US1086457A - Manufacture of salt by multiple-effect evaporation. - Google Patents

Description

s. M. LILLIE. MANUFACTURE OF SALT BY MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATION.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR.15, 1910.

atented Feb. 10, 1914.

Siea in End Wiper-End Sieam End. 2

Steam End Kaporfi'nl Steam End.

WITNESSES; INVENTORI SAMUEL MORRIS LILLIE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MANUFACTURE OF SALT Bi MULTIPLE-EFFECT EVAPORATION.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

Application filed March 15, 1910. Serial No. 549,541.

brine, my vapor or heat reversing multipleeffect which is described in United States Letters Patent #777,114, issued December 13th, 1904, and which is shown in various modified constructions in my United States Patents #789,159, May 9th, 1905, #939,143, November 2nd, 1909, #984,376, February 8th, 1910. The construction of this multiple effect is such that it may be operated with either end effect of the series as the hottest effect and either end effect the coolest effect.

When one end effect is the hottest one, the other end effect is the coolest one of the series, and vice versa. The object of this adaptation is to take advantage of the changes in temperature caused in the various effects of the multiple effect by the reversing of the dire tion of the vapors to prevent the formation of incrustations upon the evaporating surfaces during the evaporation of the brine.

My invention consists in combining with effects of the vapor reversing multiple effect,

separating devices by which the salt crystals formed in the several effects by the evaporation of the brine may be separated from the brine and delivered away from the multiple effect.

An arrangement of apparatus embodying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which Figure 1 is an elevation, Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a cross section of each of the cooks mentioned.

Referring to the figures in which like arts are indicated by like letters or numrs, A, B and C are the three evaporator effects of a Lillie vapor reversing multiple effect, each of which is constructed in a general wa as indicated in my Letters Patent referre to in the preceding and also in earlier Letters Patent granted to me, that is, each effect is horizontal, is divided into two chambers by a vertical partition, which also serves as a tube plate, near one end of the effect. This partition or tube plate is indicated in the plan Fig. 2 by the dotted lines ate in the .case of each effect. The

smaller of these chambers is designated the steam end and the larger the vapor end. Horizontal evaporating tubes located in the vapor end open through this tube plate into thesteam end. The ends of the tubes in the vapor end are closed save for a small air vent and extend only part way through the vapor end chamber. The heat ing agent steam or vapor is led into the steam end chamber, whence it flows into the evaporating tubes and causes evaporation from the liquid in contact with the tubes in the vapor end chamber, which is provided with a vapor escape main. In the elevation, Fig. 1, the effect B is shown in vertical section taken across the broken line X-X Fig. 2. The section discloses to view the closed ends of the evaporating tubes in effect B and a perforated distributing plate above the tubes. The effects are turned end for end so that the steam end of each effect is in line with the vapor end of each adjacent effect. In the drawings the respective ends of each effect are indicated by the designations Steam end and Vapor end. The vapor end of each effect is connected with the steam end of each adjacent effect by a vapor main fitted with a valve. The middle ef-' fect B is connected with the steam end of effect A by a vapor main 1 fitted with a valve 8 and it is connected with the steam end of the effect C by a vapor main 7 equipped with the valve 9. The vapor end of effect A is connected with the steam end of effect B by the main 5 fitted with the valve 10 and the vapor end of effect C is connected with the steam end of effect B by the vapor main 6 fitted with the valve 11. The vapor end of the effect A connects by the vapor main 12 with the condenser 13, having the leg pipe L, and the vapor end of the effect U connects by the vapor main 14 with the condenser 15, having the leg. pipe L. The condensers 13 and 15 are ejector condensers in which the cool ig water serves to maintain the vacuum as :11 as to condense the vapors. Condenser 13 is supplied with water'through the pipe 16 fitted with a valve 17 and condenser 15 is supplied with water through pipe 18 fitted with a valve 19. Although not shown, a steam supply pipe fitted with valve leads 7 into the steam end of efiect A at N, and a similar steam pipe leads into the steam end of effect 0 at Nsee Fig. 2.

On the under side of each eflect is a well which opens below into.a centrifugal circulating pump 1.- The three pumps are shown on a common shaft 2, which is revolved'by a motor M or byother suitable means. Between the eiiects A and B is the settler S.-

Between the effects B and C is the settler S both of the same construction. Each settler is 'an inverted four-sided pyramid with sides parallel and perpendicular to the length of the triple effect. In Fig. 2 the top plate or cover of settler S is removed. In Fig. 1 interior construction of the settler S is indicated by dotted lines which show a narrow passage O and O inside the settler and on opposite sides of the same. These passages O and O are closed below and open above near the top of the settler. The passage 0 has an inlet nozzle with which connects the pipe The pas-- sage O has a discharge nozzle with which connects the pipe 36. The settler S has inside passages similar to OO, of settler S,

and with them connect pipes 25 and 40.

