Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1886.
Complete Left, 20th Aug., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 20th Sept., 1887.
I BERNARD CHARLEN MOLLOY of Elm Court Temple in the City of London
Barrister at Law M.P. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
My invention consists in apparatus which secures an intimate and continued contact
between the particles of the crushed ore or compound, containing the gold or other
precious metals, with the mercury to be used for the purpose of amalgamation.
To facilitate an explanation of the invention I will describe an apparatus as having
certain dimensions and of a particular form-but I do not confine myself to any
particular form size or shape.
I provide (say) a circular tray 36 inches inside diameter, the sides of which may
be 3 inches high. This vessel it is evident should be capable of containing fluids, and
sufficiently solid in its construction.
A disc say 35 inches outside diameter the sides of which may be 2 or 3 inches
high-so as to rise higher when in action than the sides or where the overflow is
arranged at a particular point higher than such overflow. It has an opening in the
centre of say 9 inches in diameter-fitted to which is a hopper a cross bar so as to
span this aperture and pierced in the centre with a hole through which a spindle is
made to pass and work in a base socket.
The upper end of the spindle passes freely through a fixed cross bar and is fitted
with a suitable driving wheel.

page_text: The object of this spindle arrangement can be obtained by other well known
devices-stirrers are provided which may be attached to the spindle and to the hopper.
The tray which is fitted with a tap contains mercury, an inch deep more or less,
the mercury, rising to about an inch from the top of the sides or other overflow.
The disc floats on the surface of the mercury ensuring an even pressure on the
surface of the mercury under all conditions. The outside of the disc may fitted with
stirrers adjustable and removeable so as to prevent when necessary the settling of the
treated ore.
The spindle may be fitted with stirrers to keep the ore from settling in
The lower end of the hopper may be cut away sloping outward to the
mercury.
When the apparatus is in action the ore or ore and water is conducted by any
suitable means into the hopper and the supply properly regulated. The disc is then
revolved by means for example of a crown wheel acting upon the spindle passing
through the cross bar by means of a driving band or other convenient arrangement
at a speed of say 20 revolutions more or less to the minute. This rotating action
may be obtained by other devices.
the hopper.
As the disc revolves the ore creeps in a thin layer on the surface of the mercury
under the disc and then by centrifugal action pressed outward while the circular
action of the disc drags it laterally so that the ore is worked spirally outwards rolling
and pressing upon the surface of the mercury till it reaches the uncovered mercury
in the open space between the outside of the disc and the inside of the tray. Here
the ore is preventing settling by the action of the outside stirrers. The slimes thus
kept in a state of agitation by the stirrers risc till they overflow and pass away. This
overflow may be all round or only at a given point as may be found convenient. The
ore will thus by the action and pressure of the disc have been rolled in the mercury
for a considerable time say from 10 to 15 seconds. The speed of the revolutions
and the length of contact may be regulated in accordance with the character of
the ore.
When the mercury used is electro chemically quickened the apparatus is fitted with
a porous diaphragm.
The apparatus may be constructed of wood, ebonite, slate, iron or other suitable
material. When the electro chemical arrangement is used-if iron or metal is used
care must be taken to secure the necessary insulation.
"
In order to prevent the "sickening" and "flouring" of the mercury by amongst
others such ores as arsenical pyrites I preserve the "quickness of the mercury by
the following means. I interpose between the bottom of the tray a porous diaphragm
fitting tightly to the sides which leaves a space (filled conveniently with sand) of say
1 inch between diaphragm and the bottom of the vessel. This may be constructed of
porous plate cement, skins, non-resinous wood and many other substances and I do
not limit myself to any particular material for the diaphragm-as there are many
materials suitable for this purpose. This diaphragm may thus divide the tray
transversely & form practically à separate compartment or otherwise and which may
be of wood, slate, ebonite or other suitable material or in some cases constructed of
metal or the diaphragm itself may be formed to constitute the anode compartment.
