Apparatus for Distilling and Sterilizing Water.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1894
Apparatus for Distilling and Sterilizing Water.
I, JOSEF NAGEL, Copper-worker, of 73 Reichstrasse, Chemnitz, in the
Kingdom of Saxony, 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 apparatus for producing distilled and sterilized water,
and will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus or still, constructed in accordance
with this invention ;
Fig. 2 is another elevation thereof, at right angles to Fig. 1; and
Fig. 3 is a cross-section along the line A-B of Fig. 1.
The improved still is constructed in the following manner; —
Within the furnace C there is arranged the still proper D, to the bottom of
which lead a series of boiler tubes E, having their lower ends connected with the
circular tube, or tubular frame, R.
From the cover or lid D there rises a steam-pipe F, upon and around which the
cooling or condensing apparatus is arranged. To the said tubular frame or ring R
are connected also the inlet pipe H, the discharge pipe j, and the water-gauge K.
The still is furthermore provided with a U-shaped pipe L, one arm or branch of
which carries a thermometer, while the other serves as an outlet for the sterilized
water.
I shall now proceed to describe the arrangement of the cooling and condensing
apparatus:
Within a cylinder M there are arranged, concentrically with the steam pipe F, a
series of upright tubes N having their ends secured in the top and bottom plates a
and b. Below the tubes N, there is fitted in the cylinder M a conical attachment
or partition P, dividing the lower portion of the cylinder into two compartments c
& d. Over the bundle of tubes is placed a perforated diaphragm or sieve e,
dividing the upper part of the cylinder. The upper portion of the discharge
pipe His U-shaped, and leads from the part G of the cylinder, which contains the
tubes N. The space or compartment c is connected by a pipe Q with a coil S
arranged within the cooling chamber T and joining the outlet-pipe X. The lower
end on the cooler T is, besides, fitted with a feeding or inlet pipe y while a pipe Z
connects it with the cooling-water compartment d. To the opposite side of the
compartment d is connected an outlet pipe f, which, through the feeding or
regulating valve 9, is connected with the chamber G of the cylinder M.
The regulating or feed valve g consists of an ordinary valve resting upon its seat
and attached to an adjustable rod or link h which is connected by a lever k with a
float m; the lever k being balanced by a weight n. The said float m is arranged
within the closed cylinder M in such a manner, that its lower part, assuming the
shape of an inverted cone, closes the upper end of the steam-pipe F.
The operation of the distilling and sterilizing apparatus herein described is as
follows:
Water is conveyed through the pipe y into the cooling chamber T, whence, it
rises to the cooling compartment d of the cylinder M, from which it is conducted
through the pipe and valve g into the chamber G of the said cylinder M. In the
chamber G the water rises to the top-plate a, when the pipe H conveys it into the
tubular frame or ring R, and thence into the boiler-tubes E and into the still D,
4

page_text: wherein it is vaporized or sterilized. By closing the valve or cock r, the water
is caused to rise in the water-gauge K to the same level as in the still D, so that
by inspecting the said water-gauge it may at any time be ascertained to what
extent the still is filled with water.
Now the distillation of the water takes place in the following manner :-
The steam, as it is generated in the still D, rises within the pipe F, and, by
lifting the valve or float m, forces its way into the upper space of the cylinder M,
whence it is partly deflected downwards, so that it passes through the perforated
plate e into the condensation chamber formed by the series of tubes N, and then
descends, in the condition of drops of distilled water, upon the conical surface P;
the interior of the cone P being in the meantime cooled by contact with cold water,
admitted for the purpose into the space d, which the said cone encloses. The
distilled liquid is thus almost entirely cooled.
In order to complete the cooling of the distillate it is conducted from the cooling
chamber c through the pipe Q, into the coil-shaped cooler S, from which it is at
length discharged through the pipe X, at a temperature about 1° centigrade less
than that at which it entered the cooler.
As the water level in the still D becomes lower, more steam is necessarily
generated therein, and the steam exercises proportionately increased power in
raising the float m, with the result, that the feeding or regulating valve g is opened
and more
water is admitted. It will, therefore, be understood that, as the
production of steam increases, so does invariably also the supply of water, the
consequence being proportionately intensified condensation. The surplus water
being conveyed to the still D, the temperature is somewhat lowered thereby, and
this again causes so much less steam to be developed; so that the feeding process
is controlled automatically. The float m is balanced by means of the counter-
weight n in such a manner, that the water in the still D rises only just above the
orifice of the pipe L, so that, say, of the whole water-supply is evaporated, that is
to say distilled, while the remaining of the water is discharged through L in a
sterilized condition.
Should it be desired, to produce either distilled water or sterilized water alone,
the float m may, by means of the counter-weight n, be weighted more or less, as
the case may be. To discharge the water contained in the boiler-tubes E and the
ring or frame R, the cock or valve r is opened; and in order to clean or wash the
apparatus, water may be admitted through the pipe y and discharged through
the said cock r.
Should steam be generated in excess of the quantity required, the surplus will
escape through the pipe U, whereby any danger of an explosion is effectually
obviated. Owing to the provision of the cock r, all the water contained in the
boiler tubes and tubular ring may be readily discharged, as stated, a convenient
means being thus offered for flushing or cleaning the apparatus whenever
required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;-
1. Apparatus for distilling and sterilizing water, comprising in its construction
an annular boiler or tubular ring (R) so arranged, that the preheated cooling
water ascends through it into the boiler tubes (E) and the still (D), substantially
as described.
2. In apparatus of the type specified by Clause (1), a collecting chamber (c)
and cooling water chambers (d) arranged in such a manner, that the distillate is
continuously cooled by water before leaving the apparatus, substantially as
described.
3. In apparatus of the type specified by Clause (1), a feed water regulator
containing a feed valve (9) adapted to be opened by means of a float (m) and lever
mechanism, in proportion to the rate at which steam is generated in the still (D),

page_text: in order to maintain the water level in the same always constant, substantially as
described.
4. In apparatus of the type specified by Clause (1), an air tube U, so arranged,
that uncondensed steam may escape from the collecting chamber into the
atmosphere without danger, substantially as described.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1894.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.