IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING OXIDATION, REDUCTION, AERATION, DECOLORISATION, OR SEPARATION BY THE INTERACTION OF GASES OR VAPOURS WITH LIQUIDS OR WITH EACH OTHER, AND IN PPARATUS THEREFOR."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Storer, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING OXIDATION,
REDUCTION, AERATION, DECOLORISATION, OR SEPARATION BY THE INTERACTION
OF GASES OR VAPOURS WITH LIQUIDS OR WITH EACH OTHER, AND IN
PPARATUS THEREFOR."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Storer at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th June 1880.
JOHN STORER, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING OXIDATION, REDUCTION, AERATION, DECOLORISATION,
OR SEPARATION BY THE INTERACTION OF GASES OR VAPORS WITH LIQUIDS OR
WITH EACH OTHER, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."
This Invention relates to a variety of chemical and other processes, wherein
oxidation, reduction, aëration, decolorisation, or separation is effected by causing
gases or vapors to interact with liquids which may have matters dissolved or
suspended therein, the gases or vapors being brought into a minutely subdivided
condition, and forcibly and systematically mixed and agitated with the liquids,
the object of the Invention being principally to render such processes more
efficacious and expeditious than as hitherto practised, and generally to obtain
improved results in an economical manner. The Invention may also, in some
cases, be applied to effect the interaction of gases or vapors with each other.
The Invention may be carried out by means of various modifications of apparatus,
but its nature will be readily understood from a description of the construction
and action of one modification. This modification comprises a cylindrical vessel
placed vertically, and fitted with a central vertical shaft, to which a considerable
Inside of the vessel there
rotatory velocity is imparted in any convenient manner.
is a concentric cylindrical shell, the top and bottom of which are respectively below

page_text: and above the top and bottom of the vessel, and at about the middle of the shell
screw or oblique blades are fixed on the central shaft. Assuming by way of a
simple example that air is to be made to interact with a certain liquid for the
purpose of oxidising it, or matters held in solution or suspension in it, the liquid is
filled into the vessel up to a level at or near the top of the inner shell, and the
screw or oblique-bladed propeller is driven in one direction or the other, so as to
cause the liquid to circulate systematically either down the inside of the inner
shell and up in the annular space between it and the sides of the vessel or vice
versa. It is an important and essential feature of the Invention that the propeller
is driven at a considerably greater velocity than that required for producing a
mere circulation of the liquid, the velocity being indeed such as to suck down air
along with the descending current (when working in that direction) of liquid, and
such that the propeller blades, as it were, beat the air into the liquid, and thus
insure a minute pulverisation of the air and an intimate admixture of it with the
liquid. The mixed air and liquid descending below the propeller and returning up
again outside of the upper shell are thus brought regularly and systematically over
and over again under the action of the propeller, whereby not only does every part
of the liquid become equally acted upon, but a comparatively large quantity of air
becomes mixed with the liquid in a short time. When required heat may be
applied to the vessel, or the air admitted to the vessel may be heated. In this
way, for example, raw linseed oil may be converted into a superior drying oil or
varnish in a much more expeditious and satisfactory manner than by the ordinary
boiling process.
When heated air or a particular gas or vapor, or mixture of gases or vapors, is
to interact with the liquid or matters held in it, the vessel must be closed or fitted
with a cover, an inlet pipe or pipes being provided for the gas or vapor, or mixture
of gases or vapors, and also if required an outlet or outlets. Different forms of
propeller may be used, such as oblique-bladed propellers or centrifugal fans, or
centrifugal pumps, and the propeller may be placed in various positions, but it
must in all cases be driven at a sufficient velocity to pulverise and beat the air or
gas into the liquid. By way of example it may be mentioned that in treating linseed
oil a velocity of 1500 or 1600 revolutions per minute has been found to give good
results, but the velocity will be varied in different cases. It is in all cases essential
that the propeller should be arranged in connection with a shell or partition, or in
an equivalent manner, so that the liquid driven in a definite direction or directions
by the propeller may have a passage or passages or space through which it can
circulate, so as to return in a regular manner to the propeller, and so that the
whole bulk of the liquid in the vessel may partake of the circulating motion, and
thereby become all equally acted upon. As an example of the various arrange-
ments of the propellers that may be adopted they may be placed with the shaft
horizontal, and with its blades reaching up to or above the level of the liquid, or so
near that level as that they will carry down air, gas, or vapor into the liquid as
they rotate. There may be two or more sets of propeller blades on one shaft, or
there may be two or more propellers in separate compartments or vessels, through
which the liquid passes in succession, and different gases may be mixed with the
liquid in the different compartments or vessels, and instead of or in addition to
the air or gas entering amongst the liquid from the surface thereof it may be led
by one or more pipes to the neighborhood of the propeller or propellers, and be
either forced in through such pipe or pipes or be drawn in by the sucking action
of the propeller.
