Improvements in the Production of Nickel Sulphate.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Production of Nickel Sulphate.
I, THOMAS SAVAGE, of Hooper Street, Spring Hill, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Chemical Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to an improved method of treating nickel for the
production of nickel sulphate on a commercial scale, and has for its object pro-
ducing the nickel sulphate more quickly, effectively, and cheaply, than has
hitherto been possible. I attain these objects by treating nickel with sodium
nitrate, in its mineral form, in addition to sulphuric acid; the nickel sulphate
crystallising out in the ordinary manner.
In producing nickel sulphate according to this invention I make use of the
ordinary apparatus consisting of a tank or bath fitted with circulating steam pipes,
and in this tank or bath is placed the nickel and sulphuric acid, the sodium nitrate
being preferably introduced into the tank by means of suspended baskets at any
convenient time or times in the operation. The sodium nitrate may, however, be
introduced into the vat with the sulphuric acid. The whole solution is then heated
by the steam pipes and, when saturated with nickel, is siphoned off into a collect-
ing tank or vat, and the nickel sulphate allowed to crystallise out.
Mechanical means may be employed, if necessary, to act as an agitating agent
to the solution and, if the nickel be used in an impure form, suitable agents may be
employed for ridding the nickel of these impurities, and the same may be added
at any convenient time or times during the operation.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in the Production of Nickel Sulphate.
I, THOMAS SAVAGE, of Hooper Street, Spring Hill, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Chemical Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has reference to an improved method of treating nickel for the
production of nickel sulphate on a commercial scale, and has for its object pro-
ducing the nickel sulphate more quickly, effectively, and cheaply, than has
hitherto been possible. I attain these objects by treating nickel with sodium
[Price S1

page_text: nitrate (in its mineral form) in addition to sulphuric acid; the said sodium nitrate
say in
acting as an oxidising and augmentative agent to the solution, that is to
addition to being an oxidising agent the sodium nitrate enters into the composition
of the nickel sulphate solution and augments or increases its final bulk. In pro-
ducing nickel sulphate according to this invention I make use of the ordinary
apparatus consisting of a tank or bath fitted with circulating steam pipes or steam
jacketted pans, and in this tank or bath is placed the nickel, or nickel ore, and
sulphuric acid; the latter being diluted with water to the required degree. The
sodium nitrate is introduced into the tank in any well known manner in a suitable
quantity or quantities and at any convenient time or times, the same being pre-
ferably introduced by means of suspended baskets.
As an illustration of carrying my improved process into effect I put into the
vat or tank 224 pounds of sulphuric acid of a specific gravity of 1-85 (being the
ordinary strong sulphuric acid of commerce) 56 pounds of nickel, and 28 pounds
of sodium nitrate, or a proportion of 4 of sulphuric acid to 2 of nickel and 1 of
sodium nitrate. The sulphuric acid is diluted down to a specific gravity of about
12 and the whole solution is heated by the steam pipes and, when saturated with
nickel, is siphoned off into a collecting tank and the nickel sulphate allowed
to crystallise out in the ordinary manner. The proportion given will be dependent
upon the amount of nickel sulphate to be produced and the strength of the sub-
stances entering into the solution.
The chemical action in the vat is believed to be as follows:-
The sodium nitrate first acts upon the nickel liberating nitric acid and forming
a nickel nitrate; the latter being then quickly transformed by the sulphuric acid
into a nickel sulphate solution.
If nickel ore is used, or nickel in an impure form, suitable agents may be em-
ployed for ridding the nickel of its impurities and the same may be added at any
convenient times or time during the operation.
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:
First. In the commercial production of nickel sulphate the use of sodium nitrate
as an oxidising and augmentative agent.
Second. In the commercial production of nickel sulphate the combination of
nickel, diluted sulphuric acid, and sodium nitrate in the proportions set forth.
Dated this 7th
Tana
1808
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Also of Liverpool, London and Manchester,
Agents for Applicant.