Improvements in Amalgamating Apparatus for Crushed Ores and like Reduced Bodies.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st Apr., 1831-Accepted, 2nd May, 1891
Improvements in Amalgamating Apparatus for Crushed Ores and
like Reduced Bodies.
I, WILLIAM WALKER FYFE, of 96 Mildmay Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Hydraulic Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in amalgamator apparatus for
crushed ores and like bodies to secure the precious metal.
The object of this invention is to make such apparatus so as to fulfil the essential
conditions necessary to successful operation.
These conditions as effected by this apparatus may be enumerated and designated
as follows.
(a) Prolonged immersion of the "pulp" (reduced bodies) in the body of
mercury.
(4) The equal and complete distribution of the pulp in the mercury body or
stratum.
(e) Agitation of the mercury stratum to ensure complete contact with the divided
portions of the "pulp."
(d) Cessation of the flow of the bodies treated after passing through the mercury
stratum.
(e) Facility for the emerging of foreign bodies from the apparatus after having
been passed through the mercury stratum.
(The removal of the amalgam after treatment of the pulp.
(g) Rapidity of treatment of the pulp.
(1) Lightness of the parts of the apparatus for purpose of transport.
The apparatus is constructed as follows:-
The inlet for the pulp is directed, circunferentially, to a dish or pan having
radial and curved diaphragms or plates leading to the centre space of the dish
or pan.
The circumferential inlet passage is provided with an obliquely disposed plate so
as to pass and direct the incoming pulp, with the least amount of friction to the
under parts connected with the radial curved diaphragm so as to distribute the pulp
evenly to the central space of the mercury holder after passing through the mercury
stratum.
The level of the mercury stratum is above tlie port openings.
The radial and curved diaphragms are provided with a horizontal dividing plate
which leads and directs the pulp from the inlet ports to the mercury holder or
basin under the dividing plate and through the body of the mercury.
The pulp is thus made to traverse the body of mercury and that portion which is
"foreign" reappears in the central circular space of the basin within the surrounding
radial and curved diaphragms.
The motion of the incoming pulp when it arrives in the central chamber is
arrested and by reflection it takes up an opposite direction of movement within the
central chamber, is spread over the mercury surface and proceeds to the discharge
outlet.
There has then been a direction of the pulp under and through the mercury body
and subsequently a reversal of the flow over the mercury stratum with an interval
of stillness for permitting gravitation, and finally the exit of the superfluous watery
vehicle and foreign bodies from the surface.
A further injection of water from the upper cover of the basin may be applied to
assist this washing away of the foreign bodies of the pulp.

page_text: The agitation of the mercury is effected by the inflow of the pulp, operating
tangentially upon the mercury body directed by the under flow ports of the guide
plates.
By the action of the upper currents the whole of the foreign matters are swept
out of the machine without loss of mercury, and the sulphurets and other foreign
bodies and tailings may be treated as may be deemed advisable.
A tapping cock at the bottom of the amalgator pan is provided to remove the
amalgam if so desired, but I provide for the removal of the mercury container by
mounting the same upon guide rails and screw-bolts, or clip pieces and hand screws
may be employed to make tight joint when in working.
Dated 3rd June 1890.
WALTER A. BARLOW,
For Wm. W. Fyfe,
46, Chancery Lane, London.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Amalgamating Apparatus for Crushed Ores and
like Reduced Bodies.
I, WILLIAM WALKER FYFE of 96 Mildmay Road in the County of Middlesex,
Hydraulic Engineer, 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::-
This invention relates to certain improvements in amalgamator-apparatus for
crushed ores and like bodies to secure or separate out the precious metal.
The object of the invention is to make such apparatus so as to fulfil the essential
conditions necessary to successful operation.
These conditions as effected by this apparatus may be enumerated and designated
as follows:-
(a) Prolonged immersion of the pulp" (reduced bodies) in the body of
mercury.
(4) The equal and complete distribution of the pulp in the mercury body or
stratum.
(c) Agitation of the mercury stratum to insure complete contact with the divided
portions of the pulp.
(d) Cessation of the flow of the bodies treated after passing through the mercury
stratum.
(e) Facility for the emerging of bodies from the apparatus after having passed
through the mercury stratum.
(f) The removal of the amalgam after treatment of the pulp.
(g) Rapidity of treatment of the pulp.
(h) Lightness of the parts of the apparatus for purposes of transport.
In order that the invention may be well understood I have annexed hereto a sheet
of drawings wherein :-
Fig. 1, is a side view of the apparatus looking on to the inlet and outlet
openings.
Fig. 2, a sectional plan taken at line,, showing the lower inlet and amalgama-
ting chamber.
Fig. 3, a sectional plan at line y, y, of Fig. 1, showing the upper chamber and
exit channel for discharge of the tailings.
The curved arrows
marked in Figs. 2, and 3, indicate the flow of the pulp to and out of the respective
ports.
Fig. 4, is a transverse section at line a, a, of Figs. 2 and 3.
The apparatus consists mainly of a casing with inlet and outlet ways which lead
into and from a lower and upper chamber said chambers being separated from each
other by a plate but communicating with a central space common to both. At the