The following are further examples of the various useful purposes for which the
Invention may be advantageously applied, namely:-
Obtaining iron oxides from iron proto salts obtained as bye products by
galvanisers, tin platers, and metallurgists.
Oxidising alkali waste.
Reoxidising manganese liquor for obtaining chlorine.

page_text: Treating saccharine solutions, oils, and other liquids for decolorising and puri-
fying purposes.
Oxidising turpentines and other hydrocarbons for sanitary and other purposes.
Purifying and aërating drinking water, and treating sewage and other waste
waters or liquids.
Making vinegar from diluted alcohol.
Treating indigo in the process of its formation.
Effecting the absorption of hydrochloric acid or ammonia, or other gaseous
matters.
Washing coal gas, also washing other gases, or smoke or gases charged with
metal fumes.
Oxidising sulphurous acid.
Oxidising colour-producing substances obtained from coal tar.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Storer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th December
1880.
JOHN STORER, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING OXIDATION, REDUCTION, AËRATION, DECOLORISATION,
OR SEPARATION BY THE INTERACTION OF GASES OR VAPORS WITH LIQUIDS OR
WITH EACH OTHER, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."
My said Invention relates to a variety of chemical and other processes wherein
oxidation, reduction, aëration, decolorisation, or separation is effected by causing
gases or vapors to interact with liquids which may have matters dissolved or
suspended therein, the gases or vapors being brought into a minutely subdivided
condition, and forcibly and systematically mixed and agitated with the liquids, the
object of my Invention being principally to render such processes more efficacious
and expeditious than as hitherto practised, and generally to obtain improved results
in an economical manner. My Invention may also in some cases be applied to effect
the interaction of gases or vapors with each other.
My Invention may be carried out by means of various modifications of apparatus,
but its nature will be readily understood from the following particular description
of the construction and action of one modification which is represented on an
accompanying Sheet of explanatory Drawings.
Figure 1 on the Sheet of Drawings is a sectional plan, and Figure 2 is a vertical
section of the apparatus, which comprises a cylindrical vessel 4 of iron or other
suitable metal or material, placed vertically and fitted with a central vertical shaft 5,
having a lower or footstep bearing at the bottom of the vessel and an upper bearing
in a frame piece 6 fixed across the top, which is otherwise open in this modification.
A pulley 7 is fixed on the upper end of the shaft 5 for a driving belt, and a
considerable rotatory velocity is imparted to the shaft in any convenient manner.
Inside of the vessel 4 there is a concentric cylindrical shell 8, the top and bottom of
which are respectively below and above the top and bottom of the vessel, and
which is connected to the vessel by bars 9, and at about the middle of the shell 8,
lengthways, screw or oblique-blades 10 are fixed on the central shaft 5. Assuming
for a simple example that air is to be made to interact with a certain liquid, for
the purpose of oxidising it or matters held in solution or suspension in it, the liquid
is filled into the vessel 4 up to a level at or near the top of the inner shell 8, and the
shaft 5 bearing the screw or oblique-bladed propeller or propellers 10 is driven
in one direction or the other, so as to cause the liquid to circulate systematically,
either down the inside of the inner shell 8, and up in the annular space 11,
An important
between it and the sides of the vessel 4, as I prefer, or vice versa.
and essential feature of my Invention consists in driving the propeller or propellers
at a considerably greater velocity than that required for producing a mere
circulation of the liquid; the velocity being indeed such as to suck down air along
with the central descending current (when working in that direction), and such
that the propeller blades as it were beat the air into the liquid, and thus insure a
minute pulverisation of the air, and an intimate admixture of it with the liquid.
The mixed air and liquid descending below the propeller or propellers 10, and
returning up again outside of the shell 8, are thus brought regularly_and
systematically over and over again under the action of the propeller or propellers,
whereby not only does every part of the liquid become equally acted upon, but also a
comparatively large quantity of air becomes intimately mixed with the liquid in a
short time. When required, heat may be applied to the vessel, or the air admitted
to the vessel may be heated. In this way, for example, raw linseed oil may be
converted into a superior drying oil or varnish in a much more expetitious and

page_text: satisfactory manner than by the ordinary boiling process. In treating linseed oil
in the manner indicated however it is not intended in all cases to dispense with
the addition of "driers" or other ingredients to the oil.
