The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-12-08
RODRRlCK Q. aATHEsON. EDITOR
A Spectacular DISCOVERY

T N. SrWILLIAMS had the rare privilege,
d syesterdayJ OF announcing spectacular discov-
cry. namely: the invention by himself OF simple
process by which the'value of the sugar crop Of
Hawaii will be increased approximately 100000
per annum.
The nature OF the discovery is fully set forth in
a statement made yesterday by Mr. Williams to
the Hawaiian Sugar, Planters Association, anG
printed in full in The Advertiser today
In brief, the discovery is as follows:
In the course Of manufacture of sugar from su-
gar cane, there losses occurring through vari-
Gus channels. The largest OF these losses is through
the medium of the final" or waste" molasses.
This loss amounts to seven or eight per cent Of
all the sugar In the cane. Although known to be
present. no process has heretofore been known
by which this sugar could be crystallized and re-
covered.
After several years of experimenting, Mr. Viii
Hams has practically perfected process by which
approximately one-haf of this "non-crystallizable
sugar" becomes crystallized, and is recovered as
merchantable sugar.
In other words ''the irresistible has overcome
the immovable"
The main points OF this process follows
First the first molasses is boiled usual but
instead of ceasng to boil it at the usual stage, the
boiling is continued to the point of practical ex-
clusion of all water, only about one-half OF one
per cent being retained to prevent the molasses
from burning.
Second, the product, which, by reason of its
heat is still liquid in spite of its lack of moisture,
is run into containers where it is allowed to cool
and stand for about a week In this state the
mass becomes almost hard a rock. This
material which contains the erystallized sugar, is
then broken up, passed through crushing APP
paratus, mixed with water until it becomes once
more OF molasses like texture, when it isTrun
through specially constructed centrifugal, oper-
ating at upwards of 1000 revolutions per minute
about twice as fast the ordinary centrifugal
when the sugar ordinarily recoverable from mo-
lasses together with approximately one-half OF
that heretofore lost is recovered in the form OF
a dark coored but merchantable sugar. This
much has been definitely recovered, with the APP,
paratus already constructed and with the limited
experience in operating the same. Mr.. Williams
is confident that with experience, the recovery
will be higher.
Asked by representative of The Advertiser as
to when the apparatus for carrying his invention
into effect would be available for use by the sugar
plantations, Mr.. Williams replied that the one
existing plant was now installed at the Laupa-
hoehoe Mill and that before attempting TO dupll-
cate it. he desired to take off the 1917 crop with
it, so as to further study and perfect the process
in detail after which he would be prepared t.
take orders, arrangements having been made with
the Honolulu Iron Works to construct the neces-
sary apparatus.
Asked further as to the probable cost OF plant
and OF operating the same, Mr. Williams replied
that he was not prepared to give any close figures
at present; but that PLAINTIFF take care OF the
moasses from hundred tons of sugar day mill
would probably cost not to exceed say $4,000; and
that the cost of operation would he no greater
than the present cost Of manufacturing second
third and fourth sugars. In fact the new process
will in the operation, do the work that is now
done by the three processes named at the same
time recovering the additional sugar indicated,
Mr.. Williams and the people OF Hawaii are tc
be congratulated upon this discovery, which once
more demonstrates the progressive character OF
the men who conducting the sugar business in
Hawaii.
May Mr. Williams Give long and prosper" and
enjoy the fruits of his patient investigation, while
Hawaii shares with him tho benefits of his inven-
ton.