IM- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION OF GAS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund Small Cathels, of the City of Montreal, in the
Province of Quebec, in the Dominion of Canada, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURIFICATION OF GAS,"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Edmund Small Cathels at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1876.
EDMUND SMALL CATHELS, of the City of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec,
in the Dominion of Canada. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE PURI-
FICATION OF GAS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the part of the plant of a gas works
called a washer, which may be substantially described and set forth as follows:-
Whereas in the arrangement of washers generally the length of the vessel is-con-
siderably greater than its breadth, and the gas is caused to flow through it lengthwise,
the longest contact of the gas with the vessel's liquid contents, and therefore the
maximum amount of "wash" being thus presumedly secured. But the effect pro-
duced [in spite of various contrivances to prevent it] is that the aforesaid contents
are driven by the pressure of the gas into a heap at the outlet end, thus seriously
impairing the vessel's efficiency and also increasing the back pressure of the gas.
To obviate these defects is the object of this Invention, and the first distinctive
principle of these improvements is to divide the oblong washer as ordinarily used
by cross partitions into compartments or sections, each being a complete washer of
itself, and together formning one combined washer, the increased power of efficiency
of which is as the number of such compartments.
A second important characteristic of the improved arrangement is that instead of
these several compartments being on the same level they are elevated the one above
the other in succession, as shown on the Drawings in connection with this Specifica-
tion, so that when the charge in the lowest or first one is sufficiently strengthened
or saturated to be drawn off, that of the second one can be emptied therein, the third
one into the second (should there be three), and similarly with the others. In the
event of there being more than three such compartments the uppermost or last one
only requiring a fresh charge.
A third main feature of this Invention consists of the herein-after described

page_text: arrangements for effectually dividing or breaking up the gas, to secure its being
brought into more intimate contact with the wash liquid or liquids. Inside of
cach compartment, and within a few inches of its front plate, there is a plate or
curtain (having its lower edge serrated about 4 inches deep), which extends the full
length of the compartment, and is bolted to the cover and both ends of same, but
which only reaches, say three-fourths of its depth. Coinciding with each of these
notches or sorrations there is an inverted V shaped trough with a flange at each end,
fixed at right angles with the curtain, one end being bolted to the curtain and the
other end to the back plate of the compartment, both sides of each trough having
serrations about two inches deep extending its full length.
The liquid charge in cach compartment is to be of such a height as to at least
cover the curtain serrations, and, consequently, the troughs also, or to any additional
height desired. This is effected by increasing the height of the outsido self-acting
overflow pipe attached to each compartment at one end of the washer, by means of
a long screw with which it is provided.
The gas way between the compartments consists of a slot or opening in the top
of each division plate extending the whole length of such division plate, but of
such a depth only that, multiplied into its length, the arca shall equal that of the
vessel's gas connecting pipes. The charges in the respective compartments are
emptied into each other by means of outside pipes (having each a stop cock) at one
end of the washer connecting the compartments, as shown on the Drawings.
The gas on entering the first compartment impinges against the curtain and
spreads to both ends, blowing the contents of the narrow chamber or space between
the front plate and the curtain into the body of the compartment behind the latter
(but the depth of which is not thereby materially increased owing to the great dif-
ference of their areas), and in virtue of the series of unequal dips or seals of the
curtain serrations passes through the same in equally divided streams, in which state
of separation it flows into and along the aforesaid inverted troughs, and escapes
through the serrations therein in minute streams or threads, in which attenuated
condition it bubbles up through the wash liquid. In the subsequent compartments,
by reason of the form, of their inlet openings or ports, the gas enters each in a thin
sheet extending from end to end of the compartment, slides down the face of the
curtain, and the washing in a finely divided form is repeated, as herein-before
described, the gas finally leaving the washer by the outlet pipe from the last or
uppermost compartment.
The washer may be constructed of cast-iron plates properly jointed and bolted
together, wrought-iron plates bolted or riveted together, or of timber strongly
framed, clamped, and bolted together in the manner herein-before described, and is
to be provided with a filling pipe (an inverted syphon forming part of it, to prevent
the escape of gas when filling), connected to a pump, or supplied from an overhead
cistern, and having a stop cock, the connecting and overflow pipes herein-before
referred to, with a pipe leading from the latter to an underground tank, and an
emptying pipe connected to the bottom of the lowest compartment (furnished with
a stop cock or valve), the end of it being immersed a sufficient depth in a seal cup
to prevent escape of gas, and a pipe leading from the seal cup to the aforesaid
underground tanks.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood Drawings are attached
hereto, of which the following is a description:-
Fig. 1 is a part elevation and part longitudinal section, through line E, F, Fig. 3.
Fig. 2 is a part elevation and part transverse section through line A, B, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a part plan and part section through line C, D, Fig. 1.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 show the details of curtain serrations, Fig. 4 being a
section through line G, H, Fig. 5; Fig. 5, part front of curtain sorrations; Fig. 6, a
section through line I, J, Fig. 7; Fig. 7 is a cross section through line K, L, Fig. 6;
and Fig. 8 comprises a plan on line M, N, Fig. 6, and a plan on O, P, Fig. 4.
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, I would

page_text: observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise details or
arrangements which I have described or referred to, as variations may be made
therein without deviating from the principles or main features of this Invention, but
what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as my Invention is,
the general arrangement of a washer or washers, as herein-before described and
shown on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmund Small Cathels, have hereunto set my
hand and scal, this Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
E. S. CATHELS. (L.S.)