Improved Process and Apparatus for the Rapid Refining of Sugar.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process and Apparatus for the Rapid Refining of Sugar.
I, JOSEPH ROBIN-LANGLOIS, of the Bourse du Commerce, Paris, in the French
Republic, Engineer and Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a new process for refining sugar and to apparatus
for carrying the same into effect. My object is as follows: To artificially make a
mass of ground, blued and damp sugar allowing an easy moulding, and giving
after treatment, sugar having all the properties of refined sugar without however,
creating objectionable products during the different stages of the operation.
My process is the following;-Sugar known as raw sugar No. 3, or rather,
extra white sugar which has first been cleaned by any known process and particu-
larly so as to remove the hair, dust etc. which may adhere thereto arising from
contact with the sacks or bags, is then ground by means of a crusher or dis-
integrating apparatus. This latter may be of any suitable pattern or type and should
be able to produce small crystals of uniform size and also be able to vary the
size of the products as needed.
The sugar having been ground passes over a spray of atomized water or
jet of steam at a suitable pressure and by this treatment the crystal
fragments undergo a kind of washing, the facets or faces thereof become brilliant
and acquire a condition similar to that of the grains which are formed in a
cooked mass, and, further these particles are slightly damped; the sugar is
afterwards conveyed to a mixer furnished internally and externally with means
for heating; this mixing is indispensable because whatever be the division of
the sugar and of the water under the form of atomized steam or spray, certain
particles of ground sugar at the entrance into the mixture, will have received a
deal of dampness, others on the contrary will present themselves under the form
of amorphous agglomerations; it would be found impossible to form an ingot
or bar under these conditions, even under great pressure, the mass having no
homogeneity.
On the other hand, if it be wished to prolong the action of the water, (steam
or spray), an excess of liquid would be used which would form a soft pulp or
paste, which latter it is necessary to avoid so as not to have inferior products
or to obtain low class results.
To attain a good result the sugar after having been damped should be sub-
It is
mitted simultaneously to a thorough mixing and to the action of heat.
then mixed in a mixer furnished interiorly and exteriorly with means for heating.
In my process it is always necessary that the hygrometric state of the mass
should be such that a person can take a sample in his hand and compress it between
the fingers without in any way being able to squeeze out of it the least element or
trace of syrup, and yet the mass ought to contain enough humidity to retain the
impress or imprints made by such slight compress.
This mass of sugar, then, contains only a very small quantity of water. This
of the essential points of my process.

page_text: Falling into the mixer, this sugar is subjected to the action of rakes, some being
fixed and the others movable in such a manner as to destroy or break up these
amorphous agglomerations, and under this mechanical action the grains are
broken away or detached. On the other hand the mixer being surrounded by or
contained in a (hot) water bath both interiorly and exteriorly, this damped powder
is warmed and consequently becomes more fluid or mobile-fluidity being most
important obtained by means of the temperature and not by an excess of water,
the quantity of this latter after the foregoing treatment remaining always as nearly
as possible at a minimum.
This mixture becoming more fluid or mobile, the crystals separate more easily,
the facets become brilliant and the mass, so to speak, becomes grained by analogy
with that which takes place in a baking-apparatus or oven, that is to say, the
fragments of crystals begin to be rid of the fine powder or dust which surrounded
them, the powder being partly dissolved by the water, the power or capability of
solution of which water, increases with the temperature of the surrounded mass;
there is, then, thus formed a true cooked mass which is composed of brilliant
crystals and of a very milky or pasty syrup. The mass of sugar so prepared, next
passes down from the mixer into moulds shaped to any form whatever and is then
subjected to a slight compression which increases the cohesion and adherence of
all the fragments, which cohesion is started by the lowering of the temperature
of the mass.
During the cooling after moulding the saturated syrup at a fairly high tem-
perature leaves the sugar; now as the mass is homogeneous by reason of the
thorough mixing it has received, the fragments of sugar with brilliant faces
cleaned, so to speak, by the preceding operation, are maintained in the midst of
the mass and at the same time this element of syrup forms crystals which becoming
fused or mixed, unite or consolidate the whole mass after cooling, which operation
is afterwards facilitated by a slight compression.
The bars or loaves of sugar are then submitted to a suction treatment which need
not be intense, for its object is only to cause air to pass across the bar or loaf
which makes it transparent, and to cause any traces of syrup therein contained
to exude or pass out whilst cooling the same. The bars or ingots are afterwards
taken out of moulds and then stoved or otherwise finished in the ordinary manner.
The addition of blue can take place either to the raw sugar before its passage
to the grinder or disintegrator or by putting this colour in suspension in the
steam or spray water.
The density and physical structure of the sugar which it is wished to obtain
are determined by the relations between the temperature and the mass in the
mixer, the proportion of water contained in the mass and the size of the crushed
fragments of crystals. The relations are variable and it is impossible to state them
precisely.
My process of treating sugar thus comprises eight stages.
1. Cleaning.
2. Crushing or grinding.
3. Treatment by a jet of spray or of steam.
4. Mixing.
5. Moulding.
6. Compressing.
7. Suction treatment.
8. Taking out of moulds and stoving or otherwise finishing in the ordinary
manner.
With the exception of the stoving or other operations which can be performed
in any known mauner, I carry out the other stages of my invention by means of

page_text: 5. The circular table for moulding, compressing and submitting the bars to a
suction treatment or draining.
1. CLEANER.
I have already said that the process of cleaning may be carried out in any
suitable manner whatever; however, I preferably employ the following arrange-
ment.
The sugar is contained in a hopper whence it is delivered by a suitable distributor
on to or upon a series of boards or shelves arranged in tiers or layers; between
these boards or shelves are arranged perforated tubes in communication with a
compressed air supply-pipe; it is well to use dry and warm air. The jets or
currents of air pass across the falling sugar and tend to remove dust and impurities
which are expelled through an opening suitably situated with regard to the
aforesaid air-pipes; the sugar falls from the last board into a crusher, grinder
or disintegrating apparatus; the particles of sugar partly carried upwards by
the current of air fall back towards the crusher after having cleared a suitable
baffle plate.
2. CRUSHER OR GRINDER.
This instrument can be of any suitable type; it should be selected for the
purpose of giving fragments of crystals of a uniform size and of allowing this
size to be varied according to desire.
3. TREATMENT OF THE SUGAR BY STEAM OR SPRAY.
The apparatus imparting this treatment is joined to the mixer.
The sugar reaches the mixer from the grinder by a tube having preferably an
oval or oblong opening or mouth, and falls upon an angled plate formed in such
a way that the stream of sugar is thereby divided into two parts; under the
plate is arranged a pipe by which is conducted the steam and which is furnished
with a suitable number of holes; the jets which escape therefrom are broken up
by and against another angled plate, and the steam thus escaping at each sido
impinges against the sugar falling from the supply tube; by means of this
arrangement the sugar cannot come into contact with the steam pipe and is not
burnt. It will be understood that by means of a similar arrangement the sugar
could be subjected to or treated by a spray of atomized water.
4. MIXER.
The mixer is formed essentially of a hot-water cylinder placed within and con-
centrically with an annular hot-water reservoir; an annular recess is thus formed
and it is within this recess that the sugar is mixed being maintained at the
desired and a constant temperature by means of the two surrounding envelopes
containing hot water. In this annular recess are arranged the mixing arms or
blades which are mounted on or secured some to the outer surface of the interior
cylinder and some to the interior surface of the outer annular reservoir; they are
of any suitable shape and have preferably the form of toothed rakes. The inner
cylinder carrying some of the arms turns within the outer annular reservoir and
is actuated by a central shaft.
This shaft at its lower end turns in a suitable socket and its upper part guided
or held in a bracket, is furnished with a bevel wheel by which it may be revolved
from any convenient source of power and by suitable connections.
Besides the aforesaid arms the inner cylinder carries at its lower end plates
inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees, the part or role of which will be hereafter
explained.
The water of the outer annular reservoir may be heated by steam by means of
an entering pipe; at its upper end the reservoir is furnished with an overflow pipe
discharging above and into the central cylinder which is thus supplied, and which

page_text: latter is also furnished with an overflow pipe discharging into a small reservoir
arranged around the central shaft and towards the base of the whole apparatus.
The mixer is mounted above the level of the circular table in such a manner that
the two circumferences of these apparatus would intersect in plan, and so that
the width of the annular portion of the table coincides with the width of the
annular recess of the mixer. The part of the bottoin of the mixer which is not
formed by the circular table is furnished with a leaf or sheet of suitable metal.
Across the reservoir there pass a proof-stick or tester allowing samples to be taken
from the mass of sugar under treatment, and a steam pipe allowing the lower
layers of the mass to be moistened, if and when necessary.
5. CIRCULAR TABLE.
This apparatus is formed of a certain number of boxes or segmental troughs
arranged or situated one against another and forniing a ring which can revolve on
a circular rail by rollers suitably secured to the lower part of the boxes. The
rotation of the circular table is assured by means of a toothed wheel engaging
another toothed wheel driven by any suitable means.
The boxes are closed over at the upper part by a lid or plate of suitable and
perforated metal on which is placed another thinner plate also perforated, but the
holes of the latter are the smaller. This plate is similar to those which are used
for the scuttles or sieves of turbines.
On the latter plate are arranged the radial rods forming recesses acting as
moulds when brought in place and together.
