A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS FOR TREATING METALLIC SULPHURETS, PHOSPHURETS, ARSENIURETS, ANTIMONIURETS, AND PARTICULARLY SULPHURETTED ORES OF LEAD, ANTIMONY, COPPER, SILVER, ZINC
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jean Justin Albert de Bronac and Augustin Joseph
Martial Deherrypon, Civil Engineers, of Paris, in the Empire of France,
for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS FOR TREATING
METALLIC SULPHURETS, PHOSPHURETS, ARSENIURETS, ANTIMONIURETS, AND
PARTICULARLY SULPHURETTED ORES OF LEAD, ANTIMONY, COPPER, SILVER,
ZINC,"
Sealed the 26th July 1859, and dated the 29th January 1859..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jean Justin Albert de
Bronac and Augustin Joseph Martial Deherrypon at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 29th January
1859.
We, JEAN JUSTIN ALBERT DE BRONAC and AUGUSTIN JOSEPH MARTIAL
DEHERRYPON, Civil Engineers, of Paris, in the Empire of France, do hereby.
declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS.
FOR TREATING METALLIC SULPHURETS, PHOSPHURETS, ARSENIURETS; ANTIMONIURETS,
AND PARTICULARLY SULPHURETTED ORES OF LEAD, ANTIMONY, COPPER, SILVER,
" to be as follows

page_text: Generalities applicable to all metallic sulphurets, such as arseniurets,
antimoniurets, we first pulverize the raw ore and then mix it with a certain
quantity of spongy iron, also reduced to powder. The quantity of spongy iron
to be introduced is determined in certain cases in such manner that the
quantity of sulphur (arsenic, antimony, &c.) contained in the ore shall be in
proportion to the quantity of iron contained in the spongy iron, in order to
form a sulphuret of iron; these proportions are varied according to the nature
and kind of ore. To prevent the spongy iron from oxidizing before having
acted on the sulphuret (arseniuret, antimoniuret, &c.), and to further the
combination of the mixed matters, we compress the mixture in the form of
bricks, which bricks are in turn protected by a layer of coal in cases where
they are to be treated in a reverberatory furnace.

page_text: The foregoing process is generally applicable to all ores susceptible of being
modified or reduced by the iron; this principle point being established, it is
only necessary to mention the principal ores which we treat according to our
improved method.
Lead. In the treatment of galena the quantity of spongy iron is calculated
in such way that all the sulphur will be transformed into sulphuret of iron;
the mixture compressed in the form of bricks is treated either in a high furnace
or in a reverberatory furnace. The veinstone not requiring to be scorified, it
is unnecessary to raise the temperature above the point necessary for the
formation of sulphuret of iron. The lead being reduced to liquifaction abandons
the mass of the veinstone and the sulphuret of iron, and deposits in the
recipient arranged for that purpose. The particles of lead which may remain
in the: pores of the mass are easily obtained, either after liquifaction in the
reverberatory furnace or after pounding and rough washing the porous bodies.
As we desulphurate immediately the raw ores by means of the iron, neither
oxides or sulphates of lead are formed, and consequently there cannot be any
fumes from the lead and therefore no loss.
Antimony. What we have said. respecting lead is also applicable to
antimony, with this difference, that in the treatment of sulphuret of antimony
we take care to introduce an insufficient quantity of spongy iron, so as to
render the formation of ferruginous antimony impossible. The result of the
first operation produces the greater part of the pure metallic antimony, and
further. a small proportion of antimony' mixed with sulphuret of iron; this
Sulphuret of antimony is obtained in a succeeding operation, which is con-
ducted as before, and observing the same proportions. The difference of
density which exists between the metal and sulphuret of which we have just
spoken produces naturally the separation.
Zinc. The same as for the galena. The blend is pulverized and mixed with
a sufficient quantity of spongy iron (and the whole compressed); it is after-
wards treated in the same way as calamine (or oxide of zinc). In this
operation the sulphur of the blend combining with the iron, the zinc becomes
liberated and is separated by volatilization.
Copper. All sulphurets of copper whatever, such as (pyrite copper, grey
copper, black copper; &c.,) are reduced to powder without being previously.
roasted, as the desulphuration of all these metals contained in the foregoing
ores requires to be effected in the presence of spongy iron.
We add an
additional quantity of the iron to that absolutely necessary to effect the
desulphuration, this excess of iron is intended to attract the reduced metals.
After the fusion, which may be effected either in a high furnace or in a

page_text: reverberatory furnace, a metallic residue remains, which is composed of
ferruginous copper for the one part, and of other accidental metals on the
other part. This pounded product is submitted to a simple roasting process,
which is simply to oxidize the iron and copper, and to volatilize the other
metals, such as (antimony, arsenic, if any). After this roasting a bed is formed
for the fusion with an excess of silica, and the mixture is then treated in a
cupola furnace or a reverberatory furnace, which produces a silicate of iron
and copper.
Our improved method of treatment thus consists, 1st, in pulverising the
raw ore and spongy iron; 2ndly, mixing the two powders in determined pro-
portions, for example, if 320 parts of iron are mixed with 100 parts of
sulphuret of lead it will produce the chemical action required; 3rdly, the
combination and complete contact of the two powders by compression in the
form of bricks or cakes; 4thly, direct treatment of ores thus prepared in
furnaces, either horizontal or vertical.
The methods of treatment and results as above described will be found
superior to all those methods which have been employed up to this time in the
novelty and economy of the said process, which, 1st, obviates the preliminary
roasting, which is often difficult, tedious, and expensive; besides these
economical considerations, we must again mention that the suppression of the
roasting will likewise produce a great improvement in the hygienic conditions
of workshops and their neighbourhoods; 2ndly, reducing ores and obtaining
the metal from them much more rapidly than by the ordinary methods.
We will add that the same system may be applied in the treatment of all
other sulphurets, phosphurets, arseniurets, antimoniurets, &c.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Jean. Justin Albert de Bronac and Augustin Joseph Martial,
Deherrypon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th July 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JEAN
JUSTIN ALBERT DE BRONAC and AUGUSTIN JOSEPH MARTIAL DEHERRYPON, Civil
Engineers, of Paris, in the Empire of France, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the

page_text: agent in the treatment of galéna, for example, as with its concourse, lead can
be obtained by means of this agent at a temperature equal to that necessary
for the formation of sulpburet of iron, that is to say, at a lower temperature than
that required for the fusion of veinstone. In a commercial sense it is also
preferable, in consequence of its low price and the extreme facility with which
it is reduced to powder. Thus, in metallurgical operations, when it is necessary
or useful to use the iron in fragments, it would always be preferable to employ
spongy iron. The affinity of spongy iron for forming new combinations, and
especially the avidity with which it combines with sulphur, forms the founda-
tion of our process. The advantages resulting are, 1st, the suppression of the
preliminary roastings; 2ndly, the rapid extraction of the sulphurets at a low
temperature from different metals; 3rdly, a superior result to that obtained by
the ordinary processes; & 4thly, considerable economy in the expenses of
antimoniurets), we first pulverize the raw ore and, then mix it with a certain
quantity of spongy iron, also reduced to powder. The quantity of spongy iron to
be introduced is determined in certain cases in such manner that the quantity
of sulphur (arsenic, antimony, &c.) contained in the ore shall be in proportion
to the quantity of iron contained in the sponge, in order to form a sulphuret
of iron; these proportions are varied according to the nature & the kind of
To prevent the spongy iron from oxidizing before having acted on the
sulphuret (arscniuret, antimoniuret), & to further the combination of the
mixed matters, we compress the 'mixture in the form of bricks, which bricks
are in turn protected by a layer of coal in cases where they are to be treated
in a reverberatory furnace.
The foregoing process is generally applicable to all ores susceptable of being
modified or reduced by the iron; this principal point being established, it is
only necessary to mention the principal ores which we treat according to our
improved method.
Lead. In the treatment of galena the quantity of spongy iron is calculated
in such way that all the sulphur will be transformed into sulphuret of iron.
The mixture compressed in the form of bricks is treated either in a high
furnace or in a reverberatory furnace. The veinstone not requiring to be
scorched it is unnecessary to raise the temperature above the point necessary
for the formation of sulphuret of iron. The lead being reduced to liquefaction
ábandons the mass of the veinstone and the sulphuret of iron, and is deposited