page_text: bottom of the central space is the mercury stratum space or well. The entering of
the pulp by ports leading under the mercury stratum to the central space and the
reversed flow of the tailings through tangentially arranged curved wings and ports
of a dividing wall in the upper chamber to the outlet way will be clearly under-
stood by the following more particular description, reference being had to the
illustrative drawings.
a, is the inlet for the pulp which passes around the narrowing space a¹, to the
mercury chamber or well b, by way of the ports a². The equal distribution of the
inflowing pulp to the ports all, is secured by the narrowing space a'. The mercury
well cover is conveniently made as a dished plate 6, readily removable as
required.
Within the casing, and separating the inlet and outlet passages, is provided the
obliquely disposed plate c, so as to pass and direct the incoming pulp with the least
amount of friction to the under ports a².
The under plate d carries the radial curved diaphragms e, so as to distribute the
pulp evenly to the central space b, of the mercury holder whilst being passed and
after passing through the mercury stratum.
The level of the mercury stratum being above the port openings a², the pulp will
be forced through the mercury stratum and there will be a thorough scouring of the
particles by reason of the circular motion given by the curved diaphragms e, to the
inflowing pulp before it arrives in the central space h.
Above the horizontal dividing plate d, on the outer edge thereof in juxtaposition
with the lower termination of the oblique plate c, is a vertical wall h, having outlet
ports, and within this vertical wall abutting thereagainst and extending there-
from towards the central space, are the curved midfeathers or diaphragms i.
When the incoming pulp arrives in the central chamber, it will rise and its
circular motion or current will cause it to strike against and be arrested by the
inner edges of the midfeathers i, and by reflection the liquid will take up an opposite
direction of movement after having been momentarily stationary.
In order to find escape, the tailings then pass between the midfeathers i, and
thence by the ports, to the outflow passage or way k.
There has then been a direction of the pulp down into, under, and through the
mercury stratum and subsequently a reversal of the flow over the mercury stratum,
with an interval of stillness, for gravitation, and finally the exit of the superfluous
watery vehicle and foreign bodies from off the surface.
The agitation of the mercury effected by the inflow and outflow of the pulp will
prevent what is known as a." sick surface."
Electricity may be employed, as is well known, to assist this, but from practice,
it has been found unnecessary.
By the action of the upper currents the whole of the foreign matters are swept
out of the machine without loss of mercury and the sulphurets and other foreign
bodies and tailings may be treated as desired.
The cover, and the dished plate , are shown secured by hinged screw-bolts
engaging with opened cars m, indicated thereby.
The amalgam will be found in the plate b¹. A tapping cock or plug can be
arranged in the said plate b, as required (this is not shown in the drawings).
In working a "battery" of these amalgamators light rails may be arranged
below the same so as that the bottom plates b', can be disconnected and removed
and other such plates charged with mercury can be speedily fastened in position,
and the work proceed almost uninterruptedly. The plate b³, would in such case be
provided with proper rail runners.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
--
First. In amalgamator apparatus the pulp supply chamber or casing a, a', having
the ports a leading down into under, and through the mercury stratum to emerge

page_text: from the well, into the central space b, upon the surface of the mercury and
thence discharging the tailings substantially as herein set forth.
Secondly. In amalgamator apparatus the combination of the passage a, a!, with
ports a², plate c, mercury well and central space 6, b, the midfeathers and under
plate d, e, i, dividing plate h, and ports h', distributing the tailings to the outflow
way k, as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Thirdly. The improved amalgamator apparatus combined, constructed, and
operating as and for the purpose herein specified.
Per Walter A. Barlow,
W. W. FYFE.
Consulting Engineer and Patent Expert, 46, Chancery Lane, London.