Improvements in the Production of Copper Sulphate.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Production of Copper Sulphate.
I, THOMAS SAVAGE of Hooper Street, Spring Hill, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Chemical Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved production of copper sulphate, and has for its
object a process whereby the same can be more quickly and effectively produced and
at less cost than has hitherto been the case.
Hitherto copper sulphate has been produced by treating copper with a diluted
solution of sulphuric acid and allowing the same to crystallise out in the ordinary
manner. Now my improved process consists in treating copper with a solution of
sulphuric acid and sodium nitrate.
In producing copper sulphate according to my invention I use the ordinary
apparatus consisting of a tank or bath fitted with circulating steam pipes, and in this
tank or bath is placed the copper and the solution of sulphuric acid and soduim
nitrate; the amount of sodium nitrate entering into the solution depending upon the
amount of copper to be dissolved, and the strength of the sulphuric acid.
The solution is heated by the steam pipes and, when it has been saturated with
copper, the same is siphoned off into a collecting tank or vat having-an inside lining
of lead and hangers suspended thereinto of the same metal, upon which the copper
sulphate crystallises on the solution cooling.
A mechanical means may be provided, if necessary, as an agitating agent to the
solution, and the sodium nitrate may be added to the sulphuric acid at any convenient
period or periods in the process, and in any required quantity.
Dated this 2nd day of
ober 1906
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, THOMAS-SAVAGE, of Hooper Street, Spring Hill, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Chemical Manufacturer, 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 reference to an improved method of treating copper for the

page_text: production of copper sulphate on a commercial scale, and aims at a quick and large
production of the sulphate with a corresponding reduction in its cost.
At the present time the production of copper sulphate on a commercial scale is
effected by treating copper with a diluted solution of sulphuric acid and, when the
solution is saturated therewith, allowing it to crystalise out in the ordinary manner.
This process is found in practise to be a slow and tedious one, in fact, so much so, that
the demand for copper sulphate in recent years has exceeded the supply.
Now my invention consists in treating copper with sodium nitrate in addition to
the diluted solution of sulphuric acid, whereby I am able to produce copper sulphate
in a sixth of the time now occupied and at a less cost.
In producing copper sulphate on a commercial scale according to my invention I
make use of the ordinary apparatus consisting of a tank or bath fitted with circulating
steam pipes, and in this tank or bath is placed the copper and the sodium nitrate, the
sulphuric acid being added thereto, or placed in together with the sodium nitrate.
Sulphuric acid with a specific gravity of 1.200 is preferably used, and, as an example
of carrying my invention into effect, I use 56 pounds of copper with 168 pounds of
sulphuric acid of the above specific gravity, and 84 pounds of sodium nitrate; the
latter being used in its mineral form.
These quantities give good results but it is obvious that they must be determined
by the amount of copper sulphate to be ultimately produced.
The solution in the tank or bath is now heated and, when saturated with copper, is
siphoned off into a collecting tank or vat having inside linings of lead and hangers
suspended thereinto of the same metal; the copper crystallising out upon these
latter on the solution cooling.
A mechanical means may be provided, if necessary, as an agitating agent to the
solution, and the sodium nitrate may, if required, be added to the solution at any
convenient period or periods and in any quantity.
Thus I am able, by taking advantage of the cheapness and properties possessed by
sodium nitrate, and using it as an oxidising agent in solution in the commercial
production of copper sulphate, to produce copper sulphate in large quantities in a very
rapid manner and at a considerable reduction in cost.
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:
First. The production of copper sulphate on a commercial scale by treating copper
with sodium nitrate and sulphuric acid as set forth.
Second. In the commercial production of copper sulphate as set forth the use of
sodium nitrate as an oxidising agent.
3000
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Also at Liverpool, London, and Manchester, Agents for Applicant.