CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR
Year: 1844

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
CONSTABLE, of Lime Street, in the City of London, Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Thirtieth day of April, in the seventh year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said John Constable, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said John Constable, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said John Constable, my executors,
adñiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, an Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR," being a communication from a Foreigner residing
abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the
said John Constable, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal.
particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be
inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar

page_text: months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited
Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will
more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Constable, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention of Improvements in the Manufacture of Sugar has been
communicated to me by my Correspondent in nearly the following manner :-
The ordinary treatment of sugar cane in the manufacture or production of
sugar presents many difficulties which have not yet been surmounted, and the
object of the present Invention is (by adopting a somewhat different treatment,
or by conducting the operations in a different manner,) to obviate these diffi-
culties. The objects proposed to be effected by the improved system are,-
First, the extraction of all the sugar contained in the plant.
Second, the non-extraction of substances containing azote or nitrogen,
such as caseum and albumine contained in the cellules of the cane, and the
presence of which in the syrup renders its clarification absolutely indispen-
sable.
Third, the neutralization of the vegetable acids before they shall have
reacted upon the crystallizable sugar, and thereby caused it to assume the
glucose state by neutralizing these acids, the phosphate of lime and other salts,
which would otherwise be dissolved by the action of the vegetable acids, and
allowed to mix with and act upon the sugar, as is the case in the ordinary
process of manufacturing, are prevented from issuing from the cane.
Fourth, conducting the operations on the saccharine matter in all the stages
of the manufacture in such a manner as to avoid as far as possible all
fluctuations of temperature, which are injurious to the preservation of the
sugar, the chemical stability of which is so precarious and uncertain.
Fifth, the maintenance of the filters at a constant or unvarying temperature,
for example, at about 176° Fahrenheit, in order to increase considerably the
effects of the animal black, and to be able to filter the syrup at a concentration
of 40° Beaume.
Sixth, to make use of the ligneous or woody parts of the cane after the
complete exhaustion or entire extraction of the saccharine matter, and to
obtain thereby nearly a sufficient quantity of fuel for the evaporation of the
syrup obtained or extracted by this method.

page_text: Seventh, to impart to this ligneous or woody substance, which will have
lost all its consistency or solidity by the effect of the above operation, such a
form as to preserve or keep in store all its calorific attributes or power, in
order that the quantity of caloric or heat which may be deemed necessary
for each division of the work may be extracted therefrom, and the intensity
of its effects regulated at will, in such a manner as to have the temperature
always under control, without being obliged to have recourse to the intervention
of so expensive an agent as steam.
The following description of the improved method or system of manu-
facturing sugar will perfectly explain the nature of the Invention:-
The cane is first to be cut into very thin slices by means of a cane-cutting.
apparatus, working without vibration or shock, so as to prevent the acids of
the plant during the cutting operation from mingling with the saccharine
matter, and which indeed is an essential and indispensable condition for the
proper treatment of the sugar cane, but which has never before been noticed.
I may remark on this head, that if in a solution of pure sugar a relative
quantity, infinitely small, of the most powerful acid be introduced (sulphuric
acid for example), the sugar will immediately assume a glucose form. The
power of vegetable acids is well known; we know that they decompose
sulphates, and consequently we are justified in concluding by inference that
in the organic construction of the sugar cane the vegetable acids are kept
separate from the saccharine matter, and we ought to consider it as an established
and invariable principle or axiom, that every system of manufacturing sugar
which requires the cane to broken or bruised is an imperfect one,. inasmuch as
it produces in a greater or less degree a change in the chemical properties of
the crystallizable sugar, by causing the saccharine juices to become com-
mingled with the vegetable acids and the matters or substances containing
azote. The division of the cane into slices of from one thirtieth to one tenth
of an inch in thickness is what is recommended as the maximum thickness;
because the vascular vessels which contain the sugar have innumerable rami-
fications, and at their various points of junction become clammy or coagulated,
from which we must admit that the sugar is secreted in small cells closed
at their extremities, and that consequently to extract the sugar from the cane
the said cells require to be cut or opened, which is effected by dividing the
cane into thin slices cut perpendicularly to the axis of the plant, or the cane
may be cut into very thin slices in a direction inclined to those vessels. A
microscopic examination of the structure of the cane has led me to fix the
maximum thickness of the slices to one tenth of an inch, a limit which, in my
opinion, ought never to be exceeded; one thirtieth of an inch will, however,.be

