IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF REFRACTORY BRICKS, WHICH INVENTION ALSO COMPRISES A PROCESS FOR OBTAINING MAGNESIA FOR SUCII MANUFACTURE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Huseltine, Lake.
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF REFRACTORY BRICKS, WHICH
INVENTION ALSO COMPRISES A PROCESS FOR OBTAINING MAGNESIA FOR SUCII
MANUFACTURE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from abroad
by Alfred Braconnier, of Nancy, France, Mining Engineer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th March 1880.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. V IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
REFRACTORY BRICKS, WHICH INVENTION ALSO COMPRISES A PROCESS FOR OBTAINING
MAGNESIA FOR SUCH MANUFACTURE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." [A communi-
cution from abroad by Alfred Braconnier, of Nancy, France, Mining Engineer.]
In carrying this Invention into practice magnesia (in a greater or less degree of
purity), having been obtained as hereinafter described is again dried, and slightly
calcined in a kiln constructed of magnesian bricks. After pulverization the
inagnesia is moistened with a small quantity of water until it attains the con-
sistency of a rather stiff paste; it is then formed into the required shape for the
bricks in moulds, the greatest possible pressure being exerted in the process of
compression. The desiccation should be effected very slowly, and then the
bricks are baked for at least twelve hours in regenerative furnaces or kilns
constructed of magnesian bricks, and heated by gas to the highest temperature
obtainable.
The magnesia is obtained according to my process by treating with calcined
natural dolomite such liquid residues from manufactories as contain hydro-chlorate
of ammonia and metallic chlorides, with or without hydro-chloric acid in a free
state; only the quantity of dolomito strictly necessary must be used, so that the
lime alone will be dissolved; the magnesia from the dolomite then remains
undissolved mixed with the foreign matters which the natural dolomite contained.
In this process the purity of the product depends entirely on that of the primary
substance. The advantage of the said process consists in its simplicity; the magnesia
need not be dissolved to be afterwards precipitated. Moreover the losses of
ammonia are reduced to a minimum, and the magnesia presents itselt as the
immediate residuum of the manufacture, replacing the lime residuo which is
actually thrown away by soda manufacturers, it being difficult to find a use for
the same.
It will be seen that by my said process I obtain the immediate production of
magnesia as an undissolved residuum at a single operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th September 1880:
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
REFRACTORY BRICKS, WHICH INVENTION ALSO COMPRISES A PROCESS FOR OBTAINING
MAGNESIA FOR SUCH MANUFACTURE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Alfred Braconnier, of Nancy, Franco, Mining Engineer.
In carrying this Invention into practice magnesia (more or less pure) having
been obtained by the process hereinafter described is driod, and slightly calcined in
a kiln constructed of magnesian bricks; then the magnesia is pulverized, and
afterwards moistened with a small quantity of water until it becomes a somewhat
stiff paste. The paste so obtained is formed into the shape required for the bricks
by placing it into suitable moulds, and submitting it to the highest practicable
pressure. These bricks are desiccated, and then burnt or baked for at least twelve
hours in regenerative furnaces or kilns constructed of magnesian bricks, and heated
by gas to the highest temperature attainable.
According to my Invention the magnesia is obtained by the following process,
that is to say-I treat with calcined natural dolomite such liquid residues from
manufactories as contain hydro-chlorate of ammonia and metallic chlorides, with or
without hydrochloric acid in a free state. The quantity of dolomite is limited, so
that only the quantity strictly necessary to dissolve the lime alone is employed;
the magnesia from the dolomite then remains undissolved and mixed with the
foreign matters which the dolomite contained in its natural state.
In this process the purity of the product depends entirely on that of the raw
material. The said process is advantageous in respect of its simplicity, as the
magnesia need not be first dissolved, and then precipitated; and in respect of its
economy, as the loss of ammonia is reduced to a minimum. Moreover the magnesia is
a. direct residue in the manufacture or process, replacing the lime residue which is
now thrown away by soda manufacturers, and of which it is difficult to make any
profitable use.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,-
The obtaining of magnesia as a direct undissolved residuum by a single operation,
in which I eliminate from calcined dolomite the lime contained therein by means
of a solution of hydrochlorate of ammonia, or of metallic chlorides; also the
application or utilization of the magnesia so obtained in the manufacturo of bricks.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty seventh day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
KARM