page_text: in the recipient arranged for the purpose: The particles of lead which may
remain in the pores of the mass are easily obtained, either after liquefaction in
the reverberatory furnace or after pounding and rough washing of these porous
bodies. As we desulphurate immediately the raw ores by means of the iron,
neither oxides or sulphates of lead can be formed, and consequently there
cannot be any fumes from the lead, and therefore without loss:
Antimony: What we have said respecting lead is also applicable to
antimony, with this difference, that in the treatment of sulphuret of antimony we
take care to introduce an insufficient quantity of spongy iron, so as to render the
formation of ferruginous antimony impossible. The result of the first opera-
tion produces the greater part of the pure metallic antimony, and further
a small proportion of sulphuret of antimony.mixed with sulphuret of iron.
This sulphuret of antimony is obtained in a succeeding operation, which is
conducted as before, and observing the same proportions. The difference of
density which exists between the metal and sulphuret, of which we have just
spoken, produces naturally the separation.
Zine. The same as for the galena. The blend is pulverized and mixed with
a sufficient quantity of spongy iron (& the whole compressed); it is afterwards
treated in the same way as calamine (or oxyde of zinc). In this operation
the sulphur of the blend combining with the iron, the zinc becomes liberated
and is separated by volatilization.
Copper. All sulphurets of copper whatever, such as (pyrite copper, grey
copper, black copper), are reduced to powder without being previously washed,
the desulphuration of all these metals contained in the foregoing ores requiring
to be operated in the presence of spongy iron. We add a quantity of this
better quality of iron in addition to that absolutely necessary to effect the
desulphuration; this excess of iron is intended to attract the reduced metals.
After the fusion, which may be effected either in a high furnace or in a
reverberatory furnace, a metallic residue remains, which composed of ferru-
ginous copper for the one part, and of other accidental metals on the other
part. This pounded product is submitted to a simple roasting process, which
is simply to oxidize the iron and copper, & to volatilize the other metals, if
any,
such as (antimony, arsenic). After this roasting a bed is formed for the
fusion with an excess of silica, and the mixture is then treated in a copper
melting or a reverberatory furnace, which produces a silicate of iron and
copper
Our improved method of treatment thus consists, 1st, in pulverizing the
raw ore and spongy iron; 2dly, mixing the two powders in determined pro-
portions; 3ndly, the combination and complete contact of the two powders by

page_text: compression in the form of bricks or cakes; 4thly, direct treatment of ores;
thus prepared in furnaces, either horizontal or vertical.
The methods of treatment and results obtained as above described will be
found superior to all those methods which have been employed up to this time
in the novelty & economy of the said processes, which, 1st, obviates the
preliminary roasting, which is often difficult, tedious, and expensive; besides
these economical considerations, we must again mention the suppression of
the roasting will likewise produce a grand improvement in the hygienic con-;
ditions of workshops and their neighbourhoods; 2ndly, reducing ores and
obtaining the metals from them much more rapidly than by the ordinary
methods.
We will add that the same system may be applied in the treatment of all
other sulphurets, phosphurets, arseniurets, and antimoniurets.
In witness whereof, we, the said Jean Justin Albert de Bronac and Augustin
Joseph Martial Deherrypon, have hereunto set our hands and seals,
this Twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-nine.
(L.S.)
A. BRONAC.
MARTIAL DEHERRYPON. (L.S.)