NORTHERN SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



5.5 



The object of the invention is to separate from the saccharine liquors all or the 

 greater portion of the matters therein contained, except sugar and water, this pro- 

 cess being commonly known in the art as " defecation" and " clarification." At the 

 present time four general methods may oe recognized for accomplishing this result, 

 these methods depending respectively upon the application of heat, upon the use of 

 chemicals, upon filtration, and upon galvanic or electrical action. My invention be- 

 longs mainly to the second class, inasmuch as the i^rocesses hereinafter described de- 

 pend chiefly upon the employment of certain chemical agents. 



The invention consists in a mixture of sulphurous-acid gas and cream of lime for 

 treating the saccharine liquor. Said mixture I believe to be both chemical and me- 

 chanical, inasmuch as there is contained considerable free sulphurous-acid gas in the 

 compound when in best condition for use ; also, in the x)rocess of treating the saccha- 

 rine liquor with said mixture in the manner set forth ; also in the process of treating 

 the saccharine liquor subsequent to the same being acted upon by the aforesaid mix- 

 ture with an aqueous solution of acid ; also in the process of treating the saccharine 

 liquor with the aforesaid mixture and the dilute acid solution and filtering while cold 5 

 also in the process of treating the saccharine liquor with the aforesaid mixture and 

 the dilute acid solution, then heating, and finally filtering ; also in the process of 

 delaying fermentation in the saccharine liquors by treatment with the aforesaid mix- 

 ture and the dilute acid solution ; and also in the process of removing the sulphurous 

 taste in sugar, defecated by the aforesaid or any other sulphur processes, by injection 

 of live steam. 



The best means which I now know for practically operating the inventions hereinaf- 

 ter claimed'and described, is as follows : The juice after being expressed from the cane 

 by any well-known means, is collected in a tank of suitable size, holding, generally, 

 about 1,000 gallons. To it is added a mixture, which is prepared in the follow- 

 ing manner : Fresh quicklime is slacked with water, so that the resulting mixture 

 has the consistence of a thick cream, which is conducted into a vat or reservoir. In 

 this vat Is arranged a shaft provided with radial arms, which carry beaters or pad- 

 dles, and means are provided for rotating said shaft in the vat. Said vat, by means 

 of a flue or passage entering at its upper portion, communicates with a furnace suit- 

 ably constructed for burning sulphur, so that by means of said connecting passage the 

 sulphurous-acid gas, resulting from the combustion of the sulphur, is led into the up- 

 per portion of the vat and above the cream of lime therein. Suitable means are pro- 

 vided for drawing in said fumes, so that a constant current of sulphurous-acid gas is 

 caused to enter the vat. The shaft and beaters being set in rotation, the liquid con- 

 tents of the vat are violently agitated, and at the same time the sulphurous-acid gas 

 is beaten into and caused to mingle with the same. The process of mixing the gas 

 and cream of lime is continued until the liquid assumes a clear yellow color and gives, 

 when tested with litmus test-paper, a strongly acid reaction. This acid reaction is 

 essential. The liquid also has a clearly perceptible sulphurous smell. The exact 

 length of time for beating and passage of sulphurous-acid gas in the cream of lime can- 

 not definitely be stated ; but for all practical purposes it will be suflicient if the liquor 

 presents the characteristics before stated, when it will be ready for use. It is prefer- 

 able to make the cream of lime of as thick a consistence aspossible, while at the same 

 time not so thick as will prevent the working of the beaters. It will be noticed also, that 

 shortly before the cream of lime becomes impregnated with sulphurous-acid gas, so as 

 fo reach the condition before described, its temperature becomes considerably elevated 

 to a degree almost enough to scald the naked hand. Alter the liquid reaches the be- 

 fore-stated condition, further continuation of the process depends upon the state of 

 the caue-jnice to be treated. Thus, if the juice is pressed from frost-bitten, soured, 

 or otherwise damaged cane, so that the juice is more than normally sour, it is advis- 

 able to continue the impregnation of the cream of lime for from ten to twenty minutes 

 longer, or generally to bring the liquor to a higher degree of concentration, strength? 

 and acidity. The apparatus before set forth for combining the lime and sulphurous- 



