IMPROVEMENTS IN REVIVIFYING ANIMAL BLACK OR CHARCOAL, IN COLLECTING AMMONIACAL ĠASES GENERATED IN THE REVIVIFICATION, IN THE CLARIFICATION OF SACCHARINE LIQUORS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE REVIVICATION OF THE BLACK, AND IN THE FILTERING OF SACCHARINE LIQUORS
Year: 1861

page_text: to Richard Archibald Brooman, of 166, Fleet Street,
in the City of London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
REVIVIFYING ANIMAL BLACK OR CHARCOAL, IN COLLECTING AMMONIACAL
ĠASES GENERATED IN THE REVIVIFICATION, IN THE CLARIFICATION OF
SACCHARINE LIQUORS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE REVIVICATION
OF THE BLACK, AND IN THE FILTERING OF SACCHARINE LIQUORS."-A com-
munication from abroad by Absalon Hippolyte Leplay and Jules Francois
Joseph Cuisinier, both of Paris, France.
Sealed the 27th June 1862, and dated the 31st December 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Archibald Brooman
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 31st December 1861.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REVIVIFYING ANIMAL BLACK OR CHARCOAL, IN COLLECTING
AMMONIACAL GASES GENERATED IN THE REVIVIFICATION, IN THE CLARIFICATION
OF SACCHARINE LIQUORS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE REVIVIFICATION
OF THE BLACK, AND IN THE FILTERING OF SACCHARINE LIQUORS," (communicated
to me from abroad by Absalon Hippolyte Leplay and Jules Francois Joseph
Cuisinier, both of Paris, France, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, first, in revivifying animal black or charcoal by wet
processes, hot water, or steam, acting in the filtering vessels, whether for
Pic 81

page_text: renewing its powers for absorbing lime, or for renewing its properties for
absorbing azoted, ammoniacal, and coloring matters, as herein-after described.
Second, in revivifying animal black by acids to eliminate lime from defecated
saccharine liquors as herein-after described.
Third, in the clarification of saccharine liquors, juices, and syrups, by means
of phosphates, as herein-after described.
Fourth, in the different methods of revivification of animal black, herein-
after described, which allow of the collection of the ammonia given off in the
revivification.
And, fifth, in apparatus for carrying parts of the Invention into effect as
herein-after described.
By this Invention I restore to the spent animal black its original properties,
and effect its revivification in the filter in which it has been used. It has been
discovered that animal black possesses at different degrees, 1st, the pro-
perty of absorbing lime; 2nd, the property of absorbing ammoniacal, azoted,
odorous, and coloring matters. I utilise this difference in the value of its
absorbing properties in the application of this Invention to saccharine juices
and syrups, as follows:-
place the black in grains in the ordinary filter before introducing the
saccharine liquor, juice, or syrup. I pass boiling water through it, or introduce
steam to heat the black, and to prevent the cooling of the saccharine liquor to
be acted on. I charge the filter with the juice or syrup, and the application
of this process only commences some hours after the working of the filter,
when the saccharine liquor begins to part with its coloring property. It is
found that at that moment the black has lost a great portion of its properties
for absorbing the azoted, ammoniacal, odorous matters, which are most
injurious to crystalization and to the good qualities of ordinary sugar. If the
operation be then suspended, it becomes easy to restore to the black its
primitive properties. For this purpose filtration must be immediately stopped
and the liquor in the filter must be allowed to run out, then introduce at the
lower part of the filter a jet of steam which penetrates through and between
the grains of black. As soon as the stream reaches the upper part of the
filter, there is given off a strong ammoniacal odour, due to the ammonia
derived from the decomposition of the organic azoted matters, and of the
ammoniacal salts removed by the black from the saccharine liquor. The
action of the steam is continued until the disengagement of the ammoniacal
vapours ceases, generally from 15 to 30 minutes according to the size of the
filter, and the quantity of steam. The decomposition of these matters, and
the disengagement of the ammoniacal vapours, may be facilitated by adding

