Improvements in Obtaining Copper from Solutions of its Salts.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1886.
Complete Left, 22nd Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1887.
[Communicated from abroad by GEORGE THOMSON, of The New Jersey Extraction
Works, Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States of America, Metallurgist.]
Improvements in Obtaining Copper from Solutions of its Salts.
I EDMUND HUNT, of 87 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as
follows, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object the obtainment of copper in the metallic state in
an economical and convenient manner from solutions of its salts such as the solutions
obtained in what is known as the wet process of obtaining copper from its ores, and
which solutions also generally contain iron arsenic and other impurities.
In carrying out the Invention the cuprcous solution, which may contain either
sulphate or chloride or both, is placed in a tank or vessel in which there is also placed
a porous cell containing coke or other suitable form of carbon and water. An electric
current derived from a dynamo-electric machine or other suitable source is made to
act on the cupreous solution by means of one or more copper plates placed in the
cupreous solution and forming positive electrodes, whilst the carbon is connected so as
to act as the negative electrode. The cupreous solution is decomposed by the electric
current and metallic copper is deposited on the copper plates whilst the acid is set
free.
Each charge of cupreous solution is treated electrolytically as described until about
90 per centum of its copper has been deposited; and then the remaining solution is
run into a lower tank or vessel in which it is treated with an excess of finely divided
low-grade matte or sulphide of iron, the tank or vessel being fitted with a rotating
agitator which is worked during the process. The mixture is finally run into settling
tanks in which the precipitated sulphides are deposited. The clear liquor will be
strongly acid and may be utilised in dissolving fresh quantities of copper from oxides,
carbonates, or ores.
Dain hinta Camil
1000

page_text: A communication from GEORGE THOMSON, of the New Jersey Extraction Works,
Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States of America, Metallurgist.
I, EDMUND HUNT, of 87 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Patent Agent, 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:—
This Invention has for its object the obtainment of copper in the metallic state in
an economical and convenient manner from solutions of its salts such as the solutions
obtained in what is known as the wet process of obtaining copper from its ores, and
which solutions also generally contain iron, arsenic, and other impurities.
In carrying out the Invention the cupreous solution, which may contain either
sulphate or chloride or both, is placed in a tank or vessel which is by preference made
of wood and in which there is placed a porous cell or vessel containing coke or other
suitable form of carbon and water. An electric current derived from a dynamo-
electric machine or other suitable source is made to act on the cupreous solution by
means of one or more copper plates placed in the cupreous solution and forming
positive electrodes, whilst the carbon is connected so as to act as the negative electrode
or electrodes. The cupreous solution is decomposed by the action of the electric
current and metallic copper is deposited on the copper plates whilst the acid is set
free.
Each charge of cupreous solution is treated electrolytically as described until about
90 per centum of its copper has been deposited; and then the remaining solution is
run into a lower tank or vessel in which it is treated with an excess of finely divided
low-grade matte or sulphide of iron, the tank or vessel being, fitted with a rotating
agitator which is worked during the process. The mixture is finally run into settling
tanks in which the precipitated sulphides are deposited. The clear liquor will be
strongly acid and may be utilised in dissolving fresh quantities of copper from oxides,
carbonates, or ores. "The repeated use of the acid in this way contributes largely to
the economy of the process.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The obtaining of copper from solutions of its salts by means of an electric
current with positive and negative electrodes of copper and carbon respectively
substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The improved combination of processes for obtaining copper from solutions
wherein about 90 per centum of the copper are first obtained electrolytically and the
remainder is converted into sulphide substantially as herein before described.
Dated this twenty-first day of February 1887.