IMPROVED METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING LINSEED AND OTHER OILS AND FATS
Year: 1862

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Christopher Binks at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th November
1862.
I, CHRISTOPHER BINKS, of Parliament Street, Westminster, do hereby
declare the nature. of the said Invention for "IMPROVED METHODS OF AND
APPARATUS FOR TREATING LINSEED AND OTHER OILS AND FATS," to be as
follows:-
The objects of my Invention are, firstly, to improve the drying properties
of linseed oil and other drying oils and fats, but more especially of linseed oil.
Secondly, to obtain such drying oils, in certain cases free or comparatively
free from colour, and especially from the deep or dark colour usually per-
taining to linseed oil, which, in order to quicken its drying properties, has
been boiled or treated by the methods hitherto commonly resorted to (such
colorless or comparatively colorless or light colored oils are herein-after
designated "refined drying oils"). Thirdly, to provide improved methods of
obtaining dark colored drying oils, or drying oils similar in appearance and
uses to those known as boiled oils. Fourthly, to impart to such drying oils,
at pleasure, and by improved methods of operating different degrees of
thickness or of "body." And, fifthly, to provide improved methods of
operating, and improved kinds of apparatus, by which to carry on certain
operations requisite for obtaining these, or like effects or products, or for
bleaching and refining linseed oil and other oils and fats.
When atmospheric air, as is well known, is compressed in contact with

page_text: water the water takes up and retains the heat given out from the air, which
can thus, by proper contrivances, be deprived of its latent heat to an extent
proportionate to the amount of pressure, and to the completeness of the
arrangements used for separating the warmed water from the compressed air;
air so treated I call decaloricised air." On removal of the pressure from air
in this condition it seeks to recover its lost latent heat from substances brought
in contact with it, and this property can be (and has been in some cases, as is
well known), applied as a means of producing cold, or as a refrigerating agent.
Now the first part of my Invention consists in applying to oils or fats this
"decaloricised air" (obtained by any convenient means), by passing it into or
through, or otherwise bringing it in contact with them, in order, in some
cases, to reduce their temperature and thereby effect certain changes in their
composition and qualities, which the application of cold to oils has long been
known to produce; and in other cases. I so apply it, in order to regulate,
controul, or check the temperature of oils in operations with them wherein
heat is applied, or wherein they become hot through the reactions with the
materials; or with the atmospheric air used in such operations, or in such as
are herein-after described.
My method of applying the decaloricised air for effects on the oil, fol-
lowing a reduction of its temperature, will, be. understood by the practical
details, when operating on (by way of example) linseed oil, namely, the raw
oil to be purified and bleached is placed in an aërating.vat (preferably in one
of the kind herein-after described), having its perforated plate or pipes con-
nected with the reservoir containing the supply of decaloricised air, which
on being passed through the oil in time congeals it, or so far reduces its
temperature as to break up certain combinations previously existing in it, and
to result (on the oil again; becoming fluid or of ordinary temperatures) in the
separation of some impurities and the partial bleaching of the oil.. I either
leave the oil after refrigeration to regain its ordinary temperature by exposure
to air, or I send warmed air or steam into it for this purpose. It is then
finished by steaming and washing with or without. air conjoined in the usual
manner, or as herein-after described:
.."..
My method of applying the decaloricised air, in order to regulate, controul,
or check temperatures, will be shewn. by, the following example, in which
linseed oil is the material, namely, it is well known that the application to
linseed oil of a gentle and certain heat results in the bleaching of that oil,
but that if the heat be raised higher than this certain point or degree the
bleaching action obtained is destroyed, and the oil either regains its original
colour or becomes darker.

page_text: Now my method in this and in other cases is at the moment the bleaching
action has been obtained to throw into the oil the decaloricised air, and so
prevent the injurious continuance or increase of heat; and I use for this
purpose the kind of arrangements above or herein-after described.
Secondly, my Invention consists in the like application of the decaloricised
air in the operations hereafter following, and in conjunction with the following
materials, namely:-For the application of certain materials for improving
the drying and other properties of drying oils there was granted to me Letters
Patent, dated 11th June 1853, No. 1425, and among other materials therein
specified was the hydrated protoxide of manganese. For such hydrated prot-
oxide of manganese I now substitute one or other of the following materials
or compounds, it being understood that the operations in applying these
materials or compounds are the same generally as those described in reference
to other materials under my former Patent.
These materials or compounds are, first, for the hydrated protoxide of man-
ganese prepared in the usual manner (when that form of manganese oxide
is the one used to act upon the oil), I substitute and employ this oxide
dissolved in aqueous ammonia in place of using it (as formerly) in its simple
form. I use this solution in order to effect a more ready and perfect diffusion
through and consequent combination with or action upon the oil than follows
its application in the solid or moistened form. Second, that oxide of manga-
nese, which is formed by exposing moistened hydrated protoxide of manganese
to the action (under ordinary atmospheric temperatures) of atmospheric air.
This oxide is in composition an intermediate one between the proto and the
sesqui oxide, or is analogous to the anhydrous (so called) red oxide of man-
ganese in respect of its relative proportions of metal and of oxygen, or it has
(shewn in formula) the composition Mn,O4. Third, the hydrated sesqui
oxide of manganese Mn,,O,, HO; and, fourth, the anhydrous sesqui oxide.
of the same metal Mn,, O. These oxides, one or other of them, or mixtures
thereof are added to the oil and macerated in it, that operation being
carried on at ordinary atmospheric temperatures, or, at pleasure, aided by
heat applied to the mixture, and these oxides of manganese used severally or
conjointly are so applied to the oil, either alone or with the conjoint appli-
cation of atmospheric air passed into and through the oil or the mixture, or
otherwise exposed to the action of atmospheric air, either as described in
the Specification of my said Patent, dated the 11th of June 1853, No. 1425,
or as herein-after described. Fourth, a mixture composed of one or other, or
of mixtures of the above-named oxides of manganese, and the hydrated or the
anhydrous protoxide of lead PbO, HO or PUO, the latter being used most

page_text: conveniently in the form of litharge. Fifth, a mixed precipitate of the
hydrated protoxides of lead, and of manganese, obtained most conveniently by
precipitating such oxides by means of well-known agents from a mixed
solution of some soluble salt of lead and salt of manganese, or by forming
each oxide separately, and then intimately mixing one with the other
mechanically. Sixth, a mixture of one or other of the higher oxides of
manganese, the sesqui and the peroxides, one or both, and either hydrated
or anhydrous, with some acid capable of forming a protosalt with the base
thereof, and at the same time of liberating oxygen from the oxide when in
contact with the oil, as the oxalic, tartaric, boracic, and other acids. And
such treatment of the oil may at pleasure be varied by (subsequently to this
application or operation) decomposing the salt of manganese thus formed in
the oil, and whilst it is still in contact with it by means of the addition to the
resulting mixture of some other reagent capable of decomposing the salt of
manganese, and of throwing out from it whilst in contact with the oil its
hydrated protoxides. Seventh, a mixture of the higher oxides of lead, (as the
red lead, the sesqui and the peroxides, the latter being used either anhydrous
or hydrated,) and of some acid capable of forming a protosalt of the lead;
and of liberating oxygen in contact with the oil, such operations to be used
alone or combined with the analogous operations in which the higher oxides of
manganese are employed, as just described. Eighth, a mixture of the following
kind, namely, along with sub-acetate of lead 2PbO, A, HO, is mixed a large
excess of protoxide of lead, and this mixture diffused through the oil. There
is then added to the oil a solution of some salt of manganese, preferably the
sulphate, in quantity equivalent, or thereabouts, to the quantity of sub-acetate
of lead. The result is a series of reactions, bringing into contact with the oil
drying compounds of great activity with the ultimate production of a fine
drying oil. Ninth, a mixture of the higher oxides of lead, as the red lead
(Pb, O) and the peroxide, the latter, either with or without water, in com-
bination (PbO, HO or PbO₂) along with some protosalt of manganese as the
sulphate, using the lead oxide in excess. The result under the influence of
reactions in contact with the oil is the development of highly active drying
reagents, and the consequent formation of a fine drying oil.
My operations or methods of treating the oil are as follow:-One important
property of the drying oils prepared according to directions given for carrying
out my Invention, secured to me by the Letters Patent aforesaid, and prepared
as herein described under my present further improvements is, that on drying
or exposure to air they finally bleach, or become lighter in color to a greater
or less extent, according to the kind and relative proportions of reagents

page_text: employed in their preparation, that is, they whiten, and become the "refined
drying oils," products of my Invention. But it is desirable for certain special
applications of these oils that they should not so bleach, but continue to possess
a dark colonr, and consequently that this tendency to finally bleach should by
some means be arrested. Now, for this purpose, I proceed as follows:-
When a solution in the oil of the reagents has been made, I heat this
solution to convert it into a permanently dark coloured drying oil by one or
other of the following methods, namely:-
.
First method. I subject the solution by the application of heat to the
vessel containing it to a temperature ranging between 350° and 600°
Fahrenheit, or till certain hydrated and other compounds held in the solution
have been decomposed, and other changes accomplished, which terminate in
imparting the acquired deep or darker colour to the oil, and which colour will
then be permanent, and of a depth proportionate to the strength of the solution
used, and to the length of time of exposure to the heat.
Second method. -I effect the same object by using a strong solution of the
reagents, and passing atmospheric air of ordinary temperatures into and
through it in profusion, and till through the ensuing reactions in the mixture
it has acquired the temperature needed to effect the required changes, and
give permanency to the deep colour so developed in the oil.
Third method. I vary these operations with the same results by previously
warming the air employed, or by warming the oil, and I do this preferably by
the external application of steam to the vessel containing the solution or
mixture, and sending the air into and through it at its ordinary temperatures
till the required changes in the oil are accomplished.
On aërating the solutions or mixtures as and for the purposes just described.
or on aërating finished drying oils for the purpose of thickening them, as and
for the purposes herein-after described, considerable quantities of volatile and
gaseous matters are thrown off during the operation, and a further part of my
improved operations consists in so conducting these aerating processes that
their volatile or gaseous products shall be collected; in order to obviate by
decomposing or destroying them any nuisance their escape into the atmosphere
might give rise to, or to apply them to some useful purposes. With this view
I conduct these aërating operations in closed vessels fitted with contrivances
for conveying away and treating or destroying these products, and I prefer
(though I do not confine my Invention thereto) to employ the kind of aërating
vats that are with their several appendages herein-after described. When it
is a dark colored drying oil that is intended to be thickened by aeration, then
the temperature under which the operation is carried on may be permitted to.

page_text: rise as high as to 500° Fahrenheit, but if it be one of the light colored
varieties of the oils, then I effect its thickening by the aeration carried on at
temperatures not exceeding 212° Fahrenhelt, but it is preferable to conduct
it at temperatures of from 70° to 80°, or not exceeding 100° Fahrenheit, and
I regulate and controul these temperatures by means of the application of the
decaloricised air, as herein-before described, and by means of apparatus for
supplying the same attached to or appended to the vats in which the aforesaid
operations are carried on.
In operating upon linseed oil for rendering it more drying, or for thickening
or refining it, or in operating upon any other oil or fat for bleaching or
refining it, and for which purposes it has to be mixed or kept in contact with
materials or reagents, either not readily miscible with or of different specific
gravities from itself, or has to be brought in contact with atmospheric air or
other gaseous matters, or with steam or water, it is desirable to have some
effective contrivance for agitating the mixture for keeping such materials
suspended in it, or for bringing them or the gaseous or other matters in
contact with every particle of the oil or fat successively. Now my Invention
for this purpose is as follows:-My principal agitating agents are atmospheric
air, or steam, or both. A cylindrical or other shaped tube (or two or more
such tubes) is placed vertically within the vat, and left open at both ends, the
lower end either perforated or raised a little above the bottom of the vat, so as
to allow of a free passage of the oil into and through this tube.
Its upper
end is raised above the level of the surface of the oil in the vat. Within this
tube at the bottom end is inserted concentrically another tube or pipe opening
upwards, and extending a few inches upwards. This inner tube or jet pipe is
connected with an air blowing apparatus placed and working externally to the
vat and also with a steam generator, so that at pleasure there may be sent
into and through it, and consequently into and up the larger tube, a current
of either air or steam, or both, or by other suitable connections of this inner
or jet pipe in the exterior apparatus, other kinds of gaseous or fluid matters
can at pleasure be sent into and through it to react with or upon the oil. The
effect is (with the fat charged with oil and the reagents employed to act upon
it) the production of a current of the oil and its flowing up and through the
larger tube with a velocity proportioned to the strength of the propelling
current sent in. At some little distance from the upper orifice of this tube is
fixed a dish-shaped or other form of deflector, against which the oil beats as it
is propelled through and beyond the upper end of the tube, and by which it is
thrown back into the mass of the oil outside the tube, to be again drawn in at
its bottom end, and thus a circulating current is maintained serving to keep

page_text: agitated and to commingle together the whole contents of the vat. This
current tube, with its associated jet pipe, may be placed in the centre of the
vat, or two or more of them round its side. The circulating of the oil may be
further effected by employing a number of separate pipes conveying into it air,
only separately or in conjunction with the steam pipe or pipes, and I employ
sometimes an air distributor in addition, consisting of a perforated plate
placed or resting above the orifices of the air pipes, among which perforations
the air divides and spreads itself over a greater area on its passage through
the oil. For certain of the operations this vat may be left open or uncovered
at the top, but for others it is desirable or necessary that it should be covered,
in which case it is also furnished with an outlet pipe or conduit for carrying
off or conveying away any gaseous or volatile products of the operations, to be
collected and treated as may be desired. In certain cases I so far vary these
arrangements as (in place of forcing in the air) to cause it to be drawn into
and through the oil by means of any convenient exhausting apparatus placed
and acting externally to the vats, an arrangement that has for its object (as
well as to aërate and agitate the oils and its associated materials as first
described) to draw off and dispose of, if desired at any time, any gaseous or
volatile products of the operations. In operating for the general purposes
herein-before stated upon large quantities of oil, it is desirable to facilitate the
separating from the finished oil of any excess of reagents used or of extraneous
products formed during the operations, the presence of which in the oil may
prevent it from readily clearing and brightening. This separation is at
present generally accomplished by a long continued exposure of the oil to air
by leaving it at rest, so as in time to dissipate or throw down such matters to
the bottom of the mass of oil, a process both tedious and uncertain.
Now my improved methods of treating the oil for clearing or brightening it
more rapidly consist, first, in filtering it under conditions that have not
previously been considered as essential for procuring it permanently bright.;
and, secondly, in the peculiar disposition of mechanical arrangements of appa-
ratus for effecting this filtering. These conditions relate to the temperature of
the oil, and are founded chiefly on the fact that such oil when warm holds in
solution certain elements which it cannot retain when cold, and consequently
its permanent brilliancy and transparency depend upon the oil being freed
from all particles of solid or floating matter after it has become cold. And
my improvements for this purpose consist practically in passing the oil through
any convenient filtering medium first when it is warm (as, for example, when
taken direct from the warm aerating process), and again after it has become
cold, or in filtering or straining it only after it has become cold, that is, when

page_text: reduced to ordinary atmospheric temperatures, or when artificially cooled
below those points. By this system of double or successive or of cold
filtration are removed, in the first place, all excess of reagents, and all products
not soluble in the warm oil, whilst by the second filtering are removed other
products thrown out of combination when the oil becomes cold, thus leaving
the oil after this second filtration or filtration only when cold, free from
further disturbing actions or changes in its appearance, consequently keeping
it clear, and bright permanently.
The kinds and, arrangements of apparatus I prefer to employ to carry out
these, filtering, straining, or brightening operations are as follows, namely,
the filtering part of the apparatus is so constructed that the medium through
which the oil passes for clearing it from insoluble matters mixed with or
floating on it, is always kept, covered with or immersed in fluid oil, in order
fully and continually, whether the filter be in active use or not, to protect the
exterior surfaces of the filtering medium from all contact with the atmos-
pheric air, and so prevent, the drying of the oil upon its surfaces, and
consequent destruction of the porosity or permeability of the material.
My apparatus or double filter for filtering the oil when warm and again
when cold, or for effecting both purposes by a continuous operation, consists,
first, of a reservoir (capable of being warmed by steam) within which is spread
and fixed upon a grating or false bottom the filtering material, and below this
is fixed a pipe for carrying off the filtered oil. This pipe is made to dip at its
lower end into another reservoir of oil or receiver of the filtered oil, and its
length between the two reservoirs is sufficient by the vertical columns of oil in,
it to exert an efficient pressure upon the surface of the oil in the upper
reservoir to force it through the filtering medium, and also to allow of the
cooling of the oil as it passes through the pipe from one reservoir to the
other; or the pipe is artificially cooled outside by being placed within another
pipe, through which a current of cold water is made to flow after the manner
of refrigerating that is well known; and I regulate and controul the tem-
peratures by means of the application of the decaloricised air, as herein-before
described, and by means of apparatus for supplying the same attached to or
appended to the vats in which the aforesaid operations are carried on. The
second reservoir or receiver into which this once filtered and now cooled oil
falls is also in like manner provided with its filtering medium and outlet pipe
from the bottom, in its turn dipping into oil contained in another vessel placed
some distance below, and acting there as the final receiver of the finished or
now cold or twice filtered oil.
The agency through which the pressure is exercised for forcing the cold oil

page_text: through the filtering material in the second reservoir may be that of connecting
its outlet pipe with a closed reservoir, to which is attached an air exhausting
contrivance, by the action of which to draw the oil into the reservoir and
consequently through the filtering medium in the other; or the second filtering
reservoir may itself be capable of being closed (after being partially filled from
the one above), and have attached to it an air forcing contrivance, by which
to compress the air resting upon the oil, and thus force instead of draw
it through the filtering material.