Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-02
Tannin Extract Fsctosy..

Tannfn Extract Factory #tH
A new industry has recently been started al
East Machas, by a company formed for the pur-
pose of extracting Tannin from Sweet Fern,which
grows wild and in abundance in that vicinity.
The Extract to be used in tanning light hides
The capital stock of the company is 100000,
while the new factory, which has been erected
the past season, will cost some $4,000. Up to
the present time, 81, 900 have been expended for
Sweet Fern, scattering money among the poorer
classes, who were sadly in want of work and mon
ey The factory is all in readiness, and it is ex-
pected that operations will begin the first of
this month. The Machias Union has a notice of
the works, from which we condensc the following.
The Fern is housed in sheds winged oil from
the main building aud easily moved when wanted
to the hopper of the Cutter. This is the first step
place the Fern in cutter, machine something
like hay cutter. This cuts it quite fine. If
worked to its capacity the machine will cut one
and half tons per hour.
| From the cutter the chopped fern passes into
Elevator Cups, thence it is raised to the fourth
floor OF the building. The Cups constructed
quite like the cups grist flour mill, whereby
| the meal is raised to the upper floors. On the
fourth hoor are four leaches being tanks made
round and holding ten thousand gallons each.
The chopped fern is deposited in these teaches
from the elevator cups. Near by are two reser-
voirs. When in operation these reservoirs are
filed with hot water. They hold $3.50 gallons
spfinkled on TO the Fern in the teaches. This is
the teaching process or second step in the extract
ing operation. The hot water and steam is all
passed ough brass pipes or tubes, no iron being
used.
After sleeping as long as necessary the liquor is
passed from the leeches to four store tanks. These
| tanks hold about 300 gallons each. In
these tanks which is the third floor the liquor
is allowed to settle. Next it is passed to three
condensers on the second floor, The condensers
| are semicircular in form, I IL by 10 feet inside
and supplied with 200 feet of brass pipe each
one. The second condenser is higher than the
first and the third higher than the second An
immense heat is forced into the liquor in the
censcrs by means of the pipes. A revolving shaft
| with discs twenty feet in diameter are kept con-
stantly IN motion, stirring and agating the liquor.
cloud OF steam and yapor is constantly arising,
| seeking escape through the ventilator at the top
OF the factory. 1hs process Is evaporation.
When concluded only the pure or best Tam in
Extract remains.
Great vigilance and superintendent is needed
| at the condensers The extract must not be
scorched or burned. faithful superintendent is
needed here. When the Iannin Is reduced to
proper consistency 1t is passed from the condens-
ers into coolers When cooled it is drawn off into
barrels. The barrels hold As to 50 gallons each or
about 800 pounds to the barrel. The extract is
now ready for shipment. After the first few days
running, the weaker liquor is returned TO the
teaches. This serves a better purpose in extract
ing juice from the fern than clear water. The
weaker liquor is held in after the stronger
| is Withdrawn from the tanks, the former being
kept in two junks of 200 gallons each thence it
is forced to the teaches. The exhausted steam
from the boiler of the driving engine in the base
ment is forced to do different duties, some Of it
| reaching the teaches the fourth floor. The
principle of mo waste" is strictly adhered to in
| all arrangements, position and construction of ma
| chlnery.
| One engine of thirty horse power, is the prnc-
pal motive power. An engine of sc, en- horse pow
er Is used 10 operate the condensers. The boilers
are fed from the hot water tanks. The combns-
| ton of power equals 50 horse power. Water Is
pumped from the river distance of l2j feet,
i through pipe IL inches in diameter. In the
basemen are two furnaces feet by l6 feet, four
feet high, two feet thickness OF brick bottom, sides
and top inside all fire brick and IN best possible
name.
! Two tan burners are constructed in the base
ment. The spent fern, woody, hbrous parts are
accumulated here and used in the furnaces to heat
| the water and building. This waste material is
expected to furnish all the fuel required after well
in operation. The main shed for storage OF fern is
70 feet wide; l35 feet long and IA feet high. Be-
sides there three other sheds 80 feet WIDE ITO
| feet long and l6 feet high.
The enterprise is commendable one. Nearly
all the capital is furnished by citizens oil East Ma
| chias. Any profits ultimately, which we hope
| will be abundant will be their gain. Already the
results are felt for good Cash paid for sweet fern,
for labor, timber and material, has been blessing
| TO the community.
AT no time since the inception of the movement
have the friends and stockholders felt SO well en-
| Outraged and so hopeful of remuneration they
do at this time. The evidence of demand for the
lannIn Extract, also as TO the supply of sweet
fern, are increasing, convincing and satisfactory.
There Is no establishment in the country like this
considered in its convenience, capacity, entirety
and completeness. The factory will probably con
sumo fifteen tons per day OF sweet fern.