Improvements in Gas Washers and Scrubbers.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Nov., 1893-Accepted, 27th Jan., 1894
Improvements in Gas Washers and Scrubbers.
I, JOHN HENRY FITZGERALD, of 1517 Commerce Street, in the City of
Houston, State of Texas, United States of America. Gas Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a "her rubber" adapte 1 for washing and scrubbing
gas to cleanse it of tarry matter, ammonia, sulphuretted hydrogen, carbonic acid
and other impurities.
The object of the invention is to provide for repeatedly dividing the gas into
numerous fine streams and subjecting such streams first to the washing liquor and
then to suitably wetted scrubbing surfaces in the nature of perforated or reticulated
plates or screens, so as to effectively remove the contained impurities in a com-
paratively inexpensive apparatus which may be operated without the use of
power gearing.
Another object is to provide for distributing the washing liquor over the surface
of the perforated plates or screens, which constitute the scrubbing surfaces,
successively from one chamber or compartment of a column-washer-scrubber to
another, so that the gas in passing up through a column is subjected to a great
number and extent of moist scrubbing surfaces.
In carrying out my invention, I provide the horizontal partition plates of the
different sections or compartments of a column-scrubber with numerous return-
bend pipes having perforated or slotted distributing heads which dip a short
distance into the liquid and serve for uniformly distributing the gas in fine streams
in the liquid throughout the whole area of each section or compartment. The
horizontal partition plates are constructed with numerous holes throughout their
entire area into which are screwed or otherwise secured return-bend pipes, each
formed with a long and a short portion, the long portion rising from the partition
plate and the short portion extending down a short distance from the crown of the
pipe, and being provided at its lower end with a perforated or slotted head dipping
a short distance into vi body of the liquid resting upon the partition plate.
The horizontal partitia plates divide the column into chambers or com-
partments, one above at other, each of which is fitted with my washing and
Scrubbing devices.
I also provide in ach compartment a series of spaced perforated plates or
screens above the bend perforated discharging pipes, so that the gas on
issuing in fine streams through the purifying liquid passes thence in contact with
the wet scrubbing -urces of such screens, whereby it is most effectively cleansed
from its various impurities.
The perforated plats or sereens may be formed of metal or wood, and are
separated one from another by distance strips or rings and the plates are preferably
o arranged that the slutted portion of the upper plate will be placed above the
perforations of the adjacent lower plate throughout the series, in order to cause the
gas to take a more tous or zigzag passage and thus be brought in contact with
a greater extent of scrabbing surface. The plates may be made in sections which
may be conveniently inserted through the man hole openings in the wall of the
column.
I also provide transfer or overflow pipes for conducting liquid from one chamber
or compartment to another, which dip at their lower ends into cups which rise
nearly to the top of the chamber and are provided at their tops with wide flanges

page_text: for distributing the over-flow liquid over the top surfaces of the perforated plates
or screens, thereby keeping them wetted.
The seal cups are secured at their bottoms to the horizontal partition plates by
means of stud bolts and rise nearly to the top of each chamber, and the transfer
or overHow pipes are inserted in suitable openings in each horizontal partition plate
and rises in each chamber for maintaining a body of liquid in the chamber at the
proper height for slightly sealing the perforated heads of the return-bend pipes
and also extends down into the seal cups of the chamber below so that gas cannot
escape through it.
A gas inlet pipe connecting with the bottom plate of the column projects
upwardly a short distance therefrom and is preferably covered by a floating hood
for distributing the inflowing gas. The gas outlet pipe connects with the top
chamber of the eulu un, and a water-supply pipe also connects with such chamber.
Each chamber or compartment of the column is preferably provided with a drain
pipe for drawing off the concentrated ammoniacal liquor.
The operation of my apparatus is very simple and will require but little attention
in practice. Pure water is preferably admitted through the supply pipe, at the
top of the column into the first chamber, where it removes the last impurities from
the partially purified gas which has passed up through the different compartments of
the columu, and the excess of water as it accumulates in the top compartment
flows thence through the tran-fer pipe into the seal cup of the next lower com-
partment from which it is forced upward through the cup until it flows over the
top thereof and out over its broad flunge on to the top perforated plate, from
which it gradually trickles down through the perforations of the plates below into
the body of liquid contained in the compartment, thereby keeping the surfaces of
the plates wet, and materially aiding in removing impurities from the upwardly
passing streams of gas. The purifying liquid flows from chamber to chamber
down through the series in the manner above explained and becomes more and
more concentrated and especially rich in ammonia as it progresses toward the
bottom compartment of the column, and the concentrated liquor is finally passed
off through a pipe and the usual trap or seal pot to a liquor tank. By regulating
the amount of water admitted to the top of the column a very strong liquor
may be obtained.
