Improvements in and relating to Ammonia Engines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 28th July, 1894-Accepted, 1st Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Ammonia Engines.
We, THEODOR JOWLEW and PANTALEON WRADY, of Little Morskaya
Street, 5, St. Petersburg, Russia, Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Ammonia gas can be liquefied at 0° C. under a pressure of 4 atmospheres. If
the liquid ammonia be then heated in a closed vessel to +25° C. it has a vapour
tension of 19.25 atmospheres whilst if the heat be increased to +100° C., the
vapour tension is increased to 61 atmospheres, so that even with this limited range
of temperature (100°-25°) a pressure of 41.75 atmospheres is rendered available
for use in motors of various kinds.
Notwithstanding the comparatively low temperature and ease at which such a
high pressure can be obtained, the use of ammonia gas as a motive fluid for use in
engines has hitherto proved impracticable, chiefly for the reason that no means
have been proved for regulating the temperature at which the ammonia is vaporized
in such a manner that the initial pressure of the ammonia shall be constant and not
exceed a definite limit.
A further disadvantage which has seriously interfered with the application of
ammonia gas as a motive fluid in engines is its strong pungent odour and the
difficulty of preventing its escaping into atmosphere. Now this invention has for
its object to obviate the disadvantages referred to and render practicable the use of
ammonia gas as a motive fluid in engines.
In order to secure a constant initial pressure of the ammonia gas, we place the
vessel in which the liquid ammonia is to be vaporized in a reservoir filled with a
liquid that boils at a definite temperature. Under such conditions the liquid
ammonia will not be heated beyond a definite limit, and consequently a constant
initial pressure of its vapours will be secured.
The second of the above mentioned disadvantages is avoided by causing water to
flow over or around all joints or parts where an escape of ammonia gas might take
place, so that any ammonia gas escaping at such parts will be immediately dissolved
in the water, in which it is very soluble, and thus be prevented from passing into
the atmosphere. For greater security, oil is, or may be, placed above the circu-
lating chambers, whereby all traces of ammonia are absorbed. In other respects
the engine may be constructed in any suitable manner.
In the accompanying drawings we have represented an engine combined with an
ammonia vapour generator constructed according to our invention together with a
pump for forcing the liquid ammonia into the generator.
Fig. 1 represents in vertical section, the general arrangement of the generator,
engine and pump.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the generator on the line 1-2-3-4 of Fig. 1.
The ammonia vapour generator comprises two cylinders a and b preferably made
of steel, arranged one within the other and tightly rivetted or otherwise fastened
at their ends. The inner cylinder b has on its upper and lower parts transverse
annular cavities e and d, between which, formed on the same or outer side of the
cylinder, are longitudinal grooves or channels e e (Fig. 2). The gas generator thus
constructed is surrounded by a boiler that is open to the air and comprises an
external jacket A and an inner fire-place B connected with the funnel c by pipes D.
For engines of ordinary size it will be sufficient to place in the fire-place B an

page_text: ordinary petroleum lamp, while for more powerful motors the heating could be
effected by the combustion of any suitable fuel, though we prefer to effect the
heating by petroleum burners as the pipes D do not touch the inner cylinder b.
The ammonia vapour generator is surrounded both outside and inside by a suitable
liquid for example water contained in the boiler A, and as the interior of this boiler
is in free communication with the external atmosphere through the openings ff, the
temperature of the liquid in the boiler can be maintained constant, and consequently
a constant initial pressure of ammonia gas can be produced in the generator.
The liquid ammonia is forced into the generator by means of a pump E, located
in a closed cylinder F which is previously filled with liquid ammonia say under a
pressure of 19-25 atmospheres at 25° C. or of 4 atmospheres at 0° C. The pressure
in the cylinder E is indicated by the pressure gauge g. The liquid ammonia is
forced through a pipe which enters the boiler A, where it surrounds; in the form
of a coil, the pipes D and discharges in the lower interior annular cavity d of the
generator. From this cavity the ammonia rises along the longitudinal grooves e
into the upper cavity c, and thence flows in the form of gas having a pressure of
say 61 atmospheres, along the pipe i to the valve chest of the engine. The exhaust
gas from the engine cylinder is returned through the pipe ¹ to the reservoir Fin
order to be again liquefied and forced by the pump E back to the generator for
re-use. Motion may be imparted to the pump rod from the working or crank
shaft G of the motor as shown on the drawings, or in any other suitable manner.