It is fitted with carbon, platinum, lead or other suitable anode having an electrical
connection. This compartment may or may not be a structure separate from the
vessel. Its size if separated may be slightly larger than the vessel. This compartment
containing sufficient of an aqueous electrolyte is when separate supported by any
simple method underneath the box but so that in this and every other arrangement of
the diaphragm the current shall pass in the manner hereinafter described. In some
cases the disc may form the diaphragm. Where leather for instance is used then the
box may be the same size as and fitting to the bottom of the leather diaphragın
intervening and the two boxes being clamped together tightly.
The tray above the diaphragm is filled to the depth of say half an inch with mercury
and which thus rests upon or against the diaphragm but so that the mercury is slightly
lower than the level of the overflow. This body of mercury has an electrical con-

page_text: nection which may be formed by a platinum wire resting in the mercury and passing
through the substance of the side of the tray at any convenient point. The mercury
here will constitute the cathode and is connected by means of the platinum wire with
the zinc or negative pole of a voltaic battery or with the negative pole of any other
electro-motor such as a dynamo machine while the carbon or other anode in the trough
is connected with the positive pole of the same electro-motor. An inclination should
be given to the diaphragm where necessary to prevent the accumulation of oxygen on
its under surface and outlets for escape of the oxygen round the higher edges but so
as not to break the supporting and containing surface of the diaphragm and tray.
When the electrolyte is for instance dilute sulphuric acid or the solution of an alkaline
sulphate then the evolution of oxygen may be entirely avoided by the use of the metal
lead as the positive electrode or anode in which case a peroxide of this metal is
formed. In this latter case the lead anode may conveniently be coated with
porous lead.
This can be easily obtained by precipitating by means of zinc porous lead from the
acetate or other soluble salt of the metal or otherwise.
The aqueous electrolyte contained in the compartment may be any which will give
hydrogen at the mercury cathode, or hydrogen and a metal electro positive to
hydrogen. For example sulphuric acid diluted with 12 parts of water to give hydrogen
at the cathode, or a solution of caustic soda, or of a salt of soda, to give hydrogen
and sodium at the cathode, diaphragms of leather are unsuitable with alkaline
solutions.
When the apparatus is in action, for example with a solution of caustic soda, I use
an electro motive force which in ordinary cases need be no higher than 4 Volts. This
electro motive force will cause the evolution of hydrogen at the cathode (such evolved
hydrogen being the excess of the quantity required to form hydrogen amalgam) and a
small proportion of the alkaline metal will also be separated. An amalgam of sodium
and mercury containing but a small proportion of the former metal would when used as
a positive element in conjunction with a carbon negative and an aqueous electrolyte
give an opposing electro motive force of less than three volts such an amalgam could
therefore as is well understood be obtained by means of an electro motive force of
4 volts.
The electrical resistance in the circuit constituted by the apparatus being very small
electrical power is not wasted.
The electro motive force employed must be greater than the counter electro motive
force generated, within the apparatus itself. When dilute sulphuric acid is the
electrolyte I prefer to use an anode of lead but when the electrolyte is an alkaline
solution this metal should not be employed.
In such a case I prefer to employ carbon, platinum or copper.
$
The apparatus being thus so far arranged and the electrical connections duly made
then the current of electricity will pass from the anoue in the lower compartment or
other diaphragm arrangement through the aqueous electrolyte and diaphragm to the
mercury cathode with which it is in contact and produce the desired hydrogen
amalgain at the expense of the hydrogen resulting from the decomposition of the
Where metal is used
electrolyte the oxygen being retained or evolved at the anode.
in construction the necessary insulation to secure the required action, must be
arranged.
These conditions being secured the crushed ore and water are passed into the hopper
and under the disc which is slowly rotated by the means indicated or other convenient
method. A jet of water may play on the ore as it escapes from underneath the disc.
The difference in the specific gravity of the ore and the mercury makes the separation
of the ore and the mercury and the flowing away of the former easy under the
conditions named, a tube or tubes is provided through which the electrolyte may be
supplied.
By these means the particles of gold or ore carrying gold and all float gold will be
brought into intimate contact with and rolled in the body of the mercury maintained
in a quick or "unsickened condition. The ore so discharged will have thus
15
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22

page_text: passed through and been rolled over and against a considerable quantity or surface of
mercury by which a prolonged contact between the mercury and the ore will have
been secured.
When lead is used as the anode-and becomes oxidized-it may be reduced by
reversing the current after the mercury has been withdrawn using the same electrolyte
and using carbon as an anode, against the peroxide of lead (which is to be reduced)
as the cathode.
D
11
1
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Amalgamating Gold and other
Precious Metals.
I BERNARD CHARLES MOLLOY of 3 Elm Court Temple in the City of London,
Barrister at Law M.P. 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 consists in apparatus which, without the application of any fixed
pressure or force secures an intimate and continued contact between the particles of
the crushed ore or compound containing the gold or other precious metals under the
conditions herein stated with the surface of mercury to be used for the purpose of
amalgamation.
To facilitate an explanation of the invention, I will describe an apparatus with
certain dimensions and of a particular form, but I do not confine myself to any
particular form size or shape.
Figure 1 is a plan, the central spindle with its pulley being removed; Figure 2 a
vertical section; Figure 3 is a modified arrangement of the same apparatus shewn in
vertical section in which electro-chemical devices are introduced as hereinafter
described more in detail.
A A¹ A, is a circular tray 36 inches inside diameter, the sides of which A. A, may be
3 inches high. This tray or vessel it is evident, should be capable of containing fluids,
and sufficiently solid in its construction.
B B, is a disc, say 35 inches outside diameter, the sides of which may be 2 or 3 inches
high so as to rise higher when in action than the sides A A; or where the overflow
is arranged at a particular point, higher than such overflow. It has an opening in the
centre 9 inches in diameter fitted to which is the hopper B¹, B¹; a cross bar M M, is
fitted so as to centrally span this aperture. This cross bar may be made of iron 2 inches
wide, of an inch thick, and pierced in the centre with a square hole through which
the spindle passes freely without in any way supporting the disc, but yet capable of
causing the disc to revolve. S, is a spindle which passing through the cross bar MM,
works in the base socket as shown. The upper end of the spindle passes through and
works in the fixed cross bar D, and is fitted with a crown driving wheel E.
The object of this spindle arrangement and cross bar can be obtained by other well
known devices. 0, 0, are wire like stirrers which may be attached to the spindle and
which by agitation merely keep the ore suspended in the water. The tray which is
fitted with the tap G, contains mercury an inch deep, more or less, the mercury rising
to about an inch from the top of A A, or other overflow.
The disc B B, floats upon the surface of the mercury so that their respective surfaces
are in contact. This floating of the disc in connection with its capacity to rise and
fall freely, enables it to follow the irregular motion of the irregular centrifugal wave,
and automatically to adapt itself to any depth of mercury in the outer pan.

page_text: It will be seen that due to this loose joint at the aperture in cross bar M M, the
disc can be removed at any time by merely lifting up the spindle.
The outside of the disc may be fitted with wire like stirrers o¹, o¹, (which are not
scrapers) adjustable and removable so as to prevent when necessary the settling of the
treated ore.
The spindle may be fitted with stirrers O, O, to keep the ore from settling in the
hopper B¹ B. The lower end of the hopper is cut away, sloping outward to the
mercury as shewn at x (see Fig. 3).
When the apparatus is in action, the ore, (or ore and water), is conducted by
any suitable means into the hopper, and the supply properly regulated. The motion
given to the pulley E, acting upon the spindle, causes the disc to revolve. The revolu-
tion of the disc may be obtained by other suitable and convenient means. The number
of revolutions may be 10 more or less, to the minute. As the disc revolves, the ore
floats under the bevel e, and then with the centrifugal wave creeps under the disc in a
thin layer and then by the centrifugal action is worked outward on the surface of the
mercury, while the circular action of the disc drags it laterally so that the ore is worked
spirally outwards, rolling upon the surface of the mercury till it reaches the uncovered
mercury in the open space between the outside of the disc, and the inside of the tray.
