Improvements in Apparatus for Extracting Precious and other Metals by Chlorination.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 7th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Extracting Precious and other
Metals by Chlorination.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK SMITH, of 590A, George Street, Sydney, in the Colony of
New South Wales, Electroplater, 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:--
This invention relates to that class of chlorinating apparatus in which a saline
solution and a mass of gold or silver ore or other metal bearing substance immersed
therein are electrolysed, whereby nascent chlorine is produced and the extracted
metal deposited from the solution.
The apparatus consists of a rotatable vessel with a diaphragm, pervious to
liquids but impervious to solids, which divides it into two chambers, into one of
which chambers the metal bearing substance is charged, the extracted metallic
chloride being deposited in the other. The extracting chamber is lined with
carbon anode plates, and the depositing chamber is provided with metallic cathodes.
Both chambers are provided with suitable doors for charging and discharging.
Referring to the annexed explanatory drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional top plan
of the apparatus shewing a portion broken away to exhibit the cathode plates;
Fig. 2 a sectional elevation shewing the arrangement of chlorinator and loading
and tailings trucks; and Fig. 3 a transverse sectional elevation of same.
present invention relates solely to the construction of the barrel, and does not
include broadly the chlorination in an electrolysed saline solution of metalliferous
substances or the employment of a two chambered barrel (as has been proposed' by
Cassel and others) whereof one chamber contains the ore or stuff under treatment
and the other the extracted metallic chloride.
The
"A" is the chlorinating vessel; it is made of heavy timber suitably caulked
and water-proofed so that pressure may be used, and is provided with end
spindles "B" which run in suitable bearings and are provided with a pulley "C"
or other means whereby the vessel may be rotated. On the spindles are collars "D"
and "E" electrically connected by wires "F" with the carbon anode lining
plates "G," and with the cathode plates "H" respectively. The carbon plates
are made up of pieces of the largest convenient size, which are fastened to the
walls of the barrel by means of carbon screws or bolts "K." The vessel is shewn
square in section, but this shape is not material. The carbon plates and screws
or bolts are made of material similar to that which is used for electric light carbons
and battery plates. The electrical connections to the carbons are made through
carbon bolts or studs "L" which terminate externally in metallic binding screws.
The cathode plates may be of copper provided with studs "M" passing through
the barrel and terminating in binding screws. The diaphragm consists of asbestos,
horsehair, or other fibrous material which will pass liquids but not solids; it is
protected on both sides by a wooden wall or shield "N" perforated as shewn.
In operation, the chamber "0" is charged with the ore or metalliferous stuff
being treated, and the barrel then nearly filled with water containing common
Die 1

page_text: salt in solution; salt is also put into the barrel to maintain the strength of the
solution. The barrel is then closed, and if desired, pressure is applied. The
electric current is then turned on to the brushes and is made to traverse the con-
tents of the barrel, entering by the anode plates and returning to the dynamo or
other source by the cathode plates. When gold bearing substances are being
treated, the gold goes into solution upon the evolution of chlorine due to the break-
ing up of the salt [NaCl] in solution, and the gold is deposited in the cathode
chamber in the form of a brown powder. The diaphragm does not permit any of
the substance under treatment to enter the depositing chamber, and owing to its
being protected by the perforated walls of wood, it is not destroyed or worn seriously
by the attrition of the solid particles in the extracting chamber.
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:-
-
1. Apparatus for chlorinating metalliferous substances, consisting of a rotatable
vessel having a diaphragm, and lined with carbon anode plates in the extracting
chamber and provided with cathode plates in the depositing chamber, as described.
2. In apparatus of the kind set forth in the preceding claiming clause, a
diaphragm consisting of a sheet or sheets of fabric protected on each side by a
perforated wall of wood, as described.
3. In rotatable barrel electrolytic chlorinators substantially as described, anode
lining plates of carbon fastened to the walls of the barrel by means of carbon bolts
or screws, as set forth. }
4. Apparatus for chlorinating metalliferous substances, consisting of a barrel
having anode and cathode plates and a diaphragm between them, on one side only
of which the substances under treatment are charged, said diaphragm consisting
of a fabric protected on both sides by a perforated wall of wood, as described.
Dated this Seventh day of January 1898.
GEORGE F. SMITH.