THE PRODUCTION OF SULPHATE OF AMMONIA (SO, NH, O) FROM THE NITROGEN OF MARSHY MOORS OR MEADOW LAND MOORS, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Lloyd Wise, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in
the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "THE PRODUCTION OF
SULPHATE OF AMMONIA (SO, NH, O) FROM THE NITROGEN OF MARSHY
MOORS OR MEADOW LAND MOORS, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR." A commu-
nication from abroad by Doctor Hubert Grouven, of Leipsic, Saxony, German
Empire.
Sealed the 23rd August 1878, and dated the 21st March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Lloyd Wise at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st March 1878.
WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in the County of Mid-
dlesex. "THE PRODUCTION OF SULPHATE OF AMMONIA (SO, NH, O) FROM THE
NITROGEN OF MARSHY MOORS OR MEADOW LAND MOORS, AND APPARATUS
THEREFOR." (A communication from abroad by Doctor Hubert Grouven, of Leipsic,
Saxony, German Empire.)
My foreign correspondent says:-
"The marshy or meadow land moors contain, according to my investigations,
up to 3-8 per cent. of nitrogen. To gain this nitrogen from the moor in form of
ammonia salts is the object of my Invention, together with the arrangements and
apparatus required therefor.
The importance of my successful labours after the mentioned exertions of four
years become apparent on taking the extent and substance of the existing moors
and the nitrogen they contain into consideration, as also the decrease of the contents
of nitrogen in the divers sorts of imported manures.
My mode of proceeding bases on the results of my investigation, that the intrinsic
nitrogen value of the moor is for the greater part contained in its proteine of plants,
and does not, as has hitherto generally been assumed, exist in ammonia salts.
In consequence of this inquiry, and by-means of my peculiar mode of production,
Prins 1027

page_text: I am hence enabled to gain up to 98 per cent. of the nitrogen contained in the
moor.
My mode of production is divided into the following main operations
1. Preparation of the excavated moor or bog for further treatment.
2. The conversion of the moor or bog to ashes, steam, gas, and vapours, the air
being excluded, and under the influence of certain degrees of heat.
3. The decomposition of steam in the presence of the gases and vapours by means
of the adoption of a peculiar contact mass and at certain degrees of heat for the
formation of carbonate of ammonia in gaseous form.
4. The condensation of a part of the carbonate of ammonia gas formed.
5. The conversion of the non-condensed carbonate of ammonia gas to sulphates of
ammonia by the use of a peculiar chalk gypsum (sulphate of lime) in form of marbles
or very small balls at certain degrees of heat.
6. The conversion of the condensed carbonate of ammonia to sulphate of
ammonia.
7. The filtration and the evaporation of the solution of sulphate of ammonia, and
the production of the dry sulphate of ammonia.
By this mode of proceeding I am enabled to realize my Invention in an industrial
point of view by producing the intrinsic nitrogen from the moor in form of sulphate
of ammonia at prices which are in profitable proportion to the market worth of
sulphate of amnionia.
Ad. 1.—I commence by drying or moistening the bog or moor, should the same
lack the degree of moisture necessary for my transactions, so that I either moisten
or drain the same. The degree of moisture must depend upon the exigency for the
generation of water vapour. The moor or bog is reduced by inanual or machine
power from large lumps to pieces of fist size. I now proceed to heat the same to
100° C., and add 10 per cent, of meadow chalk, so as to bind the sulphurous contents
of the moor for further treatment.
Ad. 2. The heated and moistened moor is now brought into furnaces, which I
denominate cineriferous furnaces; the cylinders of these furnaces in vertical position
take in the moor, and are then hermetically closed at their upper end. The lower
end is left open for the retreat of vapours and gases, as well as for removing the
ashes, but in such manner that the latter falling into a water reservoir, from which
they dam up into the furnace, will form an hydraulic closing against the entrance
of the atmospherical air into the cylinders, whilst the gases and vapours above this
hydraulic and ashy peroration will withdraw for further treatment.
I arrange my vertical cylinders in the cineriferous furnaces in such manner
that I am at liberty to refill them at any time without admitting atmospherical air.
I conduct such gases round about the cylinders in the furnace, which by their
.combustion deliver the required heat for the process of reducing the moor to ashes;
these gases are such which I have previously gained by the process of reducing the
moor to ashes, and which for the purpose of producing sulphate of ammonia have
gone through the entire process passively in order now actively to promote the
fabrication as combustible gases.
I here remark that wherever in the course of my manufacturing I apply heat I
derive the same from the gases gained in the cineriferous furnaces after conversion
of the nitrogen to carbonate of ammonia.
The heat surrounding the cylindors within the cineriferous furnace must be con-
siderable in order to cinerate the moor or bog perfectly, and to reduce the same to
gas.
I make use of a pyrometer invented for this special purpose, and which I describo
herein-after for controlling the procedure. I apply by preference 5 cylinders in tho
cineriferous furnace, which cylinders project beyond the upper end of the furnace in
order to enable refilling with moor conveniently. I supply them with safety valves
in these projections to enable the steam to escape if under too great a pressure.
The cylinders are also prolonged at their lower end beyond the end of the furnace,
for which purpose the latter is mounted upon columns. I may now supply the water

page_text: reservoir, which I place within the said columns, and into which the cylinders
project, with a suitable mechanism in order to move the ashes underneath the
cylinders in regular periods of time; or this removal of the ashes can be accomplished
by the workmen employed at the furnace.
The regular emptying of ashes is necessary in order to prevent too great an ascent
of same into the cylinders, as the gases which I conduct into the lower regions of
the furnace would otherwise be required to penetrate through too thick a layer of
ashes.
The lowest portion of the furnace forms a space closed to the fire-place of the
furnace; this space communicates with the interior of the cylinders by means of
holes in their peripheries, and an angular piece of sheet iron which, with its sharp
edge, passes through the cylinder, and is open at its side. The object of this angular
piece is to offer a convenient escape for the gases from the centre of the cylinders
into the lower receptacle for the gases of the cineriferous furnace.
I here remark that the passage of the gases resulting from the cineration of the
moor mass, and their continued flow in the subsequent stage of procedure is effected
by an exhauster, the situation of which I mention herein-after.
Ad. 3. The gases of the cineriferous furnaces now flow over into such furnaces,
in which the production of carbonate of ammonia is to take place.
The gases of the cineriferous furnaces are composed of organic alkaloidal vapours
and carbonetted hydrogen gas mixed with vapours of water and liberated hydrogen
gas, carbonic oxide (CO), and carbonic acid (CO). My mode of proceeding now
consists therein, that by means of conducting all the gaseous substances through a
highly porous contact mass in a state of extreme heat I effect the decomposition of
the vapours of water in consequence of the affinity of the carbon (C) and the oxygen
of water, whereby 7/10th of the carbon are burnt in carbonic acid, and 3/10ths in oxide
of carbon. Hand in hand with this process of decomposition the entire nitrogen
organically bound is transformed into carbonate of ammonia. The result of this
process in the first instance depends upon the procuring of a contact mass of extreme
porosity, which must be sustained in great heat. Of all the known highly porous
substances not one sufficed for my experiments; I have therefore been compelled to
invent and compose a new material for my purposes, which consists of a mixture of
moor, meadow chalk, and plastic clay.
Meadow chalk, as found in Northern Germany, I make use of for the sake of its
purity and lightness (its weight being 500-540 grammes per litre), its atomic
fineness, and conglomeration of different sorts of clays. I prefer an easily melting
coment, clay, or plastic clay, which must contain 3 to 4 per cent. of potash (Ka O).
Of this perfectly air-dry cement clay I boil 52 kos, with 250 kos. water, agitating
incessantly, so that a uniform diluted clay pulp is produced. I then take 100 kos.
of air-dried meadow clay in a powdered state, and mix it as uniformly as can be
with 136 kos. of crushed air-dried moor. This mixture of meadow clay and moor I
agitate along with the above-mentioned clay pulp until I obtain a compact mass
capable of being worked in a drain pipe press. I then make drain pipes of 25 mm.
internal diameter of said compact mass, which I proceed to dry, but without burning
them. After drying they are broken up into small pieces, and form the contact
mass for filling the cylinders in my ammonium furnace. The mass will lose about
63 per cent. of its weight in the glowing heat in the cylinder of the ammonium
furnace without reducing its bulk, and will then not exceed 270 to 300 gr.
A characteristic feature of my contact mass is that it must contain 47 to 50
per cent. of lime for the full effect. More or less, even deviations of 5 per cent.,
will influence the effective action of the contact mass.
The ammonium furnace also consists of 6 vertical cylinders enclosed in a furnace,
the size of which is in proportion to the size of the cylinders in the cineriferous
furnace.
The cylinders project beyond the upper end of the furnace, so as to enable their
| filling with contact mass, and they likewise project at their lower end for the sake

page_text: of emptying. That part of the cylinders situated inside the furnace is surrounded
by burning gases.
The cylinders are furnished with grates at their lower ends, on which the entire
quantity of contact mass contained in the cylinder rests. These grates are arranged
to be turned over from the outside, so that the cylinder being opened at bottom the
contact mass will shoot out below from underneath these grates; the gases coming
from the cineriferous furnaces will pass into the contact mass.
I can only secure the success of my process in the ammonium furnaces if I sustain
a certain uniform and very high degree of heat in the cylinders filled with the
contact mass. I therefore establish a communication from the outside of the furnace
to the interior of each separate cylinder, by means of which I introduce the pyro-
moter already mentioned herein-before, which enables me to control the degrees of
heat employed with accuracy.
Further conditions for the successful operation of my process in the ammonium
furnace, besides the already-named porosity and contents of lime in the contact
mass, as well as the uniform and very high degrees herein-before described, are the
following:-
a. The absolute exclusion of air to the cylinders filled with contact mass, as the
formation of ammonia will suffer on air being admitted.
b. The absence of substances which in extreme heat will deliver oxygen, because
their presence will by the delivery of oxygen counteract the decomposition of water,
and hence also the production of ammonia.
c. The absence of glowing masses containing chloride (CE), because owing to
them the formation of muriatic acid will take place, and the production of ammonia
bo prevented. In the same measure the presence of sulphides (Su) acts injuriously,
because they will promote the formation of tarry, sulphurous, and ammonia-poor
condensed fluids.
d. The period during which the vapours remain in contaction with the contact
mass. Here I have found the counter effect of vapours and contact mass to be
effectuated in 12 to 13 seconds, so that by reason of this ascertainment the calcu-
lation for the capacity of the cylinders for a given quantity of gas, or vice versa, may
be set up.
c. Finally, the most successful gain of ammonia stipulates the regulation of tho
quantity of water vapour, which must be adapted to the amount of carbon con-
tained in the gases proceeding from the cineriferous furnaces.
I have found by experiments that I consume 21%, times the quantity of water
vapour that I should have need of (according to the theoretical calculation) for
oxydation with a given amount of carbon, and I regulate the quantity of water
vapour by means of the degree of moisture of the moor mass contained in the
cineriferous furnace.
I have found that the contact mass in the cylinders of the ammonium furnaces
after 4 to 5 hours' use requires a traverse of atmospherical air during a short period,
for removing the entire deposit of carbon from the highly heated contact mass by
means of destruction by burning. This regeneration I repeat with every cylinder
after 4 or 5 hours' use, and thereby achieve that I am enabled to peruse the contact
mass for a lengthened period, say, 4 or 5 days.
For forcing the air through the contact mass for such regenerating operation I
employ a second small exhauster, serving at the same time for forcing the air
through the ammonium cylinder, in order to complete the newly charged air-dried
contact mass (yet containing moor mass) by burning the same in the highly heated
ammonium cylinders.
Ad. 4.-The gas proceeding from the ammonium furnaces now contains a mixture
which has converted the products of gasification per 50 kilos. of anhydrous noor
into 1.75 ko. nitrogen, in form of 7-78 cubic metres ammonia gas (NH, of 0°) in the
midst of 32 cubic metres carbonic acid gas, 14 cbm. carbonic oxyd gas, and 88 cbm.
of hydrogen gas. This mixture is drawn by the operation of the above-named

page_text: large exhauster into a refrigerating apparatus, in which the gas traverses a series of
parallel pipes which are surrounded by a cooling fluid. My object is hereby to
condense the carbonated ammonia to about two-thirds of its entire volume.
The product of condensation flows off as a clear colourless fluid from the refrige-
rator at 35-40° C., the air being excluded.
The cooling fluid I make use of is the sulphuric ammonia gained (as will be
herein-after explained), which enters the refrigerator at the exit end of the con-
densed fluid, and leaves the same at the opposite end, its temperature being now
considerably raised, in order to flow from thence to the crystallising pans.
Ad. 5. From the refrigerator the further procedure is separated /rds of the
produced carbonate of ammonia, condensed to a diluted solution in the refrigerator,
flowing off to the gypsum digesting vessels for being converted into sulphate of
ammonia; whereas the remaining third, following the action of the exhauster,
is conducted to a chamber, where it receives the following treatment:-The
tarless state of my carbonate of ammonia admits of the employment of gypsum
for conversion into sulphates of ammonia. I have found that gypsum in
form, quantity, and temperature, as I shall proceed to describe the same, proves to
be the best medium of absorption for converting the carbonate of ammonia to
sulphate of ammonia, the difference in price of gypsum and sulphuric acid con-
stituting an important momentum.
In order to attain the form for such gypsum suitable for my purposes I mix
60 kilos. of burnt gypsum (stucco gypsum) with 40 kilos. of powdered meadow
chalk. I gradually add 40 litres water of 15 to 20° C. through a rose, whence by
hydratisation the gypsum mixed with chalk will be transformed to small marbles.
These marbles, or small balls, or bullets of chalk and gypsum, weigh 660-670
grammes per litre. On being dried at 300° their loss of weight will vary between
32 and 33 per cent. These marbles, although easily crushed by hand, constitute a
filling with so many intermediate spaces and of so porous a nature that even in
columns of 5 m. height no actual resistance will be met with for the passage of
the gas.
On perusing gypsum balls short of an addition of chalk I have found that such
balls when filled into the cylinders and subjected to the passing through of car-
bonated ammonia gases are soon coated with a slimy solution of sulphate of
ammonia, which not only chokes the passage for the gas but also prevents the gas
to penetrate into the interior of the balls. Of this my newly invented form of
gypsum marbles I remark that I use seven times the bulk of marbles in proportion
to the amount of gas passing through per second for the perfect absorption of the
ammonia.
For the perfect absorption of the ammonia much will depend upon the tempe-
rature of the gypsum chalk marbles, and I have found 35 to 40° C. of heat will be
best adapted, and which must be maintained, this being the temperature of the
ammonia gas issuing from the refrigerator. I therefore erect the entire absorbing
apparatus in. a separate chamber, in which I permanently maintain the said
temperature.
The apparatus consists of a set of cylinders with internal cylinders, which fill up
the outer cylinders' space, with the exception of a space in the lower part of the
same into which the gas enters. The internal cylinders are supplied with sieve-
like bottoms, and are completely filled with chalk gypsum marbles. Their cubic
contents are calculated in such manner that every particle of gas on passing
through all the cylinders will be in contaction and counteraction with the marbles
nearly during five seconds. The carbonate of ammonia is converted into sulphate
of ammonia, carbonate of lime being formed.
The filling of chalk gypsum marbles saturated with sulphate of ammonia is now
removed and added to the carbonate of ammonia gained in the refrigerator in the
gypsum digesting vessels. Here the conversion of the carbonate of ammonia into
sulphate of ammonia is effectuated, extra lots of stucco gypsum being added during

page_text: continued agitation for the first half hour, 35 to 40° C. being maintained through-
out.
The digesting vessels may, to quicken the process, be supplied with agitators
driven by mechanical power.
The general result is a solution of sulphate of ammonia of eighteen per cent. I
thon suffer the contents of the digesting vessels to settle and decant the clear
sulphate of ammonia. I liberate the sediment of the digesting vessels of its
aminonia solution by means of filter presses.
The cakes of the filter presses inay be used for the manufacturing of gypsum
chalk marbles.
The solution will only require to be evaporated for crystallization.
In the accompanying Drawings I have represented by way of example a unit of
manufactory as well as the details of the apparatus described for the production of
sulphate of ammonia from the moor mass, as described. By unit of manufactory I
mean the entire arrangements, by means of which I can operate in a given time on
a certain quantity of the raw material, producing from the same a certain amount
of the products to be gained.
Fig. 1 shews a general ground plan of my complete and entire arrangements, by
means of which I peruse in 24 hours 20,500 kilos. of dry moor substance together
with 42,500 kilos. of water requisite therefor, so as to produce in the time stated
3,500 kilos. of sulphate of ammonia.
In this ground plan I., II., III., are the cineriferous furnacos, the cylinders of
which a, b, c, d, e, are filled with moor mass mixed with meadow chalk previously
heated to the required temperature on the preheater IV. The necessary burning
gases for heating the furnaces are brought on by the pipe V., and the induction of
these gases into the cineriferous furnaces is regulated by valves m, n, o. The
generated gases coming from the lower portion of the cineriferous furnaces, the
more particular arrangement of which is visible on Fig. 2, enter the lower parts of
the cylinders f, g, h, k, l, of the ammonium furnaces VI., VII., VIII.
Each ammonium furnace contains 6 cylinders, of which five are regularly filled
with contact mass in a state of extreme heat, and through which the gases and
vapours from the cineriferous furnaces are perpetually streaming, whereas the sixth
cylinder is always excluded from the circuit on account of refilling the contact
mass.
The burning gas is conducted from the pipe V. through the valves p, q, r, to the
ammonium furnaces, whereas the pipes IX. serve to educt the burnt gases from the
cineriferous and ammonium furnaces.
The pipes IX. either conduct the heated products of combustion through the
valve S to the regenerator Xa for heating the oil required for burning the gases in
the cineriferous furnaces and ammonium furnaces, and through the valve S' to
the regenerator Xb, for heating the burning gases before they enter the cineriferous
or ammonium furnaces; or the products of production are conducted through
valvet underneath the crystallizing pan XI. and pre-heating pan IV. for delivering
their heat, from whence they escape to the chimney X.
By regulating the valves 8, 81, and t, I can effect the distribution of the products
of combustion from the cineriferous and ammonium furnaces for the simultaneous
treble application mentioned. Pipe XII. from the cylinders of the ammonium
furnaces VI., VII, VIII., conducts the gaseous products of the ammonium furnaces,
more particularly the carbonate of ammonia formed therein, to the refrigerator
XIII., in which the gases traverse a series of parallel pipes, whilst the pipes within
an embracing pipe are surrounded by a cool fluid entering through u and vanish-
ing through v, thus traversing the cooling apparatus in an opposite direction to
the gas.
In the gas pipes of the refrigerator /rds of the carbonic ammonia gas are con-
densed, these parts flowing off from the interior of the refrigerator as a clear fluid
(carbonic solution of ammonia), the air being excluded through the pipe XIV. to

page_text: the gypsum digesters XV. and XVI, which are supplied with agitators. In these
digesters the conversion of the carbonic ammonia by means of stucco gypsum to
sulphate of ammonia is effected, agitating all the while.
I apply two digesters, so as to work them alternately. From the digesters the
fluid mass is let into a reservoir XVII., from which the pump XVIII. forces it into
the filter press XIX. By placing the latter in a high position I am enabled to let
filtered sulphate of ammonia fluid, as mentioned above, flow through pipe u as
refrigerating fluid into the refrigerator XIII., from whence it will make its
reappearance at v in a warm state, and flow from there in direct course to the
crystallizing pan XI., on which it is evaporated in order to gain the sulphate of
ammonia in form of small crystals. Such parts of the gases and vapours which con-
tain the carbonic ammonia gas not condensed in the refrigerator is conducted through
pipe XX. into the chamber XXI., which is continually at 35 to 40° C. heat. In this
chamber are the chalk gypsum marble cylinders XXII., XXIII., XXIV., XXV.,
XXVI. The combination of the pipes is a gain of such a nature in this case that
every gypsum cylinder can be struck out of the conduct, so as to admit of emptying
and replenishing. In this cylinder the last part of the carbonic ammonia gas is
bound to the chalk gypsum balls, whilst the gas perfuses all the cylinders. The
contents of the cylinders having been converted into sulphate of ammonia, they are
emptied into the digesters XV. and XVI., and the so-formed fluid is forced from
here the same as the fluid derived from pipe XIV. through the filter press XIX., so
as after perusal to flow as cooling fluid for the refrigerator XIII. to the crystallizing
pan XI. for evaporation and formation of crystals. During flowing of the sulphate
of ammonia into the crystallizing pan I add sulphuric acid in such very small
quantities (by means of any known distributing apparatus) that by its effect such
minor portions of caustic ammonia which have not been converted to sulphate of
ammonia in the gypsum digesters will be neutralized. I have found that this
caustic ammonia will represent one to two per cent. of the produced sulphate of
ammonia; this will determine the amount of sulphuric acid to be added, with a
small surplus of the latter for economical reasons, sulphuric acid being less exponsive
than caustic ammonia, evaporating for want of the said acid.
Having now described my mode of production of sulphate of ammonia from moor
mass in the unit factory it remains to notice the exhauster XXVII., which propels
the gases liberated of carbonate of ammonia from the chalk gypsum cylinders
onwards.
By means of this exhauster the propelling of the gases and vapours from the
cineriferous furnaces through the ammonium furnaces, through the refrigerator, and
through the chalk gypsum cylinders, has been effected, during which onward
motion the separation of the carbonate of ammonia, as described herein-before has
taken place. The gases thus propelled by the exhauster are now employed to drive
a gas engine designed at XXVIII., in the ground plan, to drive the exhauster
XXVII., the filter press pump XVIII., the agitators in the gypsum digesters XV.
and XVI., the ashes agitator in the reservoir underneath the cineriferous furnace,
the small exhauster XXX., a drain pipe press, elevators, water punips, and all such
apparatus which may be in need of motive power for the production of sulphate of
ammonia.
I reserve to myself for the better realization, purifying, and accumulation of the gas
liberated of the carbonate of ainmonia, to introduce at any point of the gas conduct
such well-known apparatus which may appear desirable for a well regulated system
of production according to my method of proceeding.
At XXIX. I have arranged the instalment of a drain pipe press for preparing the
contact mass for the ammonium furnaces, as described.
Lastly, the burning gases in pipe V. having been heated in suitable regenerators
at Xb arrive at the cineriferous and ammonium furnaces in order to be distributed
in them with the assistance of the valves m, n, o, p, q, v, where they are burnt, tho
air required therefor having been supplied and heated in the regenerator X*.
.

