Improvements in the Purification of Alcohol.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in the Purification of Alcohol.
We Baron SERGINS STEMPEL (Actual Councellor of State) and NICHOLAS
WARENZOFF (Hereditary Honorary Citizen) both of 11 Poush Kinskaya Street
St. Petersburg in the Empire of Russia do hereby declare the nature of this Invention
to be as follows:-
The Invention has for its object to purify alcohol in a simple and efficient manner
without waste of the alcohol. According to this Invention we add to the impure
alcohol a solution of Caustic Soda and carefully agitate the mixture at intervals say
of a day. The decomposition of the impurities is produced generally in about three
The
days. We then add diluted sulphuric acid till the liquid is slightly acid.
sulphate of soda formed is insoluble in alcohol and precipitates and the excess of acid
is neutralized by Carbonate of Lime which we add in small quantity in the form of
powder or we pass it through a filter of chalk. We prefer the first method as it aids
the precipitation of the Sulphate of Soda. When the precipitation is effected and the
liquor is clear it is decanted from the precipitant which latter we may treat in a
charcoal filter and from time to time remove the salts retained by the filter for the
extraction of the Alcohol by distillation.
In place of Sulphuric Acid we may use phosphoric or tartaric acid and the acid
Phosphate of Lime may be used.
1000
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London,
Agents.

page_text: We, Baron SERGIUS STEMPEL (Actual Councellor of State) and NICHOLAS
WARENZOFF (Hereditary Honorary Citizen) both of 11 Poush Kinskaya Street
St. Petersburg in the Empire of Russia 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:-
This Invention has for its object to purify alcohol in a simple and efficient manner
without waste of the alcohol.
In carrying out this Invention in practice we proceed as follows in order to
chemically purify feints or alcohols of bad flavour containing amylic alcohol for
example.
To treat 500 parts by weight (or 500 litres for example) of the impure alcohol
indicating at least 80 per cent. by Tralle's aerometer we take from 1.5 to 4 parts by
weight (1.5 to kilos) of a solution of caustic soda at a density of about 40 degrees
Beaume and pour this solution into the alcohol carefully agitating the liquid at the
same time. The decomposition of the amylic alcohol proceeds during about 3 days
which is a limited period the liquid being stirred or agitated about once a day.
Diluted sulphuric acid (at about 25 per cent. strength) is afterwards poured into the
liquid until it becomes slightly acid. The Sulphate of Soda which is formed not
being soluble in alcohol is precipitated and the excess of acid. is. neutralised with chalk
(carbonate of lime) a small quantity being introduced into the liquid. in the form of
powder or the liquid may be passed through a chalk filter.
The former method is preferred as it promotes the precipitation of the sulphate of soda
which is in a highly divided condition in the liquid. The precipitation is completed
in about one day and the clear liquid can then be decanted the precipitate being
subsequently removed separately and passed through a sand filter. The salts retained
by the sand in this filter are removed from time to time and the alcohol which they
contain is recovered by distillation.
In place of the sulphuric acid herein before referred to phosphoric and tartaric acids
may be employed. Acid phosphate of lime may also be employed for the same
purpose.
There is no waste of alcohol when the operation is conducted as hereinbefore

page_text: described. The temperature of the atmosphere of the place where the work is carried
on must not be higher than about 11 degrees Centigrade.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
Purifying alcohol by the application of caustic soda, sulphuric acid and chalk or
carbonate of lime employed consecutively and in a regulated manner substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1889.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.