An Improved Process and Apparatus for Cleansing Wool and other Textile Products, Applicable also to the Extraction and Recovery of Oils and Fats.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1888
Specification Accepted, 4th May, 1888
An Improved Process and Apparatus for Cleansing Wool and other
Textile Products, Applicable also to the Extraction and Recovery
of Oils and Fats.
We IGNATIUS SINGER of Adelaide in the Province of South Australia Chemist and
MORITZ WOLFF JUDELL also of Adelaide aforesaid Importer do hereby declare the
nature of our invention for "AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS TO BE CALLED
THE ACME WOOL CLEANER' FOR CLEANSING WOOL AND OTHER TEXTILE PRODUCTS
APPLICABLE ALSO TO THE EXTRACTION AND RECOVERY OF OILS AND FATS" and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
Our invention relates to an improved process and apparatus for cleansing in a
continuous and automatic manner wool and textile products from grease and other
foreign matters except burrs by the use of bisulphide of carbon or other suitable
solvents. Our invention is applicable also to the extraction of oils and fats from seeds
and other products and enables us to filter the grease or oils whilst in solution before
passing them on for further manipulation and separation. In describing our process
and apparatus in connection with wool we include in the term all products to which it
is applicable and in the term bisulphide of carbon all other suitable solvents. Our
process consists in passing wool automatically and continuously through bisulphide
of carbon instead of causing the solvent to flow through the wool. We also remove
sand and other earthy matters during the earlier stages of maceration and eliminate
potash and other salts insoluble in bisulphide of carbon without requiring a separate
process. We pass the solvent after it has become laden with fatty matters from the
wool through a filter and thence into a retort where it is distilled off and after being
condensed reenters the macerator. The resultant fat or grease is treated in a rectifier
and on the last traces of bisulphide being driven off is removed for further treatment.
The wool meanwhile is in its course through the macerator repeatedly subjected to cold
compression whereby the greater portion of the solvent is removed and in order to
drive off the last traces of the latter is conducted through a drying chamber where it
meets a counter current of dry heated air. The wool on emerging from the apparatus
n a perfectly clean and dry state is subjected to the action of revolving beaters in

page_text: order to remove any loose foreign matter which may still adhere to it. We carry out
our process in such a manner that the wool in a thin layer is kept in constant motion
and whilst passing through the macerator is met by a counter current of the solvent.
By causing the solvent to enter the macerator at the opposite end to the wool and to
flow through it in a continuous stream the wool as it becomes cleaner meets purer
bisulphide until the last traces of grease are removed. The wool then enters water
where the potash and other salts insoluble in bisulphide of carbon are dissolved. By
the cold coinpression of the wool during the process of maceration the greater portion
of the solvent is expressed without subjecting the wool to a continuously high tem-
perature. A great saving of fuel and time is effected in the final recovery of the
solvent by distillation which is by this means accomplished with scarcely any loss.
After being placed on the feeding table the wool does not require to be touched by
hand until the operation of cleansing is completed. The flow of the solvent is auto-
matic and once the cells are filled to the required height the outflow and inflow are
practically equal. As a further advantage the grease is recovered in a filtered condi-
tion whereby its after treatment is greatly facilitated. For the purpose of carrying
our process into effect we employ a large trough termed a macerator and divide the
same into a series of cells by double partitions which are gradually increased in
height until the highest is attained at the end where the solvent enters the macerator
the lowest being thus at the opposite end where the wool enters and where the solvent
leaves the macerator saturated with grease or fat. The wool is placed between a
double endless band or apron composed of suitable wire gauze or netting which passes
between pairs of rolls placed over the partitions of each cell and around a single roller
placed in the body of each cell. After passing through a suitable number of cells
containing only bisulphide of carbon the band passes through two or more cells con-
taining water in which are removed the potash and other salts insoluble in bisulphide
of carbon, and thence through a vertical passage into a drying chamber where after
passing through a series of cold and heated rollers in order that as much as possible
of the solvent may be expressed it moves over a heated surface and is met by a counter
blast of heated air. By the latter means the last traces of the solvent are driven off
and the wool leaves the drying chamber perfectly free from grease or moisture. The
band then passes under revolving beaters which shake out the dry particles of foreign
matter still adhering to the fibre after which the wool is deposited on a delivery shoot.
The bisulphide of carbon saturated with grease as it leaves the macerator passes
through a suitable filter and flows thence into a retort where it is quickly evaporated
and after passing through a condenser placed at the opposite end of the macerator
reenters the latter as before. The vapours from the drying chamber are driven by
the heated blast before mentioned into a suitable worm and pass through the same
condenser into further use. The grease obtained in the first retort flows into a second
retort or rectifier. Here the last traces of the solvent are removed, and the grease in
a purified condition is then ready for further treatments. The water for the dissolv-
ing of the potash or other salts is drawn off when necessary and replaced by taps
provided for the purpose. The first six cells more or less at the end where the wool
enters and where consequently the greater quantity of earthy matters are deposited
are provided with revolving dredgers which remove the solid particles and deposit them
in a channel placed above the upper rolls.
This channel is provided with a screw carrier and endless band by means of which
the sludge is carried to a kiln where the adhering solvent is recovered. The rolls
through which the double band containing the wool passes and from which it receives
its motion are provided with cog wheels and gearing driven in the usual way by
shafts connected on the outside of the apparatus. The whole of the gearing except
the outside driving wheels is contained inside the apparatus which is made air and
vapour preof by means of lids provided with water seal. In order that our invention
may be the better understood we now proceed to describe the same by reference to
the accompanying drawings in which similar letters refer to similar parts.
Fig. 1, is a side elevation of the apparatus.

page_text: Fig. III, a sectional elevation of the macerator and drying chamber with frame-
work removed.
Fig. IV, a vertical section of the same through a line Y, Z.
Fig. V, a plan of the macerator showing the rollers.
Figs. VI, and VII, sectional elevations of the concentrating and rectifying retorts.
Fig. VIII, sectional elevation of the sand drying kiln.
The metal trough A, is constructed with an outer framework or covering of wood
or iron the roof of which is composed of lids consisting of iron frames having glass
panes and is made vapour proof by hydraulic seals i, Figs. III and IV. The
trough A, is divided by double partitions A1, A2, into a convenient number of cells
numbered respectively 1, 2, and so on. The partitions are provided with valves
close to the bottom of the cells leading from one into the other through which the
contents can be drained off when desired. The partitions A¹, of the cells No. 1 and 2
are constructed of such depth as not to quite reach the bottom of the trough A³,
forming the division. In cells number 3 and 4 and the others this order is reversed
A¹, reaching to the bottom and A³, within only a short distance of the same. B, a
vertical channel leading from the macerator to the drying chamber. C, the drying
chamber. D1, D2, shafts in A, and C, by which the rollers are driven. E, hood
connecting the vertical chamber B, with a condensing worm F. G, entrance of
macerator A, for the double band or apron carrying the wool. H, gutter for sludge
obtained from cells near wool entrance of A. I, archimedian screw carrier in H.
J, shoot leading from H, to an endless band K, connecting with the kiln L. M, M,
endless wire bands for carrying wools. N, main driving pinion connecting wheels
of equal size. N', N³, attached to the shafts D1, D2. O, exit from drying chamber C.
P, plate of steam chest in C. R, flue from worm F. S, receiver of the same.
T, concentrator for solvent charged with grease. U, rectifier for the grease,
V, channel connecting T, and U, with the receiver S. a, a, pairs of rolls connected
by cogwheels and placed over each partition in the macerator A. a¹ roller or idleer
in body of cells b, pipe for entrance of the solvent. c, settling tank. d, filter of
settling tank c. e, overflow pipe leading from c, into the concentrator T. f, lid of
settling tank c, provided with a waterseal. g, stopcock for draining c. g¹, stopcock
of supply reservoir. h, water seal over wool entrance cell. i, i, water seal of roof
of a., partitions in water cells at both ends of A. k³, k², k³, shafts of dredger
propellors. buckets of dredger m, entrance of sand drying kiln L. n¹, to n³,
endless bands of kiln. o, exit for dried matters. p, worm wheels of main driving
shafts D, D., 9', eccentric rollers of drying chamber c. ,,, cold rollers of
vertical passage B. s, to s³, heated rollers in drying chamber. t¹, t2, endless felt
bands carried by same. u, steam inlet into chest P. v, 2, pipes of hot air blast of
drying chamber. w, gutters of roof of same. a, revolving beaters for removing dry
foreign matters. y, wool shoot to baling floor. 2¹, cup of concentrator T.