page_text: on the filter a few quarts of a milk of lime, at the time the saccharine liquor is
When closed filters are
allowed to flow out through the bottom of the filter.
used, the milk of lime need not be added, if a jet of steam be introduced at
the top of the filter, to accellerate the flowing out of the saccharine liquor, and
to prevent the access of air to the filter; by this means also the time necessary
for the revivification of the black is diminished; while this latter operation is
going on, portions of the steam become condensed on the bottom of the filter.
this condensed water is thick, and contains saccharine and foreign matters.
I draw it off, and work it up with other impure products. As soon as this
revivifying process is complete, the filtering of the saccharine liquors is
continued as long as the color is satisfactory, and the limpidity of the liquor
perfect. When the liquor ceases to possess these qualities, the black is
revivified as before, and this may be repeated five or six times, and even
The revivification,
oftener, in the same manner and with the same results..
before described, only restores to the black its properties of absorbing azoted,
ammoniacal, oily, and coloring matters; but when operating upon saccharine
matters containing lime, as beet and cane juices after defecation, after a
certain time, according to the quantity of lime they contain, the black loses
it property of absorbing lime, and then it becomes indispensable to restore
this property.
The feed to the filter must be suspended, and the saccha-
rine liquid therein must be allowed to run off, and boiling water must be
introduced to eliminate the saccharine liquor, with which the black is
moistened, this elimination complete, the inlet of simple boiling water is
stopped, and water admitted acidulated with hydrochloric acid, marking from
3 to 6 degrees Baume, but the quantity of acid varies according to the
It is known to be sufficient when
quantity of lime absorbed by the black.
the liquid which flows out from the bottom of the filter is no longer acid.
The inlet of acidulated water is stopped, and fresh water admitted until the
I then entirely
out-flowing liquor reddens slightly if at all litmus paper.
empty the filter of liquid and feed again with the saccharine liquor; it will be
understood that by this last revivification, the decoloring properties have not
been restored to the black. The two revivifications may be carried on the one
after the other.
In order to increase in animal black the property of absorbing lime, and
to render the revivifying of this property less frequent, I adopt following
means I find the black contains a small quantity of phosphate of lime,
with two proportions of lime, that is to say, two equivalents or proportions
It is to
of lime to one equivalent or proportion of phosphoric acid.
the presence of this phosphate that the black to a great extent owes its

page_text: absorbing powers. In order to add to these powers for absorbing lime I
incorporate with it and increase the phosphate of lime, and this by placing the
black in grains in contact with a solution of phosphate of lime with one pro-
portion of lime. Instead of phosphate of lime I sometimes use phosphates of
magnesia. The quantity of these phosphates capable of absorbing a new lime
absorbed by the black will depend upon the density of the solution of the
phosphate of lime used to wet the black. Therefore, the property of animal
black for absorbing lime may be increased or diminished at will by increasing
or lessening the density of the solution placed in contact with the black and
the time during which it is allowed so to remain. This operation should be
performed in the filter, a sufficient quantity of solution of phosphate of lime
with one proportion of lime, to entirely cover the black, being run into it,
This solution is allowed to remain in contact with the black for some instants,
then it is allowed to run out. It is economical to collect it and use it over
again for a similar purpose. In this state, and without further preparation or
washing, the filter is ready to be again used, and its use may be continued
until one or other of the absorbing properties of the black, whether for lime
or for azoted, ammoniacal, odorous, and coloring matters be exhausted. Either
process for revivifying the property of animal black for absorbing lime may be
substituted the one for the other according to circumstances, but when
operating upon non-saturated defecated juices the soluble phosphate process is
preferred.
Although I prefer hydrochloric acid in the revivifying process herein-before
described, other acids may be employed, such as sulphuric acid and salts more
or less acid, but their action is less perfect. The property of animal black for
absorbing lime will continue as long as the black retains the power of absorbing
the solution of phosphate with one proportion of lime, but should its power of
absorbing azoted, ammoniacal, and coloring matters become weak notwith-
standing the revivifications by steam and milk of lime, its primitive properties
may be restored by pouring upon it in the filter, after by repeated washings
it has been freed from saccharine matter, a boiling solution of carbonate of
soda, or even of caustic soda of from 3 to 6 degrees (Baume) density. I allow
the solution to remain in contact with the black for about an hour and increase
its energy, if necessary, by injecting a jet of steam into the lower part of the
filter until all trace of ammoniacal vapour disappears. 1 allow the solution
of soda to run off, and inject steam to dispel all trace of ammonia, I wash with
water to remove all remains of the alkaline solution, and I apply the solution
of phosphate with one proportion of lime or with the solution of hydrochloric
acid, I then resume filtration. During this operation the following has

