IMPROVEMENTS. IN THE MANUFACTURE AND PRODUCTION OF AMMONIA AND CHLORINE, AND IN THE APPARATUS, EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1887
Complete Left, 14th June, 1888
Complete Accepted, 20th July, 1888
the Apparatus Employed therein.
I FREDERICK BALE of Coventry Hospital Droitwich Worcestershire, do hereby
declare the nature of the said invention for IMPROVEMENTS. IN THE MANUFACTURE AND
PRODUCTION OF AMMONIA AND CHLORINE, AND IN THE APPARATUS, EMPLOYED THEREIN
to be as follows:-
In the soda-Ammonia process, now extensively employed for the production of
Bicarbonate of Soda from brine, the whole of the Chlorine is lost, being combined
with Calcium, forming therewith Chloride of Calcium, which has little, or no commercial
value.
My present invention enables the Chlorine, to be recovered and further substitutes
a large saving in the manufacture of Ammonia at a slight expence of labour
and fuel.
I am aware of recent improvements in this direction, but the principle of the
Volatilization of the Ammonic Chloride, and the passing of its vapour over heated oxide,
on which they are carried out, entails loss of Ammonia. Indeed it is impossible to
volatilize the Ammonic Chloride, without some loss of Ammonia, a portion of which
is decomposed into nitrogen and Hydrogen; and besides this considerable difficulty
arises in expelling all the Ammonia from the retort in the first operation, from the
porous nature of the oxide used, when made into balls or bricks for this process.
My process differs from this, in being essentially the "method of mixtures," of oxide,
or oxides & Ammonic chloride. In this process I use trimanganic tetroxide obtained
from any source, or magnesia, or a mixture of these in proper proportions, and with
this I mix solid ammonic Chloride, in the cold and dry way. 1 heat this mixture in
an ordinary Stourbridge fire clay retort, or other suitable furnace, at a low tempera-
ture at first, when I find that the Ammonia is given off in quantity as if lime
were used.
When all the Ammonia is evolved the residue (which for the purpose of this
invention I call Residue No. 1.) is a mixture of the oxide, or oxides of Manganese
and Magnesia (when such is used) together with the Chloride, or oxy Chloride of
Manganese or Magnesia or other metal when such is used. When the evolution of the
Ammonia has ceased, there is a distinct pause in the reaction, when this stage is
reached, the residue may be heated for some time, or a dry and warm neutral gas is

page_text: passed over the residue in order to expel all the moisture formed in the decomposition
of the Ammonic Chloride or otherwise present. This is essential when Chlorine is
required, to prevent the formation of Hydro chloric-acid. Then dry, and afterwards
dry, and hot air, or oxygen, is passed over this residue, and immediately Chlorine is
evolved, the evolution of the chlorine goes on till the chloride or oxy chloride is
decomposed, a Residue being left (which I call residue No. 2.) which is practically
equivalent to that with which we started, and will give the full equivalent of Ammonia
when heated with Ammonic Chloride as at first, and from this point the round of
operations goes on continually.
It would be better to start with an excess of oxide, or oxides for obvious reasons, and
it would be necessary to keep the residue stirred at times by mechanical means, or
otherwise, in order to bring it in contact with the air to, insure the complete evolution
of the Chlorine.
Besides the oxides, above named or their mixtures, other heavy oxides, and oxides of
the alkaline earths, may be used with advantage. I however prefer those oxides or
mixtures of oxides, which are not volatile at the temperature employed and whose
chlorides, are not volatile, at this temperature and for this purpose I have found that
tri-Manganic tetroxide alone, or mixed with magnesic oxide, and Cobalt oxide alone,
or mixed with magnesic oxide, or nickel oxide alone, or mixed with magnesic oxide,
or a mixture of all these oxides, are among the best in giving the full equivalent of
Ammonia, and in the ease and low temperature, at which they part with the
Chlorine.
The oxide of Manganese above mentioned, after the second or third round of opera-
tions, becomes oxidized to a higher degree, than is necessary for the full evolution of
the Ammonia, when used for the next round of operations. It may however be easily
reduced, when this is the case, by shutting off the air supply when the chlorine has
been evolved and heating for some little time with the air supply shut off, when it will
no longer decompose the Ammonia when used for the next operation.
