Improvements in the Manufacture of Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Apr., 1890-Accepted, 24th May, 1890.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Sodium, Potassium, and
Magnesium.
We, THOMAS PARKER, Electrical Engineer, and ALFRED EDWARD ROBINSON
Technical Chemist, both of Commercial Road Wolverhampton do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:
In carrying out our invention we introduce the carbonates, hydrates, or oxides of
the above metals, together with a suitable form of carbon the latter being in sufficient
quantity to combine with the oxygen of the metallic compound, into a receptacle or
furnace, in which an electric arc or electrical resistance is caused to raise the mixture
to such a temperature as to bring about decomposition-the metal being volatilized is
driven from the furnace & condensed by suitable means. The poles carrying the
current to such furnace may be of iron and a liquid bath of iron or other convenient
metal may be maintained at the base of the furnace for the purpose of conducting
& diffusing the heat produced by the current. The charge may be introduced into
the furnace in the shape of independent carbon or independent oxide of the metal,
each of which may be heated previously, to economise the electric current.
Dated this 20th day of July 1889.
THOMAS PARKER.
ALFRED EDWARD ROBINSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Sodium, Potassium, and
Magnesium.
We THOMAS PARKER Electrical Engineer and ALFRED EDWARD ROBINSON
Technical Chemist both of Commercial Road Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford 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:-
Our Invention relates to the manufacture of sodium potassium or magnesium and
has for its principal object to provide means, whereby the process is rendered more
economical than hitherto.
In carrying out our Invention we introduce into a receptacle or furnace the
carbonates, hydrates or oxides of the said metals together with carbon in a powdered
or divided form and in a quantity sufficient to combine with the oxygen of the metallic
compound. In the said receptacle or furnace an electric are or electrical resistance is
caused to raise the mixture to such temperature as to bring about decomposition
and the metal being volatilized is driven from the furnace and condensed by any
suitable or usual means. The poles or electrodes carrying the current to such
receptacle or furnace may be of any suitable material such for example as iron and a
liquid bath of iron or other convenient metal may be maintained at the base of the
receptacle or furnace for the purpose of conducting and diffusing the heat produced
by the electric current. The charge may be introduced into the receptacle or furnace
either in admixture as aforesaid or the carbon and the carbonate hydrate or oxide of
the metal may be introduced separately. The charge may be heated previously to
economise the electric current.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The manufacture of sodium potassium or magnesium in an electrically heated
furnace by decomposing the carbonates, hydrates, or oxides thereof in the presence of
carbon in quantity to combine with the oxygen of the metallic compound substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2. The manufacture of sodium potassium or magnesium in an electrically heated
furnace by decomposing the carbonates, hydrates or oxides thereof in the presence of
carbon as described and with a bath of metal at the lower part of the receptacle or
furnace for the purpose described.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.