IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID.
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Gossage, of Widnes, in the County of
Lancaster, Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID.".
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Gossage at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th April 1856.
I, WILLIAM GOSSAGE, of Widnes, in the County of Lancaster, Chemist, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for. IMPROVEMENTS ON THE
MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID, to be as follows:-
In effecting the processes or operations ordinarily employed for the manu-
facture of sulphuric acid, sulphur is first converted into, sulphurous acid by
combustion with atmospherical air; and the products of such combustion,
together with gaseous nitrous acid and a further quantity of atmospherical air,
are conducted into large leaden chambers, wherein, with the assistance. of
aqueous vapor, a reaction. takes place between the sulphurous acid gas and
gaseous nitrous acid, by which a portion of oxygen is transferred from the
gaseous nitrous acid to the sulphurous acid gas, and the latter thereby becomes
converted into sulphuric acid. One result of the said reaction is the reduction
of nitrous acid to a gaseous nitrogen compound, containing a smaller propor-
tionate quantity of oxygen than is contained in nitrous acid, which compound
has the property of absorbing oxygen from atmospherical air, and thereby
becoming restored to the state of gaseous nitrous acid capable of oxydizing a
further quantity of sulphurous acid gas. In this manner a small proportionate
quantity of gaseous nitrous acid serves as a medium for transferring oxygen
from atmospherical air to a large proportionate quantity of sulphurous acid

page_text: gas, thereby producing sulphuric acid. It will be obvious that the com-
paratively successful results obtained by this mediative action of
gaseous
nitrous acid, and ofthe nitrogen compound produced by its decomposition, and
the consequent diminution ofthe proportionate quantity of gaseous nitrousacid
requisite for the production of a giveu quantity of sulphuric acid, will be
dependent on the rapidity with which the particles of gaseous nitrous acid
may be brought repeatedly into contact with sulphurous acid gas, and those
of the resulting nitrogen compound may be repeatedly brought into contact
with atmospherical air. The means which have been employed for effectingor
facilitating such mixing have been hitherto confined to changing the direction
of the forward currents of the various gases as these pass through the leaden
chambers employed, or through the tubes or passages connected therewith.
Now my Invention relates to certain means by which I accomplish a much
more rapid and more effectual mixing of the gases employed in the manu-
facture of sulphuric acid, and I thereby occasion a more rapid production of
such acid, and I effect such production with the employment of a reduced
proportionate quantity of gaseous nitrous acid, and I am enabled to produce
an increased quantity of sulphuric acid in apparatus of the same cubical
capacity. I effect such more effectual mixing by causing the said gases, or
some part thereof, to be propelled in violent currents in a direction transverse
or otherwise contrary to that of the ordinary current of gases passing through
the leaden chambers or other apparatus employed. I prefer to accomplish
this by the use of a jet or jets of high pressure steam or of highly compressed
air, such jet or jets being so placed in a tube communicating with the leaden
chambers or other apparatus employed that the velocity communicated to the
surrounding gaseous particles by the escape of such high pressure steam or of
such highly compressed air in the form of a jet or jets may occasion the draft
of a large quantity of gases from the said leaden chambers or other apparatus,
which gases will be thereby propelled with great velocity into the said leaden
chambers or other apparatus employed in a direction transverse or otherwise
contrary to the direction of the ordinary current of gases through such leaden
chambers or other apparatus, and thereby occasion a more rapid and more
effectual mixing of such gases than has heretofore been accomplished in the
manufacture of sulphuric acid. I can also effect such more perfect mixing of
the said gases by means of a centrifugal blowing machine working at high
velocity, or by other suitable mechanical means so arranged as to withdraw
gases from the apparatus employed,and return such gases at high velocity into
the said apparatus.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Gossage in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th October 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
GOSSAGE, of Widnes, in the County of Lancaster, Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Gossage, Her special license that I, the said William Gossage,
my executors,administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Gossage,my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
aud vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said William Gossage, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months.next.
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Gossage, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
In effecting the processes or operations ordinarily employed for the manu-
facture of sulphuric acid, sulphur is first converted into sulphurous acid by
combustion with atmospherical air, and the products of such combustion,
together with gaseous nitrous acid and a further quantity of atmospherical air,
are conducted into leadeu chambers, wherein, with the assistance of aqueous
vapour, a reaction takes place between the sulphurous acid gas and gaseous
nitrous acid, by which a portion of oxygen is transferred from the gaseous
nitrous acid to the sulphurous acid gas, and the latter thereby becomes con-
verted into sulphuric acid. One result of the said reaction is the reduction
of nitrous acid to a gaseous nitrogen compound which contains a smaller pro.
portionate quantity of oxygen than is contained in nitrous acid, and such

