IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL MANURES AND AMMONIACAL PRODUCTS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis John Bolton, of 19, Grosvenor Gardens, in the
County of Middlesex, Lieutenant Colonel, and James Alfred Wanklyn, of 7,
Westminster Chambers, in the same County, Professor of Chemistry, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL MANURES
AND AMMONIACAL PRODUCTS."
Sealed the 3rd February 1880, and dated the 24th November 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis John Bolton and
James Alfred Wanklyn at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
24th November 1879.
FRANCIS JOHN BOLTON, of 19, Grosvenor Gardens, in the County of Middlesex,
Lieutenant Colonel, and JAMES ALFRED WANKLYN, of 7, Westminster Chambers,
in the same County, Professor of Chemistry. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL MANURES AND AMMONIACAL PRODUCTS."
Our improvements relate to the manufacture of artificial manure and ammoniacal
products by mixing urine with charcoal or other suitable porous materials properly
prepared, and also to the preparation of such materials. The average quantity of
solid matter held in solution in urine is about four per cent. (apparently rather
more than less) by weight. This solid matter we extract and dry so as to produce
a rich manure. From the product so obtained ammonia can be extracted by the
usual methods. It contains nitrogenous matter in great abundance, equivalent to
thirty parts of ammonia for one hundred parts of urine-solids. Phosphoric acid, for
the most part in the state of soluble phosphates, occurs to the extent of 5.0 per 100
parts of urine-solids, also potassium salts equivalent to four parts of potassium.
In carrying out our Invention we proceed as follows:-We evaporate urine and
Bucceed in obtaining the solids of urine in a state of fair dryness and suitable for
employment as rich artificial guano, or as sources of ammoniacal salts. We
mix the urine as fresh as is practicable with about one-fifth of its weight of soot or
of charcoal in a granular condition, and then apply heat of about 212 degrees F. or a
little over, until the greater part of the water has evaporated off, we then add more
urine to the partially dried mass and continue the evaporation. We repeat this
process many times, and ultimately dry up and obtain a mass consisting of urine-
solids mixed with more or less charcoal, and that product is the artificial manure
or ammoniacal product which we propose to manufacture. The charcoal which we
find that we can advantageously employ we obtain by taking sawdust or com-
minuted woody or vegetable fibres, and treat them in a closed vessel with super-
heated steam. Instead of charcoal other suitable porous substances in a granulated
condition may be used, such as bone-earth, which latter we should employ where
an increased quantity of phosphoric acid was required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Francis John Bolton and James Alfred Wanklyn in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 19th May 1880.
FRANCIS JOHN BOLTON, of 19, Grosvenor Gardens, in the County of Middlesex,
Lieutenant Colonel, and JAMES ALFRED WANKLYN, of 7, Westminster Chambers,
in the same County, Professor of Chemistry. “IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL MANURES AND AMMONIACAL PRODUCTS."
Our improvements relate to the manufacture of artificial manure and ammoniacal
products by mixing urine with charcoal or other suitable porous or absorbent
materials.
The average quantity of solid matter held in solution in urine is about 4 per
cent. (apparently rather more than less) by weight. This solid matter we obtain
by evaporation so as to produce a rich manure. From the product so obtained
ammonia can be extracted by the usual methods. The solid matter contains
nitrogen in great abundance, equivalent to 30 parts of ammonia per 100 parts of
urine solids. Phosphoric acid, for the most part in the state of soluble phosphates,
occurs to the extent of 50 parts per 100 parts of urine solids, also potassium salts
equivalent to 4 parts of potassium.
In carrying out our Invention we proceed as follows:-We mix the urine as
fresh as is practicable with about one fifth of its weight of soot or of charcoal in a
granular condition, and then apply heat of about 212 degrees Fahr., or a little
over, until the greater part of the water has evaporated off. We then add more
urine to the partially dried mass and continue the evaporation. We repeat this
process many times, and ultimately dry up and obtain a mass consisting of urine-
solids mixed with more or less charcoal or soot, and that product is the artificial
manure or ammoniacal product which we propose to manufacture.
We find that carbonaceous matter in the form of soot is used with great
advantage; we also in some cases use charcoal, which we obtain by taking saw
dust or comminuted woody or vegetable fibres, and treating them in a closed vessel
with superheated steam. Instead of charcoal other suitable porous or absorbent
substances in a granulated condition may be used, such as the carbonaceous
residues of destructive distillation or bone earth, which latter we should employ
where an increased quantity of phosphoric acid was required.
In practice we employ urine containing the urea either altogether intact or for
the most part intact. This desideratum is realised when the urine is quite fresh
and clean, and before the natural slight acidity of the urine has departed and given
place to alkalinity. This desideratum is also realised when the urine although old
has been preserved from fermentation by any suitable antiseptic. Lastly, this
desideratum is realised in some cases when the urine has become alkaline and foul,
and mixed with foeces and other debris, the essential point being that the ureal
fermentation shall be only in the incipient stage, that is to say, that the urea is
for the most part intact or undecomposed.
We employ the urine which we use in the state of fresh urine or preserved by
antiseptic also when it is old or mixed with faeces, provided that the destruction
of the urea is only partial. We take such urine as we have just specified, and
heat it as rapidly as practicable to the boiling point of water, or even a little above
that temperature, and evaporate or boil down at about that temperature, and we
make an addition of a little soot, or charcoal, or bone earth, or mixtures of soot
with charcoal, or with bone earth, either before the commencement of the evapora-
tion or during the evaporation. The proportions of soot may be varied, say, from
1 in 1000 by weight of the liquid urine up to any convenient proportions.
In its early stages the evaporation may be performed over the naked flame or
fire (in a steam boiler for instance), and the escaping steam may be condensed

page_text: so as to avoid nuisance. When the urine has become very concentrated, as for
instance, when the residue in the boiler contains about equal parts of water
and solids, then caution becomes requisite, and the further evaporation or drying
must be conducted in the steam bath. The steam for this purpose may be
economically furnished by the boiler wherein the first stages of the evaporation
are being carried on.
In place of carrying on the evaporation of the urine and the drying up of the
solid product at the ordinary atmospheric pressure, resort may be had to the
vacuum pan (just as in the refining of sugar), and in some instances advantage
will arise from such a procedure from the facilities which it gives for the avoidance
of nuisance.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, we claim,-
First. The manufacture of artificial manures and ammoniacal products consisting
of the solid constituents of urine mixed with soot, charcoal, burnt bones, or other
suitable absorbent substance, substantially as herein described.
Second. Evaporating urine in contact with soot, charcoal, burnt bones, or other
suitable absorbent materials, so as to produce a compound containing the solid
constituents or urine in a more or less dry condition suitable for manure, or for
obtaining ammoniacal products, substantially as herein described.
Third. Evaporating successively two or more quantities of urine in contact with
one and the same body of soot, charcoal, burnt bones, or other suitable absorbent
materials, so as to produce a compound containing in increased quantity the solid
constituents of urine in a more or less dry condition suitable for manure or for
obtaining ammoniacal products, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Francis John Bolton and James Alfred
Wanklyn, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirteenth day
of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
FRANCIS JOHN BOLTON. (L.S.)
JAMES ALFRED WANKLYN. (L.8.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the above-
named Francis John Bolton and James
Alfred Wanklyn in the presence of
PHILIP ARTHUR SCRATCHLEY,
4, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster,
Barrister-at-Law.