A New or Improved Process and Apparatus for Oleaning, and other- wise Treating Wool and other Animal Fibres.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1899-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1899
A New or Improved Process and Apparatus for Oleaning, and other-
wise Treating Wool and other Animal Fibres.
I, EMILE MAERTENS, of 49, Westminster Street, Providence, in the County of
Providence, and State of Rhode Island, United States of America, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The invention relates to a process of and apparatus for the extraction of oily,
greasy, resinous and other substances from wool and other material and is
especially designed for use in establishments where the output does not warrant
the necessary expenditure for the more elaborate processes and apparatus described
in my British Patents No. 16,889 of 1895 and No. 18,217 of 1898.
Referring to the accompanying drawing:
Fig. is a general elevation of the apparatus with the digester shown in
section;
Fig. 2 is a detail of the digester cover, and
Fig. 3 is a detail of the hydraulic plunger with its perforated extension or
platen.
A is the digester wherein the material to be extracted is placed, either while
contained in a cage or basket or loose, and is supposed to be provided with
suitable doors or covers for loading and unloading the material and closing the
apparatus; it can also be of the special' construction shown herein, which consists
of the straight cylindrical part a carrying at its top an enlarged annular
chamber a adapted for the reception of a cover band of heating coils c, and
at its bottom a somewhat similar enlarged annular chamber a adapted for the
reception of heating coils e, and of a hydraulic ram having a water tight
packing at c. The cover consists of the solid cap part and of the foraminous
hollow extension bº.
The ram which is shown in detail in Fig. 3 consists of the plunger d¹
(adapted to slide in the extension of chamber a²) and of the foraminous hollow
extension or platen which is fastened to it.
B is a reservoir provided with suitable heating coils, for the solvent used in
the process and when in use, generally contains solvent having a certain amount
of extracted matter in solution.
C- is a condenser or cooler of any suitable construction for the cooling of liquids
or the condensation of vapors.
1) is a heater of any suitable construction for the heating or superheating of
gases or vapors.
E is a vacuum pump adapted for use also us an air or gas circulating pump, and
it is connected by suitable valved piping, 'with all the other elements of the
apparatus.
Fis an oil condenser or extractor, used for the retention or condensation of
the solvent vapors contained in the air which is allowed to escape into the atmo-
15

page_text: sphere and may be provided with heating means for the volatilization of the
solvent retained by the oil in said condenser.
G&H are drums or reservoirs; provided with heating coils, and are adapted
for the reception of liquids, for their separation, volatilization or evaporation.
The various elements of the apparatus are provided whereever necessary with
suitable valved inlet and outlet pipes, as well as with gages, drain cocks, ther-
mometers, sight glasses, etc.
The method for operating the apparatus is as follows, the material to be
extracted or treated being supposedly raw wool:
The digester A having been charged with the wool to be extracted (in space a)
and hermetically sealed, by preference; and in order to insure a perfect penetra-
tion of the solvent to be used to all parts of the mass to be treated, a vacuum is
created in the digester A by putting the latter in communication with the
pump E through valve 1 pipes 100 & 101 and valve 2. The air exhausted is
When a suitable
discharged into the atmosphere through pipe 102 and valve 3.
vacuum has been obtained, the pump E is stopped and the valves previously
opened are again closed:
Steam having been turned on to the coils in reservoir B by opening valve 4
on pipe 103, the pressure soon rises in this tank, through the tension of the
vapors of the solvent volatilized by the heat of the coils and, when the internal
pressure becomes sufficient, valve on pipe 104, valve 7, 8 and 9 on pipe 105
and valve 10 on pipe 106 are opened, (or if the solvent is judged to be too hot it
is first put through the cooler or condenser C via pipe 107, valve 11, pipe 108
and valve 12, and from the condenser enters pipe 105 by way of valve 13 on
pipe 109 and valve 14 on pipe 110. When driving the solvent into pipe 105
by way of the condenser C valve 7 on pipe 105 must of course be closed.) The
solvent containing extracted wool fat in solution, from preceding operations,
is now forced from the bottom of the tank B through the pipes and valves just
mentioned, into the top of the digester A which is filled therewith.
