Improvements in the Method of Treating Alkaline Sulphides in Solution or an Aqueous Mixture of the same with Carbonic Acid Gas for the Production of Sulphuretted Hydrogen, and in Appa- ratus therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 30th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 16th Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Treating Alkaline Sulphides in
Solution or an Aqueous Mixture of the same with Carbonic Acid
Gas for the Production of Sulphuretted Hydrogen, and in Appa-
ratus therefor.
We EDWARD WILLIAM PARNELL and JAMES SIMPSON of 8 Rumford Place
Liverpool in the County of Lancaster Manufacturing Chemists, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
When alkaline sulphides in solution or mixed with water are treated with carbonic
acid gas containing an admixture of nitrogen or other inert gas, the sulphuretted
hydrogen evolved is redneed in strength by the presence of the said inert gas. This
defect may be minimised or reduced to a considerable extent by allowing the waste
unabsorbed gas to escape into the atmosphere during the first part of the treatment
when very little sulphuretted hydrogen will be evolved and by conducting the gas
given off at a later part of the treatment to a gas holder or other suitable receptacle
for sulphuretted hydrogen. The sulphuretted hydrogen gas evolved during the final
part of the above treatment gradually diminishes in strength till it becomes too weak
for direct utilization. The object of our invention is to treat alkaline sulphides in
solution or aqueous mixtures of the same with carbonic acid gas in such manner
that the sulphuretted hydrogen is obtained in a continuous current of practically
uniform strength and pressure, while the efficiency of the carbonating plant is
increased over any method hitherto proposed.
Our improved method of treatment consists in causing two streams of carbonic acid
gas to act simultaneously, continuously and successively on solutions or aqueous
mixtures of alkaline sulphides in such manner that any nitrogen or other inert or
unabsorbed gas that may be mixed with the carbonic acid gas is given off from the
sulphide acted on by one stream of carbonic acid gas whilst, a constant current of
sulphuretted hydrogen is evolved from the sulphide acted on by the other stream of
carbonic acid gas.
Apparatus to be used in carrying our improved treatment into effect consists of a
number of carbonating vessels or towers which we call a system or installation. These
carbonators may be placed in a circle but we prefer them in line and are connected by
pipes fitted with taps and passing down through the centre of the said vessels so that
carbonic acid gas can be forced to the bottom of the charge in any one of the said
vessels. The top of each carbonator vessel is provided with an outlet having three
branches or with three outlets fitted with taps for the escaping gas that has passed
through the charge in order that the said gas may be sent as required in any one of
the following directions namely.
1st to the bottom of carbonator next in series.
2nd to the atmosphere-preferably through a scrubber.
3rd to the gas holder or other receptacle for sulphuretted hydrogen.
The pipe which passes down the centre of a carbonator is preferably of increased
diameter at the lower end or is provided with a rose or other ineans for distributing
the issuing gas through the charge. The number and height of carbonators required
for an installation depends to some extent on the distance the carbonic acid has to
travel through the sulphide solution or mixture in order that it may be efficiently
absorbed. An installation is necessarily divided into 3 parts which by a system of
changes hereinafter described are gradually interchanged so that each carbonator in
its turn takes the place of the next carbonator thus gradually making the complete
circuit of the installation. The 3 parts into which an installation is divided are.
1. The outstanding carbonator which is being emptied and refilled with fresh
material

page_text: 3. The final series.
In practice we find that an installation consisting of 9 carbonators is a convenient
arrangement and we preferably work such a plant in the following manner.