These parts or rods are all of the same shape and are placed together so as to
radiate from the centre of the circular table; they form a series of moulds in the
shape of rectangular parallelopipeds, open at the top, the vertical walls of which
are formed by the rods and the bottom of which is formed by the upper metal
perforated plate; each of these rods is fixed to or solid with an arm or extension
mounted on a pivot placed at the side of the interior of the ring, perpendicular to
the table and eccentric with regard to or at a tangent to the longitudinal axis or
plane of the mould; the rods can, then, be moved with slight friction on the
surface of the upper perforated plate whilst turning on this pivot. By means of
this arrangement the taking of the bars of sugar from the moulds is very easy;
on causing the end rod of one series of moulds to slightly oscillate or to move on its
pivot for a small space, the corresponding bar may be withdrawn without difficulty
for the surfaces of the bar and of the rods in contact are separated in a gradual
manner, commencing at their ends and immediately ceasing to be parallel, which
avoids all rubbing of or damage to the bar; the end bar of sugar being withdrawn,
the other mould-rods are turned or operated and the bar of sugar in each case
withdrawn. Each one of the boxes or troughs has at its lower side an opening by
which it may be put into communication by means of a pipe furnished with a
cock, with a central vacuum chamber; the communication pipes are secured or
connected to the boxes or troughs and to the reservoir which latter consequently
revolves with them; the whole is suitably braced together and any suitable
vacuum-producing apparatus can be connected to the reservoir. On the inner
wall of the edges of the boxes or segmental troughs are arranged beads, cores or
cushions of rubber which ensure the sealing or air-tightness at this point when the
draining or suction action is made by forming a vacuum in the boxes, these latter
being then able to communicate only with the interior of the moulds without entry
of air from any part. The cock of each communication pipe can be opened and
closed automatically by means of a suitable pawl and ratchet, cams or other
mechanical contrivance arranged in such manner that the opening will take
place consequent on the withdrawal of the suction piston and the closing at the
moment of withdrawal of the moulds. These are mechanical arrangements well
known and commonly used and I do not confine myself to any one in particular.
Instead of the above described straight radial rods forming the moulds proper,
the straight radial portions of these rods may be shaped angularly forming a

page_text: number of squares, two adjacent sides of each such figure being formed by the
angled rods. The straight radial rod is replaced by a rod shaped in echelon and
the spaces between two of these angled rods may be thus divided into several
distinct squares.
In the space or interval between each batch or series of moulds is arranged a
fixed piece or blade on which the end rod of a series or set abuts. To this
fixed blade is secured by means of suitable bayonet joints or hinges a similar and
correspondingly shaped piece of a wedge-shape intended to ensure the clasping,
connection or linking of the rods of the other series of moulds, this series or
set of rods bearing upon a similar fixed piece arranged at the following space. The
adjunct wedge when in place cannot be raised upon the circular table for it has a
dove-tail groove engaging a corresponding projection forming a part of the table.
To effect the withdrawal from the mould, the rods are loosened or unlocked, the
wedge is first withdrawn towards the exterior of the table, then turned on or
partly around the hinge or joint; to effect the locking of the rods and to re-form
the moulds the inverse operation takes place. The mixer remaining fixed and the
circular table revolving or travelling on the rail, the moulds pass in succession
before or under the mixer and a certain quantity of them always forms the bottom
of this latter; the inclined plates fixed to the cylinder turn with it and ensure the
filling of the moulds.
This
When the moulds are filled with sugar, they pass under a compressor.
apparatus is formed of a roller of the same length as the moulds and which
is furnished with projections intended to enter for a certain depth into these latter.
This roller occupies a fixed position with regard to the table and forms, in short, a
gear wheel which is put into motion by this latter on the wheel of which table
the rods act in the manner of the teeth of a rack. The roller is keyed to an axis
suitably journaled and rotating between a frame or arms sustained by adjustable
screw-arms allowing of their being raised or lowered as desired; these screws can
be worked at the same moment by means of gear wheels and a hand wheel con-
trolling these latter by means of two bevel-wheels.
In this manner the degree of pressure to which the bars of sugar are submitted
may be varied; the shaft is provided with a hand-wheel by means of which it may
be slightly turned by hand so as to cause the projections of the cylinder to coincide
with the moulds.
The cylinder may be of a fairly large diameter to avoid the impress of the
projections upon the bars of sugar at too acute an angle. The surface of the
roller is not wholly furnished with projections, but includes two smooth parts
destined to pass over the blade and wedge filling the intervals or spaces between
two consecutive sets of moulds. It is evident that this roller may be of any
desired diameter and can have one or more smooth spaces; with a roller as
described, pressure is exerted under very favourable conditions and the impress
upon the bar is not made at an unsuitable angle; in every case, the circumferences
of the roller are naturally divided out according to the exact divisions of the
circular table; the moulds being radial upon the table, the roller ought to be
correspondingly cone-shaped.
A rotatable brush may be arranged to clean the surface of the roller.
This method of compression could be replaced by any other arrangement essen-
tially formed of a plate parallel to the table, bearing in relief projections intended to
enter the moulds, and having imparted to it by means of suitable mechanism, an
alternating vertical motion, which would be applied to the moulds at regular
intervals. However I prefer the use of the roller.
The projections of the roller or of the plate will have at their surface coming
in contact with the bar, one or more transverse projections intended to mark one or
more characters or impressions on the surface of the bar to facilitate its being
cut, subsequently into sections.
The continuous treatment of the sugar is effected thus, or in the following way,-

page_text: (1). Cleaning, the principal object of which is to raise or peel off the hair,
dust, etc. from the sacks by the cleaning apparatus.
(2). Crushing by the crusher or grinder."
(3). The sugar falling from the crusher reaches the mixer; it first meets or is
acted upon by, the jet of steam or spray which effects a kind of washing; it may
be blued, coloured or chemically treated during this operation or previously; the
sugar is then mixed by the blades of the mixer, and is delivered into the moulds
of the circular revolving table, the filled moulds afterwards passing under the
compressor. After this operation the draining or suction-action takes place for a
certain period during the rotation of the table; then, finally, so as to again reach
the mixer the moulds are emptied as explained.
My process of refining being completely sketched out, as also the circular
apparatus for continuous treatment serving to carry it into effect, I beg to say
I do not strictly limit myself to the arrangement above set forth. It is evident
that modifications can be introduced in the construction of the apparatus without
altering the principle of the process or the general working and arrangement of
the apparatus.
The mixer could supply a variable number of circular tables according to its
diameter and the dimensions of these latter, and I may construct my apparatus
in such manner.
The divisions or spaces forming the moulds may be of any suitable size so as to
form bars of sugar of the size and quantities required; thus, different mould-rods
of varying size may be used in the same apparatus. The compressor-roller will
then be correspondingly furnished with projections detachable from the roller so
that they may be changed as and when desired, and according to the sizes and
construction of the circular table employed. This machine can be applied to the
continuous treatment of ordinary cooked masses of the refinery.
In a modification of the apparatus, I may arrange at the lower part of the mixer
and the place occupied by the circular table, inclined plates connected in two
opposed groups.
These plates are fixed and secured in any suitable manner;
they graze or touch the upper surface of the mould-rods and by reason of their
inclination, exert on the mass of sugar falling into the moulds a slight pressure
which is quite sufficient to complete the cohesion almost wholly effected by the
fall in temperature. These plates being arranged in two sets or groups in contrary
directions, it so happens that one of the sets of plates tends to direct the mass
of sugar towards one of the extremities of the moulds thus ensuring the thorough
filling on this side, and the other set ensures the filling on the opposite side.
Where the ring or set of moulds leaves the lower surface of the mixer, this is
furnished with vertical plates on its circumference which touch or scrape the
surface of the moulds and prevent the escape of the mass of sugar.
With this modification the movable plates do not work in quite the same manner;
they should be placed above the compression plates and may be replaced by rakes.
It is evident that if a single mixer supply several mould-tables, there will be as
many systems or arrangements of compression plates analogous thereto, as
circular tables.

page_text: "
Improved Process and Apparatus for the Rapid Refining of Sugar.
I, JOSEPH ROBIN-LANGLOIS, of the Bourse du Commerce, Paris, in the French
Republic, Engineer and Chemist, 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 a new process for refining sugar and to apparatus
for carrying the same into effect. My object is as follows:-To artificially make a
mass of ground, blued and aamp sugar allowing an easy moulding, and giving
after treatment, sugar having all the properties of refined sugar without however,
creating objectionable products during the different stages of the operation.
My process is the following:-Sugar known as raw sugar No. 3, or rather,
extra white sugar which has first been cleaned by any known process and particu-
larly so as to remove the hair, dust etc. which may adhere thereto arising from
contact with the sacks or bags, is then ground by means of a crusher or dis-
integrating apparatus. This latter may be of any suitable pattern or type and should
be able to produce small crystals of uniform size and also be able to vary the
size of the products as needed.
The sugar having been ground passes over a spray of atomized water or
better a jet of steam at a suitable pressure and by this treatment the crystal
fragments undergo a kind of washing, the facets or faces thereof become brilliant
and acquire a condition similar to that of the grains which are formed in a
masse-cuite," further, these particles are slightly damped; the sugar is
afterwards conveyed to a mixer furnished internally and externally with means
for heating this mixing is indispensable because whatever be the division of
the sugar and of the water under the form of atomized steam or spray, certain
particles of ground sugar at the entrance into the mixture, will be very moist
while others on the contrary will arrive in the form of amorphous agglomerations,
it would therefore be found impossible to form an ingot or bar under these condi-
tions, even under great pressure, the mass having no homogeneity.
On the other hand, if it were wished to prolong the action of the water, (steam
or spray), an excess of liquid would be used which would form a soft pulp or
paste, which latter it is necessary to avoid so as not to have inferior products
or to obtain low class results.
To attain a good result the sugar after having been damped should be sub-
mitted simultaneously to a thorough mixing and to the action of heat. It is
then mixed in a mixer furnished interiorly and exteriorly with means for heating.
In my process it is always necessary that the hygrometric state of the mass
should be such that a person having taken a sample in his hand can squeeze or
compress it with or between his fingers without being at all able to force out of
it the least element or trace of syrup, and yet the mass ought to contain enough
bumidity to retain the impress or imprints made by such slight compress.
The characteristic features of my invention are:- damping or moisting the
small fragments or crystals of sugar with a very small quantity of water supplied
by steam or spray, promoting or inciting the solution of the cystals superficially by
means of a rise in the temperature and afterwards removing the masses of sugar
from the action of the heat; by reason of the fall in temperature, the crystals
whose surfaces or superficial parts are dissolved thus rendering them brilliant,
unite together and form a crystalized mass which preserves its transparency: the
dissolvant power of the water increases with the temperature and this water
becomes saturated at the temperature to which the mass is carried. Under the
action of cooling, the syrup separates from the dissolved sugar which crystallises

page_text: and unites the crystals or fragments which were free. The quantity of water
put into the mass is so small that this water disappears during stoving and is
present in too small a quantity to form a syrup; it is sufficient, therefore, to exert
a very slight pressure on the bars or ingots to ensure a complete cohesion in the
mass.
This mass of sugar, then, contains only a very small quantity of water. This
is one of the essential points of my process.
Falling into the mixer, this sugar is subjected to the action of rakes, some being
fixed and the others movable in such a manner as to destroy or break up these
amorphous agglomerations, and under this mechanical action the grains are
broken away or detached one from another. On the other hand the mixer being
surrounded by or contained in a hot-water bath both interiorly and exteriorly, this
damped powder is warmed and consequently becomes more fluid or mobile-
fluidity is most important-this state being obtained by means of the increase in
temperature and not by an excess of water, the quantity of this latter after the
foregoing treatment remaining always as nearly as possible at a minimum.
This mixture becoming more fluid or mobile, the crystals separate more easily,
the facets become brilliant and the mass, so to speak, becomes grained by analogy
with that which takes place in a baking-apparatus or oven, that is to say, the
fragments of crystals begin to be rid of the fine powder or dust which surrounded
them, the powder being partly dissolved by the water, the power or capability of
solution of which water, increases with the temperature of the surrounded mass:
there is, then, thus formed a true cooked mass which is composed of brilliant
crystals and of a very milky or pasty syrup. The mass of sugar so prepared, next
passes down from the mixer into moulds shaped to any form whatever and is then
subjected to a slight compression which increases the cohesion and adherence of
all the fragments, which cohesion is started by the lowering of the temperature
of the mass.
During the cooling after moulding the syrup saturated at a fairly high tem-
perature leaves the sugar: now since the mass is homogeneous by reason of the
thorough mixing it has received, the fragments of sugar with brilliant faces
cleaned, so to speak, by the preceding operation, are maintained in the midst of
the mass and at the same time this element of syrup forms crystals which becoming
fused or mixed, unite or consolidate the whole mass after cooling, which operation
is afterwards facilitated by a slight compression.
The bars or slabs of sugar are then submitted to a suction treatment (sucage)
which need not be intense, for its object is only to cause air to pass across the bar
or slab which makes it transparent, and to cause any traces of syrup therein
contained to exude or pass out whilst cooling the same. The bars or ingots are
afterwards taken out of moulds and then stoved or otherwise finished in the ordinary
manner.
The addition of blue can take place either to the raw sugar before its passage
to the grinder or disintegrator or by putting this colour in suspension in the
steam or spray water.
The density and physical structure of the sugar which it is wished to obtain
are determined by the relations between the temperature of the mass in the
mixer, the proportion of water contained in this mass and the size of the crushed
fragments of crystals. The relations are variable and it is impossible to state them
precisely.
My process of treating sugar thus comprises eight stages.
1. Cleaning.
2. Crushing or grinding.
3. Treatment by a jet of spray or of steam.
4. Mixing.
5. Moulding.

page_text: 8. Taking out of moulds and stoving or otherwise finishing in the ordinary
manner.
With the exception of the stoving or other operations which can be performed
in any known manner, I carry out the other stages of my invention by means of
an apparatus allowing continuous working and manufacture; it consists of the
following parts.
5. The circular table for moulding, compressing and submitting the bars to a
suction treatment or training.
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical elevation of the continuous apparatus, showing the
cleaner in section.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the mixer furnished with the damping apparatus,
and of a portion of the circular table.
Fig. 4 shows the damping apparatus in section on line 44 of Figure 3.
Fig. 5 shews the circular table in plan as also the mixer and compressor.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the parts forming the moulds.
Fig. 7 shews in plan the arrangement for locking or connecting together the
moulds, the arrangement being also shewn in section on x-x.
Fig. 8 is an elevation of the compressing roller.
Fig. 9 is a front view of the same.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of a modification of the parts forming the moulds.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of a part of the circular table and of the mixer, shewing
the arrangement of the plates or lamina intended to effect the compression.
1. CLEANER.
I have already said that the process of cleaning may be carried out in any
suitable manner whatever: however, I preferably employ the following arrange-
ment.
The sugar is contained in a hopper A, Fig. 1, whence it is delivered by a
suitable distributer on to or upon a series of boards or shelves a arranged in
tiers or layers: between these boards or shelves are arranged perforated tubes a³
in communication with a compressed-air supply-pipe: it is well to use dry and
warm air. The jets or currents of air pass across the falling sugar and tend to
remove dust and impurities which are expelled through an opening a suitably
situated with regard to the aforesaid air-pipes; the sugar falls from the last
board into a crusher, grinder or disintegrating apparatus B; the particles of sugar
partly carried upwards by the current of air fall back towards the crusher after
having cleared a suitable baffle plate a*.
2. CRUSHER OR GRINDER.
This instrument B (Fig. 1) may be of any suitable type: it should be selected
for the purpose of giving fragments of crystals of a uniform size and of allowing
this size to be varied according to desire.
3. TREATMENT OF THE SUGAR BY STEAM OR SPRAY.
The apparatus imparting this treatment is joined to the mixer.
The sugar reaches the mixer from the grinder by a tube E Figure 4 having
preferably an oval or oblong opening or mouth and falls upon an angled plate f
formed in such a way that the stream of sugar is thereby divided into two parts:
under the plate f is arranged a pipe f' by which is conducted the steam, and which
is furnished with a suitable number of holes: the jets which escape therefrom
are broken up by and against another angled plate and the steam thus escaping
at each side impinges against the sugar falling from the supply tube F; by

page_text: means of this arrangement the sugar cannot come into contact with the steam
pipe f and is not burnt. It will be understood that by means of a similar arrange-
ment the sugar could be subjected to or treated by a spray of atomized water.
4. MIXER.
The mixer (Figure 3) is formed essentially of a hot-water cylinder: 1) placed
within and concentrically with an annular hot-water reservoir d; an annular recess
is thus formed and it is within this recess that the sugar is mixed being maintained
at the desired and a constant temperature by means of the two surrounding
envelopes containing hot water. In this annular recess are arranged the mixing
arms or blades dd-which are mounted on or secured some to the outer surface
of the interior cylinder 1) and some to the interior surface of the outer onnular
reservoir d they are of any suitable shape and have preferably the form of toothed
rakes. The inner cylinder D carrying some of the arms turns within the outer
annular reservoir d'and is actuated by a central shaft E.
This shaft at its lower end turns in a suitable socket e and its upper part guided
or held in a bracket, is furnished with a bevel wheel by which it may be
revolved from any convenient source of power and by suitable connections.
Besides the aforesaid arms the cylinder D carries at its lower end plates d²
inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees, the function of which will be hereafter
explained.
The water of the outer anular reservoir d is heated by steam by means of an
entering pipe at its upper end; the reservoir is furnished with an overflow
pipe discharging above and into the central cylinder which is thus supplied,
and which latter is also furnished with an overflow pipe discharging into a small
reservoir arranged around the central shaft E and towards the base of the whole
apparatus.
The mixer is mounted above the level of the circular table in such a manner
that the two circumferences of these apparatus would intersect in plan, and so that
the width of the annular portion of the table coincides with the width of the annular
recess of the mixer, as shewn on Figure 5. The part of the bottom of the mixer
which is not formed by the circular table is furnished with a leaf or sheet of
copper or other suitable metal. Across the reservoir there. pass a proof-stick or
tester allowing samples to be taken from the mass of sugar under treatment, and
a steam pipe d allowing the lower layers of the mass to be moistened, if and when
necessary.
5. CIRCULAR TABLE.
This apparatus (Figure 5) is formed of a certain number of boxes. or segmental
troughs Garranged or situated one against another and forming a ring which can
revolve on a circular rail H by rollers g suitably secured to the lower part of
the boxes, as shewn on Figure 4, in which the reader will see in section one of
the boxes or troughs G constituting the table, in the portion where this latter
forms a portion of the bottom of the mixer. The rotation of the circular table is
assured by means of its outer circumference being toothed g³ and engaging another
toothed wheel driven by any suitable means.
The boxes G are closed over at the upper part by a lid or plate of suitable and
perforated copper or other metal g¹ on which is placed another thinner plate also
perforated but the holes of the latter are the smaller. This plate is similar
to those which are used for the scuttles or sieves of turbines.
On the latter plate are arranged the radial rods I. forming recesses acting as
moulds when brought in place and together.
These parts or rods are all of the same shape as shewn on Figure 6 and are
placed together so as to radiate from the, centre of the circular table: they form
a series of moulds II' in the shape of rectangular parallelopipeds, open at the
top, the vertical walls of which are formed by the rods I and the bottoms of which
are formed by the upper metal perforated plate ; each of these rods is fixed
to or integral with an arm i or extension mounted on a pivot ¹ placed at the side of

page_text: the interior of the ring, perpendicular to the table and eccentric with regard to or at
a tangent to the longitudinal axis or plane of the mould; the rods I can, thus be
moved with slight friction on the surface of the upper perforated plate whilst
turning on this pivot . By means of this arrangement the taking of the bars of
sugar from the moulds is very easy; on causing the end rod of one series of moulds
to slightly oscillate or to move on its pivot for a small space, the corresponding
bar may be withdrawn without difficulty for the surfaces of the bar and of the
rods I in contact are separated in a gradual manner, commencing at their ends
and immediately ceasing to be parallel, which avoids all rubbing of or damage
to the bar; the end bar of sugar being withdrawn, the other mould-rods are
turned or operated in succession and the bar of sugar in each case withdrawn. Each
one of the boxes or troughs G has at its lower side an opening by which it may be
put into communication by means of a pipe J furnished with a cock j, with a
central vacuum chamber j: it will be remarked that in Figure 5, so as to remain
within the limits of the drawing, this reservoir, shewn as a diagram, has been
moved from its central position and brought closer to that portion of the table
shewn: the communication pipes J are integral with or connected to both the boxes
or troughs G and the reservoir j, which latter revolves with them; the whole
is suitably braced together and any suitable vacuum-producing apparatus will be
connected to the reservoir. On the inner wall of the edges of the boxes or
segmental troughs G are arranged beads, cores or cushious of rubber g" which
ensure the sealing or air-tightness at this point when the draining or suction
action (sucage) is made by forming a vacuum in the boxes G, these latter being
then able to communicate only with the interior of the moulds without entry
of air from any part.. The cock of each communication pipe J can be opened and
closed automatically by means of clicks, a suitable pawl and ratchet, camis or other
mechanical contrivance arranged in such manner that the opening will take place
consequent on the withdrawal of the suction piston and the closing at the moment
of withdrawal of the moulds. These are mechanical arrangements well known and
commonly used which I need not describe and I do not confine myself to any one
in particular.
Instead of the above described straight radial rods (Figure 10) forming the
moulds proper, the straight radial portions of these rods may be shaped angularly,
forming a number of squares, see Figure 11, two adjacent sides of each such
figure being formed by the angled rods. The straight radial rod is replaced by a
rod shaped in echelon and the spaces between two of these angled rods may be
thus divided into several distinct squares.
In the space or interval between each batch or series of moulds is arranged a
fixed blade K on which the end rod I of a series or set abuts. To this fixed blade
is secured by means of suitable bayonet joints or hinges a similar and correspond-
ingly shaped piece of a wedge-shape intended to secure the clasping, con-
nection or linking of the rods I of the other series of moulds, this series or sets of
rods I bearing in turn upon a similar fixed blade K arranged at the following
space this arrangement is shewn separately in plan and in section on line at
Figure 7. The adjunct wedge when in place cannot be raised upon the circular
table for it has a dove-tail groove engaging a corresponding projection form-
ing a part of the table. To effect the withdrawal from the mould, the rods I are
loosened or unlocked, the wedge k is first drawn towards the exterior of the table,
then turned on or partly around the hinge or joint: to effect the locking of the
rods I and to re-form the moulds the inverse operation takes place. The mixer
remaining fixed and the circular table revolving or travelling on the rail, the
moulds pass in succession before or under the mixer and a certain number of them
always forms the bottom of this latter the inclined plates & fixed to the cylinder D
turn with it and ensure the filling of the moulds.
As soon as the moulds are filled with sugar, they pass under the compressor.
This apparatus is formed (see Figures 8 and 9) of a roller L of the same length as
the moulds and which is furnished with projections 17 intended to enter for a

page_text: certain depth into these latter. This roller occupies a fixed position with regard
to the table, and forms, in reality, a gear wheel which is put into motion by this
latter; the rods I act on the wheel and its projections in the manner of the teeth of
a rack. The roller L is keyed to an axis suitably journaled at 13 and rotating
between a frame or pair of arms sustained by adjustable screw-arms M allowing
of their being raised or lowered as desired; these screws can be worked simul
taneously by means of gear wheels m m . . . and a hand wheel m¹, as shewn in the
drawings, Figure 8.
In this manner the degree of pressure to which the bars of sugar are submitted
may be varied; the shaft is provided with a hand wheel by means of which it
may be slightly turned by hand so as to cause the projections of the cylinder
to properly coincide or engage with the moulds.
The cylinder should be of a fairly large diameter to avoid the
impress of the projections upon the bars of sugar at too acute an
angle. The surface of the roller is not wholly furnished with pro-
jections, but includes two smooth parts intended to pass over or clear the
blade K and wedge k filling the intervals or spaces between two consecutive sets
of moulds. It is evident that this roller may be of any desired diameter and can
have one or more smooth spaces; in practice, with a roller as described, pressure
is exerted under very favourable conditions and the impress upon the bar is not
made at an unsuitable angle: in every case, the circumferences of the roller are
naturally divided out according to the exact divisions of the circular table; the
moulds being radial upon the table, the roller L must be correspondingly cone-
shaped.
A rotatable brush N may be arranged to clean the surface of the roller.
This method of compression could be replaced by any other arrangement essen-
tially formed of a plate parallel to the table, bearing in relief projections intended to
enter the moulds, and having imparted to it by means of suitable mechanism, an
alternating vertical motion, which would be applied to the moulds at regular
intervals. However I prefer the use of the roller.
The projections of the roller or of the plate may have at their surface coming
in contact with the bar, one or more transverse projections intended to mark one or
more characters or impressions on the surface of the bar to facilitate its being
cut, subsequently into sections.
The continuous treatment of the sugar is effected in the following way,
(1). Cleaning, the principal object of which is to raise or peel off the hair,
dust etc. from the sacks by the cleaning apparatus, Fig. 1.
(2). Crushing by the crusher or grinder B, Fig. 1.
(3). The sugar falling from the crusher reaches the mixer; it first meets or is
acted upon by, the jet of steam or spray (Figs. 3 and 4) which effects a kind of
washing it may be blued, coloured or chemically treated during this operation or
previously: the sugar is then mixed by the blades of the mixer Fig. 3, and is
delivered into the moulds of the circular revolving table (Fig. 5), the filled moulds
afterwards passing under the compressor Figs. S and 9. After this operation the
draining or suction-action (sucage) takes place for a certain period during the
rotation of the table; then, finally, so as to again reach the mixer the moulds are
emptied as explained.
My process of refining being completely described as also the circular
apparatus for continuous treatment serving to carry it into effect, I beg to say
I do not strictly limit myself to the arrangements above set forth it is evident
that modifications can be introduced in the construction of the apparatus without
altering the principle of the process or the general working and arrangement of
the apparatus.
The mixer could supply a variable number of circular tables according to its
diameter and the dimensions of these latter, and I may construct my apparatus
in such a manner.
The divisions or spaces I forming the moulds may, of course, be of any
suitable

page_text: size so as to form bars of sugar of the size and quantities required: thus, different
mould-rods I of varying size may be used in the same apparatus. It is further
to be noted that these dividing rods I, pivoted eccentrically at i may assume a
shape other than that shewn on Fig. 6 for instance, I may make them in the
shape of echelonned arms, as shewn on Fig. 10, so that cakes or cubes of sugar
instead of bars of sugar are formed, which would avoid the further cutting up of
the bars and consequently lessen the labour. For this purpose the compressor-
roller will then be correspondingly furnished with projections detachable from
the roller so that they may be changed as and when desired and according to the
sizes and construction of the circular table employed.
This machine can also be applied to the continuous treatment of ordinary masse-
cuites of refinery.
In a modification of the apparatus, may arrange at the lower part of the mixer
and the place occupied by the circular table, inclined plates (Fig. 11) con-
nected in two groups of opposite inclinations. These plates are fixed and secured
in any suitable manner: they graze or touch the upper surface of the mould-rods I
and by reason of their inclination, exert on the mass of sugar falling into the
imoulds a slight pressure which is quite sufficient to complete the cohesion almost
wholly effected by the fall in temperature. These plates being arranged in two
sets or groups of contrary inclinations, it so happens that one of the sets of
plates tends to direct the mass of sugar towards one of the extremities of the
moulds thus ensuring the thorough filling on this side, and the other set ensures
the filling on the opposite side.
Where the ring or set of moulds leaves the lower surface of the mixer, this is
furnished with vertical plates on its circumference at 10 which touch or scrape the
surface of the moulds and prevent the escape of the mass of sugar.
With this modification, the movable plates referred to above, do not work in
quite the same manner; they should then be placed above the compression
plates and may be replaced by rakes. It is evident that if a single mixer
supply several mould-tables, there will be as many systems or arrangements of
compression plates analogous thereto, as circular tables.
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 process for refining raw sugars, characterised by the treatment of these
sugars, which have previously been reduced to crystals of suitable size, by sprayed
steam or a jet of spray, for the purpose of rendering brilliant the facets of the
sugar so crushed whilst putting the whole mass into a certain state of humidity,
the sugar then falling immediately into a mixer heated in a water-bath, afterwards
being moulded into ingots or bars in moulds open at the upper part and subjected
to a slight compression, as well as to a sucking or draught-action which may be
to only a small degree, the bars being afterwards removed from the moulds and
stoved in any suitable manner, as above described and set forth.
(2). As an apparatus intended for carrying out the refining process forming the
subject of the preceding claim, an apparatus formed of a damper for treating the
descending stream or shower of sugar by means of a jet of steam or sprayed water,
the said damper being placed above a bladed mixer furnished with a heating
arrangement by means of a hot-water bath, a part of the base of the said mixer
being formed by a portion of one or more revolving annular tables upon which are
arranged moulds open at their upper portions, which moulds pass in succession
under the mixer, and afterwards under a compressing roller, as above described
and set forth.
!
(3). In the apparatus forming the subject of Claim 2, an arrangement for
treating sugar by steam, composed of a tube f1 furnished with openings at the
lower part, covered by a cap f so as to prevent the sugar from coming into contact

page_text: with the tube, and a spreader f² for outwardly expanding the jets of steam, as
above described and set forth with reference to the annexed drawing.
(4). In the apparatus forming the subject of the second claim, a mixer formed
by an annular hot-water bath or casing d concentric with which there revolves a
hot-water cylinder D, each furnished with rakes or paddles d, inclined plates &
scraping the bottom of the mixer and being fixed to the base of the cylinder D,
and the bottom of the annular chamber being formed partly by a metallic leaf or
sheet and partly by a certain portion of the circular mould-table, as above described
and set forth with regard to the annexed drawing.
(5). In the apparatus forming the subject of Claim 2, a circular table formed
by a series of juxta-posed boxes or troughs G forming a ring travelling and
revolving by means of rollers on a circular rail, these boxes being connected to
a reservoir wherein a vacuum can be formed during a period of rotation by means
of automatic cocks, and closed at their upper portion by perforated plates glg on
which are arranged rods or arms I forming a series of moulds open upwardly, as
above described with reference to the annexed drawing.
(6). In combination with the circular table forming the subject of Claim 5, a
series of metallic rods or arms I each composed of a plate or lamina angled or
inclined at the two ends, these inclined portions projecting on one side and the
other of the plate, each arm I forming at each side the vertical wall of a paralleli-
pipedic mould on a large and a small side, the other two sides of the moulds being
formed by the adjacent plates and so on, each arm I pivoting on a
pivot on the
side from the centre and outside or beyond the longitudinal axis, each set of arms I
leaning back partly on a fixed blade K and partly on a movable piece k in the
shape of a wedge allowing the clasping or connecting action to take place, as
above described and set forth.
(7). In combination with the circular table forming the subject of Claim G,
furnished with arms I, claimed in the preceding claim, a compressing roller L
turning on an axis fixed relatively to the table, furnished with projections which
must successively enter the moulds to a certain extent, the said roller being
located opposite these in the manner of a pinion engaging a rack, and its surface
comprising additionally, smooth portions corresponding with the intervals
between the sets of moulds, as above described and set forth.
J
1000
Dated this First day of May
1000
www.
For the Applicant,
GEDGE & FEENY,
Chartered Patent Agents,
60, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.