' S is a settler opeh at the top, and ot' the general shape of an inverted truncated foursidcd pyramid. On one side or face of this settler and covering the upper portion of it is the thin inlet passage O which opens above into the settler near the top and intowhich below opens the inlet pipe 27. The

- settler S serves as a boot for the bucket elevator E. In front of this elevator in the settler S is the partition 0' which forms in the settler in front ofthe elevator a buffer like compartn'ient. Afpipe 2O communicates with a discharge nozzle can each of the three circulating pumps 1 by a connection 21. Through the three way cock 22 it communicates with the pipe23 leading into settler i" at the side, which pipe 23,. may, by the said cock and .pipe QO, be connected with the pump 1 o'f-eitherB or C. Pipe 20 also communicates through the three way cock 24 with the pipe 25 which leadsinto settler S at. the side, which pipe 25 can be connected tothe pump 1 of either eiiect A or B through the cock 24 and pipe 20. The pipe 27 leading into the passage 0 on settler S connects through the three-way cock 26 either with the pipe 20 or with the pipe 28. Connecting also with a. discharge nozzle from each of the centrifugal pumps 1 is a pipe 29, which connects through the three S a short way above its lower end or apex. Pipe 34 is a drain pipe with valve connections 35 to a discharge from each circulating pump. From the side of the settler S opposite to the pipe 23 a pipe 36 leads upto the three way cook 37 through which it communicates either with the pipe 38 delivering upon the distributing plate in the body 0 or with thepipe 39? which delivers upon the distributing plate in body B. From the side of the settler S opposite to the pipe 25 a pipe 40 leads to the three way cook 41 by which it can communicate either wit-h the pipe 39 delivering upon the distributing plate in the eifect B or with thepipe 42 which delivers upon the distributing plate inv effect A. From inside the settler S back of partition 29 a pipe 43 leads to the three way cock 44 through which it may communicate either with the pipe 42 which delivers upon the distributingplate in the effect A, or with the pipe 45 which connects with the p1pe 38, and through it delivers upon the distributing plate in the effect C. Pipe 43 is fitted with the balanced valve V which is operated by the connected float F. The settler S at its bottom or apex. is connected to the three Way cook 39, through which it may communicate through the connecting pipe 40 with the Well W of effect B, or through the connecting pipe 41 with the well W of effect A. The settler S connects at its bottom or apex with the three way cock 46 through which it may communicate, by the connecting pipe 43 with the well 7 of effect B, or by the connecting pipe 44 with the well of the cfi'ect C. The valved pipe f leading into the well lV' of effect Ais thefresh brine feed to that eii'cct, the valved pipe f is a fresh brine feed to effect- 0 and .the valved pipe F is a -fresh brine feed into the open settler S By Fig, 3 is indicated the construction of any oneof the three way cocks herein mentioned.

The operation of the described combina-j tion of parts is as follows, viz: First, let it be assumed that the apparatus is charged with brine and is operating with A the hot test-effect and C the coolest efi'ect. Steam is 5 entering the steam end of A at N, and steam to C at N is shut off. \Vater is passing through the pipe 18 into the condenser 15 of effect 0 and water is shut off from condenser 13 of effect A. The vapor valves 12 10 and 9 are open, the vapor valves 8 and 1-1 are closed, and the course of the heat or vapors through the series is as indicated by the single barbed arrowssee Fig, 2. The

one of which is indicated in Fig. l at 1 on effect B. The settlers S. i" are full of brine and the settler is also full of brine to effects are each charged with brine up to the desired polnts asmdicaled by gage glasses,

about the'height indicated in Fig. 1. The 139 [tals which are formed in the brine in A by ,through the pipe 43, etc., is automatically regulated by the balanced valve V and its its circulating pump 1, and pipes 20 and 25 intoitheside of the settler S, across near .29, cock 32 and pipe 33 into the settler S a little above its apex and passes back into lower part of settler S. back into the effect 1,oae,e57. 8 I

