IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS FOR TREATING SACCHARINE AND SALINE SOLUTIONS
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Fletcher, of Farnham Place, Southwark, in
the County of Surrey, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE APPARATUS FOR TREATING SACCHARINE AND SALINE SOLUTIONS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Fletcher at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th June 1860.
I, JOHN FLETCHER, of Farnham Place, Southwark, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE APPARATUS FOR TREATING SACCHARINE AND SALINE SOLUTIONS," to
be as follows, that is to say:-
My improvements consist, first, in a peculiar construction of apparatus for
evaporating saccharine and saline solutions; secondly, in a peculiar con-
struction of apparatus for cooling the same; thirdly, in the employment of an
improved chain and bucket pump.
This improved evaporating apparatus consists of a cylindrical metallic vessel,
having an opening at each end fitted with a trunion or axis running upon
friction rollers, upon which the apparatus revolves, and being fitted internally
near its circumference with a number of longitudinal metallic tubes com-
municating with a second or steam cylinder, but having no communication

page_text: with the interior of the inner cylinder; this cylinder is incased in a second
metallic cylinder moving with it for containing steam to heat the liquids to be
treated, and which is introduced from any convenient steam boiler through a
T-pipe, revolving in a stuffing box with the apparatus. To this second cylinder
a pipe is attached for carrying off the water formed by the condensation of the
steam therein. This pipe revolves in a stuffing box, which is connected with
what is commonly called a condensed water box for regulating its discharge.
The inner cylinder being filled about one-third full of saccharine or saline liquid
to be treated, steam is then admitted into the cylinder, which incases it, and
thence into the tubes, and the apparatus is caused to rotate slowly on its axis
or trunnions. In the rotation of the cylinders, the liquid is taken up by its
inner surface and by the outer surface of the tubes, exposing it to the action
of a current of air, which is caused by placing a jet of steam in a chimney in
communication with one of the apertures of the inner cylinder, the other
aperture being for the admission of the air. The steam cylinder may be fitted
with a third cylinder, perforated at one end at intervals round its circumference
for the admission of air, the other end being made to communicate, with the
air aperture in the inner cylinder, there being in this case no admission of air
into the apparatus except by the perforations in the end of the said air
cylinder.
The cooling apparatus consists of a series of metallic pans or troughs placed
or incased in one common receptacle of metal, so as to leave a space for freely
circulating cold water or cold air, or the two combined, between them, round
their sides and bottoms.
The improved chain and bucket pump replaces the ordinary pumps now in
use in connection with the ordinary evaporating process, and serves for raising
or transferring saccharine and saline liquors during the evaporating process
from one apparatus to another, which it effects with greater economy of timo
and labour, and consists of a framework, with a wheel at each end, over which
two endless chains are placed, so that by turning one of the wheels the chains
are set in motion. Attached to the chains is a series of tilting buckets. The
bucket frame is lowered down to the bottom of the vessel to be emptied by
suitable gearing. The top wheel being set in motion, the chain of buckets
begins its circuit, by which each bucket in succession scoops up a quantity of
the liquid, which it carries to the top of the frame, where it comes in contact
with a stop, which tilts the bucket over, and causes it to discharge its
contents.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Fletcher in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th December 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JoпN:
FLETCHER, of Farnham Place, Southwark, in the County of Surrey, Engineer,.
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters-
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said John Fletcher, Her special licence that I, the said John Fletcher, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Fletcher, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time ngree-
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,.
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE APPARATUS FOR TREATING SACCHARINE AND SALINE SOLUTIONS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Fletcher, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Fletcher, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to bo
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereto annexed, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :—
My Invention consists, first, in a peculiar construction of apparatus for
evaporating saccharine and saline solutions; secondly, in a peculiar con-
struction of apparatus for cooling the same; thirdly, in the employment of an
improved chain and bucket pump.
The improved evaporating apparatus is composed of a cylindrical metallic
vessel, having an opening at each end, and fitted with trunnions or axes
running on rollers. It is fitted internally near its circumference with a
number of longitudinal metallic tubes, communicating with a second or steam

