Improvements in Processes for Refining Raw Tin and Extracting the Combined Metals therefrom.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 21st Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Processes for Refining Raw Tin and Extracting
the Combined Metals therefrom.
TOM TEAGUE Pinewood Devoran Cornwall Tin Smelter do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
--
It is known to smelters that tin ores reduced in the furnace are on the first
flowing out hard and impure. This has been a source of difficulty and loss as long
as tin smelting has been known.
By
The hardness of the raw tin is caused by the presence of arsenic in considerable
quantities hitherto only partially realized. The presence of nickel and cobalt combined
with the arsenic has been entirely unsuspected and often classed as tungsten, which,
though present in small quantity is not an important factor as a general rule.
my process these elements can be completely eliminated from the tin and sub-
sequently utilized as valuable bye products. The raw tin is run into a suitable
receptacle and maintained at the necessary high temperature to keep it in a molten
state, suitable pipes of fire clay or other refractory material are inserted into the.
molten metals and this pipe is connected with any suitable blowing apparatus and
a current of air either heated or cold passed through the metals. This action in
the first instance oxidizes and Burns the arsenic which volatilizes as arsenious acid
which may be collected. The iron if any is present is oxidized and forms a small
slag.
The nickel & cobalt deprived of the arsenic and most of the sulphur separate
from the tin, and the molten mass run into a float or kettle is allowed to cool
leaving cobalt, & nickel in the form of speiss which by its great specific gravity
and comparative infusibility falls to the bottom of the containing vessel and is com-
pletely separated from the tin, which floats above which can either be separated by
ladelling off while hot or by breaking when cold.
The same action can be accomplished by means of the addition of Chili saltpetre
to the molten.mass.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Processes for Refining Raw Tin and Extracting
the Combined Metals therefrom.
TOM TEAGUE Pinewood Devoran Cornwall Tin Smelter 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:―
It is known to smelters that tin ores reduced on the furnace are on the first
flowing out hard and impure. This has been a source of difficulty and loss as long
as tin smelting has been known.
The hardness of the raw tin is caused by the presence of arsenic in considerable
quantities hitherto only partially realized.
The presence of nickel and cobalt with the arsenic has been entirely unsuspected
and often classed as tungsten, which, tho' present in small quantity is not an
important factor as a general rule.
By my process these elements can be completely eliminated from the tin and
subsequently utilized as valuable bye products.
The raw tin is run into a suitable receptacle and maintained at the necessary
† Price 4}\

page_text: high temperature to keep it in a molten state, suitable pipes of fire clay or othe"
refractory material are inserted into the molten metals, and the pipe is connected
with any suitable blowing apparatus, and a current of air either heated or cold
passed through the metals.
This action in the first instance oxidizes or burns the arsenic, which, volatilizes
as arsenious acid, which, may be collected.
The iron if any is present oxidizes and forms a small slag. The nickel and
cobalt deprived of the arsenic and most of the sulphur separates from the tin, and
the molten mass run into a float or kettle is allowed to cool leaving cobalt,
and nickel in the form of speiss by its great specific gravity and comparative
infusibility falls to the bottom of the containing vessel and is completely separated
from the tin which floats above, which can either be separated by ladelling off
while hot or by breaking when cold. The same action can be accomplished by
means of the addition of Chili saltpetre to the molten mass.
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 :-
To refine raw tin and expel the arsenic by means of passing a current of air
through the metals when molten & by this means recover the nickel in form of
speiss & the tin in a practically pure state quite fit for the market & to produce
the same effects by adding Chili saltpetre to the metals when molten.
Dated this 30th day of December 1890.
TOM TEAGUE.