Process for Removing Fusel Oil from Crude Spirits or from the Mash Containing Crude Spirits.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 8th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 9th Dec., 1887
Process for Removing Fusel Oil from Crude Spirits or from the
Mash Containing Crude Spirits.
I, HERMAN GROTE, of the firm of Grote y Pinetta, of Guatemala, Central America,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Saltpetre (nitrate of potash or of soda) is mixed with carbonate of magnesia,
(precipitated carbonate or finely ground magnesite) or with caustic alkalies, or with
lime or other alkaline earths, or with the carbonates of these bases, preferably one
part of saltpetre with two parts of carbonate of magnesia. The mixture is heated to
red heat and kept at this temperature for about two hours. This operation may be
conveniently carried out in an iron retort provided with a stirrer. After the mass has
been allowed to cool and harden, it is finely powdered.
The mass, obtained as described, contains magnesia, carbonate of magnesia, nitrate
of potash (or of soda), and nitrite of potash (or of soda).
It is evident, however, that the composition of this mass will be different if one
of the substitutes mentioned above has been employed, instead of carbonate of
magnesia.
To this compound may be added powdered charcoal and other substances usually
employed for rectifying crude spirits, but such an admixture is not absolutely
necessary.
The powdered product thus obtained is added to the crude spirit, preferably in the
preliminary heating apparatus, and left in contact with the same for several hours
before commencing the distillation. In some cases the chemicals may be placed
directly into the still when the latter is being charged, and the distillation commenced
at once.
The chemicals or the purifying compound added to the crude spirit serves to retain
the fusel oil as long as possible during the distillation with the result that a larger
quantity of spirit is obtained than by the other processes, and that the first and the
last runnings are less in quantity.
After the spirit and the last runnings have been distilled off, the fusel oil, which
had previously been retained by the chemicals, escapes almost without any admixture.

page_text: The quantity of the purifying mass or mixture to be added to the crude spirit
depends on the quality of the latter. From 45 to 60 grammes of the unmixed
purifying compound (prepared from saltpetre and carbonate of magnesia) for every
100 litres, or from 7.2 to 9.5 ounces to every 100 gallons of crude spirit is generally
a good proportion. The crude spirit need not be diluted. The first and the last
runnings are treated in the same manner by adding the purifying mass.
oil is retained and finally goes over almost without any admixture.
The fusel
It may therefore be left in the still by stopping the process at the required moment.
The purifying compound may also be added directly to the mash, in quantity
corresponding to the proportions stated above; the best method being to inix the
purifying mass with the mash in the fermenting vat and allow it to remain in contact
with the mash as long as possible.
If desired, the vapours arising from the distillation may be conducted through the
purifying compound.
For carrying out this purifying process, the modern appliances usually employed
for rectifying and distilling spirits may be employed.
This invention is applicable to all kinds of crude spirit and to all kinds of mash,
whether produced from potatoes, beetroot, sugar cane, maize or other raw materials.
Dated this 9th day of February 1887.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: 1333 T
5234
Mash Containing Crude Spirits.
I, HERMAN GROTE, of Guatemala, Central America, Manufacturer, do horeby
declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
Saltpetre (nitrate of potash or of soda) is mixed with carbonate of magnesia
(precipated carbonate or finely ground magnesite) or with the carbonate of an alkali
or alkaline earth, preferably one part of saltpetre with two parts of carbonate of
magnesia. The mixture is heated to red heat and kept at this temperature for about
2 hours This operation may be conveniently carried out in a retort.
After the mass
has been allowed to cool, it is finely powdered.
The mass obtained as described contains principally magnesia, carbonate of magnesia,
nitrate of potash (or of soda) and nitrite of potash (or of soda).
It is evident, however, that the composition of this mass will be different, if one
of the substitutes mentioned above has been employed, instead of carbonate of
magnesia.
To this compound may be added powdered charcoal and other substances usually
employed for rectifying crude spirits; but such an admixture is not absolutely
necessary.
The powdered product thus obtained is added to the crude spirit, preferably in the
preliminary heating apparatus, and left in contact with the same for several hours
before commencing the distillation. In some cases the chemicals may be placed
directly into the still when the latter is being charged, and the distillation commenced
at once.
The chemicals or the purifying compound added to the crude spirit serve to retain
the fusel-oil as long as possible during the distillation, with the result that a larger
quantity of fine spirit is obtained than by the other processes, and the first and the
last runnings are less in quantity.
After the spirit and the last runnings have been distilled off, the fusel-oil, which
had previously been retained by the chemicals, escapes almost without any admixture.
The quantity of the purifying mass or mixture to be added to the crude spirit
depends on the quality of the latter. From 45 to 60 grammes of the unmixed
purifying compound (prepared from saltpetre and carbonate of magnesia) for every
100 litres, or from 7 to 9.5 ounces to every 100 gallons of crude spirit is generally
a good proportion. The crude spirit need not be diluted. The first and the last
runnings are treated in the same manner by adding the purifying mass.
The purifying compound may also be added directly to the mash, in quantity
corresponding to the proportions stated above, the best method being to inix the
purifying mass with the mash in the fermenting vat and allow it to remain in contact
with the mash as long as possible.

page_text: If desired, the vapours arising from the distillation may be conducted through the
purifying compound.
For carrying out this purifying process, the modern appliances usually employed for
rectifying and distilling spirits may be used.
This invention is applicable to all kinds of crude spirit and to all kinds of mash,
whether produced from potatoes, beetroot, sugar cane, maize or other raw materials.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare, that what
I claim, is:
1. The manufacture of a compound by mixing saltpetre (nitrate of potash or of
soda) with carbonate of magnesia (or a carbonite of another alkaline earth or of an
alkali) and heating the mixture to red heat for about 2 hours.
2. A compound consisting mainly of magnesia, carbonate of magnesia, nitrate and
nitrite of potash or of soda, and obtainable in the manner substantially as described.
3. The application of the new compound for relieving crude spirit or other products
of distillation, or mash, of fusel-oil and other impurities, by adding the said compound
before or during the process of distillation.
T: 011 Low at November 1887