Year: 1886

page_text: We, FRANK FAULKNER of Oldbury in the County of Worcester Consulting
Brewer and GEORGE ROBERT WILSON of Frome in the County of Somerset
Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows :-
This Invention has for its object an improved method of and apparatus for the
treatment of beer returns and other like alcoholic liquids.
The apparatus consists of a closed copper cylindrical vessel with hemispherical
bottom and cover. The bottom is enclosed in an outer jacket of cast or wrought
iron and supported on four or more columns to carry or support it in a vertical
position. Sufficient space is allowed between the iron and the copper bottom to
allow of the admission of steam, air, either hot or cold water or other heating or
cooling medium,
The cover is fitted with a manhole and lid and also with a copper cylinder rising
above the dome having internally fitted a number of small copper tubes, preferably
in a vertical position. The encasing cylinder of the copper tubes is provided with
a cold water inlet and escape pipe. These tubes serve the purpose of condensing
the alcoholic vapour arising from the liquid under treatment in the lower part of
the main cylinder which drops back into the liquid again. The top of the cylinder
is fitted with pressure and vacuum valves.
In the main cylinder or chamber of the apparatus another coil of copper pipe is
fitted as near as may be to the surface of the liquid to be treated. Through this
coil a current of cold water can be passed for the purpose of more speedily reducing
the heat of the liquid under treatment.
The vessel described above is used for the purpose of effecting the complete
sterilisation of returns and waste fluids subject when in ordinary condition to
ready putrifaction.
After bringing the fluid to be sterilised into bright condition either by natural
clarification, artificial fining or filtration through presses, we introduce it into the

page_text: vessel described above and gradually raise the fluid to a temperature of 180°. We
leave the beer or waste standing at this temperature for about 10 minutes and
then cool it by the arrangement of coils internally fitted to the apparatus.
As soon as the temperature is sufficiently low-we in the case of returns or
waste neutralise all excess of acidity over and above the one tenth normal to mild
beer by a standard solution of pure potassic carbonate which communicates to the
beer in the form of lactate and acetate of potash a distinct palate character in no
sense objectionable. If the liquor be intended for use in the preparation of finings
neutralization is not effected.
The process is applicable also to products obtained in vinegar works.

page_text: Beer Returns and other like Alcoholio Liquids.
We FRANK FAULKNER of Oldbury in the County of Worcester Consulting
Brewer and GEORGE ROBERT WILSON of Frome in the County of Somerset
Mechanical Engineer 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 has for its object an improved method of and apparatus for the
treatment of beer returns and other like alcoholic liquids.
The apparatus consists of a closed copper cylindrical vessel with hemispherical
bottom and cover. The bottom is enclosed in an outer jacket of cast or wrought
iron and supported on four or more columns to carry or support it in a vertical
position. Sufficient space is allowed between the iron and the copper bottom to
allow of the admission of steam air either hot or cold water or other heating or
cooling medium.
The cover is fitted with a manhole and lid and also with a copper cylinder rising
above the dome having internally fitted a number of small copper tubes, preferably
in a vertical position. The encasing cylinder of the copper tubes is provided with
a cold water inlet and escape pipe. These tubes serve the purpose of condensing
the alcoholic vapour arising from the liquid under treatment in the lower part of
the main cylinder which drops back into the liquid again. The top of the cylinder
is fitted with pressure and vacuum valves.
In the main cylinder or chamber of the apparatus another coil of copper pipe is
fitted as near as may be to the surface of the liquid to be treated. Through this
coil a current of cold water can be passed for the purpose of more speedily reducing
the heat of the liquid under treatment.
The vessel described above is used for the purpose of effecting the complete
sterilisation of returns and waste fluids subject when in ordinary condition to
ready putrefaction.
After bringing the fluid to be sterilised into bright condition either by natural
clarification artificial fining or filtration through presses, we introduce it into the
vessel described above and gradually raise the fluid to a temperature of 180°.
We
leave the beer or waste standing at this temperature for about 10 minutes and then
cool it by the arrangement of coils internally fitted to the apparatus.
As soon as the temperature is sufficiently low-we in the case of returns or
waste neutralise all excess of acidity over and above the one tenth normal to mild
beer-by a standard solution of pure potassic carbonate which while neutralizing
excess of acid communicates to the beer in the form of lactate and acetate of
potash a distinct palate character in no sense objectionable. If the liquor be
intended for use in the preparation of finings neutralization is not effected.
The process is applicable also to products obtained in vinegar works.
In order that our said invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect we will proceed to describe the drawing hereunto annexed,

page_text: The drawing shows a vertical section of the apparatus which we employ.
a is a copper vessel. b a jacket in which the bottom of the vessel a is enclosed.
cc are supporting columns. d is a pipe by which the vessel a is filled, e is a
draw off pipe. fis. a pipe supplying steam to the jacket. g is a surface condenser
occupying the upper part of the vessel a, it consists of a nest of parallel tubes.
between two tube plates h h. Cold water is admitted to the space around the
tubes and between the tube plates by the pipe i and it passes away by the pipe j.
The vapour rising from the liquor in the vessel a is condensed in the tubes of
the surface condenser and falls back. Air is able to escape by a safety valve k
opening outwards and another safety valve l opening inwards prevents all risk of
collapse. m is a manhole cover. n is a coil of pipes through which cold water
can be circulated to rapidly cool the liquor at the end of the operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. The process of sterilising alcoholic liquids. under the influence of heat and
pressure by heating them in closed vessels provided at the upper part with con-
densing apparatus for arresting and condensing alcoholic vapours and returning the
spirit to the liquid substantially as described.
2. The treatment of beer returns substantially as described by which they are
rendered fit for re-use.
3. Apparatus for sterilising alcoholic liquids consisting of a closed vessel provided
with heating cooling and condensing appliances substantially as described.
4. Apparatus substantially as herein described and represented by the annexed
drawings for sterilising alcoholic liquids.