AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR DESULPHURIZING ORES
Year: 1881

page_text: 145
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR DESULPHURIZING ORES."
A communication from abroad by Frederick William Wiesebrock, of the
City and State of New York, United States of America, Mining Engineer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake-at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd May 1881.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR
DESULPHURIZING ORES." [A communication from abroad by Frederick William
Wiesebrock, of the City and State of New York, United States of America,
Mining Engineer.]
In order to thorouglily effect the desulphurization of ores it is necessary that
the same should be subjected to the action of oxygen while in a highly heated
state, in order that the sulphur may be liberated.
1
Heretofore this has been accomplished by passing a flame commingled with
atniospheric air into a body of the ore by blowing a current.of pulverized ore
into the flame of a furnace, or by forcing a jet or jets of atmospheric air into a
highly heated furnace into which the ore, in a reduced condition, is simul-
taneously introduced.
"
By the above named methods it has been found almost impossible to thoroughly
desulphurize ores containing a large percentage of sulphur, and such methods.
moreover are tedious and expensive..
The object of this Invention is to obviate these objections and provide means;
by which the ore may be thoroughly desulphurized, no matter what the per-
centage of sulphur may be, and at a great reduction of time and expense," "and"
to this end the said Invention comprises.-
: ..
First A process for desulphurizing ores by dropping the finely-powdered ore
into the oxidising flame of a compound blow-pipe injector, the said flame carry-

page_text: ing an excess of oxygen with the blast flame whereby the air and ore are highly
neated, and regulating the supply of ore and the strength of the blast to carry
the ore entirely through retorts or chambers into suitable receivers where the
highly heated ore is oxidized, and to convey the fumes resulting from the
desulphurization into gatherers or condensers where they are condensed or
collected.
Second. A series of retorts arranged, one below, in advance of the other, and
communicating with each other by a connecting passage or tube, each retort
having at the end opposite the communicating passage a hydrocarbon blast
injector, and the series having an ore hopper at the upper end and a fume
condenser communicating with the lower or opposite end, whereby ore falling
from the hopper into the first retort is met by a blast or flame and air from the.
first injector is carried through said retort, thereby into the next one of the
series where it is met by a second blast, and so on, the volatile matters being
carried into the condenser.
Third. In an apparatus for desulphurizing ores the combination of the feeding
mechanism, the blow pipes, and the retorts above mentioned with a retort pro-
vided with a suitable conveyor, and located in a suitable furnace, as more fully
hereinafter specified.
Fourth. The combination in an apparatus for desulphurizing ores of the feed-
ing mechanism, blow-pipes, and retorts, one or more receivers connected with a
flue leading to a condenser or gatherer, as more fully hereinafter set forth.
Fifth. The combination with the retorts and hoppers, the blow-pipe injectors,
and a series of receivers of a furnace having a fluc leading to the condenser, as
more fully hereinafter set forth.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I provide a hopper attached to a
feed pipe info which it opens. The said feed pipe is provided with a screw
conveyor, by means of which a gradual or regulated delivery of ore to a retort
may be maintained. The said feed pipe is preferably located at a greater eleva-
tion than the retort, in such manner that the ore may fall into the retort from
above. One end of said retort is open for the introduction of the blast flame,
and at the other end the retort is connected to a receiver, which is of sufficient
size to permit the blast to expend its power therein, so as to allow the ore to
settle to the bottom of the same. The said receiver has a funnel shaped bottom
which serves as a hopper, and is connected with a feed pipe provided with a
screw conveyor for the purpose of carrying the ore to another retort with which
said pipe is connected. This retort is substantially similar in construction to
the retort first above mentioned; a second receiver similar to the first named
receiver is connected with the second retort. The bottom of said receiver is con-
nected with a third retort similar to the two other retorts by means of a tube
provided with a screw conveyor. The last mentioned retort communicates with
an upright flue, which connects at its bottom with a fourth retort provided with
a screw conveyor, which is of less diameter than the said retort in order to allow
an unobstructed passage of atmospheric air through the retort to assist in the
final oxidization of the ore.
There is a furnace in which the said fourth retort is located, the retort passing
entirely through the furnace which is provided with proper doors and draft
openings. Flues lead from the furnace to the chimney through which the pro-
ducts of combustion escape.
The receivers communicate with flues which lead
to the condensers, and are inclined.in order to prevent the accumulation of the
ore therein. The condenser is provided with a perforated or foraminous parti-
tion near its upper end, through which a stream of water is caused to flow into
the condenser in a shower of spray in order to arrest the fine particles of ore
and prevent their escape.
The respective screw conveyors above mentioned are each provided at one end
with bevel gear wheels gearing into other bevel gear wheels on a shaft, so as
to convey the ore to the respective retorts in proper quantities.
A blower is provided having a blast pipe and stop cock. One pipe passes

page_text: through the furnace in order that the air may be heated, and is provided at one
end with branch pipes which are provided with suitable cocks, and lead respec-
tively to nozzles, the said pipes projecting into said nozzles forming a blow pipe
injector. Oil tanks are provided, and an intermediate air carburetting tank
which communicates with one of the oil tanks by means of a pump and pipes.
The supply pipe has a stop cock and branches, the said branches connecting
with a series of pipes which pass through the side of the carburetting tank into
the same, being perforated at their inner ends. The said tank is provided with
partitions, the alternate partitions being set in such a manner that the space
between them forms a circuitous channel. An overflow pipe is inserted in the
carburetting tank at its bottom, extending sufficiently into the tank to maintain
a proper quantity of oil therein. The lower end of said pipe leads into one of
the oil tanks in order to convey the overflow oil from the carburetting tank to
said oil tank.
The blast pipe connects with the carburetting tank at one end of the circuitous
channel, and from the other end of said channel extend pipes provided with
suitable atop cocks, the said pipes connecting respectively with nozzles to convey
the carburetted air to the same, and to regulate the flow for increasing or
diminishing the blast flame in its action upon the ore.
A pipe is connected at one end to one of the oil tanks and is provided with
branches, the said pipe and branches being provided with suitable stop cocks.
The ends of the said pipe and two of the branches pass through the nozzles and
connect with the ends of the blast pipe injectors. The other branch is connected
with the furnace, and is intended to convey oil to the same from one of the oil
tanks to be used as fuel when desired. Two of the branches and the pipe are
for the purpose of feeding oil to the nozzles when desired:
The delivery of ore is regulated by the velocity of the shafting which is
adjusted so as to deliver the ore at greater or less speed according as the per-
centage of sulphur in the same varies; the larger percentage of sulphur the
slower the feed, and vice versa.
The retorts are of a length sufficient to cause the ore to be suspended in the
blast flame until the same is sufficiently heated in order to absorb the oxygen
from the atmosphere drawn in by the blast flame. A greater number of retorts
and receivers than herein described may be employed, if desired, whereby much
expense and labor may be saved in handling ores where it is necessary to
subject the same to the desulphurizing process a number of successive times.
When it is necessary to chloridize the ores, mechanical means for the introduc-
tion of the necessary ingredients and any suitable menstruum may be provided
for the purpose.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd November 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR
DESULPHURIZING ORES."
A communication from abroad by Frederick William
Wiesebrock, of the City and State of New York, United States of America,
Mining Engineer..
'
In order to thoroughly effect the desulphurization of ores it is necessary that
the same should be subjected to the action of oxygen while in a highly heated
state in order that the sulphur may be liberated. Heretofore this has been
accomplished by passing a flame commingled with atmospheric air into a body
of the ore by blowing a current of pulverized ore into the flame of a furnace, or
by forcing a jet or jets of atmospheric air into a highly heated furnace, into
which the ore, in a reduced or pulverized condition, is simultaneously introduced.
By the above named inethods it has been found almost impossible to thoroughly
desulphurize ores containing a large percentage of sulphur, and such methods
moreover are tedious and expensive.
The object of this Invention is to obviate these objections and provide means
by which the ore may be thoroughly desulphurized whatever the percentage of
sulphur may be, and at a great reduction of time and expense, and to this end
the said Invention consist.
