CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CHEMICAL CONDENSING APPARATUS
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Désiré Plisson, of Paris, in the Empire of France,
and of 16, Castle Street, Holborn (City), London, for the Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CHEMICAL CONDENSING APPARATUS."
Sealed the 20th October 1854, and dated the 2nd May 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Désiré Plisson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd
May 1854.
I, DESIRE PLISSON, of Paris, Empire of France, and of 16, Castle Street,
Holborn (City), London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CHEMICAL CONDENSING APPARATUS " to be as follows:-
My improvements consist, firstly, in the construction of bottles used for
condensing chemical substances, such as nitric acid, with a siphon nozzle.
This siphon nozzle consists of a bent tube fixed to the bottom of the bottle and
having an opening near it; this tube rises in the bottle to a few inches
height, & then emerges from it with a short bend, which, terminating above
the level of the opening in the tube, does not allow the condensed fluid in the
bottle to sink below a certain level. The efflux of the fluid is thus made
continuous, and unattended with any loss of gas.
Secondly, my improvements consist in the superposition of bottles used for
the said purpose, and thus forming a condensing circuit in a small space. I

page_text: arrange the bottles with the siphon nozzles N in a row on a plane, as repre-
sented at, Fig. 1 of the annexed Drawing. A are the siphon bottles put on
the inclined plane P; into these bottles is inserted another row of bottles B, B,
and so on, to the uppermost row H, H. The condensing vapours are intro-
duced by the neck D, and ascend the first column of bottles by the communi-
cation pipes E, down the second, up the third, & so on.
Thirdly, my improvements consist in a new system of necks, communication
pipes, facilitating a more durable luting; this mode is represented in section,
Fig. 2, and is used for connecting the bottles above mentioned. 6 is a shoulder,
which is luted into the dished neck a of the bottle A.
Fourthly, my improvements consist of a newly constructed funnel S, for
introducing water into the condensing bottles whenever required, and without
unluting. This is effected by means of siphon tube, which is luted on one of
the necks above described, in the way-described. The water or liquid to be
introduced is poured into the branch which rises outside, and which, being
bigher than the inside, presses on the luting column in the syphon, and causes
the liquid to rise out of the branch which opens inside.
Fifthly, my improvements consist of the introduction of a continuous
streamlet of water into the bottles during the course of the condensing
operation. This may be done by means of the siphon funnel, described under
the fourth head, and a vessel with a tap, similar to that commonly used by
metal turners on their slide-rest.
Sixthly, my improvements consist in conducting the vapours which pass
from the vaporizing cylinder to the condensing apparatus. Instead of con-
necting the end of the cylinder with the condensing apparatus I take the
vapours off from the top of the cylinder.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Désiré Plisson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
November 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DESIRÉ
.PLISSON, of Paris, in the Empire of France, and of 16, Castle Street, Holborn
(City), London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the
year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the

page_text: said Désiré Plisson, Her special licence that I, the said Désiré Plisson, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Désiré
Plisson, my exécutors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
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 for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
CHEMICAL CONDENSING APPARATUS," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I; the said Désiré Plisson, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, 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 Désiré Plisson, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My improvements consist, first, in applying a siphon nozzle to bottles used
for condensing chemical substances, such as nitric acid. This siphon nozzle
consists of a bent tube, fixed to the bottom of the bottle and having an open-
ing near it; this tube rises in the bottle to a few inches in height, and then
emerges from it with a short bend, which, terminating above the level of the
opening in the tube, does not allow the condensed fluid in the bottle to sink
below a certain level. The efflux of the fluid is thus made continuous, and
unattended with any loss of gas.
Second, in superposing and connecting or so, arranging the bottles used for
said purpose as to form a condensing circuit in a small space.
Third, in a new system of chemical bottle necks and communication tubes
or pipes, affording a more perfect and durable system of luting. This improve-
ment consists in furnishing the tube to be luted into a neck with a shoulder
or collar, the neck being dished out or formed in the shape of a dish for that
purpose.
Fourth, of a funnel of novel construction, for introducing water or other
liquid into the condensing bottles whenever required, and without unluting.
This funnel consists of an inverted siphon tube, which is luted on the neck of
the bottle in the way described under the third head. One of the branches of
the siphon is longer than the other, the shorter branch opening inside the
bottle, and the other projecting outside. The water or other liquid to be
introduced is poured into the branch which projects outside,, and the water:

