Improvements relating to the Refining of Sulphur and the Distillation of Sulphur and other Ores, and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 6th July, 1591
Complete Specification-Left, 6th Apr., 1892-Accepted. 17th June. 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Refining of Sulphur and the
Distillation of Sulphur and other Ores, and to Apparatus
therefor.
LÉON LOUIS LABOIS, of 95, Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris in the Republic of
France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention comprises a process and apparatus for refining crude sulphur and
distilling sulphur ores and may be advantageously applied to the treatment of
certain metallic ores from which the metals can be extracted by distillation.
I will first state the principle underlying my process, which is common to the
various treatments for which my apparatus is adapted.
I introduce the material to be treated into one or more retorts which are open at
furnace. One of the
heir two extremities. These retorts are placed in a
tremities terminates at the front of the furnace, and the other in a small
chamber provided between the retort and a condenser which is continually cooled.
These retorts are closed at the front of the furnace after the introduction of the
material to be distilled. They are heated by means of a furnace receiving a blast
or preferably by the gases from a gazogene so that the burnt gases shall tend to
pass to the interior of the retort rather than to the outlet by reason of the porosity
of the products vaporized in the latter. By this means the losses by escape
during the distillation are diminished in large proportion. Moreover, for
augmenting the preponderance of the exterior pressure over the interior pressure of
the retort, cause a suction of the distilled products by means of any suitable
device used with the condenser. For entirely preventing escapes I make my
retorts of two walls the interior wall consisting of cast iron, and the exterior wall
of refractory material, which on the one hand precludes the flame impinging
against the cast iron, the refractory material serving as a screen, and on the other
hand prevents any considerable loss of vapour in case serious damage should be
done to one of the two walls of the retort.
The employment of cast iron is possible only for sufficiently low temperatures..
By the employment of a gazogene for the heating a very important saving of fuel
is realized, and the operations are carried out in an appropriate manner.
All these elements combined enable the refining and distillation at a considerably
lower cost than when these operations are carried out by means of the apparatus
heretofore employed.
I will hereinafter describe the various parts constituting my apparatus, setting
forth the modifications made according to the material which may be treated in
the retorts.
The improved apparatus comprises a furnace with retorts, this furnace being
heated by means of a fire place which receives a blast, or preferably by means of
a gazogene which also receives a blast; a small chamber in which the rear part
of the retorts terminates, the said chamber separating the furnace from the
condensing chamber, and being provided with two registers; the condenser or
condensing chamber in which may or may not be produced a suction caused
either by a chimney or by any suitable device, such as a fan pump, ejector or
the like.
I will proceed to describe the construction of each of these parts for the
refining of sulphur, and subsequently explain the modifications which are to be
effected in them for the treatment of sulphur ores, pyrites and other ores containing
metals that can be volatilized directly.

page_text: 1. REFINING APPARATUS.
1. The furnace and its retorts.
The retorts are of the Dejardin type, that is to say they have two openings, one
for the access and the discharge of the residues, and the otlier for the escape of the
vapours the first being provided at the front of the furnace and the second in the
rear wall. A pipe prolongs the retort to the rear and puts it in communication
with the second part of the apparatus which is the small chamber. As above
stated these retorts have two walls, the inner consisting of cast iron and the outer
of refractory material for the purpose of preventing the fire impinging against the
cast iron and obviating loss of vapours in case of fissures in one or the other of the
two walls. This arrangement enables a greater output in the distillation to be realized.
But this is not the only element which precludes the escape of vapour.
As above mentioned licating is effected with a pressure in the interior of the
furnace, the fire-place or preferably the gazogene being provided with a blast.
A gazogene is preferable from every point of view, in fact it permits of either a
slow or rapid operation by reason of the facility with which it can be regulated
and the economy which it ensures. Morcover the blast enables a better distribution
of the heat in the furnace.
The gases from a lateral gazogene receiving a blast are conducted to the lateral
burners belonging to the retorts through two channels or gas collectors provided cach
with a regulating and stop valve. The gases are caused to burn by blowing in air
which is heated by the waste heat passing through one or more flues provided below
the furnace, and escaping through suitably arranged apertures. The flames touch
the retorts, as they pass round them, and escape at the upper part through a flue
into which extend the bottom parts of two melting vessels for the reception of
the crude sulphur which flows into the inclined neck of the two retorts through
pipes. The admission of the molten sulphur can be regulated by means of a kind
of valve provided at the bottom of each of the said vessels so that it may be
adjusted from the outside. After they have circulated around the aforesaid two
vessels the gases join again in a descending channel in order to be afterwards
conducted through a flue to the chimney.
2. The small chamber.
It separates the furnace proper from the condenser. The sole of this chamber
is curved so as to constitute a vessel wherein the liquid sulphur is collected and
wherein the sulphur which may have been condensed in contact with the vault falls
in the form of flowers. The outlet passage for the smoke extends below this small
chamber, which has its sole kept at a high temperature. Two double moveable
screens separate the small chamber from the condenser. Each of these screens is
composed of two cast-iron plates between which sand is poured when the condenser
is to be isolated from the rest of the apparatus in order to obtain the sulphur in the
form of flowers. The smoke flue extends below these, screens so as to ensure at
this point a sufficiently high temperature which prevents any solidification of the
sulphur, as this would interfere with the proper function of the said screens.
An incline is provided in the sole of the small chamber, and a hole formed at the
lower part of the incline serves for the flow of the liquid sulphur which has
condensed in this part of the apparatus. Lateral apertures enable the interior of
the small chamber to be inspected after the distillation has proceeded for a certain
time in order to see what has taken place.
3. The condensing chamber or condenser.
as to obtain a
In this manner
This chamber has its bottom below the base of the furnace so
great capacity without augmenting its height above the ground.
two successive collectors. for sulphur in the form of flowers may be employed. The
pit or vessel thus formed in the ground is composed of any desired materials, such
as bricks, quarry stones, or the like, suitably provided with a coating of cement.
Supports of bricks hold the frame of the platform, which is composed of rails
supporting iron plates upon which rests the leaden plate which constitutes the upper

page_text: part of the condenser. The lateral walls, likewise composed of sheets of lead, are
similarly arranged upon longitudinal rails the ends of which are held in the above
mentioned supports. This leaden chamber is preferably made with inclined walls,
which facilitates their continuous and uniform sprinkling with water coming from
the upper plate, the edges of which are turned round so as to form a reservoir.
The cooling water when reaching the lower end of the inclined walls is collected
in a channel formed by raising the edges of the lower sheets of lead.
The condensing chamber may be of any length, and if necessary may be
prolonged by one or more passages or channels provided with check-plates in which
the dust carried away by the draft is deposited.
At the extremity of the condensing chamber or of the said passages or channels,
if there be any, is caused a draft by putting the same in communication either with
a chimney or preferably with any suitable suction device, such as a fan, pump,
ejector, or the like, which causes the last gases to pass directly into the atmosphere
or they are conveyed to a chimney. A register enables the communication between
the condenser and the suction device to be regulated or interrupted.
II. ARRANGEMENT OF THE APPARATUS FOR THE DISTILLATION OF SULPHUR ORES.
If the residues from the distillation are so considerable that a fresh charge
cannot be effected without previously emptying the retort, I make in the first part
of my apparatus a modification which enables the discharge of these residues
without occasioning an escape of sulphurous acid into the works. For this
purpose the retorts instead of extending to the exterior front part of the furnace,
terminate in vertical channels which end at their lower part in discharge chambers
or pits.
To empty the retort the doors of openings in front are opened, and the residues
are moved to the front so as to fall through a vertical channel into the discharge
pit. This operation is effected without any perceptible escape of vapours to the
outside of the furnace through the said openings because the condenser and suction
device are in operation. The closing of the vertical discharge channels is obtained
by the accumulation at their base of the residues which interrups the communication
between the pits and the retorts.
In this particular case the retorts constitute D-shaped boxes. They are made
with two walls, for the purpose of obviating inconveniences arising from fissures.
The rear of the retort is provided with a kind of diaphragm retaining the molten
sulphur in the said retort which has a slight inclination towards the small
chamber.
For the distillation of pyrites the retort is made entirely of refractory material,
for the dissociation of these materials necessitates a very high temperature which
the cast-iron wall is unable to withstand.
No other characteristic modification has been made in the several parts which
constitute the apparatus. It must however be observed that the distribution of
gases is somewhat different from that adopted for the distillation, inasmuch as the
gas burners and the inlets for the blast of hot air are arrranged at the upper part
of the furnace above the vertical rows of retorts.
The apparatus used for the aforesaid purpose has discharge pits, an inlet for the
cold air coming from the fan distilling retorts, an outlet for the smoke; a channel
for the hot air, a chimney, a gazogene receiving a blast, a chamber for dust from
the gazogene, a gas admission valve, a gas collector, burners, a small chamber,
obturators or closing devices, a condenser, a funnel for charging the gazogene,
provided with holes in its wall; and an outlet for the sand from the said obturators.
My improved apparatus for distilling sulphur ores, which has vertical channels
for discharging the residues permits of an absolutely continuous production, but as
the retorts are open during the charge and discharge it is necessary to obviate the
explosions produced by the admission of air, and for this purpose the sulphur must
be cooled in proportion as it volatilizes, which is obtained by a suitable arrangement
of the condenser, and it is also needful that the distillation shall be effected in au

page_text: atmosphere of sulphurous acid. This result is realized by establishing a slight
pressure in the retorts, this pressure being overcome by the pressing action. In
this operation the gazogene is suited for any exigencies, as into the retorts passes
only inert gas without detonating power, if the burners are properly arranged.
In my apparatus it is not necessary to extinguish the fire for enabling the
condensers to be emptied, in fact it is sufficient to keep the communication with the
small chamber closed by lowering the obturators and filling up the space between
them with sand.
In the arrangements above described I consider it very important to employ
leaden condensing chambers in the industry of refining and distilling sulphur and
sulphurous ores. In fact lead which perfectly resists the action of sulphur vapours,
enables an absolutely continuous cooling to be effected by reason of the very small
thickness of its walls, and the sprinkling of the same so that the condensation of
the sulphur takes place in a constant manner. This result cannot be obtained with
chambers of masonry as heretofore used, for the materials which compose them
become rapidly heated and are then no longer adapted for the condensation of
sulphur in the form of flower, but in a very short time of operation produce liquid
sulphur.
In short my apparatus may be considered as exclusively separating sulphur in
the form of flower in the condensing chamber, a little liquid sulphur and a little
flower being collected in the small chamber, so that my process may be regarded as
one which admits of a continuous production of sulphur in the form of flower.
My improved apparatus presents the following advantages:
(a) Great diminution of the considerable loss caused by filtration of the vapours
through the walls of the retorts, realized by an operation in which the combustible
gases are forced into the furnace, combined or not with a suction across the
condenser, the retorts having double walls.
(b), Continuous operation of the distilling furnace due on the one hand to the
arrangement of the channels of the retort with the condensing chambers enabling
the bottom of the retorts to be hermetically closed and consequently a complete
isolation of the latter from the condensers. This isolation enables the operation in
the condensers without any necessity for previously cooling the retorts, and the
temperature of the latter may even be maintained. This continuous working is
ensured in the case of the refining by the arrangement of upper melting vessels,
and in the case of sulphur ores or pyrites by providing at the head of the retorts
the vertical channels descending into pits for enabling the spent residues to be
collected without access of air, below the ground of the works without having to
remove them from the furnace.
(c) Great output and facility of conducting the operation of the furnace, obtained
by the general arrangement and by the appropriate distribution of the retorts.
(d) Continuous condensation obtained by cooling in a metallic receptacle which
is constantly sprinkled.
It will be readily understood that the apparatus hereinbefore described may be
used in the same manner for the treatment of ores containing metals that can
be distilled at a more or less high temperature such as zinc, antimony mercury
and other ores.
may
According to local conditions, the nature of the ores their composition I
modify the arrangements of the several constituent parts of my apparatus, their
dimensions and the quality and nature of the materials used in their construction.
The principle on which the construction of this apparatus is based will always be the
same and is characterized by the forcing of the gases from the gazogene and' of the
air for the combustion, the suction of the vapours, the continuous condensation,
the discharge into pits below the works, and lastly by use of the obturators, for
ensuing an absolutely continuous production.