Should a vacuum not have been made in the digester prior to the admission
of the solvent, the latter is preferably allowed to enter at the bottom of the
digester by valve 38, the air displaced by the solvent being allowed to escape by
opening valves 2 and 15 on pipe 101 and valve 16 on pipe 111, and enter the
oil condenser F through check valve 17, whore in passing through the oil,
contained therein, it is stripped of the solvent vapors with which it is charged
before escaping into the atmosphere through valve 18 on pipe 112; or it can
first be passed through the condenser C and from there to the condenser F by
way of valves 19 & 20 on pipe 113, valve 21 on pipe 114, pipe 115 and valve 22
and check valve 17 on pipe 111.
The digester A being now full of solvent containing wool fat in solution,
valve ou pipe 104 is closed, valve 23. on pipe 116 is opened and valve 7 on
pipe 105 is closed. The solvent vapors generated in reservoir B now rise through
pipes 116, 104, 107, valve 11 pipe 108 and valve 12 and enter the condenser,
through pipe 114, from which they emerge in liquid form through pipe 109 and
from there the pure solvent enters the top of digester A, through valve 13,
pipe 110, valve 14, pipe 105, valves 8, 9, and 10, valve 38 being closed.
Valve 24 où pipe 117 and valve 25 on pipe 119 are now opened and the
charged solvent contained in digester A is allowed to return to tank B through
pipe 117 118, and 119, care being taken, by throttling valves 24 or 25, not to
let the charged solvent from the bottom of digester A into tank Bany faster than
the pure solvent from condenser Centers digester A at its top, and thus a com-
plete continued immersion of the material being extracted is insured. If desired
the solvent from the digester can be run into drums Hor G by opening valves 28
or 40, before being returned to. tank B.
When the whole of the material contained in digester A has been sufficiently
rinsed with the pure solvent coming from condenser C, valve 1 on pipe 107
is closed, as well as valves 12 and 13 on the inlet and the outlet to the condenser C,

page_text: and valve 8 on pipe 105, whereas valve 7 on pipe 105, valve 26 on pipe 109,
valve 27 on pipe 120 are opened, valve 14 on pipe 110 not having been closed.
Meanwhile, all the liquid solvent contained in the digester A having been drained
into tank B, valve 25 on pipe 119 is closed. The vapors generated in B now pass
into the heater D where they are superheated and from there through valve 10
into the top of the digester; or they can be sent direct from pipe 104 into pipe 105
through valves 7, 8, 9, and 10, and be superheated in the chamber af by the
coils. c.
These superheated vapors, which are under pressure, somewhat compress
the whole mass of wool and, at the same time heat it up to the point of vaporiza-
tion of the residual solvent which it contains, and upon opening valve 28 on
pipe 121 leading into drum Ga quantity of liquid solvent is discharged into said
drum whereas vaporized solvent ascends pipe 122 into pipe 101 and from thero
enters the condenser by way of valve 15 pipe 113 valve 19 pipe 108 valve 12
and pipe 114 and when condensed, is delivered into drum H or G via valve 29
on pipe 123 and valves 30 and 31. This operation is continued until sub-
stantially all the residual solvent has been removed from the material.
I have found by experience that the wool is liable to be injured if in the treat-
ment thereof, the temperature is allowed to go above 60 degrees Centigrade.
The exact temperature will vary with different wools, as well as with the nature
of the solvent employed. The temperature which I prefer to employ in driving
off the residual solvent from the wool is from 50 to 55 degrees Centigrade.
