IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING, PREPARING, AND APPLYING ZINC AND OTHER VOLATILE METALS AND THE OXIDES THEREOF, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF ZINC OR ORES CONTAINING THE SAME TO THE PREPARATION OR MANUFACTURE OF CERTAIN METALS OR ALLOYS OF METALS
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lanc, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-third day of July, in the fourteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Edward Newton, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said William Edward Newton, my exors, adiñors,
and assigns, and such others as I, the said William Edward Newton, my
exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN OBTAINING, PREPARING, AND APPLYING ZINC AND OTHER VOLATILE METALS AND
THE OXIDES THEREOF, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF ZINC OR ORES CONTAINING THE
SAME TO THE PREPARATION OR MANUFACTURE OF CERTAIN METALS OR ALLOYS OF
METALS," being a communication from abroad; in which said Letters Patent
is contained a proviso obliging me, the said William Edward Newton, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after

page_text: the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Edward Newton, do hereby declare that the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
The first part of the Invention consists in the use of improved furnaces for
the reduction of zinc and the manufacture of its white oxide. This part of
the Invention embraces, first, the system of reduction by means of cylindrical
retorts as arranged in horizontal or nearly horizontal positions, and with tho
open ends of the retorts presented at one side of the furnace, as is practised
in what is generally termed the Belgian method of reduction.
In the Belgian furnace the retorts are arranged in numerous horizontal or
nearly horizontal tiers, having the fireplace beneath surmounted by an arched
cover of fire bricks, and which is pierced with several openings in order to
admit of a more diffused and graduated heat to the retort chamber above,
which latter has also an arched cover above the retorts, and is pierced with
several openings for the exit of the smoke and gases into corresponding flues,
and from thence into the chimney above. Now these openings at the upper
part of the retort chamber are productive, in operations conducted at such
high temperatures, not only of much loss from the escape of heat along with
the gases, but also of a want of uniformity therein, the upper tiers being at
a much lower temperature than those nearer to the arched cover next the
fire.
To obviate these objections, and to ensure a greater uniformity of tempera-
ture throughout the furnace, it is proposed that the improved furnaces for the
smelting of zine (the employment of which forms the first part of the present
Invention) are closed at the top, the smoke and gases are made to rise from
the fire-place as placed below, and after rising to the top or arch above the
retorts, the vapours and caloric are made to reverberate and descend, and
escape to the chimney through flues placed at or near the bottom of the retort
chamber. By this arrangement the heat is diffused more equally throughout
the retort chamber, and more economically applied to all the retorts than in
the Belgian or any other furnace heretofore used for this purpose; and I am
enabled to enlarge the capacity of the retort chamber and increase the number
of retorts, which may be operated upon by a given quantity of fuel.
In this description of enlarged furnace, a single fire-place may be used in

page_text: the central part of the furnace, in which case the smoke and gases after enter-
ing (through the pierced arch over the fire) into the retort chamber, and
parting with their heat among the numerous tiers of retorts therein, will be
forced by the blast or drawn by the natural draft of the chimney downwards
through openings into the flues beneath at the right and left sides of the
fire-place.
Or, secondly, the furnace may be provided with two fire-places, one opening
at each end of the furnace, in which case the smoke and gases, after passing
through the openings (in the pierced arches) into the retort chamber above,
will be reflected by the closed arch above the retorts, and will make their exit
at the central part of the chamber between two parallel walls, which rise
somewhat above the lower tier or tiers of retorts, and which serve to conduct
the smoke and gases to the horizontal flue beneath whence they find their way
to the chimney.
This latter arrangement has an advantage over the former in the manufac-
ture of the white oxide of zinc, inasmuch as the dust arising from the fires is
removed from the central part to the two ends of the furnace, and is con-
sequently more remote from the oxidizing openings in the pipes or chambers
attached to the mouths of the retorts. By this means, the dust which might
otherwise be drawn into the retorts and interfere with the purity of the
products is retained at a distance, and prevented from intermingling with tho
metallic vapours. In the reduction, however, of the fumes into metallic zinc,
this matter is not of any great consequence.
An opening with a door or stopper in the outer wall, over and near to the
pierced arch next above the fire, serves for the introduction of fire tiles, which
may be used as registers to each opening in the arch, and are intended to
enable the operator to control the admission of the heat to the several parts of
the retort chamber.
It is evident that, in order to economize space and materials, two furnaces,
either with one or two fire-places, may be placed back to back, having but one
rear wall common to each between them. A single furnace of this construc-
tion is represented in the accompanying Drawings, in which Fig. 1 in
Sheet I. is a side elevation; Fig. 2, a vertical section passing through the
two fire-places; Fig. 8, a vertical section taken at the dotted line A, a, of
Fig. 2; Figures 4 and 5, horizontal sections, taken at the lines B, b, and
C, c, of Fig. 2; Fig. 6, perspective views of the hexagonal forms, for
supporting the retorts and for forming the side walls of the retort chamber,
and Fig. 7 is a vertical section of a modification taken in the same plane as
Fig. 2. The same letters indicate like parts in all the Figures, in which a, a,

