An Improved Still or Retort, chiefly to be used for a Distillation Process.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 12th July, 1893
Complete Specification - Left. 28th Feb, 1894 Accepted, 25th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Still or Retort, chiefly to be used for a Distillation
Process.
VINCENT EDWARDS 44 Victoria Avenue Upton Park Essex Analytical Chemist
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:→
An oval, flat bottomed flask made of sheet copper, 10 inches high, 16 inches
in circumference up to 6 inches of the height, after which it tapers to a width of
1 inches which is open for the reception of a stopper of india-rubber or cork.
The flask has a handle also of copper.
This flask is to be used for the distillation of an alkaline liquid in a process for
the estimation of ammonia, the copper-fläsk is used instead of one of glass, as I
claim it to be more rapid and unbreakable, the flat bottom allows it to stand direct
on an Argand gas burner, and the tapering towards the top allows the vapour to
go over quickly. The flask is specially designed for a chemical process known as
Kjeldahl's ammonia process.
Dated this 11th day of July 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Still or Retort, chiefly to be used for a Distillation
Process.
VINCENT EDWARDS of 1 Coverdale, Montague Road Richmond Hill, Surrey
Analytical Chemist 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 :-
A flask of copper thickness known as 24 to 26 gauge, usual size 11 inches in
height, 18 inches in circumference up to 6 inches of the height after which it
tapers to a width of 14 inches which is open for the reception of a stopper of india
rubber or cork-a bow shaped handle of brass or any other material of same
nature attached from the bottom of the neck to the end of the tapered part.
The present mode of working out Kjeldahls process is as follows. The substance
in which nitrogen is to be estimated is first treated in a small glass flask with
strong sulphuric acid and mercury, over a gas flame, when the reaction is concluded
the contents are transferred to a glass flask with about 5.0 c.c. of water, 20 c.c. of
a 4% solution of sodium sulphide added, a few pieces of granulated zinc inserted,
and a strong solution of caustic soda run in, till a drop taken by a glass rod gives
an alkaline reaction to litmus paper. The glass flask has an india-rubber stopper
with glass tube having two bulbs, this is connected with a Liebeg condenser, and
the ammonia distilled over is collected in a glass flask or other arrangement in
standard sulphuric or other acid, as is shewn on the drawing No. 1 annexed
hereto.
The object of the above flask is to dispense with the glass flask A as shewn in
drawing No. 1 by the substitution of the copper flask B as is shewn in the drawing
No. 2 annexed hereto.

page_text: The following are some of the advantages arising from the use of the above
flask.
1. The flask, retort or still is unbreakable.
2. It can be used for a great number of determinations.
3. The distillation is concluded sooner.
4. The acid solution can be inserted hot if necessary.
5. The flask can be placed directly over the flame of a gas burner, and when
once the light is regulated it will require no attention till the conclusion.
6. A large amount of substance can be employed as there is no danger of
fracture.
7. For the modification of Kjeldahls process to include nitrates it is of special
value.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
The invention of a flask, retort, or still of peculiar construction and made of
thin copper as a substitute for glass, to be chiefly used in the special distillation
process known as Kjeldahls ammonia or nitrogen estimation process.
Dated this 27th day of February 1894.
VINCENT EDWARDS.