1. Carbonator outstanding as aforesaid.
4. Carbonators forming the preliminary series.
4. Carbonators forming the final series.
A current of carbonic acid gas is passed through the carbonators forming the pre-
liminary series, the exit pipe from the final tower of the said series being open to the
atmosphere. Another current of carbonic acid gas is passed simultaneously through
the carbonators forming the final series, the exit gas from the final carbonator of the
said series being conducted to the gasholder. The 2 currents of carbonic acid gas
travel simultaneously in tlie same direction following each other, and as soon as the
gas escaping from the final carbonator of the preliminary series begins to
contain sulphuretted hydrogen or a little before that stage the outstanding
carbonator which has been filled with fresh material is connected so as to
receive the gas from the said final carbonator of the preliminary series when it
becomes the last tower of the preliminary series. (In designating a tower we number
them in each series from the point where the carbonic acid enters.) It is manifest
that in case the H, S from the final series should be too strong for the purpose for
which it is employed, it may be reduced in strength by changing the connection
before H. S is evolved at the final tower of the preliminary series. The connections
throughout the installation are then altered so that the first tower of the preliminary
series becomes the last of the final series, while the first of the final series becomes the
outstanding tower, and is disconnected emptied and refilled with fresh material, the
two points at which the carbonic acid gas has been entering the 2 series respectively
being in each case moved forward one tower or carbonator. The outstanding car-
honator is always situated between the last carbonator of the preliminary series and
the first tower of the final series.
By repeating these changes as the first tower in the final series becomes finished
each tower becomes in turn.
The outstanding tower, then the 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st tower in the preliminary
series after which it forms the 4th 3rd 2nd and 1st tower in the final series and
again becomes an outstanding tower.
This system of carbonating will be understood by reference to the accompanying
series of changes the towers being represented by the letters A B C D E F G H I.
A
73
1.

page_text: carbonators. Other methods of carbonating which have been proposed only employ
one current of Co, which is passed through a greater or less number of carbonators
alternately into the air or to a gasholder thereby causing a varying pressure and
strength of sulphuretted hydrogen so as to necessitate that a considerable portion of
the plant shall at times be lying idle. By our method the pressure and strength of
the sulphuretted hydrogen gas is almost uniform and the whole plant is kept
constantly working except the outstanding carbonator which is being emptied or
filled.
Per pro J. T. KING,
J. Johnson,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Treating Alkaline Sulphides in
Solution or an Aqueous Mixture of the same with Carbonic Acid
Gas for the Production of Sulphuretted Hydrogen, and in Appa-
ratus therefor.
We EDWARD WILLIAM PARNELL and JAMES SIMPSON of 8 Rumford Place
Liverpool in the County of Lancaster Manufacturing Chemists 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 :-
When alkaline sulphides in solution or mixed with water are treated with carbonic
acid gas containing an admixture of nitrogen or other inert gas the sulphuretted
hydrogen evolved is reduced in strength by the presence of the said inert gas. This
defect may be minimised or reduced to a considerable extent by allowing the waste
unabsorbed gas to escape into the atmosphere during the first part of the treatment
when very little sulphuretted hydrogen will be evolved and by conducting the gas
given off at a later part of the treatment to a gas holder or other suitable receptacle
for sulphuretted hydrogen the sulphuretted hydrogen gas evolved during the final part
of the above treatment gradually diminishes in strength till it becomes too weak for
direct utilization. The object of our invention is to treat alkaline sulphides in solution
or aqueous mixtures of the same with carbonic acid gas in such manner that the
sulphuretted hydrogen is obtained in a continuous current of practically uniform
strength and pressure while the efficiency of the carbonating plant is increased over
any method hitherto proposed.
Our improved method of treatment consists in causing two streams of carbonic acid
gas to act simultaneously continuously and successively on solutions or aqueous
mixtures of alkaline sulphides in such manner that any nitrogen or other inert or
unabsorbed gas that may be mixed with the carbonic acid gas is given off from the
sulphide acted on by one stream of carbonic acid gas whilst a constant current of gas
containing large quantities of sulphuretted hydrogen is evolved from the sulphide
acted on by the other stream of carbonic acid gas.
Apparatus to be used in carrying our improved treatment into effect consists of a
number of carbonating vessels or towers which we call a system or installation. These
carbonators which may be placed in a circle (but we prefer them in line) are con-
nected by inlet pipes fitted with taps and have ways passing down through the centre
of the said vessels or towers so that carbonic acid gas can be forced to the bottom of
the charge in any one of the said vessels or towers. The top of each carbonator vessel
or tower is provided with an outlet having three branches or with three outlets fitted
with taps for the escaping gas that has passed through the charge in order that the
said gas may be sent as required in anyone of the 3 following directions namely
1. To the bottom of carbonator next in series.
2. To the atmosphere preferably through a scrubber.
3. To the gasholder or other receptacle for sulphuretted hydrogen.

page_text: The ways which pass down the centre of a carbonator are preferably of increased
diameter at the lower end or are provided each with a rose or other means for dis-
tributing the issuing gas through the charge. The number and height of carbonators
required for an installation depends to some extent on the. distance the carbonic acid
gas has to travel through the sulphide solution or mixture in order that it may be
efficiently absorbed. An installation is necessarily divided into three parts which by
a system of changes hereinafter described are gradually interchanged so that each
carbonator in its turn takes the place of the next carbonator thus gradually making
the complete circuit of the installation. The three parts into which an installation is
divided are
1. The outstanding carbonator which is being cuntied and refilled with fresh
tributing the issuing gas through the charge. The number and height of carbonators
required for an installation depends to some extent on the. distance the carbonic acid
gas has to travel through the sulphide solution or mixture in order that it may be
efficiently absorbed. An installation is necessarily divided into three parts which by
a system of changes hereinafter described are gradually interchanged so that each
carbonator in its turn takes the place of the next carbonator thus gradually making
the complete circuit of the installation. The three parts into which an installation is
divided are
1. The outstanding carbonator which is being emptied and refilled with fresh
material.
2. The preliminary series.
3. The final series.
In practice we find that an installation consisting of nine carbonators is a
convenient arrangement and we preferably work such a plant in the following
manner.
One. Carbonator outstanding as aforesaid.
Four. Carbonators forming the preliminary series.
Four. Carbonators forming the final series.
A current of carbonic acid gas is passed through the four carbonators forming the
preliminary series the exit pipe from the final tower of the said series being open to
the atmosphere. Another current of carbonic acid gas is passed simultaneously
through the four carbonators forming the final series the exit gas from the final car-
bonator of the said series being conducted to the gasholder. The two currents of
carbonic acid gas travel simultaneously in the same direction following each other and
as soon as the gas escaping from the final carbonator of the preliminary series begins
to contain sulphuretted hydrogen or a little before that stage the outstanding car-
bonator which has been filled, with fresh material is connected so as to receive the gas
from the said final carbonator of the preliminary series and it becomes the last vessel
or tower of the preliminary series. (In designating a vossel or tower we number
them in each series from the point where the carbonic acid enters.)
It is manifest that in case the sulphuretted hydrogen from the final series should
be too strong for the purpose for which it is employed it may be reduced in strength
by changing the connection before sulphuretted hydrogen is evolved at the final tower
of the preliminary series.
The connections throughout the installation are then altered so that the first
tower of the preliminary series becomes the last of the final series while the first
of the final series becomes the outstanding tower and is disconnected emptied and
refilled with fresh material. The two points at which the carbonic acid gas has
been entering the two series respectively being in each case moved forward one vessel
tower or carbonator. The outstanding carbonator is always situated between the last
carbonator of the preliminary series and the first vessel tower or carbonator of the
final series.
By repeating these changes as the first tower in the final series becomes finished
each tower becomes in turn:
The outstanding tower, then the 4th 3rd 2nd and 1st tower in the preliminary series
after which it, forms the 4th 3rd 2nd and 1st tower in the final series and again
becomes an outstanding tower.
The system of carbonating will be readily understood on reference to the accom-
panying drawings where Fig. I is a plan and Figs. 2 and 3 trausverse sections at the
lines A A and B B of our improved carbonating apparatus.
A. B. C. D. E. F. G. Hand I are towers. Jare central pipes passing downwards
and reaching nearly to the bottom of each tower the said pipes have lids K through
which access can be obtained to the interior of the towers for charging cleaning or
other purposes and with branches L and M leading to a carbonic acid supply pipe N

page_text: nd to four way pieses O respectively. Taps or valves are provided at P and O or in
other convenient and suitable positions for shutting off the central pipes from the
carbonic acid pipe and the four way pieces.
The four way pieces O are connected to the tops of the towers, to pipes R. and S.
eading to the atmosphere and to a holder respectively. Taps or valves are provided
at T and U for shutting off the four way pieces from the pipes R and SV is a
return pipe connecting the four way piece at one end of the series to the central pipes
at the other end.
It will be obvious that the construction and location of the taps and valves may be
varied to suit circumstances.
other convenient and suitable positions for shutting off the central pipes from the
carbonic acid pipe and the four way pieces.
The four way pieces are connected to the tops of the towers, to pipes R. and S.
eading to the atmosphere and to a holder respectively. Taps or valves are provided
at T and U for shutting off the four way pieces from the pipes R and SV is a
return pipe connecting the four way piece at one end of the series to the central pipes
at the other end.
It will be obvious that the construction and location of the taps and valves may be
varied to suit circumstances.
The series of changes is as follows :
DEELTAANHOIDO
HERMOOTOROLA
A to D to holder
air
I being emptied or filled.
holder
A.
do.
do.
air
holder
B
do:
do.
air
holder
C
do.
do.
air
holder
«
D
do.
do.
air
holder
E
do.
do.
air
holder
D
******
F
do.
do.
air
holder
G
<lo.
do.
F
air
0
G
===
holder }
H
do.
do.
If in the drawings the tower Chas been emptied and is being filled-The taps P
in the carbonic acid gas pipe N which close the ways to the towers D and El are open
and the other taps closed the taps M which control the ways Q from the
towers B to C, C to D and G to H. are closed and the others are open the tap U
which closes the way from the tower G to the pipe S leading to the holder is open
and the others are closed and the tap T which closes the way from the tower B to the
pipe R is open the others being closed. Carbonic acid gas flows into the tower H
and acts on the material therein and the gases evolved flow onward (at the final
tower B being mainly nitrogen) until they escape into the atmosphere through the
pipe R. Carbonic acid gas also enters the tower D and acts on the contents and the
evolved gases flow onward (at the final tower G being largely sulphuretted hydrogen)
until they escape by the pipe S to the holder when sulphuretted hydrogen begins to
escape from the pipe R the tower C is added to the series H. I. A B the tower H is
disconnected from that series and added to the series D. B. F G. whilst the tower D
is disconnected and emptied. The taps are then turned to admit carbonic acid gas
into E and I.
In this way a continuous streem of carbonic acid gas is entering the towers at
two places and continuous streems of nitrogen and of gases containing much
sulphuretted hydrogen are being evolved.
Among the advantages of this method of carbonating is the uniform pressure of
the gas consequent on the current of carbonic acid gas always passing through the
same number of carbonators. Other methods of carbonating which have been pro-
posed only employ one current of carbonic acid gas which is passed through a
greater or less number of carbonators alternately into the air or to the gasholder
thereby causing a varying pressure and strength of sulphuretted hydrogen so as to
necessitate that a considerable portion of the plant shall at times be lying idle. By

page_text: our method the pressure and strength of the sulphuretted hydrogen gas is almost
uniform and the whole plant is kept constantly working except the outstanding
carbonator which is being emptied or filled.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner. the same is to be performed-we declare that what
wo claim is
First. The method herein described of subjecting two quantities of alkaline
sulphides in solution or aqueous mixtures thereof in separate series to the simultaneous
and continuous action of separate currents of carbonic acid gas in such manner that
a constant stream of practically inert gases is given off from one series and a constant
stream of gas containing a large percentage of sulphuretted hydrogen from the other
series.
Second. The method herein described for treating alkaline sulphides in solution or
aqueous mixtures thereof with carbonic acid gas for the production of sulphuretted
hydrogen consisting in the simultaneous treatment of two quantities of sulphides in
separate series by separate currents of carbonic acid gas travelling in the same direc
tion following each other the exit gas from one series being conducted to the
atmosphere and the exit gas from the other series being conducted to a gas holder or
other receptacle, the progression of the carbonaters in relation to the currents of
carbonic acid gas being effected by coupling the freshly charged carbonater to the
last carbonater of the preliminary series together with the coupling of the first
carbonater of the said series to the last carbonator of the final series and the dis-
engaging of the last carbonator of the final series substantially as described.
Third. The apparatus or installation of plans herein described consisting of two
series of carbonators one of which is open to the atmosphere whilst the other is con-
nected to a holder and also of an outstanding carbonator all capable of being inter-
changed for the purpose of working the two series and emptying and filling the
outstanding carbonation simultaneously without the necessity of any portion of either
of the carbonating series being temporarily idle.
Fourth. Constructing carbonating apparatus in series with a central supply pipe
and a four way delivery piece and connecting pipes and taps or valves substantially as
set forth.
Per pro J. T KING,
J. Johnson,
Agent.