Improvements in Evaporating Apparatus.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 9th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 23rd Jan., 1897
Date of Application,
Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 9th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 23rd Jan., 1897
Improvements in Evaporating Apparatus.
I, SAMUEL MORRIS LILLIE, of 4th and Chestnut Streets, City and County of
Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Chemist, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of evaporating apparatus in which the
evaporation is effected while the liquid under treatment is circulated in
comparatively thin films or sheets over a battery of heated tubes or other
evaporating surfaces.
An important feature in my invention has reference to evaporators or "effects"
when combined in multiple form and consists in providing in conjunction with
circulating pumps suitably arranged pipes and valves for enabling the liquid under
treatment to be sent through the "effects" in either direction; that is to say, the
said liquid can either be made to enter the most highly heated of the "effects"
and escape in a concentrated condition from the least highly heated one, or
vice versa.
Another important feature in my invention has reference to the construction of
the "effects."
Each "effect" consists of a horizontal chamber which is divided into two
compartments by a vertical tube-plate. One of these compartments I term the
evaporating chamber and the other the steam chamber. The said tube-plate
carries a battery of approximately horizontal evaporating tubes which project into
the aforesaid evaporating chamber. The ends of these tubes that project into the
evaporating chamber are closed with the exception of a small air vent, and their
opposite ends open, through the tube-plate, into the steam chamber which is
supplied with steam or vapour for heating the said tubes.
The tube-plate is made in a separate piece so as to be conveniently detached
from the main body of the evaporator or "effect" and for this purpose the said
main body is formed with an internal rim or flange to which the tube-plate is
connected by bolts.
The tube-plate is provided at its upper portion with a chamber termed a feed-
chamber. Into this feed-chamber leads the pipe through which the circulating
liquid under treatment is conveyed from the circulating pump of the "effect" and
from this chamber a series of horizontally arranged feed-tubes project over the
evaporating tubes. The feed-tubes are closed at their ends distant from the tube-
plate, but are open to the said feed-chamber, so that the liquid from the feed-chamber
can enter these tubes. The said tubes are formed at the portion outside the said
chamber, with longitudinal openings or with slots preferably extending along their
upper surfaces and through these openings or slots the liquid flows out and descends
onto the battery of evaporating tubes beneath, falling as a heavy shower from
tube to tube to the bottom of the evaporating chamber, where it passes to the
circulating pump and is returned to the chamber and distributing tubes to pass
again over the evaporating tubes. The aforesaid feed-chamber may be provided
with means such as perforated plates or the like, to assist in distributing the liquid
equally among the feed-tubes.
In order to equalize the flow of the liquid from the aforesaid openings or slots

page_text: in the feed-tubes, I provide means for varying the horizontal position of the feed-
tubes so that they can be set at a greater or less inclination to the horizoutal.
For this purpose I may form their closed ends with lugs that are adapted to enter
slots in a suitable support. Within the slots set-screws are arranged for acting
on the aforesaid lugs. By turning these screws in one or other direction, the lugs
are elevated or depressed in the slots and the inclination of the said tubes is altered
accordingly. If desired the entire support may be made adjustable vertically
so as to enable the ends of all the distributing tubes, to be simultaneously raised
or lowered.
On each side of the battery of evaporating tubes I arrange vertical side plates
that can be slidden into or out of the main chamber of the evaporator or "effect."
These side plates serve to provide the said main chamber with lateral compartments
communicating with the vapour space at the end of the main chamber in front of
the closed ends of the tubes, and the side plates are formed with apertures to allow
the vapours arising during the evaporating operation to freely escape into the said
lateral compartments and thence flow into the said vapour space from which they
escape from the "effect" through a suitable exit. Immediately above the apertures
and on the inner side of the said side plates are provided lips which serve to prevent
the liquid from passing through the said apertures and also to throw it back on to
the evaporating tubes.
When in operation the steam or vapour, employed to effect the evaporation, is
condensed in the interior of the evaporating tubes, and the resulting water of
condensation flows back into the steam chamber, the evaporating tubes being
preferably slightly inclined downwards towards the steam chamber to facilitate
this flow. Another feature of my invention when a number of these "effects" are
arranged to work as a multiple "effect," is to provide an escape pipe for the water
of condensation of a hotter "effect" which shall conduct the said water of
condensation into the steam chamber of a cooler "effect"; again another feature
of my invention, consists in providing the said escape pipe for the water of
condensation with a trap which will permit water only and no vapour to pass from
one steam chamber to the other.
