Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 21st July, 1887
Complete Left, 19th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 22nd June, 1888
We H. C. BULL & COMPANY, Limited and HENRY CLAY BULL, Engineer, both of
31 Poultry London, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention to be as
follows:-
.
This Invention relates to the production of alloys of aluminium; that is, metals
consisting partly of aluminium and partly of another metal or other metals, by the
agency of the electric current, termed electro-deposition.
In carrying out our Invention we propose for the purpose of making alloys of
other metals with aluminium to use solutions of the sulphates of these metals. The.
anodes of the apparatus used are either of aluminium or other insoluble substance,
and the cathodes would be in all cases aluminium. A definite amount of these metals
such as iron, copper, or tin will be deposited by the electric current on the aluminium
cathode before mentioned. The combined metal will then be melted in any suitable
way, out of contact with the fuel, either in a crucible, or open hearth furnace and then
cast into shapes, or ingots as may be required.
In order to keep the bath from becoming acid as the metal is deposited, oxide of
the metal under treatment will be fed into one end of the bath and by means of
suitable conveyers carried along and delivered to the further end of the bath where
the residuals which in many cases will contain precious metals will be removed
for further treatment. Or some of the liquid may be continuously withdrawn and
mixed with the oxide of the metal under treatment and then filtered or settled and
decanted when it is returned to the bath. In order to do this in a satisfactory manner
the withdrawal should be continuous while the addition of the clear saturated liquid
should be also continuous. The movement of the conveyer will keep the bath
thoroughly homogeneous and will facilitate the dissolving of the oxide.
The advantage of this process is that the alloys made by it will contain pure metals,
the necessity for which has been fully demonstrated by various experiments in the
making of aluminium bronze.
Dated this 9th day of November 1887

page_text: We, H. BULL AND COMPANY Limited, and HENRY CLAY BULL, Engineer,
both of 31 Poultry, London, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to the production of alloys of aluminium; that is metals
consisting partly of aluminium and partly of another metal or other metals, by the
agency of the electric current, termed electro-deposition.
In carrying out our Invention we propose for the purpose of making. alloys of other
metals with aluminium to use solutions of the sulphates of these metals. The anodes
of the apparatus used are either of aluminium or other insoluble substance, and the
cathodes would be in all cases aluminium. When a current of electricity is passed
through the solution in the usual way a definite amount of the metals to be alloyed
with aluminium (such as iron, copper or tin,) will be deposited on the aluminium
cathode before mentioned. The combined metal will then be melted in any suitable
way, out of contact with the fuel, either in a crucible, or open hearth furnace and
then cast into shapes, or ingots as may be required.
In order to keep the bath from becoming acid as the metal is deposited, oxide of
the metal under treatment is fed into one end of the bath and by means of suitable
conveyors carried along and delivered to the further end of the bath, where the
residuals which in many cases will contain precious metals-will be removed for
further treatment. Or some of the liquid may be continuously withdrawn and mixed
with the oxide of the metal under treatment, and then filtered or settled or
decanted, when it is returned to the bath. In order to do this in a satisfactory |
manner, the withdrawal should be continuous, while the addition of the clear and
filtered saturated liquid should be also continuous. The movement of the conveyor
will keep the bath thoroughly homogeneous and will facilitate the dissolving of the
oxide.
The drawings hereto annexed and forming a part of this specification are illustrative
of apparatus suitable for carrying this Invention out into practical effect, and together
with the description hereinbefore contained, and the following explanation, will be
sufficient to enable others skilled in the art or arts to which this Invention belongs or
is most nearly connected, to make and use the same.
Like letters and figures throughout the various views denote like parts.

page_text: With reference in the first instance to Figure 1 of the drawings A designates the bath
having worms a therein, and B is the case containing the anodes and cathodes c. These
are held in a roof piece b and are arranged alternately, that is the successive plates are
alternately anode and cathode. They are coupled up in the usual way with the
5 electric leads, namely the anodes would be connected together by a common conductor
and coupled up with the wire through which the electricity is conducted to the
apparatus in the ordinary way, the cathodes being similarly connected and coupled
to the return wire; the source from which electricity is obtained being preferably
that of a dynamo-electric generator. Any number of baths A may be arranged side
by side and constitute a plant suitable for carrying on the manufacture of aluminium
alloys on a large scale. In figures 2 and 3 two of such baths forming part of a
series are shown. These are provided with a common supply pipe D and delivery
pipe.E.
