IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF SPIRITS OF GREAT PURITY DIRECTLY FROM THE WASH
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Jensen, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF
SPIRITS OF GREAT PURITY DIRECTLY FROM THE WASH." A communication
from abroad by August Deininger, of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Jensen at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st October 1881.
PETER JENSEN, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF SPIRITS OF GREAT PURITY DIRECTLY FROM THE
WASH." A communication from abroad by August Deininger, of Berlin, in the
Empire of Germany.
According to the process of manufacture of spirit heretofore used the spirit
distilled from the wash has to be redistilled again (because it is not of sufficient
strength) in order to obtain therefrom spirits of great purity, that is, such as contains
more than 90 per cent. of pure alcohol.
The object of this Invention is to produce spirits of such high strength and
purity direct from the wash. According to this Invention the alcohol vapours
coming from the rectifier are, before they come to the condenser, passed through a
layer of chlorcalcium and a layer of charcoal, which has being glowing hot. The
chlorcalcium absorbs nearly all the water which the alcohol vapours contain, and
divides the fusel oils (metbyl-amyl propyl-alcohol) which are carried along there-
with into their chemical constituents, whereupon these substances so prepared are
withdrawn from the alcohol by the charcoal.
By this Invention then not only the water but also the fusel oils are abstracted
from the alcohol, whereby the advantage is also obtained that by the separation of
the said fusel oils the yield of alcohol is increased.
This Invention also comprises an apparatus which is used for the object in.
view.

page_text: It consists mainly of a vessel preferably of cylindrical form, and containing two
diaphragins, the one somewhat above the bottoin, and the other in the middle of
the height, the latter thus dividing the vessel in two compartments. The lower
compartment is furnished with an inlet opening, which can be hermetically closed,
and serves to put the chlorcalcium in through, and the upper has an inlet and also
an outlet opening, both of which can be hermetically closed; this compartment is
filled with charcoal.
The cylinder is below connected with the rectifier, into which the wash is
distilled off by means of a pipe, through which the alcohol vapours enter it and
pass through the layers of chlorcalcium and charcoal. From the top of the cylinder
a pipe leads to the condenser wherein the alcohol vapours are condensed; this pipe
may be connected with an air pump for drawing the vapours out of the apparatus
and passing them into the condenser. Two apparatus charged with chlorcalcium
and charcoal are generally arranged side by side in such manner that one can be
put in communication with the rectifier and the condenser, while the other one is
out of action, and after the charcoal has been removed (the chlorcalcium being
previously run off as a water solution through a pipe for that purpose provided) it
is charged with new chlorcalcium and fresh charcoal.
I will now describe a construction of apparatus, but only as an example, as it
may be modified in many ways and equally efficient for the purpose in view.
The essential part of the Invention is the removal of the water and the fusel oils
from the alcohol vapours for obtaining as a product fine spirits of great strength
direct from the wash, for which object also other apparatus-may-be-used-than-the-
construction here named. The rectifier is constructed in the ordinary way, and
forms no part of this Invention. A pipe having lateral branches passes from the
top of it, one branch to the water abstractor and the other to the fusel abstractor,
and having cocks or valves for the purpose of alternately putting the rectifier in
communication with one or the other. The cylinders are suitably divided in an
upper and lower chamber, and the bottom bolted on tight, so that perforated plates
serving to form a grating or perforated diaphragm near the bottom, and also in
the middle, may be conveniently put in, being also made in three pieces. These
plates are bolted to the underside of an angle iron ring projecting from the
inside of the cylinder, with an intermediate interposed diaphragm of metal gauze
whereon the materials rest which have to be deprived of the water or fusel.
If required cross girders may be provided for preventing the perforated plates
from sagging. The cylinders are at the top united by a similar set of branch pipes
and main pipe leading to the condenser, which latter may be of any known suitable
construction, and forms no part of this present Invention.
These branch pipes have also cocks or valves similar to the branch pipes at the
bottom in order to effect the alternate communication of the cylinders with the
rectifier and the condenser. Facility is thus afforded for using the one or the other
apparatus for rectifying, and meanwhile charging the unused apparatus afresh with
material to be deprived of water or fusel.
The chlorcalcium is broken into tolerably equal sized pieces, the size of which
should not be more than about three inches in diameter, and put into the lower
compartiment through the opening (which can be closed hermetically) until this
compartment is nearly full.
The charcoal evenly broken up into pieces about the size of a hazel nut, and
which must be free from all dust, is charged through the opening (which can be
hermetically closed), and can, after having been charged with foreign substances
and the adjoining cylinder has been put into activity, be withdrawn through an
outlet opening, which can also be hermetically closed.
The chlorcalcium which is applied to the abstraction of the water dissolves during
the process, and trickles down through the perforated bottom, on which it rests,
entering the lower empty part of the cylinder, from whence it may be led into a
collecting vessel by means of a pipe provided with stop-cock or valve. The solution

page_text: may be steamed off or boiled down in the usual manner, so that the chlorcalcium can be
used again. The charcoal may be reburnt in closed retorts or crucibles, and thereby
be revived, and thus also be used over and over again. In order to prevent the
chlorcalcium solution from running down into the bottom pipe the pipe mouth is
provided with a deflector or shield. The pipe mouth is trumpet shaped, and enters
so far into the empty bottom compartment of the cylinder as required for forming
a space round it, wherein the chlorcalcium solution can collect, and thus is prevented
from flowing into the rectifier.
The pipe leading to the condenser may he connected to an air pump, which draws
the spirit vapours from one or other of the cylinders and delivers them into the
condenser, thus facilitating the passage of the vapours through the chlorcalcium or
charcoal.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Peter Jensen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th April
1882.
PETER JENSEN, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF SPIRITS OF GREAT PURITY DIRECTLY FROM THE,
WASH." A communication from abroad by August Deininger, of Berlin, in the
Empire of Germany.
According to the process of manufacture of spirits heretofore used the spirits
distilled from the wash has to be redistilled again (because it is not of sufficient
strength) in order to obtain therefrom spirits of great purity, that is such as
contains more than 90 per cent. of pure alcohol.
The object of this Invention is to produce spirits of high strength and purity
direct from the wash. According to this Invention the alcohol vapours coming
from the rectifier are before they come to the condenser passed through a layer of
chlorcalcium and a layer of charcoal which has been glowing hot. The chlorcalcium
absorbs nearly all the water which the alcohol vapours contain, and divides the
fusel oils (methyl-amyl-propyl-alcohol) which are carried along therewith into their
chemical constituents, whereupon these substances so prepared are withdrawn from
the alcohol by the charcoal.
By this Invention then not only the water but also the fusel oils are abstracted
from the alcohol, whereby the advantage is also obtained that by the separation of
the said fusel oils the yield of alcohol is increased.
This Invention also comprises an apparatus which is used for the object in view.
It consists mainly of a vessel preferably of cylindrical form and containing
two diaphragms, the one somewhat above the bottom and the other in the middle
of the height, the latter thus dividing the vessel in two compartments. The lower
compartment is furnished with an intlet opening which can be hermetically closed
and serves to put the chlorcalcium in through, and the upper has an inlet and also
an outlet opening, both of which can be hermetically closed; this compartment is
filled with charcoal.
The cylinder is below connected with the rectifier, into which the wash is
distilled off by means of a pipe through which the alcohol vapours enter it and
pass through the layers of chlorcalcium and charcoal.
From the top of the cylinder a pipe leads to the condenser, wherein the alcohol
vapours are condensed. This pipe may be connected with an air pump for drawing
the vapours out of the apparatus and passing them into the condenser. Two
apparatus charged with chlorcalcium and charcoal are generally arranged side by
side in such manner that one can be put in communication with the rectifier and
the condenser while the other one is out of action, and after the charcoal has been
removed (the chlorcalcium being previously run off as a water solution through a
pipe for that purpose provided) it is charged with new chlorcalcium and fresh
charcoal.
In the accompanying Drawings apparatus are shewn whereby this Invention
may be carried into effect.
I will here remark that these constructions are only given as examples, as they
may be multiplied in many ways and equally efficient for the purpose in view.