page_text: taken place, the azoted matters removed from the saccharine liquors have
become transformed under the influence of the caustic soda, or the carbonate
of soda into ammoniacal matters which the current of steam readily drives off,
the soda has also dissolved the coloring and oily matters. Thus the revivifi-
cation of animal black by the damp process and in the filtering vessel, without
recourse to calcination, is thoroughly effected. I have stated these processes of
revivification may be carried on in ordinary filters, it will be sufficient to add
to the filters, at the level of the under side of the false bottom perforated with
holes, a steam cock, and to substitute for the cloth generally used on the false
bottom a wire gauze or metallic cloth the meshes of which are sufficiently fine
to prevent the black passing through.
For the easy carrying of these processes into effect the apparatus, which
forms part of this Invention, is of the construction and arrangement shewn in
the accompanying Drawings in elevation, partly in section, at Figure 1, in
plan at Figure 2, and in side elevation at Figure 3.
A, A, are conical filters, two are represented, but any number may be used;
a is a man-hole; b, air cock for indicating when the odorous matters are disen-
gaged; c, cover, kept close by screws or bolts and nuts; d, cock for emptying the
filter; e, syphon cock; f, perforated false bottom covered by metallic cloth; g,
syphon pipe for the outflow of the saccharine matter; h, coil for sending steam
into the bottom of the filter; i, steam supply pipe; j, steam cock for admitting
and shutting off steam into and from the coil; k, cock for admitting steam
into the upper part of the filter; 1, man-hole for emptying the black; m.
receiver of the filtered juices or syrups; n, safety valve; o, pipe communi-
cating with all the filters and leading the gases through a pipe p into a
saturator. B is the saturator; n, cock for the outlet of the gases from the
filter; q, q, perforated diaphragms fixed in the saturator; r, pipe for letting
water into the saturator; s, outlet pipe from saturator; t, gas and vapour
outlet pipe and cock; u, air cock. The supply of matter to be filtered, as also
thesteam, may be admitted either at the upper or lower part of the filter.
The foregoing arrangement allows of the introduction at will of steam. The
closed filter also allows of directing and gathering the ammoniacal vapours,
which might also prove injurious if allowed to circulate in the factory, in a
pipe placed on the top of a filter and made to dip into vessels containing
water acidulated with hydrochloric or other acid. If, after many successive
revifications by steam, the filtration should become slow, I take out the black
from the filter and thoroughly wash it, then, without further treatment, replace
it in the filter.
Employment of animal black in powder.--This is chiefly used in the refining

page_text: of sugar, yet, treated and used in these processes for the manufacture of sugar,
it acquires increased importance. The application of these processes in agricul-
tural distilleries requires a considerable supply of water, which the agriculturist
may not have at command, and should he prefer using his black as manure
instead of revivifying it, it will be useful to him to obtain the greatest amount
possible from the absorbing and decolorizing properties of the black; now by
a complete transformation of the black I greatly increase its powers of absorp-
tion, and at the same time reduce the quantity used. Thus, I take three parts
of phosphate of lime with one proportion of lime dissolved in water and mix the
solution with finely powdered animal black, the phosphate of lime with three
parts of lime which constitutes the base of animal black is destroyed, and a
mixture is obtained containing phosphate with one proportion of lime, and
phosphate with two proportions of lime. (This phosphate with two proportions
of lime, which is insoluble in water, becomes soluble in a solution of phosphate
with one proportion of lime.) The proportion of the one or the other may be
increased at will, according as it is desired to increase or diminish the relative
quantity of the two compositions. The absorbing property for lime will be as
much greater as the quantity of phosphate with one proportion of lime is
greater. If this mixture be diluted with water, so as to render it fluid, and if
it be poured gradually and cautiously on defecated beet juice, an abundant
gelatinous precipitate will be formed in the bottom of the vessel, carrying down
with it the black, absorbing the lime in the juice, and decolorizing and
clarifying the juice. This precipitate is the phosphate of lime with three
proportions of lime, which possesses the property of precipitating itself in a
gelatinous form, which contributes to the clarification of the juice, to the sepa-
ration of the black, and of all the matters in suspension in a remarkable
manner. If the addition of this semi-fluid mixture be continued, and the
mixture be well stirred into the juice, the latter will soon lose the whole or
the greater part of its alkalinity, which is ascertained by testing with litmus
paper, the result will be a discolorised and clarified juice, free, or nearly so, of
lime. This operation should take place upon the clear juice as soon as it comes
out of the defecting vessel. It does not require re-heating. After having
been treated as last described the juice is allowed to settle some minutes and
then drawn off clear. The deposit is received in a filter or undergoes other
means of mechanical separation. The juice thus filtered may be baked directly,
or it may be passed through animal black in a granular state, according to the
quality of sugar desired. The absorbing and decolorising properties of; the
black have been completely exhausted, and it may then be advantageously
used as manure. It may be utilized in the preparation of phosphate of lime

page_text: with one proportion of lime after having been calcined in the open air; even,
in case of need it may be regenerated by boiling it with a solution of caustic
soda, and after several washings revivifying it by the solution of phosphate
with one proportion of lime.
Clarification of saccharine liquors used in sugar houses, and particularly in
refineries. The gelatinous precipitate herein-before referred to, with a base
of phosphate with three proportions of lime, when added to a saccharine
liquor containing lime, takes the place, and I use it instead of albumen
and blood generally used in sugar refineries; care, however, must be taken
not to use it in excess. The black has a very active decolorising action,
owing to the state of extreme division in which it is used. When the quantity
of the phosphate is sufficient, the whole is carried to the boiling point, skimmed,
and filtered in the ordinary manner. The phosphate with one proportion of
lime may be prepared by burning, at a white heat, the animal black in contact
with the air, and by treating the calcined product with two proportions of
sulphuric acid the phosphate with three proportions of lime becomes destroyed,
two proportions of sulphate of lime become formed and precipitated, and one
proportion remains in solution. This solution may be employed as it is or it.
may be concentrated to eleminate a little of the sulphate of lime.
T some-
times prepare the soluble phosphate with one proportion of lime with animal
black in grain or in powder; by adding the same quantity of sulphuric acid
the sulphate of lime carries down the black in precipitating, the phosphate of
lime remains still with one proportion of lime and is dissolved.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Archibald Brooman in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 30th June 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Richard Archibald Brooman, Her special licence that I, the said
Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators,

page_text: and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN REVIVIFYING ANIMAL BLACK OR CHARCOAL, IN C LLECTING
AMMONIACAL GASES GENERATED IN THE REVIVIFICATION, IN THE CLARIFICATION
OF SACCHARINE LIQUORS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE REVIVIFICATION
OF THE BLACK, AND IN THE FILTERING OF SACCHARINE LIQUORS," (communicated
to me from abroad by Absalon Hippolyte Leplay and Jules Francois Joseph
Cuisinier, both of Paris, France.) upon the condition, (amongst others,)
that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent. Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say:
This Invention consists, first, in revivifying animal black or charcoal by wet
processes, hot water or steam acting in the filtering vessels, whether for
renewing its powers for absorbing lime or for renewing its properties for
absorbing azoted, ammoniacal, and coloring matters, as herein-after described.
Second, in revivifying animal black by acids to eliminate lime from defecated
saccharine liquors, as herein-after described.
Third, in the clarification of saccharine liquors, juices, and syrups, by means
of phosphates, as herein-after described.
Fourth, in the different methods of revivification of animal black herein-
after described, which allow of the collection of the ammonia given off in the
revivification.
And, fifth, in apparatus for carrying parts of the Invention into effect, as
herein-after described.
By this Invention, I restore to the spent animal black its original properties
and effect its revivification in the filter in which it has been used. It has been
discovered that animal black possesses at different degrees, first, the property
of absorbing lime; secondly, the property of absorbing ammoniacal, azoted,
odorous, and coloring matters. I utilize this difference in the value of its absorb-

page_text: ing properties in the application of this Invention to saccharine juices and syrups,
as follows:-I place the black in grains in the ordinary filter; before introducing
the saccharine liquor, juice, or syrup, I pass boiling water through it or introduce
steam to heat the black and to prevent the cooling of the saccharine liquor to be
acted on. I charge the filter with the juice or syrup, and the application of this
process only commences some hours after the working of the filter, when the
saccharine liquor begins to part with its coloring property. It is found that at
that moment the black has lost a great portion of its properties for absorbing
the azoted ammoniacal odorous matters which are most injurious to crystalli-
zation, and to the good qualities of ordinary sugar. If the operation be then
suspended it becomes easy to restore to the black its primitive properties. For
this purpose filtration must be immediately stopped, and the liquor in the filter
must be allowed to run out; then introduce at the lower part of the filter a
jet of steam, which penetrates through and between the grains of black. As
soon as the steam reaches the upper part of the filter there is given off a strong
ammoniacal odour due to the ammonia derived from the decomposition of the
organic azoted matters, and of the ammoniacal salts removed by the black
from the saccharine liquor. The action of the steam is continued until the
disengagement of the ammoniacal vapours ceases, generally from 15 to 30
minutes, according to the size of the filter and the quantity of steam. The
decomposition of these matters and the disengagement of the ammoniacal
vapours, may be facilitated by adding on the filter a few quarts of a milk of lime
at the time the saccharine liquor is allowed to flow out through the bottom of
the filter. When closed filters are used, the milk of lime need not be added,
if a jet of steam be introduced at the top of the filter to accelerate the flowing
out of the saccharine liquor, and to prevent the access of air to the filters, by
this means also, the time necessary for the revivification of the black is
diminished. While this latter operation is going on, portions of the steam
become condensed on the bottom of the filter; this condensed water is thick,
and contains saccharine and foreign matters. I draw it off and work it up
with other impure products. As soon as this revivifying process is complete,
the filtering of the saccharine liquors is continued as long as the colour is
satisfactory, and the limpidity of the liquor perfect. When the liquor ceases
to possess these qualities the black is revivified as before, and this may be
repeated five or six times, and even oftener, in the same manner, and with the
same results. The revivification before described only restores to the black its
properties of absorbing azoted, ammoniacal, oily, and coloring matters. But
when operating upon saccharine matters containing lime, as beet and cane
juices after defecation, after a certain time, according to the quantity of lime

page_text: they contain, the black loses its property of absorbing lime, and then it
becomes indispensable to restore this property. The feed to the filter must be
suspended, and the saccharine liquid therein must be allowed to run off, and
boiling water must be introduced to eliminate the saccharine liquid with which
the black is moistened; this elimination complete, the inlet of simple boiling
water is stopped, and water admitted acidulated with hydrochloric acid marking
from 3 to 6 degrees; but the quantity of acid varies according to the quantity
of lime absorbed by the black. It is known to be sufficient when the liquid
which flows out from the bottom of the filter is no longer acid. The inlet of
acidulated water is stopped, and fresh water admitted until the outflowing
liquor reddens slightly, if at all, litmus paper; I then entirely empty the filter
of liquid and feed again with the saccharine liquor. It will be understood,
that by this last revivification the decoloring properties have not been restored
to the black. The two revivifications may be carried on the one after the other.
In order to increase in animal black the property of absorbing lime, and to
render the revivifying of this property less frequent, I adopt the following
means I find the black contains a small quantity of phosphate of lime with
two proportions of lime, that is to say, two equivalents or proportions of lime to
one equivalent or proportion of phosphoric acid. It is to the presence of this
phosphate that the black, to a great extent, owes its absorbing powers. In
order to add to these powers for absorbing lime, I incorporate with it and
increase the phosphate of lime, and this by placing the black in grains in
contact with a solution of phosphate of lime with one proportion of lime.
Instead of phosphate of lime I sometimes use phosphate of magnesia. The
quantity of these phosphates capable of absorbing a new lime absorbed by the
black will depend upon the density of the solution of the phosphate of lime
used to wet the black; therefore, the property of animal black for absorbing
lime may be increased or diminished at will by increasing or lessening the
density of the solution placed in contact with the black, and the time during
which it is allowed so to remain. This operation should be performed in the
filter, a sufficient quantity of solution of phosphate of lime, with one proportion
of lime to entirely cover the black being run into it; this solution is allowed
to remain in contact with the black for some instants, then it is allowed to run
out; it is economical to collect it and use it over again for a similar purpose.
In this state, and without further preparation or washing, the filter is ready to
be again used, and its use may be continued until one or other of the absorbing
properties of the black, whether for lime or for azoted, ammoniacal, odorous,
and coloring matters be exhausted.
Either process for revivifying the property of animal black for absorbing

