A New or Improved Process for the Utilization of Oxide of Iron Obtained as a By-product in the Smelting or Extraction of Copper from Cupreous Ores, or from Spent Oxide Obtained as a By-product in the Purification of Gas.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 11th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1892
· PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Process for the Utilization of Oxide of Iron
Obtained as a By-product in the Smelting or Extraction of
Copper from Cupreous Ores, or from Spent Oxide Obtained as a
By-product in the Purification of Gas.
We, CHARLES KILPATRICK of Dearnley Hall, Dearnley near Rochdale,
Analytical Chemist, and THE FERRIC SEWAGE AND WATER PURIFICATION
COMPANY LIMITED, of 37 Exchange Arcade, St. Mary's Gate, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention.to
be as follows:-
This invention.consists in treating oxide of iron obtained as a by-product in the
smelting or extraction of copper from cupreous ores, or spent oxide obtained as a
by-product in the purification of gas, with hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid in.a.
suitable vessel or vessels provided with a steam coil, or heated externally by fire,
The
or heated by other convenient means, and provided with a cover or covers.
acid and the oxide of iron are placed together in the vessel and agitated either.
mechanically, or by an automatic circulation of the liquid from one vessel to another
when more than one vessel is employed. When the requisite saturation of the acid.
by the iron is effected the heat is withdrawn and the contents allowed to cool, or
the liquor is run off into a store vessel for cooling and subsidence, after which it is
ready for use. Should any portion of the oxide, however, be in the ferrous state a
small quantity of nitric acid must be added to the boiling solution to convert it into
the ferric state. The nitric acid can be easily recovered by drawing the fumes
through a scrubber or condenser, which also prevents the escape of nitric acid
fumes into the atmosphere. This solution of hydrochloric or sulphuric acid
saturated by iron forms a solution of ferric chloride or ferric sulphate, which can
be used either by itself, or in conjunction with other materials, such as, lime or
alkalies, for the precipitation, purification, and decolouration of water, sewage, or
other foul liquids; also for the manufacture of the various shades of oxide of iron
by precipitation with an alkali or other substance, or for the making of Prussian,
blue. We also employ this liquor for, the purification and decolouration of sugar,
syrup, brewing sugar, glucose, and other saccharine syrups and liquors. Any
excess of iron is removed by using lime, or phosphate of lime. Tannic acid may
be used after neutralization by lime or other suitable substance.
The precipitation of sewage is accomplished by means of ferric chloride or ferric
sulphate employed in the proportion of about 15 or more grains to a gallon of
sewage, the amount being regulated according to the quality of the sewage to be
treated.
After the ferric chloride or ferric sulphate has been run into the sewage they
are passed through any suitable apparatus that will cause a thorough mixing of
the same, after which process the mixture is conveyed to tanks to allow of precipi-
tation, from whence the effluent passes through a bed of ordinary cinders or other
filtering medium, from which it issues clear and odourless.
Dated the 4th March 1892.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Process for the Utilization of Oxide of Iron
Obtained as a By-product in the Smelting or Extraction of
Copper from Cupreous Ores, or from Spent Oxide Obtained as a
By-product in the Purification of Gas.
We, CHARLES KILPATRICK of Dearnley Hall, Dearnley near Rochdale,
Analytical Chemist, and THE FERRIC SEWAGE AND WATER PURIFICATION
COMPANY LIMITED, of 37 Exchange Arcade, St. Mary's Gate, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of our 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 consists in treating oxide of iron obtained as a by-product in the
smelting or extraction of copper from cupreous ores, or spent oxide obtained as a
by-product in the purification of gas, with hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid in a
suitable vessel or vessels provided with a steam coil, or heated' externally by fire,
or heated by other convenient means, and provided with a cover 'or covers. The
acid and the oxide of iron are placed together in the vessel and agitated either
mechanically, or by an automatic circulation of the liquid from one vessel to another
when more than one vessel is employed. When the requisite saturation of the acid
by the iron is effected the heat is withdrawn and the contents allowed to cool, or
the liquor is run off into a store vessel for cooling and subsidence, after which it is
ready for use. Should any portion of the oxide, however, be in the ferrous state a
small quantity of nitric acid inust be added to the boiling solution to convert it into
the ferric state. The nitric acid can be easily recovered by drawing the fumes
through a scrubber or condenser, which also prevents the escape of nitric acid
fumes into the atmosphere. This solution of hydrochloric or sulphuric acid
saturated by iron forms a solution of ferric chloride or ferric sulphate, which can
be used either by itself or in conjunction with other materials, such as, lime, or
alkalies, for the precipitation, purification, and decolouration of water, sewage,.or
other foul liquids; also for the manufacture of the various shades of oxide of iron
by precipitation with an alkali or other substance, or for the making of Prussian
blue. We also employ this liquor for the purification and decolouration of sugar,
syrup, brewing sugar, glucose, and other saccharine syrups and liquors. Any
excess of iron is removed by using lime, or phosphate of lime. Tannic acid .may
be used after neutralization by lime or other suitable substance:
'
The precipitation of sewage is accomplished by means of ferric chloride or ferric
sulphate employed in the proportion of about 15 or more grains to a gallon of
sewage, the amount being regulated according to the quality of the sewage to 'be
treated.
After the ferric chloride or ferric sulphate has been run into the sewage they
are passed through any suitable apparatus that will cause a thorough mixing of
the same, after which process the mixture is conveyed to tanks to allow of precipi-
tation, from whence the effluent passes through a bed of ordinary. cinders or other
filtering medium, from which it issues clear and odourless.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of our improved plant for manufacturing ferric
chloride from oxide of iron obtained as a by product in the smelting or extraction
of copper from cupréous ores, or from spent oxide obtained as a by-product in the
purification of gas, and Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of same through line A B.
In the chambers C are deposited the metallic vessels D supported by the metallic
plates E the latter being covered with tiles or bricks to protect them from
chemical action. In the vessels D are placed the earthenware vessels G, H, I, K, L,
I

page_text: and M. The external diameter of the earthenware vessels is of such a size as to
leave a cavity or space round the same when inserted in the metallic vessels .D.
This cavity or space is filled with sand or other like material to protect the
earthenware vessels cracking by the action of the metallic vessels D when heated.
The metallic and earthenware vessels are placed in the chambers C in the manner
shown in Fig. 1 to allow of the liquid running from one earthenware vessel to
another. Each earthenware vessel is fitted with a midfeather O to ensure of
automatic circulation from one vessel to another. The midfeather O extends to a
short distance from the bottom as shown in vessel M, thus leaving the opening or
passage P to allow of the flow of the liquid.
The acid and oxide are supplied to the earthenware vessel G by means of the
pipe R, which delivers the mixture on one side of the midfeather O until the same
rises up the other side and flows away by the spout S into the vessel H, then on to
the vessel I and so on, the operation being repeated until the vessel M is reached,
when the ferric chloride will flow away by the spout T to a store vessel for cooling
and subsidence, after which it is ready for use.
The vessels D and their contents are heated externally by fire from the furnace U,
fed with coal or other suitable fuel. The heat travels in the direction indicated by
the arrows and away by the outlet W to a stack or chimney. It will be seen that
when the acid and oxide are admitted they are placed in the vessel G, the coolest
of the set, and during the operation of flowing through the vessels H, I, K, L,
and M the same is thoroughly heated, the vessel M being over the fire or
furnace U.
The chambers C are provided with the wood covers X to retain the fumes,
which may be drawn away through the pipes Y into the pipes Z. The latter may
be coupled to a scrubber or condenser for the purpose of recovering nitric acid
therefrom, and preventing the escape of nitric acid fumes into the atmosphere.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
For manufacturing ferric chloride from oxide of iron obtained as a by-product
in the smelting or extraction of copper from cupreous ores, or from spent oxide
obtained as a by-product in the purification of gas, the use and construction of a
plant wherein vessels are disposed at varying heights to allow of the liquid flowing
from one to another to produce automatic circulation, the said vessels being
provided with midfeathers, and mounted in metallic vessels heated externally by
fire, the whole being encased in brickwork, with or without means for preventing
the escape of fumes, substantially as described and as illustrated in the annexed
drawings.
Dated the 2nd November 1892.
EDMUND CHADWICK, F.I.C.P.A.,
Agent.