EVAPORATING OR CONDENSING APPARATUS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, ARTHUR WILLIAM LOVELL REDDIE of the Office for Patents 66 Chancery
Lane in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of
my Invention for IMPROVED EVAPORATING OR CONDENSING APPARATUS and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
The present Invention relates to new and improved apparatus by the aid of
which liquids and liquors of various kinds may be evaporated condensed and
distilled with rapidity and economy.
According to this Invention the liquid or liquor to be treated is continuously
exposed in numerous thin films or washes to the atmosphere, or to the action of
heat and cold, as may be desired.
The apparatus consists of a trough or well-shaped vessel having a corrugated or
cellular bottom or sides, within which vessel a series of concentric rings, blades or
discs are mounted to rotate. These rings blades or discs may be plain, corrugated
or hollow, and means are provided for supplying a heating or cooling medium such
as steam or water to the interiors of the cellular bottoms and discs when such are
employed.
The Invention also relates to means for facilitating the withdrawal of the
semi-liquid, or it may be crystalline, products resulting from the condensation or
distillation of the liquid or liquor.
The rotating discs may be combined with rings or blades and may be divided or
undivided.
When the cellular bottoms or side walls of the apparatus are heated by steam,
hot fluids or gases, a large evaporating surface is obtained, which is still further
increased by means of the blades and dises rotating in the liquid contained in the
vessel. These forms of apparatus are therefore specially suitable for the rapid and
economical evaporation of large quantities of liquid, or as the case may be for the
concentration of the same or for obtaining crystals and solids therefrom.
They are also well adapted to the condensation of steam by reason of the large
evaporating surface which they present in combination with the large surfaces
over or against which the fluid can be distributed.
In the accompanying Drawings
Figs. 1 to 12 and Fig. 16 shew the apparatus with the combination above named
for evaporating, and Figs. 13 to 15 shew the apparatus with the like combination
for the purpose of condensation.

page_text: In the evaporating apparatus represented in Figs. 1 and 2 the casing or
container (which is formed of hollow semicircular pieces a of corrugated form in
longitudinal section) rests on the I-shaped girders or bearers b b' which are held
together at their extremities by means of the connecting pieces c c¹. These
connecting pieces are provided in their uppermost part with bearings d ď¹ by
which they are hung upon the shaft which is set in motion by means of the spur
gearing ef and hand pulley g. The shaft k can thus be rotated together with the
blades ii, whilst the corrugated casing r hangs steadily upon it.
To tip the corrugated casing for the purpose of emptying the same when the
evaporation is complete, chains connecting the bearers 6 6₁ are led around chain
wheels fixed on a second shaft k¹. The shaft k¹ can by means of the crank m,
spur gearing n. o, and endless chains p, adapted to the chain wheels q q', be made
to revolve, thereby turning also the chain wheels and the corrugated vessel or
container on the shaft ; and when thus tilted or tipped the blades in their
continuous motion scoop up the condensed fluid and throw it out of the said
casing.
The casing or trough may also be turned or tipped by adapting to one end of
the corrugated periphery thereof a crown wheel in gear with a spur wheel which
will be driven in any convenient manner.
The corrugated container may be closed with a cap or cover r¹ for the purpose
of passing a current of air through the apparatus, and in this case a valve will be
adapted at x, and the cap or cover will be provided with an extension piece t cut
off obliquely, the said extension piece abutting against the chimney or shaft u
which is also cut off obliquely on its under side. The said cap or cover has also
adapted to it for the admission of air a pipe which, when the casing r is to be
tipped will be disconnected. The cap will then turn with the said casing and
the concentrated fluid can be removed by the blades i out of the opening of the
valve x.
The shaft u may also be adapted sideways, and may be connected by means of
short tubes t.
On the side opposite the chimney an opening of the full breadth of the apparatus
(and capable of being closed when required) will allow of the free passage of a
current of air through the upper half of the apparatus.
In order to bring the current of air passing through the apparatus in the
direction of the arrows u u¹, into close contact with the liquid to be concentrated,
thin plates S S' are adapted to and between the blades i over which plates when
revolving the fluid becomes distributed and is brought into contact with the air.
These thin plates may either be flat or corrugated as shown in Figure 1, and in
diagram view at Figure 3.
Instead of carrying these plates through the whole extent of the blades, it is
advisable to allow gaps to intervene so that the plates in one circle shall only
extend from the blades 1 to 2 and from 3 to 4; in the next circle from 2 to 3 and
from 4 to 5, and so on alternately. The stream of air finds a passage between
these alternately placed plates and materially aids the concentrating process, by
carrying off the moist air.
It has been found advantageous in concentrating fluid or semi-fluid masses to so
far concentrate the fluid or semi-fluid masses in the above described evaporating
apparatus, that the same may be removed therefrom in the form of a thick paste,
or in a plastic condition in order that they may be subsequently incorporated with
dry or absorbent substances, and then to press the same, by mechanical or other
means; by which they will be brought into a pulverisable condition.