page_text: represents the fire-places with ash-pits b, b; the roofs c, c, of the fire-places are
made with apertures, to diffuse the heat and products of combustion. These
apertures can be opened or closed and governed at pleasure by means of a slate
or register, which regulates an aperture in the outer wall. The retort chamber
e is covered by an arch f, which reverberates the heat and products of com-
bustion, and causes them to descend through a central descending flue g to the
exit pipe h, for the purpose above described. The upper part of the fluc g is
above the roof of the fire chamber, as represented. In Fig. 7 the fire chamber
a is in the middle, and there are two descending flues 9, 9, one on each side,
but below the level of the roof of the fire chamber, and with perforated slabs i
interposed between them and the retorts to prevent the products of combustion
from taking a direct course to the flues.
The front walls of the retort chambers are composed of hexagonal forms k
of baked fire-clay and cement, or of other refractory material capable of with-
standing the heat; these forms, which are shewn detached and in perspective
at Fig. 6, have open centres of a circular shape, the wider of which is intended
for the admission of and support of the front or open ends of the retorts,
which rest on the inner edges of the forms, while their rear or closed ends rest
upon similar forms, but of less width, attached to or forming part of the rear
wall m of the furnace. The forms constituting the front wall may be six to
nine inches in depth, and two or three rows of forms arranged together with
central openings adapted to each front and rear will give a conjoined thick-
ness to the front of eighteen or more inches, and the openings thus connected
and adapted to each other being thus rendered of a sufficient depth, will con-
stitute what is termed the cold or condensing chambers, in which repose the
earthen or iron receivers of the usual construction, so that the fumes distilled
from the ore in the retorts will be condensed and retained in a liquid state.
Instead of two rows the front wall may be constructed of single forms of
eighteen to twenty inches in depth, but these are not so easily made, and they
are more apt to warp; it may therefore be better to use several of them thus
joined together.
When the fumes are to be converted into white oxide, the cold or con-
densing chambers may be dispensed with, and a single row of forms of six
inches only in depth will be sufficient, and will allow a more ready access of
air to the openings, which in this case are left in the receiving pipes attached
to the mouths of the retorts for the conversion of the fumes into the oxide.
Besides the advantage of a more even temperature in these improved zinc
furnaces, I am enabled by the confinement of the heat at the upper part of
the retort chambers to give them a more clongated form and greater capacity,

page_text: by spreading out the arch to an extent that will admit of a greater number of
retorts beyond that worked in the Belgian furnace. I am thus enabled to work
as many as fifty to sixty or more retorts to advantage, and with no increase of
fuel, while in the Belgian furnace the number seldom exceeds from forty-five
to forty-seven. By reason also of the greater regularity and uniformity of
temperature, the loss by breakage of the retorts is considerably diminished.
What I claim under this the first part of the Invention is the use of the
improved furnace above described (being an improvement on what is known
as the Belgian furnace) for the reduction of zinc, such improvement consist-
ing in the arrangement of the fire-place or places and the flue or flues in
such a manner that the products of combustion after giving off their caloric to
the retorts in the chamber may be reverberated by the closed arch top, and
carried downwards and conducted away through openings situated at or near
the bottom. And I also claim the use of furnaces the retort chambers of
which for heating the retorts are formed by making the front and rear walls
thereof of hexagonal blocks or forms with central apertures to receive the ends
of the retorts, as described, and this whether for the reduction of zinc or
other metals.
The second part of the Invention relates to the use of another improved
construction or arrangement of furnace for the reduction of the ores of zinc
into oxides, in which furnace the cylindrical retorts as described above are
dispensed with, and one largo retort, muffle, or oven (constructed of fire-
bricks, or of other refractory material suited to the construction of the same),
is employed in place thereof. This retort,. muffle, or oven consists of one
large chamber to receive the ore to be treated; the upper part of this chamber
is of an arched form, and the bottom is either flat or curved in the form of an
arch or series of arches, and the bottom and top are surrounded by flues for
the passage or reception of the heated products of combustion from a furnace
placed at the end or in front of the said oven.
One mode of construction which has been tried and found successful is
represented in the accompanying Drawings in Sheet 2, in which Fig. 1 is a
longitudinal vertical section; Fig. 2, a horizontal section taken at the line
A, a, of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section at the line B, b, of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a cross section at the line C, c, of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, another cross sec-
tion at the line D, d, of Fig. 1; Fig. 6, a cross section of a modification with
the bottom of the retort, muffle, or oven made of flat slabs instead of a series
of arches; Figures 7 and 8 are cross and longitudinal sections of a modifica-
tion with arched slabs, forming bottoms between the base of the two arches
on each side; the same letters indicate similar parts in all the Figures.

