Improvements in Packing Caustic Alkalies.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Packing Caustic Alkalies.
I, HEINRICH PRECHT, Doctor of Philosophy, residing at Neustrassfurt, near
Stassfurt, Prussia, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
follows:-
as
Alkaline hydrates such as hydrate of potash (2KHO) and hydrate of
soda (2NaHO) have a marked corrosive effect on organic substances and destroy
wood which has been exposed some time to their influence. This is more especially
noticeable in the case of alkaline hydrates which are stored and despatched in
wooden casks, because these substances absorb moisture from the atmosphere and
become deliquescent.
A new method of protecting wood against the deliquating action of the alkaline
hydrates has been discovered. This process consists in surrounding the latter
with a body which does not attack wood and exercises no detrimental action upon
the substances, and for this purpose potassium carbonate (K2CO3) potassium bi-
carbonate (KHCO3), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3),
potassium silicate (K2SiO3), sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) either separately or mixed
in any desired way are found to give good results.
In carrying out this invention, at the bottom of the barrel A a layer of the afore-
said materials B is spread, upon which is placed the alkaline hydrate C which has
been melted and cast in blocks of circular or semi-circular shape. Then the
protecting materials are firmly pressed in between the wood and the alkaline
hydrate. When the barrel or receptacle has been filled up with successive layers of
alkaline hydrate, the protecting materials are spread on the top and firmly
rammed or pressed in. The cover is then put on, and the barrel closed.
The thickness of the layers of protecting materials depends upon their density
and also upon the amount thereof, which, through the absorption of moisture, will
effect an air tight envelope or casing. Potash and soda carbonates (KC0³
and Na(3), which have been deprived of water, answer the purpose admirably,
because they absorb the moisture which penetrates through the wood, expand and
form a solid casting enveloping the alkaline hydrate. The alkaline bicarbonates
(ie KHCO3, NaHCO3) present the great advantage that they give off carbonic
acid (CO2) and transform the surface of the alkaline hydrate into a crust of alkaline
carbonate. Thanks to their physical properties the silicates mentioned form an
advantageous protecting covering, as through the absorption of a small amount of
water they become viscous and constitute a kind of cement coating. It is to be
understood that the protecting materials can be used either mixed or each one
separately by itself.
The thickness of the protecting layer may depend also upon the proportions in
which the packed materials are to be consumed. If the goods are to be used for
the manufacture of soap, the protecting layer should not form more than 20
to 30% of the total contents, as such a proportion of the materials, i.e. of alkaline
carbonates, or bicarbonates, or silicates, is used in conjunction with the alkaline

page_text: J
hydrates. If the goods are to be used for the purification of water, the
alkaline hydrate can be enclosed in a larger mass of protecting materials.
Through the adoption of this method the iron barrels and drums which were
hitherto used for the storing and transport of alkaline hydrates can be dispensed
with. On the other hand the packing barrels which have been used in accordance
with this invention can be further utilised for other purposes, a point of especial
importance in the manufacture of soap.
A mixture of gypsum and rye-flour with a coating of resin, as has been
proposed and applied for coating the outside of casks and the like, has not given
the expected results, because gypsum, rye-flour and resin are attached and
decomposed by caustic alkalies.
According to this invention the alkaline hydrates are surrounded by protecting
material which consists of alkaline compounds which consequently cannot exercise
an injurious action on the alkaline hydrates. Apart from this protection, the
layers of alkaline compounds possess also the advantage that they can be used along
with the alkaline hydrates.
Dated this 26th day of Vow 1000
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, HEINRICH PRECIT, Doctor of Philosophy, residing at Neustassfurt, near
Stassfurt, Prussia, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
Alkaline hydrates such as hydrate of potash (2KHO) and hydrate of
soda (2NaHO) have a marked corrosive effect on organic substances and destroy
wood which has been exposed some time to their influence. This is more especially
noticeable in the case of alkaline hydrates which are stored and despatched in,
wooden casks, because these substances absorb moisture from the atmosphere and
become deliquescent.
A new method of protecting wood against the deliquating action of the alkaline
hydrates has been discovered. This process consists in surrounding the latter
with a body which does not attack wood and exercises no detrimental action upon
the substances and for this purpose potassium carbonate (K,CO3), potassium bi-
carbonate (KHCO3), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3),
potassium silicate (K,Si³), sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) either separately or mixed in
any desired way are found to give good results.
In carrying out this invention, and referring to the drawing filed with the
Provisional Specification, at the bottom of the barrel A a layer of the aforesaid
materials B is spread upon which is placed the alkaline hydrate C which has been
melted and cast in blocks of circular or semi-circular shape. Then the protecting
materials are firmly pressed in between the wood and the alkaline hydrate. When
the barrel or receptacle has been filled up with successive layers of alkaline hydrate,
the protecting materials are spread on the top and firmly rammed or pressed in.
The cover is then put on and the barrel closed. The accompanying drawing shows
the mode of carrying out the process.
The thickness of the layers of protecting materials depends upon their density
and also upon the amount thereof which through the absorption of moisture will
effect an air tight envelope or casing. Potassium and soda carbonate (K2CO³

page_text: and Na2CO3) which have been deprived of water answer the purpose admirably,
because they absorb the moisture which penetrates through the wood, expand and
form a solid casting enveloping the alkaline. hydrate. The alkaline bi-carbonates,
viz. KHCO3, NaHCO3 present the great advantage that they give off carbonic
acid (CO2) and transform the surface of the alkaline hydrate into a crust of
alkaline carbonate. Thanks to their physical properties the silicates mentioned
form an advantageous protecting covering, as through the absorption of a small
amount of water they become viscous and constitute a kind of cement coating.
It is to be understood that the protecting materials can be used either mixed or
each one separately by itself.
The thickness of the protecting layer may depend also upon the proportions in
which the packed materials are to be consumed. If the goods are to be used for
the manufacture of soap, the protecting layer should not form more than 20
to 30% of the total contents, as such a proportion of the materials, i.e. of alkaline
carbonates, or bicarbonates or silicates, is used in connection with the alkaline
hydrates. If the goods are to be used for the purification of water, the
alkaline hydrate can be enclosed in a larger mass of protecting materials.
Through the adoption of this method the iron barrels and drums which were
hitherto used for the storing and transport of alkaline hydrates can be dispensed
with. On the other hand the packing barrels which have been used in accordance
with this invention can be further utilised for other purposes, a point of especial
importance in the manufacture of soap.
A mixture of gypsum and rye-flour with a coating of resin, as has been
proposed and applied for coating the inside of casks and the like, has not given
the expected results, because gypsum, rye-flour and resin are attached and
decomposed by caustic alkalies.
According to this invention the alkaline hydrates are surrounded by protecting
material which consists of alkaline compounds which consequently cannot exercise
an injurious action on the alkaline hydrates. Apart from this protection, the
layers of alkaline compounds possess also the advantage that they can be used along
with the alkaline hydrates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is;-
-
1. A method of packing caustic alkalies in cask which consists in surrounding
the alkalies with a layer of alkaline-carbonates or bicarbonates or silicates or
mixtures thereof, which do not attack the material of the casks and exercise no
injurious effect on the alkaline hydrates.
Dated this 25th day of Tan 1900