page_text: found more favorable to the complete extraction of the sugar. In my plan or
method I particularly avoid wounding, bruising, or otherwise injuring the
tissue of the cane, that being one of the most essential and principal points of
my Invention. I have already said that the sugar is found separate or isolated
in the vascular system, but it must be borne in mind that the juice extracted
from the cane by passing it between rollers contains other substances besides sugar.
Chemistry distinguishes caseum, albumine, a free acid or malic acid, pectine, the
electro-negative transformation of this latter, viz., pectic acid, a fatty substance,
cerasine, or a substance analogous to wax, found upon the surface of the cane,
chlorophyle, sulphate of alumina, sulphate of potass, biphospate of lime,
silicate of potass and of soda, and silica; substances which (the chlorophyle
excepted) exercise a decomposing influence upon the sugar, which is a sub-
stance or body exceedingly unstable or changeable, and which assumes different
molecular forms under the slightest chemical agency. By the present or old
system of manufacturing sugar those substances, which nature in her wisdom
has carefully separated, are unwisely mixed or blended together. That which in
its origin is simple we render difficult and complicated, and only return to the
point from whence we started, namely, sugar and water, after having
destroyed the greater part of the sugar by a series of ill-contrived operations.
I have taken particular care to avoid a system so erroneous, every attempt to
improve which can only do so in a slight degree, and I take particular care
to keep inviolate the arrangement established by nature between the com-
ponent parts of the cane, which I leave in their relative positions, where, by
the aid of heat and of caustic lime, I cause them to undergo the reaction
requisite to render them insoluble and inert. Thus, under the influence of
the required conditions of the temperature of the lime water, into which I
plunge the slices of cane before submitting them to any manipulation (as will
be explained hereafter), the caustic lime will form or produce (combined with
the before-mentioned organic elements) caseate of lime, albuminate of lime,
malate of lime, a soap of lime, and a sulphate of lime, which, being insoluble,
are consequently fixed in the tissue of the cane, or are, by being thus
neutralized, prevented from acting chemically on the sugar. The same obser-
vation applies to the biphosphate of lime, which, in contact with an excess of
base, will become an insoluble neutral salt. This preparatory reaction,
neutralization, or chemical operation on the extraneous matters once com-
pleted, the sugar remains in its naturally pure state, provided the cane be
divided or cut into slices, as before explained, without being lacerated or
injured; and we may, to facilitate its dissolution, employ any means which
will not destroy its chemical stability. I only use pure water at a temperature

page_text: of from 60° to 100° centigrade (or from 140° to 212° Fahrenheit), and which
serves also to prevent the action of fermentation. If my explanation be cor-
rectly understood, it will be clearly seen that by employing my process the
sugar cannot flow from the vascular vessels by the action of endosmose or
exosmose, all permeability and contractibility of the tissues of the cane being
prevented by the effect of the above-described operation for coagulating and
neutralizing the above-mentioned organic elements of the cane, consequently
the sugar can only be extracted from the cane by being dissolved, and this
therefore involves the necessity of dividing or cutting the cane into thin slices,
for the purpose of opening the vascular system or all the cells. These con-
siderations equally demonstrate that, in order to extract all the saccharine
matter from the cane, the relative positions of the different substances must
be preserved during the cutting or dividing operation to prevent their extrava-
sation, as, by coagulating, they would close or obstruct the passage of the
vessels. The cane-cutting apparatus which is employed fully answers
the purpose,
and the different modifications thereof ought to be used according to the place
where the work is to be performed. If a continued rotary motion can be
employed, the cutting machine must be constructed according to that principle
of mechanics. The discs or circular cutting plates or knives which are
employed are made to perform at least three thousand revolutions per minute;
and I diminish as much as possible the thickness of the said blades. They are
made of cast steel, firmly tempered, and of a maximum thickness of the three-
hundredth part of an inch. Now, the slices of cane cut by an instrument of
this description being one tenth of an inch thick, it follows that their intro-
duction between the discs or cutting blades causes a shrinking of their thick-
ness of about one thirtieth, and which the organic construction of the cane
easily allows without inconvenience. The cutting apparatus is shewn in
Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings, and is composed of a revolving
shaft R*, R*, turning upon the points R, R, at a velocity of at least three
thousand revolutions per minute. The shaft R* works between two cast-iron
puppets a, a, fixed firmly upon a wooden framework 6, b, and is put into
motion by a leather strap, which passes over the pulley c. The machine is
furnished with a loose pulley d, for the purpose of stopping the movement of
the shaft when desired, which shaft is so arranged that it may be easily
removed. Upon the said shaft the- steel discs or cutting blades S, S, are
mounted, and kept at equal distances apart by brass collars, one tenth of an
inch thick. The discs or cutting knives have exceedingly sharp edges, and by
use and grinding they are gradually worn down to the diameters represented at
S, S', S, Fig. 2, when corresponding collars T, T, T, Figure 3, are employed.

page_text: The diameters of these collars are diminished in proportion, so as to leave a
part of the blade sufficiently free or bare to divide or cut the cane into slices.
Fig. 4 represents an end view of the machine, e, e, being a small table, upon
the inclined plane of which the cane is brought into contact with the discs or
circular blades of the cutting machine, by which it is cut into slices in a
direction perpendicular to its axis. The slices of cane taken up between the
discs come into contact with the teeth of a comb z, z, Fig. 4, which discharge
or remove the said slices from the machine. The teeth of this comb act regu-
larly between the discs in such a way as to have their curved extremities
always in contact with the separating collars T. The principle of this machine,
and its manner of working being easily understood, no further explanation will bo
required. It is perfectly clear and evident to all persons fully acquainted with
the principles of machinery that my apparatus will cut or divide the cane into
thin circular slices without either crushing, flattening, tearing, bruising, or
injuring it in any way whatever, and consequently fully carries out the object
of my Invention. The places reserved for the cutting machines, in an esta
blishment completed for the purpose of carrying my process into operation, is
shewn in Sheets II., III., and IV., at N, N, N. They receive motion from
the engine L, by means of the shaft pullies, &c. M, M, M. It is, however,
clearly understood that any prime mover may be employed which will exert a
power of about one horse and a quarter for every hundred tons of sugar
manufactured during the season.
The machine or apparatus I have just described is one of the most simple
mechanical constructions, and the best adapted for the purposes required,
provided intelligent workmen have the management thereof; but I would
observe, that it must be otherwise constructed when destined to be carried into
operation or worked by inexperienced workmen, such as those now generally
employed in the Colonies. In that case it will be preferable to adopt the
system of construction shown in the Drawings, Sheets V., VI., VII., and VIII.,
by which it will be clearly seen that I have employed the best means of pre-
venting any evil resulting from the employment of unskilful workmen. In
Sheet V., A is the hopper for feeding the cutter. It receives the canes, cut
into pieces of a less length than the distance apart of the end blades. The
cane in the hopper may be forced down if required by means of a rammer a,
Figure 2. B, B, shafts for carrying the cutting blades, which are fastened on
the shaft by means of a longitudinal key b, b, Fig. 2. Collars T, T, are also
employed, as in Sheet I., for the purpose of preserving the blades on the shaft
at proper distances from each other. The shafts B receive motion in the
direction indicated by the arrows at a speed in accordance with the prin-

