Improvements in the Manufacture of Carbonate of Iron.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 13th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Carbonate of Iron.
I, CHARLES HOY, of Lorne Terrace, Ladybank, in the County of Fife, Scotland,
Chemist, 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 improvements in the manufacture of carbonate of
iron (FeCO3) whereby it can be sold in its pure form and has also for its object
to store such carbonate so that no air may be allowed to come in contact with it.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing or carrying
the same into effect or practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto
appended two explanatory sheets of drawings in which the same reference
numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where shown,
that is to say:-
Figure (Sheet 1) is a sectional elevation at A, A, A, A (Figure 2) showing
the general arrangement of the necessary apparatus.
Figure 2 (Sheet 2) is a plan of same, and Figure 3 (Sheet 2) is a front view
of the tank showing a mode of making its joint impermeable to vapour.
In carrying out my invention, the iron carbonate is made in chambers 16
and 17, the air of which has been previously expelled through the non-return
valve 10, and replaced by a gas or vapour containing no free oxygen, such gas
preferably being carbonic acid gas (CO). Such CO, is contained in a reservoir 15,
its admission to the respective chambers being regulated by the pipes and stop
cocks 18 and 19. Sometimes one pipe may only be used for this purpose, in
which case the tank 20 will be drawn out, as shown by the dotted lines in
Figure 1, in order to allow of communication being made between the two
chambers.
The water employed in the manufacture of FeCO, first boiled, to de-aërate
it, in a vessel 11, by means of a suitable furnace 12. The vessels 13 and 14 are
respectively filled with de-aërated solutions of ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) and
an alkaline carbonate K.CO, or bi-carbonate NaHCO. The alkaline solution is first
run into the tank 20, the FeSO, solution is then gradually run in and the contents
well stirred by means of the agitator 23. The pipes 21 and 22 are for the
purpose of conducting these solutions from their respective vessels to the tank,
such pipes passing into the chamber through air tight joints. The agitator is
worked from the outside, as shown; its shaft passing through a suitable stuffing
box. Stop cocks 24 and 25 are used, care being taken to shut these before all
of the respective solutions are run off, in order that no air may be drawn into
the chamber. After the two solutions are thoroughly mixed the precipitated
carbonate of iron with the alkaline sulphate in solution is allowed to settle. The
liquid is gently run off into the receptacle 26, by means of the cock 27 and
skimming float 28. Hot water from 11 is now allowed to flow into the tank 20,
by means of the pipe 29; the agitator is again operated and the precipitate
thoroughly washed. Such agitator is now raised out of the tank into the position
shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1, and retained there by means of a pin

page_text: which passes through the hole 30 in the shaft, the liquid in the tank being
allowed to run into its receptacle after the precipitate has settled. The contents
of the receptacle 26, are now run away, a slight pressure of CO, being maintained
to facilitate its exit and to keep air from passing into the chamber when the
contents are fully expelled. Heat is now applied by means of the furnace 31,
through the chamber 16, to the bottom of the tank 20, and at the same time
the vapour off the precipitate is withdrawn by means of a suitable exhaust pump
which is in communication with the stop cock 32. After the precipitate is dried
the chamber 16 is recharged with CO. 33 and 34 are extensible air tight
gloves made of rubber or other material suitably prepared and are permanently
attached to the side of the chamber by means of rings 35. These gloves are so
arranged that the screw 36, which is used to press the flanges of the tank 20
against the rubber joint 37, can be manipulated from the outside, or they can be
employed to draw out the tank to the position shown by the dotted lines, empty
it into bottles--which have been previously placed within the chamber-or other-
wise manipulate it, as may be found desirable. Access to the interior is obtained
by means of the door 38. 39 are glass windows whose purpose is to permit of
the operator seeing what is going on.
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) In apparatus used in the manufacture of carbonate of iron (FeCO), the
carrying out of the process from start to finish, including storage in bottles, in
closed chambers containing an atmosphere or vapour in which there is no free
oxygen, such vapour preferably being CO₂, as described.
(2) In apparatus used in the manufacture of carbonate of iron (FeCO₂) the
use of extensible air proof gloves, as described and for the purposes set forth.
(3) In apparatus used in the manufacture of carbonate of iron (FeCO3) the
combination of an agitator with a sliding tank, as described.
(4) In apparatus used in the manufacture of carbonate of iron (FeCO3) the
construction, combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as described
and illustrated by the annexed drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of March 1899
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
41, Reform Street, Dundee, Agents for Applicant.