First. In a process for desulphurizing ores by dropping the finely powdered ore
into the oxidizing flame of a compound blow-pipe injector, the said flame carry-
ing an excess of oxygen with the blast-flame whereby the air and ore are highly
heated, and regulating the supply of ore, and the strength of the blast-flame to
carry the ore entirely through retorts or chambers into suitable receivers where
the highly heated ore is oxidized, and to convey the fumes resulting from the
desulphurization into gatherers or condensers where they are condensed or
collected.
Second. In a series of retorts arranged one below and in advance of the other,
and communicating with each other by a connecting passage or tube, each retort
having at the end opposite the communicating passage a hydrocarbon blast in-
jector and the series having an ore hopper at the upper end and a fume condenser
communicating with the lower or opposite end, whereby ore falling from the
hopper into the first retort is met by a blast or flame and air from the first
injector is carried through the said retort, thereby into the next one of the series.
where it is met by a second blast, and so on, the volatile matters being carried
info the condenser.
Third. In an apparatus for desulphurizing ores the combination of the feeding
mechanism, the low-pipes, and the retorts above mentioned with a retort pro-
vided with a suitable conveyor and located in a suitable furnace, as more fully
hereinafter specified.
Fourth. In the combination in an apparatus for desulphurizing ores of the
feeding-mechanism. blow-pipes, and retorts, and one or
nected with a flue leading to a condenser or gatherer, as more fully hereinafter
more receivers con-
set forth.
Fifth, In the combination with the retorts and hoppers, the blow-pipe is

page_text: jectors and a series of receivers of a furnace having a nue reading to the con-
denser, as more fully hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the apparatus employed in carrying
out the said Invention.
Figure 2 represents a front elevation, and
Figure 3 a vertical section of the same.
Figure 4 represents a plan or top view of the air carburetting tank, the cover
being removed.
The
A indicates a hopper attached to a feed-pipe a, into which it opens. The said
feed-pipe is provided with a screw-conveyor a¹, by means of which a gradual or
regulated delivery of ore to the retort B may be maintained. The said feed pipe
is preferably located at a greater elevation than the retort in such manner that
the ore may fall into the retort from above. One end of the said retort is open
for the introduction of the blast-flame, and at the other end the retort is con-
nected to a receiver B, which is of sufficient size to permit the blast to expend
its power therein, so as to allow the ore to settle to the bottom of the same.
said receiver B has a funnel shaped bottom, which serves as a hopper, and is
connected with a feed-pipe b, provided with a screw-conveyor b¹ for the purpose
of carrying the ore to a retort C, with which the said pipe b is connected. This
retort is substantially similar in construction to the retort B above mentioned;
Cindicates a receiver similar to the receiver BI, the said receiver being con-
nected with the retort C. The bottom of the said receiver is connected with a
retort I), similar to the retorts B and C before mentioned by means of a tube.c
provided with a screw-conveyor c The said retort communicates with an,
upright flue or receiver I, which connects at its bottom with a retort F, pro-
vided with a screw-conveyor f which is of less diameter than the said retort in
order to allow an unobstructed passage of atmospheric air through the retort to
assist in the final oxidation of the ore.
G indicates a furnace in which the said retort F is located, the retort passing
entirely through the furnace, which is provided with suitable doors 9, g', and .
draught openings 1, 2, 3, 4; Q, R, S, Figure 1, indicate flues leading from the
furnace to the chimney through which the products of combustion escape. The
receivers B, C, D, communicate with the flue E, E', which leads to the con-
denser E, and is inclined in order to prevent the accumulation of the ore therein.
The condenser is provided with a perforated or foraminous partition E³ near its
upper end through which a stream of water is caused to flow into the condenser
in a shower of spray in order to arrest the fine particles of ore and prevent their
escape.
