Improvements in the Manufacture of Cyanogen Compounds from Sulpho-cyanides.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 29th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Cyanogen Compounds from
Sulpho-cyanides.
We, THOMAS PARKER of the firm of Elwell-Parker Limited, Electrical Engineer,
and ALFRED EDWARD ROBINSON, Technical Chemist, both of Commercial Road
Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the manufacture or production of cyanogen compounds
from sulpho-cyanides.
These Improvements consist in the production of commercial hydrocyanic
acid by the electrolysis of a solution of sulphocyanide; and the utilisation of the
hydrocyanic acid produced in the manufacture of cyanides of the alkalies or of the
alkaline earths.
In the electrolysis of the solution of the sulpho-cyanide a current of electricity
having a comparatively high density is employed. The products of the reaction are a
sulphate and hydrocyanic acid. The hydrocyanic acid is condensed in water to form
hydrocyanic acid of commerce, or it may be condensed in a solution of an alkali or an
alkaline earth to form a cyanide. The cyanides may thereafter be converted by known
means into ferrocyanides.
Dated this 29th day of November & D 1000
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Cyanogen Compounds from
Sulpho-cyanides.
We, THOMAS PARKER of the firm of Elwell-Parker Limited, Electrical Engineer,
and ALFRED EDWARD ROBINSON Technical Chemist, both of Commercial Road
Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, 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 relates to the manufacture or production of cyanogen compounds
from sulpho cyanides.
These Improvements consist in the production of commercial hydrocyanic
acid by the electrolysis of a solution of sulphocyanides of the alkalies or of the
alkaline earths; and in the utilisation if desired, of the hydrocyanic acid so
produced in the manufacture of cyanides of the alkalies or of the alkaline earths.
In carrying out our Invention we employ a solution acidified with sulphuric acid
containing from ten to twenty per cent. of the sulphocyanide, in a suitable electrolysing
vessel, where it is subjected to the action of an electrical current having a density of
from ten to thirty amperes per square foot of the anode. The current may be led into
and out of the solution by means of platinum or carbon electrodes.
The products of the electrolysis are a sulphate which remains in solution, and
hydrocyanic gas. The gas is collected and led off by suitable known means and is
condensed in water to form the hydrocyanic acid of commerce, or it may be condensed
in a solution of an alkali or of an alkaline earth to form a cyanide.
The cyanides produced as herein before described may if desired, be utilised by
known methods in the manufacture of ferrocyanides of the alkalies or of the alkaline
earths, or of metals.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
The manufacture of hydrocyanic acid and of cyanides of the alkalies and of the
alkaline earths substantially in the manner and by the means herein before set forth.
Dated this 20th day of August A.D. 1889.
WILLIAM E. HEID,
Agent for the Applicants.