Improvements relating to the Liquefaction of Air and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1899-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Liquefaction of Air and to Apparatus
therefor.
We, GEORGE CODE, of 27, School Street, and HANS KNUDSEN, of 186, Devonshire
Street, both in the City of Boston and State of Massachusetts, United States of
America, Inventors, 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:
-
Our invention consists in the method of and in apparatus for liquifying air by
extracting the heat from the air while in a compressed state to such a degree
that by passing it through a suitable motor and expanding it into a chamber or
globe it becomes liquified by the extreme cold produced by its own expansion,
and the liquid passing down a pipe sufficiently long that the hydrostatic column
will overcome the atmospheric pressure to a suitable degree and be delivered
into an insulated tank.
Referring to the accompanying drawing,
The figure represents a vertical section of a building fitted with, an apparatus
for liquifying air embodying our invention.
A, A, represents the walls; B, the basement; 1, 2, 3 and 4 the various floors;
and C, the roof. D, represents the driving shaft to which motion is imparted
by any suitable motor; E, is a pulley mounted upon said shaft which by a belt F',
transmits motion to a pulley G, that operates an air compressor H, (which may
be of any suitable construction). The air for supplying the compressor is pre-
ferably taken from the top of the biulding by means of a pipe h, which may be
fitted with a cap containing any suitable air purifying material so that the air
supplied to the compressor will be free from dirt or dust, and the air compressed
passes by a pipe I, to the lower end of an air purifier J, the purifier pipe and
compressor being preferably enclosed in a water jacket as shown. From the
purifier the air passes through a series of coils K, K¹, K, and is delivered
through a pipe k to a head , to which the ends of pipes are connected so that the
air under pressure is delivered into the other coils K³, and is then delivered into
a head, connected to a pipe L, that connects it to an air motor M, which by
a belt N, transmits motion to a pulley on a counter shaft P, upon which is also
mounted a pulley that by a belt Q, transmits motion to a rotary pump R.
coils of pipe K³, are enclosed within a tank S, to which water or brine, or any
suitable liquid (preferably brine) is supplied by a pipe t, from a tank T, on the
roof, said brine being drawn out at the bottom of the tank S, through pipes,
and delivered at the upper end of the tank T, through pipe T¹, by the pump R.
The coils KK, K2, are also enclosed within water jackets U, as shown, and water
is supplied to the upper water jacket from a tank V, upon the roof by a pipe, and
after passing through all the water jackets passes off by a pipe u, a short pipe u¹,
connecting the water jacket around the compressor with said pipe n, which at
its outer end is fitted with a valve u², to regulate the flow of the water.
The
The compressed air after passing through the air engine passes by a pipe w

page_text: to a small globular vessel or chamber W where it further expands and thence
passes to a large globular vessel or chamber W, where the extreme cold pro-
uuced by its expansion causes it to liquify and the liquid runs down the pipe A,
this pipe being sufficiently long (say at least 35 leet) so that the hydrostatic
column will overcome, the atmospheric pressure and the liquid will be delivered
into a tank or reservoir 1, where it may be stored and drawn off through a
pipe y, (provided with a valve), as required. The pipe X, is fitted at its lower
end with a valve so that the liquid in same way may be admitted to the tank Y
periodically, or when desired.
Should any vapor arise from the liquid, it ascends and passes by a pipe Z,
that surrounds the pipe X, into an outer chamber W, that surrounds the globular
vessel or chamber W, and thence passes into a chamber W, that surrounds the
small globular vessel or chamber W, from which it is conducted by a pipe 5,
into a coil 6, in the water tank V, and escapes into said tank above the water
line, the cover of said tank V,. being fitted with a safety valve V, so that should
the pressure in the tank become too great the vapor will escape through said
valve VI. Should any vapor be condensed in its passage from the reservoir Y,
to the coil 6, it will be returned to said reservoir Y.
The reservoir Y, pipe Z, and chambers W2, W, are enclosed by insulating
material 7, preferably saw dust, enclosed with a wooden casing as shown, and
the pipe L, is also enclosed by suitable insulating material.
In operation, atmospheric air is drawn into the compressor H, through the
pipe h, which being at its upper end fitted with an air purifier, the air is drawn
into said compressor free from dust or dirt. After passing through the com-
pressor the air is passed through the purifier J, and thence, through a series of
coils K, K¹, K² surrounded by water jackets, and then passes through coils K³,
in a tank S, containing a suitable liquid whereby a large portion of the heat is
extracted from said compressed air passing through same. The compressed air
then passes to a rotary motor and partially expands and then passes, to the
chambers or globes W, WI, where it fully expands and liquifies, the liquid pass-
ing down a pipe,X, of sufficient length that the hydrostatic column overcomes
the atmospheric pressure so that the fluid is delivered into the tank or reser-
voir Y. Any vapor that arises from the liquid passes up the outer tube Z, and
around the chambers or globes W, W, thus reducing the temperature of the
pipe X. The vapor then passes up into a coil within the tank V, cooling the
water therein that supplies the water jackets around the coils K, K¹, K².
The brine or other liquid in the tank S, is kept agitated by the pump R, caus-
ing it to circulate through both the tanks S, T, the pipes and vessels for liquify-
ing the air and containing said liquid being insulated by any suitable material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :—
1. The method of liquifying air consists of extracting the heat from the air
while in a compressed state, expanding the same in a vessel or chamber whereby
the extreme cold produced by its expansion causes it to liquify, passing said
liquid down a pipe of sufficient length that the atmospheric pressure will be
overcome by the hydrostatic column, substantially as set forth.
2. In an apparatus for liquifying air, an air compressor, means for cooling
the compressed air, an air engine to which it is delivered after being cooled, and
chambers into which it is delivered from the pump so that it will be expanded
and liquify, a pipe sufficiently long that a hydrostatic column will be produced
to overcome the atmospheric pressure connected to the lower end of said chamber,
and a reservoir to receive the liquified air from said pipe, substantially as set
forth.
3. In an apparatus for liquifying air, an air compressor, an air purifier, a series
of coils surrounded by water jackets, means for supplying water thereto, a pipe

page_text: for carrying the compressed air up into a head, three coils of pipe connected
thereto into which it is delivered, thus causing it to partly expand, a tank
containing said coils and brine, means for supplying said tank with brine and
keeping it agitated, and means for causing the compressed air to be further
expanded so that it liquifies by the cold produced by its expansion, substantially
as set forth.
4. In an apparatus for liquifying air an air purifier arranged between the air
compressor and the cooling apparatus substantially as set forth.
5. In an apparatus for liquifying air, a series of coils surrounded by water
jackets and arranged between an air purifier enclosed within a water jacket, and
a coil contained in a brine tank, means for supplying said water jackets with a
constant supply of fresh water, substantially as set forth.
6. In an apparatus for liquifying air a brine tank, three coils of pipes within
said tank whereby compressed air supplied to said coils from an air compressor,
after it has been cooled, is allowed to expand before it passes to liquifying
chambers, substantially as set forth.
7. In an air liquifying apparatus having an air compressor and means for pass-
ing the compressed air through a purifier and a series of coils surrounded by
water jackets to extract the heat, a rotary engine from which power is derived,
and the air caused to be expanded, in combination with globes or chambers into
which the air is discharged, expanded and liquified, a discharge pipe attached to
said chamber, said pipe being of a length sufficient to cause the hydrostatic
column to overcome the atmospheric pressure, substantially as set forth.
8. In an air liquifying apparatus in which an air compressor is employed, a
pipe extending to the top of the building and fitted with an air filter whereby
comparatively pure air will be delivered to the compressor, substantially as set
forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants