IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STARCH, GRAPE-SUGAR, OR LETTERS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake of the firm of Haseltine Lake
& Co Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for au invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STARCH, GRAPE-SUGAR, OR
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake of the firm of Haseltine Lake
& Co Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STARCH, GRAPE-SUGAR, OR
GLUCOSE, AND FOOD FOR ANIMALS FROM MAIZE OR OTHER GRAIN, AND IN
"
APPARATUS THEREFOR A communication from abroad by William Thomas
Jebb, of Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th August 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings London "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
""
STARCH, GRAPE-SUGAR OR GLUCOSE, AND FOOD FOR ANIMALS FROM MAIZE OR
OTHER GRAIN, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR A communication from abroad by
William Thomas Jebb of Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
This invention relates to the manufacture of starch from maize and other grain,
to the treatment of starch for the production of solid grape-sugar and liquid glucose,
to the subsequent treatment of the grape-sugar for preparing it for consumption,
and to the treatment of the refuse for preparing it to be used as food for animals.
The said invention consists first in the herein described process whereby starch
is obtained from maize or other suitable grain; seeond, in the herein described
process of obtaining such starch and preparing it for use in the various forms of
commercial starch; third, in the herein-described process of converting starch into
grape-sugar or glucose; fourth, in the herein described process of obtaining starch
from maize or other suitable grain and converting such starch into grape-sugar or
glucose; fifth, in the herein described process of manufacturing dry and hard grape
sugar; sixth, in the herein described apparatus for bleaching liquid grape-sugar or
glucose; seventh, in the herein described process of treating the refuse for
preparing it to be used as food for animals.
In the accompanying drawings:-
-
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a factory containing a train of apparatus or
machineery whereby this invention can be carriel into effect

page_text: Figures 2, 0, 1,
7,0, and represent ground prins of the 1st 2nd ota Ten
5th 6th 7th and 8th floors of the factory drawn to a reduced scale
Figure 10 is a side elevation of the converter.
Figure 11 is a plan or top view thereof.
Figure 12 is a vertical longitudinal section of the feed drier.
Figures 13 and 14 are transverse sections thereof on the lines x x and y y
Figure 12.
Figure 15 is a transverse-section on the line zz Figure 12 drawn to an
enlarged scale.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawings
The maize or other grain is introduced from a receiving bin or other suitable
receptacle or conduit into a steeping tank or vat A of any suitable and well known
construction, in which the grain is thoroughly steeped or soaked, preferably in
warm water, care being taken not to boil the grain.
I prefer to employ for this purpose a steeping apparatus such as is described and
shewn in the Specification of former Letters Patent No 386 dated January 28th 1881
to which reference is here made for a more particular description of the said
apparatus.
This apparatus consists essentially of a closed tank or tub having in its top a
central feed-opening which is opened and closed by a suitable valve. In the upper
portion of the tub, under the feed-opening, is arranged a spreading device which
distributes the grain in a spray over the entire circumference of the tub. The
latter is provided with a conical bottom which terminates in one or more discharge
spouts a provided with suitable gates or valves. The tub is provided in its lower
portion with an annular chamber having a perforated top through which the
steeping water is admitted to the tub, the water supply pipe communicating with
the said chamber. The tub is also provided with a waste pipe through which the
water can be drained from the grain and with a vapour escape pipe, leading from
the upper portion of the tub out of doors, to conduct the vapor out of the building.
The steeping tub is first filled with water having preferably a temperature of
about 140° Fahrenheit. The grain is then introduced into the tub, the spreader
operating to distribute the grain, so that the kernels reach the water singly or
nearly so. In descending through the water, the kernels are washed and freed
from the foreign matter, such as dirt, chaff and the like, which latter float on the
surface of the water and pass off through an overflow pipe with which the tub is
provided. The temperature of the water is lowered by the introduction of the
grain and is preferably maintained at about 120° Fahrenheit by renewing the
water from time to time.
Maize or other grain is steeped in this manner for from fifteen (15) to twenty
(20) hours or until the proper degree of softness is obtained.
When the steeping is completed, the water is drained off, and after the water
bas been removed, the grain is discharged from the steeping tub through the said
discharge spout or spouts a. By this method of steeping, the removal of the
foreign matter and the steeping of the grain are accomplished simultaneously, the
overheating or boiling of the grain is prevented and the operation is effected
expeditiously and with very little labor.
The steeped-grain passes from the discharge spout or spouts a to one or more
suitable grinding, disintegrating or crushing mills A¹ by which the grain is ground
or crushed and mixed with water. When two or more mills are employed, as
represented in the drawings, the grain may be discharged from the said spouts a
into a conveyor trough a which conducts the grain to the several mills. I prefer
to employ for the reduction of the steeped-grain a pair of mill-stones between
which the grain is delivered together with a stream of water which enters the
eye of the running stone together with the grain. The quantity of water admitted
to the mill is preferably so regulated, that the material discharge from the mill has
a gravity of about 10 degrees Baumé.
The ground grain passes from the mill or mills into agitating vats A² which are

page_text: provided with revolving rakes or other suitable agitating devices by which the
material is kept in motion. From these agitating vats, the material is pumped or
otherwise conducted to another agitating vat or set of vats A³ which are also
provided with agitating devices.