** Dated this 6th day of July 1891
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Refining of Sulphur and the
Distillation of Sulphur and other Ores, and to Apparatus
therefor.
I, LÉON LOUIS LABOIS of 95 Boulevard Beaumarchais Paris in the Republic of
France Engineer, 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:-
My invention comprises a process and apparatus for refining crude sulphur and
distilling sulphur ores and may be advantageously applied to the treatment of
certain metallic ores from which the metals can be extracted by distillation.
I will first state the principle underlying my process which is common to the-
various treatments for which my apparatus is adapted.
I introduce the material to be treated into one or more retorts which are open at.
their two extremities. These retorts are placed in a furnace. One of the-
extremities terminates at the front of the furnace, and the other in a small.
chamber provided between the retort, and a condenser which is continually cooled..
These retorts are closed at the front of the furnace after the introduction of the.
material to be distilled. They are heated by means of a furnace receiving a blast.
or preferably by, the gases from a gas producer so that the burnt gases will tend to.
pass to the interior of the retort by reason of the porosity of the products vaporized
in the latter. By this means the losses by escape during the distillation are.
diminished in large proportion. Moreover for augmenting the preponderance of
the exterior pressure over the interior pressure of the retort, I cause a suction of
the distilled products by means of any suitable device used with the condenser..
For entirely preventing escapes I make my retorts of two walls the interior wall
consisting of cast iron, and the exterior wall of refractory material, which on the
one hand obviates the impinging of the flame against the cast iron the refractory
material serving as a sereen, and on the other hand prevents any considerable.
loss of vapour in case serious damage should be done to one of the two walls of the
retort.
The employment of cast iron is possible only for sufficiently low temperatures.
By the employment of a gas producer for the heating a very important-
saving of fuel is realized and the operations are carried out in an appropriate.
manner.
All these elements combined enable the refining and distillation at a con-
siderably lower cost than when these operations are carried out by means of the
apparatus heretofore employed.
I will hereinafter describe the various parts constituting my apparatus setting
forth the modifications made according to the material which may be treated in the
retorts.
To enable the invention to be better understood I have shown in the accom-
panying drawings an apparatus mounted on the one hand for the refining of sulphur
and on the other hand for the distillation of pyrites, sulphur ores and metallic ores
from which the metal can be extracted by simple elevation of temperature (mercury
antimony, zinc).
Figure 1 is a vertical section through the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
mounted for the refining of raw sulphur.
Figure 2 is a sectional plan.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the apparatus.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section on the line CD of Figure 10 of an apparatus
for the general treat.cat o sulphur ores, pyrites and various metals hereinbefore.
referred to.

page_text: Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line A B of Figure 10.
Figure 6 is a vertical cross section on the line E F of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a vertical cross section on the line I J of Figure 4 showing the inlet
channel for the air.
Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section on the line S T of Figure 4 showing the
outlet for the sand which is arranged between the two obturators separating the
small chamber from the condensing chamber.
Figure 9 is a transverse section on the line M N of Figure 4 through the axis of
the gas admission valve.
Figure 10 is a sectional plan of the whole arrangement at two different heights
taken on the lines G H and K L of Figure 4.
Figure 11 is a sectional plan through the channels for heating the air taken on
the line Q R of Figure 6.
Figure 12 is a sectional plan through the gas collector on the line OP of
Figure 9.
Figure 13 shows in transverse section the arrangement of the lined retorts
hereinafter referred to.
The improved apparatus comprises a furnace with retorts the said furnace being
heated by means of a fire place which receives a blast or preferably by means of a
gazogene which also receives a blast; a small chamber in which the rear part of
the retorts terminates, the said chamber separating the furnace from the con-
densing chamber and being provided with two registers, the condenser or condensing
chamber in which may or may not be produced a suction caused either by a chimney
or by any suitable device, such as a fan, pump ejector or the like.
I will proceed to describe the construction of each of these parts for the refining
of sulphur and subsequently explain the modifications which are to be effected in
tliem for the treatment of sulphur ores pyrites and other ores containing metals
that can be directly volatilized.
Referring first to the furnace and its retorts shown in Figures 1. 2 and 3, the
retorts are of the Déjardin type, that is to say they have two openings, one for the
access and the discharge of the residues and the other for the escape of the vapours,
the first being provided at the front of the furnace and the second in the rear wall.
A pipe prolongs the retort to the rear and puts it in communication with the second
part of the apparatus, which is the small chamber.
As above stated these retorts have two walls the inner consisting of cast iron
and the outer of refractory material for the purpose of preventing the fire
impinging against the cast iron and obviating loss of vapours in case of fissures in
one or the other of the two walls. This arrangement enables a greater output in
the distillation to be realized.
But this is not the only element which precludes the escape of vapour. As
above mentioned the heating is effected with a pressure in the interior of the
furnace, the fire-place cr preferably the gazogene being provided with a blast.
A gas-producer is preferable from every point of view, in fact it permits of
either a slow or rapid operation by reason of the facility with which it can be
regulated and the economy which it ensures. Moreover the blast enables a better
distribution of the heat in the furnace.
As shown in Figures 1. 2 and 3 the gases from a lateral gas producer in which a
blast is used are conducted to the lateral burners belonging to the retorts c
through two channels or gas collectors provided each with a regulating and
stop valve. The gases are caused to burn by blowing in air which is heated by the
waste heat passing through one or more flues provided below the furnace and
escaping through suitably arranged apertures k². The flames touch the retorts as
they pass round them and escape at the upper part through a flue into which
extend the bottom parts of two melting vessels for the reception of the crude
sulphur which flows into the inclined neck of the two retorts through pipes T.
The admission, of the molten sulphur can be regulated by means of a kind of
valve provide at the bottom of each of the said vessels so that it may be adjusted

page_text: from the outside. After they have circulated around the aforesaid two vessels M
the gases join again in a descending channel N in order to be afterwards conducted
through a flue to the chimney.
The small chamber is designated in the figures by the letter l. It separates
the furnace proper from the condenser n. The sole of this chamber is curved so as
to constitute a vessel wherein the liquid sulphur is collected and wherein the sulphur
which may have been condensed in contact with the vault falls in the form of
flowers.
The outlet passage for the smoke extends below this small chamber which has its
sole kept at a high temperature. Two double movable screens mm separate the
small chamber from the condenser. Each of these screens is composed of two cast-
iron plates between which sand is poured when the condenser is to be isolated from
the rest of the apparatus in order to obtain the sulphur in the form of flowers. The
smoke flue d extends below these screens so as to ensure at this point a sufficiently
high temperature which prevents any solidification of the sulphur as this would
interfere with the proper function of the said screens.
An incline is provided in the sole of the small chamber and a hole formed at
the lower part of the incline serves for the flow of the liquid sulphur which has
condensed in this part of the apparatus. Lateral apertures enable the interior of
the small chamber to be inspected after the distillation has proceeded for a certain
time in order to see what has taken place.
The condensing chamber or condenser has its bottom below the base of the
furnace so as to obtain a great capacity without augmenting its height above the
ground. In this manner two successive collectors for sulphur in the form of flowers
may be employed. The pit or vessel thus formed in the ground is composed of
any desired materials such as bricks, quarry stones, or the like suitably provided
with a coating of cement. Supports of bricks hold the frame of the platform
which is composed of rails supporting iron plates upon which rests the leaden plate
which constitutes the upper part of the condenser. The lateral walls likewise
composed of sheets of lead are similarly arranged upon longitudinal rails the ends
of which are held in the above mentioned supports. This leaden chamber is
preferably made with inclined walls which facilitates their continuous and uniform
sprinkling with water coming from the upper plate the edges of which are turned
round so as to form a reservoir. The cooling water when reaching the lower end
of the inclined walls is collected in a channel formed by raising the edges of the
lower sheets of lead.
The condensing chamber may be of any length and if necessary may be pro-
longed by one or more passages or channels provided with check-plates in which
the dust carried away by the draft is deposited.
At the extremity of the condensing chamber or of the said passages or channels,
if there be any, is caused a draft by putting the same in communication either with
a chimney or preferably with any suitable suction device, such as a fan pump,
ejector or the like which causes the last gases to pass directly into the atmosphere,
or they are conveyed to a chimney. A register enables the communication between
the condenser and the suction device to be regulated or interrupted.
The arrangement of the apparatus for the distillation of sulphur ores is shown in
Figures 4 to 13.
If the residues from the distillation are so considerable that a fresh charge
cannot be effected without previously emptying the retort I make in the first part
of my apparatus a modification which enables the discharge of these residues
without occasioning an escape of sulphurous acid into the works.
For this purpose the retorts instead of extending to the exterior front part of the
furnace terminate in vertical channels which end at their lower part in discharge
chambers or pits.
To empty the retort the doors of the openings in front are opened and the
residues are moved to the front so as to fall through a vertical channel into the
discharge pit. This operation is effected without any perceptible escape of vapours

page_text: to the outside of the furnace through the said openings because the condenser and
suction device are in operation. The closing of the vertical discharge channels is
obtained by the accumulation at their base of the residues which interrupt the
communication between the pits a and the retorts c.
In this particular case the retorts constitute D-shaped boxes as shown in Fig. 13.
They are made with two walls for the purpose of obviating inconveniences arising
from cracks or fissures that may occur therein. The rear of the retort is provided
with a kind of diaphragm retaining the molten sulphur in the said retort which has
a slight inclination towards the small chamber.
For the distillation of pyrites the retort is made entirely of refractory material
for the dissociation of these materials necessitates a very high temperature which
the cast iron wall is unable to withstand.
No other characteristic modification has been made in the several parts which
constitute the apparatus. It must however be observed that the distribution of
gases is somewhat different from that adopted for the distillation inasmuch as the
gas burners and the inlets for the blast of hot air are arranged at the upper part
of the furnace above the vertical rows of retorts.
The apparatus used for the aforesaid purpose as represented in Figures 1, to 9,
comprises discharge pits, ban inlet for the cold air coming from the fan, c dis-
tilling retorts, d an outlet for the smoke, e a channel for the hot air, fa chimney,
ga gazogene receiving a blast, a chamber for dust from the gas producer, i a gas
admission valve, ja gas collector, burners a small chamber, m m obturators or
closing devices, n a condenser, o a funnel for charging the gas producer, p holes in
its wall, and r an outlet for the sand from the aforesaid obturators.
My improved apparatus for distilling sulphur ores which has vertical channels
for discharging the residues permits of an absolutely continuous production, but as
the retorts are open during the charge and discharge it is necessary to prevent the
occurrence of explosions produced by the admission of air and for this purpose the
sulphur must be cooled in proportion as it volatilizes which is effected by a suitable
arrangement of the condenser and it is also needful that the distillation shall be
effected in an atmosphere of sulphurous acid. This result is obtained by establishing
a slight pressure in the retorts this pressure being overcome by the forming of the
'gas. In this operation the gazogene is suited for any exigencies as only inert gas
without any tendency to explode passes into the retorts if the burners are properly
arranged.
In my apparatus it is not necessary to extinguish the fire in order to enable the
condensers to be emptied, in fact it is sufficient to keep the communication with the
small chamber closed by lowering the obturators m, m, and filling up the space
between them with sand.
In the arrangements above described I consider it very important to employ
leaden condensing chambers in the process of refining and distilling sulphur and
and sulphurous ores. In fact lead which perfectly resists the action of sulphur
vapours enables an absolutely continuous cooling to be effected by reason of the
very small thickness of its walls and the sprinkling of the same so that the con-
densation of the sulphur takes place in a constant manner. This result cannot be
obtained with chambers of masonry as heretofore used, for the materials which
compose them become rapidly heated and are then no longer adapted for the
condensation of sulphur in the form of flower but very soon produce liquid
sulphur.
In short my apparatus may be considered as exclusively for separating sulpbur
in the form of flower in the condensing chamber, a little liquid sulphur and a
little flower being collected in the small chamber so that my process may be
regarded as one which admits of a continuous production of sulphur in the form
of flowers.
My improved apparatus presents the following advantages
:-
(a) Great diminution of the loss caused by filtration of the vapours through the
walls of the retorts, which is effected by an operation in which the combustible

page_text: gases are forced into the furnace combined or not with a suction into the condenser,
the retorts having double walls.
(b) Continuous operation of the distilling furnace due to the arrangement
of the channels of the retorts with the condensing chambers enabling the
bottom of the retorts to be hermetically closed and consequently a complete
isolation of the latter from the condensers to be effected. This isolation enables
the process in the condensers to be carried out without any necessity for
previously cooling the retorts and the temperature of the latter may even be fully
maintained. This continuous working is ensured in the case of the refining by the
arrangement of upper melting vessels and in the case of working the sulphur orcs
or pyrites by providing at the head of the retorts vertical channels descending
into pits for enabling the spent residues to be collected without access of air
below the ground of the works and without having to remove them from the
furnace.
(c) A large output and facility of conducting the working of the furnace,
obtained by the general arrangement and by the appropriate distribution of the
retorts; and
(d) Continuous condensation obtained by cooling in a metallic receptacle which
is constantly sprinkled.
It will be readily understood that the apparatus hereinbefore described may be
used in the same manner for the treatment of other ores containing metals that can
be distilled at a more or less high temperature such as zinc, antimony, mercury and
other ores.
According to local conditions, the nature of the ores and their composition, I
may modify the arrangements of the several constituent parts of my apparatus,
their dimensions and the quality and nature of the materials used in their con-
struction. The principle on which the construction of this apparatus is based will
always be the same and is characterized by the forcing of the gases from the gas
producer and of the air for combustion the suction of the vapours the continuous
condensation the discharge into pits below the works and lastly by use of the
obturators thus ensuring an absolutely continuous production.
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
First. In the hereindescribed process of refining sulphur and distilling sulphur
and other ores the operation of forcing in a current of air either by means of a
furnace in which a blast is used or by means of a gazogene in which a blast is also
used so as to effect in the furnace the oxidation of the combustible gases this
operation creating outside the retorts a higher pressure than that which exists in
their interior, thereby reducing to a minimum the losses of sulphur by filtration
through the sides of the said retorts.
Second. The combination with the furnace of a suction device such as a pump,
fan ejector or the like, delivering into the condensers, causing a continuous flow of
vapours from the retorts and consequently diminishing the losses by filtration
through the sides thereof already opposed by the injection of air into the furnace
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. In the treatment of sulphur or other ores the arrangement of vertical
interior passages between the front of the furnace and the head of the retorts the
said passages descending into the pits for the residues, which permits the discharge
of the retorts in the interior of the furnace, the closing of these vertical passages
being effected by the accumulation at their base of the said residues.
Fourth. The method of lining the retorts, the said retorts having double sides
one of cast iron in the interior and the other of earth on the exterior, which
arrangement has the effect of diminishing the losses from accidental fissures and
also of properly supporting the retorts.
B

page_text: Fifth. The apparatus such as herein before described the small chamber inter-
posed between the rear part of the retorts and the condenser, this small chamber
being provided for the purpose of collecting the small quantity of sulphur in the
form of flowers or liquid which has been able to condense before the entrance of
the vapours into the condensers, the said chamber forming a kind of supplementary
reservoir whilst the condenser is being emptied so that the gas producer need not
be stopped completely, the said small chamber being for this purpose provided at
the rear with two double cast metal screens, between which sand is poured for
the complete obstruction of the passage of the vapours to the condenser, as above
described.
Sixth. In apparatus for the purpose hereinbefore described, the arrangement of
a condenser formed of a vessel of well faced masonry upon which is placed a case
composed of sheets of lead supported upon iron joists carried by longitudinal and
transverse girders the ends of which are received by supports of masonry. The
said leaden sides being sprinkled in a continuous manner with water poured
constantly from the upper part of the apparatus.
Seventh. The general arrangement of the furnace comprising the retorts having
a double wall and, in the case of the distillation of ores, a common discharge of
residues into the pits provided below the ground and communicating with the
interior of the furnace, a small common chamber provided with a double screen at
the rear, and the combination of these various parts which may be utilized at will
for the suction, forcing in, or obturation of the gases or air and without dis-
continuing the fire for the purpose of emptying the condenser, and the arrangement
and the construction of the condenser and the apparatus for sprinkling the same
substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 6th day of April 1892
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.