IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF DISTILLING APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING SEA WATER INTO FRESH WATER, SUCH APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE FOR CONDENSING, COOLING, AND FILTERING LIQUIDS AND GASES."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Willoughby, of Plymouth, in the County of
Devon, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF DISTILLING APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING SEA WATER INTO FRESH WATER,
SUCH APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE FOR CONDENSING, COOLING, AND
FILTERING LIQUIDS AND GASES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Willoughby at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd March 1880.
SAMUEL WILLOUGHBY, of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF DISTILLING APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING
SEA WATER INTO FRESII WATER, SUCH APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE FOR
CONDENSING, COOLING, AND FILtering Liquids AND GASES."
This Invention consists in improvements in the construction of distilling
apparatus for converting sea water into fresh water, such apparatus being also
applicable for condensing, cooling, and filtering liquids and gases. By the employ-
ment of the said improvements great rapidity of condensation is obtained in an
apparatus of small dimensions, whilst the said apparatus is simple and economical
in construction.
The body of the said apparatus, which consists of a casing constructed of
galvanized cast iron or of any other suitable material, and of any desired size or
form, is arranged vertically, horizontally, or at any desired angle, and within the
same is contained one or more tubes arranged in the form of a series of scrolls
placed one above another, or in coils of varying diameters placed within each other,
so that a great amount of surface is contained in a small space, as will be well
understood, the bore of such tube or tubes being either of a uniform diameter
throughout or of varying diameters; the same may be conical, tapering, elliptical,
or of any suitable shape or section; and when considered desirable they are
connected together by screw cone unions, diminishing pieces, or by any other
reliable means, or they may be simply joined by expanding, brazing, soldering, or
by any other known and suitable method. This Invention further consists in tho
employment of a spreader, diaphragın plate, false bottom, or vessel constructed of
any suitable shape and material, being either open or closed, and perforated or not
perforated as desired; the same is placed within the "drip tank "or filter, and so

page_text: arranged that the condensed liquid from the scroll or spiral tubes, hereinbefore
referred to, on striking the same is splashed back, or otherwise brought into contact
with the underside or bottom of the before mentioned casing. By these means the
temperature of the liquid is greatly reduced, and in some cases I still further effect
this object by conducting air through pipes suitably arranged into the space between
the spreader and bottom of the casing, and causing it to be distributed over the
filtering incdiuin, whereby the liquid is to a certain extent aërated. In some cases
the said spreader, diaphragm plate, false bottom, or vessel is so arranged that it
only effects the spraying of the condensed liquid without bringing the same into
contact with the said casing.
When the said tubes are employed for the purposes of distillation or condensation
they are constructed of any suitable metal, and may be tinned or otherwise coated,
but, by preference, they are formed of solid drawn tin, and are arranged in the
form of a scroll or otherwise, as hereinbefore stated. It is preferred to form the
said tubes of different diameters, and to so arrange them that where the gas or
steain to be distilled is received the diameter of boro is largest, and decreases
gradually towards the end as the steam or gas becomes reduced in volume by
condensation. By these means a direct and continuous circulation of the condensed
liquid is ensured through the series of scrolls or spirals to the drip tank or filter
below, the velocity due to the pressure of the stenin and gravity of the circulating
fluid entirely preventing corrosion.
The condensation of the liquid or gas during the passage through the scrolls or
spirals is effected by the action of cold water on the exterior of the latter, the said
water being circulated within the casing hereinbefore mentioned, and directed by
having divisions suitably placed between the spiral coils or scrolls, and rising therein
either by natural circulation or by being pumped or otherwise forced through an
orifico in the casing, and is discharged through a passage in the usual manner.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Willoughby in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
September 1880.
SAMUEL WILLOUGHBY, of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF DISTILLING APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING
SEA WATER INTO FRESHI WATER, SUCH APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE for
CONDENSING, Cooling, and Filtering LiquidS AND GASES."
