IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCTION OF COLD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ICE AND OTHER PURPOSES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE SAFE TRANSPORTATION OF ETHERS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in
the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCTION OF COLD FOR THE MANUFACTURE
OF ICE AND OTHER PURPOSES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO
APPLICABLE TO THE SAFE TRANSPORTATION OF ETHERS." A communication
from abroad by Cyprien M. Tessie du Motay, of Paris, in the Republic of
France, but temporarily residing in the City of New York, and Auguste J.
Rossi, of the City of New York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th March 1880.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCTION OF
COLD FOR THE ManufactURE OF ICE AND OTHER PURPOSES, PART OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE SAFE TRANSPORTATION OF ETHERS.'
A communication from abroad by Cyprien M. Tessie du Motay, of Paris, in the
Republic of France, but temporarily residing in the City of New York, and
Augusto J. Rossi, of the City of New York, United States of America.
Heretofore cold has been artificially produced by means of ammonia, it being
alternately absorbed in and expelled from water. A solution of aminonin being
prepared the same is heated, and the ammonia being driven off gas is collected in
a suitable vessel cooled by a water circulation, where, by the pressure of its own
vapor, aided by the cooling medium, the ammonia is liquified; volatilization is then
permitted to take place, the gas as it is formed being absorbed in cold or cool
water. In such ice machines the compression pumps and operating engine or
motor required when the gascous refrigerating agent is liquified by mechanical
compression are dispensed with, so that they are specially suited on that account
for private establishinents, or other places where small, economical, and inexpensive
machines are desired. In operation, however, with ammonia difficulties are
experienced on account of the great pressure required to effect the condensation,
and the consequent high temperature required to produce the necessary tension of
Duins G11

page_text: the vapor, so that there is considerable liability to explode, and the parts must be
made heavy to oppose sufficient resistance. Owing to the high temperature also
the expenditure of fuel is large; moreover the water is apt to be carried over with
the ammonia, and being afterwards frozen it clogs the machine. The pressure
required for the liquifaction of ammonia is from 125 lbs. to 200lbs. per square inch,
and the temperature in what are called hand machines varies from 130° C. (265° F.)
with condensing water at 12° C. (53° F.) to 150° C. (312° F.) with the water for
condensation at 250° C. (77° F.).
This Invention has relation more particularly to what may be called the same
class of processes, that is, the liquifaction or condensation of the refrigerating agent
is effected by the tension of its own vapor, nided of course by a cooling medium,
and it is alternately absorbed in and expelled from a suitable liquid. The principal
object is to produce cold at less pressure and temperature than before required
so that waste heat may be employed, or the consumption of fuel may at any rate
be materially reduced to obtain increased efficiency and economy, and generally
to overcome the difficulties and objections, such as indicated above, which havo
been heretofore experienced in producing cold artificially in this class of processes.
In order to obtain a refrigerating agent condensible at low temperatures and
pressures, it is proposed to employ sulphurous dioxide, anhydrous sulphurous acid,
and the same is caused to bo absorbed in a suitable liquid, from which it can be
readily expelled and separated by the application of heat.
It has been found amongst the liquids capable of absorbing sulphurous dioxido
that the ethers formed by the action of oxacids (inorganic or organic) on different
alcoholic radicals, or by the action of salts of these acids in presence of sulphuric
acid and the alcoholic radicals, or prepared by some other indirect ways, as well
ns the alcoholic radicals themselves, absorb sulphurous dioxide in proportions
varying, according to the different ethers, from 20 to 58 parts or more in weight of
the latter in 100 parts of the compounds or binary liquids, that the mixtures of
such of these cthers as were not chemically antagonistic would also absorb
sulphurous dioxide in proportions depending upon the other employed, and that
all the liquids thus obtained when charged to the proper degree of saturation
had no appreciable tension at ordinary temperatures, and were practically
uninflamable.
