US1819190A - Distilling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 18, 1931.

M. R. MITCHELL ETAL 1,319,190

DISTILLING APPARATUS- Filed Sept. 15, 1927 {Sheets-Sheet 2 Manley Rm'tc elz Haber! Skaoy Patented Aug. 18, 1931 UNITED STATES PAT T ()FFICE MANLEY R. MITCHELL AND ROBERT W. SKOOG, OF CHARLESTON,

WEST VIRGINIA,

ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE BALTIMORE GAS ENGINEERING CORPORATION, OF CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OFMARYLAND DISTILLING APPARATUS Application filed September 15, 1927. Serial No. 219,694.

This invention relates to improvements'in distilling apparatus, and particularly to' anovel apparatus for use, in, distilling water, although it may be used in the distillation of other liquids having a constant boiling point,

or a substantially constant boiling point. An object of the invention is toprovide a distilling apparatus of simple inexpensive construction, especially suitable for use'in treating small quantities of water or the like. A still of this character, is useful in filling stations, garages, radio shops, drug stores, laboratories and the like, for distilling water for use in storage batteries and the like. The apparatus may also be employed in homes in cities where distilled drinking water is desirable because of chlorination of the city water supply. o

A further object is to furnish a light portable distilling apparatus, made up of a few simple parts which may be readily'dismantled for cleaning, transportation, storage or the like.

The apparatus consists essentially of four metal stampings, with thenecessary brackets, conduits and heating elements attached.

Vith the foregoing objects-outlined and with the other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described. in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the improved apparatus. v

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. H Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View of a detail, illustrating the distillate drain tube and the liquid seah Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of a detail, taken on line 5-5 of'Fig. 2.

. In the drawings, (a) is one of themetal stampings which will be hereinafter referred to as the condenser dome. It consists of an open topped cylindrical pan having a conical bottom (a) projecting upwardly and forming a dome'in the condensing chamber (a2).

The water or other substance to be distilled isfed into'this pan by way of pipe (7) which is rotatable in a supporting bracket The water is discharged into the bottom of the pan, and it ispreheated by'vapor within the condensing chamber, and also serves as a medium for absorbingthe heat from the evaported liquids distilled from below. The under surface'of the dome (a) functions as the necessary condenser surface for the heat exchange from the vapors to the cooling liquid above.

The pan (a) rests on a distillate collector ring (6) which is also formed of a metal stamping. This ring has a cylindrical body providedat it-supper end with an outwardly and downwardly extending annular flange (b), which terminates in a channel-shaped rim (b2) that snugly engages the bottom of the p an (a). The flange (6) forms a trough to. collect distillate, and the distillate gathering in this trough, forms a liquid seal to prevent the escape of vapors. The distillate is discharged from this trough by suitable means hereinafter described.

"A bafile plate (0), also formed of a metal stamping, is arranged within the distillate collector. ring, and is carried by suitable supports (0') on the interior of the ring. The plate is slightly depressed in the center, and

has a number of small holes (02) near its edge The, purpose of this plate is to prevent liquid spray from being carried along with distilled vapors into the condensing chamber (a2), while permitting vapors to pass upwardly through the holes 02).

A heating .chamber (d), formed of a metal stamping, is arranged below the baffle plate (0). This chamber consists of a container, the central portion of which is raised sufficiently to allow the distillate collector ring (6) to set thereover and form with the latter, an. outer channel. (d) of annular formation.

The lower edge of the ring snugly engages the annular wall (#2) of the heating pan (d) to form the heating chamber (0Z3). The purpose of this heating chamber is to form infits central portion, the actual surface through which the main portion of the heat is transferred for evaporating the liquid.

The outer channel ((Z) is to give direct preheating to the liquid to be distilled, and as the top of this channel is open, it will serve to ellminate absorbed gases before the liquid enters the main distilling chamber. A heatin element (0) is arranged below the pan (033, and it consists of the means for furnishing heat for distillation, and means for protecting the flame from air currents or com= bustible gas or vapor. The fuel used for heating, may be gasoline, kerosene, combustible gas or any other suitable fuel, and the means of protecting the flame may be simply a Wire gauze screen. If desired, the heating element may be electric.

A conduit (h) permits liquid to flow from the upper portion of the condenser dome or preheating chamber, into the channel (d' It flows into this channel at a point where the channel is provided with abaflie stamping (m) of U-shaped form in plan. Some of the liquid may immediately flow off by way of pipe (j), but the part to be distilled will discharge from the chamber formed by the baffle (m), by passing through notches (m) in the lower edge of this baflle. The liquid will then flow around the channel (01) and will be directly preheated by the flame from the burner, in order to drive off absorbed gases before the liquid enters the main distilling chamber ((13) through port (7:) which port is arranged diametrically opposite the overflow outlet 1 The liquid distillate gathers in the trough formed by the flange (6 and is discharged by way of spout (Z), see Figs. 3 and 4.

In operation, water or the like is fed to the apparatus by way of pipe (7"), and is preferably allowed to flow continuously. In the pan (a), it will be preheated by the vapors condensed on the lower surface ofthe dome (a), and in this condition, it will overflow through pipe (h), and pass into the compartment in the channel provided by the baffle From this compartment, the liquid will now flow through the notches (m) into the preheating channel (d') where it will be directly heated to drive oif the gases. The liquid will finally rise to the level of the port and at this time, it will flow into the distilling chamber (d3). At the same time, liquid flowing through pipe (it) into the compartment formed by the battle will be partly discharging through the overflow pipe (j) to prevent overfeeding of the distillation chamber. In the latter chamber, the vapors will rise through the ports (62) and condense on the dome (a'), which is cooled by the feed liquid coming into the apparatus. The condensates drain down the dome into the trough formed by the flange (6'), and this forms a water seal in the flange. The distillate is discharged from this seal by Way of the pipe (Z).

The baflle or metal stamping fits loosely in the channel (01'), at the point where the overflow water from the conduit (it) enters the channel, and this stamping eX- tends above the liquid level and prevents agitation of the liquid in the channel that would be caused by the overflow from The baflle plate (m) causes the major portion of the overflow liquid to pass directly out through conduit but what liquid is needed to maintain the liquid level in the channel (cl) and heating chamber, passes through the notches The elements of the apparatus are sup: ported by the bracket (g) and from Fig. 3, it may be seen that the lower arm (9) carries theburner (g2), and is provided with radially. disposed upwardly extending diverging arms (g3), on which the pan (d) rests. An intermediate arm (g4) of the bracket engages said pan to steady the latter.

When the parts are assembled, the ring (1)) rests loosely on the pan (cl); and the baflle plate (0) and the condenser dome (a) rest loosely on the ring (1)) whereby the parts may be readily dismantled for any desired purpose.

The apparatus is particularly adapted to the distillation of water, especially in small quantities such as may be needed for radio and automobile batteries, prescription counters and for drinking purposes. The following features are pointed out to assist in dis-. tinguishing this apparatus from the prior art:

(1) All liquid, before it enters the evaporating chamber of container (d) must pass around the outer channel ((1') which is subjected to heat direct from the burner or heating element, and not indirect heat through heat exchange. This insures the elimination of absorbed gases, particularly air, chlorine, ammonia, etc., and prevents later contamination of the distilled liquid.

(2) The distillation is continuous and automatic, a constant level being obtained in the evaporation chamber and the condenser independent of the amount of liquid that is be ing circulated through the system.

(3) The rate of distillation can be increased or decreased at the will of the operator through regulation'of the fuel consumption.

(4) The apparatus has complete accessibility for cleaning. The upper stampings simply rest upon the one underneath, each being held in place by its own Weight.

(5) Where vapor tight joints are needed between the stampings, the liquid seal principle is used.

(6) Only one connection each is made with the liquid and gas supply.

(7) The apparatus may be used with any source of heat, and the flame is protected by Wire gauze to prevent interference from air currents and as a protection against explosive mixture.