In carrying out our process by means of our apparatus we fill the cells except
numbers 1 and 2 with bisulphide of carbon. The latter are filled with water which
from the construction of their partitions A1, A2, is prevented from overflowing into
the others. The bisulphide of carbon which enters at b, or falls through the vertical
chamber B, being specifically heavier than water, collects at the bottom of cell No. 1
and rising between the partitions A¹, A³, overflows into number 2 and thence into
No. 3. In the other cells the partitions A³, being lower allow the grease which being
specifically lighter than bisulphide of carbon rises to the surface to flow with the
solvent from one to the other until it reaches the settling chamber c, by which time
the solvent has become saturated. On leaving the settling chamber c, any solid par-
ticles of earthy matter are retained by the filter d, the purified solution being thence
conducted through the pipe e, into the retort or concentrator T. From the pipe e, the
solvent passes into the cup z', and overflows through a spout into a half round channel
which runs along the back of a spiral steam coil. A large heating surface is thus
obtained and the greater portion of the solvent driven off in vapor through the con-
densing channel V, into the receiver S. The grease is run off from time to time into
the second retort or rectifier U, where the last traces of the solvent are removed by a

page_text: revolving steam coil and the liquid grease drawn off. We remove the accumulated
Bediment in c, through the stopcock g, from time to time by opening the lid J, and
taking out the filter d. The cell nearest to the wool entrance is disconnected from the
rest and is kept empty during work but at other times is filled with water. A
partition J, secured to the frame work of the waterseal i, and soldered to both sides
of the cell by dipping into the water forms a hydraulic seal which prevents the escape
of any vapors from the macerator. A similar seal is formed by the partition J',
which dips into the water of the cell number 1 nearest the entrance of the bisulphide.
To the partition J³, is fixed a small exhaust pump actuated by an eccentric fixed to
the shaft D. The pump by sucking air from the macerator A, and discharging it
into the channel B, removes any bisulphide vapors which may be generated, and thus
prevents their escape at G. The second and several following cells from the wool
entrance (we do not confine ourselves to any definite number) are provided with
dredgers each consisting of two endless link chains, which pass lengthwise down the
cell clear of the frame of the idlers a', and at right angles to them. The dredger
chains are driven in the usual manner by three shafts K¹, K², K³, (Fig. IV) actuated
by the shaft D. To the chains are attached a number of small dredger buckets 1,
which bring up the sludge from the bottom of the cells and empty it into the gutter H,
the bottom of which is perforated in order that the bisulphide may drip back into the
cells. An endless screw carrier I, takes the sludge to the shoot J, through which it
falls onto an endless band and is carried to the kiln L, (Fig. VIII) where the bisul-
phide is driven off. The kiln is a modification of Lecambre and Persac's drying
chamber and consists of a chamber containing a series of endless bands n³, to n³,
Fig. VIII which revolve at a uniform speed and on which the sludge after being
introduced at 77, is carried meeting in its passage a blast of heated air until it reaches
the outlet at 0, in a perfectly dry condition. The vapours of bisulphide driven off in
the process pass through a channel into the condenser and flow thence into the
macerator. The axles of upper rolls a, Fig. IV rest in a slide as in ordinary wringers
or mangles and are pressed down by spiral springs placed in the upper part of the
hollow framework, the lower rolls are fitted with a worm wheel p, by means of which
they are driven in the usual way from the shafts D', D'. The upper and lower rolls
are connected with cog wheels of equal size in the usual way. The main driving
shafts D, D, are provided with gear wheels of equal size both actuated by the main
driving wheel N, and thereby a uniform speed of the rolls a and consequently of the
band M, is secured throughout the apparatus. The endless bands or aprons m, m³, are
constructed preferably of thin copper or brass wire with " to " mesh and are driven
at a uniform rate through the apparatus. The wool is fed on to M, in a thin layer
or open fleeces and on entering the macerator at G, is covered by the second band M'.
