IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CERTAIN MATTS OR METALS, AND ESPECIALLY MATTS CONTAINING COPPER, SILVER, OR GOLD, EITHER SEPARATELY OR IN COMBINATION
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Primerose Howard Vaughan, F.C.S., of 67,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CERTAIN
MATTS OR METALS, AND ESPECIALLY MATTS CONTAINING COPPER, SILVER, OR
GOLD, EITHER SEPARATELY OR IN COMBINATION." A communication from
abroad by Andres Leopoldo Nolf, of Santiago, in the Republic of Chili.
Sealed the 8th March 1878, and dated the 17th January 1878.

page_text: In working on a small scale the matt or metal is fuzed in this crucible, but large
quantities are melted in a separate furnace and admitted to the crucible as required.
C is an orifice pierced through the centre of the crucible bottom for the passage of
the fused material.
D is an iron induction pipe for the steam or other fluid, which is admitted under
a pressure of, say, four atmospheres, and superheated to a temperature of, say, seven
hundred and twenty degrees (Fahrenheit)=400° Centigrade) in its passage through
the coils within the furnace.
N is a platform of fire-clay pierced with holes, forming the grate of the furnace A,
and of sufficient thickness to support the weight of the crucible with its charge.
K, K, K, K, are fire-bricks, by means of which the crucible B is maintained in
position.
L, L, L, L, are screws, by means of which the bricks K, K, K, K, are so adjusted
as to set the crucible exactly in the centre of the furnace.
X, X, are fire-clay supports of the platform or grate N.
E is a horizontal iron pipe, in which is effected the pulverization of the fused
matt or metal, which, flowing from the crucible B through the orifices C and O falls
exactly opposite the injecting nozzle of the tube D¹.
U is a small irou tube permitting the internal inspection of the pipe E, and
which is closed by a wooden plug during the working of the apparatus.
Y is a stop-cock for regulating the force of the injection.
T is a bell mouth at the end of the pipe E to facilitate the division of the pulver-
ized metal.
G is a chamber constructed of sheet iron or brick for the reception of the pulver-
ized metal.
H is a pipe for carrying off the sulphurous acid or other vapours disengaged
during the pulverization.
It will be understood that the space comprised between the crucible B and the
inner wall of the furnace is reserved for the fuel employed to effect or maintain the
fusion of the materials under treatment. The gaseous products of combustion are
drawn down towards the bottom of the furnace by the vacuum created by the
injection of the steam or other fluid in the pipe E, and passing through the grate N,
they rush through the opening O into this pipe, where they contribute to the main-
tainment of the temperature required.
The section, Fig. 2, shews clearly the platform or grate N, as also the arrangement
of the bricks K and the adjusting screws L, by which the crucible B is centered and
maintained in position.
Figure 3 shews the heads of the adjusting screws outside the furnace, as also the
head of the pipe E and portion of the induction tube D.
In this Figure V, V, are two small iron tubes fitted with stop-cocks outside the
furnace, through which hot or cold air is admitted as required into the pipe E during
the process of pulverization.
U is the inspection tube, shewn in Fig. 1.
Z is the support of the furnace.
In the treatment of readily oxidizable matts or metals the pulverization is
accompanied by their partial desulphurization and oxidation, a large proportion of
the sulphur being separated either as sulphuretted hydrogen or as sulphurous acid.
As a general rule a sufficient quantity of air should be admitted through the
tubes V, V, Fig. 3, to cause the sulphur contained in the matt to combine with the
oxygen, forming sulphurous acid, which, escaping by the pipe H from the recipient G,
may be utilised for the manufacture of sulphuric acid.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the said improvements, and
the manner in which the same are or may be carried into effect, I would have it
understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction and
arrangement of apparatus herein laid down and shewn, as these may obviously be
varied in practice without deviating from the principle or inain features of this
Invention, but what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is,―

page_text: First. The pulverization of certain matts or metals, and especially matts con-
taining copper, silver, or gold, either separately or in combination by means of
superheated steam, air, or other appropriate gaseous fluid projected under pressure
against a thin stream of the said matts or metals previously reduced to a state of
complete fusion, substantially as herein set forth.
Secondly. The apparatus, by means of which this pulverization of the fused matt
or metal may be effected, constructed, arranged, and operated, substantially as herein
set forth and shown in the Figures of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Primerose Howard Vaughan, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
E. P. H. VAUGHAN. (LS.)