Another feature of my invention consists of a peculiar arrangement of centrifugal
pumps provided with a plurality of nozzles adapted for the several purposes of
circulating the liquid and for discharging the same from the "effect."
Further features of my invention consist of an automatically operated feed valve
for controlling the entrance of the liquid to be evaporated into the "effect," and of
the means for operating said valve.
1 3000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Evaporating Apparatus.
I, SAMUEL MORRIS LILLIE, of 4th and Chestnut Streets, City and County
of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Chemist,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention is of an evaporating apparatus in which the evaporation is effected
from the liquid under treatment, which is circulated in thin films or sheets over
heated tubes or other heated surfaces by a circulating pump.

page_text: A part of the invention relates to the combination of a series of these
evaporators or "effects" to form a "multiple effect," in conjunction with suitably
arranged pipes and valves between the circulating pumps and "effects" to enable
the liquid under evaporation to be sent through the "effects" in succession in
either direction, so that it may be made to enter the most highly heated "effect"
and be delivered concentrated from the least highly heated one, or vice versa. My
invention also includes the combination with a series of "effects" working together
as a multiple effect, of an escape pipe for conducting the water of condensation
from a hotter effect into the steam chamber of a cooler effect, and working under
less pressure than the first, and the providing of such escape pipe with a trap to
prevent the escape of steam or vapor with the water of condensation, into the
cooler effect. It is understood that in the multiple effect the succeeding effects
work under progressively lower pressures as well as progressively lower
temperatures. The usual mode of working a multiple effect is to take the
thin solution into the hottest effect and deliver it concentrated from the coolest
effect.
Another part of my invention includes various improvements in the construction
of the evaporator or "effect."
My invention also includes improvements in the peculiar arrangement of
circulating pumps, provided with a plurality of nozzles adapted for the several
purposes of circulating the liquid and discharging the same from the "effect";
and in the use of an automatically operated feed valve for controlling the
entrance of the liquid to be evaporated into the "effect" and in the means for
operating said valve.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a multiple evaporating apparatus embodying my
invention;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the evaporators or "effects "
on an enlarged scale;
Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the same on the line - of
Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 5 is a front view of the tube plate;
Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the liquor feed pipes ;
Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the same on the line y-y of Figure 6 ;
Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the evaporating pipes ;
Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the end of the same showing the air vent ;
Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view enlarged of the steam trap in the outlet for
the water of condensation in the steam chamber.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EVAPORATORS OR "EFFECTS."
The evaporator or "effect" consists of a cylindrical body A closed at either
end by doors B1, B2, and is provided at the top adjacent to its ends with openings C C¹,
for steam and vapor.
The interior of the evaporator is divided by a tube plate D, located adjacent to
the front and supported by flanges d on the interior of the body A, into a front
steam chamber E into which the inlet C leads and an evaporating chamber S from
the rear of which the vapor outlet C¹ leads.
The chambers E and F are closed from one another by the plate D, which is
provided with a series of tube openings into which are fitted a series of steam
tubes G. The steam tubes G extend longitudinally into the evaporating chamber F
but preferably without extending the full length thereof, so as to leave an open
space beyond their ends forming a subsiding or settling chamber H constituting a
continuation or extension of the evaporating chamber.
The tubes G open at their inner ends through the tube plate D and are closed
at their outer ends. I prefer to arrange them on a slight upward inclination
The evaporator or "effect" consists of a cylindrical body A closed at either
end by doors B1, B2, and is provided at the top adjacent to its ends with openings C C¹,
for steam and vapor.
The interior of the evaporator is divided by a tube plate D, located adjacent to
the front and supported by flanges d on the interior of the body A, into a front
steam chamber E into which the inlet C leads and an evaporating chamber S from
the rear of which the vapor outlet C¹ leads.
The chambers E and are closed from one another by the plate D, which is
provided with a series of tube openings into which are fitted a series of steam
tubes G. The steam tubes G extend longitudinally into the evaporating chamber F
but preferably without extending the full length thereof, so as to leave an open
space beyond their ends forming a subsiding or settling chamber H constituting a
continuation or extension of the evaporating chamber.
The tubes G open at their inner ends through the tube plate D and are closed
at their outer ends. I prefer to arrange them on a slight upward inclination

page_text: towards their outer ends so that the water of condensation formed in them will
drain freely back into the steam chamber E.
To prevent the accumulation of air in the tubes I prefer to provide them at
their outer ends with air vents and my preferred construction of these air vents is
shown in Figure 9, in which g is a plug screwed into the end of the tube and
provided with an air vent g', communicating with an opening g' leading downward
through the head of the plug. This arrangement prevents the liquor which is
flowing over the tubes in the process of evaporation passing into the air vent and
clogging it up. A small passage way g³ may be provided in the head opposite to
the air vent g', to permit a pin or similar article to be passed into the air vent to
clean it if it should become clogged up for any cause.
I is a feed chamber located in the upper part of the tube plate D, and preferably
provided with a detachable door or front plate I' which may be removed when
desired to permit access to the feed chamber and the tubes leading therefrom.
J are a series of feed tubes leading from the feed chamber I and extending
longitudinally into the evaporating chamber F over the battery of steam tubes G.
The feed tubes J are closed at their outer ends and are provided with openings j,
at their inner ends within the feed chamber I to admit the passage of the liquor
into them; they are also provided with openings or slots j preferably on the top,
through which the liquor may emerge and after flowing over the tube in the form
of a thin film or sheet will fall in a shower upon the steam tubes G.
To maintain an equable flow of liquor from the feed tubes J it is desirable that
they should be slightly inclined and that the extent of their inclination should be
variable. For this purpose I support the outer closed ends of the tube J in
adjustable supports. I have shown the tubes closed at their ends by plugs k
provided with lugs supported between set screws in a frame K supported
transversely within the evaporating chamber. By adjusting the appropriate set
screws the inclination of any tube may be adjusted. If desired the frame K
may be made adjustable so that all the tubes may be adjusted together without the
use of separate adjusting devices for each tube.
The plugs k are preferably made removable to permit the tubes to be cleaned.
Each tube is preferably provided with a small opening 3 adjacent to its outer
end to permit the escape of sediment or foreign matter.
L is a liquor supply tube opening into the feed chamber I by which the liquor
is supplied to the feed chamber. I prefer to arrange a suitable screen in the
feed chamber between the supply tube L and feed tubes J to aid in the even
distribution of the liquor to the feed tubes.
L', L' are two plates extending longitudinally within the evaporating chamber F
from the tube plate D on each side of the battery of tubes and forming two vapor
passageways L, L, communicating with the settling chamber H.
These plates are provided with a series of openings or slots through which the
vapors arising from the tubes G may pass off into the vapor passageways L³, L².
Arranged upon the inner faces of the plates L, L, adjacent to the slots or
openings are small inclining ribs or deflectors 12, which serve to prevent the
passage of liquor through the openings and also to deflect back upon the tubes G
the liquor which may be splashed out upon the plates.
The evaporator A is provided with grooved ways or lugs a in the top and bottom
into which the plates L are inserted. The plates may thus be easily removed and
replaced.
M is the liquor outlet in the bottom of the evaporating chamber, through which
the circulating solution passes to the circulating pump O.
N is a water chamber in the base of the steam chamber E from which the water
of condensation escaped through an outlet n controlled by a suitable steam trap N
which is hereinafter more particularly described.
O is a circulating pump which communicates with the liquor supply pipe L
through the pipe 1 and with discharge outlet M for the circulating liquor through
a suction pipe M¹.

page_text: From the foregoing description of the construction of the evaporator or "effect"
the operation will be readily understood.
The steam enters the chamber E through the inlet C and fills the battery of
evaporating pipes G; the water of condensation from the pipes G flows back into
the reservoir or basin N whence it is discharged through the valve N' and outlet n.
The liquor to be evaporated enters the effect through the supply pipe Q, and
under the action of the circulating pump O, is circulated over the evaporating tubes,
passing from the pump through the pipes L³ and L into the feed chamber I, thence
into the series of feed pipes J, and through the openings thereof, and falls upon
the upper tubes of the battery of steam heated tubes G. The liquor drops from
one tube to another flowing over them in thin films, and the vapors which arise
pass off, partly through the openings 1, into the passageways L and thence into
the subsiding chamber H3 and partly directly into the subsiding chamber, in which
any particles of liquor contained in the vapors separate from same.
From the
subsiding chambers the vapors pass off through the outlet C¹ and are discharged
into the steam chamber E in the next "effect" in the series, when the evaporators
are arranged in multiple effect.
The circulating pump O, in addition to continuously circulating the liquor over
the evaporating tubes, also serves the purpose of delivering the liquor away
from the evaporator through the discharge nozzle and pipe P₁, and by partially
closing the valve L in the pipe L³, to increase the back pressure in the pump,
this discharge may be made against considerable resisting pressure.
ARRANGEMENT TO PASS LIQUOR IN EITHER DIRECTION THROUGH
MULTIPLE EFFECT.
This part of my invention relates to the combination of a series of "effects" to
form a multiple effect with the circulating pumps and connecting pipes so arranged
that the liquor may be passed through the effects in either direction and may be
circulated through any one of the effects.
In the drawings I have shown a multiple arrangement of three effects, the
effects A and A being in construction and arrangement similar to the effect A.
The vapor outlet of the first effect A is connected by a pipe C2 with the inlet of
the steam chamber of the second effect A', and the vapor outlet of the effect A'
is similarly connected with the steam chamber of the effect A' by a pipe C³.
Each effect is provided with its own circulating pumps 0, 0, 0, respectively,
which are operated by the shaft 0³.
P is a liquor pipe extending longitudinally below the series of effects and having
a branch connection P¹ with each of the pumps 0, 0, 0%. Valves p, p¹ are
arranged in the pipe E one on each side of the branch connections P'.
M are reservoirs located in the outlets M of each of the evaporators or "effects"
having their inlets m communicating with supply pipes Q, QQ of the different
"effects" respectively. These pipes Q, Q, Q, are respectively connected with
pipes R, R, R, and S, S1, S2, leading to the pipe P on opposite sides of the branch
connections P. The pipe R of the first effect and the pipe S' of the last effect
are not connected with the pipe P, but are independent thereof as shown. Valves r
and s are arranged in the pipes R', R³ and S, S1, S2 respectively.
L' are valves in the force pipes L' leading from the puinps to the feed chambers I
of the respective effects.
Suppose now a progression of liquor is to be effected from the first "effect" A,
the hottest in the series, through the effects A' and A2. The valves p and s are
closed and the valves p' and r are opened. The liquor enters by the pipe R and
passes through valve r into the pipe Q and thence into the reservoir M³ of the
first "effect," whence it is drawn into the pump O through the pipe M' and may
be forced through the pipe L³ into the "effect" A passing thence through the
outlet M into the pump O. By throttling down the valve L in the pipe L³ of
the first "effect" a greater or less portion of the liquor will be forced by the

page_text: pump into the branch P', and will pass thence through the pipe P and
valve p into the pipe R and through the valve therein into the pipe Q and
reservoir M of the "effect" A where it will be operated upon by the pump O' in
exactly the same manner as in the case of the "effect" A. By throttling down
the valve L in the force pipe L³ of the effect A', the liquor may be forced through
the pipe P1, valve p', pipe P, pipe R2, valve r, feed pipe Q2 into the reservoir M
of the "effect" A, where it will be operated upon by the pump P, and may be
discharged through the branch P', valve p and pipe P.
To reverse the progression i.e. from the coolest "effect" A2 to the hottest A, the
valves pl and rare closed and the valves p and s are opened. The operation is
then exactly the same as before except that the progression takes place in the
opposite direction, the liquor passing through the pipe S, valve and pipe Qinto
the reservoir M' of "effect"A", and is taken theuce by the pump O and forced
through the branch Pl, valve p, pipe P pipe S, valves and pipe Q into the
reservoir M2 of "effect" A¹ and thence in similar manner it is taken by the
pump O and forced into the reservoir M² of the "effect" A, whence it is
discharged by the pump O.