Passing through the first sets of rolls the wool dipped by the "idler" a¹, into the
solvent and on leaving the cell is squeezed by the rolls a, a, before entering the next
cell. So it passes from cell to cell ineeting in its course a constant counter current of
the solvent until the water cells 2 and 1 are reached. There the salts insoluble in
bisulphide of carbon are removed by the action of water renewed as may be required
by means of necessary taps. The wool then passes in zig zag fashion over the
"idlers" a', in the vertical chamber B, and after being well squeezed in the cold
rolls, to, enters the drying chamber C. It is here met by the drying rolls s¹,
tos. The rolls s¹, to s³, are hollow and are heated by steam. They are also provided
with endless bands of felt or thick flannel between which the wool passes and by which
the moisture is absorbed. As the band M, travels on the wool is next taken in a wavy
fashion by the eccentric rolls q², q², over the drying plate P, being met in its passago
by a heated blast from the pipes v1, v2, and leaves the drying chamber at O, perfectly
dry. Any dry earthy particles still adhering to the fibre are removed by the revolving
beaters 2, under which the wool is passed before reaching the delivery shoot 3, where
the bands M, M1, separate and allow it to fall from them. The plate P, is heated by
means of steam introduced from the pipe u, the condensed water being drawn off
at u. The dry heated blast from the pipes v', v³, carries the bisulphide vapours
towards the delivery E, by which outlet are carried off any uncondensed vapours
'

page_text: which have not fallen down the channel B, into the macerator. The inclined roof of
the drying chamber C, provided with internal gutters on either side which catch any
condensed vapours and carry them to the channel B. The vapors from the
retorts T, U, the Kiln L, and the worm F, are carried to the common receiver S,
provided with a glass bell cover whence the condensed liquid flows back to the
macerator through the inlet b. It will be seen that the whole of the solvent leaving
the macerator flows back in a continuous and uniform stream into the first cell to
circulate again and again through the macerator. A further advantage is that the
flow of bisulphide into the retort is self regulating since the overflow into it is governed
by the flow from receiver S, into the macerator whereby a constant supply of thoroughly
saturated solution is insured. We wish it to be understood that we do not claim as
new the use of bisulphide of carbon or other solvent nor the construction of the Kiln
shown in Fig. VIII nor the revolving steam coil used in the rectifier Fig. VII but
Having now particularly described and explained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
First. The process of passing by means of a double endless band and system of
rollers wool and other similar products continuously through a constantly flowing
counter current of bisulphide of carbon or other suitable solvent for the purpose of
removing grease and other impurities substantially as herein described.
Second. The process of expressing the solvent without heat by rollers and afterwards
passing the wool through a heated chamber provided with heated rollers and a counter
blast of heated air for the purpose of removing the remaining traces of the solvent
substantially as herein described.
Third. The process of obtaining a self regulating and continuously automatic
circulation of the solvent by causing the ovorflow into the evaporating retort to be
dependent upon the inflow into the macerator of the same solvent when condensed
substantially as herein described.
Fourth. The filtration of the resultant grease or fat whilst in a diluted and solvent
state whereby it is recovered in a pure condition substantially as herein described.
Fifth. In the construction of the apparatus for cleansing wool in a continuous
manner by bisulphide of carbon the double endless, bands M, M', the macerator A,
divided into cells by the partitions A1, A2, the rolls a, a, and the idlers a¹, the settling
chamber C, the filter d, and the partitions j', j, substantially as herein described and
for the purpose indicated.
Sixth. The method of cleansing wool from sand and earthy impurities during
maceration and the removal of the same from the macerator by means of dredges
substantially as herein described.
Seventh. In the construction of the drying chamber C, the rolls r¹, to r³, the heated
rolls s', to s³, provided with endles bands t, 2, the plate P, and the hot blast pipes v³, v³,
substantially as herein described and for the purposes indicated.
Eighth. The providing and directly connecting in a continuous manner the
macerator A, with the drying chamber C, substantially as herein described.
Ninth. The method of concentrating the resultant solution by causing it to flow
along the entire length of the coils of a spiral steam pipe substantially as herein
described and shewn in Fig. VI.
Tenth. The whole apparatus as a combination of parts.

