Improvements in Distilling Apparatus, Applicable also to the Concentration and Rectification of Alcoholic and other Liquids.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov., 1886.
Complete Left, 9th Aug., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 9th Sept., 1887. .
RESERV
Improvements in Distilling Apparatus, Applicable also to the
Concentration and Rectification of Alcoholic and other Liquids.
I EUGENE PIOT of Somain in the Republic of France, Distiller, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates more particularly to apparatus for the production of alcohol
by distillation, but it is also applicable to distilling other substances, as well as to the
concentration and rectification of alcoholic and other liquids.
The object of the present invention is to obtain a more extended surface of liquid on
which the distilling action can take place than heretofore, and to obviate the
inconveniences that are likely to arise from the use of the present apparatus.
The apparatus, which, with certain modifications, can be used for concentrating or
rectifying, is composed of a series of trays, the number of which will vary according
to circumstances.
Each tray consists of a trough of suitable form, circular, rectangular, or serpentine,
-which is supported in the column by metal supports, T shaped in cross section.
These trays are so arranged as to nearly fill the column, and so that the ascending
vapour shall pass on both sides thereof, and each tray is further provided with an
overflow pipe, which also serves as a feeder to fill the tray. These overflow pipes
are alternately placed at opposite ends of the troughs.
Immediately above the spaces left free for the ascending vapour, are arranged a
series of semicircular or segmental baffles, which dip into the troughs below the top of
the overflow pipe, and ensure the passage of the vapour through the liquid contained
therein. These baffles are carried in any convenient manner by the tray supports.
Suitable openings will be made in the column to allow for cleaning out the trays.
Below the series of trays is arranged what may be termed a boiler, which forms
part of the column. Near the bottom of this boiler is a serpentine pipe or worm,
through which steam is passed to beat the mass of liquid in the boiler.
The boiler is supplied by a pipe from the bottom tray of the series, and the lower
end of this pipe is provided with means for spreading the in-flowing liquid,

page_text: A suitable overflow pipe is provided to the boiler, by means of which the residual
liquors of distillation may be run off, and the boiler is further provided with a
partition, the top of which is somewhat above the overflow pipe.
The distilled vapours pass off by a suitable pipe placed at the top of the column, to
a suitable condenser, or other apparatus.
When it is desired to concentrate, it is only necessary to reserve several of the
upper trays for the concentrating action. In this case, a syphon tube will be provided
at the side of the column, for the introduction of the concentrating liquid.
When the apparatus is applied to the rectification of spirit, the introduction opening
for the spirit, at the upper part of the column, is suppressed, and the capacity of the
boiler is increased, the concentrated liquid being introduced thereto. The heating
surface is somewhat increased, the diameter of the overflow pipes is diminished, and
at a point in one of the upper trays, an opening for the spirit from the condenser is
formed.
The operations of distillation, concentration, and rectification of spirit, are well
known, and will not need further description.
ת...
1100

page_text: Improvements in Distilling Apparatus, Applicable also to the
Concentration and Rectification of Alcoholic and other Liquids.
:
I EUGÈNE PIOT of Somain in the Republic of France, Distiller, 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 :—
In distilling columns as at present constructed, the flow of the liquid is not at the
same time equal and continuous throughout the entire height of the column.
The presence of nooks and corners in the apparatus causes the collection, in certain
parts, of the thick matters contained in muddy wines, and the consequent obstruction
to the flow of the liquid.
The object of the present invention is to obtain a more extended bubbling surface
for the traverse of the liquid than heretofore, and thereby to ensure a more even and
continuous bubbling up of the vapour throughout the entire height of the column, and
also to avoid the inconvenience of too large a quantity of the liquid collecting at the
bottom of the column, where it would obstruct the passage of the vapour.
In the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved still;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section ;
Fig. 3 n sectional plan of the upper part of the still; and
Fig. 4 is a sectional plan of the boiler.
The distilling column, which, with certain modifications, may be used for
concentrating or for rectifying, is composed of a number of sections, which number
may be varied according to the purpose for which the column is intended to be used.
Thus, supposing twenty sections are to be employed, each section is composed 1st
of a gutter R, in which is effected a continuous and regular bubbling up of the vapour,
and which constitutes the essential part of this invention; (2) of a feeder S, having
the double function of overflow pipe at its upper oxtremity, and submerged supply
pipe at its lower extremity.
The gutter R, which is carried by bars F F, of T iron, may assume any shape
conformable to that of the column itself, from the inside walls of which it is separated
only by sufficient space to permit of the free passage upwards of the vapours of
distillation; sufficient space is also left between each convolution of the gutter for the
same object.
Immediately above the free spaces between the convolutions of the gutter R, and
also over the space between the gutter and the walls of the section, is fixed a bonnet
or hood Z, of semi-cylindrical form in the interior of the column or segmental at the
extremities; these bonnets or hoods may, however, be made, if desired, of more or
less angular form. The bonnet is intended to intercept the vapours of distillation

page_text: and compel them to pass through the liquid in the gutter R. For this object, the
bonnet extends downwards below the level of the overflow pipe S, and consequently
dips into the liquid in the gutter, causing a slight ebullition of the liquid as it passes
through to the next section of the column.
By this arrangement it follows: (a) that the vapours introduced over the two
edges of the gutter R make double and uniforin contact with the liquid in the gutter ;
(b) that the liquid compelled to travel evenly the entire length of the gutter, is
submitted continuously throughout its travel to this continuous bubbling of
the vapours.
The bonnet Z is held in place by metal rods by which it is attached to the T iron
bars F above it, or to the walls of the section.
The several feed pipes S, which serve also as overflow pipes to the gutters, are
composed of a series of cylindrical, square, or polygonal pipes, which serve to put the
gutters into communication with each other in pairs, as shown, so that the liquor is
compelled to travel the whole length of one gutter before it can find its way down to
the next below, and so on from the top of the column down to the boiler A.
Each section of the column may be provided with an opening or arm hole to admit
of periodical inspection and cleaning. This, however, does not constitute any essential
part of the system.
The boiler which I prefer is constructed in the following manner :-
A steam coil V at the bottom serves to heat the liquid either by simple contact, or
by the bubbling through it of steam, if the coil is perforated. An exit orifice E for
the residual liquors of distillation is provided at the side opposite the dip pipe T. A
partition is placed in the boiler, its upper edge being above the level of the orifice E
The pipe T is partially closed by a suspended plate V, which serves as a distributor,
and prevents the residues of distillation from descending abruptly to the bottom of the
boiler. By this arrangement the waste liquor cannot escape from the boiler until they
are completely exhausted by the action of ebullition, to which action they are
submitted until they finally escape under the partition C to the orifice E.
The number of sections composing the column may be augmented or diminished
according to the purpose for what the apparatus is to be employed, whether distillation,
concentration, or rectification. For whichever purpose it is used, the continuous and
regular bubbling up action through the whole height of the column, will notably
augment the quantity as well as the rapidity of the work.
When employing the column for the purpose of distillation, it is first heated by
means of the steam coil V.
When the steam escaping by the pipe B, and acting upon the wort heater, shall
have raised the temperature to the desired degree, the wort is allowed to flow into the
first gutter by the pipe K. Thero the action of the vapours of distillation commences,
and the continuous and regular bubbling up action goes on methodically from section
to section.
The wort flowing into the first top gutter, travels through the entire length of the
gutter to the overflow pipe S, through which it passes to the gutter below, and so on
through the whole series. During this traverse of the liquor, the bubbling up goes
on continuously at each edge of the successive gutters R, and as the liquor descends
from gutter to gutter, the rising vapours will deprive it of all its alcohol.
The terminal plate V of the dip pipe T will spread the spent liquor in the boiler A,
and as the partition (closes all communication with the exit orifice E except through
the narrow space below the partition, the spent liquor will descend in exact proportion
as the vapour carries off any traces of alcohol. Thus, the spent liquor will be passed
out by the orifice E completely exhausted, whilst the alcohol will pass out as rich as
possible by the upper orifice B, which will conduct it by a channel, in which it may
impart its heat to the wort heater to the refrigerator.
In order to concentrate spirits by the aid of this apparatus, especially to a high
degree of concentration, it is necessary to reserve two or three of the upper sections
of the column for this special purpose.
In this case, a feed pipe P communicating with the wort heater, is introduced at the

page_text: side of the column, and empties into one of the feed pipes S (the third or fourth, for
example), in such a way, that at the point where it enters the next gutter, this feed
pipe is common to the part serving for the introduction of the water of concentration,
and of the liquor to be distilled.
In this case, the section of the overflow in which the pipe communicating with the
wort heater empties itself (as also the feed pipe of the section above), will be reduced
about one third, for example, and the cube forming the entrance orifice for the liquor
opens out in the part of this section, playing, so to speak, the part of feed pipe to the
section below.
In order to operate for concentration, the gutter above the entrance tube for the
liquor is charged with water. When this is done, the apparatus is heated, and set to
work by the introduction from the wort heater, through the pipe P, of the liquor
to be concentrated, and the operation may be continued without further addition of
water.
To employ the apparatus for the purpose of rectifying, but few alterations are
requisite. (1st.) The pipe K at the top of the column is not necessary. (2nd.) The
capacity of the lower boiler must be augmented where the concentrated liquor to be
rectified is introduced. (3rd.) To cause the steam in the stoan coil to act by contact
at the lower part of the boiler, or to so arrange this coil as to give sufficient heating
surface. (4th.) To diminish considerably the diameters of the feed pipes S. (5th.)
To establish, in one of the upper sections of the column, a return pipe from the
condenser, as in all the known systems of rectification.
It is obvious that the system of distillation herein described is independent of the
form which may be given to the apparatus, and that it will serve to distil, concentrate,
or rectify, whether the column be made round, square, or any other shape.
In a word, the gutters R may be of any form, provided that the bonnets Z follow
exactly the same form, and that their lower edges turn down into the gutters, the one
edge on one side, and the other edge on the other side of these gutters, so as to
follow all the sinuosities of the gutters.
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 :-
The new column for distilling above described, the essential features of which
consist in (a) a certain number of gutters R, of any form, but of which the exterior
contour follows that of the column, and leaves a certain space between it and the said
column for the passage of the vapours, such gutters being placed, on the one hand, in
communication with one another by the feed pipes S, which are arranged at opposite
ends of alternate gutters, and on the other band, separated from each other by the
bonnets or hoods Z, which descend into the gutters R to a lower level than the upper
edge of the feed pipes S, so that the vapours that they intercept are forced to bubble
up through the liquid in the gutters along both sides thereof at the same time, so as
to produce a continuous double bubbling up; (b) a boiler A placed at the bottom of
the column and furnished with a steam coil, or with a perforated steam pipe, and
having a partition C, the lower edge of which does not extend to the bottom of the
hoiler, while its upper edge extends above the level of the exit orifice E for the spent
liquor; (e) a pipe T provided with a distributor U; and (d) a lateral syphon bend
pipe P, opening into one of the feed pipes S, when it is desired to use the apparatus
for concentrating.