AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR TREATING OILS, APPARATUS THEREFOR, AND THE PRODUCT THEREFROM
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Philip Middleton Justice, of 14, Southampton Buildings,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of "AN
IMPROVED PROCESS FOR TREATING OILS, APPARATUS THEREFOR, AND THE
PRODUCT THEREFROM." A communication from abroad by Donald Daniel
Cattanach, of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, United States of
America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Philip Middleton Justice at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st January 1880.
"
PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE, of 14, Southampton Buildings, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent. AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR TREATING OILS,
APPARATUS THEREFOR, AND THE PRODUCT THEREFROM." A communication from
abroad by Donald Daniel Cattanach, of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island,
United States of America.
This Invention relates to an improved process and apparatus for treating linseed
and kindred oils to render them more serviceable in the various arts in which they
are commonly used, and to an improved article produced thereby. The process
consists in the treatment of such oils by regulated fermentation induced and
maintained by mechanical means, whereby all the atoms of the oil are kept in a
This
continuous state of vibration until brought to the required condition:
improved process and the improved product are hereinafter more fully described in
connection with the special apparatus, which is used in connection with the process.
In carrying out my Invention I take of ordinary linseed or kindred oils a given
quantity, for illustration, five hundred gallons, which I place in a suitable tank with
about one fifth its weight of water, which may be renewed when reduced by
evaporation, although portion of the water may be greatly varied without material
change in the result. The water being heavier rests at the bottom of the tank.
To that part of the tank which is in contact with the water I apply heat by means
of steam. The weight of the oil upon the water renders it possible to carry the heat
of the oil above 212° Fahrenheit, but it should not ordinarily be raised higher than
250° Fahrenheit to produce the best results. The heat of the water in contact
with the oil and that of the steam rising from the water through the oil will raise

page_text: the temperature of the oil and retain it at a moderate and even degree. It is better
however to give the oil frequent stirring in order that the steam may be diffused
more evenly throughout the mass of the oil, and act more uniformly upon the
whole. By the steam rising through the oil at the temperature specified, the
albuminous substances in the oil are thoroughly coagulated, which coagulation
causes them to precipitate to the surface of the water. The coagulation of these
albuminous substances and their precipitation also tends to eliminate fibrous and
other foreign substances from the oil, which are carried down mechanically with
the coagulated albumen. Whatever resinous substances there may be in the oil
are also eliminated by this process, and are diffused in a milky condition through-
out the water. This part of the process is carried on until the albuminous, fibrous,
and other substances are removed from the oil, and either deposited upon the
surface of the water or held in solution therein. The materials are then allowed to
stand for twenty four hours or any longer time as may be desired, in order that the
separation of the parts may be thoroughly completed.
The oil may be drawn off by a pump or syphon without disturbance of the water
or risiduum upon its surface, or the water and impurities may be drawn off by the
use of apparatus consisting of a tank of conical form provided at the bottom with
a pipe, by means of which the water may be drawn from the tank. This tank is
formed with an inner partition which constitutes an inner conical tank for the
reception of the oil; a steam coil is placed between the inner and outer partition
for the purpose of heating the water, or the steam coil can be placed in the water
without the use of a partition when the albuminous and other objectionable
elements are eliminated from the oil and precipitated, the water may be drawn
through the pipe below and the oil may be left in the tank. The construction of
the tank and the narrow passage render it easy to draw off all sedimentary matter
without any loss of the oil. Although this apparatus may be found useful, it is
manifestly not absolutely essential for the purpose, and other forms of tank may be
conveniently used. After the oil has been subjected to this preliminary treatment
as a second step in the process, it is put into an open vessel and made in any
convenient shape and surrounded by a steam jacket. It is there subjected to heat
from steam from 212° to not higher than 250° Fahrenheit. The heat of the oil
should not at any time be below 212°, and may be preferably kept at or near 250°
Fahrenheit. This treatment not only repels all the moisture from the oil, but
another favourable result also takes place. The heat being kept constantly at or
near 250° for two or three days, the oil so treated in the open tank requires no
further treatment by metallic oxides, but becomes a dry oil without their use.
The resulting gum or oils so treated are of more value for some purposes than if
treated in the ordinary way by metallic oxides, but if it be necessary to hasten this
part of the operation, then oxides, may be used without serious disadvantage, for
the reason that any of the oxides remaining in the oil after the treatment above
described are removed by the subsequent part of the process. The third and
principal part of my improved process may be carried on by means of the apparatus
consisting of a tank of suitable capacity, according to the amount of oil required to
be treated at any one time, but it should be of a size greater by four or five times
than the bulk of oil which is to be treated in it at once in order that the oil may
be held near the bottom. The bottom of the tank is provided with a steain jacket
extending over the bottom and a short distance up the sides of the tank. The
bottom of the tank is formed on a curve, but the ends are plain surfaces. Arranged
longitudinally within the tank is a shaft having its bearings in the ends of the
tank. This shaft is provided with narrow blades arranged radially upon it in
pairs, those of each pair being exactly opposite each other, the greater width of the
blades being arranged longitudinally of the shaft. The blades may be from one
and three fourths to two inches wide, the distance between each set of parallel
blades should be just equal to the width of the blades themselves, and between
each set of parallel blades is arranged another set of blades at right angles thereto,
and in the same plane as the spaces between the blades first specified. Tho

page_text: construction and arrangement of these blades is such that when the shaft is in
motion upon its axis, one set of blades move through one half of the space occupied
by the oil, while the succeeding row moves through those spaces between the
blades of the preceeding row. This arrangement of the blades effects a thorough
stirring of the oil, and causes a peculiar movement of it for purposes hereinafter
described. The shaft may be rotated by any suitable mechanism. The revolutions
of the shaft being from 70 to 90 per minute, the resistance of the oil arising from
its weight and tenacity render it necessary that the shaft should be of great
strength. The blades are preferably made wider at the outer ends and gradually
tapering toward the shaft, and are ribbed on the narrower parts to give increased
strength.
Upon one side of the tank is arranged a heating coil placed vertically in the
manner of ordinary heating coils for buildings. It is enclosed within a shell or case,
which shell or case is provided with vertically arranged transverse partitions
extending from opposite sides alternately part of the way across its width. The
steam coil, which may be supplied either with exhaust or live steam, keeps up the
temperature of the interior of the case, through which air is caused to pass in a zig-
zag direction over the said coils. The motion of the air is caused by an exhaust
fan located at one end of the case; this exhaust fan discharges through a pipe into
a slotted tube arranged within the oil tank, and upon one side above the surface of
the oil and also above the blades so as to be out of the way of the oil. The tube
is provided with a narrow slot and a flange, the construction being such that the
air forced in the tube by the fan will be expelled in an elongated stream through
the slot and past the flange downward along the curved side and bottom of the
tank;
the flange also serves to protect the slot in the tube, and prevent it from
becoming clogged by the oil. A thermometer is located before the pipe, which
leads from the face to the slotted pipe, the bulb of said thermometer being placed
within the said pipe so that the temperature of the air forced into the tank may be
accurately and certainly indicated on the stem above the pipe. A pipe or opening
is also provided in the fan, from which cold air may be drawn into the fan from
This pipe
any convenient space outside of the casing which holds the steam coil.
or opening in the fan is also provided with a valve, by which the cold air may be
admitted in regulated quantities or excluded altogether. The steam jacket is con-
nected to a steam pipe, and also with a cold water supply for purposes hereinafter
explained. The walls of the tank are carried up a considerable distance above the
point reached by the blades in their upward movement, so as to be of a capacity
greater than that required for the amount of oil to be treated at any one time, as
hereinafter explained.
For convenience of removal of the gum the shaft may have its bearings in
removeable sections of the end pieces, such sections being secured by flanges to the
main part of the ends of the tank.
The bottom of the tank is not formed upon a true curve, but slightly, flattened,
so that the blades, which are arranged to move as near to the bottom as convenient
without touching when in approximately vertical position, may pass in their
upward and downward movement at a little distance from the sides of the tank.
A hood or cover is fitted to the tank so as to close the top thereof. This hood or
cover is provided with a pipe which terminates in a coil for purposes hereinafter
described. Where large quantities of the oil are to be treated may prefer a modi-
fication of the tank and stirring apparatus. This modification consists of two
shafts, and duplicated air heating, regulating, and conducting mechanisms. The
shaft may be set at little more than the length of the blade asunder, said blades
being arranged on their respective shafts so that the blade on one will pass between
the blades on the other shaft, the shafts being made to revolve in opposite directions
so as to cause the oil to rise in the centre and be thrown over and outward against
the wall of the tank on each side; it is subjected to the action of the air from the
air pipe on each side, and a more rapid action is thereby caused. Into the tank

page_text: thus described, the oil having been treated as heretofore described, is placed in
the agitator in quantities sufficient to come preferably within four or five inches of
the stirring shaft. The apparatus being set in motion the oil manifestly will be
caused to move in an approximately circular path, being carried by the blades
of the stirring shaft and thrown toward the side as it descends, and impinging
against the wall of the tank beneath the air tube. It here meets the current of air,
whereby its temperature is reduced or regulated, and by reason of its contact with
the air it also parts with the gases generated and showing an acid reaction. In its
further movement it passes over the surface of the tank which is heated by the
steam jacket where the generation of the acid gases is again renewed, when it is
carried over again and thrown against the side to be acted upon by the air current,
as heretofore explained.
The force of the air current must be sufficient to carry off the gases produced by
the fermentation, and for this purpose the size of the fan and its rate of motion
must be adapted to the size of the tank, the amount of oil treated, and the
rapidity of revolution of the shaft. I have found that a tank about twelve feet in
length, containing 300 gallons of oil under treatment with a revolution of the
stirring shaft of from 70 to 90 per minute, requires a seven inch fan revolving five
to seven hundred times per minute.
After the oil has been thus treated to such an extent that it has become thickened
the gases are inclosed within the centre of the mass of oil about the shaft, and are
not permitted to escape by reason of the tenacity of said oil. I then discontinue
temporarily the air blast, and place in position over the tank a hood or covering.
I then introduce by any suitable apparatus any solvent, such as light distillates of
petroleum, or coal tar or any other suitable solvent, which will not leave the
residuum or discolour the gum. The rotation of the shaft is continued during the
introduction of this solvent and while it is acting upon the thickened oil. The oil
being thereby dissolved the air is turned on, and the gases which were contained
within the mass of the oil are carried off with the vapourized solvent. This solvent,
in the form of vapour, is conducted away by the pipe in the top of the hood, and
may be condensed in the coil so as to be used repeatedly without material loss.
The stirring and the air blasts are continued until the oil is again thickened so as
to enclose the gases and require a repititition of the application of the solvent. After
the process has been completed, which requires ordinarily two or three applications
of the solvent, the hot air is turned off and the cold air turned on, when the motion
of the agitator is somewhat lessened. By this reduction of the speed of the stirring
blades in connection with the cold air the solvent is eliminated, and further chemical
reaction or fermentation is prevented, and the gum comes out pure and clear. It
is to be particularly noted in connection with the part of the process above
described that the oil is placed in the agitating tank at ordinary temperatures,
which vary with the season and the weather. Before the agitation is commenced
the steam is admitted to the jacket to bring the temperature of the oil to the proper
point, 250° Fahrenheit, more or less, according to the purposes for which the
product is intended. After the commencement of the agitation the fermentation or
chemical reaction which follow tend to raise the heat even above that imparted by
the steam. The steam coil or air heating apparatus in connection with the fan and
cold air pipe afford means for accurately adapting the temperature of the air blast
to regulate the temperature of the oil under treatment, and to keep the fermentation
at a temperature of about 150° Fahrenheit, independently of any changes in the
temperature of the atmosphere.
For certain purposes the cold air in connection with the agitation may be
dispensed with, as the gum may be packed and stored for use with the small
residuum of solvent retained therein; but when the gum is to be used dry and no
solvent required, the agitation with the application of cold air should be continued
in order that all traces of the solvent should be eliminated. When the agitation
with cold air is prolonged for the purpose of obtaining the oil or 'dry gum entirely

page_text: free from solvent, the steam may be shut off from the steam jacket, and if it be
desired to arrest the fermentation at any stage of the process cold water introduced
instead.
For certain purposes the process may be arrested before the oil is reduced to a
solid or gum like substance, the oil having been treated by the process above
described, being useful for some purposes at different stages of the process. The.
preliminary parts of the process are not essential to the production of the oil or
gum, as the raw oil may be put into the agitating tank and reduced to a thickened
or gum like condition without having been subjected to the action of the steam for
the removal of the fibrous, resinous, and mucilaginous substances, or to the
continued heat in the open vessel; but such treatment of the raw oil in the
agitating tank alone would require more time. Also by the preliminary process
the gases arising during the fermentation are not only less in quantity, but are also
rendered less active and corrosive. In practice it has been found economical to
carry on all the processes at the same time, using the waste steam from the engine
which operates the agitator and fan to heat the water on which the oil rests in the
apparatus first described, and also to heat the oil alone in the open vessel. The oil
and gum produced by this regulated process of fermentation induced and continued
by mechanical means as above described, have qualities not possessed by oils
treated by any other of the methods heretofore known. It is nearly colourless,
being lighter than the natural colour of the oil as it comes from the press without
the use of the ordinary sun or bleaching process. At the same time it is not liable
to grow dark when applied to surfaces as a varnish, or after exposure to the air as
is the case with oils boiled or bleached by the sunning process or made dry by the
use of metal oxides. The gum is plainly distinguishable from any produced by
what is known as the "skin process" by its translucence in mass, by its nearly
colourless condition in thin sheets, its uniform consistency throughout as it comes
from the agitator, its superior tenacity and adhesiveness, by its superior property of
retaining its colourless condition on exposure to the air, and by its freedom from
acid gases.
This freedom from acids renders the gum peculiarly well adapted to be used in
connection with fibrous substances without danger of subsequent fermentation or
combustion, and also for use with other gums for fine qualities of body varnish.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Philip Middleton Justice in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
June 1880.
PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE, of 14, Southampton Buildings, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR TREATING OILS,
APPARATUS THEREFOR, AND THE PRODUCT THEREFROM." A communication from
abroad by Donald Daniel Cattanach, of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island,
United States of America.
This Invention relates to an improved process and apparatus for treating linseed
and kindred oils to render them more serviceable in the various arts in which they
are commonly used, and to an improved article produced thereby. The process
consists in the treatment of such oils by regulated fermentation induced and
maintained by mechanical means, whereby all the atoms of the oil are kept in a
continuous state of vibration until brought to the required condition. This improved
process and the improved product are hereinafter more fully described in connection
with the special apparatus which is used in connection with the process.
This apparatus is shown in the annexed Drawing, in which Fig. 1 represents a
section of the reservoir used in the first part of the process; Fig. 2 is a plan view
of the apparatus used in the second part of the process; Fig. 3 is a longitu-
dinal section of said apparatus; Fig. 4, a transverse section; Fig. 5 represents the
blades detached; Fig. 6, a modification of the tank and agitating apparatus.
In carrying out my Invention I take of ordinary linseed or kindred oils a given
quantity, for illustration, five hundred gallons, which I place in a suitable tank
with about one fifth its weight of water, which may be renewed when reduced by
evaporation, although portion of the water may be greatly varied material
change in the result. The water being heavier rests at the bottom of the tank.
To that part of the tank which is in contact with the water I apply heat by
means of steam. The weight of the oil upon the water renders it possible to carry
the heat of the oil above 212° Fahrenheit, but it should not ordinarily be raised
higher than 250° Fahrenheit to produce the best results. The heat of the water
in contact with the oil, and that of the steam rising from the water through the oil
will raise the temperature of the oil and retain it at a moderate and even degree.
It is better, however, to give the oil frequent stirring in order that the steam may
be diffused more evenly throughout the mass of the oil, and act more uniformly
upon the whole. By the steam rising through the oil at the temperature specified
the albuminous substances in the oil are thoroughly coagulated, which coagulation
causes them to precipitate to the surface of the water. The coagulation of these
albuminous substances and their precipitation also tends to eliminate fibrous and
other foreign substances from the oil which are carried down mechanically with
the coagulated albumen. Whatever resinous substances there may be in the oil
are also eliminated by this process, and are diffused in a milky condition throughout
the water. This part of the process is carried on until the albuminous, fibrous, and
other substances are removed from the oil, and either deposited upon the surface
of the water or held in solution therein. The materials are then allowed to stand
for twenty four hours, or any longer time, as may be desired, in order that the
separation of the parts may be thoroughly completed.
The oil may be drawn off by a pump or syphon without disturbance of the
water or residuum upon its surface, or the water and impurities may be drawn off
by the use of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, in which the tank A is represented of
conical form provided at the bottom with a pipe, by means of which the water
may be drawn from the tank. This tank is formed with an inner partition which
constitutes an inner conical tank for the reception of the oil. A steam coil a is

page_text: placed between the inner and outer partition for the purpose of heating the water,
or the steam coil can be placed in the water without the use of a partition. When
the albuminous and other objectionable elements are eliminated from the oil and
precipitated the water may be drawn through the pipe below, and the oil may be
left in the tank. The construction of the tank and the narrow passage render it
easy to draw off all the sedimentary matter without any loss of the oil.
This
Although this apparatus may be found useful it is manifestly not absolutely
essential for the purpose, and other forms of tank may be conveniently used.
After the oil has been subjected to this preliminary treatment, as a second step in
the process it is put into an open vessel made in any convenient shape, and
surrounded by a steam jacket. It is there subjected to heat from steam from 212°
to not higher than 250° Fahrenheit. The heat of the oil should not at any time
be below 212°, and may be preferably kept at or near 250° Fahrenheit.
treatment not only expels all the moisture from the oil, but another favourable
result also takes place. The heat being kept constantly at or near 250° for two or
three days the oil so treated in the open tank requires no further treatment by
metallic oxides, but becomes a dry oil without their use. The resulting gum or
oils so treated are of more value for some purposes than if treated in the ordinary
way by metallic oxides, but if it be necessary to hasten this part of the operation
then oxides may be used without serious disadvantage, for the reason that any of
the oxides remaining in the oil after the treatment above described are removed
by the subsequent part of the process.
The third and principal part of my improved process may be carried on by
means of the apparatus shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 of the Drawing, and is best
described in connection therewith. In this apparatus is a tank A of a suitable
capacity according to the amount of oil required to be treated at any one time, but
it should be of a size greater by four or five times than the bulk of oil which is to
be treated in it at once, in order that the oil may be held near the bottom.
The bottom of the tank A is provided with a steam jacket d extending over the
bottom and a short distance up the sides of the tank. The bottom of the tank is
formed on a curve, but the ends are plain surfaces, as shown in the Figure.
Arranged longitudinally within the tank is a shaft B having its bearings in the
ends of the tank. This shaft is provided with narrow blades e, e, arranged radially
upon it in pairs, those of each pair being exactly opposite each other, the greater
width of the blades being arranged longitudinally of the shaft. The blades may
be from one and three fourths to two inches wide. The distance between each set
of parallel blades should be just equal to the width of the blades themselves, and
between each set of parallel blades is arranged another set of blades at right angles
thereto, and in the same plane as the space between the blades first specified. The
construction and arrangement of these blades is such that when the shaft is in
motion upon its axis, one set of blades moves through one half of the space occupied
by the oil, while the succeeding row moves through those spaces between the
blades of the preceeding row. This arrangement of the blades effects a thorough
stirring of the oil, and causes a peculiar movement of it for purposes hereinafter
described. The shaft may be rotated by any suitable mechanism.
The revolutions of the shaft being from 70 to 90 per minute, the resistance of
the oil arising from its weight and tenacity render it necessary that the shaft should
be of great strength. I preferably make the blades in the form shown in Fig. 5;
these are preferably made wider at the outer ends and gradually tapering toward
the shaft, and are ribbed on the narrower parts to give increased strength.
Upon one side of the tank is arranged a heating coil E placed vertically in the
manner of ordinary heating coils for buildings. It is enclosed within a shell or
case F, which shell or case is provided with vertically arranged transverse partitions
extending from opposite sides alternately part of the way across its width, as shown
in Fig. 2. The steam coil which may be supplied either with exhaust or live
steam keeps up the temperature of the interior of the case, through which air is
caused to pass in a zig zag direction over the said coils.

