Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 14th Dec., 1888
We HENRY WADE DEACON of Appleton House Widness in the County of
Lancaster Alkali Manufacturer and FERDINAND HURTER, Ph. D. of Wilmere House,
Bold Widnes aforesaid Analytical Chemist do hereby declare the nature of this
Invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to what is known as the "Deacon Chlorine process." In
working this process we have discovered that it is advantageous to introduce the
gaseous Hydrochloric acid into the decomposer in as dry a condition as possible.
To secure this dry condition of the said hydrochloric acid we cause the gas produced
for instance in the manufacture of Saltcake after being cooled to any extent that may
be desirable to be brought before it enters the decomposer into contact with hygro-
scopic material such as strong sulphuric acid.
If sulphuric acid be used it may be run down a tower filled with coke or flint or
the equivalent to give an extended surface.
D
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agents for the said Henry Wade Deacon and
F. Hurter.

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of Chlorine.
We HENRY WADE DEACON of Appleton House Widnes in the County of
Lancaster Alkali Manufacturer and FERDINAND HURTER Ph. D. of Wilmere House
Bold Widnes aforesaid Analytical Chemist do hereby declare the nature of this
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention relates to the manufacture of Chlorine by a process such as that
known as the Deacon Chlorine process that is to say a process wherein chlorine
is produced from hydrochloric acid gas by means of oxygen and a catalytic
substance.
The oxygen is usually taken in by admitting air by an opening in the cover of the
pan in which the hydrochloric acid gas is evolved although it may if so desired be
taken in as air or as pure oxygen at a later stage before the gas and air pass into the
decomposer. In working this process we have found that it is advantageous to
introduce the hydrochloric acid gas into the decomposer in as dry a condition as
possible.
In the usual mode of manufacturing saltcake from salt hydrochloric acid mixed
with steam is produced. It has hitherto been the practice to employ this mixture
for processes such as the "Deacon Chlorine process" after removing by cooling as
much of the steam or aqueous vapour as possible. But the whole of the steam
cannot thus be condensed, and the steam which does condense removes with it a
large quantity of the hydrochloric acid gas.
In order to obtain the hydrochloric acid gas in a dry condition without so great
a loss, we cause the gas produced in the manufacture of saltcake or otherwise, and
whether at this stage it be mixed with air or not, to be brought, before it enters
the decomposer, into intimate contact with hygroscopic material, preferably strong
sulphuric acid.
This may be effected by running strong sulphuric acid of 140° by Twaddel's
hydrometer, or stronger,. down an absorbing tower (which may be of usual con-
struction) filled with pieces of coke or flint, or the equivalent to give extended
surface the gas obtained in the manufacture of salt cake or otherwise (and whether
mixed at this stage with air or not) being caused to pass by a suitable pipe or
passage and through the tower preferably without previous cooling. The sulphuric
acid absorbs the steam and flows away at the bottom of the tower as a dilute
sulphuric acid. It should not be allowed to become too dilute or it will absorb
hydrochloric acid gas. The dried gas then passes on towards the decomposer as
usual. The dilute sulphuric acid may then be concentrated by evaporation as is well
understood, when it may again be used and before thus concentrating it we may in
order to cleanse it of any hydrochloric acid with which the said dilute sulphuric acid
may be contaminated treat it with air which may be done either in a tower or vessel
like that hereinbefore mentioned or by forcing air through the said contaminated
dilute acid.

page_text: When the hydrochloric gas is dried according to our Invention we can dispense
with the pipes and cisterns which are usually employed between the pot and the
heater or with some of them.
By our Invention we not only prevent the loss of acid as aforesaid but we obtain
a greater yield of Chlorine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is-
In the manufacture of Chlorine by processes such as are hereinbefore referred to
drying the hydrochloric acid before it enters the decomposer by causing it to come
into contact with sulphuric acid or other hygroscopic material substantially as herein-
before described and whether with the hydrochloric acid gas so treated, air be present
or not as hereinbefore stated.