Improvements in the Treatment and Saccharification of Grain and other Materials Containing Starch, Dextrin, or similar substances.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Feb., 1893-Accepted, 25th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Treatment and Saccharification of Grain and
other Materials Containing Starch, Dextrin, or similar substances.
I ARCHIBALD WALKER of 4, Muirhead Street in the City of Glasgow,.
Distiller, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the method of treating grain and seeds,
such as maize, rice, dari, and other substances containing starch, dextrin, or
analogous substances, for the use of distillers and brewers, or for the manufacture
of glucose, brewing sugars, and other similar products. In treating these materials
with acid under pressure, it has hitherto been the practice to employ steam as the
pressing agent, but a considerable loss and deterioration of the product results,
through the caramelization and other alterations of the saccharine in the mash,
caused by the high temperature necessary to secure the desired pressure. In order,
as far as possible, to avoid this loss, I produce the required pressure by forcing air
or water into the vessel containing the mash. By this means, the gelatinization or
saccharification of the substance, can be carried out at any desired pressure, without
unduly increasing the temperature.
According to my invention, 1 mix the material to be treated (preferably in the
state of grist) with acidulated water, using, for this purpose, hydrochloric, sulphuric,
phosphoric, sulphurous acid, lactic acid, or clarified spent wash (which contains
lactic acid), or a mixture of these acids. Generally, I prefer to use sulphuric or
hydrochloric acid, or a mixture of these two, for acidulating the water.
I heat the mash, and then submit it to pressure, by forcing air or water into the
vessel containing it. When air is used, it is preferably introduced in such a way
(e.g., through a Wilson's mashing apparatus) as to help to keep the mash well
mixed.
The pressure is kept up for a certain time, during which the mash is maintained
at the desired temperature, about 212° Fahr. being suitable in many cares.
The pressure, quantity of acid, the temperature, and the time required, will vary
Where the
with the material employed and the degree of conversion wanted.
mash is to be treated afterwards with malt, the quantity of acid may be small
and the pressure low, but if the saccharification is to be as complete as possible, the
quantity of acid should be increased, the pressure raised, and the duration of the
treatment lengthened.
The mash thus obtained may be manipulated in any of the ordinary ways, for
the use of distillers or brewers, or for the manufacture of glucose, syrup, brewing
sugar, and other similar products.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1892.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
5
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Treatment and Saccharification of Grain and
other Materials Containing Starch, Dextrin, or similar substances.
1, ARCHIBALD WALKER of 4 Muirhead Street in the City of Glasgow,
Distiller, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in the method of treating grain and seeds,

page_text: such as maize, rice, dari, and other substances containing starch, dextrin, or
analogous substances, for the use of distillers and brewers, or for the manufacture
of glucose, brewing sugars, and other similar products. In treating these materials
with acid under pressure, it has hitherto been the practice to employ steam as the
pressing agent, but a considerable loss and deterioration of the product results,
through the caramelization and other alterations of the saccharine in the mash,
caused by the high temperature necessary to secure the desired pressure. In order,
as far as possible, to avoid this loss, I produce the required pressure by forcing air
or water into the vessel containing the mash. By this means, the gelatinization or
saccharification of the substance, can be carried out at any desired pressure, without
unduly increasing the temperature.
According to my invention, I mix the material to be treated (preferably in the
state of grist) with acidulated water of any approved strength, suited to the result
desired to be secured, using, for this purpose, hydrochloric, sulphuric, phosphoric,
sulphurous, or lactic acid, or clarified spent wash (which contains lactic acid), or a
mixture of these acids. Generally, I prefer to use sulphuric or hydrochloric acid,
or a mixture of these two, for acidulating the water.
I heat the mash, and then submit it to pressure, by forcing air or water into
the closed vessel containing it. When air is used, it is preferably introduced in
such a way (e.g., through a Wilson's mashing apparatus) as to help to keep the mash
well mixed.
The pressure is kept up for a certain time, during which the mash is maintained
at the desired temperature, about 212° Fahr. being suitable in most cases.
The pressure, quantity of acid, the temperature, and the time required, will vary
with the material employed, and the degree of conversion wanted. Where the
mash is to be treated afterwards with malt, the quantity of acid may be small and
the pressure low, but if the saccharification is to be as complete as possible, the
quantity of acid should be increased, the pressure raised, and the duration. of the
treatment lengthened.
The mash thus obtained may be manipulated in any of the ordinary ways for the
use of distillers or brewers, or for the manufacture of glucose, syrup, brewing sugar,
and other similar products.
When employing water pressure, I fill or nearly fill the vessel with the mash, and
connect the vessel with a raised tank, a force pump, or it may be a water main.
The amount of water admitted to the charged vessel will, in consequence, be
comparatively small, and not sufficient to affect the action of the acid upon the
material under treatment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In the saccharification and treatment with acid of materials containing starch,
dextrin, or similar substances, the employment of pneumatic pressure (in place of
steam pressure) substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
2. In the saccharification and treatment with acid of materials containing starch,
dextrin, or similar substances, the application to the acidulated mash, of hydraulic
pressure, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
Dated this 2nd day of Fahmy 1902
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.