It has been ascertained also that all these others, or mixtures of them absorbents
of sulphurous dioxide thus saturated, even those of which the boiling points were
the highest, could and actually did abandon their sulphurous dioxide by the
application of a moderate heat at temperatures ranging from 38° to 50° C. (100° to
122° F.), all inferior to the boiling point of water, 100° C. (212° F.). On these
principles and properties is based the new process for the production of artificial
cold or ice constituting the first part of this Invention, and consisting in driving
off the sulphurous dioxide from its absorbent by heat, and reducing it to a liquid
condition by the pressure of its own vapor, aided by a cooling medium, and then
cooling the absorbent and permitting the sulphurous dioxide to be reabsorbed, thus
producing a diminution of pressure or partial vacuum, which causes the volatilization
of the liquified sulphurous dioxide and produces cold. In the liquefying of the
sulphurous dioxide the cooling medium employed may be water at ordinary
temperatures, but in order to reduce the pressure necessary it is preferred to employ
a volatile liquid, such as sulphuric ether, naphtha, or gasaline, sulphide of carbou,
and the like, the vapors of which are returned to a liquid condition by their own
pressure or tension and a circulation of water, and this method, which is applicable
as well to the condensation of the gaseous refrigerant in other processes, constitutes
the second part of this Invention. When water at ordinary temperatures is
employed as the cooling medium for condensing the sulphurous dioxide the pressure
required is from 40 to 60 lbs., or thereabouts, but with the volatile liquid it may bo
reduced to 20 or 25 lbs., or even lower.
The third part of this Invention consists in a binary liquid for use in the

page_text: production of cold by means of a refrigerating agent alternately absorbed in and
expelled from an absorbing liquid composed of an absorbent liquid having a boiling
point above that of water, and a refrigerating agent absorbable therein, but capable
of being driven off and condensed by the tension of its vapour at a temperaturo
below the boiling point of water, and specially tho liquid composed of oxalic ether,
sulphate of methylene, or other like liquid or mixtures of them having a high
boiling point, and sulphurous dioxide absorbed therein. In producing cold on the
above mentioned principle, the absorbed refrigerant must be driven off or liberated
by heat from the absorbent under conditions which retain the latter in a liquid
state. Binary liquids which have, as the absorbent, a liquid volatile under
approximately the conditions of temperature and pressure required to liberate tho
absorbed material, such as for example sulphuric ether holding sulphurous dioxide
in absorption, will not answer the purposes of this Invention. The advantage of
having a wide interval between the boiling point of the absorbent and the
temperature at which the absorbed refrigerating agent is liberated is obvious. In
the binary liquid in which this Invention in part consists, not only is this
advantage obtained, but the boiling point of the absorbent being above (with
the special liquid mentioned considerably above) that of water, and the absorbed
refrigerant being liberated below that point, the danger of volatilizing the absorbent
may be readily avoided; the regulation of the temperature being affected by a
water bath or similar means, and the consumption of fuel on account of the lowness
of the temperature required is small. It is not in fact proposed to run the
temperature higher than 140° F.
The Invention also comprises the application of waste heat or exhaust steam for
expelling the refrigerant from the absorbant, the use of a practically uncongealable
absorbent in the production of cold in ice machines by driving off and condensing
the refrigerating agent by the means of heat applied to the binary liquid, and then
permitting the volatilization and reabsorption of the refrigerating agent, and the
application of the property of ethers, when saturated with sulphurous dioxide, of
being uninflammable so as a means for their transportation without danger, a gentle
application of heat on a water bath being sufficient to drive off the sulphurous
dioxide, and thus regenerate the ethers.
In carrying out this Invention, the apparatus used may be such as have been
employed in connection with a solution of ammonia, but need not be so strong as
Decessary for use with those materials, and may be much simpler. It consists
generally of (1) a boiler adapted to be heated to a temperature below 100° C.
