Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1875-11-12

The following is from the Mining and
Scientific Press of the 9th instant
We bring to-day to the notice of the
mining population of the Pacific coast
another new process for treating ores
which IL worthy OF more than usual at
tentlon. Miners generally are skeptical
on the subject of new processes, and Az
we have had several of late, thew NAV
turn aside from them all as unworthy al
notice. The inventors, however. should
have fair hearing and trial, and il
there ID anything in their improvements
worthy OF adoption, their claims should
be Acknowledged by the mining commu.
nifty.
To premise; the process has not before
been publicly described, except in the
reports in the patent Office, and is en-
tirely new in its character. It does 4
claim to do impossible things in the way
of working the ore for nothing. or Of
getting out 10l per cent. of what ia in It
The invention has for its object tho re-
ducing to the metallic state the metals
contained in silver, copper, lead. zinc
and mercury ore; also metals in chemical
combination with non etalic SUI distances:
and to this end it simply consists in the
application OF marsh-gas and heat, and
We shall try to describe.
The reductiye quality of hydrogen gas
Is fact we'll known to chemists; but the
expense attending the generation of this
agent Is such as to preclude its use in
practical manipulations of this character.
Hydro-carbon vapors have also been
named as reductive agent; but this
being q generic term, no practical idea
would be conveyed by its use.
The obstacles in the way of preparing
and applying many Of the series Of
hydro carbon vapors have rendered them
as reducing agents practically useless.
The object Of this invention, therefore,
was not only to ascertain the best posi-
BILE agent for bringing the metals con-
tanned in the ore to the metallic state.
but at the same time to find out which
one OF the series, while it should possess
the above quality, should also have the
advantage OF economy. By many experi-
mental efforts he has accomplished the
desideratum long sought; i. 9. Of having
reductive agent sufficient in its effects.
combined with economy in its produc.
ton, ease OF manipulation, and one
which will give an unfailing test or evil
dence OF reduction. The agents em-
ployed are, as before stated, marsh gas
and heat.
It should be particularly understood
that the gas is not required in q chsmi-
cally pure condition, though it may be
80 used If economy would justify it..
When this marsh-gas ia made from coal
is distilled ut high temperature in or
der to get an excess Of that gas desired.
When Illuminating gas already manufac.
tured Is used, 1t is passed through sep.
arate retort, filled with red hot coke, in
order to convert the defiant gas into
marsh-gas. This gas can also be distilled
from wood or other substances.
The ore is worked as follows: A re.
tort is arranged in the usual way. having
head which can be Theoretically sealed.
The retort is furnished near one end with
q suitable pipe, through which the gas is
admitted from the reservoir. In this in
stance the gas used is the ordinary illu
minating gas Of this city, which is passed
through separate retort. filled with RED
hot coke. before being turned into th,
ore retort. The pipe referred to is sup
piled with an ordinary stop cock. At III,
opposite end Of the retort is an escap,
pipe. which is also provided with stol
cock and short branch pipe, in the ent
OF which latter gas burner is secured
The escape pipe has it's outer end ben
downward into small barrel o
water. The retort is. Of course. owe
suitably constructed furnace. Tn
retort Is charged with ore and the hea,
or door hermetically sealed. Gas ]
admitted to the retort, which will sool
expel the air therefron. A strong re-
heat is now applied, when the reactio
at once commences II is noticed tha
during the process Of reduction the case
escaping from the burner will not ignite
but as the reduction nears completio