An Improved Amalgamator.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Amalgamator.
I, JOHN ELWELL SUTPHEN, of the City and County of Albany, State of New
York, United States of America, Gold and Silver Refiner, Assayer and Smelter, 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;-
My invention has for its objects to provide an amalgamator of ores of gold
and silver, and sands and products containing gold and silver, adapted to readily and
economically extract the precious metals from gold and silver bearing ores, and
consists of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings; in which Figure 1
is a side view of an amalgamator embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a vertical
longitudinal section of the device shown in Figure 1 taken on the axial line of the
cylinder. Figure 3 is a vertical cross section taken on line of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a roller adapted to work within the cylinder of the
amalgamator. Figure 5 is an end view of the roller shown in Figure 4. Figure 6
is an elevation of the inner surface of an inner cylinder head.
As illustrated in the drawings, A represents an outer shell or cylinder provided
with longitudinal apertures, a, and with laterally extending flanges, B. This
cylinder is also provided with hand hole plates, C, preferably arranged opposite
each other, and having their central portion depressed and curved so as to form a
smooth and even inner surface in harmony with the inner curved surface of the
cylinder as shown in Figure 3. The outer portion of these hand hole plates is
provided with a flange, c, which bears against, and by means of suitable bolts and
nuts, is detachably secured to the corresponding flange, a¹, formed on, or secured
to, the shell or cylinder, A. D represents an inner cylinder head having a solid
central portion and at its outer edge is provided with bolt holes which are arranged
in line with the corresponding -bolt holes formed on the outer flanges, B, of the
cylinder, A. This head, D, is preferably reduced at its outer edge so as to form
a shoulder, d, at the part where it bears against the inner portion of the cylinder, A,
so as to extend in part into said cylinder. Openings, d, are also formed in the
outer portion of the head, D, arranged in line with the apertures, a, of the
cylinder. The outer cylinder head, E, is secured to the end of the cylinder, A,
next to the inner head, D, of the cylinder, and is provided on its outer edge with
bolt-holes registering with the corresponding bolt-holes in the outer portion of the
inner head, D, and cylinder flange, B, respectively. The outer portion of these
outer heads, E, is provided with an offset ring, e, which places the main portion
of the outer head, E, at a distance from the inner head, D, of the cylinder, thereby
forming a heat chamber, F, between such inner and outer heads. The central
portion of this outer head, E, is provided with trunnions, G, hollowed out so as to
connect with the inner steam or heat chamber, F, herein before described. These
trunnions, G, are journalled on suitable standards, H, provided with journal
bearings, I. A driving pulley, K, is secured to one or both of said trunnions.
The end of the trunnions, G, are also provided with suitable couplings, L, adapted
Γ ' 077

page_text: to admit heat in the form of steam or air into the heat chamber, F. M represents
a roller arranged within the cylinder, and of a length smaller than the interior of
such cylinder; and its outer surface together with the inner surface of the
cylinder are finished to such a degree of smoothness that such roller will revolve
upon the inner surface of the cylinder without jars or concussion.
When the device is in operation, the ore or sand, reduced to a powder and mixed
with suitable chemicals and with sufficient moisture to reduce the mass to a pulp, is
placed within the cylinder, A, through the hand holes, the usual quantity of mer-
cury is also placed in the cylinder with the pulp. The cylinder is then revolved
slowly while the heat is applied to the end chambers, F, of the cylinder and the
connecting apertures, a. The heat expands the mercury, quickens its action and
increases the affinity between the mercury and the particles of gold and silver,
and the gentle and even pressure of the roller brings such mercury in close contact
with the mass, and thereby facilitates the action of the mercury upon the precious
metals. By this means pressure is exerted upon the ore and mercury without
producing any concussion or jars thereby avoiding the bad results produced in
prior devices of this nature, which have subjected the mercury to jars and con-
cussions to such an extent as to cause the mercury to form in fine globules which
become suspended and sometimes are carried away and lost, and when the mercury
is in such separated or floured condition its amalgamating power and properties
are lost or greatly impaired; whereas in my device the mercury is subjected to a
gentle and even pressure which produces the most efficient results in the most
economical manner.
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
In an amalgamator, the combination of the closed revolving cylinder, the heat
receptacles arranged about the said cylinder, and a roller within said cylinder,
whereby heat and an even steady pressure can be simultaneously applied to a mass
of pulp located within said cylinder substantially as shown and described.
Tad 2141 1.…….
Ostalo 1000
JOHN ELWELL SUTPHEN,
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicant.