Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 25th Aug., 1887
Complete Accepted, 4th Nov., 1887
.C
I, RUSSELL HUGH WORTHINGTON BIGGS of 3 Middle Temple Lane in the City of
London, Barrister-at-Law, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a new process of extracting tin from iron in tin scraps and
other refuses from old cases employed for preserving meats, fruits, and other
purposes.
This I accomplish by placing the tin cuttings in a suitable metallic or other cylinder,
vat, or cistern. When employing metallic cylinders, vats, or cisterns they are coated
internally with asphalte or other equivalents, and covered with copper or other
suitable material that will resist the action of acid. When employing vats or cisterns
they are disposed so as to allow of emptying from one to the other and from thence to
cooling vats or cisterns. The tin is conveyed from the cylinder, vats, or cisterns in a
spungeous state to a sufficient quantity of cooling vats; leaving the iron scraps in
the acid cylinder, vats, or cisterns. When the cylinders are constructed to revolve
they are provided at each end with centres mounted in pedestals or bearings to
allow of rotation to ensure the tin scraps being turned over and presented in every
way to the action of the acid or other liquid contained therein.
After the tin scrap cuttings have been placed in the cylinder, vat, or cistern, it
is charged with heated muriatic or hydrochloric acid from any convenient source
by any suitable or convenient means. The cylinder is provided with means for
charging and emptying the tin and other products; the same being constructed
so as to be hermetically sealed when closed. When the tin scraps have been
placed in the cylinder and hermetically sealed the muriatic or hydrochloric acid
is introduced, after which the cylinder is rotated by mechanical means, thus
thoroughly mixing the acid and scraps, by which the latter are thoroughly
operated upon. After this operation has gone on for a sufficient time and the
separation of the tin from the iron is complete the outlet is opened and the
acid is returned to the vessel it came from or otherwise, after which a sufficient
quantity of water is introduced into the cylinder to neutralise the acid and wash off
רנס...

page_text: the chloruret of tin left on the iron scraps, which is accomplished by putting the
cylinder in motion again for a short time. The water is then returned to a vat or
cistern wherein the chloruret of tin contained therein is allowed to deposit itself;
being collected in any convenient manner at will. The iron scraps are removed from
the cylinder, vat, or cistern and melted in a crucible or its equivalent and formed into
ingots, which may also be performed by pressure and stoved to prevent rust.
The method of operating on tin scraps in a cylinder, vat, or cistern can be repeated
for any length of time by simply keeping up the strength and temperature of the acid,
and by renewing the washing water when it becomes too saturated with acid.
The cistern containing the muriatic or hydrochloric acid is heated by fire, or with a
copper pipe or coil heated by steam, by which the same can be raised to any desired
or necessary temperature.
The chloruret of tin and muriatic or hydrochloric acid are drawn from the cistern
into vats or cisterns wherein a sufficient quantity of either zinc or nitric acid is
introduced, and as the muriatic or hydrochloric acid has a greater affinity for zine
or nitric acid it is dissolved rapidly on the production of heat and the emission of gas,
after which the tin rises onto the top of the liquid in a grey spungeous state, from
whence it is collected and immersed in water to neutralise the remaining portion of
acid; it is then subjected to pressure to remove the liquid and close the molecules,
after which it is melted and treated in the usual manner into blocks or ingots and
stoved to prevent injury. The liquid remaining is chloruret of zinc with a proportion
of chloruret of iron.
The tin cuttings are washed, before being operated upon, in a bath of warm potash
to remove grease, paint, &c.
EDMUND CHADWICK, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
92, St. George's Road, Bolton.
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: A New or Improved Method of Extracting Tin from Iron in Tin
Scraps and in Apparatus therefor.
1, RUSSELL HUGH WORTHINGTON BIGGS of 3 Middle Temple Lane in the City of
London, Barrister-at-Law, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 a new process of extracting tin from iron in tin scraps and
other refuses from old cases employed for preserving meats, fruits, and other purposes.
This I accomplish by placing the tin cuttings in a suitable metallic or other cylinder,
vat, or cistern. When employing metallic cylinders, vats, or cisterns they are coated
internally with asphalte or other equivalents, and covered with copper or other suitable
material that will resist the action of acid. When employing vats or cisterns they
are disposed so as to allow of emptying from one to the other and from thence to
cooling vats or cisterns. The tin is conveyed from the cylinder, vats, or cisterns in a
spungeous state to a sufficient quantity of cooling rats; leaving the iron scraps in the
acid cylinder, vats, or cisterns. When the cylinders are constructed to revolve they
are provided at each end with centres mounted in pedestals or bearings to allow of
rotation to ensure the tin scraps being turned over and presented in every way to the
action of the acid or other liquid contained therein. After the tin scrap cuttings have
been placed in the cylinder, vat, or cistern, it is charged with heated muriatic or
hydrochloric acid from any convenient source by any suitable or convenient means.
The cylinder is provided with means for charging and emptying the tin and other
products; the same being constructed so as to be hermetically sealed when used.
When the tin scraps have been placed in the cylinder and hermetically sealed the
muriatic or hydrochloric acid is introduced, after which the cylinder is rotated by
mechanical means, thus thoroughly mixing the acid and scraps, by which the latter
are thoroughly operated upon. After this operation has gone on for a sufficient time
and the separation of the tin from the iron is complete the outlet is opened and the
acid is returned to the vessel it came from or otherwise, after which a sufficient
quantity of water is introduced into the cylinder to neutralise the acid and wash off
the chloruret of tin left on the iron scraps, which is accomplished by putting the
cylinder in motion again for a short time. The water is then returned to a vat or
cistern wherein the chloruret of tin contained therein is allowed to deposit itself;
being collected in any convenient manner at will. The iron scraps are removed from
the cylinder, vat, or cistern and melted in a crucible or its equivalent and formed into
ingots, which may also be performed by pressure and stoved to prevent rust.
The method of operating on tin scraps in a cylinder, vat, or cistern can be repeated
for any length of time by simply keeping up the strength and temperature of the
acid, and by renewing the washing water when it becomes too saturated with acid.
The cistern containing the muriatic or hydrochloric acid is heated by fire, or with a

page_text: copper pipe or coil heated by steam, by which the same can be raised to any desired
or necessary temperature.
The chloruret of tin and muriatic or hydrochloric acid are drawn from the cistern
into vats or cisterns wherein a sufficient quantity of either zinc or nitric acid is
introduced, and as muriatic or hydrochloric acid has a greater affinity for zinc or
nitric acid it is dissolved rapidly on the production of heat and the emission of gas,
after which the tin rises onto the top of the liquid in a grey spungeous state, from
whence it is collected and immersed in water to neutralise the remaining portion of
acid it is then subjected to pressure to remove the liquid and close the molecules,
after which it is melted and treated in the usual manner into blocks or ingots and
stoved to prevent injury. The liquid remaining is chloruret of zink with a proportion
of chloruret of iron.
The tin cuttings are washed, before being operated upon, in a bath of warm
potash to remove grease, paint, &c.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a revolving cylinder employed in extracting tin
from iron in tin scraps and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a vat or cistern in lieu
of the revolving cylinder.
The revolving cylinder 1 is provided with the journals 2 and 3 mounted in the
bearings or pedestals 4 on the standards 5. When employing metallic cylinders, vats,
or cisterns they are coated internally with the asphalte 6 or other equivalents, and
covered with the sheet copper 7, or with other suitable material that will resist the
action of muriatic or hydrochloric acid. The shaft of the revolving cylinder 1 is
provided with the fast and loose pulleys 8 and 9 respectively which allows of the
cylinder 1 being rotated or otherwise at will. The cylinder 1 is provided with
the manhole 10 which can be hermetically sealed-to be industrially used-by the
cover 11, the same being secured by bolts or their equivalents; the joint being
effected by any suitable luie. The cylinder is provided with the outlet taps 12 and 13
and the inlet water tap 14. The journal 3 is provided with the stuffing box 15 and
gland 16 to receive the inlet stationary pipe 17, which will allow of the cylinder 1
-revolving. The passage 18 from the end of the stationary pipe 17 is cased with
copper or other suitable metal that will resist the action of the aforesaid acid. The
muriatic or hydrochloric acid is supplied to the elevated cistern 19 by the pipe 20-
from any suitable source. The metallic cistern 19 is coated internally with asphalte
or other equivalants and covered with sheet copper or other suitable material
in a similar manner to cylinder 1, and is provided with the cover 20 which is
bolted or otherwise to make an hermetically sealed joint to allow of its being
industrially employed. The cistern 19 is fitted with the copper pipe or coil 21, which
is heated by steam to any desired or requisite temperature-say 190 to 212 degrees
Fahrenheit, the inlet and outlet being as indicated by the arrows. The cover 20 is
fitted with dead weight safety valve 22 and pipe 23 to conduct the vapour arising
from the heated acid to any suitable place where it may be diluted or thrown into the
atmosphere outside the building. The muriatic or hydrochloric acid is conducted to
the cylinder 1 by the pipes 24 the latter being provided with the tap 25.
If desired suitable vats or cisterns of wood coated with sheet copper as in Fig. 2
can be employed in lieu of the revolving cylinder 1 in Fig. 1. The bottom of the vat
or cistern 1 is provided with the footstep 33 in which is mounted the agitator shaft 34;
the latter being driven by wheels 35 and 36 from any suitable source. The shaft 34
is fitted with the agitator 37 for the purpose of preventing the tin scraps adhering
together and to cause them to be turned over and presented in every way to the action
of the acid contained therein. The top end of the vat or cistern 1 is constructed with
the annular chamber 38 to form a bydraulic joint with the cover 11. The cover 11
is fitted with the stuffing box 39 to prevent the emission of gas when tin scraps are
under operation or otherwise.
The muriatic or hydrochloric acid is supplied by the pipe 24 and valve 40 from the
cistern 19 water being supplied through the pipe 41 and valve 42 from any
convenient source. The wood vat or cistern 1 can be coated with resin in lieu of the
copper casing 7.

page_text: Fig. is a sectional elevation of another modification wherein the revolving
cylinder 1 is enclosed in a trough to allow of the tin scraps being industrially treated
Fig. 4 is a sectional plan of same through line A. B-Fig. 5 is an outside end
view showing joint of cover and bearing, and Fig. 6 is a part sectional longitudinal
clevation of same.
The revolving cylinder 1 is perforated and is provided with the centres 2 and 3
mounted in the bearings 4 in the trough 43. The cylinder is fitted with the hinged
cover 42 which can be secured by the turn-button 42* or other equivalent means to
keep it closed when revolving. The revolving cylinder 1 is enclosed in the trough 43
to allow of the scraps being industrially treated; the cover 44 being provided with.
the outlet pipe 23 to conduct the noxious or poisonous vapour away, and the filbows 45
to allow of the same being lifted as shown in Fig. 3 or otherwise. The bearings 4
are constructed as shown, i.e. one half to the sides or ends of the trough 43 and the
remaining half to the sides or ends of the cover 44, which are secured together by
the nuts 46 screwed round the outside of same. The trough is provided with the
taps 12, 13 & 14, for the admission and emission of muriatic or hydrochloric acid and
water, as shown in Fig. 1.
The tin scraps are placed in the cylinder or cistern 1, the revolving motion of which
or the agitator 37 prevents them adhering together and causes them to be turned over
and presented in every way to the action of the heated muriatic or hydrochloric acid
supplied thereto from the cistern 19.
The muriatic or hydrochloric acid may be varied according to the character or
quality of the tin cuttings, but I prefer to use the said acid in about the following
proportions which may be varied more or less according to circumstances-viz.:-
55 to 66 gallons of muriatic or hydrochloric acid mixed with about 220 gallons of
water heated to a temperature of from 190 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or otherwise,
which quantity is sufficient to effect the separation of the tin from a ton of tin scraps.
The acid must be admitted first with a density of about 17 degrees Beaumé and then
the water according to the strength required. After the tin scraps have been under
operation for a sufficient time and the separation of the tin from the iron is complete
the outlet tap 12 is opened and the muriatic or hydrochloric acid is emptied into
the vessel 20 composed of materials not effected by the chemical agents employed,
such as, glass, slate, stone, earthenware, porcelain, wood coated with resin, and others.
After the whole of the acid has been drained from the cylinder or vat a sufficient
quantity of water is introduced therein by the flexible pipe 27 from any convenient
source to neutralise the acid and wash off the chloruret of tin left on the iron scraps,
which is accomplished by putting the cylinder or agitator in the vat in motion again
for a short time. After the cylinder or the agitator in the vat is stopped the water and
the chloruret of tin are emptied by the tap 13 into the vat or cistern 28, wherein the
chloruret of tin contained therein is allowed to deposit itself. The chloruret of tin
and the acid are emptied into the cisterns 28 to 31 inclusive to cool as in Fig. 7,
where they remain for a suitable period to allow of lead-if any-being deposited.
The cisterns 28 to 31 are disposed so that the liquid can flow from one to the other as
shown in Fig. 7 or otherwise. After this operation: a sufficient quantity of zinc or
nitric acid say about 5 per-cent-is introduced into the cistern 31, and as muriatic
or hydrochloric acid has a greater affinity for zinc or nitric acid it is dissolved rapidly
on the production of heat and the emission of gas, after which the tin rises onto the
top of the liquid in a grey spungcous state, from whence it is collected and immersed
in water to neutralise the remaining portion of acid, after which it is removed as
quickly as possible to prevent or protect it from atmospheric action and to facilitate
melting into an iron or bronze mould in which it is subjected to pressure to expel the
liquid and close the molecules by any powerful devise, such as, screw, hydraulic, or
steam press. The tin is then stoved in any suitable manner to remove moisture after
which it is melted in the crucible 32 as in Fig. 8, or in any other usual manner from
whence it is cast into ingots or otherwise. After the iron scraps have been thoroughly
washed they are removed from the cylinder or vat and dried, after which they can be
melted in a crucible or in the usual manner,

page_text: The apparatus shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 operates as follows:-The tin scraps
are placed in the perforated revolving cylinder 1 through the opening covered by the
hinged cover 42, after which the latter is secured by the turn-button 42*. The
trough 43 containing the cylinder 1 is closed by the cover 44, after which the latter
is secured by the nuts 46.
The muriatic or hydrochloric acid is admitted into the trough 43 by the tap 12
until it rises sufficiently high to cover the tin scraps lying in the lower part of the
perforated cylinder 1, when the latter can be revolved by moving the driving strap
from the loose pulley 9 onto the fast pulley 8.
After the tin scraps have been under operation for a sufficient time and the separa-
tion of the tin from the iron is complete the ontlet tap 13 is opened to allow of the
muriatic or hydrochloric acid being emptied into the vessel 20 as before described.
After the acid has been drained from the trough 43 a sufficient quantity of water is
introduced by the tap 14 to neutralise the acid and wash off the chloruret of tin left
on the iron scraps which is effected by putting the perforated cylinder in motion for a
short time. After the perforated cylinder 1 is stopped the water and the chloruret of
tin are emptied by the tap 13 into a vat or cistern by any suitable means to allow the
chloruret of tin to deposit itself as before described. After this operation has been
performed the cover 44 is lifted and the iron scraps removed from the perforated
cylinder 1. The remaining process is as before described.
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 :-
1. The method of extracting tin from iron in tin scraps by means of heated
muriatic or hydrochloric acid substantially as herein set forth."
2. The use of the respective combinations and arrangements of apparatus for
carrying out the method set forth in the preceding claim, substantially as described
and as shown on the drawings.