Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Condensing Nitrous Acid, or Other Fumes or Vapour.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 15th May., 1897-Accepted, 10th July, 1897
Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Condensing Nitrous Acid,
or Other Fumes or Vapour.
I, JOHN LASKEY DOBELL, of No. 46 Connaught Road, Harlesden, in the county of
Middlesex, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in means or apparatus for condensing
nitrous acid or other fumes or vapour for example, ether, and has for its object to
obtain a simple form of apparatus by the aid of which the fumes or vapour may be
rapidly condensed in an almost continuous manner, and the liquid of condensation
easily withdrawn from the condenser from time to time as may be desired.
In carrying the invention into effect, a vertical tubular standard or chamber is
employed which at its base is enlarged to constitute a well for the
purpose
hereinafter described.
From this vertical standard or chamber, or from the well, is carried an upwardly
inclined pipe, the upper end of which is connected with a feed chamber closed by a
removeable lid, and an approximately horizontal but slightly inclined pipe connects
this chamber with the upper end of the vertical chamber.
The inclined pipes are filled with broken pumice stone, glass beads, broken glass,
fine shingle, or other suitable material, which is held in place by means of perforated
diaphragms arranged adjacent to the verical tubular chamber or standard. The well at
the lower end of the vertical chamber and consequently the lower end of the lower
inclined tube are, in some cases, filled with water or other suitable liquid; this will
be found of special advantage when it is desired to recover the nitrous acid fumes in
the form of nitric acid.
Crossing the well of the vertical chamber is a pipe terminated within the lower
pipe by a suitable injector, by the aid of which the nitrous acid or other fumes or
vapour are forced either by their own pressure, or by a current of air or steam in the
form of a spray or sprays, through the water or other liquid, when employed, and
amongst the broken pumice or other material in the tubes and then through the
upper perforated diaphragm into the vertical chamber, whence any uncondensed
fumes are carried away to another like apparatus for further treatment, or as
desired.
In order to prevent back pressure of the fumes or vapour, when water or other
liquid is employed as above stated, a dependent partition is employed which extends
downwardly into the well, and by the aid of the water forms an efficient trap for the
fumes.
The granular material placed within the tubes gives a very much extended surface
of cool material for the fumes or vapour to pass over which brings about the
condensation of the vapour, the fluid of condensation, flowing from the slightly
inclined upper pipe into the feed chamber, and thence into the lower inclined pipe,
falls by gravity into the well, and, when desired, it may be drawn off either alone or
combined with the water or other liquid by a cock or tap provided for that purpose,
and communicating with the lower part of the well.

page_text: The feed chamber is provided with a lid, by the aid of which the apparatus may be
closed whilst at work and through which the granular material is passed to the pipes,
whilst water may be introduced thereat in order to keep the same at its proper level
which is indicated by a suitable water guage arranged at the side of the apparatus.
The vertical chamber might, if 'desired, be separated into two parts by means of a
horizontal partition, and in order to accelerate the condensing operation, the inclined
tubes are sometimes jacketed with felt kept saturated with water.
Instead of relying upon the force of the jet of nitrous acid or other vapour to
carry the same through the two tubes to the vertical chamber, in some cases, the
fumes which have not become condensed may be drawn off at the upper part of the
vertical chamber by other suitable means.
It will be understood that the parts of the apparatus are formed of such material
as will not be attacked by the acid fumes or other fumes or vapour in connection
with which it is intended to employ the apparatus.
A number of sets of apparatus, such as that hereinbefore described, may be
arranged side by side, the upper end of the vertical chamber of the first one
communicating with the injector of the second and so on, by which means the vapour
will be carried through the series of horizontal pipes and vertical chambers and the
complete condensation thereof thereby assured.
When more than one set of apparatus are employed, the several wells are connected
together by a suitable pipe or pipes and each apparatus is arranged slightly higher
than the adjacent one, so that the liquid in the wells may mix, thereby keeping the
specific gravity of the same uniform.
If it be desired to recover the nitrous acid fumes in the form of nitric acid, the
desired object may be effected by introducing air or steam or a combination of the
same into the apparatus with the nitrous acid fumes.
By means of this apparatus, and especially by means of the broken material, a very
extended and circuitous passage is provided for the fumes or vapour and the
condensation thereof is thereby very completely brought about.
Dated this 15th day of August 1896.
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Condensing Nitrous Acid,
or Other Fumes or Vapour.
I, JOHN LASKEY DOBELL, of No. 46, Connaught Road, Harlesden, in the county of
Middlesex, Electrician, 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:—
My said invention relates to improvements in means or apparatus for condensing
nitrous acid or other fumes or vapours for example, ether, and has for its object to
obtain a simple form of apparatus by the aid of which the fumes or vapour may be
rapidly condensed in an almost continuous manner, and the liquid of condensation
easily withdrawn from the condenser from time to time as may be desired.
In carrying the invention into effect, a vertical tubular standard or chamber is
employed which at its base is enlarged to constitute a well for the purpose hereinafter
described.
From this vertical standard or chamber, or from the well, is carried an upwardly
inclined pipe, the upper end of which is connected with a feed chamber closed by a
removeable lid, and an approximately horizontal but slightly inclined pipe connects
this chamber with the upper part of the vertical chamber.

page_text: The inclined pipes are filled with broken pumice stone, glass beads, broken glass,
fine shingle, or other suitable material, which is held in place by means of perforated
diaphragmns arranged adjacent to the vertical tubular chamber or standard. The well
at the lower end of the vertical chamber and consequently the lower end of the lower
inclined tube are in some cases filled with water or other suitable liquid, this will be
found of special advantage when it is desired to recover the nitrous acid fumes in the
form of nitric acid.
Crossing the well of the vertical chamber is a pipe terminated within the lower
pipes by a suitable injector, by the aid of which the nitrous acid or other fumes or
vapour are forced either by their own pressure, or by a current of air or steam in the
form of a spray or sprays through the water or other liquid when employed and
amongst the broken pumice or other material in the tubes and then through the
upper perforated diaphragm into the vertical chamber, whence any uncondensed
fumes are carried away to another like apparatus, for further treatment, or as
desired.
In order to prevent back pressure of the fumes or vapour, when water or other
liquid is employed as above stated, a dependent partition is employed which extends
downwardly into the well, and by the aid of the water forins an efficient trap for the
fumes.
The granular material placed within the tubes gives a very much extended surface
of cool material for the fumes or vapour to pass over which brings about the
condensation of the vapour, the fluid of condensation flowing from the slightly
inclined upper pipe into the feed chamber, and thence into the lower inclined pipe,
falls by gravity into the well and when desired it may be drawn off either alone or
combined with the water or other liquid by a cock or tap provided for that purpose,
and communicating with the lower part of the well.
The feed chamber is provided with a lid, by the aid of which the apparatus may be
closed whilst at work and through which the granular material is passed to the pipes
whilst water may be introduced thereat in order to keep the same at its proper level
which is indicated by a suitable water gauge arranged at the side of the apparatus.
The vertical chamber might, if desired, be separated into two parts by means of a
horizontal partition, and in order to accelerate the condensing operation, the inclined
tubes are sometimes jacketed with felt kept saturated with water.
Instead of relying upon the force of the jet of nitrous acid or other vapour to carry
the same through the two tubes to the vertical chamber, in some cases, the fumes
which have not become condensed may be drawn off at the upper part of the vertical
chamber by any suitable means.
It will be understood that the parts of the apparatus are formed of such material
as will not be attacked by the acid fumes or other fames or vapour in connection
with which it is intended to employ the apparatus.
A number of sets of apparatus, such as that herein before described, may be
arranged side by side the upper end of the vertical chamber of the first one
communicating with the injector of the second and so on, by which means the
vapour will be carried through the series of horizontal pipes and vertical chambers
and the complete condensation thereof thereby assured.
When more sets than one of apparatus are employed the several wells are connected
ogether by a suitable pipe or pipes and each apparatus is arranged slightly higher
han the adjacent one so that the liquid in the wells may mix thereby keeping the
specific gravity of the same uniform."
If it be desired to recover the nitrous acid fumes in the form of nitric acid, the
lesired object may be effected by introducing air or steam or a combination of the
ame into the apparatus with the nitrous acid fumes.
And, in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
arried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings, more fully
o describe the same.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of an apparatus constructed according to
the present invention.
Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof, and,
Figure 3 is a similar view representing the combination of several of such sets of
apparatus.
In the several figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
a represents the vertical tabular standard or chamber which at its base is enlarged
to constitute a well al for the purpose hereinafter described, but the enlargement
might be dispensed with in some cases.
From this vertical standard or chamber a at the upper part of the well a¹ is led
an upwardly inclined pipe b the upper end of which is connected with a feed
chamber c closed by a removeable lid or cover c¹ and an approximately horizontal but
slightly inclined pipe d connects the feed chamber e with the upper end of the
vertical chamber a.
The inclined pipes b and d are filled with broken pumice stone, glass beads, broken
glass, fine shingle or other suitable material e through the feed chamber c, and this
material is held in place by means of perforated diaphragms or gratings b₁, d'arranged
at or near the connection of the pipes b d with the vertical chamber or standard a.
The office of the pumice or other material is to provide an extended surface over
which the fumes are required to pass and at the same time to offer a slight resistance
to their passage through the inclined pipes.
The well al at the lower end of the vertical chamber or standard a is filled with
water or other suitable liquid as indicated in Figure 1, and in some cases the level of
the water or other liquid is raised so as to cover the injector f¹ hereinafter referred to,
and this will be found of special advantage when it is desired to recover nitrous acid
fumes in the form of nitric acid, as the fumes will then be caused to pass through
the water.
Crossing the well al of the vertical chamber a is a pipe f which terminates within
the lower inclined pipe b in a suitable injector and at its outer end is connected by
a pipe with the supply of vapour or fumes to be condensed, and by the aid of this
device the nitrous acid or other fumes or vapour are forced either by their own
pressure or by a current of air or steam in the form of a spray or sprays through the
water or other liquid when employed at the requisite level and amongst the broken
pumice or other material e and then through the upper perforated diaphragm d' into
the vertical chamber a whence any uncondensed fumes are carried away through a
pipe as to a like apparatus for further treatment or as desired.
In order to prevent back pressure of the fumes or vapour; when water or other
liquid is employed as above stated a depending partition at is provided which extends
downwardly into the well al and by the aid of the water therein forms an efficient
trap for the fumes; or, the vertical standard or chamber a may be provided with a
horizontal partition for the same purpose, as hereinafter described.
The granular material e placed within the tubes b and d forms a much extended
surface of cool material for the fumes or vapour to pass over and thus brings about the
condensation of the vapour.
The fluid of condensation flowing from the slightly inclined upper pipe d into the
feed chamber c and thence into the lower inclined pipe b falls by gravity into the
well a' and when desired it may be drawn off combined with the water or other liquid
by a cock or tap a' provided for that purpose and communicating with the lower part
of the well a¹.
The feed chamber c as hereinbefore stated is provided with a lid c¹ by the aid of
which the apparatus may be closed whilst at work and through which the granular
materiale is passed to the pipes b and d whilst water may be introduced into the feed
chamber c to maintain the same at its proper level in the well a¹ and which is
indicated by a suitable water gauge a' arranged at the side of the apparatus and to

page_text: assist the condensing effect of the granular material by flowing over and amongst
and cooling the same.
The vertical chamber or standard a might if desired be separated into two parts by
means of a horizontal partition as indicated by the dotted lines a" in Figure 1, and in
this case the water seal in the well a¹ might be dispensed with, and in order to
accelerate the condensing operation the inclined pipes ò d may if desired be jacketed
with felt kept saturated with water as will be readily understood.
Instead of relying upon the force of the jet of nitrous acid or other vapour issuing
from the injector f1 to carry the same through the two tubes b d to the vertical
chamber a in some cases the fumes which have not become condensed may be drawn
off at the upper part of the vertical chamber a through the pipe a³ by any suitable
means.
It will be understood that the various parts of the apparatus are formed of such
material as will not be attacked by the acid or other fumes or vapour in connection
with which it is intended to employ the same.
If it be desired to recover the nitrous acid fumes in the form of nitric acid the
desired object may be effected by introducing air or steam or a combination of the
same into the apparatus through the injector 1 together with the nitrous acid
fumes.
In the example given at Figure 3, several sets of apparatus such as that hereinbefore
described are arranged side by side, the upper end of the vertical chamber of the first
one communicating by a pipe a with the injector of the second apparatus and so on,
by which means the vapour will be carried through the series of horizontal pipes b d
and vertical chambers a and the complete condensation thereof thereby assured.
When more sets than one of apparatus are employed the several wells al are
connected together by suitable pipes a' and each apparatus is arranged at a slightly.
greater elevation than the adjacent one, so that the liquid in the several wells al may to
Bome extent commingle or mix thereby keeping the specific gravity of the same.
uniform.
By means of this apparatus and especially by means of the broken material a very
extended and circuitous passage is provided for the fumes or vapour and the
condensation thereof is thereby very completely brought about.
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. An apparatus for condensing nitrous acid or other fumes or vapours, comprising
a vertical tubular standard or chamber, a covered feed chamber, an upwardly inclined
pipe connecting the tubular standard at a point near its lower end with the feed
chamber, an inclined pipe connecting the feed chamber with the upper part of the
tubular standard, a filling of broken pumice stone, or other suitable material within
the inclined pipes and feed chamber, gratings for retaining such material in place,
an injector introduced into the lower end of the lower inclined pipe and connected
with a supply of vapour to be condensed, a draw off tap at the lower part of the
tubular standard for the liquid of condensation and a delivery pipe at the upper part
of such standard for the uncondensed fumes, substantially as herein shown and
described.
2. An apparatus for condensing nitrous acid or other fumes or vapours, comprising
a vertical tubular standard or chamber at its lower end enlarged to constitute a well, a
covered feed chamber, an upwardly inclined pipe connecting the tubular standard at a
point near its lower end with the feed chamber, an inclined pipe connecting the feed
chamber with the upper part of the tubular standard, a filling of broken pumice stone
or other suitable material within the inclined pipes and feed chamber, gratings for
retaining such material in place, an injector introduced into the lower end of the
inclined pipe and connected with a supply of vapour to be condensed, a depending
partition extending across the well and dipping into the liquid of condensation or
other liquid in the well, a draw off tap connected with the well for the liquid of

page_text: condensation and a delivery pipe at the upper part of such standard for the
uncondensed fumes, substantially as herein shown and described.
3. An apparatus for condensing nitrous acid or other fumes or vapours, comprising
a series of devices such as that referred to in the preceding claims arranged at
slightly different elevations and coupled in such manner that the delivery pipe of the
first tubular standard communicates with the injector of the second and so on and
provided with pipe connections between the several wells or lower ends of the tubular
standards, substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated thia 15th day of Mon 1907
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.