page_text: ciple expressed in a former part of my description. The shafts B are
so arranged as to be capable of being brought nearer to each other
in a parallel direction as the blades or discs wear away. T, T, collars
for the purpose of regulating the distances apart of the blades or
discs S, S, S. Z is a sort of framing to support the discs.
This framing
is made either of wood or netal, and is made in the form of a comb, the
teeth of which are inserted between the discs, and touch the collars or
washers. It also serves to keep the spaces between the discs clear, by causing
the cuttings of cane to fall into the hopper Y. It serves also as a bearing to
the shafts B, upon which the discs are mounted. Y is the hopper for receiv-
ing the cuttings, and conducting them to the inclined plane or table O, O,
Sheets II., III., and IV., and which leads to the basked A. The other parts
of this apparatus are constructed in the ordinary manner.
I would observe that the cutting machine admits of many other modifica-
tions in form and dimensions; in fact, cutting apparatus of totally different
constructions may be employed to effect the object of the Invention. I do
not, however, consider it necessary to describe all these modifications, but shall
confine myself to the description of two machines, one of which is constructed
on the principle of an ordinary chaff-cutting machine, and the other on the
principle of the guillotine, both of these may be made to answer equally well.
The manner in which this first machine works will be easily understood by
referring to Sheet VII. It merely consists in attaching a series of knives or
cutting instruments to a fly wheel, which is made to revolve in front of an
opening, through which the pieces or lengths of cane are pressed or fed forward
in a longitudinal direction by any convenient mechanical contrivance. By this
means the cane may be cut up into thin slices, as in the other apparatus. The
guillotine machine is shewn in Sheet VIII. It will be seen that this machine
consists principally of a crank f, which, by means of a connecting rod g, com-
municates a reciprocating motion to a cutter h, which slides in the grooves i, i.
The canes are placed in a cast-iron trough j,j, where they are pressed forward a
distance of about one-thirtieth of an inch each time the cutter rises. This
alternating motion is communicated to the cutter by means of a rack and
pinion k, which receive motion at each revolution of the machine. The slices
of cane, when cut off by the apparatus represented in either of the before-
mentioned Figures, fall upon the inclined plane O, O, Figures 1 and 2,
Sheet III., and from thence into an iron basket or sieve A, which is composed
of an iron frame covered with wire or other open work. This basket or sieve
belongs to or forms a part of an apparatus, the action of which I will now
describe-When the basket or sieve is charged, a small carriage Q, Fig. 1,

page_text: Sheet IV., running upon a railway Q* above, is then brought immediately
above the basket or sieve, which, by means of tackle attached to the carriage,
is raised sufficiently high to allow of its being plunged into the first vessel C¹,
as shewn in Fig. 1, Sheet IV., and in Sheet II. This vessel C', which is
of the same shape as the open-work basket or sieve, but is capable of contain-
ing a greater quantity, must be previously half filled with water (kept at a
temperature of 176° Fahrenheit), into which the quantity of hydrate of oxide
of calcium (slacked lime) deemed necessary by experiment must also be
introduced, in order to enable the liquor to retain the base after the saturation
of the acids contained in the cane. Several phenomena are simultaneously
produced during and after the descent of the basket or sieve into the liquid in
the vessel C¹. The water being forced to ascend through the holes in the
bottom of the seive, and to penetrate the strata of cut cane contained therein, in
order to find its level, becomes impregnated with sugar, during which operation
the oxide of calcium neutralizes the acids of the cane, and the substances con-
taining azote also combining with the oxide of lime, coagulate at a temperature
of 176° Fahrenheit. When the density of the juice marks at least 6° Beaumé,
the cock k at the bottom of the vessel C¹ is turned on, and the liquor flows through
a pipe from the bottom of the vessel C, which is perforated with an infinite
number of small holes; the cock is then turned off, and a fresh quantity of
liquid then introduced from the vessel C at a temperature of 176° Fahrenheit
through the pipe x, which is adjusted in such a manner as to permit the
liquid to flow into the sieve or basket containing the slices of cane, and to
percolate or run through the same before it finds its level in the vessel C¹,
during and after which operation the saccharine particles undergo a new
dissolution, and the liquid is continually drawn off from the vessel C¹ as long
as it can be obtained at a density of about 6° Beaume; but when the
saturation loses that density the sieve or basket containing the slices of cane
is drawn up by means of the tackle, and lowered into the vessel C. Another
sieve full of cut cane is then lowered into the vessel C¹, which, by the addition
of liquid from C³, will be found to contain a liquid of a density below 6°
Beaumé, and with which a quantity of lime necessary to act upon the cut
cane newly introduced must be previously mixed for the purpose of producing
the phenomena of neutralization already described. The second basket
introduced in C¹ is treated in the same manner as the first, with this difference
only, that the liquid flowing from Cs is of a density of 5° Beaume. Whenever
the saccharine matter contained in the vessel is not of a density of 6° Beaumé
the basket or sieve of the vessel C is transmitted to the vessel C³, and the
basket in the vessel C¹ to the vessel C². A third sieve or basket full of cut

page_text: cane is then introduced into the vessel C', taking particular care to follow
the directions already given. The same operation is continued until the seven
vessels shall each have received a sieve or basket full of cut cane. The
apparatus may then be said to be in full work, each vessel receiving from
the one next to it, by means of the pipes a, a liquid of about 1° Beaumé less
in density than that which it contains itself. And when the cane in the sieve
of the vessel C is exhausted, the said sieve is drawn up for the purpose of
being emptied, and is then returned to the foot of the inclined plane O of the
cutting apparatus for the purpose of receiving a new charge. The same
operation is continued uninterruptedly. Each of the vessels of this apparatus
rests upon a circular hollow base or pedestal of cast iron, seen in section at
a, a, Fig. 1, Sheet IV. under the vessel C. The said bases or pedestals are
protected or flanked by two wings or side pieces resting upon two parallel
walls, which thus ensure the solidity of the whole; at. the same time care is
taken that the under part of the vessels are left easy of access and entirely free.
The pedestals a, a, are supplied with openings all round, at regular distances
from one another, and on the upper part thereof are four flanges upon which
the vessels are fixed. The said pedestals may, if desired, form part of the
vessels themselves, as shown in Sheet IX., by which arrangement or con-
trivance the flame from a gas burner placed under each pedestal is caused
to play freely round the bottom of the vessel, and the carbonic acid and
other products of combustion are allowed to escape. The burners m, m, at
the bottoms of the seven vessels C, are fed by the same pipe b, b, which receives
the inflammable gases from a large supply pipe, so that a simple cock or
key placed at 6 suffices to regulate at will the intensity of the heat under
the seven vessels. It is easy therefore to maintain at a regular temperature
this part of the apparatus, all the vessels being the same in size, occupying
similar positions, and always contain the same quantity. As to the inflam-
mable gases, I will herein-after explain the method I employ for producing
them. It suffices for the present to state that their assistance, combined
with the apparatus I have just described, enables me to carry out with the
greatest facility the three first parts of my improved process,-1st, to extract
all the sugar contained in the plant; 2nd, not to extract such matters as
contain azote; 3rd, to neutralize the vegetable acids before they mix with
the saccharine matter. I must here observe, before continuing my description,
that in Sheet III., Figs. 1 and 2, are shown two reservoirs B, B³, one con-
taining a provision of water, the other a fresh solution of quick lime or lime
water, always of the same required density, and whenever necessary it may be

page_text: introduced into the vessel C¹ for the purpose of producing the phenomena of
neutralization.
I will now resume the explanation of my process. The juice issuing
from C¹ flows through the pipe into the shallow-bottomed vessel D, which
is constantly maintained at a regular temperature of 176° Fahrenheit by
employing a gas burner C of convenient form, the flame of which is regulated
by a cock. The juice on leaving the vessel D is conveyed by the pipe d into
one of the filters E, which are filled with granulated animal black. These
filters, one of which is a reserve filter, are placed or fixed upon carriages,
which move along a railway to two openings, outlets, or gates (placed at the
extremity of the way) for the purpose of being emptied of their contents.
A section of these filters is shewn at E, Fig. 1, Sheet IV.'; they are provided
at their centre with a conical chimney n, through or up which free access is
allowed to the flame of the gas burner f; the flame of another burner f*,
placed concentrically around the former, plays upon or surrounds the exterior
surface of the filters. This arrangement may be varied in form, but must
produce the desired effect, which is, to maintain a regular and uniform tem-
perature in the interior of the filters, and which temperature must be equal to
that of the evaporating vessel D, namely, about 176° Fahrenheit, which is the
temperature I recommend to be kept up during all the stages of the manufacture.
Under its influence the animal black becomes infinitely more powerful; the
carbonate of ammonia which it contains is decomposed with facility by the
particles of lime which are taken up by the saccharine matter; the ammonia
being thereby disengaged, carbonate of lime is formed and remains in the animal
black. Thus a colorless juice is obtained entirely free from lime. The intensity
of the flames which act upon the interior and exterior surfaces of the filters is
regulated at will by the cocks which regulate the supply of gas. When this
hot filtering operation is concluded the juice is drawn off from the filters E
by means of cocks at the lower end into the evaporator F, which is also
submitted to the action of the gas flame from the burner d, d, in the same
manner as before described for the vessel D. The evaporator F is the
compensator between the filters E, E, and the concentrating or evaporating
columns G, G. It performs the functions of a compensator for the purpose
of maintaining an equilibrium between the production of the filters and the
quantity required by the concentrators. The concentrators are columns made
of thin plate iron or copper; they receive the saccharine matter from the
cocks z, z, on to indented distributors placed on their upper extremities, and
which permit the juice to flow uniformly down their sides, so as to cover their

