IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING MARINE PLANTS CALLED SEAWEED, SEA-WRACK, AND ALGAE, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN USEFUL PRODUCTS THEREFROM FOR INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1873

page_text: -
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Michael Henry at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
February 1873.-A communication from abroad by the Société
Collet et de Lavillasse of Landernau, and 17, Boulevart Saint
Martin, Paris, France.
I, MICHAEL HENRY, of Fleet Chambers, 68, Fleet Street, in the City
of London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING
MARINE PLANTS CALLED SEAWEED, SEA-WRACK, AND ALGAE, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN
USEFUL PRODUCTS THEREFROM FOR INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER PURPOSES," com-
municated to me from abroad by the Société Collet et de Lavillasse,
of Landernau, and 17, Boulevart Saint Martin, Paris, France, to be as
follows:-
Marine plants called seaweed, sea-wrack, and algae, are subjected
to heat in processes (known as incineration or calcination), in order to
extract or obtain kelp or alkaline products, especially soda and also

page_text: industrial or medicinal uses.
Now according to this Invention the seaweed, sea-wrack, or algae,
are treated when fresh from the water before being artificially dried or
before becoming naturally dry, and they are subjected to incineration,
calcination, or reduction to ashes by means of heat in a close furnace
into which air is blown, driven, or forced.
The resulting gases or vapours with the matters held in suspension
therein are condensed and preferably in a damp condition.
The utilizable products escaping from the main process of com-
bustion may be brought back into the furnace for fresh treatment.
Though the Invention is preferably as above described applied to
seaweed, sea-wrack, or algae when fresh from the sea, it may be
applied in like manner to the same when dry naturally or dried
artificially.
The operation is conveniently conducted in a close furnace having a
grate consisting of hollow fire-bars in which air or water circulates.
The incinerated or calcined or partially incinerated or calcined materials
fall on a plate on which the incinerating or calcining action is completed.
A supplementary grate may be fitted beneath this plate. The products
are thus brought to a somewhat pulpy condition and are from time to
time thrown off this plate by a rake or instrument into moulds or
receivers of required form.
The gases or vapours with the products which they hold in suspension pass
into a condensing chamber which is conveniently constructed of fire-brick,
combined with plates behind which air or water circulates. If necessary
cold water may be showered in. The products are collected in furrows
or channels in the floor of the chamber, and conveyed to a receiver,
whence they flow as required.
:
A fan or blower is placed in such position as to draw from the
condenser the air disengaged from the gases or vapours, and send
it back with the non-condensed products into the furnace for draft
purposes.

page_text: Other forms of condensers may however be used and the details of
the construction of the apparatus may of course be varied.
The products obtained are mainly alkaline, such as kelp, soda, &c.,
and iodine.