Year: 1896

page_text: I, JEAN JOSEPH AUGUSTE TRILLAT of 3 Rue Franklin, Paris in the Republic of
France, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the production of vapors of formic
aldehyde from solutions of the same, and is particularly applicable for disinfecting
purposes.
Instead of directly transforming methylic alcohol into formic aldehyde vapors by
means of the apparatus described in my previous English Specification No. 17177
of 1896, the same apparatus, or parts of the same, may in certain cases be utilized to
vaporize formic aldehyde solution, or to reduce it to a state of fine division in the
air. This operation may be effected in various ways, e.g. by the passage of a rapid
current of steam, of carbonic acid or of compressed air through the solution.
For instance, the alcohol container used in the above invention may be filled
one-half or two-thirds full with formic aldehyde solution and a violent current of
steam led through the solution. The formic aldehyde driven over with the steam
may be conducted into the oxidizing chamber, whence it escapes in the form of
vapor through the orifices into the atmosphere or locality to be disinfected. The
second vessel may either be attached directly to the container, or it may be situated
in the place to be disinfected, the vessel containing the formic aldehyde solution
remaining outside.
As apparatus for producing steam either an ordinary receptacle may be employed
containing water and heated by a lamp, or an autoclave which will supply steam at a
higher temperature.
In order to facilitate the formic aldehyde being driven over by the steam, a
mineral salt-chloride of calcium etc.-may be added to the solution, thus allowing
it to be heated to a temperature above 100°.
The disinfection may also be effected by direct reduction of the cold formic
aldehyde solution to the state of fine division. With this object there may be
employed any of the means already in use for effecting the fine division or spraying
of the copper solutions used for treatment of vines. The jet in the state of spray is
then directed into a metallic box which may be slightly heated. The vapors are
warmed by contact therewith and then scattered into the atmosphere or locality to
be disinfected by means of a fan. Instead of employing a pump for the compression
of air wherewith to spray the solution, the pump may be substituted by the action
of chemical agents, such as tartaric acid and bicarbonate of soda.

page_text: Whereas a solution of formic aldehyde cannot be properly utilized for disinfectant
purposes by direct evaporation, because polymerisation takes place, the volatilization
of formol by a current of steam can be rapidly effected without polymerisation,
particularly in the presence of a chloride or neutral body in the solution.
Dated this 7th day of September 1896.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
I, JEAN JOSEPH AUGUSTE TRILLAT of 3 Rue Franklin, Paris in the Republic of
France, Chemist, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in the production of vapors of formic
aldehyde from solutions of the same, and is particularly applicable for disinfecting
purposes.
Instead of directly transforming methylic alcohol into formic aldehyde vapors by
means of the apparatus described in my previous English Specification No. 17,177 of
1896, the same apparatus, or parts of the same, may in certain cases be utilized to
vaporize formic aldehyde solution, or to reduce it to a state of fine division in the
air. This operation may be effected in various ways, eg. by the passage of a rapid
current of steam, of carbonic acid or of compressed air through the solution.
For instance, the alcohol receptacle or container used in the above invention and
shown at D in Figure 2 of the drawings forming part of the said Specification
No. 17,177 of 1896, may be filled one-half or two-thirds full with formic aldehyde
solution and a violent current of steam from the tube d be led through the solution.
The formic aldehyde driven over with the steam may be conducted into the oxidizing
chamber shown at Figure 1 of the said drawings, the cylinders c being removed
from the apparatus; from the said chamber the formic aldehyde escapes in the form
of vapor through the orifices of the tubes a into the atmosphere or locality to be
disinfected. The second vessel, that is to say the oxidizing chamber shown in
Figure 1 of the said drawings, may either be attached directly to the vessel or
container (Figure 2) containing the formic aldehyde solution, or it may be situated
in the place to be disinfected, the vessel containing the formic aldehyde solution
remaining outside.
As apparatus for producing steam, either an ordinary receptacle may be employed
containing water and heated by a lamp, or an autoclave which will supply steam at
a higher temperature.
In order to facilitate the formic aldehyde being driven over by the steam, a
mineral salt chloride of calcium etc.-may be added to the solution thus allowing
it to be heated to a temperature above 100°.
The disinfection may also be effected by direct reduction of the cold formic
aldehyde solution to the state of fine division. With this object there may be
employed any of the means already in use for effecting the fine division or spraying
of the copper solutions used for treatment of vines. The vapors are preferably
warmed in any suitable way and then scattered into the atmosphere or locality to be
disinfected by means of a revolving fan.
Instead of employing a pump for the compression of air wherewith to spray the
solution, the compressed air may be substituted by a rapid current of gas preferably

page_text: carbonic acid gas, generated by the action of chemical agents, such as tartaric acid
and bicarbonate of soda.
Whereas a solution of formic aldehyde cannot be properly utilised for disinfectant
purposes by direct evaporation, because polymerisation takes place, the volatilization
of formol by a current of steam can be rapidly effected without polymerization,
particularly in the presence of a chloride or neutral body in the solution.
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 production of formic aldehyde vapors by passing a current of steam,
carbonic acid or compressed air through formic aldehyde solution substantially as
hereinbefore described.
2. The production of formic aldehyde vapors by passing a current of steam,
carbonic acid or compressed air through formic aldehyde solution containing a
mineral salt, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The production of formic aldehyde vapors by reducing cold formic aldehyde
solution to the state of fine division by any suitable spraying or reducing apparatus,
warming the vapors thus produced, and then scattering the vapors by means of a
fan, substantially as herein before described.
4. In the method of producing formic aldehyde vapors referred to in the last
preceding claim, the employment of a rapid current of gas, preferably carbonic acid
gas, generated by the action of chemical agents for spraying the solution as set
forth.