Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Drying Distillers' Washes and the like, and for Removing the Acids therefrom.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 11th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 7th June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Drying Distillers'
Washes and the like, and for Removing the Acids therefrom.
A communication by the Firm trading as ACTIEN MASCHINENBAUANSTALT vorm.
VENULETH AND ELLENBERGER, of Darmstadt, in the Grand Duchy of
Hessen, in the Empire of Germany, Machine Makers.
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
:-
The means hitherto used for obtaining a food for animals from the residium of
distilleries (the wash), of breweries (the grains), and of starch manufactories (the
pulp), has been to evaporate the liquid parts, that is to say from about 80
to 90 per cent. of the entire liquid mass. This evaporation is very expensive and
leaves behind organic and inorganic acids in the product which diminish the value
of the food.
According to this invention the liquid is removed, and by various mechanical
means the acids soluble in it, after the albuminous matters, which are to be found,
have been precipitated out of the solution. The invention therefore consists in the
following series of operations. The precipitation, by means of argillaceous matter,
of the albuminous matters from the wash which has been heated up to boiling; the
pressing of the matters so obtained in a peculiarly constructed filter press; the
driving out of any further watery matter by means of air being introduced through
the filter cakes; and finally a further drying of the filtered products by heating
and treating the same with heated rolls or other known appliances.
In carrying out this invention the raw material runs by means of a tube into a
steam heated vat.
Into the raw material so heated there constantly runs from a suitable chamber a
thin stream of a solution containing the argillaceous matter so that the proteines
are precipitated out of the boiling material, whilst the acid remains in solution.
The material thus treated is forwarded by means of a pump into the filter
conduit, the latter terminating in a tube extending over the entire length of the
filter presses.
In this manner all the individual cells of the presses are simultaneously filled
and a uniform filtration takes place at the same time at all points of the filter
presses. All the cells however work independently of one another since besides
having independent means of supply they have also independent exits.
The filter presses consist of a row of cells and filter plates which are held
together by means of screws in an alternating series so as to form a whole. The
filter plates have as usual vertical ribs on both their faces and on these ribs the
perforated filter plates lie whilst over these are the usual filter cloths. The grooves
or gutters between the ribs open, underneath, into a channel provided with suitable
discharge cocks.
The cells of the filter, which are quadrangular smooth frames, and also the filter
plates, have holes at their top, which when the press is fitted up form a continuous
channel by means of which all the cells can communicate with one another. The
conduit or tube from the pump is in direct communication with each of the cells by

page_text: means of openings so that the full pressure of the pump is imparted equally and
simultaneously to each cell.
In this manner a large mass of the liquid can be removed so that the cells will
become more and more filled with the mass remaining behind, which itself will act
as a filtering material for the subsequent mass. By this arrangement the cells can
also be made much wider and consequently the press cakes much thicker than
hitherto, so that for a certain amount of material to be filtered a much smaller
number of cells with their filter plates and cloths is needed. The liquid to be
filtered passes by means of the openings into the separate cells and the water
expressed through the filter cloths into the filter plates will run off through the
discharge cocks.
As soon as the cells are filled their contents are then subjected to the treatment
with air so as to drive out any remaining water there may be therein.
For this purpose each of the cells and filter plates have also on their under sides
pieces or shoulders having openings, which when the presses are fitted up form an
unbroken channel which can be put in connection with an air pump. Each
alternate one of the filter plates has a further opening which connects the channel
at the bottom of the plates with the discharge channels of the filter plates. If now
all the cells are filled with the pressed mass, the pressure tube of the pump feeding
in the material is closed and compressed air is pumped in by means of the channel
at the bottom of the plates after the discharge cocks of the filter plates have been
shut. The compressed air then enters by means of the alternate openings into the
relative filter plates and through the filter cloths in both the adjoining cells, so that
the water yet remaining in the mass is driven out through the other filter plates
and through suitable cocks which are left standing open. In this manner the mass
in the cells is yet further freed from water and consequently forms compressed
cakes of the dryest possible description.
In order to facilitate the unscrewing and removal of the pressure tube of the
first pump at each opening and emptying of the press, the joint or union of this
tube with the individual cells is made by means of a hinged joint and screw, the
tube itself being revoluble in its journals by means of a suitable piece so that
the tube can be turned back when the hinged joints and screws have been undone.
In order that large sized presses may be quickly and easily made up one of
the end pieces is connected with an hydraulic press. A safety valve is provided so
that on too high a pressure the superfluous liquid being pumped will run back into
its vat.
The water running out of the filter plates runs away as waste, this water
containing matters of small value, for the most part organic acids and only small
amounts of proteine and fats.
The pressed cakes coming out of the frames, and which contain the most valuable
constituents of the refuse matters under treatment, are led by means of a worm to
the drying mill. In this and other additional drying apparatus of suitable con-
struction, preferably those having heated rolls, the remaining water is driven out.
The success of this new process is best explained by the following example:
The refuse of maize-spirit manufactories, so called wash, contains 90% of
water and 10% of dry substance. According to the process hitherto used for
drying the wash, which removed all water by means of evaporation, 900 ko. of
water had to be evaporated out of 1000 liters of liquid wash in order to obtain 100 ko.
of dry product. This dried wash contained all the dry substance which was
contained in the liquid wash, and also all the acids, and had on the average an
amount of 22% proteine, 11% fat and 40% of extract. According to the present
process there is removed, owing to the work of the filter and the passage of air in
a mechanical way, about 600 ko. of liquid out of 1000 liters of liquid wash con-
taining 90% of water, so that there are only 300 ko. to be removed by means of
evaporation, that is to say only of what has hitherto had to be treated. Out of
these 600 ko. of liquid coming from the filter press, there is lost, as has been
previously mentioned, a part of the extracts, the acids, and a small amount of

page_text: proteine and fats, so that there is not obtained from these 1000 liters of wash,
containing 90% of water, 100 ko. of dry wash but a correspondingly less amount.
This dry wash is however, as will be understood considerably more rich in proteine
and fat, the same contains, according to two analyses, about 30% proteine, 17% fat
and 34% of extract, and as proteine and fat are exceptionally valuable for food
for animals, a cake manufactured according to this process is about 50% more
valuable than that produced by hitherto known methods, besides it being free from
acid, which is a great advantage. Such a concentrated dry wash having so high a
value as a food cake has never hitherto been produced.
Dated this 6th day of June 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Drying Distillers'
Washes and the like, and for Removing the Acids therefrom.
A communication by the Firm trading as ACTIEN MASCHINENBAUANSTALT vorm.
VENULETH AND ELLENBERGER, of Darinstadt, in the Grand Duchy of
Hessen, in the Empire of Germany, Machine Makers.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Bank Street,
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street Liverpool and 6
Manchester both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
The means hitherto used for obtaining a food for animals from the residuum of
distilleries (the wash), of breweries (the grains), and of starch manufactories (the
pulp), has been to evaporate the liquid parts, that is to say from about 80 to
90 per cent. of the entire liquid mass. This evaporation is very expensive and
leaves behind organic and inorganic acids in the product, which diminish the
value of the food.
According to this invention the liquid is removed, and by various mechanical
means the acids dissolved in it, after the albuminous matters, which are to be
found, have been precipitated out of the solution. The invention therefore
consists in the following series of operations. The precipitation, by means of
aluminous matter, of the albuminous matters from the wash which has been heated
up to boiling; the pressing of the matters so obtained in a peculiarly constructed
filter press, the driving out of any further watery matter by means of air being
passed through the filter cakes; and finally a further drying of the filter products
by heating and treating the same with heated rolls or other known appliances.
On the accompanying drawings an apparatus is shown by means of which this
process may be carried out and with reference to which it is described.
Figure 1 is an elevation of the whole apparatus.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the filter press, partially in section.
Figures 3 and 4 show two longitudinal sections of a frame of the filter press.
In carrying out this invention the raw material runs by means of a tube a into
a steam heated vat A and is there heated to boiling point. Into the raw material
so heated there constantly runs from a suitable vessel B a thin stream of a solution
containing the aluminous matter, so that the proteines are precipitated out of
the boiling material, whilst the acid remains in solution. This aluminous matter
may preferably be in the form of alum, a pound of such being dissolved in about
1 gallon of water and mixed with about 5000 gallons of the raw material. These
proportions may, of course, be varied, the desired result being the coagulation of

page_text: -
the soluble gluten in the raw material, without any injurious effects on such, but
in practice the proportions given above usually produce this result. Many
mineral salts will produce this coagulation and separation, but alum is preferable
to anything else, as only a small quantity of it is required, it operates quickly,
and has no injurious effect upon the solid substances for food purposes.
Other forms of alumina in a soluble condition, as acetate of alumina, chloride of
aluminium nitrate of alumina and silicate of alumina, may be used if desired.
The material thus treated is forwarded by means of a pump into the filter
conduit c, the latter terminating in a tube extending over the entire length of
the filter press D.
In this manner all the individual cells of the press are simultaneously filled,
and a uniform filtration takes place at the same time at all points of the filter
press. All the cells however work independently of one another, since, besides
having independent means of supply, they have also independent exits.
The filter press consists of a row of cells fand filter plates g which are held
together by means of screws in an alternating series so as to form a whole.
The filter plates 9 have, as usual, vertical ribs on both their faces, and on these
ribs the perforated filter plates lie, whilst over these are the usual filter cloths.
The grooves or gutters between the ribs open, underneath, into a channel provided
with suitable discharge cocks k.
The cells of the filter, which are quadrangular smooth frames, and also the
filter plates 9 have holes at their top, which, when the press is fitted up, form, as
may be seen in the drawing, a continuous channel by means of which all the cells
can communicate with one another. The conduit or tube c from the pump C is in
direct communication with each of the cells by means of openings n n so that the
full pressure of the pump is imparted equally and simultaneously to each cell.
In this manner a large part of the liquid can be removed so that the cells will
become more and more filled with the mass remaining behind, which itself will act
as a filtering material for the subsequent mass. By this arrangement the cells can
also be made much wider and consequently the press cakes much thicker than
hitherto, so that, for a certain amount of inaterial to be filtered a much smaller
number of cells with their filter plates and cloths is needed. The liquid to be
filtered passes by means of the openings n n into the separate cells and the
water expressed through the filter cloths into the filter plates g will run off through
the discharge cocks k.
As soon as the cells are filled their contents are then subjected to a treatment
with air so as to drive out any remaining water there may be therein.
For this purpose each of the cells and filter plates g have also on their under
sides pieces or shoulders having openings o o, which when the presses are fitted up
form an unbroken channel which can be put in connection with an air pump P.
Each alternate one of the filter plates g has a further opening which connects the
channel oo at the bottom of the plates with the discharge channels of the filter
plates. If now all the cells fare filled with the pressed mass, the pressure tube of
the pump C feeding in the material is closed, and, by means of the pump P, com-
pressed air is pumped into the channel oo at the bottom of the plates after the
discharge cocks of the filter plates have been shut. The compressed air then
enters by means of the alternate openings into the relative filter plates and through
the filter cloths into both the adjoining cells, so that the water yet remaining in the
mass is driven out through the other filter plates and through the cocks k which
are left standing open. In this manner the mass in the cells is yet further freed
from water and consequently forms compressed cakes. of the dryest possible
description.
In order to facilitate the unscrewing and removal of the pressure tube c at each
opening and emptying of the press, the joint or union of this tube with the
individual cells fis made by means of a hinged joint r and screws s, the tube itself
being revoluble in its journals t by means of a suitable piece, so that the tube can
be turned back when the hinged joints and screws have been undone.

page_text: In order that large sized presses may be quickly and easily made up, the end.
piece is connected with a hydraulic press v. A safety valve is provided so.
that on too high a pressure, the superfluous liquid being pumped in by the pump C
will run back into the preparing vat A.
The water running out of the filter plates runs away as waste, this water
containing matters of small value, for the most part organic acids and only small
amounts of proteine and fats.
The pressed cakes coming out of the frames, and which contain the most
valuable constituents of the refuse matters under treatment are led by means of a
worm to the drying trough E¹. In this and other additional drying apparatus of
suitable construction, preferably those having heated rolls, the remaining water is.
driven out.
The success of this new process is best explained by the following example:
The refuse of maize-spirit manufactories so called wash, contains 90% of water
and 10% of dry substance. According to the process hitherto used for drying the-
wash, which removed all water by means of evaporation, 900 ko. of water had to.
be evaporated out of 1000 litres of liquid wash in order to obtain 100 ko. of dry
product. This dried wash contained all the dry substance which was contained in,
the liquid wash, and also all the acids, and had on the average an amount of
22% proteine, 11% fat and 40% of extract. According to the present process.
there is removed, owing to the work of the filter and the passage of air in a
mechanical way, about 600 ko. of liquid out of 1000 litres of liquid wash containing
90% of water, so that there are only 300 ko. to be removed by means of evaporation,.
that is to say only of what has hitherto had to be treated. Out of these 600 ko..
of liquid coming from the filter press, there is lost, as has been previously
mentioned, a part of the extracts, the acids, and a small amount of proteine and
fats, so that there is not obtained from these 1000 litres of wash, containing 90% of
water, 100 ko. of dry wash, but a correspondingly less amount. This dry wash is,.
however, as will be understood considerably richer in proteine and fat, the same
contains, according to two analyses, about 30% proteine, 17% fat and 34% of
extract, and as proteine and fat are exceptionally valuable for food for animals, a
cake manufactured according to this process is about 50% more valuable than that.
produced by hitherto known methods, besides it being free from acid, which is a
great advantage. Such a concentrated dry wash having so high a value as a food
cake has never hitherto been produced.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An improved process for producing a dried food material, free from acids,..
from distillers' washes brewers' grains and pulp, consisting in precipitating the
albuminous substances contained in the boiling liquid by means of aluminous.
matter, introducing the product into the chambers of a filter (which chambers.
or cells are each separately connected with the feed pipe) pressing the water out
of the filtrate cake, and extracting the remainder of the water by means of
heated rollers or other suitable drying apparatus; substantially as hereinbefore.
described.
2. An improved apparatus for carrying out the process described in Claim 1,
consisting of a filter press, the separate chambers or cells of which are fed
directly from the supply pipe, and which is provided with an arrangement for-
forcing compressed air into the interior of the cells: substantially as hereinbefore:
described and shown on the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 10th day of Lan1901
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,.
Agents for the Applicant.