page_text: Fig. II. shews a longitudinal section following line A, B; on Fig. 1 of a cineriferous
furnace, an ammonium furnace, and the refrigerator, a sectional view following line
C, D, (Fig. 1) of the chamber with a chalk gypsum cylinder.
•
Same letters and numbers signify same parts in both plans.
I will add the following remarks :—
The cylinders of the cineriferous furnaces are closed at their upper ends at a¹ by
covers, on opening which I apply hoppers for filling in the moor mass.
On filling the cylinders that part of them inside the furnace is secured against
the entrance of air by the slides b¹.
"
After freeing the upper parts of the cylinder and closing the covers a¹, I am
enabled to admit the moor mass to the lower parts of the cylinders by opening the
Blides b¹.
The cylinders are also supplied with safety valves at convenient places for too
great a pressure of steam.
The gas accumulation space d' is separated from the burning space c¹ by a hori-
zontal partition e¹, the gases flowing into the space & from the cylinders through
openings and angular pieces applied in the peripheries of the latter.
.
The ashes arising by gasification of the moor mass fill the lower part of the
cylinders, which terminate underneath the space d' in a reservoir f¹ continually
filled up to a certain height with water. The cylinders are thus secured against
the efflux of the gases, and against the entrance of atmospherical air.
In order however to maintain the height of the ashes at a certain standard (to
which I remark that I consider a column of ashes of 20% above the exit openings
in the space d' as the boundary for the free escape of the gases and vapours from
the cylinders of the cineriferous furnace) I supply the reservoir with an agitator g¹,
which by its slow rotatory movement will effect the regular removal of the base of
the column of ashes under the cylinders, thus furnishing space for ashes newly
formed in the cylinders.
I have been careful to determine the length of the cylinders underneath the
space d'adequate to the necessity that the ashes in that part of the cylinders which
pass through the space d' shall never by absorbing the water from the reservoir
become moist. This is important for the free efflux of the gases and vapours from
the cylinders of the cineriferous furnace. The gases and vapours now pass from
the space d' through pipe h' to the lower part of the ammonium furnaces, the
cylinders of which are filled with contact mass. Each cylinder is connected with
pipe h¹ by means of a branch conduct capable of being shut off.
The cylinders of the ammonium furnaces are supplied with covers at top and
bottom for letting off the old and supplying new contact mass. This mass rests on
sieve-like bottoms, which are removeable, so as to enable the letting off the contact
mass. Between this sieve and the lower lid the gases and vapours enter the
cylinders, pervade the same in upward direction, leave them sideways in order to
enter the refrigerator XIII. through pipe XII.
From the ante-chamber i¹ the gases and vapours are distributed in the small
pipe o², so as then to pass on from the chamber ³ (they having been freed of
/rds of their contents of carbonate of ammonia by condensation) through pipe
XX. to the chalk gypsum marbles cylinders, whilst the condensed fluid enters the
vessel in order to flow (the air being shut off) through the syphon-like pipe
XIV. to the gypsum digesters.
The chalk gypsum marbles cylinders in section C, D, consist of a cylinder m¹,
in which the cylinder 2¹ with a sieve-like bottom may be so placed that the
gases entering the same in direction of the arrows underneath the sieve bottom
must pass through the chalk gypsum in the cylinders, so as to leave them at their
upper end in the direction of the arrow.
The internal cylinder n' firmly closed at its top can easily be removed from the
cylinder m² for emptying and replenishing.

page_text: For the pyrometer, which I have illustrated in Fig. II. (XXXII.), I establish
three alloys, viz.,—
•
1/-72 gr. copper with
28 gr. pure antimony.
2/-75 gr. copper with
25 gr. pure antimony.
3/-80 gr. copper with
20 gr. pure antimony.
I thus obtain three alloys, which after cooling remain tolerably brittle, and are
easily fractured on an angle to sharp-edged pieces of 3 to 5 gr. weight.
I fill into a porcelain tube of about 17 internal diameter and of about 1
length, which I close at one end with a cork a, a short length of said tube with
powdered charcoal, and I then enter a piece at b of the 72 per cent. alloy; after
entering a further supply of charcoal powder I introduce a piece at c of the 75 per
cent.; having filled the tube with still more of the charcoal powder I apply a
stopper of asbestos at d; this is the pyrometer for the ammonium cylinder; the
pyrometer is inserted through a tube in the external side of the furnace into the
cylinder, which for this purpose is arranged with a corresponding opening in its
lower third part.
If the alloy c in the pyrometer melts, and the alloy b is only affected at its edges,
then the heat is in a normal state.
If the heat was too inconsiderable, C remains in unmolten state, if too great,
b will also melt.
This pyrometer enables me accurately to control the degrees of heat in the
ammonium cylinders.
I employ the same pyrometer for the cylinders of the cineriferous furnace, with
this difference, that as I require a higher temperature in this furnace I insert a
piece of the 80° alloy at c, and a piece of the 75°/。 alloy at b.
Lastly. I remark that I reserve to myself all such alterations in the detail part
of the described furnaces, apparatus, and arrangements, which appear suitable for
attaining my end of producing sulphate of ammonia from moor mass, without by
such alterations departing from the nature of my Invention."

