, 1892-09-24

The most important factories in the pro-
vince of Bahia are those OF the Bahia Central
Sugar Factories, Limited, an English COM
pany which some years ago obtained a special
concession from the Brazilian Government
to erect four large factories, with several
miles of railway (metre gauge connecting
each with the surrounding plantations. Very
powerful and complete machinery was sup
piled by MeSsrs. Duncan, Stewart & Co., Lii
mited, of Glasgow, whose well-known ny
draulic regulator is III use at the Hilo Sugar
Co.'S mill.
Mes8rs. Duncan, Stewart & Co, were by the
way, the original inventors Of the system Of
applying hydraulic pressure to sugar mills in
any form.
IN the largest Of these factories the roll
lrIs ale forty-two inches in diameter by Sc
venty-eight inches long, driven by a powerful
horizontal engine with very heavy double
gearing. The juice passes througha strainer
and is pumped TO q sulphur box placed over
the CHARTERS before entering the c%larltier
the juice passes through a large open juice
heater divided so that the juice entering at
the top flows down through the tubes on one
side and up to the exit on the other side. This
Juice heater is f furnished with exhaust steam
and is large enough to heat all the liquor
passing through it to The boiling point, or
WudlGNeI bCAh PCiU'u l may W QGhlI6u. DSluS
open at the top it is easily kept clean, and may
BE sponged out every night in a few minutes.
A cock at the bottom admits Of all the juice
being run out whenever the mill stops.
From the juice heater the juice passes into
CHARTERS Of 200 gallons capacity, six in
number. Under each c%larifier ,le two large
filter presse s, so that alter treatment in the
clarifies the whole of the Juice can be passed
through the presses before being drawn into
a large ~eight-foot triple effect containing
1000 square feet Of heating surface.
In addition to the filter presses there are
four Taylor filters for use after the juice has
been concentrated.
There are two vacuum pans nine feet and
eight feet diameter respectively, capable of
making ten and eight tons of dry sugar per
strike.
Under the pans are two large mixers, into
either Of which either pan can be struck, and
under the mixers are eight f~our-foot centrifu-
gal machines.
The CHARTERS, triple effect, and vacuum pans
are all in line on an iron platform with hand
Some brass railing in front. AS may be sup
posed the appearance is very handsome, espe-
cially al II i4ht, when the numerous incande-
scent electric lights shine ON the polished
brass and illuminate every corner of the build
ing.
An important adjunct is the distllery at
tached to each factory. In each there are
large watts fol mixing molasses, and setting up
wash to a capacity Of 100000 htres, and an
improved continuous still to convert it into
rum Of any desired strength. In this way all
the molasses, filter press, and cank w~ashings,
and sweet waters of all kinds, can be convert
ed INTO a valuable marketable product. All
machinery IN these factories are connected
with them, except the locomotives, is Of
MossrS. Duncan. Stewart 4 Co.'S own make,
from special designs; great strength, superior
workmanship and convenience Of arrangement
are the most prominent features.
There are some c.ntral factories owned by
Brazilians. OF these the largest is the BonSuc-
cess factory at Bonn Jardim, which is describ-
ed in Locks Sugar" The machinery is
French, by the Compagnie lie Elves Lille,
and though of good design, lacks tho substan-
tial appearance Of that emanating from
Glasgow.
The mul is ~ffty-two by thirty inches, but
there are nice triple effects and two vacuum
pans each six feet in diameter, eight centr,fu-
gals, aud six charcoal filters, besides filter
presses. The sugar manufactured here is
practically refined sugar, and finds a ready
sale for local consumption.
The San Benro factory is a small but very
profitable one, owned by an exceptionally en-
terprising Brazilian. Most of the cane for it
. 49,, L. A. - L. kl1.l.-B