An Improved Process for the Extraction of the Tartrate of Lime Contained in Lyes and other Tartarous Matters, and its Trans- formation into Cream of Tartar or into Tartaric Acid.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 9th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 13th Dec.. 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for the Extraction of the Tartrate of Lime
Contained in Lyes and other Tartarous Matters, and its Trans-
formation into Cream of Tartar or into Tartaric Acid.
I AUGUSTE MARTIGNIER of rue Joseph Vidal, Montpellier, France, Manufacturer
of Chemical Products, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved process for the extraction of the tartrate of
lime contained in lyes, argols ("Sablons") and other tartarous matters and its trans-
formation into cream of tartar or into tartaric acid.
When a more or less diluted solution of neutral tartrate of potash is put in presence
of hydrated sulphate of line, tartrate of lime is formed which precipitates and also
sulphate of potash which remains dissolved.

page_text: The separation of the liquid and the residuum is effected by the means above set
forth.
The liquid, decolorized by bone black, is treated with an equivalent quantity of
sulphuric acid and of a potassic salt (preferably sulphate of potash). Nearly the
whole of the tartaric acid is precipitated in the form of bitartrate of potash. This
bitartrate is purified by known means, or, according to circumstances, it is transformed
into tartaric acid.
I may also precipitate directly from the tartrate of lime by suitably extending the
initial solution containing the neutral tartrate of soda by adding thereto hydrated
sulphate of lime. The tartrate of lime is transformed into tartaric acid by known
means..
I
may also treat the lyes or tartars with a solution containing a judicious mixture
of sulphate of soda and sulphate of potash, there is then formed neutral tartrate of
potash, the sulphate of soda assisting the reaction. In this case sulphuric acid alone
is necessary to precipitate the bitartrate of potash.
th: TL: 1
0 D
1
1000
For the Applicant,
W. E. GEDGE,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for the Extraction of the Tartrate of Lime
Contained in Lyes and other Tartarous Matters, and its Trans-
formation into Cream of Tartar or into Tartaric Acid.
I AUGUSTE MARTIGNIER of rue Joseph Vidal, Montpellier, France, Manufacturer
of Chemical Products, 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:-
This invention relates to an improved process for the extraction of the tartrate of
lime contained in lyes, argols ("Sablons") and other tartarous matters and its trans-
formation into cream of tartar or into tartaric acid.
When a more or less diluted solution of neutral tartrate of potash is put in presence
of hydrated sulphate of lime, tartrate of lime is formed which precipitates and also
sulphate of potash which remains dissolved.
CHKO + Ca SO, + 4 H₂O
==
CH,Ca O 4 H₂O + K² SO*.
6
This reaction is known and used in some works to transform tartar into tartrate of
lime.
When on the contrary tartrate of lime is added to a saturated solution of sulphate
of potash, there is formed neutral tartrate of potash and sulphate of lime according
to the following equation
:-
CH.Ca O + 4 H₂O + K₂SO₁ = CH¸K₂O + Ca SO + 4 H₂O.
6
This reaction is complete; it may be effected cold or more rapidly with heat or
under pressure, provided however that there is excess of sulphate of potash.
My improved process is based upon this reaction-
The lyes or other tartarous matters finely pulverized are treated with a saturated
solution of sulphate of potash. This treatment may take place cold, under ebullition
or under pressure, accordingly as the material to be treated is more or less consider-
able, operating with heat being more rapid, but giving more coloured liquids than
cold operation.
If the lye contains bitartrate of potash, it must first be neutralised with chalk.
The reaction being terminated, the residuum containing the sulphate of lime and
the insoluble matters is separated from the liquid containing the neutral tartrate of
potash and the excess of sulphate of potash.

page_text: This separation may be effected by decantation, by the filter-press, or other suitable
means.
The liquid is then decolorized by animal charcoal, and treated with an equivalent
quantity of sulphuric acid which, in precipitating nearly the whole of the bitartrate
of potash regenerates the half of the sulphate of potash entered into reaction.
The cream of tartar thus precipitated is purified by known means.
For the manufacture of tartaric acid, this cream is transformed into tartrate of
lime, also by known means; the tartrate of lime may also be precipitated directly
from the initial liquid suitably diluted, by adding thereto hydrated sulphate of lime.
I may also, when it may be done with advantage, replace the sulphate of potash by
sulphate of soda. I then proceed in the following manner :-
The lyes, tartars etc. finely pulverized and saturated, if that is necessary, with
chalk, are treated with a saturated solution of sulphate of soda.
The tartrate of lime is then transformed into sulphate of lime which remains with
the insoluble substances of the lye. The neutral tartrate of soda and the excess of
sulphate of soda are found in the solution.
The separation of the liquid and the residuum is effected by the means above
set forth.
The liquid, decolorized by bone black, is treated with an equivalent quantity of
sulphuric acid and of a potassic salt (preferably sulphate of potash). Nearly the
whole of the tartaric acid precipitated in the form of bitartrate of potash. This
bitartrate is purified by known means, or, according to circumstances, it is transformed
into tartaric acid.
I may also precipitate the tartrate of lime directly by suitably extending the
initial solution containing the neutral tartrate of soda by adding thereto hydrated
sulphate of lime. The tartrate of lime is transformed into tartaric acid by known
means.
I may also treat the lyes or tartars with a solution containing an equal mixture of
sulphate of soda and sulphate of potash; there is then formed neutral tartrate of
potash, the sulphate of soda assisting the reaction. In this case sulphuric acid alone
is necessary to precipitate the bitartrate of potash.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The extraction of the tartarous compounds contained in lyes, argols, tartars and
other tartarous matters and their transformation into cream of tartar by the use of
sulphate of potash as above described.
2. The extraction of the tartarous compounds contained in lyes, argols, tartars and
other tartarous matters and their transformation into cream of tartar or into tartaric
acid, by the use of sulphate of potash or of sulphate of soda, or by a mixture of sulphate
of potash and of sulphate of soda all as above described.
Dated this Ninth day of September 1890.
For the Applicant,
W. E. GEDGE,
Agent.