Improvements in the Manufacture of White Sugar and the like from Molasses, and in Centrifugal Apparatus for use therein.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1894—Accepted, 23rd June, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of White Sugar and the like from
Molasses, and in Centrifugal Apparatus for use therein.
1, EMANUEL HÜBNER, of Domažlice, Bohemia, in the Empire of Austria,
Manager of Sugar Refineries, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
The object of my invention is to manufacture white sugar, and the like, by
means of centrifugal machines under the action of steam.
In carrying out my invention I fit the centrifugal apparatus with a number of
separate cells, formed with plates baving flanges or rims; the plates being fitted so
as to leave intermediate spaces between the cells or receptacles in which the sugar
is solidified.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and
ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 2 a horizontal plan, partly in section,
illustrating my invention.
Fig. 3 shows one form of radial cell, in sectional elevation and plan, with two
side plates, as shown in Fig. 2.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6, are enlarged views, of a form of wedge for blocking up the
plates shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 8 a horizontal section, illustrating another
method of arranging the cells.
Fig. 9 shows a method of arranging the cells in horizontal layers.
Figs. 10 to 13 are detail views.
B is the inner drum of the centrifugal apparatus, revolving on the vertical
shaft H, in bearings L. The casing M is perforated. D is the solid bottom of the
revolving drum. V is a detachable cover, provided with a central circular opening.
One method of fixing the cover V consists in forming key-hole openings in the
flange, and corresponding bolts with round or cheese heads, fitted to the drum.
For facilitating the fixing and removal of the cover a detachable lever k may be
applied, as shown by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2, the key being temporarily
pivoted to one of the bolt heads, and two teeth formed on the lever gearing with
teeth attached to the cover V.
The radial cells, of triangular horizontal section, may be formed with two
plates n between the cells, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. If single plates are used
they are made of double thickness. I prefer to fix the plates m upon the bottom D,
in such a manner as to form grooves, into which the plates fit, when in position,
their outer ends being close to the perforated cylinder or drum.
In order to facilitate the fixing and removal of the annular series of plates,
shown in Fig. 2, I insert one or more composite wedge or wedges, as shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 being an enlarged horizontal section, Fig. 5 a sectional elevation, and
Fig. 6 an end view of one of these composite wedges. The wedge consists of two
plates G G, one end of each plate being dovetailed into a bar F, at 2, as shown
in Fig. 4, the other ends being bevelled at r, so as to fit the bevelled end which is
fastened to the casing M. These wedges clamp all the forms together, when
placed in position, and can be readily withdrawn by the handle N, whereupon the
whole of the annular series become loosened, and may be readily withdrawn, after
removal of the cover.

page_text: I prefer to construct the bottom D (Fig. 5) with a cylindrical ledge E, to which
the casing or drum M can be firmly secured. In consequence of this arrangement
a second bottom D' is provided, with a perforated plate M. Holes for the escape
of syrups are disposed in the bottoms where required. P is the outward fixed
casing, with its removable cover J. Q is the steam pipe. O is an opening for the
escape of the liquids arising from condensed steam, and of the syrups. T is a tube
for the escape of steam. The jet of steam is lead inside the rotating drum B, as
shown in Fig. 1.
After having mounted the forms C in the rotating drum B, and covered the
drum securely with the annular cover V, the drum is filled with molasses, or other
raw material for manufacturing sugar. The rotation of the drum cures the sugar,
and the syrups escape through the perforations of the casing M, into the outer
casing P, and from thence through O. The sugar in B is afterwards operated
upon with steam from the pipe Q. If covered with liquid sugar the operation is
repeated until the syrups are rendered colourless. The contents can be warmed
with the steam jet before the end of the operation.
The cells may be placed parallel to each other, either in a vertical or horizontal
position, or otherwise. The vertical position is shown in Fig. 8, e¹ being the plates
and S the cells; the spaces S being left vacant.
In Fig. 9 the rotating drum is shown fitted with horizontal plates and cells..
Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are detail views showing methods of fitting the plates
with double or single flanges n n' to regulate the width of the cells.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The manufacture of white sugar and the like from molasses, in centrifugal
machines, fitted with plates C, C, C³, disposed radially or in parallel positions,
with perforated cylinders M, the plates being fitted with flanges n'n³ to regulate
the dimensions of the cells; and the application of steam from a pipe Q,
substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. The general construction, arrangement, and combination of the several and
respective parts, together forming my improvements in the manufacture of white
sugar and the like from molasses.
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.