The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1916-09-21

Peu win the electrolytic tanks il
e which the zinc is to be taken off. I,
: each of the five sections are IA tanks
:, Each tank is II feet long, 3 feet wild,
d and feet deep and they are arranged
e In double batteries of six tanks each
The tanks are cascaded with dror
OF few inches between the first and
second and so on to the sixth.
I The solution of acid containing the
: zinc is poured into the tanks and so
arranged that it runs from one tank
to the next until it reaches the sixth
one. when the acid is taken back TO
the teaching tanks and used owe,
again.
All told, In the five sections there
: are 72O electrolytic tanks. In each of
these tanks are placed 2S anodes of
cast lead weighing 40 pounds each,
Between the anodes are placed the
aluminium catholics, q in each tank
THESE cathode sheets contain 16
pounds of aluminium each and the
"copper" holders contain Ia pounds of
copper each.
me lead anodes are for the purpose
of conducting the current of electricity
through the solution containing the
zinc when it is poured into the tanks
ana the refined zinc is taken on the
aluminium plates, which are later talk
en- out and stripped.
! 1t Is estimated that "a hours is suf-
ficient for the, aluminium plates to
take on the zine needed for stripping.
Underground Workings.
The underground structure of the
tank building is in itself a most inter
esting feature. Four hundred cement
pillars were put in to support the
tank building and the electrolytic
tanks These form a labyrinth that
VIII rival the catacombs. A man could
be hidden in there for month with
out being discovered except by sys-
tematic search.
The entire flooring of this under |
ground section is of cement covered
with an acid proof paint. Should a
tank on the floor above burst the acid |
can be saved.
Each of the 400 cement pillars has
a lead roof that prevents any acid
from touching the pillars. On top of
the cement roof are blocks of glass 2
inches thick. while on top of the glass
blocks rest huge square wooden tim
bers which support the tanks on the
floor above.
Supports from the pillars for the
floors above prevent them from be-
coming charged
The current of electricity from the
substation to the electrolytic tanks is
carried by 10 lines, consisting of solid
copper bars 2 inches thick and
inches wide. over 100000 pounds of
copper were required for these lines.
The catholics used in the electricity
tic tanks represent a big investment
There are 10000 of these and nearly 1
100000 pounds of aluminium were re-
luired in making them, and about an
equal amount of copper. Aluminium is
selling at dollar a pound and the
copper alone was worth $4,000 addi-
Llonal. The manufacturing cost add
ed makes total value in these of
close to 100000.
In the refinery are four great stor-
lge tanks. each one with a capacity
Of 100000 gallons of the zinc solution.
These tanks are SO feet in diameter
md IL feet deep. They carry solu-
ion enough to handle a 24-hour run. n
Next below the refinery proper is {
he teaching plant. When the zinc f
are brought from the /
at Anaconda they are q
irst taken to the roasting plant of the f
melter and there converted into cal q
ines, which consist of a fine powder b
These calcines carry in addition to a t
Ugh percentage of zinc, copper, lead, a
;old and silver values. r
The CaIcines. $
The calcines are carried in cars to t
he top of the teaching plant. Here i.
hey are lowered into the teaching C
anks. There are 20 of these, called t
,achuca tanks. Each is 10 feet in dia- fl
meter and 20 feet deep. There are al il
% heating solution tanks. o
The calcines are poured into these Il
nd then the acid is turned in and n
mixed with the calcines.
This is done by means Of three large
ir compressOrs with a capacity of
900 cubic feet of air per minute and S
0 pounds to the square inch.
The acid and calcines are boiled
yer and over by the agitators with Il
he compressed air until the solution h
5 ready for the cleaning process" d
There is 35O-horse power motor Il
or each compressor, and after about d
n hour of agitating the solution is g
arried to the Dorr thickeners for Il
leaning. b
There are six of these, each so feet Il
n diameter and IS feet deep. The CT
olution is there mixed with water a.
nd the lighter solution goes over the d
dyes and is returned to the four pa fs
huca tanks, where, by the use of zinc n
ust, the last traces of the other met te
Is are removed Il