It is obvious that by a proper manipulation of the valves the liquor may be
circulated to any extent desired in any one of the "effects" in the series. The
pumps 0, 0, 0, are thus so connected each with its corresponding "effect"
and with the pipes leading to adjacent "effects" that by the simple manipulation
of the valves p, p, s, r and L' a progression from one "effect" to another may
be effected in either direction, as well as continuous circulation of the liquor within
the several effects.
THE CONTROLLING VALVE OF THE RESERVOIR.
To automatically control the supply of the liquor to the reservoir M³ of the
various effects I provide the inlets m thereof which communicate with the
pipes QQQ, with a special automatic or float valve controlled by the quantity
of liquid iu the reservoir.
Tis a valve chest interposed between the inlet m and pipe Q, provided with a
valve barrel in which a piston valve t' works. T is a bell crank lever pivoted
within the reservoir M² and connected at one end with the stem 2 of the valve t
and having its other or free end provided with a float T. As the float is lifted by
the accumulation of liquor in the reservoir M it closes the valve and shuts off
the further supply of liquor through the pipe Q until the level of the concentrated
solution in the reservoir M falls. Stops within the reservoir may be employed
to limit the movements of the float lever.
THE DEVICES FOR DISCHARGING THE WATER OF CONDENSATION FROM
ONE EFFECT TO ANOTHER.
To avoid a loss of heat units which might be utilized for purpose of evaporation
I connect the outlet for the water of condensation from one "effect" with the
steam space of a cooler "effect," i.e. an effect working under lower pressure, so
that the water of condensation when discharged into the cooler chamber will in
part become vaporized.
U is a pipe leading from the basin N of one "effect" to the steam chamber E
of the next cooler "effect" which it enters at a point above its basin N. As the
hot water enters the cooler chamber a portion of it bursts into steam and this steam
passes into the evaporating tubes G, and assists in producing the evaporation in
that "effect." It is to be noted that of the water which enters the chamber E of
the cooler effect, no portion of it passes into the evaporating tubes to come in
contact with the evaporating surfaces in the form of water, it is only the vapor
which results from the water entering the cooler chamber that passes into the

page_text: evaporating tubes. If the water also came in contact with the heating surfaces
their efficiency would be somewhat reduced.
To prevent the escape of steam through this pipe U from one effect to another
I employ a steam trap in the outlet n, and my preferred form of steam trap is that
shown particularly in Figure 10, in which V is the outlet pipe projecting upward
in the basin N and provided with outlet ports n'. V' is a cup-shaped float open at
the top and carrying a tubular sleeve V2 surrounding the pipe V and provided with.
openings v, which, when the float VI is raised are above the outlets n', but are in
line therewith when the float is lowered.
When sufficient. water collects in the basin N to fill the float V its weight lowers
the float until the openings v are brought in line with the ports n' in the pipe n when
the water flows out into the pipe U. As soon as the level of the water is lowered
sufficiently the float rises closing the ports n' and maintaining them closed until
sufficient water again collects to lower the float.
It will be understood that the various details of construction which have been
shown for the purpose of more clearly explaining my invention may be varied within
wide limits without departing from the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The evaporating "effect" when constructed substantially as herein described
and shown.
2. The tube plate D provided with a feed chamber I.
3. The devices for adjusting the feed tubes J.
4. The side plates L' arranged adjacent to the battery of evaporating tubes and
forming the side vapor passageways L², L.
5. The removable air vent plug g for the evaporating tubes G.
6. The arrangement of a number of effects to form a multiple effect combined
with the circulating pumps and connecting pipes and valves whereby the circulation
of liquor may be maintained in each effect and at the same time the progression of
liquor through the series of effects in either direction desired.
7. The automatic valve devices for controlling the supply of liquor to the
reservoirs M².
8. The devices for supplying the water of condensation from one effect of a
multiple effect to a cooler effect and for separating the resulting steam from the
water and supplying the steam to the evaporating tubes of a cooler effect.
9. The steam trap for preventing the escape into the pipe for conducting the
water of condensation from one effect to another.
Dated this 9th day of December 1906
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.