page_text: lime may be substituted, the one for the other, according to circumstances,
but when operating upon non-saturated defecated juices the soluble phosphate
process is preferred.
Although I prefer hydrochloric acid in the revivifying process herein-before
described, other acids may be employed, such as sulphuric acid and salts more
or less acid, but their action is less perfect. The property of animal black for
absorbing lime will continue as long as the black retains the power of absorbing
the solution of phosphate with one proportion of lime, but should its power of
absorbing azoted, ammoniacal, and coloring matters become weak, notwith-
standing the revivifications by steam and milk of lime, its primitive properties
may be restored by pouring upon it in the filter, after, by repeated washings, it
has been freed from saccharine matter, a boiling solution of carbonate of soda,
or even of caustic soda of from 3 to 6 degrees Beaume density. I allow the
solution to remain in contact with the black for about an hour and increase its
energy, if necessary, by injecting a jet of steam into the lower part of the filter
until all trace of ammoniacal vapour disappears. I allow the solution of soda
to run off and inject steam to dispel all trace of ammonia; I wash with water
to remove all remains of the alkaline solution, and I apply the solution of
phosphate with one proportion of lime, or with the solution of hydrochloric acid.
I then resume filtration. During this operation the following has taken place;
the azoted matters removed from the saccharine liquors have become trans-
formed under the influence of the caustic soda, or the carbonate of soda into
ammoniacal matters, which the current of steam readily drives off; the soda
has also dissolved the coloring and oily matters. Thus the revivification of
animal black by the damp process and in the filtering vessel, without recourse
to calcination, is thoroughly effected.
I have stated these processes of revivification may be carried on in ordinary
filters, it will be sufficient to add to the filters at the level of the under side of
the false bottom perforated with holes, a steam cock, and to substitute for the
cloth generally used on the false bottom a wire gauze or metallic cloth, the
meshes of which are sufficiently fine to prevent the black passing through.
For the easy carrying of these processes into effect, the apparatus which forms
part of this Invention of the construction and arrangement shewn in the
accompanying Drawings in elevation, partly in section, at Figure 1, in plan at
Figure 2, and in side elevation at Figure 3.
A, A, are conical filters; two are represented, but any number may be used.
a is a man-hole; b, air cock for indicating when the odorous matters are
disengaged; c, cover, kept close by screws, or bolts, and nuts; d, cock for
emptying the filter; e, syphon cock; f, perforated false bottom covered by

page_text: metallic cloth; g, syphon pipe for the outflow of the saccharine matter;
h, coil for sending steam into the bottom of the filter; i, steam supply
pipe, steam cock for admitting and shutting off steam into and from the
coil;, cock for admitting steam into the upper part of the filter; 1, man-hole
for emptying the black; m, receiver of the filtered juices or syrups; n, safety
valve; o, pipe communicating with all the filters and leading the gases through
a pipe p into a saturator; B is the saturator; v, cock for the outlet of the
gases from the filter; q, q, perforated diaphragms fixed in the saturator; r,
pipe for letting water into the saturator; s, outlet pipe from saturator; t, gas
and vapour outlet pipe and cock; u, air cock. The supply of matter to be
filtered, as also the steam, may be admitted either at the upper or lower part
of the filter.
The foregoing arrangement allows of the introduction at will of steam. The
closed filter also allows of directing and gathering the ammoniacal vapours which
might also prove injurious if allowed to circulate in the factory in a pipe placed
on the top of the filter and made to dip into vessels containing water acidulated
with hydrochloric or other acid. If, after many successive revivifications by
steam, the filtration should become slow, I take out the black from the filter
and thoroughly wash it, then without further treatment replace it in the filter.
Employment of animal black in powder. This is chiefly used in the refining
of sugar, yet treated and used in these processes for the manufacture of sugar
it acquires increased importance. The application of these processes in
agricultural distilleries requires a considerable supply of water, which the
agriculturist may not have at command; and should he prefer using his black
as manure instead of revivifying it, it will be useful to him to obtain the greatest
amount possible from the absorbing and decolorizing properties of the black.
Now by a complete transformation of the black, the Inventors greatly increase
its powers of absorption, and at the same time reduce the quantity use. Thus
they take three parts of phosphate of lime with one proportion of lime dissolved
in water, and mix the solution with finely powdered animal black; the
phosphate of lime with three parts of lime, which constitutes the base of
animal black, is destroyed, and a mixture is obtained containing phosphate
with one proportion of lime, and phosphate with two proportions of lime.
(This phosphate with two proportions of lime, which is insoluble in water,
becomes soluble in a solution of phosphate with one proportion of lime.) The
proportion of the one or the other may be increased at will, according as it is
desired to increase or diminish the relative quantity of the two compositions.
The absorbing property for lime will be as much greater as the quantity of
phosphate with one proportion of lime is greater. If this mixture be diluted

