The Preservation and Treatment of Kelp for the Extraction of Iodine and of Gelatinous Matter, and the Employment of the Latter for Waterproofing Fabrics, Paper, Leather, Wood, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 23rd June, 1899-Accepted, 23rd Sept., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
The Preservation and Treatment of Kelp for the Extraction of Iodine
and of Gelatinous Matter, and the Employment of the Latter for
Waterproofing Fabrics, Paper, Leather, Wood, and the like.
I, SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (which has been communicated to me from
abroad by G. Laureau, Son, and Company, of Quiberon, Morbihan, France,
Merchants,) to be as follows:-
.
In the specification lodged with an application of even date there is described
a method of heating kelp and obtaining a gelatinous compound and cellulose.
My correspondents have also discovered that another product called fucose may
be obtained from kelp which may be utilized for waterproofing fabrics and in
printing fabrics and paper.
This invention has principally for object the treatment of kelp for the extraction
of fucose.
It is known that marine plants decompose easily when placed in heaps and
that decomposition destroys the pectic material of the plant at the same time as
the chlorides and iodides.
As fucose should be extracted from green kelp or at least kelp unaltered
from the fact of its having been placed in heaps which as already stated
causes decomposition I according to this invention preserve it in order to be
able to treat large quantities and not be dependent upon the arrival of kelp
which take place at irregular intervals and thus ensure the daily manufacture
of fucose.
I may preserve the kelp either by sprinkling it with water acidulated with
2% of any mineral acid, or with heavy oil and water (1 kilogram of oil to
from 20 to 30 kilograms of water). For this purpose it is spread out on the
ground watered and then put into heaps; in this state it does not decompose and
may be used for the extraction of fucose.
This treatment consists in macerating either fresh or preserved kelp in dilute
or concentrated mineral or organic acids, such as sulphuric hydrochloric or nitric
for extracting the saline portions and laying bare the fibre and gelatine which
impregnates it. Up to the present only vague information was to be had con-
cerning this treatment by acids for destroying the calcareous portions of the kelp
or removing the salts from it. The treatment should be carried out according
to exact indications which are very important for obtaining as required jellies
of different natures and properties such as firm or fine jellies, jellies soluble or
insoluble in water suitable for printing silk, woollen, cotton fabrics and paper
and for the waterproofing of fabrics, for giving heavy dressings for fabrics and
the like.
For example in order to obtain an insoluble fibrous jelly, a lustrous coagulum,
the proportion of acid required is from 5 to 10 kilograms to 100 of kelp with 195
to 190 of water according to the nature of the acid employed and its concentration
(sulphuric acid at 50 degrees for example with immersion of 15 to 30 minutes).
In order to obtain a fine jelly, slightly soluble in water, 20 to 40 kilograms
of acid are necessary, 160 to 180 kilograms of water and immersion from 15 to
30 minutes as also a month of action before rinsing.

page_text: The acidulated water is kept at the required degree by replenishing the bath,
in proportion to the passage of the kelp, with the proportions of acid correspond-
ing to the weight of the kelp treated."
In this manner one operates methodically. The treated kelp is then submitted
for the purpose of disintegration, to the action of steam, either alone or alkalized
under a pressure of 2 to 4 atmospheres according to the parts of the plant treated
and the nature of the plants.
After filtering or pressing a residuum of cellulose is obtained suitable for paper
manufacture and also an alkaline syrupy liquor containing gelatine of kelp
modified by the use of the acids which is fucose.
The solution treated with mineral acids gives a coagulum of fucose insoluble
in water and acids but soluble in alkalies.
