IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO- METALLURGY AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Couradi, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-
METALLURGY AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH." A communication
from abroad by Emil André, of Ehrenbreitstein, in Prussia, in Germany.
Sealed the 24th April 1878, and dated the 1st November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Conradi at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st November 1877.
HENRY CONRADI, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-METALLURGY AND IN APPARATUS COX-
NECTED THEREWITH." [A communication from abroad by Emil André, of Ehren-
breitstein, in Prussia, in Germany.]
The application of magnet-electric, or electro-dynamic machines for galvano-
plastical purposes is well known; pure metals are hereby transported from the
anod to the rathod by the electric current. Quite different is any proceeding. I
intend to purify impure metals, alloys, combinations, coarse metals, intermediate
produces, ores, rubbish, scrap, and to make of them pure metals, alloys, combi-
nations, salts, haloïds, in a larger scale, the pure produces being either transported
to the rathod; or left at the anod, or dissolved in the hath.
The following is to be observed to secure a good working:
a. Polarization is to be avoided, the proceeding being interrupted by it.
b. Constant baths are to be applied, which will rest constant also under the
influence of the electric current. ad: al°. Polarization is avoided by making use of
anods, which are dissolved under the influence of the current; by these means
polarization is avoided the best. By experiments, Inventor has stated that not
only by metals, coal, etc., but also by coarse metals, speiss metals and haloïds
(combinations with sulphur, arsen. chlor.) the current is conducted, which materials
all are suitable for anods. The utmost care is necessary in respect of arsenical
metals as the workmen could be poisoned by arseuiuretted hydrogen gas.
01

page_text: 2°. Combinations by which the current is not conducted, as for instance, metal
salts are dissolved in water, acids, or alkalis or salts, the anods for this baths being
formed by platinum, or this being too expensive, by plastical coal, prepared in flat
plates or conical forms, the latter being moved by rotation; hereby the gas bubbles
by which polarization would be generated are removed, and the effect of a much
larger surface of anods generated. If, at last, polarization grows, the anods are
changed and rechanged after being cleaned.
The rathods are formed by plastical coal, or by the same metal, which is preci-
pitated, or by such a metal, which is to be alloyed with the same.
In the case that three or more metals in the same operation are to be disjoined,
an intermediate metal or other substance is applied, by which the one of the dis-
solved metals is precipitated before reaching the rathod, on which only the second
dissolved metal is precipitated, the third metal being left at the anod.
The new proceeding will be applied useful in :
1. The manufacture of nickel (or cobalt), their alloys, salts, and haloïds, the
material being ores, impure alloys and combinations, scrap, coarse metals, speiss
metals, intermediate produces.
2. The refining of gold, silver containing copper or other impurities, the metals
being disjoined from each other or from other metals or impurities.
3. The manufacture of pure copper, the material being ores, alloys, coarse metals,
intermediate produces salts.
4. The manufacture of pure tin, or tin salts, the material being tin plates, scrap,
or intermediate produces.
5. The manufacture of zinc and silver, the metals being intermediate produces,
ores, or scrap.
The claims for which I want to obtain the Patent right consists in,-
1. The proceeding to produce pure metals, alloys, combinations, salts, haloïds, by
application of the electrolytic method, on different materials containing them, by
making use of magneto-electric or electro-dynamic machines.
2. The use of constant baths and annods free from polarization, in some cases
applying conical or rotating anods or rathods, or intercalating metals or other sub-
stances, as before described.
3. The avoiding of polarization by anods, which are dissolved under the influence
of the current, viz., coarse metals, speiss metals, and haloïds, etc., conducting the
currents as well as metal, coals, etc.

page_text: .
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henri Conradi in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th April
1878.
HENRY CONRADI, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-METALLURGY AND IN APPARATUS CON-
NECTED THEREWITH." A communication from abroad by Emil André, of Ehrenbreit-
stein, in Prussia, in Germany.
This Invention relates to a new proceeding to produce pure metals, alloys, combi-
nations, salts, haloids, by application of the electrolytic method on impure metals,
alloys, combinations with sulphur, arsen. chlor. etc., coarse metals, intermediate
products, ores, rubbish, and scrap, by making use of magneto-electric or electro-
dynamic machines; further, of constant baths and anodes free from polarization, in
some cases by making use of conical or rotating anodes or catodes, or by intercalating
intermediate metals or other substances.
The application of magneto-electric or electro-dynamic machines for galvano-
plastic purposes is well known. Pure metals are hereby transported from the anode
to the catode by the electric current. Quite different is the improved process, by
means of which impure metals, alloys, combinations, coarse metals, intermediate
products, ores, rubbish, and scrap are purified and transformed into pure metals,
alloys, combinations, salts, haloids, and that on a larger scale, the pure products being
either transported to the catode, or left at the anode or in the bath.
The following rules must be observed in order to ensure success :-
a. Polarization is to be avoided, or the process would be interrupted by it.
b. Constant baths are to be supplied, which will also remain constant under the
influence of the electric current.
c 1. Polarization is avoided by making use of anodes, which are dissolved under
It has been
the influence of the current; hereby polarization is best avoided.
proved by experiments that the current is conducted not only by metals, coal, etc.,
but also by coarse metals, speiss metals, and baloids (combinations with sulphur,
arsen, chlor.) which are all suitable for anodes. The utmost care is necessary with
respect to the arsenical metals, as the workmen would be poisoned by arsenurietted
hydrogen gas.
2. Combinations, by which the current is not conducted, as for instance, metal
salts are dissolved in water, acids, alkalies, or salts, the anode being formed in this
case by platinum, or, if this should be too expensive, by plastic coal prepared in
flat plates or conical figures, the latter being moved by rotation; hereby the gas
bubbles, by which polarization would be generated, are removed, and a much larger
surface of anodes generated. If at last polarization increases, the anode changed
and rechanged after being cleaned.
The catode is formed by plastic coal or metal similar to that which is precipitated,
or by the metal which is to be alloyed with the same.
In case three metals or more are to be disunited by the same operation an inter-
mediate metal or other substance is applied, by which one of the dissolved metals is
precipitated before reaching the catode, on which only the second dissolved metal is
precipitated, the third metal being left at the anode.
The details of the method for each application will readily be understood by duly
qualified persons, as it would be impossible to give a description of all the modifica-
tions and variations which are in every single case necessary for practical use.
For general information the following fabrications are named, in which the method
may be applied in a useful manner :-
1. The fabrication of nickel or cobalt, nickel alloys, nickel or cobalt salts and
haloids, the material being ores, impure alloys, and combinations, scrap, coarse
metals, speiss metals, or intermediate products.
2. The refining of gold, silver containing copper or impurities, the metals being
disunited from each other and from other metals or impurities.

page_text: 3. The fabrication of pure copper, the material being ores, alloys, coarse metals,
intermediate products, or salts.
4. The fabrication of pure tin or tin salt, the material being tin-plate, scrap, or
intermediate products.
5. The fabrication of zinc and silver, the material being intermediate products,
ores, or scrap.
6. The fabrication of different metals, the material being old coins or similar alloys
and combinations.
By means of the above-mentioned process two or more metals may be precipitated
from the same material together or one after the other by the electric current. Their
qualities being different the methods also must be different.
I. Nickel, coarse 'metal, or speiss, or any combination of nickel, cobalt, or copper,
with other metals or baloids, being the material, an acid solution is wanted if copper
alone is to be precipitated; nickel is at the same time dissolved, but not precipitated.
This will continue as long as the solution is not entirely saturated with nickel. The
last trace of copper is precipitated by changing the anode of coarse metal or speiss
first used for a coal anode. After a short time the last trace of copper is precipitated,
and the bath contains pure nickel sulphate, a little acid, and containing a little
iron.
a. This nickel sulphate is purified by ammonia; the best process is to reheat
the bath in a pan of lead, to stir the hath or to blast air into it, and to add a little
ammonia, by which means the iron is deposited as hydrate of peroxyde, which is
removed by filtration or decantation, etc. The solution is evaporated until it becomes
crystallized, and the nickel sulphate crystals are fit for sale.
b. From this nickel sulphate pure nickel may be fabricated after the iron ore is
removed, as above described, the bath containing nickel sulphate, ammonia sulphate,
ammonia (or chlorides instead of sulphates), the catodes being of coal, copper, nickel,
or like substances, on which the nickel will be deposited. If anodes of coal or
platinum were used the process would soon be interrupted by polarization, or the
effect of the machine at least weakened. In this case the anodes are to be made of
iron or zinc plates, or any other form or other metal which is dissolved under the
influence of the current. Between the anodes and catodes a single or double diaphragm
is arranged, so as to separate both the solutions, and to avoid diffusion. At the
anode iron sulphate or zinc sulphate is generated, which is sold after being crystal-
lized; meanwhile nickel metal is generated at the catode. This method is also
suitable for fabricating nickel out of nickel silicate ores from New Caledonia or the
Ural, which are previously dissolved in sulphuric or muriatic acid.
If copper and nickel metal are to be precipitated together, the anodes of coarse
metal, speiss, etc, are put into a bath of ammonia sulphate and caustic ammonia.
Both metals are precipitated on catodes of coal or copper, etc., from which they are
brushed off, washed, cleaned, and melted like an alloy, and worked like an alloy.
The sulphur of the coarse metal is partly transformed into sulphuric acid; therefore
from time to time ammonia is to be added in proportion. The iron is removed, as
above described. The speiss containing arsen. or antimonium, precaution is necessary
with respect to the workmen. Nickel and copper, which are precipitated together,
may be separated by magnets, nickel being magnetical, and the magnets of the
machine itself may be used for this purpose. In the same manner also pure cobalt
may be fabricated, or pure cobalt salt.
II. Intercalation is used if two metals or more are to be precipitated separately
from each other, as, for instance, in the refining process, where gold, silver, copper
are to be separated from each other and from other admixtures (old coins, alloys,
scrap, etc.). These impure alloys, forming the anodes, are put into a bath of sulphuric
acid and water (½). Between the anodes and catodes a frame is intercalated,
tightened on the sides of the vat, being itself overlaid on the broad sides with cotton
stuff or a permeable diaphragm. The bath is divided into two parts, the one con-
taining the anodes, the other the catodes, and the frame itself is filled up between
the cotton stuff or diaphragm, with granulated copper or scrap. Under the influence

page_text: of the current, silver and copper are dissolved at the anode, gold and other sub-
stances are left at the anode. The solution passing through the frame, silver is
precipitated there by the granulated copper, the pure copper alone being precipitated
at the catode. If the granulated copper is almost covered with silver, the frame is
changed for a new one, or is filled up with fresh granulated copper; meanwhile the
precipitated silver is washed, cleaned, and burnt in the refinery, or melted directly;
or the process is repeated for the silver alone, which is completely refined if pre-
cipitated for the second time by the current. The consumption of acid is reduced
by this method to a minimum, the workmen's fees are also reduced, and instead of
copper sulphate, pure copper, very suitable for electric wires, is fabricated.
6. The intercalation may be arranged in another manner, the principle remaining
the same, the catodes are laid in an horizontal or inclined position on the bottom of
the vat; in the upper part of the yat a little yat is suspended containing the anodes,
and instead of a bottom a single or double diaphragm, not very permeable; between
both diaphragms in the latter case some distance is left. Under the influence of the
current at the anode, dissolution of silver and copper is generated, as above mentioned,
which at the deepest point is drawn off successively, but continuously, fresh diluted
acid being added in proportion. The solution of silver and copper is conducted into
another vat standing close by, but a little deeper, half filled with granulated copper,
where the silver is precipitated.
The copper solution, free from silver, is conducted into a third vat, standing some-
what deeper, at the catode, where the copper is precipitated.
The acid solution,
free from silver and copper, is continuously drawn away to a fourth vat, standing
deeper, and conducted to the anode, where silver and copper are dissolved by it, and
so on.
The whole is arranged in the form of a terrace or tower, as the space to be dis-
posed of permits or requires. The dissolution, standing between the two diaphagms,
is drawn off from time to time in order to avoid diffusion, and is worked, together
with the solution of silver and copper. At the lowest part of the terrace stand three
reservoirs, No. 1 for the solution of silver and copper; No. 2 for the solution of
copper, free from silver; No. 3 for the acid solution, free from silver and copper.
Beneath each reservoir a pressure vat is placed, and from there the solution is again
transported by compressed air into one of the three reservoirs at the top.
The vats may be made of stoneware or wood (petroleum barrels); the pressure
vats may be made of wood, bound with hoops, for low pressure,
or of copper
for higher pressure, their insides being lined with lead.
III. As above described the arrangement of the baths, anodes, and catodes, and
their substances may be very different for the different uses, the principle always
remaining the same, namely, the application of the electrolytic method on a large
scale to the working of the above-nained and similar metals, alloys, or combina-
tions.
The composition of the baths is chosen as follows:--
1. Sulphuric acid and water for the working of combinations of nickel, cobalt,
copper, etc., if copper alone is to be precipitated.
2. Ammonia-sulphate and ammonia, if nickel and copper, or cobalt and copper, are
to be precipitated together.
3. Sulphuric acid and water for the separation of gold, silver, and copper from each
other, and other admixtures.
4. Caustic natron-hydrate or hydrochlorate of soda for the manufacture of tin, the
material being tin-plate, scrap, etc.
5. Sulphuric or muriatic acid for the working of New Caledonian or similar
nickel ores, ammonia sulphate and ammonia being added for the precipitation
of nickel, other compositions of baths not being excluded in all these cases.
IV. Anodes, free from polarisation, may be obtained in this way :-A, the anodes
are inade of the material itself; if the same is a conductor of the electric current, not
only metals and alloys, but also coarse metals, speiss, etc., combinations with arsen.
sulphur chlor., antimony, are conductors; B, the non-conducting material is to he

page_text: transformed and dissolved by acids, alkalis, salts, etc. a, the anodes are made of
coal or platinum, or various conducting substances, preferably in a flat or conical
form, so as to allow the gas bubbles to disappear; for the same purpose the bath is
stirred or heated, or the anodes turned.; b, the other arrangement for avoiding
polarisation is better; the anode is chosen so as to be dissolved under the influence
of the current, astis mentioned above, for the fabrication of nickel. The secondary
products of the anode are separated from the principal solution by the above-named
means (well constructed double diaphragms and a temporary drawing off of the
intermediate solution). Iron, zinc, or similar metals, chosen according to the prices
of the principal.and secondary products, are suitable for anodes of this description,
the principle and the above-described means for constructing anodes free from
polarisation being alone important.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of carrying the
same into effect, .I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details above enumerated, as these may obviously be modified without
departing from the principle of the Invention; but what I clain is, the 'fabrication
of pure metals, alloys, combinations, salts, or 'haloids, by applying the electrolytic
method on impure metals, alloys, or combinations with sulphur, arsen, chlor., coarse
metals, intermediate products, ores, rubbish, and scrap, by making use of magneto-
electric or electro-dynamic machines, and further, of constant baths and anodes, free
from polarisation, and in some cases by making use of conical or rotating anodes or
catodes, or by intercalating intermediate metals or other substances, substantially as
above described and for the, purposes herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Conradi, have 'hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-third day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
H. CONRADI. (L.S.)