Improvements in and Apparatus for Purifying and Decolourizing Saccharine Solutions and other Liquids.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Purifying and Decolourizing
Saccharine Solutions and other Liquids.
I, JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of London,
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by The Electric Rectifying and Refining Company a
Corporation organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey, United States of
America, having an office at 552 Federal Street, Camden, New Jersey aforesaid and
doing business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention has for its object to provide a process and apparatus for the treat-
ment of syrups, molasses, sugar and other saccharine solutions and other liquids
requiring to be clarified or decolourized whereby the mechanical impurities and
organic substances contained therein can be efficiently and economically removed
therefrom, and whereby tho said solutions or liquids can be clarified and decolourized
to the highest degree.
The process of removing the mechanical and organic substances from saccharine
liquids, as hitherto practised, necessitates the employment of the bag filter
process, which is cumbersome, wasteful, and expensive both as regards time and
labour required. By this invention this bag filter process is dispensed with and the
same or better results are accomplished in a very much less time than is required by
the said bag filter process, thus reducing the expense in the step of the treatment to
an extent of 75 jer cent. at least.
In the clarification and decolourization of saccharine liquids, animal charcoal
has hitherto been used for filtration, and in this "char" process of filtration, enormous
quantities of water are demanded, the char must be frequently revivified by being
reburned, or recalcined, large quantities of coal and a great number of hands being
required for this operation, while the maintenance of the char filter by the frequent
rebuilding of the charcoal kilns involves large expenditure of time, money, and
labour; by this invention this char filtration is entirely dispensed with, thus obviating
the expenditures incident to the use thereof.
This present invention provides a new process for the treatment of saccharine and
other solutions or liquids whereby the elimination of impurities and organic and
nitrogenous substances therefrom and the clarification and decolourization thereof
are effected by electrolytic action and by subjecting the solutions or liquids to the
action of ozone gas in vacuo, or in air, and by the combined action of ozone gas and the
oxides and oxy-hydrates of metal developed by electrolysis.
By the use of the process according to this invention, the fungi, saccharomyces,
rerevesice, pencilium glansum, and fungi of all descriptions, are destroyed, the
inversion of sugar is prevented, and fermentation in cane, beet, and sorghum sugars,
raw sugar, syrups, molasses, dextrose, levulose, and glucose is effectually arrested
nd prevented.
I will describe this invention in connection with the treatment of saccharine liquids,
rom which its other analagous applications will also be understood.
In carrying out this process the saccharine liquids may be treated upon the
lantation where the cane sugar, or, saccharose (CHO) is obtained from
expressed juice of the cane (saccharum officinarum), beets and sorghum, so as to

page_text: prevent or arrest fermentation, and combine this treatment at the same place, with
a further treatment for the purification, clarification and decolorization of the
liquids, or the liquids may be merely subjected to the first step of the process for
the purpose specified and the treatment be completed at the refinery to which
the treated liquids are sent, or the whole process may be carried out at the refinery
or other suitable place and in describing this process 1 will presume that the
steps are performed at one place, illustrating the mode of carrying out the treatment
by means of apparatus all situated at the one place with the distinct understanding
however that I do so merely for the purpose of a brief and lucid description of
the process and not for the purpose of limiting the process to the performance of
its steps at one place.
In the treatment of saccharine liquids by this process, a convenient quantity of
the liquid to he treated is introduced into a suitable tank or vessel provided with
plates or pieces of suitable material forming positive and negative electrodes, connected
preferably to a generator for creating a direct current of electricity. This tank or
vessel may be connected with a reservoir containing ozone gas, derived from any
suitable source, and may also be connected by piping to a vacuum pump or air-
exhauster, valves being provided in the connections with the tank, as desired. The
tank is preferably made air tight, so that a vacuum or partial vacuum may be
created therein before, or after, the liquid is introduced, and, of course, the said
tank must be lined, so as to prevent oxidation and the escape through its walls of
the ozone gas.
The liquid to be treated is introduced into the tank and the current is turned on,
so as to cause the passage of a direct current of electricity through the same.
Under the electrolytic action set up by the current of electricity, passing from the
positive electrodes through the liquid to the negative electrodes, the gases evolved
from the water contained in the liquid attack the organic and nitrogenous matter
contained therein and cause the said impurities to be oxidized by, or to form other
chemical combinations with, such gases, which will be deposited, or precipitated, so
as to free the liquid therefrom.
The electrolytic action is greatly assisted by the use of aluminium electrodes, since
the action of the gases evolved under the electrolysis is to attack the aluminium of
the plate forming aluminium hydrate, which is a decolourizing agent for saccharine
liquids and this action is therefore greatly improved by using a positive plate, of
aluminium, or other suitable material in the form of a grid, or perforated, pitted, or
corrugated, and preferably having aluminium hydrate in the pits corrugations, or
openings. In the electrolytic action the electrolytically-developed aluminium hydrate
is deposited upon the cathode, and has a decolourizing effect upon the liquid under
treatment, and, after such treatment, this aluminium hydrate can be recovered by
washing the plates with water and collecting the washings in a suitable receptacle,
from which the foreign matter is removed and the aluminium hydrate finally
precipitated and recovered for further use.
I mention this not in limitation of this invention, but as defining a preferable form
of positive electrode, by the use of which the electrolytic action upon the liquid is.
greatly facilitated.
Good results may also be obtained by the use of zinc electrodes and zinc oxides,
when complete decolourization is not necessary; as the zinc oxide is insoluble in
water or saccbarine liquids, it can be removed in the same manner as the aluminium.
hydrate, and hence may be considered equivalent thereto for the purpose of the present
invention, and as its first cost is much less than the aluminium hydrate, it is preferred
to use the zinc plate and the zinc oxide when possible. Any other suitable metal
electrode and compound capable of decolourizing the liquid under treatment may be
used, but the two mentioned are most suitable.
The negative plate, in such cases, is preferably made of a neutral material (such as
carbon, for example) and provided with pits, openings, or cells, in which the foreign
matter will be deposited, together with the hydrates of aluminium, or zinc oxide,
that are subsequently recovered as above mentioned.

page_text: After the completion of the electrolytic treatment the air in the tank and contained
or occluded in the liquid is exhausted by the vacuum pump, and when a sufficient
vacuum is obtained, the ozone is admitted to the tank and this ozone permeates the
liquid thoroughly and comes into intimate contact with every part thereof, filling the
spaces previously occupied by the air. In order to effect the most thorough contact
every part of the liquid, the ozone is preferably introduced at the bottom and
sides of the tank.
with
The degree of partial vacuum maintained may vary, the general rule being that
the nearer a perfect vacuum is obtained, the more rapid is the treatment.
While it is not absolutely necessary to heat the liquid before subjecting it to the
action of the electric current and the ozone gas, in the treatment of all saccharine
liquids, except the juice expressed from cane, beets, or sorghum, it is advisable to
heat the liquid from 70° to 90° Centigrade, according to the gravity and colouring of
the liquid, the very dark liquid receiving most heat. The object of thus heating the
liquid, such as sugar solutions, molasses, and the like hefore treatment by electrolysis,
is to render the same readily oxidizable by electro-chemical action, in order to assist
the deposition of organic and nitrogenous matter, which is particularly desirable in
liquids containing albumen that coagulates and carries with it the impurities.
If the specific gravity of the liquid he too great, the work of removing the
mechanical impurities is greatly retarded, and, consequently, the decolourizing action
is retarded, and, in order to overcome this, the specific gravity should be reduced by
the addition of water which is afterwards removed by heat, or by electrolysis.
Where the specific gravity is below 40° Beaumé, the liquid may be treated without
the reduction stated, while above this limit it is advisable to reduce the gravity to a
point between 30° and 40° Beaumé.
The action of ozone gas upon the impurities of the liquid is to immediately
oxidize them, thereby aiding in the deposition of the impurities which has already
been partly accomplished by the electrolytic action, thus freeing the liquid from the
said impurities, while at the same time the ozone clarifies and decolourizes the
liquid.
While it is preferred to carry on both the electrolytic and the ozone treatments in
the same tank, in some cases separate tanks may be used, the liquid being
subjected to electrolytic treatment in the first tank, and then conveyed to the second
tank, and there subjected to the action of the ozone gas, in racun, the said tank being
connected with the vacuum pump, and preferably being situated at a lower level
than that at which the first tank is situated so that the liquid will flow from the
one tank to the other by gravity. In this second tank a suitable agitator may be
placed for thoroughly agitating the liquid under treatment to cause a more intimate
and thorough contact with the ozone.
