Deurbroucq's, for Improvements in Fermentation. 15

to the purpose of carrying the index used in sewing and pointing leather gloves.

Inrolled, February, 1822.

To DOMINIQUE PIERRE DEURBROUCQ, of King Street, Soho, London, in consequence of a Communication by a certain Foreigner, resident abroad; for an Apparatus for the purpose of Condensing the Alcoholic Streams arising from Spirituous Liquors, such as Wine, Brandy, Beer, Cyder, &c. during their Fermentation.

1

THIS apparatus consists of a vessel or head, which is constructed so as to be capable of attachment to, and communication with the Back or Vat, in which the process of fermentation is carrying on in the production of Wine, Brandy, Beer, Cyder, or any other liquor which may require the process of the vinous fermentation during any stage of its manufacture. The back or vat is to be closed on all sides air-tight, except an opening on the top which communicates with the head above-mentioned, This head is to be surrounded by a vessel of cold water, or other refrigirating medium, in order that the alcoholic vapours, which are evolved during the process, may, on rising up into the head, become condensed and then trickle down the inside of the vessel and descend into the vat.

It is considered, that, by the employment of this apparatus, a certain portion of the alcohol which has hitherto been suffered to escape with the non-condensable gases, in the form of steam, will be condensed and returned into the liquor, while the non-condensable parts will be carried off through a pipe, as will be described.

Plate I. fig. 3, is a representation of this improved ap. paratus, the vat and the cold water reservoir being shewn in section; a, is the vat containing the fermenting liquor, in the top of which is an aperture communicating with the interior of the conical formed vessel, b; the lower part of this vessel is made cylindrical and passes through a circular plate, on which the supporters rest; c, is the reservoir of cold water, surrounding the conical vessel, which may be supplied by a running stream; d, is a worm or pipe communicating with the interior of the vessel, b, and, passing off through the side of the reservoir, descends into another vessel of water, e; f, is a small pipe which proceeds from the lower part of the vessel, b, and descends through the fermenting liquor nearly to the bottom of the vat.

The gas and alcohol which rise from the liquor in the vat ascend into the conical head, b, and coming in contact with the cold sides of the vessel, a condensation of the alcohol is produced, which runs down the sides of the cone into the circular channel, g, at its base, from whence the alcohol passes by the pipe, f, into the vat below; while the non-condensable gases pass out through the worm-pipe,d, and, finally, escape by bubbling up through the water in the vessel, e. If any portion of alcohol should pass up the worm-pipe it will become condensed in its progress, and, by the position of the worm, will be enabled to run back again and pass into the vat. A small cock, h, is placed at the bottom of the cone, for the purpose of trying the strength of the condensed alcohol.

The apparatus may be removed from its present situation to another fermenting vat, by drawing off the water, and disengaging the head, b, from its place. The plate is furnished with circular wedges round the circumference,

Gordon's, for Improved Wheel Carriages.

17

as seen at i, i, made to act beneath hooks, the apparatus, being turned round by the handles in a horizontal direction, becomes fixed in its place, having, between the plate and head, a ring of thick leather to prevent the escape of

the gas.

The sole object and novelty proposed in this invention is to condense the alcoholic streams which arise from the fermentation of spirituous liquors in general, and to return the condensed alcohol into the liquor again.

That much alcohol is lost in the usual process of fermenting liquors in open vats, there can be no question; whether the mode recommended by the patentee, for its perservation will be effectual, experience only can determine. At all events, the idea is ingenious, and deserving the attention of those persons whom the vinous fermentation more immediately concerns.

Inrolled, March, 1822.

To DAVID GORDON, Esq. of Edinburgh, for certain Improvements in the Construction of Wheeled Carriages.

THESE improvements consist in placing each wheel of the carriage between two horizontal bearings, (as in the ordinary wheel-barrow), so that the wheel may turn upon pivots, instead of a lengthened axle, which usually passes across beneath the body of the carriage. Plate II. fig. 5, exhibits the contrivance of a plane or horizontal view of a four-wheeled carriage; but a carriage upon two wheels may be constructed on the same principle, the ordinary shafts being made as a continuation, either of the outside or inside rail, as dotted in the figure. a, a, are the wheels; b, b, is the frame work

of the carriage, in which spaces are formed to receive the wheels, and for them to revolve in the side rails, being the bearings of the pivots. The wheels have short axles, the pivots of which are held in boxes attached to the under side of the rails; and the boxes are fixed to the frame-work by bolts, screws, and nuts, or by any other convenient mode of attachment.

This construction of carriages has been commonly used in the East Indies for ages; and, if we mistake not, has been within the last three years employed in carrying a tank for watering the roads near Vauxhall; yet the patentee claims as his invention, this mode of "fixing each of the wheels upon separate axles, to be supported between bearers, and thereby leaving the wheels independent of each other, so as to allow of the load being suspended near the ground between the wheels, below the level of the axles."

The advantages proposed by this contrivance are, that it furnishes the means of placing the axles of the wheels horizontally or parallel to the ground, and thereby obviates the necessity of dishing the wheels; and also renders their action upon the road less injurious by rolling over the ground instead of grinding. The rail, which extends on the outside of the wheel, protects it from blows or shocks, which might be caused by other carriages running against it; and also prevents the pos'sibility of carriages becoming locked by the wheel of any other carriage in passing, obtruding itself between the wheel and body of the improved carriage. By this contrivance, as the axle does not extend across the frame, a large space is obtained, in which heavy merchandise may be suspended near the ground, thereby preventing the risk of overturning, and from which contrivance, wheels of larger diameter may be attached to

On Spade Husbandry.

19

this carriage, than are or can be usually employed upon the ordinary construction, which will enable the improved carriage to travel with greater facility over rough roads. It is farther considered, that the proposed mode of mounting the wheels, will be found of great advantage in carriages intended to be propelled by the power of steam, or any other first mover.

A second improvement is claimed in this patent, which "consists in the application of an additional wheel (to a two, three or four wheeled carriage), formed like a hollow roller or drum, which may be made to roll along the road, in order to advance the carriage forward, by having a steam-engine placed within it in such manner, that the engine would tend to advance or climb up the inside of the drum, and so, by its gravity, to turn the drum round in the manner of those wheels, called walking wheels, used on tram roads." A cogged 'wheel is proposed to be fixed to the axle of this hollow roller, which is intended to take into the teeth of a rack fixed to the ground, and the carriage to be advanced by those In order to enable the carriage to turn angles or perform curves, it is intended that the hollow roller, or drum, should be formed like a barrel bulging in the middle, by which a dimunition of friction will be effected.

means.

Inrolled, February, 1822.

Original Communications.

On Spade Husbandry.

To the Editor of the Journal of Arts, &c.

SIR,

As the subject of agriculture is one on which the Journal of Arts professedly treats, I request insertion for this letter.