IMPROVEMENTS IN SMELTING OVENS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Riley Porter Wilson, of the City of New York, State
of New York, in the United States of America, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SMELTING OVENS."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Riley Porter Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th March 1880.
RILEY PORTER WILSON, of the City of New York, State of New York, in the
United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SMELTING OVENS."
This Invention relates to the mechanical apparatus for smelting ores, and the
chemical conditions and results of the process.
Heretofore the treatment of ores both for roasting and smelting have mostly
been confined to the combining of the ores treated with the fuel which created the
heat, which, in connection with an air-blast or the draft of a stack, caused the
reducing flame and heat to mingle with the ores and metal, hence many impurities
became incorporated with the base metal, requiring subsequent treatment of an
expensive character to purify the metals for common use.
The object of my Invention is to provide a system of treating ores of minerals
whereby the impurities which now enter into smelted iron or base bullion of the
precious metals cannot enter into and mix with the same, thereby causing said
inetals to be produced in a pure state direct from the ore.
The Invention consists in the arrangement and construction of a series of upright
retorts set in an inclosed furnace, so that the heat in the furnace will pass around
and below the outside of the retorts and heat the same to any degree required for
the treatment or smelting of the various ores, as iron, steel, silver, gold, lead,
zinc, &c., &c.
The Invention further consists in constructing the retorts with one or two
openings or branches near the lower end of the retort for the purpose of with-
drawing the mineral and slag from the same, and also with a branch or opening
near the upper end of the retort for the exit of gases or oxides into a pipe lending
to the condensing chamber.
In order to explain this Invention as completely as possible we now proceed to

page_text: describe the best means we are acquainted with for carrying the same into practical
effect, reference being had to the illustrative Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the numeral Figures and letters of reference marked thereon as follows:-
Fig. I. represents a longitudinal section of the improved smelting oven embodying
the Invention.
Fig. II. is a horizontal section, and
Fig. III. a cross section of the same.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
A represents the oven into which the retorts B are placed, at one end of the oven
a suitable fire-place C is arranged. The retorts B we prefer to make in two parts.
The upper part B is made of fire-clay, plumbago, or any other suitable material,
while the lower part B¹ is made of iron and lined with any suitable material.
These retorts are arranged in the furnace in nests of two or more, and are placed
alternately, that is, the ono end or side of one retort is placed close to one side of
the brickwork of the furnace, and the adjoining retort is placed close to the other
or opposite side of the furnace. Tho inner part of the furnace is made of such a
size as to leave about eight inches more or less between the side of the retort
furthest from the brickwork and this brickwork or side of the furnace, and the
retorts are placed about the same distance from each other. By this arrangement
the flame and heat is compelled to travel around each retort, except where the same
touches the brickwork.
The flame and gases pass through the end-flue D and under the bottom of the
retorts through the flue E into the smoke-stack F.
On the side of the lower part B' of the retort suitable flanches n are provided,
resting and supporting the retorts upon the floor or division walls J. The sizes
of the retorts we prefer to make about fifteen inches by four feet oblong, and from
four to six feet high.
The retorts are provided at their lower parts, at the side placed nearest to the
brickwork of the furnace, with two branches a and d passing through the wall of
the furnace. The lower branch or opening a is for drawing off the metal or bullion,
and the upper branch d for drawing off the slag. Near the upper end of the
retorts, on the same side a branch m, is arranged, passing through the wall of
the furnace, and connected to pipos w arranged on the outside of the furnace to
conduct the gases or oxides into the condensing chamber M.
h is a small pipe, connected to pipes w, for the purpose of introducing steam into
said pipes for cleaning the same.
The top of the retorts is closed by a door or cover to be luted when in use, or a
hopper may be attached to each retort, closed by a sliding door at the bottom, so
that the hopper may be filled ready for a charge, by which arrangement the exces-
sive heat of the retort will heat and dry the ore preparatory to its being dumped
into the retort when required.
Having now fully described and set forth the said Invention, and the manner of
operating the samo, we wish it understood that we claim,―
First. The combination of the furnace A with upright retorts B, set in nests
of two or more alternately against the sides of the furnaco, the back flue D and
lower return flue E, in the manner and for the purpose substantially as described.
Second. We claim a furnace A with upright retorts B, arranged as described,
and provided with one or more openings a and a near the bottom of each retort,
for the purpose of withdrawing the metal, bullion, and slag, substantially as set
forth.
Third. We claim in combination with the retort B the connecting branches a
and d, leading from the lower part of the retort through the furnace wall into the
slag and bullion receiver, substantially as described.
Fourth. We claim in combination with a retort B the opening or branch m near
its upper end, connected to a pipe w, for the passage of gases and oxides from the
retort into the condensing receiver M, substantially as specified.

page_text: Fifth. We claim the combination of the retorts B, furnace A, flue D, and return
flue E, in connection with the gas and oxide condenser M, arranged in the manner
and for the purpose substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Riley Porter Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
HENRY E. ROEDER,
304, Broadway,
New York, America.
RILEY PORTER WILSON. (L.S.)