The anodes as previously stated would be either of aluminium or either insoluble
substance, and the cathodes would be in all cases aluminium, the metal to be alloyed
with the aluminium being deposited upon these aluminium cathodes.
The bath is prevented from becoming acid as the metal is deposited by adding
oxide of the metal under treatment into the open end a¹ of the bath, and this oxide
is conveyed to the opposite end by the worm conveyor a.
The residuals may be
withdrawn from time to time at the open end a² of the bath. Some of the liquid
of the bath is continuously withdrawn from the bath by the pump G, which draws the
liquid by the pipe F from the pipe E, which is common to the baths A-and
delivers it into the mixer I. Here the solutions may be supplied and fed in by the
hopper. The oxide above named may also be added here and mixed. As will be
seen the mixer is provided with stirring blades J. K are filters which are provided
to remove matters not in solution in the liquid. The liquid from the mixer I passes
through the filters on its way to the bath A. The second filter K communicates with
the supply pipe D by a pipe L.
The filtering media may be any material known to be capable of removing the
matters not in solution from the liquid sulphate solution of the metal to be deposited.
For instance when iron is to be deposited the filtering material might be spongy
iron. The withdrawal of the liquid is conducted continuously, and the addition of
the clear filtered liquid sulphate solution is also continuously carried on, whilst the
rotation of the worm conveyor will keep the bath thoroughly homogeneous and will
render the dissolving of the oxide easy.
When the metal is deposited upon the aluminium cathodes to the required thickness,
they are withdrawn and melted in any suitable way out of contact with the fuel,
and cast into shapes moulds or ingots as may be required.
One advantage of this process is that the alloys made by it will contain pure
metals, the necessity for which has been fully demonstrated by various experiments
in the making of aluminium bronze.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. In the production of alloys of aluminium in which the metal to be alloyed
with the aluminium is deposited upon aluminium plates by the agency of the electric
current, the employment of the solution of the sulphates of the said metal sub-
stantially as set forth.
Second. The production of aluminium alloys as herein described consisting of the
combination of sub-processes as follows:-that is to say; (1) subjecting the solution
of the sulphates of metals such as herein specified to electrolysis, and depositing
thereby the metal to be alloyed with aluminium on the aluminium cathodes used
therein, and (2) then melting the plates containing the metal so deposited in a crucible
or upon a hearth out of contact with the fuel, all substantially as set forth.
Third. In the production of aluminium alloys in which the metal to be alloyed with
the aluminium is deposited upon aluminium plates, and held in solution in the

page_text: form of a sulphate, the herein described method of a operating and treating such solution,
which method consists in causing the solution to be circulated through the bath and
passed through a mixing apparatus, in which oxide of the metal to be deposited is
supplied, then filtering the mixed solution, and then repassing the clear solution to
the bath, all substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The apparatus herein described consisting of a bath A and a chamber B
containing a number of anodes and cathodes e as described, a conveyor a, pump G,
mixer I, and filters K operating and arranged as, or substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
H. C. BULL & Co., LTD.
HENRY CLAY BULL.
By Cheesbrough & Royston,
15, Water Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents.

page_text: Date of Application, 21st July, 1887
Complete Left, 19th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 29th June, 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric-metallurgical Processes and Apparatus
therefor.
We H. C. BULL & COMPANY, Limited, and HENRY CLAY BULL, Engineer, both
of 31 Poultry, London do hereby declare the nature of the said invention to be as
follows:-
This process has for its object the economical production of that class of metals
which have hitherto been produced by potassium or sodium. It is applicable for the
production of aluminium as well as other metals such as iron and magnesium.
An apparatus provided with improvements, and the process, according to this
Invention consist as follows:-Plumbago crucibles of suitable size are arranged in a
suitable furnace, or furnaces; preferably one fired by gas and of the regenerative
type. The crucibles are made to form the anodes and plumbago rods of suitable size
are made to form the cathodes, and each crucible is provided with a porcelain lid.
This crucible is filled with common salt, or chloride of potassium which is brought to
and maintained in a liquid state by the heat of a furnace such as the one above
specified. Hanging down from the porcelain lid is a ring made preferably of carbon
the same as the crucible, or when it is intended that the aluminium produced shall be
alloid with copper, copper may be substituted; and in this case copper cathodes may
be used. When the aluminium is intended to be alloid with any other metal
whose melting point is sufficiently high to enable it to be used-such as iron,
nickel, irridium, or platinum-the ring and cathodes may be made of these
metals.