Valves 4-23-9 and 28 are now closed, steam is turned on at valve 32 on
pipe 106 for a few seconds and this completely removes the last
traces of solvent and deodorizes the material which is now dry and
degreased and in condition for removal from the digester, in any suitable manner,
after atmospheric air has been circulated through the material in order to cool
it off. This is done by closing all valves previously opened, starting up the
vacuum pump and opening valve 3 on pipe 102, valve 1 on pipe 100, valve 2
on pipe 101 and valve 33 on pipe 124. This latter valve 33 admits atmospheric
air, which is drawn through the mass and discharged into the atmosphere either
through valve 3 or by way of the oil condenser F, via valves 34 and 22 on
pipe 115 and valve 18 on pipe 112 or by way of condenser C and the oil
condenser as previously described.
The removal of residual solvent by the aid of superheated solvent vapors alone
is a tedious and dangerous operation, which unless carried on with great care
and judgment is very liable to injure the material being treated, when this.
is wool, and is not to be recommended even if carried on by very experienced and
careful operators.
The removal of the residual solvent is much accelerated, the quality of the
work is much improved, and the danger of injury to the material very materially
removed, by the use of a vacuum pump or of ateam in conjunction with solvent
vapors or by a combination of two or of all three of the elements mentioned.
When steam is used with or without the vacuum pump, a small jet of it,
is admitted to pipe 106, by valve 32, where it mixes with the solvent vapors before
they enter the digester, the water resulting from the condensation of the steam
being separated from the solvent in drums H or G.
When the vacuum pump is used, with solvent vapors, or with steam, or with
both solvent vapors and steam, for the removal of the residual solvent, valve 28
on pipe 121 is closed, and all other valves being open or shut as required, the
vapors are circulated from the bottom of the digester through valve 24 on pipe 117,
through pipes 122, 101, 100 and through valve 1 and are discharged by the
pump E into condenser C via pipe 102 valve 34 pipe 115 and valve 21 on pipe 114,
the liquidified vapors finding their way into drums H or G via pipe 109 valve 29
pipe 123 and valves 30 or 31.
In lieu of solvent vapors, water vapors are sometimes used for the removal of
the residual solvent and when this is the case, valve 24 on pipe 117 is closed and
the bottom chamber a² of the digester is filled or partially filled with water by

page_text: opening valves 35 & 36 on pipe 125. Steam is turned on to coils c of chamber a³
by opening valve 37. Valve 2 on pipe 101 and valve 1 on pipe 100 being opened
and the vacuum pump started; under the influence of the vacuum produced and
the heat transmitted by coils c, the water in chamber a² is vaporized and drawn
through the contents of the digester, heating it up and vaporizing the residual
solvent which, along with the water vapors, is delivered by the pump E into
condenser C and from there into drums or G as previously described.
In lieu of water vapors, of steam, of solvent vapors or a combination of two
or three of the above, with or without a vacuum, the residual solvent is some-
times removed by air which is circulated over and over again through the
material, preferably in conjunction with steam; when this is practiced, air
is allowed to enter the system by valve 33 on pipe 124 or by any other inlet
or inlets suitably situated for the purpose, and the pump is started: If desired
the air may be indirectly heated prior to its introduction into the digester or may
be directly heated by mixing steam therewith. The air is drawn through the
material and emerges from the digester through valve 2 on pipe 101: enters the
pump through valve 1 on pipe 100, leaves the pump through pipe 102; enters
the condenser through valve 34 on pipe 115 and valve 21 on pipe 114; passes
through the condenser (leaving behind solvent and water vapors which are con-
densed and run to tanks H or G via valve 29 on pipe 123 and valves 30 or 31;
and through pipe 109 and valves 13 and 26 enters the heater D, where it absorbs
heat; emerges from the latter through pipe 120; enters pipe 105 through
valve 27 and pipe 106 through valve 9; in pipe 106 it is, preferably, mixed
with steam injected through valve 32 and re-enters the bottom chaniber a³
of digester A through valve 38. This air is thus circulated in a cycle, re-
cooled, re-heated, and re-mixed with steam until all of the residual solvent,
contained in the material held by the digester, has been removed, and it is then
discharged into the atmosphere by way of the oil condenser, as previously
described.
