IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO APPARATUS FOR CONDENSING, WASHING, AND PURIFYING GAS AND OTHER VAPOURS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Hulett, of High Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, Gas Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
APPLICABLE TO APPARATUS FOR CONDENSING, WASHING, AND PURIFYING
GAS AND OTHER VAPOURS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Hulett at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th February 1880.
DAVID HULETT, of High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Gas Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO APPARATUS FOR CONDENSING, WASHING, AND
PURIFYING GAS AND OTHER VAPOURS."
My Invention relates to apparatus for condensing, washing, and purifying gas
and other vapours, and has for its object, first, the more thorough saturation of the
gas or other vapour to be treated with the purifying liquid or medium employed
in order to more effectually remove or extract the impurities from the gas or
vapour; and, secondly, effecting the lubrication of the internal bearings of the
rotating portions of the apparatus without stopping the working thereof.
According to one mode of carrying out the first part of my Invention, I provide
a vessel, by preference of a cylindrical form, fitted in the interior with a number of
shelves or partitions, having an opening in the centre through which is passed a
shaft or spindle carrying a number of blades or discs so arranged on the shaft as to
rotate between the several shelves or partitions. This shaft works at its lower end
in a foot step bearing, whilst its upper end is passed through an opening in the top
of the vessel fitted either with a stuffing box, or, as I prefer, with a hydraulic joint
luted with mercury or other suitable fluid to prevent the escape of gas or vapour
at that part.
The gas or vapour to be treated is introduced to the interior of the vessel
through a suitable inlet at one end thereof, and is caused to travel in a circuitous
direction over the surfaces of the shelves, and over the rotating blades or discs to
the opposite end of the vessel, where it passes out through an outlet provided for
the purpose.
The purifying liquid employed for acting on the gas or vapour is admitted at
one end of the vessel (by preference the end opposite to that at which the gas is

page_text: introduced), and is acted upon by the rotating blades or discs so as to cause it to
be disintegrated or broken up and thoroughly mixed with the gas, whereby the
said gas becomes condensed, and the impurities which it contained are separated
therefrom more effectually than heretofore.
The purifying liquid may if desired be allowed to flow away, but I prefer to
employ it over and over again, for which purpose I provide the vessel with a
suitable pump into which the liquid enters as it passes from the vessel, and by
which it is again conducted into the opposite end of the vessel to act again upon
the gas or vapour passing through it, the operation being repeated as often as
desired.
Two or more vessels constructed as hereinbefore described may be used in
conjunction, in which case the gas or vapour to be treated is caused to pass from
one vessel to another in succession, and subjected to a like treatment to that
herein before described in each vessel either with a fresh supply of purifying
liquid, or with the same liquid passed from one vessel to another in succession.
If desired, in order to increase the agitation of the gas and the purifying liquid,
the shelves or partitions in the vessels may be made to rotate in combination with
the blades or discs either in the same direction or in the opposite direction, which
rotation of the shelves may be effected by means of gearing either from a separate
shaft, or from the shaft which carries the blades or discs.
According to another mode of carrying out this part of my Invention, I employ
a vessel fitted with a rotating drum or cage, or divided by means of partitions into
a number of chambers, in each of which is caused to rotate a cluster of annular
plates or discs of metal, as described in the Specification to Letters Patent, dated
December 29th 1877, No. 4921; but in addition to the said rotating drum, cage,
or clusters of annular plates, I arrange in the interior of the vessel other rotating
plates carried on spindles arranged in a suitable position to receive motion by
means of gearing either from the drum, cage, or annular plates, or from the shaft
carrying them, the motion being by preference in the reverse direction.
The gas and purifying liquid will thus be more thoroughly agitated and mixed,
and consequently the gas will be more effectually condensed and purified.
I introduce the gas or vapour into the vessel through a tube which is fitted into
one end thereof, and made to extend inside to about the centre of the drum or cage,
or to the centre of the first cluster of annular plates or discs, as the case may be,
whilst the opposite end of the tube projects outside the vessel a short distance, and
is provided with a branch pipe through which the gas enters the tube, a stuffing
box being also provided in the outer end of the tube through which passes the
shaft which carries the drum, cage, or annular plates, a space being left between
the said shaft and the interior of the tube for the passage of the gas to the interior
of the drum, cage, or cluster of plates.
A packing of leather or other suitable material is provided on the drum, cage, or
the cluster of plates to prevent the gas from passing outside the tube into the
vessel, and ensure it passing upwards from the centre of the drum, cage, or
cluster of plates to the upper part of the vessel.
As the gas rises to the upper part of the vessel it is net by a shower of purifying
liquid which is being continually pumped from the lower part of the vessel to the
upper part thereof into any one or more of the chambers, whilst at the same time
the discs herein before described wbich rotate in the reverse direction to the drum,
cage, or cluster of annular plates, cause the liquid and the gas to be violently agitated
and mixed, whereby the gas becomes more effectually condensed and purified than
theretofore. The second part of my Invention, which relates to the lubrication of
the interior bearings of the apparatus hereinbefore described, is carried out in the
following manner :- -These bearings are by preference provided with rollers so as
to reduce the friction as much as possible; and in order to lubricate them without
stopping the apparatus, I force or inject the lubricant into the said bearings or box
containing the rollers by means of a syringe, force pump, or other suitable forcing
apparatus connected to the outer end of a tube, which is fitted to and made to

page_text: extend from the outside of the vessel to the bearing to be lubricated, and to which
the inner end of the tube is connected.
The tube is provided with a stop cock for the purpose of preventing the lubricant
after it has been injected into the bearing from being forced out through the pipe
by the pressure of the gas in the vessel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said David Hulett in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th August
1880.
DAVID HULETT, of High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Gas Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO APPARATUS FOR CONDENSING, WASHING, AND
PURIFYING GAS AND OTHER VAPOURS."
My said Invention relates to apparatus for condensing, washing, and purifying
gas, and other vapours, and has for its object, first, the more thorough saturation of
the gas or vapour to be treated with the purifying liquid employed, in order to
more effectually condense the gas or vapour, and remove or extract the impurities
therefrom; and, secondly, to effect the lubrication of the internal bearings of the
rotating portions of the apparatus without stopping the working thereof.
According to one mode of carrying out the first part of my Invention, I cause
the gas or vapour to be treated to travel in a circuitous course through one or more
vessels or chambers fitted with rotating surfaces, or with a combination of rotating
and fixed surfaces maintained in a wet condition, and arranged in the manner
hereinafter described so as to cause the gas or vapour to travel over a large extent
of wetted surface, and to be thoroughly mixed with the purifying liquid,
whereby the said gas or vapour is more effectually condensed and purified than
heretefore.
According to another mode of carrying out this part of my Invention I conduct
the gas to be treated into the interior of a rotating drum at or near the centre
thereof. This drum, which is provided in the interior with radiating perforated
blades, is constructed with solid ends, whilst its periphery is perforated or composed
of reticulated material, through which the gas passes from the interior of the drum
into the vessel in which it rotates. Upon this drum, or upon the shaft which
carries it, is fixed a spur wheel for imparting motion, by means of suitable gearing,
to two or more wheels or narrow drums fitted in the interior of the vessel, and
which are caused to rotate at a considerably higher speed than the main drum,
whereby the gas and the purifying liquid is violently agitated and thoroughly
mixed together, the gas being consequently rapidly condensed, and the impurities
absorbed or extracted therefrom before it is permitted to pass out of the vessel.
According to another modification I connect the ends of the drum by a spiral
plate or volute so as to form a spiral passage through which the gas introduced at
or near the centre of the drum is caused to travel towards the periphery, where it

page_text: escapes into the vessel containing the purifying liquid in which the drum is caused
to rotate, the spiral plate being thereby continually maintained in a wet condition.
The gas after passing over the wet surface of the volute through the spiral passage
into the vessel is then acted upon and mixed with the purifying liquid by rotating
wheels or drums in the manner hereinbefore described, whereby the gas is rapidly
condensed and effectually purified before passing out of the vessel.
If desired the gas may be passed through two or more apparatus constructed in
the manner herein before described, or the drum may be divided by a central par-
tition so as to form two chambers, in each of which is fitted a spiral plate or
volute, as herein before described, in which case the gas passing out of the channel
in one of the chambers at the periphery of the drum will enter the other spiral
channel at the periphery, and travel thence to the centre of the drum, and finally
pass out of the apparatus; or it may be conducted to and caused to pass through
other drums if desired.
The purifying liquid may be employed over and over again, as often as required,
by pumping it from the bottom of the vessel into the upper part of the same vessel,
or into other vessels arranged in a suitable position for the purpose.
In carrying out the second part of my Invention I force or inject the lubricating
material into the internal bearings of the rotating portions of the apparatus by
means of a syringe, force pump, or other suitable forcing apparatus connected to
the outer end of a tube, which tube is fitted to and made to extend from the outside
of the vessel to the internal bearing to be lubricated, and is provided with a stop
cock for the purpose of preventing the lubricant, after it has been injected into the
bearings, from being forced out through the pipe by the pressure of the gas in the
vessel.
In order that my said Invention may be clearly understood I have annexed to
this my Specification three explanatory Sheets of Drawings, which I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe,―
Figs. 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 1, of my Drawings represent vertical sections of three
modifications of apparatus constructed with horizontal rotating blades, according to
one mode of carrying out my Invention; Figs. 4 and 5, Sheet 2, are similar views
of two other modifications of apparatus, in which the rotating blades and the par-
titions are arranged vertically; Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, Sheet 3, represent two other
modifications in which the gas to be purified is caused to pass through a drum
fitted to rotate in the purifying liquid; and Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are details which
will be hereinafter referred to.
Referring to Figure 1, Sheet 1, A represents a vessel, by preference of a cylindrical
form, fitted in the interior with a number of shelves or horizontal partitions B,
fixed to the side of the vessel as shown; C is a vertical shaft working at its lower
end in a footstep bearing, or, as I prefer, in a cup D containing mercury or other
suitable material for the purpose of preventing_corrosion, whilst the upper end
passes through a stuffing-box or a mercurial joint E for the purpose of preventing
the escape of gas at that part. This shaft, which receives rotatory motion by means
of gearing F from any suitable prime mover, carries a number of blades G, G¹, G³,
fitted to rotate between the several shelves or horizontal partitions B; which
blades may be indented and perforated discs, or plain discs, as shown at G, corru-
gated discs, as shown at G¹, or they may be in the form of vanes, as shown at
G2, or, if desired, a combination of several forms may be employed in the same
apparatus.
The gas or vapour to be treated is admitted to the interior of the vessel A by
preference at the lower part through the inlet pipe H, whence it passes up through
the opening in the centre of the lowest shelf or partition, and over the surface of
the bottom rotating blade, thence through the opening in the centre of the next
higher shelf or partition, and over the surface of the next higher rotating blade,
and so on in succession in a circuitous direction, as indicated by the arrows, over
the surfaces of the other shelves and rotating blades, to the upper part of the
vessel, and passes out therefrom through the outlet branch I. The surfaces of the

page_text: shelves and the rotating blades are constantly maintained in a wet condition by
the purifying liquid, which is introduced at the upper part of the vessel through
a pipe K, and passes thence in a circuitous course over the surfaces of a number of
plates K onto the top shelf or partition d. This shelf or partition is provided with
a lip a so as to form a tray to contain a quantity of the purifying liquid, which
liquid flows over the lip a onto the rotating blade immediately below, thence onto
the next lower shelf or partition, and so on in succession onto and over the surfaces
of the whole of the shelves and rotating blades to the bottom of the vessel, from
whence it may be allowed to flow into any suitable receiver, but I prefer to elevate
it again by means of a pump L, archimedian screw, or other suitable apparatus to
the upper part of the same vessel, say, for example, at K2, onto the top shelf or
partition d, or, if desired, it may be pumped into another vessel placed in a
suitable position, and it may be employed over and over again as often as required.
The gas in its passage through the apparatus, as described, is caused to impinge
against the wet surfaces of the rotating blades and the shelves or partitions, and
is also met by the purifying liquid as it falls from one surface to another; it con-
sequently becomes thoroughly mixed with and saturated by the purifying liquid,
and rapidly condensed, whilst the impurities which it contained are effectually
removed or absorbed, and conducted by the purifying liquid through the perforated
false bottom M to the bottom of the vessel, whence they may be discharged as
required through the valve or cock N.
In order to more effectually distribute the purifying liquid over the surfaces of
the shelves or partitions, I sometimes construct the rotating blades hollow, as shown'
in Fig. 2, which I shall now proceed to describe. A is a cylindrical vessel simila
to that shown in Fig. 1, and fitted with shelves or partitions B, through the centre
of which passes the vertical shaft C. This shaft is surrounded by a casing or
jacket C, which forms a receptacle for the purifying liquid, and to which casing
or jacket, blades G¹ are connected. These blades are hollow or in the form of tubes,
and perforated with a number of small holes through which the purifying liquid
from the interior of the casing or jacket C₁ is caused to pass (as the blades rotate)
in a fine state of division onto the surface of the shelves, and thus saturate the gas,
which is caused to travel in a zig-zag direction through the apparatus over the
surfaces of the plates K³ placed on the hollow blades or arms G¹. The clean
purifying liquid is introduced at the top of the vessel through the pipe K, whilst
the liquid which has passed through and collected in the bottom of the vessel is
elevated again by means of a pump L or other suitable apparatus, and conducted
by means of a pipe K to the interior of the casing C, from whence it passes
through the hollow perforated blades onto the shelves or partitions, as herein before
described, and may be employed over and over again as often as required.
In order to increase the agitation of the gas and the purifying liquid the rotating
blades may be provided with perforated projections b, or the shelves B may be
caused to rotate in combination with the blades G, as illustrated in the modification
represented by Fig. 3, next hereinafter described.
B, Fig. 3, are the shelves which are detached from the side of the vessel A, as
shown, but are connected together by rods or bolts O, and supported on friction
rollers c carried on brackets attached to the side of the vessel. The rotation of the
shelves may be effected by means of gearing P from the vertical shaft C, as shown,
or by any other suitable means, either in the reverse direction to or in the same
direction as that of the blades G.
The remaining parts of the apparatus are similar to those illustrated by Fig. 1,
and therefore require no further description, the same letters of reference being
employed to indicate corresponding parts in both Figs.
Figs. 4 and 5, Sheet 2, represent vertical sections of two further modifications of
apparatus (constructed according to my Invention) in which the partitions and
rotating blades instead of being arranged horizontally as in the apparatus herein-
before described, are arranged vertically and are of an annular or cylindrical form.
In the modification represented by Fig. 4 the partitions are fixed to the vessel, whilst

page_text: in the apparatus represented by Fig. 5 they are detached from the vessel and
caused to rotate in the contrary direction to that of the blades.
Referring to Fig. 4, A represents the vessel, which may be composed (as in the
previously described apparatus) of iron or other suitable material; B, the partitions,
and C the vertical shaft carrying the rotating blades G. The gas to be acted upon
is admitted by preference near the bottom of the vessel through the pipe H, whence
it travels in a circuitous direction (as indicated by the arrows) between and over
the surfaces of the partitions and rotating blades to the top of the vessel, and passes
out through the pipe I.
The clean purifying liquid is introduced at the top of the vessel through the
pipe K and travels thence in a circuitous course (as indicated by the dotted arrows)
over the surfaces of a series of plates or trays K' on to the perforated plate & which
connects the rotating blades G to the shaft C, whilst the liquor which has been
previously employed is elevated from the bottom of the vessel by means of the
pump L and conducted into the vessel again by the pipe K2 between the lowest
plate of the series of plates K¹ and the plate or tray d, as shown.
The plate d is perforated with a number of small holes, through which the
purifying liquid passes in a divided condition on to and between the partitions B
and the rotating blades G, where it meets with and is by the rotation of the blades
thoroughly mixed with the gas passing through the vessel, whereby the said gas
becomes rapidly condensed and the impurities which it contained effectually
extracted therefrom and conducted by the liquid to the bottom of the vessel.
lip a is provided on the plate d for the purpose of maintaining thereon a body of
liquid to prevent the gas from passing through the perforations.
A
The purifying liquid and the impurities from the gas which collect in the bottom
of the vessel may be discharged therefrom as required through the valve or cock N ;
when however the apparatus is at work the liquid must be maintained at a suitable
elevation above the false perforated bottom M to ensure the gas passing in the
required direction, as indicated by the arrows.
The purifying liquid may be employed over and over again as often as required
by pumping it from the bottom of the vessel (as it collects) to the upper part of the
same vessel, or into another vessel arranged in close proximity thereto, or in any
suitable position.
The partitions and rotating blades may consist of plain metal plates, as shown,
or they may be corrugated either vertically or horizontally, or provided with
projections extending the whole length or a portion thereof as desired, for the
purpose of increasing the agitation of the gas and the purifying liquid, so as to more
thoroughly mix them together.
In the apparatus illustrated by Fig. 5 the partitions B are caused to rotate in
combination with the blades G, which rotation may be effected in the following
manner :-
The false bottom M carrying the partitions B is disconnected from the side of the
vessel A and is secured to the vertical shaft C which is actuated by means of bevel
wheels F, F, whilst the plate & carrying the blades G is connected to a sleeve or
hollow shaft e, through which the shaft C is passed, and on which is keyed a bevel
wheel F2 in gear with the wheel F, consequently, upon imparting motion to the
shaft F3 carrying the wheel F, rotatory motion will be transmitted by the
wheels F1, F2, to the shaft C and the sleeve or hollow shaft e respectively in reverse
directions.
The gas to be purified which enters the vessel through the pipe H travels in a
circuitous direction (as indicated by the arrows) towards the centre of the vessel,
between and over the surfaces of the rotating blades and partitions, thence up the
centre and between the plates K' to the top of the vessel A and out therefrom
through the pipe I; Q, Q, are troughs containing mercury or other suitable fluid,
into which lips f, f', (formed respectively on the plate d and the false bottom M)
dip for the purpose of preventing the gas from passing in that direction. In order
to support the weight of the rotating blades and partitions, and reduce the friction

page_text: of the rotating plate d and the false bottom M, they are caused to bear upon
friction rollers c, c, carried on the troughs Q, Q1. The plate d is provided with
lips a, so as to form a tray to contain a body of the purifying liquid, which liquid
is supplied by the pipe K, and which after passing over the surfaces of the plates K¹
and through fine perforations in the plate d falls between the rotatory blades and
partitions, as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 and 7, Sheet 3, represent respectively a longitudinal section and a
transverse section of a modified construction of apparatus in which the gas to be
purified is conducted to the interior of a rotating drum B, the periphery of which
is composed of perforated or reticulated material, and fitted to rotate in the puri-
fying liquid contained in the vessel A. This drum, which is provided in the
interior with radiating blades or arms G, is mounted on a shaft C working at its
inner end in a bearing D fitted in the interior of the vessel A, whilst its opposito
end works in a stuffing-box in the outer end of a tube H through which the gas
passes to the interior of the drum. The tube H, into which the gas enters by a
branch H¹, conducts the gas to about the centre of the interior of the drum, whence
it passes through the perforations in the periphery into the vessel A.
The gas in its passage through the drum is intercepted and disintegrated by the
radiating blades or arms G, and impregnated with the purifying liquid in which
the drum rotates; but in order to more thoroughly mix the gas with the purifying
liquid the drum B is provided with a spur wheel P, which gears with two spur
pinions P¹ connected to two wheels or narrow drums P³, fitted to rotate on stud
centres Q, the relative diameters of the wheel P and pinions P¹ being such as to
cause the narrow drums P² to rotate at a higher speed than the drum B, whereby
the gas and purifying liquid is violently agitated and thoroughly mixed together,
and the gas consequently rapidly condensed and effectually purified before it
escapes through the outlet I.
Figs. 8 and 9 represent respectively a longitudinal section and a transverse
section of another modification, in which the solid end plates of the drum are
connected together by a volute or spiral plate G so as to form a spiral channel R,
through or along which the gas introduced at or near the centre of the drum by
the tube is caused to travel towards the periphery and pass out therefrom into
the vessel A containing the purifying liquid in which the drum rotates. The gas
and the purifying liquid is then violently agitated and thoroughly mixed together
by means of the narrow drums or wheels P, in a similar manner and for the same
purpose as described with reference to Fig. 6; the remaining parts of the apparatus
being similar to those in Fig. 6, and indicated by the same letters of reference,
further description thereof is unnecessary.
Two or more apparatus, constructed in the manner described, may be employed
in combination, and the gas to be treated may be caused to pass from one apparatus
to another in succession, and treated in like manner with the purifying liquid in
each, and the liquid may be employed over and over again as often as required in
the same vessel, or it may be pumped or caused to flow from one vessel to another
in succession, whereby the said liquid may be increased in strength to any required
extent and drawn from the vessels as required through the cock or valve N.
The internal bearing D, in which the shaft C works, is by preference provided
with friction rollers a, as shown in the details, Figs. 10, 11, and 12, Sheet 3; and
in order to lubricate the said bearing whilst the apparatus is at work I force or
inject the lubricant by means of a syringe, force pump, or other suitable apparatus,
through a tube b, the inner end of which communicates with the interior of the
bearing to be lubricated, whilst its outer end extends to the exterior of the vessel,
where it is provided with a stop cock c for the purpose of preventing the lubricant
injected into the bearing from being forced out again by the pressure of the gas in
the vessel. Although I have shown the lubricating apparatus applied to the
bearing D only, in my Drawings it is intended to be applied to any or all of the
internal bearings that require to be lubricated.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and explained the mode of

page_text: carrying the same out in practice, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my
Invention,-
First. Effecting the condensation and purification of gas or other vapours by
causing the same to travel in a circuitous direction over rotating surfaces, or over
a combination of rotating and fixed surfaces maintained in a wet condition, and
arranged and operating substantially in the manner hereinbefore described and
illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of my Drawings.
Secondly. The combination in apparatus for condensing, washing, and purifying
gas and other vapours of the rotating drum B and the wheels or narrow drums P
the whole being constructed, arranged, and operating substantially in the manner
herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 6, 7, and 8, 9, Sheet 3 of my
Drawings.
Thirdly. Lubricating the internal bearings of the rotating portions of the
apparatus by forcing the lubricant into the said bearings from the exterior of the
apparatus, substantially in the manner herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Hulett, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, this
day of August, One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.