The crucibles are arranged in pairs. One, which we have just described, contains
the liquid chloride of sodium, or chloride of potassium and is the one in which the
electric decomposition takes place. In some cases chloride of magnesium may be used,
or other chlorides which can be easily liquified by heat and the metal of which has
sufficient reducing power to reduce the chloride which may be under treatment in the
second crucible. Supposing the chloride under treatment in the second crucible to be
chloride of aluminium the crucible being filled with it, the heat applied to this crucible

page_text: causes a steady stream of the chloride to pass off in a state of vapour through a pipe to
the top of the first crucible where it comes in contact with the metal produced by
electrolysis, gives up its chlorine and sinks to the bottom. The lining of this pipe is
of the same substance as the cathode and separating ring. For producing pure
aluminium both of these will be by preference carbon. In order to facilitate the
movement of the vapourised chloride and to assist its reduction a jet of pure dry
hydrogen under pressure may be introduced through a suitable nozzle to give the
greatest efficiency. This hydrogen may be produced by any known way but we find
it advantageous to produce it by bringing steam under pressure in contact with the
vapour of sodium, or other metal which is being produced by electrolysis in the first
crucible and in order to have the metal for this purpose, we conduct the process so as to
have the metals from the first crucible in excess of the amount required for reducing the
vapour passed over by means of the hydrogen jet from the second crucible. When
aluminium is the metal produced it is proposed to clear up the metal from the crucible
not oftener than once a week of one hundred and twenty working hours.
Aluminium being of greater specific gravity than liquid salt it settles to the bottom
of the first crucible and in order to prevent it being re-consumed by chlorine the
bottom of the crucible is lined with a vessel made of pure oxide of alumina which has
been moulded to fit the crucible either in a state of fusion, or by being mixed with
some gummy substance such as tar.
Suitable means are provided as herein after described for conveniently removing the
crucibles from the furnace and emptying and returning the same to the furnace and
also for conveying away and utilizing the chloride gas produced as well as the
vapourised metals produced by electrolysis in the first crucible.
In most cases the vapourised metal which is produced will be used for the production
of hydrogen when chloride of sodium, or chloride of potassium is used in the first
crucible; the soda and potash produced in making hydrogen will be a very valuable
bye product. The hydrogen after doing its duty may be mingled and used with other
gas to heat the furnaces, or to assist in producing the power necessary for running the
dynamos to develop the electric current required.
The apparatus for removing the crucibles from the furnace and for emptying and
returning the same to the furnace consists of an over head arrangement of travelling
mechanism arranged to grip and draw out the crucibles and decant them. When
decanted the crucibles are again righted by the apparatus and replaced in the
furnace.
A suitable device for filling the crucibles consists of a travelling hopper having
valves, or doors by which measured quantities can be delivered, or dropped into the
crucibles.
1

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric-metallurgical Processes and Apparatus
therefor.
We, H. C. BULL AND COMPANY Limited, and HENRY CLAY BULL, Engineer, both
of 31 Poultry, London, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
8
This process has for its object the economical production of that class of metal
which have hitherto been produced by the agency of reducing agents such as metalli
potassium or sodium. That is to say, metals such as aluminium, magnesium, barium
calcium or chromium.
The following is a full, clear and exact description of this Invention and the
drawings hereto annexed form a part of this specification.
They are marked with figures and letters of reference which correspond with those
used in the following description of them; like letters are used to denote like parts
throughout the views.
With reference to the Drawings
Figure 1 is a plan of the apparatus illustrative of this invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3, shows in detail crucibles according to this Invention.
Figure 4 is an end view of the crucible shown in Figure 3.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are respectively front elevation, side elevation, and plan of
crucible operating gear according to this Invention; and Figure 8 illustrates a
crucible filling device.
Figure 9 shows in plan-part sectional-a modified apparatus for carrying out this
Invention.
Figure 10 is an elevation partly in section of the apparatus.
Figure 11 is a cross section in the vertical plane at the line Z Z in Figure 9; and
Figure 12 is a detail of one of the cathodes of the crucible.
We will first describe apparatus constructed with our improvements illustrated in
Figures 1 to 7 of the drawings, and the process employed in carrying our invention
into practical effect: Plumbago crucibles A of suitable size are arranged in a suitable
furnace L, which is one fired by gas and of the regenerative type, as shown. The
crucibles A are made to form the anodes, and plumbago rods E of suitable size are
made to form the cathodes, and each crucible is provided with a porcelain lid C. This
crucible is filled with common salt, or chloride of potassium, which is brought to and
maintained in a fluid state by the heat of the furnace L. Hanging down from the
porcelain lid is a ring D, made preferably of carbon; the same material as the
crucible. But when the metal produced is aluminium, and it is intended to alloy it
with copper, copper may be substituted for the carbon ring, and in this case copper is
also used for the cathodes. When the aluminium is intended to be alloyed with any
other metal whose melting point is sufficiently high to enable it to be used, such as

page_text: iron, nickel, irridium, or platinum, the ring and cathodes may be made of these
metals.
The crucibles are arranged in pairs; there being in connection with the one above
described a second crucible B. The one which is just described contains the liquid
chloride of sodium or chloride of potassium, and is the one in which the electric decom-
position takes place. (In some cases chloride of magnesium may be used, or other
chlorides which can be easily liquified by heat, and the metal of which has sufficient
reducing power to reduce the chloride, which may be under treatment in the second
crucible). Supposing the chloride under treatment in the second crucible B to be
chloride of aluminium, and this crucible B to be filled with it, the heat applied to this
crucible causes a steady stream of the chloride to pass off in a state of vapour, through
a pipe F to the space at the top of the first crucible A, where it comes in contact with
the metal produced by electrolysis in crucible A, namely sodium. The chloride of the
vapour from crucible B combines with the sodium of crucible A, and the aluminium
sinks to the bottom of the crucible A. The lining of this pipe F is of the same
substance as the cathode E, and separating ring 1). The cap E will in most cases be
of iron, and will have a non-conducting ring of asbestos under it at (E²).
Electric energy obtained from an ordinary dynamo machine may be used with
advantage.
The level of the liquid in crucible A is shown in dotted lines and marked 1, and the
ring D dips into the liquid.
By this construction an annular space a is formed, and in this space the chlorine
gas liberated from the liquid at the anode, (namely the crucible) rises and is collected.
It is led from thence to a main K by a pipe K'. It will be observed that the lower
end of the pipe F stops a small distance above the level of the liquid. The whole of
the portion of the pipe F which is secured to and comes within the cap E¹ of the
cathode E, must be made of the same material as the cap and cathode are, and the
same as is used for lining the rest of the pipe F.
In the reduction of the vapour of chloride of aluminium from B, by the sodium
from A (assisted by the hydrogen as hereafter specified), the chlorine and sodium
combine and fall into the liquid in the crucible A, and is subjected to electrolysis
with the rest of the liquor.
For producing pure aluminium, the cathode E, and ring I will be by preference
carbon. In order to facilitate the movement of the vapourised chloride of aluminium,
and to assist its reduction, a jet of pure dry hydrogen under pressure may be intro-
duced through a pipe H' and nozzle H2, to give the greatest efficiency.
This hydrogen may be produced by any known way: but it is found advantageous
to produce it by bringing steam, in any known suitable way under pressure, in
contact with some of the condensed vapour of sodium, or other metal, which is being
produced by electrolysis in the first crucible A; and in order to have the metal for 4
this purpose the process is conducted so as to have the metals, from the first
crucible A, namely sodium or potassium, in excess of the amount required for
reducing the vapour which is being passed over by means of the hydrogen jet, from
the second crucible B.
This excess of sodium or potassium, is conveyed away by the pipe G to a main I. 4
This pipe G and main I also serve to take away the hydrogen.
The sodium may be separated from the hydrogen by cooling, and used as stated to
make fresh hydrogen as above specified. The hydrogen separated from the sodium
inst described may be used to assist in heating the furnace, but is not suitable for
reuse in the process, in assisting the reduction of the vapour from the crucible B.
When aluminium is the metal produced it is proposed to clear up the metal from
the crucible not oftener than once a week of a hundred and twenty working hours.
