Improvements in the Treatment of Copper or Cupreous Compounds for the Production of Sulphate of Copper and the Extraction of the Precious Metals, and in Apparatus applicable therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 15th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 18th Oct.,
1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Treatment of Copper or Cupreous Compounds
for the Production of Sulphate of Copper and the Extraction of
the Precious Metals, and in Apparatus applicable therefor.
We, THEODORE HAEGE, of Briton Ferry, South Wales, Ph. D., Manager of The
Cape Copper Company's Works at Briton Ferry, and THE CAPE COPPER COMPANY,
LIMITED, of 9, Queen Street Place, Upper Thames Street, in the City of London, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved method of treating copper or cupreous com-
pounds for the production of sulphate of copper by a continuous process; the precious
metals (when present in the material under treatment) being at the same time
separated.
The invention further relates to apparatus applicable for use in carrying out
our improved process.
According to our improved method of treatment, copper, prepared in the ordinary
way in leaf or granular form or in shots or in any other suitable condition for
dissolving purposes, is placed in leaden tubs constructed and fitted in the following
manner: Each tub is provided with a false bottom of perforated lead supported on
bricks or other material adapted to withstand the action of hot sulphuric acid. The
tub, below the false bottom, is furnished with an inlet and an outlet pipe, both made
of lead; the top of the latter pipe being at or about the level of the bottom of the
inlet pipe.
The inlet pipe is in connection with an injector or other apparatus
adapted for supplying the tub with a continuous stream of mixed steam and air or of
air alone. The outer extremity of the lower or outlet pipe is bent downwards and dips
into liquid, the outlet being thus sealed and the steam or air prevented from escaping
otherwise than upwards through the false bottom before referred to and whereon
the cupreous charge under treatment rests. The top of the tub is fitted with
a perforated leaden tray, which serves to distribute the acid equally over the
charge.
:
Having charged the tub with the prepared copper, a continuous stream of dilute
sulphuric acid, heated to a suitable temperature, is poured on the perforated leaden
tray or distributer; the liquid gradually percolating downwards through the cupreous
charge. At the same time, the current of steam and air, or of air alone, forced into
the tub below the perforated bottom, finds its way upwards through the charge and
operates, both by the heat it conveys, and by the oxygen it contains reacting on the
copper in the presence of the percolating sulphuric acid, to dissolve the copper
rapidly. A concentrated solution of sulphate of copper flows in a continuous stream
from the lower or outlet pipe before referred to, and is thence conducted to troughs in
which crystallization takes place in the usual manner. The "mother-liquor" from
the crystallizing vessels is employed for diluting fresh supplies of sulphuric
acid. Each tub is provided with a charging hole through which fresh copper may
be passed, as required, to take the place of the copper dissolved in the course of the
process.
Silver and gold, if present in the copper or cupreous compounds treated, subside
in a metallic state to the bottoms of the tubs or of the crystallizing troughs; the
deposit being periodically removed from these vessels and treated in any known
manner for the recovery of the precious metals.
Dated this 15th day of November 1889
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicants.*

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Treatment of Copper or Cupreous Compounds
for the Production of Sulphate of Copper and the Extraction of
the Precious Metals, and in Apparatus applicable therefor.
We, THEODORE HAEGE, of Briton Ferry, South Wales, Ph. D., Manager of The
Cape Copper Company's Works at Briton Ferry, and THE CAPE COPPER COMPANY,
LIMITED, of 9, Queen Street Place, Upper Thames Street, in the City of
London, 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 :-
This invention relates to an improved method of treating copper or cupreous com-
pounds for the production of sulphate of copper by a continuous process; the precious
metals (when present in the material under treatment) being at the same time
separated. The invention further relates to apparatus applicable for use in carrying
'out our improved process.
In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is represented, partly in side elevation
and partly in section, apparatus adapted for carrying out our improved process;
Fig. 2 being a corresponding end view. In Fig. 3 is shewn, partly in vertical section
and partly in elevation and drawn to a larger scale, that portion of the apparatus in
which the chemical reaction takes place; Fig. 4 being a vertical section taken in a
plane indicated by the line ay in Fig. 3.
According to our improved method of treatment, copper, prepared in the ordinary
way in leaf or granular form or in shots or in any other suitable condition for
dissolving purposes, is placed in leaden or lead-lined tubs A constructed and fitted in
the following manner :-Each tub is provided with a false bottom a of perforated lead
supported on common bricks 6 (Figs. 3 and 4) or other material.adapted to withstand
the action of hot sulphuric acid. The tub, below the false bottom, is furnished with
an inlet pipe c and an outlet pipe d, both made of lead; the top of the pipe & being
at or about the level of the bottom of the pipe c. The inlet pipe c is in connection
'with a pipe e which communicates with an injector E (Fig. 1) or other apparatus
adapted for supplying the tubs A with a continuous stream of mixed, steam and air
or of air alone. The outer extremity d' of the lower or outlet pipe d is bent down-
wards and dips into liquid contained in a well in a conduit f; the outlet being thus
sealed and the steam or air prevented from escaping from the space g otherwise than
upwards through the false bottom a whereon rests the cupreous charge H. The top
of the tub is fitted with a perforated leaden tray a¹, which serves to distribute the acid
equally over the charge.
.
Having charged the tubs with the cupreous material to be treated, a continuous
stream of dilute sulphuric acid, taken from the storage tank K (Fig. 1) and heated to
a suitable temperature, is permitted to flow from the pipes which extend from the
acid-pipe k to the perforated leaden trays or distributers a; the liquid. gradually
percolating downwards through the cupreous material. At the same time, a
current of steam and air, or of air alone, forced into the spaces g by way of the
pipes c, finds its way upwards through the charges H and operates, both by the heat
it conveys, and by the oxygen it contains reacting on the copper in the presence of
the percolating sulphuric acid, to dissolve the copper rapidly. A concentrated solution
of sulphate of copper flows in a continuous stream from the lower or outlet pipe d,
and is thence conducted along the conduits to the troughs in which crystallization
takes place in the usual manner. The "mother-liquor" from the crystallizing vessels
is employed for diluting fresh supplies of sulphuric acid. Each tub is provided with
a charging hole a' through which fresh copper may be passed, as required, to take the
place of the copper dissolved in the course of the process. A chimney M serves
to carry off the steam or vapour rising from the apparatus. N is an iron steam-pipe
furnished with a regulating cock n and a leaden terminal coil n¹; the latter lying
within the tank K. The steam admitted into this pipe serves to heat the acid con-

page_text: tained in the tank. O is the wooden framework or staging upon which the apparatus
is mounted.
Silver and gold, if present in the copper or cupreous compound treated, subside in
a metallic state to the bottoms of the tubs A or of the crystallizing troughs; the
deposit being periodically removed from these vessels and treated in any known
manner for the recovery of the precious metals.
We are aware that, in the manufacture of sulphate of copper from metallic copper,
sulphurous acid gas, atmospheric air and steam or vapour of water have been
employed. In carrying out the process by the aid of such means, it has, however,
been necessary to employ lead-lined towers of considerable height through which the
above-mentioned gases are caused to pass. The process, as carried out in each tower,
is of an intermittent character. The cupreous charge after having been subjected for
a certain time to the action of the sulphurous acid gas is treated with a stream of
water for the purpose of washing out the sulphate of copper. The process as carried
out by our invention is not only a continuous one, but, owing to our dispensing with
the use of sulphurous acid gas, we are enabled to effect the object of our invention
by means of apparatus of a comparatively simple and inexpensive character, the same
being economical in cost of working and in space occupied.
The escape of
sulphurous acid gas to the atmosphere is also obviated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim :-
1. The herein-described continuous method of treating copper or cupreous com-
pounds for the production of sulphate of copper and the recovery of the precious
metals (when present), consisting in subjecting the cupreous charge to the simultaneous
action of streams of sulphuric acid and of mixed steam and air (or of air alone), the
two streams flowing by preference in opposite directions; the liquid discharged
yielding sulphate of copper by crystallization and the precious metals (when present
in the cupreous charge treated) by precipitation.
2. The improved apparatus applicable for use in the manufacture of sulphate of
copper from metallic copper and the recovery of the precious metals (when present),
arranged substantially as herein described and adapted for continuous operation; the
same comprising a tub, such as A, having a perforated bottom a whereon the
cupreous charge rests, a perforated tray or cover af for distributing the sulphuric acid,
which percolates downwards through the charge and escapes through the false bottom,
and means for injecting a stream of mixed air and steam (or of air alone)
beneath the false bottom, the same passing in an upward direction through the
charge.
The 05-11T1 1900
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicants.