IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF STEAM FOR PRODUCING A BOILING ACTION IN BLEACHING, AND AMER TUTA XIRACING PROCESSES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Cranstoun Trotter Cranstoun, of Chirnside
Bridge, in the County of Berwick, North Britain, Paper Maker, George
Young, of Dunse, in the County of Berwick, North Britain, Plumber,
and John Lovell, of Chirnside Bridge, in the County of Berwick, North
Britain, Paper Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
APPLICATION OF STEAM FOR PRODUCING A BOILING ACTION IN BLEACHING, AND
AMER TUTA XIRACING PROCESSES
"
ealed the 13th February 1857, and dated the 15th September 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Cranstoun Trotter
Cranstoun, George Young, and John Lovell, at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 15th September 1856.
We, GEORGE CRANSTOUN TROTTER CRANSTOUN, of Chirnside Bridge, in the
County of Berwick, North Britain, Paper Maker, GEORGE YOUNG, of Dunse,
in the County of Berwick, North Britain, Plumber, and JOHN LOVELL, of
Chirnside Bridge, in the County of Berwick, North Britain, Paper Maker, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
APPLICATION OF STEAM FOR PRODUCING A BOILING ACTION IN BLEACHING, AND OTHER
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to an improved system or mode of employing steam

page_text: In the
for producing a boiling action in various manufacturing processes, whereby the
desired result is obtained at a more economical cost than hitherto.
manufacturing processes, to which our said Invention has more particular
reference, it is customary to employ keirs or boiling vessels for boiling various
materials, such as textile fabrics or materials, or materials used in the manu-
facture of paper. One class of keirs or vessels so used are uncovered and open
to the atmosphere, whilst another class of such vessels are closed or covered in,
but have their upper parts communicating with the atmosphere by means of
waste steam pipes, and it is to the covered class of keir that the present
Invention is applicable. The steam is made to operate in these vessels by
forcing the liquid up through a large tube, as is the case in the vomiting keir;
or it enters beneath a perforated false bottom, through which it rises and
passes into and through the water or liquid and materials to be operated upon,
and placed above the false bottom. This ingress of steam causes the contents
of the keir or vessel to boil. Any heat introduced by the steam in this way
after the liquid has reached the boiling point will rise to the surface in the
form of steam, excepting what is lost by radiation from the sides of the vessel.
Hitherto the steam thus rising from or passing through the contents of the
keir has been allowed to blow off through the waste steam pipe into the
atmosphere; but according to our present Invention this steam is utilised or
made to give out additional work instead of being so wasted.
Our Invention is more particularly applicable where a number of such
boiling keirs are used, and in carrying it out in practice such keirs or boiling
vessels are so connected by means of suitable pipes or passages, that what
would ordinarily be the waste steam from one keir is made to produce the
boiling action in another or second keir. The steam rising from the contents
of this second keir is conveyed to a third keir, there to produce the boiling
action, and so on, throughout a range of any convenient number of keirs.
From the last keir of the range in action, the steam, instead of being allowed
to blow off into the atmosphere, is made to passs through a coil of piping
immersed in the water, or directly into the water from which the keirs are to
be supplied, so that this water may be raised in temperature, and a further
amount of fuel be thereby saved.
In carrying this Invention into effect according to one modification, branch
pipes by which the steam enters the several keirs are joined to a single pipe
running the length of the entire range of keirs. To this pipe are also joined
the several branches by which the steam leaves the keirs. Each ingress and
egress branch is provided with a stop-cock, and a stop-cock is fitted to the