page_text: exterior surfaces with a thin and uniform layer of juice. The columns have
each at their base a circular reservoir or cup o, which receives the concentrated
juice at a density of 40° Beaume, and whence it flows into the shallow vessel H.
These columus are placed upon cast-iron pedestals in which the gas burners
are fitted up. The flame of each of the said burners acts against or upon the
interior surfaces of the column, and their intensity being entirely under the
control of the manufacturer, by means of a single cock he can so regulate the
evaporation as constantly to obtain the required or desired degree of concen-
tration. A pipe is placed in the centre of the cap of the columns, by
which the products of combustion escape, and are carried off through
the large chimney into the atmosphere, by rarefaction, a continued supply
of pure air being thereby obtained in the manufactory. It must be observed,
that the juice does not always, in flowing down the said column, retain
the same smoothness or regularity, but gradually concentrating in its descent
it loses its uniformity, and produces in its downward course small rivulets
which here and there form crystalline deposits of sugar, whereby the column or
concentrator soon becomes clogged up. There are several ways of obviating
this inconvenience, but I prefer the following:-The column is made slightly
conical in order to thin the stream of juice not only by the loss of water by
evaporation, but also by extending the surface according to the augmentation
of affinity between the sugar and the water which increases with its density.
A band or collar is fixed spirally round this conical column. This spiral
collar is formed by a plane inclined to the generating points of the cone, and
only touches the sides of the same at a notch or indentation through which
the juice is forced to run over the surface of the cone. It is indispensably
necessary to fix this spiral collar in such a manner that it may be easily
removed and reaffixed, which it will be necessary to do each time the column
requires to be cleaned. In order to simplify the construction and facilitate the
removal of this distributing channel the spiral collar may be made in several
pieces, and divided in such a manner that the pieces may form independent
collars of a spiral form, each piece being a turn of the spiral. The details of
this arrangement may be seen in Sheet X, which also shows the arrangement
of working parts according to my mode of manufacture on level ground in low
buildings, such as are generally found in most colonial habitations. The
evaporating vessel H, Sheet III., works in the same manner as the evaporator
F, above described; it would therefore be a work of supererogation to repeat
their distinctive features. We may, therefore, observe that H serves as a
compensator between the quantity produced by the columns and that required
by the filters. These filters I, I, are precisely similar to those above described,