page_text: In the Drawings a' represents the inside of the retort, muffle, or oven to
receive the ore to be treated, and is the top which is formed as an arch of
any desired curve, and c' is the bottom, which may be either a single arch or
a series of small arches, or composed of flat slabs. The two ends are closed up
with fire-bricks or lumps made of fire-brick, and properly luted or cemented,
or otherwise closed up with cement, and provided with suitable openings for
charging the oven with ore, or for conducting the fumes as they issue from
the oven into a suitable condensing chamber or chambers, as well as for
stirring, manipulating, or withdrawing the exhausted residuum of the ore.
The fire-place or grate d', with an ash-pit e' below, is constructed at one end
of the oven (it may, however, be made at the side), and either communicates
with a flue space over the upper arch of the retort, and formed by another
arch, thence around the rear, and down to two flues h', h, under the
bottom and near the sides, thon around the ends thereof in front into and
through another flue under the bottom, and between the two flues h³, h¹, to
the exit flue leading to the chimney, which may be common to several fur-
naces, or when the retort is composed of two concentric arches as represented
in Figures 7 and 8, with two arched bottoms k³, le, uniting the bases of the
two large arches at each side, then the products of combustion pass directly
into a flue space under the bottom arch, then back or laterally under the two
arched bottoms A, A, and then through the flue over the top arch, which
conducts the products of combustion downwards into the Blues leading direct
to the chimney. I would here observe that in no case must the fire-place
be situated beneath the mufflc or oven, as the arched bottom would be soon
destroyed by the intense action of the heat. Atmospheric air is admitted in
the following manner into the retort, muffle, or oven, to oxidize the fumes
arising from the ore. The fire bridge l', ', is made double or hollow as in
Fig. 1, with a narrow flue or space m' between the two parts. This space
m³ communicates with the blast pipe of a blowing apparatus, and leads to the
upper part of the retort or oven, so that the supply of air shall on its pas-
sage between the two bridges becomic highly heated before it enters the retort
or oven. This, however, may be dispensed with, and the air be introduced
either in the cold state or from any other heating apparatus.
There is an aperture n' at the back and near the top of the oven, communi-
cating by an appropriate pipe with the receiver or condensing chamber
constructed on the improved plan herein-after described, or of any other
suitable construction. This pipe has a valve or flapper s' near its bottom for
the admission of a further portion of cool atmospheric air. When so con-
structed as to bave the fire chamber communicating directly with the flue

page_text: above the retort, the covering arch will be highly heated, and in that case I
employ this covering arch for the purpose of a preparatory heating of the ore,
which is to be spread to the required thickness thereon. In such cases a hole
provided with an air-tight stopper is formed in the centre of the two arches
with a communicating tube o¹, Fig. 1, through which the roasted ore can be
directly charged into the retort.
.
By means of a retort, muffle, or oven, such as herein described, the ore to
be volatilized can be spread in a thin stratum over the lower surface thereof, so
as to be acted upon by the heat from above and below, and cause it to give
out its fumes more effectually and economically than in retorts of the usual
construction, whilst at the same time they are more durable and less costly.
What I claim in this part of the improvements is, the reduction of the ores.
of zinc into the state of an oxide, in an oven, retort, or muffle, connected with
a fire chamber placed at the end or side of the said oven or retort, so that the
said oven or retort shall be heated by the products of combustion passing
through flue spaces surrounding the oven, and in which oven or retort the
oxidation of the metallic fumes is effected by the admission of atmospheric air
through suitable openings.
The third part of the improvements consists in certain applications of zine
or of ores containing the same, to the preparation or manufacture of certain
metals or alloys of metals. The metals intended to be operated upon or with
which zinc is to be alloyed, are iron and steel, which are thereby rendered more
malleable and less liable to oxidation.
The process by which this combination of zinc with iron or steel is effected,
and which constitutes the present improvement, is similar to that employed
for converting iron into steel, and known by metallurgists under the name of
cementation, whereas the method now generally practised consists in simply
fusing the zinc, and sometimes not only the zinc but also the metal which is
to be alloyed, in place of which I propose to carry the heat to the point of
volatilization of the zinc, but not much beyond that of a red or bright red of
the iron or steel.
I use the zinc in its metallic state, or otherwise such of its ores as are
natural oxides, as, for instance, the red oxide of zinc or franklinite, which latter
is properly an iron ore, but contains a considerable portion of oxide of zinc, or
otherwise such of the prepared ores as are free from sulphur, arsenic, or other
impurities or qualities detrimental to iron or steel.
The ores or oxides, somewhat finely pulverized, are to be intermixed with
charcoal or other carbonaceous matter to aid in their reduction, and may then
be thinly stratified in alternate layers with the iron or steel, and heat applied

page_text: to the mass in any convenient form of oven or furnace, having a vent or flue
for the escape of such fumes or gases as may not be absorbed by the iron or
steel. It is preferable that this process should be conducted under slight
pressure, in order to retain the fumes or gases at a slight pressure in the
furnace.
I recommend as a suitable furnace for the purpose, that usually employed
for the making of bar or blistered steel, and called the furnace of cementation.
In the troughs or chests of this furnace the iron or steel may be stratified with
the mixture of the ore or oxides and carbonaceous matter. The chests should
have suitable covers arranged so that the vapours and gases may be retained
under slight pressure, and yet in part allowed to escape, as above stated. If
the iron should be in a highly carbonized state, such, for instance, as pig or
ordinary cast iron, care should be taken that the carbonized matter be less in
proportion than the equivalent required for the entire reduction of the zinc
ore or oxides, which will in that case serve to aid in the withdrawal of the
carbon of the iron, and it will thereby be brought more nearly into the state
of malleable iron; if, on the contrary, steel is to be operated upon, the car-
bonaceous matter should be in excess, less the steel be entirely robbed of its
carbon. The heat to be applied need not exceed that of a bright red, which
will be found sufficient, as iron and steel and volatilized zinc have an affinity
at a moderate temperature. The heat. should be discontinued as soon as or
before the ores or oxides are entirely reduced, inasmuch as a farther pro-
longation of it would only serve to dissipate that portion of the zinc which had
previously united with the iron or steel.
When small articles of cast or manufactured iron and steel are to be operated
upon, I sometimes employ metallic zinc, a portion of which along with those
articles may be placed in closed vessels or muffles of earthenware or of iron
lined with clay or cement. These muffles or vessels may be introduced into
an oven or ordinary annealing furnace, the covers being first well luted on, in
order to prevent as much as possible the oscape of the fumes of the zinc.
When luted or closed vessels are used metallic zinc is preferable to the oxides
and carbonaceous admixtures used for their reduction, as there would in the
latter case be so great an escape of carbonic acid gas as to interfere with the
luting of the vessels. The heat may be continued until the vessels and their
contents have been brought regularly throughout to not exceeding a bright
red, when the fires should be withdrawn and the muftes left to cool by
degrees in the furnace. The precise degree of heat and length of time to which
the articles are to be subjected must depend on their size and substance and
the extent to which it is desired to alloy them; if of small and light substance

page_text: the zinc will penetrate throughout almost as rapidly as the pores of the metal
are well opened by the heat.
I would here observe that I am aware that it has been heretofore proposed
to alloy iron and steel with zinc, copper, and other metals by various processes.
I do not therefore intend to claim the exclusive right of alloying iron and
steel with zinc; but I claim as the third part of the Invention, alloying
iron or steel with volatilized zinc, whether obtained from metallic zinc or
from the ores thereof, as described.
The fourth part of the Invention relates to the collecting or saving of the
volatile products of distillation, or of oxidation of zinc and other volatile
metals, which I propose to collect in chambers or bags constructed of closely
woven cloth of cotton, woollen, flaxen, or other fibrous or textile material
capable of separating and retaining the desired products while the air or
gaseous portion is to be forced or drawn through the pores of the cloth or
strainer by means of a fan blower or other suitable propelling or exhausting
apparatus. This apparatus should be placed in a main or large tube, or in
connection therewith. This main or large tube is to be in communication with
the several smaller pipes or tubes adjusted to the retort or retorts, or to the
condensing chambers attached thereto, and is intended for the double purpose
of drawing the vapors from the retorts as well as the atmospheric air which
is for the purpose of oxidizing the vapours admitted at the small opening in
the oxidizing pipe or chamber near the mouth of the retort, and these pipes
communicate with the main pipe from the channel through which the oxidized
products and accompanying gases are respectively forced into or through
the pores of the bag, so that the atmospheric air may escape into the
open air.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1, Sheet 3, represents a longitudinal
elevation of the straining apparatus, which has been successfully used; Fig. 2
is a longitudinal vertical section, and Fig. 3 a cross section taken at the
line A, a, of Fig. 1. The same letters indicate like parts in all the Figures.
In the Drawings, a² represents a portion of the main pipe made of metal;
it leads to the various retorts, muffles, or ovens, and receives the fumes and
gases therefrom. The main pipe should be of sufficient length to permit the
fumes and gases to cool, so as to prevent them from burning the strainer.
The end of this pipe communicates with the casing 62 of a fan blower mounted
on the shaft c, so that the fumes and gases shall be drawn into the fan by the
centrifugal action of its veins d³, and forced out through the spout e² into the
mouth of a long straining bag f, made of canvass or other cloth closely
woven, of cotton, wool, flax, or other textile substance; strong cotton cloth

page_text: closely woven has been found by experience to produce a good effect. Along
the bottom, at convenient distances apart, the strainer is provided with branch
pipes g² of the same material, open at both ends, but which are to be tied at
the lower end to collect the products of the distillation when deposited.
Before opening the lower end in order to discharge these branch pipes, they
are to be tied up tight near the strainer, and then opened at the lower end
and the contents allowed to fall out. If the bag or strainer be composed of
materials too slight to withstand the pressure on its inner surface, that pressure
may be received by an exterior enclosing bag of network or one formed of
stouter materials, which outer bag should be made of somewhat smaller size
than the inner bag in order to receive its pressure. Should the pores of the
inner bag or strainer become clogged, they may be relieved by striking or
whipping it on the outside, or by stopping for a time the blowing or exhausting
apparatus and allowing it to collapse, and then shaking it, or by turning the
bag inside out, and then to apply the pressure to the opposite side. It is
necessary to make this bag of a size to present sufficient straining surface
according to the power of the blower and the work to be donc, so as to allow
the air and gases to make their escape with facility. A main tube, about
eight feet in diameter and seventy feet long, has been used for the collection
of the white oxide of zinc from sixty small retorts, but if made larger better
results will be obtained; and if deemed advisable the diameter of the bag may
be lessened, while its length should be increased in proportion.
It is evident that a square or oblong chamber may be used instead of a
bag, some portions of the top or sides of which may be formed of the straining
cloths. An air-tight chamber may also be used, with a straining bag adapted
to its end, and passing into the interior of the chamber, the end of the bag
being also in communication with the main or tube communicating with the
retorts, and on applying the exhausting apparatus at the other end of the
chamber, the same object may be accomplished. Besides collecting the
products of zinc, it is evident that this collecting or straining apparatus may
be used for other similar useful purposes.
The above described strainer or collecting apparatus is more especially
adapted to the collection of the volatilized products of distillation, when the
same are to be saved in an oxidized state, such, for instance, as the white
oxide of zinc; but when such products are to be saved in the metallic form,
as, for instance, in that of the blue powder of zinc, the fan blower or other
such powerful exhausting apparatus might cause the admission into the tubes
at their connection with the retorts, muflles, or oven of distillation of a portion
of atmospheric air, which should be carefully guarded against. In order to

page_text: avoid this danger, and at the same time to give a moderate exhausting effect
to aid in the withdrawal from the retorts, oven, or mufiles of the vapors as
they arise from the effects of the heat, I attach thereto a pipe or pipes made of
sheet iron or other good conductor of heat, and the opposite end of it is
elevated to such a height that the heated vapor and gases may be drawn
towards the same with a moderate degree of force, the gases being allowed to
escape through a small orifice in the upper end of the pipe. The length of
this pipe should be such that the metallic vapors have time to cool and settle
within the pipe before they reach the small opening provided for the escape of
the
gases.
Instead, however, of elevating the end of the pipe farthest from the retort, it
may be allowed to rest in a horizontal direction, and at the farther end a
smaller pipe is erected vertically to the height of several feet, or sufficient to
give the required draft for the escape of the heated gases; a register may be
attached to this smaller pipe, whereby the force of the draft will be entirely
within the control of the workman. The main or horizontal tube must, as
before, be of sufficient length to allow the metallic vapors to cool and condense
before they reach the smaller pipe for the escape of the gases, and the
products will thus be saved in the form of metallic powder.
What I claim as the fourth part of the Invention is the use of a porous or
fibrous bag or receiving chamber with porous sides, or an air-tight chamber
with a straining or porous bag adapted to the inside thereof, and used in
connection with either a blowing or exhausting apparatus, so that the products
of the distillation and oxygenation of zinc or other volatile metals may be
separated from the accompanying air and gases, which latter will be forced or
otherwise drawn through the pores of the cloth or strainer, and conveyed into
the atmosphere; and for the collection of the blue or metallic powder of zinc
or the products of the distillation of other volatile metals.
I also claim the use of the collecting or condensing pipe with an elevated
end and small orifice therein for the escape of the gases or otherwise, a
borizontal collecting or condensing pipe with a smaller ascending pipe at its
farther extremity to aid in giving a moderate draught to the escaping gas, as
described.
The fifth part of the Invention relates to the preparation and application of
the several ores and natural oxides of zinc and also of franklinite to the
preparation of new and useful pigments. These ores and natural oxides of
zine consist of calamine or the carbonate of blende, or the sulphuret, and
of the red oxide of zinc and also franklinite. The two latter are the only
natural oxides of zinc heretofore discovered, and I believe they have as yet

page_text: only been found in any considerable quantities in Sussex county, in the Stat
of New Jersey. Besides the oxide of zinc these last-named ores contain
portions of the oxides of iron and of manganese. The franklinite contain
much the largest portion of oxide of iron, and is better adapted to the making
of a dark color or (with the addition of a small portion of lampblack or othe
substitute for it) an excellent black pigment. The red oxide of zinc with it
natural admixtures of oxides of iron and manganese produces a lighter color
but still a rich dark brown. In order to ligthen its tone, the iron may be
extracted by either of the following processes:-First, the crude ore as it comes
in lumps from the mine is slightly roasted and then cooled, either by spreading
it out in the open air or by throwing water upon it, either of which processes
renders it more friable and easy to be broken in its subsequent treatment.
The ore may then be crushed between rollers or under stampers, as is well
understood, and subsequently ground in suitable mills until the largest
particles are reduced to about the usual size of Indian meal or of oatmeal. It
will now be found that the largest particles consist of franklinite, while the
red oxide of zinc will be in the state of fine powder (having also some finer
particles of franklinite mixed with it); the larger particles of franklinite are
then separated by passing the mass through a rotary cylinder having fine
bolting cloth adapted to its sides or any other convenient form of sifting
apparatus, and the finer portion of red oxide of zinc and franklinite will be
sifted through the interstices of the bolting cloth into one compartment, while
the larger ones of the franklinite will pass out at the end into another com-
partment. These two portions are then to be separately ground either in the
dry state or in water to an impalpable powder. If ground in water, the
products must subsequently be thoroughly dried in stoves or suitable kilns
and then reground, when they may be packed in kegs or vessels of convenient
size for market in the dry state, or they may immediately after the bolting
process be ground with oil in suitable mills and packed as before: The
separated portion of the franklinite, or otherwise such distinct masses of the
franklinite as may be brought direct from the mine, and.not having the
admixture of any considerable portion of the red oxide, on being treated in
the same way form an excellent pigment approaching to black without tho
admixture of lampblack, but the intensity of the black is much increased by
the addition of about five per cent. of the last-named substance. These pig-
ments are well adapted to the coating of iron, tin, and other metallic surfaces,
as well as of wood and stone.
In order to give them a more powerfully adhesive property when applied to
metallic surfaces, they are sometimes, after the first grinding and separation,

page_text: roasted a second time in suitable kilns or ovens, with the admixture of
carbonaceous matter or with the access of a reducing flame or gases, carefully
stirring them during the operation, so as to bring them as regularly as possible
to the state of suboxides; upon being ground with oil and applied to metallic
surfaces, such as iron and tin, an electro-magnetic action ensues, which more
closely unites the two metals, and has a very advantageous effect in protecting
such surfaces from oxidation. I also obtain this desirable property of render-
ing these paints electro-magnetic by the admixture of about twenty per cent.
of their weight, more or less, with the grey oxide, or with about ten per cent.
of the blue metallic powder of zinc; but of course in this case there arises
a corresponding variation in color. These electro-magnetic paints should be
carefully packed, with as little delay and exposure to the air as possible,
in order to prevent them from absorbing oxygen.
In order to obtain a more thorough separation of the franklinite than can
be obtained by the bolting process, I sometimes, after the first grinding, roast
the materials with the admixture of carbonaceous matter or access of reducing
flame or gases, carefully stirring during the operation, as described above, in
order to bring each separate particle of the franklinite within the reducing
influence of the flame so as to render it magnetic, when it may be effectually
withdrawn from the red oxide by the use of rotary or other forms of magnets
applied thereto. The material may also be separated by the well-known
process of washing and floating. The other ores of zinc, consisting of the
carbonate and sulphuret, are treated by a course of roasting, crushing, and
pulverization by mills, whereby they are reduced to an impalpable powder, or
by grinding with oil, as above described; but the roasting I prefer to have
performed in the reverberatory furnaces usually employed to decarbonate or to
pulverize them, and in order to bring them into the state of oxides as nearly
as can be done. In order to give them, as well as the red oxide and frank-
linite, an electro-magnetic property for the better protection of metals, they
may be mixed with the grey oxide or blue metallic zinc powder, as they may
be brought into the state of suboxides, as before described, and subsequently
protected from the air as much as possible until required for use.
The grey oxide and blue metallic powder are substances well known to the
smelters of zinc and others, and are therefore unnecessary to describe. They
may both be considered as suboxides, or in some degree approaching to the
metallic state, and are consequently disposed to attract oxygen both from the
oxides with which they are thus brought into close admixture, and from
the metallic surfaces of iron and tin, to which they may be applied.
I do not claim the separate use of the grey oxide or blue metallic zinc

page_text: powder which have been heretofore applied as pigments for the protection of
metallic surfaces from oxidation; but what I claim as the fifth part of the
present Invention is,―
First, the fabrication and use of the pigments derived from the several
ores of zinc and of franklinite, prepared substantially as above described; and,
secondly, the combination of the grey oxide or of the blue metallic powder
of zinc with the pulverized ores or oxides, as described, in order to give them
an electro-magnetic effect when applied to metallic surfaces, for the protection
of the latter from oxidation.
And the last part of the Invention consists in the application of the ore
called franklinite (herein-before referred to) to the preparation or manufacture
of iron from its ores, or in its subsequent finery, boiling, puddling, &c., and,
secondly, in the collection of the escaping fumes or products of the zinc which
result from the use of this metal, or of its ores, or of franklinite, or other ores
containing in it such or similar operations. The ore called frankliuite,
hitherto found in considerable quantities in the vicinity of Franklin Furnace,
Sussex county, in the State of New Jersey, contains, according to Berthier
and according to Thompson,-

