Improvements in the Distillation of Sodium and Potassium and their Alloy.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 14th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, '12th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 12th Apr., 1890 -
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Distillation of Sodium and Potassium and
their Alloy.
I, WILLIAM WHITE of Laurels, Cheshunt, in the County of Herts, Journalist, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The condensation and collection of sodium from its vapour as at present practised is
attended with considerable difficulty and loss. Sodium as reduced from soda by
means of carbon appears as a vapour in an atmosphere of carbonic oxide, in which
atmosphere, if detained, there is a reversion to soda and carbon. Thus sodium when
deposited with a current of carbonic oxide passing over it is oxidised with deposition
of carbon. Heated sodium is also rapidly oxidised when exposed to the air in the open
condensers through which it flows and from which it is scraped. It is therefore of
great importance that sodium vapour should be separated at the earliest moment after
evolution from carbonic oxide and secluded from the action of the air.
To accomplish these ends, I collect sodium from its vapour by downward distillation.
Instead of condensing the metal as it issues from the retort upon parallel iron plates
set horizontally, or by upward vaporisation into a receiver accompanied with gas from
the crucible. I cause the sodium vapour to flow downwards through an iron tube in
the centre of the crucible conducting to a receiver into which the metal drops and is
collected, while an outlet is provided for the carbonic oxide which burns as it issues
under the furnace. To illustrate my meaning, herewith is a sketch of a crucible with
condensing tube, receiver for the metal, and orifices for the carbonic oxide:
A. Crucible charged with soda and carbon.
B. Internal tube for condensation and delivery of sodium.
C. Receiver for metal.
D. Passage for separation and escape of carbonic oxide.
E. Hole in lid of crucible for clearing condensing tube in case of stoppage from
accumulation of sodium and plug for closing same.
For larger operations, horizontal retorts will be preferred in which case I avail
myself of similar arrangements according to annexed sketch :-
A. Horizontal retort.
B. Tube for condensation and delivery of sodium.
C. Receiver for metal.
D. Passage for separation and escape of carbonic oxide.
E. Hole with plug for clearance when necessary of condenser.
By such means for downward distillation the condensation of sodium vapour is
effected with ease and economy whilst the metal is rapidly separated from the oxidising
influence of carbonic oxide, and with seclusion from the air.
This method of sodium distillation applies equally to the production of potassium
and to the alloy of sodium and potassium, and whether from the carbonates or hydrates
of the said metals.
Dated this 13th day of June 1889.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Distillation of Sodium and Potassium and
their Alloy.
I, WILLIAM WHITE of the Laurels, 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:-
The condensation and collection of sodium from its vapour as at present practised
are attended with considerable difficulty and loss. Soda as reduced by carbon evolves
sodium as a vapour in an atmosphere of carbonic oxide, in which atmosphere, if
detained, there is a reversion to soda and carbon. Thus sodium when deposited
with a current of carbonic oxide passing over it is oxidised with deposition of
carbon. Heated sodium is also rapidly oxidised when exposed to the air in the
open condensers through which it flows and from which it is scraped. It is therefore
of great importance that sodium vapour should be separated at the earliest moment
after evolution from carbonic oxide and secluded from the action of the air.
To accomplish these ends, I collect sodium from its vapour by downward distillation.
Instead of condensing the metal as it issues from the retort upon parallel iron plates set
horizontally, or by upward vaporisation into a receiver accompanied with gas from the
crucible. I cause the sodium va pour to flow downwards through an iron tube in the
centre of the crucible conducting to a receiver into which the metal drops and is
collected, while an outlet is provided for the carbonic oxide which burns as it issues
under the furnace. To illustrate my meaning, herewith is a sketch of a crucible with
a condensing tube, receiver for the metal, and orifice for the carbonic oxide:-
A. Crucible charged with soda and carbon.
B. Internal tube for condensation and delivery of sodium.
C. Receiver for metal.
D.-Passage for separation and escape of carbonic oxide.
E. Hole in lid of crucible for clearing condensing tube in case of stopping from
accumulation of sodium, and plug for closing same.
For larger operations, horizontal retorts will be preferred, in which case 1 avail
myself of similar arrangements according to annexed sketch :-
A.-Horizontal retort.
B. Tube for condensation and delivery of sodium.
C. Receiver for metal.
D. Passage for separation and escape of carbonic oxide.
E. Hole, with plug, for clearance when necessary of condenser.
By such means for downward distillation, the condensation of sodium vapour is
effected with ease and economy whilst the metal is rapidly separated from the oxidising
influence of carbonic oxide, and with seclusion from the air.
This method of sodium distillation applies equally to the production of potassium
and to the alloy of sodium and potassium whether from the carbonates or hydrates of
the said metals.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The evolution, condensation and collection of sodium, potassium and their alloy
from their carbonates and hydrates in apparatus substantially as described.
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