The material passes next to a suitable separating machine B whereby the starch
water, that is to say, the water holding the particles of starch in suspension is
separated from the bran and other coarse offal.
This separating machine may be constructed as described and shown in the said
former Specification, or as described and shown in that of former Letters Patent
No 995 dated March 1st 1882 to which Specification reference is made for a more
particular description of the said machine.
This separating machine consists essentially of a shaking-sieve b covered with
bolting-cloth of the requisite degree of fineness and provided with perforated pipes
whereby sprays of water are delivered upon the bolting surface, so that the
material, in passing over the bolting surface, is separated in such manner that the
water containing the starch is passed through the meshes of the sieve into a
receiving hopper or receptacle 63 below while the bran and other coarse offal pass
over the tail of the sieve into a separate receptacle b³
The
The separated starch liquid passes from the separating machine B into settling
vats B which are provided with revolving rikes or other agitating devices. These
rakes are preferably made vertically adjustable as described and shown in the
former Specification first herein-before referred to. The starch liquid is permitted
to come to a state of rest in these settling vats whereby the starch subsides.
supernatant water is then drawn off from above the subsided starch, the settling
vats being provided with several draw off cocks arranged at different heights, so
that the water can be drawn off, to any desired depth, whereby enabling the
operator to draw off the water without removing any of the valuable parts of the
contents. The water so drawn off may be fed to the mills or sieves or it may be
utilized in the manufacture in any other suitable manner so as not to be wasted.
After the water has been so drawn off, a solution of alkali is introduced into
these settling vats. I prefer to employ for this purpose caustic soda in about the
proportion of one pound of caustic soda to the product derived from two bushels of
maize. In warm weather the quantity of alkali should be increased and in cold
weather it may be somewhat less. Water is then added in sufficient quantity to
work the mixture conveniently, and the quantity of water is so regulated that the
gravity of the mixture will be about 10 degrees Baumé. The mixture is now
thoroughly agitated so as to incorporate the alkali with the contents of the vats,
the alkali operating to render the gluten soluble. The contents of the settling vats
are pumped, or otherwise conducted, to agitating vats B2 in which the gravity of
the mixture is further reduced, by the addition of water, to the density required
for separating the starch from the gluten on starch runs or stables. I prefer to add
water for this purpose in such quantity as to reduce the gravity of the liquid to
about 3 degrees Baumé. The agitating and settling vats are employed in such
numbers that the product coming from the mill or mills and sifting machines can
be delivered successively into the several vats or tanks which latter are successively
emptied and so that there are always empty tanks or vats to receive the product
fron the mills and sifting machines thereby permitting the manufacture to be
carried on continuously and without interruption.
The material passes from the agitating vats B2 upon slightly inclined starch
tables or runs C upon which the starch is deposited, while the gluten and other
light or soluble refuse escapes over the ends of the said tables. The material
escaping over the tables is preferably discharged into a vat in which the heavier
valuable portion of the material settles, while the refuse passes off through an
overflow pipe into a cistern or receptacle C from which it is removed to be used
as feed for cattle.
These starch tables or runs are preferably constructed as described and shown in
the former specification first hereinbefore referred to, to which reference is here

page_text: made for a more particular description of the said tables and for the apparatus or
machinery which is preferably employed for removing the deposit of starch from
the said tables. These tables consist essentially of long gutters or troughs which
are slightly inclined in the direction of their length and level in the direction of
their width and upon which the liquid containing the starch is delivered at their
heads and caused to flow over the same in a thin stream from which the starch is
deposited in a state of comparative purity.
The starch which has been deposited on these tables is removed therefrom and
placed in a mixing tub (or tubs) C₁ which is provided with a revolving rake or
other suitable agitating device and in which the starch is mixed with water, so as
to produce a liquid of about the same gravity which it had when delivered upon
the tables C. The liquid is delivered from the agitating tub C₁ upon another set
of starch tables or runs C similar in construction to the tables C herein before
described, and upon which the starch is again deposited out of the liquid, while the
light-refuse which may be contained in the liquid runs off, and is collected as above
described.
The operation of mixing the starch with water and depositing the starch upon
starch tables may be repeated a third time if deemed necessary.
Instead of obtaining the starch from maize or other grain by the methods and
apparatus hereinbefore described it is sometimes obtained by the methods and
apparatus described and shewn in either of the said former specifications or in that
of former Letters Patent No 1591 dated April 1st 1882, to which reference is here
made for a more particular description of the said methods and apparatus.
The starch obtained in this manner is further treated in various manners
according to the ultimate product or products which are desired to be manufactured.
If it is desired to manufacture the various kinds of commercial starch such for
instance as the various grades of laundry starch and culinary starch, the starch is
mixed in a tub C3 with water to a creamy consistency and is then pumped or
otherwise conducted to troughs or boxes C in which the water is permitted to
drain off. These boxes are constructed of wood open at the top and preferably
about seven inches in transverse section and several feet long, and are provided
with perforations in their bottoms and sides through which the water escapes.
A lining of cloth or other suitable fabric is placed in these boxes before the starch
is delivered into the same. The boxes are filled with starch liquid one after
another and then placed upon suitable supports to drain.
The water escaping from the boxes is conducted to the same receptacle which
receives the water from the starch tables. After the starch has become sufficiently
hard in these boxes to permit of its being handled, the starch is taken out of the
boxes and placed upon a table upon which it is cut or broken into blocks having
approximately the form of cubes.
The starch is now ready for the dry kiln, which latter consists of a closed
chamber C having its walls and doors constructed so as to exclude the exterior air
as much as possible from the interior of the kiln, the walls and doors being
preferably made hollow and packed with saw-dust or some other non-conducting
material.
The kiln is heated preferably by means of steam coils to a temperature of from
120° to 160° Fahrenheit, and is provided with racks or supports on which the
starch to be dried is placed.
As shewn in the drawings the rack is supported upon a carriage running on a
track so that the rack can be filled with the wet starch outside of the kiln and be
moved into the kiln when filled and be removed from the kiln when dry. The wet
starch is permitted to remain in the kiln for a period of two days or till compara-
tively hard and dry and is then removed from the kiln.
During this preliminary drying operation a hard yellow crust forms on the blocks
of starch which crust is now removed by cutting or scraping. The blocks of starch
are then wrapped in blue paper, or they are put in wooden boxes each of a size

page_text: to receive one block and open at the top, or they are broken up into lumps and
covered with a thin layer of an inferior quality of starch to exclude the air.
The starch so prepared is now again placed in the drying kiln and remains
therein until the operation of drying is completed. The drying operation is carried
on slowly and under exclusion of the exterior air whereby the cracking of the wet
starch is prevented.
After the drying operation is completed, the starch is removed from the kiln and
either packed into boxes in the condition in which it comes from the kiln or it is
ground or otherwise treated according to the use for which it is intended and the
demands of the trade.
When the starch obtained as hereinbefore described is to be manufactured into
grape-sugar or glucose, it is treated in the following manner, that is to say :-When
it is desired to convert the starch under pressure for the manufacture of solid grape-
sugar the starch is reduced by an addition of water in the tub C³ to a gravity of
about 12 degrees Baumé.
1 represents a closed converter which I prefer to use in connection with this
process but any other suitable and well known closed converter may be employed
in its stead.
The converter which I prefer to employ is constructed as follows, that is to say :-
The shell or body of the converter is constructed of cylindrical form with convex
ends or heads steam tight, and of copper or of iron lined with lead, and of sufficient
thickness to withstand the internal pressure to which it is subjected in use.
Within the converter and near its bottom a perforated steam-coil d is arranged for
injecting steam into the converter. Steam is admitted to the coil through a pipe d¹
provided with a suitable valve d². The converter may have a diameter of five feet
and a height of ten feet or it may be made of any other suitable size. As it is
most convenient for the operator to be standing near the top of the converter the
latter passes through the floor or platform upon which the operator stands and the
valve d² is provided with a long handle extending upwardly and terminating within
convenient reach of the operator.
In order that the steam may be permitted to escape from the converter, when it
is desired that the temperature of the contents thereof should not exceed the
boiling point at the atmospheric pressure the top of the converter is provided with
a steam outlet pipe d³. The upper end of the converter is provided with a pipe d'
whereby the starch liquid or the diluted acid or both are conducted into the con-
verter and which is fitted with a suitable valve d³. In order that the contents of
the converter may be readily tested two test cocks dare provided. The cock de
communicates directly with the converter by being screwed into its cylindrical
body. The cock is used for the purpose of testing the contents of the lower
portion of the converter and for this purpose it is connected with the pipe d³ which
is arranged on one side of the converter and connected with the lower end thereof.
In order that this pipe may be readily cleansed it is provided with a steam pipe do
having a suitable valve d¹ and connecting with the upper end of the test-pipe d³
so that steam may be at any time blown through the said test pipe for the purpose
of removing its contents and cleansing it thus enabling a correct sample of the
contents of the lower end of the converter to be drawn therefrom by closing the
steam valve do and opening the test cock d'. This improved system for cleansing
the test pipe is applicable to open converters as well as to closed converters.
In order that the contents of the closed converter may be discharged free from
such heavy solid articles as may be accidentally introduced with the starch-liquor,
the blow off piped" is provided. This pipe extends centrally through the converter,
and has its open lower end a short distance from the bottom thereof. Consequently
all of the contents of the converter as low down as the lower end of the said blow-
off pipe, can be readily blown through it, while heavy solid articles, such as nails
or pieces of iron, which are sometimes accidentally mixed with the starch, are left
deposited in the bottom of the converter and do not lodge in the blow-off-valve.
In order that this blow-off pipe may be readily cleansed, two steam pipes s

page_text: are provided. One of these cleansing steam pipes d¹² is connected with the blow
off pipe above the upper end of the converter so that by the introducton of steam,
when the blow-off pipe is closed whatever starch liquor there may be in the blow-
off pipe is blown downward and forced to mix with the starch liquor in the con-
verter. The supply of steam to this upper steam cleansing pipe is controlled by
the globe valve d¹. The other steam cleansing pipe d¹³ for the blow-off pipe d¹¹ is
arranged to enter the bottom of the converter and to project upward in the lower
end of the blow-off pipe, so that steam can be introduced in an upward direction in
the blow-off pipe for the purposes either of cleansing the same or of assisting the
upward flow of the contents through it while they are being discharged from the
converter. This lower blow-off pipe d'³ is fitted with a globe-valve d¹³.