The apparatus I would use is a fire clay retort, such as is used in gas works through
which air may be drawn or blown, and thus passed in a heated state over the contents
of the retort, or a retort itself heated, may be used to supply heated neutral gas and
air, to a series of such retorts, as most convenient. The air may be supplied by a fan
or pump, or other kind of blowing machine, it may however be preferable to draw the
air through the retort by an exhauster, after having previously dried it, when Chlorine
is required, these retorts may be worked in series as in gas works, and when the
evolution of the Ammonia had ceased, and the residue heated for a little while, or a
neutral or inert gas passed over it, (when Chlorine is required) the tap or valve in the
conduit leading to the absorbing apparatus, may be shut, and that in the conduit leading
to the bleaching powder chamber, may be opened at the same time opening the air
holes, and setting on the exhauster or pump, thus drawing or forcing the Chlorine
formed in the retorts over the slacked lime in the chambers.
The mixture of oxide, or oxides and Ammonic Chloride, should be kept in close
contact at one end of the retort, which may be about three parts full, till all the
Ammonia was evolved, then Residue 1. should be spread over the retort, to facilitate
the removal of all moisture, (when Chlorine is required) on the passage of a neutral gas,
and to present as large a surface as possible, to the oxidizing action of the air. It would
be well for it to be stirred at times by mechanical means or otherwise.
Dated this Twelfth day of October 1007

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Ammonia and Chlorine and
in the Apparatus Employed therein.
1, FREDERICK BALE of Coventry Hospital, Droitwich Worcestershire, Schoolmaster,
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:
If Ammonia Chloride be volatilized and its vapour passed over or through heated
metallic oxide at a temperature of about 400° C. or higher, the Ammonia which is
evolved is partially decomposed in its passage over the heated oxide, and this to the
extent of from 25 to 50 per cent. of the Ammonia evolved.
If, however the Ammonium Chlorido be intimately mixed in powder with metallic
oxide in powder, as the oxide of Manganese (which I prefer) and the mixture then
gradually heated, the Ammonia is gradually and completely evolved at a temperature
of 130° C. to about 325° C. without the loss mentioned above by the method of
volatilization of the Ammonic Chloride. Most of the Ammonia is here evolved
between 130° C. and 200° C.
In this method of mixtures, if the temperature of the residue left, after the
evolution of the Ammonia, be kept below 350°, C. and cold and dry air be passed over
it, no Chlorine is evolved at this temperature, but residual Ammonia, and any
undecomposed Ammonic Chloride may be completely driven out of the retort on
stirring the mixture.
In this method of mixtures if dry and cold air be passed through the retort from
the commencement of charging the retort and throughout the whole operation which
I prefer (the temperature during the evolution of Ammonia being kept below
350° C.) so that the Ammonia may be removed from the retort as soon as formed, any
loss by leakage, and decomposition is thus reduced to a minimum, and the Ammonia
may be obtained without loss.
If the Ammonic Chloride be mixed with nickel oxide instead of oxide of Manganese,
and heated, the Ammonia begins to be freely given off at a temperature of about
325° C., and after, on the passage of air, the Chlorine at about 500° C. The temperature
varies with the oxide used.
In this method of mixtures, if the residue left (Residue No. 1) after the Ammonia
has been evolved, be maintained at a temperature of about 325° C. or lower, and dry
air, oxygen be passed over it, no Chlorine is evolved at this temperature. If the
temperature be now raised to about 350° C., the Chlorine begins to be slowly evolved
when Manganese is the oxide used. Other oxides require a much higher temperature
for the evolution of Chlorine.
The percentage yield of Chlorine is (with few exceptions) about one and a half
times as great when a peroxide (M, O, MO, &c.) is used as when a monoxide is used
at the same temperature. The oxide I prefer is manganese.

page_text: With some few exceptions, the oxides having the composition M, O, MO, & MO
give the equivalent of Ammonia when heated with Ammonic Chloride, in
mixtures, and as described; while oxides or sesquioxides of the composition M, O
yield about one third less Ammonia, the other third being decomposed into Nitrogen
and Hydrogen.
When an oxide has been used which forms in residue No. two an oxide of the
composition M, O, (sesquioxide) or this mixed with other oxides, it may be reduced
by heating the residue with charcoal, small coal, or by other well known means, as by
passing the gases from the coke furnace used, over the residual oxides, before adding
the charge of Ammonic Chloride, when the oxide thus reduced, will give the
equivalent of Ammonia as at first.
