QUICK PROCESS OF FABRICATION OF VINEGAR. 53 



trivcd. By making the alcoholic solution percolate slowly 

 through and diffuse over a mass of shavings, wooden blocks, 

 pieces of coal or cork, etc., it forms a very thin layer, the surface 

 of which is very extensive, and is therefore better adapted for 

 the chemical appropriation of the oxygen in the current of air 

 which is transmitted over it. The mass of shavings, etc., serves 

 not only for the division of the liquid into fine drops but also as 

 a carrier of the vinegar ferment. 



It will be readily understood that this arrangement presents in 

 a high degree all the conditions required for the formation of 

 vinegar : the vinegar ferment upon the shavings acquires from 

 the liquid all the substances required for its maintenance and 

 augmentation, and by the current of air passing through between 

 the shavings is enabled to oxidize the alcohol to acetic acid. This 

 process taking place simultaneously on thousands of points in a 

 normally working generator explains why a large quantity of 

 alcohol can in a comparatively short time be converted into 

 acetic acid. The term quick process is hence very appropriate - 

 for this method, it differing from the older slow process only in 

 less time being required for its execution ; the chemical processes 

 are the same in both cases. 



It will be seen that the generator, technically called " gradu- 

 ator," used in the quick process may be compared to a furnace in 

 which the fuel (in this case the alcoholic fluid) is introduced from 

 above and the air from below. The spaces between the shavings, 

 etc., may be compared to the interstices of a grate ; combustion 

 takes place on the points of contact of the alcoholic fluid, vinegar 

 ferment, and air. The product of (partial) combustion the 

 vinegar collects in a reservoir in the lower part of the 

 generator. 



Eachj^enerator, as previously stated, requires about 0.4 liter of 

 air per second, which must ascend uniformly from below through 

 tKeTnass of shavings, etc. At the first glance this would seem 

 very simple, but its practical execution is accompanied by many 

 difficulties, and hence a large number of various constructions of 

 generators have been proposed by which this object is claimed to 

 lie best attained. 



