IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR."
Year: 1881

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Scheibler at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th January 1881.
CARL SCHEIBLER, Doctor of Philosophy, of Berlin, Prussia, German Empire.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR."
In order to separate sugar from molasses or other saccharine solution by means
of caustic, strontium, or hydroxide of strontium in an insoluble form, the molasses
or saccharine solution must, in the first instance, be suitably diluted with water.
The degree of this dilution depends upon the combination of and percentage of
sugar in the solutions, as also especially upon the required quantity of the caustic
strontium to be applied. I prefer to employ a surplus quantity of the latter, that
is, one atom of sugar to three atoms of oxide of strontium. A surplus of oxide of
strontium, even though it be not strictly necessary, is to be recommended because
it increases the insolubility and close grained condition of the saccharate. Nor is
this surplus lost, but it can be regained as hydroxide of strontium, as will be
explained further on.
As to the degree of dilution of the molasses or sugar solution, the rule will in
general hold good that there should be such a quantity of fluid that the required
quantity of the not easily soluble hydroxide of strontium may be dissolved therein
at a temperature below boiling point (or, say, about 158 to 167° F. or 70 to 75° C.)
The strontium saccharate will not separate under boiling point, and hence the state
of dilution of the whole solution is made so that it produces a saturated solution of
the strontium hydroxide below the boiling point. From the latter solution a large
crystallization will take place on cooling. It would be unsuitable to employ a
larger quantity of water, as a needlessly diluted solution would have to be treated,
and the proceeds would be decreased, because the strontium saccharate is not quite
insoluble in water, but only difficult to dissolve therein.
When the most suitable degree of dilution and of heat has been once ascertained
for any given molasses or sugar solution, then it is not necessary to apply the raw

page_text: caustic strontium according to weight and percentage of actual strontium hydroxide,
but it has only to be used in surplus quantity, and to let as much of it dissolve as
can be dissolved at the temperature decided upon and while stirring it. Obviously
the required quantity of caustic strontium may if desired be first separately dis-
solved in boiling water, and the molasses or sugar solution then be added thereto.
In that case however the resulting solution would be thinner, as the caustic strontium
is harder to dissolve in water alone than in a sugary fluid.
For production on a large scale I find it suitable to place a surplus quantity of
caustic strontium in a sheet iron vessel, which can be closed, and is surrounded by
a steam jacket, and fitted with stirring gear, thermometer, draw off cock, and other
usual appendages, and to run the molasses solution (diluted by hot water) into it.
I then heat it to the required temperature while constantly stirring it until the
solution has become saturated. If the operation is done quickly no separation of
the strontium saccharate will yet take place. The saturation of the solution being
accomplished, it may if desired be forced through a filter press in order to free it
from mechanical impurities and some other matters. Otherwise the solution may
be run off from the surplus of strontia by a tap situated a little above the bottom,
and run directly into one of the vessels in which the separation of the strontium
saccharate is to be effected. These vessels are similarly arranged, that is, fitted with
a stirring apparatus. At the bottom they have a large outlet pipe which can be
closed by a valve, and which is connected with filtering apparatus.
In these vessels the solution is heated to boiling point, whereby the strontium
- saccharate soon becomes separated. This separation may however be accelerated
and increased by employing steam under pressure, so that the solution while being
stirred is heated more or less beyond 212° F. (100° C.)
The strontium saccharate hereby separates itself in the form of a heavy sand
powder, which, unlike the corresponding gelatinous and voluminous calcium
saccharate, is close, deposits quickly from the solution, and is easily filtered.
These excellent qualities distinguish it advantageously from the lime saccharate,
which besides can only be partially obtained from impure sugar solutions.
The separation of the deposited strontium sugar from the solutions must be effected
while the solutions are still boiling hot; it is best done by means of filter presses,
into which the hot material is forced under steam pressure; the filtration is done
quickly and easily, and when the filter compartments are full of the deposit the
If desired the cakes may
last rest of the inherent ley may be forced out by steam.
be slightly rinsed with hot saturated strontia solution or with water.
The separation of the ley from the saccharate may also be effected by means of
a centrifugal exhauster, having a double (instead of a single) sieve with a filtering
material between, or by centrifugal exhausters having other or even closed filtering
partition.
Or the separation of the ley from the deposit may be effected by suction of a
vacuum or by simple filtration, or by hot rinsing through systematic decanting in
closed vessels, as the close grained saccharate deposits easily.
The strontium saccharate freed from the non sugary ley may now be separated
by carbonic acid in water, and best and quickest under pressure, whereby insoluble
carbonate of strontia is produced and the sugar is liberated. Both are then again
separated by the filter press or otherwise, and the sugar solution is then crystallized
in the usual manner. I have, however, found that a part of the strontium in the
form of a crystallized strontium hydroxide may be first separated from the strontium
saccharate and obtained separately, leaving the rest to be separated by means of
carbonic acid. The over basic strontium saccharate is a material which only
subsists at boiling heat, but which when in contact with water and at a lowering
temperature gradually changes into a less basic saccharate and liberated strontium
hydroxide. (This explains why the defiltration of the saccharate from the non
sugary ley must be done by boiling heat.) If the over basic saccharate thus
obtained is put into warm water and allowed to cool gradually, a sensible quantity

