A New or Improved Electrolytic Process and Apparatus for the Pro- duction of Chemically Pure Cupric Sulphate and Copper.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1899-Accepted, 23rd Sept.,
1899
A New or Improved Electrolytic Process and Apparatus for the Pro-
duction of Chemically Pure Cupric Sulphate and Copper.
I, ERNEST FRENOT, Electrical Engineer, of 88, Rue des Boulets, Paris, in the
Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a new or improved process and apparatus for simul-
taneously obtaining by electrolytic means chemically pure sulphate of copper and
copper, this process being particularly characterized by its rapidity and thorough-
ness.
In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a general view of the apparatus,
Figure 2 being a separate view showing the peculiar arrangement of the electrodes.
The electrolyte is placed in the bath B provided with an inlet pipe A. When the
stop-cock C is open, the electrolyte runs into the lower bath D in which the
modelling takes place. For this purpose a frame A¹ fitted with the electrodes B¹
and D is arranged inside the bath D (see Figure 2). The anode D¹ is firmly held
by claws or clips capable of revolving freely within a bearing E¹ secured to each
end of the bath D. The rotation of the clips and of the anode secured thereby
may be carried on by means of a toothed or sprocket wheel G actuated in any
suitable manner. The anode D may assume in this case the shape of a crude
copper bar. The cathode B is composed of several copper laths arranged in
a symmetrical position relatively to the anode in such a manner that they may
be moved one towards the other or one away from the other. As the electric
current passes (the intensity of which should preferably be from 100 to
150 amperes) the copper anode is rapidly decomposed and this decomposition is
greatly enhanced by causing the anode to revolve. Sulphate of copper is thus
formed at the anode while chemically pure copper is deposited at the cathode B'.
As soon as the latter is loaded to the required extent with chemically pure copper,
it is replaced by a fresh electrode likewise made up of copper laths. Should a
thicker deposit of cupric sulphate be required, the cathode is moved away from
the anode while in the contrary case when a thicker deposit of copper is required
at the cathode B', the two electrodes are moved one towards the other..
As, in this apparatus the copper anode is subject to a refining action, an anode
of very crude and impure copper may be used and this as compared with former
apparatus of this kind constitutes an important progress.
As soon as the electrolytic bath is so saturated as to have almost reached the
crystallisation point, the cock E is opened and the cupric sulphate solution is
allowed to run off in the vat F wherein the crystallisation proceeds rapidly.
In order to extract bye products such as silver, gold and the like, the outlet
opening of the bath D is arranged at about 4 inches above the bottom of the
atter so that these products may remain as a residuum on such bottom.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
A process and apparatus for the extraction of chemically pure sulphate of
copper and copper by electrolysis, consisting of the upper bath. B containing the
electrolyte which is fed to the lower bath 1 containing the electrodes comprising
a revolving copper anode and a cathode arranged symmetrically relatively to the
former the distance between these two electrodes being adjustable and the vat F
serving for the crystallisation of the saturated electrolyte, substantially as herein
described and shown.
Dated this 27th day of July 1899
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc.M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.