PATENTED MAY 19, 1968.

No. 887,793.

E. GUILLAUME.
RBOTIFYING OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUID.
APPLICATION IILBD DEC. 9, 1902.

30%?a66565

.W- W

UNITED STATES. ' PATENT comma,

EMIQLE GUILLAUME,

OF PARIS, FRANCE. -'

' nnc'rirrme or ALCOHOLIC LIQUID.

Speci?cation of Letters Patent.

No. 887,793. '

. 'latelnted May 19, 1908.

Application ma December 9,1903. Serial No. 134,504.

, In, the preferred mode of carrying out the
Be it known that I, EMILE GUILLAUME, a present process,l weak alcoholic vapors aris

T0 all whom it may concern:

citizen of the French Republic, residing at lng from any cL mm'on still are introduced
Paris, in the Re ublic of France, engineer, into the heating chamber of a rectifying still
(whose full posta address is 18 Rue Mogador, (whose purpose
later appear) Where the

5.30

Paris aforesaid,) have invented certain new im art their heat to the contentsof this st' ,

and useful Improvements in Rectifying of an become 'more or less condensed. .The

Alcoholic Liquid, (for which I have obtained condensate and uncondensed vapors are
a patent in France, No. 321,871, bearing date withdrawn from the chamber and introduced
10

June 7 , 1902,) of which the following is a

speci?cation.

This invention relates to processes of dis

' tillation and consists in a systematic and

continuous method of fractionating com

reduce somew at withwater and where the

bulk'of theimpurities are removed. Prefer

ably the strength is reduced to about 16 to 17
B. (30 to 33 per cent. of alcohol by weight).

15

posite vapors containing a number of com-v At this dilution, aldehyde, amyl alcohol, the

20

vantage of di?erences in boiling point and in from the alcohol without any great amount
vapor tension, enabling the production in one of alcohol distilling. This is because the
o eration of high-grade pure alcohol and amyl alcohol, the esters, etc., have compara
h1gh~grade by-products from crude alcoholic tively little affinity for, or solubility in, water

ponents of varying volatility by taking ad

vapors; all as more fully hereinafter set

65

into a. purifyin \still where their strength is

70

various esters, etc., can be distilled away

75

and are much less affected in the matter of

' forth, matters of novelty being particularly vapor tension than is the alcohol; this being
particularly true of the mixed esters whose
pointed out in the appended claims.
Crude alcoholic vapors, such as those removal is ordinarily difficult. 'Advantage

25

30

80

arising from the direct distillation of wine, is taken of this fact by distilling said weak
beer, etc., in addition. to the ethyl alcohol alcohol in a column still maintained under
and water'which are their main constituents," particular conditions.- The still is heatedat
contain a number of other bodies, partly, the base in the ordinary manner, either 'by
like aldehyde and certain esters, of a lower the direct introduction ofifree steam or by 85
boiling point than alcohol, and partly of a the use of a steam coil, the former'being pre
higher boiling point, like the bodies forming ferred. The feed however is'not at the to
fusel oil, and a number of other esters. or base, as is customary, but at a point well
Many of these latter esters have a high vapor above the latter. Interiorly the column is
tension, and, under the ordinary laws con provided with the usual cups and plates. At

35

trolling the volatilization of mixed ?uids, it a point above the feed, water is introduced in 4

V40

is difficult to separate them completely from limited amountsjto pass down the column
the alcohol in crude weak spirit by-ordinary against ascending vapors.~ Since water, as
methods used with ordinary column stills, already stated; does not interfere materially
such methods operating principally upon with the vapor tension of the constituents
differences in the boiling' oints. These other than alcohol, it is obvious that in
methods therefore do not eliver a hi h operating in this manner, the said other con~
grade alcohol, such as is wanted in the tra e, stituents will tend to pass up the column
in one operation,lthe producterequiring a past the water inlet while the alcohol will not.
separate recti?cation or treatment. Un Above the water inlet, there is adraw off

45

fortunately it often happens in such recti?ca

100

tion that new impuritles are formed to some

pipe communicating with the fluid space of

'one'of the-fractionating devices, while above

extent by the oxidation of alcohol to alde

this again the column extends to some dis -

hyde, to acids formingnew esters, etc.

It is the object of the present invention to
provide a method inwhich pure high grade
alcohol and high grade by-products are

vapor passing-the water in ct are fractionated

out and are partially removed by this draw

off. The part which is removedby the said

directly prepared and to do this with econ

draw off contains the bodies constituting or- _ I

tance. The high boilin

products in the
105

omy in the heating agent. For this purpose, dinary amyl alcohol and in addition a num- '
advantageis taken'of' the varying relations ber of esters like isovalerate of isoam l, ethyl 110
of the impurities named to alcohol of differ acetate, isovalerate of ethyl, ethyl lsobuty
ent strengths. '

rate, etc. , which are more di?icult of removal

887,793

A from alcohol than is amyl alcohol because of In the accompanying more or less dia
their high vapor tension, in ordinary frac grammatic illustration is shown one type of
tionation and concentration of .alcohol but apparatus of the many adapted to perform
which here will separate readil because of the above described process; Figure; lI-repre-
the exceedingly dilute state of t e alcohol m senting the apparatus as a whole, and Fig.2, 70
the column, The said part is condensedv 3, and 4 are sectional views of details. Y
above the water inlet, because in this region
In this illustration, A indicates there'ctify-v > 3
of the column the diluted state of the prod

ing still as a whole, B the purifying'still and

E the alcohol still. It is to be understood I '
10 which'constitute the said part, are, removed that these names are merely chosen for con p.75
in a liquid state. The va ors which reach venience of description. .
the top of the column in t e purifyin still
Crude alcoholic vapors from a wine or beer
consist mainly of aldehyde and suc ex still (not shown) enter through inlet 1 into
tremely low boiling products. They are vthe heatin chamber 2 in the base of the rec,
15 condensed b a speclal arrangement and re-_ tifying sti ' A, serving to furnish the neces 80
. covered. Tllie strength of the alcohol in this sary heat for operating said still. Pi e 3..
~ ucts diminishes progressively, and the bodies

purifying operation 1s advantageouslyv about serves to withdraw from this chamber oth
* 16 to 17 B., say 30 to 33 per cent. by weight, ' condensate and uncondensled vapors and in
- as with this strength the described separa troduce them into purifying still B, arrow,
20 tion- proceeds easily.

_ V

m, showing the direction of the ?ow. The 85

the base of the still,shown at 21. For the

' In the above described operation, it will be introduction is made at a point well above

seen that weak alcohol is puri?ed by remov

ing both low boiling impurities of the nature sake of convenience, as shown, the purifying

., of aldehyde and high-va or tension, hi h still B is mounted on a column D whose func

boiling bodies like fusel o' and esters. T e tions will be later described but it has no di 90

25

30

35

hot weak, puri?ed alcohol resultin from this rect connectiontherewith, base plate 21 be
is next introduced intoa large bo y of com- ing imperforate,'as shown in Fig.2. At the
paratively highly heated water in communi-~ point where the condensate etc., enter the
cation with a second or alcohol still where its average composition of the liquid in the
volatile constituents, now mainly alcohol, plates of the column will be the same as the

are boiled oif. The vapors ascend throu h incoming feed. Near 21 -a steam pipe 38
another column and are refractionated, t_ e furnishes the heat required for the operation
alcohol being removed from the top of the of the column and also some aqueous vapor.
column, either as vapor or liquid, and such Passing downward, the condensates are
amyl alcohol, etc. , as was not removed from gradually freed of their aldehyde and high
it in the uri ing still, being removed at the tension impurities and emerge through pipe
base of t e co umn and returned to said puri

95

100

4, just below the steam inlet in a puri?ed con

The alcohol delivered is prefer dition. - Arrows 1, show the directionof the
ably of a strength between 38 and 39 Baum, ?ow. Flowing upward from the feed inlet
or 86 to 88 per cent. by weight as permitting the vapors" pass successively through several
a good elimination of fusel oil and as bein of sections of the column lettered 44, 30 and 48,
a oilin point allowing theheat of the or1gi in their course passing a down?owing current
nal cru e alcoholic va ors to maintain it in of weak condensate, concentration as regards
"ebulition. The alcoho so obtained is intro alcohol being avoided by water furnished
duced into the base of a rectifying still and through pipe 29. It is obvious that this
here recti?ed to commercial strength of 43 water being furnished at a point only where
to 44 ~B., or 95 to 96 per cent. ~ Any traces of 'alcohol would naturally\tend to accumulate
amyl alcohol which may have. passed to this may therefore be less in amount than if sup

. fying still.
40

oint are removed from the base of the still, plied ata'lower point.

50

110

In e?ect, I thereby

while aldehydes and'low boiling esters are get the advantage of distilling from an ex 115

vremoved by means of a chilling condenser cesslively weak alcohol without being obliged
surmounting the rectifying column above the ' to actually dilute the whole mass to such an
outlet of condensedrecti?ed alcohol. As al extent. In the lates of the column above
ready stated some new aldehyde and esters the water inlet, t e fractionation of the alco
55 are extremely likely to be formed in this rec hol free, vapors is effected, the condensed

ti?cation. Therefore to insure perfect1puifity high boiling high vapor tension bodies'being
'in the delivered concentrated alcoho a ter withdrawn by pipe 31, communicating with

. A leavin the rectifying column, it is submitted

to sti

60

105

120

the plates of the column immediately above

4 another treatment to remove low

theiwater inlet, sent through a worm s1 in

boiling impurities which are returned to the a refri erator R, arrow 251 showing the direc
rectifyin'

still.

'

..

125

tion 0 the ?ow, and ultimately assin out

Both t e low boiling and the high boiling of the system through testing and)with raw
impurities separated in the rectifyin column ing apparatus 33. The low boiling bodies
are returned to the purifying still or treat like a ehyde, which are not condensed with
ment afresh.
,
'
the amyl alcohol, esters, etc., pass upward

130

' 887,793

through a plate column and enter a condens- -' changes in temperature will actuate the dia
ing apparatus G where any residual high phragm andso o erate valve 14. 22 and 15
bo1ling bodies are removed and passed back allow, respective y, the alcohol to be directed
into the still. From G the vapors entercon

into the lowerplates of the column A or be

32 in the direction indicate by arrow h and

sired.

denser J through 45, leavin 1t through pipe low the heating chamber 2 as may be de
are sent throughva worm s2 in the refrigera

70

Above the column E and in open commu

tor R, ?nally leaving the apparatus through nication therewith are condensing devices G

e?'lux and testing device 34. Cooling?uid is and J, in most respects like G and J already supplied to G and J as shown by arrow w, described, the flow of cooling ?uid being in 7.5

10

and flows downward through the pipes dicated by w, controlled by S and P, etc.

shown, thenceupward, as shown by w, past a 46' and 47 afford a valved outlet for re

. valve controlled by S and P and down moval of uncondensable gases and anything

through-R to exit. Variationsin pressure in which may occasionally condense in J, as in

still head-G are communicated to P and act dicated by arrow g2. Any alcohol not con so
upon a body of water or other ?uid (not densed in the plate column is condensed in
shown) in its base and communicating with G and returned to the upper plate of E.

15

20

cylinderS which is provided with a suitable

?oat or other device (not shown) to operate
the valve for controlling the ?ow of cooling
fluid. Valved pipe 47 offers an exit for un
condensible gases in J and G. -G may be

The alcohol from E sent to A by pipes 12

and 23, should be of a density about 38 to 39
B. , or 86 to 88 per cent. by weight. Spirit of 85
this concentration is readily boiled by the _
original crude alcoholic vapors in the steam

near its base vto enable optional remova 0

condensed liquid through 47.
r

usual, and whatever fusel- oil still remains

accumulates inthe lowerplates of the series

tapped by pipe 46 at any convenient point chamber, 2, of rectifying column A. Recti

I above its base, but J is preferably tapperi ?cation proceeds on the cups and plates as
25

In G and J the vapors surround the cooling above the alcohol inlet and is removed and
returned to the purifying still, B, for treat
'
.
The uri?ed weak alcohol from the purify ment anew, as is indicated by arrow 29*.
ing stil B leaves through 4, the ?ow being Recti?ed alcohol is removed from the col
controlled by valve 5 and enters a mass of umn at a relatively high point by means of

90

pipes shown.

30

95

liquid contained in tank C, which has for its pipe 16,.the ?ow, and consequently the rich

35

purpose to maintain constant the strength ness, being controlled by the usual means 53,
of the alcoholic liquid which is delivered operating on valve 17. Any alcohol vapors
through pipe 6 as shown by arrow 1 and the rising above the outlet, through 16, into
separate column D, the working of the said space 51 and secondary plate column H are
tank C being described in my United States condensed and returned. Surmounting H

100

Patent #778450; the flowis controlled by . and in open connection therewith .is an acces
40

45

valve 7. In D it is treated by steam enter

ing through inlet 39 and the evolved vapors
are led back into the top of 0 through pipe 8
as indicated by arrow (1. Waste liquid free
of alcohol is removed from D through 40 as
indicated by arrow r2 a branch pipe 50 allow
ing a portion to be taken, as indicated by ar
row 7 through worm s4 in refrigerator R to
testing device 36. '

TankC communicates through open col

umn 41 with alcohol column E.

50

In E frac

tionation is performed in the ordinary way

by plates 49, any residual amylalcohol etc.
being removed by pipe 10, as indicated by
arrows t2, and returned to the purifying

column B, the flow being controlled by

55

sory condenser G, substantially like G and

G, already described, cooling fluid ?owing 105'

. through it as shown by w and being con

trolled by S and P.
Some aldehyde and esters are formed in

this recti?cation, however, vas has already

been stated, and it isdesirable to recover 110/

these. For this purpose from J, which is

substantially like J and J, the condensate of
the vapors escaping from G is removed by
pipe 24, as is shown by arrows h, and is
sent to the purifying column B for treatment 115
therein. By reason of the formation of these
bodies the recti?ed alcohol drawn from recti
fying still A is still not quite as pure as is de
sirable. It is therefore further treated in -F,
which is a short column still of the ordinary

valves 11,, and 13. The alcohol which accu

mulates in the top plates of the column is re type, being passed downward against the
moved through pipes 12 and 23 and sent, as heat from a heating chamber in the base,

shown by arrows b, to the rectifying column supplied with heating agent through 42 and
A. Flow is controlled by valves 14, 15 and having an exhaust at 43. Volat1lized low

14 is actuated by a control mechanism boiling bodies, together with considerable 125

.52 located in open column 41, 52 being a alcohol, leave F through pipe 37, as indicated

60 v22.

chamber having a diaphragm 52* therein by arrow ha, and are returned tothe suppel
which is connected to the valve 14. The mentary column H above A for treatment.
' chamber contains a volatile liquid or a vapor Their alcohol rejoins that in the column be
'

Y 65

whose expansion and contraction with low while aldehyde, etc pass upward into J.

130

887,798

The treated, now very pure, alcohol leaves F .weak alcohol in a column still and assing the

through pipe 26, provided with valve 27, evolved vaporslagainst a descen mg stream
passes through worm s in refrigerator R of water to prevent elimination of alcohol,

i
10

and ultimately leaves the system through 35. removing the puri?ed weak alcohol and sepa
In condensers G and J, valved outlets rating residua fusel oil from the same in a '
46 ' and 47" afford exit for uncondensable second still arranged to deliver moderately
gases, as indicated by arrow g3. '
concentrated alcohol, concentrating and rec
r In case the foots in recti ying column A tifying said alcohol, and eliminating low boil
run low in alcohol ,' as will happen when alco= ing im urities therefrom.
hol is introduced to the plate column through
7.
e process of reparing pure alcohol
23 instead of below or around the\ heating which consists in boi ing o?' impurities from 75
chamber through 22, they may be returned to weak alcohol of a strength of about 30 per
tank C through pipe 19, valved at 20, as in

/ dicated by arrow 0.

1,5

cent. by-weight in a column still and passmg

the evolved vapors against a descending

What I claim is:

stream of water to prevent elimination of the '
1. The process of preparing high grade al-v alcohol, removing the puri?ed Weak'falcohol 803
cohol and by- roducts which consists in dis and separating residual fusel oil from the
tilling weak a cohol in a column still against same in a second still arranged to deliver
a descending current of water, fractionating moderately concentrated alcohol, and ?nally '

and concentratin the volatile by-products concentrating and rectifying said alcohol in
_20. in
the still abov'et e 1point of water inlet,and a rectifying still.

removing the alcoho below said point.

2. The process of preparing high grade al

25

85

8. The process of reparing pure alcohol

which consists in bo' ing off'impurities from

cohol and by-products which consists in dis ,Weak alcohol of a strength of about. 30 per
tilling alcohol of'a strength of about 30 per cent. by weight in a column still and passmg
cent. by weight in a column still against a de the evolved vapors against a descending

901

scending current of water, fractionating and stream of water to prevent elimination of

concentrating the volatile by-products in the alcohol, removing'the uri?ed weak alcohol
still above the oint of water inlet, and re and separating the resi, ualfuseloil from the

30

movin the alco 01 below said point.

'same in a second. still arranged _to deliver 95
3. T e process of preparing pure alcohol moderately concentrated alcohol, concentrat

which consists in boiling off volatile impuri

ing and rectifying said alcohol, and eliminat

ties from Weak alcohol in a column still and ing low boiling impurities therefrom.

35

_
passing the evolved vapors against a descend
9. ' The process of preparing ure alcohol
ing stream of Water to prevent elimination of from Weak alcoholic vapors whic consists in
alcohol, removing the puri?ed alcohol below passing said vapors through the heating 100
the point of Water inlet and separating resid chamber 'of a rectifying still, introducing the

ual fusel oil from the same in a second still efflux product from the chamber into a puri- '
arranged - to deliver moderately concentrated fying still, therein boiling off impurities

40

alcohol, and ?nally'concentrating and recti while retaining alcohol in solution, concen
fying said alcohol in a rectifying still.
trating the- alcohol from said purifying still
4. The process of reparing pure alcohol in a second still and eliminating residual

105

which consists in boiling oif impurities in a fusel oil, and rectifying said concentrated

column still and passing the evolved vapors alcohol in the rectifying- still by the heat'iof" " "
against a descending stream of water to pre the original weak alcoholic vapors.
110
, vent elimination of alcohol, removing the
10. The process of preparing ure alcohol -

45

uri?ed alcohol below the point of Water in from weak alcoholic vapors whic consist's?ri
et and separating residual fusel oil from the passing said vapors through the heatingv

same in a second still arranged to deliver

50

moderately concentrated alcohol, concentrat

chamber of a rectifying still, introducing-"the

efflux product from the chamber into a >puri-. 115

ing and rectifying said alcohol, and elimi fying still, therein boiling o? impurities

nating low-boi ing impurities therefrom.

55

while retaining alcohol in solution, concen

5. he?process of preparing pure alcohol trating the alcohol from said purifying still
which consists in boiling o? impurities from in a second still and eliminating residual: '
weak alcohol in a column still and passing fusel oil, rectifying said concentrated alcohol 120
the evolved vapors against a descending in the rectifying still, by the heat of the
stream of water to prevent elimination of original weak alcoholic vapors, and ?nallyv

alcohol, removing the puri?ed weak alcohol eliminating low boiling impurities from the

and separating residual fusel oil from the

.60 same in a second still arranged to deliver

recti?ed alcohol.

'

11. The process of preparing pure alcohol

moderately concentrated alcohol, and ?nally from weak alcoholic vapors which consist in
concentrating and rectifying said alcohol in passing said vapors through the heating
a rectifying still.

chamber of a rectifying still, introducing the . '

' 6. The process of preparing pure, alcohol efflux product from the chamber into a puri

65

125

which consists in boiling off impurities from fying still, therein boiling off impurities

"

887,798
while retaining alcohol in solution, concen
trating the alcohol from said purifying still
in a second still and returning tail products
to the purifying still, rectifying the concen

the still, removin high-boiling high-vapor

tension im urities

om a point in the column -

immediatey above the point of water inlet

andseparately removing low boiling impuri

rectifying still by the heat of the original high-boiling impurities.
17. The process of preparing pure alcohol
weak alcoholic vapors, returning elmnnated
10

25

30

trated alcohol from the second still in said ties from a oint above the outlet .for said

70

hi h and low boiling impurities to the pun and by-products which consists in distilling
fym1r still, and withdrawing the recti?ed o?' volatile impurities from weak alcohol in a
column still and passing the evolved vapors
alcohol.
/
'
r

75

12. The process of preparing ure alcohol past a descendin stream of water to prevent
from weak alcoholic vapors whic consists in elimination of a cohol, removing the elimi
passing said vapors through the heating nated impurities to a place of storage, remov

chamber of a rectifying still, introducing the ing the puri?ed alcohol, further purifying
efflux product from the chamber into a puri and concentrating it, and restoring the newly
fying still, therein boiling off impurities while eliminated impurities to the original still.
18. The rocess of preparing pure alcohol
retaining the alcohol in solution, concen
trating the alcohol from said purifying still which consists in distilling away volatile im
in a second still and returning tail products purities from weak alcohol of a strength of
to _the purifying still, rectifymgthe concen about 30 per cent. by weight, concentrating
trated alcohol from the second still 111 said the alcohol, distilling it away from less vola
rectifying still by the heat of the original tile impurities in a concentrated state, and
weak alcoholic vapors, returning eliminated ?nally rectifying it to high concentration.
19. The process of reparing pure alcohol
high and low boiling impurities to the purify
ing still, withdrawing the recti?ed alcohol and which consists. in disti ling away volatile im
eliminating low boiling impurities there from. purities from weak alcohol of a strength of
13. The process of purifying alcohol which about 30 per cent. by weight, concentrating it
consists in introducim1r the same in diluted to about 86 per cent. by weight and simul
form into a column still at a point well above taneously distilling it away from less volatile

the bottom, introducing heating vapors into impurities, and ?nally rectifying to about 95
the bottom portion of the still, introducing a per cent.

20. The process of preparing pure alcohol

and by-products which consists in eliminat
purities from the still at a point above the ing volatile impurities from weak alcohol in
water inlet, removing low boiling impurities a column still, separately, collecting low and

80

85

90

95

descendinv stream of water at a point. above

the alcohdl inlet, removing high boiling im

35

at a point still further above the same, and

?nally removing the alcohol, still in the di

high boiling im urities, removing the puri

100

?ed alcohol 8.I1( further purifying the same

in a concentrated state, and returning the

luted form, from the bottom of the still.
14. The process of preparing ure alcohol eliminated impurities to the original still.

40

which consists in rectifying alco ol-in a rec

the alcohol therefrom, returning evolved va

45

_ 21. In the art of alcohol manufacture, the 105

tifying column, removing and re-rectifying process which consists in passing the vapors

of weak alcohol into the heating chambers of

pors to the original rectifying column, and a rectifying still, whereby the rectifying still
is heated and the said vapors condensed, re
removing the re-recti?ed alcohol.
'
15. The rocess of preparing pure alcohol moving impurities from the weak alcohol,
and bypro ucts which consists in distilling concentrating the weak alcohol, and passing
off volatile impurities from Weak alcohol in a the concentrated alcohol into said rectifying

column still and passing the evolved vapors still'to be recti?ed by the heat of such vapors.
22. In- the art of alcohol manufacture, the
to prevent elimination of alcohol, removing process which consists in purifying weak
the puri?ed alcohol from the base of the still, alcohol, concentrating the Weak alcohol in a

110

past a descending stream of water in said still'

50

115

removing high-boiling high-Va or tension column still, passing the concentrated alco
impurities from ,a point in the co umn imme

hol into a rectifying column still at a point

separating and removing low boiling impuri

treatment from a point in the column not far

diately above the point of water inlet and above its base, removing fusel oil for further

55

12t

ties from a'point above the outlet for said above the alcohol inlet, removing the recti
?edalcohol from a point in the column above
high-boiling impurities.

I
16. The process of reparing pure alcohol the fusel oil outlet and below the top of the

and by-products whic consists in distilling column,and removing very volatile impurities

65

off volatile impurities from weak. alcohol of a

strength of about 30 per cent. by weight in a
column still and passing the evolved vapors
past a descending stream, of water in said
still to prevent elimination of alcohol, re
moving the puri?ed alcohol from the base pf '

from the top of the column for condensation.

23. In the 'art of alcohol manufacture, the

125

process which consists in purifying the alco

ol in a weak state, purifying this in a con
centrated state, rectifying the alcohol in a

column still, removing the recti?ed alcohol

130

887,798

from a oint below the top of the column,

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my

re-recti ing the alcohol to remove aldehyde _ hand in presence of two witnesses.
~and other volatile impurities and

ass'

. such removed va ors back into the regify?g

5 still above the a c-ohol outlet but below the

top of the still, and ?nally eliminating aldehyde from thewtop of the'still. ]

_ t

'

Witnesses:

'

'

EMILE GUILLAUME'

'

JULEs FAYOLLET,
AUGUSTUS E. INGRAM.