page_text: portion of the zinc forms an important part, owing to its greater tendency to
volatilize than that of the free zinc under high temperatures, whereby it is
detained in contact with the ore or iron to be improved until a more complete
improvement is effected, while the other oxides of the iron and manganese
contribute their aid also by attaching the carbonaceous matters and combined
carbon contained in the pig metal, or otherwise mixed with the ore. The
franklinito may he broken to about the size of a walnut or less, and charged
into the blast furnace or catalan forge along with the iron ore to be improved
in proportions varying from two per cent. or more, according to the effects
intended on the various qualities of the ores or the resulting iron intended to
be produced or improved by it. In some kinds of ores, such as bog ores
partaking largely of phosphorus and silica, I have found two per cent. only to
produce a very marked improvement in the high or blast furnace, and that a
further addition equal to twelve and a half per cent. in the whole, has afforded
an iron of a remarkably superior quality. In the catalan forge a somewhat
larger proportion is required on account of the more ready escape of the fumes
of the zinc, which in the high or blast furnace are necessarily brought into
contact with and produce an effect upon the superincumbent mass of ore
above whilst making their escape towards the mouth of the furnace. In
the puddling or boiling furnace, when charged in along with the pig metal,
I have found that in some kinds of the latter which produce finished iron of
the hot short or cold short qualities, the franklinite charged with it in the
proportion of five per cent. to the weight bas entirely removed the latter
defect, whilst ten per cent. was required to remove the former. In other.
instances larger proportions, varying up to twenty per cent. or more, has been
required, and I have thereby frequently obtained from inferior pig metal the
best quality or refined iron, such as is adapted to the manufacture of horse-
shoe nails, and other purposes requiring the best qualities of iron.
The proportions to be applied must necessarily depend on the qualities of
the ores or pig metal to be operated upon, and which the experience of the
workman alone can determine.
In the puddling or boiling operations the frauklinite should (in order to
produce the best effect) be broken to a size not exceeding that of a coarse
powder. It may be charged in at the same time with the cinder and pig
metal, or subsequently just after the fusion of the latter, and before it rises to
the point of fermentation. The former period is the most convenient to the
workman, but as the "free zinc" in this case is apt to sublime in part before
the pig metal arrives at a state of fusion, the latter state may be attended
with the greater degree of economy. The more thoroughly it is worked into

page_text: or intermingled with the fused mass, the greater will be the advantage result-
ing from its use. In all operations where franklinite or other iron ores con-
taining zinc, or where zinc ores or metallic zinc is used, either for the
reduction or for the improvement or galvanization of iron at high tempera-
tures, there must be a considerable volatilization and waste of the fumes in the
state of oxide, &c. These I propose to save in cases where the cloth or
canvass strainer herein-before described, or other similar receiver or collecting
apparatus, can be conveniently attached or applied to the flues or furnaces
used therefor, which will thereby effect an economy in such operations. When
the cloth or canvass strainer is used for such purposes, a long flue or otherwise
a chamber or several chambers of masonry, or of masonry and cast-iron plates
or entirely of cast or of sheet iron, or other good conductor capable of with-
standing the heat, should be placed so as to intervene between the furnace
and strainer, in order that a sufficient portion of the heat may have time to
escape by radiation through the sides or top of the flues or chambers, so as
not to endanger the burning of the strainer. The fumes or gases being driven
or drawn towards the strainer or receiver by the blowing or exhausting appa-
ratus, a portion of the fumes or products of the zinc will settle in the chamber
or chambers, whence they may be extracted through closely fitting doors or
openings, whilst the remaining portion will pass onward to the receiver or
strainer, where they will be retained while the gases will be forced through
the pores or interstices, and make their escape.
Another mode of cooling the fumes and gases on their passage to the
strainer or receiving apparatus, is to cause a portion of the flue through
which they are drawn or driven forward to descend perpendicularly for
several feet, and at the uppermost part of the descent to introduce a stream
of water which should be broken or divided into small streamlets, or to drop
like rain to the bottom of the descent, whence it may make its escape through
or near the bottom. It should thence be received upon a canvass or fibrous
strainer, through the interstices of which the water will pass off, while such
portions of the oxide as may have been carried from the flue by the water
will be caught by the strainer. The oxide and gases not thus carried from the
flue by the water will thence be drawn or impelled forwards through the flue,
as it either takes a horizontal course, or resumes a perpendicular direction
towards the strainer or other suitable receiving apparatus.
It is obvious that if a sufficient quantity of water be thus made to fall from
an adequate height within the flue, it will also act like the apparatus known
by metallurgists as the "trompe or "water blowing engine," and may
thus be made to supersede the necessity of a blower or other blowing or

page_text: exhausting apparatus while impelling the fumes and gases into the strainer or
receiver.
What I claim under this the sixth and last part of the Invention is the
application of franklinite to the improvement of iron in the processes of
reduction from its ores, and in the finery or puddling of crude or pig iron,
according to the methods as above described; also the application of a suitable
receiving or collecting apparatus in conjunction with the intervening flues or
cooling chamber or chambers, or apparatus, as above described, for saving the
otherwise escaping fumes or products of the zinc, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hercunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
W. E. (L.S.) NEWTON.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-third day of January,
in the year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid William Edward Newton
caine before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged
the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and
specified, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid
was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-third day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.