To  give  the  proper  results  the  remelter  should  have  its  steam-pipes


208  AMERICAN  SOAPS,  CANDLES,  AND  GLYCERIN

so  arranged  that  each  has  an  independent  supply  of  steam  and  dis-
charge for  condensed  water.  It  should  heat  the  soap  evenly,  melt
it,  and  as  fast  as  it  is  melted  automatically,  remove  the  melted  soap
and  replace  it  with  fresh  scrap.  It  must  also  be  rapid  in  its  opera-
tion. The  remelting-tank  proper  is  insulated  by  asbestos  covering
and  is  surmounted  by  a  strongly  braced  wood  case  extending  where


FIG.  95. — Rcmelter.
warranted  to  any.  convenient  height  and  designed  for  the  storage  of
scrap,  to  which  it  may  be  conveyed  by  hand  or  by  an  automatic  scrap-
elevator  of  the  belt  type.  Where  the  volume  of  business  warrants,
a  separate  remelter  is  used  for  each  grade  of  filled  soap.  As  the  soap
melts  and  is  removed,  the  charge  descends  by  gravity  and  the  opera-
tion of  remelting  and  crutching  can  be  made  continuous.  With  this


MECHANICAL  EQUIPMENT  OF   THE  SOAP  FACTORY.       209

system  one  crutcher  is  used  for  two  remelters.  The  texture  of
remelted  soap  differs  from  that  of  fresh  soap  in  being  less  bright
and  clear  as  a  result  of  less  complete  fusion.  Fresh  perfume  and  10-
15  pounds  36°  Be.  soda-ash  solution  may  be  added  to  each  crutcher-
charge.  By  mixing  varying  amounts  of  remelted  with  fresh  soap
the  appearance  of  the  remelted  product  is  greatly  improved.  In
filling,  allowance  must  be  made  for  that  already  present  in  the  melted
scrap.
