Year: 1888

page_text: I, ALBERT BERWICK CUNNINGHAM, of 85, Arlington Street, Islington, in the
county of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention chiefly relates to the manufacture of sodium and comprises the
improvements hereinafter described.
In carrying my invention into practice I melt any required quantity of caustic
soda in a suitable vessel and preferably one composed of iron. When the mass is in
a molten state I introduce and intimately mix therewith carbon in a pulverized state,
but not in sufficient quantity to destroy the liquidity.
The mass prepared as above described and whilst in a liquid condition is gradually
introduced into an iron retort previously heated to say a bright red heat in which,
owing to the high temperature, the reduction of the mass takes place, the resulting
sodium fumes being conducted away and condensed in any suitable manner.
The residue of the reduction which consists chiefly of carbonate and carbon is
preferably discharged intermittently or continuously at the opposite end of the retort
from that through which the mass entered.
As the reduction takes place almost instantaneously it will be understood that the
process can be worked continually the charge being introduced at one end of the
retort and the residue removed at the other end.
Although I have described the manufacture of sodium it is to be understood that
potassium can be produced in the same manner by substituting caustic potash for the
caustic soda.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Sodium and Potassium.
I, ALBERT BERWICK CUNNINGHAM, of 85 Arlington Street, Islington, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, 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.:-
In the processes hitherto known for the production of sodium from caustic soda, the
latter as well as the carbonaceous matter serving for its reduction are introduced into
the retort or other vessel used for the process without previous preparation, the caustic
soda either being mixed in a pulverulent state with the carbon or being introduced
in a molten state into the retort containing the carbon.
In either case a more or less violent ebullition of the charge takes place in the
hot retort, caused by the evolving vapours, and the charge rises in the retort and
easily chokes up the passage to the condenser; consequently, the only outlet for
the gases being closed, there arises a great danger of explosions taking place,
not to speak of great inconvenience to the workmen or others engaged in the
manufacture.
The object of my invention is to avoid these disadvantages by preparing the charge
in a proper manner previous to its introduction into the retort or other reducing
vessel.
For this purpose I melt the required quantity of caustic soda in an open iron vessel
which allows a free escape of the vapours. When the mass is in a molten state, I
introduce and intimately mix therewith carbon in a pulverized state, but not in
sufficient quantity to destroy the liquidity. The charge prepared in this manner is
then, whilst still in a liquid state, gradually introduced into an iron retort previously
heated to a bright red heat, and the reduction of the sodium takes place immediately,
the resulting sodium-fumes being conducted away and condensed in any suitable
manner. The residue of the reduction, which consists chiefly of carbonate of soda
and carbon, is either discharged continuously or preferably intermittently through an
outlet in the retort. When the retort is empty, the outlet is closed and the operation
repeated.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown apparatus suitable for the purpose of
my invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, and
Figure 2 a transverse section through the retort.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section, illustrating a modification of my invention.
A is the furnace, a the retort; b, c are covers to be luted to the said retort. d is a
funnel for the introduction of the molten charge (caustic alkali and carbonaceous
matter) into the retort. e is an iron stopper which is screwed into the outlet-pipe el
and may be withdrawn when necessary to permit the discharge of the residue. fis
the condenser. g is a carriage to receive the residue. h is a vessel to receive the
metallic sodium.

page_text: If a continuous discharge of the residue is desired, an outlet i should be provided
at the end opposite to the entrance for the charge, below the opening to the condenser,
as shown in Figure 3.
Although I have described the manufacture of sodium, it is to be understood that
potassium can be produced in the same manner by substituting caustic potash for the
caustic soda.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood that
I claim -
First. In the manufacture of sodium or other alkaline metal, the process consisting
of the separate preparation of the mixture of fused caustic and carbonaceous matter
and the subsequent gradual introduction of the same into the distilling vessel,
substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Second. In the manufacture of sodium or other alkaline metal, the process
consisting of the separate preparation of the mixture of fused caustic and carbonaceous
matter and the subsequent gradual introduction of the same into the distilling vessel
with the provision for the intermittent or continuous withdrawal of the residue, as,
and for the purpose, described.
Dated this 12th day of September 1888.
A. B. CUNNINGHAM.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.