page_text: connecting pipe over each keir, between the ingress and egress branch of
each keir. A steam pipe from the boiler is made to communicate by means
of branches fitted with stop-cocks with each ingress branch or with each keir.
With this arrangement, either the entire range of keirs may be in operation
and in communication with each other at once, or any one or more of the keirs
may be detached, as it were, and out of operation. When all the keirs are in
operation all the stop-cocks on the connection pipe are closed, all the stop-
cocks on the ingress and egress branches are opened, and all the stop-cocks
admitting steam from the boiler are closed, or nearly so, except one, which
admits steam into the first keir. Ebullition is thereby caused in the first keir,
and the steam from this keir passes through its egress pipe through a portion
of the connecting pipe, and through the ingress pipe of the second keir into
that keir. The steam from the second keir passes in the same manner to
the third keir, and so on, throughout the range. If it is found that the
steam from any of the keirs does not possess sufficient boiling power for
acting efficiently in the succeeding keir, the cock of such keir commu-
nicating with the steam boiler is slightly opened to admit as much fresh
steam as will make up the deficiency in the steam from the preceding
keir. By closing the ingress and egress branches of any keir, and opening the
O stop-cock between those branches on the connection pipe, this keir may be
detached from the rest, the steam from the keir preceeding it passing along the
now opened connection pipe to the keir succeeding it, or second in advance;
and likewise by suitably adjusting the stop-cocks, communicating with the pipe
from the steam boiler, the fresh steam may be admitted directly into any one
5 of the keirs of the range.
Although we have mentioned keirs as one kind of vessel to be used in
carrying out this Invention, it will be obvious that various kinds of vessels may
be used, and also that the steam may be admitted into the vessels in various
ways. Thus, for example, where a number of steam dash wheels are used,
o the steam being introduced into such wheels for the purpose of causing
the contents to boil, the steam may be conveyed from one wheel to another
in succession (the wheels being suitably constructed) by means of an
arrangement of piping similar to that already herein described for a like
5
purpose.
There are several modes of working out our said Invention in practice, and
it is applicable in a variety of manufactures; but it essentially consists in
utilising the steam rising from the contents of vessels wherein boiling or
ebullition is produced, and in providing a free and ample escape or vent for

page_text: the steam from each keir which is found necessary to produce the desired effect
on the materials, whilst at the same time the steam is so economized that
waste is entirely prevented. In addition to the saving of fuel to be obtained
by the application of this Invention, a further saving will be effected by
economizing the chemical ingredients employed in the boiling process.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Cranstoun Trotter Cranstoun, George Young, and
John Lovell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th March 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, GEORGE
CRANSTOUN TROTTER CRANSTOUN, of Chirnside Bridge, in the County of
Berwick, North Britain, Paper Maker, GEORGE YOUNG, of Dunse, in the
County of Berwick, North Britain, Plumber, and JOHN LOVELL, of Chirnside
Bridge, in the County of Berwick, North Britain, Paper Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Ier reign,
did for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
George Cranstoun Trotter Cranstoun, George Young, and John Lovell, Her
special license, that we, the said George Cranstoun Trotter Cranstoun, George
Young, and John Lovell, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as we, the said George Cranstoun Trotter Cranstoun, George Young,
and John Lovell, our executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
APPLICATION OF STEAM FOR PRODUCING A BOILING ACTION IN BLEACHING AND OTHER
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the
said George Cranstoun Trotter Cranstoun, George Young, and John Lovell,
by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under the hand and
seal of one of us, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said George Cranstoun Trotter Cranstoun,
George Young, and John Lovell, do hereby declare the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement in writing,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, that is to say:―
Our said Invention relates to an improved system or mode of employing
steam for producing a boiling action in various manufacturing processes,
whereby the desired result is obtained at a more economical cost than has
hitherto been the case.
In the manufacturing processes, to which our said Invention has more par-
ticular reference, it is customary to employ kiers or boiling vessels for boiling
various materials, such as textile fabrics or materials, or materials used in the
manufacture of paper. One class of kiers or vessels so used are uncovered
and open to the atmosphere, whilst another class of such vessels are closed or
covered in, but have their upper parts communicating with the atmosphere
by means of waste steam pipes, and it is to the covered class of kiers that the
present Invention is applicable. The steam is made to operate in these vessels
by forcing the liquid up through a large tube, as is the case in the vomiting
kiers, or it enters beneath a perforated false bottom, through which it rises and
passes into and through the water or liquid and materials to be operated upon,
and placed above the false bottom. This ingress of steam causes the contents
of the kier or vessel to boil. Any heat introduced by the steam in this way
after the liquid has reached the boiling point will rise to the surface in the form
of steam, excepting what is lost by radiation from the sides of the vessel.
Hitherto the steam thus rising from or passing through the contents of the
kier has been allowed to blow off through the waste steam pipe into the atmo-
sphere; but according to our present Invention this steam is utilised, or made
to give out additional work, instead of being so wasted. Our Invention is more
particularly applicable where a number of such boiling kiers are used, and in
carrying it out in practice such kiers or boiling vessels are so connected by
means of suitable pipes or passages, that what would ordinarily be the waste
steam from one kier is made to produce the boiling action is another or second
kier. The steam rising from the contents of this second kier is conveyed to a
third kier, there to produce the boiling action, and so on, throughout a range
of any convenient number of kiers. From the last kier of the range in action,
the steam, instead of being allowed to blow off into the atmosphere, is made
to pass through a coil of piping immersed in the water (or it may be sent

page_text: directly into the water) from which the kiers are to be supplied, so that
this water may be raised in temperature, and a further amount of fuel be
thereby saved.
In carrying this Invention into effect according to one modification of our
plans, branch pipes, by which the steam enters the several kiers, are joined to
a single pipe running the whole length of the entire range of kiers. To this
pipe are also joined the several branches by which the steam leaves the kiers.
Each ingress and egress branch is provided with a stop-cock, and a stop-cock
iş fitted to the connecting pipe over each kier, between the ingress and egress
branch of each kier. A steam pipe from the boiler is made to communicate
by means of branches fitted with stop-cocks with each ingress branch or with
each kier. With this arrangement, either the entire range of kiers may be in
operation and in communication with each other at once, or any one or more
of the kiers may be detached, as it were, and out of operation. When all the
kiers are in operation all the stop-cocks on the connection pipe are closed, all
the stop-cocks on the ingress and egress branches are opened, and all the stop-
cocks admitting steam from the boiler are closed, or nearly so, except one,
which admits steam into the first kier. Ebullition is thereby caused in the
first kier, and the steam from this kier passes through its egress pipe, through
a portion of the connection pipe, and through the ingress pipe of the second
kier into that kier. The steam from the second kier passes in the same manner
to the third kier, and so on, throughout the range. If it is found that the
steam from any of the kiers does not possess sufficient boiling power for acting
efficiently in the succeeding kier, the cock of such kier, communicating with
the steam boiler, is slightly opened to admit as much fresh steam as will make
up the deficiency in the steam from the preceding kier. By closing the ingress
and egress branches of any kier, and opening the stop-cock between those
branches on the connection pipe, this kier may be detached from the rest, the
steam from the kier preceding it passing along the now opened connection
pipe to the kier succeeding it, or the second in advance. And likewise by
suitably adjusting the stop-cocks communicating between the pipe and the
steam boiler, the fresh steam may be admitted directly into any one of the
kiers of the range.
Although we have mentioned kiers as one kind of vessel to be used in carry-
ing out this Invention, it will be obvious that various kinds of vessels may be
used, and also that the steam may be admitted into the vessels in various ways.
Thus, for example, where a number of steam dash wheels are used, the steam
being introduced into such wheels for the purpose of causing the contents to

page_text: boil, the steam may be conveyed from one wheel to another in succession, the
wheels being suitably constructed and provided with an arrangement of piping,
similar to that already herein described for a like purpose.
There are several modes of working out our said Invention in practice, and
it is applicable in a variety of manufactures, but it essentially consists in
utilising the steam rising from the contents of vessels wherein boiling or
ebullition is produced, and in providing a free and ample escape or vent for
the steam from each kier, which free escape or vent is found necessary to
produce the desired effect on the materials, whilst at the same time the steam
is so economized that blow-off or waste is entirely prevented. In addition to
the saving of fuel to be obtained by the application of this Invention, a further
saving will be effected by economizing the chemical ingredients employed in
the boiling process.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood we shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures on the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings, which we have appended hereunto for the purpose of
showing how our improvements may be judiciously carried into practical
effect.
Figure 1 on our Sheet of Drawings is an external elevation, partly in
section, of a range of kiers or boiling vessels as fitted up according to one
modification of our improvements; Figure 2 is a plan of the same, corre-
sponding Figure 3 is a side view of the coil of piping for heating the
water from which the keirs are supplied, the containing chamber of the
same being in vertical section; Figure 4 is a plan of the same, corre-
sponding; Figure 5 in an elevation of a range of dash wheels as arranged
according to our improvements; and Figure 6 is a plan of the same, cor-
responding. In this arrangement of kiers or boiling vessels we have repre-
sented ten of such chambers A in one continuous line, so as fully to indicate
the general arrangement of our plans. One of these kiers is represented
in vertical section, and the foundations of two of them at the opposite end
of the range are also in vertical section, the other details of these two
chambers being represented complete. At B is the continuous length
of steam pipe by which the steam is conveyed from the boiler to the
kiers; C are branch pipes, connecting the pipe B with the ingress pipes E.
Each branch pipe Cat its junction with the pipes E is fitted with a stop-cock.
The ingress pipe E and the egress pipe F branch from the continuous pipe D,
and both of these pipes are fitted with stop-cocks, by which the communication
with the kiers may be opened or closed. The ingress pipe E is carried down-

page_text: wards in the kier through the false bottom G, as shown by the sectional view of
one of the kiers to the left of Figure 1, and the steam passes up through the
perforations in the false bottom into the fluid contained in the kier. When the
temperature of the fluid has reached the boiling point, the steam of ebullition
rises from the surface of the fluid and passes through the egress pipe F, along
the pipe D, and down the ingress pipe of the next kier, and having heated the
fluid in the second kier it passes off into the third, and so on, throughout the
series. When the steam has performed its work in the last kier it is conveyed
by the egress pipe into a coil of pipes H, fitted in the cold water cistern I,
Figures 3 and 4, whence the kiers or other vessels are primarily supplied.
By this arrangement no portion of the heat is allowed to escape except that
which radiates from the surface of the vessels. The kiers are so arranged
than any one or more may be thrown out of use, as required, by closing the
stop-cocks fitted on the ingress and egress pipes E, F, and by opening the stop-
cock J on the pipe D between the ingress and egress pipes, so that the whole
or any portion of the kiers may be brought into operation at pleasure. In
the event of the steam passing off from one kier to another being insufficient
to produce the desired results on the contents of that keir, the difficulty is
easily obviated by partially opening the stop-cock over the kier in the branch
pipes C, by which a jet of steam direct from the boiler is admitted to the kier.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 represent our improvements as applied to dash wheels
as used in various manufacturing processes to heat the contents of the same to
the boiling temperature. Figure 5 is an elevation, showing a series of four
dash wheels as arranged or fitted with our improvements appplied thereto;
Figure 6 is a plan of the arrangement, corresponding with Figure 5; and
Figure 7 is a transverse vertical section of a dash wheel, but somewhat modified
from Figures 5 and 6. In the illustrative Drawings the dash wheels are
arranged one behind the other, that is to say, the flat sides of the wheels form
two parallel lines. The sides of the dash wheels K are strengthened by cross
braces or transverse bars radiating from the centre, and in each side is fitted a
stuffing box M. Each of the dash wheels is supported on a fixed horizontal
hollow shaft N, which passes through the stuffing boxes M and rests in the
bearings O on the vertical side standards or columns P. To each side of the
wheels K a strong forked bracket Q is fixed, which rotates on the fixed
shaft N. To one side of the dash wheel is fixed a bevil wheel R, attached to
one of the brackets Q, and this wheel gears with a similar horizontal wheel,
not shown in the Drawings, and by means of suitable shafting is connected
with a steam engine or other prime mover, by means of which the dash wheels
.

