A NEW AND USEFUL PROCESS OF PRESERVATION, AIRING AND MANIPULATION OF GRAIN to be as follows:
Year: 1884

page_text: I MAX Gossi of Antwerp in the Kingdom of Belgium do hereby declare the
nature of my said invention for "A NEW AND USEFUL PROCESS OF PRESERVATION,
AIRING AND MANIPULATION OF GRAIN to be as follows:-
"
112
This invention has for its object a new or improved method for preserving,
aerating and manipulating of grain and similar agricultural products during their
transport and their storage.
By directing through the hatchways, or other suitable apertures, within or
without the vessel one or more currents of compressed air through the cargo of a
vessel of any kind, it is possible, according to the force of the current, to aerate,
turn over or shift all the grain composing the cargo. I obtain the same effect by
directing from above or below, or from the sides, one or more currents of compresse I
air through the grain contained in granaries or other similar magazines.
All granaries, warehouses or other magazines may be made suitable for the
storage of grain by fixing along the floor or against the walls, or upon supports at
any required height, tubes pierced with holes, in communication with each other
and with some air compressing machine. These tubes may be fixed or may also be
movable and capable of being shifted from place to place. They may end in globes
or reservoirs pierced with holes through which the air may escape in all directions.
The system is applicable to all ships or vessels travelling or stationary, and the
tubes are laid at the bottom of the hold along the divisions from one division to
another upon the stays, or in any other manner, or at any other height, desired.
They may be fixed or movable as above described.
The air may be compressed in any suitable manner: steam boats or warehouses
of any kind having a steam engine at disposal can make use of it to compress the
air required, and the supply of this air to the tubes above described may be
continuous or intermittent as required. Sailing ships when at sea may be fur-
nished with a movable air compresser capable of being set in motion when
required.
For all ships, warehouses etcetera which cannot produce compressed air, use is
made of machines fixed on board other vessels or travelling on wheels.
If these vessels or warehouses are placed in proximity to each other the
necessary compressed air may be supplied to them by means of a suitable machine
fixed at a convenient place and connected by conduits pipes etcetera which may be
adjusted as required.

page_text: For the aeration in a satisfactory manner of the grain contained in a vessel
during the voyage of the same use may be made in some cases of the wind-For
this purpose suitable ventilating shafts are fixed in the sides of the vessel and if
necessary in the deck with their orifices are surmounted by a cover arranged so as
always to turn its orifice towards the wind while excluding the rain and thus
causing the wind to pass through the various tubes and spread itself through the
cargo.
Each shaft may supply air to a fixed portion of the tubing or contribute to the
general supply of air to all the tubes, and the air entering by the shafts at the
stern of the vessel may pass through a different set of tubes to that entering by
the shafts at the stern or by those on the deck, or the air from all these may be
delivered into the distributing pipes in opposite directions which will cause the
various currents on meeting each other in the tubes to spread with greater force
through the cargo.
.
I may also make use of ventilating shafts for vessels lying in the ports or for
stores and warehouses.
The advantages obtained by this system are numerous and of special utility for
commerce and for agriculture, especially the following:
1. Labour is impossible in vessels filled with grain, nevertheless this easy and
practical method secures the aeration and manipulation requisite for the preser-
vation of the grain-Furthermore the continuous or intermittent currents of air
furnish a method of destroying noxious or rodent animals in the grain cargoes of
ships or in the contents of warehouses. For this purpose whenever requisite the
current of air may be passed through or over some suitable material poisonous to
vermin and innocuous to grain.
2. The application of this system to ships and warehouses is very easy and cheap,
moreover the application may cease at any time and the pipes be removed for use
in another place at light expense.
3. The grain may be aerated, stirred and turned over without band labour,
however high it be piled up, the quantity which is capable of being stowed in a
given space may therefore be considerably augmented.
4. Grain may easily be dried in warehouses, stores or ships.
5. The damage caused by noxious animals may be obviated altogether or
considerably diminished.

page_text: I, MAX Gossi of Antwerp in the Kingdom of Belgium do hereby declare the
nature of the said invention for A NEW AND USEFUL PROCESS OF PRESERVATION,
AIRING, AND MANIPULATION OF GRAIN, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
Experience has sufficiently shown how imperfect the means are which have
hitherto been practised for the preservation in good condition, of corn, seeds, and
other agricultural produce during their conveyance and warehousing.
When shipped in bulk without the necessary care and precaution, corn and seed
cargoes, especially those of transatlantic origin, have turned out enormous losses to
their owners, not only on account of damage by heat, but also by deterioration
through insects (weevils). The same occurs when corn and seed is lying in barges
or warehouses.
It is these inconveniences that this system of ventilation is intended to remedy.
The means producing this ventilation are as complete and constant as they are
most simple, most practical, and obtainable at a very small cost namely, the
application of compressed air.
Compressed air naturally tends to recover its original volume, as soon as it is
liberated. It is thus impossible to direct or to convey to large distances, in
pipes provided with numerous openings, a current proceeding directly from the
machine. It is in consequence necessary to find the means of distributing under
the corn, a relatively small quantity of compressed air, keeping all its force of
expansion, and capable of being conveyed successively at every distance.
The compressed air can be conveyed in closed pipes to long distances, not only
without losing any of its strength, but even augmenting same successively, the
pipes acting as accumulators. For instance, in every ship a long pipe or reservoir
is established, the diameter of which is in proportion to the size of the ship. This
main pipe or reservoir is filled up with compressed air, provided with a bucket,
connected with a blowing machine, which is itself adapted to the engine of the
ship, tug boat, or locomotive.
In order to send, as desired, the compressed air under the cargo, are fixed from
distance to distance upon the main pipe or reservoir, some distributors consisting
of one or more systems of pipes, and fed by one or more taps constructed in the
shape of single, double and even treble T's; in this way are created 4 or 6 openings
around the distributor. To each of these openings are attached one or more
systems of pipes, fixed in the bottom of the ship, against the sides of the ship
going from one side to the other, etcetera, or lances at one or more gushes, directing
the air in one or several directions.
When the stopcock is open, the other openings are shut, the result of which is to
let compressed air come successively in each of them with the whole pressure it has
in the main pipe or reservoir.

page_text: However, as compressed air will always tend to escape with more violence
through the first outlet it meets with, we inay, if necessary diminish the number,
and the dimension of the first holes and increase them successively in proportion
as they are distant from the reservoir, in order to obtain in this way an equal
distribution of air under the whole bulk of corn.
The pipes of the several systems have preferably the diameter of 14 centimetres
or thereabouts; they are perforated so as to let the air escape laterally and in all
directions with a view of crossing the corn as much as possible. As the compressed
air, getting free, diffuses itself, the aeration of a cargo will be complete, especially
when besides a system of pipes closed on both sides, the cargo is crossed by currents
thrown by jets.
In this way, the four or six openings of the stop cock when opened successively,
will be sufficient to give a complete aeration to move and turn over all the corn on
a surface of 60 to 72 square metres.
The aeration by the bottom appears to me sufficient, for the air thrown violently
under it, will necessarily come to the outside; but if requisite, one or several
supplementary distributors might be adapted to the first distributor, provided with
pipes or lances to give more efficacy to the aeration of large vessels; at the rate of
60 to 70 square metres of surface, these might find aeration by means of 19 to 20
distributors.
The stop cocks are opened and shut by a rod ending just under the hatchways,
or even crossing the deck, unless one could bring them to work in the interior of
the ship; or it may be operated by any other way.
In order to prevent the heat produced by compressed air communicating with
the cargo, it should be noticed that the main pipe or reservoir must be enclosed in
wood, felt, or any other substance non conductor of heat; compressed air itself
cannot cominunicate heat produced by the compression, for this heat ceases with the
compression which has produced it.
Naturally any kind of cocks may be used, either self acting cocks provided with
springs, or ordinary cocks operated by levers enclosed or not in special bases.
When the main pipe crosses the partitions of the ships provided with watertight
compartments, the ends of the pipes are fixed by means of Indian Rubber and iron
washers against the walls. If through collision or stranding, the pipe should break,
it parts without injuring the other end of the pipe adapted to the other side of the
partition. The water which rushes into the compartment will fill up the pipes in
the compartments spared from damage, but as the main pipe is made to contain
merely compressed air, it will certainly not throw out a single drop of water, so
that there is no solution of continuity in the partitions
To obtain the same effect, the ends of the wire rope come out
as described above by holes fitted with indian rubber.
through the pipe
To supply with air, the vessels with water tight compartments other secondary
pipes are adapted to the main pipe or reservoir. The air so conveyed will be
distributed as aforesaid, or if the construction of the ship requires it, the air might
be taken at the blowing machine by a pipe different from the inain pipe. For ships
loaded with corn in bulk, there is no inconvenience in covering totally the pipes
with the cargo. If, on the contrary, the cargo consists of cases or bags it is
obvious that such packages must not be laid upon the pipes, but that there ought
even to be a space kept free in order to allow fresh air to circulate, and this is
attainable in a very easy way, by means of pieces of wood stowed between. If
for oranges, for instance, a sweet and slow aeration is wanted, only moderate
pressure is needed, and the air is allowed to escape by several openings at the
same time.
Even by admitting the aeration of a ship partly loaded only, there will be air
enough given by the blowing machine to dispose of all that is necessary for constant
aeration of between deck occupied by soldiers or emigrants, for the ship running
day and night will produce the necessary amount of air. The pipes are laid like

page_text: those for gas, and in observing precaution described when compelled to cross water
tight compartments.
The necessary air for this aeration is taken upon a small accumulator attached
to the blowing machine, or upon the main pipe by means of secondary pipes
adapted to it.
By means of a mechanism similar to a gas burner, I am able to regulate the
aeration of between decks according to the season and the climate. For this
purpose, the burners should be of smaller dimension with smaller holes in winter,
whereas in summer or in hot climates, they should be numerous and have longer
holes, which will allow to throw the air with profusion into between decks without
occasioning draughts or other inconveniences. In this way they would not only
give to the between decks a complete aeration, but even a fresh temperature.
The same dispositions are to be applied to warehouses and as these are easier of
approach than ships, the aeration of same becomes more easy as it allows the use
of the hands for opening valves and stop cocks.
Compressed air can be afforded by different ways as follows;
Steain ships or factories provided with steam power can very easily produce the
necessary compressed air, and almost without any extra expense. The convey-
ance of this compressed air to the pipes bound to diffuse it under the corn and
seeds shipped or warehoused, can be effected in any useful way, and according to
wants and conditions of ships and warehouses. The delivery may be constant or
temporary as required.
Sailing vessels, if they have no steam power, on their journey, can be furnished
with a machine of compressed air which can be removed if required. As to ware-
houses or those vessels lying at anchor, or in the harbour and which have no
machinery, compressed air might be supplied to them by means of such machines
built on board barges or presenting the forms of a vehicle, and consequently able
to be carried on the spot where they are required. The means of getting such
machines at small expense would be to adapt on board towing boats, a blowing
machine, which is not very expensive, takes little room, and gives towing companies
an extra income on account of their vessels being able to be used all day long,
alternately as blowing and tug boats.
In docks, or other agglomerated warehouses, compressed air can be diffused just
as are now already gas and hydraulic pressure. Distribution of pipes is just the
same as for those services.
For the aeration of large warehouses, accumulators can be used of any dimensions
and sizes constructed in whatever conditions, and offering the same advantages as
gasometers or water reservoirs.
By means of one or several pipes adapted to the accumulator, the air is to be
conveyed and distributed under the corn laid in different warehouses, even those
far distant from one another, with the same facility as gas and water are conveyed
to our houses. Moreover there is the advantage of replacing by means of night
work the air given out by the accumulator during the day which allows aeration
of a double quantity of corn.
One complete aeration will usually at least be sufficient for the good preservation
of corn during a period of 10 days; consequently aeration can be carried on
successively during ten days by means of only one machine, a quantity of 96000
to 120,000 cubic meters of corn dispersed over the largest possible premises.
Twelve hours work is sufficient to aerate and ventilate thoroughly a quantity of
5 to 6000 cubic metres of corn or other agricultural produce, whatever may be the
size, or the extent of the warehouses.
Through this system is given not only aeration to corn, etcetera, but preservation
against introduction of weevils, insects, rats, mice, etcetera.
The advantages obtained by this system of ventilation are numerous. The most
important are enumerated; corn and seeds charged on board steam boats or sailing
vessels, will be preserved from deterioration through heat, whatever may be the
length of the journey. There will of course. be no other difference between steami

page_text: and sailing vessels, than the length of the journey, and consequently trade may
benefit by the low rates of freight paid for sailing vessels when these vessels can,
by this system be used to receive corn from India, Australia, and other distant
countries.
It is moreover a fact that no weevil is able to live or to breed in the bulk of a
cargo which is always or often brought to move; consequently rats and all insects
must disappear.
A long stay of corn and seeds in barges and warehouses and bins does not cause
any danger of deterioration when this system is applied.
In the present state of warehouses, corn can only be heaped up to a certain
height, and moreover room must be left for turning over the corn.
With a com-
plete and constant aeration, the quantity of corn which can be put in a warehouse
will depend only on the strength of its walls. All rooms on ground floor can thus
be filled up on all their surfaces and to any desired height, and this in all conditions
of the silos or other special warehouses: Proprietors of warehouses will of course
be able to increase. their income without having to pay the great expenses for
building silos. They further have this advantage, that in case there is no corn to
be warehoused, all the pipes can be removed easily, and without any expense, and
so the warehouses are fit to receive other goods, whereas the silos do not offer this
double advantage.
Moreover, the application of the system to any warehouse can be obtained at
small expense, and without any changing of the buildings.
To fill up warehouses supplied by this system to the required height, it is
sufficient to make an opening in the upper floor, and to let the grain or seed pass
through the opening by means of shoots, placed at a sufficient inclination, or other
means.
To partially empty the warehouses filled in this way it will be necessary to place
previous to charging the warehouses several shoots or conductors open at the upper
end at a sufficient inclination in to the heaps of grain or seed, and to bring their
lower orifice supplied with a top or a discharging valve through the doors or the
walls of the warehouses.
The weight of upper grain and seed and their lateral pressure will be sufficient
to empty the warehouses as far as a part of the shoots.
Doors on one or several parts, which can be opened separately, will allow the
entrance to the warehouses, partially emptied in this way, and their entire dis-
charging by manual labour.
Corn and seeds when treated by this system do not want any further labour
for preservation, of course an economy-wet corn and seeds can be dried most
easily.
In giving a thorough and constant aeration to ships transporting troops and
emigrants, I bring remedy to well known inconveniences often deplored by ships'
officers.
The same inconveniences above mentioned exist for transport of horses and
cattle during a long sea journey. These inconveniences are further aggravated by
the animals being locked up for the whole voyage, and unable to be brought on
deck for the sake of breathing fresh air. Foul air resulting through emanations
of fruit are a constant cause of decomposition of oranges lemons and other fruits
and vegetables. By making these drawbacks disappear, this system will allow
even the transport of fruits and vegetables of a very delicate nature such as
bananas pine apples, etcetera.
This systein presents still another and most capital advantage, which will be fully
appreciated by shipowners and Insurance managers. It often happens that during
a gale, corn and seed are often thrown on one side of the ship which is so brought
into danger. The use of this system will clear away this inconvenience. Indeed,
at their departure, ships are filled as nearly and completely as possible; the hollow
is made up under deck by settling of cargo during the voyage. But when corn or
seed cargoes are continually thrown up by draft there remains only this alternative.

page_text: 1st, the settling down of corn or seeds takes place at once during loading of
cargo, and thus ships will be able to take more freight.
2nd, or if this does not take place, and it on the contrary happens that the
settling down is only caused by the rolling of the ship, then the air drafts thrown
through the cargo will very soon have reestablished the right equilibrium.
Experience will alone be able to point out which of the two views is the real one,
and at any rate remedy is found for it.
Use of bags also becomes unnecessary, and this is not only a saving, but also
a cause of a less loss of corn, for weevils can easily live and breed in tied up bags.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st The system herein before described of a canalization permitting equal and
regular distribution of compressed air through all of its parts for the aeration of
corn, grains, seeds, etcetera, whether in ships or warehouses.
2nd In the system of canalization herein before described, the use of a main pipe
as a regulating reservoir.
3rd In the system of canalization herein before described, the use of distributors
permitting a complete insulation of one or more parts of the same, and intended
to aerate successively every part of the ship or warehouse.
4th The system of aeration of every kind of ships or buildings, consisting of a
main pipe or regulating reservoir for the compressed air that is afterwards directed
to every place where it is required, through a canalization provided with cocks, and
analogous to that used for gas.
5th The application of the above described system of aeration to ships-between
decks, warehouses etcetera.