Process for the Production of Metallic Antimony.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 11th July, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 8th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by the firm of RUDOLPH KOEPP & Co., of Oestrich,
of Rhein, Germany.]
Process for the Production of Metallic Antimony.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane
in the County of London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
A process for the production of metallic antimony from its ores has been proposed
by W. Borchers consisting in the treatment of the ores with sodium sulphite
solution and electro deposition of the antimony from the alkaline solution of its
sulpho salt. For manufacturing on a commercial scale however this process has
not proved successful (see Borchers' Electrometallurgy 1891 § 153).
The present invention relates to a simple and cheaper electrolytic process for
obtaining metallic antimony by treating antimony ores with iron oxide salt
solutions, and electrolytically separating the metallic antimony from its acid
solution.
In a similar manner to other sulphides, antimony sulphide is decomposed by iron
oxide salts, the antimony oxide being dissolved under reduction of the ferric oxide
to ferrous oxide and separation of sulphur. Iron chloride for example acts accord-
ing to the formula:
6 FeCl + Sb₂S, = 6 FeCl2 + Sb,Cl + 3S.
The reaction takes place quantitatively and very rapidly if some free hydrochloric
acid or preferably a halogen salt such as sodium chloride, be added.
The antimony solution thus obtained is thus caused to pass to the cathodes of an
electrolytic bath, separated from the anodes by a diaphragm; to the anodes on the
other hand is passed the ferrous chloride solution free from antimony.
While the antimony is precipitated at the negative electrode, ferrous chloride is
at the same time oxidised at the positive electrode and regenerated to ferric
chloride. The ferric chloride is then again used for dissolving fresh quantities of
the antimony compounds.
The anodes and cathodes may be of lead.
The electrolyte is preferably heated to about 50° C. and is kept in motion.
If it be desired to deposit the antimony in a solid (i.e. not in a spongy) condition
upon the cathode, a current concentration of about 40 ampéres pro square metre
may be employed with advantage.
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ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Process for the Production of Metallic Antimony.
1, CHARLES DENTON ABEL of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane in the County of London, Chartered Patent Agent 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 :-
A process for the production of metallic antimony from its ores has been
proposed by W. Borchers consisting in the treatment of the ores with sodium
sulphite solution and electro-deposition of the antimony from the alkaline solution
Pruce 8d

page_text: of its sulpho salt. For manufacturing on a commercial scale, however, this process
has not proved successful (see Borchers' Electrometallurgy 1891 § 153).
The present invention relates to a simpler and cheaper electrolytic process for
obtaining metallic antimony by treating antimony ores with iron oxide salt
solution, and electrolytically separating the metallic antimony from its acid
solution.
Like other sulphides, antimony sulphide is decomposed by iron oxide salts, the
antimony oxide being dissolved, under reduction of the ferric oxide to ferrous oxide,
and separation of sulphur. Iron chloride for example acts according to the formula:
6 (FeCl3) + Sb,S, = 6 (FeCl2) + Sb,Cl₁ + 3 S.
The reaction takes place quantitatively and, very rapidly if some free hydro-
chloric acid, or, preferably a balogen salt such as sodium chloride, be added.
The antimony solution thus obtained is then caused to pass to the cathodes of an
electrolytic bath, separated from the anodes by a diaphragm; to the anodes on the
other hand is passed the ferrous chloride solution free from antimony.
While the antimony is precipitated at the negative electrode, ferrous chloride is
at the same time oxidised at the positive electrode and regenerated to ferric
chloride. The ferric chloride is then again used for dissolving fresh quantities of
the antimony compounds.
The anodes and cathodes may be of lead.
The electrolyte is preferably heated to about 50° C., and is kept in motion.
If it be desired to deposit the antimony in a solid (that is not in a spongy)
condition upon the cathode, a current of about 40 ampères per square metre may
be employed with advantage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
The herein described process for producing antimony by treating antimony
sulphide ores with iron oxide salts alone or in presence of haloid salts, and electro-
lytically separating the antimony, at the same time oxidising the ferrous chloride
to reproduce ferric chloride.
Dated this 8th day of March 1893.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.