page_text: The motion of the air is caused by an exhaust fan G located at one end of the
case. This exhaust fan discharges through a pipe g into a slotted tube K. arranged
within the tank A, and upon one side above the surface of the oil and also above
the blades so as to be out of the way of the oil. The tube K is provided with a
narrow slot h and a flange i, the construction being such that the air forced in the
tube K by the fan will be expelled in an elongated stream through the slot h, and
past the flange i downward along the curved side and bottom of the tank. The
flange also serves to protect the slot in the tube and prevent it from becoming
clogged by the oil. A thermometer n is located before the pipe which leads from
the face to the slotted pipe K, the bulb of said thermometer being placed within
the said pipe, so that the temperature of the air forced into the tank may be
accurately and certainly indicated on the stem above the pipe. A pipe or opening k
is also provided in the fan from which cold air may be drawn into the fan from any
convenient space outside of the casing which holds the steam coil. This pipe or
opening in the fan is also provided with a valve by which the cold air may be
admitted in regulated quantities or excluded altogether. The steam jacket d is
connected to a steam pipe, and also with a cold water supply for purposes herein-
after explained. The walls of the tank are carried up a considerable distance above
the point reached by the blades in their upward movement, so as to be of a capacity
greater than that required for the amount of oil to be treated at any one time, as
hereinafter explained.
For convenience of removal of the gum the shaft B may have its bearings in
removeable sections of the end pieces, as shown in Fig. 2, such sections being secured
by flanges to the main part of the ends of the tank. The bottom of the tank is not
formed upon a true curve, but slightly flattened, so that the blades, which are
arranged to move as near to the bottom as convenient without touching when in
approximately vertical position, may pass in their upward and downward move-
ment at a little distance from the sides of the tank. A hood or cover L is fitted to
the tank so as to close the top thereof; this hood or cover is provided with a pipe
which terminates in a coil m for purposes hereinafter described. Where large
quantities of the oil are to be treated I may prefer a modification of the tank and
stirring apparatus shown in Fig. 6. This modification consists of two shafts and
duplicated air heating, regulating, and conducting mechanisms. The shafts may be
set, as shown in the Figure, at little more than the length of the blade asunder, said
blades being arranged on their respective shafts so that the blade on one will pass
between the blades on the other shaft. The shafts being made to revolve in oppo-
site directions, so as to cause the oil to rise in the centre and be thrown over and
outward against the wall of the tank on each side, it is subjected to the action of
the air from a pipe K on each side, and a more rapid action is thereby caused. Into
the tank thus described, the oil having been treated as heretofore described, is
placed in the agitator, in quantities sufficient to come preferably within four or five
inches of the stirring shaft. The apparatus being set in motion the oil manifestly
will be caused to move in an approximately circular path, being carried by the
blades of the stirring shaft. The shaft revolving in the direction of the arrow, the
oil is thrown toward the side as it descends, and impinges against the wall of
the tank beneath the air tube K; it here meets the current of air whereby its
temperature is reduced or regulated, and by reason of its contact with the air it
also parts with the gases generated and showing an acid reaction. In its further
movement it passes over the surface of the tank which is heated by the steam
jacket d, where the generation of the acid gases is again renewed, when it is carried
over again and thrown against the side to be acted upon by the air current, as
heretofore explained.
The force of the air current must be sufficient to carry off the gases produced
by the fermentation, and for this purpose the size of the fan and its rate of motion
must be adapted to the size of the tank, the amount of oil treated, and the rapidity
of revolution of the shaft.
I have found that a tank about twelve feet in length, containing 300 gallons of

page_text: oil under treatment, with a revolution of the stirring shaft of from 70 to 90 per
minute, requires a 7 inch fan revolving five to seven hundred times per minute.
After the oil has been thus treated to such an extent that it has become thickened
the gases are enclosed within the centre of the mass of oil about the shaft, and are
not permitted to escape by reason of the tenacity of said oil.
I then discontinue temporarily the air blast, and place in position over the tank
the hood or covering heretofore described. I then introduce by any suitable
apparatus any solvent, such as light distillates of petroleum, or coal tar, or any other
suitable solvent which will not leave the residuum or discolour the gum. The
rotation of the shaft is continued during the introduction of this solvent and while
it is acting upon the thickened oil. The oil being thereby dissolved the air is
turned on and the gases which were contained within the the mass of the oil are carried
off with the vapourized solvent; this solvent, in the form of vapour, is conducted
away by the pipe in the top of the hood, and may be condensed in the coil so as to
be used repeatedly without material loss. The stirring and the air blasts are con-
tinued until the oil is again thickened, so as to enclose the gases and require &
repetition of the application of the solvent. After the process has been completed,
which requires ordinarily two or three applications of the solvent, the hot air is
turned off and the cold air turned on, when the motion of the agitator is somewhat
lessened. By this reduction of the speed of the stirring blades in connection with
the cold air the solvent is eliminated and further chemical re-action or fermentation
is prevented, and the gum comes out pure and clear.
It is to be particularly noticed in connection with the part of my process above
described that the oil is placed in the agitating tank at ordinary temperatures
which vary with the season and the weather.
Before the agitation is commenced the steam is admitted to the jacket to bring the
temperature of the oil to the proper point, 250° Fahrenheit, more or less, according
to the purposes for which the product is intended. After the commencement of the
agitation the fermentation or chemical reaction which follows tend to raise the heat
even above that imparted by the steam. The steam coil or air-heating apparatus
in connection with the fan and cold air pipe affords means for accurately adapting
the temperature of the air-blast to regulate the temperature of the oil under
treatment, and to keep the fermentation at a temperature of about 150° Fahrenheit
independently of any changes in the temperature of the atmosphere.
For certain purposes the cold air in connection with the agitation may be
dispensed with, as the gum may be packed and stored for use with the small
residuum of solvent retained therein, but when the gum is to be used dry and no
solvent is required the agitation with the application of cold air should be continued
in order that all traces of the solvent may be eliminated. When the agitation
with cold air is prolonged for the purpose of obtaining the oil or dry gum entirely
free from solvent the steam may be shut off from the steam jacket, and if it be
desired to arrest the fermentation at any stage of the process cold water introduced
instead.
For certain purposes the process may be arrested before the oil is reduced to a
solid or gum like substance, the oil having been treated by the process above
described being useful for some purposes at different stages of the process.
The preliminary parts of the process are not essential to the production of the
oil or gum, as the raw oil may be put into the agitating tank and reduced to a
thickened or gum like condition without having been subjected to the action of the
steam for the removal of the fibrous, resinous, and mucilaginous substances, or to
the continued heat in the open vessel; but such treatment of the raw oil in the
agitating tank alone would require more time. Also by the preliminary process
the gases arising during the fermentation are not only less in quantity but are also
rendered less active and corrosive. In practice it has been found economical to
carry on all the processes at the same time, using the waste steam from the engine,
which operates the agitator and fan to heat the water on which the oil rests in the
apparatus first described, and also to heat the oil alone in the open vessel.

page_text: The oil and gum produced by this regulated process of fermentation, induced and
continued by mechanical means as above described, have qualities not possessed by
oils treated by any other of the methods heretofore known; it is nearly colourless,
being lighter than the natural colour of the oil as it comes from the press without
the use of the ordinary sun or bleaching process. At the same time it is not
liable to grow dark when applied to surfaces as a varnish or after exposure to the
air as is the case with oils boiled or bleached by the sunning process, or made dry
by the use of metal oxides.
The gum is plainly distinguishable from any produced, by what is known as the
"skin process," by its translucence in mass, by its nearly colourless condition in
thin sheets, its uniform consistency throughout as it comes from the agitator, its
superior tenacity and adhesiveness, by its superior property of retaining its
colourless condition on exposure to the air, and by its freedom from acid gases.
This freedom from acids renders the gum peculiarly well adapted to be used in
connection with fibrous substances without danger of subsequent fermentation or
combustion, and also for use with other gums for fine qualities of body varnish.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention of. my foreign correspondent,
what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-
1st. The described process of treating linseed and kindred oils consisting in
heating and agitating in the manner described, and in applying to the oil a current
or blast of air at regulated temperatures, as set forth.
2nd. The herein described process consisting in first heating the oil in contact
with water; second, in subjecting it to heat when exposed to the air, and third in
agitating the oil thus treated in the presence of air and when subjected to heat, as
and for the purpose set forth.
3rd. An apparatus for treating oil consisting of the tank provided with an
agitating device of a pipe for the admission of air, and of a heating apparatus in
connection with said tank, as and for the purpose set forth.
4th. The combination of the tank A provided with a steam jacket d, and with
stirrers e of the air heating device E, F, and the air pipe K, as and for the purpose
set forth.
5th. In combination with the tank A provided with steam jacket with air supply
pipe, and with stirrers, the hood or cover L and pipe l, as set forth.
6th. The described gum or oil made from linseed or kindred oils, said gum or oil
being nearly colourless in appearance, free from acid gases, and highly elastic,
tenacious, and adhesive, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Philip Middleton Justice, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
PHILIP M. JUSTICE. (L.S.)