elevator E and the circulating pumps 1 are running and the fresh brine is feeding into effect A through the feed pipe f as controlledby the hand valve in the latter. The three way co'cks are set so that movements of the brine are as follows: The brine is circulating from the bottom of effect A through the top .of the settler, down on the other side and by the pipes 40 and 42 through the top of effect A upon its perforated distributing plate by which the brine is distributed over thebattery of evaporating tubes below, as indicated at effect B, Fig. l. i The salt crygy its evaporation, pass with the circulating brine into the settler S, and settle away from the brine as it flows across near the top of the settler and falls down toward and to the bottom or apex of the settler due to the salt crystals having a greater specific gravity than the brine. Brine is circulating from effect B through the pipes 20 and 23 into the side of settler S up and across the same A portion of brine from effect B is forced by its circulating pump 1 through the pipe the well W of effect B through the cock 39 and p'pe 40 This brine which circulates from he bottom of effect B through the B carries with it into the effect B the salt which comes into the settler S, from effect" A. The brine which circulates, as above descrihed, from the bottom of effect B through the settler S, carries with it and deposits in the settler S, this salt which comes for ward from the settler S into B, and also the salt crystals which are formed by the evaporation of brine in B. Hence the salt crystals formed by evaporation in effects A and B are deposited in settler S. Brine is circulating from the bottom of effect C through its circulating pump l through the pipe 28, cock 26 and pipe 27 into the passage 0 on the side of settler S thence across, the top of the brine in the settler over the partition 72 and back through the pipe 43, rock 44, and pipes 4-5 and 38 into effect C tlifough the top. The flow hack floa't F to compensate for the flow of brine into the settler from the effect (l through the pipes 28 and 27 and so maintain'the level ofth brine in S constant within certain limits.- A' portion of brine circulates from effect 0 through the pipe 29. cock 30 and pipe al, intothe settler S a little above its bottomorfeapex and. through the cock 46 at toward A, the coolest effect.

its apex and pipe 44 back into the effect G through its well W. This circulation of brine from the effect C through the settler 5' back into the effect C, brings into the lat-- ter the salt crystals which deposit in the settler, that is the salt crystals formed by evaporation in effects A and B. These salt crystals together with those formed by evaporation in effect (J, that is the crystals formed by evaporation in all three effects, are carried by the brine circulating from the effeet C through the open settler S into the latter, in which they fall from the brine as it flows across the surface of the brine in the settler and settle to the bottom and are taken away by the bucket elevator E.

The regulation of the brine levels in the effects A, B, and C is done as followsi The hand valve in the brine feed pipe to the effect A, the hottest effect, is regulated to maintain the desired level of brine in effect A. The three way cocks and 39 are regulated so that the flow from the bottom of settler S through pipe 40 into the effect B is in excess of the flow from effect B through pipes 29 and 33 into the settler S this excess 'is' really a feed or flow of brine from the effect A through the settler b into effect B. This feed can be regulated in amount by either the cock or the cock 39, the other cock being set only part way open, to maintain the desired level of brine in effect B,

and is so done. The three way cocks 30 and i I I 46 are regulated so that the flow of brine from the bottom of settler S into the effect O through the pipe 44 is in excess of the flow from the effect 0 through the pipes 29 and 31 into the settler. This excess is a feed of brine from the effect B through the settler S into the effect 0: this feed is regulated in amount to maintain the desired level of brine in effect C, either by the cock 30 or by the cook 46, the other cock being set only part way open. It may be noted here that their levers are so set up on the cooks that they all point or incline toward the coolest effect and it will be observed from what follows that if the levers of all the cocks be turned to t opposite side of the nearest vertical radius, the cocks will all be set for working with O the hottest effect and A the coolest effect and will all point or incline The apparatus may be changed from operating as above, viz. with A the hottest effect and C the coolest effect, to operating with O the hottest effect and A the coolest as follows: Shut off steam'from effect Aiat N, close valve in brine fee'd pipe f to effect.A, and close cocks 30, 32, 39 and 46 by turning their levers into the nearest vertical position. All flow or feed of brine is now stopped into A and from A to B and from B to C, but the circulation of brine is still in force through each effect and its connected settler. Preferably after the pressure (or vacuums) in the three effects are nearly equalized, shut water 05 the condenser by the valve 19 in the Water line 18,.and turn water into the condenser 13 by opening the valve 17 in the water line 16. Close now the cocks 22, 24 and 26 by moving their levers into the nearest vertical position. Turn the inclined levers of the cocks 41 and 37 and 44 to the inclination on the other side of the nearest vertical position and then further move the. levers of the cocks 22, 24 and 26 to incline to the vertical from the sides opposite to what they were when working with A the hottest efi'ect.