My said Invention consists in improvements in the construction of distilling
apparatus for converting sea water into fresh water, such apparatus being also
applicable for condensing, cooling, and filtering liquids and gases. By the employ-
ment of the said improvements great rapidity of condensation is obtained in an
apparatus of small dimensions, whilst the said apparatus is.simple and economical
in construction.
The body of the said apparatus, which consists of a casing constructed of
galvanized cast iron or of any other suitablo material, and of any desired sizo or
form, is arranged vertically, horizontally, or at any desired angle, and within the
same is contained one or more tubes arranged in the form of a series of scrolls,
placed one above another, or in spiral coils of varying diameters placed within each
other; or in some cases a combination of scroll and spiral tubes is used, so that a
great amount of surface is contained in a small space, as will be well understood,
the bore of such tube or tubes being either of a uniform diameter throughout or of
varying diameters; the same may be made conical, tapering, elliptical, or of any
suitable shape or section, and when considered desirable they are connected together
by screw cone unions, diminishing pieces, or by any other reliable means, or they
may be simply joined by expanding, brazing, soldering, or by any other known
and suitable method. This Invention further consists in the employment of a
spreader and diaphragm plate or falso bottom; the former consists of a small plate
or case, which is constructed of any suitable shape and material, being either open
or partially closed and perforated, or not perforated as desired; the same is placed
within the "drip tank" or filter, and so arranged at the exit end of the scroll or
spiral tubes, hereinbefore referred to, that the condensed liquid therefrom strikes
the same and is splashed back into contact with the diaphragm plate or false
bottom of the before mentioned casing. By these means the temperature of the
liquid is greatly reduced, and in some cases I still further effect this object by
conducting air through pipes suitably arranged into the space between the spreader
and bottom of the casing, and causing it to be distributed over the filtering
medium when such is employed, whereby the liquid is to a certain extent aërated.
In some cases the said spreader and diaphragm plate or false bottom are so
arranged that the spraying of the condensed liquid is effected without bringing the
same into contact with the diaphragın plate or false bottom of the said casing.
When the said tubes are employed for the purposes of distillation or condensation
they are constructed of any suitable metal, and may be tinned or otherwise coated,
but, by preference, they are formed of solid drawn tin, and are arranged in the
form of a scroll or otherwise, as hereinbeforo stated. It is preferred to form the
said tubes of different diameters, and to so arrange them that where the gas or
steam to be distilled is received the diameter of the bore is largest, and decreases
gradually towards the end as the steam or gas becomes reduced in volume by
condensation. By these means a direct and continuous circulation of the condensed
liquid is ensured through the series of scrolls or spirals to the drip tank or filter
below, the velocity due to the pressure of the steain and gravity of the circulating
fluid entirely preventing corrosion.
The condensation of the liquid or gas during the passage through the scrolls_or
spirals is effected by the action of cold water on the exterior of the latter. The

page_text: said water is circulated within the casing hereinbefore mentioned, and it is in some
cases directed by division plates or gratings suitably placed between the spiral
coils or scrolls, and rising therein either by natural circulation, or by being pumped
or otherwise forced through an orifice in the casing, is discharged through a passage
in the usual manner.
I will now proceed to refer to the accompanying Drawings, from which the
nature of my said Invention will be more clearly understood. The same letters
of reference indicate like or corresponding parts in the several Figures.
Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus; Figures 2 to 5 are vertical sections,
illustrating different arrangements of condensing surfaces, consisting respectively of
scrolls and spiral tubes; Figures 1º and 5° shew plans of the apparatus; Figures 2ª
and 5b shew plans of the scrolls and spirals with the cover of apparatus
removed; Figure 6 is a plan of the division grating, which may be used or not for
-supporting the scrolls; Figures 2b, 2c, 24, 2º, 2º, 25, and 2b, are plans of the various
scrolls, shewn in Figure 2.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, A is in each case the valve for admitting the steam
or gas to be condensed.
In Figures 1ª and 5ª, B represents a connection for a valve to be used in case of
fire, washing decks, and other purposes.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the scrolls shewn in Figure 2.
C is the orifice for admission of the condensing water, which is discharged at the
outlet D; E is a diaphragm plate forming the bottom of the condensing box and
top of the filter F placed underneath the condensing box or distiller, but this filter
may be placed in any other position connected with or separated from the
condenser.
Fa is n receiving chamber when the filter is not connected with the distilling
apparatus.
Grepresents the spreader with perforations in same suitably placed for spraying
the distilled water against the diaghragm plate E for additional cooling, also for
spreading the distilled water equally over filtering materials; H illustrates an air
pipe properly placed for nörating and lessening the temperature of the distilled
water.
1 is an eduction pipe for conveying the distilled aërated water to a second filter
(not shown in the Drawings) or direct to the tanks as may be desired.
J illustrates the conical unions for connecting scrolls where necessary, but other
methods of connection may be used.
K and K, Figure 5, are annular pipes, with which are connected two or more
spirals of lesser diameters; K¹ receives the distilled water, and has connected
thereto the scroll, Figure 5c, and the spreader G, but I may dispense with
annular pipes and simply connect the smaller diameter spiral tubes with the larger
spiral tube at the top of the apparatus, and deliver the distilled water at the
bottom of the apparatus into the same spiral tube still connected with the scroll
Figure 5° and the spreader G.
Upon reference to Figures 2 and 5 it will be seen that the tubes are of a scroll
or spiral form, such as shewn in Figures 2ª, 2b, 2º, 24, 2, 2, 2, 2, 5, and 5º, and
they are constructed of any suitable metal, and may be tinned or otherwise coated,
but, by preference, they are formed of solid drawn tin. It is preferred to form the
said scroll tubes of different diameters, and to so arrange them that where tho
steam or gas to be condeused is received the diameter of the bore is largest, and
decreases gradually towards the end as the steam or gas becomes reduced in volume
by condensation; by these means a direct and continuous flow of the condensed
liquid is ensured through the series of scrolls or spirals to the drip tank or filter F
below.
The condensation of the steam or gas during the passage through the scrolls or
spirals is effected by the action of cold water, which is allowed to run or is pumped
through the apparatus by a suitable pump (not shewn in the Drawings) into the
orifice C, and passes through the condenser, coming in contact with the exterior of

page_text: the scrolls or spirals, and is discharged through the orifice D to the sea or through
the orifice B when required, such as in case of fire, washing decks, and other
similar purposes.
In order to support the coils or spirals in their proper positions and for the better
circulation of the cold water through the apparatus suitable plates made of cast
iron and galvanized, as is shewn in Figure 6, or any other suitable material are
placed between each scroll, thus supporting the same.
Having described the Drawings I will now describe the method of working the
apparatus. When the circulation is complete, that is to say, when the cold water
which is run or pumped through the apparatus at C discharges at B or D, the steam
or gas to be condensed is passed into the interior of the scrolls or spirals through
the valve A, and becomes condensed and cooled when escaping through the
spreader G to the chamber Fa or to the filter F, where it is discharged to the tanks
by the pipe I.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention and the
imanner in which it is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what I
consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting tho Invention
secured to me by the said herein before in part recited Letters Patent arc,-
First. The employment of tubes in a scroll form, whether of equal or of varying
diameters, substantially as herein before set forth and shewn in Figures 2, 3, 4,
2, 2, 2, 28, 2, 28, 25, and 2".
Secondly. The employment of a series of spiral tubes of equal or unequal
diameters, taper or of other forms or shapes, operating substantially as hercinbefore
set forth and shown in Figures 5 and 5b.
Thirdly. The combination of scroll and spiral tubes forming distilling apparatus,
as illustrated in Figures 5, 5, and 50, substantially as hereinbefore described and
set forth.
Fourthly. The employment of a spreader, constructed and arranged substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and set forth.
And, Fifthly. The combination and arrangement of the spreader and diaphragm
plate as a false bottom, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described
and set forth and shown in the accompanying Drawings at G and E, Figures 2, 3, 4,
and 5.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Willoughby, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
JOSEPH WILLOUGHBY,
Engineer,
Central Foundry,
Plymouth.
SAMUEL WILLOUGHBY. (L.S.)