IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATE OF AMMONIA
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Charlos Young, of Poplar, in the County of
Middlesex, Analytical Chemist, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATE OF AMMONIA."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Charles Young at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th March 1880.
WILLIAM CHARLES YOUNG, of Poplar, in the County of Middlesex, Analytical
Chemist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATE OF AMMONIA."
My Invention consists of improvements in the production of sulphate of ammonia
from liquids and substances containing ammonia.
According to my Invention in treating liquids containing ammonia, in combina-
tion with sulphur, such as ordinary ammoniacal gas liquor, I distil such liquids
and pass the products of distillation (which consist in part of sulphide of ammonia)
through a furnace, together with a current of air, whereby the sulphide of ammonia
is converted into sulphite of ammonia, and I then pass the said products of
distillation through a water scrubber or through a washer, and thus obtain a
solution of sulphite of ammonia, which solution I pass through another scrubber,
up which I pass a current of heated air, the oxygen of which converts the sulphite
of ammonia in the solution into sulphate of aminonia, which I crystallize and
remove. Or instead of passing the said products of distillation from the furnace
to a scrubber or washer I pass them into a chamber, into which I also pass nitric
oxide gas, steam, and air. The sulphite of ammonia is thus converted into sulphate
of ammonia and condensed. The resulting solution I then run off and crystallize
the sulphate of ammonia.
When the liquid under treatment does not contain sufficient sulphur to convert
the whole of the ammonia into sulphite 1 add sulphurous acid to the products of
distillation, preferably by placing sulphur in the furnace, through which they are
passed.
In treating gas liquor from which all the free ammonia has been driven off I
liberate the fixed ammonia by adding lime in the usual way, and I pass the products
of distillation, together with sulphurous acid, direct into the scrubber or washer, or
into the chamber hereinbefore referred to, and in either case I complete the process
as herein before described.
In treating substances and liquids containing no sulphur I proceed as hereinbefore
described with reference to gas liquor, from which the free ammonia has been
driven off.
By my Invention the cost of production of sulphate of ammonia is greatly
reduced, and the nuisance which accompanies the manufacture as ordinarily
conducted is avoided.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Charles Young in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
September 1880.
WILLIAM CHARLES YOUNG, of Poplar, in the County of Middlesex, Analytical
Chemist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATE OF AMMONIA."
My Invention consists of improvements in the production of sulphate of ammonia
from liquids and substances containing ammonia.
According to my Invention in treating liquids containing ammonia in combination
with sulphur, such as ordinary ammoniacal gas liquor, 1 distil such liquids and
pass tho products of distillation (which consist in part of sulphide of ammonia)
through a furnace, together with a current of air, whereby the sulphide of ammonia
is converted into sulphite of ammonia, some part of which in conducting the
aforesaid operation generally becomes oxidised into sulphate of ammonia, and I
then pass the said products of distillation into a suitable condenser, and the products
of condensation thus obtained comprise a solution of the ammoniacal salts, and in
some cases also free ammonia.
In order to convert the whole of the sulphito of ammonia contained in this
solution into sulphate of ammonia I force atinospheric air (preferably heated)
through it, or I subject it to the action of atmospheric air (preferably heated) in
any other suitable way. I then obtain the sulpliate of ammonia from the solution
by crystallization.
When the liquid under treatment does not contain sufficient volatile sulphur
compounds to convert the whole of the ammonia into sulphite by the process
herein before described I add sulphurous acid to the products of distillation, either
before or after passing them through the furnace, or I add sulphurous or sulphuric
acid to the liquor produced by the condensation of the said products of distillation,
sufficient acid being added in all cases to neutralize the ammonia.
In treating gas liquor from which the bulk of the free aminonia has been driven
off 1 liberate the fixed ammonia by means of lime or other alkali in the usual way,
and I pass the products of distillation, together with sulphurous acid, either through
the furnace or direct into the condenser, and complete the process as hereinbefore
described.
In treating ammoniacal substances and liquids containing no volatile sulphur
compounds proceed as hereinbefore described with reference to liquids such as
gas liquor, froin which the bulk of the free ammonia has been driven off.
By my Invention the cost of production of sulphate of ammonia is greatly
reduced, and the nuisance attending the manufacture as ordinarily conducted is
avoided.
Having now described the naturo of my Invention of "Improvements in the
Manufacture of Sulphate of Ammonia," and the manner in which the same is to be
performed, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my said Invention,-
First. Obtaining sulphate of ammonia from liquids containing aminonia or
volatile compounds of sulphur and ammonia by distilling the said liquids and
oxidising the sulphur compounds contained in the products of distillation, and
condensing the said products and oxidising the sulphite of ammonia contained in
the liquor thus obtained, and crystallizing out the sulphate of ammonia, sulphurous
or sulphuric acid being added to the products of distillation when necessary, the
whole process being conducted essentially as hereinbefore described.
Secondly. Converting sulphide of ammonia and other volatile compounds of
sulphur and ammonia into sulphite of ammonia (in order to its or their conversion

page_text: into sulphate of ammonia) by subjecting the vapour of tho said sulphide of ammonia
or of the said compounds to the action of heated air, essentially as herein before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Charles Young, have herounto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.