IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FERTILISERS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas William Bassett Mumford, Manager to Messieurs
James Gibbs and Company of Victoria Docks in the County of Essex,
Chemical Manufacturers, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FERTILISERS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas William Bassett
Mumford at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th July
1883.
THOMAS WILLIAM BASSETT MUMFORD Manager to Messieurs James Gibbs and
Company of Victoria Docks in the County of Essex Chemical Manufacturers
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZERS."
"
My Invention relates to the production of a Superphosphate containing a high
percentage of soluble Phosphoric Acid and has mainly for its object the removal
of the liability of such Superphosphates to become damp by exposure to atmospheric
influences and at the same time to enable manufacturers to produce the Super-
phosphate in such a state as that it can be readily reduced to a very finely divided
dry powder which is of great importance for the even distribution on the land of
so powerful an Agent
In carrying my said Invention into effect I take finely ground commercial
Phosphorite containing either a high or low percentage of Phosphoric Acid and
after dissolving the same in Sulphuric Acid of from 117° to 120° Twaddle I agitato
the mixture in a vessel with either hot or cold water passing the thin muddy
product through an Iron and lead filter press or Centrifugal or other suitable
Machine, the filtered solution contains the Phosphoric Acid in a soluble state and
the solid residue consists of a small percentage of Soluble and Insoluble Phosphoric
Acid Sulphate of Lime and Silica and is a valuable Fertilizer for certain Crops.
The Solution of soluble Phosphoric Acid I run into shallow Leaden pans
constructed on the top of Pyrites or other Kilns or places where waste heat is
TDA77

page_text: available and evaporate the same at a low temperature until the liquid becomes
highly concentrated and of a syrupy, consistency
To this concentrated liquid I add by means of an ordinary manure mixer one
half of its own weight of finely ground ordinary commercial Phosphorite or part
phosphorite, and part finely ground dolomite or Carbonate of Magnesia and one
sixth part of its own weight of Sulphuric Acid of preferably, 150° Twaddell, the
resulting product being a mixture resembling ordinary Superphosphate of Lime
which in a few days, becomes dry and hard and capable of being ground or disin-
tegrated into a very finely divided and dry powder and which under ordinary
atmospheric influences does not lose its condition and retains the Phosphoric Acid
in a soluble state

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas William Bassett Mumford in the Patent Office on the
5th January 1884.
<
THOMAS WILLIAM BASSETT MUMFORD Manager to Mess James Gibbs & Co of
Victoria Docks in the County of Essex Chemical Manufacturers IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FERTILISERS "
My Invention relates to the production of a superphosphate containing a high
percentage of soluble Phosphoric Acid and has mainly for its object the removal
of the liability of such superphosphate to become damp by exposure to atmospheric
influences and at the same time to enable manufacturers to produce the super-
phosphate in such a state that it can be readily reduced to a very finely divided
dry powder which is of great importance for the even distribution on the land of
so powerful an agent.
In carrying my said Invention into effect I take finely ground commercial
Phosphorite containing either a high or low percentage of Phosphoric acid and
after dissolving the same in Sulphuric Acid of from 117° to 120° Twaddell I
agitate the mixture in a vessel with either hot or cold water, passing the thin
muddy product through an iron and lead filter press, or centrifugal or other
suitable machine: the filtered solution contains the Phosphoric acid in a soluble
state and the solid residue consists of a small percentage. of soluble and insoluble
Phosphoric acid, Sulphate of lime, and silica, and is a valuable fertiliser for certain
crops.
The solution of soluble Phosphoric acid I run into shallow leaden pans which
may be situated on the top of pyrites or other kilns or places where waste heat is
available and I evaporate the solution at a low temperature until the liquid
becomes highly concentrated and of a syrupy consistency.
To this concentrated liquid I add by means of an ordinary manure mixer or
in other convenient way a quantity of finely ground ordinary commercial
Phosphorite I have found the proportions of one part by weight of Phosphorite
to two parts by weight of the liquid to give good results (or the same quantity of
Phosphorite, finely ground dolomite or Carbonate of Magnesia mixed may be used)
To these combined materials I add sulphuric acid of preferably 150° Twaddell-I
have found that one part by weight of sulphuric acid to six parts by weight of the
materials gives good results. The resulting product is a mixture resembling
ordinary superphosphate of lime which in a few days becomes dry and hard and
capable of being ground or disintegrated into a very finely divided and dry powder
and which under ordinary atmospheric influences does not lose its condition and
retains the Phosphoric acid in a soluble state.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is :-
The manufacture of artificial fertilisers substantially as hereinbefore described
In witness whereof I the said Thomas William Bassett Mumford have to this
iny Specification set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of December One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
THOP. W. B. MUMFORD
(L.S.)