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Description: |
| Most of the patents prior to 1836 were lost in the Dec. 1836 fire. Only about 2,000 of the almost 10,000 documents were recovered. Little is known about this patent. There are no patent drawings available. This patent is in the database for reference only.
This patent was surrendered for the purpose of amending the specification and was reissued 11 Apr., 1829.
“The specification states that the new system consists in making choice of a plot of even ground, the surface of which may be a little elevated on one side, to facilitate the draining of the water. It must be on a part of the seashore covered at high tides, but where the water may be dammed out. The reservoir thus formed is called the water work. A flood gate admits the water from the sea, and a canal surrounding the dam prevents the rain water from affecting the works, excepting that portion which falls directly upon them.
Pumps to be worked by wind are used within the water work, to pump the water up to the height of about thirty feet, whence it is to fall upon brushwood and branches of trees, to break it into drops, exposing a large surface to the action of the sun and air.
In winter, advantage is to be taken of removing the ice formed in the water work; the ice consisting of water nearly fresh, and the remaining water being much concentrated by the process.
The whole plot of ground is to be prepared so as to render it impervious to water; to effect this it is levelled, and divided into compartments by a mixture of earth and clay, well beaten down and forming banks of about three feet in width, and one in height. A few inches of salt water is then to be admitted, which is to be allowed to mix with the earth forming the bottom and sides, previously loosened for that purpose. This water is to be allowed to dry away, the ground, as it dries, being rendered as compact as possible, by beating. A mixture of equal parts of sand, clay, and lime is then spread over the whole, to the thickness of an inch and a half, beating it to harden it, until it becomes dry. The respective squares, or compartments, are then ready for the admission of salt water, for the intended manufacture.
This lining is said to protect the salt from the admixture of all impurities from the earth, which it always contracts from ground not so prepared, but merely lined with clay, as is usual.
A point particularly insisted upon, is, the scientific arrangement of all the parts, and the novel operation of pumping up the water, and allowing it to fall upon twigs and branches to promote the evaporation. We omit many minor points in the description, such as the evaporation and crystallization of the concentrated liquid, &c. The claims are, “ the mode of evaporation in the concentrating basin, by raising therein the water, and letting it fall in the open air in cascades, on branches of trees, brush, or other wood.” The concentration by the removal of the ice in winter. The application of the cement described, together with certain other parts which refer to the drawings.
The first claim is to a process long known and extensively used. The second has also often been taken advantage of in cold climates; and we, therefore, are apprehensive, that as these form principal items in the claim to novelty, its validity is a very questionable point.”
Journal of the Franklin Institute Vol. 4, Jul., 1829 pg. 61-62
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