Improvements in Apparatus for Use in Decomposing Chemical Compounds and Metallic Salts and for Desulphurizing Ores.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application. 24th June, 1889-Accepted, 7th Sept., 1889
[Communicated from abroad by ORRIN BERTON PEOK, of Room No. 418, 164, Dear-
born Street, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.]
Improvements in Apparatus for Use in Decomposing Chemical
Compounds and Metallic Salts and for Desulphurizing Ores.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex 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:-
The object of this invention is to make an apparatus that will operate to mechani-
cally decompose chemical compounds, metallic salts, and desulphurize ores, or their
resulting material, when the substances treated are in a molten state, by the action of
centrifugal force; and the invention consists in the features and details of con-
struction hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the upper portion of the apparatus, with the lower
portion in elevation, showing the operative parts.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the running gear of the main shaft taken in the
line 2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of a modified form of running gear and
Figure 4 is a side elevation of a small portion of the receiving vessel.
In making the improved apparatus for decomposing chemical compounds, metallic
salts, or salts of metals, and desulphurizing ores, we first make a receiving vessel,
preferably composed of a lining B, and a surrounding shell or case A, wrapped with
wire, as hereinafter described, and having an opening at the top, through which the
molten material to be treated is introduced. This material may consist of molten
substances, such as matte, sulphides, metallic salts or salts of metal, in their various.
forms.. The lining B, is preferably of cast iron and of a proper size and shape
externally to fit within the surrounding shell or case A, preferably made of boiler iron
or other suitable material.
By saying that the lining is to fit the case, I mean simply that it is to be of a size
and shape to be inserted therein and removed therefrom. The exterior of the lining
is also preferably provided with a number of channels, or grooves or indentations b,
to afford places where the lining and the shell of the receiving vessel will not come in
contact. And here I desire to say that in speaking of the lining I do not include the
bottom portion which will be described hereafter, although I also prefer to use these
channels or grooves in all or part of the bottom as well as in the lining proper. The
object of thus providing the lining is to decrease the conduction of heat from the
interior to the exterior shell or case of the receiving vessel. The bottom of the lining
is also preferably made of two parts. One a central portion C, on which the molten
material first falls when introduced into the receiving vessel, is preferably made of
any refractory material capable of withstanding the intense beat to which it is
subjected as the molten material falls upon it. Another portion D, preferably made
of iron, surrounds the central piece and extends therefrom to the sides of the
receiving vessel, properly fitting against both the central piece and the lining at the
outer edges serving to hold the central portion of refractory material from flying to
pieces under the action of centrifugal force. The upper portion of the lining, which
may be termed its neck or mouth, is preferably made of a piece E, surrounding the
opening and separate from the rest of the lining, so that as it becomes worn and
impared in use by the action of the molten material, which is thrown out of the

page_text: At
receiving vessel, as hereinafter explained it can be taken out and another substituted
in its place. Around the receiving vessel we provide a curb F, which is preferably
provided with an inwardly inclined hood G, covered in any convenient manner.
any convenient point below the top of the receiving vessel 1 provide a rotating table
which may be rotated in any convenient manner and upon which the material
discharged from the opening of the receiving vessel falls and is carried around to a
spout, whence it is discharged. The receiving vessel is provided with a suitable
bottom below the lining C and D, which I have described, adapted to be rigidly fixed
or fastened to an actuating shaft or spindle H, but as the arrangement of the
bottom of the receiving vessel and the method of fixing it to the spindle H, are
apparent from an examination of Figure 1. of the drawing, and as they do not form
the sole subject matter of the claims, they need not be described in detail.
As the receiving vessel is intended to be rotated at a great speed-several thousand
revolutions to the minute-and to be subjected to a great strain, owing to the weight
and heat of the material introduced into it, and the great centrifugal force developed
by the rotation of the receiving vessel and the weight of its contents, I desire to
secure special strength or capability of resisting internal pressure in the receiving
vessel as well as to secure it against instantaneous explosion or flying to pieces,
should it become over taxed by the weight or heat of the material within
it and the speed at which it is rotated. To this end I prefer to provide
the receiving vessel with a cover or envelope I, of strong wire wrapped or
coiled tightly around its exterior surface. This wire covering may consist of any
number of coils or layers of wire. The wire being of great tensile-strength and
capability of elongation or stretching before it breaks will operate to prevent the
receiving vessel from instantly going to pieces should it become overtaxed. And for
the purpose of imparting greater strength to the curbing F, and to prevent it from
breaking in case of an explosion of the receiving vessel I prefer to wrap it with wire
in the same way. Of course it will be understood that if the parts of the apparatus
be made sufficiently strong as to obviate all danger without the use of wire it may be
dispensed with, though, as an extra precaution, I prefer to use it, as above
explained.
The actuating shaft or spindle H, which rotates the receiving vessel, has a flexible
joint or coupling J, shown in Figure 1 which enables its upper portion to have
sufficient play to accommodate itself to the vibrations caused by the rotation of the
receiving vessel. To assist in maintaining it in its position and to restore it to its
vertical position as it vibrates from one side to another, springs K, may be provided
as shown in Figure 1. The lower portion of the actuating shaft H, is rigidly main-
tained in its vertical position by proper boxing, and is provided with a pulley L
which is driven by a belt connecting it with a pulley rotated by the power of the
works, and in this way the shaft and the receiving vessel are rotated.
As the receiving vessel is intended to be rotated at a speed of several thousand
revolutions a minute, and as the shaft or spindle which rotates it will revolve with
equal speed, while at the same time sustaining its weight, great friction will be pro-
duced in the bearing on which it rests and on which it revolves. To reduce the
amount of this friction, or rather to distribute it, we have divided the bearing of the
shaft into several parts or sections located between the lower end of shaft and
the stationary bearing sustaining the weight of the whole, each portion of the bearing
being separately rotatable in the direction of the shaft and provided with means to
rotate it. The shaft H, is intended to be rotated by a pulley L, connected by a band
with the pulley, on the power shaft X, which receives its rotation from the power of
the works. The pulley 1, and the shaft H, within it rotates at the same speed as the
receiving vessel. The shaft H, rests on a bearing provided with a pulley M, con-
nected by a band to a pulley m, on the shaft X, so that the bearing, containing the
pulley M, also rotates in the same direction as the shaft H, but at a less rate of
speed. The bearing containing the pulley M, also rests upon another bearing
containing a pulley N, connected by a band to a pulley n on the power shaft ✗, so

page_text: that the bearing containing the pulley N, also rotates in the same direction as the
bearing containing the pulley M, but at a less rate of speed. The bearing containing
the pulley N, also rests on another bearing containing a pulley O, connected by a
band with a pulley o, on the shaft X, so that the bearing containing the pulley O
rotates in the same direction as the bearing containing the pulley N, but at the less
rate of speed. The bearing containing the pulley O, may rest in a stationery step or
socket adapted to receive it, or in another rotating hearing, as may be desired. All
the sections of the bearings rotating in the same direction as the main shaft H, the
speed or friction produced in each section can only be the friction caused by the
difference between its rotation and the rotation of the section above it. In this way
the friction speed between the shaft and its stationary bearing may be divided as
many times as desired so that the friction speed at any one point will be too small
to occassion difficulty or injury.
As shown in Figure 2, the shaft H has a hollow pipe or extension, diminished in
diameter, which extends down through all the sections of the bearing. Of course
this diminished extension which I have indicated by the letter P, revolves at the
same rate of speed as the main portion, but as it does not sustain the weight of the
shaft H, and other parts, there is little danger of injurious friction. This extension P,
may be dispensed with entirely if other means be employed to retain the various
sections of the bearing on which the pulleys M, N and O are mounted, plumb or in
their proper vertical position. In Figure 3, we have shown such means. Each
section of the bearing, as shown in this figure, contains a socket, and the section
immediately above contains a hub or spindle, Q, which fits into such socket, so that
the various sections are retained in their vertical position. If preferred however the
sockets may be in the upper sections and fit down over hubs in the lower sections as
the order of arrangement is immaterial. To supply the bearing with oil or lubrica-
tion, I prefer to carry a pipe R, from a tank or supply and introduce it into the
vertical bearing at the bottom. The pipe extends up to near the top, as shown in
Figure 2. The oil, or lubrication overflows and passes down the inside of the pipe P,
where such pipe or extension is used, or down the inside of the bearing where it is not
used. If the pipe P be used, perforations, or holes p, are provided to enable the oil
to pass through and work down into the joints of the bearing. The passage of oil
through these perforations will be facilitated by the rotation of the pipe P, which
subjects the oil to the action of centrifugal force. If desired recesses S, may be made
in the bearing into which the oil will pass and which are capable of holding a quantity.
Outside of the bearing cups T, may be provided to receive the oil which works out
through the joints between the different sections of the bearing, whence it passes
into a pipe U, and is carried off to any desired place. Where the pipe P is dispensed
with, as in Figure 3, the oil flowing down the inside of the bearing will pass into
the joints and effect the lubrication of the parts.
In Figure 2 I have shown rings or collars V, which I prefer to make of hardened
steel and which are intended to afford the friction surface of the sections of the
bearing on which the pulleys M, N and O are mounted. As they become worn by
use they may be removed and others substituted in their place.
To remove the material not thrown off by the action of centrifugal force I prefer to
make the receiving vessel separable in the plane of its largest diameter and to
slightly incline the sides of the same to the point of separation. In Figure 1, the
line of separation is shown as between the sides of the receiving vessel and its
bottom which is also the plane of its largest diameter.
In the specification and claims I shall speak of the lower end or portion
of the actuating shaft H, but 1 desire it understood that, by the lower
portion or end, I mean that portion of the shaft which engages with the bearing
by which the shaft and the receiving vessel are supported and rotated. I also speak
of the bearing being divided into a number of sections, but I desire it under-
stood that I do not limit myself to any particular number of sections. As the
object of dividing the bearing into sections is to distribute the friction speed of the

page_text: shaft it is obvious that this will be accomplished to a certain extent if the bearing be
divided into but two sections, one of which rotates in the direction of the rotation of
the shaft, but at a less rate of speed, and in the specification and claims I desire
when speaking of the number of sections to include one or more intermediate or
rotating sections.
I shall also in some of the claims claim for a bottom of refractory material in that
spot where the molten material falls. By this I mean a composition or material of
greater refractory quality than cast-iron as fire clay for example.
In operation the material to be treated is introduced into the receiving vessel in a
molten state. This vessel is rotated at a high rate of speed so that there will be
produced a very great amount of centrifugal force or action which will decompose
the material being treated to a greater or less extent and cause its heavier portions
to pass to the sides of the receiving vessel, and its lighter to pass to the central
portion of the vessel. As the material flows in and the vessel becomes filled the
central or lighter portion of the material will over flow through the neck or mouth E,
of the receiving vessel, and be thrown against the curbing F, whence it will fall on
the rotating table and be carried off. After the operation is continued as long as
desirable, or until a sufficient quantity of the heavier portions of the material has
been deposited around the sides of the receiving vessel the inflow of the molten
material is stopped and the portion deposited around the sides of the receiving vessel
is removed by taking out the bottom of the vessel or in any other desirable way.
The operation is again begun as before. In this way I am able to decompose and
separate the material treated into its component parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
:-
First. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desul-
phurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted receive molten material to be treated, comprising a surrounding
shell or case and a lining of an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the
surrounding shell or case and provided with a neck or mouth separable from the main
portion of the lining and removable from the surrounding shell or case, and means
for revolving said vessel, substantially as described.
Second. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, comprising a surrounding
shell or case and a lining of an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the
surrounding shell or case and provided with channels, grooves or indentations to
diminish the surface contact between the lining and the shell or case and provided
with a neck or mouth separable from the main portion of the lining and removable
from the surrounding shell or case and means for revolving said vessel, substantially
as described.
Third. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desul-
phurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, an encasing cover or envelope
of wire wrapped or coiled around said vessel and means for revolving said vessel,
substantially as described.
Fourth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated and separable in the plane of
its largest diameter, an encasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around
said vessel and means for rotating said vessel, substantially as described.
Fifth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desul-
phurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving vessel
adapted to receive molten material to be treated, comprising a surrounding shell on

page_text: case provided with an encasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around
said shell or case and a lining of an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the
surrounding shell or case, and means for revolving said vessel, substantially as
described.
Sixth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desul-
phurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated and separable in the plane of
its largest diameter, comprising a surrounding shell or case provided with an encasing
cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around said shell or case and a lining of
an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the surrounding shell or case, and
means for revolving said vessel, substantially as described.
Seventh. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, comprising a surrounding
shell or case provided with an encasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled
around said shell or case and a lining of an exterior size and shape to fit the interior
of the surrounding shell or case and provided with channels, grooves or indentations
to diminish the surface contact between the lining and the shell or case, substantially
as described.
Eighth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desul-
phurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated and separable in the plane of
its largest diameter, comprising a surrounding shell or case provided with an encasing
cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around said shell or case and a lining of
an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the surrounding shell or case and
provided with channels, grooves or indentations to diminish the surface contact
between the lining and the shell or case, and means for revolving said vessel, sub-
stantially as described.
Ninth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desul-
phurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble, receiving
vessel adapted to receive the molten material to be treated, comprising a surrounding
shell or case having an encasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around
said shell or case and a lining of an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the
surrounding shell or case and provided with a neck or mouth separable from the main
portion of the lining and removable from the shell or case, and means for revolving
said vessel, substantially as described.
-
Tenth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desul-
phurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive the molten material to be treated, a bottom in said vessel
composed of refractory material or material capable of withstanding great heat in that
spot where the molten material falls a removable ring or collar forming the outer rim
of the bottom and extending from the central portion of refractory material to the
side of the receiving vessel, and separable therefrom and means for. revolving said
vessel, substantially as described.
Eleventh. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive the molten material to be treated, and a surrounding curb
having an encasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around said curb,
substantially as described.
Twelfth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive the molten material to be treated, a revoluble actuating
shaft rotating said vessel as it revolves, a divided bearing for the lower end or portion
of the actuating shaft comprising a stationary section and a number of sections
respectively rotatable in the direction of the rotation of the actuating shaft, such
sections being provided with sockets and hubs, the hubs fitting and rotating in the

page_text: sockets, whereby the various sections are maintained in their vertical position and
.means for rotating the actuating shaft, substantially as described.
Thirteenth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
Ivessel adapted to receive the molten material to be treated, a revoluble actuating
shaft rotating said vessel as it revolves and having a hollow perforated lower
extension diminished in diameter, a divided bearing for the lower end or portion of
the actuating shaft, comprising a number of sections with a hole through them
receiving the hollow lower diminished extension of the actuating shaft and being
respectively rotatable in the direction of the rotation of the actuating shaft, a pipe
entering said hollow diminished extension and introducing oil therein and means for
rotating the actuating shaft, substantially as described.
Dated this 24th day of June 1880
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.