(212° F) by lost heat of furnaces, exhaust steam, or other suitable means in which
the refrigerating agent can be driven from the less volatile liquid in which it is
absorbed; (2) a liquefier or condenser, being a system of coils, tubular boiler, or
other ordinary or suitable contrivance in which the refrigerant can be liquefied by
the pressure of its own gas and the aid of a cooling medium; (3) a congealor or
congen lator, being a system of coils or pipes or other suitable contrivance in which
the volatilization of the liquefied refrigerating agent takes place, the heat necessary
being taken from a surrounding medium, an uncongealable mixture, such as
glycerine and water, solutions of chloride of calcium, sodium, or magnesium, and the
like being ordinarily employed; and (4) an absorber or system of absorbing vessels,
in which the volatilized refrigerant is reabsorbed in the exhausted absorbent liquid
from the boiler, and the binary liquid is reformed ready to be returned to the
boiler, the heat disengaged by such absorption being carried off by a circulation of
a cooling medium, ordinarily water.
These several vessels or devices are connected in any ordinary or suitable manner,
as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. It is evident that such
an apparatus admits of various modifications and changes. The binary liquid is
prepared by absorption of sulphurous dioxide in a suitable absorbent liquid. The
following are well adapted, the percentage of absorption indicated being taken
with reference to the binary liquid, that is, the quantity of sulphurous dioxide

page_text: contained in 100 parts of the binary liquid. Uxalic ether boiling at 184 U.
(363° F.), absorption 48°.
Amylic alcohol boiling at
- 132º C. (270° F.), absorption 20% to 25%.
-
110° C. (241° F.), absorption 24°
125° C. (257° F.),
Sulphate of methylene boiling at 188° C. (370° F.)
Formiate of amyl
Acetate of amyl
"
27%
The sulphurous dioxide is introduced into the absorbent material to saturation.
This may be accomplished in any ordinary or suitable manner, for example, by
placing the absorbent in a suitable receptacle and introducing the sulphurous
dioxide through a pipe, the end of which dips below the level of the absorbent
liquid, the heat generated by the absorption being carried off by the aid of a
water jacket or by any suitable cooling medium. The point of saturation can be
-readily determined by means of an hydrometer. If desired the absorber or an
absorbing apparatus could be used, or the absorbent liquid may be introduced into
a close vessel provided with an alarm adapted to be operated or controlled by the
pressure of gas inside the vessel, and the sulphurous dioxide being forced therein
will sound the alarm after saturation of the absorbent is completo.
A suitable quantity of the binary liquid thus formed is introduced into the boiler,
which is heated in a water bath by means of a small furnace lamp or gas jet, by
the exhaust steam of high pressure engines, which can be very advantageously
done, or the water of condensation of condensing engines slightly heated to the
proper point if necessary by waste heat of furnaces, of boilers, evaporators, con-
centrators, stills, or other apparatus, in a word the heat led to waste in the smoke
stack of any combustion furnace or other waste heat, or in any suitable manner.
The temperature of the liquid is raised to 50° or 60° C. (122°—140°, F.), or it may
be some what higher if desired, but less advantageously. The sulphurous dioxido
is driven off by the elevation of temperature and is received in a gaseous state in
the coils or envelope of the liquefier or condenser, where it is reduced to a liquid
by the pressure of its own gas and the action of the cooling medium by which the
coils or envelope are surrounded; this cooling medium may be water circulated
through the apparatus, in which case with the water at ordinary temperatures the
pressure required for condensation will be 48 to 60 lbs. This pressure is however
greater than desirable, especially for small machines, and it is therefore preferred
to employ as such medium a liquid vaporizable at or below the temperature of the
sulphurous dioxide gas when it arrives from the boiler, say, 60° C. (142 F.), or
from 60° to 70° C., (142° 155° F.) such as sulphurous ether, which would volatilize
at 35-5 C. (96° F.), naphtha, or gasaline, sulphide of carbon, or similar liquid. This
liquid, which ever one may be used, is contained in a close vessel, and the vapor
is collected and conveyed to a vessel cooled by circulation of water, wherein it is
condensed by its own pressuro aided by the water circulation. In the case of
sulphuric cther this pressure need be only a few pounds above that of the
atmosphere.
The sulphuric ether or other liquid medium volatilizing at the temperature of
the gaseous sulphurous dioxido as it arrives from the boiler absorbs for its latent
heat of volatilization a larger amount of heat than the same amount of water,
thereby lowering much more the temperature of the sulphurous dioxide and
diminishing the pressure necessary to produce its liquifaction.
In this manner the pressure required need not exceed at most 20 to 25 lbs., and
may be somewhat less. The liquefied sulphurous. dioxido is allowed to flow into
the congealer, in the coils of which it vaporizes, and these coils being in communi-
cation with the absorber into which the exhausted liquid from the boiler is drawn,
and being cooled by a water circulation, the liquid absorbs the vaporized refrigerant,
thus lowering the pressure upon the liquefied refrigerant in the congealer, and
causing a continuous volatilization to take place therefrom until the absorbent
liquid is saturated, when it is returned to the boiler, and the sulphurous dioxide is
expelled as before. The volatilization of the liquefied sulphurous dioxide in the

page_text: congealer cools the uncongealable liquid with which commonly the coils are
surrounded. If ice is to be made or water or other liquid to be cooled, coils filled
with water or the liquid to be cooled are submerged in the uncongealable liquid
until the ice is formed or the temperature reduced to the desired degreo. If the
cold is to be utilized for other purposes appropriate devices are employed, as well
understood in the art.
It is obvious that for carrying out this process only two vessels are essential,
since the boiler may be made to serve alternately as the absorber and the liquefier
as the congealer.
The process may be rendered continuous by the use of duplicate boilers and
absorbers, so that they can be alternately employed, or by means of apparatus
similar to that employed for the same purposo in the production of cold by the
solution of ammonia, or in other arts where the absorption of gases in liquids and
their expulsion from solution by heat are practised, such as the manufacture of
soda by the ammonia process.
The manufacture of the absorbents may be accomplished in any known or suitable
manner. Among the absorbent materials mentioned oxalic ether is particularly
well adapted for use in the present Invention, since it can be readily prepared, and
also on account of its high boiling point.
Among the absorbents of sulphurous dioxide I would mention the following, the
percentage indicated being the quantity of sulphurous dioxide contained in 100
"
"
parts of the binary Liquid
Alcohol,
Acetic ether
boiling point 79° C. (174° F.), absorption 20% to 25%.
"7
52°
70° C. (158° F.),
Nitric ether
">
"
85° C. (185° F.)
"
Amylic ether
Methylic alcohol
Glycerine
112° C. (232° F.)
"
33
"
"
"
>>
»
65-5° C. (150° F.),
(600° F.),
40%.
"
"
6% to 8%
In view however of the comparatively low temperature at which most of these
volatilize, or their small absorptive power, they are not considered as advantageous
as those before named. In practice the absorbent should have a boiling point
considerably above, and part with their absorbed gas at a point considerably below
the boiling point of water; in general the higher the boiling point of the absorbing
liquid the better, provided it absorb a sufficient quantity of the refrigerant, and
yield it up at a comparatively low temperature.
With sufficient care however on the part of the operator it is possible to employ
the ethers boiling at low temperatures, such as those specified, but those boiling
below 60° C are not suitable for the production of cold in accordance with this
Invention. Should any of the absorbing liquid be carried over into the condenser
and congealor it would interfere somewhat with the operation by holding in
absorption a part of the refrigerating agent, but being uncongealable it would
not freeze and clog the machine, as in the case of the water in aminonia machines.
In order to apply the properties before described of the binary liquids formed by
the absorption of sulphurous dioxide in ethers to the safe transportation of tho
latter they are saturated with the sulphurous dioxide, and when carried to tho
desired place are regenerated by driving off the sulphurous dioxide through the
application of a gentle heat.
As I have before indicated the components of the binary liquid may be simple
or compound. A mixture of absorbent materials not antagonistic may be used to
absorb the sulphurous dioxide, and other absorbable refrigerating agents not
antagonistic to and condensible with sulphurous dioxide might be used in connection
with it

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
September 1880.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCTION OF
COLD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ICE AND OTHER PURPOSES, PART OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE SAFE TRANSPORTATION OF ETHERS."
A communication from abroad by Cyprien M. Tessie du Motay, of Paris, in the
Republic of France, but temporarily residing in the City of New York, and
Auguste J. Rossi, of the City of New York, United States America.
Heretofore cold has been artificially produced by means of ammonia, it being
alternately absorbed in and expelled from water. A solution of ammonia being
prepared the same is heated, and the ammonia being driven off as gas is collected
in a suitable vessel cooled by a water circulation, where, by the pressure of its own
vapor, aided by the cooling medium, the ammonia is liquified; volatilization is
then permitted to take place, the gas as it is formed being absorbed in cold or cool
water. In such ice machines the compression pumps and operating engine or
mortor required when the gaseous refrigerating agent is liquified by mechanical
compression are dispensed with, so that they are specially suited on that account
for private establishments or other places where small, economical, and inexpensive
machines are desired. On operation, however, with ammonia difficulties are
experienced on account of the great pressure required to effect the condensation,
and the consequent high temperature required to produce the necessary tension of
the vapor, so that there is considerable liability to explode, and the parts must be
made heavy to oppose sufficient resistance. Owing to the high temperature also
the expenditure of fuel is large. Moreover the water is apt to be carried over with
the ammonia, and being afterwards frozen it clogs tho machine. The pressure
required for the liquefaction of ammonia is from 125 lbs. to 200 lbs. per square inch,
and the temparature in what are called hand machines varies from 130° C. (265° F.)
with condensing water at 12° C. (53° F.) to 150° C. (312° F.), with the water for
condensation at 25° C. (77° F.).
This Invention has relation more particularly to what may be called the samo
class of processes, that is, the liquefaction or condensation of the refrigerating agent
is effected by the tension of its own vapor, aided of course by a cooling medium,
and it is alternately absorbed in and expelled from a suitable liquid. The principal
object is to produce cold at less pressure and temperature than before required, so
that waste heat may be employed, or the consumption of fuel may at any rate be
materially reduced, to obtain increased efficiency and economy, and generally to
overcome the difficulties and objections, such as indicated above, which have been
heretofore experienced in producing cold artificially in this class of processes.
In order to obtain a refrigerating agent condensible at low temperatures and
pressures there is employed according to this Invention sulphurous dioxide,
anhydrous sulphurous acid, and the same is caused to be absorbed in a suitable
liquid, from which it can be readily expelled and separated by the application
of heat.
It has been found amongst the liquids capable of absorbing sulphurous dioxide
that the ethers formed by the action of oxacids (inorganic or organic), or different
alcoholic radicals, or by the action of salts of these acids in presence of sulphuric
acid and the alcoholic radicals, or prepared by some other indirect ways, as well as
the alcoholic radicals themselves, absorb sulphurous dioxide in proportions varying,
according to the different ethers, from twenty to fifty-eight parts or more in weight
of the latter in one hundred parts of the compound or binary liquids, that the
mixtures of such of these ethers as were not chemically antagonistic would also

page_text: absorb sulphurous dioxide in proportions depending upon the ether employed, and
that all the liquids thus obtained when charged to the proper degree of saturation
had no appreciable tension at ordinary temperatures, and were practically
uninflammable.