For leading the steam to the apparatus and carrying off the water of condensa-
tion therefrom, it is advantageous to provide each semicircular piece a of the
container at the lowest point with a short tube a¹, and to unite these short tubes
in groups of, say four, by means of a common reservoir or chamber a³. Steam will
be led through as into a whence it will be distributed among the several hollow
pieces a and through the tube a' into the next reservoir or chamber a. In these

page_text: reservoirs a³ the water of condensation collects, and is led off through the branch
pipes a, and finally carried out of the apparatus. The pipes and a³ are
preferably bent to allow of a certain amount of expansion and contraction under
the influence of hot steam and water.
Instead of forming the vessel for containing the liquid out of hollow semicircular
pieces of cast metal placed side by side, it may also be formed (as represented at
Fig. 4 in longitudinal section and at Fig. 5 in cross section) out of single sheets of
metal or cast iron plates held together by means of rings of special and 'suitable
form.
a are the plates made of sheet metal or cast iron, of the breadth x, Figure 5.
The ring segmenta 6 form a circle of the same diameter as the plates. The ring
segments bare tapered in cross section as are also the ring segments o, and the
width of these segments is such as to exactly fill the angles formed by the plates aa
To these ring segments b and c the plates are attached together by bolts and
nuts de. The ring segments b are, besides, perforated in a radial direction for the
reception of the screw bolts f, which together with the spacing collars g hold the
outer plate which form a semi-cylindrical casing. By means of closing-in end.
pieces (Fig. 5.) which may be fitted-in separately, or may be formed in one with
the inner ring segments c, a heating space is formed between the plates a and the
enveloping plate h.- is the axis of the apparatus on which are fixed the blades or
discs which work in the vertical recesses or corrugations.
i
In the evaporating apparatus represented at Fig. 6 in longitudinal section the
container is constructed in the manner shown at Figs. 4 and 5. The container
will be heated externally by the steam entering at w whilst in the interior of the
said casing hollow heating discs t revolve. These hollow discs t which are
preferably made of sheet metal are fixed to the hollow shaft k which is provided
at one end with a steam inlet pipe and at the other end with an outlet pipe m
for steam and water of condensation. The hollow discs t are constructed in the
same way as the recesses or cellular compartments of the container by bolting
together inetal plates and rings. The flanged rings n are keyed on the shaft k, and
the plates o are bolted to these flanged rings and are closed in at their periphery
by rings p. These rings may be provided at their periphery with projections q on
which blades i are secured. The interior of each hollow disc t communicates
through the tube 8 with the interior of the hollow shaft k. In each hollow disc t
a radial partition t¹ (Fig. 7) is adapted for the purpose of emptying away the
water of condensation through the tubes into the hollow space of the shaft, when
the discs are turned. The evaporation of the liquid by this employment of hollow
heated discs and heated cellular containers or vessels is very considerably
accelerated.
The hollow discs may be constructed in any other suitable manner, but it is
necessary to keep in mind that means must be provided for removing the products
of condensation therefrom, in order that the efficiency of the heating surfaces may
be maintained.
In the evaporating apparatus represented at Fig. 8 in longitudinal section, and at
Fig. 9, in cross section, a hollow sliaft k, capable of rotating, is also provided having
inlets and outlets for steam or hot air. This shaft is also fitted with hollow discs t,
into which the steam out of the hollow shaft enters, and from which the products
of condensation, as shown at Figs. 6 and 7, flow back into the hollow shaft. The
hollow discs t rotate in the vertical recesses formed by the narrow semicircular
chambers of the container r, which have vertical side walls whereby the advantage
is obtained that the fluid to be evaporated in the comparatively narrow space
between two of the chambers rr may be cut through by heated or unheated discs,
and will be lifted up in thin "layers" into the evaporating space above.
8
Close alongside each disc t other discs & formed either of plain or corrugated
sheet metal are loosely fitted onto the hollow shaft k. These discs 8 receive rotary
motion through contact with the friction discs 8¹. The discs 8 are carried by the

page_text: shaft which is driven from outside the apparatus by means of driving bands
passing around the hollow shaft k or in any other suitable manner.
The discs 8', therefore, impart to the discs & an opposite direction of rotation to
that of the hollow discs t.
The fluid entering by the tube will therefor be lifted by the discs & up and out
of the vertical recesses between the hollow discs t and the chambers in thin
strata, and be exposed still more to the influence of the steam present in the discs t.
The curved bottom r of the container will be heated by the steam entering at w.
In order to draw off the concentrated fluid from out of the vertical compartments
or chambers, the latter are slit transversely at their lowest point and connected by
a tubes, common to all, which is so closed by a solid plug a corresponding in
length to the length of the tube that no unconcentrated fluid can collect in the
tube; the plug x is provided at its front end with a screw thread adapted to
engage with an internally threaded socket fixed on the outside of the apparatus.
The apparatus is closed at top by means of a cap or cover in the side of which
is an exit opening leading into the tube connected therewith, and (as in the
apparatus shown at Figs. 1 and 2) on the side of the cap or cover opposite to this
exit opening a somewhat larger opening for the admission of air may be formed.
The draught arising from these oppositely situated openings will materially assist
the evaporating action.
The hollow shaft k and the small shaft u where they pass through the casing are
fitted with stuffing boxes.
The discs 8 as indicated in the Drawing may either be plain or provided with
parallel or radial corrugations.
Further in place of the solid plug x in the tube za tube formed with holes or
cavities may be used which for the purpose of emptying the apparatus will be
turned so that its holes or cavities correspond with those in the vertical recesses.
A further modification of the evaporating apparatus is shewn in longitudinal
section at Fig. 10.
In this case in place of the hollow shaft there is a solid shaft k on which are
keyed a number of naves or hubs, and to which are secured the discs & which are
either plain or furnished with radially inclined fan-shaped corrugations. These
discs & rotate as in the last described apparatus in the vertical recesses formed by
the semicircular chambers r. For the purpose of increasing the extent of the
evaporating surfaces semi-circular partitions are adapted to and between the
vertical chambers so that the fluid to be evaporated and which enters the same
way as in Fig. 8, has a long distance to pass in going through the apparatus and is
thereby still further exposed to the influence of the steam entering through w and
passing circuitously through the cellular bottom ? of the container.
At the exit end of the apparatus as seen in the Drawing only plain discs &
rotate, as the concentration of the fluid when it reaches the last vertical recess will
have so far progressed that corrugated discs could only with great difficulty revolve.
In the exit tube z connecting the various vertical recesses there is arranged a
screw y capable of receiving rotary motion from outside the tube which is closed
at both ends, whilst outside the apparatus on the under side of the tuhe z a cock
or valve z¹ is fitted. The screw y which may be driven from the shaft k through
chains or bands is of somewhat smaller diameter than the tube z so that the not
yet concentrated mass (which enters through the holes in the recesses of the tubes
and is continuously pressed forward by the screw towards the exit end) will be
compelled through the closing of the cock 2³, to reenter the tube 2, until after being
tested (by sampling) it is finally drawn off through the opening of the valve z¹.
In order to protect the mass collected in the tube against overheating by the
steam, and also to protect the screw from sticking fast, the tube s is surrounded
with a packing &² of non-conducting material which may also be surrounded with
a metal casing.
In the evaporating apparatus shewn at Fig. 11 in cross section on the line A. B
and at Fig. 12. in longitudinal section on the line C D the chambers rr which

page_text: forin part of the container instead of being placed vertically are placed horizontally.
They can however if desired also be inclined as shewn at Fig. 11ª, or even arranged
at an acute angle as in Fig. 11.
The apparatus receives in this way instead of a hollow or cellular semi-circular
bottom, hollow or cellular sides which at their under portion again unite to the
exit tubes which extends over the entire length of the apparatus.
These cellular sides are closed in by masonry both on their longitudinal as well
as their front portions so that at both sides of the apparatus the longitudinal
channels will be formed of which the two lowermost are connected together by
means of a cross channel o into which latter a hot air conducting channel m opens.
The separate channels are connected together alternately on each side by
channels whilst the uppermost of the two channels on each side are also
connected together by a cross-channel o' which is in connection with a chimney m¹
so that the hot air entering through m and arriving in the channels through the
cross channel o must follow the helical course indicated by the arrows in Fig. 12.
in its passage through the hollow sides, and thus giving off its heat to the latter,
passes away through the cross channel o' into the chimney m².
The fluid to be evaporated enters through into the space formed by the cellular
or corrugated sides, and a large number of plain or corrugated discs fitted onto a
rotating shaft dip therein as in the previous arrangements, and in this case there
will be (according to the size of the apparatus) several rotating shafts fitted with
discs the said shafts being arranged horizontally and close together in the side
masonry.
In Fig. 12. three shafts k k¹ and 2 fitted with plain or corrugated discs 8 8'
and & are so arranged that the discs 8¹ on the shaft will overlap and alternate
with the discs 8 and 82 fitted on the shafts and so that the discs 8¹ rotate
between the discs & and s². The shafts together with the discs can be set in
rotation by means of belt pullies, chain wheels, or other gearing.
The portions of the mass of material remaining in the curved or concave recesses
of the cellular sides of the apparatus will be carried forward by the current
produced by the rotating discs. This effect however will take place more readily
(especially in the case of the separation of crystals from the fluid to be evaporated.)
when making use of the inclined or acute angled arrangement of corrugations as
shown at Figs. 11* and 11.
For drawing off the concentrated mass or separated crystals a screw y is arranged
within the horizontal tube z the screw being set in rotation from outside the
apparatus. For the purpose of closing the tube z against the escape of uncon-
centrated material a tube 2¹ is fitted thereon the same being inclined upwards and
reaching to a height corresponding to that at which the tube is closed, and in
which there is also a worm y' receiving rotary motion from on of the shafts k and
through which the material after the concentration is completed will be led out of
the apparatus.
Through the channels the vapours arising or generated in the apparatus are
drawn off or allowed to escape.
A further modification of the evaporating apparatus is represented at Fig. 13
in cross section on the line E F and at Fig. 14 in longitudinal section on the
line G H.
In this arrangement the cellular bottom r is duplicated, the parts lying one
above another, and the container is of rectangular instead of semicircular form.
In the corrugated recesses of these two containers, rotate also a number of
plain or corrugated discs & fitted onto shafts k arranged near to one another.
8
The two containers r are so arranged one above another that the discs which
dip into the corrugated recesses of the undermost container will rotate between the
corrugated side surfaces of the upper container or vessel.
The lower container will be filled through the opening with the fluid to be
evaporated up to about the level of the shaft k whilst the upper container or
vessel r will be filled through v' with cold water.

page_text: By means of the steam entering at w and playing round the under sides of the
lower container, the fluid which is being continually lifted up in thin strata out of
the corrugated recesses of the lowermost container by means of the discs & will be
quickly vaporized which vapour becomes rapidly condensed on the outside surfaces
of the upperinost vessel by means of the water kept in constant circulation in the
corrugated recesses of the latter by the rotation of another set of discs a. The
condensed material can either flow back again for evaporation into the corrugations,
or be led out of the apparatus by means of the gutters c placed beneath the
corrugations.
The front or side walls of the apparatus may for the purpose of admitting a
current of cold air, be constructed at their upper parts with louvre boards as shown
at d d, Fig. 14.
These apparatus may also be employed in the form represented, and as already
mentioned in the description, as condensers for the waste steam of steam
engines &c., in which case the lower container also will be filled with plain water.
Instead of constructing the containers with flat surfaced compartments the same
may be provided with horizontally or vertically corrugated compartments as
represented at Fig. 13ª.
8
In the forms of evaporating apparatus represented in cross section at Figs. 15
and 16, the containers arranged one above another are semicircular, and a
number of straight or corrugated discs s rotate within their cellular or corrugated
.compartments as already described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10. The lower
container shown in Fig. 15 is heated by the steam entering at w whilst the same
in Fig. 16 will be played upon by a current of hot air entering through f when the
apparatus is to be employed for evaporating.
vand are the tubes of admission, and c the gutters for carrying off the
condensed or thickened material un-ler treatment.
In this arrangement as well as in those previously described the troughs or
vessels may be composed of plain sheets or plates of metal or of sheets or plates of
metal with concentric parallel or radial corrugations in order to increase the
influence of the steam or of the hot air when evaporating, or of the water when
condensing.
Further the containers in Figs. 13 to 10 can also be arranged in more than a
double tier one above the other so that by means of steam which is admitted under
the lowermost container one is enabled to obtain from a single source of heat a
rapid and economical series of evaporations in the several separate containers, and
can thus obtain a large quantity of distilled water in an economical manner.
The corrugated or cellular containers in Figs. 15 and 16 can also be so arranged
one above another that the, discs rotating in the lowermost container will rotite
between the sides of the overlying container forming curved or concave recesses.
It will be self-evident that in this case the gutters for enrrying off the condensed
mutters must be arrangéd crosswise under each of the concave recesses.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The adaptation to evaporating and condensing apparatus of containers for the
reception of liquid, having bottoms or sides of tubular, corrugated or cellular form
whereby the liquid is brought in contact with a large surface which may be
externally heated or cooled, in combination with rotating blades or discs
constructed in the manner hereinabove described and mounted so as to dip into
the said liquid and continuously expose it in a series of finely divided films or
sheets to the action of air, or to spread it over additional heated or cooled surfaces,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The apparatus described with reference to the accompanying Drawings for the
purposes set forth.
3. Constructing evaporating and condensing apparatus in the manner herein
above described with reference to the Drawings, from plain bent or corrugated

page_text: plates or tubes, the said apparatus consisting essentially of a container for the liquid
having a bo tom or sides of tubular corrugated or cellular form, and a series of
plain corrugated or hollow dises mounted to rotate and dip into the liquid
contained within the trough shaped recesses in the bottom of the container, or
between the cellular, tubular or corrugated walls thereof, suitable means being
provided for applying heat or cold to the fluid under treatment, and for withdrawing
the products of condensation or distillation as set forth.