Applicable also for Cleansing and Disinfecting Purposes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1886.
Complete Left, 4th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 4th Feb., 1887.
Applicable also for Cleansing and Disinfecting Purposes.
I, GUILLAUME JOSEPH CONRAD MARIE, BARON DE LIEBHABER, Engineer of
Bellevue Terrace, 30, Crondace Road, Fulham, S.W. London, in the county of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention consists in certain caustic powders which, when made into paste with
a proper admixture of water can be used for the removal of old paint and other deposits
on wood, iron stone and other materials, and for other purposes; and in the mode of
manufacturing them.
Those powders are made essentially of lime and alkaline compounds so perfectly
amalgamated together, as to act chemically between themselves and other substances.
This result is arrived at by introducing in a solution of hydrate carbonate or certain
other salts of soda or potash in proper proportion, lime in an anhydrous state very
finely powdered, so as to make a semi-liquid mixture, and applying heat for a short
time to some point of the mass till the lime, which at first remains unaltered, begins to
combine with the water, absorbing at the same time the alkaline particles. The action
When started, continues by itself, causing a considerable evaporation of water, and
transforming the mass into a dry pulverulent substance which constitutes the powder.
When from the nature of the salt, hot solutions are to be used, no other external
heat is required. Moreover some salts containing water of crystallization can combine
in the dry way with lime when it is not over-slaked and has still the power of
absorbing water.
In all these combinations -lime acts by its physical as well as by its chemical
properties it allows the alkaline compounds to be kept in a state of powder and used
in the capillary form of paste, a condition generally favourable and sometimes necessary
to their efficiency: it maintains enhances or causes the causticity or reproduces it.
Be it as it may, it is a fact that lime is an essential element of the detergent power of
the paste, though it may not act directly by itself.
"
I now proceed to describe the process of manufacturing such of those powders
as are commonly to be used.

page_text: .
:
1. Pure alkaline compounds. I take one part by weight of caustic commercial
solution of soda at 36° Beaumé, which contains about one third of its weight of pure
hydrate I add to this solution in an iron vessel or pan, one part by weight of quick-
lime previously ground in very fine powder, and I stir it so as to distribute it equally
through the whole solution, making a sort of milk or semi-fluid paste. No change
takes place as long as the solution is kept cold. But directly I apply heat either under
the pan or at some point of the mass, small volcanoes appear at the heated place or
places, and the fire being withdrawn, the action continues by itself all around those
places, till the whole mass becomes solid, increases in bulk, giving off a considerable
quantity of vapour (about 40% of the weight of lime) with a peculiar rather pleasing
smell, and finally becomes pulverulent.
The powder is then ready for use. The density of the solution can be lowered to, say,
32°, and the proportion of lime increased or lessened but not to a considerable extent:
an excess of lime yields a powder which to be made into a paste requires too much
water and is deficient in energy; and when the proportion is too small, the powder
produced is too rich in alkali, and like pure soda, unfit to remove certain deposits.
I produce similar cleansing powders, by treating in the same way caustic or
American or other potash. In the case of American potash I use equal weights of
quick-lime and solution.
Powders can be made with advantage by mixing soda and potash.
2. Carbonate of soda.-With carbonate of soda I proceed somewhat differently. I
take crystals of soda to which I add a small quantity of water to facilitate their
dissolution, and I heat the whole in an iron or other suitable vessel; when it is
quite liquid, I take it out of the fire, and while still hot I add a part of pulverized
quick-lime equal in weight to that solution, or less, taking care to stir quickly, so as to
have the lime equally distributed through the mass before it solidifies. I then leave it
to itself and the action goes on as in the preceding case.
The quantity of lime can be lowered to or the weight of the solution according
to the object in view.
During the absorption, a large evaporation takes place water to the extent of 40°
or about of the weight of the lime is expelled and a white powder remains which is
extremely fine and light and gives an unctuous paste very easy to spread.
Moreover the paste so made dries or becomes hard in a short time and can then be
made to absorb a new quantity of water, and again a third time. It is essential that
the paste should be prepared in this way, whenever a great detergent power is
required, as the carbonate powder after the first addition of water is deficient in
energy.
Other commercial products containing carbonate of soda can be made into powder
in the same way, having regard to their composition in the proportion of lime and
water.
3. Other powders. Besides caustic soda or potash and the carbonates of these
bases, I use some salts endowed with peculiar properties which make them useful in
special cases.
The most remarkable, perhaps, of those is the bioxalate of potash. To prepare a
powder with it, I take, say, 5 parts of that salt, 7 parts of water and I treat the hot
solution thus formed by 10 parts of quick-lime finely ground, as described for the
carbonate.
The powder obtained in this manner is very energetic.
By mixing in 5 parts of water, 5 parts of bioxalate and about 18 to 20 parts of
crystals of soda, heating and treating the solution by 12 parts of quick-lime as in the
case of pure carbonate, I obtain a powder still more energetic. The proportions set
forth in this and the preceding case are not absolute and may be varied according to
circumstances.
I prepare by the same method other powders of various energies, but to which the
respective acids impart special properties, with other salts of soda or potash, such as
hypochlorites, borates, cyanides etc. etc.
Mixtures can be made of those salts carbonates or hydrates, uniting in the final

