IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF FECAL MATTERS AND AMMONIACAL COMPOUNDS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MANURES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Young Darracott Scott, of Ealing, in the County
of Middlesex, Major-General, C.B., for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE TREATMENT OF FECAL MATTERS AND AMMONIACAL COMPOUNDS FOR THE
PRODUCTION OF MANURES."
Sealed the 6th July 1877, and dated the 9th January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Young Darracott
Scott at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th January 1877.
HENRY YOUNG DARRACOTT SCOTT, of Ealing, in the County of Middlesex, Major-
General, C.B. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF FOCAL MATTERS AND AM-
MONIACAL COMPOUNDS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MANURES."
"
The object of this Invention is the preparation, in a cheap and inoffensive manner,
of high class manures from foccal matters and ammoniacal, liquids, such as gas
liquor.
In carrying out my Invention with mixed foecal matters, such as "pail stuff,"
I prefer to commence the operation by removing the grosser solid matters, which,
when treated as described, I will call (A). I effect this by straining the pail stuff
through a sieve or strainer of a 3 inch mesh, more or less. The mode impalpable
solids which pass through the strainer I remove by a process of precipitation with
or without applying heat to the liquid compound in the following manner:
Having dissolved phosphate of iron in mineral acid (such as sulphuric acid) I
add this solution very gradually and carefully to the liquid compound, which is
kept in a state of agitation. By this means I can introduce into it a sufficient
quantity of the acid solution to supply mineral matter for rendering the organic
solids porous, and for the coagulation of the viscid liquid, so as to facilitate filtra-
tion without the expulsion of any of the carbonic acid. I thus obtain a precipitate
very suitable for manure (which I will call B), and I leave in the liquid compounds
of ammonia combined with higher proportions of carbonic acid, notable quantities
of ammonia being carried down and solidified in combination with the precipitated
phosphate of iron. These higher carbonates of ammonia are now distilled from the
liquid, and are caught in receivers, which are kept sufficiently cool to allow the salts
of ammonia (we will call them C) to crystallize. I attach a receiver beyond the

page_text: crystallizing chamber or under it, in which I place a mineral acid to fix the ammonia
which would otherwise escape. With the view of obtaining as large a crop of
crystals of bicarbonate of ammonia as possible, I so arrange this acid receiver
that the carbonic acid, expelled when the ammonia is fixed, may be made to
meet and mingle with the carbonates of ammonia coming over from the
still.
After the expulsion of as much of the ammonia carbonates as can be economically
distilled in this manner, the remainder of the ammonia is recovered either by a
process of further distillation or by one of evaporation.
If distillation be resorted to, I use a Coffey still for the purpose, or I proceed as
follows: I add to the liquid a sufficient quantity of dolomitic lime to unite with
the, carbonic acid still left in the liquid, and also with the sulphuric acid in-
troduced with the phosphate of iron, and I thus set free the remainder of the am-
monia. The process of distillation is continued, and the ammonia now expelled is
carried direct to the acid chamber, the process being carried only to the point at
which the expenditure in fuel, as respects the ammonia recovered, would make its
continuance unremunerative. When this point is reached, I decant the liquid from
the solid matters (which I will call D) consisting chiefly of sulphate and carbonate of
lime, and I treat the liquid with phosphate of soda. This salt I prepare either by
roasting sulphate of soda with phosphate of iron and carbon, or by treating
phosphate of iron with sulphide of sodium, or by treating phosphate of lime with
sulphate of soda, and a sufficiency of alkali or alkaline earth to neutralize the free acid.
The remainder of the ammonia left in the liquid is, on the addition of the phosphate
of soda, precipitated in combination with the magnesia which will be found
dissolved in the liquid as ammoniacal phosphate of magnesia. This deposit I will
call E.
If evaporation be resorted to for the recovery of the ammonia left by the bi-
carbonate process, I add sufficient sulphuric acid to neutralize the ammoniacal
liquid under treatment, and evaporate it to dryness (or nearly so) in evaporating
pans, so constructed that the offensive steam arising from the process may be con-
ducted through a furnace to destroy all noxious smell, or I may conduct the process
of evaporation in any other suitable apparatus. The former part of the treatment
will have greatly facilitated the process of evaporation by leaving a limped liquid
instead of a viscous one, and also the offensive nature of the steam arising from
the evaporation will be greatly lessoned. The product thus obtained I will call E.
I sometimes modify the processes I have described by omitting the bicarbonate
process (the cost of the plant required is more than small towns might be prepared
to undertake), and I then increase the proportion of acid phosphate so as to neutralize
the whole of the ammonia with the sulphuric acid which retained the iron phosphate
in solution.
I sometimes also introduce a modification in the means employed to fix the am-
monia distilled off. In lieu of employing an acid, I make use of a solution of
magnesia sulphate or potash and magnesia sulphates, such as may be obtained from
the mineral kainite. In this mode I produce valuable double carbonates and
sulphates of ammonia. To the products thus obtained I sometimes add a super-
phosphate, preferably monophosphate of magnesia.
The ammonia carbonate which is distilled over from the liquid under treatment
is also passed at times through magnesia suspended in water, whereby I obtain the
double carbonate of ammonia and magnesia. This may be mixed with the sulphate
of lime resulting from the preparation of superphosphates, or it may be mixed with
superphosphates.
A further modification of the distillation process is conducted as follows:-I add
to the strained liquids from the pail stuff sufficient lime or dolomitic lime to
combine with the carbonic and sulphuric acids present, and after distilling off the
greater part of the ammonia I add a superphosphate of lime or magnesia in excess.
I next separate the carbonate, sulphate, and phosphate of lime thrown down: (by
decantation or filtering), and I then add to the strained liquid monophosphate of

page_text: magnesia and magnesia, which latter substance I obtain by washing the lime away
from-calcined dolomite. In lieu again of this mode of obtaining the ammoniacal
phosphate of magnesia, I make use of the sulphates and chlorides of magnesium
produced from the mineral kainite together with phosphate of soda. The sulphate.
of potash from the kainite I use, as will be immediately described, in dealing with
the solids..
In the manipulation of the solids I proceed as follows:-I take sulphate of potash
or soda, or carbonates of these substances (though the high price of the latter salts
will generally interfere with their use), and I boil them with caustic lime so as to
decompose them as far as possible. I incorporate so much of this caustić alkali
(mixed or not with the sulphated lime produced in the process) with the solid
excreta as is requisite to deodorize them. I then add to them soluble phosphoric
acid prepared from phosphate of lime in sufficient quantity to combine with the
alkali and render the compound neutral or slightly acid. This compound (A) is
then dried (a process which is much facilitated by the mineral matters introduced);
and forms an excellent manure, which when reduced to powder can be sold seperately;
or it may be mixed with the other products of my processes.
Sometimes I commence by boiling the solid excreta with milk of lime or dolomitic
lime, and I then add soluble phosphoric acid until the compound is neutral or
slightly acidified. The solid excreta may again be deodorized with an alkali- or
alkaline earth, and then phosphate of soda, prepared by acting upon phosphate of
iron with sulphide of the alkali and phosphoric acid, may be added to neutralize the
compound.
During the treatment with alkaline substances a certain amount of ammonia is
evolved which may be collected and fixed in a receiver containing a mineral acid.
The products of the various processes (A, B, C, D, E, and E) are incorporated as
may be required for different manures, or they may be dealt with separately. Salts
of ammonia, particularly carbonates, have other applications in the arts, which will be'
more remunerative than employing them as manures.
I sometimes spread "willy dust," or other nitrogenous and fluffy compound,
sprinkled with sulphuric acid, over the ammoniacal phosphate of magnesia to prevent'
loss of ammonia in drying.
In carrying out my processes, I may vary the mineral acids or the phosphatic
minerals, or the alkali or alkaline earth employed; for instance, I may substitute in
certain parts of the process, muriatic or nitric acid for sulphuric phosphates of
alumina, or of lime for phosphates of iron, or potash for soda.
I sometimes prepare acid phosphates of iron and soda by acting on phosphate of
lime with two equivalents of sulphuric acid, and two equivalents of sulphate of iron
or soda.
In dealing with gas liquors when organic solids are absent, the above described
processes of dealing with the liquid portion of the excretal matters alone applies,
but it is to be observed that in treating gas liquor with the phosphate of iron, this
salt, to the extent to which sulphur is present, is decomposed, and phosphoric acid set
free in the soluble form. This phosphoric acid becomes available for the latter part
of the process, and obviates the necessity for the addition of phosphoric acid and
phosphate salts.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Young Darracott Scott in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th July 1877.
HENRY YOUNG DARRACOTT SCOTT, of Ealing, in the County of Middlesex, Major-
General, C.B. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF FOCAL MATTERS AND
AMMONIACAL COMPOUNDS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MANURES."
The object of this Invention. is the preparation, in a cheap and inoffensive

page_text: manner, of high class manures from focal matters and amnioniacal liquids, such as
gas liquor..
"
In carrying out my Invention with mixed focal matters, such as pail stuff,"
I prefer to commence the operation by removing the grosser solid matters which
when treated as described I will call (A). I effect this by straining the pail stuff
through a sieve or strainer of a three-eighth inch mesh, more or less. In cases in
which I mix the focal matters with gas liquor the previous separation of the solids
is of less importance and is generally unnecessary. The more impalpable solids
which pass through this strainer I remove by a process of precipitation, with or
without applying heat to the liquid compound, but I much prefer applying heat in
the following manner-Having dissolved phosphate of iron in mineral acid (such
as sulphuric acid) I add this solution very gradually and carefully to the liquid
compound which is kept in a state of agitation. By this means I can introduce
into it a sufficient quantity of the acid solution to supply mineral matter for
rendering the organic solids porous and for the coagulation of the viscid liquid, so
as to facilitate filtration without the expulsion of any of the carbonic acid. I thus
obtain a precipitate very suitable for manure (which I will call B), and I leave in
the liquid compounds of ammonia combined with higher proportions of carbonic
acid, notable quantities of ammonia being carried down and solidified in combina-
tion with the precipitated phosphate of iron. I may use for this purpose other
phosphatic minerals, such as phosphate of lime dissolved in mineral acid, but
phosphate of iron carries down the largest proportion of ammonia in combination
with it. When also the liquid treated is unencumbered with solids I may use a
mineral acid alone without the phosphate for the production of bicarbonate of ammonia
in the liquid treated. These higher carbonates of ammonia (consisting of bi-
carbonate and sesquicarbonate) are now distilled from the liquid, and are caught
in receivers which are kept sufficiently cool to allow the salts of ammonia (we will
call them C) to crystallize. I attach a receiver beyond the crystallizing chamber
or under it, in which I place a mineral acid, to fix the ammonia which would
otherwise escape. With the view of obtaining as large a crop of crystals of bi-
carbonate of ammonia as possible I so arrange this acid receiver that the carbonic
acid expelled, when the ammonia is fixed, may be made to meet and mingle with
the carbonates of ammonia coming over from the still.
After the expulsion of as much of the ammonia carbonates as can be economically
distilled in this manner, the remainder of the ammonia is recovered either by a
process of distillation or by one of evaporation.
If distillation be resorted to I prefer to use a Coffey still for the purpose, or I
proceed as follows:-I add to the liquid before distillation a sufficient quantity of
dolomitic lime to unite with the carbonic acid still left in the liquid, and also with
the sulphuric acid introduced with the phosphate of iron, and I thus set free the
remainder of the ammonia. The deposit resulting from this addition is separated
by decantation or filtration and the clear liquid is used in the Coffey still. If
ordinary distillation be resorted to the process is continued and the ammonia now
expelled is carried direct to the acid chamber, the process being carried to the point
at which the expenditure in fuel as respects the ammonia recovered would make its
continuance unremunerative. When this point is reached I decant the liquid, if
not previously done, from the solid matters, (which I will call D,) consisting chiefly
of sulphate and carbonate of lime, and I treat the liquid with phosphate of soda.
This salt I prepare (but I make no claim for this process), either by roasting sulphate
of soda with phosphate of iron and carbon, or by treating phosphate of iron with
sulphide of sodium, or by treating superphosphate of lime with sulphate of soda,
a sufficiency of alkali or magnesia to neutralize the free acid being added. The
remainder of the ammonia left in the liquid is on the addition of such phosphates
for the most part precipitated in combination with the magnesia (which will be
found dissolved, as a salt of magnesia, in the liquid) as ammoniacal phosphate of
magnesia. This deposit I will call E.
If evaporation be resorted to for the recovery of the ammonia left by the bi-

page_text: carbonate process I add sufficient sulphuric acid to neutralize the ammoniacal liquid.
under treatment and evaporate it to dryness (or nearly so) in evaporating pans, so
constructed that the offensive steam arising from the process may be conducted.
through a furnace to destroy all noxious smell; or I may conduct the process of
evaporation in any other suitable apparatus. The former part of the treatment
will have greatly facilitated the process of evaporation by leaving a limpid liquid
instead of a viscous one, and also the offensive nature of the steam arising from.
evaporation will be greatly lessened. The product thus obtained I will call (E 1).
I sometimes modify the processes I have described by omitting the bicarbonate
process (the cost of the plant required being more than towns might be prepared to
undertake), and I then increase the proportion of acid phosphates so as to neutralize
the whole of the ammonia with the mineral acid which retained the phosphate in
solution, the remainder of the carbonic acid being at the same time expelled. In
this case the magnesia, obtained as stated from the dolomitic lime, is added after
the acid phosphate, that is to say, I first treat the pail stuff (or mixed pail stuff and
gas liquor) with the acid phosphates until the ammoniacal liquid has lost its.
carbonic acid. The compound is then by preference heated, and magnesia is added;
so as to supply a sufficiency of that substance to form ammoniacal phosphate of
magnesia. With a view to expedite the formation of this salt chloride of magnesium
is sometimes added with the magnesia.
I sometinies also introduce a modification in the means employed to fix the,
ammonia distilled off. In lieu of employing an acid I make use of a solution of
magnesia sulphate or potash and magnesia sulphates such as may be obtained from
the mineral kainite. In this mode I produce valuable double carbonates and sul-
phates of magnesia and ammonia. To the products thus obtained I sometimes add
a superphosphate, preferably monophosphate of magnesia.
The ammonia carbonate which is distilled over from the liquid under treatment
is also passed at times through magnesia suspended in water, whereby I obtain the
double carbonate of ammonia and magnesia. This may be mixed with the sulphate "
of lime resulting from the preparation of superphosphates, or it may be mixed with
superphosphates.
A further modification of the distillation process is conducted as follows:-I add
to the strained liquids from the pail stuff sufficient lime or dolomitic lime to combine
with the carbonic and sulphuric acids present, and after distilling off the greater
part of the ammonia, I add a superphosphate of lime and magnesia in excess; I next
separate the carbonate sulphate and phosphate of lime thrown down (by decantation.
or filtering), and I then add to the strained liquid monosulphate of magnesia and
magnesia, which latter substance I obtain by washing the lime away from calcined.
dolomite by the effluent from the process. In some instances, as, for example, when
the presence of carbonate of lime is objectionable, I separate the carbonate of lime
before the superphosphate of lime is added. In lieu again of this mode of obtaining.
the ammoniacal phosphate of magnesia I make use of the sulphates and chlorides of
magnesium produced from the mineral kainite together with phosphate of soda.
The sulphate of potash from the kainite I use as will be immediately described in
dealing with the solids.
In the manufacture of the solids, when these are separated before the other
operation are commenced, I proceed as follows:-I take sulphate of potash or soda,
or carbonates of these substances, (although the high price of the latter salts will
generally interfere with their use,) and I boil them with caustic lime, so as to
decompose them as far as possible; I incorporate so much of this caustic alkali
(mixed or not with the sulphated lime produced in the process) with the solid
excreta as is requisite to deodorize then. I then add to them soluble phosphoric
acid prepared from phosphate of lime in sufficient quantity to combine with the
alkali and render the compound neutral or slightly acid. This compount (A) is then
dried (a process which is much facilitated by the mineral matters introduced, and
forms an excellent manure, which, when reduced to powder, can be sold separately,.
or it may be mixed with the other products of my processes,

page_text: Sometimes I commence by boiling the solid excreta with milk of lime or dolomitic
lime, and I then add soluble phosphoric acid until the compound is neutral or slightly
acidified. The solid excreta may again be deodorized with an alkali or alkaline
earth, and then phosphate of soda prepared by acting upon phosphate of iron with
sulphide of the alkali, and phosphoric acid may be added to neutralize the compound.
During the treatment with alkaline substances a certain amount of ammonia is
evolved, which may be collected and fixed in a receiver containing a mineral acid.
The products of the various processes (A, B, C, D, E, and E1) are incorporated,
as may be required, for different manures, or they may be dealt with separately..
Salts of ammonia, particularly carbonates, have other applications in the arts, which
will be more remunerative than employing them as manures.
I sometimes spread "willy dust," or other nitrogenous and fluffy compound
sprinkled with sulphuric acid, over the ammoniacal phosphate of magnesia, to
prevent loss of ammonia in drying.
In carrying out my processes I may vary the mineral acids, or the phosphatic
minerals, or the alkali or alkaline earth employed; for instance, I may substitute in
certain parts of the process muriatic or nitric acid for sulphuric phosphates of
alumina, or of lime for phosphates of iron, or potash for soda.
I sometimes prepare acid phosphates of iron and soda by acting on phosphate of
lime with two equivalents of sulphuric acid, and one or two equivalents of sulphate
of iron or soda.
In dealing with gas liquors where organic solids are absent the above-described
processes of dealing with the liquid portions of the excretal matters alone applies;
but it is to be observed that in treating gas liquor with phosphate of iron this salt, to
the extent to which sulphur is present, is decomposed and phosphoric acid set free
in the soluble form. This phosphoric acid becomes available for the latter part of
the process, and obviates the necessity for the addition of phosphoric acid and
phosphate salts.
I find when gas liquor is available, as well as focal matters, for the manufacture
of manure that the following method of proceeding produces very excellent results."
I take the pail stuff as delivered, the solids and liquids together, and I add thereto,
say, one half its measure of gas liquor; I now add superphosphate of lime, as before
described, and with the assistance of heat expel the carbonic acid present. To this
mixture I add magnesia, or magnesia in excess, and chloride of magnesium, and
thereby I remove from the liquid about one half of the ammonia; I thus obtain the
solids mixed with a sufficiency of mineral matter to render their filtration easy.
The clarified liquid derived from this mixture is now treated with dolomitic lime,
whereby the lime is brought into solution chiefly as chloride of calcium, and the
magnesia is deposited; the ammonia is at the same time set free and is removed
from the clarified liquid by distillation, preferably as already stated by a Coffey
still. *
The magnesia removed from the clear liquid may be used, as before described, for
the production of the ammoniacal phosphate of magnesia. Supposing that the gas
liquor contains one thousand three hundred grains of ammonia per gallon, and the
pail stuff four hundred and fifty grains, which are not unusual quantities; a mixture
of one part by measure of gas liquor to two parts of pail stuff will produce a mixture
containing, say, 733-3 grains of ammonia per gallon; to this I add by degrees
(carrying the gases evolved through a furnace) fifteen thousand grains of super-
phosphate of lime, containing soluble phosphoric acid equivalent to 36 per cent. of
tribasic phosphate made soluble. To this mixture I add, after heating nearly to
boiling temperature, six hundred grains of chloride of magnesium and sufficient
magnesia to neutralize the free acid and render the compound alkaline.
To the clarified effluent from the deposit thus obtained I add about one thousand
two hundred grains of dolomitic lime per gallon, and the liquid decanted from 'the
magnesia thus obtained as an insoluble deposit is subject to distillation for the
recovery of its aminonia.
I sometimes remove the sulphuretted hydrogen from the gas liquor before

page_text: admixture with the. pail stuff by means of phosphate of iron, as already
described.
The above figures are given as a guide to the process to be followed, they are
manifestly subject to variation, according to the strength of the ammoniacal liquid
treated, and the proportion of phosphoric acid and ammonia required in the result-
ing manure The utility and novelty of the process consists in supplying a method
of enabling pail stuff to be converted into a valuable manure readily and without
nuisance. The influence of the gas liquor in removing the smell of the excreta
matter is remarkable.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that in the treatment of
focal matters and gas liquor I not only produce a valuable manure in an inoffensive
manner, but I am enabled also to obtain as residual products, bicarbonate and
sesquicarbonate of ammonia, and also magnesia, which may be used in the manufacture
of the manure or for other purposes.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in the
Treatment of Focal Matters and Ammoniacal Compounds for the Production of
Manures," and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be
understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent, I claim,—
First. The treatment of fecal matters either alone or in combination with gas
liquor, for the production of manures rich in phosphates and ammonia, as above
described.
Secondly. The treatment of gas liquor in the manner and for the purpose above
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Young Darracott Scott, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
HENRY Y. D. SCOTT. (L.S.)