Improvements in the Manufacture of Sodium and Potassium and the Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 25th July, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 24th May, 1889-Accepted, 29th June, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Sodium and Potassium and
the Apparatus therefor.
I, WILLIAM GEORGE FORSTER of Lonesome Chemical Works, Streatham Common
in the County of Surrey, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My Invention consists in gradually and from time to time introducing a reducing
agent or agents, such as carbon or carbon and iron mixed, preferably in a heated
condition into a bath of incandescent alkali, being either carbonate, hydrate or such
alkali which previously has been deprived wholly or partially of its hydrogen and
oxygen by the use of finely divided iron while in an incandescent condition.
In carrying out my process I am able to employ an iron vessel of much larger
dimensions than heretofore has been used in the manufacture of sodium and potassium
and at the same time obtain a proportionately larger yield of the metal from the
alkali by the same temperature employed as in other known processes. To prevent
the floating of the carbon which during the operation is gradually introduced into the
bath of the alkali, mechanical means for the submersion of the same are employed,
I employ an iron disc curved downwards at its edges or rim, of nearly the same
internal diameter as the vessel and provided with holes (for the escape of the vapors)
this disc is fastened to a hollow handle which passes through the disc. The tubular
handle is longer than the iron vessel in which it is employed and passes out through
an aperture in the centre of the cover a lever is attached to the saine so that the disc
can be moved up and down in the vessel for the purpose of submerging the carbon
when introduced through the hollow handle. The disc is from time to time lifted
again above the bath of alkali and a fresh charge of carbon introduced.
The hollow handle or tube may also serve as the discharging pipe for the waste
alkali. For this purpose, the other apertures in the cover of the vessel for the outlet
of vapours must be closed and the disc tube is lowered to within an inch or two of
the bottom so that the confined gases may force out the liquid residue or if preferable
coal gas may be introduced into the vessel under sufficient pressure to force out the
liquid residue.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Sodium and Potassium and
the Apparatus therefor.
I WILLIAM GEORGE FORSTER, of Lonesome Chemical Works, Streatham Common,
in the county of Surrey, Chemist 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of sodium and potassium
and in apparatus therefor.
According to my invention I gradually and from time to time introduce a reducing
agent or agents, such as carbon or carbon and iron mixed, preferably in a heated
condition into a bath of fused incandescent alkali, such alkali being either a carbonate
or hydrate, or wholly or partially deprived of its hydrogen and oxygen by the use of
finely divided iron while in a fused condition.
To prevent the floating of the carbon, which during the operation is gradually

page_text: introduced into the bath of alkali I employ mechanical means as hereinafter more
particularly described.
In the accompanying drawing I shew in sectional elevation a suitable form of
apparatus for carrying out my invention.
a represents an iron vessel in which the process is carried out, such vessel being of
ordinary construction. In this vessel I place an iron disc b of nearly the same
diameter as the internal diameter of the vessel a, the said disc being curved down-
wards at its edge or rim c and provided with holes d for the escape of the vapours.
The disc bis fastened to a hollow handle e of greater length than the iron vessel a in
which it is employed, and passes out through a stuffing box fin the centre of the
cover g, the said hollow handle serving for the introduction of the carbon. A link
such as his attached to the handle e, so that the disc b can by means of a chain and a
pulley block be moved up and down in the vessel a for the purpose of submerging
the carbon when introduced and of agitating the charge of alkali and carbon. Or the
disc can be raised by means of a lever or otherwise. The disc b is from time to time
lifted above the bath of alkali and a fresh charge of carbon introduced. i is the usual
outlet for the vapours.
11
The hollow handle or tube e may also serve as the discharging pipe for the waste
alkali.. For this, purpose the aperture (or apertures) for the outlet of the vapours
must be closed, the loose cover of the hollow handle removed and a short bond
attached thereto and the disc-tube be lowered to within an inch or two of the bottom
of the vessel a, so that the confined gases may force out the liquid residue through the
bend to a suitable receptacle ;. or, if preferable, coal gas may be introduced into the
vessel through the inlet pipe ; under sufficient pressure to force out the liquid residue.
kis a stop-cock on the pipe j.
One of the advantages of my invention is that I am enabled to use much larger
vessels than those usually used in the manufacture of sodium and potassium.
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:—
.
:
1. In the manufacture of sodium and potassium, keeping the carbon submerged
in the fused incandescent alkali by mechanical means, substantially as described.
2. In the manufacture of sodium and potassium, the use of apparatus such as is
herein described and illustrated in the drawing, for keeping the carbon submerged
and agitated in the heated liquid alkali and allowing of the escape of the vapours
produced in the process.
3. The improved apparatus hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawing.
Dated the 24th day of May 1889
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.