GB189826361A - Improvements in Apparatus for the Liquefaction of Aeriform Fluids. - Google Patents

Abstract

26,361. Ostergren, O. P., and Burger, M. Dec. 13. Cooling gases; refrigerating.-Relates to apparatus for refrigerating or liquefying aeriform fluids or gases, particularly air. Several forms of countercurrent or heat-exchanging apparatus are described, and also the arrangement of plant for compressing and circulating the air. Fig. 2 shows a section of one form of counter-current apparatus F surmounted by an air cooler C with air purifiers D, E attached. This appliance is used in conjunction with an air compressor and motor and an air heater. The air circulates in a cycle passing through the heater, motor cylinder, cooler C, and exchanger F, to the suction side of the compressor. The exchanger F consists of two or three parallel spiral partitions held between end plates 50, 52, tight joints being made by rubber sheets. Cumpressed air passes to the central expansion chamber G by one spiral passage, and then returns by one of the other passages, cooling the entering air on its way. The third spiral passage, if one is used, admits air at ordinary pressure to the lower central chamber 66, where it collects in a liquid state and may be drawn off by a cock 82. Valves 70, 80 are provided to close the passages as desired. Instead of spiral partitions, coiled tubes may be used, the inlet and outlet tubes then being superposed or being concentric. The tubes may be soldered together or otherwise arranged to form a spiral partition, and some of the air from the central expansion chamber may be allowed to escape so as to circulate between or around the tube coils at a low pressure. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 10, in which compressed air from the common pipe d<1> flows to the central expanding chambers by pipes 55<b>. There part liquefies, part returns through pipes 56<b> to the pipe e', and a third part escapes and circulates around the coils. This part is drawn off by the compressor T, and another compressor T<1> takes in outside air. Both these deliver to a compressor T', which also takes air from the pipe 56<b>, and another compressor T<3> further compresses the air. Coolers U are arranged intermediate to the compressors.