HOTASSIUM and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1887

page_text: HOTASSIUM
and to Apparatus therefor.
I, ORLANDO MORTON THOWLESS, of the American Exchange 449 Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, Chemist and Metallurgist, 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 relates to the production of sodium and potassium, and to apparatus
therefor.
My said invention is designed to provide for obtaining a larger yield of metal than
is afforded by the processes heretofore adopted, to reduce the cost of production of the
sodium or potassium, and to effect economy with respect to the time required for its
production and also with respect to the duration of the pots or retorts used therefor.
Heretofore it has been customary to mix the sodium compound or potassium com-
pound with carbonaceous material and to subject the mixture to intense heat in order
to effect the required reduction and distillation. In the production of sodium or
potassium in this manner, chemical combinations are liable to be formed which are
detrimental to the proper working of the process, so that the quantity of sodium or
potassium obtained is considerably less than the percentage thereof contained in the
charge.
Now an important feature of my present invention consists in the heating of the
carbonaceous material and, if desired, of the substance containing the sodium or
potassium, before the latter is brought into contact with the carbonaceous material.
The effect produced when the sodium or potassium compound (whether previously
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page_text: heated or not) is brought into contact with the highly heated carbonaceous material,
is somewhat similar to that produced when water comes in contact with highly heated
metal, that is to say, the sodium or potassium compound is very rapidly decomposed or
broken up and sodium vapor or potassium vapor given off; any chemical combinations
which might interfere with or prevent the proper working of the process are thus
avoided morcover the process can be carried on at a considerably lower temperature
than is usually employed, and consequently the pots or retorts will last much longer
than heretofore.
In carrying on my process, I employ à pot or retort placed in a furnace and con-
taining coke or other suitable carbonaceous material, which is kept in a highly heated
state. I introduce caustic soda or other suitable sodium compound (preferably after
it has been more or less heated) into this retort so that it will come in contact with
the carbonaceous material therein. The vapors evolved are conducted to condensers
such as are ordinarily used in the production of sodium or potassium.
In the accompanying drawing, I have shewn apparatus adapted for my purpose.
Figure 1 is a plan
Figure 2 a side elevation, and
Figure 3 a vertical longitudinal central section of the said apparatus.
A is the furnace; B is the retort for containing the carbonaceous material, which
is to be fed into the said retort through a hopper or chute B'. C is a chamber into
which the caustic soda or other sodium compound is to be introduced through an
opening C. This opening is closed by a sliding lid or cover C³.
To provide for effecting the preliminary heating of the sodium compound, the
furnace A is formed with a flue A' extending beneath and partially around the
chamber C. A sliding door or gate D is provided for regulating or controlling
the passage of the sodium compound from the chamber C into the retort B.
E is the condenser which is connected, by means of a pipe F, with the space above
the retort B. This pipe is provided with a check-valve or stop-valve F¹, and also, if
desired, with suitable vent-valves. It is obvious that any suitable number of con-
densers may be used in combination with one retort, or two or more retorts may be
used with one condenser.
The retort B is provided with a door B2 so that the ashes may be raked out or the
retort cleaned, when. necessary. The said retort. may advantageously be lined with
plumbago, gas-carbon, or other suitable refractory material.
The caustic soda or other sodium compound, after being heated in the chamber C, passes
or is fed gradually into the retort B, and, coming into contact with the heated reducing
material therein, is rapidly decomposed or broken up so that sodium vapor is evolved.
This vapor passes through the pipe F into the condenser E.
The introduction of the sodium compound into the retort should be so regulated as
to permit the required chemical reactions to take place continuously and effectively.
If desired, I can employ suitable means for feeding the said material regularly into
the said retort.
For the production of potassium, the process is the same as that above described,
caustic potash or other suitable potassium compound being substituted for the sodium
compound.
It is obvious that the construction of the apparatus above described may be some-
what modified, and that I may, if desired, add lime, iron, or other suitable substances,
or any combinations or compounds of these substances to the carbonaceous material
without departing from the nature of my said invention. It is, moreover, evident that
my improved process may be carried on by means of apparatus other than that shewn
in the accompanying drawing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim
First. The improved process of producing sodium or potassium, consisting.in

page_text: heating the coke or other reducing material, bringing into contact therewith caustic
soda, caustic potash or other suitable compound of sodium or of potassium (which may
or may not have been previously heated) and then condensing the vapor evolved,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The improved apparatus comprising the furnace, the retort, the heating
chamber for the compound of sodium or of potassium, and the condenser, all substantially
as hereinbefore described for the purposes specified.
་
Dated this l5th day of September 1887.
O. M. THOWLESS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.