IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MALT, AND IN APPARATUS FOR DRYING MALT AND HOPS
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Lawrence, of 18, Cornwall Road,
Paddington, in the County of Middlesex, Brewers' Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MALT, AND IN
APPARATUS FOR DRYING MALT AND HOPS."
Sealed the 30th November 1866, and dated the 6th June 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Lawrence at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 6th June 1866.
I, WILLIAM LAWRENCE, of 18, Cornwall Road, Paddington, in the County
of Middlesex, Brewers' Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MALT, AND IN APPARATUS
FOR DRYING MALT AND HOP3," to be as follows:-
The Invention is for treating the grain or malt both as respects growing
or germinating, and as respects drying. For both of these it comprises
apparatus for stacking or arranging the barley or malt in thin vertical or
inc.ined layers, or in series with space between them or otherwise, and fr
growing" it comprises further apparatus for sparging or supplying liquor
at the top of the layers, or in some cases in the midst of the layers or

page_text: otherwise, by means of perforated pipes or otherwise, and with or without
the passage of currents of air or other fluid either between or through the
layers. It is the passing the said currents which constitutes the improved
process of manufacture, and this may also be carried out on a perforated or
otherwise constructed malting floor by blowing air through the same, for
purpose of refrigerating it or treating it with the other fluid, whereby it is
purposed to effect the growing in warm weather or beyond the limit of the
usual malting season.
For drying malt or hops the apparatus is arranged to cause currents
of heated air to pass into certain of the spaces between vertical or
inclined layers, as above, and through the layers of malt, and out through
others of the spaces, and to reverse or alter the currents so that their
direction of passage from one side of and through the layer, and out of or
away, the other side may be alternately changed. Both for growing and
drying the layers may be formed by placing them in wire or perforated plate
or other cages or cases which may open or separate, or may have convenient
doors or covers and sliding or shifting bottoms for filling and emptying them,
and screws or other mechanical appliances may be used for one or both of
these purposes.
Another part of the Invention consists in an improved kiln, constructed so
that the malt to be dried may be disposed in a hollow conical, pyramidical, or
tapered layer or form projecting from or above the floor,and so that the heated
air of the kiln may pass through the layer or substance of the malt, which
be changed as required, either mechanically or by manual feeding to the
top of the cone or pyramid, its gravity causing it to fall down to the bottom
thereof as removed therefrom. The layer may be arranged in the desired
form by a cage, as in the first part of the Invention, but of the proper
shape.
may
And this improvement further includes the covering the conical or other
formed cage or layer of malt with a cowl or cover, leaving but little space
between the inclined surfaces, so that the heated air may pass off after
passing through the malt with an effectual draught produced by jets of steam,
or fan draught, or a high chimney shaft, and which means of producing
draught may also be applied to the firstly described apparatus for growing
and drying.

page_text: SPECIFICA ION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Paret, fitel
by the said William Lawrence in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th December 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
LAWRENCE, late of 18, Cornwall Road, Paddington, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, but now of 27, Cornwall Road aforesaid, Brewers' Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Lawrence, Her special licence that I, the said William
Lawrence, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said William Lawrence, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MALT, AND IN APPARATUS FOR
DRYING MALT AND HOPS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said William Lawrence, iny executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Lawrence, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement, thereof, that is to say:-
The Invention is for treating the grain or malt both as respects growing or
germinating, and as respects drying. For both of these it comprises and
consists of apparatus for stacking or arranging the barley or malt in thin
vertical or inclined layers, or in series with spaces between them, and so
constructed and disposed or arranged as to permit currents of air or gases to
pass through the spaces and through or across the substance of the layers,
and in certain cases so as that the direction of the currents may be changeable
or reversible at will; and for "growing" it further comprises and consists of

