Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Washing or Purifying Smoke.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 7th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Washing or
Purifying Smoke.
1, WILLIAM BAKER HARTRIDGE of 6 Artillery Street, Bishopsgate, in the
County of Middlesex, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This invention for improvements in the method of, and apparatus for washing or
purifying smoke has for its object, to condense or remove the smoke in chimneys
or flues, and thereby prevent the polution of the atmosphere with soot, and by
such means to reduce the density and unhealthiness of fogs, and consists essentially
in subjecting the gaseous products of combustion on their passage up the chimney
to the action of water spray formed by suitable sprinklers, and causing it to pass
through a stratum or strata of porous substance such as perforated marbles, wire
gauze, netting or other perforated or reticulated material or combination of sub-
stances or materials forming an extended surface of contact for the water and
smoke and through which water is caused to percolate, so that the escaping volume
of gases is completely washed of its sooty products which are precipitated by the
falling water and carried away with it to a suitable receptacle and thence to a
waste pipe or conduit.
The water to supply the apparatus is conveyed by suitable pipes to the required
positions, and the washed gases escape through suitable cowls or other apertures
into the atmosphere in the ordinary manner.
Dated 7th day March 1891.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Washing or
Purifying Smoke.
1 WILLIAM BAKER HARTRIDGE formerly of 6 Artillery Street Bishopsgate in
the County of Middlesex, and now of 1 Bankside Hendon in said County Manu-
tcturer 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 which relates to a method of and apparatus for washing or purify-
ing smoke has for its object to prevent the greater portion of the impurities existing
therein from passing off into the atmosphere and thus obviating to a considerable
extent the consequent contamination or pollution thereof.
According to this invention I wash or purify the smoke by causing the gaseous
products of combustion to pass through a chamber within which are superposed
layers
ers of spherical or such like bodies between which, water percolates in the form
of spray or vapour from a suitable sprinkler or sprinklers situated at or near the
Lup of the chamber.
In the accompanying drawing I have shewn my invention as applied to an
ordinary domestic chimney. A is the chamber which may be built or other-
wise secured in position in or on the chimney in such manner that all the gaseous
products of combustion are compelled to pass therethrough. The inlet pipe B is
connected to the main or to any suitable water supply source having sufficient
pressure to cause the water to rise to the top bend C of the inlet pipe B. From
го

page_text: thence it flows to the sprinkler or sprinklers D, in passing through which it is finely
divided or comminuted and scattered or dispersed over the whole of the upper
surface of the top layer of spherical, rounded, or similarly shaped bodies E. I
prefer to use bodies of a spherical shape as giving the smallest number of points of
contact with the other bodies above, below, and around it, thereby allowing free
passage for the escaping gases, but any other shape which will allow the gases to
pass between the contiguous bodies, and will give a large area for the gases to travel
over, will be suitable for use with my invention.
The bottom layer F rests upon a grating G formed of any suitable material such as
wire netting or cross bars of steel or other material so arranged as to prevent the
spherical or similarly shaped bodies from falling therethrough. Beneath the
grating G, the outer casing is enlarged and forms a collecting chamber H within
which is the funnel shaped receiver or trough J into which the water falls after
percolating between the spherical or similarly shaped bodies.
The trough J is provided with an outlet pipe K by means of which the wash
water is conducted to a suitable reservoir.
As the gaseous products of combustion pass up the chimney they are collected in
the chamber H from whence they pass through the grating G and through the
interstices between the superposed layers of spherical or similarly shaped bodies.
In their passage upward they are met by the descending water which washes out
or throws down the impurities and carries the same off through the outlet
pipe K.
My invention may be applied to any existing flue or chimney, or it may be con-
structed independently, and the gases to be washed or purified, led by, or forced, or
drawn through suitable conduit pipes. When it is required to further purify the
smoke I may place a perforated or reticulated cage or basket on top of the
chamber A, and fill the said cage or basket with charcoal, pumice stone, or othe
suitable materials by means of which the gases not soluble in water would b
absorbed and retained.
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
claim is :-
1. The method herein described of washing or purifying smoke by passing it
through a chamber containing superposed layers of spherical or rounded bodies
between and around which water percolates, substantially as and for the purpose
herein before set forth.
2. For washing or purifying smoke or gaseous products of combustion, apparat us
such as herein described, consisting of a collecting chamber H, grating G on which
rests the lower layer F of the spherical or rounded bodies E arranged in superposted
layers within the chamber A, the sprinkler or sprinklers D for dispersing waer
onto the upper surface of the top layer, all combined and operating substantially
as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in the accompanyi
drawings.
3. In smoke washing or purifying apparatus through which water passes in an
opposite direction to the gaseous products of combustion, the use of spheric,
rounded or other similarly shaped bodies between which the water percolates sub-
stantially as herein described and for the purpose stated.
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 6, Victoria Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.