Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June; 1887
Complete Left, 9th Mar., 1888.
Complete Accepted, 4th May, 1888
We, JACOB BAYNES THOMPSON, of 130 Queens Road, Peckham, in the County.of
Surrey, Chemist, and WILLIAM WHITE, of Churchfields, Cheshunt, in the County of
Herts, Journalist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object especially an improved method for reducing sodium
from its carbonate, though its hydrate may also be used; and the same method may
also be used for the reduction of potassium. For this purpose a simpler mixture is
used, and also more enduring apparatus than has hitherto been used.
For the reduction of sodium, we prefer to use dry sodium carbonate intimately
mixed with carbon. For this purpose we mix the dry sodium carbonate with a fluid
or a soluble carbon compound which is decomposable by heat, such as hydrocarbon
oil, glucose or similar substance, or even coal tar.. Preferably we take tar on account
of its cheapness.
A convenient mixture we find to be in, the following proportions of dry sodium
carbonate two parts, to one part of tar by weight. These we form into a smooth
paste which we gently heat and warm to a dull red heat to drive off all volatile matters,
in a closed 'crucible or vessel of cast iron, or other suitable vessel. This we allow to
cool and then turn out the calx, of sodium carbonate and carbon, which is broken up
and, is then ready for reduction.
1
For the reduction we prefer to use a fire clay retort, such as a D-shaped gas retort,
or a retort built up with fire bricks and fire tiles. Into this retort we fit a sheet iron
tray, about three or four inches deep, the corners being simply folded over. Into this
tray the carbon and soda calx is placed. The retort having previously been raised to
a bright red the tray is slid in and the mouth of the retort is closed air tight. Within
the mouth of the retort is the exit to the condensing chamber, which is below, and has
an air tight door. Into this chamber is put a receiver having a little paraffine oil in
the bottom of it. In this chamber is a pipe for the escape of the carbonic oxide which
should be lighted, and when it ceases to burn it will show that the reduction is
finished. The receiver is then taken out of the chamber and a fresh one put in, and
the tray is drawn out of the retort and replaced by a full one, and the process is
carried on continuously.
ERNEST DE PASS, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
68, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: Apparatus for the Purpose.
We, JACOB BAYNES THOMPSON, of 130 Queen's Road, Peckham, in the County of
Surrey, Chemist, and WILLIAM WHITE, of Churchfields, Cheshunt, in the County of
Herts, Journalist, 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 :-
Our invention has for its object especially an improved method for reducing sodium
from its carbonate, though its hydrate may also be used, and the same method may
likewise be employed for the reduction of potassium. For the purpose of our invention
a simpler mixture is used, and also more enduring apparatus than have hitherto been
employed.
For the reduction of sodium we prefer to use dry sodium carbonate intimately
mixed with carbon. For this purpose wo mix the dry sodium carbonate with a fluid
or a soluble carbon compound which is decomposable by heat, such as heavy hydro-
carbon oil, glucose, or similar substance, or even coal tar. By preference we take tar
on account of its cheapness.
A convenient mixture we find to be in the following proportions:
Dry sodium carbonate
Tar
-
-
-
2 parts, by weight.
1 parts, by weight.
These wo form into a smooth paste which we gently heat and raise to a dull red
heat, in a crucible or vessel of cast iron, or other suitable vessel, to drive off all volatile
matters. This mixture is then allowed to cool, and the calx of sodium carbonato and
carbon is turned out and broken up; it is now ready for reduction. The mixture of
soda and carbonaceous matter is calcined in iron pots which are proferably introduced
into the fluo of the furnace which, for this purpose, must be formed with an onlarge-
ment, so that the wasto hoat from the furnace is utilized to effect the calcination of the
mixture in the pots.
For the reduction, we prefer to use a fireclay tubular retort into which we placo the
carbon and soda calx, the retort having previously been raised to a bright red heat,
and its mouth closed airtight. At the opposite end of the retort is the exit to the
condensing chamber which chamber is provided with an air tight door to prevent
access of air so that the sodium does not take fire. This chamber is placed below the
heated parts of the furnace so that the receiver it contains may be kept-cool, and into
this receiver is placed a little paraffin oil, to produce a non-oxidising atmosphere.
The chamber is furnished with a pipe for the escape of the carbonic oxide, which, as it
issues, should be lighted and when it ceases to burn it will show that the reduction is
finished. The receiver is then removed from the chamber and a fresh one introduced,
the retort is again charged and the process is carried on continuously.

page_text: The process or method herein described for the reduction of sodium from its
carbonate may likewise be employed for the reduction of potassium, or a combination
of sodium and potassium, and the furnace or apparatus herein described for the
reduction of sodium is likewise applicable to the reduction of potassium.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what wo
claim is :-
1. In the herein described method or process for manufacturing sodium, the
mixing of dry sodium carbonate with fluid carbonaceous matter to form a smooth
paste, and then calcining the same at a dull red heat, as and for the purpose
described.
2. In the herein described method or process of manufacturing sodium, the
reduction of the calx of sodium carbonate and carbon in a clay retort, as specified.
3. In the herein described method or process of manufacturing sodium, effecting
the condensation of the sodium inside the cooler part of the furnace, as specified.
11:01
SML 1000