The converter is further fitted with a man-hole and man-hole plate, d¹, and
with a steam gauge 17 so that the pressure of steam within the converter and
consequently the temperature which corresponds with such pressure can be readily
observed and regulated.
The
In order that the contents of the converter, which are discharged therefrom may
be collected without material loss, the blow-off tank E is provided. This tank is
arranged by preference considerably above the converter so that the contents of the
converter can be raised to a high level in the building whence they can descend by
gravitation to have other operations effected upon them. This blow off tank is
closed at the top with the exception of a vent pipe, e, which is conducted by
preference through the roof of the building and permits the steam to pass off.
discharge end of the blow-off pipe is turned downward into the blow-off tank E,
and is perforated so that the liquid is discharged in small jets. The perforated
portion of the discharge pipe is surrounded by deflecting plates e¹, which deflect
the jets of liquor in a downward direction and thus obstruct its passage toward
the upper part of the discharge tank and prevent the carrying off of the liquor
with the steam escaping through the vent pipe. The liquor collected in the
bottom of the blow-off tank E may be drawn off at intervals by means of a pipe
and stop cock or valve; or it may be permitted to flow at once through an open
pipe into a tank H arranged below the level of the blow-off pipe. In the latter
case I prefer to extend the vent pipe e into the lower tank to conduct the steam
to the exterior of the building.
When the converter is empty and clean, the starch liquor is admitted through
the inlet pipe d, either mixed with the acid or separately therefrom, the acid in the
latter case being let in before the starch-liquor through a pipe d20. Steam may at
the same time be introduced through the perforated steam coil d, so as to heat the
starch liquor as it enters. The excess of steam and any air, there may be in the
converter, are permitted to escape during the inlet of starch through the steam
outlet d³
When the charge of starch liquor and acid is introduced, the starch-inlet
valve d is closed and if the liquor is to be boiled at a temperature not exceeding
its boiling-point under the atmospheric pressure, the steam outlet is left open while
the steam for heating the contents of the converter continues to be introduced
through the steam inlet pipe d¹.
When the contents of the converter are to be heated to a temperature higher
than that of boiling under the atmospheric pressure, the steam outlet ds is closed
or partially closed and the pressure within the converter is permitted to rise to the
desired degree by introducing steam through the inlet pipe das determined by
observing the steam gauge and by regulating the inlet of steam by the steam valve
-The condition of the liquor within the converter can at any time be tested by
the test cocks do d7 care being taken to cleanse the test pipe d³ of the latter cock
by the introduction of steam by means of the steam pipe de before each test. The
contents of the blow-off pipe du should also be discharged at intervals in a down-
ward direction by steam admitted through the pipe so that they may become
mixed with the mass in the converter.
When the contents have been converted to the desired extent, the valve of the

page_text: blow-off pipe is opened and the contents of the converter are discharged in an
upward direction into the blow-off tank E, to which the blow-off pipe conveys
them. After the discharge, the blow-off pipe is thoroughly cleansed by admitting
steam into it by means of the lower steam cleansing pipe d's, and if necessary
steam is admitted through this pipe during the discharge to facilitate the upward
movement of the liquor.
In preparing the starch for this conversion, I add to the liquid starch in the
tub C sulphuric acid of a gravity of from 60 to 65 degrees diluted with water in
the proportion of about two parts of water to three parts of acid. The quantity
of acid is preferably so regulated that one pound of the said acid is employed for
every fifty pounds of solid starch contained in the liquid. These proportions may
however be varied if desired.
If preferred, the acid and the starch liquid can be introduced into the converter
separately. In this case a portion of the acid is introduced into the converter
through the pipe do before the starch liquid is supplied thereto and the rest of the
acid is gradually supplied in the same measure as the converter becomes filled with
starch liquid. In either case a small quantity of water if first placed in the
converter, so as to cover the steam jets in the bottom of the converter to a sufficient
depth to prevent the steam issuing therefrom from coming in direct contact with
the starch liquid, as it is introduced into the converter.
The water placed in the converter is first heated to the boiling point and the
starch liquid is then introduced into the converter preferably in thin streams or
sprays. After the charge of starch liquid has been placed in the converter D, the
pipe through which the starch liquid is introduced is closed and the contents of the
converter are then boiled, as herein before described, until the conversion is
completed. This is readily determined by any of the well known tests. The
conversion is usually completed in about twenty minutes.
During the operation of conversion, the steam pressure in the converter is
maintained at from forty to sixty pounds to the square inch. When the con-
version is completed the discharge pipe d" of the converter is opened and the
contents of the converter are forced out through the said discharge pipe and
delivered into the receiving tank E in which the hot liquor parts with its steam.
The steam pressure in the converter is temporarily increased, if necessary, to elevate
the hot liquor to the receiving tank E.
When it is desired to convert the starch for the manufacture of solid grape-sugar
in an open converter; the starch is reduced in the tank by the admission of
water to a gravity of about 20 degrees Baumé. An open converter, suitable for
this purpose, consists essentially of a tank or vat F open at the top and provided
at or near its bottom with one or more perforated steam pipes f through which fine
jets of steam can be injected into the converter and which has a suitable discharge
pipe fat or near its bottom through which the contents of the converter can be
drawn off. The starch liquid is mixed with sulphuric acid in about the proportion
herein before stated with reference to the conversion in a closed converter. If
preferred a portion of the diluted acid is first placed in the converter and the rest
of the acid introduced into the converter in a small stream, as the starch-liquid is
delivered into the same. The steam pipes on the bottom of the converter are
covered with water to a suitable depth which water is heated to the boiling point
before the starch liquid is introduced into the converter in several streams or in a
spray, and the charge is then boiled until the conversion is completed which
generally requires about four hours and which is easily determined by any of the
well known tests. When the conversion is completed the contents of the converter
are discharged through the pipe f¹ into a neutralizing vat or tank G.
When the starch is to be converted in an open coverter for the manufacture of
liquid glucose, the starch liquid is mixed with water in the agitating tank C³ to a
specific gravity of about 16 or 17 degrees Baumé. Sulphuric acid diluted as
hereinbefore stated is then added to the starch liquid in the proportion of about
one pound of acid of a gravity of from 60 to 65 degrees to every seventy five

page_text: pounds of solid starch contained in the liquid. If preferred a portion of the diluted
acid can first be placed in the converter and the rest of the acid introduced into
the converter in a small stream as the starch liquid is delivered into the same.
The starch liquid is then introduced into the converter as hereinbefore described,
and boiled therein until the proper degree of conversion is reached, when the contents
of the converter are discharged through the pipe f' into the neutralizing vat G.
Instead of sulphuric acid, oxalic acid, muriatic acid, or nitric acid can be used,
but I prefer to employ sulphuric acid for converting the starch into solid grape-
sugar and oxalic acid for converting starch into liquid glucose.
If it is desired to manufacture solid grape-sugar and liquid glucose at the same
time, two mixing tubs Cs are provided, in one of which the starch liquid is properly
prepared for conversion into solid grape sugar while in the other tub the starch
liquid is prepared for conversion into liquid glucose, and from which tubs the
prepared liquid is conducted into separate converters.
If it is desired to manufacture white and hard grape sugar of a superior quality
the material is treated in the following manner; that is to say :-After the converted
starcb liquid discharged from the closed converter, has parted with its steam in the
tank E, it is drawn from the said tank into a neutralizing tank H where the acid
contained in the liquid is neutralized by adding suitable material, such for instance
as marble, dust, chalk, or the like.
A quantity of pulverized bone-black is introduced at the same time for the
purpose of bleaching the liquid. This neutralizing tank is provided with a
revolving-rake or other suitable agitator, whereby the materials are intimately
mixed. After this operation is completed, the liquid is drawn from the tank H
into a settling tank I in which the material is permitted to come to a state of rest,
whereby the neutralizing agent and bone-black are caused to subside or settle on
the bottom of the tank. The supernatant liquid is now filtered through the press-
filter P or bag-filter P and the filtrate is collected in tanks P2. From the latter
the filtrate is pumped by a pump P³ to one or more bleaching-tanks J, in which
the liquid is subjected to the action of sulphurous acid gas for bleaching it. This
gas is preferably generated by burning sulphur in a suitable furnace K and is
forced by means of a pump k through suitable pipes into the liquid contained in
the bleaching-tanks J. The pipe leading from the sulphur furnace to the pump,
passes through a cooling vessel k², containing water and provided with a water inlet
and an overflow pipe for supplying the cooling vessel with cold water and removing
the warm water. In passing through the pipe in this cooling vessel, the gas is
cooled before reaching the pump and the latter is thereby protected against the
injurious effects of hot gas. In passing from the pump to the bleaching tanks J
the gas is conducted through a closed washing vessel 3 in which the gas passes
through a body of water and is thereby freed from all condensible and soluble
impurities. The pipes which conduct the gas to the several bleaching tanks are
provided with suitable stop-cocks or valves, whereby the admission of gas to the
bleaching tanks is regulated. Those parts of the pump k which come in contact
with the gas are constructed of brass or of iron lined or covered with lead or other
suitable metal which resists the action of the gas. A further quantity of powdered
bone-black may be added, if desired, to the liquid in the bleaching tanks J. The
liquid is drawn from the said bleaching tanks into a receiver L in which the liquid
is permitted to come to a state of rest and in which the heavy material settles to
the bottom. The supernatant liquid is then pumped to a press-filter or filters M
or bag-filters M, or both, and the filtrate is repeatedly passed through these filters
until it has reached the desired degree of purity. The filtrate is collected in a
receiving tank N and is passed from the latter through a bone-black filter N¹ of
any suitable and well known construction, such as are used for the filtration of the
sugar-liquid in the manufacture of sugar from sugar-cane or beets. The filter N¹
represented in the drawings, consists of an upright cylindrical case filled with bone-
black and provided at its upper end with a perforated pipe through which the
liquor is fed into the filter and at its bottom with a pipe through which the filtrate

page_text: is discharged into a tank O. The filtrate is then drawn into the vacuum pan O' and
either entirely or partially concentrated therein-If only partially concentrated, the
liquid is drawn from the vacuum-pan into a receiving tank 03 and again filtered
through pressure or bag-filters, or both, and through bone-black filters and then
again returned to the vacuum pan, where the concentration is completed. If the
concentration is completed in one operation, the concentrated liquid is filtered
through bag or pressure filters and through bone-black filters after it comes from
the vacuum pan. The material is passed through the filters as many times as may
be necessary to bring the material to the desired degree of purity.
When the bone-black with which the filters N₁ are charged requires to be
revived, it is removed from the said filters through the man-holes near their
bottoms, and is drawn into a carriage N2 which is then removed over a hopper N
into which the contents of the carriage are dumped. The bone-black is fed from
this hopper to a shaking sieve N* supplied with water spray pipes whereby a
portion of the foreign matter is separated from the bone-black. The water and
the fine bone-black which pass through the meshes of the sieve N are collected in
a box No having suitable perforations through which the water is permitted to
drain off, while the bone-black remains behind. The coarse bone-black passes over
the tail of the shaking sieve into a spout N which conducts the same to a steam
tank 'N' in which the bone-black is subjected to the action of steam, whereby
another considerable portion of the impurities is removed. The bone-black is
finally placed in a kiln of well known construction in which it is subjected to heat,
whereby the process of reviving is completed.
If the material is designed to be manufactured into solid grape-sugar and
derived from an open converter, it is neutralized in the tank G and therein mixed
with bone-black and then permitted to partially settle. The liquid is then pumped
to a settling tank I' in which the heavy material is deposited. The supernatant
liquid is then filtered through press-filters P or bag-filters P' into receiving
tanks P2 and the filtrate is pumped or otherwise conveyed from the said receiving
tanks to the bleaching-tanks J if it is desired to bleach the material by means of
sulphurous acid, the operation of bleaching is then carried on as herein before
described and the material is filtered through the press filter M. or bag filters M¹ or
both, and into a tank N, and then concentrated by one or more treatments in the
vacuum pan, and then again filtered, if necessary as herein-before described. If
the material is not to be bleached by sulphurous acid, the material is taken from
the receiving-tank P' directly to the vacuum pan for concentration or first to the
filters M or M' and is treated by filtration and concentration, as may be necessary
to produce a product of the desired quality.
In treating material derived from an open converter F for the manufacture of
liquid glucose or syrup the material is neutralized settled and filtered through
press or bag filters, bleached, again filtered and concentrated in the vacuum-pan by
one or more treatments, as may be desired. If preferred the liquid may be taken
from the settling vats L directly to the vacuum-pan and afterwards to the
filters M or M¹.
If the liquid is concentrated in the vacuum pan in more than one operation,
it is concentrated by the first treatment to a gravity of about 25 degrees
Baumé, and afterwards in the final concentration to about 40 degrees Baumé. In
all cases the finished product obtained from the vacuum pan is preferably filtered
through bag or press filters. The liquid is maintained at a temperature of from
145 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit in the neutralizing tanks and in the succeeding
steps until it reaches the vacuum pan. This is accomplished by steam coils
arranged in the several vessels or tanks. After the liquid has been concentrated
to 25 degrees Baumé its temperature should not exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
An additional quantity of sulphurous acid is introduced into the vacuum pan
during concentration, if desired, to further bleach the liquid.
In manfacturing liquid glucose or syrup, the material, after the final concen-
tration and filtration is taken to a cooling apparatus Q in which the material is

page_text: rapidly deprived of its heat. This cooling apparatus is preferably constructed as
described and shewn in the former specification first hereinbefore mentioned which
is here referred to for a more particular description of the said cooling apparatus.
Any other suitable cooling apparatus may be employed if preferred for instance one
described and shown in the specification of former Letters Patent No 1591 dated
April 1st 1882.
In the cooling apparatus which is described in the said specification and which
I prefer to use, the material is agitated and caused to circulate in contact with
coils of pipe through which flows a current of cold water. In this cooling
apparatus, the liquid is agitated until cool, and is then drawn into barrels or other
receptacles, in which it is disposed of to the trade or it may be first mixed with
syrup obtained from sugar-cane or beets if preferred.
In manufacturing solid grape-sugar, the material, after final concentration and
filtration, is cooled as above described and then either drawn into barrels or boxes
in which it is permitted to harden, or it is drawn from the cooling apparatus into
pans or moulds q of suitable size in which the material is permitted to harden, or
it is mixed with dry pulverized grape-sugar and then permitted to harden, or
mixed with cane or beet sugar either before or after becoming solid.
The various manners in which the grape-sugar can be mixed with old grape-
sugar or with cane or beet sugar are more particularly described in the specification
of former Letters Patent No 1879 dated April 19th 1882, to which reference is
here made for a more particular description of the methods and apparatus which
may be employed for so mixing the grape-sugar.
One of the said methods consists in mixing dry grape sugar, scraped, cut or
pulverized, with the liquid grape-sugar whereby a white and hard grape-sugar
produced.
Another method consists in mixing cane or beet sugar preferably in a granulated
or pulverized form, with the liquid grape-sugar.
Another method consists in mixing both dry pulverized or scraped grape-sugar
and pulverized or granulated cane or beet sugar with the liquid grape-sugar.
Another method consists in scraping cutting or pulverizing the solid grape
sugar by means of a scraping or cutting machine R or by means of a grinding
disintegrating or crushing mill or both and then mixing granulated or pulverized
cane or beet sugar with the scraped or pulverized grape sugar.
Another method consists in mixing a portion of the cane or beet sugar with the
grape sugar while the latter is in a liquid state, then permitting the liquid to
become hard, then scraping or pulverizing the compound and mixing the scraped
or pulverized material with an additional quantity of cane or beet sugar reduced
to a similar degree of fineness. When the material is delivered from the cooling
apparatus into moulds or pans, the latter are preferably placed in a drying
chamber S in, or through which, air is caused to circulate by means of a suction
fan S¹ or other suitable device such as a blast fan, pump, or chimney and in which
the sugar is rapidly deprived of its heat and moisture. Air is admitted to the
chamber through registers or openings s in its bottom or in any suitable manner.
After the sugar has become sufficiently hard to permit its removal from the pans
or moulds it is taken out of the pans and placed in the drying chamber S, and
therein fully exposed on all sides to the drying and cooling action of the air current.
The bran and other coarse offal which is separated from the starch water by
the sifting machine B is taken to a squeezing machine T, consisting essentially of
one or more pairs of horizontal rollers, arranged one above the other, and an endless
apron of wire cloth or other porous material which runs over suitable pulleys and
passes between the said rollers and which conducts the wet offal between the said
rollers whereby the water is pressed out of the offal and caused to pass through
the meshes of the endless apron, while the solid portions of the offal remain upon
the endless apron and are carried off by the same. The rollers of the squeezing
machine are covered with india-rubber or other elastic material. Such a squeezing
machine is described in the former specification first herein before referred to, to

page_text: which reference is here made for a more particular description of the said squeezing
machine.
The offal is conducted from the squeezing machine to a centrifugal machine U
or to a hydraulic press in which the offal is again subjected to pressure (preferably
a more severe pressure) whereby the remaining moisture is pressed out of the same.
If the offal is very much compacted during the operation of compressing it is taken
to a grinding or crushing mill or a disintegrating machine U' whereby it is broken
up and disintegrated and prepared for the drier. The offal is next placed in a
suitable drying apparatus V in which it is dried by steam or other heat and
prepared for storage or shipment. Apparatus for pressing disintegrating and
drying the offal is described and shown in the specification of former Letters Patent
No 1591 dated April 1st 1882. to which reference is here made for a more
particular description of the said apparatus, I prefer however to employ the drier
shewn in Figures 12 to 15 of the accompanying drawings which is constructed as
follows; that is to say-this drier is provided with a rotating cylindrical steam
jacket v through which the grain passes, and which rests upon rollers v¹, one or
more of which are turned by gear-wheels, whereby the proper rotative movement
is imparted to the cylindrical jacket v. v³ represents the steam supply pipe whereby
steam is conducted to the drier. This pipe is stationary and is connected by
means of a steam-tight stuffing box with a rotating pipe 3 secured to the upper or
head end of the cylinder v. The latter is sufficiently inclined from end to end to
cause the material to travel through it with the proper velocity. The pipe v³ is
provided with two or more branches which conduct the steam into the space v
between the double walls of the steam-jacket v. The tail end of the cylinder is
provided with a hollow head v6 whose interior communicates with the steam space c
between the double walls of the cylinder. The head is arranged at a suitable
distance from the rear end of the cylinder v, so as to leave openings 7, between
the cylinder and the head v, of sufficient size to ensure the full discharge of the
dried material from, and the free ingress of air to, the interior of the cylinder v.
The head is connected with the steam space of the jacket v. by short tubes v³.
represents steam pipes arranged diametrically or otherwise in the cylinder v in
such manner as to extend through the open interior space of the cylinder and
communicate with the steam space v³, between the double walls of the cylinder v.
The pipes are preferably arranged alternately at right angles to each other, as
shewn in the drawings. These pipes furnish a very large heating surface and
increase thereby the efficiency of the drier, and they also operate as stays and
render the cylinder v very strong and rigid. 1 represents the pipe through which
the water resulting from the condensation of steam is discharged from the drier.
This pipe is stationary and depends with its inner end into the head v and reaches
nearly to the lowest point of the steam space of the drier. The bead v6 is provided
with a stuffing box which turns on the pipe 10 for the purpose of repeatedly
elevating and dropping the material in passing through the cylinder v the inner
surface of the latter is provided with strips or buckets arranged lengthwise of
the cylinder at proper distances apart, as shown in the drawings, or if preferred
the inner wall of the cylinder is corrugated lengthwise, so that the corrugations
operate as buckets to elevate the material. va represents a casing which encloses
the cylinder and which is provided with inlet openings ¹s near the head of the
cylinder v. The opposite end of the casing v2 is closed to compel the air which
enters at 's and passes through the space between the cylinder v and the casing v¹²
to pass through the opening v into the interior of the cylinder v. The air becomes
heated by contact with the outer surface of the cylinder before it reaches the
opening v. represents a suction fan or other suitable device which is connected
with the interior of the cylinder vso as to draw an air current through the same
in a direction opposite to that in which the material to be dried passes through the
As shown in the drawings, the higher end of the cylinder v is provided
with a hood v¹ which is stationary and is fitted against the end of the cylinder by
an elastic ring or other suitable means so as to form a practical air-tight joint.
same.

