Improvements in and Connected with the Manufacture of Material for Purifying and Filtering Water, Saccharine, and Alcoholic and other Fluids.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th June, 1887
Complete Left, 10th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 27th Apr., 1888
Improvements in and Connected with the Manufacture of Material
for Purifying and Filtering Water, Saccharine, and Alcoholic
and other Fluids.
I, HAROLD RIMMER, of 47 Canning Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows :-
as
"
spathic ores."
:-
This Invention relates to the manufacture of purifying and filtering material, known
as "magnetic carbide of iron" from iron ores and more particularly from those
species of ores, which are composed chiefly of iron and oxygen, namely ores known
"hematite ores
"and ores resembling them, such as "magnetic
23 66 specular" and
Hitherto it has been proposed to make the purifying and filtering material termed
"magnetic carbide of iron" from iron ores, but more particularly from "hematite
ores specular iron ore chalybite" and "spathose ores," but it has been found
in practice that only a particular kind, or kinds of such ores are applicable for the
manufacture of the magnetic carbide for purifying water, or saccharine and alcoholic
liquors, namely those ores which consist substantially of pure oxide of iron such as
that known as "kidney ore" of the hematite class.
[
"> <<
This peculiar kind of pure ore exists in very small and irrogularly deposited
quantities and consequently through the difficulties in the way of obtaining the special
kinds, namely, the pure ores, the quantity of purifying material available is pro-
portionately small. I have found that the causes which render the ordinary hematite
(such as red hematite) and equivalent ores unapplicable for use, or treatment in the
heretofore known processes for making magnetic carbide applicable for purifying
water, saccharine and alcoholic liquors are the presence in them of certain impurities,
such as lime, phosphorus and sulphur, which are not removed by the treatment
according to the said known processes.
Now according to this Invention iron ores, such as the ordinary hematite ores are
rendered applicable for making the "magnetic carbide" by treating the ores firstly
substantially as heretofore and afterwards by removing, or rendering negative the
impurities that are inimical to purification of water by treating the "magnetic carbide"
with an acid purifying process. The whole process is as follows:
The ore being ground, or broken into small pieces and mixed with granulated

page_text: carbon, such as coke, is heated in a closed receptacle, or chamber such as a muffle.
The temperature of the muffle must be such as will effect the required union of the
carbon with the oxide of iron, but not great enough to reduce the ore to the metallic
state. During the time the mixture is subjected to this treatment it is preferably
stirred, or raked about by suitable implements for the purpose of making the treatment
of the whole mass of the material equal, and to facilitate and make the process more
rapid. To expel the air, or to neutralize the deterrent action of the air present in the
muffle, or chamber, I may inject steam into the muffle and so force out most of the
air. Or the same object may be obtained by adding to the mixture of ore and carbon
(coke) a little wood, or sawdust. The ore is first reduced to a lower oxide, the carbon
then combines with it and the ore becomes converted to "magnetic carbide of iron."
It is taken from the muffle and cooled by water so as to prevent oxidation taking
place. This is conveniently done by taking the hot material upon barrows, or trucks
and tipping it into tanks, or vessels containing water. The material is then treated
with an acid to remove the aforesaid impurities.
This is carried out by subjecting the material to hydrochloric acid conveyed in
water in which the material is placed (preferably in the cooling tanks, or vessels) and
this process is effectually, accelerated by causing the liquor to be circulated over and
about the material. For this purpose a steam jet, or pump may be suitably used.
The time taken for the solution of the impurities out of the "carbide" depends
upon the strength of the acid liquor and the amount of the impurities in the
material.
After this treatment the material, “magnetic carbide of iron," is cleared of
mpurities and constitutes a material particularly applicable for purifying and filtering
"drinking" water, but also applicable for purifying saccharine and alcoholic liquors
and gases.