The essential part of the Invention is the removal of the water and the fusel oils
from the alcohol vapours, for obtaining as a product fine spirits of great strength
direct from the wash, for which object also other apparatus may be used than the
construction described and shewn.

page_text: The Drawing, Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents a section through the apparatus. A is
the upper visible part of the rectifier, which is constructed in the ordinary way
and forms no part of this Invention. A pipe having lateral branches a¹, a", passes
from the top of it, one branch to the water abstracter B and the other to the fusel
abstracter B, and having cocks or valves b, b', for the purpose of alternately
putting the rectifier in communication with one or the other. The cylinders B and
B' are suitably, as shewn in the Drawing, divided in an upper and lower chamber,
and the bottom bolted on tight, so that the perforated plates p, p', shewn separately
in Figure 2, and serving to form a grating or perforated diaphragm near the bottom
and also in the middle may be conveniently put in, being also made in three pieces.
These plates are bolted to the underside of an angle iron ring f, l, projecting from
inside of the cylinder with an intermediate interposed diaphragm of metal gauze c, c',
whereon the materials rest which have to be deprived of the water or fusel.
If required, cross girders may be provided for preventing the perforated plates
from sagging. The cylinders B, B', are at the top united by a similar set of branch,
pipes a, a, and main pipe & leading to the condenser C, which latter may be of
any known suitable construction, and forms no part of this present Invention.
These branch pipes have also cocks or valves e, el, suitable to the branch pipes
at the bottom, in order to effect the alternate communication of the cylinder.
B or B' with the rectifier and the condenser.
When the valves d, e, are shut and b' and e¹ open the rectifier is in commu-
nication with the refrigerator through the cylinder b', vice versa through B.
Facility is thus afforded for using the one or the other apparatus for rectifying and
meanwhile charging the unused apparatus afresh with materials to be deprived of
water or fusel.
The chlorcalcium is broken into tolerably equal sized pieces, the size of which
should not be more than about three inches in diameter and put into the lower
compartment through the opening D or D' (which can be closed hermetically) until
this compartment is nearly full.
The charcoal evenly broken up into pieces about the size of a hazel nut, and
which must be free from all dust, is charged through the opening E or E' (which
can be hermetically closed), and can after having been charged with foreign
substances and the adjoining cylinder has been put into activity be withdrawn
through an outlet opening For F', which can also be hermetically closed.
The chlorcalcium which is applied to the abstraction of the water dissolves
during the process and trickles down through the perforated bottom on which it
rests, entering the lower empty part of the cylinder, from whence it may be led
into a collecting vessel by means of a piper or provided with stop cock or valve.
The solution may be steamed off or boiled down in the usual manner so that the
chlorcalcium can be used again; the charcoal may be reburnt in closed retorts or
crucibles and thereby revived, and thus also be used over and over again. In order.
to prevent the chlorcalcium solution from running down into the bottom pipe
or all, the pipe mouth m or m¹ is provided with a deflector or shields or s'.
The pipe mouth is trumpet shaped, and enters so far into the empty bottom
compartment of the cylinder as required for forming a space round it wherein the
chlorcalcium solution can collect, and thus is prevented from flowing into the
rectifier.
The pipe d leading to the condenser may be connected to an air pump which
draws the spirit vapours from one or other of the cylinders, and delivers them into
the condenser, thus facilitating the passage of the vapors, the chlorcalcium, or
charcoal.
There is no such air pump shewn in the Drawings, as any one acquainted with:
these matters without any trouble can suitably arrange such a one according to
the requirements of the locality. The apparatus just described operates in the
following manner -The spirit vapours from the rectifier pass through one of the
cylinders B or B', the lower compartment of which is charged with chlorcalcium,'
and the upper with wood charcoal; the former greedily absorbs the watery vapours

page_text: which impede the spirit vapour and produces a division in the chemical constitu-
tion of the methyl, amyl, and proxyl alcohols (fusel oils) which are carried along
therewith in such manner that an amount of pure alcohol is gained from them.
