IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DEFECATION, DE- COLORIZATION, AND REFINING OF SACCHARINE LIQUIDS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solictors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DEFECATION, DE-
COLORIZATION, AND REFINING OF SACCHARINE LIQUIDS." A communication
from abroad by Jacob William Decastro, of the City and State of New York,
United States of America.
Sealed the 24th December 1878, and dated the 12th November 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th November 1878.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
" 'IMPROVE.
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer.
MENTS IN THE DEFECATION, DECOLORIZATION, AND REFINING OF SACCHARINE
LIQUIDS." A communication from abroad by Jacob William Decastro, of the
City and State of New York, United States of America.
The object of this Invention is,—
First. To effect. the defecation and decolorization of those saccharine liquids or
solutions which contain coloring matter.
And, Second. To prevent the formation of coloring matter in recently expressed
saccharine juices.
The means and process for carrying out the Invention are based upon the
utilization of the properties possessed by those organic substances which have the
power of reducing nitrates in solution to nitrites, and completely decomposing the
latter, such re-action being especially noticed with fungi in general, animal
charcoal, or bone-black, and also blood corpuscles. I thus take advantage of an
alkaline base, set free by the decomposition of the nitrate in the nascent state, for
taking up the coloring matter contained in the saccharine solution; and at the
same time advantage is taken of the power which nitrates possess of completely

page_text: coagulating albuminous substances in either the recently expressed saccharine juice
or in saccharine solutions undergoing defecation, that is, while the albuminous
matter has the property of decomposing the nitrate, the nitrate on the other hand
has the property of coagulating the albuminous matter already contained in the
recently expressed saccharine juices, or added purposely for the re-action to the
saccharine solution. It thus becomes evident that the defecation in either operation
is rendered complete, free of impurities, and totally prevents the colorization of
saccharine solutions during evaporation.
In conjunction with the use of nitrates, which may be of any kind, and
albuminous matters, earthly alkalies, or the sulphides of the alkalies, or alkaline
earths, can be used to great advantage.
The object of the operation of defecation or clarification of saccharine liquids
is to extract the mechanically suspended impurities, and, with the application of
my Invention, I not only accomplish this purpose, but I also extract the greatest
portion of the coloring matter in one operation.
For the treatment of those kinds of raw sugar which already contain coloring
matter, the raw sugar is dissolved in water up to a density of about 30° Baumé,
as is the usual practice in a sugar refinery, and the solution is introduced into
defecating pans or blow-ups or tanks. Then the solution is tested with litmus
paper to ascertain whether it gives an acid re-action.
In case the re-action is acid the solution may be neutralized or rendered slightly
alkaline with milk of lime or other suitable alkaline substance. After having done
this a quantity of preferably neutral nitrate of zinc is added, the amount depending
altogether upon the amount of albuminous and coloring matter contained in such
solution.
In general practice about one-tenth of one per cent. of the weight of the solid
saccharine matter contained in the solution is added. The liquid is then well
stirred and blood or albuminates are added. Heat is now applied up to almost the
boiling point, during which time the decomposition of the nitrates takes place as
well as the coagulation of all the albuminous substances, while the insoluble
liberated oxide of zinc has taken up a greater part of the coloring matter, and is
now firmly held by the coagulated albumen.
The result is a bright, clear, and strongly decolorized liquor, easily separated from
the precipitate by mechanical filtration. After this mechanical filtration has been
proceeded with, the solution is filtered through bone-black, which very easily
removes the last traces of coloring matter and other earthy or inorganic impurities.
After this operation the liquor is boiled down in vacuum pans or otherwise, and
after being crystallized is purged in centrifugal machines or in moulds, the resulting
products being a very pure and bright refined sugar.
For the treatment of recently expressed cane, beetroot, or other saccharine juices,
the following mode of proceeding may be adopted :-
The juice is tested for acidity with litmus paper, and if found to re-act acid an
amount of milk of lime may be added to the juice, sufficient to render it neutral or
slightly alkaline, then a small quantity of nitrate is added, preferably a neutral or
basic nitrate of zinc.
The quantity of nitrate of zinc to be used can be very small, amounting to even
less than one-tenth of one per cent. of the solid saccharine matter contained in the
juice. Heat is then applied to the juice or saccharine solution.
Before the juice has reached its boiling point the impurities, albuminous,
anylaceous, etc., etc., will be coagulated, and will have risen to the surface in the
form of a scum which is to be skinned off or otherwise separated from the clear
liquor. The clear saccharine liquor is then concentrated, and if during concentration
or evaporation any more coagulation should take place it would be preferable to
seperate it once more.
When the solution has been reduced by evaporation to about 30° Baumé, the
Jast traces of coloring matter, as well as the inorganic impurities can be extracted
by filtration through animal charcoal.

page_text: It will be found that the resulting products, whether the liquor has been filtered
through bone-black or not, is of a very light and bright color, with all the
characteristic qualities of a superior article.
The defecation or decolorization of saccharine solutions is not claimed, nor the use
of albuminous substances, alkalies, or bone-black, as each of these substances is used
in the manufacture and refining of sugar, either separately or conjointly, but what is
claimed as the Invention is,-
-
1st. The use of nitrates generally, and especially the nitrate of zinc, for, the
defecation and decolorization of saccharine liquid or liquids, substantially in the
manner herein described, with or without the use or addition of albumen, or with or
without the use or addition of lime or other re-agent, substantially as above
specified.
2nd. The use of nitrates, and especially the nitrates of zinc, for the defecation,
coagulation, and extraction of the albuminous matters in the recently expressed
cane and beetroot juice for the purposes above described, with or without the use of
an alkaline re-agent, or with or without the addition of albumen or of an
albuminate, all as set forth in the Specification.
And, 3rd. The use of nitrates, and especially nitrate of zinc, in solution with
saccharine solutions as set forth, in connection with bone-black or animal charcoal,
for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of November, A.D. 1878,