IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION OF GAS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Cockey and Francis Christopher Cockey, both
of Frome Selwood, in the County of Somerset, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION OF GAS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Cockey and Francis
Christopher Cockey at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
12th October 1880.
HENRY COCKEY and FRANCIS CHRISTOPHER COCKEY, both of Frome Selwood,
in the County of Somerset. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE
PURIFICATION OF GAS."
This Invention has for its object the construction of an improved washer or
scrubber for the removal of ammonia and other impurities from illuminating gas in
the course of its manufacture, and consists of a series of chambers, two or more,
composed of cast or wrought iron. In each of these chambers are one or more
inverted troughs, with two or more branch flange pipes cast on them. With these
pipes the inverted troughs are connected to the top plates of the chambers. In the
top plates of each chamber holes are cast to match the branch pipes on the inverted
troughs, and through these pipes and troughs the gas passes into the chambers
through the liquid which is in them. There are also holes of the same area cast in
the top plates of each chamber, and over each series of holes an iron box or cover is
fixed, thus forming a communication to the adjoining chamber. These boxes we
call double boxes, being large enough to connect the outlet holes of one chamber
with the inlet pipes of the next chamber. On the first chamber there is also a
single or inlet box, through which the gas passes to the first chamber, and on the
last chamber there is also a single or outlet box through which the gas passes off
from the washer. The inverted troughs are cast with a flange round the bottom
edge, and to this flange are fastened plates which we call breakers, made of iron,
and the lower edges of which are serrated; these dip slightly into the liquor with
which each compartment is charged, thus breaking up the gas into small particles
Prion G71

page_text: as it passes between the teeth. We do not confine ourselves to the exact width of
these breaker plates, or to the exact size or shape of the teeth or serrations, as they
may be semicircular, square, or oblong.
These washers may be composed of any number of chambers, or extra chambers
may be added to the same washer at any time by removing the end plates and
the outlet box, without in any way altering the other parts, but we consider four
chambers to be the best number for ordinary gas valves. With this number the
gas would pass through the liquor four times before leaving the washer, always
entering the strongest liquor first and the weakest liquor last, as it is. intended that
clean water shall run into the last chamber and pass off through an overflow pipe or
pipes in the first chamber, provision being made for regulating the height of the
liquor in the chambers, so as to be able to reduce the pressure as much as is
practicable, and this is accomplished by raising or lowering the mouths of the
overflow pipes just mentioned.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Cockey and Francis Christopher Cockey in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 26th April 1881.
HENRY COCKEY and FRANCIS CHRISTOPHER COCKEY, both of Frome Selwood,
in the County of Somerset. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE
PURIFICATION OF GAS."
This Invention has for its object the construction of an improved washer or
scrubber for the removal of aminonia and other impurities from illuminating gas in
the course of its manufacture, and consists of a series of chambers (two or more),
composed of cast or wrought iron. In each of these chambers are one or more
inverted troughs with two or more branch flange pipes attached to them. With
these pipes the inverted troughs are connected to the top plates of the chambers.
In the top plates of each chainber holes are cast to match the branch pipes on the
inverted troughs, and through these pipes and troughs the gas passes into the
chambers through the liquor which is in them. There are also holes of the same
area cast in the top plates of each chamber, and over each series of holes an iron
box or cover is fixed, thus forming a communication to the adjoining chamber;
these boxes we call double boxes, being large enough to connect the outlet holes of
one chamber with the inlet pipes of the next chamber. On the first chamber there
are also single or inlet boxes through which the gas passes to the first chamber, and
on the last chamber there is also a single or outlet box through which the gas passes
off from the washer. The inverted troughs are cast with a flange round the bottom
edge, and to this flange are fastened plates which we call breakers made of iron,
and the lower edges of which are serrated; these dip slightly into the liquor with
which each compartment is charged, so that the gas in its passage between the
teeth and through the liquor is broken up into small particles or fine streams.
We do not confine ourselves to the exact width of these breaker plates, or to the
exact size or shape of the teeth or serrations, as they may be semicircular, square,
or oblong. At or near the upper part of the apparatus is placed a liquid supply
pipe having a branch proceeding from it to each chamber, each branch being
furnished with a cock or valve, and at or near the bottom of the apparatus a
similar pipe with branches and valves is provided, and serves as an outlet pipe for
liquor and tar. Each chamber has also attached to it a liquid guage or other
appliance for ascertaining the height of the liquid in the particular chamber to
which it is fixed, so that the height of the liquid may be regulated or adjusted at
discretion.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, Drawings are
attached hereto, of which the following is a description:-Fig. 1 is a plan of the
apparatus; Fig. 2 is partly a longitudinal vertical section, and partly a side
elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation through A, B,
of Fig. 2; and Figs. 4 and 5 are views of the breaker plates drawn to a larger
scale than the previous Figures, Fig. 4 being a side elevation of them, and
Fig. 5 is a plan of the under side of a series of them. In Fig. 1 C, C, are the
chambers divided from each other by the plates D, D; E, E, are the double boxes
before mentioned, and F, F, are the single boxes in which the openings G, G, are
formed to serve as inlets for the gas, while H is a single box to which the outlet I
for the gas is secured. In Fig. 2 J, J, are the inverted troughs attached to the
chambers by the branch flange pipes K, K, and to which are fixed the breaker
plates L, L; M is the liquid supply pipe with its branches N, N, and cocks or
valves O, O; and P is the liquor and tar outlet pipe with its branches Q, Q, and
valves R, R. The line S in each of the chambers represents the height to which
the liquid is adjusted, and T is one of the guages for ascertaining the same.
In

page_text: each of the Figs. similar letters refer to the same parts of the apparatus, and the
arrows indicate the direction in which the gas flows.
These washers may be composed of any number of chambers, or extra chambers
may be added to the same washer at any time by removing the end plates and the
outlet box, without in any way altering the other parts, but we consider five
chambers to be the best number for ordinary gasworks. With this number the
gas would pass through the liquor five times before leaving the washer, always
entering the strongest liquor first, and the weakest liquor last. Although an
arrangement may be made for causing the overflow of liquid from one chamber to
pass into the next, it is found better in practice to make the supply of liquid to
each chamber independent of the others.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
we would observe in conclusion that we do not confine or restrict ourselves to
the precise details or arrangements that we have described or referred to, as
variations may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main
features of this Invention, but what we consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
Firstly. The construction and arrangement of the breaker plates, and their
connection to the body of the apparatus, as hereinbefore described and shown on
the Drawings.
Secondly. The construction and arrangement of the boxes, so as to form a
communication from one chamber to another, and as herein before described and
shown on the Drawings, and
Thirdly. The general arrangement of the apparatus with its attendant pipes and
valves, as herein before described and shown on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Henry Cockey and Francis Christopher
Cockey, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty first day of
April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
HENRY COCKEY
(10)