An Improved Method of Converting Metallic Copper into Copper Oxide.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 11th Aug., 1893-Accepted. 23rd Sept.. 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Converting Metallic Copper into Copper
Oxide.
I JAMES CHARLES RICHARDSON of 23 Claremont Square, London, N.,
Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of the present invention is to provide for the conversion of metallic
copper into its oxide, in a more economical manner than heretofore.
Hitherto the conversion has been commonly effected by heating the metallic
copper in a furnace, in the presence of atmospheric air, which method necessitates
the consumption of a good deal of fuel, to generate and maintain the necessary
heat.
By my invention, I am enabled to dispense with the employment of externally
generated heat, and thus effect a substantial economy in the cost of the process.
According to my invention, I take copper scale, or metallic copper in a state of
division, and submit it to a solution of caustic soda or caustic potash. After the
copper scale has become saturated, it is thrown out on a floor of brick or other
porous material, which will serve to drain off the moisture from the mass.
moisture passes away, atmospheric air finds its way amongst the particles of the
divided copper, and a considerable heat is set up therein, with the result, that
the whole mass presently becomes oxidised.
As the
This invention is of great value in connection with the re-conversion of spent
copper oxide which has been used as a depolarizer in the electrolysis of solutions of
chloride of sodium, according to the method described in the Specification
accompanying the Letters Patent granted to myself in conjunction with
Colonel Holland, dated February 12th 1890, No. 2296, for, by the present
method of conversion, the employment of fuel for the generation of heat is
rendered unnecessary.
Dated this 24th day of February 1893
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Converting Metallic Copper into Copper
Oxide.
1, JAMES CHARLES RICHARDSON of 23, Claremont Square, London, N.,
Electrical Engineer, 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 object of the present invention is to provide for the conversion of metallic
copper into its oxide in a more economical manner than heretofore.
Hitherto the conversion has been commonly effected by heating the metallic
copper in a furnace, in the presence of atmospheric air, which method decessitates
the consumption of a good deal of fuel, to generate and maintain the necessary
heat.
By my invention, I am enabled to dispense with the employment of externally
generated heat, and thus effect a substantial economy in the cost of the process.
According to my invention, I take copper scrap, or metallic copper in a state of
division, and submit it to a solution of caustic soda or caustic potash. After the

page_text: copper scrap has become saturated, it is thrown out on a straining floor, of brick or
other porous material, which will serve to drain off the moisture from the mass.
The draining may be assisted, if desired, by the use of a partial vacuum beneath
the straining floor, or by other equivalent means. As the moisture passes away, the
atmospheric air finds its way amongst the particles of the divided copper, and a
considerable heat is set up therein, with the result, that the whole mass presently
becomes oxidised.
This invention is of great value in connection with the re-conversion of spent
copper oxide which has been used as a depolarizer in the electrolysis of solutions of
chloride of sodium, according to the method described in the Specification
accompanying the Letters Patent granted to myself in conjunction with
Colonel Holland, dated February 12, 1890, No. 2296, for, by the present
method of conversion, the employment of fuel for the generation of heat is
rendered unnecessary, and the trouble and expence of the re-conversion of the
copper into cupric oxide is reduced.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
The process herein described whereby metallic copper is converted into copper
oxide, consisting in the immersion of the metallic copper, in a state of division, in
caustic soda or potash solution, and afterwards throwing it out on a porous floor to
drain, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 11th day of August 1893.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.