Connected with the above processes or methods according to my Invention for the
manufacture of the material above described, I employ a muffle of suitable construction
to carry out the said processes, which consists substantially as follows:
The muffle is preferably of such a size that several tons may be treated in it at one
operation and is in the form of an enclosed long shallow chamber, on one, or both
sides of which a number of apertures are provided through which the raking, or
stirring implements above described may be passed and worked. Upon the roof of
the chamber there are provided apertures having hoppers through which the material
is introduced into the muffle and these are arranged and disposed to effect a distribution
of the material over the floor of the chamber.
The heating of the walls of the chamber is effected by gas generated in a furnace
in connection with the chamber and the gases and products of combustion are
conveyed by suitable flues, or ducts surrounding, or partly surrounding the
chamber.

page_text: Improvements in and Connected with the Manufacture of Material
for Purifying and Filtering Water, Saccharine, and Alcoholic
and other Fluids.
I, HAROLD RIMMER, of 47, Canning Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 the production of a filtering and purifying material, known
as "magnetic carbide of iron" from iron ores, which are composed chiefly of iron
and oxygen, namely, those known as "hematite ores" and equivalent ores, including
« magnetic,'
""specular" and "spathic" ores.
"
Hitherto it has been proposed to make the purifying and filtering material termed
[{ magnetic carbide of iron from iron ores, but more particularly from "hematite
ores," "specular iron ore," "chalibyte" and "spathose" ores.
It has however been
found in practice that only a particular kind or kinds of such ores are applicable for
the manufacture of the "magnetic carbide" for purifying water, or saccharine and
alcoholic liquors. These kinds consist substantially of pure oxide of iron, such as
that known as kidney ore" of the hematite class.
**
This particular kind of pure ore exists in very small and irregularly deposited
quantities, and consequently through the difficulties in the way of obtaining the
special kinds, namely the pure ores, the quantity of purifying material available is
proportionately small. I have found that the cause which renders the ordinary
"hematite" (such as red hematite), and equivalent ores, unapplicable for use or treat-
ment in the heretofore known processes for making "magnetic carbide" applicable for
purifying water, saccharine, and alcoholic liquors, is, the presence in them of certain
impurities, that these impurities are chiefly lime, magnesia, phosphorus and sulphur,
and that they are not removed by the treatment according to the said known
processes.
Now this Invention consists in the manufacture or production from iron ores, such
as the ordinary "hematite" and equivalent ores, containing the said impurities, or any
of them, of the "magnetic carbide of iron" as hereinafter set forth. According to
this invention I firstly treat such ores substantially as heretofore, and afterwards
remove or render negative the impurities that are inimical to purification of water, by
treating the magnetic carbide" with an acid purifying process. Generally stated
the whole process is as follows:-
the largest of which will pass a
carbon, such as coke, is heated
The temperature of the muffle
carbon with the oxide of iron,
The ore being ground or broken into small pieces,
quarter inch mesh sieve, and mixed with granulated
in a closed receptacle or chamber such as a muffle.
must be such as will effect the required union of the
but not great enough to reduce the ore to the metallic state. During the time the

page_text: mixture is subjected to this treatment, it is preferably stirred or raked about by
suitable implements for the purpose of making the treatment of the whole mass of
the material equal, and to facilitate and make the process more rapid. To expel the
air, or to neutralize the deterrent action of the air present in the muffle or chamber,
may inject steam into the muffle and so force out most of the air. Or the same
object may be obtained by adding to the mixture of ore and carbon (coke) a little
wood or sawdust. The ore is first reduced to a lower oxide; the carbon then combines
with it, and the ore becomes converted to "magnetic carbide of iron." It is then
taken from the muffle and cooled by water so as to prevent oxidation taking place.
This is conveniently done by taking the hot material upon barrows or trucks and
tipping it into tanks or vessels containing water. The material is then treated with an
acid to remove the aforesaid impurities.
This is carried out by subjecting the material to, preferably, hydrochloric acid
conveyed in water in which the material is placed (preferably in the cooling tanks or
vessels), and this process is effectually accelerated by causing the liquor to be circulated
over and about the material. For this purpose a steam injector or pump may be
suitably used.
The time taken for the solution of the impurities out of the "carbide" depends
upon the strength of the acid liquor and the amount of the impurities in the
.material.
