IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING AND PARTING CERTAIN METALS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Wirth, of the Firm of Wirth and Company,
Patent Solicitors, at Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS
FOR REDUCING AND PARTING CERTAIN METALS." A communication from
Heinrich Rössler, Doctor of Philosophy, of Frankfort-on-the-Main, in tho
Empire of Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Wirth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th February 1882.
FRANK WIRTH of the Firm of Wirth and Company Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort on the Main in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING AND PARTING CERTAIN METALS."
[A communication from Heinrich Rössler, Doctor of Philosophy, of Frankfort-on-
the-Main, in the Empire of Germany.]
This Invention relates more particularly to a new method of reducing and
separating gold, silver, copper and lead and consists in blowing air on or under
the surface of the sulpho-metals which are molten in closed vessels. By this
blowing in of air concentrated sulphurous acid gases are formed, which are trans-
formed into sulphuric acid, whilst the volatilized metal particles are collected in
the condensing apparatus.
For this purpose the sulpho-metals are molten in a closed crucible and the slag,
if any, is removed when blowing apparatus of any known arrangement is set in
motion. By such blowing apparatus air is exnausted from the crucible and fresh
air is consequently drawn into the same through an opening in the cover so as to
impinge as a jet on to the surface of the molten mass. Thus sulphurous acid is
formed, which is drawn from the crucible through a cooling apparatus which may
consist of a chamber having a number of zig-zag partitions, and is blown into a

page_text: condenser together with the metal particles which have been carried away with
the acid. The condenser may consist of a closed ve-sel partly filled with liquid
and having a central pipe into the upper end of which an air blast is forced so as
to draw the gases from the crucible through an ejector nozzle and propel them to
the bottom of the pipe where they issue through perforations into the liquid so as
to be condensed.
By the reciprocating action of the oxides formed and the sulpho-metals, very
minute particles of metal are formed on the surface of the molten mass in the
crucible which particles of metal descend in the molten mass, arrange themselves
according to its composition and collect on the bottom of the crucible. Gold is
first separated, then silver and lead and last copper.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frank Wirth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th August
1882.
FRANK WIRTH of the Firm of Wirth and Company Patent Solicitors at
Frankfort on the Main, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING AND PARTING CERTAIN METALS."
A communication from Heinrich Rössler, Doctor of Philosophy of Frankfort on
the Main in the Empire of Germany.
This Invention relates more particularly to a new method of reducing and
separating gold, silver, copper and lead and consists in blowing air on or under
the surface of the sulpho-metals which are molten in closed vessels. By this
blowing in of air concentrated sulphurous acid gases are formed which are trans-
formed into sulphuric acid, whilst the volatilised metal particles are collected in
the condensing apparatus. This process may be carried into practice by means of
apparatus such as is shewn in longitudinal section on the accompanying Drawing.
The sulpho metals are molten in a closed crucible a and the slag, if any, is removed
when blowing apparatus c of any suitable known arrangement is set in motion.
By such blowing apparatus air is exhausted from the crucible and fresh air is
consequently drawn into the same through an opening in the cover so as to
impinge as a jet on to the surface of the inolten mass. Thus sulphurous acid is
formed, which is drawn from the crucible through a cooling apparatus 6 (which
may consist of a chamber having a number of zig-zag partitions as shewn) and is
blown into a condenser d together with the metal particles which have been
volatilised and carried away with the acid. The condenser consists of a closed
vessel partly filled with liquid and having a central pipe into the upper end of
which an air blast is forced by the apparatus c so as to draw the gases from the
crucible through an ejector nozzle and propel them to the bottom of the pipo
where they issue through perforations into the liquid so as to be condensed.
By the reciprocating action of the oxides formed and the sulpho metals, very
minute particles of metal are formed on the surface of the molten mass in the
crucible which particles of metal descend in the molten mass, arrange themselves
according to its composition and collect on the bottom of the crucible. Gold is
first separated, then silver and lead, and last copper.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
saine is to be performed as communicated to me by my correspondent, I claim :-
First. The herein described method of separating gold, silver, copper and lead
by blowing air on or under the surface of the sulpho-metals molten in closed
vessels, and carrying off the concentrated sulphurous acid gases which are trans-
formed into sulphuric acid while any volatilised metallic particles are collected
in a condenser.
Second. In apparatus for treating sulpho-metals for the separation of the metals
contained therein, the combination of the crucible a blowing apparatus c and
condenser & arranged and operating as herein described.
In witness whereof I the said Frank Wirth have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Fifth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand
imh hundead and nightor Lama
FRANK WIRTH. (L.S.)