US855330A - Apparatus for distilling wood. - Google Patents

Description

100.855,330. PATBNTBD MAY 20, 1007.

A. J. MOARTHUR.

APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING WOOD. APPLIOATION FILED JULY11. 1900.

JAA-Mw ANDREW J. MCARTHUR, oF ooLLiNs, GEORGIA.

lAPPARATUS FOR DISTILLING WOOD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 28, 1907.

Application filed Jn1y11,1906. Serial No. 325,623.

To all whom it www] concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. MCARTHUR, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Collins, in the county of Tattnall and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Distilling Wood, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for distilling wood to obtain turpentine, creosote, tar and the various essential oils, acids, etc., secured by the process of destructive distillation.

In the ordinary process of distillation, which is carried out in the system under normal atmospheric pressure, the wood is distilled at a veryT high temperature, which is necessary under such conditions to form and drive oil' the vapors. As a result the oils are, to a greater or less extent, decomposed or separated into their component gases, thus reducing and impairing the quantity and quality of the products.

The object of the present invention is to provide an a paratus, whereby this objection is avoided, t e apparatus being designed for carrying on the distillation operation in a vacuum, thus enabling the vapors to be formed and driven from the wood at suoli a relatively low temperature that the deccm-. position of 'the vapors will be prevented. Owing to this fact a greater percentage and better quality of products may be obtained in a much shorter time than under the ordinary process. The apparatus is so constructed that it may also be used for distillation under the old rocess Jfor the production of creosote and t e other heavier oils.

The accompanying drawing shows, partly in section and partly in elevation, a distilling apparatus embodying my invention.

1 is a retort inclosed in an ordinary masonry setting 2, which is provided with a. furnace 3 and a smoke stack 4. The furnace is separated from the retort'by an intervening arch or bridge wall 5, at the sides of which are llues for the upward passage of the products of combustion into the chamber in which the retort is inclosed, the latter being spaced from the walls loi" the chamber so as to prevent the llames and products of combustion from coming directly intoy contact therewith.`

Leading from the retort, in which the wood` is placed for distillation, is a vapor outlet 6 with which communicate pipes 7 and 8.

The vpipe 7 is arched and extends above the pipe 8 and conveys the turpentine and other ike vapors to a condensing coil or Worm 9 disposed within a condensing chamber 10, in which the condensing operation is carried out in th'e ordinary manner. The pipe 8 conducts the heavy vapors or oils to a resin or tar receiver 11 having a valved outlet 12. In this receiver is arranged a coil or worm 13 communicating eXteriorly at each end with valved inlet and outlet pipes. As shown in the present instance, the u per end of the coil communicates with va ved water and steam inlet pipes 14 and 15, while the lower end of the coil connects with valved water and steam outlet pipes 14 and 15, whereby water'or steam may be circulated through the coil for the purpose of condensing or retaining in a fluid state the contents of the receiver. Surrounding the pipe 8 is a heating jacket 16 with which connect valved pipes 17 and 18 for the admission and eX- haust of steam or any other suitable heating agent thereto, to keep the products flowing therethrough in a properly fluid or liquid state.

The coil or worm 9 communicates at its lower end through a turpentine delivery pipe 19 with a turpentine tank or receiver 20, and

also with a trap 21 having an outlet or drawoff pipe 22 and a vent pipe 23, designed respectively for the withdrawal of the oils de` posited therein and the escape of gases generated when the ordinary process of distillation is used.

The receivers 11 and20 are connected by pipes 24 and 25 with a vacuum pump 26, through the action of which a vacuum may be formed in the system, the pipe 24 being provided with a valve .24a to cut off communication between the condenser 11 and pump, while the pipe 25 is provided with a valve 27, whereby the tank 20 may be thrown into and out of communication with the pump. The pipes 8 and 19 are respectively provided with glass sight feed devices 28 and 29 through which the vapors or liquids flowing therethrough may be inspected, to note the character and condition of such vapors and liquids. Avalve 3() is arranged in tliepipe 8 to cut oilT communication between the retort and receiver 11 when turpentine and other li liter oils are to be made, a similar valve 31 eing arranged between the pipe 19 and trap 21 to also cut out the same during such operation. Valves 32 and 33 are further provided to cut IOO IIO

ofi communication between the retort and coll 9 and between the coil -9 and receiver'20 when the ordinary distilling process. is pursued in -the manufacture of creosote and treatment of the heavier products. Communicating with the vapor outlet 6 is a valved relief plpe 34, whereby air may-be quickly admitted to the s stem at the completion of the vacuum distil ing operation or when it is desired to distil under the ordinary process.

In operation, the wood is placed in the retort 1, the valves properly opened and the pump 26 `Started to form a vacuum in the system, the vacuum established -v being as nearly absolute as possible. The fire is then started in the furnace 3 and heats the retort 1, the vapors escaping through the outlet 6 into the pipes 7 and 8, through which they are conducted to the receivers 11 and v20, the lighter vapors being condensed on their passage through the worm 9 in the c ondenser 10, while the heavier products are properly treated in the receiver 11. Owing to the fact that the operation is carried out in a vacuum, it is apparent that distillation will' occur ata very lowtemperature, so that decomposition of the vapors Will be prevented, whereby a larger amount and better grade of products is secured. When the ordinary process of distillation is employed the pump is cut out of the system b the controlling valves 24*L and 25, as will e readilyunderstoo'd, and in distilling creosote and other heavier oils the valve 31 is opened to connect the trap 21 with the coil 9. By the arran ement of the valves shown, the tank 1 1 or tan 20 may be lcut out of the system to permit the use of the apparatus for distilling light or heavy oils. p

It will thus be seen that my invention provides, first, means whereby air may be exhausted from .the system7 so that the process of distillation maybe carried out in a vacuum, second, independent condensers for ytheI light and heavy products; third, means for cutting either of these condensers out of operation at will independently of one another; and, fourth, means for cutting out the pump, whereby the apparatus may be adapted for distilling and condensing light or heavy products or. both under. the ordi- Ilary PIOCGSS OI' ln 8. VaClluITl.

I am aware that it has heretofore been common to employ pumps to withdraw the gases or vapors as they are formed from the retort and circulate them through the system, with the object of facilitating their passage `from the retort to the condenser and securing a free discharge of the vapors from the retort,

and that such pumps have also been used to force the low grade gases into the firebox for the purpose of utilizing-the same as fuel. My invention differs radically in this respect from all prior distilling devices, in that the pump 26 is isolated from the system, that is,

is not vdisposed in the line of the vaporconduit, but provides a means whereby the air may be preliminarily exhausted from the system to form a vacuum therein, the distilling operation being thenceforth carried out in the vacuum so produced. By this means,

the pump may not only be cut out of the apparatus when the ordinary process of distilation is to be employed, but, in serving as a means for the exhaust of air from the system, secures the advanta es before set forth resulting from the disti lation in a vacuum and in addition, places the system in such a condition as to eii'ect a much more comv lete and rapid carrying out of the process o distillation, for the reason that no air is present to admix with orretard the flow of the vaors.

I) Havin thus described the invention, what is claime as new, is

1. In a distilling apparatus yof the character described, the combination of a retort having a vapor outlet, a turpentine condenser, a tar receiver,.conducting pipes leading from the vapor outlet to said condenser and receiver, a hermetically closed turpentine tank or receiver communicating with the turpentine condenser, air exhaust pipes leading from the receivers, and a vacuum pum for exhausting` air through said pipes, the atter being provided with valves for closing communication between the pump and receivers.

2. In a distilling apparatus of the character described, the combination of a retort having a ,vapor outlet, a4 tur entine condenser, a tar receiver, pipes lea ing from the vapor outlet to said condenser and receiver, a turpentine tank or receiver communicating with the turpentine condenser, valved exhaust pipes communicating with the receivers', a vacuum pump for extracting air through said pipes, and a valved relief pipe communicating with the vapor outlet.

3. Ina distiling apparatus of the character described, the combination of a' retort having a vapor outlet, a tur entine condenser, a tar'receiver, valve( conducting.

hausting air through said pipes, and a valved relief ipe for admitting air to the system.

4. n a distilling apparatus of the character describerh the combination of a retort having a vapor outlet, a turpentine con-- denser com rising a vessel having a condensing coi therein, atar receiver, valved conducting pipes leading from `the vapor outlet to the coil of the condenser and tothe receiver, a turpentine tank or receiver, a delivery pipe connccting the coil of the con- IIO denser therewith, a trap communicating' In testimony whereof, IafIiX my'signture with the coil, valves for cutting out thel de in presence 0f two Witnessesivery pipe and trap, a Vacuum pump, va Ve exhaust pipes connecting said pumps with` ANDREW J' MQARTHUR 5 the ta'r and turpentine receivers, and a Witnesses: Y

valved reliefpipe connecting with thevapor J. M; MOARTHUR, outlet. ALVIN LANGFORD.

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