Improvements in the Preparation of Sulphur.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 21st Mar., 195-Accepted, 27th Aor., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Preparation of Sulphur.
GEORGE STACEY ALBRIGHT of Oldbury in the County of Worcester
Gentleman and JOHN JAMES Hoop of 21 Shepherds Bush Road in the County
of Middlesex Doctor of Science do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
These improvements relate to the preparation and purification of sulphur
residues obtained from gas works, as well as to all other forms of crude sulphur,
which is more or less of a dark colour due to the presence of organic matters.
The residues which we treat may be either those obtained from the fouled oxide
of iron or the Weldon mud of gas works, after the greater portion of the mineral
natter has been dissolved out by means of acid, and which residues have been
pressed and either dried or partially dried, or we may deal with the fouled
materials before acid treatment or further any other form of crude sulphur which
is contaminated with organic or tarry mattere.
The crude sulphur, or sulphur residues are introduced into a suitably covered
vessel having an exit pipe to carry away the gaseous and volatile products of
decomposition, and which may be adapted with stirring arrangements, so that the
mass may be kept in a constant state of agitation, whilst the vessel is slightly
heated to a tenperature slightly under the distilling point of sulphur and
maintained at this temperature for sometime.
We find that a temperature of about 700° F. for about six hours is sufficient to
attain the desired end. During this heating much of the organic matter distils
off, whilst that portion which is not so volatile but which would distil over with
the sulphur if the above-described digestion were not carried out, re-acts upon
the sulphur, evolving sulphuretted-hydrogen, and depositing non-volatile carbon.
The gaseous and volatile products of decomposition may be collected and utilised
for the production of ammonia, or for other purposes. The melted contents of
the covered vessel are next heated to the higher temperature, and the sulphur
either distilled from this vessel into an adjoining chamber in the manner usual for
the production of brimstone, or the melted contents are run direct into a retort
communicating with such a chamber for the condensation of the sulphur vapour.
Or, the melted mass may be run into sulphur burners and the sulphur burnt off
for the manufacture of sulphuric acid.
The quantity, as well as the quality of the colouring organic or tarry matters
which contaminate the sulphur inay of course modify the temperature and length
of time that we allow the melted mass to digest, but in each case the result to
be obtained is the same, namely, the dissociation of the hydro carbons, which cover
the sulphur, into free non-volatile carbon, and hydrogen which unites with the
sulphur, and is evolved as sulphuretted hydrogen gas.
Dated this 20th day of June 1894.
ERNEST SALAMAN,
Pinner's Hall, Great Winchester Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for Applicants.

page_text: GEORGE STACEY ALBRIGHT of Oldbury in the County of Worcester
Gentleman and Jons JAMES Hoop of 21 Shepherds Bush Road in the County of
Middlesex Doctor of Science do hereby declare the unture 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 :—
These improvements relate to the preparation and purification of sulphur
residues obtained from gas works, as well as to all other forms of crude sulphur,
which is more or less of a dark colour due to the presence of organic matters.
The residues which we treat may be either those obtained from the fouled oxide
of iron or the Weldon mud of gas works, after the greater portion of the mineral
matter has been dissolved out by means of acid, and which residues have been
pressed and either dried or partially dried, or we may deal with the fouled
materials before acid treatinent, or further any other form of crude sulphur
which is contaminated with carbonaceous or tarry matters.
The crude sulphur or sulphur residues are introduced into a suitably covered
vessel having an exit pipe to carry away the gaseous and volatile products of
decomposition, and which may be adapted with stirring arrangements, so that
the mass may he kept in a constant state of agitation, whilst the vessel is carefully
heated to a temperature slightly under the distilling point of sulphur and maintained
at this temperature for some time.
We find that a temperature of about 700° Fahrenheit for about six hours is
sufficient to attain the desired end. During this heating much of the organic
matter distils off, whilst that portion which is not so volatile but which would
distil over with the sulphur if the above described digestion were not carried out,
re-acts upon the sulphur, evolving sulphuretted hydrogen, and depositing non-
volatile carbon.
The gaseous and volatile products of decomposition may be collected and
utilised for the production of ammouin when compounds of this body contaminate
the crude sulphur, or for other purposes. The melted contents of the covered
vessel are next heated to the higher temperature, and the sulphur either distilled
from this vessel into an adjoining chamber in the manner usual for the production
of brimstone, or the melted contents are run direct into a retort communicating
with such a chamber for the condensation of the sulphur vapour. Or, the melted
mass may be run into sulphur burners and the sulphur burnt off for the manufacture
of sulphuric acid.
The quantity, as well as the quality of the colouring organic or tarry matters
which contaminate the sulphur may of course modify the temperature and length
of time that we allow the melted mass to digest but in each ense the result to be
obtained is the same, namely, the dissociation of the hydro-carbons, which contaminate
the sulphur, into free non-volatile carbon, and hydrogen, this latter uniting with
the sulphur, and being evolved as sulphuretted hydrogen gas.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
The improved process of the purification of sulphur residues obtained from gas

page_text: works and other forms of sulphur contaminated with carbonaceous or tarry matters
substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
Dated this 21st day of March 1895.
ERNEST
SALAMAN,
Pinner's Hall, Great Winchester Street, E.C.,
Agent for Applicants.