After this treatment the material," magnetic carbide of iron"-being cleared of
impurities, constitutes a material particularly applicable for purifying and filtering
drinking" water, but it is also applicable for purifying saccharine and alcoholic
liquors and gases.
"
Connected with the above process or method according to my Invention for the
manufacture of the material above described, I employ a muffle of suitable construction
to carry out the said process which consists substantially as follows:-
The muffle is preferably of such a size that several tons may be treated in it at one
operation and is in the form of an enclosed long shallow chamber, on one, or both
sides of which a number of apertures are provided through which the raking or
stirring implements aboye described may be passed and worked. Upon the roof of
the chamber there are provided apertures having hoppers through which the material
is introduced into the muffle and these are arranged and disposed to effect a distribution
of the material over the floor of the chamber.
The heating of the walls of the chamber is effected by gas generated in a furnace
in connection with the chamber and the gases and products of combustion are conveyed
by suitable flues or ducts surrounding, or partly surrounding the chamber.
Having thus specified generally the nature, object, and effects of my Invention, its
description will now be proceeded with in reference to the Drawings by way of explaining
more fully the nature, objects and effects of my Invention.
The Drawings and the description of them set forth together a special construction
of muffle and drying bed designed on the lines already generally defined for use in
carrying out the process of producing the filtering material, the method of which has
been above explained.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows in sectional elevation the muffle.
Figure 2 shows a plan of the muffle being a section in the horizontal plane at the
line marked X X in Figure 1. and also shows a plan of the drying bed.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the muffle and drying bed taken in the vertical plane
at the line marked Y Y in Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows a plan of the muffle and the tanks in which the acid purifying
process is carried on.
With reference to the Drawings, a designates the chamber of the muffle; & the gas
producina furnens hossi
Figure 1 shows in sectional elevation the muffle.
Figure 2 shows a plan of the muffle being a section in the horizontal plane at the
line marked X X in Figure 1. and also shows a plan of the drying bed.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the muffle and drying bed taken in the vertical plane
at the line marked Y Y in Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows a plan of the muffle and the tanks in which the acid purifying
process is carried on.
With reference to the Drawings, a designates the chamber of the muffle; & the gas
producing furnace having a secondary supply duct o²; can upper flue; d the
lower flues and e the passage communicating between such flues and the drying bed f.
air

page_text: g are the feed hoppers provided with sliding doors g'; h the stirring doors; i drying
plates and a barrow platform. A represents the floor plates of the drying bed f
m are the flues of the drying bed, and n the chimney flue for carrying off the waste
o are the cooling and acid tanks.
gases.
The chamber a of this example is about 30 feet long and 11 feet wide. It is there-
fore evident that the quantity of material capable of being treated at one time is
considerable. If the material is supplied evenly over the floor of the chamber to a
depth of about 4 to 5 inches, and this is a convenient depth of material,-the weight
of the charge would be about 5 tons.
The mode of operation of performing the portion of the process according to my
Invention relating to the apparatus illustrated in figures 1 to 3 and just described is
as follows: The chamber a in which the material is treated is heated by the gases of
combustion from the furnace b, which is of the well known gas producing type. The
gases first pass over and heat the crown of the chamber a through the flue c, heating
at the same time the drying plates i. At the end of the chamber a the gases descend
and pass beneath the floor of the chamber a through the flues d and also heat it. The
flues it will be seen lie between the division walls d' employed to support the
chamber (a) floor. From the opposite end of the flues d the gases pass by the
passage e to the drying bed, which will be hereinafter explained. Thus by the heat
above and below the chamber a it is brought up to the required temperature before
introducing the material to be treated in it. Then the ore being broken or ground
into small pieces and mixed with about one quarter of its weight of granulated carbon,
such as coke, and about 5 per cent. by weight of sawdust or wood, I open the slides g¹
and then feed the material into the several hoppers g, through which falls on to the
floor of the chamber a. The object of the sawdust or wood is to either expell the air
from the chamber or to neutralize the deterrent action air would have upon the process
of converting the ore to the "carbide."
A similar effect may, however, be produced by introducing steam to the chamber ;
but for mechanical reasons I prefer to use sawdust.
.
The temperature at which the union of the carbon and the oxide practically com-
mences and takes place is about that equivalent to, or denoted by a clear cherry red
colour, and the heat of the material having arrived at this point is maintained there
for about two hours. Having been so subjected the material will have become
practically all converted to "magnetic carbide," and this stage of the process is then
complete. In this treatment of the ore and prior to the union of the carbon with the
ore, it is partially reduced, namely from Fe, O₁ to Fе, O₁; but as previously stated its
reduction to a metallic state must not be allowed.
During the treatment just described the mixture of the ore, carbon and sawdust are
mechanically mixed by raking and stirring them about with suitable implements. The
doors provided in the side of the chamber a, beyond being those through which the
material when finished is discharged, also serve as. the means by which the implements
may be introduced and worked. The effect of the stirring is that the whole mass of
material is equally treated, the combining of the carbon and iron oxide is facilitated,
and the process is carried out in less time than would be otherwise occupied.
The next chief stage of the process is the purification of the carbide thus made,
but this treatment is preferably carried on in further minor or sub-processes.
The first of these consist in taking the material-now "magnetic carbide "-from
the chamber a and cooling it. This is done preferably and most conveniently by
withdrawing it whilst hot from the chamber a through the apertures of the door l,
delivering it onto barrows and then tipping it into cold water held in the tanks o. By
this procedure, that is cooling the material while hot-the carbide is best prevented
from taking up oxygen from the air and becoming so re-oxydised. The water used
for the cooling will of course be raised considerably in temperature and in order to
use as little acid in the acid purifying sub-process as possible, I draw off the water
from the tanks o preparatory to such sub-process.
The next step or stage of the process consists in subjecting the material to acid for
removing its impurities, which as already stated consist chiefly of lime; magnesia,

page_text: phosphorus and sulphur. This is effected by applying Hydrochloric acid or Sulphuric
acid, but preferably the former, conveyed in water to the material. The mode of
applying it consists in delivering the acid over the material in the tanks o by a steam
injector or jet pump, the supply of the liquid being taken from the bottom of the
tanks thereby obtaining a circulation of the liquor and so accelerating the process.
The strength of the acid and the time taken for the solution of the impurities out of
the carbide will necessarily depend upon the amount of impurities the carbide contains.
But I have found that from 1 to 2 Twaddle as the strength of the acid and that from
2 to 6 hours subjection of the carbide to it, are, respectively, the practical limits of
strength and time required to remove the above named impurities from the carbide
produced from the various qualities of ores I have treated.
After the material is treated with acid as just described it is preferably washed with
water and then dried on the drying plates i, or bed f. The washing cleanses the
material of acid, and the drying of the material reduces the weight and cost of
carriage of it.
The material" magnetic carbide of iron "-thus deprived of its impurities con-
stitutes a material particularly applicable for purifying and filtering "drinking water,"
but it is also applicable for purifying water generally, saccharine and alcoholic liquors,
and other liquids or gases containing impurities-particularly organic-which may be,
or are purified more or less by ordinary charcoal, iron and other kinds of filtering or
purifying material.
It is to be understood that where I herein speak of removing impurities from the
purifying material I do not mean that I render it absolutely free from the impurities
to which I have referred, but merely that I render it practically and reasonably free
from such impurities.
It is also to be understood that where I speak of purifying water or other fluid 1
refer to the removal of the impurities to a practical and reasonable degree.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature, object and purposes
of my Invention, I would state in conclusion that I have described what I consider
the best mode of carrying out the manufacture of "magnetic carbide of iron" for
purifying and filtering water and other fluids involving my invention, and the one I
prefer to employ. I would have it understood, however, that I do not intend to limit
my patent to the precise manner herein specified of effecting the results described, or
the exact apparatus illustrated, since various mere modifications of these may be made
without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. On the other hand I
wish it to be understood that I make no claim generally to the method of making
"magnètic carbide of iron" by means of combining carbon with iron ores; nor do I
claim broadly as new per se any special part of the apparatus herein described, except
as parts of apparatus for carrying out the above mentioned manufacture; but what I
do claim in respect of the herein described invention is :-
:-
First. The manufacture herein described for purifying and filtering water, saccharine,
alcoholic and other fluids, consisting of "magnetic carbide of iron" produced from
ordinary hematite or equivalent iron ores containing lime, magnesia, phosphorus and
sulphur, or any of them, substantially as set forth.
Second. The process herein described of manufacturing material for purifying and
filtering water, saccharine and alcoholic, and other fluids, consisting in the combination
of the sub-processes as follows:-that is to say, (1) subjecting iron ores of the type
herein described to heat in the presence of carbon, thereby causing carbon to combine
with the ore, and to produce magnetic carbide of iron," and (2) then treating such
"carbide of iron" with an acid, whereby the removal of the impurities contained in
the said "carbide" is effected; substantially as set forth.
<
Third. In the process herein described of manufacturing material for purifying and
filtering water, saccharine and alcoholic and other fluids, the combination of the sub-
processes as follows:-that is to say, (1) subjecting iron ores of the type herein
described to heat in the presence of carbon, thereby causing the carbon to combine
with the ore and to produce "magnetic carbide of iron," (2) cooling the "carbide"

page_text: by water, and (3) then treating such "carbide of iron" with an acid, whereby the
removal of the impurities contained in the said carbide is effected; substantially as
described.
Fourth. In the manufacture of material for filtering and purifying water, saccharine,
alcholic and other fluids, from "magnetic carbide of iron," of the kind herein
described, rendering such carbide free from impurities such as lime, magnesia, phos-
phorus and sulphur, or any of them, by treating it with an acid; as, or substantially
as set forth.
Fifth. In the process herein described of manufacturing material for purifying and
filtering water, saccharine, alcholic and other fluids, the combination of the sub-
processes as follows-that is to say, (1) subjecting iron ores of the type herein
described to heat in the presence of carbon, thereby causing the carbon to combine
with the ore and to produce "magnetic carbide of iron," (2) cooling the carbide by
water, (3) then treating such "carbide of iron" with an acid, whereby the removal
of the impurities contained in the said carbide is effected, and (4) washing the purified
carbide with water; substantially as set forth.
Sixth. In the process herein described of manufacturing material for purifying and
filtering water, saccharine, alcholic and other fluids, the combination of the sub-
processes as follows:-that is to say, (1) subjecting iron ores. of the type herein
described to heat in the presence of carbon, thereby causing the carbon to combine
with the ore, and to produce "magnetic carbide of iron," (2) cooling the " carbide
and treating it with acid for the purposes specified, and with or without subsequent
washing, and (3) then drying the material by artificial heat; substantially as set
forth.
"
Seventh. In the manufacture of material for filtering and purifying water, saccharine,
alcholic and other fluids from a mixture of oxide of iron and carbon, the said manu-
facture heing carried on in a chamber or chambers of apparatus of the type herein
described, or its equivalent, the mode or means herein described of excluding the air
from such chamber or chambers, or of rendering negative the effect of air upon the
said mixture, which mode or means consists in introducing into such chamber or
chambers steam, wood; or sawdust; substantially as set forth.
Eighth. The application to the manufacture of filtering and purifying material of
the kind herein specified, of apparatus consisting essentially of a closed heated
chamber provided with supply hoppers and doors for having access to its interior,
constructed substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the
Drawings.
Ninth. With apparatus of the type herein described and claimed in the next
preceeding claiming clause, the combination of drying plates, and drying bed, arranged
and operating substantially as set forth.
Tenth. In the manufacture or production from iron ores, of the material " magnetic
carbide of iron" for purifying and filtering water and other fluids, the plant herein
described consisting essentially of the combination of a heating chamber or muffle,
such at a, a tank or tanks, or vessels, such as o, and drying plates, such as i and k ;
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 9th day of March 1888.