Year: 1886

page_text: We, JOHN ADDIE and JAMES ADDIE both of the firm of Robert Addie & Sons,
Iron Masters, Langloan, Lanarkshire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
Our invention consists of an improved process for the production of sulphurous
acid gas from iron pyrites or other sulphurets or sulphur compounds wherein the
sulphur in combination with a metal is replaced at a high temperature by silica or
other slag producing material and being thus set free is oxidised by a blast of hot
or cold air.
In carrying out our invention we employ a small blast furnace or cupola which
we heat up to a white heat by means of coke and then charge with a mixture of
iron pyrites or other sulphuret and sandstone, siliceous limestone or other material
adapted to produce a slag in combination with the iron or other metal. We direct
through tuyeres in the sides of the furnace a hot blast by means of which we
reduce the mixture to the molten state the sulphur of the sulphuret being liberated
and carried upwards by the blast, together with sulphurous acid gas formed by
oxidation of the sulphur in the mass, while the silica of the sandstone combines
with the iron to form a slag consisting mainly of silicate of iron which may be
allowed to run to waste or be subsequently utilized. Near the top of the furnace,
which is closed, we direct a blast of hot or cold air into the sulphur which rises in
a finely divided state from the heated materials below, thereby oxidising the whole
or the greater portion of the sulphur, and from the top of the furnace or cupola we
carry off the sulphurous acid gas and un-oxidised sulphur by a pipe into which we
inject a further quantity of heated or cold air in order to oxidise the remaining
free sulphur, and the sulphurous acid gas thus formed is led off by the pipe for use
in connection with our process for fixing ammonia from furnace gases described in
the Specification of Letters Patent No. 4758 of 1882 or for use in the manufacture
of sulphuric acid or for utilization in any other way.

page_text: We, JOHN ADDIE and JAMES ADDIE both of the firm of Robert Addie & Sons
Iron Masters, Langloan, Lanarkshire, 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 :—
Our invention consists of an improved process for the production of sulphurous
acid gas from iron pyrites or other sulphurets or sulphur compounds wherein the
sulphur in combination with a metal is replaced at a high temperature by silica
or other slag-producing material and being thus set free is oxidised by a blast of
hot or cold air.
In carrying out our invention we employ a small blast furnace or cupola which
may be of the form represented at A, in the accompanying drawing and which we
heat up to a white heat by means of coke and then charge with a mixture of iron
pyrites or other sulphuret and sandstone, silicious limestone or other material
adapted to produce a slag in combination with the iron or other metal. We direct
through tuyeres B, in the sides of the furnace a hot blast by means of which we
reduce the mixture to the molten state the sulphur of the sulphuret being liberated
and carried upwards by the blast, together with sulphurous acid gas formed by
oxidation of the sulphur in the mass, while the silica of the sandstone combines
with the iron to form a slag consisting mainly of silicate of iron which may be
allowed to run to waste or be subsequently utilized. Into the upper part of the
furnace, which is closed and provided with the usual bell and hopper charging
arrangement, or into the brick-lined tubing C, leading therefrom we direct a blast
of hot or cold air into the sulphur which rises in a finely divided state from the
heated materials below, thereby oxidising the whole or the greater portion of the
sulphur.
From the oxidising chamber which may be formed as described at the top of the
furnace or cupola or in the tubing C, we carry off the sulphurous acid gas and
un-oxidised sulphur by a pipe D, into which we inject a further quantity of heated
or cold air in order to oxidise the remaining free sulphur, and the sulphurous acid
gas thus formed is led off by the pipe for use in connection with our process for
fixing ammonia from furnace gases described in the Specification of Letters
Patent No. 4758 of 1882 or for use in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, or for
utilization in any other way. In connection with the pipe D, is a water lute or
trap E, which serves as a safety valve in the event of explosion or excessive
pressure of the gas in the tubes or furnace.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
The process for the production of sulphurous acid gas from sulphur compounds
and wherein the sulphur in combination with a metal is replaced at a high tempera-
ture by silica or other slag producing material the sulphur when liberated being
oxidised by an air blast substantially as described.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agents.