William Maynard, New York city.--This invention relates to an improved
construction of apparatus for the hydration of gases, and more
particularly chlorine gas for the manufacture of chlorine water for
use in the industrial arts of bleaching, etc. It consists mainly in a
case having an inlet for the water above, an inlet for the gas below,
and provided with an intermediate water percolating medium; combined
with a reservoir located below the level of the case and having a
water-sealed communication therewith, which reservoir receives the
hydrated gases, and which water seal prevents the heavy gas in the
case from passing out through the bottom inlet. The case for the
percolation of water and the absorption of the gas is made of conical
shape, with the largest diameter at the bottom, to produce the
greatest absorption of the heavy gas when first admitted; while
horizontal partitions, or shelves, in said case are provided with
upwardly projecting tubes which hold a permanent surface of water on
the said partition or shelves. The tubes permit, by their peculiar
shape, the water to pass down on one side and the gas up on the
opposite side of said tube, while their alternating arrangement in the
alternating shelves gives a zigzag and long continued passage to the
gas and water in moving in opposite directions through the case.