The spirit vapours, thus deprived of their water and prepared, now pass through
the wood charcoal contained in the upper compartment of the cylinder, wherein
the fusel oil is abstracted from them. The thus purified vapours condense in the
refrigerator C, and yield an alcohol of about 95 per cent purity and free from
fusel direct from the wash, a result which has hitherto never been obtained.
Should it be found by measurement with the alcohol metre that the product
coming from the refrigerator is getting weaker, then that is a sign that there is not
enough chlorcalcium in the cylinder to absorb all the water in the spirit vapours.
It is then time to reverse the position of the valves b, b' and e, el, so that the
meanwhile freshly charged other cylinder may be put to work, and while it is at
work the first named cylinder is freshly charged with chlorcalcium and wood
charcoal, and kept in readiness till the second cylinder begins to fail in its action.
Thus & quite continuous working is carried on by means of the apparatus
described.
On Sheet II. of the accompanying Drawings an apparatus of a modified form is
represented; C, C', are the cylinders which are charged with dry chlorcalcium,
which is introduced through the openings e, e¹, and rests loosely on the strainer
bottom a, b; the holes e, e', are fitted with doors; c, d, are strainer bottoms of the
cylinders-k, k,which are on-the-top-of-the-cylinders and are charged with good
wood charcoal through the openings f, f'.
The apparatus works as follows:-The spirit vapours from the distilling
apparatus come by the pipe g, and enter a three way cock h, at bottom of said
pipe; this cock can be so set that the spirit vapours can either pass in under the
strainer bottom of the cylinder C by the pipe 2, or under the strainer bottom of the
cylinder C by the pipe . Supposing now that the vapours arise through the
strainer bottom a, b, and into the chlorcalcium into the cylinder C, and then
further through the wood charcoal in the vessel K, then they will pass out of same
in a rectified state by way of the pipe k, three way cock 2, and by the pipe m pass
off to the condenser. As the amyl-alcohol, that is, the fusel oil, does not boil
below 270 F., and only then separates from the alcohol vapours by combining
with the chlor, this oil is heated by a special pipe coil S (or it might be a
steam jacket) to about 275 F. by means of steam. This heating may also be done
in the chlorcalcium chamber C, for which purpose it would have to be surrounded
by a steam jacket, or be provided with an inner heating coil S¹, or the alcohol
vapours may be heated to the required temperature in any suitable manner before
entering the apparatus. As the chlor calcium readily absorbs the watery vapours
it will gradually be transformed into the liquid state, which can be observed through
the glazed sight holes y. When the chlor-calcium has been saturated with water
the three way cocks h and are so set that there is communication between the
distilling apparatus and the cylinder C', and between the condenser and the
cylinder K¹. The alcohol vapours will then ascend through the side of the
apparatus and pass off to the condenser.
The liquid chlor-calcium in C contains however some alcohol which has to be
removed before the chlor-calcium can be run off in order to be rendered into the
solid state in a drying pan. For removing this alcohol a steam pipe is arranged
at n by which steam can be forced into the aforesaid pipe i, and thus directly into
the chlor calcium. The alcohol contained in the latter is thereby evaporated, and
as now the cock is closed to the vessel C, the alcohol will pass up through the
vessel K, the pipe k, the cock u, the double T piece p, and the pipe g, and enter
the pipe of the cylinder C¹, and unite in the pipe ȧ with the alcohol vapours
coming from the distilling apparatus in order with the latter vapours to be deprived
of its water and fusel oil in the column C', K'.
If the alcohol vapours which are to be separated from the chlorcalcium are not

page_text: intended to be introduced directly into the other column, the liquid alcohol contain-
ing chlorcalcium is let off by a cock or an outlet pipe r, and steam is then let into the
lower chamber A from the steam pipe x by the valve v; the alcohol vapours produced
thereby are by a separate pipe carried back to the "analyser" or wash column of
the distilling apparatus, whence the vapours commingled with the alcohol vapours
produced in the analyser pass through C' and K', in the manner described. The
chlorcalcium deprived of the alcohol is let off by the cock t, and conducted into the
drying pan.
À corresponding pipe, and valve v, with steam pipe x', are
arranged in connection with the column C, K¹.
w, w', are rinsing pipes which terminate under the strainer bottoms of the
cylinders C and C', and serve to wash away every trace of the liquid and still
alcohol containing chlorcalcium from C and C³.
While the chlorcalcium is thus driven out of C, as above described, the alcohol
vapours which have to be deprived of the fusel oil pass into the column C', K',
whereby liquid alcohol containing chlorcalcium collects on the bottom of C. While
this is removed in the manner described, the first described process takes place in
the column C, K, (the cocks h and having been reversed), so that the removal of
water and of fusel oil from the alcohol vapours go on without interruption inter-
mittently in the columns.
It has been found in practice that not only chlorcalcium but also chlor combina-
tions with other alkaline earths, and especially chlor-strontium, are applicable for
abstracting the water. These water-abstracting agents are used either alone or
mixed with porous bodies not soluble in water and alcohol, such, for instance, as
coke or pumice stone, for the purpose of preventing too close packing or choking
up of the water abstracting bodies in the apparatus, and for enlarging the active
surface of the said bodies.
And having thus described and ascertained the nature of this Invention, and the
manner of carrying the same into effect, I declare that I claim as the Invention
communicated to me,-
First. The process of obtaining fine spirits directly from the wash, consisting in
passing the alcobol vapours from the rectifier of the ordinary distilling apparatus
into an apparatus which is partly charged with chlorcalcium or equivalent agents,
and partly with wood charcoal which has been glowing hot, substantially as set
forth.
Second. In the process first claimed, the removal of the alcohol still remaining
in the liquid chlorcalcium by means of steam passed directly into it.
Third. In the process firstly claimed, the heating of the alcohol vapours in the
chlorcalcium chamber, or before they enter it, to a temperature of at least 270° F.,
for the more complete removal of the amyl alcohol, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The apparatus used for the process described, consisting mainly of the
cylinders B, B', which are alternately connected either by means of pipes a, a¹, all,
and valves b, b', with a rectifier A of ordinary construction, or by means of pipes
d, d, d, and valves e, e¹, with a condenser C of any suitable construction, for the
purpose of effecting a continuous working, substantially as described with reference
to Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
Fifth. The bell mouth projection m, m', in the pipes a, a¹ of cylinders B, B',
Sheet 1, for the purpose of preventing the efflux of the watery chlorcalcium solution
into the rectifier, in combination with the deflector 8, 8', for preventing the chlor-
calcium from entering directly into the pipes 61, 6¹¹.
Sixth. The application of an air pump in connection with the pipe d, Sheet 1,
for drawing off the spirit vapours and conveying them into the condenser, thus
assisting the vapours in the penetration of the materials for removal of water or
fusel oil.
Seventh. The apparatus used for the process described, consisting mainly of the
columns C, K, and C, K¹, having lower compartments A and A', and which alter-
nately are connected either by means of pipes g, i, i, and cock with a distilling
apparatus, or by means of pipes k, k', and cock with a condenser, for the purpose

page_text: of effecting a continuous working, substantially as described with reference to
Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Eighth. The pipes k and i in combination with the pipes o and and cock u, and
the pipes and i in combination with the pipes o' and q and cock u¹, whereby
when steam by one of the pipes i and i' is let into the liquefied chlorcalcium the
vapours of alcohol proceeding therefrom will be driven from one column or side of
the apparatus into the other, in order that they, together with the alcohol vapours
from the distilling apparatus, may pass into the column at the time receiving such
vapours, and be deprived of their water and fusel oil, substantially as described
with reference to Sheet II. of the accompanying Drawings.
Ninth. The column C, K, and chamber A in combination with the pipe r, with
cock and steam pipe x with valve v, and in combination with the column C¹, K,
and chamber A', pipe, with cock and steam pipe x¹ with valve v¹, whereby when
steam is let into one of the chambers A, A', into which the liquid alcohol containing
chlorcalcium has been passed, the alcohol vapours produced therefrom may by a
special pipe be conducted back to the analyser of the distilling apparatus for the
purpose of, together with the alcohol vapours arising therein, to find their way
through one of the columns C, K, or C', K', substantially as described with reference
to Sheet II. of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Jensen, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twentyninth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.