I carry out my invention based on these facts and discoveries in the following
manner :-
In the soda-Ammonia process, now extensively employed for the production of
Bicarbonate of soda, from brine, the whole of the Chlorine is lost, being combined
with calcium, forming therewith Chloride of calcium, which has little or no
commercial value.
My present invention enables the Chlorine to be recovered, and further substitutes
a large saving in the manufacture of Ammonia at a slight expense of labour
and fuel.
I am aware of recent improvements in this direction, but the principle of the
Volatilization of the Ammonic Chloride and the passing its vapour over heated and
fixed oxide, on which they are carried out, entails loss of Ammonia and other
disadvantages; and besides this considerable difficulty arises, in expelling all the
Ammonia from the retort, in the first operation, from the porous nature and
fixed character of the oxides used, when made into balls, or bricks for this
process.
My process differs from this, in being essentially the method of mixtures, of oxide,
or oxides, and Ammonic Chloride. It differs also chiefly in the moveable character of
the oxide or oxides used, the low temperature employed, whereby the Ammonia is saved;
the use of peroxides for the full evolution of the Ammonia, at the low temperature
'employed, the use of atmospheric air, for the expulsion of the Ammonia from the
retort at the low temperature used, and in other ways. These differences give great
advantages.
In this process I use tri-manganic tetroxide, obtained from any source, or any other
oxide of Manganese not sesquioxide, or magnesia, both preferably in powder; or a
mixture of these in intimate and proper proportions; and with this I mix solid
Ammonic Chloride preferably in powder, in the cold and dry way at first. I heat
this mixture in an ordinary Stourbridge fire clay retort, or other suitable furnace or
retort, at a low temperature at first, viz., from 130° C. to 325° C. The temperature
depends on the oxides or oxide used. When tri-manganic tetroxide is used which I
prefer, the Ammonia begins to be evolved, at about 130° C. to 200° C. At the latter
temperature most of the Ammonia is evolved, and if the mixture be slowly heated
up to 325° C, the evolution of the Ammonia is regular and complete at this
temperature.
When all the Ammonia is given off, the Residue (which for the purpose of this
'invention I call Residue number one) is a mixture of the oxide, or oxides of
manganese, or magnesium (when such is used) together with the Chloride or oxy
Chloride, of manganese or magnesium, or other metal, when such is used. When
the evolution of the Ammonia has ceased, there is a distinct pause in the reaction.
When this stage is reached, the residue may be heated for some time at a temperature
below 350° C. (or about 325° C.) at the same time passing a dry neutral gas, or
preferably, dry air over the residue, which at the same time should be stirred, in order
to expel all moisture formed in the decomposition of the Ammonic Chloride or
otherwise present, and residual Ammonia remaining in the retort, and any little
undecomposed Ammonic Chloride, which is thus easily and completely effected.
This is essential when Chlorine is required, to prevent the formation of Hydrochloric

page_text: Acid. Then the valves in the conduits leading to the absorbing apparatus are shut,
and those in the conduits leading to the bleaching powder chambers are opened.
Then dry, and hot air or oxygen, is passed over this residue, the temperature is raised
above 350° C., to a dull red heat or about 400° C.; and immediately Chlorine is
evolved, mixed with Nitrogen and oxygen. If the air be carefully passed. Chlorine
to the extent of from 9 to 12 per cent. by volume, of the issuing gases is evolved,
when manganese is the oxide used. This evolution of the Chlorine goes on till the
Chloride or oxy Chloride is decomposed, a residue being left (which I call Residue
No. two) which is practically equivalent (when reduced as stated below) to the oxide
with which we started, and will give the equivalent of Ammonia as at first, when
heated with Ammonic Chloride, and from this point the round of operations goes on
continually. It would be necessary for residue two, to be taken from the retort at
about intervals of a week, and washed from common salt, when the latter is present
with the Ammonic Chloride. When this is done, the retort would be next charged in
the cold, by a mixture of oxide, or oxides, and Ammonic Chloride as at first. When
charged in general without removal of oxide, the Ammonic Chloride would be thrown
in at the mouth of retort, and mixed at once with the oxide. The charge may then be
pushed in close contact at one end of the retort, till the Ammonia was entirely evolved,
then spread over the retort as described.
