IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RECOVERY OF GLYCERINE FROM SOAP LEYS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Thomas, of the City of Bristol, Soap Manufac-
turer, William James Fuller, of the same Place, Analytical Chemist, and
Sydney Abraham King, also of the same Place, Manager, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RECOVERY OF GLYCERINE FROM SOAP LEYS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Thomas, William
James Fuller, and Sydney Abraham King at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents on the 31st March 1879,
CHARLES THOMAS, of the City of Bristol, Soap Manufacturer, WILLIAM JAMES
FULLER, of the same Place, Analytical Chemist, and SYDNEY ABRAHAM KING, also
of the same Place, Manager. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RECOVERY OF GLYCERINE
FROM SOAP LEYS."
The object of this Invention is to recover the glycerine which is contained in the
ordinary spent leys produced in the manufacture of soap. Great difficulties have
hitherto been experienced in dealing with this residuum owing to the common sult
contained therein, which presented an obstacle to the recovery of the glycerine.
In carrying out our Invention we evaporate the spent or partially spent leys
until nearly all the salts are deposited.
The resulting liquor is strongly impregnated with glycerine; this liquor we then
boil with an excess of fat or fatty acid which readily combines with the soda salts
and removes all salts which may be in suspension in the liquor; we then filter the
liquor and subject it to distillation to recover the glycerine.
Or the spent leys may be treated with quick lime to convert the carbonate of
soda into caustic soda, and after filtration boiled to concentration; and then fat or
fat acid may be added to remove the soda, and such salts as may be in suspension.
We prefer however the described method, using simply concentrated leys and a
fat acid as the more effectual means of clearing the liquor of salts.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Thomas, William James Fuller, and Sydney Abraham King
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th September 1879.
CHARLES THOMAS, of the City of Bristol, Soap Manufacturer, WILLIAM JAMES
FULLER, of the same Place, Analytical Chemist, and SYDNEY ABRAHAM KING, also
of the same Place, Manager. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RECOVERY OF GLYCERINE
FROM SOAP LEYS."
The object of this Invention is to recover the glycerine which is contained in the
ordinary spent or partially spent leys produced in the manufacture of soap.
Great difficulties have hitherto been experienced in dealing with this residuum
owing to the carbonate of soda, common salt, and other impurities contained therein,
which presented an obstacle to the recovery of the glycerine.
In carrying out our Invention we evaporate the spent or partially spent leys
until the boiling point of the liquid rapidly rises, when nearly all the salts that can
be thrown down by simple evaporation are deposited in the pan.
The resulting liquor is chiefly composed of raw or impure glycerine. This liquor
we draw off into a second vessel or pan, and boil it with an excess of fatty acid,
which, readily-combining with some of the salts in solution, separates them from
the liquor, and at the same time removes from it the fine crystals of salt which are
formed during this operation.
After this treatment we skim off the saponified fatty matter, allow the liquid to
cool, and filter it to remove the gelatinous, albuminous, and other impurities. The
clear liquid may then be refined, distilled, or concentrated as desired.
Having now set forth the nature of our Invention of "Improvements in the
Recovery of Glycerine from Soap Leys," and explained the manner of carrying the
same into effect, we wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited
Letters Patent we claim,
Recovering glycerine from soap leys in the manner above described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Charles Thomas and William James Fuller,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, the Twenty-fifth day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
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