Improvements in Apparatus for Distilling Water in the Presence of Air, and for Communicating Heat thereto, and for Supplying Water and Air thereto and Delivering Water therefrom.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Distilling Water in the Presence of
Air, and for Communicating Heat thereto, and for Supplying
Water and Air thereto and Delivering Water therefrom.
I, NELSON HUNTING, a resident of Albany, in the County of Albany, in the
State of New York, United States of America, Physician, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING
WATER IN THE PRESENCE OF AIR, AND FOR COMMUNICATING HEAT THERETO,
AND FOR SUPPLYING WATER AND AIR THERETO AND DELIVERING WATER
THEREFROM," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
The improved apparatus is intended for the distillation of water for domestic
and other purposes. It is adapted to be operated by the heat from an ordinary
domestic apparatus, as a heating stove or a cooking stove. In houses which have
ranges, or analogous apparatus with water-backs and a circulation of hot water
therefrom, the apparatus may be set at any convenient distance from the range,
and the communication maintained by pipes. In houses of several stories, it will
be convenient to set my apparatus with its heating portion in the lower part an:l its
cooling portion in the upper part of the building.
Air will absorb moisture from a water surface up to a certain condition, which
may be called the saturated condition. This condition varies with the temperature,
the hot air holding the most moisture. I cause a limited quantity of air to circulate
up and down in the interior between the hot and the cold portions of the apparatus.
In the hot portion it absorbs vapor. In the cold portion this vapor is condensed
and forms water which is collected for use. The water produced has the purity of
distilled water, and also a properly aerated condition, adapting it completely for
drinking and other uses. The principle of action is the same on which Nature
works in raising the water of the ocean into the air and partially or completely
saturating it in a warm condition and afterward precipitating the moisture from the
air by lowering its temperature.
The present invention utilizes this principle in distillation.
I have improved the means for regulating the flow of cold water into and through
the upper portion or condenser of the apparatus. The distillation proceeds most
rapidly with a tolerably high temperature in the air circulated up and down in the
apparatus. To maintain this, the cooling surfaces which serve to condense the
surplus moisture must not be too cold, as otherwise the air will be too much lowered
in temperature. It is difficult to adjust the flow of water by hand so as to maintain
the correct temperature. I effect it automatically.
The moisture on being first condensed into pure water on the cooling surfaces has
the moderately high temperature due to such surfaces. Instead of conducting this
water away at once to a cool tank, I provide an intermediate tank kept warm by
presenting a large surface to the hot air within the apparatus, into which the freshly
condensed water is received and its temperature maintained. When the inter-
mediate tank is full it overflows, and the overflow runs away into a tank so
conditioned that it may cool. The present apparatus gives a liberal supply of
distilled water either in the hot or cold condition, according as it is taken from the
one tank or the other, when required.
I use a large tank or reservoir for the cooling water, which though heated
to say 150° Fahrenheit, or higher, being mainly enclosed within the other portions
of the apparatus, radiates heat but slowly, and is capable of maintaining an
approximately uniform temperature during a night or any considerable period
while no additional heat is received. During the whole period while the apparatus
is in active work, this tank is maintained by the automatic provisions at a uniform

page_text: temperature, nearly up to that of the air enclosed in the apparatus, a temperature
sufficiently high for all ordinary household purposes. I provide for conducting
this water to any portion of the house, so that my cooling tank serves the
double functions of a condenser for my distilling apparatus and a hot-water supply
* for the general purposes of the house.
I provide a valve for inducting air to supply the place of the air which is
absorbed and carried away by my distilled water without allowing the air to be
driven back when a pressure shall be raised by the accumulation of too much heat
and the generation of steam.
I provide for transferring sufficient heat from an ordinary cooking-range to the
vapor generator, and for holding in convenient position a supply of waste water to
be furnished to the generator, or for other purposes, at will, and for automatically
regulating such further discharge of waste water as is required to allow the corre-
sponding further induction of cold water to maintain the necessary low temperature
therein.
The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out
the invention.
Figure 1 is a central vertical section showing one form of my invention in
connection with a cooking-range.