I have found it better however to use the oxide of manganese alone, and to pass a
current of dry, and cold, or hot air, through the retort from the commencement of the
operation of charging with Ammonic Chloride, to the end of process; in order to
remove the Ammonia from the retort as formed. This gives better results and no loss
of Ammonia. Beginning with a temperature of about 130° C. and finishing for the
Ammonia at about 325° C. at which point all the Ammonia would be completely
evolved. Then shutting and opening the valves as described and raising the tem-
perature to 350° C. or higher for the Chlorine. In general all the labour required of
the workman, after charging the retort, would be to keep the temperature below
350° C. and stir once or twice, till the Ammonia was evolved, then to shut the valves
leading to the absorbing apparatus, and open those leading to the bleaching powder
chambers, at the same time raising the temperature of furnace above 350° C. to a dull
red heat, till the Chlorine was completely evolved. If the retort be heated by a self
feeding, and practically automatic coke furnace, with properly arranged flues, a work-
man of ordinary intelligence, could well manage the first temperature with a mercurial
thermometer placed through the door of the retort..
It would be necessary to start with an excess of oxide, or oxides. The proportions
I prefer for mixing is one of Ammonic Chloride to four of the oxide. This will ensure
the complete decomposition of the Chlorides, or oxy Chlorides in residue one when
necessary before washing from common salt; and also prevent fusion of Chlorides and
sticking to the retort.
Besides the oxides above named or their mixtures, other heavy oxides, and oxides
of the Alkaline Earth metals, may sometimes be used with advantage. Also the salts
formed from these oxides or a mixture of any or all of these in any proportions may
sometimes be used with advantage, and always preferably in powder as described. By
the heavy oxides I mean those of lead, copper, tin, bismuth, iron, nickel, cobalt,
manganese, zinc, and aluminium and others of the like properties.
By the Alkaline Earths, I mean the oxides of calcium, barium, strontium, and
magnesium and others of the similar properties.
The different varieties of clay when purified from iron, may sometimes be used with
advantage.
I however prefer those oxides or mixtures of oxides which are not volatile or fusible
at the temperature employed; and whose Chlorides are not volatile at this temperature ;
and for this purpose I have found that tri manganic tetroxide (and the dioxide) of
manganese alone, or mixed with magnesic oxide, and cobalt oxide, alone or mixed with
magnesic oxide, or a mixture of all these oxides, are among the best in giving the
equivalent of Ammonia and in the ease and low temperature at which they part with
their Chlorine. But magnesia reacts somewhat on the retort, when one of fireclay is

page_text: '
E
used. The Chloride of cobalt is slightly volatile, at the temperature employed, and
the oxide of Nickel requires a high temperature for the evolution of the Ammonia, and
Chlorine, and gives a small percentage yield of Chlorine although it has the advantage
of existing as a monoxide at a high temperature, and would need no reduction. For
these and the following reasons I prefer the trimanganic tetroxide (and dioxide) to
all others in the method of mixtures, where it has special advantages. Its specific
heat is low. It evolves Ammonia at a low temperature. From 130° C. to 200° C.,
most of the Ammonia is expelled and loss thus prevented. It is equal to a mixture of
the higher and lower oxides of manganese, or these held together by a very feeble
affinity, and its percentage yield of Chlorine is about one and a half times, that, of
Nickel and other oxides.
The oxide of Manganese and some others above mentioned after the second or third
round of operations, becomes oxidized chiefly to sesquioxide (M, O), and thus cause
a loss of Ammonia when used for the next round of operations. They may however
be reduced when this is the case. The air supply may be shut off. A small quantity
(about one fiftieth, of the weight of oxides used) of charcoal, or small coal, may be
stirred into the residual oxide, or oxides, and heated for some little time with the air
supply shut off, or other well known reducing agents may be used, as the gases from
the coke furnace above mentioned may be passed over the residue. This I prefer.
The residual oxide or oxides will now no longer decompose the Ammonia when used
for the next round of operations.
The Apparatus I would use is a fireclay retort of special manufacture, sufficiently
nonporous to prevent the Ammonia passing through it into the fire; such retorts may
be worked in series as in gas works, and through them air may be drawn or blown as
described, and passed, when necessary in a heated state over the contents of the retort;
or a retort itself heated, may be used to supply heated air or oxygen; to a series of
such retorts, as most convenient. The air may be supplied by a fan or pump, or other
kind of blowing machine. I prefer however for the air to be drawn through the
retort, by an exhauster during the evolution of the Ammonia, after having previously
dried it when Chlorine is required; and then to use a blower during the evolution of
the Chlorine; and as the temperature would require to be at first under control, these
retorts may be heated by coal gas; but I prefer to heat them with a self feeding coke
furnace, as above mentioned, as this might be done at about one twentieth the cost of
gas. The temperature required would be for the evolution of Ammonia below 350° C.
(about 130° C. to 250° C. at first.) For the evolution of the Chlorine above 350° C.
to a dull red heat. Air, cold or hot may be passing through the retort during the
entire process.
I prefer these retorts set horizontally. They should have covers at each end, with
pipes for the passage in and out of the gases. These pipes should be connected with the
apparatus for absorbing the Ammonia, in the soda Ammonia process, and also with
the conduits leading to the bleaching powder chambers. When the evolution of the
Ammonia had ceased, and then dry air passed over the residue, stirring it at the same
time; or following the process of aspirating air through retort from the beginning to
the end of process; the valves in the conduits leading to the absorbing apparatus may
be shut, and those in the conduit leading to the bleaching powder chamber may be
opened opening (if not already opened) the air valves, and setting on the exhauster,
or pump thus drawing or forcing the Chlorine from the retorts over the slaked lime in
the chambers, before entering which it would be necessary for it to be cooled down by
passing it through suitable pipes. It seems an advantage for the Chlorine to be thus
diluted with Nitrogen and oxygen. Its action on the lime is less energetic, and the
temperature is kept low.
The lime now used for the evolution of the Ammonia is thus saved and the Chlorine
fully and completely recovered. The whole gain, will therefore be, the manufacture
of bleaching powder for no other cost, than the heat and labour required, and the wear
and tear of retorts.
The number of times necessary to wash the residual oxide, or oxides from common
salt, may be considerably diminished, by removing the common salt which is first

page_text: and
precipitated in the evaporation of the mother liquor, in soda Ammonia process;
washing it from adhering Ammonic Chloride, in the brine about to be used for the
absorption of the Ammonia. The residue of the mother liquor on evaporation would
contain but little common salt, and the necessity of often washing the residual oxide
would thus be avoided.
It would be better however, to avoid altogether this necessity; by charging the
retort with Ammonic Chloride free from common salt. By igniting the salts got from
the mother liquor of the soda Ammonia process, and subliming the Ammonic Chloride,
the latter would be obtained free from Common salt, and the necessity of washing
altogether avoided. The extra heat required for this purpose would be considerably
less than the extra heat, expended in furnacing the Ammonic Chloride, with sodic
Chloride; than in furnacing it alone; The extra heat necessary for subliming the
Ammonic Chloride, may in a large measure be regained, for other uses, and against it
is to be placed the gain in fuel, in this process, by the low temperature employed for
the evolution of the Ammonia, and other ways.
An indicator consisting of a glass tube may be joined to, or placed in, the Ammonia
conduit. If this contained litmus, it would reveal when all the Ammonia was evolved
and Hydro-Chloric Acid appeared; as it sometimes does, on the passage of air, soon
after Ammonia has been quite evolved. The workman would then, simply shut the
valves in the Ammonia conduit, and open those leading to the bleaching powder
chambers.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained, the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. The process of obtaining Ammonia, and Chlorine from Ammonium Chloride,
by the method of mixtures, which consists in mixing the Ammonic Chloride, preferably
in powder, with the oxides of Manganose preferably in powder, or with one or several of
the oxides following, viz., Nickel, iron, cobalt, Bismuth, zinc, Copper, Aluminium,
Barium, Strontium, Calcium, and Magnesium; and others of the like properties; or with
mixtures of any or all of these, or by mixing the Ammonic Chloride in powder with
one or several of the salts formed from those oxides; or clay, purified from iron,
mixed with Ammonic Chloride, or a mixture of any or all of the above: then heating
the mixture or mixtures in a suitable furnace or retort at a low temperature as
described, whereby the Ammonia evolved, is saved. Then stirring the residue, and
passing cold, and dry air, through the retort to expel any residual Ammonia and
undecomposed Ammonic Chloride; then raising the temperature as described,
and passing dry air at a suitable temperature through the retort or chamber, whereby
the Chlorine is evolved mixed with Oxygen, and Nitrogen; and lastly if the oxide
used has been converted by the passage of air into the sesquioxide, or a mixture of
sesquioxide with other oxide, reducing the same, by shutting off the air supply, and
heating with charcoal, or small coal; or other suitable reducing agents, as the gases.
of the coke furnace used, passed through the retort; and the residual oxides thus
reduced; and then beginning the round of operations anew.
2nd. The process of obtaining Ammonia and Chlorine from Ammonium Chloride
by the method of mixtures, which consists in mixing Ammonic Chloride, preferably
in powder, with the oxides and salts, or their mixtures as mentioned in claim 1, and
heating these in a suitable furnace, at a temperature during evolution of Ammonia of
130° C. to 200° C., and after raising it to 325° C., when manganese is the oxide used ;
at the same time passing cold or hot, and dry air, through the retort from the com-
mencement, and throughout the whole operations both for the Ammonia, and the
Chlorine, whereby the former is at once expelled from retort, as formed and saved;
and when all the Ammonia is evolved, then opening and shutting the valves as
described, and raising the temperature to the point necessary, for the evolution of the
Chlorine; which when manganese is the oxide used, is from 350° C. to a dull red heat,
still passing into the retort at the same time dry and hot air, or Oxygen, whereby the
Chlorine is evolved, mixed with Oxygen and Nitrogen; and then reducing the oxide

page_text: when necessary, as decscribed in Claim 1, and beginning the round of operations
afresh.
3rd. The process of obtaining Ammonia and Chlorine from Ammonium Chloride,
in the method of mixtures, which consists in mixing intimately in powder, and at
first in the cold and dry way, Ammonium Chloride, with one or several of the oxides
or salts in Claim 1, or their mixtures; and heating them at a low temperature, whereby
the Ammonia evolved is saved, and the oxide converted into Chloride, or oxy Chloride,
and then raising the temperature suitably, to obtain Chlorine as described.
4th. The improvement in the process of obtaining Ammonia in the method of
mixtures, from Ammonium Chloride, which consists in passing cold and dry air, from
commencement of the operation through the retort, containing the before mentioned
oxides, or mixtures, heated to a low temperature; thus expelling the Ammonia from the
retort as soon as formed, and removing it from the reducing action of the Oxides and
other means of loss.
5th. The improvement in the process, of obtaining Ammonia from Ammonium
Chloride, in method of mixtures; which consists in expelling residual Ammonia, and
undecomposed Ammonia Chloride, from the retort by passing through the retort
towards the end only, of the operation for the Ammonia, cold and dry air, stirring
the residue, and keeping the temperature of the retort, below the point necessary for
evolution of the Chlorine; which in the case of Manganese oxide is about 350° C.
6th. The improvement in the process of obtaining Chlorine from Ammonic Chloride,
in the method of mixtures, which consists in stirring the residue two, to bring it in
contact with the the air, to obtain Complete Evolution of the Chlorine when necessary
(as before washing) and complete oxidization on the passage of a hot and dry air, as
described.
7th. The improvement in the production of Ammonia from Ammonic Chloride in
the method of mixtures, which consists in reducing the oxides in residue two, when
necessary by shutting off, the air supply, heating them with charcoal, small coal, or
other reducing agents, with the air supply shut off; or passing over the residue the
gases from the coke furnace used, before adding the charge of Ammonic Chloride,
and beginning the round of operations afresh.
8th. In the productions of ammonia and Chlorine, from Ammonic Chloride, by the
method of mixtures, the use of the oxides (or their equivalents) of the composition
M. O, and MO, (got by reduction or otherwise), whereby the Ammonia is saved, at
the low temperature employed, and a larger percentage yield of Chlorine obtained at
the higher temperature.
9th. The process of obtaining Ammonia and Chlorine successively, from Ammonium
Chloride, which consists in mixing Ammonium Chloride, with one or several of the
oxides, or salts, mentioned in Claim 1. heating them in a furnace or retort, at a low
temperature for the Ammonia, passing cold (or hot), and dry air, through the retort,
or chamber, from the beginning to the end of the process, both for the Ammonia and
Chlorine; or for the Chlorine only; repeating the process continuously; using the
same oxides or mixtures of oxides, or salts over and over again repeatedly.
Dated this 11th day of June 1888
FREDERICK BALE,
Coventry Hospital, Droitwich.