page_text: apparatus for sparging or supplying liquor at the top of the layers, or in some
cases in the midst of the layers or otherwise by means of perforated pipes or
otherwise, and with or without the passage of currents of air or other fluid
either between or through the layers. It is the passing the said currents
between and through the layers which constitutes the in proved process of
manufacture, and this may also be carried out on a perforated or otherwise
constructed malting floor by blowing air through the same for the purpose of
refrigerating the malt or treating it with other fluid, whereby it is purposed
to effect the growing in warm weather or beyond the limit of the usual
malting season.
For drying malt or hops the apparatus is arranged to cause currents of
beated air to pass into certain of the spaces between vertical or inclined
layers, as above, and through the layers of malt, and out through others of
the spaces, and in certain cases to reverse or alter the currents so that their
direction of passage from one side of and though the layer and out of or
away from the other side may be alternately changed. Both for growing
and drying the layers may be formed by placing them in wire or perforated
plate or other cages or cases which may open or separate, or may have
convenient doors or covers and sliding or shifting bottoms for filling and
emptying them, and screws or other mechanical appliances may be used for
(ne or both of these purposes.
Another part of the Invention consists in an improved kiln constructed so
that the malt to be dried may be disposed in a hollow conical, pyramidical, or
tapered layer or form projecting from or above the floor, and so that the
heated air of the kiln may pass through the layer or substance of the malt,
which may be changed as required, either mechanically or by manual feeding
to the top of the cone or pyramid, its gravity causing it to fall down to the
bottom thereof as removed therefrom. The layer may be arranged in the
desired form by a cage, as in the first part of the Invention, but of the proper
shape and this improvement further includes the covering the conical or
other formed cage or layer of malt with a cowl or cover, leaving but little
space between the inclined surfaces, so that the heated air may pass off after
passing through the malt with an effectual draft produced by jets of steam, or
fan draught, or a high chimney shaft, and which means of producing draught
may also be applied to the first-described apparatus for growing and
drying.
It will be convenient in describing the accompanying illustrative Drawings
of apparatus to be used to refer, firstly, to the process of drying.
In Sheet No. 1 Figure 1 is a horizontal section or plan view of improved

page_text: drying house or kiln constructed and fitted with apparatus in accordance with
the Invention; Figure 2 is longitudinal section of same at A, B, and A, B*,
in Figures 1 and 3, being partly on a line near the centre cutting through the
drying cages or malt layers, and partly on a line exterior to the cages, showing
the doors at their ends, and cutting .hrough perforated plate or grating on
drying floor, and through flue beneath same; Figure 3 is transverse section
at C, D, in Figure 1, or partly through each of the lines C, C, and D, D), in
Figure 2, one of these passing through a cage or malt layer, and the other
through a space intermediate between two adjoining cage; or layers
a, a, are the external brick walls of house; b, a longitudinal arch supporting
the drying floor 6x at a height above the ground, and forming roof of furnace
chamber c, in which is a fire-place or furnace c*; d is a central, and e, e*,
are two other dwarf walls carried by the arch b; f.f, and fx, fx, are a series
of openings disposed in pairs f. fx, through the arch, to each pair a pair of
valves g, gx, being fitted in such manner that with respect to each particular
pair when the valve g* closes its opening fx, as shown in Figure 3, the
corresponding opening shall be uncovered by the corresponding valve 9, and
vice versa. The openings communicate from out of the furnace chamber c
into the drying flues h and h*, respectively divided one from the other by the
wall d, and each of these has a separate exit into the chimney shaft i, the
exits being regulated by one pair of valves k, k*, at one end of flues, so fitted
that when is closed * shall be open. A set of rods and levers 7 is so
arranged as to close the valves g* and k, and to open the valves g and k*
simultaneously, and vice versa. The walls d, e, and ex are of such heights as
to form a ridge or saddle-like support for the several drying cages or malt
layers n, m, which are formed by wire gauze or perforated plates fitted to
an iron skeleton or framework, as represented generally by the said Figures 1,
2, 3, and in further or clearer detail by the Figures 4, 5, 5*, 6, and 6*, which
are enlargements or generally corresponding or reversed views on a larger
scale of the construction at the parts or places marked X, Y, Y, Z, and Z*
respectively in the firstly-mentioned Figures, the Figure 4 being also a section
at E, E, in Figure 6x, and the Figures 5 and 5*, sections at G, H, in
Figures 6 and 6x respectively. It is specially to be noted that the drying
cages or malt layers m, m, are disposed to present or form spaces or flues n, n,
between them. o, o, are distance or blocking pieces of the framing situate in
these spaces, and corrugated so as not to stop the current through them.
The tops of the several cages communicate with each other, and forin one
general horizontal malt chamber or layer P (see Figure 2), which extends
also over the covered or closed tops of the spaces .. q;q. are flaps or doors

page_text: hinged to framing; caves over the tops of the eges may be employ dif
desire, but are not represented in the Drawings. It is furtner specially to
be noted that the drying fue h is open to and communicates with certain of
the spaces n, being alternate spaces, and that these are not open to the dry ing
flue *, and that the drying flue * is open to and communicates with the
remaining alternate spaces n, and that these are not open to the drying
flue. The result is when the valves are placed as represented to establish
the current denoted by the arrows from the furnace chamber upwards through
flue h, and the communicating alternate spaces n thence laterally through
cages and malt layers m, and thence downwards through remaining alternate
spaces into flue h*, and thence to the chimney. A reversal of the valves by
the rods and levers will vary the current, which will then commence from
furnace chamber through flue hx, and terminate through flue h into chimney,
and in its progress will pass through the cages or inalt layers m in an opposite
direction to that firstly described, and thus the malt will be more uniformly
dried. The several cages being open at the narrow portion of the bottom of
each one on each side of the saddle-like support (as illustrated more par-
ticularly at s in Figures 3, and. 6x) the malt will by its gravity fall out
through these openings on to the floor, whence by manual labour occasionally,
or a mechanical arrangement continuously or intermittently working, it may
be drawn out and lifted to the top of the cages and re-form the general
horizontal layer p, which will have been disturbed by the passage of the malt
through the cages. For more convenient access to the cages for cleaning
them, or in case the malt will not readily pass, or for entirely removing the
malt, the flaps q may be opened either completely or to such extent as may
be necessary. t,t, are two gratings in the dryingfloor extending longitudinally
along it, one on either side. At the feet of the cages, and immediately beneath
the openings s and u, u, are openings permitting a current from the furnace
chamber through these gratings, and the strata or portions of malt lying
immediately thereon into the chamber over the drying floor, and containing
the cages instead of through the flues h, hx, and the cages themselves, the
object being to dry the said strata or portions which by their position are
excluded from the general drying current. The gratings and openings
may be dispensed with, if preferred, by employing sliding or shifting
bottoms to the cages at or near the part s.
Figure 7 shews a cage or series of cages with square or straight instead of
saddle-like bottoms, and indicates an arrangement of screws for mechanically
removing the malt when the doors or flaps are open for the purpose. The
cages are disposed crossways over the longitudinal flues h, h., and a pair of