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Lloyd Wise in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
September 1878.
WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in the County of Mid-
llesex. “THE PRODUCTION OF SULPHATE OF AMMONIA (SO, NH, O) FROM THE
NITROGEN OF MARSHY MOORS OR MEADOW LAND MOORS, AND APPARATUS
THEREFOR." (A communication from abroad by Doctor Hubert Grouven, of Leipsic,
Saxony, German Empire.)
My foreign correspondent says:-
28
The marshy or meadow land moors contain according to my investigations up
to 3.8 per cent. of nitrogen.
My Invention has reference to obtaining this nitrogen from the moor in form of
ainmoniacal salts, and to the arrangements and apparatus therefor.
The importance of my successful labours, extending over three years, becomes
apparent on taking into consideration the extent and substance of the existing
moors and the nitrogen they contain, as also the decrease of nitrogen contained in
the various kinds of imported manures.
My mode of procedure is based on the results of my investigation that the
intrinsic nitrogen value of the moor is for the greater part contained in its proteine
of plants, and does not, as has hitherto generally been assumed, exist in ammo-
niacal salts.
1
In consequence of this enquiry and by my peculiar mode of production I am
enabled to gain up to 98 per cent. of the nitrogen contained in the moor.
My mode of production is divided into the following main operations:-
1. Preparation of the excavated moor or bog for further treatment.
.2. The conversion of the noor or bog to ashes, steam, gas, and vapours under the
influence of certain degrees of heat, the air being excluded.
3. The decomposition of steam in the presence of the gases and vapours by the
adoption of a peculiar contact mass (composed and prepared as herein-after
described) and at certain degrees of heat for the formation of carbonate of ammonia
in gaseous form.
4. The condensation of a part of the carbonate of ammonia gas formed.
5. The conversion of the non-condensed carbonate of ammonia gas into sulphates
of ammonia by the use of a peculiar chalk gypsum (sulphate of lime) in form of
marbles or very small balls at certain degrees of heat.
6. The conversion of the condensed carbonate of ammonia into sulphate of
ammonia.
7. The filtration and evaporation of the solution of sulphate of ammonia and the
production of the dry sulphate of ammonia.
By this mode of procedure I am enabled to realize my Invention in an industrial
point of view by producing the intrinsic nitrogen from the moor in form of sulphate
of ammonia at prices which are in profitable proportion to the market value of
sulphate of ammonia.
i. I commence by either draining or moistening the bog or moor till it has the
proper amount of moisture for my operations. The degree of moisture must
depend upon the exigency for the generation of water vapour. The moor or bog is
reduced by manual or machine power from large lumps to pieces of the size of one's
fist. I now proceed to heat the same to 100° C., and add 10 per cent. of meadow
chalk so as to bind the sulphurous contents of the moor for further treatment.
2. The heated and moistened noor is now brought into furnaces which I
denominate cineriferous furnaces. The cylinders of these furnaces in vertical
position take in the moor, and are then hermetically closed at their upper end;
the lower end is left open for the escape of vapours and gases, as well as for
removing the ashes, but in such manner that the latter falling into a water
reservoir, from which they dam up into the furnace, will form an hydraulic

page_text: closure, preventing the admission of atmospheric air into the cylinders, whilst the
gases and vapours above this hydraulic and ashy closing or "shut off" will with-
draw for further treatinent.
I arrange the vertical cylinders in the cineriferous furnaces in such manner that
I can refill them at any time without admitting atmospheric air. I conduct such
gases round about the cylinders in the furnace, which by their combustion deliver
the required heat for the process of reducing the moor to ashes. These gases are
such as I have previously gained by the process of reducing the moor to ashes, and
which for the purpose of producing sulphate of ammonia have gone through the
entire process passively in order now actively to promote the fabrication as com-
bustible gases.
I would remark here that wherever in the course of my process I apply heat the
same is derived from the gases evolved from the cineriferous furnaces after the
conversion of the nitrogen to carbonate of ammonia.
The heat surrounding the cylinders within the cineriferous furnace must be
considerable in order to completely cinerate the moor or bog and to reduce the same
to gas.
For controlling the procedure I use a pyrometer invented for this special purpose,
and herein-after described. I apply by preference five cylinders in the cineriferous
furnace, which cylinders project beyond the upper end of the furnace in order to
enable them to be conveniently refilled with moor. I supply them with safety
valves in these projecting parts to enable the steam to escape if under too great a
pressure.
The cylinders are also prolonged at their lower ends beyond the end of the
furnace, for which purpose the latter is mounted upon columns. I may supply the
water reservoir (which I place within the said columns, and into which the
cylinders project) with suitable mechanism in order to remove the ashes underneath
the cylinders at regular intervals, or this removal of the ashes can be accomplished
by the workmen employed at the furnace.
The regular emptying of ashes is necessary in order to prevent too great an ascent
of the same into the cylinders, as otherwise the gases which I conduct into the
lower regions of the furnace would have to penetrate through too thick a layer of
ashes.
The lowest portion of the furnace forms a space closed to the fire-place of the
furnace. This space communicates with the interior of the cylinders by holes in
their peripheries; and an angular piece of sheet iron, which with its sharp edge
passes through the cylinder and is open at its side. The object of this angular
piece is to offer a convenient escape for the gases from the centre of the cylinders
into the lower receptacle for the gases of the cineriferous furnace.
I would here remark that the passage of the gases obtained from the cineration
of the moor inass and their continuous flow in the subsequent stage of the process
is effected by an exhauster situated as herein-after mentioned.
3. The gases of the cineriferous furnaces now flow over into those furnaces in
which the production of carbonate of ammonia is to take place.
The gases of the cineriferous furnaces are composed of organic alkaloidal vapours,
and carburetted hydrogen gas mixed with vapours of water and free hydrogen,
carbonic oxide (CO), and carbonic acid (CO.). My mode of proceeding now
consists in conducting all the gaseous substances through a highly porous contact
mass in a state of extreme heat, by which I effect the decomposition of the vapours
I of water in consequence of the affinity of the carbon (C) for the oxygen of the
water, whereby seven-tenths of the carbon are burned or reduced to carbonic acid,
and three-tenths of the carbon to carbonic oxide. While this process of decom-
position is going on the whole of the nitrogen in organic combination is transformed
into carbonate of ammonia. The result of this process in the first instance depends
upon the procuring of a contact mass of extreme porosity which must be sustained
in great heat. Of all the known highly porous substances, not one sufficed for my
experiments; I have therefore been compelled to invent and compose a new

