids collected in and passing
through them, and preventing them from being vaporized by the heat from
the furnace and retort; or the channels may be subjected in any
other way
to cooling or refrigerating influences for this purpose. These refrigerating
devices will at the same time condense the vapors which may enter the same
through the perforations in the partitions p. The bottom a of the retort may
be grooved or channeled in the direction of its inclinations if desired, but I
have here shewn it with a smooth surface.
In order to obtain the best results in operating the retort the temperature
is kept at a comparatively low degree until the charge has given up those oils
and liquids which can be driven off therefrom without vaporization, when the
beat is gradually increased until the distillation is completed.
Since the bottoms of retorts or stills. are liable to be burnt out before the
rest of the apparatus is impaired, I prefer to make the bottoms separate from
the rest of the retort, as seen in the Drawing. The joints where the sides of
the retort and bottom. meet together are to be properly bolted and caulked to
prevent the escape of gases and vapors. By this means the retorts. may be
renewed when the bottoms are burnt out by merely supplying a new bottom
plate.
:
,
Under this part of the Invention I claim constructing the stills or retorts
of distilling apparatus as above described, whereby the operator is enabled to
remove from the retort and from the action of the fire the oils and liquids
which may
bo set free from the charge at a lower temperature than is required
to vaporize and drive over-the same.
The second part of this Invention, relating to certain improvements in
condeusing annaratus. is shewn in sectional elevation at Fig.5.
-

page_text: The modes in common use for distilling oils are liable to serious difficulties
from the frequent choking of the condensing pipes or tubes by the products
of the heavy oils. It is moreover difficult in working with them to regulate
the temperature of the refrigerating medium in the tubs, vats, or boxes con-
taining the condensing pipes, and to keep it uniform throughout. With the
best attention these modes are slow in operation, and are attended with danger
and inconvenience from the escape of uncondensed and permanent gases with
the oils through the discharging end of the condensing worm or pipe. These
are some of the defects of the modes hitherto followed in distilling bydro-
carbons. To remove these defects and to condense the vapors of distillation
.in a more perfect manner than heretofore, and to separate the oils in such a
way as to prevent the escape of gaseous matter therewith, it is now proposed
to employ a condenser which will afford an unimpeded passage to the vapors
coming over from the retort or still. To improve the mode and facilitate the
operation of obtaining and separating the oils sought after from the gases
there is introduced between the retort or still and the usual condensing worm
a large surface condenser C, Fig. 5, which may be called the "condensing
main." In this Figure a', ', are two concentric cylinders, properly secured to
cach other so as to enclose an annular space e¹. Through the centre of the
inner cylinder extends another cylinder c¹, closed at its inner end, which does
not pass beyond the ends of the cylinders a', '. The outer end of the
cylinder c¹ rises to a suitable elevation f¹ to receive water or other refrige-
rating matter from any convenient source. The cylinder c¹ is connected to
the annular space e¹ by means of a pipe d', through which the water or other
refrigerating medium used passes into the annular space, and it is delivered
therefrom through the overflow pipe g', which rises from the upper side of the
condensing main to a suitable height, whence it is to be conducted away by a
discharge pipe (not shewn in the Drawing). The flow of the water can be
regulated by the usual appliances, which can be applied by any artisan of
ordinary skill. An annular chamber h¹ is enclosed between the exteriors of
the pipe cand the inner circumference of the cylinder 6'. This chamber is
closed at that end of the main which receives the pipe c', and is open at that
end which is connected to the worm n¹. It has a pipe P¹, which passes from
its lower side through the annular space e', and serves to draw off the heavy
and condensed oils. This pipe may be furnished with a spigot or trap. The
annular chamber ¹ has a man-hole at its end, and it communicates with
a retort or still by means of a large pipe i, which enters it by passing through
the annular space e'. When there is more than one retort or still discharging
into the main a valve or damper can be placed at or near the end of each