page_text: column in this branch, being higher than in the short branch, presses
on the latter, and causes the liquid to rise out of the branch which opens
inside the bottle, whilst the column of water or liquid which is constantly
contained in the siphon prevents the escape of any gas.
Fifth, in the introduction of a continuous streamlet of water into the bottles
during the course of the operation. This may be done by means of the siphon
funnel, described under the fourth head, and a vessel or can with a tap, similar
to that used by metal turners on their slide-rest, for instance.
Sixth, in a method of conducting the vapours which pass from the vaporizing
cylinder to the condensing apparatus. Instead of connecting the end of the
cylinder with the condensing apparatus I take the vapours off at the top of
the cylinder.
Having thus briefly set forth the general nature of my Invention, I shall
now proceed to describe the practical means for carrying the same into effect;
and in order that they may be clearly and fully understood, I shall in the
following description refer to the annexed Sheet of Drawings, in which the
same letters stand for like parts in the different Figures.
The first part of my improvements is represented at Fig. 1, which is a
vertical section passing through the siphon nozzle of a bottle. a is a small
tube, of ceramic material, fixed to the bottom of the bottle; this tube com-
municates with the contents of the bottle means of a little opening near
the bottom, and rising a little above the bottom, it emerges through the side
and terminates at c, above the level of the hole b. In this manner the liquid
condensed in the bottles cannot fall below a certain level, which renders its
exit continuous and prevents the gas from escaping.
Fig. 2 is a
a
The second part of my improvements is shown at Figs. 2 to 6.
side view of the condensing apparatus; and Fig. 3, an end view of part of the
portion to the right of the line X, X, Fig. 2. Fig. 4, 5, and 6 are different
plans of the Fig. 2. A, Fig. 4, is the boiler or cauldron containing the matter
from which the gases are evolved, such as saltpetre and sulphuric acid, if it is
desired to produce nitric acid. The gases thus evolved pass through the com-
munication tube B into the bottle marked 1; they partly condense in this
bottle, and the uncondensed vapours pass off through the communication
tube C into the bottle 2, and so on, following the direction of the arrows
represented on the Drawing. The gas which is condensed in the upper
bottles 4 and 5, Figs. 5 & 6, precipitates into the lowest range of bottles,
1, 2, 3, having siphon nozzles, through which the condensed liquid flows con-
tinuously into the inclined tube D, which communicates with the receiving
bottle marked 6. When this bottle is full it may be corked up, and is ready

page_text: Figs. 4, 5, & 6 are
The vertical tube G;
for use, another empty one being placed in its stead.
plans of the three rows of bottles. F are the handles.
which is fixed in the reservoir bottle 6, serves to take off the vapours that may
be evolved in it, and to take them back into the condensing bottles, and there
to be subjected to the condensing process over again. The bottles H and I act
as an auxiliary apparatus for condensing the gas which escapes being con-
densed in the bottles; they are also intended to act as a safety apparatus wher
the tube D is stopped whilst replacing the bottle 6. K is the fire box;
L, ash pit.
The third part of my improvements is represented at Fig. 1, which is a
vertical section of a bottle with three necks on the improved plan. Into the
middle of these necks I insert the tubular end 0 of the upper bottle, and the
outside ones are for connecting each bottle to the next by means of a commu-
nication pipe P. d is a shoulder on the bottle end O, or on the communication
pipe P, and fits and is luted into the dished extremity e of the neck.
The fourth part of my improvements is represented at Figs. 2 and 7. E is
a siphon funnel, for introducing water or any liquid into the bottles without
unluting; it consists of a bent tube with a short and a long branch, the short
one opening inside the bottle and the long one outside, so that water or any
liquid may be poured into the bottle without any loss of gas, since, in order to
get outside, the gas would have to penetrate a luting column equal in length to
twice the distance f, g.
The fifth part of my improvements is shewn at Fig. 2, and consists of the
vessel Q, which by means of a small discharge cock allows the escape of a con-
tinuous streamlet of water, which, by means of the siphon funnel E, is made to
enter into the bottle 1.
The sixth part of my improvements is represented at Figs. 2 and 3, and
consists of an improved mode of effecting the departure of the vapours. The
parting tube having hitherto been fixed at the end N of the boiler was a
frequent source of breakage, and owing to the ebullition of the contained
matter there was constant danger of the matter running over into the bottles;
I obviate these inconveniences by taking the gas off at the top of the boiler, by
means of one or more parting tubes R, R, of glass, or any other suitable
material (Fig. 2, 3, and 8).
The above improvements are applicable to the manufacture of nitric,
muriatic, sulphuric, acetic acids, or any other substances to be obtained by
distillation and condensation. Their separate or combined use has the follow-
ing advantages:-The operation is quite continuous, since the apparatus need
never be taken to pieces, and there is always the same extent of empty or

page_text: condensing space in the bottles; the produce is purer, the nitric acid, for
instance, being less coloured & containing less hypoazotic acid; also the yield
is increased by the transformation of hypoazotic and chlorazotic into nitric
acid, and by the entire condensation of vapours. In this arrangement a less
number of bottles are required, and may be contained in less than in the
present condensing apparatus; also a saving of time and manual labour may
be effected by using two or several generators for each condensing apparatus,
besides there is less liability of breakage. It will also be easily understood
that no nuisance can result from unluting or decanting, as in the apparatus
now in use, and that there is no danger of lute getting into the acid.
I claim separately the six improvements in chemical condensing apparatus,
substantially as described and represented above, or any mere modification of
the arrangements shewn, also any combination thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Désiré Plisson, have hereunto set my
my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of October, in the year of our
Lord 1854.
D. PLISSON, FILS. (L.S:)