page_text: and operate in the same manner, excepting that they receive the juice concen-
trated to 40° Beaumé, which may be filtered by means of the temperature at
which I keep the filters. Manufacturers experienced in the art of using
animal black will know how to appreciate the immense advantage consequent
upon this filtration of highly concentrated juice, which, according to my mode
of working, may be filtered. After filtration the juice runs into the evaporating
vessel J, where in a few minutes the last evaporation is effected, which is for
the purpose of bringing them to the test required by the manufacturer. This
vessel is divided longitudinally by a partition into two equal parts, each of
which is submitted to the action of a gas burner formed in such a manner that
the sides of these evaporating vessels may be instantly surrounded by a vivid
flame. When this flame has produced the desired effect one turn of a cock
immediately stops the action of the heat, and by means of a lever or rod R
the ten cocks r, r, r, r, r, are opened, and the juice flows rapidly into the ten
moulds K, K, prepared to receive it. During the boiling operation the
vessel J has received its charge, which is treated as above described with
regard to the first compartment or chamber. In this manner the boiling is
effected alternately and continuously in the two chambers of the vessel J.
By means of the apparatus which I have just described the juices are con-
ducted through all the stages of the manufacture without undergoing any
change of temperature, and by means thereof the juices are filtered at 40°
Beaumé.
a
I now come to the sixth and seventh propositions, which relate to the com-
bustible. It may be easily imagined that the cane having been cut sufficiently
small to allow of the extraction of all the sugar, furnishes after this operation
ligneous substance which could not be used in ordinary fireplaces; and in order
to operate in a proper manner upon the saccharine juices it is absolutely neces-
sary for the manufacturer to be able instantaneously to raise or lower the tem-
perature in the different stages of the work. In order to prepare the ligneous
residum after the sugar has been all extracted therefrom, I take the ligneous
matter, after being operated upon by the apparatus A, and dry it in the sun in the
same manner as hay is made, or it may be dried by expressing all the moisture
therefrom by means of a powerful press; I then charge with a quantity of
this ligneous residuum the gas apparatus represented in Sheet XI., and which
is indicated by the same letters in Sheet XII., which represents a plan view of
the whole apparatus for manufacturing sugar, arranged in a somewhat different
manner to that shewn in the other Drawings. F is the furnace which receives
the ligneous matter. This furnace is similar to those employed for smelting
iron ore, but on a smaller scale. The ligneous matter is introduced through

page_text: the cylinder (made of cast iron) or strong wrought or plate iron), and which is
suspended at its upper end. This cylinder must be constantly supplied abun-
dantly with fuel. The ligneous matter having descended on a level with the
tuyere, Sheet XI., burns under the action of a blast produced by the venti-
lator or fan I, see Sheets XI. and XII. The carbonic acid gas generated
rises, and encountering above a stratum of carbon it absorbs sufficient to
become carbonic oxide gas; this continues to rise and promotes the distillation
of the ligneous matter in the upper parts. The divers gaseous products being
unable to make their exit through the cylinder or pipe in which the charge
acts as a piston accumulate between the sides of the furnace and of the said
pipe or funnel in which the drying of the ligneous matter begun by the sun
is thus completed. These products are finally pressed forward by the action of
the tuyere, where the products of the distillation burn whilst the permanent
gases, the carburetted hydrogen azote, and a small quantity of carbonic acid,
enter the small lateral furnace or oven f, where they come in contact with
charcoal or coal, which effects the transformation of any carbonic acid which
might have escaped the carburetting influence of the first. This second furnace
is charged in the same manner as the first, and allows of the exit of the
combustible gases through a pipe g, communicating with the upper part of its
receiver, from whence the gases pass into a small apparatus V, V, for the
purpose of purifying them of any dust or other extraneous matter which they
may
have carried with them. This purifier may be advantageously employed to
heat the stove or for drying the sugar which may be placed over it. On
issuing from this apparatus the gases proceed through the pipes to the
different places where they are used in the operations on the juice. A receiver
for the gas, or a water regulator, may be fixed at any point along these pipes,
in which case some of the products of the distillation of the ligneous matter
might be collected in the first furnace, and the second furnace f might be done
away with, but by this means the natural heat of the gaseous mixture would
be lost. It is necessary here to observe that if under peculiar circumstances,
or with a view of employing the residue of the cane to fatten cattle, it is not
desirable to burn or distil gases from the same, any mineral or vegetable
combustible might be substituted therefor without any inconvenience resulting
therefrom. Amongst the numerous different arrangements which may be
adopted according to the different localities for the combustion of the gases
under the apparatus above described, or under the boilers and pans usually
employed in sugar manufactories, there is one of which I think proper to give
a particular description. It consists in supplying the gas before it enters the
burners with a sufficient quantity of air to obtain perfect combustion; the

page_text: quantity is easily ascertained. This may be effected by the blowing apparatus
leading into the gas pipe, as represented in Sheet XI., but it is better to
employ for this purpose the action of a ventilator or blower solely adapted
thereto. A homogeneous mixture is by this means obtained, a perfect com-
bustion of which may be produced, whatever may be the form of the burner,
care being taken that the mixture of gas and air flow in exceedingly small jets
and also at different speeds, in order to obtain a more intimate admixture of
the same.
I would observe in this place that great care must be taken that
the flame of the gas is not allowed to enter the pipes, as might be the case if
the cocks are not shut at the proper time and all together. To prevent the
flame from thus entering I find it advisable to cover the burners with a dia-
phragm of metallic gauze, similar to that proposed by Sir Humphery Davy for
his mining lamp. I have one important observation to make with regard to
the fuel, which is, that when hydraulic or water power cannot be employed, it
will be easy to generate sufficient steam for the working of the machines by
the combustion of the gaseous mixture above mentioned by surrounding the
boilers therewith. A sufficient quantity of steam may by this means be pro-
duced for manufacturing sugar, as well as for any other purposes. It is
scarcely necessary to observe to any person accustomed to Drawings that the
Drawings Sheets I., II., and III., represent buildings constructed expressly.
for the purpose of receiving my apparatus, while Sheets IX., X., and XII.
represent the adaptation of my improved plan to ordinary sugar manufactories
in the Colonies. Sheets II., III., and IV. represent the crystallization of the
sugar in moulds, the juice being at a very high temperature; and Sheets IX.,
X., and XII. represent the mode of manufacturing at a lower temperature, in
which the juice is received in the crystallizing vessels at the bottom of the
evaporating columns. My crystallizing vessels are troughs or seives, which,
when filled may be lifted by two men. These troughs are furnished with
bottoms of wire web, the meshes of which are extremely small, and which are
placed upon moveable bottoms, constructed in such a manner as to allow any
substance to flow towards an opening left at one of their sides or ends. The
trough or seive being placed upon this bottom receives the juice ready for
crystallization, and remains in the filter for twenty-four hours, the same atten-
tion being paid thereto as is ordinarily observed in well-conducted manufac-
tories. The second day this sieve, furnished with its bottom, is carried to one
of the stands in the place where it is to be clarified, as may be seen at F, F¹,
F, F, in Sheet X., where the plug that stops the exit passage is removed, and
the syrup flows slowly through the meshes of the bottom of the sieve, and
upon which the crystallized sugar remains. The crystallizing vessel which is

page_text: brought the following day into the clarifying house is differently operated upon.
Its sieve is removed, and takes the place of F, F', which will be placed upon
F, F; the bottom having been detached, will be returned to the filter, to
perform its duty as before. The third and fourth day the same operations are
performed with regard to F, F, and F, F, in such manner that the seive F, F",
is at this stage at the upper part of this pile of crystallizing vessels; it is then
perfectly drained and ready to be taken on the fifth day to the drying stove.
This arrangement of crystallizing apparatus is the most advantageous that can
be used with regard to the general laws of that phenomenon. It posseses two
great advantages; first it gives to the juices which flow a new medium of the
same nature, which facilitates its crystallization; secondly, it communicates the
effects of the filtration applied to the upper crystallizing vessels to each of the
lower ones. On the fifth day the operations are continued as before, and the
manufacture now proceeds without interruption. These explanations, together
with the arrangements shewn in Sheets V. and X. of the Drawings will suffice
to explain my mode of crystallization. The same Drawings clearly shew the
arrangements of apparatus intended to be used for applying the combustible
gases to the manufacture and revivification of animal charcoal. The place in
which the oven to be used for this purpose is fixed is shewn at Z, Sheet XII.,
in which the whole construction of the apparatus will be clearly seen. The
position of the mill is seen at X, and the shifting or bolting appartus at Z.
Having now described the Invention that has been communicated to me as
aforesaid, I wish it to be understood that I lay no claim to any parts of the
apparatus that have been before known or in use for similar purposes, nor do
I intend to confine myself to the precise means I have shewn and described of
carrying, the Invention into effect, as it will be evident to any intelligent
manufacturer that the same may be varied without departing from the nature
and object of the Invention; but that which I consider to be new, and therefore
wish to claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, cutting the cane into thin slices in place of bruising and pressing the
cane in a mill or press.
Secondly, I claim neutralizing the acids and fixing or solidifying the other
extraneous matters, which would otherwise be liable to act chemically on and
injure the juice.
Thirdly, I claim extracting the saccharine matter from the cane by infusion
or immersing the slices of cane in water; and,

page_text: Fourthly, the general arrangement of the apparatus and mode of conducting
the manufacture, as above shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Constable, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-four.