The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-05-09
The Robert Diffusion Process.

i AAV AVUCAC DluuSlOu IfOCeSSs
Alter several attempts the first of which wa
made in 1S69-by different parties, Mr.. R. seis
in the latter part Of 1872 succeeded in arousine
an interest in the Robert Diffusion Process, as ap
Piled to sugar cane, among the sugar planters in
this State, and eventually introducing it on
several plantations.
The first test Of the process was made in 1873
in the latter part Of the last month of the year,
on the Belle Alliance Plantation, near Donaldson
vile, where, after seemingly insurmountable OBJ
stacles had been overcome, an apparatus was con-
structed.
The test proved q success, so far as the
scientific process is concerned but the me-
i chanical part was q partial failure. The ma
chinery was not adapted to the labor system Of
this State; it required too many hands and cost
too much to run it, and the extra amount Of
sugar obtained did not more than pay for the ad-
additional cost.
It became evident that certain parts of the
machinery would have to be improved, and Mr..
Archibald Mitchell was called on to visit the
plantation. The result Of the labors of that gen.
tleman are thus set forth in the report of DR.,
Otto Kratz:
1t was very fortunate that Mr. Archibald
Mitchell, Of the firm Of Leeds Il Co., proprietors
OF our largest foundry Of this city, was pre-.
and examine the new process in all it's details.
Mr.. Mitchell had the kindness to stay on the
place repeatedly for several days, and to nvesti-
gate it in all its bearings.
After mature consideration and study, he came
to the conclusion that all the mocha ical difficult
ties could be overcome. The present apparatus
as designed and executed according to Mr..
Mitchell's plans is the best proof that he per-
formed even more than he promised It is
perfect success. As great success as was ever
achieved by the practical working Of any kind of
machinery, at any time or in any country. Too
much praise cannot be bestowed upon his work.
The result Of the experiment was so far Salts
factory that those who had carried on the
undertaking thus far concluded to form COM
pany, and q chartered organization under the
name OF the julius Robert Diffusion Process
Company was formed, the charter being drawn
in April, 1874.
Several contracts for putting up the improved
apparatus iwere made, and the process practi-
cally tested with the most gratifying results.
To give an idea Of the working Of the process,
the following comparative yield Of it and the
mill process is submitted:
Mill Commencing Oct. IL, 1874, and end
ing Oct. II, 1874.
Quantity Of cane consumed 49,. lbs 1856 100
Density Of cane juice from u to deg. Beaume.
PRODUCTS.
First sugar, 81 hhds. and Dbl. Tbs. 1888
Second sugar, - hhds. and 1% bbls.. 1880
MoIasses, IS bbls.=3597 gallons. 49,. 43,17O |
~Tptal sugar and molasses. ..... 1Oo,913 |
Percent of sugar to cane used y ct.... AGA
:. molasses to cane used 59 ct. 3113
4 IT.
Total. ......................9c ct. 7.277 |
COST OF MANUFACTURING.
Negro labor and rations. .............. 1858 20 |
White labor. Observation-Disclosures. 1873 SO |
Fuel-Wood, LOG cords at So. .......... 318 90 |
Fuel Coal, l16740 fts at 75c. u 200 lbs. 437 rs
Coal oil, lard oil and tallow ......... 81 IS
s1,264 90
Therefore, 1000 TBS. sugar and molasses
cost to manufacture .. 70 SO
Cane required to p. oduce same. TBS. 13, 742
the cane at IS u ton, the
actual cost of 1000 lbs. sugar and
molasses is
Cane, 49, 742 lbs. at IS y ton. .......... s34 IS
Cost of manufacturing. ............... ~ So
100000 lbs Of cane gives of green lbs.
70 xosE up 100000 lbs: Of cane costs .sil
Ultusaon Bun, commencing Oct. 26, 1874, and
ending Oct. 81, 1874.
Quantity OF cane consumed. .... lbs. 9S7, 945
Density of cane juice from III to deg. Beaume.
PRODUCTS 1
FIRST sugars, ~ nhds LBS. 1856
second sugars, Az hhds ........... 1911
Aolasses, 100 bbls.=1249 gallons -. 5O,778
1c2,4S4
Also Dbl cistern bottoms. -
Percentage of sugar to cane used 1924
Percentage OF m0lasses to cane used. -. 5.139 ,
~' : 7,277; io,s7s; 100; l4a54: .'0''''
excess OF Diffusion products over mill pro- Ii
ducts. .421L per ct.
COST OF MANUFACTURING. L
labor of all kinds. $575 o.
(oal 154,730 lbs, 75c u Dbl. minimum. $40 rs It
Wood, l2354 cords, at $3................ 81 Is
joal Oil, lard oil and talow. 81 IS
s1547 60 {
Therefore 1000 lbs sugar cost to manu- G
Iacture 10 III
Jane required to produce same, fbs -. 964O
cane at S. 10 ton
Cane, 9640 lbs, at IS u ton. .. $24 10 ~
- Cost OF manufacturing; ........... Is 10 a
,0OO: goo TBS OF cane give Of green sugar .
Ids Observation-Disclosures. lob 4S4 =
20 work up same costs .............. .$1566 AZ 9
word about the process. It
It consists in peculiar mode of extracting the a
ugar from the vegetable matter in the cane q
zithout mechanical power.
II sugar cane is cut into thin slices and COW
red with water for some time. an exchange of
he liquid contents Of the cane and the surround
lg water will take place. After a certain time 81
he water will contain the same percentage of o
issolved sugar as the cane itself. By the usual q
lethod Of crushing the cane, the cellular struc-
ire Of the membrane is destroyed, and the al A
nd nth oi1avo /