IMPROVED PROCESSES OF TREATING LIQUID THAT HAS BEEN USED IN THE WASHING OR CLEANSING OF WOOL FOR EXTRACTING THEREFROM FATTY MATTER, AND MANUFACTURING POTASH LYE, WHICH INVENTION COMPRISES APPARATUS AND MEANS FOR CARRYING THE SAID PROCESSES INTO EFFECT, AND THE PURIFICATION OF THE OIL OBTAINED FROM SUCH LIQUID
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
IMPROVED PROCESSES OF TREATING LIQUID THAT HAS BEEN USED IN THE
WASHING OR CLEANSING OF WOOL FOR EXTRACTING THEREFROM FATTY
MATTER, AND MANUFACTURING POTASH LYE, WHICH INVENTION COMPRISES
APPARATUS AND MEANS FOR CARRYING THE SAID PROCESSES INTO EFFECT,
AND THE PURIFICATION OF THE OIL OBTAINED FROM SUCH LIQUID." A
communication from abroad by François Prévost, of Amiens, France,
Manufacturer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th December 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVED PROCESSES OF TREATING LIQUID
THAT HAS BEEN USED IN THE WASHING OR CLEANSING OF WOOL FOR EXTRACTING
THEREFROM FATTY MATTER, AND MANUFACTURING POTASH LYE, WHICH INVENTION
COMPRISES APPARATUS AND MEANS FOR CARRYING THE SAID PROCESSES INTO
EFFECT, AND THE PURIFICATION OF THE OIL OBTAINED FROM SUCH LIQUID."
[A communication from abroad by François Prévost, of Amiens, France,
Manufacturer.]
It has frequently been attempted to utilize the soapy water produced in treating
wool for smoothing the same and freeing it from fatty matters, or the water
remaining when wool has been treated with alkaline matters for similar purposes.
From the former it has been desired to extract the fatty matters therein contained
and from the latter the dissolved alkali.
This Invention relates to improvements in the treatment of such water, which
improvements are principally characterized by the use of novel reagents and the
construction of apparatus, whereby better results than heretofore are attainable both
as regards yield and facility of working.

page_text: say
In carrying the said Invention into practice I proceed as follows, that is to
The water with which wool has been washed (smoothed and freed from fatty
matters) is introduced into reservoirs made of bricks lined with Portland cement.
These reservoirs should be of sufficient capacity to contain the water collected in
one working day. Into this water I pour an acid liquid prepared for the purpose
of neutralization and decomposition. This liquid consists of―
Sulphuric acid of
Sulphuric acid of
66° B., 20 kilogrammes.
53° B., 60 kilogrammes.
Hydrochloric acid of 22° B., 20 kilogrammes.
I thus obtain 100 kilogrammes of an acid of 49° B., 400.
These acids have the
following effects, viz. —The sulphuric acid of 66° attacks the alkali and whitens
the water which assumes a milky appearance. The acid of 53° partly detaches the
fatty matters. The hydro chloric acid completes the decomposition and neutralizes
the water, in which float numerous globules of the size of a pin's head.
globules rise to the surface and form a turbid fatty mass or fatty magma which
floats on the top.
These
The above mentioned reservoirs are provided with two slide-valves, one of which
is placed at the bottom and the other at the height at which the magma will float
in the reservoir. When after the liquid has settled all the fatty matter has
gathered at its upper part, the upper slide valve is opened and allows the magma to
pass into a suitably arranged spout, and from there to. filters hereinafter described.
When all the magma has been discharged the acid water is drawn off by the lower
slide-valve.
The filters above mentioned are formed by trellis-work made of strips of iron and
of fine wire-gauze placed inside. They have for their object to strain the inagma
and thus to facilitate the work of the press. A filter of 1 metre in length by
65 centimetres in width and 45 centimetres in depth can receive the magma
contained in a reservoir capable of holding 13,000 litres of water.
The magma thus treated is then introduced into an iron boiler, and is therein
heated by steam or by fire. During this time care must be taken to stir the mass
so that it may not adhere to the bottom of the boiler, as this would blacken the oil.
When the mass begins to boil I add thereto saw-dust in as dry a condition as
possible. A moderate fire is maintained so that the mass should not cool, and the
mixture is well stirred. The saw-dust is to be added in the proportion of
1 hectolitre to 180 kilogrammes of magma. The mass is submitted to pressure in a
bydraulic press, whereby a crude oil is obtained which contains some saw dust and
is mixed with water. For purifying the same it is heated to nearly its boiling
point, and it is then allowed to settle and is decanted. The oil so obtained is very
pure, and if the operation has been properly conducted will be as fine as if it had
never been used.
The above relates to the treatment of soapy water. The treatment of water
produced when wool is scoured with alkaline matter is as follows, that is to
say:-
For this purpose two reservoirs are used, which may be made of sheet-iron, but
are preferably constructed of bricks, and are of a capacity of 7000 kilogrammes
each. These reservoirs are provided with stop cocks placed slightly above a layer
of lime hereinafter mentioned. An india-rubber tube may be screwed upon the said
stop-cocks so as to conduct the water by its own pressure into the first vat where
the freeing of the wool from fatty matters takes place. A sheet-iron vat heated by
a fire or by steam is also used. This vat should be capable of containing about
4000 kilogrammes. Into the reservoirs are introduced 500 kilogrammes of slaked
lime. Into one of them the scouring or washing water of one working day is
introduced. The whole is stirred by an iron spatula or stirrer till the lime is
properly diluted; then it is allowed to settle, and a clarified lye will be obtained
which may have 2° or 3° of causticity according to the greater or less greasiness of
the wool..

page_text: For the washing I use the necessary lye which will be strengthened in the first
scouring bath. When this lye has become somewhat red it is introduced into the
second reservoir, where it is clarified. A fresh supply of liquid is taken from the
first reservoir, and so on to the end of the day. On the following day the lye is
taken from the second reservoir wherein it has clarified by being undisturbed
during the night; it is used for freeing the first bath from grease, and is returned
to the first reservoir, and I continue to successively enrich the liquor till it shows
12 or 15 degrees. When it has attained this degree the lye is poured into the
sheet-iron vat, is heated to the boiling point, and is kept boiling for about an hour
whilst quick lime is gradually introduced into it in the proportion of 5 kilogrammes
of lime to 100 kilogrammes of lye. It is allowed to settle, and after from 10 to 12
hours a soap maker's lye is obtained which is fit for use in the manufacture of
soap.
The slacked lime resulting from this last operation is used for clarifying the
scouring-lye in the reservoirs. It is renewed in the said reservoirs at intervals of
from 8 to 10 days.
The proportions of the chemical materials employed, also the form, material, and
dimensions of the apparatus, may be varied without departing from the principle of
the said Invention.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th June 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVED PROCESSES OF TREATING LIQUID
THAT HAS BEEN USED IN THE WASHING OR CLEANSING OF WOOL FOR EXTRACTING
THEREFROM FATTY MATTER, AND MANUFACTURING POTASH LYE, WHICH INVENTION
COMPRISES APPARATUS AND MEANS FOR CARRYING THE SAID PROCESSES INTO
EFFECT, AND THE PURIFICATION OF THE OIL OBTAINED FROM SUCH LIQUID."
A communication from abroad by François Prévost, of Amiens, France,
Manufacturer.
It has frequently been attempted to utilize the soapy water produced in treating
wool for smoothing the same and freeing it from fatty matters, and to utilize the
water remaining when wool has been treated with alkaline matters for similar
purposes. From the former it has been desired to extract the fatty matters
therein contained and from the latter the dissolved alkali.
This Invention relates to improvements in the treatment of such water, which
improvements are principally characterized by the use of novel reagents and the
construction of apparatus, whereby better results than heretofore are attainable
both as regards yield and facility of working.
In the accompanying Drawing,-
Figure 1 represents in perspective my improved apparatus for treating the
aforesaid soapy water, and
Figure 2 is a similar view of the apparatus to be employed with water remaining
after the treatment of the wool with alkaline matter.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I proceed as follows, that is to say :-
The water with which wool has been washed (smoothed and freed from fatty matters)
is introduced into reservoirs A formed of brickwork lined with Portland cement.
These reservoirs should be of sufficient capacity to contain the water collected in
one working day. Into this water I pour an acid liquid prepared for the purpose
of neutralization and decomposition. This liquid consists of sulphuric acid of
(sixty six) 66° B. (twenty), 20 kilogrammes; sulphuric acid of (fifty three) 53° B.
(sixty) 60 kilogrammes; hydrochloric acid of (twenty two) 22° B. (twenty), 20 kilo-
grammes. I thus obtain (one hundred) 100 kilogrammes of an acid of (forty-nine)
49° B. 400. These acids have the following effects, viz. :-The sulphuric acid
of 66° attacks the alkali and whitens the water, which assumes a milky appearance.
The acid of 53° partly detaches the fatty matters. The hydrochloric acid completes
the decomposition and neutralizes the water, in which Hoat numerous globules of
the size of a pin's head; these globules rise to the surface and form a turbid
fatty mass or fatty magma which floats on the top.
The above mentioned reservoirs A are provided with two slide-valves B and C,
one of which extends downward to the bottom of the reservoir, and the other to
the height or level at which the magma will float in the reservoir. When after
the liquid has settled all the fatty matter has gathered at its upper part, the slide
valve C is opened and allows the magma to pass into a spout D, and thence to the
filters E. When all the magma has been discharged the acid water is drawn off by
opening the slide valve B.
The filters E are formed of trellis-work made of strips of iron, and of fine wire
gauze placed inside. They have for their object to strain the magma and thus to
facilitate the work of the press. A filter of 1 metre in length by 65 centimetres in
width and 45 centimetres in depth can receive the magma contained in a reservoir
capable of holding thirteen thousand litres of water.

page_text: The magma thus treated is then introduced into an iron boiler (which may be
formed of cast iron), and is therein heated by steam or by a fire. During this
time care must be taken to stir the mass so that it may not adhere to the bottom
of the boiler, as this would blacken the oil. When the mass begins to boil I add
sawdust in as dry a condition as possible. A moderate fire is maintained so that
the mass shall not cool, and the mixture is well stirred. The sawdust is to be
added in the proportion of one (1) hectolitre to one hundred and eighty (180)
kilogrammes of magma. The mass is then submitted to pressure in a hydraulic
press, whereby a crude oil is obtained which contains some sawdust and is mixed
with water. For purifying the same it is heated to nearly its boiling point, and is
then allowed to settle and is decanted. The oil so obtained is very pure, and if
the operation has been properly conducted will be as fine as if it had never been
used.
The above description relates to the treatment of soapy water.
The treatment
of water produced when wool is scoured with alkaline matter is as follows, that is
to say For this purpose two reservoirs are used, as shewn at 1 and 2 in Figure 2
of the Drawing. These reservoirs may be made of sheet iron, but are preferably
constructed of brickwork, and are adapted to contain 7000 kilogrammes each. The
said reservoirs are provided with stop cocks A and B placed about 5 centimetres
above a layer of lime, hereinafter mentioned. An india rubber tube may be screwed
upon the said stop cocks so as to conduct the water by its own pressure into the
first vat, where the freeing of the wool from fatty matters takes place. A sheet
iron vat heated by a fire or by steam is also used. This vat should be capable of
containing about 4000 kilogrammes. Into the reservoirs are introduced 500
kilogrammes of slaked lime. Into one of them the scouring or washing water of
one working day is introduced. The whole is stirred by an iron spatula or stirrer
of a shape somewhat similar to that of a rake until the lime is properly diluted;
then it is allowed to settle and a clarified lye will be obtained, which may have 2°
or 3° of causticity, according to the greater or less greasiness of the wool.
For the washing I use the necessary lye, which will be strengthened in the first
scouring bath. When this lye has become somewhat red it is introduced into the
second reservoir, where it is clarified. A fresh supply of liquid is taken from the
first reservoir and so on to the end of the day. On the following day the lye is
taken from the second reservoir, wherein it has clarified by being undisturbed
during the night; it is used for freeing the first bath from grease, and is returned
to the first reservoir, and I continue to successively enrich the liquor until it shows
12 or 15 degrees. When it has attained this degree the lye is poured into the sheet
iron vat, is heated to the boiling point either by steam or an open fire, and is kept
boiling for about an hour, whilst quick lime is gradually introduced into it in the
proportion of five (5) kilogrammes of lime to one hundred (100) kilogrammes of
lye. It is allowed to settle, and after from 10 to 12 hours a soap maker's lye is
obtained, which is fit for use in the manufacture of soap.
The slaked lime resulting from this last operation is used for clarifying the
scouring-lye in the reservoirs. It is renewed in the said reservoirs at intervals of
from 8 to 10 days.
The proportions of the chemical materials employed, also the form, material,
and dimensions of the apparatus, may be varied without departing from the principle
of the said Invention.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it
understood that I claim,-
First. In the treatment of soapy water produced in treating wool for smoothing
the same and freeing it from fatty matters, the employment of the above described
acid liquid; also the arrangement of the reservoirs with valves placed at a different
level. Also the purification of the raw oil by ebullition and decantation, all
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Second. For the treatment of the water in which wool has been scoured, the

page_text: toring-reservoirs, substantially as set forth; also the employment of the slaked or
caustic lime to obtain soapmakers' lye, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
1471
DAR

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