IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONCENTRATION OF SULPHURIC ACID AND CERTAIN OTHER FLUIDS, ALSO IN THE USE OF A CERTAIN PRODUCT OR CERTAIN PRODUCTS SOMETIMES OBTAINED IN MANUFACTURING SULPHURIC ACID AND SULPHATES
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HERBERT GOSSAGE, of Stoke Prior, in the County of Worcester, Chemist, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twentieth day of December, in the fourteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her, heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Herbert. Gossage, Her especial license, full power, sole
privilege and authority, that I, the said William Herbert Gossage, my exors,
admors, and assigns, and such others.ás: I, the said William Herbert Gossage,
my exors, admiors, or assigns; should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England;
Wales, the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in al Her Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, and, in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney,
Sark, and Man, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONCENTRATION OF
SULPHURIC ACID AND CERTAIN OTHER FLUIDS, ALSO IN THE USE OF A CERTAIN
PRODUCT OR CERTAIN PRODUCTS SOMETIMES OBTAINED IN MANUFACTURING SULPHURIC
ACID AND SULPHATES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso,
obliging me, the said William Herbert Gossage, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to
cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part

page_text: recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had,
will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Herbert Gossage, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following description
thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of improvements in the concentration of sulphuric acid and
certain other fluids, also in the use of a certain product or certain products
sometimes obtained in manufacturing sulphuric acid and sulphates, relates,
firstly, to the use of apparatus by means of which the sulphuric acid or other
fluid requiring to be concentrated is diffused over an immense number of
surfaces, and at the same time exposed to the evaporative action of a current
or currents of heated air; and, secondly, to the use of the material known as
"burnt pyrites" (which is largely produced when pyrites is used in the
manufacture of sulphuric acid and some sulphates), for the production of
sulphate of alumina, alum, sulphate of iron, and copper or salt of copper.
I will firstly describe the apparatus by means of which I effect the
concentration of sulphuric acid and other fluids. In the Drawings annexed
to this my Specification, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of my
apparatus suitable for the concentration of sulphuric acid and some other
fluids, consisting of a tower T (containing a bed of siliceous pebbles or other
suitable material) and an apparatus H for the production of heated air.
Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the tower T, taken through the dotted
line a, b, of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the tower and air-heating
apparatus, taken through the dotted line c, d, of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a transverse
vertical section of the air-heating apparatus, taken through the dotted line e, f,
of Fig. 1. In all these several Figures the same letters of reference are used
to designate similar parts of the apparatus. For effecting the concentration of
sulphuric acid and other acid and saline fluids, I prefer to construct the tower T
of siliceous flagstones (such as are commonly called Yorkshire flagstones).
A is the casing of flagstones, which I join together, as shown in the Drawing;
I line this casing of flagstones with an internal casing B of well-burned semi-
vitrified bricks, and I coat the casing of flagstones externally with a covering
of planks C, and I apply bars of iron, forming square hoops D, D, D, to
surround and hold together the vertical sides of the tower, such bars of iron
being furnished with screws and nuts for the purpose of applying them tightly

page_text: to the tower. I form the bottom of the tower of a thick siliceous flagstone K,
in which I cut channels a, a, contiguous to the lower part of the stone casing
A, A, also another channel b, extending from the channel a to the outside of
the bottom K; these channels being formed for the purpose of conducting
the concentrated fluid from the tower and delivering it into a suitable,
receiver I, in which such fluid may be cooled or otherwise treated. I.
construct a perforated channel or flue E (formed of siliceous stones or of semi-
vitrified bricks), communicating with the air-heating apparatus by means of a
flue U, and extending from that side of the tower to the opposite side thereof.
And I build walls F, F, F, of similar materials, extending from each side of
such channel or flue E to the adjacent side of the tower, these walls F, F, F,
being so placed as to leave spaces or air channels L, L, between them; these
spaces or channels communicating with the channel or flue E by means of
the perforations in the walls thereof. I partially cover the spaces or channels
L, L, L, by means of bricks or stones G, G, G, placed at some distance from
each other, and I thus construct a complete grating of stonework or brick-
work extending over the bottom of the tower T, through which heated
air passing from the apparatus H can traverse, and through which fluid
descending from the bed of materials in the tower T can flow. Upon this
grating I spread a covering of siliceous pebbles about the size of a man's
fist, and upon these I place other siliceous pebbles of about half this size
until the tower is filled to within about eighteen inches of the top. These
pebbles constitute the diffusing bed N of the tower T, through which the
fluid required to be concentrated is caused to percolate. I place a leaden
cistern O at the upper part of the tower T, this cistern having its bottom
perforated with holes about half an inch diameter and about nine inches
distant from each other. I place conical plugs of lead fitting loosely in
these holes for the purpose of conducting the fluid directly downwards; I
cover the bottom of this cistern with a layer of small siliceous pebbles of such
a size as not to pass through the said holes, and I place a layer of coarse sand
upon such layer of pebbles, and upon this layer of coarse sand I place a bed.
of fine clean white sand; I increase or decrease the thickness of this bed of
fine sand, accordingly as I wish to allow a lesser or greater quantity of fluid.
to pass into the tower for concentration. I support the cistern O by means
of bent rods of iron P, P, covered with lead and supported on the sides of the
tower T, on which bent rods P; P, I place flat rods of iron Q, Q, also covered.
with lead, which form a grated flooring to sustain the bottom of the cistern..
I introduce the fluid intended to be concentrated into the cistern O from any