page_text: is Specification was, upon the 11th day of March 1889, Amended unde
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
An Improved Process and Apparatus for Cleansing Wool and other
Textile Products, Applicable also to the Extraction and Recovery
of Oils and Fats.
"
We IGNATIUS SINGER of Adelaide in the Province of South Australia Chemist and
MORITZ WOLFF JUDELL also of Adelaide aforesaid Importer do hereby declare the
nature of our invention for :-" AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS TO BE CALLED
THE ACME WOOL CLEANER' FOR CLEANSING WOOL AND OTHER TEXTILE PRODUCTS
APPLICABLE ALSO TO THE EXTRACTION AND RECOVERY OF OILS AND FATS" and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
Our
Our invention relates to an improved process and apparatus for cleansing in a
continuous and automatic manner wool and textile products from grease and other
foreign matters except burrs by the use of bisulphide of carbon or other suitable
solvents. Our invention is applicable also to the extraction of oils and fats from seeds
and other products and enables us to filter the grease or oils whilst in solution before
passing them on for further manipulation and separation. In describing our process
and apparatus in connection with wool we include in the term all products to which it
is applicable and in the term bisulphide of carbon all other suitable solvents.
process consists in passing wool automatically and continuously through bisulphide
of carbon instead of causing the solvent to flow through the wool. We also remove
sand and other earthy matters during the earlier stages of maceration and eliminate
potash and other salts insoluble in bisulphide of carbon without requiring a separate
process. We pass the solvent after it has become laden with fatty matters from the
wool through a filter and thence into a retort where it is distilled off and after being
condensed reenters the macerator. The resultant fat or grease is treated in a rectifier
and on the last traces of bisulphide being driven off is removed for further treatment.
The wool meanwhile is in its course through the macerator repeatedly subjected to cold.
compression whereby the greater portion of the solvent is removed and in order to
drive off the last traces of the latter is conducted through a drying chamber where it
meets a counter current of dry heated air. The wool on emerging from the apparatus
in a perfectly clean and dry state is subjected to the action of revolving beaters in
order to remove any loose foreign matter which may still adhere to it. We carry out
our process in such a manner that the wool in a thin layer is kept in constant motion

page_text: and whilst passing through the macerator is met by a counter current of the solvent.
By causing the solvent to enter the macerator at the opposite end to the wool and to
flow through it in a continuous stream the wool as it becomes cleaner meets purer
bisulphide until the last traces of grease are removed. The wool then enters water
where the potash and other salts insoluble in bisulphide of carbon are dissolved. By
the cold compression of the wool during the process of maceration the greater portion
of the solvent is expressed without subjecting the wool to a continuously high tem-
perature. A great saving of fuel and time is effected in the final recovery of the
solvent by distillation which is by this means accomplished with scarcely any loss.
After being placed on the feeding table the wool does not require to be touched by
hand until the operation of cleansing is completed. The flow of the solvent is auto-
matic and once the cells are filled to the required height the outflow and inflow are
practically equal. As a further advantage the grease is recovered in a filtered condi-
tion whereby its after treatment is greatly facilitated. For the purpose of carrying
our process into effect we employ a large trough termed a macerator and divide the
same into a series of cells by double partitions which are gradually increased in
height until the highest is attained at the end where the solvent enters the macerator
the lowest being thus at the opposite end where the wool enters and where the solvent
leaves the macerator saturated with grease or fat. The wool is placed between a
double endlesss band or apron composed of suitable wire gauze or netting which passes
between pairs of rolls placed over the partitions of each cell and around a single roller
placed in the body of each cell. After passing through a suitable number of cells
containing only bisulphide of carbon the band passes through two or more cells con-
taining water in which are removed the potash and other salts insoluble in bisulphido
of carbon, and thence through a vertical passage into a drying chamber where after
passing through a series of cold and heated rollers in order that as much as possible
of the solvent may be expressed it moves over a heated surface and is met by a counter
blast of heated air. By the latter means the last traces of the solvent are driven off
and the wool leaves the drying chamber perfectly free from grease or moisture. The
band then passes under revolving beaters which shake out the dry particles of foreign
matter still adhering to the fibre after which the wool is deposited on a delivery shoot.