By the employment of the vacuum in combination with the ozone the liquid can
be charged with a much larger amount of ozone gas than would otherwise he
possible, and for this reason it is preferred to use the vacuum in all the treatments.
If desired agitating means may be provided for the first tank as well as for the
second, or subsequent tanks. When circumstances require it the vacuum may be
used and in such cases the electrolytic action should still be used in advance of the
ozone treatment, for the reason that the oxidizing action of the gas upon certain
oxidizable impurities, renders the deposition of said impurities more complete.
While it is preferable to first establish the vacuum or partial vacuum, and then
introduce the ozone gas, for the reason that the action of the ozone upon the liquid
is greatly increased by the removal of the air, this invention is not limited to this
order of procedure as these two steps may be carried on simaltaneously without
seriously impairing the efficacy of the whole process.
In carrying out the process as above described, from four to ten minutes is usually
required to complete the treatment if the electrolytic action be carried on
simultaneously with the passage of ozone gas through the liquid, and from three to
five hours if the ozone treatment follows the electrolytic action, using an electric
current varying in strength from five to ten volts and in quantity from 50 to

page_text: 60 amperes per square meter of electrodes used, the time of electrolytic treatment
depending upon the character of the liquid, and of the impurities contained therein.
I will now describe a form of apparatus suitable for use in carrying out the process
according to this invention but the form and arrangement may be varied as desired,
to suit particular circumstances, and the character of the electrodes, the strength of
the current of electricity, the amount of ozone gas and other conditions and the
preliminary treatment of the liquid by heating, or by adding the water for reducing
the specific gravity of the liquid are also susceptible of variations according to the
character of the liquids treated.
Referring to the drawings:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a plant arranged for carrying out this invention, the
parts being shewn diagrammatically or in exaggerated position and proportions for
clear illustration.
Figure 2.is a longitudinal section of the main tank, the section being taken on the
line 2-2, Figure 3.
Figure 3 is a plan of the same partly in section.
Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section of the same, the section being taken on the
line 44, Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a side view of a modification thereof.
Figure 6 is a plan of the secondary tank.
Figure 7 is a central vertical section of the same.
Figure S is a detail of the positive and negative electrodes.
Figure 9 is a sectional detail of the agitator, and
Figure 10 is a detail of a modified form of spraying device.
The same reference letters are used to indicate the same, or corresponding, parts in
all the figures. A represents a tank, of suitable size and shape, preferably
rectangular, and provided with a cover A', which cover is preferably made in
sections, to each of which sections rings or eye-bolts & are attached, by means of
which the said sections may be readily placed in proper position on the tank by means
of a heist. A pipe a, provided with a valve a' is connected with the tank A, the
liquid to be treated being conveyed through this pipe from a source of supply to the
said tank. The liquid may be supplied from an elevated reservoir by gravity or by a
centrifugal or other pump. The pipe a preferably terminates in an ejector H into
which also leads a pipe e from a reservoir or tank C containing ozone gas derived
from any suitable source connected with the said reservoir C by a pipe e provided
with a valve e, the object of this arrangement being to cause the gas, as it rushes
into the tank A to draw the liquid in with it, and cause the two to mingle together as
they enter the said tank.
An air exhauster or vacuum pump D, is connected to the tank A by a pipe d
provided with a valve d', so that when the exhauster or pump is operated a vacuum,
or partial vacuum, is established in the said tank A and the air is withdrawn from
the liquid contained therein.
Supported within the tank A, between guide rods p, are electrodes E, E', those
marked E constituting the anodes, and those marked E the cathodes, there being
shewn in the example illustrated three cathodes connected together by binding plates ell
and two anodes connected together by binding plates e. Each of the electrodes is
preferably surrounded by a metal band v, having hoisting bolts or rings t thereon for
the connection of a hoist for lowering the electrodes into position, or lifting them
when it is desired to remove them from the tank.
In order to facilitate the electrolytic action upon the liquid, positive electrodes of
aluminium or zine or other metal of a pitted, corrugated, or cellular structure are
preferably employed and the recesses s of which (see the enlarged view, Figure 8)
are preferably filled with an active material composed of a metallic compound capable
of decolourizing saccharine liquids, such as aluminium hydrate, zinc oxide, or the
like. The negative electrodes are likewise of a pitted cellular or corrugated structure,
so that the aluminium hydrate, oxide of zinc, or other metallic compound, may be

page_text: deposited in the recesses of the said electrodes and recovered therefrom by washing
with water, in which the material is insoluble.
