Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Metallic Ores or Compounds with Chemicals.
Year: 1889

page_text: * Date of Application, 11th June, 1889.
Complete Specification Left, 4th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 5th Apr., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Metallic Ores or Compounds
with Chemicals.
I, STEPHEN ALLEY, of the Sentinel Works, Polmadie, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as
follows, that is to say :-
I
My said Invention relates to apparatus for treating metallic ores or compounds with
chemicals, more particularly in cases in which the chemicals employed are such as to
injuriously act on the apparatus if made of ordinary materials, as for example in
chlorination processes for obtaining precious metals from ores; and the object of my
Invention is to prevent or minimise corrosive action especially in apparatus in which
the ores or compounds are mixed or agitated with chemicals and in apparatus in which
the solutions obtained are separated from undissolved residues. My Invention also
comprises improved constructive details.
In carrying out my Invention I have the apparatus or vessels coated inside and also
by preference outside with vulcanised rubber the shells of the vessels being made of
iron or steel or other suitable material. When the shell is of metal I prefer to apply
the rubber in a plastic condition and to have it cured by the application of heat to it
after putting it on the metal.
The mixing or agitating vessel is of a cylindrical or other convenient form with an
opening at one end for introducing and discharging the materials the parts near the.
opening being inclined or conical to facilitate discharge. The vessel is mounted on.
trunnions or journals the axis of which is by preference at right angles or inclined to
the axis of the vessel. Gearing is applied to one journal for turning the vessel and
the other is made tubular for the introduction of gases or liquids which may be forced;
in under pressure if desired. The end opening may be provided with an internal,
door to be kept tight by internal pressure when closed; or the door may be external
and secured by bolts or other suitable appliances.
The separating apparatus is of the centrifugal class and both the basket and the
casing are coated with vulcanised rubber. The metal shell of the basket is per-
forated before applying the plastic rubber; and after the rubber has been cured,
holes are formed by punching or otherwise through the parts of it filling the holes in
the metal shell but in a manner not to uncover any of the metal.
Dated this Eighth day of June 1880
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.. I
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Metallic Ores or Compounds
with Chemicals.
1, STEPHEN ALLEY, of the Sentinel Works, Polmadie, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Engineer, 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, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates to apparatus for treating metallic ores or compounds with
chemicals, more particularly in cases in which the chemicals employed are such as to
injuriously act on the apparatus if made of ordinary materials, as, for example, in,
chlorination processes for obtaining precious metals from ores; and the object of my :
Invention is to prevent or minimise corrosive action especially in apparatus in which
the ores or compounds are mixed or agitated with chemicals, and in apparatus in
.
D
877

page_text: which the solutions obtained are separated from undissolved residues. My Invention
also comprises improved constructive details.
Figure, 1, on the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings is a vertical section
of apparatus made according to my Invention; and figure, 2, is a vertical section on a
reduced scale of a modification of one part of the apparatus.
In carrying out my Invention I have the apparatus or vessels coated inside, and, in
some cases, also outside, with vulcanised rubber the shells of the vessels being
made of iron or steel or other suitable material. When the vessel is of metal
prefer to apply the rubber in a plastic condition, and to have it cured, in situ, by
the application of heat to it after putting it on the metal.
The mixing or agitating vessel, A, is of a cylindrical form in the modification shown
in the drawings, but it may be of any other convenient form. It is made with
an opening, B, at one end, for introducing and discharging the materials, the
part, C, near the opening being inclined or curved to facilitate discharge. The
vessel, A, is shown in the position for discharging. It is mounted on trunnions
or journals, D, the axis of which is by preference at right angles to the axis of
the vessel, as shown, or it may be inclined thereto. The journals, D, are carried
in bearings, E, and one of the journals has fixed on it a wormwheel, F, which is
driven by a worm on a shaft, G, having on it fast and loose pulleys, H, for a driving
belt, this gearing being applied to turn the vessel, A, in order to mix, agitate,
and turn over the materials within it. Both journals, D, are hollow and through
one steam is injected from a pipe, J, for the purpose of blowing air out of the
vessel, A, and for producing a partial vacuum therein by the subsequent conden-
sation of the steam. To the other hollow journal, D, a pipe, K, is connected
through a stuffing box, for the introduction of water or other liquid or solution.
or of chlorine or other gas.
The end opening, B, of the vessel, A, is closed by an internal door or valve, L,,
which is fixed to a square spindle, M, the other end of which is screwed and'
passes through a plate, N, closing an opening at the other end of the vessel
through which opening the valve, L, has been introduced. The screwed end of
the spindle, M, works in an internally screwed boss, P, held in position by a small
annular plate fixed to the plate, N, this boss, P, being squared externally to receive.
a lever key for turning it so as to move the valve spindle, M, in or out. This valve
spindle is partly enclosed in a tube, Q, fixed inside the vessel; and between the end
of this tube, Q, and the valve, L, there is a spring, R, to counteract pressure tending
to open the valve inwards when there is a partial vacuum inside. This spring, R,
consists of a series of rubber rings of square section separated by small flange rings
of vulcanite or other suitable hard material.
The vessel, A, is entirely coated or lined with rubber on its interior surface,
the rubber being indicated by a thick black line. The valve, L, is similarly coated
and also the tube, Q, and the rubber coating is extended into the hollow trunnions, D.
In order that the vessel, A, may be charged and emptied as quickly as possible
I provide above it a charging hopper, S, and below it a receiving vessel, T. The
charging hopper, S, is fitted with a valve, U, at its bottom opening, and the
materials for a charge are filled into it from above whilst a previous charge is being
operated on in the vessel, A; and when the previous charge has been emptied the
vessel, A, is turned to bring its opening or mouth, B, uppermost and immediately
under the bottom of the hopper, S, and the valve, U, is raised and the charge in the
hopper quickly transferred into the vessel, A.
The receiving vessel, T, which is by preference built up of iron plates, internally
coated or lined with rubber like the vessel, A, is made with a flexible rubber cover, ✓.
having a mouthpiece, W, which with the cover is lowered out of the way when the
vessel, A, is rotating, and which when the vessel, A, is about to be discharged is
raised up as shown in the drawing so as to leave as little space as possible for the
escape of gas whilst the materials are being emptied. The mouthpiece, W, and
cover, V, are moved and held up by a lever, X, which is adjustable by means of

page_text: a rod, Y, and handwheel screw, Z. The receiving vessel, T, is arranged to serve as a
filter for separating the solution formed in the vessel, A, from the undissolved
residues; and for this purpose it is provided with a perforated diaphragm or. false
bottom, T1, upon which a filter bed, T2, of suitable materials is formed, and with
a pipe, T 3, to lead off the solution passing through the filter bed.
Instead of separating the solution by means of stationary filtering apparatus as
hereinbefore described, centrifugal separating apparatus may be used. Both the
basket, and casing of the centrifugal apparatus are coated with vulcanised rubber. The
metal shell of the basket is perforated before applying the plastic rubber; and after
the rubber has been cured, holes are formed by punching or otherwise through
the parts of it filling the holes in the metal shell, but in a manner not to uncover
any of the metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1-The improved combination of apparatus for treating metallic ores or compounds
with chemicals constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and
as shown in the accompanying drawings.
2-A mixing or agitating vessel for treating metallic ores or compounds with
chemicals, made of a cylindrical or other convenient form, with an opening at one end,
and with the parts near the opening inclined, the said vessel being arranged to rotate
about an axis at right angles or inclined to the axis of the vessel, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
3-Constructing vessels to be used for treating metallic ores or compounds with
chemicals, of iron, or steel, or other suitable matter coated with rubber, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Third day of March 1890.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.