Improvements in the Manufacture of Iron, Steel, or Copper, and a Material to be used in the said Manufacture.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 16th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 17th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Iron, Steel, or Copper, and a
Material to be used in the said Manufacture.
We AUGUSTUS FIGGE of Hameln in the Empire of Germany, Civil Engineer,
and PERCY WOOD of Halifax, Yorkshire Manufacturer do hereby declare the
nature of our invention to be as follows:-
Our invention consists in the preparation and use of a mixture which will assist
in the reduction and purification of iron steel or copper from metallic ores or
other materials containing them so that an improved character of metal is
obtained.
.
According to our invention we compound the mixture of native emery, or
corundum, manganese-ore, caustic lime, and micaceous mineral (such as muscovite,
phlogopite, or biotite) in proportions which vary according to the nature of,
or impurities contained in the ore, or metal, to be treated. These substances
are reduced to a state of division by any suitable means and are thoroughly
admixed with the molten metal or with the ore to be treated. The mixture may
be first pressed if desired into suitable forms ready for smelting or reduction in the
blast or other suitable furnace any suitable conglomerating material being
employed to facilitate the pressing.
We do not limit ourselves to the precise proportions of the constituents named
but the following proportions (the parts being by weight) we have found to
well
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Iron, Steel, or Copper, and a
Material to be used in the said Manufacture.
We, AUGUSTUS FIGGE of Hameln in the Empire of Germany, Civil Engineer,
and PERCY WOOD of Halifax in the County of York Manufacturer do hereby
declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention consists in the manufacture and use of a mixture which will
assist in the purification of iron, steel or copper, and their reduction from metallic
ores, or other materials containing them, so that an improved character of metal
is obtained. According to this invention we compound the mixture of native
emery, or corundum, (or equivalent material rich in alumina) manganese-ore; lime,
(preferably caustic lime); and micaceous mineral; (such as muscovite phlogaphite
.or biotite,) in proportions which may vary according to the nature of, or impurities
contained in the ore, or metal, to be treated. In cases where the ores, or

page_text: materials, to be treated are very refractory and where the amount of natural
alkaline matter contained in the micaceous mineral employed is not sufficient
to overcome the refractory nature of such ores, or materials, additional alkaline
matter; such as potash, soda or alum, may be added to make up the deficiency.
The substances constituting the aforesaid mixture are reduced to a state of
division by any suitable means, and the mixture may then be pressed if desired
into suitable forms, ready for use in a furnace any suitable agglomerating material,
being employed to facilitate the pressing. The mixture is introduced into the
smelting, or reduction furnace with the ore, or metal to be treated, and is reduced
therewith, in the ordinary way, with coke. During the reduction process the
mixture exercises a highly purifying influence on the metal under treatment
by producing increased liquidity and a quicker separation of the metal from
adherent impurities. Where quick reduction is desired the lime used should be
caustic lime, but limestone may be used although then the operation takes longer
and the metal is not so fluid and pure. We do not limit ourselves to the precise
proportions of the constituents named, as this will be governed by the nature, and
purity of the mineral or metal to be treated, and the degree of hardness of the
metal desired to be produced, but the following proportious, (the parts being by
weight) we have found to answer well for the production of iron from iron ore
where metal of a soft but tough quality is desired viz. :-
For obtaining iron of a superior quality from iron pyrites, whose sulphur has
been previously extracted by roasting, the following mixture we have found to
answer well.
Native emery or corundum -
Manganese ore
Caustic lime
Micaceous mineral
-
10 parts.
5
"
45
"
30
"
The metal obtained by the means hereinbefore described is very pure and
possesses high class qualities.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our, inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In the manufacture of iron, steel or copper, the employment in the smelting
or reduction of iron or copper ores, or the purification of iron, steel or copper; of
a mixture, or flux, consisting of, or containing micaceous mineral in conjunction
with lime, emery, or corundum, (or equivalent material rich in alumina) and
manganese ore, substantially as hereinbefore described.
•
2. In the manufacture of iron, steel or copper, the employment in the smelting
or reduction of iron, or copper ores or the purification of iron steel or copper, of a
mixture, or flux, of the materials in, or about the proportions hereinbefore given
.in.the examples, for the purposes of obtaining metals of the kinds mentioned with
regard to each.

page_text: 3. As a material, or flux, to be used in the manufacture or production of iron,
steel, or copper, a mixture consisting of or containing micaceous mineral, lime,
emery, or corundum, (or equivalent material rich in alumina) and manganese ore,
substantially as hereinbefore explained.
Dated this 16th day of September 1892.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.