Patent GB-358000-A (GB)
Title: Process for the production of substantially pure chemical compounds or metals
IPC: B01J6/00
Filed: 1930-06-20
Abstract: In the preparation of substantially pure chemical compounds or metals, the raw materials are transformed into solutions of chlorides in which cane-sugar, glucose, milk-sugar, starch, or other suitable water-soluble organic substance is dissolved, the solution is evaporated to dryness and calcined, preferably in a reducing atmosphere, the hydrochloric acid driven off being available for collection.  The amount of organic substance added is variable within wide limits.  The organic substance is carbonized during the calcination, and gives rise to a molecular porosity in the mixture, thus facilitating subsequent treatment with liquids or gases.  If the mass is heated to a high temperature reduction of such substances as iron oxide takes place.  In the manufacture of iron-free alumina for the subsequent production of aluminium, clay or bauxite is calcined and then leached with hydrochloric acid, silica remaining undissolved. The chloride solution is mixed with a suitable amount of sugar solution, then evaporated and calcined.  The hydrochloric acid driven off is collected, while the residue containing iron oxide, alumina and carbon is heated to render the alumina insoluble.  The iron oxide is reduced to metal by heating to redness preferably in a reducing atmosphere such as coal-gas, producer-gas or acetylene, after which the charge is cooled, if possible without admittance of air, and immediately treated with an acid, the iron salt formed being washed out.  From the pure aluminium oxide obtained, aluminium may be prepared in known manner.  It is also possible to remove the iron by passing gaseous chlorine through the porous oxide mass; the iron chloride escapes in gaseous form and may be collected.  If the chloride solution contains the chloride of a single reducible metal, the pure metal may be obtained by heating the porous mass to a high temperature, preferably with the introduction of reducing gases. Anhydrous magnesium chloride may be obtained by evaporating an aqueous solution of sugar and magnesium chloride and after calcination gaseous chlorine is passed through the porous mass. Carbon monoxide and anhydrous magnesium chloride are obtained.  An example of the production of alumina is given.  It is stated that suitable raw materials for treatment are bauxite, clay, leucite, and sulphide ores, and that the process may be applied to the complete separation of iron from the oxides of other metals than aluminium, e.g. from titanium, beryllium, and zirconium oxides.  In the Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) the purification of barium oxide is referred to.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.ALSO:In the preparation of substantially pure metals, the raw materials are transformed into solutions of chlorides in which cane-sugar, glucose, milk-sugar, starch, or other suitable water-soluble organic substance is dissolved, the solution is evaporated to dryness and calcined, preferably in a reducing atmosphere, the hydrochloric acid driven off being available for collection.  The amount of organic substance added is variable within wide limits.  The organic substance is carbonized during the calcination, and gives rise to a molecular porosity in the mixture, thus facilitating subsequent treatment with liquids or gases.  If the mass is heated to a high temperature, reduction of such substances as iron oxide takes place.  If the chloride solution contains the chloride of a single reducible metal, the pure metal may be obtained by heating the porous mass to a high temperature, preferably with the introduction of reducing gases. It is stated that suitable raw materials for treatment are bauxite, clay, leucite, and sulphide ores.