An Improved Process for Electrolytically Purifying and Filtering Saccharine Liquids or Solutions.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Apr., 1898-Accepted, 22nd July, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Electrolytically Purifying and Filtering
Saccharine Liquids or Solutions.
I, CLAUDE ACHILLE MEYGRET, of 7, Rue Condorcet, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Animal charcoal as used at present for filtering saccharine liquids or solutions
has, like all substances of the same molecular structure, the property of condens-
ing in its pores a certain number of times its volume of air whilst returning
More-
oxygen in a larger proportion than that contained in the surrounding air.
over the said animal charcoal possesses cathodytic properties due to the electric
state of oxygen absorbed in excess and to the effluvia of ozone caused by contact
with the charcoal forming cells which constitute the elements of a real electric
battery. It is this latter phenomenon of a physico-chemical order which con-
stitutes the discolouring and burning power of animal charcoal.
As a
The observation of this fact has led me to apply electrolysis to water contain-
ing sugared solutions. I thus realize the same phenomena as those which take
place with animal charcoal. In point of fact this means that I effect the refining
of sugar by employing electric energy in substitution for animal charcoal.
matter of fact, oxygen in the nascent state arising from the decomposition of water
by electricity possesses the same cathodytic properties is that which is contained
in animal charcoal, and moreover the electric current simultaneously decomposes
potash salts or other molassigenous substances by eliminating them at their
respective poles. The electric current moreover has a great superiority over animal
charcoal, for, the latter condenses all these salts or a larger portion thereof in
its pores until the latter are completely closed whereby its properties are destroyed
thus necessitating its replacement.
In carrying my improved process of purifying and filtering saccharine liquids
or solutions by electrolysis, into practice, I cause the liquid, to be discoloured, to
circulate in an electrolising apparatus so arranged that the negative electrodes
soaked in the water are separated by the positive electrodes soaked in the solution
to be treated.
This apparatus substantially consists of a flat tank or vessel divided into parallel
compartments by vertical partitions; the latter are formed of canvas, coated with
fish glue, dried and then soaked in tannin dissolved in chromic acid. In this way
diaphragms are formed which admit of the electrolytical operation.
These compartments are arranged two by two and are alternately filled with the
liquid to be filtered, the intermediate compartments being filled with water. Into
all compartments electrodes are immersed. Those which are immersed in the
water from the cathode and are preferably made of iron and connected in tension
by conductors, whereas those which are immersed in the sugared juice form the
anode and consists of carbon and are connected in tension by conductors.
The water compartments communicate with each other by tubes controlled by

page_text: cocks and the compartments containing the sugared liquid communicate with
each other by conduits.
The current is produced by a low tension-dynamo.
I may vary the shape, material, dimensions and different constructional arrange-
ments of my apparatus, serving for discolouring or purifying saccliarine solutions
by electricity, as desired.
Dated this on day 01 July 1091.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
An Improved Process for Electrolytically Purifying and Filtering
Saccharine Liquids or Solutions.
I, CLAUDE ACHILLE MEYGRET, late of 7, Rue Condorcet, but now of 17, Avenue
Trudaine, Paris, France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of this invention is the refinement of sugar by electric energy in
substitution for the process at present employed viz.: refining by animal charcoal.
Animal charcoal in powder has the property like all other substances of the
same molecular nature, of condensing in its pores a certain number of times its
own volume of air, with an elective attraction for oxygen in a larger proportion
than that contained in ambient air.
In addition, it has another physico-chemical phenomenon, constituting its
decolouring and combustive power, this catalytic property being due to the electric
condition of the oxygen, ozone emanations produced by its contact with the
carbon forming the cells of a true electric battery.
or other
The result of the foregoing is that I have found that the electrolysis of water
containing sugar solutions realizes the same actions or phenomena as those observed
in the employment of animal charcoal for refining sugar; in fact the oxygen in
a nascent state produced by the decomposition of water by electricity has the
same catalytic properties as those contained in animal charcoal, and in addition,
the electric current simultaneously decomposes the potash salts
'molassigenes" by eliminating and collecting them at their respective poles,
and with a great superiority over animal charcoal, as the latter condenses all or
a large portion of these salts in its pores until they become completely obstructed
or clogged up which nullifies the properties of the charcoal and necessitates its
replacement.
$6
I obtain' this result by the arrangement of an electroliser in such manner as to
circulate the liquor to be refined under the same conditions as in an animal char-
coal filter, that is to say, a continuous circulation of the liquid to be treated
between electrodes arranged "ad hoc."
This arrangement, forming a feature of my invention, is applicable to all kinds
and all forms of apparatus.
In the annexed drawings I have shown an example of an electrolytical apparatus
which may be employed for the filtration of saccharine liquids or solutions.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 2 a plan.
This apparatus consists essentially of a tank a containing parallel compart-
ments by vertical partitions b, formed of canvas steeped in fish glue, then dried,
and afterwards dipped into a solution of tannin in chromic acid. By this means
diaphragms are formed which will permit the electrolitic operation taking place.

page_text: Each alternate compartment is filled with the liquor to be filtered, and the inter-
mediate ones with water, and electrodes d or fare plunged into all the compart-
ments. The electrodes d in the water compartments form the cathode and are
preferably of iron, united in tension by conductors dd; the electrodes in the
sugar liquor forming the anode are of carbon and united in tension by the con-
ductors ff.
The water compartments are in communication with each other by tubes g g
controlled by cocks g', and the sugar liquor compartments are connected by con-
duits h.
The electric current is derived from a dynamo of low tension.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The employment of electric energy for the electrolysis of sugar liquors in
substitution for animal charcoal as at present used for refining sugar.
2. The employment of electric energy and of electrolysis action for eliminating
the potash or other salts contained in sugars.
The one day of Ap
1030.
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Claude Achille Meygret.