US1466221A - Continuous distilling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 28, 1923.,

BAQSSZZE J. P. FOSTER ET AL CONTINUOUS DISTIL LING APPARATUS Fil -ed m. '1, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 28, 1923.

J. P. FOSTER ET AL CONTINUOUS DISTILLING APPARATUS Filed; Aug, 1, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 2%, 1923 '-1 ,4ae.221"

J. P. FOSTER ET AL CONTINUOUS DISTILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1921 A 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 F T TT T 1"" Aug 28, 1923.

J. P. FOSTER ET AL CONTINUOUS DISTILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patent Aug. as, was.

JOHN PRESTON FOSTER AND'ALBERT F. zarsnnnn,

OF PAIA, TERRITORY OF EAWAII.

CONTINUOUS DISTILLING APPARATUS.

Application filed August 1, 1921. SerialNo. 489,142.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J on P. Fosrnn and Anenn'r F. MISENER, citizens of the United States, residing at Paia, Maui, Territory of Hawaii, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Continuous Distilling Apparatus; andfwe do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in distilling apparatus, and particularly to a continuous still for the recovery of crude alcohol for commercial purposes, such as motor alcohol, where it is necessary to produce the highest possible amount of combustible of the highest proof.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of anapparatus of the character indicated which will be inexpensive to build and of such simple construction that the same may be readily assembled and set up without the assistance of experts, which is an important factor where motor alcohol is produced in more or less isolated localities, a substantial portion of the apparatus being constructed of Wood, as t e quality, odor, fiavor, etc., is of no importance whatever, the quantity and proof only being desired, and consequently an expensive copper fractionating still is entirely out of place and unnecessary in this industry.

The still of the present invention is of'that type in which the distilling column comprises a series of chambers, through which the liquid and the vapor or gases flow in opposite directions for the separation of the two, said chambers being provided with suitable openings and connections for the purpose. One of the essential features of such a still is the bubbling floor provided 'for each chamber. This floor has one or more capped openings, normally sealedby a liquid-level maintained in the chamber, through which and is deflected below the liquid-level. The vapor bubbling, through the fluid is freed from the fluid particles carried by. it into the liquid. The efliciency of the still depends to a considerable extent upon the area of this bubbling floor. \Vhen the liquid area is extensive, the vapor can spread out and take a longer course through the liquid with the the vapor flows upwardly consequent eater elimination of the liquid particles. hould the liquid area be circumscribed, the spreading of the vapor would be restricted and its travel through the liquid shortened, resulting in a lessened elimination of the liquid particles.

, In stills of the type under consideration, in ordinary use the distilling column is mounted in a perpendicular position. In

the present invention the distilling column is inclined at an angle between the perpendicuare horizontally positioned, thereby greatly increasing the area of the bubbling floors over What it would be with the column pei7- 'pendicular, and without increasing the axial. cross-area or the volumetric capacity of the column. 'Also, by inclining the distilling column, particularly so when a plurality of them is used, space is economized in the installation. The foregoing and other features of the invention will be described hereinafter more in detail and particularly defined in the appended claims.

The preferred embodiment of the inven- '65 'lar and horizontal, preferably about 30 With the column so tion is'illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 illustrates the complete apparatus, partly in elevation and partly in section.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of a poztion of one of the similarly inclined sections, illustrating the system of down-pipes for the liquid and. the vapor cap a range ment connecting each chamber.

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partlyin section, on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. is a view,-partly in plan and partly in section, of one of the chambers.

Figs. 5 and 6 are views, partly in elevation and partly in section, on lines 5-5 and 6-6 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 7 is a view in end elevation illustratimproved distilling apparatus comprises substantially five sections, to wit: A, B, C, Y

D and E; section A representing the condenser, B the doubler, C and D the distilling columns proper, and E the heater for the alcohol-contalning substance to be treated, which section we have termed the beer heater,

- therein a series of tubes ncaaeei all of said sections being arranged "in succession from the top to the bottom oi the apparatus, in the order named.

The condenser A. is directly above the doubler B, and as illustrated, said condenser and doubler comprise roughs or housings 1 and 2 having mounted 3 and 4 respectively, the said tubes being slightly inclined. The tubes 3 are connected at their ends by header motions 5 and 6, and the tubes 4 of the doubler B are similarly connected by header sections 7 and 8. The header sections 5 and 6 of the condenser A are mounted within the housing 1 on cross-partitions 9 and 10, and the header sections 7 and 8 of the doubler B are similarly positioned by cross-partitions 11 and 12. These sei' s of tubes fl-and 4 of the condenser A and doubler B, respectively, are also supported by intermediate partitions 13 and 14. Upon referring toth'c drawings it will be noted that the end partitions 9 and. 11, supporting the elevated ends of the tubes 3 and 4, are provided with openings 9 and-11 to permit the passage of the cooling fluid admitted within the housings 1 and 2 of the condenser and doubler for the purpose to be hereinafter fully described. In this same connection itwill be noted that the. partitions 13 allow for the fluid passing over the top thereof and that the partitions 14 are somewhat similarly constructed to the partitions Sland 1l,to permit the cooling fluid to How beneath said partitions. The crosspartitions 10 and 12, supporting the header sections 6 and 8 of the depressed'ends of the tubes 3 and 4, do not extend to the top edge of the troughs or housings 1 and 2, in order to permit the cooling over said partitions 10 and 12. .lVith this construction of cross-partitions, it will be noted that as the cooling lluid first enters the -(-ondenser A, by the pipe 15, it will be caused to flow under the partition 9, over the partition 13, under the partitionld, and over the lower end partition -10, thereby causing a continuous circulation of the fluid around and through the tubes'il. The fluid will continue to rise in trough 1 until it reaches the level of the pipe 16, whereupon it will pass through pipe 16 into the botton portion of the trough 2, housing the doubler B, whereupon said'fluid will be conducted through said doubler B in a manner similar to'its course through the condenser A. 'lhe'lluid will continue to flow into the trough 2 of the doubler l3 until it reaches the level of pipe 17 after which said fluid will be conducted over to the wasteby pipe 17 or by way of the by-passlS through a regulating valve 18 into the upper end of distilling column 1!) of section C of the apparatus.

The upper end of the distilling column 19 as also in communication with the lower end at the tubes 4 of the doubler B by way of a preferably arranged fluid to pass up and.

series of pipes 20, the upper end of the tubes' 4 of said doubler being also in communication, by way of a series of pipes 21, with For the suite of convenience and clearness of description, it will be here noted that in starting. the apparatus, the cooling fluid in the condenser A, by way of pipe 15, is conducted through the condenser and thence through the doubler in the manner specilied, and from there it is conducted into the upper endof the distilling column 19, by the bypass 18, whence it flows downwardly from chamber to chamber, for the purpose and in the manner to be hereinafter more fully described. After the apparatus has been fully started and is under operation, the valve 18 is shut oil, and the cooling fluid is allowed to be discharged through the waste pipe 17, and under these conditions it is onlyuscd for cooling; the tubes 3 and 4 of the condenser A and doubler ll. In starting the apparatus, however, this fluid is al-' lowed to pass down the pipe 18 through the valve 18' into the upper end of the distilling column 19.

The distilling column 19 is preferably inclined and provided with horizon ally disposed partitions 22 forming a series of chambers. These chambersare connected by a series of exteriorly arranged pipes 23, the in let ends 24 of said pipes being vated above the level of the partitions 22 and mounted in cross-bars or blocks 25,

which bars or blocks establish the liquid level in each chamber. The lower or outlet ends 26 of the pipe 23 are on the same level with the partitions 22, for the purpose to be hereinafter more fully described, this same arrangement being carried out through the length of the distilling column 1.9 from chamber to chamber, forming a continuous down-pipe arrangement for the downwardly flowing liquid. These down-pipes 23 are furnished with 4-way fittings 23, which not only provide the proper connections for the entrance and exit sections of the down-pipes 23, but also form a simple and ready means of cleaning these pipes by removing the screw plugs in the fittings 23'.

fDisposed below the distilling column 19 o distilling column 27, COTITPTlSlIL, section D, said column 27 being connecte to column 19 by a series of pipes 2?,through which the liquid flows from the column 19 into the column 27, passing through said column in the manner as above described for column 19, and finally reaching the lower end of column 2?, where it is discharged by a series of pipes 28 into the heating chamber 29 formed by a partition 30 arranged within a housing 31, and comprising the section E, hereinbefore referred to as thebeer heater.

section C is another similarly constructed slightly eleiii - the pipe 33 to flow over the Ell Ell

till

To the heating chamber 29, steam is admitted at 32, whereby the downwardly flowing liquid is raised to the suflicient tem erature for vaporizing the same. As the liquid continues to fill chamber 29 it will eventually pass out of said chamber through the inverted U-shaped pipe 33, mounted in the partition 30, into the chamber 34 inclosing a scrim oi tubes 35, the ends of said tubes being connected by header sections 3.6 and 87, said hesder sections in "turn being supported within the chamber 34 by cross-partitions 38 and 39. In addition to the cross-partitions 38 and 39, the intermediate portions or the tubes are supported by cross-partitions 40 and 41. .These partitions 38, 39, 40 and 41 are so constructed as to permit the heated liquid coming from the chamber 29 through artition 38, under the partition 41, over 1; e partition 40, under the partition 39, and fins 1 discharge through the pipe 42, as the liqui rises suliiciently within the chamber 34 to the level of the discharge end of the outlet pipe 42. As this liquid flows in and around the tubes 35, during its passage through the chamber 34, said tubes will be'heated, so that, as the alcohell-containing substance or liquid enters said tubes, by way of the pipe 43, said alcoholic liquidwill be likewise heated. This alcoholic liquid or beer is not admitted to the tubes until hot water or similar fluid begins to flow out of pipe 42, which will indicate that the apparatus is ready and in proper condition to start the distilling operation.

As the beer or alcoholic liquid is heated in the tubes 35, it is caused to rise and flow upwardly through the pipe 44 into the upper end of the distilling column 27 by way of branch pipes 45, and also, if desired, into the lower end of distilling column 19 by branch pipes 46. The correct point of entrance, however, must be decided according to circumstances and experiene. From the points pi? admission, the beer flows downwardly in the manner above described for water, displaces the water, and is dealcoholized in its downwardpassage, and finally leaves the still by the pipe 42. to be understood that as the downcoming liquid through the distilling columns 19 and E27 enters the heating chamber 29 by the pipes 28, the same is heated to a boiling tem-.

pcrature, the vapor fromi which rises through the distilling columns 27 and 19 from chamber to chamber, heating the water in each chamber as it rises. This vapor at first is; merely water vapor, but u on the starting of theapparatus and the a mission of the beer by way of pipe 44 and branch pipes 45 and 46 to the distilling columns 27 and 19, respectively, the beer will flow downwardly, displacing the water, the distillation r thereof will begin, and the vapors eventually rising will be alcohlic vapors.

It is' Th permit the rising of the vapors from chamber to chamber, each of the partitions 22 is provided with a series of openings 47, over which is laced a strip or bar 48, preferably of wood and provided with vertically dis osed holes or openings 49, registering wit and forming a continuation of the holes 47 in each horizontal partition 22. The bar 48 is also provided with transverse, horizontally dis oscd openings 561?, whereby the liquid in eacli chamber may bepermittcd to flow each side of said bar 48.. Above the bar 48 is placed an inverted trough or cap 51, known as a va r cap, which vapor cap is slightly spaced mm the bar 48, the lower side edges of said vapor cap being. preferably serrated and extending below the top edge of the partly inclosed bar 48, in which position said lower ed es of the vapor cap will be below the liquic level in said chamber, whereby a liquid seal will be provided, so that-the vapors rising from chamber to chamber and passing upwardly through the openings 47 and 40 of the partition and bar, respectively, will be deflected downwardly by the inner vertical sides of the vapor cap 51, and in escaping will be forced to bubble upwardly through the liquid covering the patltion; 22. The bdttom edges of both vertical sides of the vapor cap 51 are notched or serrated, as shown at 52, the purpose and ellcct of the notching being to divide the flow of vapor into numerous small streams. The alcohol contained in the liquid covering the partitions 22 of the various chambers is of lower boiling point than the temperature of the vapor rising from the heating chamber 29, and the passage of the vapor through the liquid under the vertical sides of the vapor cap 51] causes a portion of the alcohol in the liquid to vaporize, so that the vapor increases and the liquid decreases in alcoholic content. The vapor rises and passes from chamber to chamber inthe manner desc ibed and by the time it has reached the point of. entrance for the beer at the branch pipes 45 and 46, it has been considerably reduced in temperature and considerably enriched in alcoholic vapors. After passing the point of entrance of the beer by way of branch pipes 45 and 46, the vapor rising through the alcohol and the temperature difference between the vapor and the liquid will be slight, so that water vapors will be condensed by the passage of-thc vapor through the liq uid and the alcoholic content of thcyapors .will lief-increased bythe removal of the water, the alcoholic vapors of low boiling point not being condensed to the same extcnt as the water vapors. The water resulting from this condensation flows down ward ly through pipes 23 and eventually leaves the still through pipe 42. The alcoholic vapors leaving the uppermost chamber of the distilling column 19 pass through pipes 20 and enter the doubler section 13, assin throu h tubes a 35 cs 21 and into P a g a 1 condensate carrying with it a portion of al- 10 cohol, also condensed, flows downwardly through pipes 20, hack into the distilling column 19, where the alcohol is rte-vaporized and returned to the doubler B, While the Water continues downward andv eventually leaves the still by pipe 42. The tubes 3 in the condenser A are kept at a temperature which Willcondense the vapors as completely as possible. The condensate, which is alcohol of more or less high proof, leaves the still by pipe and thence to receiving tanks provided for the purpose. The prosi'of the alcohol is due to the temperature maintained in tubes 4. If the temperature be low, the result will be a high proof condensate from pipe 53. If the temperature be high, the proof of the condensate Will be low. Pipes 20, 27 and 28 are the only elements in the apparatus which are common to the ascending vapor and the descending liquid, as elsewhere the course of the vapor is entirely separate from that of the liquid and the operation of the apparatus is continuous;

As hcreinbeforc stated, by inclining the main distilling columns 19 and 2?, a greater horizontal area of the various chambers is obtained than would be possible with distilling columns of the same cross-section verticaliy disposed, giving a greater capacity in proportion to its cross-section, which capacity, to a great extent, governs the bubbling; area of the vapor caps, all of which advantages will be perfectly obvious to one skilled in the art.

Another great advantage in incliningthese main distilling columns is that the upper sides'thereof can he very conveniently made removable, either in whole or in part, Whereby instant access ma be had to the interior of the still without disturbing. any other part of the distillingcolurnn, if at any time it should become necessary for the purpose of inspection or repairs.

It will also he apparent that, the construction and arrangement of the down-pipes 23, vvith particular reference to-thc 4-way fittings 23, make it an exceedingly simple and expeditious operation to clean out said, pipes, and also the various chambers connected thereby, by removing the desired screw plugs in the couplings or fittings 23", and there after properly directing into said downpipes the cleaning fluid, such as steam or the like, according to Whether it is deisred to clean the chambers or simply the pipe sectrons, l

. accuser in the same manner as the inlet and outlet ends of? the down-pipes In both arrangement of pipes, the fluid is admitted to the respective chambers at a point approx-- imately' level with the bottom of said. chamhere, which will prevent the vapor rising"v from chamber to chamber frompassing through said pipe What We claim is:

1; In a continuously operatingstill, a distiliing column inclined at an angle between the perpendicular and horizontal and comprising a series of successively communicate mg chambers for the downward flow of liquid therethrough, each of said chambers having a horizontally disposed floor to provide an extensive bubbling surface, each floor having a capped opening for the up Ward fiou of vapor through the successive chambers, and means for maintaining liquid at a level in each chamber to etl'ect norreally a seal for capped iioor openingi 2. In a continuously perating still, a dis. tilhng column inclined at an angle between the perpendicular and horizontal and comprising a series of successively communicat ing chambers for the downward flow of liquid therethrough, each of said chambers having a horizontally disposed floor to proride an extensive bubbling surface, each floorhaving' a plurality of capped openings for the upward flow of vapor through the successive chambers, and means for mainraining liquid a level in each chamber to efiect normally a' seal for the capped floor-openings.

