IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF SEPARATING VEGETABLE FROM ANIMAL FIBRES OR FABRICS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Augustin Godefroy at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th
April 1858.
I, PETER AUGUSTIN GODEFROY, of 3, King's Mead Cottages, in the County
of Middlesex, Operative Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF SEPARATING VEGETABLE FROM
ANIMAL FIBRES OR FABRICS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in a process to decompose and separate
cotton or other vegetable matter. To preserve the animal matter I submit
the fabrics in an ordinary wooden vessel to a solution of sulphuric acid and
water of sufficient strength to decompose in part the vegetable matter. This
solution is subjected to heat the temperature, varying from 150° to 200°
Fahrenheit. Other mineral acids may be used, but I prefer sulphuric acid.
Secondly, when the fabrics have been immersed from ten to fifteen minutes
in this liquid, they are taken out and well rinsed to free them from the acid
as much as possible.
Thirdly, they are then consigned to a steam jacket boiler, which I re-
commend to be egg-shaped, equal in width and height, with a man-hole near
the top to admit the substances treated, and a smaller one at the bottom to
draw the charge or fabrics so acted upon. The boiler should have a shaft in
its centre, perpendicular, with arms attached similar to those of a pug mill,
and driving gear to give it motion; and it should be of strength to withstand
a pressure of 40 lbs, to the square inch.

page_text: Fourthly, I succeed in decomposing and separating cotton or other vegetable
matter combined with wool free of injury to the wool staple, by placing the
fabrics wrung as dry as possible after the first process above described in the
steam jacket boiler, and keeping them in perpetual motion whilst under treat-
ment by the agency of the armed shaft aforesaid.
Fifthly, about 60 minutes, more or less, of this treatment, with a temperature
of 220° to 240° Fahrenheit, will completely decompose. the cotton. The steam
is then allowed to escape by a two-inch bore tap in the boiler, the top man-
hole is opened and the fabrics left to dry.
Sixthly, when perfectly dried they are taken from the boiler, and subjected
to the action of a winnowing machine, or any other suitable for such purpose,
which completely removes all vegetable dust from the animal matter.
done, the operation is finished.
This
Seventhly, process to decompose and separate wool in connexion with
vegetable matter.
First, when it is desired to have a highly bleached article, I submit the
vegetable and animal substances to a solution of potash or soda, and stockwash
them well; when thoroughly rinsed they are passed through a weak solution
cf sulphuric acid and water, after which again well rinsed. Then, secondly, I
charge my boiler with chloride of lime and potash of sufficient strength for
decomposition of the animal matter, which takes place by immersion of the
fabrics in this compound in the space of 40 to 60 minutes, more or less, at
a temperature of from 220° to 240° degrees Fahrenheit. When removed
from the boiler the fabrics are to be well rinsed, then dried for use.
If not
required to be very white, they may be submitted at once to the boiler
containing caustic lime, caustic potash, or caustic soda. Thirdly, a boiler
without the jacket will serve for separating animal from vegetable matter,
but should have a shaft, &c., as in the jacketed boiler above referred to, and
used in the same way, and be equal to a steam pressure of 40 lbs. to the
square inch.