Ar IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC ACETATES AND CARBONATES SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE PRODUCTION OF VINEGAR AND GLUCOSE
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Rowland at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th May 1866.
I, ROBERT ROWLAND, of the City and State of New York, United States
of America, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Ar
IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC ACETATES AND CARBONATES
SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE PRODUCTION OF VINEGAR AND GLUCOSE," to be as
follows:-
I manufacture glucose by the use of about two per cent. of sulphuric acid
boiled in water contained in one vessel, and to which is added starch, saw-
dust, or other vegetable matter; the liquid is drawn off into a second vessel
and neutralized by carbonate of lime. From the first vessel an acidulated
vapour arises containing sulphurous acid and oxygen, while from the second
vessel carbonic acid will arise from the neutralization of sulphuric acid by the
carbonate of lime. The gases arising as aforesaid are conveyed by air-tight
covers and pipes to a chamber in which the metal to be acted upon is
contained, and thus I utilize the vapours which have heretofore been wasted
in the manufacture of glucose; try cocks are to be introduced in the boiling.
vessels to determine when the operations are completed and the glucose or
grape sugar produced. The refuse of the manufacture of glucose, the wash-
ings of the filters, common molasses, cider, and other vegetable matters, I

page_text: utilize by making vinegar and obtaining carbonic acid for the carbonation of
lead. For this I cause a saccharine fermentation to take place, and then
filter the liquid through a layer of marble dust which retains the gummy and
slimy portions of the liquid, so that the vat containing shavings or similar
substances over which the liquid flows in the manufacture of vinegar in
any of the known modes may not become obstructed by the slime, hence the
production of vinegar can be continuous and the carbonation of the lead by
the gases generated in the manufacture of vinegar will not be interrupted.
These gases are to be conveyed away by tubes from a closed cover to the
chamber for operating upon, the metal; this chamber for the metal should be
at a higher elevation than the aforesaid vessels, and' sufficiently removed to
prevent any risk of the metallic acetates or carbonates getting into the
glucose or the vinegar. For the manufacture of white lead the said gases
and vapours are to be admitted in any quantity, as the lead will not take up
more than a certain proportion, the sulphurous acid and oxygen convert the
lead into sugar of lead and partly basic carbonate of lead, and the carbonic
acid from the second vessel completes the carbonization of the lead forming.
the same entirely by the gaseous vapours, so that it is very pure and of a
beautiful whiteness. In order to manufacture disacetate of copper, usually
known as verdigris, I take sheets of copper and expose them in a closed
chamber to the acetous vapours which arise during the manufacture of vinegar,
and introduce carbonic acid gas in addition whenever there may not be
sufficient from the fermentation in the manufacture of vinegar. Whenever
the vinegar is boiled the steam will. convey away with it the acetic acid, and
valves or cocks may be provided in the pipes that e convey the gases and vapours
so that the amount necessary for the manufacture of the metallic-acetate or
carbonate can be supplied with facility, but where the vapours and gases evolved
by the acetous fermentation are employed the chamber for the verdigris
should be immediately over the vinegar tub so that the fumes will, rise and
come directly into contact with the metal, a floor or cover being provided to
prevent the verdigris falling into the vinegar. In order to expedite, the
'manufacture of white lead I prefer that the lead be. reduced to. small pieces
by saws or cutters, and that it be introduced into a revolving drum, contain,
ing ledges or shelves for raising up and allowing the particles of lead. to fall
through the gases and vapours that are introduced through [hollow journals
of the drum. This drum should have a door or slide in one side for the
introduction or removal of the lead; this drum .as it revolves. causes the
carbonate of lead to be rubbed off the metallic particles, exposing them to the
action of the gases, and causing the operation to be much more rapid and

page_text: the workmen are not exposed to the gases employed nor to the fine particles
of white lead in a dry state as the steam will moisten them so that they can
be removed with facility. The gases and vapours admitted into the revolving
drum from the manufacture of glucose, or the boiling of vinegar as aforesaid,
are to be regulated by cocks or valves, and to remove any traces of acetate or
sugar of lead at the last portion of the operation carbonic acid gas and
oxygen evolved in any desired manner may be admitted to combine with
such sugar of lead and form a pure and perfectly white carbonate of lead.