The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-09-24

ana consequent amount OF extraction OF
| its saccharine constituents in given
time, and with the same chemicals and
| pressure the duration of the boiling will
have an effect i'll promoting more COM
plete extraction under similar conditions,
acid sulphites have also a tendency to
dislntegrate plants more rapidly than
normal sulphites. But, on the other
hand, it must be borne in mind that high
temperatures, acid solutions, and long
boiling have both separately and Jointly
a tendency to invert, and, carried to eX-
tremes, to destroy sugar. In operating,
therefore, some judgment must be eXer-
cised in order to obtain the best results.
Although we have described the partic-.
ular base, the quantity and proportion
OF chemicals, and the amount and dura-
ton of pressure with which we have OBJ
tanned the best results, it will be under
stood that these conditions may as we
have indicated, be varied as in practice
may be found requisite, but what we
claim as our invention is: The manufac-
ture of sugar from vegetable substances,
by boiling under pressure, with a solu-
ton containing suphurous acid, and a
base of alkali substantially as described. J"
y a RESULTS OF THE INVENTION. s8I
The process has been tried in this
country with results which justify the
most sanguine eXpections, especially
when it is adopted on large scale and
with fresh cane.
From one ton of cane 300 pounds OF II
per cent of sugar-samples OF which we
we have seen-were obtained, the yield
Of molasses being only seven and one
quarter pounds. Other portions of the
canes, which gave these results, were
tested by an analytical chemist, and
found to possess IA per cent of sac
charine matter. Only , per cent of this
was, therefore, left uneXtracted. By the
old method of crushing between rollers,
set in motion by steam power, or bullock
labor, the average quantity of sugar pro-
duced is only from 6 to s per cent of the
weight of the canes and if the new pro-
cess can obtain y per cent from stale
cane, it is only reasonable to suppose
that an average of from IA to Is per cent
or double the usual quantity-will be
obtained from ripe cane freshly cut, so
far as regards quantity, The quality of
the sugar made is found to surpass that
produced on the old plan, for by the
former the best of the saccharine matter,
that close to the hard exterior of the cane,
is thoroughly separate from it. The
color of the sugar, too, is better, and the
quantity of molasses greatly reduced.
Another advantage claimed for the pro-
cess is the utilization OF the megasse.
This is taken from the converters or
boilers in pulpy mass, from which
residue of saccharine matter can be
easily pressed, leaving the megasse clean
and white and fit for the manufacture
of paper Its value for this purpose is
estimated at f12 per ton. Heretofore it
has either been used as fuel or thrown
away as rubbish.
The effect upon the manufacture ofma-
chinery will be considerable, through no
machinery connected with the new pro-
cess has been patented by its inventors.
1t is probable that the crushing mills
will be gradually superseded by a
machine which shall rapidly cut the
canes into thin slices or lengths of about
an inch, somewhat after the fashion of a
chaff-cutter, but upon much larger
scale. Power to drive this will of course
be required on the larger estates. In
stead of mills, however, sugar manufac
lures will have to supply the huge con-
verters or boilers, each required to hold
about twenty tons of cane; and here a
fine field for inventive ingenuity is open.
One of the largest firms of sugar making
machinery is already actively engaged in
planning such converters. The difficulty
met with is chiefly connected with the
lining of the internal vessel, which must
resist powerful chemicals, and be subject
to a high steam pressure, say of 100
pounds. The enormous size of the
boilers must also be taken into account,
for the larger they are the more econ
omical is the process. A diameter of
eight feet and height of twenty-four
feet is spoken of as the probable size.
All the machinery required i'll refining
such as vacuum pans, ETC., will naturally
remain as it is. We may add that large
converters are about to be shipped to
Jamaica, where Mr.. Espeut will super
intend trials with them on an extensive
scale.
AS the expense of extraction by the
new process will not be greater than
formerly, while the yield will be about
doubled, and message produced worth
at least $40 ton, the result of the in
vention from a commercial point of view
must be of the greatest importance. The
use of French and German sugars will,
it is believed, receive decided check
and one from which the present
government bounties will not be able to
save them. The West Indian and other
sugar planters, however, must rouse
themselves, and not be satisfied until
they had obtained the best results, both
as regards quantity and quality, which
the application Of the new process and
the best machinery places within their
reach. When they send us, as they
might, at least 100 per cent more sugar,
costing considerably less than which
they are now shipping, they will be able
| to defy French and German competition.
| The British Trade Journal
FINAL DISCHARGE.
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