IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- PACTURE AND REFINING OF SUGAR OR SACCHARINE MATTERS
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, REES
REECE, of Saint John Street, Smithfield, and ASTLEY PASTON PRICE, of
Margate, in the County of Kent, Chemists, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-fourth day of
May, One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in the twelfth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said Rees Rice and Astley Paston Price, our exors, admors, and assigns,
Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the
said Rees Reece and Astley Paston Price, our exors, admors, and assigns, or
such others as we, the said Rees Reece and Astley Paston Price, our exors,
adiiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within, England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her said Majesty's Colo-
nies and Plantations abroad, our Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
PACTURE AND REFINING OF SUGAR OR SACCHARINE MATTERS;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso that we, the said Rees Reece and
Astley Paston Price, or one of us, should cause a particular description of
the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be

page_text: performed, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under
the hand and seal of one of us, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Rees Reece and Astley Paston Price, do hereby declare that the nature of our
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
fully described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
that is to say:-
As one part of our Invention consists in using the hyposulphate of lime we
will, before describing the "modus operandi," mention how we prepare the
same. We boil an excess of lime and sulphur with water in any convenient
vessel until the liquor has assumed a dark red color; we allow it to stand for
a few minutes, and draw off the clear liquid, which is a mixture of hypo-
sulphite of lime, penta and other sulphurets of calcium; through this we
pass sulphurous acid gas until the red color has disappeared, and no deposition
of sulphur occurs on the addition of an excess of sulphurous acid gas in the
cold; it may now be filtered to separate the precipitated sulphur, and the clear
liquid, which is a solution of hyposulphite of lime, is ready for use. This
solution we shall take as a standard solution; and in order to obtain a solution
of a given strength it is only necessary to mix the standard solution with
water in different proportions, in order to obtain solutions fitted to be employed
as solvents of sugar or saccharine matters, and as defecators of the same. The
proportions in which we use this solution of hyposulphite of lime are,-
Firstly, for foots or low sugars, in the proportions of one part of the so-called
standard solution, obtained as before mentioned, to eight parts of water; for
better sugars, one part of the solution to twelve parts of water may be
employed, but wo do not confine ourselves either to the mode of preparation
or to the proportions as above stated.
.
Having given the preparation of the hyposulphite of lime, and the means to
be employed so as a secure a solution of a constant degree of concentration or
strength, we will now add how we use the same as a defecator of sugar or
saccharine matters; and that we may be better understood, we will take for
example the treatment of a sample of low sugar.
We dissolve the sugar in the ordinary blow-up by means of steam or
otherwise, in a solution consisting of one part of the solution of hyposulphite
of lime, as obtained by the process above described, mixed with eight parts of
water, and add so much of the diluted solution until the liquor marks 28° on

page_text: Beaumé's saccharometer; we continue the heat, and add either a solution of
acid sulphate of alumina or acetic acid, or acetate of alumina, in such propor-
tions that portion of the filtered liquor gives only a slight deposition of
sulphur when it is boiled with an excess of either of the above-mentioned
bodies. The liquor is now well agitated, and the heat is continued for a few
minutes; we then add carbonate of lime in excess to neutralize any acid that
may be present, and then filter; the filtered liquors may now be placed on
charcoal and boiled down in the usual manner. We prepare the hyposulphite
of alumina by adding a solution of the acid sulphate of alumina to a solution
of the hyposulphite of lime or hyposulphite of strontia until no further precipi-
tation of sulphate of lime or sulphate of strontia occurs on the addition of a
solution of sulphate of alumina to a portion of the filtered liquid. The
solution of hyposulphite of alumina so obtained is used for the defecation of
sugar or saccharine matters, and the manner in which we use the same is the
following:-We dissolve the sugar in water with the addition of carbonate of
lime, or in lime water, or in a weak solution of the saccharate of lime, by
means of steam in the blow-up, or in some suitable apparatus, adding so much
water until the liquor marks 32° on Beaumé's saccharometer; we then add
a solution of hyposulphite of alumina, obtained as above mentioned, and in
the proportion of one part to every eight parts of water, employed as a solvent
for the sugar. We continue the heat for some minutes, well agitating, and
then add carbonate of lime, continuing the heat and agitation for a few minutes
longer; we filter; the filtered liquors may be placed on charcoal, and boiled
down in the usual manner. We would state, that we do not claim the process
above given for making the hyposulphite of alumina (nor do we confine
ourselves to the manner of its employment, or to the proportions above
mentioned. After having treated the sugar or saccharine matters by any of
the processes above described, or by simply dissolving the sugar in water
holding in suspension carbonate of lime by means of steam or otherwise, in the
blow-up, or any other convenient apparatus, we add, when the temperature
of the liquor does not exceed one hundred and eighty degrees Fahrenheit, and
the liquor marks twenty-eight degrees on Beaumé's saccharometer, a solution
of the basic acetate.of lead, and in such quantity that a portion of the saccha-
rine liquor filtered gives no considerable precipitate on the further addition of
the lead salt employed. We add carbonate of lime, if not previously added, to
precipitate a portion of the lead from the neutral acetate remaining in the
liquor. The liquor is well agitated, and the heat continued for some minutes.
The liquor is then filtered, and to the filtered liquor we add a solution of the
bydro-sulphuret of the sulphide of magnesium, and in such quantity that a

page_text: portion of the filtered liquor gives no precipitate on the addition of an excess
of the precipitant, nor with sulphuretted hydrogen. The liquors are now
heated, well agitated, and filtered; acetic acid, or a solution of the acid, sul-
phate of alumina, or acetate of alumina, is added until the liquor has a slight
acid reaction (to decompose any excess of the precipitant employed). The
liquor is well agitated and heated, and an excess of carbonate of lime added to
neutralize any acid existing in the liquor, and after continuing the heat and
agitation for some minutes the liquor is filtered. In order to get rid of any
sulphuretted hydrogen, or any undecomposed sulphurets which may remain in
the liquor, we claim the adoption of the following processes :-We add either
sulphurous acid gas, or a solution of the same, or a solution of the acid
sulphite of alumina, or of the acid sulphite of magnesia, or of the acid sulphite
of lime, &c., until the sulphuretted hydrogen has been decomposed. We
warm and well agitate the liquor with carbonate of lime to neutralize the
excess of acid, and filter. The filtered liquor may now be placed on charcoal,
and boiled down in the usual manner; or, instead of using sulphurous acid, or
the acid sulphites, we subject the liquors, with or without the addition of the
bicarbonates of lime or magnesia, to the combined action of heat from steam
or otherwise, ani a vacuum in any suitable apparatus. What we prefer is, to
subject the liquors to the ordinary process of boiling down in vacuo to expel
the excess of sulphuretted hydrogen. The concentrated syrups are now
dissolved in water by means of steam or otherwise. In the blow-up water is
added until the liquor marks thirty degrees Beaume's saccharometer. The
liquors are now filtered, placed on charcoal, and boiled down in the usual
manner. In order to separate any lead that may remain in the syrups
draining from the crystalized sugar we prefer subjecting them to the action of
the hydro-sulphuret of the sulphide of magnesium, and repeating either of the
processes above mentioned for the separation of the excess of the sulphuretted
sulphides and the sulphuretted hydrogen. We would state, that we prefer the
hydro-sulphuret of the sulphide of magnesium, or the bisulphuret of magne-
sium, to any of the sulphuretted compounds of either calcium, barium, or
strontium; but we do not confine ourselves to the use of that compound, or to
any of the sulphurets of the same base. We prefer it, owing to the facility
with which it is prepared, and with which it is decomposed by heat, and
from the innoccuous effect of the same, or the alkali resulting from its decom-
position, on sugar or saccharine matters. We would further state, that we
claim the use of the hydro-sulphuret of the sulphuret of calcium, and the
sulphurets of calcium, and the hydro-sulphuret of the sulphide of barium, and
the sulphurets of barium, and the hydro-sulphuret of the sulphide of strontium,

page_text: and the sulphurets of strontium; and in addition to the hydro-sulphuret of the
sulphuret of magnesium we also claim the use of the sulphurets of magnesium.
Solutions of the hydro-sulphuretted sulphides of barium, strontium, and
calcium, may be obtained by treating the powdered sulphurets of the
same with either hot or cold water, but in quantities insufficient to effect
the entire solution of the sulphurets employed; but we neither claim nor
do we confine ourselves to this mode of preparation. The bydro-sulphuret
of the sulphide of magnesium may be prepared by treating solutions of
either of the above mentioned hydro-sulphuretted sulphides by a solution of
sulphate of magnesia until no precipitate occurs on the addition of a solution
of sulphate of magnesia to a portion of the filtered solution. We claim the
use of the saccharate of lime, which may be obtained by digesting either in
the cold, or by gently heating a solution of sugar in water with caustic lime
previously slacked and made into a paste with water, or otherwise prepared,
as a source of carbonate of lime, which we obtain by passing carbonic acid
gas through the said solution of saccharate of lime until no precipitation of
carbonate of lime is produced. We use the magma thus obtained, consisting
of carbonate of lime and a solution of sugar, &c., in all the processes mentione.l
in this Specification where the use of carbonate of lime is indicated; and wo
also clain the use of carbonate of lime so prepared, in order to neutralize any
acid added, formed, or liberated in the refining or manufacture of sugar or
saccharine matters. We would state, that we employ the saccharate of lime
in solution, obtained as above mentioned, or otherwise prepared, as a preci-
pitant of the acid sulphate of alumina, or acid acetate of alumina, from
saccharine solutions, when employed as defecators of the same.
We proceed
as follows: After having added a solution of sulphate or acetate of alumina
to the sugar, which has been dissolved in water by means of steam or otherwise
in the blow-up, we add the solution of saccharate of lime until the liquor be
neutral; agitate during the addition, and continue the heat. When neutralized
the liquors may be filtered, placed on charcoal, and boiled down in the usual
We claim the use of the saccharate of lime, the saccharate of
baryta, and the saccharate of strontin, as sources of the bydrated sulphurets of
calcium, barium, and strontium, which we obtain by passing sulphurette<
hydrogen gas through solutions of the above-mentioned saccharates in water
until the gas is no longer absorbed. The hydrated sulphurets composing the
magina so obtained we use as precipitants of lead from saccharine solutions.
marmer.
We prepare the acid sulphite of lime by passing sulphurous acid gas into
water containing in suspension either carbonate of lime or caustic lime, or
through a weak solution of saccharate of lime until the precipitated sulphite of

page_text: lime is no longer dissolved. We use this solution in the proportion of one part
of the soluble bisulphite to eight parts of water for low sugars and foots, and
one part to twelve for better sugars. The manner in which we employ this
acid sulphite of lime in the refining of sugar in this:-We use a solution, con-
sisting of one part of the solution prepared as above stated, mixed with eight
parts of water, in which we dissolve the sugars by means of steam or other-
wise in the blow-up, or other suitable apparatus, adding so much of the diluted
solution until the liquor marks twenty-eight degrees Beaume's saccharometer.
After having boiled and agitated for some minutes we add carbonate of lime to
neutralize any free acid in the liquor, and then filter. The filtered liquor is
then to be placed on charcoal and boiled down in the usual manner. We
would state that we do not confine ourselves either to the process above given
for the preparation of the acid sulphite of lime, or in the proportions above
stated for its employment, or to the manner of employing the same. We
would further mention, that we do not confine ourselves to the use of the acid
sulphite of lime, but we claim in addition the use of the acid sulphites of mag-
nesia and the acid sulphite of alumina. And we would further state, that when
the same are employed in the refining of sugar, that we use them in a similar
manner to the acid sulphite of lime, and in the proportions as hereafter
mentioned.
The acid sulphite of magnesia may be prepared by passing sulphurous acid
gas through water containing in suspension carbonate of or caustic magnesia
until the magnesia is no longer dissolved. This solution may be mixed with
water when used for dissolving sugar or saccharine matter in the proportion
of one part of the solution to twelve of water; but we do not confine ourselves
either to its mode of preparation or to the employment of the same in the
proportions above mentioned, or to the manner of employing the same.
The acid sulphite of alumina is prepared by passing a current of sulphurous
acid gas through water, holding in suspension hydrated alumina until no further
solution of the same takes place. The solution so obtained may be mixed
with twelve parts of water when used for refining sugar, but we do not confine
ourselves either to its mode of preparation or to the employment of the same
in the proportions above mentioned.
What we claim is, the use of the above acid sulphites as defecators of
sugar and saccharine matters when used as such in the refining of sugar and
saccharine matters.
In order to extract from the sugar cane or beet root a larger proportion
of saccharine matter than is now effected we procced as follows:-The
sugar cane or beet root is first rasped and moistened with a solution of

page_text: either the bisulphite of lime or the bisulphite of magnesia, or the acid sulphite
of alumina, in the proportion of one part of either of the acid sulphite solu-
tions to three parts of water. They are now subjected to pressure; and in
order to extract any saccharine matter which may remain they are again
moistened with a solution of the above-mentioned acid sulphites, and again
subjected to pressure. This is repeated two or three times, and the resulting
juices are boiled to coagulate the azotized bodies, "the coagulation of which is
easily effected by the acid sulphites above mentioned." Carbonate of lime is
now added to neutralize the acids existing in the juices; the liquor is well
agitated, filtered, and boiled down in the usual manner.
We would state that we claim the use of the acid sulphite of lime, the
acid sulphite of magnesia, and the acid sulphite of alumina, when applied
to the treatment of sugar cane or of beet root, either as before mentioned or
otherwise.
We would further state, that in addition to the above-mentioned acid
sulphites of lime, and of magnesia, and the acid sulphite of alumina, we claim
the use of the solutions of hyposulphite of alumina, and of the hyposulphite of
lime, and of the hyposulphites either alone or in conjunction with either the
acid sulphate of alumina, or acetic or acetate of alumina, in the same manner
and for effecting the same objects as the acid sulphites as above described.
We would add, that we do not confine ourselves to the proportions given for
the use of the acid sulphites, nor for the hyposulphites as above mentioned.
In employing the basic acetate of lead in the treatment of the juices from
either the sugar cane or from beet root, we first add carbonate of lime to
neutralize any acids that may exist in the juices, and after heating to one
hundred and eighty degrees Fahrenheit we add a solution of the basic acetate
of lead until no very considerable precipitate is occasioned on the addition of
an excess of the basic acetate of lead to a portion of the filtered liquor. We
now add carbonate of lime to throw down the oxide of lead from the neutral
acetate which remains in the liquor. It is now filtered, and the filtered liquors
are subjected to the processes above mentioned for the separation of the lead
or any salts of the same, and lastly, to the processes given for the separation
of the excess of the precipitant and of sulphuretted hydrogen. The syrups
and treacles resulting from the same are now subjected to the processes given
for precipitating the lead from saccharine solutions, and for the removal of
the sulphuretted bydrogen. We prefer subjecting them to the two last-men-
tioned processes as a greater security for the entire separation of any lead that
may have escaped removal by any of the foregoing operations.
We claim the use of the bicarbonate of magnesia or lime as solvents and
defecators of sugar and saccharine matters. The bicarbonate of magnesia

page_text: is obtained by passing carbonic acid gas through water holding in suspension
carbonate of or caustic magnesia until no more carbonate is dissolved.
We use it in the proportion of one part of the solution of bicarbonate to
six of water for ordinary sugars, but for foots or low sugars either alone
or with one or two parts of water. In the solution (dilute) we dissolve the
sugars (and use it in the same manner as lime water is now employed, and
as a substitute for the same, and also for separating any lime that may exist
in a caustic state); we add the solution until the liquors mark thirty degrees
on Baumé's saccharometer; we filter, place on charcoal, and boil down in
the ordinary manner. We would add, that when any compound of magnesia
has been employed in any of the processes above mentioned we subject the
syrups and treacles resulting to the following process to separate the magnesia
therein contained :-We treat them with a solution of saccharate of lime, agitate,
and warm; we employ either a solution of the bicarbonate of magnesia or
lime to neutralize the excess of the same; we boil and filter. We would add,
that when any salt of baryta or strontia, or any hyposulphite has been
employed in excess in any of the processes before mentioned, we treat the
syrups with a solution of the acid sulphate of alumina to precipitate the
baryta and strontia from the saccharine solutions; and to decompose any hypo-
sulphite existing in the same we boil, and neutralize either with a solution of
the saccharate of lime, or with carbonate of lime, and filter. We claim,―
Firstly, the use of the hyposulphite of lime, of the hyposulphite of magnesia,
of the hyposulphite of strontia, and of the byposulphite of baryta, either
singly or in conjunction with either solutions of the acid, sulphate of alumina,
or acid acetate of alumina, or acetic acid, as defecators of sugar and of
saccharine matters.
Secondly, we claim the use of the hyposulphite of alumina as a defecator
of sugar and of saccharine matters.
Thirdly, we claim the use of the byposulphuret of the sulphide of magnesium,
and of the bisulphuret of magnesium, and of the sulphurets of magnesium; of
the hydrosulphuret of the sulphide of calcium, and of the bisulphuret of calcium,
and of the sulphurets of calcium; of the hydrosulphuret of the sulphide of
barium, and of the bisulphuret of barium, and of the sulphurets of barium; of
the hydrosulphuret of the sulphide of strontium, and of the bisulphuret of
strontium, and of the sulphurets of strontium, as precipitants of lead, or any
salts of the same, from solutions of sugar, and from saccharine solutions.
We also claim the subjecting of saccharine liquors containing sulphuretted
hydrogen, either existing in a free state, or resulting from the decomposition
of sulphurets which may have been employed either as precipitants of lead,
or any salt of the same, from solutions of sugar, or from saccharine solutions,

page_text: or otherwise, to the combined action of heat from steam or otherwise, and a
vacuum, and to boiling in vacuo.
And we further claim the use of sulphurous acid and of the acid sulphites,
and of the byposulphite of alumina, and of hyposulphites which, by being
decomposed by an acid or otherwise, produce or liberate sulphurous acid,
either as a primary or secondary decomposition, to remove the excess of
sulphuretted hydrogen or sulphurets which may have been employed as
precipitants of lead, or any salt of the same, from solutions of sugar and from
saccharine solution, or otherwise.
Fourthly, we claim the use of the saccharates of lime of baryta, and of
strontia, as sources of carbonate of lime, of carbonate of baryta, and of
carbonate of strontia, which we obtain by passing carbonic acid gas into
solutions of the above-mentioned saccharates of lime, baryta, and strontia.
And we also claim the use of the carbonates so obtained to noutralize any
acids or decompose any salts added to or formed in saccharine solutions in any
part of the manufacture or refining of sugar or saccharine matters.
Fifthly, we claim the use of the saccharate of lime, saccharate of baryta,
and the saccharate of strontia, as precipitants of sulphate of alumina, and of
the acid acetate of alumina, when used as defecators of sugar or saccharine
matters.
Sixthly, we claim the use of the saccharates of lime, of baryta, and of
strontia, as sources of the hydrated sulphurets of calcium, barium, and stron-
tium, which we obtain by passing sulphuretted hydrogen gas into solutions of
the above-mentioned saccharates, until no further absorption of the same is
effected.
And we further claim the use of the hydrated sulphurets so obtained as
precipitants of lead, or any salts of the same, from solutions of sugar and from
saccharine solutions.
Seventhly, we claim the use of the bicarbonate of lime, and the bicarbonate
of magnesia as defecators of sugar and saccharine matters.
Eighthly, we claim the use of the soluble acid sulphites as defecators of
sugar and saccharinė matters when used in the refining of the same.
And we also claim the use of the soluble acid sulphites when applied to the
treatment of the sugar cane and beet root, either as in the before-mentioned
processes for extracting saccharine natter from the sugar cane and beet root,
or when otherwise employed in the treatment of the same.
And we further claim the use of the soluble hyposulphites, either alone or
in conjunction with the before-mentioned adjuncts, when applied to the treat-
ment of the sugar cane and beet root, either as in the before-mentioned

page_text: processes for extracting saccharine matter from the sugar cane and beet root;
or when otherwise employed in the treatment of the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Astley Paston Price, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-fourth day of November,
in the year of our Lord 1849, the aforesaid Astley Paston Price came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord