IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESSES OF MANUFAC- TURING GLYCERINE FROM SOAP-LIQUOR
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin John Young of Manchester in the County of
Lancaster for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESSES OF MANUFAC-
TURING GLYCERINE FROM SOAP-LIQUOR A communication from abroad by
Jesse Park Battershall of New York. U.S. America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin John Young at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1882.
BENJAMIN JOHN YOUNG of Manchester in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURING GLYCERINE FROM SOAP-LIQUOR " A
communication from abroad by Jesse Park Battershall of New York, U.S.
America.
This invention relates more particularly to the utilizing of waste soap-liquor
(which is now an almost worthless waste product) for the manufacture of
glycerine.
The invention consists in the process of separating glycerine from waste soap
liquor by the neutralization of the alkalies therein contained, evaporation, the
addition of certain chemicals, the removal of fat and rosin by suitable means, the
use of the centrifugal machine and distillation, as hereinafter set forth.
The invention also consists in the use of the centrifugal machine, for the separa-
tion of glycerine from waste soap liquor, as hereinafter set forth.
The invention also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal
macbine with the process of evaporation for the manufacture of glycerine from
waste soap liquor, as hereinafter described.
The invention also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal
machine with the processes of evaporation and distillation for the manufacture of
glycerine from waste soap-liquor as hereinafter described.
The invention also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal
machine with the processes of neutralization, evaporation, and distillation for the
manufacture of glycerine from waste-soap-liquor, as hereinafter described.

page_text: The invention also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal
machine with means for dissolving and further freeing the products thereof from
the salts which are dissolved therein in the manufacture of glycerino from waste
Bonp-liquor.
The invention also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal
machine and the passage of the products thereof through bono-black for the pur-
pose of freeing the products thereof from any colouring matter therein contained in
the manufacture of glycerine from waste soap-liquor, as heroinafter described.
It also consists in the use of carbonate of linie, ns hereinafter set forth, and in
combination with the processes horeinafter set forth for the manufacture of
glycerine from waste soap-liquor.
It also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal inachino and
means for separating the resin and fat from the products thereof in the manufac-
ture of glycerine from waste soap liquor, as hereinafter described.
In carrying out this invention I first take the waste soap liquor as it is obtained
from soap manufacturers and introduce it into capacious evaporating-kettles, or
other suitable vessels, which are provided with coils of pipe made of any suitable
metal, through which I cause superheated or ordinary steam to be passed or
injected by any suitable means. 1 next carefully neutralize the free and car-
bonated alkalies (soda and potassa) by adding a solution of sulphuric acid in about
the following proportions, viz., one part of water and one part of the sulphuric
acid of commerce, (68° Baume) in about the proportion of two gallons of the
diluted acid to every forty gallons of the waste soap liquor. I may add this
Bolution of sulphuric acid & to the waste soap-liquor in its original bulk, or when
it is reduced to one-half, say, of its original bulk by evaporation as above described.
I then pass superheated or ordinary steam through the coils of the pipe connecting
with the evaporating-kettles, and the waste soap-liquor is concentrated to about
one-tenth of its original volume. In case resin or fat is contained in the waste
soap-liquor it is advisable to mild a slight excess of the mixture of water and
sulphuric acid to the same, and to remove the same, the resin or fat-by strain-
ing the concentrated liquor through cloth or any other suitable material made into
bags or otherwise after it has been evaporated to about one-tenth of its original
volume. I then add a small quantity of carbonate of lime to the strained soap-
liquor, and it is further concentrated in the evaporating kettles until, upon cooling,
it assumes the consistency of a sirup or paste, which consists of a mixture of
chlorides and sulphates of soda and potassa, sulphate and carbonate of lime and
glycerine. then place the entire contents romaining in the evaporating-kettles
in a centrifugal machine, such as is used for causing the separation of sugar from
molasses. then, by the ordinary or any suitable means, cause the centrifugal
machine to rotate rapidly on its axis, thereby causing the removal of the glycerine
contained therein. By this means the greater portion of the salts of soda, potassa,
and lime referred to above are retained in the interior of the contrifugal machino,
the glycerine being thrown off by the rapid rotation of the machine. As thu
glycerino thus obtained has a certain quantity of salts in solution, I next place it
into a still, into which superheated steam can bo injected, and the product then
distilled over a modernto fire. The pipe connecting with the neck of the glycerine-
still is provided with a system of traps which permit of the separate condensation
of the glycerine and water vapors.
I prefer sometimes to treat the glycerine as it issues from the centrifugal
machine with a small quantity of methylic or ethylic alcohol in order to dissolve
the glycerine and further free it from the salts which are dissolved therein. In
this case the alcoholic solution is filtered from the remaining salts and the alcohol
removed therefrom by distillation. The rosidual glycerine is then subjected to
distillation, as hereinbefore set forth, and the alcohol thus removed may be used
over and over again as long as it lasts. I also pass the glycerine through bone-
black in case it possesses a very dark color, either as it issues from tho centrifugal
machine or after its final distillation.

page_text: While I am aware that glycerine has been obtained from waste soap liquor by
neutralizing with sulphuric acid, removing the excess of that acid with carbonate
of baryta, evaporating the filtrate to a sirup, digesting it for several days with
ethylic alcohol, separating the alcohol, and evaporating, and has also been obtained
from the same source by evaporation and subsequent treatment with superheated
steam, I am not acquainted with any process, in which the several features of the
method described in this specification are combined so as to render them effective.
The first process hereinabove last referred to is too expensive for use on a large
scale, and the second process causes too great decomposition of the glycerine, owing
to the very imperfect removal of the salts previous to its distillation.
It will be seen that by this invention I provide a cheaper, quicker and moro
effective means of separating glycerine and manufacturing the same from waste
soap-liquor than has been hitherto known to the public.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Benjamin John Young in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th October 1882.
14
BENJAMIN JOHN YOUNG of Manchester in the County of Lanenster. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURING GLYCERINE FROM SOAP-LIQUOR." A
communication from abroad by Jesse Park Battershall, of New York. U.S.
America.
This invention relates more particularly to the utilizing of waste soap-liquor
(which is now an almost worthless waste product) for the manufacture of glycerine.
The invention consists in the process of separating glycerine from waste sonp-
liquor by the neutralization of the alkalies therein contained, evaporation, the
addition of certain chemicals, the removal of fat and rosin by suitable means, the
use of the centrifugal machine, and distillation, as hereinafter set forth.
The invention also consists in the use of the centrifugal innching for the
separation of glycerine from waste soap liquor, as hereinafter set forth.
The invention also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal
machine with the process of evaporation for the manufacture of glycerine from
waste soap-liquor, as hereinaftor described.
The invention also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal
machine with the processes of evaporation and distillation for the manufacture of
glycerine from waste soap liquor, as hereinafter described.
The invention also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal
munchine with the processes of neutralization, evaporation and distillation for the
manufacture of glycerine from wa te soap-liquor, as hereinafter described.
The invention also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal
machine with means for dissolving and further freeing the products theroof from
the salts which are dissolved therein in the manufacture of glycerine from waste
soap-liquor.
The invention also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal
machino and the passage of the products thereof through bone-black for the
purpose of freeing the products thereof from any colouring matter theroin contained
in the manufacture of glycerine from wasto soap-liquor, as hereinafter described.
It also consists in the use of carbonato of lime, as hereinafter set forth, and in
combination with the processes hereinafter set forth for the manufacture of glycerine
from wasto soap liquor.
It also consists in the combination of the use of the centrifugal machine and
means for separating the resin and fat from the products thereof in the manufacture
of glycerine from wasto soap-liquor as heroinafter described.
In carrying out this invention I first take the waste soap-liquor as it is obtained
from soap manufacturers and introduce it into capacious evaporating-kettles or
other suitable vessels which are provided with coils of pipe made of any suitable
metal, through which I causo superheated or ordinary steam to be passed or
injected by any suitable means. 1 next carefully neutralize the free and carbonated
alkalies (soda and potassa) by adding a solution of sulphuric acid in about the
following proportions, viz., one part of water and one part of the sulphuric acid of
commerce (68° Baume) in about the proportion of two gallons of the diluted acid
to every forty gallons of the waste soap-liquor. 1 may add this solution of
sulphuric acid &c. to the waste soup-liquor in its original bulk, or when it is
reduced to one half, say, of its original bulk by evaporation as above described.
I then pass superheated or ordinary steam through the coils of the pipe connecting

page_text: with the evaporating-kettles, and the waste soap-liquor is concentrated tɔ about
one-tenth of its original volume. In case resin or fat is contained in the waste
soap-liquor it is advisable to add a slight excess of the mixture of water and
sulphuric acid to the same, and to remove the same-the resin or fat-by straining
the concentrated liquor through cloth or any other suitable material inade into
bags or otherwise after it has been evaporated to about one-tenth of its original
volume. I then add a small quantity of carbonate of lime to the strained soap-
liquor, and it is further concentrated in the evaporating-kettles, until, upon cooling,
it assumes the consistency of a syrup or paste, which consists of a mixture of
chlorides and sulphates of soda and potassa, sulphate and carbonate of lime, and
glycerine. I then place the entire contents remaining in the evaporating-kettles
in a centrifugal machine, such as is used for causing the soparation of sugar from
molasses. then, by the ordinary or any suitable means, cause the centrifugal
machine to rotate rapidly on its axis, thereby causing the removal of the glycerino
contained therein. By this means the greater portion of the salts of soda, potassa,
and lime referred to above are retained in the interior of the centrifugal machine,
the glycerine being thrown off by the rapid rotation of the machine. As the
glycerine thus obtained has a certain quantity of salts in solution, I next place it
into a still, into which superheated steam can be injected, and the product then
distilled over a moderate fire. The pipe connecting with the neck of the glycerine-
still is provided with a system of traps which permit of the separate condensation
of the glycerine and water vapors.
I prefer sometimes to treat the glycerine as it issues from the centrifugal machine
with a small quantity of methylic or ethylic alcohol in order to dissolve the
glycerine and further free it from the salts which are dissolved therein. In this
case the alcoholic solution is filtered from the remaining salts, and the alcohol
removed therefrom by distillation. The residual glycerine is then subjected to
distillation, as hereinbefore set forth, and the alcohol thus removed may be used
over and over again as long as it lasts. I also pass the glycerine through bone-
black in case it possesses a very dark color, either as it issues from the centrifugal
machine or after its final distillation.
While I am aware that glycerine has been obtained from waste soap-liquor by
neutralizing with sulphuric acid, removing the exess of that acid with carbonate of
baryta, evaporating the filtrate to a sirup, digestiug it for several days with
ethylic alcohol, separating the alcohol and evaporating and has also been obtained
from the same source by evaporation and subsequent treatment with superhcated
steam, I am not acquainted with any process in which the several features of the
method described in this specification are combined so as to render them effective.
The first process hereinabove last referred to is too expensive for use on a large
scale and the second process causes too great decomposition of the glycerine, owing
to the very imperfect removal of the salts previous to its distillation.
It will be seen that by this invention I provide a cheaper, quicker and more
effective means of separating glycerine and manufacturing the same from waste
soap-liquor than has been hitherto known to the public.
What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is :-
1. In the manufacture of glycerine from waste soap-liquor, the processes of
neutralization, evaporation, addition of carbonate of lime, means for removing
rosin and fat, use of the centrifugal machine, and distillation, substantially as
described.
2.The application of the centrifugal machine for the separation of glycerine
from waste soap-liquor, substantially as hereinabove described.
3. In the manufacture of glycerine from waste soap-liquor, the use of the
centrifugal machine in combination with the process of evaporation, substantially
as hereinabove described.
4. In the manufacture of glycerine from waste soap-liquor, the combination of
the use of the centrifugal machine with the process of evaporation and distillation,
substantially as herein set forth.

page_text: 5. In the manufacture of glycerine from waste soap-liquor, the combination of
the use of the centrifugal machino with the process of neutralization, evaporation
and distillation, substantially as hereinabovo described.
6. In the inanufacturo of glycerine from waste soap-liquor, the combination of
the use of the centrifugal machine with the use of methylic or ethylic alcohol,
substantially as hereinabove described.
7. In the manufacture of glycerine from waste soap-liquor, the use of the
centrifugal machino with means for clarifying the products thereof, substantially
as herein described.
8. In the manufacture of glycerine from waste soap-liquor, the use of carbonate
of lime, substantially as hereinabove described.
9. In the manufacture of glycerine from waste soap-liquor, the combination of
the use of the centrifugal machine with the process of separating resin and fat by
straining through cloth filter-bags, substantially as hereinabove described.
In witness whereof I the snid Benjamin John Young have hereunto set
my hand and seal this fifth day of October One thousand eight hundred
and eighty two.
B. J. YOUNG. (L.B.)