Improved Method of and Apparatus for Regulating the Egress of Spent Liquor from Distillatory Apparatus.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1991-Accepted, 16th May, 1891
AMIT TELE T
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Regulating the Egress of
Spent Liquor from Distillatory Apparatus.
I MAURICE SCHWAB of 96 Deansgate, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Gas Engineer 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 a certain improved method of regulating the egress of
spent liquor from stills, decomposing vessels or equivalent apparatus employed in
the distillation of liquors such as ammoniacal liquors and the like, and in apparatus
for the purpose.
In the working of continuous action stills there has always been
great difficulty in regulating the egress of the spent liquor from the lower parts.
It is desirable to maintain the depth or seal thereof in the apparatus at a
practically constant uniform level. Should it rise too high the apparatus is liable
to be flooded; on the other hand it will be emptied and the steam will blow away,
and in either case interruption of the process ensues. The means usually adopted
with a view to such regulation have been taps or syphons. The latter are usually
underground and difficult of access and their seal is frequently altered by the
necessary periodical admission of the decomposing agent, interruption of the feed,
and other causes; the former require constant attention or they give trouble, so
that both are open to serious objection as is well known to those experienced in this
manufacture.
The object of my invention is to provide means whereby a practically constant
uniform level of the liquor in the apparatus will be automatically effected while the
spent liquor can always escape when necessary and independently of variations of
pressure.
The method I adopt is carried into effect by apparatus at once simple, easily
applied, and not likely to get out of order, while further it is above ground, and
constructed so as to be accessible for any purpose, and when once adjusted requires
no further attention.
My improved method consists in the application to the lower parts of the distil-
latory apparatus of a valve or valves, preferably but not necessarily adjustable in
regard to lift, and of such gravity as is proportionate to the pressure intended to
act upon it or them, or equivalently pressed by a spring. The said valve or valves
is or are seated in a closed vessel or vessels in communication below same with the
distillatory apparatus, and provided above same with a free outlet. The valve or
valves are operated as and when required in one direction by gravity or the force
of a spring and in the other by the pressure of liquor acting against the latter.
will now describe my apparatus in reference to the accompanying drawing
which is a sectional elevation illustrating one form thereof. A represents the lower
part of an ordinary distilling apparatus with steam inlet and level gauge; in
connection with this by the pipe a provide a vessel B of suitable material
and of any required capacity and shape with a movable cover : internally a valve
seating is arranged, immediately above which is the outlet pipe o. The vessel is
arranged above ground level at such height that the valve seat r is at the required
level of the liquor in A. Upon the seate is valve V which is made of a weight
proportioned to the maximum normal pressure in any still or equivalent, or a spring
of equivalent strength may be applied to the valve.
The valve V may or may not be adjustable, but when this is desired it is provided
with a fixed or loose spindle r passing through cover band its lift or area of escape
aperture is controlled and adjustable by a short screwed spindle W with hand nut
or wheel w adapted to engage its top and carried by bridge piece b'.
I have only

page_text: illustrated one valve and its adjuncts but there may be two or more arranged
in a single, double, or separate vessels as required by the size of the plant.
In operation on starting the still the liquor will rise to the valve which will
remain closed by its gravity until the pressure of the rising liquid in still A lifts it
when escape will ensue through o until normal level is restored, and then the valve
again closes by gravity until the liquor and proportionate pressure in A again rises
sufliciently to lift it and again escape as described.
By adjusting spindle W (when employed) so as to limit the lift of the valve the
pressure on its base will keep it constantly lifted from its seat and a constant flow
will ensue, the area of escape aperture varying with the pressure.
Under no condition however can the still be flooded or emptied, the gravity and
adjustment of the valve V being so disposed as to close or open in exact
proportion to the pressure in the still A and the velocity of flow will correspond
thereto.
The vessel B may if required be made in one with the still A, and arranged and
disposed in any convenient manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. The hereinbefore described method of regulating the egress of spent liquor from
distillatory apparatus consisting in the application thereto of a gravity or spring-
pressed valve seated in an enclosed vessel in communication below the valve with
the said apparatus and provided above the valve with a free outlet, the said valve
being operated automatically as and when required by gravity or spring and
pressure acting against same, substantially as set forth.
2. The hereinbefore described apparatus for automatically regulating the egress
of spent liquor from distillatory apparatus consisting of a closed vessel containing
a gravity or spring-pressed valve or valves V, with inlet a from still below valve
and outlet o above valve, and with or without the adjusting device specified all
substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 13th day of April 1891.
J. C. CHAPMAN,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.