3. in a continuously operating still, a distilling column inclined at an. angle between the perpendicular and horizontal and com prising a trunk. and a series of spaced. partitions extending horizontally across the trunk to form therein successive charnhers, each partitionforming the floor of an. up" per chamber and the ceiling of the adjacent lower chamber and each partition having a plurality of capped openings for the upward flow ct vapor through the trunk, and means for maintaining" liquid in each chem.- her at a level to effect normally a seal.v for the capped floor-openings.

4. in a continuously operating still, a distilling column'inclined at an. angle between the perpendicular and horizontal and comprising a trunk and a series of spaced pan titions extending horizontally across the trunk to form therein successive chambers, each partition forming" the floor of an upper chamber and the ceiling ofthe adjacent ills ward

means apart from the-capped openings for through the successive chambers lower chamber and each partition having a plurahgy of capped openings for the up ow of vapor through the trunk,

forming communication between successive chambers to permit downward flow of liquid through the trunk, and meansjor maintaining the liquid in each chamber at a level to effect normally a seal for the capped floor-openings of said chamber.

5. In a continuously operated still, the combination of a heater for the liquid to be treated and a condenser placed above the heater, with a distilling column interposed between and communicating at its respective ends with the heater and the condenser, said column being inclined at an angle between the perpendicular and horizontal and comprising a series of successsively communicating chambers for the downward flow of liquid therethrough to the heater, the floors of the successive chambers being horizontally arranged to provide an extensive bubblin surface and each of said floors having a p urality of capped openings for the upward flow of vapor through the successive chambers to the condenser, and means for maintaining the liquid in each chamber at a level to eflect normally a seal for the capped floor openings ofthe chamber.

6..In a continuously operated still, the combination of a heater for the liquid to be treated and a condenser placedabove the heater, with a distilling co umn interposed between and communicating at its respective ends with the heater and the condenser, said column being inclined at an angle between the perpendicular and horizontal and comprising a series of successively communicating chambers for the downward flow of lit uid therethrough to the heater, the floors o the successive chambers being horizontally arranged to provide an extensive bubbling surface and each of said floors having a plurality of capped openings for the upward flow of vapor to the condenser,-means for maintaining the liquid in each chamber at a level to effect normally a seal for the capped floor-openings of the chamber, and a separate pipe for conveying heated fluid from the heater into the upper part of the distilling column to flow downiwardl through the successive chambers 7 n a continuously operatin still, the combination of a heater for the liquid to be treated and a condenser placed directly} above the heater, with u per and lower distilling columns relativey inclined and interposed between the heater and condenser, said columns communicatmg with each other and respectively with the heater and condenser. v

8. In a continuously operating still, the

combination of a heater for'the liquid to be treated and a condenser placed directly above the heater, with upper and lower distilling columns relatively inclined and in-' terposed betweenthe heater and'condenser, said columns communicating with each other and respectively with the heater and condenser, and a separate pipe for conveyin r heated fluid from the heater to either co umn 9. Ina continuously operating still, the

combination of a heater for the liquid to be treated and a condenser placed directly combination of a heater for the liquidto be treated and a condenser placed directly above the heater, with upper and lower distilling columns relatively inclined and interposed between the heater and condenmr, said columns communicatin with each other and respectively with t e heater and condenser,.both of said columns comprising a series of successively commumcating chambers for the downward flow of liquid therethrough to the heater, the floors of the successive chambers being horizontally ar ranged and provided with capped openings for the upward flow of vapor through both columns to the condenser, and means for maintaining the liquid in each chamber of both columns at a level to efi'ectnormally a seal for the capped floor-openings of the chamber.

1].. In a continuously operating still, the

combination of a heater for the liquid to be treated and a condenser placed directly above the heater, with upper and lower distilling columns relatively inclinedand interposed between the heater and condenser, said columns communicating with each other and respectively with the heater and condenser, both of said columns compris ng a for the capped floor-openings of the chamleer, and a separate pipe for" conveyin heated fluid from the heater to either co umn. i x I 12. In a continuously operatingystill, the

combination of a heater for the liquid to be treated and a condenser placed directly above the heater, with upper and lower distillin columns relatively inclined and iuten pose between the heater and condenser, said columns communicating with each other and respectively with the heater and condenser, both of said columns comprising a series of successively communicating chambers for l the downward flow of liquid, therethrough.

to the heater, the floors of the successive chambers being horizontally arranged and provided with capped openings for the upward flow of vapor through both columns to the condenser, means for maintaining the liquid in each chamber of both columns at a level to effect normally a seal for the capped floor-openings of'the chamber, and a separate pipe for conveying heated fluid I 2 from the heater into the upper part of the each of said chambers having a horizontally disposed floor to provide an extensive bub bling surface and each floor having a pluralit of capped openings for the upward flow of l'vapor through the successive chambers to .the condenser, and means for maintaining liquid at a level in each chamber to effect normally a seal for the "capped fiooropenings,

14. In a continuously operated still, the

- combination of a heater for the liquid to be' treated and a condenser placed above the heater, with upper and lower distilling columns relatively inclined and interposed between the heater and the condenser, said columns communicating with each other and respectively communicating with the heater and condenser, both columns comprising a 5 series of successively communicating chamhers for the downward flow of liquid to the heater, each of said chambers having a horizontally disposed fioor provided with a plurality of capped openings for the u ward flow of vapor through the successive co um'ns to the condenser, and means for maintaining liquid at a level in each chamber to effect normally-a seal for the capped floor-openl In a continuously operated still, the combination of a heater forthe liquid to be treated and a condenser placed above the heater with upper and lower distilling columns relativelv inclined andinterposed between the heater and the condenser, said colheated fluid from the heater to the upper eeaasi A umns'cpmm'unicating with'eao lather and res ectively communicating wit the heater an condenser, both columns cllmpiising a series of successively communicating'chambers for the downward flow of ii uid to the heater, each of said chambers having a horizontally disposed floor provided with a plurality of capped openings for'the upward How of vapor through the successive columns to, the condenser, means for maintaining liquid at a level in each chamber to offeet normally a seal for the capped flooropenings, and a separate pipe for conveyiu, heated fluid from the heater to either col nmn. 16. In a continuously operated still, the combination or a heater for the liquid to be treated and a condenser placed above the heater, with upper and lower distilling columns relatively inclined and interposed between the heater and the condenser, said columns communicating with each other and respectively communicating with the heater and condenser, both columns comprising a series of successively communicating chamhers for the downward flow of liquid to the heater, each of said chambers having a horizontally disposed floor provided with a pin rality of capped openings for the upward flow of vapor through the successive columns to the condenser, means for maintaiulug liquid at a level in each chamber to etfeet normally a seal'for the capped floor openings, and a separate pipe for conveying part of the lower column and to the lower part of the upper column.-

17. In a continuously operating still, a. distilling column inclined at an angle between the perpendicular and horizontal and comprising a series of chambers witli'each having a horizontal floor and with each chamber having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet at a higher level than the inlet to .maintain at a predetermined level the liqno uid flowing through the chamber, an cute. riorpipe formin'g a communication betweenthe outlet of each chamber with the adjacent lower chamber, and the horizontal door of each chamber having a pluralit of capped openings for the flow of vapor t erethrough from the adjacent lower chamber, said openings being normally sealed'by the liquid-level maintained in the chamber to offeet a bubbling action as the vapor passes throu -h said openings. 18. n a continuously operating still, a distilling wlumn inclined at an angle between the perpendicular and horizontal and comprising a series of successively communicating chambers for the downward flow of liquid therethrough, means for maintaining the liquid at a, predetermined level in each chamber, each of said chambers having a horizontal floor provided with a series 23m in bay bsiaw, a i" :fixe. on nine floor wiah a Wmfiiy eztezndi gggenings regisbsiing with fihes 0f and. mad hm having im'amvzawi s passages adjacam; the 530w fer fQQW hijilifli fmm 011a aide 01

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