Dated this 20th day of March 1893.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gas Washers and Scrubbers.
1, JOHN HENRY FITZGERALD, of 1517 Commerce Street, in the City of
Houston, State of Texas, United States of America, Gas Engineer, 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 relates to a "washer-scrubber adapted for washing and
scrubbing gas to cleanse it of tarry matter, ammonia, sulphurated hydrogen,
carbonic acid and other impurities.
The object of the invention is to provide for repeatedly dividing the gas into
numerous fine streams and subjecting such streams first to the washing liquor and
then to suitably wetted scrubbing surfaces in the nature of perforated or reticulated
plates or screens, so as to effectively remove the contained impurities in a compara-
tively inexpensive apparatus which may be operated without the use of power
gearing.

page_text: Another object is to provide for distributing the washing liquor over the surface
of the perforated plates or screens, which constitute the scrubbing surfaces,
successively from one chamber or compartment of a column-washer-scrubber to
another, so that the gas in passing up through the column is subjected to a great
number and extent of moist scrubbing surfaces.
In carrying out my invention, provide the horizontal partition plates of the
different sections or compartments of a column-scrubber with numerous return-
bend pipes having perforated or slotted distributing heads which dip a short distance
into the liquid and serve for uniformly distributing the gas in fine streams in the
liquid throughout the whole area of each section or compartment.
I also provide in each compartment a series of spaced, inclined and perforated
plates or screens above the return-bend discharge pipes, so that the gas on issuing
in fine streams through the purifying liquid passes thence in contact with the wet
scrubbing surfaces of such screens, whereby it is most effectively cleansed from its
various impurities.
I also provide transfer or overflow pipes for conducting liquid from one chamber
or compartment to another, which dip at their lower ends into cups which rise
nearly to the top of the chamber and are provided at their tops with wide flanges
for distributing the over-flow liquid over the top surfaces of the perforated plates
or screens, thereby keeping them wetted.
The matter constituting my invention will be defined in the claims.
I will now more particularly describe the construction and arrangement of my
apparatus by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,-
Figure 1 represents a side view of the washer-scrubber partly in elevation and
partly in vertical section showing the internal construction and arrangement of the
compartments and their washing and scrubbing devices;
Figure 2 shows a horizontal section taken on different horizontal planes showing
the return-bend pipes on one side and the perforated plates on the other side;
Figure 3 represents, on enlarged scale, a sectional detail view of return-bend
pipes and their perforated heads and perforated plates above such pipes.
My gas washing and scrubbing column, A, is preferably composed of a number
of superposed sections, as A', A², A, etc. to A, or any other desired number of
sections, and the sections may be constructed of cast or wrought iron, or other
metal, and are separated one from the other by horizontal partition plates, B,
which are made the full diameter of the flanges, a, of the sections, so as to be held
in place by the bolts or rivets used in connecting the flanges together. The
partition plates, 13, are provided with numerous holes throughout their entire area
into which are screwed or otherwise secured the return-bend pipes, which, as
clearly shown, are formed with a long and a short portion, the long portion rising
from the partition plate and the short portion extending down a short distance
from the crown of the pipe. The short portion of the return-bend pipe is provided
with a perforated or slotted head, ', forming numerous perforations, at its
under surface, and such perforated head dips a short distance into the body of
liquid, r, resting upon each partition plate B. The partition plates, B, between
the sections, A1, A2, A3, etc. divide the column into chambers or compartments,
cach of which is fitted with washing and scrubbing devices, as shown and the top
of the column is closed by a head, and the bottom by a plate, ul.
Above the return-hend pipes, in each chamber are placed a series of perforated
plates or screens, C, which may be formed of metal or wood, and which are
separated one from another by distance strips or rings c, the bottom plate of the
series resting upon the tops of the return-bend pipes, as shown, or being otherwise
supported. The plates are preferably so arranged that a solid portion of an upper
plate will be placed above the perforations of the adjacent lower plate throughout
the series, in order to cause the gas to take a more tortuous or zigzag passage and
thus be brought in contact with a greater extent of scrubbing surface. The
plates, C, are preferably made in strips or sections, which may be conveniently
inserted through the man hole opening, X, in the wall of the column or of cach

page_text: section thereof. The plates, (, are preferably inclined from the seal cups K or
central portion of the scrubber toward the shell thereof as shown for better
distributing the liquid.
The water or other washing liquid is transferred from one chamber to another
by means of the overflow pipes and cups K. The seal cups K, are secured at
their bottoms to the plates, B, by means of stud-bolt, k, and such cups rise nearly
to the top of each chamber, where their upper ends are provided with broad
downwardly inclined flanges, &, which project over the upper perforated plate, C,
as clearly shown in Figure 1.
The transfer or overflow pipe, J, is inserted in a suitable opening in each
partition plate and rise in each chamber to the proper height for maintaining a
body of liquid in each chamber at the proper height for slightly sealing the
perforated heads, of the return-bend pipes, as shown in Figure 3, and also
extends down into the seal cup of the chamber below, so that gas cannot escape
through it.
The gas inlet opening, F, of the bottom plate a" is provided with a short
upwardly extending pipe, 7, which is preferably covered by a floating hood or
7, for better distributing the inflowing gas. The upper plate, a', of the
column is provided with the usual gas outlet G, and also with a water supply
pipe. 11. A drain pipe, 1, having a valve, i, preferably leads from each chamber
through the partition plate B, for drawing off the concentrated ammoniacal liquid
Each section of the column, A, A, etc. is provided with a man hole X, closed by a
lid or door D. The lower section or chamber of the column, is provided with an
outlet pipe, M, which, in practice, leads through a trap or seal to a well or cistern
for receiving the liquor.
Although my washer-scrabber is iliustrated in a cylindrical form, 1 wish it
understood that I do not contine myself to such shape, and it may be made square,
or rectangular, or of any other desired form.
Before securing the sections together, the inner surfaces of the flanges, it, and
also the surfaces of the partitions, 13, where it is to be secured between the flanges,
are plane, so that perfectly tight joints may be made when the parts are properly
riveted or bolted together. The short flange-pipe, rising from the bottom
plate, a, prevents liquor from flowing into the gas inlet pipe and also maintains a
sufficient body of liquid on the bottom plate to seal the transfer pipe 1, leading
from the chamber next above.
The operation of my apparatus is very simple and will require but little attention
in practice. Pure water is preferably admitted through the supply pipe 11, at the
top of the column into the first chamber, where it removes the last impurities from
the partially purified gas which has passed up through the different compartments
of the column, and the excess of water as it accumulates in the top compartment
flows thence through the transfer pipe, J, into the seal cup, K, of the next lower
compartment from which it is forced upward through the cup until it flows over
the top thereof and out over the broad flange, 4, on to the top perforated plate, C.
from which it gradually trickles down through the perforations into the body of
liquid contained in the compartment, thereby keeping the surface of the plates wet
and materially aiding in removing impurities from the upwardly passing streams of
The purifying liquid flows from chamber to chamber down through the
series in the manner above explained and becomes more and more concentrated and
especially rich in ammonia as it progresses toward the bottom compartment of the
column, and the concentrated liquor is finally passed off through pipe M and the
usual trap or seal pot to a liquor tank. By regulating the amount of water
admitted at the top of the column a very strong liquor may be obtained.
gas.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is :-
1. A washer-scrubber divided by horizontal partitions into compartments, one

page_text: above another, each of said partitions being provided with numerous return-bend
pipes, the short portions of which have perforated heads arranged to dip into a
body of liquor supported on the partition plates, substantially as described.
2. In a washer-scrubber, the horizontal partition plates separating it into
compartments, one above another, and each provided with numerous return-bend
pipes having perforated heads dipping into the liquor as described, in combination
with a series of perforated plates or screens arranged in the compartments above
said return-bend pipes, substantially as described.
3. In a washer-scrubber, a series of superposed compartments or chambers
containing perforated plates, in combination with liquid transfer or overflow devices,
consisting of a pipe and a seal cup having at its upper end a distributing flange
extending over the perforated plates, and means for passing gas from chamber to
chamber through said plates, substantially as described.
4. In a washer-scrubber, the horizontal partition plates provided with return-
bend pipes having perforated heads, in combination with perforated plates above
said pipes and liquid transfer pipes provided with means for distributing liquid over
the tops of the perforated plates, substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1893.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant..