Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-05-09
SrARCED UP.

The Gerrish smeltar was started mp
at the Consolidated reduction works
yesterday morning, and worked
smoothly and satisfactorily during the
day. The improvements and its novel
features have alreay been fully de
scribed in the SENTINEL. Whether it
will chronicle a success is a matter that
time only can determine. The suhsti-
tuition OF copper lining for the fire.
proof stone used 10 the ordinary fur
mace, is the strong point of the inven-
ton, and upon its durability the
triumph of tue experiment hinges.
That it will smelt copper ores, there is
no doubt; but those best acquainted
with the constituents of our Base
Range ore. shake their heads gravely,
and insist that the arsenic and anti.
mony contained therein will destroy
the copper in a short time. This oh
lection is met by Mr.. Gerrish with the
fact that sulphur has a great affinity
Tor that metal, and in consequence the
inner surface will coat over with
GloSE pitN tIiluS tic COTfOliDP tllhftS
of the arsenic, and Indefinitely pre-
serving the lining. A layer of bricks
were placed inside of the smelter, for
the purpose of giving the copper a
chance to acquire the desired coating,
and it is expected by the time they are
burnt away, Stag to the thickness of an
inch will have formed thereon. Dur
ing our visit yesterday afternoon the
rear portion of the smelter became
very hot, and Mr.. Gerrish claimed
that the bricks IN that part had al
ready been destroyed. lie cooled it
down. and regulated it with but little
trouble, and the workmen stated that
there was not as much discomfort eX
perienced from that source as from
the old style furnace.
As before stated, the question of
durability is that time only can
determine. The old stone furnaces
last from four to eight months, and
wear gradually out, until it becomes
necessary to run them down and repair
them. This involves a loss OF ten
days time and a cost OF at least 81 900.
In the uew style there is no cessation
of operations, and as Mr.. Gerrish
claims that copper is indestructible,
there is no limit to the period that they
can be continuously run. This is a
saving of at least 81 600 a year at once,
but Is by no means the only econOmi
cal result. The substitution of an air
jacket for a water jacket, and the intro
ductiOn of a o air instead of "A old
air blast, are Sone OF the main features.
The tuyere is not carried through iii
rectly upon the ore, but, instead,
eut ers into the space between, where
the air is heated by contact with the
walls, and is then forced into the fur
ace through openings made IN the
copper lining. This answers a double
purpose, the cold air Keeping The out
side walls cool, and by utilizing the
heat of the inner wall and becoming
hot in its circulation in the space be
tween, effects a wonderful saving of
fuel. 1t is calculated that at least 400
bushels of coal il consumed daily in
the old style OF furnace in heating the
cold air introduced through the
tuyeres. This amount, Mr.. Gerrish
insists. is absolutely saved by his sys
tenn. II he is correct in his theory,
the working expense of his smelter
will be 500 per day less thar
those that are now in use in Eureka.
As in the wafer jacket all barring ont
is done away with. A very small clay
front is used, and ii thein~ide becomes
clogRed up, or sows formed that must
be removed. that work is effected by
raising a hanging copper front. Bv
this means the workmen have access
to the Interior at pleasure, IcOnsumes
at least three hours per dav TO bar out
the old stone furnaces, and i an oper.
alton much dreaded l,y all the en-
ploves. They will rejoice at the sue.
cas- of the smelter-if it is a success
for that reason il for no other. We
shall watch it's operations closely, aud
report the same, but As before stated. il
will IN al least a month before the ex
pertinent can be considered decided.
II work. very rapidly, and the bullion
| production Yesterday was very large.