page_text: discharging pipe from such retorts or stills, so that when either of the retorts
is being charged its discharging pipe can be closed against the entrance of
vapors from the main. The chamber his connected to the worm n¹ by
a pipe m, which is so placed that its lower side u is inclined towards the
chamber. A thermometer is connected with the annular space e¹ to indicate
the temperature of the water or other medium used.
The operation of the condensing main is as follows:-The vapors from the
retort or still enter chamber h², and the heavier parts, and those which condense
most readily, are there condensed into a liquid, and discharged through the
pipe P', while the vapors which remain uncondensed pass along through the
pipe m into the condensing worm n'. If any of these vapors become condensed
in the pipe m, the liquid will run down its inclined bottom u into the
chamber h'. It will be seen that the action is entirely different from that of
the worm or any other condenser heretofore used, inasmuch as the vapors both
surround and are surrounded by a refrigerating medium. If the bottom of
the chamber h¹ becomes clogged by paraffine or other residuum, it can be
cleaned out through the man-hole '. The sides and other surfaces of the chamber
can also be kept free from any deposits of paraffine by shutting off the flow of
cold water, and allowing the water in the condenser to become heated by the
hot vapors passing through the condenser, or by turning in steam through
the water pipe c', and thereby melting the deposits and residuum in the
chamber, so that they will run off through the pipe P¹. The vapors which
are condensed in the chamber and pipe m will pass into the condensing
worm n', in which they are to be subjected to the condensing action of any.
usual or suitable refrigerating medium. The liquid derived therefrom will escape
from the lower end of the condenser. The gases which are not condensed in
the worm or condenser have commonly been suffered to run off with the oil or
liquid from the worm or condenser and escape into the air, whereby serious
accidents have occured from their presence in the atmosphere of the apart-
ments where the operations are carried on, moreover their odor is very
offensive, and their inspiration is injurious to health.
The Invention also has for one of its objects the separation of uncondensed
gases from the oil or liquids delivered from the worm or condenser so that
they shall not escape therewith. To this end the delivery end of the worm or
condenser is immersed in a trap a", which has its discharge spout or pipe at a
higher elevation than the delivery end of the worm or condenser, so that the
oil shall always cover the delivery end. I do not confine myself to any peculiar.
construction of trap, the object being to trap the gases at the end of the
condenser, and separate them from the oils and liquids by an opening and pipe

page_text: back of the exit of the liquids, through which opening and pipe the gases pass,
and which opening and pipe are directly in communication with the retort or
still, by which means the vapors generated pass out of the retort or still through
the condenser free of all obstruction; the uncondensed vapors or gases passing
through the opening and pipe x¹, and the condensed liquids passing through
the trap a. The trap may be an open or a closed vessel, but in the Drawing
it is shewn open to the atmosphere. The trap may be made in any other form
which will accomplish the object, as for instance of the form of the letter U,
which is a cheap and simple shape for trapping air and gas. x is a pipe which
is connected to the worm or condenser near its lower end and at a point above
the trap. The pipe x may be connected with a fan w¹ if it be desired to create
a suction in the pipe a¹, in order to relieve the condensing apparatus and retort,
and the gases thereby withdrawn may be forced into a suitable receptacle to
be further utilized, or the end of the pipe a¹ may be left open, and the gases
be burnt for either light or heat as they issue therefrom, by which a suction
will be created in the pipe a¹, and the condensing apparatus and retort will be
relieved of pressure independent of a fan or pump; or the pipe a¹ may be carried
to the open atmosphere, or led into any convenient flue. When a fan is con-
nected to the pipe the action is the same upon the gases in the worm as when
the pipe is merely left open, or the gases are burnt at their exit only, the action
is more energetic by reason of the increased suction thereby made, and any
other mode of producing suction in the pipe a¹ may be used with like effect.
The operation of this part of the Invention is to relieve the retort and con-
denser of the presence of the uncondensed gases trapped, and to prevent their
escape with the liquid from the end of the condenser in such a way as not to
check the free passage of the vapors from the retort or still through the con-
denser, and to deliver them into any suitable receiver or gasometer to be further
utilized or through any suitable supplementary condensing medium, or to be
burnt or disposed of as aforesaid. The communication between the pipe a¹ and the
retort or still being direct and unbroken, the pressure of the vapor in the retort
or still and in the condensing apparatus here shewn will be diminished and
the passage of the vapor through the apparatus will be facilitated. It will be
observed in my condensing main that the refrigerating medium enters the
apparatus centrally, and is then conducted downwards into the lower side of
the outer chamber e¹, and is delivered therefrom at the upper side. This con-
struction not only effects the condensation rapidly, but also allows (by a proper
arrangement of stop-cocks) of the flow of the water or other refrigerating
medium used, being regulated to retard the condensation, or vice versa, as the
exigency of the work may demand.
J

page_text: Under the second part of the Invention I claim the improved arrangement
of condensing apparatus constructed and operating as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Fifteenth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.B.)