Improved Methods of Producing Aluminium and its Alloys by Means of Electricity.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 28th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Methods of Producing Aluminium and its Alloys by Means
of Electricity.
We, LEON QUENTIN BRIN, Engineer of 6 Ruo Wilhem Auteuil Paris & ARTHUR
BRIN, Engineer 59 Brompton Crescent South Kensington S.W. London do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The different metallurgical methods for the production of aluminium and its alloys
which we have already set forth in our preceding applications for Patents Nos. 3547,
3548, 3549, 8746 and 8747 of 1888 can be equally well applied to and adapted for
use in any Electric Furnace-on whatever principle it is designed so long as such
Furnace is constructed so as to use our several fluxes also set forth in our previous
applications as may be required, in presence of the different metals for the purpose of
making their several alloys, with aluminium as set forth in our patents above quoted ;
or for use of the flux and aluminous ore without the presence of metals
the production of pure metallic aluminium, as hereinafter set forth.
alloy for
It is requisite that the construction of these furnaces shall permit the reactions
chemical and thermic shown in our patents and shall be provided with a means for the
introduction at whatever temperature is requisite of a gas or gases mixed or pure,
free of oxygen on to the seat of the Electric arc in the furnace, thus giving at the
point of decomposition in the arc, an "atmosphere without introduced oxygen
permitting not only a chemical but also of an Electrolytic action. This gas so introduced
will act :
1. As a vehicle to carry the metallic vapors obtained in the above furnace by the
action of the Electric arc into an apparatus to transform or condense them.
II. To force into contact these vapors, at the movement of nascency and in an
electrolytic condition, with metals to form an alloy in complete molecular condition,
using any metal we desire to submit to this double action, chemical and Electrolytic..
When necessary we use one or more auxiliary condensing chambers for the
purpose of effecting the condensation or absorption of the vapors produced as above
described.
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1 1
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COL1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Methods of Producing Aluminium and its Alloys by Means
of Electricity.
We, LEON QUENTIN BRIN, and ARTHUR BRIN, of 59, Brompton Crescent, South
Kensington, London, S.W. 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 :-
2
This Invention relates to the application and adaptation to an "Electric Furnace"
of the various metallurgical methods for the production of aluminium and its alloys
described in preceding applications for Letters patent, Nos. 3547, 3548, 3549, 8746,
and. 8747, of 1888. The "Electric Furnace must be so constructed as to permit the
use of our several fluxes, also as set forth in our previous applications, in presence of
the different metals for the purpose of making their several alloys with aluminium
or in the presence of aluminous oro only, (without the presence of metals) for the
production of pure metallic aluminium.

page_text: The furnace must be so constructed as to permit the necessary chemical and
thermic reactions and must be provided with means for the introduction at the
necessary temperature, of an inert gas or gases to the seat of the electric are in
the furnace thus providing at the point of decomposition in the arc, an atmosphere
devoid of free oxygen, permitting not only of a chemical but also of an electrolytic
action. The gas so introduced will act;
I. As a vehicle to carry the metallic vapors obtained in the above furnace by the
action of the electric arc, into a condensing apparatus.
II. To force these vapors in the nascent state, and in an electrolytic condition,
into contact with any metal with which it is desired to form an alloy in complete
molecular or homogeneous condition by this electro-chemical action.
When necessary, we use one or more auxiliary condensing chambers for the
purpose of effecting the condensation or absorption of the vapors produced as above
described.
The electric current for effecting the reduction of the aluminium from the fused
flux may be employed in two distinct ways. According to one way, a current of
sufficiently high potential to strike an arc, say from 40 up to 100 or more volts is
employed. According to the other way, electric currents of low potential (which
may in some cases be as low as 2 volts but not generally exceeding 35 volts) are
employed. The first method we term the are reduction and the second method the
electrolytic reduction.
In carrying the first method into effect we take say our normal aluminium-yielding
Dorax
20
"
•
We place this mixture in a wide-mouthed crucible and heat it in a furnace till the
whole is fused and white fumes of aluminium and sodium chloride etc., are given off.
We then plunge into the molten flux (which is a conductor of electricity) a carbon
negative electrode and bring the second carbon positive electrode to the surface of the
flux, whilst a powerful current generated by a dynamo or other source of electricity
is applied. In this case a current of 40 to 100 volts is employed and the electric arc
is established between the positive carbon electrode and the surface of the molten flux.
The arc acts partly electrolytically and partly by increasing the temperature of
dissociation. Metallic aluminium is reduced on the negative carbon pole plunged
into the flux, or the negative pole may be the molten metal with which it is desired to
alloy the aluminium. A large amount of sublimated aluminium is, however, dispersed
by the arc. It is therefore necessary to place over the crucible an air-tight fitting
cover provided with an inlet pipe through which we introduce a current of inert gas
such as carbonic oxide, nitrogen, or hydrogen; the gas protecting the sublimated
metal from oxidation and also serving as the vehicle for carrying the metallic
fumes over into a suitable condensing chamber connected with the outlet pipe.
In carrying out the second method, both carbon electrodes, are plunged into the
molten flux and the low potential electric current above described is established
through the flux which becomes the electrolyte. Chlorine and chlorine compounds
are generated at the positive pole and metallic sodium and aluminium are deposited
on the negative pole, the free sodium contributing to the reduction of the alumiinium.
The molten aluminium alloyed with sodium, which condenses on the negative
electrode, runs down into a button at the bottom of the crucible. According to
another method, two crucibles are placed one inside the other and between them is
placed the positive carbon electrode and the space is filled up with the flux. The
inner crucible is likewise filled with the flux and contains the negative carbon
electrode. The whole, when brought to a bright heat in a fuel heated furnace, forms
an electrolytically decomposable couple, and when a current from 20 to 35 volts is

page_text: passed through this couple, metallic aluminium in combination with a small proportion
of sodium is deposited in the inner crucible whilst chlorine and chlorine compounds
pass off from the outer crucible into the furnace.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to he performed, we declare that what we
claim is;
1. The herein described method of producing aluminium and its alloys in an
electric furnace by the employment of a readily fusible aluminium-yielding flux in
conjunction with the thermic electrolytic and dispersive action of high potential
electric currents, as specified.
2. In the production of aluminium and its alloys in an electric furnace, the
employment of a molten aluminium-yielding flux as an electrolyte in conjunction with
low potential electric currents; in the manner described.
3. In the herein described methods of producing aluminium or its alloys by electric
or electrolytic action, the application of external heat to effect the fusion of the
aluminium-yielding flux and promote the electrolytic action of the current, as
specified.
4. In the herein described methods of producing aluminium or its alloys by the
reduction of aluminium from an aluminium-yielding flux by means of the electric
arc, the employment of an inert gas to drive off and condense the sublimated metal,
as described.
Dated Luis Zern day of Anonst. 1884
Dated GOIS ZOLN day of Anonst. IXXY
L. Q. BRIN.
A. BRIN.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.