Improvements in the Manufacture of Artificial Manure.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 17th Mar., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Artificial Manure.
I, ALBERT WENCK, of 2, Frankestrasse, Magdeburg, in the German Empire,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
:-
This invention has reference to the manufacture of artificial manure and has
been particularly designed to improve the process of manufacture of dry manure
powder from industrial waste products such as molasses wash" and from town
sewage as described in the Specification of previous Letters Patent granted to
me No. 4714 of 1899.
According to the said previous Specification the raw materials are rendered
alkaline by the addition of caustic lime, in order to take up and maintain the
nitrifying bacteria in a lasting condition. In many cases however the draw-
back occurs that by the addition of caustic lime the excess of the caustic lime
in the first place decomposes ammonia compounds present, so that ammonia
escapes into the air, and secondly transforms any soluble phosphates present
into tricalcium phosphate in accordance with the formula:-
•
CaH (PO) +2CaO Ca(PO)2 + 3H₂O,
which latter compound of phosphoric acid as is known, represents an inferior
manure for agricultural purposes
Now according to the present invention in order to obviate loss of nitrogen
and to prevent the said transformation of soluble phosphates and also to obtain
a good dry manure powder, instead of the employment of caustic lime as
described in my said previous specification the procedure is as follows:-
The raw materials are mixed with carbonate of lime in finely powdered form
as ordinary limestone, chalk or marl. With this mixture is then mixed mineral
acid, such as sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid. Sulphate or phosphate of lime
results, both of which substances having a chemically binding action on water.
On stirring, carbonic acid escapes and this is very important for rapid drying.
The carbonic acid opens up the mass and there results a loose light powder,
from which the little water not chemically held can be readily removed by
drying in a drying oven, when also the last traces of carbonic acid are driven
off. By this formation of carbonic acid the mass is rendered permanently
porous, the consequence of which is a more ready escape of the free water.
known difficulties in the drying of such substances as molasses wash and faeces
are completely overcome by this invention.
The
The following example will serve to illustrate my invention, but it will be
understood that it is merely typical, and that the ingredients and proportions
may be varied. 100 kg. of "molasses wash" are mixed with 25 kg. of finely
powdered chalk, and then 20 kg. commercial sulphuric acid are thoroughly
mixed therewith, the mass being stirred until CO, ceases to be evolved. The
resulting powder is then dried to deprive it of any moisture which may remain.
The separate stages of the treatment admit in this invention if need be, of

page_text: reversing the order of introduction of the various substances, that is to say the
acid may be first added to the raw material and then the salt of lime.
According to a special way of carrying out this invention calcium sulphate
or acid phosphate or other ingredients having a chemically binding action on
water may be added direct to the raw materials, together with or instead of
calcium carbonate. In this case if necessary mechanical measures must be
adopted to produce an opening up effect similar to that of the carbonic acid as
above described.
As an example of this latter mode of carrying out the invention the following
may be taken, it being understood that the proportions and ingredients may be
varied. With 100 kg. molasses wash are mixed 25 kg. calcium sulphate and
then 20 kg. commercial sulphuric acid are mixed therewith. The resulting pro-
duct is then dried in any known way to deprive it of moisture.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is:
1. The method or process of producing manures from nitrogen containing
industrial waste products of the kind herein referred to, which method or pro-
cess consists in treating said products with mineral acid and salts of lime in
order to transform them into a dry manure powder capable of subsequent nitri-
fication and to prevent loss of nitrogen in drying, all substantially as described.
2. In and for the method or process specified in Claim 1, the employment of
carbonates, such as carbonate of lime and mineral acid in the treatment of the raw
material, whereby an opening up of the manure powder is effected by the action
of the free carbonic acid which is liberated, and more rapid drying takes place
by reason of the formation of salts, such as calcium sulphate, having a chemi-
cally binding action on water, all substantially as described.
Dated the 19th day of December 1899
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agents.