page_text: compound the properties belonging to each of them, and on account of that preferable
in some cases, to cheaper or stronger ones. Thus some sorts of paint yield to potash
more easily than to soda; and some deposits removed by soila resist potash. A
powder containing both those alkalies acts more completely or more quickly, when
such different substances are met with.
Now I shall add that although the process of amalgamation described is the one to
be employed as a rule, still such an amalgamation can take place in the dry way, even
without heat, between monohydrated or slightly slaked lime and salts containing water
of crystallization feebly combined. For example a powder can be made by mixing
intimately pulverizeu quick-lime or lime slightly slaked, so as to crumble into powder,
and crystals of soda finely ground, and leaving the mixture to itself. Or it may be
heated, to make the combination more complete.
In the manufacture of all those powders it is very important to use certain sorts of
lime, as all are not equally suitable for the purpose. The lime should be as pure as
possible, increase very much in bulk when slaked, and be equally burnt all through.
In London what is called chalk-lime answers best. The choice is to be decided in each
locality by previous trials.
Those caustic powders which may be designated under the common name of
"Tologene," can be applied to the removal of old paints, of fatty, organic, or other
deposits, on any materials; either preparatory to painting anew, or simply for
cleansing surfaces; or for hygienic purposes, by destroying or facilitating the
destruction by acids or other agents of noxious substances, microbes, organic matters,
covering or impregnating the walls or other parts of buildings, barracks prisons,
hospitals etc. and generally where a caustic power is required.

page_text: Applicable also for Cleansing and Disinfecting Purposes.
I GUILLAUME JOSEPH CONRAD MARIE BARON DE LIEBHABER, Engineer, of
Bellevue Terrace 30, Crondace Road Fulham S.W., London, in the County of
Middlesex 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 invention consists in certain powders which when made into paste with such
admixture of water as gives the proper consistency, acquire a caustic power and can
be used for the removal of old paints, organic and other deposits, on stone, wood iron
and other materials, and in the mode of manufacturing them.
These powders, which I desiguate under the generic name of "Tologene," are made
essentially of lime and alkaline compounds perfectly amalgamated together so as to act
chemically between themselves and other substances in the presence of water.
This result is arrived at by introducing in a solution of hydrate, carbonate or some
other salts of soda or potash in certain proportions, lime in an anhydrous state, finely
ground so as to produce a semi-liquid mixture and applying heat for a short time to
some point of the mass, till the lime, which at first remains unaltered, begins to combine
with the water, absorbing at the same time the alkaline particles. The action, when
started, continues by itself, causing a considerable evaporation of water and trans-
forming the mass into a dry pulverulent substance which constitutes the powder.
When from the nature of the salt hot solutions are to be used no other external heat
is required.
Some salts can combine in the solid state when in fine powder with lime previously
slaked, without heat or water by mechanical means as I shall presently explain.
It must be understood that lime is an essential element in the working of the powder
as producing or maintaining the causticity on the one hand and on the other as
absorbing the quantity of water necessary to insure the reaction, a quantity which must
bear a certain proportion to the alkali. As to this last condition part of the lime can
be superseded by an equivalent quantity of indifferent substance absorbing water, as
chalk, for example.
I now proceed to describe the process for manufacturing such of the powders as are
commonly to be used.
1. Caustic Tologene.-I take one part by weight of caustic commercial solution of
soda at 32° Beaumé containing about 24 per cent of its weight of hydrate of soda. I
add to this solution, in an iron vessel or pan, one part by weight of quicklime
previously ground as finely as possible, and I stir it so as to distribute it equally
through the whole solution, making a sort of milk or semi-fluid paste. No change
takes place as long as the solution is kept cold but directly I apply heat, either under
the pan or at some point of the mass, small volcanoes appear at the heated

page_text: place or places, and the fire being withdrawn, the action continues of itself all
around those places, till the whole mass becomes solid, increases in bulk, giving off
considerable quantity of vapour with a peculiar rather pleasing smell, and finally
becomes pulverulent.
The above proportions and degree are those I use generally but they may be
somewhat varied both sides, according to the object in view.
I produce similar cleansing powders by treating in the same way caustic or American
or other potash, or mixtures containing soda or potash in a caustic state.
In the case
of American potash I use equal weights of quicklime and solution.
2. Sodic Tologene. With this powder, the most important of all, I proceed some-
what differently. I take crystals of soda to which I add water in the proportion of 5
to 20 per cent or even as much as 50 per cent, according to the quality of powder
required. I heat the whole at a gentle heat so as to keep it at 93° F. taking care not
to let it rise above 100°, till it is entirely liquid. I then take it out of the fire, and
while still warm, I add one pint of pulverized quicklime equal in weight to that of the
crystals, stirring it quickly, so as to have the lime equally distributed through the mass,
before it solidifies. I then leave it to itself and the action goes on as in the preceeding
case. The quantity of lime can be lowered to or even less, in which case less water
is to be added; or it can be increased for the purpose of economy in certain circum-
stances; but I generally use equal weights.
Though I prefer using pulverized quicklime, I sometimes break it into small pieces
of the size of a nut; I throw the solution of carbonate of soda on them, taking care
to have them well and equally soaked.
Though the process just described answers very well, it can be dispensed with, and
a good powder obtained by single mixture. For that purpose crystals of soda are
ground very finely and passed through a very fine sieve. Slaked lime in very fine
powder, also sifted, is added in the proportion of 4 parts of lime to 3 of crystals.
The whole is intimately mixed so as to make a homogeneous compound.
Instead of crystals dry carbonate of soda can be used in the same manner; but then
the proportion is 3 parts of slaked lime (monohydrated) to 1 of carbonate perfectly
dry. With the commercial products which contain some water, 3 of lime to 1 of
carbonate will generally be the proper proportion.
When these powders are to be spread with a brush, part of the lime is to be super-
seded by chalk in fine powder: the proportions should be in that case, 1 of dry
carbonate 2 of slaked lime and 3 of chalk; and when they are intended to be used as
washing powder, diluted in water, the proportion should be about 2 parts of slaked
lime to 7 of crystals or to 24 of dry carbonate. Such a powder yields a mild paste
which is less energetic, but may be useful in some cases.
3. I prepare similar powders to which their respective constituents impart peculiar
properties, with other salts of soda and potash.
Oxalic Tologene. With bi-oxalate of potash I prepare a powder which is very
energetic. I take, say, 5 parts of that salt, 7 of water and I treat the solutions by
10 parts of quicklime ground, as described above.
By mixing in 5 parts of water 5 parts of bi-oxalate of potash, and about 18 to 20
parts of crystals of soda heating and treating the solution by 12 parts of quicklime as
in the case of pure carbonate, I obtain a powder which is not so expensive, and is still
very energetic.
Chlorurated Tologene. With bypochlorite of soda or potash in strong solution and
quicklime in equal weights, treated as in the case of caustic Tologene, I obtain a fine
powder which when made into paste has discolouring and cleansing properties and can
be used for cleansing marble stone and other materials.
Prussic Tologene. With cyanide of potassium in solution and quicklime, I obtain
a powder which, when made into paste, takes off the green stains left on marble or
stone by water impregnated with copper, as in the pedestals of statues or other bronze
ornaments. Such a powder may be prepared with 4 parts of cyanide 7 of water and
10 of quicklime.
These several powders are to be mixed with water slowly till they have acquired the

page_text: proper consistency, sometimes twice at. intervals, so as to be saturated with water.
The paste is spread on the surface to be cleansed by means of a trowel or spatula, or
with pieces of linen coated with a layer of paste, or in any other way, and left to act
till the deposit is either absorbed or disaggregated, so as to be easily removed by
washing or by acids, as the case may be, or simply wiped off.
When single washing is intented, they are put in water so as to make a milky
liquor, wherewith to cleanse or wash.
They find an application in the cleansing of walls or articles of stone; for removing
old paint from all sorts of materials; for taking off organic deposits in buildings,
for hygienic purposes; for cleansing pieces of machinery, printing plates etc.; for
washing floors and household articles; and generally whenever a caustic power is
required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is:
1. Treating solutions of alkaline salts or hydrates by quicklime in the proportions
and in the manner aforesaid, producing therewith dry pulverulent powders.
2. The powder called sodic Tologene made of carbonate of soda and line intimately
mixed, either by the above process, or mechanically, in such proportions as to become
caustic when made into paste.
3. The powders described above under the name of oxalic chlorurated and prussic
Tologenes.
4. Using those powders, particularly the sodie Tologene, in the form of paste, to
cleanse buildings and articles of stone, and combining the same with the use of acids;
to remove old paint from all sorts of materials; to take off organic deposits for
hygienic purposes; and to cleanse generally.
5. Using the sodic Tologene in the form of milk, to cleanse floors and household
articles, and generally as a washing powder and as a substitute for caustic sodu.
B. DE LIEBHABER.