In order to accelerate the removal of the residual solvent, and before, the
circulation of steam, air, or vapors through the material, the latter can be
squeezed for the expression of the bulk of the residual solvent. This is accom-
plished by making use of the ram d (or of any equivalent device or means) which
on being raised by the medium actuating it, compresses the material between
the hollow foraminous platen and the hollow foraminous extension of the
cover b; the liquid expressed escaping through the perforations of said platen
and cover into chambers a¹ and a and emerging from there through valves 10
and 38 on pipe 106 and valves 24 & 28 on pipe 117 and 121, into drum G. When
the liquid has been expressed as described, the ram is again allowed to drop and
the removal of the still adhering solvent is carried on as previously described.
It is obvious that after treating the material and removing the cover the
digester can be emptied by the action of the plunger d', which, when raised
carries with it the hollow foraminous platen and all that is supported by the
latter, to the top of the digester A, where it is cared for in any suitable manner.
When the material being extracted, is going to be subjected to a subsequent wet
treatment in the digester itself, it is convenient to remove the residual solvent
by means of the liquid or solution with which the material is to be treated
or with water, provided these are immiscible with the solvent used in the
extraction, and the operation is then as follows:-
Assuming that the liquid to be used is water and that the material is to be
partially prepared for carbonizing or entirely carbonized in the digester A and
that the bulk of the residual solvent has or has not been removed by compression,
as described above; water of a suitable temperature is allowed to enter digester A
rin valve 36, pipe 125, valve 35 and chamber a² (it can if need be, be heated
by coils in said chamber) and to rise slowly in the part a containing the
extracted material. The adhering solvent is thereby nearly all removed and
floated on top of the water or solution used. When the floating solvent reaches

page_text: chamber
stopped,
steam
is
turned on
the inlet flow of water is reduced or
the coil c by opening valve 39 and the floating solvent distilled off either in vacuo,
the vapors going through valves 2 & 1 and the pump on their way to the
condenser or direct to
and 113 valve 19, pipe 108 and
drums H or G via
the
condenser
via
valve
2
pipe
101,
valve
15,
pipe
104,
valve 12
or
the solvent can be floated off
valve
2,
122,
117.
has
been
and
removed,
valves
28 or 40.
valve
2 is
slowly into
pipes
When the solvent which has floated to the top
closed and the material is compressed by moving plunger d' upward as previously
described. This liberates further traces of solvent and also the natural soaps
or potash salts contained in the wool and which had dissolved in the surrounding
liquid. The floating solvent is floated off or distilled off as previously described,
and the liquid, containing the potash salts in solution, is run into drums H or G
by way of valves 10 and 38, on pipe 106 and valve 24 on pipe 117 and valves 28
or 40, for the removal of traces of solvent; or it is run direct to a storage tank
by way of valve 33 on pipe 124 for re-use or until its concentration warrants
its vaporization for the recovery of the potash salts or other extracted material
held in solution.
The material can now, after a slight steaming, he removed from the digester and
carried to the washers to be rinsed for the removal of extranious impurities: or
it can be further rinsed in the digester itself, by repeated immersions; com-
pressions and changes of water and this is the case when it is desired to prepare
the material for carbonizing or when it is desired to carbonize the material in
the digester itself, or to remove it from the digester, cleansed or cleansed and
dried.
In order to prepare the material for carbonizing after it has been sufficiently
rinsed, it is finally compressed and the water allowed to drain out of the digester
through valve 33 on pipe 124; the plunger is then allowed to drop and, after
closing valve 3, the carbonizing solution is introduced through valve 41 and 35
on pipe 125 and chamber a into the part a of digester A; when the material
contained therein is completely immersed by the solution, the flow is stopped
and the material is allowed to steep for a suitable period. The solution is then
allowed to return to its storage tank through valve 33 on pipe 124 and the
plunger is made to compress the material for the removal of the bulk of the
adhering carbonizing solution. The material can now be removed to be dried,
carbonized, neutralized, and re-dried, or it can be dried by passing steam and
hot air through it, in the manner previously described, and when dry, carbonized
by eliminating the steam from the circulation and increasing the temperature
of the circulating air in the heater D and in coils c & c.
When the carbonization is complete the material can be neutralized in the same
manner that it was prepared for the carbonization, by merely changing the solu-
tion used. It can then be rinsed with water and, after being pressed for the
removal of the bulk of adhering moisture, dried with hot air and steam as
previously described, when it will be found in a finished and clean condition ready
to be thrown out of the digester by operating the planger d. The liquids
accumulated in drums H & G are separated by decantation or evaporation or by
both, the drums being suitably connected with the condenser C and tank B as
well as with the drain and with storage tanks, for this purpose.
If desired, the material can be treated with water in the digester, after the
residual solvent has been removed by super-heated solvent vapors, water vapors,
air or steam or both or a combination of any of the means mentioned. If this
water treatment is done thoroughly in the case of some wools, so as to remove
all potash soaps present and the wool is then partially dried, it can then, in
many cases, be freely carded and an expensive process can thus be saved.
When the solvent in tank B becomes too much saturated with extracted fat,
a part of it is run to a still where the fat is separated from the solvent, the
solvent is then returned to tank B by way of the condenser C direct, or by way

page_text: of condenser C and drums II & G in case the solvent is mixed with water and
needs separating in said drums.
It is evident from the description and drawings, that if desired, the liquids,
gases or vapors used in the process can be passed through the digester in either
direction, when it is deemed advisable or necessary to so do. It is evident thai
the vacuum pump can be dispensed with, if necessary, in some of the operations
described and that the suction or vacuum created by the condensation of the
vapors in the condenser will, to a great extent, accomplish the same object.
It is further evident, that when the solvent used in the process is heavier than
the extracted matter, its flow through the digester should be upward, whereas
when the solvent is lighter than the extracted matter its flow should be downward
and that in case of the removal of the residual solvent, with a liquid, the
flow of the liquid should be downward, if the solvent is heavier than the liquid
used for its removal, and that the flow of said liquid should be upward, through
the digester, when the solvent is lighter than the liquid used for its removal."
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
I claim is
1. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
heen extracted therefrom which consists in subjecting it to the action of super-
heated solvent vapors at a temperature below 100 degrees Centigrade, substantially
as described.
2. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in first removing the excess of solvent
therefrom by pressure and then subjecting it to the action of superheated solvent
vapors at a temperature below 100 degrees Centigrade, substantially as described!
3. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in subjecting it to the action of super-
heated solvent vapors at a temperature below the point at which the fibre would
be injured by heat, substantially as described.
4. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in subjecting it to the action of super-
heated solvent vapors at a temperature below the point at which the fibre would
be injured by the heat, and then drying the same, substantially as described.
5. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in first removing the excess of solvent
therefrom by pressure and then subjecting it to the action of superheated solvent
vapors at a temperature below 100 degrees Centigrade in conjunction with steam
or aqueous vapor, substantially as described.
6. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in subjecting it to the action of super-
heated solvent vapors at a temperature below the point at which the fibre would
he injured by heat in conjunction with steam or aqueous vapor, substantially as
described.
7. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in first removing the excess of solvent
therefrom by pressure and then subjecting it to the action of superheated solvent
vapors at a temperature below 100 degrees Centigrade in conjunction with a
vacuum, substantially as described.
8. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in subjecting it to the action of super-
heated solvent vapors at a temperature below the point at which the fibre would
he injured by the heat in conjunction with a vacuum, substantially as described.
9. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in first removing the excess of solvent
therefrom by pressure and then subjecting it to the action of superheated solvent

page_text: vapors at a temperature below 100 degrees Centigrade in conjunction with steam
or aqueous vapor and a vacuum, substantially as described.
10. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in subjecting it to the action of super-
heated solvent vapors at a temperature below the point at which the fibre
would be injured by the heat in conjunction with steam or aqueous vapor and a
vacuum, substantially as described:
11. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in subjecting it to the action of super-
heated solvent vapors at a suitable temperature and in conjunction with or without
steam, aqueous vapors or a vacuum and then deodorizing it, substantially as
described.
12. The process of removing residual solvent from wool after the grease has
been extracted therefrom which consists in subjecting it to the action of super-
heated solvent vapors at a suitable temperature and in conjunction with or with-
out steam, aqueous vapors or a vacuum, then deodorizing it and then airing or
cooling it, substantially as described.
13. The process of cleaning wool in a digester which consists in first removing
the fat therefrom by a volatile solvent, eliminating the residual solvent there-
from and then depotashing the same, substantially as described.
14. The process of cleaning wool in a digester which consists in first removing
the fat therefrom by a volatile solvent, eliminating the residual solvent there-
from, depotashing it and then rinsing it, substantially as described.
15. The process of cleaning wool in a digester which consists in first removing
the fat therefrom by volatile solvents, eliminating the residual solvent there-
from, depolashing it, rinsing it, and then drying it, substantially as described.
16. The process of cleaning and treating wool in a digester which consists
in first removing the fat therefrom, by volatile solvents, eliminating the residual
solvent therefrom, depotashing and rinsing it and then subjecting it to the action
of a carbonizing solution substantially as described.
17. The process of cleaning and treating wool in a digester which consists.
in first removing the fat therefrom by volatile solvents, eliminating the residual
solvent, therefrom depolashing and rinsing it, subjecting it to the action of a
carbonizing solution and then drying and carbonizing it, substantially as described.
18. The process of cleaning and treating wool in a digester which consists
in first removing the fat therefrom by volatile solvents, eliminating the residual
solvent therefrom, depotashing and rinsing it, subjecting it to the action of
a carbonizing solution, drying and carbonizing it and then neutralizing the
carbonizing agent, substantially as described.
19. The process of cleaning and treating wool in a digester which consists
in first removing the fat therefrom by volatile solvents, eliminating the residual
solvent therefrom, depotashing and rinsing it, subjecting it to the action of a
carbonizing solution, drying and carbonizing it, neutralizing the carbonizing
agent and finally rinsing and drying it, substantially as described.
20. The method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other material)
which consists in subjecting it to the action of air circulated in a closed circuit,
in combination with means for cooling and re-heating the same, substantially
as described.
21. The method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other material)
which consists in subjecting it to the action of air, then cooling the air to remove
a portion or nearly all the solvent vapor therefrom, then heating the air and
repassing it through the wool, then cooling it to remove the volatilized solvent
therefrom, continueing the re-heating, re-passing, and re-cooling of the air as
long as suitable and finally allowing it to escape in the atmosphere, substantially as
described.
22. The method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other material)
which consists in passing hot air through it, then cooling the air to condense

page_text: the solvent therefrom, then re-heating the air, then re-passing it through the
material, then cooling it to remove therefrom the bulk of the solvent which it
has taken up, continueing the re-heating, re-passing, and re-cooling of tlie air
as long as suitable, then passing it through an oil condenser to remove the
remaining traces of solvent and finally allowing it to escape into the atmosphere,
substantially as described.
23. The method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other material)
which consists in subjecting it to the action of air in conjunction with steam or
aqueous vapors, then cooling the mixture of air and vapor to condense the solvent
and water therefrom, then re-heating the air and adding steam or aqueous vapor
thereto, then repassing it through the wool, then cooling the mixture to again
remove the solvent and water therefrom, continueing the passing of the air and
steam or aqueous vapors through the wool and the condensing of the water and
solvent therefrom as long as suitable and finally allowing the air to escape into
the atmosphere, substantially as described.