page_text: material for my purposes, which consists of a mixture of moor mendow chalk and
plastic clay.
Meadow chalk as found in Northern Germany, I make use of for the sake of its
purity and lightness (its weight being 500-540 grammes per liter), its atomic
fineness and conglomeration. Of different sorts of clays I prefer an easily melting
.cement clay, or plastic clay, which must contain three to four per cent. of potash
(Ka O). Of this perfectly air-dry cement clay, I boil 52kos, with 250kos, water,
agitating incessantly, so that a uniform diluted clay pulp is produced. I then take
100kos, of air-dried meadow chalk in a powdered state, and mix it as uniformly as
possible with 136kos, of crushed air-dried moor. This mixture of meadow chalk and
moor I mix with the above-mentioned clay pulp, until I obtain a compact mass
capable of being worked in a drain pipe press. I then make this compact mass
into drain pipes of 25 m.m. internal diameter which I dry without burning them.
After drying they are broken up into small pieces, and these small pieces now form
the contact mass for filling the cylinders in my ammonium furnace. This mass will
lose about 63 per cent. of its weight in the glowing heat in the cylinder of the
ammonium furnace without reducing its bulk, and will then not exceed 270 to 300
grammes per liter.
A characteristic feature of my contact mass is that it must contain 47 to 50 per
cent. of lime to produce the proper effect, more or less; oven deviations of five per
cent, will influence the effective action of the contact mass.
The ammonium furnace also consists of six vertical cylinders enclosed in a furnace,
the size of which cylinders is in proportion to the size of the cylinders in the
cíneriferous furnace.
The cylinders project beyond the upper end of the furnace so as to enable them
to be filled with the contact mass, and they likewise project at the lower end for
the purpose of emptying. That part of the cylinders situated inside the furnace is
surrounded by burning gases.
The cylinders are furnished with grates at their lower ends, on which the entire
quantity of contact mass contained in the cylinder rests; these grates are arranged
to be turned over from the outside, so that the cylinder being opened at bottom the
contact mass will shoot out below. From underneath these grates the gases coming
from the cineriferous furnaces will pass into the contact mass.
I can only secure the success of my process in the ammonium furnaces by
sustaining a certain uniform and very high degree of heat in the cylinders filled
with the contact mass. I therefore establish a communication from the outside of
the furnace with the interior of each separate cylinder, by means of which I intro-
duce the pyrometer already mentioned, which enables me to control with accuracy
the degrees of heat employed.
Further conditions for the successful operation of my process in the ammonium
furnace, besides the already named porosity and contents of lime in the contact
mass, as well as the uniform and very high degrees herein-before described, are the
following:-
(a.) The absolute exclusion of air from the cylinders filled with the contact mass,
as admission of air will interfere with the formation of ainmonia.
(b.) The absence of substances which in extreme heat will give off oxygen because
their presence will by such action counteract the decomposition of water, and thereby
also the production of ammonia.
(c.) The absence of glowing masses containing chloride (CE.), otherwise muriatic
acid would be formed and the production of ammonia be prevented. In the same 5
measure the presence of sulphides (Sn) acts injuriously because they will promote
the formation of tarry, sulphureous, and condensed fluids containing a paucity of
ammonia.
(d.) The period during which the vapours remain in contact with the contact
mass. I have found that the contact mass will decompose the vapours in from 12 5
to 13 seconds, and the capacity of the cylinders for treating a given volumn of gas,
or vice versa, inust be calculated on this basis,

page_text: (e.) Finally, the most successful gain of ammonia necessitates the regulation of the
uantity of water vapour, which must be adapted to the amount of carbon contained
the gases issuing from the cineriferous furnaces.
I have found by experiments that I consume 2 times the quantity of water
apour that should be needed (according to the theoretical calculation) for oxidation
ith a given amount of carbon; and I regulate the quantity of water vapour by
acans of the degree of moisture of the noor mass contained in the cineriferous
urnace.
I have found that the contact mass in the cylinders of the ammonium furnaces
fter 4 to 5 hours' use, requires a traverse of atmospheric air during a short period
n order to remove by burning the entire deposit of carbon from the highly heated
contact mass. This regeneration I repeat with every cylinder after 4 or 5 hours
ise, and am thereby enabled to use the contact mass for a lengthened period, say
or 5 days.
For forcing the air through the contact mass for such regenerating operation I
employ a second small exhauster. This second small exhaustor is also used for
forcing air through the ammonium cylinders if the same are newly charged with
In order to burn this raw or not burned contact
fresh (not burned) contact mass.
nass in the ammonium cylinder (before leading gas through them from the
cineriferous cylinders) by the heat surrounding the cylinders, air for burning
must be admitted or forced into the cylinders, and this is done by the second small
exhauster.
(4.) The gas issuing from the ammonium furnaces now contains a mixture which
has converted the products of gasification per 50 kilos. of anhydrous moor into
1.75 ko. nitrogen in form of 778 cubic meters ammonia gas (NH, of 0°) together
with 32 cubic meters carbonic acid gas, 14 cbm. carbonic oxide gas, and 88 cbm. of
hydrogen gas. This mixture is drawn by means of the above-mentioned large
exhauster into a refrigerating apparatus, in which the gas traverses a series of
parallel pipes which are surrounded by a cooling fluid. The object of this is to
condense the carbonated ainmonia to about two-thirds of its entire volume.
The product of condensation flows off as a clear colourless fluid from the refrige-
rator at 35-40° C., the air being excluded.
The cooling fluid I make use of is the sulphuric ammonia (obtained as will bo
herein-after explained) which enters the refrigerator at the exit end for the con-
densed fluid, and leaves the same at the opposite end (its temperature being now
considerably raised), in order to flow from thence to the crystallising pans.
(5.) From the refrigerator the further procedure is separated /rds of the pro-
duced carbonate of ammonia, condensed to a diluted solution in the refrigerator,
flowing off to the gypsum digesting vessels for conversion into sulphate of
ammonia, whereas the remaining third, following the action of the exhauster, is
conducted to a chamber, where it receives the following treatment:-The tarless
state of my carbonate of ammonia admits of the employment of gypsum for con-
version into the sulphates of ammonia. I have found that gypsum in form, quantity,
and temperature, as I shall proceed to describe the same, proves to be the best
medium of absorption for converting the carbonate of ammonia to sulphate of
ammonia, the difference in price of gypsum and sulphuric acid constituting an
important item.
In order to obtain for such gypsum the form suitable for my purposes, I mix
60 kilos. of burnt gypsum (stucco gypsum) with 40 kilos. of powdered meadow
chalk. I gradually add 40 liters water of 15 to 20° C. through a rose, whence by
moistening, the gypsum mixed with chalk will be transformed to small marbles;
these marbles or small balls or bullets of chalk and gypsum weigh 660 to 670
grammes per liter. On being dried at 300 their loss of weight will vary between
32 and 33 per cent. These marbles, although easily crushed by hand, constitute a
filling with so many intermediate spaces, and of so porous a nature, that even in
columns of 5 meters height no actual resistance will be met with for the passage of
the gas