Open the valve 8 .in vapor main 4 and valve 11 in vapor main 6, and close the valves 10 and 9 in the vapor-mains 5 and 7 respectively. Now turn steam into efiect C at N and open he valve in the brine feed f line to effect and regulate to maintain the desired brine level in 0. Open the cocks 30 and. 46 part way by turning their levers toward efl'ect A' and regulate the 'fejed-from O toB by one of the cocks tomaintain the desired level of brine in eflect I B, and open thefcocks 32 and 39 part way by turning their levers toward effect A, and by one: or the other cocks regulate the flow or feed of brinelfrom effect B into efi'ect A to maintain the desired brine level in A. The

triple effect is now operating with C the hottest efiect'and A the coolest eifect. Brine is circulating from the bottom of effect C through the settler S and back into. C

' through the top, depositingin the settler the 'which it is taken away by the bucket elevator E. The salt crystals are moved from the settler S, now serving for efl'ect G, into ctl'ect B by the brine circulating from the bottom of e'fiect B through the lower part of settler S as led by the pipes 29, 31 and 43 and cocks 30 and 46, and the salt crystals are moved from the settler S, now serving for effect B, into effect A, by the brine circulating from the bottom of effect A' through the pipes 29, 33 and 41, and the cooks 32 and 39. The levers of alt the cocks of the appa- I'atus are now inclined towardthe efiect A (now the coolest), as indicated by the short dotted line at each cock, the brine and s11 t are. moving from the effect C toward t effect A, and the vapors are doing the same,

namely as per the double barbed arrows on the vapor mains 6 and 4. Reversing back to \vorkwith A the hottest etfecjindc the,

coolest effect is done in a manner similar to V the reversing just described. Steam is changed from eflect G to effect A, the water is changed from condenser 13 to condenser 15 and the cocks are manipulated as described only the levers are moved in the opposite direction which brings them back into the positions shown in Fig. 1. It is to be observed that each settler serves one or the other of the adjacent effects depending upon whether A, is the hottest effect or the-coolest effect.

Elfects A and C are considered adjacent to the open settler S In the foregoing descriptions, the feed of brine is into thehottest efiect, and down from body to efl'ect to the coolest through the intermediate settlers. The brine, however, may be made to flow in the opposite direction, viz., into the coolest effect and from effect to effect to the hottest effect; for example, if when A is the hottest etfect the feed of fresh brine be taken into the coolest effect 0, as regulated by the valve in the feed pipe 7', the brine may be caused'to flow into the effect B from C by regulating the cocks 30 and 46 so that the flow into the settler S from C, through the pipes 29 and 31 shall be in excess of the flow from the settler back into C by the pipe 44; this excess or feed finds its way into the effect B from the'settler with the circulating liquor through the pipes 36 and'39 and the cock 37, and its quantity may be regulated to maintain a desired level of brine in eiiect B by one of the cocks 30 and 46. In a similar Way brine may be made to feed from effect B into A to maintain the desired level in A by manipulating the cocks 32 and 39. The circulating pumps exert suliicient pressure on the brine to move it forward in this maning pressures which correspond to the increasing temperatures.

- The brine 1n the'efiects may be carried at different levels with the effect of obtaining different size salt crystals. If the brine level ner from effect to effect against the increasbe carried below the lower row of tubes, the

crystals obtained will be the finest, for the brine is always in a high state of agitation due to its falling from tube 'to tube during all of its passage over the evaporating tubes suffering evaporation. If the brine level be jcarriedfabove the upper row of tubes, the brine, it evident, will be in a comparatively low degree of agitation during the evaporation'a'nd the crystals formed will be larger. "With" the brine carried at intermediate levels,'the"average of the grains produced will be of an intermediate size.

Itis evident that there' may be a greater number of effects in t-he series'and a correspondingly greater numberof settlers and have the connections between the parts and the -operation similar to that herein deocate-z "scribed for a series of three effects, and also of my application #575,371, filed August iird, 1910, and still meet the terms of my invention in a number of particulars.

Methods of working which are involved in 3 the preceding description, as .for example the varying of the size of the salt crystals by varying the levels at which the brine is carried in the eftectswfll' be covered in other applications for Letters Patent of the United States. i

I claim as of my invention-- l. The combination with the effects of multiple effect evaporator oi two-or more effects arranged with respect to its steam and vapor connections so that it may be operated with either end effect the hottest effect, the combination with the effects of a settler for each pair of adjacent effects with pipe connections between the settler and each of the effects of the pair to connect it with either effect of the pair desired in a circulation relation and means for circulat ing the brine, from the effect through the settler with which it is connected and back into the body again substantially as described. a a

2. In the combination with the effects of a vapor reversing multiple effect with a settler for eachpair of adjacent jeflects, pipe connections from each effect to the portion of the settler inwhieh the separated crystals deposit and back to the eflect and means for circulating the brine from the effect through the settler and back to :the effect to move the deposited crystals from the settler into the effect substantially as described.

3. A multiple efi'ect evaporator for the manufacture of salt from brine byevaporation, in which salt crystals are formed in the brine in two or more of the effectaa device for separating salt crystals from brine, meansfor causing a flow of brine through a suitable conduit into the said device sufiiciently rapid to move salt crystals through the conduit into the said device, and means for delivering the salt crystals formed in the two or 'more effects into the said conduit and into the brine fioWin through the conduit to the said device or separating salt crystals from brine.

4. A multiple effect evaporator for the manufacture of salt from brine by evapora-,

tion, in which still; crystals are formed in the brine in two or more of the effects, a device for separating" salt crystals-- from brine, means for causing a flow of brine through a suitable conduit intoithe said device sufiiciently rapid to move salt crystals through the conduit into the said device andmeans for delivering the salt crystals formed in the two or more effects into the said conduit andinto the brine flowing through the conduit to the said device for separating salt crystals from brine and means for delivering back into the multiple effect the brine after'the salt crystals have been separated from it.

A vapor reversingmultiple effect'evapo rator for the manufacture of salt from brine by evaporation in which the. steam and vapor connections are such as to permit of either endeflect serving as the hottest-eflect-, and the other end efl'e'ct as the coolest eflect,

' means for taking away salt formed in either end effect in a current of brine to a device for separating salt from brine, and means for delivering saltformed in other efi'ects of the multiple'e-ffectinto the same current of brine.

6. In a vapor reversing multiple effect for the manufacture of salt from brine by evaporation, means for reversing the direction of the vapors and heat through the effects as a series, and means for reversing the direction of the movement of the salt formed in the several efl'ecfs along the series of effects to correspond with the said direction of the vapors and heat.

7. A multiple effect evaporator for making salt from brines by evaporation, in which salt crystals arc tormed in-the brine in two or more of the effects; means for 001- looting the salt crystals formed in these eflects into one of. the effects of the multiple cficct, a device for separating salt crystals from brine, and means for delivering salt crystals suspended in a current of brine from the said one efiect into the said device for separating salt crystals from brine.

8. A multiple effect evaporator for mak IOU ing salt from brines by evaporation, in

which salt crystals-are formed in the brine in two or more of the effects; means forcollooting the salt crystals formed inothese effects into: one of the effects of the multiple effect, a device for separating salt crystals from brine, and means for delivering salt crystals suspended in acurrent of brine from the said one effect into the said device for separating salt crystals from brine, and.

means for delivering the brine separated from the salt'back into the multiple 'efi'eot.

9. A multiple eflect evaporator for the manufacture of salt from brines by evaporation, in which the salt crystalsare formed in two or more of the efiectsymeans'for collecting saltformed in the several effects into one efi'ect and means for taking the salt away from the said o'ne efi'ect and thereby away from the multiple effect.

10. A multiple effect evaporator for the manufacture of salt by the evaporation of brine in which salt forms in the-several efi'ects; means for delivering salt from each ofthe hotter effects into the coolest efiect, and means for taking the salt away from the coolest eflect, and thereby from the mul- 5 ti-ple effect. 7 I 11. A series of evaporators' for the manufacture of salt from brine by evaporation, in which series salt is formed in each of the -evaporators, a collecting evaporator for the It salt from all the evaporators of'the series;

means for delivering the salt formed in each evaporator through all the evaporators in succession between it and the collecting evaporator and then into the collecting 15 evaporator and means for removing the salt from the collecting evaporator and thereby from the series of evaporators.

'12. An evaporator for making salt from ubrines by evaporation, having a salt settling 29 space into which the salt settles away from the evaporating brine, a brine holding tank, means tor maintalning an adequate volume of v brine in the tank, and means for deiivering the salt from the salt settling space of the evaporator suspenderi in a current of brine into the saicl brine tank ancl permit ting the salt to settle through the M1119 in back into the evaporator from the tank.

13. An evaporator for making salt, from brines by evaporation, having a salt settling space into which the salt settles away from the evaporating brine a brine holding tank,

] W itnesses: MARY T. Miacmenn, JOHN J. liar/res.

the tank, and means for delivering brine means for main aining an adequate oluine,

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