It has been ascertained also that all these others, or mixtures of them absorbents
of sulphurous dioxide thus saturated, even those of which the boiling points were
the highest, could, and actually did, abandon their sulphurous dioxide by the
application of a moderate heat at temperatures ranging from 38° to 50° C. (100° to
122° F.), all inferior to the boiling point of water, 100° C. (212° F.) On these
principles and properties is based the new process for the production of artificial
cold or ice constituting the first part of this Invention, and consisting in driving
off the sulphurous dioxide from its absorbent by heat, and reducing it to a liquid
condition by the pressure of its own vapor, aided by a cooling medium, and then
cooling the absorbent and permitting the sulphurous dioxide to be reabsorbed, thus
producing a diminution of pressure or partial vacuum, which causes the volatilization
of the liquified sulphurous dioxide and produces cold. In the liquifying of the
sulphurous dioxide the cooling mediuin employed may be water at ordinary
temperatures, but in order to reduce the pressure necessary it is preferred to
employ a volatile liquid, such as sulphuric ether, naphtha or gasoline, sulphide of
carbon, and the like, the vapors of which are returned to a liquid condition by
their own pressuro or tension and a circulation of water, and this inethod, which is
applicable as well to the condensation of the gaseous refrigerant in other processes,
constitutes the second part of this Invention. When water at ordinary temperatures
is employed as the cooling medium for condensing the sulphurous dioxide the
pressure required is from 40 to 60 lbs., or thereabouts, but with the volatile liquid
it may be reduced to 20 or 25 lbs., or even lower.
The third part of this Invention consists in a binary liquid for use in the
production of cold by means of a refrigerating agent alternately absorbed in and
expelled from an absorbing liquid composed of an absorbent liquid having a boiling
point above that of water, and a refrigerating agent absorbable therein but capable
of being driven off and condensed by the tension of its vapor at a temperature
below the boiling point of water, and specially the liquid composed of oxalic ether,
sulphate of methylene, or other like liquid or mixtures of them having a high
boiling point, and sulphurous dioxide absorbed therein. In producing cold on the
above-mentioned principle the absorbed refrigerant must be driven off or liberated
by heat from the absorbent under conditions which retain the latter in a liquid
state. Binary liquids which have as the absorbent a liquid volatile under
approximately the conditions of temperature and pressure required to liberate the
absorbent inaterial, such, for example, as sulphuric ether holding sulphuric dioxide
in absorbtion, will not answer the purposes of this Invention. The advantage
of having a wide interval between the boiling point of the absorbent and the
temperature at which the absorbed refrigerating agent is liberated is obvious. In
the binary liquid in which this Invention in part consists, not only is this advantage
obtained, but the boiling point of the absorbent being above (with the special
liquid mentioned considerably above) that of water, and the absorbed refrigerant
being liberated below that point, the danger of volatilizing the absorbent may be
readily avoided, the regulation of the temperature being effected by a water bath
or similar means, and the consumption of fuel on account of the lowness of the
temperature required is small. It is not in fact proposed to run the temperature
higher than 140° F.
The Invention also comprises the application of waste heat or exhaust steam for
expelling the refrigerant from the absorbant, the use of a practically uncongealable
absorbant in the production of cold in ice machines by driving off and condensing
the refrigerating agent by the means of heat applied to the binary liquid, and then
permitting the volatilization and reabsorbtion of the refrigerating agent, and the
application of the property of ethers, when saturated with sulphurous dioxide, of
being uninflammable as a incans for their transportation without danger, a gentle

page_text: application of heat on a water bath being sufficient to drive off the sulphurous
dioxide, and thus regenerate the ethers.
In carrying out the said Invention the apparatus used may be such as have been
employed in connection with a solution of ammonia, but need not be so strong as
necessary for use with those materials and may be much simpler. It consists
generally of (1) a boiler, adapted to be heated to a temperature below 100° C.
(212° F.) by lost heat of furnaces, exhaust steam, or other suitable means in which
the refrigerating agent can be driven from the less volatile liquid in which it is
absorbed; (2) a liquifier or condenser, being a system of coils, tubular boilers, or
other ordinary or suitable contrivance in which the refrigerant can be liquified by
the pressure of its own gas and the aid of a cooling medium; (3) a congealer or
congealator, being a system of coils, or pipes, or other suitable contrivance in which
the volatilization of the liquified refrigerating agent takes place, the heat necessary
being taken from a surrounding medium, an uncongealable mixture, such as
glycerine and water, solutions of chloride of calcium, sodium, or magnesium, and
the like being ordinarily employed; and (4) an absorber or system of absorbing
vessels, in which the volatilized refrigerant is reabsorbed in the exhausted absorbent
liquid from the boiler, and the binary liquid is reformed ready to be returned to
the boiler, the heat disengaged by such absorbtion being carried off by a circulation
of a cooling medium, ordinarily water. These several vessels or devices are con-
nected in any ordinary or suitable manner, as will be readily understood by those
skilled in the art. It is evident that such an apparatus admits of various modi-
fications and changes. The binary liquid is prepared by absorbtion of sulphurous
dioxide in a suitable absorbent liquid. The following are well adapted, the per-
centage of absorption indicated being taken with reference to the binary liquid,
that is, the quantity of sulphurous dioxido contained in 100 parts of the binary
-

page_text: temperatures the pressure required for condensation will be 40 to 60 lbs. This
pressure is however greater than desirable, especially for small machines, and it is
therefore preferred to employ as such medium a liquid vaporizable at or below the
temperature of the sulphurous dioxide gas when it arrives from the boiler, say,
60° C. (142º F.), or from 60° to 70° C. (142°-158° F.), such as sulphurous ether,
which would volatilize at 35°-5 C. (96° F), naphtha, or gasoline, sulphide of carbon,
or similar liquid. This liquid, whichever one may be used, is contained in a close
vessel, and the vapor is collected and conveyed to a vessel cooled by a circulation
of water, whorein it is condensed by its own pressure aided by the water
circulation. In the case of sulphuric ether this pressure need be only a few pounds
above that of the atmosphere.
The sulphuric ether or other liquid medium volatilizing at the temperature of
the gaseous sulphurous dioxide as it arrives from the boiler absorbs for its latent
heat of volatilization a larger amount of heat than the same amount of water,
thereby lowering much more the temperature of the sulphurous dioxide, and
diminishing the pressure necessary to produce its liquefaction.
In this manner the pressure required need not exceed at most 20 to 25 lbs., and
may be somewhat less. The liquefied sulphurous dioxide is allowed to flow into
the congealor, in the coils of which it vaporizes, and those coils being in communication
with the absorber into which the exhausted liquid from the boiler is drawn, and
being cooled by a water circulation, the liquid absorbs the vaporized
refrigerent, thus lowering the pressure upon the liquefied refrigerant in the congealor,
and causing a continuous volatilization to take place therefrom until the absorbent
liquid is saturated, when it is returned to the boiler, and the sulphurous dioxide is
expelled as before. The volatilization of the liquefied sulphurous dioxide in the
congealor cools the uncongealable liquid with which commonly the coils are
surrounded.
If ice is to be made, or water or other liquid to be cooled, cans filled with water
or the liquid to be cooled are submerged in the uncongealable liquid until the ice
is formed or the temperature reduced to the desired degree. If the cold is to be
utilized for other purposes, appropriate devices are employed, as well understood in
the art.
It is obvious that for carrying out this process only two vessels are essential,
since the boiler may be made to serve alternately as the absorber and the liquefier
as the congealor. The process may be rendered continuous by the use of duplicate
boilers and absorbers, so that they can be alternately employed, or by means of
apparatus similar to that employed for the same purpose in the production of cold
by the solution of ammonia, or in other arts where the absorption of gases in
liquids and their expulsion from solution by heat are practised, such as the
manufacture of soda by the ammonia process.
The manufacture of the absorbents may be accomplished in any known or
suitable manner.
Among the absorbent materials mentioned oxalic ether is particularly well
adapted for use in the present Invention, since it can be readily prepared, and also
on account of its high boiling point.
Among the absorbents of sulphurous dioxide I would mention the following,
the percentage indicated being the quantity of sulphurous dioxide contained in
100 parts of the binary liquid :—

page_text: considerably above, and part with their absorbed gas at a point considerably below
the boiling point of water; in general the higher the boiling point of the absorbing
liquid the better, provided it absorbs a sufficient quantity of the refrigerant and
yields it up at a comparatively low temperature.