page_text: convenient reservoir. M is a flue conducting from the upper part of the tower
T to some convenient chimney draft, which it is desirable should possess con-
siderable intensity. The air-heating apparatus H consists of a series of iron
tubes R, R, R, set in brickwork, and heated by a fire S, the flame from which
ascends between the tubes and descends between the same, as shewn by red
arrows in Fig. 1; air enters at the open end of the tubes and passes as heated
air into the channel U, which cominunicates with the channel E, and from
thence, by means of its own ascending power assisted by the chimney draft,
this heated air is caused to percolate through the bed of materials N, con-
tained in the tower T, and to pass off through the exit flue M.
Having arranged my apparatus in the manner herein-before described, I
light the fire S, and allow heated air to pass through the bed of diffusing
materials N, until the air, escaping by the flue M, has a temperature of about
212 degrees; I then cause a supply of the fluid which I wish to concen-
trate to be passed into the distributing cistern O; this fluid passes through
the perforations in its bottom, and thus becomes distributed over the surfaces
of the upper layer of pebbles in the tower T, and from thence percolates
through the bed of pebbles contained in such tower, thus becoming diffused in
thin films on the surfaces of such pebbles, and thereby exposed to the evapo-
rative action of the currents of heated air simultaneously traversing such bed
of materials, and thus becomes concentrated. The concentrated fluid arrives at
the lower part of the tower T, and being connected by the channels a, passes
through the channel b into the receiver I. I increase or decrease the supply
of fluid into the cistern O accordingly as I find the fluid, as it passes from the
tower T, to be sufficiently or insufficiently concentrated; or I effect the re-
gulation of delivery to the tower (when in regular working) by increasing or
decreasing the thickness of the bed of fine sand in the cistern O. This arrange-
ment of apparatus is particularly suitable for the concentration of sulphuric
acid when the product is required to be obtained in the state of "rectified oil
of vitriol;" and for the concentration of such saline fluids (preparatory to
crystallization) to which the addition of any ashes or dust would be injurious;
also for the concentration of the juice of the sugar cane and other solutions
of sugar, and of, some other fluids containing vegetable compounds in solution,
such as 'tartaric acid.
In constructing the apparatus for the concentration of fluids containing
vegetable compounds, a cylindrical tower, formed of lead, tinned copper, or
other suitable metal, may be substituted for a square tower formed of flag-
stones, and the grated bottom of the tower, together with the air channels,

page_text: inay be constructed of the same metallic materials; but I have found by
experience that the materials mentioned in describing the Figures marked
1, 2, and 3 are very well suited for all these purposes.
In applying my Invention to the concentration of cane juice and other fluids
containing vegetable compounds, an important advantage is derived from such
concentration being effected with great rapidity, and at a much lower tem-
perature than is required for the concentration of such fluids by the direct
application of heat to vessels containing such fluids.
There are certain fluids consisting of saline and acid solutions (such as
alum, liquors, and copperas liquors), which are required to be concentrated
for the purpose of crystallization, but to which the addition of a small quantity
of dust or ashes would be comparatively unimportant. When I apply my
Invention to the concentration of such fluids, I prefer to substitute for the air-
heating apparatus H, herein-before described, an apparatus for the direct
application of heated air obtained by the combustion of fuel; this apparatus
is exhibited in Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the Drawings hereunto annexed. In
these several Figures the same letters of reference are used to indicate similar
parts. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section, Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical
section (taken through the dotted line a, b, of Fig. 5), and Fig. 7 is a hori-
zontal section (taken through the dotted line c, d, of Fig. 5), of this
apparatus. A, A, are four walls forming a chamber H, for the reception of
fuel; B, B, is a fire-grate, with bearers C, C, for supporting the fuel; D is a
moveable cover for closing the chamber; F, F, is a flue for passing off the
gaseous products of combustion; E is an aperture or slit for admitting air into
the flue F. G is a moveable cover for regulating the passage of air through
this aperture; I connect the flue F of these Figures with the flue E of the
Figures 1, 2, and 3, and I prefer to place this air-heating apparatus in such a
position that the flue F shall be about four feet lower than the bottom of the
tower T; I introduce burning fuel into the chamber H until it is about half
filled, and upon this I place raw fuel so as to fill the chamber, and I then
The
apply the cover D with some luting to close the top of the chamber.
ascending power of the heated air proceeding from the chamber H through
the flue F occasions a current of fresh air to pass through the fire-grate B,
and thus to maintain the combustion of the fuel on such grate. This ascending
power also causes an indraft of air through the aperture E, which mingles
with the gaseous products of combustion, and effects the burning of smoke
contained in such products. I increase or decrease the area of the aper-
ture E by means of the moveable cover G, so as to admit a greater or lesser

page_text: supply of cold air, accordingly as I find the temperature of the heated air
passing through the flue F to be suitable for my purpose. I introduce a fresh
supply of fuel, which may consist of coke or coal, into the chamber Hat
intervals, as this becomes requisite.
It will be observed that the fuel becomes gradually heated before it arrives
at the place of combustion, and thus parts with gaseous matter, which having
to percolate through burning fuel as it passes to the flue F, becomes highly
heated, and thus facilitates the combustion of smoke contained therein by
means of the fresh air with which it becomes imingled in the flue F.
I will now describe the manner in which I effect the second part of my
Invention, or that which relates to the production of sulphate of alumina,
alum, sulphate of iron, and copper or salt of copper, by the use of the material
known as "burnt pyrites." This material consists chiefly of peroxide of iron, but
it also usually contains copper; and I select such burnt pyrites as contains copper
to be used in effecting this part of my Invention. I reduce the burnt pyrites
to powder; and when I wish to make potash alum, I add to each 200 parts of
ground burnt pyrites 22 parts of chloride of potassium, 80 parts of raw pyrites
containing about 35 per cent. of sulphur, and 80 parts of clay containing
about 35 per cent. of alumina; I mix these materials together, adding
sufficient water to give cohesiveness to the mixture, and I form the mass thus
produced into balls about half the size of a man's fist. I cause these balls to
become dried, and I then introduce them into kilns constructed similarly to the
kilns used for burning pyrites in the manufacture of sulphuric acid (except that
the depth should be fully twice as great), wherein they undergo combustion.
I determine the lighting of the balls in the first place by introducing burning
fuel into the kilns, on which I place the balls; and I assist this combustion by
introducing coke or coal in small pieces into the kilns together with the balls,
regulating the quantity of coke or coal introduced to that which I find to be
sufficient to cause the balls to become of a red heat during their combustion.
I withdraw portions of the burned product from the lower part of the kilns at
intervals of about six hours, and adding 4 parts of oil of vitriol for each 100
parts of balls, I lixiviate these with hot water, and thereby obtain potash
alum in solution, also iron and copper. I precipitate copper from this solution
by means of metallic iron or by other well-known means, and I concentrate the
solution so as to obtain crystals of potash alum therefrom, which I refine, so as
to produce marketable potash alum in the same manner as such crystals are
ordinarily refined. The mother liquors of the crystallization contain proto-
chloride of iron, which can be separated therefrom by concentrating these

