1862 London Exhibition: Catalogue: Class VIII.: Henry Bridle
1806. BRIDLE, HENRY, Bridport, Dorset.
Patent double-action refrigerator, for brewing and distilling purposes.
The cooling powers of this refrigerator surpass those of any hitherto in use: making unnecessary the employment of auxiliary coolers, and reducing boiling wort to nearly the same temperature as the water used for the purpose of reduction. By means of it the hottest weather ceases to be an obstacle to the production of a perfectly sound and brilliant article.
In introducing to the notice of brewers and distillers his double-acting refrigerator, the inventor feels justified in saying that he has succeeded in perfecting an apparatus which has long been sought after, calculated as it is to meet all the requirements of the trade.
The importance of securing a method by which wort can be cooled with rapidity in the hottest weather, need not be dwelt upon. A number of plans have been before proposed, but they have been accompanied by objections which have more or less interfered with their uniform success in working.
The improvements, however, which mark the invention now exhibited, are considered by practical brewers, who have inspected the apparatus, to obviate every difficulty which may have characterised those hitherto in use.
The advantages which attend its employment, may be briefly enumerated as consisting in the extraordinary cooling power which is rapidly attained, combined with the greatest cleanliness, strength, and simplicity, and united with the utmost economy of space and water, as well as cost.
Its mode of construction will be seen to guarantee its power. A series of flat pipes are arranged vertically in a case about 1 in. apart, through which the water passes in two streams, one over the other, in opposite directions, continuing through the whole length of the refrigerator, whereby a uniform temperature of the water in each pipe is preserved throughout its entire length and depth.
From the water traversing the pipes in the manner indicated, in such thin columns, and every particle of wort of necessity running round every pipe, and being by an obvious arrangement kept flowing in a continuous stream over the whole cooling surface of the refrigerator, it not only receives the cooling power of all the water employed, but the cooling influence of the atmosphere also.
If it should be objected by any who are accustomed to the various forms of refrigerators adopted, that the wort should not be exposed to the influence of the atmosphere, it may be stated that this apparatus admits of either method of working, allowing, if desired, the wort to traverse the inside of the pipes, subject to the external cooling influence of the water.
Absolute cleanliness is one of the great features in this refrigerator, as the pipes being perfectly flat and smooth, and standing edgeways, present but a slight surface for the deposit of sediment, especially as the wort is continually flowing around them in a rapid stream. What little may accumulate, can be cleaned off by passing a brush between the pipes; and as the bottom forms a hollow underneath every alternate pipe, it serves to empty the refrigerator (of wort when in use, or water when cleaning it) through openings in the side of the refrigerator into the draining pipe. As the whole of the wort and water is contained in the refrigerator, no wood cooler is required, which materially adds to its cleanliness: tinned copper, of which it is constructed, being easier to clean than wood-work. The cleansing of the inside of the pipes, may be still more easily effected, by fitting a movable cap to the end of every pipe, as in the one exhibited. This plan will, however, add to the cost of the refrigerator.
Its strength is such, from the pipes, although flat, being made in a series of small compartments, that they are able to bear almost any pressure of water that may be driven through them; and the sides of the refrigerator and the ends of the pipes being of brass, cast together and tinned, they cannot well be damaged.
Its simplicity is such that any workman, having a knowledge of a brewery, can use it; as all the inlets and outlets are connected by union joints, and the supply of wort and water regulated by stop cocks.
The various advantages which have been shown to belong to this refrigerator cannot fail to be appreciated, as valuable acquisitions to the manipulation in the art of brewing, especially when taking into consideration the economy of cost, which a reference to the price list will show.
The readiness with which this apparatus can be adapted to existing arrangements in any establishment is also a great recommendation. Indeed, the portability of those of a moderate size is such that they may be moved from one place to another with the utmost convenience, if necessary, only requiring a few inches' fall, dependent on the distance from the hop back.
The water, after its employment for cooling, may be made available for all purposes for which it may be needed. Its heat upon leaving the refrigerator is about 140°.
The results attending the use of this admirable apparatus have been most astonishing. The numerous firms adopting it, have found it so much to exceed their expectations, that they have spontaneously forwarded to the inventor their testimonials in its favour. These may be seen on application, together with price lists, and full particulars of its extraordinary cooling powers.
This refrigerator can be constructed without the copper bottom: in this case it is laid in a wood cooler, the passage of the wort, round the pipes, remaining the same. By adopting this plan, its power is slightly lessened, and for the purpose of cleansing, the apparatus must be lifted. Whichever arrangement is selected, the price will be the same.
LIST OF PRICES, etc.
The following is the guaranteed scale of sizes, together with the power of each for reducing the wort to 58 degrees with water at 52 degrees, accompanied by the cost, including royalty.
| Length | Width | Depth of Pipes | Cooling power per hour | Price | |
| No. 1 | 4 ft. | 2 ft. | 7.5 in | 6 barrels | £50 |
| No. 2 | 5 ft. | 2 ft. 3 in | 7.5 in | 8 barrels | £63 |
| No. 3 | 6 ft. | 3 ft. | 7.5 in | 12 barrels | £86 |
| No. 4 | 7 ft. | 3 ft. | 7.5 in | 14 barrels | £95 |
| No. 5 | 7 ft. | 4 ft. | 7.5 in | 18 barrels | £120 |
| No. 6 | 7 ft. | 4 ft. 4 in | 7.5 in | 20 barrels | £135 |
| No. 7 | 8 ft. | 4 ft. 4 in | 7.5 in | 22 barrels | £155 |
| No. 8 | 9 ft. | 4 ft. 4 in | 7.5 in | 26 barrels | £180 |
| No. 9 | 10 ft. | 4 ft. 4 in | 7.5 in | 28 barrels | £195 |
| No. 10 | 8 ft. | 4 ft. 4 in | 11 in | 32 barrels | £220 |
| No.11 | 9 ft. | 4 ft. 4 in | 11 in | 36 barrels | £250 |
| No. 12 | 10 ft. | 4 ft. 4 in | 11 in | 40 barrels | £275 |
The cost of those of larger dimensions can be obtained on application.