Improvements in Apparatus for the Distillation of Ammoniacal Fluids.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov; 1887
Complete Specification Left, 14th Aug., 1898
Complete Specification Accepted, 28th Sept., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Distillation of Ammoniacal
Fluids.
I GEORGE EDWARD DAVIS of 301 Great Clowes Street Manchester in the county of
Lancaster, Chemical Engineer & Consulting Chemist do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
In stills for the evolution of ammonia gas, or of carbonate of ammonia, or of
sulphide of ammonia from any of their solutions, it has been the custom either to
drive off the volatile substances by means of a jet of steam blowing direct into the
liquor contained in a boiler of the usual pattern, or to heat the liquid by means of a
direct fire; or to pass the steam and vapours up a tower or column filled with bricks
or boards down which the animoniacal liquid is made to pass, or to cause the liquid
to run down a column containing shelves pierced with large apertures covered
with caps serrated round their lower edges through which the vapours are made
to pass.
In all the foregoing methods the ammoniacal vapours are not so finely divided as
they might be in order to get the utmost possible work out of a given size of still,
and moreover the depressions on the shelves are apt to retain tar and other impurities
which have no opportunity for egress.
My invention relates to the construction of distilling apparatus whereby a much
larger quantity of ammoniacal liquor can be distilled in a given space than heretofore,
and with ordinary care can never become choked with tar.
The still is constructed of a metal cylinder as shown by A. B. in the accompanying
drawing, fitted with a number of trays shown at C. Each tray is fitted with an over-
flow pipe D. dipping into a shallow wel! E, and these trays are perforated with a
number of small holes as shown in the plan P, through which the vapours only are
allowed to pass when the still is at work. Any free ammonia present in the solution
undergoing distillation, or any carbonate of, or any sulphide of ammonia is driven
off in the upper portion of the column or still A and the partly freed liquor passing
through the pipe G into the box K becomes mixed with lime or soda introduced

page_text: through the pipe M. From K the liquor finds its way into the column again through
the pipe H and in passing down the column becomes freed of its fixed ammonia,
finding egress from the column or still at the outlet I which must be sealed or
trapped to prevent escape of steam.
In practice, the liquor to be distilled is ran into the still or column (preferably
having first been heated by means of waste steam) by the smaller pipe in the top of
the still shown in the drawing, and when steam is admitted by the pipe N, the liquor
will form a layer on each tray of a depth corresponding with the tops of the overflow
pipes D, by means of which it runs from tray to tray until it finally reaches the
point I almost entirely freed from its ammonia. The steam and vapours pass through
the holes in the trays and find their way through the liquor standing upon each, into
the spaces J above, and so on from tray to tray until they finally escape highly
charged with ammonia by the larger pipe on the top of the column.
When the steam is turned off, the fiquor will fall from tray to tray & any tar or
pitch which may have settled thereon, finds its way by pipe G into the lime box K
from whence it is removed together with the refuse lime by means of the tap L, or by
means of the manhole with which the lime box is provided.
Dated this 14th day of November 1887.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Apparatus for the Distillation of Ammoniacal
Fluids.
GEORGE EDWARD DAVIS of 301 Great Clowes Street, Manchester in the county
of Lancaster Chemical Engineer and Consulting 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 :-
In stills for the evolution of ammonia gas, or of carbonate of or sulphide of
ammonium, from any of their solutions, it has been the custom either to drive off the
volatile substances by means of a jet of steam blowing direct into the liquor contained
in a boiler of the usual pattern, or to. heat the liquid by means of a direct fire, or to
pass the steam and vapours up a tower or colunin filled with bricks or boards, down
which the ammoniacal liquid is made to pass, or to cause the liquid to run down a
column containing shelves pierced with large central apertures covered with caps
serrated round their lower edges, through which the vapours are made to pass.
In all the foregoing methods the ammoniacal vapours are not so finely divided as
they might be in order to get the utmost possible work out of a given size of still.
My invention relates to the construction of distilling apparatus whereby a much
larger quantity of ammoniacal liquor can be distilled in a given space than heretofore
and with ordinary care can never become choked with tar.
My still is constructed of a metal cylinder or cylinders as shown by A. B. in the
drawing left with the provisional specification. It is fitted with a number of trays
shown at C. Each tray is fitted with an overflow pipe D. dipping into a shallow
well E, and these trays are perforated with a number of small holes as shown in the
plan P. through which the vapours pass when the still is at work. About one hole,
three sixteenths of an inch in diameter, in every square inch of tray is the number
I have found to be sufficient.
Any volatile ammonia compound present in the solution undergoing distillation
is driven off in the upper portion of the column or still A, and the partly freed liquor
passing through the pipe G into the lime vessel or box K. becomes mixed with the
lime or soda introduced through the pipe M. From K. the liquor finds its way into
the column again through the pipe H. and in passing down the column over the
perforated trays becomes denuded of its fixed ammonia, finding egress from the
column at the outlet I. by means of a series of one or more U tubes which allows of
the escape of liquor and still retains the steam.
In practice, the liquor to be distilled is run into the still or column-preferably
having first been heated by means of the waste steam-by means of the smaller pipe
on the top of the still, and when steam is admitted by the pipe N. the liquor will form
layer on each tray of a depth corresponding with the top of the overflow pipes D,
by means of which it runs from tray to tray until it finally reaches the point I. almost
entirely freed from its ammonia.

page_text: The steam and other vapours pass through the holes in the trays & find their way
through the liquor standing on each into the spaces J above, and so on from tray to
tray until they finally escape highly charged with ammonia, by the large pipe upon
the top of the column.
When the steam is turned off, the liquor will fall from tray to tray and any tar
which may have settled thereon, finds its way by the pipe G into the lime box K.
from whence it is removed together with the refuse lime by means of the tap L. or by
the manhole with which this box is provided.
This form of apparatus already described answers best when used for the distillation
of the quantity of liquor which it is calculated to work. When the quantity of liquor
to be distilled is very irregular I prefer to make the perforations in the top of a flat
cylindrical cap shown at A in the drawing accompanying this specification. At B in
the same drawing is shown one of these caps in situ, while the plan C exhibits the
method of perforation. These perforated caps and trays may then replace the simple
perforated frays illustrated in the drawing left with the provisional specification.
I do not confine myself to the practice of placing the lime vessel K in the exact
situation shown in the drawing left with the provisional specification as it is part of
my invention to be able to vary the situation aforesaid according to the quality of
the ammonia it is intended to produce. Thus if a very caustic ammonia he required
the lime vessel K must be placed nearer to the still top than is indicated in the
drawing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that I am aware
that the use of a column still divided into two parts in combination with a vessel
for lime, the lime being agitated by a steam recoil wheel for the purpose of
distilling ammonia is not new, and i make no claim for such combination but what
I claim is
First. The still constructed in the manner herein described, either with perforated
trays or perforated caps, on which the liquor, both before and after mixing with lime
and caustic soda is boiled and agitated by means of steam pressure in the chamber
immediately below each; and
Second. The application of a series of one or more U tubes to the outlet of a
colunin still, composed of perforated trays or perforated caps, instead of the usual
valve or tap, to allow the spent liquor to flow away automatically, as is herein
described.
Dated this 13th day of August 1888.

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1887
Complete Specification Left. 14th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 28th Sept., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Distillation of Ammoniacal
Fluids.
I GEORGE EDWARD DAVIS of 301 Great Clowes Street Manchester in the county of
Tancaster, Chemical Engineer & Consulting Chemist do hereby declare the nature of
his invention to be as follows:-
In stills for the evolution of ammonia gas, or of carbonate of ammonia, or of
sulphide of ammonia from any of their solutions, it has been the custom either to
drive off the volatile substances by means of a jet of steam blowing direct into the
liquor contained in a boiler of the usual pattern, or to heat the liquid by means of a
direct fire; or to pass the steam and vapours up a tower or column filled with bricks
or boards down which the ammoniacal liquid is made to pass, or to cause the liquid
to run down a column containing shelves pierced with large apertures covered
with caps serrated round their lower edges through which the vapours are made
to pass.
In all the foregoing methods the ammoniacal vapours are not so finely divided as
they might be in order to get the utmost possible work out of a given size of still,
and moreover the depressions on the shelves are apt to retain tar and other impurities
which have no opportunity for egress.
My invention relates to the construction of distilling apparatus whereby a much
larger quantity of ammoniacal liquor can be distilled in a given space than heretofore,
and with ordinary care can never become choked with tar.
The still is constructed of a metal cylinder as shown by A. B. in the accompanying
drawing, fitted with a number of trays shown at C. Each tray is fitted with an over-
flow pipe D. dipping into a shallow well E, and these trays are perforated with a
number of small holes as shown in the plan P, through which the vapours only are
allowed to pass when the still is at work. Any free ammonia present in the solution
undergoing distillation, or any carbonate of, or any sulphide of ammonia is driven
off in the upper portion of the column or still A and the partly freed liquor passing
through the pipe G into the box K becomes mixed with lime or soda introduced

page_text: through the pipe M. From K the liquor finds its way into the column again through
the pipe H and in passing down the column becomes freed of its fixed ammonia,
finding egress from the column or still at the outlet I which must be sealed or
trapped to prevent escape of steam.
In practice, the liquor to be distilled is run into the still or column (preferably
having first been heated by means of waste steam) by the smaller pipe in the top of
the still shown in the drawing, and when steam is admitted by the pipe N, the liquor
will form a layer on each tray of a depth corresponding with the tops of the overflow
pipes D, by means of which it runs from tray to tray until it finally reaches the
point I almost entirely freed from its ammonia. The steam and vapours pass through
the holes in the trays and find their way through the liquor standing upon each, into
the spaces J above, and so on from tray to tray until they finally escape highly
charged with ammonia by the larger pipe on the top of the column.
When the steam is turned off, the liquor will fall from tray to tray & any tar or
pitch which may have settled thereon, finds its way by pipe G into the lime box K
from whence it is removed tegether with the refuse lime by means of the tap I, or by
means of the manhole with which the lime box is provided.
Dated this 14th day of November 1387