page_text: In perusing gypsum balls short of an addition of chalk, I have found that suc
balls when filled into the cylinders, and subjected to the passing through of car
bonated ammonia gasos, are soon coated with a slimy solution of sulphate o
ammonia, which not only chokes the passage for the gas, but also prevents the ga
from penetrating into the interior of the balls. Of this, my newly invented form
of gypsum marbles, I remark that I use seven times the bulk of marbles in pro
portion to the amount of gas passing through per second for the perfect absorption
of the ammonia.
For the perfect absorption of the ammonia much will depend upon the tem
perature of the gypsum chalk marbles. I have found 35 to 40° C. of heat wil
be best adapted, and this must be maintained as being the temperature of the
ammonia gas issuing from the refrigerator. I therefore erect the entire absorbing
apparatus in a separate chamber, in which I permanently maintain the said
temperature.
The apparatus consists of a set of cylinders with internal cylinders which fill up
the outer cylinders, with the exception of a space in the lower part of the latter into
which the gas enters. The internal cylinders are supplied with sieve-like bottoms,
and aro completely filled with chalk gypsum marbles. Their cubic contents are
calculated in such manner that every particle of gas, on passing through all tho
cylinders, will be in contact with and acted upon by the marbles during nearly five
seconds. The carbonate of ammonia is converted into sulphate of ammonia, car-
bonate of lime being formed.
The filling of chalk gypsum marbles, saturated with sulphate of ammonia, is
now removed, and added to the carbonate of ammonia drawn off froin the refri-
frigerator into the gypsum digesting vessels. Here the conversion of the carbonate
of ammonia into sulphate of ammonia is effected, extra lots of stucco gypsum being
added during continued agitation for the first half hour, 35 to 40° C. being main-
tained throughout.
To quicken the process the digesting vessels may be supplied with agitators
driven by mechanical power.
The general result is a solution of sulphate of ammonia of 18 per cent.; I then
suffer the contents of the digesting vessels to settle and decant the clear sulphate of
ammonia. I free the sediment of the digesting vessels from its ammonia solution
by means of filter presses.
The cakes of the filter presses may be used for the manufacturing of gypsum chalk
marbles.
The solution will only require to be evaporated for crystallisation.
"
In the accompanying Drawings I have represented, by way of example, a "unit
of manufactury," as well as the details of the apparatus, for the production of
sulphate of ammonia from the moor mass, as described. By "unit of manufactury
I mean the entire arrangements, by means of which I can operate in a given time
on a certain quantity of the raw material, producing from the same a certain amount
of the products to be gained.
Fig. 1 shows a general ground plan of my complete and entire arrangements, by
means of which I treat in 24 hours 20,500 kilos. of dry moor substance, with 42,500
kilos. of water requisite therefor, so as to produce in the time stated 3,500 kilos. of
sulphate of ammonia.
In this ground plan I., II., III. are the cineriferous furnaces, the cylinders of which,
a, b, c, d, e, are filled with moor mass mixed with meadow chalk previously heated
to the required temperature on the preheater IV. The necessary burning gases
for heating the furnaces are brought on by the pipe V., and the induction of these
gases into the cineriferous furnaces is regulated by valves m, n, o.
gases coming froin the lower portions of the cineriferous furnaces (the arrangement
The generated
of which is more particularly shown in Fig. 2) enter the lower parts of the cylinders
f, g, h, k, l, of the ammonium furnaces VI., VII, VIII.
Each ammonium furnace contains six cylinders, of which five are regularly filled
with contact mass in a state of extreme heat, and through which the gases and

page_text: apours from the cineriferous furnaces are passing continuously, whilst a sixtlı
ylinder is always excluded from the circuit for the purpose of refilling with contact
nass.
The burning gas is conducted from the pipe V. through the valves p, q, r, to the
mmonia furnaces, and the pipes IX. serve to educt the burnt gases from the cine-
riferous and ammonium furnaces.
The pipes IX. either conduct the heated products of combustion through the
valve S to the regenerator X. for heating the air required for burning the gases
in the cineriferous furnaces and ammonium furnaces, and through the valve S' to
the regenerator X.b for heating the burning gases before they enter the cineriferous
or ammonium furnaces; or the products of combustion are conducted through a
valvet underneath the crystallizing pan XI. and preheating pan IV. for heating
the same, thence the products of combustion escape by the chimney X.
By regulating the valves 8, s¹, and t I can effect the distribution of the products of
combustion from the cineriferous and ammonium furnaces for the simultaneous
treble application above mentioned.
Pipe XII. from the cylinders of the ammonium furnaces VI., VII., VIII., conducts
the gaseous products of the ammonium furnaces (more particularly the carbonate of
ammonia formed therein) to the refrigerator XIII., in which the gases traverse a series
of parallel pipes situate within an enclosing pipe, and surrounded by a cool fluid,
which, entering through u and passing out through v, traverses the cooling apparatus
in an opposite direction to the gas.
In the gas pipes of the refrigerator 2/rds of the carbonate of ammonia gassare
condensed, and flow off from the interior of the refrigerator, the air being excluded,
as a clear fluid (carbonic solution of ammonia) through the pipe XIV., to the gypsuni
digesters XV. and XVI., which are supplied with agitators. In these digesters the
conversion of the carbonic ammonia by means of stucco-gypsum to sulphate of
ammonia is effected, agitation being kept up during the operation.
I apply two digesters, so as to work them alternately.
From the digestors the fluid mass is let into a reservoir XVII., from which the
pump XVIII. forces it into the filter press XIX. By placing the latter in a high
position I am enabled to allow the filtered sulphate of ammonia fluid to flow, as
above mentioned, through the pipe u as a refrigerating fluid into the refrigerator
XIII., whence it will pass out at v in a warm state, and flow from there in a direct
course to the crystallizing pan XI., on which it is evaporated in order to obtain the
sulphate of ammonia in the form of small crystals.
Such parts of the gases and vapours which contain the carbonic ammonia gas not
condensed in the refrigerator are conducted through the pipe XX. into the chamber
XXI., which is kept at a temperature of 35 to 40°C. In this chamber are the
chalk gypsum marble cylinders XXII., XXIII., XXIV., XXV., XXVI. The com-
bination of the pipes is again in this case of such a nature that every gypsum
cylinder can be struck out of the circuit, so as to admit of emptying and replenishing.
In these cylinders the last part of the carbonic ammonia gas is absorbed by the
chalk gypsum balls, whilst the gas passes through all the cylinders. The contents
of the cylinders having been converted into sulphate of ammonia, they are emptied
into the digesters XV. and XVI, and the fluid so formed is forced from here in the
same manner as the fluid from the pipe XIV. through the filter press XIX., so as
after perusal to flow as cooling fluid through the refrigerator XIII. to the crystal-
lising pan XI. for evaporation and formation of crystals. During the flow of the
sulphate of ammonia into the crystallising pan I add sulphuric acid (by means of
any known distributing apparatus) in such very small quantities that by its effect
such minor portions of caustic ainmonia as have not been converted to sulphate of
I have found that this
ammonia in the gypsum digesters will be neutralized.
caustic ammonia will represent one to two per cent. of the produced sulphate of
ammonia; this will determine the amount of sulphuric acid to be added, with a
slight excess of the latter for economical reasons, sulphuric acid being less expensive
than caustic ammonia evaporating for want of the said acid,

