IMPROVEMENTS IN EXTRACTING SUGAR FROM MOLASSES AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITHI
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in
.
"
the County of Middlesex Gentleman for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN EXTRACTING SUGAR FROM MOLASSES AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITHI communicated to him from Jules Emile Boivin sugar refiner
and Magloire Michel Désiré Loiseau Civil Engineer persons resident at Paris
in the Republic of France
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Jolinson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st June 1883.
"
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman "IMPROVEMENTS IN EXTRACTING SUGAR FROM MOLASSES AND IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITHI a communication to me from Jules Emilo
Boivin Sugar refiner and Magloire Michel Désiré Loiseau Civil Engineer persons
resident at Paris in the Republic of France.
This Invention relating to extracting sugar from molasses consists in treating
the molasses with hydrocarbonate of lime in a series of operatious as hereinafter
described.
In carrying out this Invention a mixture consisting of diluted molasses and lime
and herein after termed the inolasso calcareous mixture is first prepared by slaking
(with as little water as possible) about twelve ounces of quick lime to every pound.
of the molasses at about 40 degrees Beaumé from which the sugar is to be extracted.
For this purpose the quick lime is immersed for about two or three minutes in cold
water and then placed upon a perforated plate at the bottom of a vessel (care
being taken to separate the lumps of wet lime) and allowed to remain until tho
reaction resulting from the hydratation of the lime is nearly terminated. As soon
as the violence of the reaction abates and the quantity of steam evolved appears
inconsiderable diluted molasses at from about 12 to 15 degrees Beaumé is poured.
over the lime so as to cover it completely. The temperature of the contents of the
vessel now enables any unhydrated lime to become rapidly hydrated. A vertical.
shaft carrying an agitator is then set in motion and the diluted molasses are
thus uniformly mixed with the hydrated line. In this condition the inolasso

page_text: calcareous mixture is passed through a sieve and conducted to a cooling
apparatus.
This apparatus consists of a vessel provided with a horizontal shaft upon which
are fixed arms carrying paddles which when the shaft revolves continually draw
to the surface of the molasso calcareous mixture the undissolved lime which tends
I to fall to the bottom of the cooler. The shaft is excentric to the case of the cooler
in order to allow room for a worm containing water for cooling the contents of the
latter.
The next operation that is to say the formation of the sucrate of hydrocarbonate
of lime may be performed in one apparatus but it is preferable to employ two
distinct apparatus for this purpose on account of the changes in the condition of
the molasso calcareous mixture whilst being carbonated.
The first apparatus or preparing vessel receives the molasso calcareous mixture
in the condition in which it leaves the cooler.. When in this condition the mixture
is slightly coherent and carbonic acid gas may be readily caused to permeate the
mass either by means of a false bottom to the vessel or perforated arms or pipes
or other suitable means. In all cases it is necessary to abstract the greater part
of the heat generated during the formation of the sucrate of hydrocarbonate of
lime. For this purpose cold water is caused to circulate in a casing surrounding
the vessel.
The gas being introduced into the vessel through a suitable pipe insoluble sucrate
of hydrocarbonate of lime is formed as fast as the gas is introduced and has the
effect of thickening those portions of the mixture least affected by the carbonic
acid gas owing to imperfect contact with the latter. The second apparatus
herein before referred to thus becomes necessary in order to employ the carbonic
acid to the best advantage.
This apparatus bereinafter termed the sucrate mixer is composed essentially of
a cast iron box in which the thick mixture resulting from the treatment lastly
herein before described is subjected first to the action of the gases from the lime
furnace in order to complete the sucrate of hydrocarbonate of lime secondly to a
continuous agitation by means of a perforated piston so that the carbonic acid gas
is only allowed to remain for a very short time in contact with the same molecules
and thirdly to a cooling whereby the mixture is maintained at a temperature of
about 25 degrees Centigrade by means of cold water circulating in a case
surrounding the box and also inside the agitating piston which is provided with
two or more hollow rods so as to enable water to circulate in the body of the
piston. The carbonic acid gas may be introduced into the apparatus by various
means either through the opening for example at the upper part and which also
serves for the introduction of the thick mixture into the cast iron box or from
below by means of valves operated by means of screws or otherwise either
automatically or by hand by means of hollow valvo roda passing through the
piston and moving with the latter being also provided with valves on both sides
of the said piston.
The
When the sucrate of hydrocarbonate of lime loaves this apparatus it preserves
approximately the form which is imparted to it in passing through the holes in
the piston and moreover becomes readily separated from the ends of the case.
sucrate is then expelled from the case by means of the end which is operated by
means of a hydraulic piston or other suitable means.
The sucrate is then divided into thin rods or strings in a dividing apparatus
consisting of a cylinder open at the upper end and containing at its lower end a
plate perforated with holes of from about one eighth to three sixteenths of an
inch in diameter through which the materials are forced by means of hydraulic or
other pressure.
The sucrate being thus divided falls into vessels mounted upon trunnions and
carried by a swinging cross bar and containing limo water to about two thirds of
their height. The temperature of this water should be about 20 degrees Centi-
grade. Each of these vessels is provided with a siphon which enables the wash

page_text: water to flow away regularly but without sinking below the surface of the sucrate.
As soon as the vessel is filled to within about two inches of the upper edge with
the divided sucrate lime water is introduced at the same temperature of about
20 degrees centigrade through a pipe whilst the impure water is drawn off from
below by the siphon. This operation occupies about two hours when the sucrate
is divided into rods or cylinders of about one eighth of an inch diameter. Thicker
cylinders require more time.
The washed sucrate is then diluted and carbonised in order to liberate the
sugar. These operations are performed in an apparatus similar to the sucrato
mixer herein before described but differing from that apparatus in having smaller
holes in the piston whilst the case may be considerably larger than that of the
mixer the substances to be mixed offering less resistance than the sucrate in course
of formation and the case also has a fixed end the moveable end or piston being
consequently dispensed with. A valve is also provided at the lower part of the
vessel in order that the carbonated mixture may be drawn off when required.
The carbonatation must not be carried too far lest the foreign matter be liberatod
and it should be effected at a temperature of about 25 degrees Centigrade. The
carbonated mixture is then boiled in boilers provided with a steam worm and a
skimmer and filtered.
The deposits remaining in the filters are washed by known means and the
resulting liquids of slight density are employed for diluting washed sucrate.
The saccharine liquids separated directly from the carbonate are treated in the
same manner as the defecated saccharine juices of beetroot or those which have
undergone a preliminary carbonatation in the factory.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great. Seal Patent Office on the
20th December 1883.
"
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman "IMPROVEMENTS IN EXTRACTING SUGAR FROM MOLASSES AND IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH a communication to me from Jules Emile
Boivin, Sugar Refiner, and Magloire Michel Désiré Loiseau, Civil Engineer, persons
resident at Paris in the Republic of France
The said Invention relates to an improved process for extracting Sugar from
Molasses by the employment of sucrate of hydrocarbonate of lime and to apparatus
to be employed in carrying out the said process as hereinafter described.
In carrying out this Invention a sucrate of hydrocarbonate of lime is employed
which may be utilised for obtaining two distinct results namely.
First: For purifying the various saccharine products which are treated in sugar
manufactories and refineries.
Second:-For extracting the sugar from these products and especially for
extracting sugar from molasses.
==
The present invention is concerned with the extraction of sugar from molasses
and involves the employment of the following series of operations nainely :-
First: A mixture hereinafter termed the molasso calcareous mixture is prepared
with suitable proportions of lime and diluted molasses.
Secondly The molusso calcareous mixture is cooled.
:
Thirdly-A sucrate of hydrocarbonate lime is formed with the said mixture.
Fourthly Tho sucrate of hydrocarbonate of lime is divided in order that it
may be effectually washed.
=
Fifthly-The aucrate of hydrocarbonate of lime is washed.
Sixthly-The washed sucrate is decomposed.
Seventhly-The mixture of carbonate of lime and the saccharino liquid
resulting from this operation are subjected to the usual treatment in order to
obtain sugar therefroin.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures and will describe the several
operations hereinbefore enumerated in the order in which they are employed in
practice.
First: The preparation of the Molasso-calcareous mixturo.
Figure 1. of the accompanying drawings is a vertical section of the apparatus
employed in carrying out this operation. This mixture consisting of diluted
molasses and suitable proportions of dissolved or undissolved lime is first prepared
by slaking (with as little water as possible) about twelve ounces of quick lime to
every pound of the molasses at about forty degrees Beaumé from which the sugar
is to be extracted. For this purpose the quick lime is immersed for about two
or three minutes in cold water. After being thus wetted the line is placed upon
a perforated plate A in the bottom of a preparing vessel R as shown in Figure 1
(care being taken to perfectly separate the lumps of wet lime) and allowed to
remain until the reaction resulting from the hydratation of the lime is nearly
terminated. An abundant production of steam takes place at first which gradually
diminishes. Before this production of steam ceases that is to say as soon as the
violence of the reaction abates and the quantity of steam evolved appears incon-
siderable diluted molasses at from about twelve to fifteen degrees Beaumé is poured

page_text: over the line so as to cover it completely.. The quantity of inolasses thus introduced
into the vessel R should be sufficient to cover all the lime on the plate A whether
hydrated or otherwise. The mixture thus obtained is of such a temperature as to
enable any unhydrated lime to become rapidly hydrated. When this has been
accomplished a vertical shaft B carrying an agitator C is set in motion and the
liluted molasses are thereby uniformly mixed with the hydrated lime. In this
condition the molasso calcareous mixture is passed through a sieve and conducted
to a cooling apparatus hereinafter described.
Second. Cooling the molasso calcareous mixture.
Figuro 2 is a vertical section of the cooling apparatus which consists of a vessel Z
provided with a horizontal shaft C¹ carrying arms provided with paddles D parallel
to the shaft C'. When the shaft C' rotates these paddles continually draw to the
surface of the molasso calcareous mixture the undissolved lime which would
otherwise settle at the bottom of the vessel Z. The shaft C¹ is eccentric to the
case of the cooler as shown in order to allow room for a worm E containing water
for cooling the contents of the latter.
Third-The formation of the sucrate of hydrocarbonate of lime.
The next operation that is to say the formation of the sucrate of hydrocarbonate
of lime may be performed in one apparatus but it is preferable to employ two
distinct apparatus for this purpose on account of the changes in the condition of
the molasso calcareous mixture whilst being carbonated.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the first apparatus or preparing vessel employed
in carrying out the said operation. This apparatus consists of a vessel Y which
receives the molasso calcareous mixture in the condition in which it leaves the
cooler. When in this condition the mixture is slighty coherent and carbonic acid
gas may be readily caused to permeate the mass either by means of the arrangement
illustrated in figure 3 (in which the vessel Y is provided with a false bottom Y₁
revolving on a vertical shaft Y2) or by means of perforated arms or pipes or other
suitable means such as are commonly employed in the sugar manufacture for
carbonating saccharine liquids containing lime. In all cases it is necessary to
abstract preferably by means of cold water the greater part of the beat generated
during the formation of the sucrate of hydrocarbonate of lime. For this purpose
the cold water is introduced through a tube t and caused to circulate in a jacket or
outer casing T surrounding the lower part of the vessel Y.
The gas being introduced into the vessel Y through a pipe R is brought into
intimate contact with the contents of the said vessel whereby an insoluble sucrato
of hydrocarbonate of lime is formed as fast as the gas is introduced.
This
has the effect of thickening those portions of the mixture least affected by the
carbonic acid gas owing to imperfect contact with the latter. The second apparatus
herein before referred to thus becomes necessary in order to employ the carbonic
acid to the best advantage.
This apparatus hereinafter termed the sucrate mixer is represented in elevation
in figura 4 and in transverse section in Figure 5. The said apparatus is composed
essentially of a cast iron box H in which the thick mixture resulting from the
treatment lastly bereinbefore described is subjected, firstly to the action of the
gases from a lime furnace in order to complete the sucrato of hydrocarbonate of
lime secondly to a continuous agitation by means of a perforated piston P worked
by a crank shaft P². A portion of this piston is shown in section in figures 5ª
and 6. The effect of this arrangement is that the carbonic acid gas is only allowed
to remain for a very short time in contact with the same molecules. Thirdly to a
cooling by which the mixture is reduced to a temperature of about twenty five
degrees centigrade. This cooling is effected by means of cold water which is
caused to circulate in a case surrounding the cast iron box H and also in passages q
in the agitating piston P. as shown in Figure 5 which represents a portion of the
said piston drawn to a larger scale. Pistons thus constructed are very effective in
cooling the mixture. The piston P is provided with a number of piston rods
made: hollow so as to enable water to enter through the rod or rods p and to be
pp'

page_text: discharged through the rod or rods p'. The carbonic acid gas may be introduced
into the interior of the apparatus by various means either through an opening h
(figure 4) for example at the upper part and which also serves for the introduction
of the thick mixture into the cast iron box or from below by means of valves S
(shown in detail in Figure 7) operated as hereinafter described. Figure 7 drawn to a
larger scale is a section of a portion of the bottom of the box H showing a valve S
on a valve rod or stem S' operated either automatically by suitable means such as
a cam S³ and rods and levers S' as shown in figure 4 or by hand.
According to another arrangement the carbonic acid gas is introduced through
hollow piston rods M (figure 6) passing through the piston P and moving with the
latter and being also provided with valves T on both sides of the said piston.
The motive power for working the shaft P2 of this machine may be supplied by
a special engine or from any suitable source and be transmitted by the medium of
pulleys and belting or by other known means.
When the formation of the sucrate of hydrocarbonate is completed the sucrate
preserves approximately the form which is imparted to it in passing through the
holes in the piston P and moreover becomes readily separated from the ends of
the case H. The sucrato is then expelled from the case by a movement of the ond I
which is operated by means of a bydraulic piston O or other suitable means such
as are employed to operate filter presses or the like.
Fourth-The division of the sucrato.
The sucrate is now to be divided into thin rods or strings resembling vermicelli.
In order to perform this operation a dividing apparatus represented in vertical
section in figure 8 is employed. This apparatus is provided with a cylinder K
open at the upper ond and containing at its lower end a plate L perforated with
holes of from about one eighth to threo sixteenths of an inch in diameter through
which the materials are forced or caused to exude by a piston P operated by a
hydraulic cylinder P¹ or otherwise.
Fifth Washing the sucrate.
The sucrate expelled as herein before described through the perforations in the
plate L figure 8 is received by an apparatus next hereinafter described with
reference to figures 9 and 10 which represent the said apparatus in elevation
(partly in section) and in plan respectively.
This apparatus is provided with a series of vessels V (for the reception of the
sucrate) supported by cross bars forming a revolving frame V1 turning upon a
vertical hollow shaft V. These vessels contain lime water to about two thirds of
their height. The temperature of this water should be about twenty degrees
Centigrade. Each vessel V is provided with a siphon 8 which enables the wash
water to flow away regularly but without sinking below the surface of the sucrate.
The vessels V may be supported on trunnions so as to be capable of being inverted
as shewn on the left of figuro 9 and by the revolution of the frame V₁ are brought
in succession underneath the apparatus illustrated in figure 8. When one of the
vessels V has been charged with the divided sucrate to within about two inches of
the upper edge the frame V¹ is caused to perform a fraction of a revolution so as to
bring a fresh vessel under the dividing apparatus and lime water at the same
temperature of about twenty degrees centigrade is allowed to flow from a pipe r
through the hollow shaft V2 and a pipe into the vessel that has been charged
and the impure water is drawn off from below by the siphon 8. The contents of
all the vessels are subjected in rotation to this washing operation which occupies
about two hours when the sucrate is divided into rods or cylinders of about one
eighth of an inch in diameter. Thicker cylinders require more time. No incon-
venience results from the employment of an excess of lime water the sucrate being
almost insoluble in this liquid.
Sixth. Decomposing or carbonating the washed sucrate.
The washed sucrate is then diluted and carbonated in order to liberate the sugar.
These operations are performed in an apparatus similar to the sucrate mixer
herein before described with reference to figures 4 and 5 but differing from that

page_text: apparatus in having smaller holes in the piston whilst the case may be cousiderably
larger, the substances to be mixed offering less resistance than the sucrate in course
of formation and the case also has a fixed end the moveable end I and hydraulio
piston O being consequently dispensed with. A valve is also provided at the
lower part of the apparatus in order that the carbonated mixture may be drawn
off when required.
The carbonatation must not be carried too far lest the foreign matter be liberated
and it should be effected at a temperature of about twenty five degrees Centigrade.
The Carbonated mixture is then boiled in boilers provided with a steam worm and
a skimmer and filtered. The deposits remaining in the filters are washed by
known means and the resulting liquids of slight density employed for diluting
washed sucrate.
The saccharine liquids separated directly from the carbonate are treated in the
same manner as the defecated saccharine juices of beetroot or the like which have
undergone a preliminary carbonatation in the factory.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in
part recited Lettors Patent is :—
First Extracting sugar from molasses by the employment of sucrate of hydro-
carbonate of lime in the manner or by the process substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Second-The several arrangements and combinations of parts constituting the
apparatus to be employed in extracting sugar from molasses as claimed by the
preceding claiming clause the said several arrangements or combinations being
each constructed and oporating substantially as herein before described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said John Henry Johnson have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of December One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.