IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF SOLID FAT ACIDS FROM OILS OR OLEIC ACID SUITABLE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES, "
Year: 1881

page_text: ETTERS PATENT to Frank Wirth, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent
Solicitors, at Frankfort on, the Main, in the Empire of Germany, for an
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF SOLID FAT ACIDS
FROM OILS OR OLEIC ACID SUITABLE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES,
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Wirth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th April 1881.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company. Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort on the Main, in the Empire of Germany. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PRODUCTION OF SOLID FAT ACIDS FROM OILS OR OLEIC ACID SUITABLE FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES, AND THE UTILISATION OF THE LIQUID BY-PRODUCTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SOAP OR OF TURKISH RED MORDANTS." [A com-
munication from Armand Muller-Jacobs, Doctor of Philosophy, of Moscait, in the
Empire of Russia.]
According to the present. Invention oils cooled down to at least 60° cent. are
mixed with from 30. to 40 per cent. of sulphuric acid of the specific gravity 18230
to 18259 also cooled down. As soon as the temperature of the mixture has risen
to about 35° cent. there is mixed. with it double the volume of cold water under
continued stirring. The sulpho fat acid produced herefrom after boiling for
24 hours is separated and boiled continuously in several times its volume of water.
The sulpho acid produced is by this means converted into a solid fat acid.
resembling stearic acid, melting at 70'6° cent. and into liquid oxyoleicacid. The
following reaction formulae indicate the processes:—
1. Production of the oleic sulpho acid. for example, from glycerides.
11 J
03 SH, 0, 3
=
17H SO H CO OH) + C₁ Hg 03.

page_text: products of reaction, require to be yet further investigated, but according to
investigations made up to the present times the above formula: equations are
probably correct.
From the separated fat acids soluble in alcohol, the solid constituents are allowed
to crystallize out by standing from 2 to 3 days in the cold, after which the liquid
constituents amounting to about 40 per cent. are separated either by centrifugal
action or by presses, and-the-cake-is-purified by washing according to known
methods, with suitable substances, such as alcohol, petroleum, benzine, and the
like, and by distillation. The fat acid thus, obtained is then applicable for the
manufacture of candles in place of stearic acid.
The liquid fat acid converted into an alkaline salt is applicable as mordant in
place of the impure oily mordants now used in Turkish red dyeing, and gives a
very good colour.
From the aqueous mother liquor sulphuric acid and glycerine can be obtained
by precipitation by means of caustic. baryl orbarium chloride and evaporation.
If the first above described process of saponification with sulphuric acid is not
carried on at a very low temperature, or if the sulphuric acid employed be too
strong, products of decomposition of the fat acids of no appreciable value will be
produced, while large quantities of sulphuri dioxide will escape.
If less than the given quantity of sulphuric acid be used, only a portion of the
'oil will be converted as described, the fat acid compound, which will then not be
perfectly soluble in alcohol, will contain a less quantity of crystallizable solid fat
acids, together with liquid oxyoleic acid and unconverted oil, and the separation
of, the difficult bodies is so difficult that the process would not be a remunerative
one.
As the raw material may be used. oleic acid. cotton-seed oil, colza oil, olive oil of
inferior quality, sunflower seed oil, and train oil, from which, according to the
above described processes about 55 per cent. of solid fat acids, together with the
valuable oxyoleic acid, may be obtained.
The liquid residue can also be employed in the manufacture of soap in place of
منصف

page_text: 2. Conversion of the same on boiling with water.
2 C₁7 H SO3 H CO OH+3 H, O=C₁7 H CO OH + C₁, H₂O CO OH+2 SH, O₁.
17
The composition and constitution of the oleic sulpho acid as well as of the
products of reaction, require to be yet further investigated, but according to
investigations made up to the present time the above formulæ equations are
probably correct.
From the separated fat acids soluble in alcohol, the solid constituents are allowed
to crystallize by standing from 2 to 3 days in the cold, after which the liquid
constituents amounting to about 40 per cent. are separated either by centrifugal
action or by presses, and the cake is purified by washing, according to known
methods, with suitable substances, such as alcohol, petroleum, benzine, and the
like and by distillation. The fat acid thus obtained is then applicable for the
manufacture of candles in place of stearic acid.
The liquid fat acid converted into an alkaline salt is applicable as mordant in
place of the impure oily mordants now used in Turkish red dyeing, and gives a
very good colour.
From the aqueous mother liquor sulphuric acid and glycerine can be obtained
by precipitation by means of caustic baryta or barium chloride and evaporation.
If the first above described process of saponification with sulphuric acid is not
carried on at a very low temperature, or if the sulphuric acid employed be too
strong, products of decomposition of the fat acids of no appreciable value will be
produced, while large quantities of sulphuric dioxide will escape.
If less than the given quantity of sulphuric acid be used, only a portion of the
oil will be converted as described, the fat acid compound, which will then not be
perfectly soluble in alcohol, will contain a less quantity of crystallizable solid fat
acids, together with liquid oxyoleic and unconverted oil, and the separation
of the different bodies is so difficult that the process would not be a remunerative
one.
As the raw material may be used. oleic acid, cotton seed oil, colza oil, olive oil of
inferior quality, sunflower seed oil, and train oil, from which, according to the

page_text: above described processes, about 55 per cent. of solid fat acids, together with
valuable oxyoleic acid, may be obtained.
The liquid residue can also be employed in the manufacture of soap in place of
oleic acid.
Having thus described the nature of this Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my correspondent, I claim,
First. The transformation of oleic acid, cruca acid, as also of the glycerides
thereof into solid fat acids by the reaction of sulphuric acid thereon at low tempe-
ratures, and by the decomposition of the sulpho-acid compound produced by means
of boiling water.
Second. The application of the fat acids produced as set forth in the preceding
claim to the manufacture of candles.
"
Third. The use of the liquid fat acids produced in the process referred to in the
first claim for the manufacture of soap and of Turkish red mordants.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Frank Wirth, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
FRANK WIRTH. (L.S.)