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Distillation of Ammoniacal
Fluids.
I GEORGE EDWARD DAVIS of 301 Great Clowes Street, Manchester in the county
of Lancaster Chemical Engineer and Consulting 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 :--
In stills for the evolution of ammonia gas, or of carbonate of or sulphide of
ammonium, from any of their solutions, it has been the custom either to drive off the
volatile substances by means of a jet of steam blowing direct into the liquor contained
in a boiler of the usual pattern, or to heat the liquid by means of a direct fire, or to
pass the steam and vapours up a tower or column filled with bricks or boards, down
which the ammoniacal liquid is made to pass, or to cause the liquid to run down a
column containing shelves pierced with large central apertures covered with caps
serrated round their lower edges, through which the vapours are made to pass.
In all the foregoing methods the ammoniacal vapours are not so finely divided as
they might be in order to get the utmost possible work out of a given size of still.
My invention relates to the construction of distilling apparatus whereby a much
larger quantity of ammoniacal liquor can be distilled in a given space than heretofore
and with ordinary care can never become choked with tar.
My still is constructed of a metal cylinder or cylinders as shown by A. B. in the
drawing left with the provisional specification. It is fitted with a number of trays
shown at C. Each tray is fitted with an overflow pipe D. dipping into a shallow
well E, and these trays are perforated with a number of small holes as shown in the
plan P. through which the vapours pass when the still is at work. About one hole,
three sixteenths of an inch in diameter, in every square inch of tray is the number
I have found to be sufficient.
Any volatile ammonia compound present in the solution undergoing distillation
is driven off in the upper portion of the column or still A, and the partly freed liquor
passing through the pipe G into the lime vessel or box K. becomes mixed with the
lime or soda introduced through the pipe M. From K. the liquor finds its way into
the column again through the pipe H. and in passing down the column over the
perforated trays becomes denuded of its fixed ammonia, finding egress from the
column at the outlet I. by means of a series of one or more U tuhes which allows of
the escape of liquor and still retains the steam.
In practice, the liquor to be distilled is run into the still or column-preferably
having first been heated by means of the waste steam-by means of the smaller pipe
on the top of the still, and when steam is admitted by the pipe N. the liquor will form
a layer on each tray of a depth corresponding with the top of the overflow pipes D,
by means of which it runs from tray to tray until it finally reaches the point I. almost
entirely freed from its ammonia.

page_text: The steam and other vapours pass through the holes in the trays & find their way
through the liquor standing on each into the spaces J above, and so on from tray to
tray until they finally escape highly charged with ammonia, by the large pipe upon
the top of the column.
When the steam is turned off, the liquor will fall from tray to tray and any tar
which may have settled thereon, finds its way by the pipe G into the lime box K.
from whence it is removed together with the refuse lime by means of the tap L. or by
the manhole with which this box is provided.
This form of apparatus already described answers best when used for the distillation
of the quantity of liquor which it is calculated to work. When the quantity of liquor
to be distilled is very irregular I prefer to make the perforations in the top of a flat
cylindrical cap shown at A in the drawing accompanying this specification. At B in
the same drawing is shown one of these caps in situ, while the plan C exhibits the
method of perforation. These perforated caps and trays may then replace the simple
perforated trays illustrated in the drawing left with the provisional specification.
I do not confine myself to the practice of placing the lime vessel K in the exact
situation shown in the drawing left with the provisional specification as it is part of
my invention to be able to vary the situation aforesaid according to the quality of
the ammonia it is intended to produce. Thus if a very caustic ammonia be required
the lime vessel K must be placed nearer to the still top than is indicated in the
drawing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is
First. The still constructed in the manner berein described, either with perforated
trays or perforated caps, on which the liquor, both before and after mixing with lime
and caustic soda is boiled and agitated by means of steam pressure in the chamber
immediately bolow each; and
Second. The application of a series of one or more U tubes to the outlet of a
column still, composed of perforated trays or perforated caps, instead of the usual
valve or tap, to allow the spent liquor to flow away automatically, as is herein
described.
Dated this 13th day of August 1888.