IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE, REFINING, AND TREATING SUGAR, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR EVAPORATING OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
BESSEMER, of Baxter House, Old Saint Pancras Road, in the County of
Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-fourth
day of July, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the sixteenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Henry Bessemer, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Henry
Bessemer, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Henry Bessemer, my exors, admors, 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 expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and
in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also
in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE, REFINING, AND TREATING SUGAR, PART
OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR EVAPORATING OTHER FLUIDS;" in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Henry
Bessemer, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her Majesty's

page_text: High Court of Chancery within six calendar 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
Henry Bessemer, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say:-
First, in an improved mode or modes of constructing "clarifiers" or vessels
used in the clarification of saccharine fluids, and in the means of heating the
same.
Second, my Invention consists in an improved mode of discharging the
filtered liquor from the interior of revolving filters used in the manufacture or
refining of sugar.
Third, my Invention consists in the combination of two revolving screws
in one evaporating pan, and in the use of gearing so arranged as to cause
the said screws to give a circulation to the fluid therein contained, and in
forming screws with more than one thread, and also in the use of scrapers
arranged so as to cleanse the screws or discs used for evaporating saccharine
fluids.
Fourth, my Invention consists in connecting a water cistern with the jacket
of evaporating pans, wherein hot water is used as a means of communicating
heat to saccharine fluids therein contained, and in causing steam to displace
such water when it is required to heat the fluid for the purpose of assisting the
crystalization thereof.
Fifth, my Invention consists in a mode or modes of regulating the
exhaustion and supply of fluids to revolving tables used to cure or cleanse
sugar.
Sixth, my Invention consists in the separation of certain impurities found.
floating in or mechanically mixed with atmospheric air used to facilitate the
evaporation of saccharine and other fluids.
Seventh, my Invention consists in the evaporation of the aqueous parts of
albuminous matters, and the mixture of such matters with charcoal, and
also in the use of such prepared matters in the clarification of sugar.
First, with regard to my improved mode or modes of constructing "clarifiers"
or vessels used in the clarification of saccharine fluids and in the means of
heating the same. In order that the manner in which the said clarifiers are
made may be fully understood, I have represented at Figure 1, Sheet A, of

page_text: the annexed Drawings, a vertical section through the centre of two such
vessels, each placed with reference to each other in the position they are
intended to occupy when in use. Figure 2 represents a plan of the same.
a is a cast-iron cylindrical vessel, the interior of which terminates downwards
in an obtuse cone a¹, and below this there is a circular plate a² cast with it,
and having a flange a extending around it; the cone a' and plate a* are
connected together by eight vertical webs or partitions a, shewn by dotts
in Figure 2, so that the cone a' and the plate a are prevented from being
separated by the pressure of steam in consequence of the connection formed
between them by the webs a. The jacket e is provided with a flange at its
upper edge, by which it is bolted to the flange of the dome or cover a; in the
centre of this cover is a hole for the admission of the fluid to be clarified;
the upper edge of the hole is ground so as to fit air tight to the lid b, which
is attached by a joint pin 6' to the cover, so that by turning it round on this
pin the vessel may be opened or closed; when closed the part 6 slides under
the collar of a screw c, which is provided with a handle d so as to turn it
round and tighten down the lid. e is a cast-iron jacket which fits nearly close
to the vessel a both at the top and at bottom, where it is rendered steam tight
by a cement or rust joint. The central part of the jacket is of somewhat larger
diameter to admit of the free circulation of steam or other heating media. To
prevent the escape of heat the jacket is surrounded by a covering of felt and
wood, the latter being retained in place by the top and bottom flanges of the
jacket, the space being occupied by the felt, and g being the outer case of
wood, the operation of the apparatus will be as follows:-Steam from the
pipe h will be admitted through the cock i into the jacket, the lid is removed
