IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS CONDENSERS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Morris, of the Gas Works, Brentford, and Samuel
Cutler, of Millwall, both in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS CONDENSERS."
+
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Morris and Samuel
Cutler at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th February 1881.
FRANK MORRIS, of the Gas Works, Brentford, and SAMUEL CUTLER, of Millwall,
both in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS CONDENSERS."
This Invention has for its object the construction of apparatus in which the
principal condensable matters contained in illuminating gas after leaving the
hydraulic main may be condensed in an equally efficient manner, but at much less
cost than has hitherto prevailed.
The apparatus consists of a tall rectangular chamber, closed both at top and
bottom, and divided into several compartments by suitable partitions, the partitions
stretching from side to side and alternately from the bottom to near the top, and
from the top to near the bottom. Each of these compartments contain a number of
tubes about one inch, more or less, in diameter, the tubes of the first compartment
being connected together at the top with the tubes of the second compartment, and
the tubes of the second compartment are connected at the bottom with the tubes
of the third compartment, and so on throughout the whole of the compartments,
suitable provision being made for retaining the tubes in proper position. Water is
introduced to these tubes, and the arrangement is such that the water can be
supplied to the whole, or to a certain proportion of them, so as to make the apparatus
suitable for the quantity of gas to be condensed, the outlet or outlets for the water
being on the opposite side of the vessel to that at which it was introduced. Each
compartment is also furnished at the bottom with a tar pipe that leads to a sealed
tar conducting main. The inlet for the gas is fixed on the side of the outlet for
the water, and the outlet for the gas on the side of the inlet for the water.
Consequently the gas on entering the first compartment or gas chamber flows
between' the water tubes upwards to the top of the vessel, and then downwards

page_text: between the tubes to the bottom of the second compartment or gas chamber, and
so on to the end of the series, until it finally makes its exit at the gas outlet before
mentioned. It will be seen that the gas is thus gradually cooled, the hot gas
coming first into contact with the tubes that have been warmed in their course,
and lastly with the tubes containing the cold water. It is manifest that, if desired,
the gas may be caused to flow in the reverse direction, by converting the outlet into
the inlet, and the inlet into the outlet.
Provision is also made in the top of one or more compartments for the insertion
of one or more "Gurney's jets" for producing a spray of liquid, and so converting
such compartment or compartments into spray washers, suitable liquid being
furnished for the purpose.
If found desirable the vessel as before described may be constructed to lie on one
of its sides in lieu of one of its ends, the tar outlets being arranged suitably for the
altered position of the vessel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frank Morris and Samuel Cutler in the Great Seal Patent Offico
on the 8th August 1881.
FRANK MORRIS, of the Gas Works, Brentford, and SAMUEL CUTLER, of Millwall,
both in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS CONDENSERS."
This Invention has for its object the construction of apparatus in which the
principal condensable matters contained in illuminating gas after leaving the
hydraulic main may be condensed in an equally efficient manner, but at much less
cost, than has hitherto prevailed.
The apparatus consists of a tall rectangular chamber, closed both at top and
bottom, and divided into several compartments by suitable partitions, the partitions
stretching from side to side and alternately from the bottom to near the top, and
from the top to near the bottom. Each of these compartiments contain a number
of tubes about one inch, more or less, in diameter, the tubes of the first compartment
being connected together at the top with the tubes of the second compartment, and
the tubes of the second compartment are connected at the bottom with the tubes.
of the third compartment, and so on throughout the whole of the compartments,
suitable provision being made for retaining the tubes in proper position. Water is
introduced to these tubes, and the arrangement is such that the water can be
supplied to the whole, or to a certain proportion of them, so as to make the
apparatus suitable for the quantity of gas to be condensed, the outlet or outlets
for the water being on the opposite side of the vessel to that at which it was
introduced. Each compartment is also furnished at the bottom with a tar pipe
that leads to a sealed tar conducting main. The inlet for the gas is fixed on the
side of the outlet for the water, and the outlet for the gas on the side of the inlet
for the water. Consequently the gas on entering the first compartment or gas

page_text: chamber flows between the water tubes upwards to the top of the vessel, and then
downwards between the tubes to the bottom of the second compartment or gas
chamber, and so on to the end of the series, until it finally makes it exit at the gas
outlet before mentioned. It will be seen that the gas is thus gradually cooled, the
hot gas coming first into contact with the tubes that have been warmed in their
course, and lastly with the tubes containing the cold water. It is manifest that,
if desired, the gas may be caused to flow in the reverse direction by converting the
outlet into the inlet and the inlet into the outlet.
Provision is also made in the top of one or more compartments for the insertion.
of one or more "Gurney's jets" for providing a spray of liquid, and so converting
such compartment or compartments into spray washers, suitable liquid being
furnished for the purpose.
If found desirable the vessel as before described may be constructed to lie on one
of its sides in lieu of one of its ends, the tar outlets being arranged suitably for the
altered position of the vessel..
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, Drawings are
attached hereto of which the following is a description, and in which similar letters
refer to the same parts. Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the condenser, the outer case
and division plates being in section; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan through A, B, of
Fig. 1. In Figs. 1 and 2 C, C, is the outer case, and D, D, the division plates,
E being the inlet, and F the outlet for the gas, the arrows denoting the direction in
which the gas travels; G is the water supply or inlet pipe leading into the chamber H,
and I is the water outlet pipe leading from the chamber J; K, K, are the water
tubes connected together and arranged as shown. There is another set of tubes L, L,
which are connected together in exactly the same manner as the tubes K, K, but
the bends and connections of the tubes L, L, are not shown, in order to prevent
the confusion that might arise from complication; M, M, are tar seal pipes dipping
into a tar main N; O, O, are man holes with suitable covers. Within the
chamber J there is applied one of two form of valves; Figs. 3, 4, 5, represent a
form of valve by which the quantity of water supplied to both sets of tubes K
and L may be regulated by the partial opening or closing of the said valve;
Figs. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate an arrangement in which there is a separate valve for
each set of tubes, so that each set may be regulated or entirely closed independently
of the other.
Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the chamber J and valve P; Fig. 4
is a side elevation of the same, and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of
the same parts. In Figs. 3, 4, and 5, J is the outlet water chamber, and P the
valve which is in the form of a segment of a cylinder and is fixed to a shaft Q.
The valve has a series of holes R in its side corresponding to the ends of the
water tubes K and L, and is partially rotated by means of the handle S and
segmental wheel T and U, thus closing or opening the ports R, the amount of
movement being shown by a suitable index over the graduated plate V. The
shaft on which the valve rotates is carried at each end of the outlet chamber
through stuffing boxes, one of which is shown at W.
Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional elevation of the chamber J and sliding plate or
valve X; Fig. 7 is a side elevation, and Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the same.
In Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the valves are formed as sliding plates, one of which is seen
at X. This plate or valve is kept up to its seat by wedges or bevilled pieces Y, an
ear being formed on the end of the valve to take the screw Z which works through
a stuffing box a. The screw is actuated by a hand wheel b and passes through a
nut c in the bracket d. By turning the hand wheel the sliding plate is moved either
backwards or forwards, thus closing or opening the ports e.
In the Drawing only
one sliding plate or valve is shown as applied to the tubes K, but in practice
another plate or valve is applied to the other set of tubes L, the apparatus for
actuating the valve belonging to the tubes K being at one end of the chamber,
and that connected with the tubes L being placed at the opposite end of the
chamber.

page_text: The action of the apparatus is as before described, but it will be observed that
the valves for controlling the water supply are placed in the water outlet chamber,
.as in practice that is found to be, the most convenient position. An important
improvement is effected by distributing the water through a series of tubes, so that
however small the quantity of water is admitted the whole of the liquid is kept in
.motion, and no warmed, slack, or dead water can exist, consequently the whole of
the water is made to exercise its cooling influence.
:
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention, and
the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, we would
observe in conclusion that we do not confino or restrict ourselves to the precise
details or arrangements that we have described or referred to, as variations may
be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of this
Invention, but what we consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as
the Invention secured to us by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
Firstly. The construction of condensers wherein streams of water are caused to
flow through a number of tubes, arranged as herein described and shown on the
Drawings.
"
Secondly. The construction of valves for controlling the supply of water to the
said condensers, and as exhibited in Figs. 3 to 8, arranged as herein described and
shown on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Cutler, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty-one.

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