Improved Furnace for Treating Sulphides containing Zinc and other Ores.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st July, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 28th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 1st July, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Furnace for Treating Sulphides containing Zinc and
other Ores.
HENRY ROBERT ANGEL, 7, St. Helens Place, London, E.C., Ship-owner, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This furnace is constructed with a double bottom somewhat shaped. The
upper one is composed of two layers of tiles each 2" thick, and 12" wide,
so that in case the tiles on the lower tier should crack, the pressure from the upper
tier will prevent the tiles in the lower tier from falling down and choking the
flues.
Between the upper and lower bottoms pidgeon holes are formed through
columns of bricks which support the tiles. These holes carry the flame along
under the bottom, up the end, and into the body of the furnace near the top, where
elevated tiles are placed which direct the flames well above the charges of ore
under treatment.
The top of the furnace inclines upwards towards the flue which also has the
effect of keeping the flames upwards clear of the charge.
The lower bottom of the furnace is paved with split bricks or tiles 14" thick,
and under these is placed a layer of asbestos cement which checks the heat from
striking downwards and also prevents the metals that may escape from the upper
bottom from taking that direction. Down the centre of the lower bottom a gutter
is formed through the columns of bricks which support the tiles, for the purpose
of carrying down any metals that may escape through the upper bottom to the
tap hole of the lower.
The upper bottom is provided with a cast iron well somewhat teapot shaped,
which is always kept full of metal, and the upper part of the spout exposed to
the charge is covered with a thin ring of platinum or gold to prevent the iron
from being destroyed by the action of the slag.
This furnace is heated in the usual way by coals from a fire grate and at the
farther end I make the wall 18" thick so that greater space can be given for
draught. It is not arched in the usual manner of building furnaces,, lengthways,
but across, so as to allow for elevation towards the flue.
Doors are provided in suitable places for rabbling the charges under treatment.
This furnace can be brought up to great heat without damage from the reducing
Hame coming into contact with the charge.

page_text: Improved Furnace for Treating Sulphides containing Zinc and
other Ores.
HENRY ROBERT ANGEL, 7, St. Helens Place, London, E.C., Ship-owner, 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 furnace is designed for the purpose of treating sulphides and other ores and
for the manufacture of caustic soda as a bye product therefrom..
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows the furnace in longitudinal
section and Figure 2 in cross section. It is constructed with a double bottom
somewhat shaped. The upper bottom is composed of two layers of tiles about
2 in. thick as shewn in figures and marked G, G and they are made in different
lengths, so arranged, that the seams of the upper layer of tiles shall not coincide
with the seams of the lower layer of tiles, and this is done to prevent the escape
of any metals or slag from running through the bottom. The advantage of having
two layers of tiles is obvious, as in the event of the lower tier of tiles cracking
with the heat, the pressure upon them from the upper tier, will prevent their
falling down and choking the Hues, and as a further protection, I place the edges
of the lower tier of tiles on the centre of the brick columns which support them.
Between the upper and lower bottoms of this furnace, pidgeon holes, B, are formed
between the columns of bricks which support the tiles. These holes carry the
flames along under the bottom, G, G, up the end and into the body, H, of the
furnace near the top. At the rear end of B elevated tiles, C, C are placed which
direct the flames well above the charges of ore under treatment. The top, I,
of the furnace inclines upwards toward the flue which also has the effect of keep-
ing the flames above the charge, and protects the sulphide of sodium produced
in the process, from being converted back into sulphate of soda, as this chemical
reaction would prevent the production of caustic soda.
The lower bottom of this furnace is paved with 1 in. tiles, or split bricks, and
under these is spread a layer of asbestos cement which checks the heat from
striking downwards, and also prevents any metals from taking the same direction.
Down the centre of the lower bottom, a gutter is formed through the columns of
bricks which support the tiles, for the purpose of carrying any metals that may
escape from the upper bottom down to the tap hole E.
The upper bottom is provided with a cast iron well, D, which separates the
metals from the slag, similar to those used in blast furnaces, or if preferred, it
can be made teapot shape with the spout leading to the inside of the furnace and
must always be kept full of metal.
This furnace is heated by fire grates, A, A, and I prefer placing them one at
each end, so that the heat from the one draws the flames from the other, and their
combined influence produces much greater heat, while the furnace can be made
much longer and of much greater capacity.
The wall at the far end of this furnace is made extra thick, so that greater space
can be allowed for draught.
This furnace is not arched in the usual manner lengthways, but across, as
shewn in Figure 2, so as to allow for elevation towards the flue.
Doors are provided in suitable places for rabbling the charges under treatment,
and at the back of the furnace, in the centre, one large door is essential for raking
out slag.

page_text: 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:-
This furnace, as described, for the treatment of sulphides, and other ores,
and for the production of caustic soda therefrom.