The coagulated precipitate forms a gelatinous combination with alumina,
metallic oxides and their salts of iron manganese, zinc, tin, lead, copper, silver,
gold and the like suitable for waterproofing silk woollen and cotton fabrics,
linen, leather, wood, paper, pasteboard, and the like. These combinations cannot well
be directly applied to the articles to be waterproofed it is therefore necessary
above all with fabrics, to first cause an alkaline solution of the gelatine of kelp
to penetrate and then an aluminous solution, alum or aluminium sulphate or
of a metallic oxide suspended in water or better a solution of their salts;
the chemical combination is made upon the fabric and renders it impermeable
to water. It suffices to immerse the fabric in the alkaline solution of gelatine
for from 10 minutes to one hour according to its nature; it is left to drain and
before completely dry it is passed through an aluminous or metallic solution
which may be applied by sprinkling or brushing. It is proper in all cases to
brush both sides of the fabric before it is completely dry or better to repass it
cold to the cylinders or to calender it hot. Fabrics of all kinds, silk, woollen,
linen, cotton, jute, tilt or sail canvas, canvas for soldiers knapsacks, thread and
cordage clothing of all kinds, gaiters, paper, pasteboard, wood, leather, different
skins and the like are thus waterproofed. The gelatine or fine insoluble or
soluble jelly without size, starch or the like may be employed for printing fabrics
paper and for giving heavy dressings to fabrics.
For this purpose an alkaline solution of fucose is used through which the cloth
is caused to pass for a certain time in order that the fibre may be well permeated
and before drying completely it is passed through a solution of protochloride of
tin or other metallic salt with an inactive oxide. The drying is then completed
by hot callendering. Weight is given to the fabrics by using gelatine of kelp
dissolved in silicate of soda.
This combination forms in the atmosphere a mass which solidifies.
This fucose gum is soluble in water and gives great firmness to the fabrics.
As to the saline waters they are concentrated and treated with chlorine,
hypochlorites, chlorides of iron or the soluble salts of iron or copper for the
extraction of iodine.
Dated this 26th day of September 1898
The Preservation and Treatment of Kelp for the Extraction of fodine
and of Gelatinous Matter, and the Employment of the Latter for
Waterproofing Fabrics, Paper, Leather, Wood, and the like.
I, SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (which has been communicated to me ;from

page_text: abroad by G. Laureau, Son, and Company, of Quiberon, Morbihan, France,
Merchants,) and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
In the specification lodged with an application No. 20357 of even date there
is described a method of treating kelp and obtaining a gelatinous compound and
cellulose. My correspondents have also discovered that another product may be
obtained from kelp which may be utilized for waterproofing fabrics and in print-
ing fabrics and paper.
This invention has principally for object the treatment of kelp for the extraction
of this product.
It is known that marine plants decompose easily when placed in heaps and
that decomposition destroys the pectic material of the plant at the same time as
the chlorides and iodides.
As this product should be extracted from green kelp or at least kelp unaltered
from the fact of its having been placed in heaps which as already stated
causes decomposition I according to this invention preserve it in order to he
able to treat large quantities and not be dependent upon the arrival of kelp
which takes place at irregular intervals and thus ensure the daily manufacture
of the product.
I may preserve the kelp either by sprinkling it with water acidulated with
2% of any mineral acid, or with heavy gas oil and water (1 kilogram of oil to
from 20 to 30 kilograms of water). For this purpose it is spread out on the
ground watered and then put into heaps; in this state it does not decompose and
may be used for the extraction of the product.
This treatment consists in macerating either fresh or preserved kelp in dilute
or concentrated mineral or organic acids, such as sulphuric hydrochloric or nitric
for extracting the saline portions and laying bare the fibre and gelatine which
impregnates it. Up to the present only vague information was to be had con-
cerning this treatment by acids for destroying the calcareous portions of the kelp
or removing the salts from it. The treatment should be carried out according
to exact indications which are very important for obtaining as required jellies
of different natures and properties such as firm or fine jellies, jellies soluble or
insoluble in water suitable for thickening the colours and rendering them pasty
when printing silk, woollen, cotton fabrics and paper and for the waterproofing
of fabrics, for giving heavy dressings for fabrics and the like.
For example in order to obtain an insoluble fibrous jelly, a lustrous coagulum,
the proportion of acid required is from 5 to 10 kilograms to 100 of kelp with 195
to 190 of water according to the nature of the acid employed and its concentration
(sulphuric acid at 50 degrees Bé. for example with immersion of 15 to 30 minutes).
In order to obtain a fine jelly, slightly soluble in water, 20 to 40 kilograms
of acid are necessary, 160 to 180 kilograms of water and immersion from 15 to
30 minutes as also a month of action before rinsing.
I "
The acidulated water is kept at the required degree by replenishing the bath,
in proportion to the passage of the kelp, with the proportions of acid correspond-
ing to the weight of the kelp treated."
In this manner one operates methodically. The treated kelp is then submitted.
for the purpose of disintegration, to the action of steamr, either alone or alkalized
under a pressure of 2 to 4 atmospheres according to the parts of the plant treated
and the nature of the plants.
After filtering or pressing a residuum of cellulose is obtained suitable for paper
manufacture and also an alkaline syrupy liquor containing gelatine of kelp
modified by the use of the acids.
The solution treated with mineral acids gives a coagulum insoluble in water
and acids but soluble in alkalies.
The coagulated precipitate forms a gelatinous combination with alumina,
metallic oxides and their salts of iron manganese, zinc, tin, lead, copper, silver,
gold and the like suitable for waterproofing silk woollen and cotton fabrics,

page_text: linen, leather, wood, paper, pasteboard, and the like. These combinations cannot well
be directly applied to the articles to be waterproofed it is therefore necessary
above all with fabrics, to first cause an alkaline solution of the gelatine of kelp
to penetrate and then an aluminous solution, alum or aluminium sulphate or sul-
phate of a metallic oxide suspended in water or better a solution of their salts;
the chemical combination is made upon the fabric and renders it impermeable
to water. It suffices to immerse the fabric in the alkaline solution of gelatine
for from 10 minutes to one hour according to its nature; it is left to drain and
before completely dry it is passed through an aluminous or metallic solution
which may be applied by sprinkling or brushing. It is proper in all cases to
brush both sides of the fabric before it is completely dry or better to repass it
cold to the cylinders or to calender it hot. Fabrics of all kinds, silk, woollen,
linen, cotton, jute, tilt or sail canvas, canvas for soldiers knapsacks, thread and
cordage clothing of all kinds, gaiters, paper, pasteboard, wood, leather, different
skins and the like are thus waterproofed. The gelatine or fine insoluble or
oluble jelly without size, starch or the like may be employed for thickening the
colours when printing fabrics or paper and for giving heavy dressings to fabrics.
For this purpose an alkaline solution is used through which the cloth is
caused to pass for a certain time in order that the fibre may be well permeated
and before drying completely it is passed through a solution of protochloride of
tin or other metallic salt with an inactive oxide. The drying is then completed
by hot callendering. Weight is given to the fabrics by using gelatine of kelp
dissolved in silicate of soda.
This combination forms in the atmosphere a mass which solidifies.
This gum is soluble in water and gives great firmness to the fabrics.
As to the saline waters they are concentrated and treated in the usual manner
with chlorine, hypochlorites, chlorides of iron or the soluble salts of iron or
copper sulphuric acid, bisulphites and the like for the extraction of iodine with
the potash salts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
:―
1. The preservation of kelp by means of heavy gas oils with a view to its
incineration and its treatment for extracting a matter from it, which is applicable
to the waterproofing of fabric, wood and the like suitably prepared for this
object, a treatment which consists in macerating the kelp in acidulated water,
submitting it to the action of steam under a pressure of from 2 to 4 atmospheres
then filtering it and thus separating the matter to be extracted from the cellulose.
2. The gelatinous product in a paste or in solution serving to waterproof fabric
of all kinds and its application to any object.
3. The treatment of these saline liquors in the usual manner with chlorine,
hypochlorite, salts of iron and copper, sulphuric acid, bisulphites and the like
for the purpose of extracting the iodine with the potash salts as bye products.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1899.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.