Aluminium being of greater specific gravity than liquid salt, it settles to the bottom
of the first crucible A, and in order to prevent it being reconsumed by chlorine, the
bottom of the crucible is lined with a vessel a', made of pure oxide of aluminium, 5
which has been moulded to fit the crucible, either in a state of fusion, or by being
mixed with some gummy substance, such as tar.

page_text: In most cases the surplus vapourised metal which is produced will be used for the
production of hydrogen as above mentioned, when chloride of sodium, or chloride
of potassium is used in the first crucible A, the soda or potash resulting from the
making of the hydrogen in the way described will be a very valuable bye-product.
The apparatus for manipulating the crucible A (see figures 5, 6 and 7), consists
essentially, of an articulated frame, having a fixed arm M, and a rocking arm M³,
hinged at M³. This latter arm M', has a guide m, at its upper end, in which works a
sliding bar m. The bar m¹ is bifurcated at its lower end, and spread out into the
form of tongs m². These tongs fit over the top of the crucibles which have circular
metal bands to form the electric contact, and are made to grip them by drawing them
together by a right and left hand screw bolt n, which passes through bosses n¹, and is
provided with a handle n².
The whole frame M, M is carried by a truck M³, which is connected to or forms
a part of the arm M. This truck is of box form, and is provided with wheels m³ which
bear and support the truck upon a girder N which is placed over the whole length of
the furnace, and serves as an overhead railway. The carriage M³, and the arms M, M¹
are kept vertical by roller wheels n³, which bear against the flanges of the girder.
In operation the tongs m² are placed over a crucible A and are clamped thereon by
turning the handle n³, and drawing together the arms of the tongs. The crucible can
then be withdrawn from the furnace by hauling on the rope or chain o, which is
secured to the bar m² at o¹ and runs over the pulley o². When the bar mi has been
hoisted a certain height, a projection p on the bar m' comes in contact with the bell
crank catch ', which is kept in its normal position shown in the drawings, by a
spring p², and pushes it back. The bar m' and arm M', may now be drawn forward
and turned downwards upon the hinges M³, thereby canting the crucible as shown in
dotted lines in figure 6. In this position the metal-for instance aluminium-flows
out of the crucible and is caught by any suitable receptacle; when all the metal is
decanted the arm M¹ and crucible are again brought into the vertical position, and in
coming into its normal place the arm M' is automatically caught by the catch p¹ and
held. The slide m' and crucible A are now lowered and the crucible is dropped into
its seat and the tongs withdrawn. The crucible is then filled with salt which is melted
and covered up and the process proceeds.
Over the row or rows of crucibles B, there is also arranged an overhead railway P.
(See Figure 8). This is provided to carry a mechanism for charging the crucibles B
with the chloride of aluminium or other metal. The mechanism consists of a carriage P¹,
a hopper P, a guaging cylinder P³, and sliding valves P4, of any suitable construction.
Qis a funnel which fits over holes Q', formed in the covers of the crucible B. The
holes are provided with caps Q. The funnel Q is provided for guiding the chloride
from the cylinder P³, to the crucibles. The carriage P¹ runs on wheels i upon the
railway P, and is guided thereon by the wheels . To fill a crucible the hopper P2
being full, the upper valve P4, is drawn out, (the lower one being closed), and the
chloride falls into the cylinder 3 and fills it. The upper valve P is now closed and
the lower one opened, thereby allowing the cylinder full of chloride to fall into the
funnel Q, and so to the crucible B, and so replenishing the same.
With reference to Figures 3 and 4 it will be seen that the crucibles A and B have
metallic bands c, to which are secured bolts c¹. These bolts c¹ secure the lids C and b
upon their respective crucibles, and make tight joints therewith. The band e of the
crucible A may be used to connect the positive electric circuit wire to. The cap E¹
of the cathodes E makes a tight joint with the lid C of the crucible A: and the
flange F, of the pipe F makes a tight joint with the lid 6 of the crucible B, by pressure,
exerted upon the elbow caps F2, by screw bolts, which pass through and are held by
the hooped hinged bars fi: fare the hinges of these bars. Similar hinged bars 1,
and screws f, are used to hold the pipe H, and the outer portion of the pipe G, tightly
against their respective scats on the elbow caps F. When the crucibles A are to be
emptied or filled, and when the crucibles B are to be filled, the cover C, pipe K¹, cap E¹,
and elbow caps F³, with the parts directly connected with them, are removed. This

page_text: can be done by disconnecting the bars f¹, turning them out of the way, removing the
seats of the bolts c¹ of the crucible A, and then lifting off the said parts.
