An Improved Method of Amalgamating Ores of Gold and Silver.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Amalgamating Ores of Gold and Silver.
I, JOHN ELWELL SUTPHEN, of the City and County of Albany, State of New
York, United States of America, Gold and Silver Refiner, Assayer and Smelter,
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 to provide a process for amalgamating ores of
gold and silver and sands and products containing gold and silver, and especially
what are known as low grade ores and sands, and those containing a large per-
centage of fine, flour or float gold, and also those of a refractory nature.
In the methods heretofore employed for treating such ores and sands, a large
percentage of the precious metals has been lost because of the fact that small
particles of the metals float away during the process of amalgamation or other
imethods used.
My method is further specially adapted to treat ores and sands which are found
in a condition which may be described as mechanically protected or housed in a
coating of crystalized tourmaline, or of such crystalized tourmaline in combination
with oxide of iron.
As illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a side view of an amalgamator adapted to be used in carrying out
my invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the device shown in Figure 1,
taken on the axial line of the cylinder.
Figure 3 is a vertical cross section, taken on line x-x of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a roller adapted to work within the cylinder of the
amalgamator.
Figure 5 is an end view of the roller shown in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is an elevation of the inner surface of an inner cylinder head.
In the drawings, A represents an outer shell or cylinder provided with longi-
tudinal apertures, a, and with laterally extending flanges B. This cylinder is
also provided with hand hole plates, C, preferably arranged opposite each other,
and depressed and curved at their central portion so as to form a smooth and even
inner surface in harmony with the inner curved surface of the cylinder, as shown
in Figure 3.
The outer portion of these hand hole plates is provided with a flange, c, which
bears against, and by means of suitable bolts and nuts, is detachably secured to
the corresponding flange, a¹, formed on, or secured to, the shell or cylinder A.
D represents an inner cylinder head having a solid central portion, and its outer
edge is provided with bolt holes which are arranged in line with the correspond-
ing bolt holes formed on the outer flanges B, of the cylinder A. This head D is
preferably reduced at its outer edge so as to form a shoulder, d, at the part where
it bears against the inner portion of the cylinder, A, so as to extend in part into
said cylinder. Openings, d, are also formed in the outer portion of the head, D),
arranged in line with the apertures a, of the cylinder. The outer cylinder head E,

page_text: is secured to the end of the cylinder, A, next to the inner head, D, of the cylinder,
and is provided on its outer edge with bolt holes registering with the correspond-
ing bolt holes in the outer portion of the inner head, D, and the cylinder flange, B,
respectively.
The inner portion of the outer heads, E, is provided with an offset ring, e, which
places the main portion of the outer head, E, at a distance from the inner head, D,
of the cylinder, thereby forming a heat chamber, F, between such inner and outer
heads. The central portions of the outer heads, E, are provided with hollow
trunnions, G, connecting with the inner steam or heat chamber, F, hereinbefore
described.
These trunnions, G, are provided with driving pulleys, K, and are journalled
on suitable standards, H, provided with journal bearings, 1. The ends of the
trunnions, G, are also provided with suitable couplings, L, adapted to admit heat
into the heat chamber, F. M, represents a roller arranged within the cylinder
and provided with regular outlines and a smooth outer surface adapted to permit
such roller to bear evenly and steadily upon the materials inside the cylinder, and
to prevent any sudden or irregular movement of such roller.
In carrying out my invention the sand, ore or other gold and silver bearing
products are ground into a very fine powder. This grinding process exposes the
gold on the inner portions of the sand or ore and removes to a large extent the
outer coating of tourmaline, or oxide of iron, or both, and burnishes the metallic
condition of the gold, whereby it may become readily operated upon and in-
fluenced by the action of the mercury as hereinafter described.
In some instances my method includes drying to facilitate the pulverization,
which may be done by means of an ordinary dryer, of cylindrical or other pattern.
After the sands or ores have been thus ground, the powder is mixed with suitable
chemicals of the kinds and quantities now ordinarily used to assist and facilitate
amalgamation, and moisture enough added to the mass to produce a thick paste
or pulp.
After the sands and chemicals have been thoroughly mixed together the pulp
or paste is placed within the cylinder, A, shown in the accompanying drawings.
The usual quantity of mercury is then added to the pulp within the cylinder and
the mercury and pulp are subjected to the action of heat and a steady and even
pressure.
The heat is applied to the mass by steam passing through the hollow trun-
nions, G, of the cylinder heads, E, into the chambers, F, between the inner
cylinder heads, D, and the outer cylinder heads, E. From these chambers it
passes into the apertures, a, formed in the cylinder, A. I prefer to use this
method of heating for the reason that it is convenient and compact and the
moisture accompanying the introduction of steam directly in contact with the
pulp is obviated, and the steam when applied as before described is not permitted
to come in direct contact with the pulp in the cylinder to change its consistency
by condensation. The heat thus applied to the materials in the cylinder expands
the mercury, quickens its action and increases the affinity between the mercury
and the particles of gold and silver. At the same time the material in the cylinder
is subjected to the action of heat, the mercury is pressed into close contact with
such material by means of the roller, M, having a steady and even movement and
causes the mercury to readily amalgamate with the gold and silver.
This even and uniform pressure produced by the roller causes the mercury to
remain in a compact mass and in this way the fine float gold is brought in contact
with the mercury and a much larger percentage of such gold is saved than can be
preserved by any process heretofore used, for the reason that in prior devices and
processes in which balls of metal, rollers or analogous devices have been used
within a cylinder it has been found that the irregular or uneven movement of
such devices produces jars and concussions which cause the mercury to become
separated into fine globules, which become suspended and sometimes float away

page_text: and become lost, and when the mercury is in such separated or floured condition
its amalgamating powers and properties are lost or greatly impaired.
After the amalgamation has been completed the ore is retorted and parted in
the usual manner.
The mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings is made the subject
of a separate application, No. 23227 & dated 4th Nov. '98 and no claim is made
herein therefore to such construction.
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:-
The method of amalgamating ores of gold and silver and sands and products
containing gold and silver, consisting in applying a suitable quantity of mercury
to the action of heat, and at the same time applying a steady pressure upon the
pulp and mercury, keeping the mercury in a homogeneous body and in close con-
tact with the ores, substantially as shown and described.
JOHN ELWELL SUTPHEN,
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.