With sufficient care however on the part of the operator it is possible to employ
the ethers boiling at low temperatures such as those specified, but those boiling
below 60° C. are not suitable for the production of cold in accordance with this
Invention. Should any of the absorbing liquid be carried once into the condenser
and congealor it would interfere somewhat with the operation by holding in
absorption a part of the refrigerating agent, but being uncongealable it would
not freeze and clog the machine as in the case of the water in ammonia machines.
In order to apply the properties before described of the binary liquids formed by
the absorption of sulphurous dioxide in ethers to the safe transportation of the
latter they are saturated with the sulphurous dioxide, and when carried to the
desired place are regenerated by driving off the sulphurous dioxide through the
application of a gentle heat.
As I have before indicated the components of the binary liquid may be simple or
compound. A mixture of absorbent materials not antagonistic may be used to
absorb the sulphurous dioxide, and other absorbablo refrigerating agents not
antagonistic to and condensable with sulphurous dioxide might be used in
connection with it.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and thereforo claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The method of producing cold by means of sulphurous dioxide by the
application of the faculty of absorption of that gas by certain ethers and other
absorbents, and the property of such absorbents of abandoning it at low temperatures
below their own boiling points, the said method consisting in heating a binary
liquid composed of sulphurous dioxide and a suitable absorbent to the required
temperature below the boiling point of the said absorbent so as to drive off and
effect the condensation of the sulphurous dioxide, as set forth, and then causing the
volatilization and reabsorption of the latter, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Secondly. In the production of cold for the manufacture of ice and for other
purposes, the method of facilitating the liqefaction of the gascous refrigerating
agent by the aid of a volatilo liquid, the said method consisting in cooling the
guscous refrigerating agent while in a compressed state by the evaporation of the
volatile liquid, and condensing the vapours of the said liquid by their own pressure,
and the application of a cooling medium or water circulation, substantially as
herein before described.
Thirdly. The process of producing cold for the manufacture of ice and other
purposes, consisting in heating a binary liquid composed of an absorbent liquid and
a volatile refrigerating agent, substantially as herein set forth, expelling thereby
the said agent from the said absorbent, condensing and liquefying it by the pressure
of its own vapour and a low temperature produced in the condenser by the
evaporation of a volatile liquid, and causing the volatilization and reabsorption of
the refrigerating agent, the said volatile liquid being recondensed and reused,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourthly. A binary liquid composed of an absorbent liquid having a boiling
point above that of water and a refrigerating agent absorbable therein, but capable
of being driven off and condensed by the tension of its own vapor at a temperature
below the boiling point of water, substantially as herein before described.
Fifthly. A binary liquid composed of an absorbent liquid, as described, such as
oxalic ether, sulphate of methylene, or the like liquid, or the mixtures thereof
having a boiling point above that of water and sulphurous dioxide, substantially
as herein before described.

page_text: Sixthly. The method of safely transporting others by the application of their
liereinbefore described properties, consisting in causing sulphurous dioxide to be
absorbed therein, whereby they are rendered uninflammable, and after they are
carried to the required place expelling the absorbed sulphurous dioxide by the
application of a gentle heat on a wator bath or by other suitable means,
substantially as herein before described.
Seventhly. The method of utilizing the waste heat of combustion and exhaust
steam of engines for the production of cold, as described, the said method con-
sisting in applying the same to heating a binary liquid composed of sulphurous
dioxide and an absorbent, and thereby expelling and condensing by the aid of a
cooling medium the sulphurous dioxide, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Eighthly. In the production of cold by ice machines in which the condensation
of the gascous refrigerant is effected by the pressure due to the tension of its own
vapor, and in which the said refrigerant is alternately absorbed in and expelled
from a suitable liquid, the method whereby the clogging of the apparatus by the
freezing of the said liquid is avoided consisting in introducing into the machine an
uncongealable liquid in which the said refrigerant is absorbable, and from which
when absorbed it is driven off at a temperature below the boiling point of tho
uncongealable liquid, and causing the said refrigerant to be absorbed in and
expelled from the said liquid, substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, tho said John Henry Johnson, have to this my Speci-
fication set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of September, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)