The furnace L is (as above stated) of the well known gas fired alternating
regenerative type, having regenerators J ; one of each pair of regenerators being for
gas, and one for air. One complete separate furnace L and accessories is employed
for the line of crucibles A, and another complete separate furnace and accessories is
employed for the line of crucibles B, the two sets being divided by a partition J¹.
This is owing to the fact that a different temperature is required for the crucibles A
and B. For instance the temperature of the liquid in crucible A may be maintained
at about 1500 degrees Fahr., and that of the liquid in the crucible B may be about
600 degrees Fahr. The bottom of the crucibles are supported by refractory pedestals j.
By this arrangement of separate furnaces the heating of the two sets of crucibles A
and B can be independently and thoroughly controlled.
To prevent the escape into the atmosphere of chlorine from the crucible in which
the chlorine is being produced by electrolysis, namely, from the crucible A, the
pressure within such crucible is maintained just below the pressure of the atmosphere,
whereby not only would no escape of chlorine take place, but a slight indraught of
air into the crucibles would take place in case any joints or connections were not air
tight. This may be effected by a steam jet exhauster placed on or in connection with
the chlorine main (K). By this means all liability of hindrance to the men employed
in connection with the process is avoided.
In the apparatus above described for carrying out the production of aluminium
according to this Invention the crucible B is used for holding the chloride of
aluminium, and such chloride is vapourized therein, but we do not intend to limit our
Patent to vapourizing the chloride in the way described, or in any particular way,
inasmuch as it may be produced in a vapourous state in any manner and conveyed to
the crucible A, in which sodium, or other reducing metal is being produced by
electrolysis, by any convenient means. For instance, chloride of aluminium is always
manufactured in a vapourous state, and hence in cases where the chloride of aluminium
is being manufactured for use, for the production of metallic aluminium, it might be
most convenient to bring the vapourous chloride as made direct to the electrolytic
crucible A. In this way it would undergo no condensation whatever.
An apparatus for producing aluminium in this manner is illustrated in Figures 9,
10, 11 and 12 of the Drawings, by which it will be seen that a number of electrolytic
crucibles A, only, are arranged in the furnace L, but at the ends of these furnaces we
place the chloride of aluminium producing retorts R. In these retorts the vapourous or
gaseous chloride of aluminium would be produced in any known way, (for instance
by drawing or forcing chlorine through a mixture of alumina and carbonaceous
material) and conveyed from them by pipes F and hollow caps E¹, direct to the
crucibles A; and aluminium will be produced substantially as herein before described.
The parts of this apparatus corresponding with the parts set forth with reference to
Figures 1 to 8 are marked with the same letters as will be observed. The crucibles A
are supported in position at their upper parts by a metallic annular water cooled
casing s.
The hydrogen or hydro carbon vapour under pressure is introduced through the
pipes Hi in order to draw the chlorine through the contents of the Retorts R, which
contents are alumina and carbonaceous material as stated.
The pipes G which serve to lead off the surplus and other gases also serve to
cool and condense any metallic vapours that may enter them. The liquids so condensed
or made fall down the pipes and back into the crucibles.
Having now particularly described the nature of our said invention, and in
what manner the same may be performed, we would state in conclusion, that
in the foregoing Specification we have described what we consider the best mode
of producing aluminium, and like metals involving our invention, and also the means
we prefer to employ for making the said metals. We wish it to be understood how-
ever, that we do not limit ourselves to the precise mode and manner of carrying out

page_text: the production of the said metals, or the precise devices, or combination of devices
described, since any mere modification or change may be made without departing
from the spirit or scope of our invention. On the other hand we would state we are
aware that it has been proposed to manufacture aluminium, and like metals from
their chlorides, by bringing such chlorides in a vapourous state into contact with
sodium or potassium in a nascent heated state, and that it has also been proposed to
produce aluminium and like metals from compounds of such metals by the use of
electricity, and we therefore make no claim generally to those methods of manufacture
but only in so far as the production or manufacture is effected as, or substantially as,
herein before described that is to say what we claim in respect of our said inven-
tion is :-
First. The production of aluminium from its chloride, by introducing such chloride
in a vapourous state into a vessel, and bringing it therein into contact with Sodium,
Potassium or equivalent metal, which is being produced by electrolysis in a nascent
state in the said vessel, whereby in a single vessel, Sodium or equivalent metal is
electrolytically produced in a nascent state, and aluminium is reduced from its
chloride and deposited, as, or substantially as described.
