Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Producing Ferro-ferric and Ferric Oxides.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 19th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 14th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Producing
Ferro-ferric and Ferric Oxides.
We, ATKINSON CROSSLEY, of Beili Glas Cwmavon, near Pontypool, in the
County of Monmouth, and JAMES WILLIAM JONES, of Seymour Grove, Whalley
Range, Manchester, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to improvements in the process of and apparatus for
producing ferro-ferric and ferric oxides, ordinarily used in the manufacture of paint
and colours, and it has for its object a more economical and effective method of
manufacture, and greater cheapness, durability, and efficiency in the apparatus
employed.
Supposing that the ferro-ferric or ferric oxides are to be obtained from crystal-
lizable salts of iron such as sulphate chloride, nitrates, and the like, we first calcine
the salts in order to drive off the water of crystallization, and we then reduce the
resulting material to a fine powder by any suitable grinding or pulverizing
machinery. We then take the resulting powder and place it in metal or other
suitable trays in layers about one quarter inch to one inch thick, and we introduce
the trays into retorts of the kind hereinafter described which forms a part of our
present invention, where the powder is heated to a degree of temperature dependent
upon the colour of the resulting oxide required, the greater heat producing darker
colour of the oxide, the time required being from about 18 to about 48 hours.
the same time air (hot or cold) or steam is drawn over the surface of the powder by
means of exhausting apparatus of any suitable kind, the acid being driven off from
the material and the iron which forms its base being oxidized to the degree
required. The acid passing off as described is conducted to a tunnel or acid
chamber, or tower of any of the usual kinds, by means of which it is concentrated
and made marketable in the usual way.
At
Not only crystallizable salts of the kind described may be used, but natural
earth iron oxides or oxides precipitated from solutions by any known chemical
processes.
In the use of some of these materials, it is evident that the preliminary process of
calcination may be omitted.
The improved furnace which we use for the purpose of oxidizing the material in
the manner above described, consists of a masonry furnace containing one or more
fireclay retorts into which the trays containing the powder are introduced and are
removed when the process of oxidation is completed. These retorts are built up of
fireclay blocks or sections, of convenient size and shape (as it has been found
impossible to make the fireclay retort successfully in one piece), thus ensuring
durability, regularity of heat, and uniformity of result.
We arrange a furnace having a fireplace below, by which it can be heated, the
flame and hot air passing under an arched floor above which the retorts are
arranged, and thence passing through a sufficient number of openings or flues in the
floor and circulating round the fireclay retorts arranged above, and thence through
suitable openings to a chamber above, and thence to a chimney. The retorts of
which preferably two or more are used in each furnace, consist of vertical firebrick
chambers extending from end to end of the furnace, the firebricks forming the sides
of each chamber or retort having a number of parallel horizontal grooves or ribs
for the full length of the retort, into which grooves fit and slide freely the trays
containing the powdered material first described.
These trays are made of convenient length and are pushed into the grooves one

page_text: after another, until the whole of the retort' has been filled in tiers one above the
other. The fireclay blocks or bricks of which the retorts are built are connected
together by corresponding tiebricks and stays where necessary, space being left
between them for the circulation of the flame and hot air round the retorts as
already described.
The open fronts of the retorts, when the latter are filled with the trays as
described, can be closed by moveable doors, (and adjustable openings for the
admission of air can also be made). From the upper part of the other ends of the
retorts (which are covered with suitable covers) made as described, metal pipes
conduct away the acid vapour and gases to a tunnel or acid chamber or tower, in
which the acids are condensed and collected to be utilized.
We preferably provide the pipes between the retorts and the acid chamber, with
openings through which they can be cleaned, the openings being provided with
moveable covers in the usual way.
We are aware that iron retorts have been tried, but have been unsuccessful, on
account of the unequal action of the heat upon them, and the speedy wearing out of
the iron. By our invention fireclay retorts are very cheap, durable, and easily
built, and they are very effective for the purpose required.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Producing
Ferro-ferric and Ferric Oxides.
We, ATKINSON CROSSLEY, of Beili Glas Cwmavon, near Pontypool, in the
County of Monmouth, and JAMES WILLIAM JONES, of Seymour Grove, Whalley
Range, Manchester, 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 and accompanying drawings (that is to say):-
Our invention relates to improvements in the process of and apparatus for
producing ferro-ferric and ferric oxides, ordinarily used in the manufacture of paints
and colours, and it has for its object a more economical and effective method of
manufacture, and greater cheapness, durability, and efficiency in the apparatus
employed, than has heretofore been the case.
Supposing that the ferro-ferric or ferric oxides are to be obtained from crystal-
lizable salts of iron such as sulphates, chlorides, nitrates, and the like, we first
calcine the salts in order to drive off the water of crystallization and we then reduce
the resulting material to a fine powder by any suitable grinding or pulverizing
machinery. We then take the resulting powder and place it in metal or other
suitable trays in layers about one-quarter inch to one inch thick, and we introduce
the trays into retorts of the kind hereinafter described which forms a part of our
present invention and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
In these retorts the powder is heated to a degree of temperature dependent upon
the colour of the resulting oxide required, greater heat producing darker colour of
the oxide, the time required being from about 18 to about 48 hours. At the same
time air (hot or cold) or steam is drawn over the surface of the powder by means of
exhausting apparatus of any suitable kind, the acid being driven off from the
material and the iron which forms its base being oxidized to the degree
required. The acid passing off as described is conducted to a tunnel or acid
chamber, or tower, of any of the usual-kinds, by means of which it is concentrated
and made marketable in the usual way.
---+---
فيل
Not only crystallizable salts of the kind described may be used" but natural
earth iron oxides or oxides precipitated from solutions by any known chemical

page_text: processes. In the case of some of these materi
process of calcination may be omitted.
The improved furnace which we use for the purpose of oxidizing the material in
the manner above described, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1 is a transverse section through the line A, B, (Figures 2 and 5).
Figure 2 is a plan on the line E, F, (Figure 1).
Figure 3 is a view of the charging end of the retorts.
Figure 4 is a view of the firing end.
Figure 5 is a plan on the line C, D, (Figure 1).
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures.
It consists of a masonry furnace containing one or more fireclay retorts into
which the trays containing the powder are introduced and are removed when the
process of oxidation is completed. These retorts are built up of fireclay blocks or
sections of convenient size and shape (as it has been found impossible to make the
fireclay retort successfully in one piece) thus ensuring durability, regularity of heat,
and uniformity of result.
We arrange a furnace having a fireplace a (Figure 4) below, by which it can be
heated, the flame and hot air passing under an arched floor above which the retorts
are arranged and thence passing through a sufficient number of openings or flues c, c, c,
in the floor and circulating round the fireclay retorts d, d, d, arranged above,
and thence through suitable openings to a chamber e above, and thence to a
chimney.
The retorts d, of which preferably two or more are used in each furnace (three
being shewn in the drawings) consist of vertical firebrick chambers d extending from
end to end of the furnace, the firebricks forming the sides of each chamber or retort
having a number of parallel horizontal grooves or ribs i, i, i, for the full length of
the retort, into which grooves fit and slide freely the trays containing the powdered
material first described (which are not shewn in the drawings). These trays are
made of convenient length and are pushed into the grooves i one after another, until
the whole of the retort has been filled in tiers one above the other.
The fireclay blocks or bricks of which the retorts are built are connected together
by corresponding tie-bricks f and stays where necessary, space being left between
them at g, g, g, for the circulation of the flame and hot air round the retorts as
already described.
The open fronts of the retorts, when the latter are filled with the trays as
described, are closed by moveable doors h, h, h, and adjustable openings for the
admission of air or steam can also be made. From the upper part of the other ends
of the retorts made as described, metal pipes k, k, k, conduct away the acid vapour
and gases to a tunnel or acid chamber l, or tower, in which the acids are condensed
and collected to be utilized.
We preferably provide the pipes between the retorts and the acid chamber, with
openings at m, m, m, through which they can be cleaned, the openings being
provided with moveable covers in the usual way.
We are aware that iron retorts have been tried, but have been unsuccessful, on
account of the unequal action of the heat upon them, and the speedy wearing out of
the iron.
•
By our invention in which the fireclay retorts are constructed in the manner
described and shewn they are very cheap, durable and easily built, and they are
very effective for the purpose required.
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 we
claim is
1. The process producing ferro-ferric and ferric oxides, consisting in first
calcining the salts of iron from which they are to be obtained, then reducing the
resulting material to powder, and placing this powder in layers upon moveable trays
arranged in fireclay retorts of the kind described, the retorts being heated to a

page_text: sufficient heat, and hot or cold air or steam being passed over the surface of the
powder, the acid being driven off and the iron which forms the base of the powdered
salts being oxidized to the degree required, all substantially as and for the purpose
described.
2. The retorts consisting of fireclay blocks or bricks, having longitudinal grooves
to receive trays containing the iron salts to be treated, substantially as described
and shewn in the drawings.
3. In combination with the retorts composed of grooved fireclay blocks or bricks,
the passages round and between such retorts, and the tie bricks or stays by which
they are strengthened, substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
4. In combination with the retorts composed of grooved fireclay blocks or bricks
arranged as described and shewn, the furnace, the arched roof b forming a floor for
the retorts and having openings or passages through which the heating products of
combustion pass to the spaces round and between the fireclay retorts, and the upper
chamber e into which such products of combustion pass after heating the retorts,
and communicating with a chimney, all substantially as and for the purposes
described and shewn in the drawings.
5. In combination with the retorts composed of grooved fireclay blocks or bricks,
and the furnace, chambers, and openings or passages, the pipes from the interior of
the retort to an acid chamber, or tunnel, substantially as described and shewn.
6. In combination with the retorts composed of grooved fireclay blocks or bricks
arranged as described and shewn, the moveable doors at the front of the retorts,
substantially as and for the purpose described and shewn.
7. In combination with the retorts composed of grooved fireclay blocks or bricks
as described and shewn, openings or passages to the interior of the retorts, for the
admission and discharge of hot or cold air or steam, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
Dated the 18th day of December 1890.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Patentees.