page_text: of strontium hydroxide will crystallize on the walls of the vessel, and the ley may
be let off herefrom for further treatment.
The strontium hydroxide separated in this manner or by cold lye abstraction may
of course be used directly for a following operation. This remarkable feature
of the strontium saccharate causes a considerable simplification in the working, as
not all the strontia is to be translated into the form of carbonate of strontia, but
only a part, which involves a considerable saving in various ways.
The refuse leys in the above described method of obtaining of the strontium
saccharate, which contain nearly all the non sugary substances in the molasses or
sugar solution treated, will, when the caustic strontia has been applied in a surplus
quantity by the cooling under exclusion of the carbonic acid of the air, cause the
crystallization of the said surplus as strontium hydroxide, which then can be
applied directly in a thereupon following operation. (If required this ley might
be concentrated first by boiling down in order to further the crystallizing.) It is at
last likewise saturated with carbonic acid in order to gain the still dissolved
strontia The non sugary ley separated from the latter then constitutes an
excellent manure, but it may also be made into salts of potash and other products.
The carbonate of strontia separated as well from the strontium saccharate as the
ley, by means of carbonic acid, is transformed into caustic strontia again by means
of red heat, as is well known, and may then be applied afresh.
The gain of sugar from molasses treated in the way here described is very
considerable; out of 100 parts of sugar existing in the material I obtain 95 to 96
parts, according to circumstances, and in the form of a very pure substance.
The strontium saccharate may very successfully be used for the separation of the
beetroot juice, and this doubtless will take place as soon as strontia can be obtained
at a reasonable price, or as soon as strontium hydroxide can be recovered in a
simple manner from the slime of separation, which I believe is only a question of
time.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Carl Scheibler in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th July
1881.
CARL SCHEIBLER, Doctor of Philosophy, of Berlin, Prussia, German Empire.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR."
In order to separate sugar from molasses or other saccharine solutions by means
of caustic strontium or hydroxide of strontium in an insoluble form the molasses
or saccharine solution must in the first instance be suitably diluted with water.
The degree of this dilution depends upon the combination of and percentage of
sugar in the solutions, as also especially upon the required quantity of the caustic
strontium to be supplied. I prefer to employ a surplus quantity of the latter, that
is, one atom of sugar to three atoms of oxide of strontium. A surplus of oxide of
strontium, even though it be not strictly necessary, is to be recommended, because
it increases the insolubility and closed grained condition of the saccharate. Nor
is this surplus lost, but it can be regained as hydroxide of strontium, as will
be explained further on.
As to the degree of dilution of the molasses or sugar solution the rule will in
general hold good that there should be such a quantity of fluid that the required
quantity of the not easily soluble hydroxide of strontium may be dissolved therein
at a temperature below boiling point (or, say, about 158 to 167° F., or 70 to 75° C.).
The strontium saccharate will not separate under boiling point, and hence the
state of dilution of the whole solution is made so that it produces a saturated
solution of the strontium hydroxide below the boiling point; from the latter
solution a large crystallization will take place on cooling. It would be unsuitable
to employ a larger quantity of water, as a needlessly diluted solution would have
to be treated and the proceeds would be decreased, because the strontium
saccharate is not quite insoluble in water, but only difficult to dissolve therein.
When the most suitable degree of dilution and of heat has been once ascertained
for any given molasses or sugar solution, then it is not necessary to apply the raw
caustic strontium according to weight and percentage of actual strontium hydroxide,
but it has only to be used in surplus quantity and to let as much of it dissolve as
can be dissolved at the temperature decided upon and while stirring it. Obviously
the required quantity of caustic strontium may, if desired, be first separately
dissolved in boiling water and the molasses or sugar solution then be added thereto;
in that case, however, the resulting solution would be thinner, as the caustic
strontium is harder to dissolve in water alone than in a sugary fluid.
For production on a large scale I find it suitable to place a surplus quantity of
caustic strontium in a sheet iron vessel, which can be closed, and is surrounded by
a steam jacket and fitted with stirring gear, thermometer, draw off cock, and other
usual appendages, and to run the molasses solution (diluted by hot water) into it.
I then heat it to the required temperature while constantly stirring it until the
solution has become saturated. If the operation is done quickly no separation of
the strontium saccharate will yet take place. The saturation of the solution being
accomplished it may, if desired, be forced through a filter press in order to free it
from mechanical impurities and some other matters. Otherwise the solution may
be run off from the surplus of strontian by a tap situated a little above the
bottom and run directly into one of the vessels in which the separation of the
strontium saccharate is to be effected. These vessels are similarly arranged, that
is, fitted with a stirring apparatus; at the bottom they have a large outlet pipe
which can be closed by a valve and which is connected with filtering apparatus.
In these vessels the solution is heated to boiling point, whereby the strontium

page_text: saccharate soon becomes separated. This separation may, however, be accelerated
and increased by employing steam under pressure so that the solution while being
stirred is heated more or less beyond 212° F. (100° C.).
The strontium saccharate hereby separates itself in the form of a heavy sandy
powder, which, unlike the corresponding gelatinous and voluminous calcium
saccharate, is close, deposits quickly from the solution, and is easily filtered; these
excellent qualities distinguish it advantageously from the lime saccharate, which
besides can only be partially obtained from impure sugar solutions.
The separation of the deposited strontium sugar from the solutions must be
effected while the solutions are still boiling hot; it is best done by means of filter
presses, into which the hot material is forced under steam pressure; the filtration
is done quickly and easily, and when the filter compartments are full of the deposit
the last rest of the inherent ley may be forced out by steam. If desired the
cakes may be lightly rinsed with hot saturated strontian solution or with
water.
The separation of the ley from the saccharate may also be effected by means of
a centrifugal exhauster having a double (instead of a single) sieve with a filtering
material between or by centrifugal exhausters having other or even closed filtering
partition.
Or the separation of the ley from the deposit may be effected by suction of a
vacuum, or by simple filtration, or by hot rinsing through systematic decanting in
closed vessels, as the close grained saccharate deposits easily.
The strontium saccharate freed from the nonsugary ley may now be separated
by carbonic acid in water, and best and quickest under pressure, whereby insoluble
carbonate of strontian is produced and the sugar is liberated. Both are then
again separated by the filter press or otherwise, and the sugar solution is then
crystallized in the usual manner. I have however found that a part of the strontium
in the form of crystallized strontium hydroxide may be first separated from the
strontium saccharate and obtained separately, leaving the rest to be separated
by means of carbonic acid. The over basic strontium saccharate is a material
which only subsists at boiling heat, but which when in contact with water and at
a lowering temperature gradually changes into a less basic. saccharate and liberated
strontium hydroxide. (This explains why the defiltration of the saccharate from
the non sugary ley must be done by boiling heat.) If the over basic saccharate
thus obtained is put into warm water and allowed to cool gradually a sensible
quantity of strontium hydroxide will crystallize on the walls of the vessel, and the
ley may be let off herefrom for further treatment.
The strontium hydroxide separated in this manner or by cold lye abstraction
may of course be used directly for a following operation. This remarkable feature
of the strontium saccharate causes a considerable simplification in the working, as
not all the strontian is to be translated into the form of carbonate of strontian, but
only a part, which involves a considerable saving in various ways.
The refuse leys in the above described method of obtaining of the strontium
saccharate, which contain nearly all the non sugary substances in the molasses or
sugar solution treated, will, when the caustic strontian has been applied in a
surplus quantity by the cooling under exclusion of the carbonic acid of the air,
cause the crystallization of the said surplus as strontium hydroxide, which then
can be applied directly in a thereupon following operation. (If required this ley
might be concentrated first by boiling down in order to further the crystallizing.)
It is at last likewise saturated with carbonic acid in order to gain the still dissolved
strontian. The non sugary ley separated from the latter then constitutes an
excellent manure, but it may also be made into salts of potash and other
products.
The carbonate of strontian, separated as well from the strontium saccharate as
the ley by means of carbonic acid, is transformed into caustic strontian again by
means of red heat, as is well known, and may then be applied afresh.
The gain of sugar from molasses treated in the way here described is very

page_text: considerable; out of 100 parts of sugar existing in the material I obtain 95 to 96
parts, according to circumstances, and in the form of a very pure substance.
The strontium saccharate may very successfully be used for the separation of
the beetroot juice, and this doubtless will take place as soon as strontia can be
obtained at a reasonable price, or as soon as strontium hydroxide can be recovered
in a simple manner from the slime of separation, which I believe is only a question
of time.
And having thus described and ascertained the nature of this my Invention, and
the manner of carrying the same into effect, I declare that I claim,―
First. The production or separation of strontian sugar, with difficulty soluble,
from impure sugar solutions by heating the same under usual or higher pressure
in open or closed vessels with or without stirring apparatus, and in the presence
of a sufficient or more than sufficient quantity of caustic strontian in the form of
strontium anhydrite or of strontium hydroxide, substantially as set forth.
Second. The separation of the strontium saccharate from the lyes by means of
filter presses or centrifugal extractors, or by suction from a rarified space, or by
systematic washing in suitable apparatus, substantially as set forth.
Third. The recovery of the superfluously applied strontium hydroxide from the
nonsaccharine lyes by crystallizing, and where required by previous concentration
of these lyes, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The solution by means of water at low temperatures of deposits con-
taining much strontium (which deposits have at high temperatures been separated
from solutions of molasses or syrup, into crystallizing free strontium hydroxide
and into a sugar solution saturated with strontium hydroxide, substantially as set
forth.
Fifth. The application of the strontium saccharate to the separation of beetroot
juice or other saccharine juices.
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Scheibler, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentysecond day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
ART
CARL SCHEIDLER.
(L.S.)