The bisulphide of carbon saturated with grease as it leaves the macerator passes
through a suitable filter and flows thence into a retort where it is quickly evaporated
and after passing through a condenser placed at the opposite end of the macerator
reenters the latter as before. The vapours from the drying chamber are driven by
the heated blast before mentioned into a suitable worm and pass through the samo
condenser into further use. The grease obtained in the first retort flows into a second
retort or rectifier. Here the last traces of the solvent are removed, and the grease in
a purified condition is then ready for further treatments. The water for the dissolv-
ing of the potash or other salts is drawn off when necessary and replaced by taps
provided for the purpose. The first six cells more or less at the end where the wool
enters and where consequently the greater quantity of earthy matters are deposited
are provided with revolving dredgers which remove the solid particles and deposit them
in a channel placed above the upper rolls.
This channel is provided with a screw carrier and endless band by means of which
the sludge is carried to a kiln where the adhering solvent is recovered. The rolls
through which the double band containing the wool passes and from which it receives
its motion are provided with cog wheels and gearing driven in the usual way by
shafts connected on the outside of the apparatus. The whole of the gearing except
the outside driving wheels is contained inside the apparatus which is made air and
vapour proof by means of lids provided with water seal. In order that our invention
may be the better understood we now proceed to describe the same by reference to
the accompanying drawings in which similar letters refer to similar parts.
Fig. I, is a side elevation of the apparatus.
Fig. II, a plan of the same.
Fig. III, as amended-a sectional elevation of the macerator and drying chamber
with framework removed.

page_text: Fig. IV, a vertical section of the same through a line Y, Z.
Fig. V, a plan of the macerator showing the rollers.
Figs. VI, and VII, sectional elevations of the concentrating and rectifying retorts.
Fig. VIII, sectional elevation of the sand drying kiln.
Fig. IX is a transverse section and Fig. X a side elevation with part of the side
removed showing the dredgers on an enlarged scale.
The metal trough A, is constructed with an outer framework or covering of wood
or iron the roof of which is composed of lids consisting of iron frames having glass
panes and is made vapour proof by hydraulic seals i, Figs. III and IV.
The
trough A, is divided by double partitions A¹, A², into a convenient number of cells
numbered respectively 1, 2, and so on. The partitions are provided with valves
close to the bottom of the cells leading from one into the other through which the
contents can be drained off when desired. The partitions A¹, of the cells No. 1 and 2
are constructed of such depth as not to quite reach the bottom of the trough A,
forming the division. In cells number 3 and 4 and the others this order is reversed
A', reaching to the bottom and A³, within only a short distance of the same. B, a
vertical channel leading from the macerator to the drying chamber. C, the drying
chamber. D1, D2, shafts in A, and C, by which the rollers are driven. E, hood
connecting the vertical chamber B, with a condensing worm F. G, entrance of
macerator A, for the double band or apron carrying the wool. H, gutter for sludge
obtained from cells near wool entrance of A. I, archimedian screw carrier in Ĥ.
J, shoot leading from H, to an endless band K, connecting with the kiln L. M, M¹,
endless wire bands for carrying wools. N, main driving pinion connecting wheels
of equal size N', N', attached to the shafts D', D. O, exit from drying chamber C.
P, plate of steam chest in C. R, flue from worm F. S, receiver of the same.
T, concentrator for solvent charged with grease.
U rectifier for the grease.
V, channel connecting T, and U, with the receiver S. a, a, pairs of rolls connected
by cogwheels and placed over each partition in the macerator A. a¹ roller or idler
in body of cells b, pipe for entrance of the solvent. c, settling tank. d, filter of
settling tank c. e, overflow pipe leading from c, into the concentrator T. f, lid of
settling tank c, provided with a waterseal. g, stopcock for draining c. g¹, stopcock
of supply reservoir. h, water seal over wool entrance cell. i, i, water seal of roof
of A. JJ partitions in water cells at both ends of A. ¹, k³, ³, shafts of
dredger propellors. I, buckets of dredger_m, entrance of sand drying kiln L. n', to n²,
endless bands of kiln. o, exit for dried matters. p, worm wheels of main driving
shafts D', D. 9, q¹, eccentric rollers of drying chamber c. ,,, cold rollers of
vertical passage B. 8, tos, heated rollers in drying chamber. t, t, endless felt
bands carried by same. u, steam inlet into chest P. v, v, pipes of hot air blast of
drying chamber. w, gutters of roof of same. , revolving beaters for removing dry
foreign matters. y, wool shoot to baling floor. 21, cup of concentrator T.
In carrying out our process by means of our apparatus we fill the cells except
numbers 1 and 2 with bisulphide of carbon. The latter are filled with water which
from the construction of their partitions A¹, A³, is prevented from overflowing into
the others. The bisulphide of carbon which enters at b, or falls through the vertical
chamber B, being specifically heavier than water, collects at the bottom of cell No. 1
and rising between the partitions A¹, A³, overflows into number 2 and thence into
No. 3. In the other cells the partitions A³, being lower allow the grease which being
specifically lighter than bisulphide of carbon rises to the surface to flow with the
solvent from one to the other until it reaches the settling chamber c, by which time
the solvent has become saturated. On leaving the settling chamber c, any solid par-
ticles of earthy matter are retained by the filter d, the purified solution being thence
conducted through the pipe e, into the retort or concentrator T. From the pipe e, the
solvent passes into the cup z', and overflows through a spout into a half round channel
which runs along the back of a spiral steam coil. A large heating surface is thus
obtained and the greater portion of the solvent driven off in vapor through the con-
densing channel V, into the receiver S. The grease is run off from time to time into
the second retort or rectifier U, where the last traces of the solvent are removed by a

page_text: revolving steam coil and the liquid grease drawn off. We remove the accumulated
sediment in c, through the stopcock g, from time to time by opening the lid J, and
taking out the filter d. The cell nearest to the wool entrance is disconnected from the
rest and is kept empty during work but at other times is filled with water. A
partition J', secured to the frame work of the waterseal i, and soldered to both sides
of the cell by dipping into the water forms a hydraulic seal which prevents the escape
of any vapors from the macerator. A similar seal is formed by the partition J2,
which dips into the water of the cell number 1 nearest the entrance of the bisulphide.
To the partition J³, is fixed a small 'exhaust pump actuated by an eccentric fixed to
the shaft D. The pump by sucking air from the macerator A, and discharging it
into the channel B, removes any bisulphide vapors which may be generated, and thus
prevents their escape at G. The second and several following cells from the wool
entrance (we do not confine ourselves to any definite number) are provided with
dredgers each consisting of two endless link chains, which pass lengthwise down the
cell clear of the frame of the idlers a¹, and at right angles to them. The dredger
chains are driven in the usual manner by three shafts K1, K2, K³, (Fig. IV) actuated
by the shaft D. To the chains as shewn in Figs. IX and X are attached a number of
small dredger buckets 7, which bring up the sludge from the bottom of the cells and
empty it into the gutter H, the bottom of which is perforated in order that the bisulphide
may drip back into the cells. An endless screw carrier I, takes the sludge to the
shoot J, through which it falls onto an endless band and is carried to the kiln L,
(Fig. VIII) where the bisulphide is driven off. The kiln is a modification of Lecambre
and Persac's drying chamber and consists of a chamber containing a series of endless
bands n¹, to n³, Fig. VIII which revolve at a uniform speed and on which the sludge
after being introduced at m, is carried meeting in its passage a blast of heated air until
it reaches the outlet at o, in a perfectly dry condition. The vapours of bisulphide driven
off in the process pass through a channel into the condenser and flow thence into the
macerator. The axles of upper rolls a, Fig. IV rest in a slide as in ordinary wringors
or mangles and are pressed down by spiral springs placed in the upper part of the
hollow framework, the lower rolls are fitted with a worm wheel p, by means of which
they are driven in the usual way from the shafts D1, D2. The upper and lower rolls
are connected with cog wheels of equal size in the usual way. The main driving
shafts D1, D2, are provided with gear wheels of equal size both actuated by the main
driving wheel N, and thereby a uniform speed of the rolls a and consequently of the
band M, is secured throughout the apparatus. The endless bands or aprons m, m², are
constructed preferably of thin copper or brass wire with " to " nesh and are driven
at a uniform rate through the apparatus. The wool is fed on to M, in a thin layer
or open fleeces and on entering the macerator at G, is covered by the second band M¹.
Passing through the first set of rolls the wool is dipped by the "idler" a¹, into the
solvent and on leaving the cell is squeezed by the rolls a, a, before entering the next
cell. So it passes from cell to cell meeting in its course a constant counter current of
the solvent until the water cells 2 and 1 are reached. There the salts insoluble in
bisulphide of carbon are removed by the action of water renewed as may be required
by means of necessary taps. The wool then passes in zig zag fashion over the
"idlers" a', in the vertical chamber B, and after being well squeezed in the cold
rolls, to, enters the drying chamber C. It is here met by the drying rolls s¹,
to s. The rolls s', to s³, are hollow and are heated by steam. They are also provided
with endless bands of felt or thick flannel between which the wool passes and by which
the moisture is absorbed. As the band M, travels on the wool is next taken in a wavy
fashion by the eccentric rolls 9, 9, over the drying plate P, being met in its passage
by a heated blast from the pipes v1, v2, and leaves the drying chamber at O, perfectly
dry. Any dry earthy particles still adhering to the fibre are removed by the revolving
beaters, under which the wool is passed before reaching the delivery shoot y, where
the bands M, M¹, separate and allow it to fall from them. The plate P, is heated by
means of steam introduced from the pipe u, the condensed water being drawn off
at u¹. The dry heated blast from the pipes v³, ², carries the bisulphide vapours
towards the delivery E, by which outlet are carried off any uncondensed vapours

page_text: which have not fallen down the channel B, into the macerator. The inclined roof of
the drying chamber C, is provided with internal gutters on either side which catch any
condensed
vapours and
carry them to the channel B. The vapors from the
retorts T, U, the Kiln L, and the worm F, are carried to the common receiver S,
provided with a glass bell cover whence the condensed liquid flows back to the
macerator through the inlet b. It will be seen that the whole of the solvent leaving
the macerator flows back in a continuous and uniform stream into the first cell to
circulate again and again through the macerator. A further advantage is that the
flow of bisulphide into the retort is self regulating since the overflow into it is governed
by the flow from receiver S, into the macerator whereby a constant supply of thoroughly
saturated solution is insured. We wish it to be understood that we do not claim as
new the use of bisulphide of carbon or other solvent nor the construction of the Kiln
shewn in Fig. VIII nor the revolving steam coil used in the rectifier Fig. VII but
nor the concentrating apparatus Fig. VI but
Having now particularly described and explained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
First. The process of passing by means of a double endless band and system of
rollers wool and other similar products continuously through a constantly flowing
counter current of bisulphide of carbon or other suitable solvent for the purpose of
removing grease and other impurities substantially as herein described.
Second. The process of expressing the solvent without heat by rollers and afterwards
passing the wool through a heated chamber provided with heated rollers and a counter
blast of heated air for the purpose of removing the remaining traces of the solvent
substantially as herein described.
Third. The process of obtaining a self regulating and continuously automatic
eirculation of the solvent by causing the overflow into the evaporating retort to be
dependent upon the inflow into the macerator of the same solvent when condensed
substantially as herein-described.
Fourth. The filtration of the resultant grease or fat whilst in a diluted and solvent
state whereby it is recovered in a pure condition substantially as herein deseribed.
Fifth Third. In the construction of the apparatus for cleansing wool in a continuous
nanner by bisulphide of carbon the double endless bands M, M¹, the macerator A,
divided into cells by the partitions A1, A2, the rolls a, a, and the idlers a¹, the settling
chamber C, the filter d, and the partitions J, J, substantially as herein described and
for the purpose indicated.
Sixth Fourth. The method of cleansing wool from sand and earthy impurities during
maceration and the removal of the same from the macerator by means of dredges
substantially as herein described.
Seventh. In the construction of the drying chamber C, the rolls-r1,-to-r³,-the-heated
rolls-s', to provided with endles bands t't, the plate P, and the hot blast pipes-v', v²;
substantially as herein described and for the purposes indicated.
Eighth. The providing and directly connecting in a continuous manner the
macerator A, with the drying chamber C, substantially as herein described.
Ninth. The method of concentrating the resultant solution by causing it to flow
along the entire length of the coils of a spiral steam pipe substantially as herein
described and shewn in Fig. VI.
Tenth. The whole apparatus as a combination of parts.