When heated air, or a particular gas or vapor, or mixture of gases or vapors, is to
interact with the liquid or matters held in it, the vessel (4) must be closed or fitted
with a cover, an inlet pipe or pipes being provided for the gas or vapor, or mixture
of gases or vapors, and also if required, an outlet or outlets.
Different forms of propeller may be used, such as oblique-bladed propellers, or
centrifugal fans, or centrifugal pumps, and the propellers may be placed in various
positions, but it must in all cases be driven at a sufficient velocity to pulverise and
beat the gas or vapor into the liquid. By way of example, I may mention that in
treating linseed oil, a velocity of 1500 or 1600 revolutions per minute has been
found to give good results, but the velocity may require to be varied in different
cases,
As an example of the various arrangements of the propellers that may be adopted
a modification is shown in longitudinal vertical section in Figure 3 on the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings, in which the shaft 5 is placed horizontally with the
blades of the propellers 10, reaching nearly up to, or it might be a little above, the
level of the liquid when at rest, so that they will carry down air, gas, or vapor into
the liquid as they rotate. There may be two or more sets of propeller blades on
one shaft, or there may be, as shown in Figure 3, two or more propellers in
separate compartments through which the liquid passes in succession, the partitions
forming the compartments being made with contracted or other openings for the
passage of the liquid. Or two or more. quite distinct vessels, each provided with
propelling or pulverising blarles, may be arranged for the liquid to pass through in
succession, and different gases or vapors may be mixed with the liquid in the
different vessels.
Instead of or in addition to the air or gas entering amongst the liquid from the
surface thereof, it may be led by one or more pipes, such as the one, 12, indicated
by dotted lines in Figure 2, to the neighbourhood of the propeller or propellers 10,
and be either forced in through such pipe or pipes, or be drawn in by the sucking
action of the propeller or propellers.
In some applications of my Invention, in which an oxidising action is desired, it
is advantageous to have binoxide of manganese present in the liquid, because it
expedites the action by (it is believed) acting as a carrier or transmitter of the
oxygen of the air. The manganese may be introduced in the form of precipitated
binoxide, such as "Weldon mud," or as monoxide obtained by precipitation of
chloride of manganese with lime in slight excess, the monoxide of manganese soon
becoming oxidised to higher oxides. In treating yellow liquor from alkali waste
for the recovery of sulphur, the liquor, if of a strength of about 8 degrees Twaddell,
should be diluted with about ten times its volume of water, and have the binoxide
of manganese added to it in the proportion of about 330 grains to each pint of
the original yellow liquor. A charge made up in these proportions is to be worked
by giving sufficiently rapid rotation to the propellers until no trace of sulphides is
shown on testing the clear solution got by filtration with acetate of lead solution.
The speed of rotation may be increased or diminished accordingly as there is more
or less available sulphur in the liquor. Undiluted yellow liquor may then be
continuously added at the rate per minute of one twelfth of the original quantity
in the charge, until the deposited sulphur renders the liquid too thick to be properly
worked. Whilst thus continuously adding fresh liquor into the central space, the
same level is maintained by drawing off an equal quantity of the " converted
solution through a filter and pipe connected at a suitable point, and so arranged
as to prevent the abstraction of the solid matters originally added or formed during
the process. The remainder of the charge, along with the precipitated matters, is
inally drawn off into settling tanks; and after running off the clear liquor, the
ulphur sludge is drained, dried, and is used either for burning into sulphurous
"

page_text: acid, or the sulphur is sublimed off. Both modes leave the manganese suitable for
being used over again.
In addition to the particular applications of my Invention to which I have
already herein referred, I may mention the following, namely:-
Obtaining iron oxides from iron proto-salts obtained as bye products by
galvanisers, tin platers, and metallurgists.
Reoxidising manganese from "still liquor" for obtaining chlorine.
Treating oils and other liquids for decolorising and purifying purposes.
Oxidising turpentines and other hydrocarbons for sanitary and other purposes.
Purifying and aerating drinking water, and treating sewage and other waste
waters or liquids.
Making vinegar from diluted alcohol.
Treating indigo in the process of its formation.
Effecting the absorption of hydrochloric acid, ammonia, or other gaseous
matters.
Washing coal gas; also, washing other gases or smoke, or gases charged with
metal fumes.
Oxidising sulphurous acid.
Oxidising color-producing substances obtained from coal tar.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention and the nanner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and
original, and claim as the Invention secured to me by and in terms of the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,
1
The effecting of oxidation, reduction, aëration, decolorisation, or separation by
the interaction of gases or vapors with liquids or with each other, substantially in
the manner and by means of the apparatus hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Storer, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty
TAHT
SHADED
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
JOHN
SHADED
DECIDAS