Improvements in the Treatment of Ores and the like by the Cyanide Process, and in Appliances therefor.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 23rd May, 1896-Accepted, 27th June, 1896
[Communicated from abroad by LOUIS FERGUSON GOWANS, of The North
Western Hotel, Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa, Mine Manager.]
Improvements in the Treatment of Ores and the like by the Cyanide
Process, and in Appliances therefor.
I EDMUND GARDNER APPLEBY of 22 Walbrook, London, E.C. Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My said invention relates to improvements in the methods and means for treating
tailings slimes and the like from the mills (or other machinery used in crushing
stamping or otherwise comminuting metalliferous rocks) by what is known as the
cyanide process.
The leading feature of my said invention consists in an apparatus for dealing
with such materials by the aid of air and water and in some cases heat either
simultaneously or separately in such relative proportions as are found most suitable.
Means are provided for readily controlling their application and their duration of
operation and for the easy and convenient handling of the materials.
By the use of my said invention there is considerable saving in manual labour,
the operation of the process is accelerated, a less fall of water is necessary than is
usually the case, and by suitably proportioning the size of the apparatus to the
capacity of the mill concentrator or other appliances with which it is to be used
the treatment is rendered continuous and to a considerable extent automatic.
According to my said invention I provide vats in parallel sets of two or more
either by the juxtaposition of two or more separate parallel vats or by the
longitudinal subdivision of one large vat.
Hereinafter I will refer to my said invention as applied to a single vat divided
into two compartments by a longitudinal division wall. The bottom of each
compartment is inclined towards the feed end and thereon is laid a false bottom or
grating resting on bearers of gradually increasing depth so that the upper surface
of the grating is level. A chamber or receptacle deeper at one end than the other
is thus forined under the false bottom. On the latter is laid filtering matting
secured by laths or in any other suitable manner. At the discharge end of each
compartment is an outlet covered by a hinged door fitted with seatings of rubber
or the like material for making tight joints. To ensure the tightness of the doors
their hinges or hinge bars or projections from the doors extend beyond the door
and are provided with slots to receive tightening bolts provided with nuts collars
wedges or other similar devices for securing the door. The weight of the door is
counterbalanced by a suitable weight to facilitate the opening and closing.
Over the vat are two parallel mains one for air and the other for water. These
mains un the length of the vat and supply air and water to both compartments.
In the air main is a steam coil connected to a suitable steam supply so that the air
supplied to the air main by a blower or air compressing engine may be heated
during its passage through the main. Both mains are provided with a series of
branch pipes (each provided with a valve or stop cock) which are so arranged that
each branch from the air main is coupled with a corresponding branch from the
water main so that every pair of branches have a common exit into a delivery
pipe.

page_text: Each delivery pipe is connected by means of flexible or telescopic tubing with a
set of perforated pipes which by means of screws or racks and pinions (operated
by cross shafts) can be raised or lowered and can thus be placed at any desired
level in the vats or be entirely removed therefrom. Suitable sluice or other valves
are provided in or in connection with the air and water mains for regulating or
cutting off the main supply of air or water while the stop cocks or valves on the
branch pipes enable the flow of air or water to each set of perforated pipes to be
regulated at will.
It is to be understood that there are several sets of perforated pipes in each
compartment of the vat. The number of sets and the number and size of pipes
in each set will obviously depend on the size of the vat.
The discharge pipes at the feed end of the bottom of each compartment of the
vat are arranged to carry away the filtered water and the cyanide solution, suitable
junction pieces and stop cocks being used in connection therewith. Centrifugal or
other pumps connected to or used in combination with the discharge pipes remove
the filtered water to the reservoir and convey the cyanide solution to the
precipitating boxes.
Suitable landers or conduits are provided for conveying the material into the
vats and for receiving it when the doors are opened at the discharge end.
The method of operation is as follows-Water is first admitted to one of the
compartments until it stands say a foot above the filter matting when one of
the sets of perforated pipes is lowered and air admitted so as to cause violent
agitation. The tailings or other material is then allowed to flow in, more sets of
perforated pipes are lowered and air admitted. By the agitation produced by the
admission of air the material is caused to spread evenly over the bottom of the
vat. When the tailings laden water has reached a height of say three feet above
the filter matting the suction pump connected with the discharge pipe is put to
work at such a speed as suffices to keep the tailings in the vat at a suitable
consistency. The water withdrawn is returned to the mill reservoir.
one
When sufficient material has been received for further treatment in
compartment the supply is directed to the other compartment in which the same
sequence of operations takes place.
The full compartment is now pumped as free from water as possible when the
pump is stopped and the cock on the discharge pipe is closed.