Here the wet ore is prevented settling or clogging, the ore being held in suspension
in the water, by the action of the outside stirrers o'. The slimes thus kept in a state
of agitation by the stirrers, rise till they overflow and pass away free from any
particles of mercury; because due to the agitation of the slimes, the specific gravity of
the mercury is free to carry any such particles down to the body of the mercury in the
tray. This overflow may be all around or only at a given point as may be found
convenient.
The ore will thus by the action of the disc, have been rolled on the surface of the
mercury from 10 to 15 seconds. The speed of the revolutions and the length of
contact may be regulated in accordance with the character of the ore. The parts A A¹A,
and B B¹ may be constructed of wood, ebonite, slate, iron, or other suitable material.
When the mercury is electro-chemically quickened, the apparatus is fitted with a
porous diaphragm P, P, as herein stated.
When the electro-chemical arrangement is used, if iron or other metal construction
is used, care must be taken to secure the necessary insulation, so that the current shall
pass from the anode through the electrolyte and diaphragm to the mercury cathode.
In order to prevent the "sickening" and "flouring" of the mercury by, (amongst
other) such ores as Arsenical pyrites, I preserve the "quickness" of the mercury by
the following means;
I interpose between the bottom of the tray A A¹ A, figure 3 a porous diaphragm PP,
fitting tightly to the sides, which leaves a space or compartment H, of say 1 inch
between the diaphragm and the bottom of the vessel A A¹ A, and this space may be
conveniently filled with sand.
This porous diaphragm may be constructed of porous plate, cement, skins, non-resinous
wood and many other substances, and I do not limit myself to any particular material
for this diaphragm, as there are many materials suitable for the purpose, nor to any
particular form or method in use. The compartment H is fitted with carbon, platinum,
lead, or other suitable anode Pb, having an electrical connection.
Where leather, for instance, is used to form the diaphragm, then the compartment HH,
may be the same size as and fitting to the bottom of what would then be the top, rim
of the tray A A' A, the leather diaphragm intervening and the two boxes being
clamped together tightly. The diaphragm may conveniently be supported by a bed
of sand saturated with the electrolyte, and so that the diaphragm itself in every case is
saturated with the electrolyte.
The diaphragm as here described is covered to the depth of say an inch with mercury
and which thus rests upon or against the diaphragm but so that the surface of the
mercury is lower than the level of the overflow. This body of mercury has an electrical
connection which may be formed say by a platinum wire resting in the mercury and
passing through the substance of the side of the tray (and of course where necessary

page_text: insulated) at any convenient point. The mercury here will constitute the cathode and
is connected by means of the platinum wire with the zinc or negative pole of a voltaic
battery of two or more couples in series, as may be deemed sufficient, or with the
negative pole of any other electro-motor such as a dynamo machine while the carbon
or other anode in the compartment H, is connected with the positive pole of the same
electro-motor. An inclination should be given to the diaphragm where necessary, to
prevent the accumulation of oxygen on its under surface and outlets for escape should
be made round the higher edges but so as not to break the supporting and containing
surface of the diaphragın and tray.
When the electrolyte is for instance dilute sulphuric acid or the solution of an
alkaline sulphate, then the evolution of oxygen may be avoided by the use of the
metal lead, as the positive electrode or anode, in which case a peroxide of this metal is
formed. In this latter case the lead anode may conveniently be coated with porous
lead.
The aqueous electrolyte contained in compartment H, may be any which will give
hydrogen at the mercury cathode, or hydrogen and a metal electro positive
to hydrogen. For example, sulphuric acid diluted with 12 parts of water to
give hydrogen at the cathode, or a solution of caustic soda or of a salt of soda to give
hydrogen and sodium at the cathode. Diaphragms of leather are unsuitable with
alkaline solutions.
