NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AND CONDENSING GAS, AND FOR EXTRACTING AND COLLECTING AMMONIA THEREFROM.
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Steel, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR
PURIFYING AND CONDENSING GAS, AND FOR EXTRACTING AND COLLECTING
AMMONIA THEREFROM.'
Sealed the 13th April 1877, and dated the 13th October 1876.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Steel at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th October 1876.
JAMES STEEL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer.
NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AND CONDENSING GAS, AND FOR
EXTRACTING AND COLLECTING AMMONIA THEREFROM."
This Invention relates to new or improved apparatus to be used in the manu-
facture of illuminating gas, and it has reference to condensing and purifying gas as
well as to the collecting of the ammonia therefrom.
The apparatus as constructed according to this Invention, consists of long
cylindrical vessels of boiler plate or other plates rivetted or bolted together and
having closed ends. These vessels are carried on two, three, or more sets of rollers,
so that as power is applied to drive the rollers the cylindrical vessels are slowly
rotated. The vessels are divided internally all round by means of longitudinal and
transverse partitions into a continuous series of receptacles, which have the effect
whilst the vessels rotate of partly lifting up the water, lime water, or other con-
densing or purifying liquid or substance with which the vessels are charged, and by
thus regulating the charge to move gradually through the vessel discharging it after
it has been carried some distance upwards, at the same time preventing the lime
water or other purifying liquid from passing, except at a very slow rate, from the
admission towards the discharge end of the cylindrical vessels.
A series of long narrow troughs or dippers also extend from end to end of the
cylindrical vessels, and these also carry brushwood or wire projecting towards the
centre of the apparatus, so that when the water, lime water, or other condensing
or purifying liquid lifted by the successive troughs or dippers as the vessels rotate
has been carried to the desired height, it is upset over the brushwood or wires or
allowed to fall in a shower, thereby exposing a very extended surface to act upon
the gas passing through the condenser or purifier.

page_text: The extent of surface kept in a wet state by the water or lime water may also
be further increased by placing at intervals transverse divisions alternately, having
a passage for the gas at the centre and the circumference. These divisions dipping
partly into the lime water or other purifying liquid in the lower part of the rotating
condensr or purifier, as well as by the continuous trickle of the liquid from the
brushwood or wires, are kept constantly moist, and by virtue of the openings for
the passage of the gas being alternately at the centre and circumference, the gas is
caused to be more thoroughly mixed. Gland joints are provided at the axis of the
cylindrical vessels both at the ingress and egress ends for the inflow and outflow of
the gas, and this not having to pass through a column of water as in other purifiers
may be sent through it at a lower pressure.
The arrangement herein-before described may be reversed, that is to say, the
outer cylindrical vessel may be kept stationary and a shaft passed through it capable
of being rotated. Upon this shaft the troughs or dippers, transverse divisions, as
well as the brushwood or wire are carried, and as it is rotated these agitate and lift
up the liquid after the manner herein-before set forth with reference to the rotating
vessel.
The apparatus herein-before described applies both to condensers, ammonia
collectors, and purifiers; but another form of condenser consists of a circular vessel
of boiler plate over which a shower of water may be let fall or which may rotate
in a trough of water or other refrigerating liquid at its lower part so that a con-
tinuous cooling and condensing effect is obtained by the constant evaporation of
moisture from that portion of the surface of the vessel which is exposed to the
action of the atmosphere. The current of water through the trough passing in the
opposite direction to that of the gas through the condensing vessel, the interior of
the condensing vessel may have a shaft with arms passing through it for the purpose
of revolving and mixing the contents.
In applying the apparatus herein-before described it may be used in two ways,
that is to say, in the first place the first vessel constructed after either of the arrange-
ments herein-before described, may serve the double purpose of a condenser and
ammonia collector, after which the uncondensed portion of the gas is passed on to
another vessel or vessels of similar construction containing the purifying liquid or
pulverised purifying substance.
Under a second mode of applying the apparatus it may be divided into three
principal sets or divisions, that is to say, one set or division for condensing the gas,
a second set or division for purifying it, and a third set or division for collecting
the ammonia.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Steel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th April 1877.
JAMES STEEL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer.
"NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AND CONDENSING GAS, AND FOR
EXTRACTING AND COLLECTING AMMONIA THEREFROM."
My said Invention relates to new or improved apparatus to be used in the
manufacture of illuminating gas, and it has reference to condensing and purifying
gas as well as to the collecting of the ammonia therefrom.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I now proceed
more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or inanner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to the
annexed sheet of Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say
On the Sheet of Drawings hereunto appended, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section,
and Figure 2 a transverse section of the new or improved apparatus as constructed

page_text: representing two different arrangements.
The apparatus consists of a long cylindrical vessel A of boiler plate or other
plates rivetted or bolted together and having closed ends. This vessel is carried on
two or a greater number of sets of rollers B which are situate between guides C,
fixed circumferentially to the vessel A and to the shafts D, whereon the rollers are
carried; power from a prime mover is applied through the intervention of belts or
bands, spur, bevel, or equivalent gear, the effect of which is that the cylindrical
vessel A is slowly rotated.
Under the arrangement seen by the left-hand part of Figure 1, the vessel A is
divided internally by means of transverse partitions E, which extend entirely across
it, and by divisions or diaphragms F which are less in diameter than the vessel A,
thus forming an annular space or opening G between such divisions and the
circumference of the vessel. The partitions F are supported at two, three, or a
greater number of points by angle iron, straps, bands, or the equivalents thereof
fixed or bolted to them and to the inner side of the vessel A or to the divisions E,
and the said partitions or diaphragins F together with the divisions E are or may
be perforated over their respective surfaces with a number of small holes. Besides
these holes other larger holes or openings H are made in the divisions or partitions E
for the passage of the water, lime water, or other condensing or purifying liquid
from one chamber or receptacle of the vessel A to another. In each division or
partition E there may be one or more such holes H; when only one, it is placed
diametrically opposite to the hole in the next partition or division, or it may be
situated at any suitable angle relatively with such hole. When more than one hole
is made in the divisions E, it is preferred to place the holes in each succeeding
division at as great an angle as possible relatively with those in the preceding and
succeeding divisions in order that the progress of the water, lime water, or other
purifying liquid from the inlet end X to the exit end Z may be very slow or
gradual.
In each chamber or receptacle made by the divisions or partitions E, a series of
longitudinal troughs or dippers I are situated around the circumference of the
vessel A. These troughs or dippers may or may not carry brushwood or wires
projecting from them inwards towards the centre of the compartments, or instead of
being connected to the troughs the brushwood or wires may be placed loosely and
in a mass in each chamber or receptacle of the vessel. In passing through each
successive chamber or receptacle from X to Z of the vessel A, the water, lime water,
or other liquid is lifted or scooped up by the troughs or dippers I as the vessel
rotates, and after being carried to any desired height (which is regulated by the
contour of the dippers) the water, lime water, or other liquid is upset over the
brushwood or wires which divide it into a shower, thereby exposing a very extended
surface to act upon the gas passing through the apparatus from Z to X, that is to
say, in a direction contrary to the liquid. The gas is also caused to expose an
extensive surface to the water, lime water, or other liquid by passing through the
perforations in the divisions E and diaphragms F, whereby it is divided into
numerous small jets or streams. The effect of passing the water, lime water, or
other purifying liquid through the apparatus in the manner herein-before described
is to gradually concentrate in the liquid the ammonia and other impurities taken
up from the gas, such liquid being at the end of the apparatus marked X com-
paratively pure whilst at the end marked Z it is highly charged, containing as it
does a large quantity of ammonia and other impurities. By this means a considerable
saving of lime or of the other purifying agent employed is effected, whilst at the
same time the ammonia is more highly concentrated in the liquid which further
effects a saving in the agents usually employed for the recovery of ammonia from
the ammoniacal liquor of gas works.
The charged liquid is run off at intervals through the tap 6 and pure liquid filled
in at the tap c on the vessel A.
Under the arrangement of the apparatus illustrated by the right-hand portion

page_text: of Figure 1, the partitions F in lieu of being perforated and having an annular
space between them and the circumference of the vessel A, are carried out to the
circumference of the vessel and each formed with a hole at its central part for the
passage of the gas, holes being also made for a similar purpose at the circumference
of the partitions or divisions E. By this arrangement the gas is caused to pass
through the apparatus in the direction of the arrows, the water, lime water, or
other agent passing slowly as herein-before described through the said holes at or
near the circumference of the partitions E, and through similar holes at or near the
circumference of the partitions F.
Gland joints are provided at the axis of the cylindrical vessel both at the ingress
and egress ends for the inflow and outflow of the gas and this not having to pass
through a column of water as in other purifiers may be sent through at a lower
pressure.
The gas may pass through one, two, or more of the vessels A until it is thoroughly
purified or washed and ready to pass into the gas holder.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may be used
or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the new or improved apparatus
constructed substantially as herein-before described and shewn on the appended
Sheet of Drawings, and the employment thereof in purifying and condensing gas
and for extracting therefrom ammonia and concentrating it in the purifying or
condensing liquid as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Steel, have. hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eleventh day of April, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
seven
JAMES STEEL. (L.S.)