page_text: with water so as to render it fluid, and if it be poured gradually and cautiously
on defecated beet juice, an abundant gelatinous precipitate will be formed on
the bottom of the vessel, carrying down with it the black, absorbing the lime
in the juice, and decolorizing and clarifying the juice. This precipitate is the
phosphate of lime with three proportions of lime, which possesses the property
of precipitating itself in a gelatinous form, which contributes to the clarification
of the juice, to the separation of black, and of all the matters in suspension
in a remarkable manner. If the addition of this semi-fluid mixture be con-
tinued, and the mixture be well stirred into the juice, the latter will soon lose
the whole or the greater part of its alkalinity, which is ascertained by testing
with litmus paper; the result will be a decolorized and clarified juice, free or
nearly so of lime. This operation should take place upon the clear juice as
soon as it comes out of the defecating vessel, it does not require re-heating.
After having been treated as last described, the juice is allowed to settle some
minutes, and then drawn off clear; the deposit is received in a filter or under-
goes other means of mechanical separation; the juice thus filtered may be
baked directly, or it may be passed through animal black in a granular state,
according to the quality of sugar desired. The absorbing and decolorizing
properties of the black have been completely exhausted, and it may then be
advantageously used as manure. It may be utilized in the preparation of
phosphate of lime with one proportion of lime after having been calcined in
the open air. Even in case of need, it may be regenerated by boiling it with
a solution of caustic soda, and after several washings, revivifying it by the
solution of phosphate with one proportion of lime.
Clarification of saccharine liquors used in sugar houses and particularly in
refineries. The gelatinous precipitate herein-before referred to with a base of
phosphate with three proportions of lime when added to a saccharine liquor
containing lime takes the place, and the Inventors use it instead of albumen
and blood, generally used in sugar refineries. Care must, however, be taken
not to use it in excess. The black has a very active decolorizing action,
owing to the state of extreme division in which it is used. When the quantity
of the phosphate is sufficient, the whole is carried to the boiling point, skimmed
and filtered in the ordinary manner. The phosphate with one proportion of
lime may be prepared by burning at a white heat the animal black in contact
with the air, and by treating the calcined product with two proportions of
sulphuric acid, the phosphate with three proportions of lime becomes destroyed,
two proportions of sulphate of lime become formed and precipitated, and one
proportion remains in solution. This solution may be employed as it is, or it
may be concentrated to eliminate a little of the sulphate of lime.
I some-

page_text: times prepare the soluble phosphate with one proportion of lime with animal
black, in grain or in powder, by adding the same quantity of sulphuric acid;
the sulphate of lime carries down the black in precipitating, the phosphate of
lime remains still with one proportion of lime and is dissolved.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,
First, revivifying animal black or charcoal by wet processes, hot water or
steam acting in the filtering vessels, whether for renewing its powers, for
absorbing lime, or for renewing its properties, for absorbing azoted, ammo-
niacal, and coloring matters, in manner herein-before described.
Second, revivifying animal black by acids, to eliminate lime from defecated
saccharine liquors, in manner herein-before described.
Third, the clarification of saccharine liquors, juices, and syrups by means of
phosphates, in manner herein-before described.
Fourth, the different methods of revivification of animal black herein-before
described, which allow of the collection of the ammonia given off in the
revivification.
And, fifth, the apparatus for carrying parts of the Invention into effect, as
herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman,, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of June, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-two.
R. A. BROOMAN. (L.S.)