page_text: liquors, so that these will produce protochloride of iron by crystallization.
I prefer to use the mother liquors resulting from this second crystallization in
place of water, to mix with another batch of materials for the production
of a further quantity of alum.
By substituting common salt for chloride of potassium in the mixture
of materials used for the production of alum, I obtain soda alum in place
of potash alum, which I purify by crystallization.
When I wish to obtain sulphate of alumina instead of alum, I employ the
same mixture of materials as I have herein-before described for the production
of potash alum, except that I leave out the chloride of potassium; and I cause
the balls thus produced to undergo combustion as I have herein-before
described, and I lixiviate the product with hot water and sulphuric acid,
as I have herein-before mentioned, and thus obtain a solution containing
sulphate of alumina, sulphate of iron, and sulphate of copper.
I separate
copper therefrom by means of metallic iron, when the iron in the solution will
be reduced to the state of protosalt. I..cause this solution to be exposed.
to atmospheric air, so as to convert the protosulphate into persulphate.
of iron. (This can be accomplished by the use of such an apparatus as
I have herein described for the concentration of sulphuric acid, the solution
being passed repeatedly through the tower simultaneously with a current of
heated air, until it is found that it no longer contains protosalt of iron.
In using this apparatus for such purpose only a small quantity of. fuel
should be burned in the air-heating apparatus H.) I then add to the solution
just sufficient cream of lime to precipitate the iron therefrom, taking care not
to use an excessive quantity of this material, and keeping the mixture heated
and well stirred during such addition. I allow sulphate of lime and peroxide
of iron to subside from the mixture, and I draw off clear solution containing
sulphate of alumina, and I concentrate this solution so as to obtain solid
sulphate of alumina; or I apply it to the manufacture of alum by adding
thereto a suitable alkaline sulphate, and proceeding in the manner usually
adopted in manufacturing alum from sulphate of alumina.
When I wish to obtain sulphate of iron and copper by the use of "burnt
pyrites," I mix this material (in powder) with one-fifth of its weight of raw
pyrites, and add sufficient moistened clay to provide for the mixture being
formed into balls, which I make of about half the size of a man's fist, and I burn
these balls in kilns in the manner I have herein-before described for burning
other balls containing "burnt pyrites." I lixiviate the burnt product with hot
water, adding tlicreto 8 parts of oil of vitriol for each 100 parts of burned balls;

page_text: I thereby obtain a solution containing protosulphate of iron, persulphate of
iron, and sulphate of copper. I separate copper from this solution by means.
of metallic iron, and I concentrate the remaining solution, and obtain sulphate
of iron from it by crystallization.
I have herein-before mentioned certain materials which I have found to be
suitable for the construction of my apparatus to be applied to the concentration
of sulphuric acid and certain other fluids, and I have defined certain forms in
which I construct this apparatus; but I do not restrict myself to the use of
such particular materials, or to the particular forms herein defined, in con-
structing such apparatus, as these may be varied to a considerable extent
without deviating from the nature of my Invention. I have also stated certain
proportions in which I use certain materials to mix with "burnt pyrites," for
the purpose of obtaining certain products from such mixtures, and I have
referred to certain apparatus which I use for operating upon such mixtures;
but I do not restrict myself to the use of such materials in the exact proportions
herein defined, or to the particular apparatus herein referred to for operating
upon such mixtures, as these may be varied to a considerable extent without
deviating from the nature of my Invention.
I claim as my Invention the construction of apparatus for effecting the con-
centration of sulphuric acid and certain other fluids, which apparatus is so
arranged that the fluid undergoing concentration is caused to flow in films over
an immense number of surfaces, and so that the required concentration inay be
effected by the evaporative action of currents of heated air coming in contact
with the films of fluid as this flows over such surfaces.
I also claim as my Invention the use of the material known as "burnt
pyrites" for the production of sulphate of alumina, alum, and sulphate of iron,
or some of these compounds, by mixing this material with raw pyrites and
clay, and operating upon the mixture or mixtures so produced in the manner
herein-before described.
And, lastly, I claim as my Invention the extraction of copper or salt of
copper from the material known as "burnt pyrites," at the same time that
sulphate of alumina or sulphate of iron is obtained, by the use of such material
in the manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Herbert Gossage, have to these
Presents set and affixed my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of June,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
WILLIAM HERBERT (L.S.) GOSSAGE.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Nineteenth day of June, in
the year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid William Herbert Gossage came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.