The contents of the full compartment are then saturated with cyanide solution
which in some cases I admit through the longitudinal water main. In this case
suitable valves or sluices and connections are provided for admitting either water
or cyanide solution to the water main. Air is at the same time admitted from the
air main to break up any possible layers of slimes and to accelerate the solution of
the metal by the cyanide. At this stage of the operation it is sometimes desirable
to heat the air in the air main for the purpose of still further accelerating the
solution. This is effected by admitting steam to the steam coil in the air main.
The height of the sets of perforated pipes is adjusted so as to give the best
distributive effect.
When the solution is complete the material is pumped as free as possible from
the cyanide solution which is passed by the pump to the precipitating boxes or
settling vats as the case may be. The discharge door of the compartment is now
opened and air and water being respectively admitted to alternate sets of perforated
pipes the contents of the vat are stirred up and caused to flow away along the
conduit provided for their reception. To accelerate and facilitate the discharge
an additional water pipe may be caused to discharge water on to the discharge
conduits.
Dated this 24th day of Julv 1895.
E. T. WHITELOW, A.M. Inst. C.E.,
70 Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in the Treatment of Ores and the like by the Oyanide
Process, and in Appliances therefor.
I EDMUND Gardner AppleBY of 22 Walbrook, Londen, E.C. Engineer, co
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 :-
My said invention relates to improvements in the methods and means for treating
tailings slimes and the like from the mills (or other machinery used in crushing
stamping or otherwise comminuting metalliferous rocks) by what is known as the
cyanide process.
The leading feature of my said invention consists in an apparatus for dealing
with such materials by the aid of air and water and in some cases heat either
simultaneously or separately in such relative proportions as are found most suitable.
Means are provided for readily controlling their application and their duration of
operation and for the easy and convenient handling of the materials.
By the use of my said invention there is considerable saving in manual labour,
the operation of the process is accelerated, a less fall of water is necessary than is
usually the case, and by suitably proportioning the size of the apparatus to the
capacity of the mill concentrator or other appliances with which it is to be used
the treatment is rendered continuous and to a considerable extent automatic.
In order to more fully set forth my said invention I have appended hereto three
sheets of drawings to which reference is hereinafter made and which are to be read
along with and to be considered as part of the present specification.
a side elevation.
Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the discharging doors.
According to my said invention I provide vats a a in parallel sets of two or more
either by the juxtaposition of two or more separate parallel vats or by the longitudinal
subdivision of one large vat.
Hereinafter I will refer to my said invention as applied to a single vat a a
divided into two compartments by a longitudinal division wall a'. The bottom a³
of each compartment is inclined towards the feed end and thereon is laid a false
bottom or grating resting on bearers of gradually increasing depth so that the
upper surface of the grating a³ is level. A chamber or receptacle a deeper at
one end than the other is thus formed under the false bottom. On the latter is
laid filtering matting secured by laths or in any other suitable manner. At the
discharge end of each compartment is an outlet covered by a hinged door a fitted
with seatings of rubber or the like material for making tight joints. To ensure
the tightness of the doors their hinges or hinge bars a' (Fig. 4) or projections from
the doors extend beyond the door and are provided with slots to receive tightening
bolts a provided with nuts collars wedges or other similar devices for securing the
door. The weight of the door is counterbalanced by a suitable weight to facilitate
the opening and closing.
Over the vat are two parallel mains one for air 6 and the other for water c.
These mains run the length of the vat a and supply air and water to both
compartments thereof. In the air main b is a coil of piping the inlet b¹ of which
is connected to a suitable steam supply so that the air supplied to the air main by
a blower or air compressing engine may be heated during its passage through the

page_text: main. Both mains are provided with a series of branch pipes 6 c³ (Fig. 1) (each
provided with a valve or stop cock) which are so arranged that each branch from
the air main is coupled with a corresponding branch from the water main so that
each pair of branches has a common exit into a delivery pipe.
Each delivery pipe is connected by means of flexible or telescopic tubing di with
a set of perforated pipes e which by means of screws or racks d³ and pinions d'
(operated by cross shafts d) can be raised or lowered and can thus be placed at
any desired level in the vats or be entirely removed therefrom. Suitable sluice or
other valves are provided in connection with the air and water mains for regulating
or cutting off the main supply of air at 63 or water while the stop cocks or valves
on the branch pipes enable the flow of air or water to each set of perforated pipes
to be regulated at will.
It is to be understood that there are several sets of perforated pipes in each
compartment of the vat. The number of sets and the number and size of pipes in
each set will obviously depend on the size of the vat.
Discharge pipes at the feed end of the bottom of each compartment of
the vat are arranged to carry away the filtered water and the cyanide solution;
suitable junction pieces and stop cocks being used in connection therewith.
Centrifugal or other pumps connected to or used in combination with the
discharge pipes remove the filtered water to the reservoir and convey the cyanide
solution to the precipitating boxes. The arrangement of such pumps and pipes for
dealing with the solution and the filtered water will depend on the site and other
local circumstances as will be well understood.
Suitable landers g g' or conduits are provided for conveying the material into the
vats and for receiving it when the doors are opened at the discharge end for
delivering it to the tailings dump.
The method of operation is as follows.-Water is first admitted to one of the
compartments & until it stands say a foot above the filter matting when one of the
sets of perforated pipes e is lowered and air admitted so as to cause violent
agitation. The tailings or other material is then allowed to flow in, more sets
of perforated pipes are lowered and air admitted. By the agitation produced by
the admission of air the material is caused to spread evenly over the bottom of the
vat. When the tailings laden water has reached a height of say three feet above
the filter matting the suction pump connected with the discharge pipe is put to work
at such a speed as suffices to keep the tailings in the vat at a suitable consistency.
The water withdrawn is returned to the mill reservoir.
When sufficient material has been received for further treatment in one compart-
ment the supply is directed to the other compartment in which the same sequence
of operations takes place.
The full compartment is now pumped as free from water as possible when the
pump is stopped and the cock on the discharge pipe is closed.
The contents of the full compartment are then saturated with cyanide solution
which may be introduced in the usual manner. In some cases I admit the
cyanide through the longitudinal water main in which case all valves and
connections must be of cast iron. In this case suitable valves or sluices and
connections are provided for admitting either water or cyanide solution to the
water main c as may be desired. Air is at the same time admitted from the
air main to break up any possible layers of slimes and to accelerate the solution
of the metal by the cyanide. At this stage of the operation it is sometimes
desirable to heat the air in the air main b for the purpose of still further
accelerating the solution. This is effected by admitting steam to the steam coil in
the air main.
The height of the separate sets of perforated pipes can be adjusted so as to
give the best distributive effect in the particular vat to which they may be
applied.
When the solution is complete the material is pumped as free as possible
from the cyanide solution which is passed by the pump to the precipitating

page_text: boxes or settling vats as the case may be. The discharge door of the compart-
ment a is now opened and air and water being respectively admitted to alternate
sets of perforated pipes the contents of the vat are stirred up and caused to flow
away along the conduit provided for their reception. To accelerate and facilitate
the discharge an additional water pipe may be caused to discharge water on to the
discharge conduits.
The proportions of the various parts of the apparatus may be varied almost
indefinitely according to the circumstances of any particular case.
For ten stamps
of the ordinary width a double vat 36 feet long 13 feet 6 inches wide and six feet
deep will be found suitable. The accompanying drawing shows a vat of this size
which is divided longitudinally into two equal compartments. The bottom of each
compartment has an incline of nine inches in its length.
The water main c is of 6 inches internal diameter. The air main is of 9 inches
internal diameter containing throughout its whole length a coil of half inch
steam pipe. The air main is connected to a blower having at least a nine inch
outlet. The pipes b c and d are about 2 inches in diameter.
The perforated pipes e are one and a half inches diameter and are perforated
with holes one sixteenth of an inch diameter.
The proportions of other parts whose dimensions are not given can be ascertained
from the drawings which are to scale.
In erecting such a double vat as described it is placed with its top edge
level and twelve inches below the level of the discharge of the concentrator
(if such are used) and landers or conduits are led to each vat from such
discharge.
A double vat of the above proportions will enable 840 cubic feet of sands to be
deposited to a depth of 4 feet from the bottom allowing two feet for swelling and
agitating of the solutions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. In the treatment of comminuted metalliferous matter by solvents such as
cyanide solution the hereinbefore described process of agitation by the injection
of air and water preparatory to the admission of the solvent filtering off the
water and injecting air during the action of the solvent substantially as set
forth.
2. In the treatment of comminuted metalliferous matter by solvents the process
of injecting air through perforated pipes while the solution is taking place
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The hereinbefore described apparatus for the treatment of commninuted
metalliferous matter consisting in its essential features of a filtering vat in
combination with air and water mains and vertically adjustable perforated pipes
communicating therewith for distributing air or air and water at any desired
points throughout the contents of the vat substantially as and for the purpose set
forth and shown.
4. In an apparatus such as described the combination of an air main having a coil
for heating the air a water main branch pipes for conveying the contents of either
or both mains to perforated pipes and means for raising and lowering the latter
substantially as set forth and shown.
D1
101 1
1000
E. T. WHITELOW, A.M. Inst. C.E.,
70 Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.