An Improved Method of Manufacturing from Starch or Starchy Substances a Material suitable for Use in Brewing and': for other purposes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 16th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 14th Dec., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Manufacturing from Starch or Starchy
Substances a Material suitable for Use in Brewing and': for
other purposes.
We, RICHARD CHARLES GARTON of Southampton Wharf, Battersea in the
County of Surrey; Saccharum Manufacturer, and CHARLES HENRY MEYER. of
Commercial Road, Shepton Mallet in the County of Somerset, Brewer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
:
This invention has reference to the treatment of starch or starchy substances
so as to manufacture therefrom sugar suitable for use in brewing and for other
purposes.
With this object we mix the starch or starchy material in a powdered or reduced
state with acid and we then subject the moistened powder to steam pressure
whereby the starch is converted into glucose or other sugar.
In carrying out our invention we find that suitable proportions of the starch,
and acid are approximately 100 parts by weight (dry) of starch and from
to 4 parts by weight of acid of a specific gravity of 1840, sulphuric acid being
used by preference. We make or place this mixture in a close vessel and subject
it to a steam pressure equivalent to a temperature of preferably about 270° to 300°
Fahrenheit which we consider the best temperature for safe and easy working but
a higher temperature can be employed and the process thereby facilitated. We
maintain the temperature until practically all the starch is converted into glucose
or other sugar that is to say until a sample tested by alcohol shows very little
dextrin in solution.
Dated this 17th day of December 1894.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, Loudon, Patent Agents."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Manufacturing from Starch or Staroby
Substances a Material suitable for Use in Brewing and for
other purposes.
We, RICHARD CHARLES GARTON of Southampton Wharf, Battersea, in the
County of Surrey, Saccharum Manufacturer, and CHARLES HENRY MEYER of
Commercial Road Shepton Mallet in the County of Somerset, Brewer, 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:-
This invention has reference to the treatment of starch or starchy substances
so as to manufacture therefrom sugar suitable for use in brewing and for other
1710.5

page_text: .
In the conversion of starch into glucose it has hitherto been customary to mix
the starch with a large quantity of water, making it into a milk of starch; then
to put the same under steam pressure with sulphuric or other acid, and after
neutralization and filtration to evaporate the water
until the necessary
concentration is obtained.
"
According to this invention we eliminate as far as practicable water, and we
only add sufficient water to ensure intimate contact of the acid with the starch and
submit the starch in this condition to the action of steam pressure.
By this invention we are enabled to apply the necessary heat for conversion at
less cost and entirely obviate the necessity for the usual evaporation of water
after the converting process.
With this object we mix the starch or starchy material in a powdered or
reduced state with dilute acid and we then subject the powder thus slightly
moistened to steam pressure, whereby the starch is converted into glucose or other
sugar, the starch or starchy material being maintained in a powdered statė until
converted by the action of the steam into a heavy gravity syrup.
In carrying out our invention we find that suitable proportions of the starch and
acid are approximately 100 parts by weight of dry starch, and from to 4 parts
by weight of acid of a specific gravity of 1-840, sulphuric acid being used by
preference. In carrying out this part of the process we place the starch or starchy
material in a suitable machine where it is stirred, whilst the acid solution is
sprinkled thereon until the whole becomes moistened. The moistened powder
being still in a powdered form is transferred by any suitable means to a closed
vessel or converter and subjected to a steam pressure equivalent to a temperature
of preferably about 270° to 300° Fahrenheit, which we consider the best tempera-
ture for safe and easy working, but a higher temperature can be employed and the
process thereby facilitated. We maintain the temperature until practically all the
starch is converted into glucose or other sugar, that is to say until a sample tested
by alcohol shows very little dextrin in solution.
The result of this process is a heavy gravity syrup, which can be neutralized,
filtered and treated in the usual way. We obtain the syrup in a still more
concentrated form by using dry or superheated steam.
The quantity of acid used should be preferably within the limits above
mentioned; but such acid has to be diluted to prevent charring of the starchy
material and to ensure equal distribution with the starchy material. The specific
gravity of the solution at which it is found desirable to work varies from 1.004
to 1.060, and the quantity of acid used between these limits of gravity is 40 per cent.
of the weight of dry starch used.
The amount of water introduced during the manufacture both in the acid and in
the form of steam, is the amount to be found in the syrup when the converting
process is completed. The syrup which is the result of this process without
evaporation is in the same state of concentration as is usual after the first
evaporation in the ordinary process of manufacture.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In the manufacture of glucose and the like from starch or starchy substances,
the
process of submitting dry starch to the action of dilute acid, maintaining the
starch in a powdered form without excess of water prior to its conversion into
syrup substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In the manufacture of glucose and the like from starch or starchy substances,
the improved process consisting of treating starch or starchy substances with dilute
acid and maintaining the starch in a powdered form, and converting the same by
means of steam into a highly concentrated syrup without evaporation, substantially
as herein before described.

page_text: 3. The production of a highly concentrated syrup without evaporation by
treating starch or starchy substances with dilute acid, converting the same by
means of steam pressure into a heavy gravity syrup, neutralizing the acid and
filtering the liquid, substantially as described.
Dated this 16th day of September 1895.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.