When the apparatus is in action, for example, with a solution of caustic soda, I use
an electro-motive force which in ordinary cases need be no higher than 4 volts.
This electro-motive force will cause the evolution of hydrogen at the cathode (such
evolved hydrogen being the excess of the quantity required to form hydrogen
amalgam) and a small proportion of the alkaline metal will also be separated. An
amalgam of sodium and mercury containing but a small proportion of the former
metal would when used as a positive element in conjunction with a carbon negative
and an aqueous electrolyte, give an opposing electro-motive force of less than 3 volts,
such an amalgam could therefore as is well understood be obtained by means of an
electro-motive force of 4 volts.
The electrical resistance in the circuit constituted by the apparatus being very
small, electrical power is not wasted. I do not limit myself to any definite electro-
motive force, but in every case it must be greater than the counter electro-motive
force generated within the apparatus itself. When dilute sulphuric acid is the
electrolyte, I prefer to use an anode of lead but when the electrolyte is an alkaline
solution, this metal should not be employed. In such a case I prefer to employ
carbon, platinum, or copper. The apparatus being thus so far arranged and the
electrical connections duly made, then the current of electricity will pass from the
anode in compartment H, through the aqueous electrolyte and diaphragm to
the mercury cathode, and produce the desired hydrogen amalgam at the expense of
the hydrogen resulting from the decomposition of the electrolyte, the oxygen being
retained or evolved at the anode. These conditions being secured, the crushed ore
and water are passed into the hopper and under the disc as previously described.
jet of water may play on the ore as it escapes from underneath the disc. The
difference in the specific gravity of the ore and the mercury makes the separation of
the ore and the mercury, and the carrying away of the former, easy under the
conditions named.
Y is a tube or tubes through which the electrolyte may be supplied.
ג,
A
By these means the particles of gold or ore carrying gold and all float gold will
be brought into intimate contact with and rolled in the body of the mercury
maintained in a "quick or "unsickened" condition. The ore so discharged will
have thus passed through and been rolled over and against a considerable quantity
of surface of quick mercury by which a prolonged contact between the mercury
and the ore will have been secured. When lead is used as the anode and becomes
oxidised it may be reduced by reversing the current after the mercury has been
withdrawn using the same electrolyte and using carbon as an anode against the
peroxide of lead (which is to be reduced) as the cathode.

page_text: 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 :-
:-
1. In an amalgamating apparatus, the combination. of a pan, with a disc having a
central hopper and means for revolving the same, a mercury containing vessel having
a porous diaphragm separating the mercury which constitutes the cathode, from a
carbon or other anode in an aqueous electrolyte, and suitable electrical connections,
as and for the purposes described.
2. In an amalgamating apparatus, the combination of a pan, a disc carrying a
central shallow hopper for the ore beveled at its lower edge, means for revolving the
same, a porous diaphragm between the disc and the bottom of the pan and separating
the mercury which constitutes the cathode from a carbon or other anode in an
aqueous electrolyte, and suitable electrical connections, all as and for the purposes
described.
3. In an amalgamating apparatus, the combination of a pan, a disc having stirrers
at its periphery and carrying a central shallow hopper for the ore, such hopper being
beveled at its lower edge, means for revolving the same, a porous diaphragm between
the disc and the bottom of the pan, and separating the mercury which constitutes
the cathode and upon which the disc floats and by which it is alone supported from
a carbon or other anode in an aqueous electrolyte, and suitable electrical connections,
all as and for the purposes described.
4. In amalgamating apparatus the use of a porous diaphragm, an electrolyte and
an anode in combination with the mercury (of the apparatus) which constitutes the
cathode as and for the purpose herein described.
5. In amalgamating apparatus the use of a porous diaphragm, separating the
mercury, of the apparatus, which constitutes the cathode, from an anode, and an
aqueous electrolyte and electrical connections as and for the purposes herein
described.