page_text: cylinder enclosing the first, but having no communication with the interior of
the evaporating cylinder. Steam is introduced into the second cylinder from
any conveniently placed steam boiler through a pipe in a stuffing box turning
with the cylinders. Another pipe attached to the steam cylinder carries off
the water formed by the condensation of the steam therein; this pipe also
revolves in a stuffing box, and is connected with a condensed steam box, which
regulates its discharge. After the inner cylinder is filled to about one-third
with saccharine or saline solution, steam is admitted into the steam cylinder,
which passes thence into the tubes. The apparatus is then caused to rotate
slowly on its trunnions, and in its rotation the liquid is taken up by the inner
surface of the evaporating vessel, and by the outer surface of the tubes, and
thus it becomes exposed to the action of a current of air, which passes through
the apparatus, and which is increased by means of a jet of steam placed in a
chimney in communication with one of the apertures in the inner cylinder, the
opposite aperture being for the admission of air. The steam cylinder may be
fitted with a third casing or cylinder, perforated at one end at intervals round
its circumference for the admission of air, the other end being furnished with
an aperture, having a cover, there being in this case no admission of air
into the apparatus except by the perforations in the end of the said air
cylinder.
To render this part of my Invention better understood, I will now more
particularly describe the same by reference to Sheet 1 of the accompanying
Drawings, in which the same letters of reference in the various Figures
indicate similar parts.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, of the accompanying Drawings represents a longitudinal
section, taken thro' the line A, B, of an evaporating apparatus constructed
according to my Invention; Figure 2, an end elevation at E of the same;
Figure 3, an elevation of the opposite end; and Figure 4, a section taken
thro' the line C, D, of the apparatus. A, A, are two standards of cast iron or
other metal, on which are placed the rollers B, B, the axes of which rotate in
suitable bearings C, C; upon these rollers revolve the trunnions D, D, which
are fixed to and support the evaporating apparatus; E is the first or
evaporating cylinder, formed at each end with a cover E', and perforated with
holes, thro' which are passed the tubes F, F, which communicate with the
second cylinder; the cylinder G is formed with a cover G¹, and is supplied
with steam by the branch pipe H and feed pipe I, provided with a stop valve J,
& worked by the band wheel J'; K is the third or outer cylinder, attached
to the covers K', K", by angle iron or other suitable means. 1, a ring, to
which the covers E' and K' of the cylinders E and K are secured by means

page_text: of rivets 2, 2, placed round it at intervals for the purpose of keeping the covers
at the requisite distance apart; 3, a ring, to which the covers E' and G' of the
cylinders E and G are secured by rivets; 4, 4, are studs, placed at intervals
round the aperture Y, to sustain the covers K' and G'at the required distance
apart, so as to form an opening for the free passage of air from the air
cylinder K to the inner cylinder E; 5, 5, screw bolts, placed at suitable
distances round the flange of the trunnion D, and by which the said trunnion
is secured to the cover K' of the cylinder K. The outer cylinder K is per-
forated at one end of its circumference with a number of holes, as shewn in
section at Figure 4, for the admission of air, which, in passing over the heated
surface of the steam cylinder in the direction shown by the arrows, becomes
heated before passing thro' the large opening or tube L into the interior of the
evaporating vessel or cylinder E, from whence it passes thro' a corresponding
opening or tube M at the opposite end of the cylinder, and escapes thro' the
trunnion D and chimney N. N', small bent tube in connection with the stop
valve J, and serving to introduce a jet of steam into the chimney to increase
the current of air in the evaporating pau, and carry off more rapidly the
vapour formed in the evaporation of the liquid; O, small bent tube, inserted
at one end in the pan or receiver O¹, serving to carry off the condensed steam
accumulating in the annular chamber P, which, as the apparatus revolves, is
collected in the reservoir O', and is thence conducted by the tube O to the
box Q, provided with a float Q' and valve R, (allowing the water to bo
regularly carried off,) and finally through the bent pipe R' into the vessel S
thro' the pipe T into a vessel placed for its reception. U, U, are grooves
formed in the trunnions D, D, to steady the apparatus, as it revolves on the
rollers B, B. V, sluice valve, for emptying the inner cylinder of its contents
when in the position indicated in the Drawing; it serves also for allowing the
pan to be filled when placed upwards; W, small hand wheel for opening and
closing the sluice valve by means of the screw rod X, working in the nut X';
Y, Figures 1 and 2, opening for allowing access to the interior of the
evaporating pan, for cleaning same when necessary; Z, cover, which is firmly
closed by the hand screw Z', when the apparatus is in motion, and which is
removed for introducing the proving stick or other instrument to test the stato
of the liquid under treatment. The cover Z may be provided with a hole
sufficiently large for the passago of the proving stick, and closing by a slide,
thus avoiding the necessity of removing the cover during the evaporating
process. a is a pulley, and b a pinion wheel fixed to an axis, which works in
bearings in the bracket c, cast to the standard A. This pinion gears with the
wheel d, fixed by screw bolts e to the end cover K", and gives the rotatory

page_text: motion to the cylinders; g, stuffing box, forming a joint between the pipes I
and I, and on which the pipe H rotates; h, opening in the vessel S, allowing
access to the stuffing box.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The evaporating cylinder E
being filled to about one-third with saccharine or saline solution, steam is
admitted to the steam cylinder G and tubes F, F, thro' the tubes H and I, by
which the surfaces and liquid are heated. The apparatus is then made to
rotato slowly on the trunnions, and the inner surface of the cylinder or vessel E,
and the outer surface of the tubes F, F, take up a portion of the liquid in thin
films, (which again falls off liberating the vapour from it,) thus exposing it to
the action of the current of heated air passing thro' the apparatus increased by
the jet of steam in the chimney, by which also the vapour in the pan is more
rapidly carried off and evaporation accelerated. By this construction of
apparatus a more rapid and economical evaporation of the liquid is effected
than by any other apparatus hitherto proposed.
My improved evaporating apparatus is applicable to treating saccharine
solutions of any kind first submitted to one of the ordinary clarifying processes.
The apparatus may be constructed without the outer cylinder or current of
heated air, the jet of steam in the chimney being still employed, and a current
of cold air admitted into the apparatus by removing the cover Z from off the
opening Y, or the cover may remain on, thus preventing the admission of air,
in which case the pan is exhausted of its vapour by the jet of steam in the
chimney. The operation, however, is not attended with the same advantage
as when a current of heated air is used.
The cooling apparatus consists of a series of metallic pans or troughs placed
or encased in one common receptacle of metal, so as to have a space for freely
circulating cold water or cold air, or the two combined between them, round
their sides and bottoms.
The improved chain and bucket pump replaces the ordinary pumps now in
use in connection with the ordinary process for evaporating saccharine juices,
and serves for raising and transferring saccharine and saline liquids during the
evaporating process from one apparatus or vessel to another, which it effects
with greater economy of time and labour, and is also applicable to supplying my
improved evaporating apparatus with saccharine or saline solution to be treated
from any vessel containing the same. It consists of a framework with a
toothed wheel at each end over which two endless chains are placed, so that
by turning one pair of wheels the chains are set in motion. Attached to the
chains is a series of tilting buckets. The bucket frame is lowered down to the
bottom of the vessel to be emptied by suitable gearing. The top wheels being set

page_text: in motion, the chain of buckets begins its circuit,
which cach bucket in
succession scoops up a quantity of the liquid in the vessel, which it carries to
the top of the frame where it comes in contact with a stop, which tilts the bucket
over, and causes it to discharge its contents.
Having thus briefly described this part of my Invention, I will now more
particularly describe the same by reference to Sheet 2 of the annexed
Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation, Figure 2 an end clevation,
and Figure 3 a section of a chain and bucket pump shewn applied to raising
and transferring a saccharine syrup from one boiler to another in the ordinary
open evaporating process, but which is equally applicable to raising and trans-
ferring saccharine and saline solutions to the evaporating apparatus herein-
before described, and also whenever a large mass of the said liquids has to be
raised to a higher level in any of the usual processes for the manufacture of
sugar and salt.
This chain and bucket pump is composed of a strong iron frame i, i, formed
at its upper end with bosses j,j, through which passes the shaft k, having keyed
to it at one end the spur wheel 7, gearing with the pinion m, on the
shaft n, working in bearings o, o'. The latter is cast on the bracket p, which
is bolted to the frame i; g is a winch handle on the end of the shaft n, for
giving motion to the apparatus. Upon the shaft k are keyed two wheels r, 1,
(as shewn in Figure 3,) formed with teeth working into and driving the endless
chains s, s', which pass over two similar wheels t, t, on the shaft u, fixed to the
lower part of the frame i. The buckets v, v, slide on the bars w, w, attached
to the sides of the frame by cross bars x, and are prevented from lifting by the
bar y over the pins attached to the sides of the buckets, and are driven by
spindles 6, 6, passing through the sides of the single links 7 of the chain s.
At the extremity of each of the spindles 6, 6, is fixed a tappet or catch 8 for
the purpose of tipping the bucket over, as herein-after described. On the
upper part of the frame is a small bracket 9, having a projecting pin 10, which
engages with the tappets 8. This bracket can be raised or lowered by means
of a slot in the side of the frame, so as to alter the time of tipping. At the
upper part of the frame i is a slot 11, for the purpose of adjusting the balance
or weight 12, which is made sufficiently heavy to counterbalance the weight of
the machine.
18 is a carriage travelling on a tram or railway 14, fixed to the wooden supports
15. To the sides of the carriage are fitted the strong frames 16, having at their
lower ends the bosses 17, which fit over the bosses j,j, on the sides of the frame i,
upon which the apparatus swings; 18 are stays or tie rods placed between the
frames 16. The carriage is provided with flanged wheels 19, running on the

page_text: tramway, so as to move and place the pump where desired. When it is
necessary to use the pump, the winch handle is turned in the direction shewn
by the arrow, which action causes the buckets to descend into the boiler 20
returning full on the other side, when the buckets striking against the pin 10,
as they rotate empty themselves successively of their contents into the next
boiler 21. By depressing the weight 12, the lower part of the frame i may
be lifted on the shaft k, so as to pass over the top of the boiler, then pushed
along the tramway to the point required, when it may again be lowered into
the next boiler.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I would observe that I do not confine myself to
the precise details of construction herein laid down, as the same may be
varied without departing from the principles or main features of my Invention ;
but what I claim as new and intended to be protected by the herein in part
recited Letters Patent, is,
First, the general arrangement and construction of an apparatus for evapo-
rating saccharine and saline solutions, as herein-before described and represented
in Sheet 1 of the annexed Drawings.
Secondly, the combination and employment of the rotating cylinders E, G,
and K, & pipes F, for evaporating liquids, as herein-before described &
shown in Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly, the general arrangement and construction of a chain and
bucket pump for raising and transferring saccharine or saline solutions
from one vessel to another, and mode of moving the same, as herein-
before described and shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of Sheet 2 of the
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Fletcher, have hereto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
JOHN FLETCHER. (L.S.)