:
Figure 2 is a corresponding section showing another forin of the invention.
Figure 3 is a plan view of a portion corresponding to Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a central vertical section of a portion illustrating other forms of
some of the parts.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 2.
Referring to Figure 1, and the letters of reference marked thereon, A. is the
main casing made of sufficiently strong sheet copper, or other material, to support
the other portions of the apparatus, and to endure a moderate pressure of steam
when such shall under certain conditions be generated in the interior. B is a
capacious condenser tank set into the casing A, with liberty for the moisture-laden
air to come in contact with an extended surface. C is a pipe bringing cold water
under pressure from a street main, elevated tank or other source, not shown, and
opening into the tank B near the bottom. D is a pipe leading from the tank B
down into a heater E, the delivery of water into the latter being controlled by a
stop-cock F operated by a float F
The heater E is connected with the casing A by a pipe G provided with a
dividing plate G¹. The contained air in the apparatus may descend freely through
one side of the pipe G, circulate over the water surface in the heater E and rise
increased in temperature, and laden with more moisture on the other side of the
central partition G'. The air thus rising comes in contact with the cooler surface
of the condenser B and is lowered in temperature and returns. In being lowered
in temperature its capacity for holding water is reduced, and the surplus water is
deposited in the form of dew upon the exterior of the vessel B. This water gathers
into drops and trickles down, and drops from various parts of the bottom of the
vessel or condenser B:-
An internal shelffenasupward a considerable height from the bottom of the
The lace between the exterior of A and the interior of A forms
casing
a tank
We will treatment to find beat anterio
#cflector represented, my³ñï³r
vaid other forms extending over the whole cederal spacej ata presentat
edges extending out beyond the unmilar shen e presence of the shea P
insures that all the water dropped from the densely delivered at the
andhtar Babe, from which overflows when fil?¥ª³ï³down the inside of
FA 10 and is receivedantanimlar utter a shreding the extended fo
the
tank m,,
A

page_text: The heat to maintain a high temperature of the water in the heater E may be
received from any convenient source. I have shown it as coming from what is
intended to represent a water-back in an ordinary range, the water circulating
between the heater E and the water-back through pipes E¹, E², moving from the
water-back through the upper pipe E' and being by the partial partition e compelled
to traverse a large part of the heater E, and present itself to the air and give vapor
thereto before returning through the lower pipe E' to the water-back to be again
heated.
J is a pipe leading from the upper portion of the tank B. It is provided with a
controlling valve J' which may be a small poppet-valve of any ordinary or suitable
style which will work with little resistance. It is operated by a stem K' carrying
a light disc K, which fits into a seat L' in the casing L, which is connected to the
interior of the casing A by a sufficient passage and is provided with a suitable
escape pipe L. A gentle helical spring O, surrounding the stem K' within the
casing L, urges the stem K¹ and its attached valve and disc iuto their tightly closed
positions, but is ready to yield and allow both to open with a slight force.
When for any reason the temperature of the water in the condenser B rises until
it can no longer absorb heat from the air in the casing A, the water in the heater E
being no longer cooled by the air, its temperature rises and steam is generated.
This raises the pressure in the apparatus, and the increased pressure being felt by
the disc K² moves the latter to the left and opens a liberal passage previously
stopped by the disc K* in the seat L' and also, by means of the rigidly connected
stem K', opens the valve J'. Now a quantity of the air and steam will flow past
the disc K and away through the pipe L' and the warmest water will flow out
and
from the top of the tank B through the pipe J, past the now opened valve J',
cold water will be inducted through the pipe C and spread in a stratum in the
bottom of the condenser B. The cooling thus induced condenses the steam and
lowers the temperature of the remaining air; the stem K¹ being moved again to
the right by the spring O; the apparatus again resumes its proper action. But
there will be a demand for more air in the apparatus. This is supplied through a
pipe P and valve Q. The latter I have represented as a light flap of thin rubber,
or other suitable material, hanging vertically against a grated surface; but this
may be varied. It is important that the valve open inward with tolerable facility
in order that air may be inducted not only when there has been a portion driven
out past the valve through. over-heating of the apparatus, but also under more
ordinary conditions when required by the absorption of the air by the condensed
water. It is important that this valve shall close with tolerable tightness when
steam is generated in the apparatus so that the pressure thus induced may have
sufficient force to work the disc K' and valve J¹.
D' and D are branches from the pipe D, adapted to lead water to any desired
portion of the house. They may be controlled by apparatus either adjacent to the
pipe D, as shown, or at any distance, as at a sink or bath-tub. The water drawn
through these pipes comes from the upper and hottest portion of the condenser, and
as the cold water to supply its place is inducted through the pipe C and spreads in
the bottom of the condenser, it follows that the considerable contents of the
condenser B may be made available as hot water for any purposes about the house..
The tank B is thus made to serve the double functions of a hot-water tank and
a condenser, the water therefrom being at a conveniently high temperature, but in
the crude or undistilled condition. The tank m in the lower portion of the
casing A serves as a reliable supply of hot water in a distilled condition. It can
be drawn through the stop-cock R, or led to any place desired, while the tank I
furnishes distilled water in a cold or relatively cold condition through the valve I*
and led to any point.
M is a cock which serves to clean the entire apparatus.
There may be a separate filter containing any suitable purifying material, as
fresh-burned charcoal; but I propose for all ordinary purposes to introduce the
charcoal or other purifying agent directly in the tank I which contains the cold.

page_text: distilled water. This tank may have a cover easily removed to allow the filtering
anaterials to be changed at intervals.
A low degree of heat, considerably below the boiling point, in the generator,
will suffice to produce a rapid absorption of vapor by the warm air. The heat for
this purpose may be obtained from various sources. I have shown circulating pipes
leading thereto from a coil of pipe in a cooking-range. Instead of such, coil, there
may be the ordinary water-back. It will be understood that the water heated
in the coil or water-back flows to my heater through one pipe and returns
through the other. This maintains a heat in my generator approximating that in
the coil or water-back.
The form of the apparatus shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, corresponds in many
points with that above described. In this, I obtain the heat for the water in the
vessel E, by causing it to circulate through pipes E¹, E', which connect with a
net-work of pipes E³, E, E, exposed to the heat of the fire which may be in a
furnace Z, of otherwise ordinary character and used for cooking or warming. The
hot water, more or less mingled with steam, when the fire is active flows through
the pipe E. from the system of pipes E, E, etc., in which it is exposed to the fire,
and pours into the vessel E, where it is allowed to circulate in contact with the air
which descends and rises again through the pipe G. The water after giving up
šome of its heat to the air, and loading the air with vapor so that it contains nearly
or quite the quantity of moisture required to saturate the air at that high
temperature, returns through the pipe E, and commences a fresh circuit through
the heating pipes E, E, etc. This movement of the water is automatic, being due
to the levity of the heated water. The vessel E, is drained when required by
means of the stop-cock M.
I provide for inducting air through a passage which communicates with a pipe P,
leading upward a short distance, and protected by a hood P. This provides
the air required to aerate the distilled water produced. A cock 1" may retard
the flow to any degree required to prevent any draught of air upward through the
apparatus.
The water becomes somewhat raised in temperature in the condenser 13, and may
be used for washing or other purposes, flowing out through the pipe D, as it is
required, by the branches D', D', leading to different parts of the house, or leading
to any point where moderately warmed water is required. I supply the generator E
from this source, but do it through the medium of a separate vessel S. A slender
bent pipe S connects this vessel with the vessel E so that the same level of water
is maintained in each. In the vessel S is a float F' connected to a cock F' which
controls the supply. This cock should turn easily, and as the condenser B requires
a flow of cold water through it, there is no disadvantage in allowing this cock to
leak a little.
The water is liable to thus leak to an extent considerably in excess of the
requirements of the generator E. In such case the escape of cold water into the
vessel S and out through a waste-pipe would involve a loss of heat in the vessel E.
I avoid this by the employment of my separate vessel S, to which Jatter the discharge
pipe S is connected so that all excess flows away from this vessel S without mingling
with the water in the vessel E, which latter is thus allowed to retain its full
modicum of heat. As fast as the water is evaporated from the vessel E, a corre-
sponding quantity of the slightly warmed water is received from the vessel S
through the bent pipe S'.
I, is a pipe leading down into and extending along near the bottom of the interior
of the vessel I, the lower portion being perforated. By applying a small pump or
syringe to the upper open end of the pipe, fresh air may be forced down and allowed to
bubble up through the water. When this is operated, it will complete the thorough
aeration of the water, but the water will ordinarily be fairly well aerated without
operating the condensing and subsequent treatment being all effected in the presence
of air.
The condenser B is firmly supported in the top of the casing A, but the joint

page_text: between them is not tight; the surfaces being slightly corrugated as shown in
Figure 5, so that there are a number of slight openings through which the space
in the interior of A communicates with the external atmosphere. In case steam is
ever generated it can vent through these openings, and in case there is too much
or too little air pressure in the general interior of A, air may flow out or in through
these apertures, but they are too small to allow any considerable circulation both
in and out.
There are in practice oft-recurring periods when the water is not sufficiently
discharged from the condenser through the pipe D, either for use through the
branches D', D2, or through the slight opening and leakage of the cock F, and
the condenser is liable to become too hot unless there is another way of discharge.
I provide such other way by a pipe J, leading down into a box J' from which the
water when permitted may be discharged through a pipe J'. The junction of
the pipe J with the box J' is finished on the inside to make a suitable seat for a
valve K having a form like a lady's thimble, and having a central stem K¹ which
extends downward through a tube J³, which is open at both ends and fitted tightly
in the bottom of the box J' extending upward above the bottom rim of the valve K.
This arrangement gives liberty for the valve to move downward so far as is
necessary to give a liberal opening for the water, but prevents the water from
flowing outward around the rod K.
But when
The lower end of this rod is connected to the short arm K³ of a bell-crank
lever K, K, turning on a fixed centre, and actuated by a spring K³, the tension
of which latter may be adjusted by a screw K. The upper end of the arm K+, is
connected by a rod K', to the central plate K, of a diaphragm K, which forms
one side of a rigid circular casing Ws, connected by a pipe W', to a capacious
vessel W, immersed in the condenser B. This vessel should be copper or other
good conductor of heat, and should be as thin as is consistent with rigidity. So
long as the temperature of the water in the condenser B, remains sufficiently low,
the air in the vessel W, is not of sufficient volume to distend the diaphragm K® and
open the valve K. The valve remains closed, or nearly so, by the tension of the
spring K, and the diaphragm K' is plane or perhaps drawn inward.
through an increased activity of the fire in the furnace Z, and consequently an
increase in the heat in the water in the vessel E, sending up the air at a higher
temperature into the casing A, or through the omission for any considerable period
to draw water from the branches D¹, D, or when from any other cause the
temperature of the condenser B, notwithstanding the slight amount allowed to leak
away through the stop-cock F, becomes too high, and the condensing commences.
to become insufficient, the rise in the temperature in the condenser is communicated
to the air in the vessel W, and it expands and distends the diaphragm K. This
turns the lever K, K, against the force of the spring K³, and by lowering the
rod K', opens the valve K, and the water commences to escape from the con-
denser B, through pipe J, box J', and pipe or continuation J. The escape of
water through this means equally with that at the same or other period through
the pipe D, allows the induction of cold water through the pipe C, and the
temperature of the condenser is lowered with the effect to again correspondingly
cool the air in the vessel W, and contract the diaphragm K, thus turning the
levers K, K, back to the position shown and allowing the gentle force of the
spring K to again raise the valve K and hold it closed until the temperature shall
again rise above the limit. The temperature at which this part of the apparatus
will work may be varied by increasing or relaxing the tension of the spring K
through the agency of the screw K.
The air vessel W is annular, as indicated by dotted lines, and the cold water is
led down through its interior directly to the bottom of the condenser, and after
performing its important function there of cooling the air circulating below and
condensing its moisture, the freshly inducted water mingles with the water previously
in the condenser and lowers its temperature, thereby cooling the air in the air
vessel W and allowing the valve K to close or partially close, and arrest or retard

page_text: the escape of water through the pipe J' and also except when there is a discharge
through the pipe D similarly retarding the entrance of cold water through the
pipe Č.
In practice, whenever the drawing of water through the pipe D for use in the
house is discontinued for any considerable period, that part of my apparatus actuated 5
by the expansion and contraction of the air in the vessel is likely to assume a
condition in which the valve K is kept a little open, with only partial closings, and
there is a constant and nearly equable flow through the pipe J with a corresponding
constant induction through the pipe C.
The modification outlined in Figure 4 may be preferable in cases where it is 1
important to avoid the use of a spring to close the valve. The valve, corresponding
in function to the valve K of Figure 1, but in this figure marked K", opens upward
and is arranged so much above the diaphragm K' and rod K' that the bell-crank
lever corresponding to the lever K, K, of Figure 1, but here marked K", works
in an inverted position turning on a center above. The gravity of the valve K, 1
and also the pressure of the water downward thereon, tends to close the valve.
There may be also a gentle spring as shown by K", but it is not necessary. The
closing of the valve presses the diaphragm Kinward, to the right in these figures;
and the expansion of the air in the vessel W, when the condenser becomes heated,
urges the diaphragm to the left and opens the valve.
The orifice through the short arm of the lever K", works should be so large as
to allow free play to the lever. It is so formed as to carry down any water which
reaches such orifice without allowing it to escape. It will be noted that in neither
form is there any pressure of water below the valve where the connections to the
operating mechanism work.
Modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing
the advantages of the invention. I can use a flexible diaphragm or analogous
device in place of the disc K³, to receive the gentle pressure of the steam and
open the discharge valve K. I prefer the disc for the reason amongst others that
it serves as a safety-valve and relieves the pressure from the interior of the apparatus.
It may serve that function if there shall for any reason be an insufficient supply of
cold water, or there shall be no cold water supplied for a time. In such case the
opening of the valve K will be of little effect; it certainly will not perform its
intended function of allowing the hottest water to be discharged by the pressure of
cold water accumulating in the bottom of the condenser. But, however much the
apparatus may be over-heated no mischief will result because the steam generated
will all be discharged past the disc or valve out through the discharge pipe J.
Parts of the invention can be used without the whole. I can dispense with the
connections D, D', D', and use the apparatus for distilling alone.
I can dispense with the separate vessel for storing waste water and the provisions
for discharging cold water through it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is :
1. In a distilling apparatus, operating with the presence of air to absorb and
yield up the vapor, the main casing A, heater E at a lower level and two separate
passages connecting the heater with said casing for promoting the circulation of air
upward and downward between the same, in combination with each other and with
the condenser B, at a high point in the casing, shed H below such condenser,
adapted to deflect the drops of water and prevent their returning to the heater, and
provisions for admitting water to the condenser and heater, and for storing and
delivering the distilled water, all substantially as herein specified.
2. In a distilling apparatus, operating with the presence of air to absorb and
Field up the vapor, the combination with the casing A and connection G to a
heater E, of the elevated condenser B, hot tank m, with its cock R at a lower
level, the pipe I' leading the overflow therefrom, the cold tank I still lower, with
1

page_text: its cock I³, arranged as shown, so that the hot tank first receives the condensed
water and holds it for a time within the influence of the warmest air, and the said
cold tank receives the same water at a later period and holds it apart so that it may
become colder, all arranged for joint operation, as herein specified.
3. In a distilling apparatus operating with the presence of air to absorb and
yield up the vapor, the provision for automatic regulation consisting in the casing A,
condenser B, at a high point therein, cold water supply C, introducing the water
into the base of the condenser, discharge pipe J, delivering the water from the top
of the condenser, valve J¹, controlling such discharge pipe, disc K³, mounted in the
casing L, whereby the pressure received through the pipe L2, is allowed to act on
the valve for operating the valve automatically by such pressure when the con-
denser becomes too hot and steam is generated, all combined and arranged
substantially as specified.
4. In a distilling apparatus operating with the presence of air to absorb and
yield up the vapor, the air induction passage P, in the upper part of the heater E,
and the valve O, controlling such passage and opening inward, in combination with
said heater E, the casing A, the large pipe G, leading from said henter to said
casing the condenser B, mounted at a high point, with pipe C, for supplying cold
water, the lischarge pipe J, connected to a high point in the condenser, and the
casing L, pipe L³, disc K², and stem K₁ whereby the pressure is allowed to act on
the valve J, in the pipe J, to induce a flow of water through the condenser on the
generation of steam pressure, as herein specified.
5. In a distilling apparatus operating with the presence of air alternately
absorbing and yielding up the moisture, the combination with the heater E, con-
necting pipe G, main casing A and cold water tank or condenser B, of the discharge
pipe J and controlling valve J' therein, casing L, having seat L', connecting pipe II³,
discharge pipe. L³, valve-stem K¹ fixed to disc K enclosed in casing L, and
spring O acting on said disc to close it, all arranged to perform the double function
first of a medium for receiving the pressure of the steam and thereby operating the
water discharge valve J', and second, of a safety-valve to allow the steam to escape
from the casing A, all substantially as herein set forth.
6. In a distilling apparatus operating with the presence of air to absorb and
yield up the vapor, the vessel B, performing the double function of a condenser and
of a hot-water supply, in combination with the casing A enclosing and supporting
the same, heater E, at a lower level, connection G, keeping the heater and casing A
in free communication and allowing the air to circulate up and down as its tem-
perature impels it, pipe D, leading from a high point in the condenser, valve F in
such pipe and controlling means F, actuating by the height of the water in the
heater so as to deliver water from the condenser into the heater when needed in the
latter, and one or more pipes D', D', leading the hot water from the condenser to be
used for other purposes, all substantially as herein specified.
•
7. In a distilling apparatus the combination of the vessel E, presenting a surface
of hot water, liberal connections therefrom to the higher vessel A, having in its
upper portion a condenser B, with a pipe C, arranged for supplying cold water in
the base of the latter, a discharge pipe J, leading from the condenser, having a
controlling valve J', with connections thereto operated by the changes of temperature,
all arranged substantially as specified, so that when the condenser becomes hot, a
pressure will be generated and the valve will be opened and warm water discharged,
its place being supplied by cold water, and as soon as the condenser is sufficiently
cooled the change in temperature will allow the closing of the valve and prevent
any waste of water, all substantially as herein specified.
8. In an apparatus for distilling water, operating at moderate temperatures by
absorbing the vapor in permanent gas which changes its capacity for holding water
with changes of temperature, the air chamber A, of non-elastic heat-conducting
material, connecting passages A³, and exterior chamber A², having a yielding side K³,
in combination with the condenser B, and water-induction pipe C, discharge pipe.!,

page_text: valve K, and mechanism for operating the latter by the expansion and contraction
of the air due to changes of temperature of the condenser, as herein specified.
9. In apparatus for distilling water, operating at moderate temperatures by
absorbing the vapor in permanent gas which changes its capacity for holding water
with changes of temperature, the case A, heater E, double connecting passage G,
condenser B, and provisions as the pipe C, for supplying cold water, and delivery
pipe D, in combination with each other and with the cock F, float F¹ final discharge
pipe S, and vessel S, separate from the heater, but connected so as to allow the
heater to be supplied from the vessel S, as required while any surplus flows away,
all substantially as herein specified.
10. In apparatus for distilling water, operating at moderate temperatures by
absorbing the vapor in permanent gas which changes its capacity for holding water
with changes of temperature, the case A, heater E, double connection passage G,
condenser B, and provisions as the cold water supply pipe C, and suitable dis-
charging means for keeping the condenser cool, in combination with each other and
with the furnace Z, connections E¹, E', between the heater and the furnace, and a
pipe E, extending across the top of the furnace, and pipes E, E, in opposite
vertical faces thereof, arranged for joint operation substantially as herein specified.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1892.
Witnesses-
JACOB H. LEONARD..
WILLIAM G. VAN SATVOORDT.
NELSON HUNTING.