page_text: exit flues h, h³, are provided, the flues hand h² being intended to be used
together, but with h* and h³ closed or shut off by dampers, the current then
being, as denoted by the arrows, in full lines, or otherwise, the flues h* and h³
being intended to be used together, but with h and h³ closed or shut off by
dampers, the current then being as denoted by the dotted arrows. It is to be
understood that in their passage from lower to upper flues (h to hor h* to h³)
the currents will have to pass laterally through the layers, the disposition of
the cages or layers in plan being similar to that represented in Figures 1, 2,
and 3, and herein-above described. The position of the flues h, hx, may be
changed from the bottom to the sides by removing the doors to the bottom,
or otherwise providing for access to or openings from the cages, the screws
being dispensed with, if necessary, and the upper or exit flues h³, h³, may
also be placed at the sides instead of as represented.
Figure 8 shews another inodification in which the cages are differently
shaped, and placed between two flues », v, with hinged flaps vx, v*, over
them, the cages being furnished each with a shifting bottom or hinged flap w
for removing the malt; one side of the Figure shews flap v* raised, which
enlarges the flue beneath it, places it in communication with the spaces
between the cages, and keeps closed the shifting bottoms to the cages. On
the other side, one of the shifting bottoms w is represented as in the act of
being lowered for removing the contents, the flue flap vx being closed. An
arrangement of sliding bottoms to the cage may be adopted if preferred; also
a central flue divided into two, as shewn by dotted lines, may be substituted
for the flues v, v.
:
Figures 9 and 10 indicate arrangements of inclined and of curved
cages or malt layers which may be substituted if desired for straight
vertical cages; and I would here remark that the cages or layers may be
disposed in series in any convenient manner, with arrangements for the
passage of or for reversing and regulating the currents.
Figure 11 illustrates the kiln with pyramidical or couical arrangement of
cage or malt layer for the heated air to pass through, and with cowl or cover
over the cage, leaving but littlespace between itself and the malt cage or layer.
Figure 11* is a diagram showing modification, in which the straight sides of
the cone or pyramid are replaced by curved sides, the cowls being similarly
shaped to correspond. Figures 11 and 11 may also serve as transverse views
of tapering arrangements of cage or malt layer of considerable length, with
cowl z extending throughout the length, and with chimney at one end for the
exit of the current or draft. And I would remark that whether the arrange-
ment be the conical, the pyramidical, or the longitudinal and tapering
arrangement, a series or stack of cages or malt layers generally parallel to

page_text: each other, and with intervening spaces, may be employed, aud provision by
flues and dampers made for establishing the currents. With any of the
improved apparatus for drying, and particularly when a low temperature of
current is desired, its power may be promoted or encouraged by height of
chimney shaft, or steam jet, or fun, or other artificial means.
For growing arrangements of cages or layers, and of the mechanical or
other appliances for changing the grain, may be somewhat similar to those
described for drying, or some of them, but without furnace and furnace
chamber, but a high chimney or a fan or a steam jet may be employed to
promote the current; and arrangements for sparging should also be made
to damp the grain. This will be understood from the following description
of modified apparatus for growing which I prefer to employ for that
purpose.
In Sheet No. 2, the Figure 12 is a general plan view of an arrangement
of shallow flues a. a, in or upon a floor with dampers b, b, for reversing the
currents at pleasure. Over these flues it is intended to place a series of
wooden boxes or frames, as represented in cross section at Figure 13, con-
sisting of end and blocking pieces d, top pieces e, and louvres f, with spaces
or openings between the louvres. The barley is intended to be arranged in
generally vertical layers g between the boxes or frames; m is a perforated
pipe or liquor sparging tube, and similar or other pipes or tubes may
be employed for passing currents of air, or of mixtures of sulphurous
acid or carbonic acid, or other gas or vapour, or fluid through the layers.
An arrangement somewhat similar to that lastly described, and which it is
judged will be found particularly adapted for drying hops, is represented at
Figure 14, in which the wooden boxes or frames are replaced by stacks of
hollow tiles, the separate tiles being built or placed one upon another to form
chambers or erections over horizontal or other flues froin a kiln or furnace, or
over a drying floor; the hops are to form vertical layers between such
erections, and to unite as in one general horizontal layer over the tops of
them. The currents of heated air will pass out from the chambers through
the perforations of the tiles into and through the layers of hops.
Figure 15 is a perspective sketch of a single tile, explaining the form, but
any other form of tile which may be preferred may be substituted.
And I would remark that so far as practicable and convenient perforated
tiles of suitable form may be substituted for the wire cloth or perforated
cages in any of the several above-described illustrations of my Invention. And
I would also remark that with reference to the growing process in the manu-
facture of malt, specially for the purpose of refrigerating the grain; perforated

page_text: tiles may be employed upon a horizontal floor upon which a shallow layer of
grain may be laid, and the grain may be sparged or moistened, and air blown
or drawn through the tiles and through the grain.
The Figures 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11, and 11 are to a scale of about one-twentieth
of the full size; Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15 to about one-eighth full size;
and the remaining Figures are enlargements and diagrams.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Lawrence, bave hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
W. LAWRENCE.
(L.8.)