Ordinarily it will not be necessary to remove the electrodes for permitting the tank
or the electrodes to be cleaned, as the said electrodes can be situated at a sufficient
distance apart to permit such cleaning to be accomplished without removal. For
renewing the electrodes they may be quickly lifted out and new electrodes inserted
by means of the hoist.
Mounted in the cover A', and suitably insulated there from, are the binding posts e,
the downwardly extending conductors of which dip into a groove or recess or conduc-
tive well e', in the upper edge of one of the electrodes of each denomination to make
the electric connection. The electrodes are connected, through the respective binding
posts and conductors to an electric generator F. preferably a direct current generator,
the circuit of which is provided with the necessary accessories for regulating the
intensity and quantity of current and for switching the current on and off as required.
These accessories are not illustrated, as they may be of any suitable kind and in
themselves form no part of this invention.
The bottom of the tank A is provided with sediment-collecting racks Q, consisting
preferably of a number of metal pins carried by removable plates, placed on the
bottom of the tank below the electrodes. These pins are arranged to extend a short
distance above the bottom, as shewn in Figure 2, and serve to collect and retain the
sediment and precipitated impurities set free froin the liquid; and to further collect
the sediment and precipitated impurities in the bottom of the tank a portion of the
bottom can be made so as to form a well or pocket G at one end of the tank, from
which the said sediment and precipitated impurities can be withdrawn through the
ontlet y.
Generally treatment in the tank thus described will be sufficient to purify the
liquids and partly clarify and decolourize them, and the improved process carried out
in the described apparatus may be summarized as follows:-
A sufficient quantity of the liquid being introduced into the tank A, all connections
with the said tank are closed, and the air exhauster is started, the valve d' being
then opened, and the said exhauster is operated until a sufficient vacuum is created
in the tank A, and the air contained or occluded in the liquid is withdrawn therefrom.
After the vacuum or partial vacuum has been formed, or while it is being formed,
the electric current is turned on, so that the liquid is subjected to electrolytic action
the current of electricity passing from the positive electrodes through the liquid
to the negative electrodes, and causing the evolution of the gases from the water
contained in the liquid, which gases attack the organic and nitrogenous matter held
therein, and cause it to be in part deposited upon the cathodes and in part to be
precipitated.
This electrolytic action is greatly increased or facilitated by the use of aluminum
or zinc anodes and is still further increased or facilitated by the employment of
aluminum hydrate, zinc oxide, or other equivalent decolourizing compound, upon the
anodes, which material is gradually carried through the liquid and deposited upon
the cathodes, whence it is recovered by washings, the washings being collected in
receptacles and the foreign matter being removed by precipitating it in water, whence
it is recovered for further use. The aluminum hydrate is the strongest and most
effective agent for this purpose, because of its high decolourizing property,
zinc plate and zinc oxide answer ordinary requirements, and on account of its being
cheaper may generally be used. When, however, a very high degree of clarification
and decolourization is desired, it is preferable to use the aluminum plate and hydrate
of aluminum.
but a
As soon as a sufficient vacuum is obtained, ozone gas is admitted to the tank,
preferably at the same time that the electric current is turned on, the result of which
admission is intimate and thorough mixture of the said ozone gas with the liquid
the gas permeating the whole mass almost instantly, and occupying the space
previously occupied by the air.

page_text: The ozone gas acts upon the liquid by oxidation thereby causing the ready deposition
of the impurities, both under the influence of the electric current and by the oxidizing
action of the ozone as well, and at the same time the ozone partly decolourizes and
clarifies the liquid, and after subjection to this treatment for a short time (usually
about six minutes suffices) the liquid may be removed and a fresh supply
introduced.
The impurities are, by the foregoing described treatment, caused in part to deposit
upon the catholes, and in part to be precipitated to the bottom of the tank A, where
they are collected upon the collecting racks Q, while some of the sediment is carried into
the pocket, or well, G, whence it can be readily removed, the racks being cleaned as
often as found necessary, either by removing the same, and washing, or by washing
them in the tank, thus carrying the deposited impurities to the well or pocket, G.
In Figure I have shewn a modification in which the electrodes E, E¹, ars
arranged horizontally, instead of vertically, within a tank A, the positive electrodo
being uppermost. The two electrodes are balanced each by a set of weights w
connected thereto by cords or chains passing over pulleys won the tank, so that
the two electrodes may always adjust themselves to their proper positions according
to the liquid level.
This arrangement is suitable for use for treating the liquid by electric current
preliminary to the treatment in the first tank A. in cases where the liquid contains
an unusual amount of diri, sand, or the like, which is readily deposited in the tank A"
by the electrolytic action.
When a high degree of decolourization and clarification is desired, it is best to
subject the liquid to treatment by ozone in acuo in a secondary tank or tanks,
and I will now describe a simple and effective construction for accomplishing this.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1, and 7, B represents a secondary tank,
of any suitable size and shape, but shewn as being cylindrical and preferably
situated at a lower level than the tank A so that the liquid may run by
gravity from the latter to the said secondary tank B, though it circumstances do
not permit the preferred arrangement, all the tanks may be on the same level,
or otherwise arranged with pumps for supplying and carrying the liquid from one
tank to the other. The tank B is connected by a pipe d" to the air exhauster D
(the valve in the said pipe controlling the suction of the said exhauster) whereby
a vacuum or partial vacuum can be obtained in the said tank B. In the top of the
said tank B is preferably mounted a spraying device X, in line with the inlet for
liquid into the said tank. The ozone gas is introduced through the pipe leading
from the ozone reservoir C. The spraying device may be of any suitable form, two
being shewn in Figures 7 and 10, that in Figure 7 consisting of a casing X,
secured in the top of the tank B, and having an outwardly flaring bottom.
-extending into the space in the top of the said tank. The top of the said casing
communicates by a pipe with a reservoir V which is connected with the tank A
by the pipe b, the said reservoir V being sufficiently elevated above the tank B to
give a considerable head to the liquid before it enters the tank B, and in order to
increase the pressure on the liquid, the top of the reservoir is preferably connected
with a source of air pressure by means of a pipe & provided with a valve, so that
an air cushion or pressure may be established above the liquid which can thus be
forced with considerable pressure into the chamber of the sprayer, whence it passes
down around a screw or worm I, rotatably mounted in thin webs, less in width than
the width of the casing X, and passing around the horizontally turned end i of the
worm; it causes the worm to rotate and discharge in a jet against the side walls of
the flared end causing an even distribution of the finely divided liquid
as it falls
into the tank, and at the same time the ozone gas enters the tank through the pipe c
and intimately mixes with the sprayed liquid as it falls into the tank.
The other form of sprayer, illustrated in Figure 10, consists of a
cone I
rotatably mounted in the top of the tank B, and adapted to be rapidly rotated by
a driven pulley J, operated from any suitable source of power, the discharge pipe b
from the tank A, entering the tank B in front of the said sprayer, and the ozone gas

page_text: pipe entering on the opposite side so that the liquid is discharged from the tank A
directly into the tank B, against the sprayer cone, and as it falls into the tank in a.
finely divided state, mixes with the ozone gas.
In order to fully insure the intimate mixture of the ozone gas with the liquid.
two other valved branch pipes, e conduct the ozone gas from the reservoir C
into the tank B at different points, the branch pipes " entering at one point or
at more than one point in the side of the tank and distributing the gas through a
perforated pipe structure or coil Y mounted in the tank B and immersed in the
liquid. The other branch pipe e leads thro' the bottom of the tank R. To
further insure the intimate mixture of the gas from the bottom, there is preferably
mounted above the bottom of the tank, an agitator K consisting of a chambered hub f
(see Figure 9), provided with a number (preferably four) of horizontally extending
vanes or blades 1, each of which vanes carries perforated pipes communicating with
the chamber L of the hub. The hub is preferably mounted to rotate upon the
upwardly projecting end of the pipe c', closed at its top and having lateral openings n,
discharging the gas into the chamber L, whence it passes out through the perforating
pipes The agitator is rotated in any suitable manner, such as by means of a
pulley M mounted upon a downwardly extending collar of the hub m secured to, or
forming part of, the chamber I
When it is desired to subject the liquid to a secondary treatment in the tank B,
the air is exhausted therefromn by the exhauster D (or other suitable air exhauster),
until a vacuum or sufficient partial vacuum is obtained, and the liquid is then allowed
to flow into the tank B, the ozone gas is admitted through the various connections,
and the agitator is set in motion, the spraying device being rapidly rotated at the
same time. The result of this operation is to cause a thorough and intimate mixture
of the ozone and the liquid, whereby a high degree of decolourization and clarification
is effected in the shortest possible time. The communications with the tank Baro
then closed and the decolourized and clarified liquid is drawn off through the
discharge pipe N, and after the tank B has been recharged with liquid the operation
is repeated.
I have shown the electrodes only in the tank A, but if desirel they may also be
placed in the secondary tank B, and the electrolytic treatment he continued therein,.
but generally the first electrolytic treatment will be sufficient.
The apparatus descibed may be used either upon the plantation where the cano
juice is expressed, or at the sugar refineries, or other suitable place, and in the
former case by the electrolytic treatment the removal of albumen and waxy matters
which have a tendency to cause fermentation is effected, thus preventing the serious
objection now prevalent in the use of apparatus at present employed. Also tho
tendency to inversion can be prevented by such treatment, so that the liquid may
be transported for turther treatinent in the subsequent crystallizing steps for producing
solid sugars. The inversion that sugar cane undergoes in the presence of water is.
not due entirely to the influence of mold or fungi, but is largely due to the fact that
water acts as an acid and hydrates the sugar in the presence of air, and hence, by the
use of this apparatus in the manner described, this objectionable tendency is entirely
overcome.
In addition to the advantages above stated by the use of this apparatus, as described,
two costly and cumbersome steps hitherto necessary can be dispensed with, as the
necessity for the bag and char filters, is obviated both of which are well known to be
the cause of great annoyance and trouble, and in so doing the same or better results
are secured in less time and at less cost, the whole treatment according to this
invention requiring but minutes where hours have hitherto been needed for the same
purpose.
Thave shewn what I consider the best form of the apparatus but various changes.
may be made in the details thereof without departing from the nature of this invention,
which is not limited to the specific details shewn.
In all cases it is preferable to carry on the electrolytic and ozone treatment
simultaneously, because then the results desired are obtained in the minimum time.

page_text: In referring to electrolytically developed aluminum hydrates and metallic
decolourizing compounds, I include not only the hydrates or compounds that are
developed from the electrodes themselves but the hydrates or compounds placed on
the said electrodes and detached or taken therefrom by the action of the current in
passing from the positive to the negative electrodes.
With certain grades of syrups it may be necessary to add glucose, during or after
treatment, in order to prevent grannlation, and in some cases it may be necessary to
follow the usual modes of treating the sugars for crystallization, after the purification
and decolourization, herein before described, have been completed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. The herein-described process of purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions
and other liquids, consisting in subjecting the liquid in vacuo or not in vacuo to
the action of an electric current and simultaneously or subsequently or both
simultaneously and subsequently subjecting the liquid with or without agitation to the
action of ozone, substantially as bereinbefore described.
2. The herein described process of purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions
and other liquids consisting in first reducing the specific gravity of the said liquids
by the addition of water, and heating the same, and then subjecting the liquids so
treated in eucuo, or
not in vacuo, to the action of an electric current, and
simultaneously or subsequently, or both simultaneously and subsequently, subjecting
the liquid, with or without agitation, to the action of ozone, substantially as herein-
before described.
3. The herein described process of purifying and decolourizing saccharine
solutions and other liquids consisting in subjecting the said liquids in vacuo or not
in racuo to the action of aluminium hydrates or metallic decolourizing compounds
electrolytically developed or rendered active and simultaneously or, subsequently,
or both simultaneously and subsequently subjecting the liquid, with or without
agitation, to the action of ozone, substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and other
liquids, the combination with a tank for holding the liquid to be treated, of positive
and negative electrodes placed within the tank and connected to a suitable source
of electricity, and collecting racks or their equivalents in the bottom of the tank for
collecting the impurities precipitated from the liquid, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
5. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and
other liquids, the combination with the tank containing the liquid to be treated, of
positive electrodes carrying a metallic decolourizing compound, and negative
electrodes, formed with recesses placed within the liquid in the tank adapted to
receive the electrolytically developed metallic compound after it has passed from the
positive electrodes through the liquid, and electrical connections between the said
electrodes and a suitable source of electricity, substantially as herein before described.
6. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and other
liquids, the combination with a tank containing the liquid to be treated, of an ozone
reservoir connected to the said tank, and an air exhauster connected with the said
tank, electrodes within the tank connected to a source of electricity, whereby the
liquid can be subjected to the action of an electric current in vacuo, a secondary tank
having connections with the ozone reservoir and air exhauster, and a dischargo pipe
leading from the first tank to the second tank, whereby the liquid after treatment in
the first tank can be subjected to the action of ozone in vacuo, in the secondary tank,
substantially as described.
7. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and other
liquids, the combination with a main tank containing the liquid to be treated, of
means for subjecting said liquid to electrolytic treatment, in vacuo or not, and a
secondary tank, and an ozone reservoir and an exhaust apparatus connected to the

page_text: said secondary tank and a spraying device in the said tank situated in line with the
inlet for ozone and liquid to the said secondary tank whereby the liquid is introduced
into the said tank in a finely divided state and intimately mixed with the ozone,.
substantially as hereinbefore described.
8. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and
other liquids, the 'combination with a main tank containing the liquid to be treated
of means for subjecting the said liquid to the action of an electric current, with
or without means for subjecting the said liquid to the action of ozone in vacuo,
and of a secondary tank provided with connections to an ozone reservoir and air
exhauster, and a spraying device situated in the said tank in line with the liquid
inlet to the said tank, substantially as herein before described.
9. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and other
liquids, the combination with a tank for holding the liquid to be treated, of an
inlet pipe for the liquid, a connection to an air exhauster, a connection to an ozone
reservoir, a mechanically operated agitator in the bottom of the said tank and
perforated pipes carried by and moving with the said agitator and connected with the
ozone supply, substantially as herein before described.
10. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and
other liquids, the combination in a tank for holding the liquid to be treated, of
an inlet pipe for the liquid, perforated pipes within the said tank, a pipe connecting
the said perforated pipes with a supply of ozone, a horizontal agitator rotatably mounted
above the bottom of the tank, and a perforated pipe carried by the said agitator
and connected to the ozone supply, substantially as hereinbefore described.
11. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and
other liquids, the combination with a tank for holding the liquid to be treated, of
an inlet pipe for the liquid, a spraying device in line with the said inlet pipe, a
pipe leading from a supply of ozone into the top of the tank, and discharging:
near the liquid inlet, and a series of perforated pipes disposed vertically within the
tank and connected to the ozone supply, or an agitator rotatably mounted above.
the bottom of the tank or both the perforated pipes and the agitator, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
12. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and other
liquids, the combination with a tank for holding the liquid to be treated, of an inlet
pipe for the liquid, an agitator consisting of a hollow hub rotatably mounted
above the bottom of the tank and vanes extending from the said hub, a pipe-
communicating with the bottom of the said hub and connected to an ozone supply,.
and a perforated pipe carried by the vanes of the said hub and communicating.
therewith, substantially as herein before described.
13. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and
other liquids, the combination with the main tank containing the liquid to be treated.
and means for electrolytically treating the said liquid therein, of a secondary tank.
situated below the main tank, and communicating therewith, connections between
the said secondary tank and an air exhauster and an ozone supply, a reservoir-
interposed between the two tanks and connected with the discharge of the said
main tank, and a spraying device in the top of the secondary tank, and a pipe.
leading from the said reservoir through the top of the secondary tank to the said
spraying device, substantially as hereinbefore described.
14. In an apparatus for purifying and decolourizing saccharine solutions and.
other liquids, the combination of a main tank containing the liquid to be treated,..
means for treating the said liquid by electrolytic action, a secondary tank situated.
below the main tank and in communication therewith a reservoir between the two.
tanks and connected with the discharge of the main tank, a pipe leading into the
said reservoir above the liquid level thereof and connected to a source of air pressure,.
a spraying device in the top of the secondary tank, and a pipe leading from the-
reservoir to the spraying device, substantially as hereinbefore described.
15. The general arrangement and combination of parts as and for the purposes,.

page_text: herein before described, and shewn as a whole in the diagram Figure 1 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of December 1896.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.