CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF IRON AND OTHER ORES, AND IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREIN
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Underwood, of Cannon Street, in the City of
London, Mining Engineer, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE TREATMENT OF IRON AND OTHER ORES, AND IN THE MACHINERY AND
APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREIN."
Sealed the 29th January 1878, and dated the 31st July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Underwood at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st July 1877.
GEORGE UNDERWOOD, of Cannon Street, in the City of London, Mining
Engineer. CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF IRON AND OTHER
ORES, AND IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREIN."
The main objects of this Invention are the freeing or cleansing ores of injurious
compounds, and concentrating such purified ores into smaller compass for transit,
and producing a better quality of ore for smelting purposes.
The method by which I propose to cleanse and concentrate iron ore is as follows :—
I take the ores from the mine, quarry, waste heap, or other source, passing the
same through a crushing machine, rollers, pulverizers, or stamps, and reduce any
portion or all of it into sizes suitable for classifying and passing through trommels
or other apparatus preparatory to washing same in machines so arranged that by
specific gravity the mineral is separated from the free silica and other earthy
impurities. I then add to the cleaned ore manganese, lime, or other cementing or
fluxing ingredient, either in a crushed state, in powder, or mixed with liquid in
such quantities as may be deemed necessary or suitable for smelting or other
purposes; this mixture, or the ore by itself, is passed into moulds, such pressure
being applied that blocks of any shape or size can be produced, rendering the same
easy of transit. By this process I cleanse the ore of its chief injurious compounds,
free slica and alumina, concentrating the ore into smaller compass for transit, using
less coal in smelting, and producing a purer and better iron.
This method of compressive concentration and admixture may be applied to other
kind of metallic ores.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Underwood in the Great Seal' Patent Office on the 31st
January 1878.
GEORGE UNDERWOOD, of Cannon Street, in the City of London, Mining Engineer.
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF IRON AND OTHER ORES, AND IN
THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREIN."
The main objects of this Invention are the freeing or cleansing ores of injurious
compounds, and concentrating such purified ores into smaller compass for transit, and
producing a better quality of ore for smelting purposes.
:-
The method by which I propose to cleanse and concentrate iron ores is as follows:-
I take the ores from the mine, quarry, waste heap, or other source, passing the same
through a crushing machine, rollers, pulverizers, or stamps, and reduce any portion
or all of it into sizes suitable for classifying, and passing through trommels or other
apparatus preparatory to washing same in machines so arranged that by specific
gravity the mineral is separated from the free silica and other earthy impurities. I
then add to the cleaned ore manganese, lime, or other cementing or fluxing ingre-
dient, either in a crushed state, in powder, or mixed with liquid in such quantities
as may be deemed necessary or suitable for smelting or other purposes; this mixture,
or the ore by itself, is passed into moulds, such pressure being applied that blocks of
any shape or size can be produced, rendering the same easy of transit. By this
process I cleanse the ore of its chief injurious compounds, free silica, and alumina,
concentrating the ore into smaller compass for transit, using less coal in smelting,
and producing a purer and better iron.
This method of compression, concentration, and admixture may be applied to other
kind of metallic ores.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be understood in conclusion that
I claim, the improvements in the treatment of iron and other ores, substantially as
herein described for the purposes herein mentioned.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Underwood, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
A. C. M. PRINCE,
Office for Patents,
9, Adam Street,
Strand,
W.C.
GEO. UNDERWOOD. (L.S.)