24. The method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other material)
which consists in subjecting it to the action of hot air in conjunction with steam
or aqueous vapors, then cooling the mixture of air and vapor to condense the
solvent and water therefrom, then re-heating the air and adding steam or aqueous
vapor thereto, then repassing it through the wool, then cooling the mixture to
again remove the solvent and water therefrom, continueing the passing of the air
and steam or aqueous vapors through the wool and the condensing of the water
and solvent therefrom as long as suitable and finally allowing the air to escape
into the atmosphere, substantially as described.
25. The method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other material)
which consists in subjecting it to the action of air or other gas in conjunction with
a vacuum, then cooling the same to remove a portion or nearly all the solvent
vapor therefrom, then heating the air, or other gas and repassing it through the
wool, then cooling it to remove the volatilized solvent therefrom, continueing
the re-heating, re-passing and re-cooling of the air or other gas as long as suitable
and finally allowing it to escape into the atmosphere, substantially as described:
26: The method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other material)
which consists in subjecting it to the action of air or other gas in conjunction
with steam or aqueous vapors and a vacuum, then cooling the same to remove the
solvent and water therefrom, then reheating and repassing it through the wool,
then cooling it to again remove the solvent and water therefrom, continueing
the passing of the air or other gas and steam or aqueous vapors through the wool,
and the condensing of the water and solvent therefrom as long as suitable and
finally allowing the air to escape into the atmosphere, substantially as described.
27. The method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other material)
which consists in subjecting it to the action of air, then cooling the air to
remove a portion or nearly all of the solvent therefrom, then reheating the air
and passing it through the wool, repeating the cooling, heating and passing of
the air through the wool as long as required, then allowing it to escape into
the atmosphere after removing the solvent which it carries therefroin, and
finally washing the wool for the removal of the potash salts therefrom, substantially
ns described.
28. The improved method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other
material) in gaseous or vapor form which consists in subjecting it to the action
of steam in conjunction with a vacuum, substantially as described.
29. The improved method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other
material) in gaseous or vapor form which consists in subjecting it to the action
of steam in conjunction with a vacuum at a temperature below the point at
which the material would be injured by heat, substantially as described.
30. The improved method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other
material) in gaseous or vapor form which consists in passing steam through it
at a temperature below the point at which the material would be injured by heat.

page_text: 31. The improved method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other
material) in gascous or vapor form which consists in subjecting it to the action
of aqueous vapor in conjunction with a vacuum, substantially as described.
32. The improved method of removing residual solvent from wool (and other
material) in gaseous or vapor form which consists in passing aqueous vapor
through it at a temperature below the point at which the material would be
injured by heat, substantially as described.
33. The improved method of treating wool which consists in subjecting it to
the action of steam in conjunction with a vacuum to volatilize the residual solvent
therefrom and then removing the potash or potash salts therefrom, substantially as
described.
34. The improved method of treating wool which consists in subjecting it to the
action of aqueous vapor in conjunction with a vacuum to volatilize the residual
solvent therefrom and then removing the potash or potash salts therefrom, sub-
stantially as described.
35. The improved method of treating wool which consists in passing steam
through it at a temperature below the point at which the material would be
injured by heat to volatilize the residual solvent therefrom, then washing it,
and finally drying it, substantially as described.
36. The improved method of treating wool which consists in passing aqueous
vapor through it at a temperature below the point at which the material would
be injured by heat to volatilize the residual solvent therefrom, then washing
it, and finally drying it, substantially as described:
37. The method of removing residual solvent from wool which consists in
floating the solvent to the top of the vessel containing the wool, by means of water
or aqueous solutions, then distilling off the solvent from the surface of the.
water or aqueous solution, substantially as described.
38. The method of removing residual solvent from wool which consists in
removing the bulk of the residual solvent from the wool by pressure, then floating
the remainder of the solvent to the top of the vessel containing the wool by
the introduction of water or aqueous solutions into the vessel, and then dis-
tilling off the solvent from the water or aqueous solution, substantially as
described.
39. The method of removing residual solvent from wool which consists in
floating the solvent to the top of the vessel or precipitating said solvent to the
bottom of the vessel containing the wool, by the introduction of water or aqueous
solutions into said vessel and then separating the solvent from the water or
aqueous solutions, substantially as described.