and the fluid allowed to flow in from a moveable gutter or pipe; lime or other
matters used to assist the process are then added; the steam in the jacket will
soon produce ebulition, which may be continued for a few minutes; the lid is
then to be closed and screwed down, when the cock j will be opened so as to
establish a communication by means of the pipe k with any elevated receiver
into which it is desired to raise the fluid; the cock l is then opened and steam
is allowed to flow into the clarifier, and by its pressure on the fluid or on the
crust of scum and other matters collected on the surface of the fluid the whole
will be driven up into the elevated receiver before referred to, the steam
escaping freely from the pipe after the liquor has been driven through; the lid
may then be unclosed in order that the vessel a may be refilled, and thus the
operation may be repeated; but in order that the process may be rendered
continuous, two clarifiers are combined and connected with the steam and
discharge pipes, so that one may receive the fluid to be clarified, while in the

page_text: other the fluid is being boiled, each vessel being used alternately. This mode
of heating and raising the fluid by steam will be found suitable for the treat-
ment of cane juice, and may also be used in lieu of the ordinary blow-up
cisterns in the process of refining sugar; but as it is most essential in the
refining of sugar to avoid the action of high temperatures on the saccharine
solution during the refining process, I prefer to use in such cases an open
vessel for the clarification, and to jacket the same externally for the purpose of
applying heated water, air, or other fluids of a less temperature than two
hundred and twelve degrees Fahrenheit. An increase of heating surface
adequate to this reduction of temperature may be given by placing straight or
coiled pipes in the clarifier, in which pipe the said hot fluids may circulate for
the purpose of transmitting their heat to the liquor to be clarified. I have
not shewn any Drawing of apparatus for carrying into effect this part of my
Invention, as the details of construction will be readily understood by an
engineer, and thus will be prevented the injurious effects of steam heat in the
clarification of solutions of sugar by substituting for steam, hot water or other
suitable fluids heated to a degree not exceeding two hundred and twelve
degrees Fahernheit.
Secondly, with regard to my Invention of an Improved Mode of Discharging
the Filtered Liquor from the Interior of Revolving Filters used in the
Manufacture or Refining of Sugar, the way in which this is effected is repre-
sented on Sheet A of the annexed Drawings, where Figure 3 is an end
elevation; Figure 4, a vertical longitudinal section; and Figure 5, a vertical
cross section. a is a semi circular trough of sheet iron, which is rivetted to
two cast-iron end plates a', and which thus forms a vessel for holding the
liquor to be filtered; 6 is a drum composed of circular plates b' mounted on
an axis c; the periphery of the plates b¹ serve to support a wire gauze or
pierced metal covering, over which a textile fabric is tightly stretched for the
purpose of filtering the liquor. The solid particles which are separated being
retained on the exterior service of the drum, as described in my former Patent,
dated the Twentieth day of March, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
one, the improvement on that apparatus which I desire to secure under
this Patent being the mode in which the filtered fluid is discharged from the
interior of the drum. In each of the plates 6' there are holes h, h, through
which bent pieces of metal i, i, pass, the pieces i, i, forming inclined gutters,
which at their lower ends are connected by openings n with one of the four
passages m formed in the brass axis of the drum. Each of the gutters i, i,
are elongated on one side by a strip of metal i*, which is bent at nearly
right angles, and its end coming in contact with the wire gauze covering of

page_text: the drum. This bent piece, like the gutter, extends from end to end of the
drum, and forms a sort of bucket, much like that of an over-shot water wheel
placed inside instead of out, and which bucket, by the rotation of the drum,
lifts up the filtered liquor, and conveys it into the slanting gutters i, with
which it is connected. The fluid, running down the gutter, passes into the
hollow axis by the opening n, and escapes at the mouthpiece m*, each bucket
and gutter in its turn performing a similar operation as the drum revolves.
Motion is communicated to the apparatus by the driving drum r, the axis of
which passes through stuffing boxess and t at the ends of the trough to
prevent the liquor from escaping therefrom. u is a cock for the discharge of
unfiltered liquer when the trough is required to be cleaned out; v is a pipe to
supply liquor to the apparatus; and r is a scraper or "doctor" which scrapes
off the sediment formed on the drum by the filtration of the liquor through
it, and thus enables the process to be carried on for a length of time without
interruption.
Thirdly, with regart to my improvements in combining two revolving
screws in one evaporating pan, and in the use of gearing so arranged as to
cause the said screws to give a circulation to the fluid therein contained, and
in forming screws with more than one thread, and also in the use of scrapers
arranged 'so as to cleanse the screws or discs used for evaporating sacharine
fluids, my mode of working two screws in one pan is shewn on Sheet B
of the annexed Drawings, where Fig. 1 is a vertical cross section on the line
A, B, of Figure 3; Figure 2 is an end elevation; Figure 3, a plan; and
Figure 4, a vertical longitudinal section on the line C, D, of Figure 3. a is
a pan or trough for containing the fluid to be evaporated, having two large
hollows, which are segments of a cylinder. The outer part of the vessel a¹
has vertical sides and a flat bottom, the space between which and the curved
segments forms a hot-water bath. The screws b, b, are provided with a
hollow perforated axis for the purpose of passing air over the screws in the
manner before described in a Patent granted to me, and bearing date the
Twenty-fourth day of February, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
That portion of the pan which rises up between the screws has a gutter a²
formed along it, but it does not extend the whole length of the pan, the
space as being left at one end, so as to allow the fluid matters to pass from
one large screw to the other. The level of bottom of this portion of the
pan is shewn by dots at a³, Figure 1, at the opposite end of the pan. The
space a is also left for the purpose of admitting the fluid to pass from one
screw to the other. The level of the pan bottom at this part is shewn by dots
at at, Figure 1, where it is lowest in the centre, to facilitate the outflow of the

page_text: syrup by the cock c, the position occupied by which is also shewn by dots at c*
and Figure 1. One end of the large tubular axes d, d, are closed, and terminate
in small solid axles e, e, which are supported in plummer blocks f, f, formed on
the end of the pan. The opposite ends of the axes d, d, are open, and rest on
friction rollers g, and are guided or kept in their proper position by other
rollers h, h, on each side, these rollers are partly supported by their respective
axes passing into the solid metal of the pan, which rises at this end for that
purpose, and are partly supported by semicircular castings i, i, bolted to the
end of the pan. There is also formed on the end of the pan a plummer
block, shewn by dots at J, in which the main driving shaft k revolves. This
shaft carries the spur pinion 1, which is geared into the driving wheels m
and n, one of which is keyed on to the tubular axis of each screw. There
is also a pinion r working on a fixed stud which projects from the end of
the pan. This wheel has its teeth of twice the width of the other wheels, and
is always in gear with the wheel n. There is also a sliding pinion s, which
works upon a fixed stud projecting from the end of the pan. The action of
the apparatus is as follows:-The sliding wheels is drawn back by a clutch
handle, so that it is no longer in gear with any but the wheel r. Motion is
then communicated to the main driving shaft k, when the pinion will cause
the two screws to turn in the same direction; and as the threads of the screws
are one right-handed and the other left-handed, it will follow that one screw
will move the fluid to one end of the pan, while the other screw will move it
to the opposite one. The matters under operation will thus circulate freely,
passing from one side to the other by the spaces a 3 and a 4, and thus, while
the screws scrape the bottom of the pan and propel any chrystals that are
formed along the pau, an accumulation is not formed at one end, as would
have been the case if one screw only were used. When the charge of syrup
is sufficiently dense for discharging from the pan, the wheel is drawn out of
with the wheels m and n by means of a forked lever, while the wheel s
is forced back in a similar manner into gear with the wheel m, and still con-
tinuing also in gear with the wheel r. Thus the motion of the main shaft will
cause the wheels m and n to turn in opposite directions, those sides of the
screws which are nearest to each other moving in a downward directly, and
consequently both screws driving the concentrated matter to the discharge
end of the pan.
At the same time a scraper is placed between the threads of
the screws, by means of which any accuniulation of matters on the screw will
be scraped off and conducted into the central gutter, from whence it may be
run down into the space a opposite the discharge cock.
gear
At Figure 5 the scraper is shewn in elevation, w, w, being the parts which

page_text: fit in between the threads of the screw, and r the part which fits the gutter,
and causes the matters to be brought forward along it by the advancing.
motion of the screws. Figure 6 shews the scraper on plan.
When screws are used to evaporate cane juice or weak solutions of sugar,
I find it preferable to construct such screws with their threads so near together
that the amount of circulation is very small if a single-threaded screw be used..
I therefore construct such screws with a greater number of threads than one;
that is, more than one continuous spiral blade is used on the same axis, so
that the "pitch" of the screw is encreased without putting the spiral blades
further apart from each other. Hitherto the discs or blades of screws used
for facilitating evaporation have been made of one uniform thickness through-
out the said plate; but I find that the amount of rigidity requisite to bear
the action of the scraper rendered it necessary to use a great weight of metal,
which added to the cost of the apparatus. I therefore make such dises or
plates thicker at that part where they join the axis, and gradually becoming
thinner at their peripheries, whereby the requisite amount of strength is
obtained with much less weight of metal.
Fourthly, with regard to my mode of connecting a water cistern with the
jacket of evaporating pans, wherein hot water is used as a means of communi-
cating heat to saccharine fluids therein contained, and in causing steam to
displace such water when it is required to heat the fluid for the purpose of
assisting the granulation thereof; after the concentration and partial granu-
lation of saccharine matters have taken place, it is found that the temperature
of such fluids is too low to effect a perfect granulation, and that an additional
degree of heat is necessary for that purpose. In order to effect this object
without using a separate heating vessel, I construct an apparatus as shewn in
Figure 7, Sheet B, of the annexed Drawings, which is a vertical cross section
thereof. A is the pan, having a jacket B through which the steam pipes D
pass in order to keep the water warm which fills the jacket. After the
requisite amount of concentration has been effected, the cock F is to be
opened, so as to establish a communication with the elevated cistern G. Steam
is then admitted by opening the cock H in the steam pipe I, which commu-
nicates by the branch pipes I to the upper part of the jacket on the outside
of the pan, the effect of which will be the rapid displacement of the water,
which will be forced up into the cistern G. The cock F is then shut; steam
will occupy the jacket, and give the requisite additional heat to the syrup.
The screw or discs E meantime having no air passed between them, any
condensed water accumulating in the jacket may be blown off by the cock I
after sufficient heat has been transmitted to the fluid, and it has been drawn

page_text: off from the pan, the cock H is shut, and the steam contained in the jacket
is allowed to escape from the small cocks not shewn in the Drawing, being
at the end of the pan. The cock F is again opened, when the water will
descend from the cistern G, and the process go on as before.
Fifthly, with regard to my mode or modes of regulating the exhaustion
and supply of fluids to revolving tables used to cure or cleanse sugar. These
improvements relate to certain modifications of an apparatus for which I
obtained a Patent, dated Twenty-fourth of February, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-two. According to the plans laid down in this Patent the
whole of the sugar spread upon the table was exposed to the pressure of the
air above it, and to a partial vacuum below, whereby a vast body of air would
pass through it into the exhausted chamber, and hence, if required, a power-
ful pump to keep up the requisite amount of exhaustion. This disadvantage
is avoided in the present form of apparatus by establishing a communication
to the air pump with a portion only of the annular channel, which is covered
with sugar, and thus reducing the area through which the air passes, and
whereby less power will be required for pumping out the air, or a greater.
amount of exhaustion may be maintained, which would have the effect of
causing a more rapid and powerful action on the sugar by the water or syrups;
but it may be found preferable to dry some kinds of sugar during the opera-
tion as much as possible by passing air through it. In such cases I make an
arrangement of passages leading to separate exhausting pumps, whereby a
large body of air may be passed through the sugar at one part of the circular
table, without a great difference being made between the external and internal
pressure of the air, while at the same time that part of the table on which
the sugar is exposed to the action of water or syrups may be in connection
with the more powerful exhausting pumps; and thus the benefit of a high
degree of rarefication may be obtained for carrying on one part of the process,
while it avoids the loss of power that would be occasioned by the whole of the
table being equally exhausted. This arrangement also affords facility for
supplying heated air to dry the sugar while on the table; for if that portion
of the circle which is in connection with the less powerful exhaust apparatus
be covered with a sheet metal cover, the external atmosphere may be nearly
excluded, while a pipe may be made to communicate with the cover, and con-
vey to it dry heated air, and thus further facilitate the drying of the sugar by
the passage of dry warm air through it. As the whole surface of the annular
ring covered with sugar is under this arrangement not in connection with the
more powerful exhaust apparatus, that part which is not so may have the
sugar removed from a small part of it, and a portion of the wire gauze surface

page_text: may be left exposed, so that a steam pipe may be placed an inch or two
above such uncovered part, the pipe being in a horizontal position, and per-
forated on its under side. Steam may be turned on from time to time, as
required, in order to dissolve and blow through any crystals, which may clog
the wire gauze; and this pipe may be used also to warm the apparatus
by blowing steam through it previous to commencing to use the machine
each day.
The apparatus for carrying into effect this part of my said Invention is
represented on Sheet C of the Drawings annexed, where Figure 1 is a vertical
section taken through the centre; Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the
revolving table taken on the line A, B, of Figure 1; and Figures 3, 4, 5,
and 6 are details of the same. a is a cylindrical cast-iron pedestal, which
forms also a vacuum chamber and cistern for the reception of the liquor
which has passed through the sugar. This cistern has a flange a 1 by which
it is bolted to the upper part a 2, which forms a case enclosing the revolving
table b. The casting a 2 has an annular chamber c formed in it, which is'
covered by the plate d, and is secured by bolts e. On the lower side of the
casting a 2 there is bolted a pipe f, the lower end of which is open, and
descends nearly to the bottom of the cistern a, on the opposite side of which
there is another pipe g, which reaches nearly to the top of the chamber, and,
passing through the bottom of it, leads to the exhaust air pump. The revolving
table b consists of a shallow circular dish having 24 radial ribs or partitions
6 1, all of which join the central bos 62, in the centre of which the axis h of
the table is fixed. The upper surface of all the ribs 6 1, the boss 62, and the
outer edge of the table 6 are turned truly level, and thus form a firm support
to the brass covering plate i, which is cast with a central hollow space i 2 on
the upper side, and a great many radial ribs i 3, which project from the under
side of it. The part marked i 4, in Figure 2, shews the state of the plate as
cast. The part 5 shews a portion of the same plate with a number of
annular grooves formed in it on the lathe, these grooves being formed across
the ribs i 3, and so deep in the metal as to reach down to them. The whole
surface thus becomes divided into alternate rings of metal, with openings
between them extending through the radial ribs i 3, so that when wire gauze
is placed upon this groved surface a good support is formed for it by the
annular rings which project upwards, and which are firmly supported by being
connected to the radial ribs i 3, and thus the whole of the annular ring at the
edge of the table is rendered pervious to air or fluid, but not to the crystals
of sugar, which the wire gauze prevents from passing through. By this
arrangement a radial rib i 3 is made to fit tightly on to each of the radial:

page_text: partitions 61 of the table, and thus each of the separate chambers 6 3 formed
between the ribs 6 1 have a separate and distinct communication with their
respective sections of the previous surface of the table. At that part where
the ribs 61 join the boss there are openings 65 which communicate with
the chambers 6 3. The under side of all these openings are turned true and
ground smooth, so as to fit air-tight, or nearly so, to the brass platej, which
fits up closely against them. Between this brass plate and the covering plate
d there is a ring of vulcanized india rubber or other elastic packing n,
whereby the contact of the surfaces is maintained with more uniformity
than would be obtained by the metal; only it will be observed, by inspection
of Figure 3, that the hole m in the brass platej extends only for a small
portion of a circle, and therefore that the table, as it revolves in contact with
the plate, will only have as many of the chambers 6-3 in connection with the
exhausted chamber a as are over the opening m, and thus, by the revolution of
the table, such part only as may be required will be under the action of the
exhaust pump. The rings of brass r and s are for the purpose of securing
the covering of wire gauze and retaining it in its position, while at the same
time they form the margin of the annular channel t, in which the sugar is to be
spread by the pug-mill hopper, as before described under my former Patent.
Motion is given to the table from below, the axis h of the table passing out of
the bottom of the chamber through a stuffing box u and gland v. On the
axis h is a steel collar W, which rests in a gun-metal bush or step X. The
pedestal a is elongated downwards at a*, where there is a slot which enables
the gland to be screwed up by means of lugs v*. The step X has a flange at
its lower edge X*, by which it is bolted up to the tubular elongation a*. There
are packing rings of copper y, which may be removed as the step wears. On
the lower end of the axis is a worm wheel Z, which receives motion from the
worm Z*, and thus the apparatus may be put in motion. Each of the holes
65 in the compartments b', passing in succession over the opening m, are thus
brought in communication with the exhausted chamber a, while all the
openings 6 which have the blank part of the platej beneath them are cut off
from the exhaust; but when it is desired to pass air through the sugar for the
purpose of drying it, as before referred to, the plate j has two openings m and
o made in it, as shewn in Figure 4, the opening m leading, as in the former
case, to the most powerful exhaust pump, while the opening o must be provided
with a separate exhaust pipe leading to an air pump or other convenient
apparatus capable of removing a large volume of air, but which is not required
to make any more powerful degree of exhaustion than will suffice to cause a
strong current of air to pass through the sugar.

page_text: In Figures 5 and 6 I have shewn how the water or syrups may be supplied
to the apparatus. A is small copper cistern, secured by the bracket B to the
casting a¹. This cistern has a projecting part A*, which overhangs the revolv-
ing table 6 immediately above the sugar in the annular ring. The part marked
A of the cistern has no bottom to it, and hence the liquor in it rests upon the
moving stratum of sugar, whereby a most copious supply of the fluid is given in a
very small space of time. The most powerfully exhausted part of the cable being
immediately under this cistern the liquid therein will not spread itself over the
surface of the sugar on either side, because the tendency for it to pass through.
the sugar is greater than any other. After passing through the sugar the air
and fluid find their way through the openings 65 and opening m into the.
annular chamber c, and from thence into the exhausted cistern a by passing
down the pipe f. The fluid portion will thus be accumulated at the bottom of
the cistern a, while the air will separate from it and ascend to the open mouth
of the pipe g, from which it is taken by an air pump. A liquor pump of any
convenient form must also be used to take out the fluid from the bottom of the
cistern a and return it to the small cistern A by a pipe C, so that the same
water may be used over and over again, until it arrives at a density of twenty
to thirty degrees Beaume. To prevent any solid impurities from being thus
put on to the sugar a fine wire grating A 2 is used, which also serves to keep the
surface of the fluid quiet in the projecting part A*. The sugar, after passing
under the solution of sugar, has nearly the whole of its coating of molasses washed
off, but still retains a small quantity of the colored fluid by which it has been
washed; I therefore use a second supply of pure water, but in a much smaller
quantity; it falls in fine jets from perforations made on the under side of the
pipe D. This second washing effectually removes the color left by the first,
and thus adds to the quantity of fluid to be pumped out. To convey away
this excess of fluid I make use of the overflow pipe E, which leads to an eva-
porating pan, where the syrups may be concéntrated. The density to which
the fluid arrives is regulated by the quantity of water admitted to the pipe D.
It will be obvious that the cistern A, if desired, may have a finely-perforated
bottom, and be placed a short distance above the crust of sugar, so as to
administer a shower in lieu of a mass of water, as herein described.
The mode by which the cleansed sugar is removed from the apparatus is not
herein shewn, as it has been duly described in my Patent, dated February
Twenty-fourth, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
Sixthly, with regard to the separation of certain impurities found floating in
or mechanically mixed with the atmospheric air used to facilitate the evapora-
tion of saccharine and other solutions, I have found that whenever large

page_text: quantities of air in its ordinary condition is brought in contact with the surface
of fluids, or with surfaces wetted with fluids, that such particles of soot, dust,
or other matters which may be floating in the air are retained by the fluids
with which they are brought in contact, and which fluids are thus rendered
impure, particularly when the air of large towns is used for such purposes. To
avoid the great disadvantage from this circumstance I filter the air by causing
it to pass through any suitable woven or felted fabric, whereby the solid particles
of matter are separated from the air, and may be removed from the filtering
surface with a brush from time to time. I have found that a closely-woven
lutestring silk will answer the purpose well, and that the most convenient way
of using it is to construct a small chamber, divided across the centre by a
light open lattice partition framed in wood, over which the silk or other
material is to be stretched, so as to form a pervious partition dividing the
chamber into two distinct cells. Care must be taken that no air be allowed to
pass from the one to the other without passing through the fabric. The air
to be filtered I prefer to be forced by a blowing fan, or other suitable apparatus,
into one cell, and, passing through the fabric into the other, will be led from
thence by suitable tubes to the evaporating apparatus. A closely-fitted door is
made to communicate with the interior of the chamber in order to admit an
attendant to enter and remove the solid matters from the surface of the filter.
Seventhly, with regard to that part of my Invention which relates to the
evaporation of the aqueous parts of albuminous matters, and in the mixture of
such matters with charcoal; and also in the use of matters, so prepared, in the
clarification of saccharine fluids. It is well known that the mixture of albumi-
nous matters with cane juice and other saccharine fluids assists greatly in the
process of clarification, because the albumen coagulates in the boiling solution
and entangles many minute particles of feculent matter that would otherwise
be very difficult to separate. But it is found very difficult to obtain such
matters in sufficient quantities in the colonies, and many other situations, as
the substances rapidly undergo decomposition, and also are not convenient for
the carriage. The object of this part of my Invention is, therefore, to reduce
the bulk of albuminous matters by evaporation at so low a temperature as not to
coagulate them, and then to mix them with powdered or granulated charcoal,
which will preserve them from decomposition, and thus admit of their easy
transport to distant places, and to be stored for many months without becoming
decomposed. To carry into effect this part of my said Invention I use an
evaporating pan having a series of discs or a screw revolving therein, con-
structed on the general principle herein-before described, but in which cold or
nearly cold air is used, and in which a water bath is unnecessary, whereby the

page_text: evaporation of the aqueous portions of the fluid may be driven off without
coagulating the albuminous parts. When the substances, blood, eggs, &c., are
reduced to a stiff paste, the charcoal is kneaded in, and the compound formed
into bricks or lumps, which will dry hard on exposure to the air in a drying
room. When required for use the lumps will require steeping for a few hours
in water, at a temperature of 80° Fahrenheit, and when dissolved may be used
in the clarification of cane juice or other solutions of sugar.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that what I
claim as my Invention is,―
66
Firstly, the use of close or covered vessels for clarifying" and elevating
the liquor, in the manner described.
Secondly, I claim heating by hot water, hot air, or other heated media below
212° Fahrenheit the vessels used for the defication or clarification of saccharine
fluids.
Thirdly, I claim the method of discharging the saccharine fluids from filtering
drums, as herein described.
Fourthly, I claim the combination of and working two screws in one pan or
vessel, in the manner and for the purposes herein described.
Fifthly, I claim, in the construction of screws for evaporating, the use of two
or more threads, as described.
Sixthly, I claim the mode of scraping the threads of the screw, and render-
ing such threads or discs more rigid by making them thicker at the central
part, and becoming gradually thinner towards their outer edge.
Seventhly, I claim the use of steam to displace other heating media used to
evaporate saccharine fluids, and using such steam to heat the partially granu-
lated sugar before discharging it from the pan.
Eighthly, I claim the combination of apparatus for cleansing or airing sugar,
herein described.
Ninthly, I claim the filtration or separation of dust, soot, or other solid
matters which may be floating in or mechanically mixed with atmospheric air,
when such air is to be brought in contact with saccharine or other fluids for
the purpose of facilitating evaporation.
Twelfthly, I claim the mode of treating and combining albuminous matters
with charcoal, in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bessemer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
HENRY (L.s.) BESSEMER.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-fourth day of January,
in the year of our Lord 1853, the aforesaid Henry Bessemer came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.