IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING SUGAR
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING SUGAR."
A communication from abroad by Achille Leon Thibaut, of Paris, in the
Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th April 1881.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR MANU-
FACTURING SUGAR." [A communication from abroad by Achille Leon Thibaut,
of Paris, in the Republic of France.]
The object of this Invention is to avoid the inconveniences caused by the
presence of hot water, which proceeds from the condensation of the steam in
centrifugal machines used in the manufacture of sugar.
According to the present Invention the steam is introduced either below the
cage or basket and directly under the layer of sugar, or above the cage or basket,
whence it is directed through suitable passages to the bottom of the layer of
sugar.
In the first instance a series of openings are made in the bottom of the cage or
basket directly under the layer of sugar. These openings are covered with some
suitable material, which while allowing for the passage of the steam will prevent
the contents of the basket from running out.
They are arranged outside the circumference of a cylinder which is inserted in
the cage, so as to leave an annular space. The upper end of this cylinder is closed
by a circular plate, in which two doors are formed. This cylinder is fixed during
working, but can be removed for discharging.
In charging the cage the cylinder is first lowered into place, and it is fixed there
by a nut, which screws onto the central spindle, and the annular space between

page_text: the cylinder and cage is filled with sugar to be treated. If the sugar be dry this
space is left uncovered, but if the syrup is being treated covers provided with
sliding bolts may be used.
The turbine is then started, and after a few minutes a cover in two parts
placed over it. The proper speed having been acquired, the steam is allowed to
enter the casing of the machine by a pipe, which directs it to the bottom of the
casing.
Here the steam mixes with the air contained in the casing and the mixture,
the temperature of which is regulated by a thermometer, being agitated by the
rotation of the cage loses its excess of moisture, the drops of water falling to the
bottom of the casing.
The openings in the cages suck in the lightened steam, which expands in the
vacant space left between the sugar and the cylinder, and dilutes the molasses
which is passing through the layer.
By this means the steam is dried and its temperature lowered, and the necessity,
as heretofore, of placing in the interior of the cage means for arresting the water
is avoided.
To introduce the steam onto the top of the cage the cylinder is entirely closed
at its upper end, but round its upper and lower edges a series of openings are
formed. The upper openings are connected with the lower by tubes placed inside
the cylinder.
During the working of the cage the drops of water formed fall onto the cylinder
cover; and by centrifugal action are thrown off. The dried steam is drawn in
through the upper openings, and is conveyed by the pipes to the bottom of the
layer of sugar.
The steam then acts in the manner before described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 14th October 1881.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR MANU-
FACTURING SUGAR." A communication from abroad by Achille Léon Thibaut,
of Paris, in the Republic of France.
The inconveniences caused by the pressure of the hot water due to the con-
densation of the steam during the treatment of sugar in the centrifugal machine
are well known to manufacturers, and many attempts have been made to obviate
them.
Some of these attempts have succeeded when centrifugal machines specially
constructed to this end have been used, but so far no means capable of application
to centrifugal machines driven from above and at present in use have been
provided to overcome these inconveniences. The great cost of these class of
machines moreover prevents their being laid aside for new ones of a special
construction.
The object of this Invention is to apply to centrifugal apparatus now in use
certain additions, by which the inconveniences above referred to will be obviated.
According to one arrangement the steam is introduced into the machine below
the drum, and directly under the layer of sugar.
In another arrangement the steam is introduced above the drum in a particular
manner.
In the accompanying Drawings Figures 1 and 2, Sheet I., are respectively a
vertical section and a plan view of a centrifugal machine constructed according to
this Invention, and in which the steam is introduced below the drum, and Figures 3
and 4 are similar views of a modified form of apparatus as arranged for introducing
the steam at the upper part.
In the first arrangement E are openings formed in the bottom of the drum
directly under the layer of sugar or syrup, and these openings are covered with
some suitable fabric, which will admit the steam while retaining the sugar under
treatment. The number and form of these openings may be varied at will.
A is a cylinder, which is introduced into the drum so as to leave an annular
space all round. This cylinder is completely closed at top by a covering plate B,
which prevents the entrance of steam to the interior of the cylinder. The
openings E are made in the bottom of the drum outside the circumference of the
cylinder.
The cover B of the cylinder is formed with two central flaps hinged at C.
During the working of the apparatus these flaps remain closed, but when the
apparatus is stopped the flaps may be opened to facilitate the withdrawal of the
cylinder A, as shewn by dotted lines.
The cylinder A is thus fixed during the rotation of the drum, and is moveable
for discharging. This is important, as already a charging bell has been used in
centrifugal machines driven from below, and which on the commencement of
working has been removed.
To charge the apparatus the cylinder is placed in the drum, and the two flaps B
are shut down and secured by the nut M on the central spindle.
The annular space K is then filled with the material to be treated.
If dry sugar is to be treated the cover H to the annular space K may be
entirely removed, but if syrup is being treated a part only of this cover should be
removed.
The annular space K being full the machine is started. After several minutes
working the cover P in two parts is placed over the casing of the machine.

page_text: When the proper speed is obtained steam is introduced by the pipe S into the
bottom of the casing, where it mixes with the air contained therein.
This mixture, the temperature of which is regulated by means of a thermometer
in the box T, being agitated by the motion of the drum, loses its excess of
humidity, the drops of water by their weight falling to the bottom of the casing.
The dry steam is drawn through the openings E to the space X left between the
cylinder A and the sugar, where it spreads and dilutes the molasses in the layer of
sugar.
This mode of treatment obviates the necessity for any special arrangement of
apparatus placed in the interior of the drum to catch and carry off the water of
condensation.
The apparatus in which the steam is to be introduced above the drum consists
of a cylinder A (see Figures 3 and 4) similar to that already described, the upper
end of which is kept entirely closed. In the periphery of the cylinder A and near
its upper edge a series of openings E are formed, a similar series of openings F
being made near the bottom edge. These openings E, F, are all of the same form
and size, and are arranged parallel to one another, so that each opening E may
be connected with a corresponding opening F by a tube G placed inside the
cylinder A.
In this instance the cover H of the annular space K is situated below the row
of openings E. The drops of water collect on the cover B, from which they are
thrown by the centrifugal force. The dried steam is drawn into the tubes G,
whence it spreads through the layer of sugar.
A modification in the form of apparatus used when the steam is introduced
below the drum is shewn in sectional elevation and plan view at Figures 1 and 2,
Sheet II. As the nature of this modification is sufficiently clear from the Drawings
further description is unnecessary.
Although these improvements are intended more particularly to apply to centri-
fugal machines driven from above, it will be evident that they are equally
applicable to these machines when driven from below.
Having now described the nature of this Invention for "Improvements in
Means for Manufacturing Sugar," as communicated to me from abroad, and
explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood
that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,―
First. Introducing steam into the casing of the centrifugal machine below the
drum, as and for the purpose herein shewn and described.
Secondly. The combination with the drum of a centrifugal machine, in which
the steam is introduced below the drum, of a cylinder, such as A, and its accessories,
all arranged substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to Figures 1
and 2, Sheet I., of the Drawings.
Thirdly. The combination with the drum of a centrifugal machine in which the
steam is introduced above the drum, of a cylinder, such as A, and its accessories,
all arranged substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to Figures 3
and 4, Sheet I., of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Edward Newton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
H. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)