The respective screw-conveyors above mentioned are each provided at one end
with bevel gear wheels z, which gear into bevel gear wheels 2 on a shaft H, so
as to convey the ore to the respective retorts in proper quantities:
I indicates a blower having a blast pipe I and 12, and provided with a stop-
cock . The pipe I' passes through the furnace in order that the air may be
heated, and is provided at one end with the branch pipes 1, 2, 3, which are fur-
nished with suitable stop cocks, and lead respectively to the nozzles P, P¹; P³,
the said pipes projecting into the said nozzles, as shown in Figure 3, forming a
blow-pipe injector; J, J', indicate oil tanks, and K, an intermediate air carburet-
ting tank which communicates with the tank J by means of a pump 12, pipe 1
and pine L. The supply pipe L has a stop-cock L2 and branches L', the said
branches connecting with a series of pipes 1, 1, which pass through the side of
the carburetting tank into the same, the said pipes being perforated at their
inner ends. The said tank K is provided with partitions k, k; as shewn in
Figure 4, the alternate partitions being set in such a manner that the space
between them forms a circuitous channel, as shown by the arrows in Figure 4;
M indicates an overflow pipe inserted in the tank K at its bottom, and extending
sufficiently into the tank to maintain a proper quantity of oil therein. The
'

page_text: lower end of the said pipe leads into the tank J' in order to convey the overflow
oil from the tank K to the said tank J'.
The blast pipe 12 connects with the carburetting tank at one end of the cir-
cuitous channel, as shown at T, Figure 4, and from the other end of the said
channel extend the pipes o, o, o, provided with suitable, stop cocks, the said
pipes connecting respectively with the nozzles P, P1, P2, to convey the carburetted
air to the same, and to regulate the flow for increasing or diminishing the blast-
flame in its action upon the ore.
N indicates a pipe connected at one end to the tank J, and provided with
branches N1, N2, N3, the said pipe and branches being provided with suitable
stop-cocks. The ends of the said pipe N and the branches N1, N2, pass through
the nozzles P2, P, P¹, and connect with the ends of the blast pipe injectors. The
branch N, Figures 1 and 2, is connected with the furnace, and is intended to
convey oil to the same from the tank J to be used as fuel when desired. The
branches N1, N2, and the pipe N are for the purpose of feeding oil to the nozzles
when desired.
The operation of my Invention is as follows, that is to say:-The reservoir J
is properly filled with oil. A suitable quantity is then pumped into the tank J.
This oil, flowing through the pipe L, passes into the perforated pipes 1, 1, and is
distributed in the form of spray between the partitions k, k, and drops into the
bottom of the carburetting tank, where it collects until it reaches the end of
the overflow pipe M. The air-blast-pipe and the retorts and receivers having
been heated by means of the furnace so as to prevent the absorption of heat
from the blast-flames, the apparatus is in a condition to commence the process
of desulphurization. The hopper A is then charged with the ore properly com-
minuted or pulverized, and the blower is put in operation. The stop cock L2 is
then opened allowing the oil to flow into the carburetting tank, the stop cock
of the blast pipe I being also opened. A current of air is thus forced through
the channels a, a, and through the spray of oil evaporating and absorbing the
oil in its passage. The stop-cocks of the blast-pipe-injectors and gas-pipes are
now opened, and the gas or carburetted air ignited, after which the retorts are
ready to receive the ore. The shafting is then set in motion rotating the screw-
conveyors so as to feed ore to the apparatus. The delivery of ore is regulated
by the velocity of the shafting, which is adjusted so as to deliver the ore at a
greater or less speed, according as the percentage of sulphur in the same varies.
the larger the percentage of sulphur the slower the feed, and vice versa.
The flame produced by the carburreted air is sufficient to desulphurize ore
containing a very large percentage of sulphur, but should it be desired to still
further augment its intensity the stop cock of the oil pipe N may be opened, so
as to allow a suitable quantity of oil to flow directly into the current of heated
air in the blast-pipe which almost instantly evaporates and ignites the oil and
forms an increased flame, which is also carried into the retorts. The current of
blast-flame as it is forced into the retorts carries with it an additional supply of
air which enters around the blast-flame of the injector, whereby a powerful
desulphurizing flame is projected into the retorts and directly into the ore as it
falls into the same, ensuring the most thorough heating prior to reaching the
receiving or oxidizing chambers.
These retorts are of a length sufficient to cause the ore to be suspended in the
blast-flame until the same is sufficiently heated in order to absorb the oxygen
from the atmosphere drawn in by the blast flame; this has sufficient oxygen for
supporting its own combustion. The oxygen, drawn in at the mouth of the
retort by the force or impetus of the blast flame, is by its passage through the
retort heated, so that on coming in contact with the heated ore the oxidation of
the same is facilitated and ensured.
It is obvious that the fine particles of ore by reason of the force of the flame-
blast are kept in constant suspension and agitation, thus exposing them

page_text: thoroughly to the action of the flame by means of which the sulphur is eliminated.
The particles of ore, upon reaching the end of the first retort, are carried into
the receiver B, which is of such size and length as to allow the force of the blast
to nearly expand itself therein, but at the same time permit the highly heated
particles to be thoroughly agitated and oxidized without being carried over into
the condensers to any great extent, so that they will finally settle in the bottom
of the said receiver while the fumes pass over to the condenser through the flues
by the slight force still exerted by the blast-flame, thus obviating the injurious
results attendant upon carrying the fumes and gases along with the ore particles,
as when thus carried along with the ores the particles of the latter are liable to
become enveloped with the sulphurous fumes liberated by the heat, and thus
oxidation is retarded or wholly prevented.
The ore, after settling in the receiver B', passes through the successive retorts
until it finally reaches the retort F, from which it is discharged into a suitable
receptacle.
A greater number of retorts and receivers than herein shown and described
may be employed if desired, whereby much expense and labor may be saved in
handling ores where it is necessary to subject the same to the desulphurizing
process a number of successive times.
After the fumes and fine ore particles have passed through the flue E, E', they
enter the condenser E2, where in their ascension they are met by the water spray
and carried downward into a suitable tank or receiver and collected, and, if
necessary, the fine particles of ore may be again passed through a retort, and
thus almost all of the metal saved.
When it is necessary to chloridize the ores mechanical means for the introduc-
tion of the necessary ingredients, and any suitable menstruum may be provided
for the purpose.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,-
First. The process herein described of desulphurizing ore, which process con-
sists in dropping the finely powdered ore into the oxidizing flame of the blow-
pipe injector admitting excess of air with the blast-flame, whereby the air and
ore are highly heated and regulating the supply of fine ore and the strength of
the blast-flame to carry the ore entirely through retorts or chambers into re-
ceivers where the highly heated ore is oxidized, and the fumes resulting from
oxidation into condensers or gatherers, substantially as above set forth.
Second. A series of retorts arranged one below and in advance of the other,
and communicating with each other by a connecting passage or tube, each
retort having at the end opposite the communicating passage a hydro-carbon
blast injector, and the series of retorts having an ore-hopper at the upper end,
and a fume-condenser communicating with the lower or opposite end, whereby
ore falling from the hopper into the first retort is met by a blast or flame, and
air from the first injector is carried through the said retort thereby into the next
one of the series where it is met by a second blast, and so on, the volatile matters
being carried into the condenser, substantially as above set forth.
Third. In an apparatus for desulphurizing ores the combination of the series
of retorts provided with tubes or hoppers having feed-conveyors, the series of
blow-pipe injectors for heating and conveying the ores through the retorts by
means of blast-flames of carburetted and atmospheric air, and the retort F pro-
vided with the conveyor f located in the furnace G, all substantially as above set
forth and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination in an apparatus for desulphurizing ores of the
series of retorts provided with tubes or hoppers, having feed-conveyors, the
series of blow-pipe injectors for heating and conveying the ores through the
said retorts by means of blast-flames of carburetted and atmospheric air, the

page_text: receivers, the flue, and the condenser, all substantially as above set forth, and
for the purpose specified.
" **is.
Fifth. The combination in an apparatus for desulphurizing ores of the series
of retorts and hoppers, each of the latter being provided with a conveyor, the
series of blow-pipe-injectors, the receivers, the furnace, the, flue, and the con-
denser, all substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto. set
my hand and seal, this Third day of. November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand-eight hundred and eighty one...