The pressure of ammonia vapour in the generator is indicated by the pressure
gauge j, and the level of the liquid in the boiler A by the glass gauge k.
The feeding of the water or other liquid to the boiler A is effected
through the pipet which is provided with a stop cock . For regulating the
passage of ammonia gas to the valve chest of the engine cylinder, a cock is pro-
vided on the supply pipe i. If the engine is to be stopped, this cock is closed, and
simultaneously, the cocks m and n are turned in such a manner that should the
pump E still continue to work, the liquid ammonia fed thereby to the pipe / will
be forced back through the pipe o into the reservoir F, and not into the gas
generator.
To prevent the ammonia gas from escaping into the atmosphere, a closed case or
box H is arranged above the engine cylinder in which box the ammonia vapours
are liquefied, and this liquid ammonia is returned by the pipes p and to the
reservoir F. Above the box H are two other cases I and J, the lower of which I,
is a circulating chamber for the water used to absorb any ammonia gases that may
escape through the stuffing boxes q and r, while the upper box J is charged with
oil which retains all traces of ammonia not absorbed by the water in I. Two
similar boxes K and L are also arranged above the reservoir F¹ for a like
purpose.
Dated this 9th day of December 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Ammonia Engines.
We, THEODOR JOWLEW, and PANTALEON WRADY, of Little Morskaya
Street, 5, St. Petersburg, Russia, Gentlemen, 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:—
Ammonia gas can be liquefied at 0° C., under a pressure of 4 atmospheres. If
the liquid ammonia be then heated in a closed vessel to +25° C., it has a vapour

page_text: tension of 19-25 atmospheres whilst if the heat be increased to +100° C., the
vapour tension is increased to 61 atmospheres so that even with this limited range
of temperature (100°-25°) a pressure of 41.75 atmospheres is rendered available
for use in motors of various kinds.
Notwithstanding the comparatively low temperature and ease at which such a
high pressure can be obtained, the use of ammonia gas as a motive fluid for use in
engines has hitherto proved impracticable, chiefly for the reason that no ineans
have been provided for regulating the temperature at which the ammonia is
vaporized in such a manner that the initial pressure of the aminonia shall be
constant and not exceed a definite limit.
A further disadvantage which has seriously interfered with the application of
ammonia gas as a motive fluid in engines is its strong pungent odour and the
difficulty of preventing its escaping into the atmosphere.
Now this invention has for object to obviate the disadvantages above referred to
and render practicable the use of ammonia gas as a motive fluid in engines.
In order to secure a constant initial pressure of the ammonia gas, we place the
vessel in which the liquid ammonia is to be vaporized, in a reservoir filled with
a liquid that boils at a definite temperature. Under such conditions the liquid
ammonia will not be heated beyond a definite limit, and consequently a constant
initial pressure of its vapours will be secured.
The second of the above mentioned disadvantages is avoided by causing water
to flow over or around all joints or parts where an escape of ammonia gas might
take place, so that any ammonia gas escaping at such parts will be immediately
dissolved in the water, in which it is very soluble, and thus be prevented from
passing into the atmosphere. For greater security, oil is, or may be, placed
above the circulating chambers, whereby all traces of ammonia will be absorbed.
In other respects the engine may be constructed in any suitable manner. In the
drawings filed with our Provisional Specification we have represented an engine
combined with an ammonia vapour generator constructed according to our
invention, together with a pump for forcing the liquid ammonia back into the
generator.
In these drawings:-
Fig. 1 represents in vertical section, the general arrangement of the generator,
engine and pump.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the generator on the line 1 2 3 4 of Fig. 1.
The ammonia vapour generator comprises two cylinders a and preferably
made of steel arranged one within the other and tightly rivetted or otherwise
fastened at their ends. The inner cylinder 6 has in its upper and lower parts,
transverse annular cavities c and d, between which, formed on the same or outer
side of the cylinder, are longitudinal grooves or channels e e (Fig. 2). The gas
generator thus constructed is surrounded by a boiler that is open to the air and
comprises an external jacket A and an inner fire-place B connected with the
chimney c by pipes D. For engines of small size it will be sufficient to place in
the fire-place B an ordinary petroleum lamp, while for more powerful motors the
heating could be effected by the combustion of any suitable fuel, though we prefer
to effect the heating by petroleum burners, as the pipes D do not touch the inner
cylinder b. The ammonia vapour generator is surrounded both outside and inside
by a suitable liquid for example water contained in the boiler A, and as the interior
of this boiler is in free communication with the external atmosphere through the
openings, the temperature of the liquid in the boiler can be maintained constant,
and consequently a constant initial pressure tension of ammonia gas can be produced
in the generator.
As will be obvious, the generator instead of being placed in a
liquid maintained at a constant temperature as described may be placed in the
vapour produced from such liquid.
The liquid ammonia is forced into the generator by means of a pump E, located
in a closed cylinder F which is previously filled with liquid ammonia say under a
pressure of 19-25 atmospheres at 25° C. or of 4 atmospheres at 0° C. The pressure

page_text: in the cylinder E is indicated by the pressure gauge g. The liquid ammonia is forced
through a pipe which enters the boiler A, wherein' it surrounds, in the form of a
coil, the pipes D and discharges into the lower annular cavity d of the generator.
From this cavity the ammonia rises along the longitudinal grooves e into the upper
cavity c, and thence flows in the form of gas having a pressure of say about
61 atmospheres, along the pipe i to the valve chest of the engine, shown at the central
portion of Fig. 1. The exhaust gas from the engine cylinder is returned through
the pipe to the reservoir F, in order to be again liquefied and forced by the
pump E back to the generator for re-use. The generator, engine and cylinder F
may be arranged at any desired distance apart to suit requirement, and be connected
by suitably protected pipes, the contents of the cylinder F being maintained at a
temperature such as one of those mentioned, that the gas exhausting from the
engine into the said cylinder will be reliquefied at the correspondingly mentioned
pressure so that the effective or available pressure in the engine will be the initial
pressure minus that at which the exhaust gas is reliquefied.
Motion may be imparted to the pump rod from the working or crank shaft G of
the motor, as shewn on the drawings, or in any other suitable manner. The
pressure of ammonia vapour in the generator is indicated by the pressure gauge j
and the level of the liquid in the boiler A by the glass gauge k. The feeding of
the water or other liquid to the boiler A. is effected through the pipe t which is
provided with a stop cock u. For regulating the passage of ammonia gas to the
valve chest of the engine cylinder, a cock is provided on the supply pipe i. If
the engine is to be stopped, this cock is closed, and simultaneously, the cocks m
and n.are turned in such a manner that should the pump E still continue to work,
the liquid ammonia fed thereby to the inlet end of the pipe will be forced back
through the pipe o into the reservoir F, and not into the gas generator.
To prevent the ammonia gas from escaping into the atmosphere a closed case
or box H is arranged above the engine cylinder in which box the ammonia
vapours are liquefied, and this liquid ammonia is returned by the pipes p and i¹ to
the reservoir F. Above the box H are two other boxes ciz: I and J, the lower of
which viz. I, is a circulating chamber for the water used to absorb any ammonia
gas that may escape through the stuffing boxes and r, while the upper box .J'is
charged with oil which retains all traces of ammonia not absorbed by the water
in I. Two similar boxes K and L are also arranged above the reservoir F¹ for a
like purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The herein described method of securing a constant vaporizing temperature
for liquid ammonia, and consequently a constant initial pressure of ammonia gas
for use in an ammonia engine, by heating the ammonia gas generator by a liquid
boiling at a definite temperature, or by the vapour from such a liquid substantially
as herein described for the purpose specified.
2. In the utilization of ammonia gas under pressure for motive power purposes,
the herein described method of preventing the escape of ammonia gas from the
apparatus used into the external atmosphere, by causing water to circulate about
those parts of the apparatus where ammonia gas is liable to escape, and by providing
a layer of oil at those places where provision is made for the escape of traces of
ammonia gas not absorbed by the water as set forth.
3. For an ammonia engine, an ammonia gas generator comprising two concentric
vessels connected in a fluid tight manner at their ends and the inner of which is
provided externally with longitudinal and transverse grooves or channels
substantially as herein before described and shewn in the drawings.
4. The combination of an ammonia gas generator such as referred to in the
preceding claim, an open boiler in which it is placed, an engine of suitable con-
struction having its valve chest in communication with the said gas generator, and

page_text: a liquid ammonia reservoir in communication with the engine exhaust and provided
with a pump whereby reliquefied ammonia can be forced back into the generator,
substantially as herein before described and shewn in the drawings.
DL: 004, de of T... 1901
For the Applicants,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.