page_text: are put in motion. The stuffing boxes M in the sides of the dash wheel pre-
vent the escape of steam or water round the exterior of the hollow axle N, and
at the same time do not interfere with or impede the rotatory motion of the
dash wheel. Inside each dash wheel K, and parallel to its sides, are fixed two
discs or partitions S so arranged as to leave a space between the discs and the
sides of the dash wheel. Each of these discs or partitions S have a number
of holes made in it, as shown in the transverse section, Figure 7. These holes
or perforations commence at the periphery of the partitions S, and are disposed
in concentric rows approaching the centre of the discs. The steam is admitted
to the interior of the first dash wheel (or to any other of the series) by the
induction pipe T, which is carried along the whole of the dash wheels, and
parallel to the front of the same. From this induction pipe T the vertical
pipes U branch out, each of them being fitted with a stop-cock, by which
means steam direct from the boiler may be admitted into either of the dash
wheels, as may be required. The fixed hollow shaft or axle N is connected
with the external induction steam pipe T by a flange bolted thereto, and
inside the dash wheel the hollow shaft branches off into two pipes V; theso
pipes are carried downwards to the lower part of the dash wheel, and placed
in the space formed between its sides and the discs or partitions S. The lower
ends of the steam pipes V are closed, but the steam escapes therefrom through
numerous perforations made in the lower part of the pipes. The induction
steam passage in the fixed hollow shaft N does not pass completely through it,
but is closed up just beyond the second vertical steam pipe V. By this means
the steam is prevented from passing off to the eduction pipe before it has
imparted its heat to the contents of the dash wheel. The steam from the
boiler passes through the induction pipe T up the pipe U of the first dash
wheel and through the hollow axle N, thence down the pipes V and into the
water or other fluid at the bottom of the dash wheel. The water or other
fluid in the dash wheel through the holes in the discs S, and by this means
is brought into contact with the steam as it rushes through the holes in the
pipes V. When the temperature of the fluid in the first dash wheel is raised
to the boiling point, by means of the heat imparted from the steam, ebullition
commences, and steam rises from the surface of the fluid. It is the steam
thus given off that serves to heat the contents of the second dash wheel, and
so on in like manner throughout the series of wheels. The steam of ebullition
rises to the upper part of the dash wheel and passes through the holes in the
discs or partitions S, and thence away by the eduction pipe W, the lower end
of which pipe is fitted with a stop-cock for drawing off the
water of con-

page_text: densation. The eduction steam pipe W is carried upwards and bent at a
right angle, passing between and over the upper part of the dash wheels; it is
again bent at a right angle to bring it parallel with the front side of the second
dash wheel, down which it is carried, and enters the second wheel at the
junction of the vertical steam pipe U with the hollow axle M. By this means
an additional quantity of steam direct from the boiler may be let into either of
the dash wheels along with the steam of ebullition by slightly opening the
.steam cock fitted to each of the eduction pipes U. The foregoing arrangement
of the eduction pipes W is carried out with all the dash wheels, and each
eduction pipe is fitted with a stop-cock, so that its communication with either
of the dash wheels may be shut off as required. Finally, the eduction pipe W
-proceeding from the last dash-wheel of the series is carried into a cold-water
cistern or reservoir, or connected with a coil of pipes placed therein, or into
any other vessel containing fluid, the temperature of which it is desired to
.raise.
Another modification of our improvements consists in applying the foregoing
system or mode of heating the contents of dash wheels to an arrangement in
which the dash wheels are placed side by side instead of end to end, as before
described. In this modification the bevil wheel R, fixed to one side of each
dash wheel, gears with a horizontal wheel fast on a vertical shaft, which carries
at its other end another horizontal wheel in gear with a wheel on the main
driving shaft. Each dash wheel is fitted with a similar or equivalent mecha-
nical arrangement, by means of which it is put in motion. The course or
direction of the induction and eduction steam pipes must also be made to
conform to this arrangement of the dash wheels. This system of raising
the temperature of fluids and economising the heat derived from steam,
is applicable to a variety of purposes and manufactures, but the particular
arrangement of the apparatus must be varied according to the purpose to
which it is to be applied.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we may observe, in conclusion, that we do not confine or restrict
ourselves to the precise details or arrangements which we have had occasion
to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of our Invention; but what we
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the system or mode of utilising the steam arising from the ebullition

page_text: of fluids in bleaching and other manufacturing processes, as herein-before
described.
Second the application and use of the steam evolved from one chamber
or kier in a series or combination to the production of a boiling action in
another chamber.
Third, the utilising the finally discharged steam of a combination of heating
or boiling chambers, by employing such steam to heat the liquid used in
primarily feeding or supplying such chambers.
Fourth, the application and use of the steam evolved from one dash wheel
or revolving chamber in a series or combination to the production of a boiling
action in another dash wheel.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Young, on behalf of the said
George Cranstoun Trotter Cranstoun, myself, and the said John
Lovell, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of March,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.