IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STARCH AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR Communi.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents Southampton Buildings, London for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STARCH AND IN APPARATUS
THEREFOR Communicated to him from abroad by James Henry Ross, of
Buffalo, New York, United States of America, Gentleman.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th September 1882.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
STARCH AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR [A communication to him from abroad
by James Henry Ross, of Buffalo, New York, United States of America,
Gentleman.]
This invention has for its object to extract the starch from the liquid holding
it in suspension, and to separate the starch from the gluten and other accompanying
impurities in a simple and expeditious manner. The said invention comprises the
employment of one or more centrifugal machines having imperforate baskets
against which the starch is driven by centrifugal force, and which are provided
with a discharge-tube having its mouth located in the upper portion of the basket
so that the liquid is driven into the mouth of the tube and through the latter by
centrifugal force, while the starch remains in the basket.
In carrying this invention into practice I employ one or more grinding mills or
other suitable reducing machines, whereby the grain or. other substance from which
the starch is to be extracted is reduced to the proper degree of fineness. I also
employ a separating machine of any suitable and well known construction whereby
the crude starch is separated from the bran or other coarse offal. This separating
machine consists preferably of a flat vibrating sieve covered with bolting cloth
upon which water sprays are delivered, whereby the crude starch is washed through
the meshes of the sieve while the coarse offal escapes over the tail of the sieve.
The starch milk or liquid containing the crude starch is collected in a receptacle under
Price 6d1

page_text: the sieve and passes thence through a pipe into a receiving tank which is provided
with a rotating stirrer or other suitable agitating device.
A centrifugal separating machine receives the liquid from the receiving tank and
effects a separation of the solid particles contained in the liquid from the liquid.
This separating machine consists of a tight basket which is mounted on a vertical
spindle supported in a suitable framework and set in motion by an endless belt
which runs over a pulley attached to the spindle. The liquid discharge-pipe is
provided with a flaring or enlarged mouth near the skirt of the basket and within
the same.
This discharge-pipe extends from the mouth inwardly toward the axis
of the centrifugal machine and is turned upwardly and outwardly through an
eye or feed opening of the basket and extends outwardly in a horizontal direction.
The horizontal portion of the discharge-pipe is provided with an exterior screw-
thread which works in a rotating screw-nut to which is attached a bevel-wheel,
the screw-nut being held against movement in the direction of its axis. The
horizontal portion of the feed-pipe is supported in a bifurcated frame so as to slide
therein. A bevel pinion meshes with the bevel wheel and is mounted on a vertical
shaft. The latter is connected with the spindle of the centrifugal machine by an
endless belt running around suitable pulleys on the spindle and the shaft or by any
other suitable means. The pipe through which the liquid is delivered from the
receiving-tank to the centrifugal machine is provided with a stop-cock or valve, and
the portion of the pipe which depends into the centrifugal machine is made flexible
so that it can be taken out of the basket when desired. The mouth of the pipe is
located in the upper portion of the receiving tank and the lower portion of the
receiving tank is connected with the pipe by a short pipe provided with a stop-
cock or valve through which the contents of the tank may be entirely drawn off
when desired.
The outer end of the liquid discharge pipe of the centrifugal machine is provided
with a flexible portion and an extension which leads to a receiving tank constructed
in all respects like the receiving tank herein before referred to..
The liquid which is collected in the receiving tank consists of water starch,
gluten, and other constituent parts of the grain. This liquid is delivered into the
basket and driven against the skirt or outer wall thereof by centrifugal force.
The starch globules being the heaviest particles contained in the liquid lodge against
the inner side of the skirt of the basket, while the water, gluten, and other light
impurities are driven upwardly along the skirt of the basket and finally reach the
enlarged or trumpet-shaped mouth of the discharge-pipe which they enter, and from
which they pass through, and into, the pipe by the pressure of the liquid which is
continually driven upward in the basket by the centrifugal force.
The liquid charged with the light constituent parts of the grain passes from the
discharge pipe into the receiving-tank below the centrifugal machine. The layer
of starch on the inner side of the skirt of the basket increases in thickness rapidly
as the operation proceeds, and the discharge pipe is moved toward the axis of the
centrifugal machine by the screw mechanism above described in the same measure
as the layer of starch increases in thickness so that the mouth of the discharge-pipe
remains at all times at the same distance from the surface over which the liquid is
driven upwardly.
When the layer of starch has acquired a sufficient thickness the motion of the
centrifugal machine is arrested and the starch is removed from the basket and the
mouth of the feed-pipe moved outwardly to its former position when the machine
is again ready for operation.
The liquid which is discharged from the aforesaid centrifugal machine and
collected in the tank is again subjected to treatment in another centrifugal machine
of the same construction as above described, whereby a further separation of the
starch from the liquid and the light impurities is effected, and the material
discharged from this second centrifugal machine is collected in a receiving tank
from which it passes to another centrifugal machine. of the same construction as
above described and this operation may be repeated as many times as may be

page_text: necessary in order to separate all the solid particles from the water. The starch
deposited in the centrifugal machines is very pure and free from gluten.
In the first separation no gluten is deposited with the starch, but in the subsequent
separations the quantity of gluten deposited with the starch gradually increases
until finally the gluten predominates, but the gluten is always deposited in a separate
concentric layer on the inner side of the layer of starch, so that it can be readily
separated from the starch.
The starch which is derived from the latter separations is delivered into a mixing-
tank in which it is mixed with water and agitated and from which it may be
pumped through a pipe into a settling tank in which the liquid is permitted to come
to a state of rest, whereby the starch is deposited. From the settling-tank the
starch is conveyed, either together with the 'other starch to vessels or apparatus
in which the starch is further treated, or, if desired, it may be worked up
separately.
In this manner not only the starch, but also the gluten and other light constituent
parts of the grain which are deposited with the gluten, are separated from the water
and each product, that is the starch and the gluten, can be worked up separately,
the starch into commercial starch, grape-sugar, glucose, beer, spirits, and the like,
and the gluten into size or fertilizing material or whatever other product it may be
useful for.
By this method of separation, the large number of settling and washing tanks,
and the long depositing tables or troughs usually employed in starch and grape-
sugar factories for extracting starch from the liquid are entirely dispensed with,
and the desired separation is effected in much less time than heretofore and with
less machinery and in a smaller space, and the water from which the solid particles
have been separated may be used over again in the various steps of the manufacture,
and the employment of alkali for effecting the separation of the gluten from the
starch is thereby avoided. The basket of the centrifugal machine may be provided
with several concentric partitions or annular flanges projecting upwardly from the
bottom of the basket so that the heaviest particles contained in the liquid, viz:
the starch, is deposited in the outermost annular space next the skirt of the basket;
the next heaviest, viz: the gluten, in the next annular space, and so on; toward the
centre of the machine. These annular partitions are employed in such numbers
and made of such height as to effect the desired separation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd March 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings London "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
STARCH, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."-A communication to me from abroad
by James Henry Ross, of Buffalo, New York, United States of America,
Gentleman,
This invention relates to the manufacture of starch and to apparatus therefor
The object of the said invention is to extract the starch from the liquid holding
it in suspension and to separate the starch from the gluten and other accompanying
impurities in a simple and expeditious manner. The said invention consists
essentially in the employment of one or more centrifugal machines having imperforate
cylinders against which the starch is driven by centrifugal force, and which are
provided with a discharge tube having its mouth located in the upper portion of
the said cylinder, so that the liquid is driven into the mouth of the tube and
through the latter by centrifugal force, while the starch remains in the pan
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of machinery embodying this invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of one of the centrifugal machines drawn to an
enlarged scale
Figure 3 is a top view or plan of the machine
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A represents one or more grinding mills, disintegrating mills or other suitable
reducing machines whereby the grain or other substance from which the starch is 5
to be extracted is reduced to the proper degree of fineness
B represents a separating machine of any suitable and well known construction,
whereby the crude starch is separated from the bran or other coarse offal
This separating machine consists preferably of a flat vibrating sieve covered
with bolting cloth upon which water sprays are delivered, whereby the crude starch
is washed through the meshes of the sieve while the coarse offal escapes over the
tail thereof
The starch milk or liquid containing the crude starch is collected in a receptacle B¹
under the sieve and passes thence through a pipe b into a receiving tank C which
is provided with a rotating stirrer or other suitable agitating device
D represents a centrifugal separating machine which receives the liquid from
the tank C and which effects a separation of the solid particles from the liquid.
This separating machine is more fully represented in figures 2 and 3, and consists
of a tight basket or cylinder & which is mounted on a vertical spindle e supported
in a suitable frame work E, and set in motion by an endless belt e¹ which runs
over a pulley e² attached to the spindle. f represents the liquid discharge pipe
provided with a flaring or enlarged mouth fi near the inner periphery of the
basket d and within the upper portion of the same.
The discharge pipe f extends from the mouth f¹ inwardly towards the axis
of the centrifugal machine and is turned upwardly through the eye or feed
opening d² of the cylinder and extends outwardly in a horizontal direction
The horizontal portion of the discharge pipe is provided with an exterior screw
thread which works in a rotating screw nut g¹ to which is attached a bevel-
wheel G, the screw nut being held against movement in the direction of its axis
by being provided with flanges which bear against both ends of the bearing in

page_text: which the screw nut revolves. The horizontal portion of the discharge pipe is
supported in a bifurcated frame H so as to slide therein, and the pipe is prevented
from turning by a set screw h³ or other projection entering a longitudinal groove
in the said pipe. h represents a bevel pinion which engages with the bevel
wheel G and which is mounted on a vertical shaft h¹. The latter is connected
with the spindle e of the centrifugal machine by an endless belt h³ running around
suitable pulleys on the said spindle and shaft, or by any other suitable means.
2, represents the pipe through which the liquid is delivered from the receiving-
tank C to the centrifugal machine D. This pipe is provided with a stop cock or
valve, and the portion 2 of the pipe which depends into the centrifugal machine
is made flexible so that it can be taken out of the cylinder when desired.
The mouth of the pipe i is located in the upper portion of the receiving tank C,
and the lower portion of the receiving-tank is connected with the pipe by a short
pipe provided with a stop cock or valve through which the contents of the tank
may be entirely drawn off when desired.
The outer end of the liquid discharge pipe f of the centrifugal machine is
provided with a flexible portion f' and an extension f³ which leads to a receiving
tank C, constructed in all respects like the receiving tank C hereinbefore
referred to.
The liquid which is collected in the receiving tank C consists of water, starch,
gluten and other constituent parts of the grain. This liquid is delivered into the
cylinder d and driven against the skirt or outer wall thereof by centrifugal force.
The starch globules being the heaviest particles contained in the liquid lodge
against the inner side of the outer wall of the cylinder while the water, gluten,
and other light impurities are driven upwardly along the wall of the said cylinder
and finally reach the enlarged or trumpet shaped mouth of the discharge pipe f..
which they enter and from which they pass through and into the pipe f by the
pressure of the liquid which is continually driven upward in the cylinder by the
centrifugal force.
The liquid charged with the light constituent parts of the grain passes from the
discharge pipe f into the receiving tank C below the centrifugal machine. The
layer of starch on the inner side of the wall of the cylinder increases in thickness
rapidly as the operation proceeds and the discharge pipe f is moved toward the
axis of the centrifugal machine by the screw mechanism above described, as the
layer of starch increases in thickness, so that the mouth of the discharge pipe f
remains at all times at substantially the same distance from the surface over which
the liquid is driven upwardly.
When the layer of starch has acquired a sufficient thickness, the motion of the
centrifugal machine is arrested, and the deposited starch is removed from the
cylinder. The mouth of the discharge pipe is then again moved outwardly to its
former position when the machine is again ready for operation. The liquid which
is discharged from the centrifugal machine D and collected in the tank C¹ is again
subjected to treatment in a centrifugal machine D' of the same construction as
above described, whereby a further separation of the starch from the liquid and
the light impurities is effected, and the material discharged from the centrifugal
machine D is collected in a receiving tank 02 from which it passes to another
centrifugal machine D2 of the same construction as above described, and this
operation may be repeated as many times as may be necessary in order to separate
all the solid particles from the water.
In the first separation in the centrifugal machine no gluten is deposited with
the starch, but in the subsequent separations the quantity of glutén deposited with
the starch gradually increases until finally the gluten predominates, but it is
always deposited in a separate concentric layer on the inner side of the layer of
starch, so that it can be readily separated from the starch.
The starch which is derived from the later separations is delivered into a mixing-
tank I; in which it is mixed with water and agitated, and from which it may be
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page_text: pumped through a pipe j into a settling tank J, in which the liquid is permitted
to come to a state of rest, whereby the starch is deposited
From the settling tank the starch is conveyed either together with the other
.starch to vessels or apparatus in which it is further treated, or if desired it may be
worked up separately.
In this manner not only the starch, but also the gluten and other light con-
stituent parts of the grain which are deposited with the gluten are separated from
the water, and each product, that is the starch and the gluten can be worked up
separately, the starch into commercial starch, grape sugar, glucose, beer, spirits
and the like, and the gluten into size or fertilizing material or whatever product
it may be useful for.
By this method of separation, the large number of settling and washing tanks,
and the long depositing tables or troughs usually employed in starch and grape
sugar factories for extracting starch from the liquid are entirely dispensed with,
and the desired separation is effected in much less time than heretofore, with less
machinery, and in a smaller space, and the water from which the solid particles
have been separated may be used over again in the various steps of the manu-
facture, and the employment of alkali for effecting the separation of the gluten from
the starch is thereby avoided
The cylinder of the centrifugal machine may be provided with several concentric
partitions or annular flanges projecting upwardly from the bottom so that the
heaviest particles contained in the liquid viz: the starch, are deposited in the
outermost annular space next the skirt of the cylinder, the next heaviest, viz:
the gluten, in the next annular space, and so on toward the centre of the
machine.
These annular partitions are employed in such numbers and made of such height
as to effect the desired separation
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim.
First The herein described method of separating starch or other heavy matter
from the liquid in which it is contained, which method consists in introducing
such liquid into a tight rotating cylinder in a continuous stream and effecting
a separation of the starch or other heavy matter from the said liquid by centrifugal
force, in such a manner that the starch or other heavy matter will lodge against
the inner side of the said cylinder while the liquid is driven upward in the cylinder
and discharged at or near the upper end thereof.
Second The herein described method of separating starch or other heavy matter
from the liquid in which it is contained, which method consists in introducing
such liquid into a tight rotating cylinder and effecting a separation of the starch
or other heavy matter from the liquid by centrifugal force, in such a manner that
the starch or other heavy matter will lodge against the inner side of the cylinder
while the liquid will be driven upward in the said cylinder and discharged at the
upper end thereof, and then subjecting the discharged liquid to one or more
additional similar separations for the purpose of separating therefrom the starch
or other heavy matter which it may still contain.
Third In a centrifugal separating machine, the combination of a tight rotating
cylinder and a discharge pipe for liquid, the said pipe having its inlet arranged
near the inner periphery of the cylinder, substantially as set forth.
Fourth In a centrifugal separating machine, the combination of a tight revolving
cylinder, a discharge pipe, and mechanism whereby the position of the mouth of
the said discharge pipe is changed as the deposit increases in thickness so as to
maintain its desired relative position with reference to the surface of the deposited
material, substantially as set forth.
Fifth In a centrifugal separating machine, the combination of a tight revolving
cylinder, a discharge pipe f, provided with a screw thread g, a revolving screw

page_text: nut g¹ held against longitudinal movement, and mechanism whereby the said screw
nut is rotated, substantially as set forth.
Sixth In a centrifugal separating machine, the combination of a tight revolving
cylinder and a liquid discharge pipe f constructed with an enlarged mouth f₁,
substantially as set.forth
Seventh In apparatus for separating starch or other heavy matter from the
liquid in which it is contained, the combination of two or more centrifugal
separating machines and intermediate mixing tanks, substantially as set forth
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this third day of March in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three
0
W. ROB, LAKE (L.S.)