page_text: Having described my mode of producing sulphate of ammonia from noor mass in
the unit factory," I will now notice the exhaustor XXVII. which propels the
gases liberated from the carbonate of ammonia, from the chalk gypsum cylinders
onwards.
By means of this exhaustor the propulsion of the gases and vapours from the
cineriferous furnaces, through the ammonium furnaces, through the refrigerator, and
through the chalk gypsum cylinders has been effected, and during this onward
motion the separation of the carbonate of ammonia as herein-before described has
taken place. The gases thus propelled by the exhauster are now employed to
drive a gas engine shewn at XXVIII. in the ground plan, and designed to drive
the exhauster XXVII., the filter press pump XVIII., the agitators in the gypsum
digesters XV. and XVI., the ashes agitators in the reservoir underneath the
cineriferous furnace, the small exhauster XXX., a drain pipe press, elevators, water
pumps, and all such apparatus which may need motive power for the production of
sulphate ammonia.
I reserve to myself for the better realization purifying and accumulation of the
gas liberated of the carbonate of ammonia, to introduce at any point of the gas
conduit well-known apparatus which may appear desirable for a well regulated
system of production, according to my method of proceeding, for instance, it may
be beneficial to subject the gas to the action of washing or purifying apparatus, or
to make use of a reservoir in which the gas may be stored.
At XXIX. I have shewn a portion of the drain pipe press for preparing the
contact mass for the ammonium furnaces as described.
Lastly. the burning gases in pipe V. having been heated in suitable regenerators
at Xb arrive at the cineriferous and ammonium furnaces (distributed as desired by
means of the valves m, n, o, p, q, r), where they are burnt, the air required
therefor having been supplied and heated in the regenerator Xa.
Fig. II. shews a longitudinal section in the line A, B, in Fig. I. of a cineriferous
furnace, an ammonium furnace, and the refrigerator, a sectional view in line C, D
(Fig. 1), of the chamber with a chalk gypsum cylinder.
Same letters and numbers signify same parts in both plans.
I will add the following remarks:-
The cylinders of the cineriferous furnaces are closed at their upper ends at a¹ by
covers, on opening which I apply hoppers for filling in the moor mass.
On filling the cylinders, that part of them inside the furnace is secured against
the entrance of air by the slides 6¹.
After filling the upper parts of the cylinders and closing the covers a', I admit
the moor mass to the lower parts of the cylinders by opening the slides b¹.
The cylinders are also supplied with safety valves at convenient places, to provide
against too great a pressure of steam.
The space d' for the accumulation of gas is separated from the burning space C¹
by a horizontal partition e¹, the gases flowing into the space d' from the cylinders
through openings and angular pieces applied in the peripheries of the latter.
The ashes arising from gasification of the moor mass fill the lower part of the
cylinders, which terminate underneath the space d' in a reservoir f¹ continually
filled up to a certain height with water. The cylinders are thus secured against
the efflux of the gases, and against the entrance of atmospheric air.
In order however to maintain the height of the ashes at a certain standard (as
respects which I would remark that I consider a column of ashes of 20 /m above
the exit openings in the space d', as the limit for the free escape of the gases and
vapours from the cylinders of the cineriferous furnace), I supply the reservoir with
an agitator g, which by its slow rotatory movement will effect the regular removal
of the base of the column of ashes under the cylinders, thus furnishing space for
ashes newly formed in the cylinders.
I have been careful to determine the length of the cylinders underneath the
space d', that it is adequate to the necessity that the ashes in that part of the
cylinders which pass through the space shall never by absorbing the water from

page_text: the reservoir become moist. This is important for the free efflux of the
and
gases
vapours from the cylinders of the cineriferous furnace. The gases and vapours now
pass from the space d' through pipe h' to the lower part of the ammonium furnaces,
the cylinders of which are filled with contact mass. Each cylinder is connected
with pipe h¹ by means of a branch conduit capable of being shut off.
The cylinders of the ammonium furnaces are supplied with covers at top and
This mass
bottom for withdrawing the old and supplying the new contact mass.
rests on sieve-like bottoms which are removeable, so as to enable contact mass to be
withdrawn. Between this sieve and the lower lid the gases and vapours [enter the
cylinders, pervade the same in upward direction, and leave them sideways, in order
to enter the refrigerator XIII. through pipe XII.
From the ante-chamber the gases and vapours are distributed in the small pipe
o', so as then to pass on from the chamber K' (they having been freed of 2/rds of
their contents of carbonate of ammonia by condensation) through pipe XX. to the
chalk gypsum marble cylinders, whilst the condensed fluid enters the vessel
order to flow (the air being shut off) through the syphon-like pipe XIV. to the
gypsum digesters..
in
The chalk gypsum marbles cylinders in section C, D, consist of a cylinder m¹in
which the cylinder n¹ with a sieve-like bottom is so placed that the gases entering.
the same in direction of the arrow, underneath the sieve bottom must pass through
the chalk gypsumn in the cylinders, so as to leave them at their upper ends in the
direction of the arrow.
The internal cylinder n' firmly closed at its top can easily be removed from the
cylinder m² for emptying and replenishing.
For the pyrometer which I have illustrated in Fig. II. (XXXII.), I establish
three alloys, viz.,—
1.)
72 gr. copper with
28 gr. pure antimony.
2.)
75 gr. copper with
25 gr. pure antimony.
3.)
80 gr. copper with
20 gr. pure antimony.
I thus obtain three alloys, which, after cooling, remain tolerably brittle, and are
easily fractured on an anvil to sharp edged pieces of 3 to 5 gr. weight.
I take a porcelain tube of about 17 / internal diameter, and of about 1 m. length,
which I close at one end with a cork a. I fill a short length of said tube with
powdered charcoal, and I then place at ba piece of the 72 per cent. alloy; after a
further filling of charcoal powder, I introduce at ca piece of the 75 per cent.;
having filled the tube with still more of the charcoal powder, I apply a stopper of
asbestos at d; this is the pyrometer for the ammonium cylinder; the pyrometer is
inserted through a tube in the external side of the furnace into the cylinder, which
for this purpose is arranged with a corresponding opening in its lower third part.
If the alloy c in the pyrometer melts, and the alloy 6 is only affected at its edges
then the heat is in a normal state.
If the temperature is too low, c remains in an unmolten state; if too great, b will
also melt.
This pyrometer enables me accurately to control the degrees of heat in the am-
monium cylinders.
I employ the same pyrometer for the cylinders of the cineriferous furnace with
this difference, that as I require a higher temperature in this furnace, I insert a
piece of the 80% alloy at c, and a piece of the 75°/ alloy at b."
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode of carrying it
into practical effect, as communicated to me as aforesaid, I would remark that the
details of construction of the apparatus herein-before described and shewn may
obviously be more or less varied without departure from the distinctive characteris-
ties of the said Invention as hersin-hefore described and set forth in the following

page_text: claiming clauses, and that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as secured to me under the Letters Patent herein-before in part recited is,—
1. Mixing the moor or bog with meadow chalk, substantially as described for the
purpose specified.
2. The process of cinerating the moor or bog in admixture with meadow chalk,
substantially as described for the purpose specified.
3. The production and application of the contact mass and its periodical regonera-
tion, substantially as described.
4. The herein-before described process of cinerating the moor mass, and converting
the resulting azotic organic vapours into carbonate of ammonia, carbonic acid, oxide
of carbon, and hydrogen gas.
5. The construction and application of the improved pyrometer, substantially as
described for the purpose specified.
6. The production of the chalk gypsum balls or marbles, and their application for
converting the uncondensed or gaseous carbonate of ammonia into sulphate of
ammonia, substantially as described.
7. The further utilization of the chalk gypsum balls for converting the condensed
or liquid carbonate of ammonia into sulphate of ammonia, substantially as herein-
before described.
8. Converting the carbonate of ammonia into sulphate of ammonia, substantially
as described.
9. The entire process, herein-before described, for producing sulphate of ammonia
from moor ör bog.
10. The construction of cinerating furnace herein-before described and shewn for
the purpose specified.
11. The construction of ammonium furnace berein-before described and shewn for
the purpose specified.
12. The combination of parts constituting the apparatus constructed, arranged,
and operating as herein-before described, and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings, for producing sulphate of ammonia from moor or bog.
13. Utilizing, as herein-before described, the burning gases arising from the moor
during the process of producing sulphate of ammonia, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Lloyd Wise, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
W. LLOYD W
L