Improvements in the Extraction of Bismuth from Ores containing Bismuth Oxide, or Bismuth Oxide and Sulphide.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 16th Feb., 1900-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1900
Improvements in the Extraction of Bismuth from Ores containing
Bismuth Oxide, or Bismuth Oxide and Sulphide.
I, JOHN RANALD, of 62, Streatham Hill, in the County of London, Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
The object of my present invention is principally to extract bismuth from ores
containing bismuth oxide, or bismuth oxide and sulphide in an economical and efficient
manner.
The material to be treated is finely divided, and is introduced into a heated
solution of ferric chloride. The bismuth is extracted as bismuth tri-chloride thus:-
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in the Extraction of Bismuth from Ores containing
Bismuth Oxide, or Bismuth Oxide and Sulphide.
I, JOHN RANALD, of 62, Streatham Hill, in the County of London, Gentleman, 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
The object of my present invention is principally to extract bismuth from ores
containing bismuth oxide, or bismuth oxide and sulphide, in an economical and

page_text: The material to be treated is finely divided, which may be done by crushing it and
passing it through a sieve of say about thirty meshes to the square inch. The material
is then, in calculated amount, introduced into vats containing a heated solution of
ferric chloride of moderate density such for example as a density of 1240 (as against
water at 1000) and maintained at a temperature at, or about, boiling point. No
parts of the vat, or apparatus, which come in contact with the heated ferric chloride
solution should present a surface of iron to the solution. The heating of the solution
may be effected by a jet of coal gas ignited and issuing into the charge through a
nozzle within a hood dipping into the charge, or in other convenient way.
bismuth is extracted as bismuth tri-chloride thus:-
The
The oxychloride of bismuth is not formed in the presence of ferrous chloride it
ferric chloride of sufficiently high specific gravity be used in the first place.
The liquor, consisting of chlorides of iron and bismuth, is separated from the
tailings by syphoning, or otherwise, and whilst it is still at a high temperature, it is
treated with iron, (recovered as hereinafter described) whereby the bismuth is
precipitated in a chemically pure state, the solution being ferrous chloride which
is removed and the bismuth is melted and run into moulds, or the like, wherein it
assumes the crystalline state. The ferrous chloride is then oxidized to ferric chloride,
which can be done by electrolytic means, for example, in a cell with the anode in a
compartment separated by a porous diaphragm from the cathode compartment.
Ferric chloride forms at the anode and iron is deposited at the cathode and these can
be used again in the process and so the process can be carried on continuously the
same iron and solvent being used repeatedly in the treatment of further charges of
material. Or instead of employing electrolytic means I can add potassium chlorate
to the hot ferrous chloride liquor and this will effect the conversion of the ferrous
chloride to ferric chloride as described in the Specification of my Application for
Letters Patent No. 12308 of the 13th June A.D. 1899. Any ferric hydrate that may
separate can be removed, or be converted to ferric chloride by the addition of hydro-
chloric acid. The tailings in the first, or solvent, vat can be treated, or utilized, in
any desired way, and if there be any valuable constituents (such for example as gold)
present they can be recovered from the tailings by any usual or suitable means.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The extraction of bismuth from ores containing bismuth oxide or bismuth oxide
and sulphide by crushing them and subjecting them to the action of a solution of
ferric chloride at or about boiling temperature and then precipitating the bismuth by
means of iron and recovering the iron for re-use in the process the saine solvent (ferric
chloride) being also used repeatedly in the process substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Dated this weil day of Wahmany 1000
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.