Year: 1885

page_text: I, JOHN EDWIN SHERMAN, of the First Avenue Hotel, Holborn in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention has for its object the purification of iron and steel, and the
production of iron and steel of great strength, ductility, and density, from native
or low grade metal or mixtures.
This end I attain by improvements in the mode of working in connection with
the open hearth puddling furnace, Bessemer, crucible, blast furnaces, and other
processes for manufacturing or treating iron or steel.
In the treatment of iron or steel in such processes, I employ an alkaline or
earthy compound of mercury, or I employ salts or oxides of mercury, or pure
mercury, which I introduce into the molten metal in the cupola, open hearth, or
other furnace, converter, receiver or crucible.
The purifying material may be encased in metal or paper or other suitable
substance, the design being that the material,, when used, shall sink into the molten
metal before the case is destroyed.
The cartridges may be introduced into the furnace or receiver in the open hearth
or puddling furnace by means of a rod, which can also be employed to mechanically
agitate or stir the metal.
The cartridges or packets containing the purifying metal or compound may
be introduced in quantity proportioned to the quantity of metal under treatment,
and at varying periods of the manufacture, but I prefer the introduction of the
purifying material into a puddling furnace at the moment of boiling, or when the
metal begins to "grain."
Hand or mechanical means can be employed for agitation if desired.
In the working of the process in connection with open hearths, converters,
receivers, or crucibles, I may introduce the purifying material into the molten
metal under different conditions.
For instance, in the open hearth process, the material can be introduced when
the molten metal has ceased to boil and is ready to receive the manganese or
Spiegeleisen.

page_text: In applying the invention to the Bessemer process, the material is conveniently
introduced into the molten metal during the process of blowing, or when the
converter is in a position to receive the manganese, or it may be inserted in the
ladle.
In the adaptation of the process to crucibles or receivers, the material can be
introduced as soon as the iron or steel has "melted," or it may be applied
immediately before pouring.
In the adaptation of the process to blast furnace operations, the material can be
introduced into the receiver or converter into which the metal is conducted from
the furnaces.
I may remark that an important result consequent upon the use of my invention
is, that the temperature of the metal is greatly increased, and the consequent
expansion of the metal reduces the labour of the puddler, and facilitates the escape
or elimination of the impurities.
A further result of this action is to cause the metal to drop readily, and thereby
permit of immediate balling by the operator.

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of Iron and Steel.
I, JOHN EDWIN SHERMAN of the First Avenue Hotel, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman 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:-
My invention has for its object the purification of iron and steel, and the
production of iron and steel of great strength, ductility, and density, from native
or low grade metal or mixtures.-This end I secure by treating the metal, as
hereinafter described, in connection with the open hearth puddling furnace, the
Bessemer converter, the crucible process, and blast furnaces, and at various stages
of the manufacture, my object being to free the metal from the impurities, whether
phosphorus, sulphur, or silica, which it may contain.
In the treatment of iron or steel according to my invention, I employ for the
purification of the same, mercury, either in a fluid state, or in chemical combination
with substances which will yield up, or part with the fluid metal on coming into
contact with the molten iron or steel to be purified. The purifying material I
introduce into the molten metal in the cupola, open hearth, or other furnace,
converter, receiver, or crucible.
I may here remark that those chemical compounds of mercury which are not
readily decomposed by heat, so as to part with their metallic base, are unsuitable
for my purpose.
The purifying material is made up for use into cartridges, with cases formed of
metal or paper, or other suitable substance, the design being that the purifying
material, when used, shall sink to the bottom of the molten metal before the case
is destroyed.
The cartridges may be introduced into the puddling furnace through the rabble
hole by means of a rod, which will serve also to mechanically agitate or stir the
metal.
I introduce the purifying material into a puddling furnace at the moment of
boiling, or when the metal begins to "grain."
In the working of the process in connection with open hearths, converters,
receivers, or crucibles, I introduce the purifying material into the molten metal
under different conditions.
For instance, in the open hearth process, the material is most advantageously
introduced when the molten metal has ceased to boil, and is ready to receive the
manganese or spiegeleisen.
In the open hearth furnace, the purifying material is thrust into the molten
metal, and to the bottom of the bath, by means of an iron rod entered at the
charging door.
In the manufacture of crucible steel, the cartridge is thrown into the pot when
the steel is ready for casting.
In the manufacture of Bessemer steel, the cartridge can, with advantage be
thrown into the converter during the process of blowing. In some cases, the

page_text: .
purifying material may, with advantage, be thrown in or forced to the bottom of
the molten metal when in the ladle, by means of an iron rod to which the cartridge
is attached.
In this last mentioned case, it is deserable to place a hood or cover over the
ladle, to protect the workmen from the scattering of the slag which results from
⚫the sudden introduction of the purifying material.
In the adaptation of the process to blast furnace operations, the material can be
introduced into the receiver or converter into which the metal is conducted from
the furnaces.
The proportion of mercury which I have found to answer well is from 8 oz
to 20 oz to the ton of metal treated, the proportion being increased relatively to
the percentage of phosphorus, sulphur, or silica, contained in the metal.
When, however, a compound of mercury is employed, as, for example, sulphide
of mercury, it will be necessary, in order to give to the molten metal the requisite
quantity of mercury, to increase, by about one sixth, the weight of purifying
material; 100 parts of sulphide of mercury containing only about 86 parts of
mercury; and a like provision must be made when using other compounds of
mercury.
The action of the purifying material, whether applied in its metallic or compound
form, is sudden and peculiar. The mercury, which has no affinity for iron, is
volatilized by sudden contact with the molten metal, and attacks the silicio
compound in the iron, causing ebullition and increased heat, the sudden éxpansion
of the metal facilitating the escape of the phosphorus and sulphur in the form of
gases, while the silica is set free as a slag.
When sulphide of mercury is employed, the sulphur combines with the lime
contained in the slag, forming sulphate of calcium, and setting the mercury free
to act upon the molten metal as already explained.
I may remark that consequent on the application of the purifying material, the
temperature of the metal greatly increased, and the resulting expansion of the
metal not only reduces the mechanical labour of the puddler, but causes the metal
to "drop" readily, and thereby permits of immediate balling by the operator.
Although I have referred to the use of chemical compounds of mercury when
carrying out my invention, I wish it to be understood that simple metallic mercury
may be employed with excellent results, and with the additional advantage, that
no other chemical agent is then introduced into the molten metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be
understood that I am aware that in processes for the purification of iron and
steel, it has been proposed to use iodides of mercury for purification by the vapour
of iodine, and also an amalgam consisting largely of lead, with a small proportion
of mercury, for purification, by combining the amalgam with the iron or steel, and
further, a compound of red lead, litharge, and cinnabar, mingled with moulding
sand and water, which compound forms a lining to the vessels or crucibles
employed, or is applied to the metal before it is placed in the furnace, and I make
no claim to any such processes as above mentioned, but what I claim is :-
Subjecting iron and steel, in a molten state, to the action of volatilized mercury,
in the manner and for the purpose above set forth..