page_text: The hood terminates in a tube 16 which connects with a chess-hopper 17 in
which the air current is weakened, thereby permitting the heavy and valuable
particles carried off by the air current to drop out of the current. These particles
are collected in the chess-hopper 17 and are automatically discharged from the
same from time to time in a well known manner, through an opening provided
with a flap valve. The chess-hopper is connected with the eye of the fan by a
tubes, represents a hopper which receives the dried material escaping from
the openings at the rear end of the cylinder.
The material to be dried passes in a continuous stream from the hopper 20 into
the upper or head end of the drier cylinder, the hopper 20 being provided with a
feed roller v2 or some other suitable device, whereby the feed is rendered uniform.
The material entering the cylinder falls upon the heated inner surface of the
latter and becomes heated by contact with the same. It is elevated by the buckets
or corrugations of the cylinder until said buckets or corrugations assume au
inclination which causes the material to slide off when it, falls through the heated
air current passing through the cylinder v part of the material falling upon and
sliding over the tubes which continually change their inclination as the cylinder
rotates. This operation is repeated a great many times while the material remains
in the cylinder and effects a perfect drying of the material. The material is so
elevated and permitted to drop until it reaches the rear end of the cylinder v from
which it escapes through the openings 7 into the hopper 1. The cylinder is made
of such length and is so inclined that the material will be perfectly dry when it
reaches the openings . The corrugations form a large heating surface and, as
both the outer and inner surfaces of the cylinder are utilized as heating surfaces,
the steam is employed very economically.
The feed is sold in the condition in which it comes from the drier or it is
reground in a suitable grinding crushing or disintegrating mill W and sold in that
condition, or after having been so reground it is mixed with corn meal or other
ground grain in a disintegrating mill or other suitable mixing machine. The
addition of corn meal or other ground grain to the offal increases the nutritive
value of the feed and renders the same more palatable to the cattle.
The tanks vats or vessels in which acid is used are preferably constructed of
galvanized iron or lead.
A grain storehouse containing a number of bins or receptacles arranged side by
side and constructed of planks laid one upon the other, as represented at X in
Figure 1, or constructed in any suitable manner and provided with one or more
endless belt and bucket elevators or other suitable mechanism whereby the grain
is elevated to the said bins from the boats, cars or waggons containing it, and with
suitable spouts and valves for discharging the grain from said bins is connected
with the manufactory to receive the grain to be manufactured into the various
products specified.
The engines, shafting and other machinery for actuating the various machines
are not shown in the drawings but are constructed and arranged in any suitable
manner.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it
understood that I claim :-
:-
First The herein described process whereby starch is obtained from maize or
other suitable grain.
Second-The herein described process of obtaining starch from maize or other
grain, and preparing it for use in the various forms of commercial starch.
Third: The herein described process of converting starch into solid grape-sugar.
Fourth-The herein described process of converting starch into liquid glucose.
Fifth The herein described process of obtaining starch from maize or other
suitable grain, and converting such starch into solid grape-sugar.
Sixth-The herein described process of obtaining starch from maize or other
suitable grain, and converting such starch into liquid glucose.

page_text: Seventh-The herein described process of manufacturing dry and hard grape-
sugar, which consists in agitating and cooling the liquid grape-sugar, then
delivering the same into suitable pans or moulds, and finally exposing the sugar to
an artificial air-current, substantially as set forth.
Eighth The herein described apparatus for bleaching grape-sugar or glucose
by sulphurous acid gas.
:-
Ninth The herein described method of preparing the refuse for use as food for
animals, which consists in re-grinding the dried refuse and mixing the same with
ground grain, substantially as set forth.
Tenth The combination of the sulphur-furnace K, gas-pump k, and one or
more bleaching vats J, substantially as set forth.
Eleventh The combination of the cooling apparatus Q in which the liquid
grape-sugar is cooled, the pans or moulds q and the drying chamber S, substantially
as set forth.
:-
Twelfth The herein described combination of apparatus whereby starch is
obtained from maize or other grain and converted into solid grape-sugar or liquid
glucose, substantially as set forth.
Thirteenth-The herein described combination of apparatus whereby starch is
obtained from maize or other grain and prepared for use in the form of commercial
starch, substantially as set forth.
Fourteenth The herein described combination of apparatus whereby the offal
is dried, re-ground, and mixed with the ground grain, substantially as set forth.
Fifteenth-In a drier, a rotating hollow cylinder constructed with double walls
forming a steam-space and provided with means whereby the material to be
dried is repeatedly elevated and dropped in the said cylinder, substantially as
set forth.
Sixteenth-In a drier, a rotating hollow cylinder constructed with double walls
forming a steam-space 5, and transverse steam-pipes communicating at their
ends with the said steam-space, substantially as set forth.
Seventeenth-The combination of a rotating cylinder provided with a steam-
the head 26, and the openings formed between the cylinder and the
bead v, substantially as set forth.
space
Eighteenth-The combination of a rotating cylinder provided with a steam-
space, the head 8, the openings v', and the discharge pipe 10 having its
depending end arranged in the head v, substantially as set forth.
Nineteenth-The combination of a rotating cylinder provided with a steam-
space, the head 6, and the pipes 9, substantially as set forth.
Twentieth-The combination, with a cylinder provided with a steam-space v³
and openings through which, the dried material is discharged of a casing 213
enclosing the said cylinder, and means whereby an air current is drawn along the
outer side of the cylinder and through the interior thereof, substantially as
set forth.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty sixth day of August in the year of our Lord