Second. The production of aluminium, magnesium, or like metals from their
chlorides, by vapourising the chloride of the metal to be produced in a crucible or
vessel, and bringing such chloride so vapourized in a heated state, into contact with
Sodium, Potassium, or equivalent metal, which is being produced by electrolysis, in
a nascent state in another vessel, substantially as described.
Third. The production of aluminium, magnesium, or like metals from their
chlorides, by bringing the chloride of the metal to be produced, in a heated vapourous
state, into contact with Sodium, Potassium, or equivalent reducing agent, which is
being produced by electrolysis, in a nascent state in the presence of hydrogen,
substantially as described.
Fourth. The production of aluminium, magnesium, or like metals from their
chlorides, by producing by electrolysis, sodium or potassium in excess of the amount
required for the reduction of the chloride of aluminium or other metal, obtaining
hydrogen therefrom by treating the said sodium or potassium with steam under
pressure, 'and using the hydrogen thus made to assist in the reduction of the chloride
of the metal to be produced, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In electric metallurgical apparatus, effecting the introduction of the chloride
of the metal to be reduced, into the crucible in which the metal is being produced by
electrolysis, by a pipe in such a manner that the said chloride meets the electrolysed
metal as it rises from the surface of the liquid within the crucible, substantially as
herein set forth.
Sixth. In electric metallurgical apparatus, a crucible adapted to hold and
electrolyse chloride of sodium, potassium, or equivalent metal, and a crucible adapted
to hold the chloride of the metal to be produced, the said crucibles being connected
and communicating by a pipe, and arranged over or in furnaces as, or substantially as,
and for the purposes set forth.
Seventh. In electric metallurgical apparatus, a crucible in which the chloride of
sodium, potassium, or their equivalent is electrolysed, adapted to serve as the anode,
and having the cathode arranged within such vessel, whereby the sodium or other
metal is liberated in the centre, and the chlorine at the side of the crucible, and they
rise to the surface of the liquid in the crucible, the sodium (or other metal), and
the chlorine, being separated by a dividing ring (such as D), arranged and operating
as, or substantially as set forth.
Eighth. In electrical metallurgical apparatus in which two sets of crucibles are
employed for the purposes specified, the arrangement of such crucibles in rows of
pairs in separate furnaces, one furnace being used for heating one row or set of
crucibles, and one for heating the other row or set of crucibles, substantially as set
forth, with reference to the drawings.
Ninth. An electric metallurgical apparatus consisting of a crucible A, a crucible B,

page_text: the crucible A forming the anode, and having cathodes E, and ring D, pipes F, G,
and mains K and I, the said pipes and their accessory parts being held by screws f
and bars f¹, or equivalent devices; all substantially as and for the purpose set forth
with reference to figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 of the drawings.
Tenth. An electric metallurgical apparatus for producing aluminium, consisting
of a plurability of crucibles A in which a reducing metal, such as sodium,
potassium, or magnesium is electrolytically produced, and to which the vapour of
chloride of aluminium is brought and introduced as described, said crucibles being
set in a furnace as described, substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. In an electric metallurgical apparatus of the type herein described, a
mechanism for raising and lowering the crucibles thereof from and to their furnaces,
and decanting the said crucibles, consisting of a suspended travelling articulated
frame having an arm capable of being rocked or moved radially, such arm having
sliding tongs therein for gripping the said crucibles, substantially as set forth with
reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, and operating as described.
Twelfth. In an electric metallurgical apparatus of the type herein described,
a mechanism for filling the crucibles thereof, consisting of a suspended travelling
hopper having a guaging cylinder, such cylinder having inlet and outlet valves, by
which a measured quantity can be delivered to each crucible, substantially as set forth
with reference to Figure 8 of the drawings.
Thirteenth. In electric metallurgical processes of the type herein described effecting
the prevention of escape of chlorine from the crucibles in which sodium, potassium,
or equivalent is being produced by electrolysis, by maintaining the pressure within such
crucibles below that of the atmosphere, substantially as set forth.
H. C. BULL & Co., LTD.
HENRY CLAY BULL.
By Cheesbrough & Royston,
15, Water Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents.