AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND TREATING METALS AND EXTRACTING THEM FROM ORES, MATTS OR ALL OTHER SUBSTANCES CONTAINING THEM BY MEANS OF ELECTROLYSIS, WHICH INVENTION IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Renner Cassel, of the City and State of New
York, United States of America, temporarily of 41 Southampton Buildings,
Holborn, in the County of Middlesex for an Invention of "AN IMPROVED
PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND TREATING METALS AND
EXTRACTING THEM FROM ORES, MATTS OR ALL OTHER SUBSTANCES CONTAINING
THEM BY MEANS OF ELECTROLYSIS, WHICH INVENTION IS ALSO APPLICABLE
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Renner Cassel at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1883.
HENRY RENNER CASSEL, of the City and State of New York, United States of
America, temporarily of 41 Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND TREATING
METALS AND EXTRACTING THEM FROM ORES, MATTS OR ALL OTHER SUBSTANCES
CONTAINING THEM BY MEANS OF ELECTROLYSIS, WHICH INVENTION IS ALSO
APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES
บ
Metals, matts, ores or substances containing Gold, Silver, Copper or other metals
can easily be separated and the finer metals extracted therefrom by means of
Electrolysis, provided a proper solvent be used and a suitable apparatus be adopted
for the purpose.
It is well known that Chlorine or Bromine will attack all metals and that the
finely divided metallic Gold in the ores etc. is readily converted into Chlorido or
Bromido when in presence of these elements and it is also well known that the
action of the Chlorine or Bromine in the nascent state is much more rapid and
effective than when separately generated.
My object is to generate not alone the nascent Chlorine or Bromine but also
Oxygen at the same time in a suitable apparatus by means of Electrolysis,
whereby the metals are rapidly dissolved and thus easily separated from the ores
or substances containing them and from .cach other. I propose to effect this by
means of salts or acids in solution or any other suitable chemical capable of
generating these elements by electrolytic decomposition. A solution of Chloride
Drain 1

page_text: of Sodium for instance or sea water alone are excellent electrolytes and solvents
for the metals and both cheap and readily obtainable throughout the world.
The apparatus to be used in connection with a Dynamo machine or other
suitable source of electricity may be of various forms and sizes and may be made
on different principles.
1. With the object of dissolving the metals and of keeping them in solution by
preventing them being precipitated at the negative pole.
2. By allowing the dissolved metals to reach the negative pole to be precipitated
there, but preventing the minerals or substances containing the metals to come in
contact with the negative pole.
3. By a combination of both the foregoing principles, whereby the dissolved
metals are kept in solution and the partly saturated solution is drawn off into a
suitable vat or other vessel for special treatment and then conducted to the
negative pole to bo precipitated there, or the partly saturated solution may be
conducted by overflow or otherwise directly to the negative compartment. In 1
this case fresh solution may be supplied to replace the saturated solution
withdrawn.
4. Two separate vats or other vessels may be used, one for the positive pole into
which tho materials to be treated are placed, and one for the negative pole, both
containing the necessary solution and both being connected by means of glass
pipes, rubber pipes or other suitable pipes or tubes, strips of asbestos or cloth, or
such like material which has the quality of retaining or conducting liquids by
capillarity as may be most convenient.
5. Three separate vessels may be used, one for the positive pole as above
mentioned, one for the negative pole, and hoth these being connected with the
third or middle one by means of pipes or tubes or otherwise as above described.
4. 6. A single vat or vessel may be used with a perforated false bottom made of
either wood or other suitable material, over which felt or cloth or asbestos or
mineral slag wool or anything acting like a filter may be laid upon which the
material to be treated is placed. The positive pole being placed under the false
bottom, the nascent chlorine generated there will penetrate through the material
placed over the false bottom to perform the desired functions. The negative pole
is placed in the upper compartment and may or may not be protected by a dialytic
covering. The poles may also be placed vice versa.
7. A single vat or vessel may be used having one or more porous or non-porous
.partitions, tho partitions being lower than the sides of the vessel so that the
solution may overflow from one compartment into the other and the dissolved
metal reach the negative pole to be there precipitated, or the partitions may be
of the same height or higher than the sides of the vessel in which case they inust
be perforated.
'
In all these different principles the decomposition of the metals is most readily
effected when the ores or substances containing the metals are continuously kept
in motion by stirring or otherwise to enable the Chlorine to easily penetrate the
mass and to reach every particle of metal contained therein. To accomplish this
result I propose to use stirrers made of Carbon or Graphite or any other suitable
conductive material, which being connected with the Dynamo machine forms at
the same time the positive pole, or a non-conductive material may be employed
for stirring, or the positive compartment may be made to revolve or otherwise
kept in continual motion.
For the positive pole, however, I prefer using Carbon or Graphite, as other
conductive materials are easily decomposed by the nascent Chlorine or Oxygen,
or both.
1. The object of principle N° 1 can be effected by interposing between the two
poles a porous material through which the electric current and hydrogen penetrates,
but which prevents the mixture of the solutions and also prevents the dissolved
metal from reaching the negative pole. Porous Clay, Wood, Asbestos, Leather,
Plaster of Paris, dense textile fabrics or any other suitable material may be

page_text: employed for this purpose. These materials act partly as dialysers by separating
the positive and negative elements.
Hydrogen, the positive element, in passing through the dialyser, combines with
a chemical equivalent of elements like Arsenic, Phosphor, Tellurium, Palladium,
Sulphur etc. The apparatus may be made of any convenient form or size and
the dialysers and stirrers may be placed therein either horizontally or vertically
or in any other desired position. In order to enable the stirrers to move the whole
mass I prefer to make the dialysers in half circular or circular form and the
revolving stirring apparatus to fit into the half or whole circle and standing in
any desired position. For the purpose of preventing the oscape of Chlorine and "
also to partly compress this element propose to place an airtight fitting covering,
over the positive compartment. The nascent Chlorine and Oxygen generated by
the electric current combine with the metals at the positive pole, and the chlorides
thus formed are dissolved in the solution.
2. The object of principle N° 2 can be effected by interposing between the poles,
textile fabrics, asbestos, hair-cloth, mineral wool or any other convenient or suitable
material, singly or in combination, capable of acting like a filter. The metals being
dissolved pass through the filter to the negative pole or cathode and are there
precipitated by the hydrogen. The minerals, however, and all other substances
which are not dissolved are retained by the filter; the metals can, therefore, easily
and wholly be abstracted from all substances containing them. The filter may be
placed in any desired position.
3. In principle N° 3 the metals are kept in solution by the dialysers; the
solution is drawn off for the purpose of precipitating the finer metals, if any,
contained therein, and is then conducted into the negative compartment where the
baser metals are precipitated, whereby the solution becomes liberated of all metal
and can be used over again.
,
In principles 4 and 5 the metals are dissolved in the positive compartment and,
the saturated solution may be continuously withdrawn, fresh solution being also.
continuously supplied, or the solution may be entirely withdrawn after being fully.
saturated. The pipes or tubes or material described serve to connect the differont
compartments. The smaller the size of the pipe or pipes the greater tho resistanco,:
and if placed and used like syphons over the sides of the vessels thus connecting,
them they will partly act as dialysers. The pipes may also be fitted into and-
through the sides of the vessels below the top thereof and below the surface of the
solution. The pipe or pipes may be of sufficient size to enable the metals in
solution to pass into the negative compartiment to be precipitated therein.
Where three vessels are used the middle one being connected with the negative.
and positive vessels or compartments as in the manner above described, the middle
vessel will also partly act as a dialyser.
Any desired number of any of the above described apparatus may be connected
in quantity, or series or both.
In case the ore contains a large amount of Iron a dilute solution of Sulphuric
acid may be used to dissolve the Iron, Silver, Copper etc. and after the withdrawal
of this solution a Chloric salt solution may be substituted to dissolve the Gold and
other metals left in the ores or substances, or a hyposulphite of Soda solution may
be used, or any other solution capable of dissolving these metals.
1 call the positive compartment the one in which the positive pole is placed
and the negative compartiment is the one where the negative pole is placed.
Chloride of Sodium or any chemical in solution capable of generating Chlorine
by electrolytic decomposition together with any of the above described apparatus
or a modification thereof may be used with great advantage for bleaching
purposes.
:

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Renner Cassel in the Patent Office on the 9th February
1884.
HENRY RENNER CASSEL, of the City and State of New York, United States
of America, temporarily of 41 Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex "AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND
TREATING METALS AND EXTRACTING THEM FROM ORES, MATTS OR ALL OTHER
SUBSTANCES CONTAINING THEM BY MEANS OF ELECTROLYSIS, WHICH INVENTION IS
ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES
- Metals, matts, and especially gold ores can easily be treated by means of
electrolysis and the finer inetals extracted therefrom provided a proper solvent be
used and a suitable apparatus be adopted for the purpose.
It is well known that Chlorine or Bromine will attack all metals and that the
finely divided gold in the ores is readily converted into chloride or bromide when
in presence of these elements, and it is also well known that the action of nascent
Chlorine is much more rapid and effective than when separately generated. Any
salt or acid in solution yielding under electrolytic decomposition nascent chlorine
(like chloride of sodium for instance or soa water), are excellent. electrolytes and
..solvents of the metals, and when used for this purpose together with my apparatus
will readily dissolve the metals and more especially the gold.
The apparatus I use in connection with a dynamo machine or other source of
electricity in this process may be of various forms, sizes or construction, such
apparatus being made either with the object of dissolving the metal and keeping
it in solution, or with the object of depositing the dissolved motal at the negative
pole.
For the purpose of keeping the metals in solution I interpose between the poles
a porous material through which the current penetrates, but which prevents the
dissolved metals from reaching the negative pole, and thus acts like a barrier to the
metals in solution. Porous clay, wood, plaster of Paris, or any other suitable
porous material may be employed for this purpose.
When the gold is to be allowed to reach the negative pole precaution must be
taken that the minerals do not reach the cathode, and for this purpose I interpose
asbestos or other suitable material capable of acting as a filter.
If a solution of chloride of sodiuin is electrolyzed in such an apparatus, the
chlorine being an anion is generated at the positive polo or anode, and consequently
the metals or ores to be treated must be placed in the positivo or anode compartment.
The ores must be in a powdered state, otherwise the chlorine will not be able to
attack the metals contained therein, and for the purpose of easily and practically
treating the ores and extracting especially the gold therefrom in a rapid manner, it
is essentially necessary that the chlorine when generated penetrates the whole mass
and is enabled to reach every particle of metal contained in the ore. To effect this
it is necessary that the powdered ore or substanco containing the metals should be
continuously kept in motion by stirring or otherwise, and I therefore place stirrers
in the positive compartment of the apparatus; or the apparatus may be constructed
so that the positive compartment itself is made to revolve either upon an axis, or
kept in motion by other means. These stirrers may be made of wood or other
non-conductive material, but I prefer to make them conductive and connect them
with the dyamo machine or other source of electricity, so as to form the anodo or
positive pole. Plumbago or carbon is the best material for that purpose. It does
not matter in what shape or manner these stirrors are constructed, so long as they
keep the powdered mass in motion, but I prefer to arrange them in form of a
paddle wheel or around an axle, which upon being turned stirs up the whole mass.

page_text: The object of my invention is to dissolve the metals in a solution which under
electrolytic decomposition yields chlorine, in an apparatus in which either the
metals in solution are prevented from reaching the negative pole, or in which the
minerals or other substances are prevented from reaching it, and in the positive
compartment of which are arranged stirrers, preferably forming tho positive pole,
which stirrers keep the whole mass in motion, and thus enable the chlorine to
attack and convert into chlorides any of the metals contained in the ores or
substances to be treated.
I will now fully describe several forms of apparatus to be used for the above
purpose, but do not restrict myself to them alone, the principle of my invention being
present when any solution is used, which under electrolytic decomposition yields
chlorine at the anode, in any apparatus in which anodes and cathodes are separated
by a porous material, or by asbestos or other suitable material capable of acting
like a filter, for the purpose described, thus forming an anode and a cathode
compartment; or in which the anode and cathode compartments consist of separate
vessels suitably connected as hereinafter described, the ore to be treated being
always placed in the anode compartment and kept in motion either by stirrers
preferably made of graphite or carbon, or by making the anode compartment
revolve, or is otherwise kept in motion for the purpose of enabling the chlorine to
easily reach every particle of the metals contained in the ores or other substances
to be treated.
Figure 1 of the drawings is a complete apparatus in which the positive
compartment A is mado in shape of a drum which is placed in tank B and made
to revolve on its own axis A¹. The drum itself (which may be round as shown in
Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, or of polygonal form as shown in Fig. 3, or other suitable form),
is preferably made of wood into which is inserted a suitable porous material, such
as porous clay for instance (as shown in Figs. 3 and 4), or the whole drum may be
made of a porous material, or of sufficiently porous wood. The porous material
may be arranged either all round the drum, or in the sides, or both, the whole being
made as watertight as possible. An opening must be provided for the purpose of
filling and emptying the drum. This opening must naturally be closed watertight,
the cover being fastened preferably with screws, or any other means, and rubber
strips may be used to prevent any leakage. Inside of this drum I place a
convenient number of rods or plates of carbon or graphite, and I prefer to place
them all round the inner circumference as shown in Fig. 5, or they may be placed
in any other convenient manner. To fix the carbons as solidly as possible I prefer
to have them long enough to protrude through the sides of the drum, and a tight
joint may be made with marine glue or otherwise. When thus made long enough
they are easily connected outside with one another, and with the positive pole by
copper or other metal caps, or by wire, or both (as shown in Figs. 2 and 6), which
must afterwards be well insulated. The sides of the drum may also be made of
suitable metals, and the carbons fixed therein, the metal being afterwards well
insulated; this, however, is not so convenient, wood being preferable. The pro-
truding carbons must also be well insulated.