(8) Danger of the evaporating chamber boiling dry and overheating the metal is entirely prevented by the automatic feature for maintaining liquid level.

(9) The design permits of economical construction throughout.

(10)]3aflle plate (0) prevents liquid from passing into the evaporating chamber without having been evaporated.

(11) The water and gas connections ar rigidly attached through the bracket arrangement to insure safety and permanency in installation.

(12) The apparatus is so designed that it cannot be utilized in the separation of liquids of varying boiling points, such as Water and alcohol because of the thorough preheating of all liquid before it enters the distillation chamber.

(13) The apparatus permits of sheet metal construction which is highly eflicient although small and light in weight.

We are aware that the above described heating element can be entirely removed and the balance of the apparatus placed directly over a grid, stove or other heating device for use in laboratories, etc.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the invention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art, and we are aware that changes may be made in the details disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A distilling apparatus including a source of heat, a chamber heated by the latter, an open trough surrounding said chamber and heated by the source of heat, means for admitting liquid from the trough into said chamber, and substantially diametrically oppositely arranged means for introducing the liquid to be distilled into said trough.

2. A distilling apparatus, including a source of heat, a chamber heated by the latter, a channel surrounding the chamber and heated by the source of heat, means for admitting liquid from the channel into the chamber, a baflie device arranged in the channel at a substantially diametrically opposite point, and having a plurality of walls crossing the channel, and means for introducing liquid into the channel and between said walls.

3. A distilling apparatus including a source of heat, a chamber heated by the latter, a channel extending along the wall of the chamber and arranged exteriorly of the latter, and heated by the source of heat, means for admitting liquid from the channel into the chamber, a baflie device located tween the walls of the baflie.

in the channel at a point remote from the last mentioned means, and comprising a metal stamping forming walls extending across the channel,-means in said walls to permit liquid to flow through the same,

includingan overflow passageway communicating with the channel at a point be- A distilling apparatus including a source of heat, a pan heatedby the latter and having a raised central portion forming an annular shoulder, a tubular ring having its lower end resting in the pan and detachably engaging said shoulder to form with the ring an internal pan and an external open channel, a port in the ring to admit liquid from the channel into the internal pan, and means for feeding the liquid to be dis-tilled into said channel.

6. A distilling apparatus, including a pan, a ring of less diameter than the pan, having its lower edge portion engaging the bottom of the pan, said ring forming with the pan a heating chamber and an open channel, said ring having an annular flange, a receptacle resting on said flange and having its bottom projecting upwardly to form a condenser dome, means for feeding liquid into said receptacle, means for feeding liquid from the receptacle into channel at one point, and means for admitting liquid from the channel into the heating chamber at a remote point.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in

which the receptacle loosely rest-s on the flange, and the ring loosely rests on the pan to permit rapid dismantling of the apparatus.

8. A distilling apparatus including a source of heat, a chamber heated by the latter. a trough surrounding said chamber and heated by the source of heat, means for admitting liquid from the trough into said chamber, substantially diametrically oppositely arranged means for introducing the liquid to be distilled into said trough, and a baflie plate arranged in the trough and cooperating with the means for feeding liquid into the trough to prevent agitation of the liquid in the trough.

9. A distilling apparatus including a source of heat, a chamber heated by the source of heat, an open trough extending substantially horizontally along the exterior of said chamber and heated by the source of heat, means for admitting liquid from the trough into the chamber, and means horizontally spaced from the last mentioned means for feeding the liquid to be distilled into said trough.

10. In a distilling apparatus of the'character described, a source of heat, a chamber directly heated by the source of heat, an open trough extending substantially horizontally along the exterior of the Wall ofsaid chani berand heated by the source of heat, means for admitting liquid from the trough into the chamber at one point, and meansfor introducing liquid into the trough at a point horizontally spaced from the last mentioned point, whereby the liquid to be distilled'will be constrained to floW along the trough While subjected to heat and exposed to the atmosphere, before entering said chamber.

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures.

'MANLEY R. MITCHELL. ROBERT SKOOG.

Images