40. The method of removing residual solvent from wool which consists in
removing the bulk of the residual solvent from the wool by pressure, then
floating the remainder of the solvent to the top of the vessel or precipitating said
solvent to the bottom of the vessel containing the wool, by the introduction of
water or aqueous solutions into said vessel and then separating the solvent from
the water or aqueous solutions, substantially as described.
41. The method of removing residual solvent from wool which consists in
introducing water or aqueous solutions, hot or cold, into the digester containing
the wool, then eliminating the floating solvent from the surface of the water or
aqueous solution or the precipitated solvent from the bottom of the digester,
then separating the bulk of the water or aqueous solutions from the wool, whereby
0 the bulk of the potash or potash salts is also removed therefrom, substantially
as described.
42. The method of removing residual solvent from wool which consists in
removing the bulk of the residual solvent from the wool by pressure, then intro-
ducing water or aqueous solutions, hot or cold, into the digester containing the
5 wool, then eliminating the floating solvent from the surface of the water or
aqueous solutions or the precipitated solvent from the bottom of the digester,
then separating the bulk of the water or aqueous solutions from the wool,

page_text: whereby the bulk of the potash or potash salts is also removed therefrom, substan-
tially as described:
43. The method of removing residual solvent from wool which consists in
floating the solvent to the top of the digester or precipitating it to the bottom of
said digester, by the introduction of water or aqueous solutions then eliminating
the solvent from the surface of the water or aqueous solutions or from the bottom
of the digester, then removing the potash or potash salts from the wool and then
steaming it, substantially as described.
44. The method of removing residual solvent from wool which consists in
removing the bulk of the residual solvent from the wool by pressure, then floating
the solvent to the top of the digester or precipitating it to the bottom of said
digester, by the introduction of water or aqueous solutions, then eliminating the
solvent from the surface of the water or aqueous solutions or from the bottom of
the digester, then removing the potash or potash salts from the wool and then
steaming it, substantially as described.
45. The method of removing residual solvent from wool which consists in
separating the solvent from the wool by the introduction of water or aqueous
solutions, hot or cold, into the vessel containing the wool, then separating the
stratified solvent from the water or aqueous solutions, then repassing water or
aqueous solutions through the wool, substantially as described.
46. An apparatus for cleaning wool consisting of a digester, a solvent tank,
a settling or separating tank, a surface condenser, a heater or superheater and a
vacuum or circulating pump, substantially as described.
47. An apparatus for cleaning wool consisting of a digester, a solvent tank, a
settling or separating tank, a surface condenser, an oil-condenser and a vacuum.or
circulating pump, substantially as described.
48. A digester, for use in wool cleaning, provided with an hydraulic piston or
ram adapted for the expression of liquids from the material under treatment,
substantially as described.
49. A digester, for use in wool cleaning provided with an hydraulic piston or
ram having a foraminous platen attached thereto and adapted for the expression
of liquids from the material under treatment, substantially as described.
50. A digester for use in wool cleaning, having an cularged chamber at it's
top provided with coils, substantially as described.
51. A digester for use in wool cleaning having an enlarged chamber at it's top
provided with coils, and a similar chamber at it's bottom, provided with coils,
substantially as described.
52. A digester having an enlarged chamber at it's bottom provided with coils
and a foraminous platen adapted to compress the material under treatment,
substantially as described.
53. A digester having an enlarged upper portion forming a chamber, heating
coils therein, and a foraminous false bottom adapted to be operated to compress
the material under treatment, substantially as described.
54. A digester having an enlarged chamber at it's bottom provided with coils,
a perforated false bottom or platen adapted to compress the material under treat-
ment, and a covor provided with a depending foraminous chamber, substantially
as described.
55. A digester with enlarged upper and lower portions formning chambers
exterior to the main body of the digester, coils is said chamber, and means for
compressing the material under treatment, substantially as described.
100
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.