Into this drum I place the ore or substance to be treated, together with a suitable
solution, such as chloride of sodium for instance, and when properly closed and
connected with the dynamo machine, the drum is made to revolve upon its own
nxis; the ores will then be continuously thrown upon the carbons and the chlorine
generated in the drum will be enabled to reach every particle of metal and convert
it into a chloride. To connect the drum with the dynamo I insert in the axle A',
outside the drum (as indicated in Fig. 6) a thick copper wire or rod E, which must
be connected with the carbons, and around this rod I place a copper spiral F,
which is connected with the dynamo machine. This spiral allows the drum to
revolve freely and ensures good contact, but any other convenient connection with
the dynamo may be made.
The tank B, Fig. 1, filled with the proper solution forms the negative compartment
and is provided with a cathode withor of carbon on matal This tank may bo'

page_text: round, square, or of other suitable form, and the drum is placed therein either with
its axis horizontal as indicated, or vertical, or otherwise.
If too much chlorine is generated it may cause an explosion in the drum, and to
prevent this I provide a small tap D (Fig. 1), which from time to time may be
opened to allow the chlorine to escape.
Figuro 7 shows an apparatus on the same principle but of different construction,
in which instead of the drum I revolve the carbons which are arranged in the ;
form of a paddle wheel. The porous partition H, which in practice I prefer to
make in a half circular form (although any other form may be adopted), is fitted
tightly between two wooden or other boards G,.G, and the whole is placed in a
suitable tank filled with solution and provided with the necessary cathode C, as in
the arrangement above described, so that the porous partition divides the anode
from the cathode, and into the anode compartment thus formed are placed the ores
to be treated together with the necessary solution, and also the positive pole
preferably made of carbon or graphite and fixed as in the former case between two
wooden or other boards in form of a paddle wheel, and connected with each other
and the dynamo in the same manner as indicated in the first case. When thus
properly connected and made to revolve upon its own axis, it will stir the ores and
enable the chlorine to convert the metals into chlorides.
Instead of
Instead of the paddle wheel form the graphite or carbon may be arranged around
the axle or othewise, the object always being to well stir up the mass.
the half circular form of the porous partition, a circular porous partition may be
used, closed at the bottom and open at the top, and the carbons arranged in a
convenient manner to stir up the mass, the principle always being the same; or
the circular porous partition may be made to revolve.
I prefer to place the positive pole in the inner compartment, but this is not
essentially necessary since the ores may also be treated in the outer compartment,
in which case the stirrers must also be arranged therein in a convenient and
suitable manner; or the whole outer compartment may be made of carbon or
plumbago, or lined therewith and connected with the dynamo machine, thus forming
the positive pole, but stirrers must always be used.
:
The stirrers may if desired be mounted on a rod, as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12,
and made to project into the mass of ore or other substance contained in the
anode compartment, the rod being cranked outside the anode compartment for the
purpose of causing the stirrers to revolve, or they may be caused to revolve by
any other suitable means.
The apparatus to be used when the gold is to be deposited upon the negative
pole may be of very similar construction as those above described, but instead of
the porous material, asbestos inust be used or a similar suitable material which
will retain the minerals or the greater part thereof, but which will permit the
dissolved gold to pass through it. Care must be taken to use for this purpose
a material which is not easily destroyed by tho chlorine or acids which are
generated during the operation, asbestos or glass wool being best adapted for the
purpose.
The apparatus shown in Figure 13 will enable the manner in which I effect this
object to be thorougly understood.
In Figure 13 A is a perforated frame made of wood or other suitable material,
around which asbestos cloth or wool, or other suitable material E is fastened in any
convenient manner, such material being dense enough to retain as much of the
minerals as possible. This asbestos or other partition forms a cell closed at the
bottom, which is placed into a tank B. The positive pole C (preferably made in
the form of a stirrer), is placed inside the cell A, and the negative pole D outside
and around the cell A. The ore is placed inside the cell A, and the apparatus
filled with the necessary solution. When connected with a battery or other source
of electricity, the dissolved metals will go through the interstices of the asbestos to
the negative pole D and be there precipitated. The stirrers may be made of any
convenient shape.
>

page_text: ..
Figure 14 shows another form of apparatus in which the ores may also be treated,
although not as effectively as in those above described. Two vessels or vats A
and B are placed close to and connected with each other by means of a syphon a,
or by means of a pipo b preferably placed as high as possible, or by means of
asbestos or any material which has the quality of retaining or conducting liquids
by capillarity. Instead of the separate vats shown, ono vat with a partition may
be used, one compartment being for the positive pole C (preferably in the form of
stirrers) and one for the negative pole. D. Or three or more separate vats may be
employed, or a long vat partitioned off to. form the necessary compartments for the
positive and negative poles.
The vats or compartments containing the positive and negative poles instead
of being connected together directly, may be connected by intermediate vats or
compartments and the syphons, tubes, or suitable material capable of conducting
liquids by capillarity.
Another form of apparatus may be made by placing in a tank a false bottom,
made either of perforated wood or other suitable material, over which asbestos or
slag wool, or any other convenient material is placed; but it is unnecessary to
describe the various forms of apparatus that may be made since any form of
apparatus in which the anode compartment is separated from the cathode
compartment may be employed in the manner and for the purposes above
described.
Several of the above described apparatus may be placed in a circuit, care being
taken that the electromotive force be sufficient to overcome the resistance in the
circuit,
According to the richness of the orcs or substances under treatment the solution
will become more or less saturated, and (in the case where the dissolved metals are
prevented from reaching tho negative pole) when fully saturated, or before, the
solution is filtered off and the metals therein may be precipitated by proper
reagents.
.
Chloride of Sodium or any chemical in solution capable of generating chlorine
by electrolytic decomposition, together with any of the above described apparatus,
or a modification thereof, may be used with great advantage for bleaching purposes,
but the anode or positive pole must be covered with an open or perforated
framework so as to prevent the fabrics or other materials to be bleached from
coming in contact with the anode itself. The advantages of using such apparatus
for bleaching purposes are that the caustic hydrate collects at the negative pole,
and has consequently no detrimental effect on the fabrics or other material to bo
bleached, which is placed in the positive or anode compartment; further, tho
degree of strength and also the quantity of chlorine generated at the positive pole
can easily be regulated by employing a smaller or greater electric current, or a
solution of varying strength, or both; and finally, the generation of the chlorine
may be instantly stopped by disconnecting the apparatus from the source of
electricity.
Having thus described the nature of my said invention and a suitable manner
in which the same may be carried into effect I wish it to be understood that
what I claim is :-
1. The process for treating metals, ores and especially auriferous compounds by
means of chlorine generated by electrolyzing a solution of chroride of sodium or
an equivalent solution capable of yielding chlorine under electrolytic decomposition,
in an apparatus in which a porous material is arranged to form anode and cathodo
cells, in the anode cell of which the ores are continuously kept in motion, as and
for the purpose specified.
2. The process for treating metals, ores and especially auriferous compounds,
which consists in dissolving the metals in a solution yielding chlorine under
electrolytic decomposition, in keeping the compounds under treatment in motion
by stirring or otherwise, and in preventing the dissolved metals reaching tho

page_text: negative pole by interposing between the electrodes a porous material as
described.
3. In the process described an apparatus in which a porous material is arranged
between the electrodes to form anodo, and cathode compartments, in the anode
compartment of which the compounds are placed, together with stirrers and a
solution capable of ylelding chlorine under electrolytic decomposition, as and for
the purpose specified.
4. In a process as described the use of a drum with positive poles arranged in
the manner and for the purpose specified.
5. In the process described the apparatus whereby the minerals in the ores or
other substances under treatment, are retained by asbestos or other suitable
material capable of acting as a filter, whilst the metais dissolved by the electrolytic
action are freely allowed to pass through such material to be deposited at the
negative pole, the ores or other substances being continually kept in motion by
stirring or otherwise, all substantially as herein specified.
6. In the process described the apparatus consisting of two or more vats or
compartments for the positive and negative poles, such vats or compartments
being connected together (either directly or not) by syphons, or pipes, or by
asbestos or other suitable material capable of retaining or conducting liquids by
capillarity, substantially as herein specified.
7. In the apparatus described the use of stirrers of suitable material, conductive
or not, in combination with carbon positive poles, for the purpose herein
specified.
8. In the apparatus described the anode pole made of carbon or plumbago and
arranged as stirrers, in the manner and for the purpose specified.
9. The process and apparatus for bleaching fabrics and other substances, which
consists in electrolyzing a solution capable of generating chlorine under electrolytic
decomposition, in an apparatus in which the fabrics or other substances are placed
in the anode compartment separated from the cathode compartment either by a
porous partition, or by asbestos or other suitable material, and are kept from
coming in contact with the positive pole by a perforated or open framework,
all substantially us herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Renner Cassel, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this fitth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty-four.
TURNDY DENNED
L