page_text: compound has the property of absorbing oxygen from atmospherical air when
mixed therewith, and thereby becoming restored tothestate of gaseous nitrous
aaid capable of oxydizing a further quantity of sulphurous acid gas. In this
manner a small proportionate quantity of gaseous nitrous acid serves as a
medium fortransferringoxygen from atmospherical air to a largeproportionate
quantity of sulphurous acid gas, thereby producing sulphuric acid. It will be
obvious that the comparatively successful results obtained by this mediative
action of gaseous nitrous acid and of the nitrogen compound produced by its
decomposition(and the consequent diminution of the proportionate quantity of
gaseous nitrous acid requisite for theproduction of agivenquantityof sulphuric
acid) will be dependent on the rapidity with which the particles of gaseous
nitrous acid may be brought repeatedly'into contact with sulphurous acid gas,
and those of the resulting nitrogen compound may be repeatedly brought into
contact with atmospherical air. The means which have been employed for
effecting or facilitating such mixing have been hitherto confined to changing
the direction of the slow currents of the various gases as these pass through
the leaden chambers employed, or through the tubes or passages connected
therewith.
Now my Invention provides certain means, by the use of which I accomplish
a much more rapid and more effectual repeated mixing of the gases employed
the manufacture of sulphuric acid, and I thereby occasion a more rapid
production of such acid.
My Invention also provides certain means by the use of which I cause
extensive humid surfaces to be presented to the said mixedgases,suchsurfaces
being continually moistened bythe liquid acid or acidsproduced bythemutual
reaction of such mixed gases, or by other liquid acid or acids supplied thereto,
thereby presenting such liquid acid or acids under favourable circumstances
for the reaction thereon of such mixed gases. By the use of these respective
means I am enabled to produce sulphuric acid with the employment of a
reduced proportionate quantity of nitrous acid, also to produce an increased
quantity of sulphuric acid in apparatus of the same cubical capacity.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed Figures 1 and 2 represent an arrange-
ment of apparatus by means of which I manufacture sulphuric acid according
to my Invention, Fig. 1 being a longitudinal vertical section, and Fig. 2, a
transverse vertical section of such apparatus. A is a tower, about eight feet
square internal measurement, and thirty feet high. This tower consists of a
casing of lead secured by suitable external bracings, and having a lining of
well vitrified bricks B laid upon each other dry or without cement. At the
lower part of such tower a perforated arch Cserves to support certain materials

page_text: with which the tower is nearly filled, and to permit the passage of gases
through such arch, I place siliceous pebbles (of about the size of a man's fist)
in the lower part of such tower to the extent of about ten feet in height, and
upon such pebbles I place well burned coke (in pieces of about the size of
pigeons' eggs) until the tower becomes filled within about two feet of its top.
I adapt a leaden cistern D to the top of the tower A in such manner as to
form an air-tight cover thereto, and I adapt a number of open pipes a, a, to
the bottom of such cistern with covers to the same, in the manner shewn in
Fig. 1 of the said Drawings, so as to provide for liquid acid passing from the
cistern D into the tower A, without permitting gas to escape from the said
tower through such pipes. I supply liquid acid to the cistern D from a cistern
F by means of a "tantalus syphon," constructed as shewn in Fig. 1 of the
said Drawings, and I supply liquid acid to the cistern E from a cistern F by
means of a cock which I can regulate so as to allow the delivery of a larger or
smaller quantity of acid. I supply liquid acid to the cistern by means of a
I introduce hot
pump or other apparatus suitable for elevating such acid.
sulphurous acid gas from suitable "sulphur buruers" or "pyrites burners "into
the lower part of the tower A through the pipe G, and such gas ascending
through the interstices existing between the pieces of material placed in the
tower A, comes in extensive contact with the liquid acid descending over
the surfaces of such material, and thereby occasions evaporation of water from
such liquid acid, and consequent concentration of the same, and as the said
liquid acid which I cause to descond through the towerAcontains nitrous acid,
a reaction takes place between the sulphurous acid gas and the nitrous acid,
by which reaction sulphuric acid is produced, and the descending liquid
acid becomes deprived, or nearly deprived, of nitrous acid with the evolution
of nitrous gas, which gas passes off with the uncondensed sulphurous acid gas.
In the arrangement of apparatus exhibited in Figures 1 and 2, the uncon-
densed gases proceeding from the tower A pass through the pipe H into the
chamber I, and a proper additional supply of nitrous acid is introduced through
the tube T into the said chamber. I is a chamber constructed of well vitrified
bricks, or other suitable material, set in a cement composed of about equal
parts sulphur and fine siliceous sand. In constructing the chamber I, this
cement is used at such a heat as to be sufficiently fluid for the purpose, and
the vitrified bricks or other material employed should also be heated so as to
secure sufficient adhesion between the same and the cement. The chamber is
built or constructed in a dish of strong lead P, which serves to collect any fluid
which may escape from the chamber, and it is well secured together by suitable
external bracings. This chamber is divided longitudinally into a series of

page_text: smaller chambers marked I*. This division is effected by means of partitions
formed of sheets of plate glass J resting on projections formed on the side
walls of the said chamber I. The sheets of plate glass are so placed and sup-
ported as that the partitions form inclined planes; such alternate partition
inclines in an opposite direction; each plate of glass overlaps the next lower
plate, so as to deliver liquid thereon, as shewn in the Drawings. These parti-
tions may also be constructed of arches formed of vitrified bricks set in cement
composed of sulphur and sand. I introduce liquid acid into the said chamber I
by causing such acid to be pumped, firstly, into a reservoir R, from which it
flows into a cistern S, which is provided with a "tantalus syphon," the exit
pipe from which conducts such acid into a main pipe P, from which it is
conveyed by the branch pipes Q into one of the smaller chambers I*. I con-
duct uncondensed gases from the chamber I through the pipe L into a tower
M, which is constructed similarly to the tower A, and is filled with similar
materials and provided with a cistern N through which liquid acid is supplied
to such tower.
In using the arrangement of apparatus marked Figures 1 and 2 in the
Drawings hereunto annexed for the manufacture of sulphuric acid according
to my said Invention, I supply strong sulphuric acid to the tower M, and such
acid absorbs nitrous gas from the gases passing through such tower. I transfer
the acid so produced to the reservoir R, from which I cause it to pass, by the
means herein-before described, into the chamber I, and to be distributed over
the inclined partitions J, J, contained therein, so as to meet the current of
gases passing through the same, and thus to present extensive surfaces
moistened with sulphuric acid impregnated with nitrous acid to be reacted
upon by sulphurous acid gas, and by such reaction to produce sulphuric acid.
I transfer the acid proceeding from the chamber I to the tower A, and cause
it to percolate through the same, so as to meet the current of hot sulphurous
acid gas ascending therein, and thus to cause evaporation of water and extri-
cation of nitrous gas from such acid, thereby producing concentrated sulphuric
acid either wholly or partially deprived of nitrous acid.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed, Figures 3 and 4 represent another
arrangement of apparatus, by means of which I manufacture sulphuric acid
according to my said Invention. Fig. 3 being a longitudinal vertical section, and
Fig. 4 a transverse vertical section of such apparatus. Aisatower constructed
and filled in all respects similarly to the tower in rked A in Figures 1 and 2,
and provided with a cistern D, and other arrangements for supplying liquid
acid into the same, also a pipe G for conducting hot sulphurous acid
gas
the same, and an exit pipe H for conducting uncondensed gases therefrom into
into

page_text: a leaden chamber I, I, and a proper additional supply of nitrous acid gas is
introduced through the tube T into the said chamber, together with the said
gases. The chamber I, represented in Figures 3 and 4, is constructed in the
manner ordinarily adopted for the construction of sulphuric acid chambers,
except that a series of apparatus which I will herein designate as "blowers,"
are adapted to the sides and ends (or either of the same) of such chamber.
The said "blowers" (marked J in Figures 3 and 4 of the annexed Drawings)
consist of tubes about six inches diameter, having an open connection with the
said chamber near the upper and lower part of the same. I introduce into the
upper part of each of the said "blowers" a steam pipe K, having a small
aperture, through which I pass a jet of steam at high pressure, and I thereby
cause motion at high velocity to be communicated to gases in the said
"blower," and thus to determine rapid currents of gases from the upper part
of the chamber J to the lower part thereof, and thereby to cause a rapid
mixing of gases as these may be passing through the chamber I. It will be
obvious, that the currents of gases through the said "blowers" may be altered
in their direction by changing the direction of the jet of steam. I conduct.
uncondensed gases from the chamber I through the pipe L into a tower M,
which is constructed similarly to the tower A, and is filled with similar
materials,and provided with a cistern N, through which liquid acid is supplied
into the tower M, and the residual gases which pass from the tower Mare
conducted by the pipe O to a chimney which draws off such residual gases, or
a suitable draft is obtained by means of a steam jet, or by other suitable means.
The liquid acid which I supply to the tower Misconcentrated sulphuric acid,
having a specific gravity of about 1760), and as such acid is capable of absorb-
ing nitrous gas from the gases passing through the tower M, I thus obtain
sulphuric acid containing nitrous gas, which acid I transfer to the cistern R
for supplying liquid acid to the chamber I. The liquid acid thus supplied
becomes deprived of nitrous gas during its passage through the chamber I.
I supply liquid acid from the chamber I to the tower A, and thus effect the
concentration of such acid during its passage through the said tower, and
deprive such acid either wholly or partially of nitrous acid.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed, Figures 5, 6, and 7, represent another
arrangement of apparatus, by means of which I manufacture sulphuric acid
according to my said Invention; Fig. 5 being a longitudinal vertical section,
Fig 6 a transverse vertical section, and Fig. 7 a plan view of such apparatus.
A is a tower constructed and filled in all respects similarly to the tower
marked A in Fig. 1, and provided with a cistern D, and other arrangements
for supplying liquid acid into the same, also a pipe G for conducting hot

page_text: sulphurous acid gas into an exit pipe H, for conducting uncondensed gases
from the same into a chamber I, I. This chamber is constructed in the same
manner, and of the same materials, as the chamber marked I, I, in Fig. 1.
The said chamber marked I, I, in Figures 5 and 6 is divided transversely by
vertical partition walls marked J and J*, in the said Figures 5 and 7, into a
series of smaller chambers marked I*, I**. The said partition walls J and J*
are constructed of the same materials as the external walls of the chamber I.
The partition walls J* have a series of openings at their lower parts commu-
nicating from the smaller chambers marked I*, to those marked I**, and the
partition walls J have a series of openings at their upper parts communicating
from the smaller chambers marked I** to those marked I*. I fill the
lower part of the smaller chambers marked I*, with pieces of coke about
the size of a man's fist, as high as the openings in the partition walls J", and
upon this coke I place other pieces of coke about the size of hens' eggs, until
the said smaller chambers become filled within about one foot of the top of the
large chamber. In the smaller chambers marked I**, I construct a number
of arches of well vitrified brick set in sulphur and sand cement. These arches
extend from the partition walls marked J*, to those marked J**, and are
perforated with apertures to admit the passage of gases through the same,
such perforations being alternately at the sides and middle of such arches, as
shown in the plan view, Fig. 7. Such perforated arches serve the
purpose of
repeatedly changing the currents of gases through the smaller chambers
marked I**, and thereby effecting the repeated mixing of such gases. Such
mixing is also assisted by the admission of high pressure steam through the
stean jots marked U in Figures 5 and 6. The uncondensed gases pass from
the chamber I into a towor M, which is constructed similarly to the tower
marked M in Fig. 1 of the annexed Drawings, and is supplied with strong
sulphuric acid by the same means as shewn in Fig. 1. I provide a cistern,
marked V in Fig. 5, into which I transfer the acid proceeding from the
tower M, and I run acid from such cistern into a smaller cistern marked W,
which is provided with a "tantalus syphon" for conveying such acid into a
main pipe, which communicates with other main pipes, and these supply the
branch pipes through which the acid is supplied into the smaller chambers I*, I*.
In using the arrangement of apparatus marked Figures 5, 6, and 7, in the
Drawings hereunto annexed, for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, according
to my said Invention, I supply strong sulphuric acid (specific gravity about
1760) to the tower M, and such acid absorbs nitrous gas from the gases
passing through such tower. I transfer the acid so produced to a reservoir V,
from which I cause it to pass, by the means herein-before described, into the

page_text: smaller chambers marked I*, and to be distributed over the pieces of coke
contained therein, and thus to meet the current of gases passing through the
same, and thereby to present extensive surfaces of coke moistened with
sulphuric acid impregnated with nitrous acid to bere-acted upon bysulphurous
acid gas, and by such reaction to produce sulphuric acid. The uncondensed
gases passing from the chambers I* traverse the chambers I** through the
perforated arches K, becoming intimately and repeatedly mixed therein, and
thus facilitating the mutual reaction of such gases so as to produce sulphuric
acid. I transfer the acid proceeding from the chamber I to the tower A, and
cause it to percolate through the same, so as to meet the current of hot
sulphurous acid gas ascending therein, and thus to cause evaporation of water
and extrication of nitrous gas from such acid, thereby producing concentrated
sulphuric acid, either wholly or partially deprived of nitrous acid.
I have herein described certain arrangements of apparatus which I consider
to be most suitable to be used for effecting my said Invention; but I do not
confine myself to the precise details herein set forth, as these may be varied to
some extent without deviating from the nature of my said Invention. I claim
as my Invention, secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent, the manufacture of sulphuric acid, by the use of means which provide
for the rapid, repeated, and effectual mixing of the gases employed in such
manufacture, also which provide for the exposure of such mixed gases
to extensive surfaces moistened with sulphuric acid, or sulphuric acid con-
taining nitrous gas, nitrous acid, or nitric acid, or some of their nitrogen
compounds.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Gossage, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
WILL (L.S.) GOSSAGE.