An Improved Method or Process and Apparatus for Obtaining Chlorine and Zinc in the Treatment of Ores containing Zinc or Blende and other Metals and Metalloids.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Inth th 11.4
ACUE
714
4305
Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Loft, 6th Oct., 1606 Accepted, 7th Dec., 1805
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method or Process and Apparatus for Obtaining
Chlorine and Zinc in the Treatment of Ores containing Zinc
or Blende and other Metals and Metalloids.
We, HENRY RYAN LEWIS, of 7, Drapers' Gardens, in the City of London,
Mining Engineer and Metallurgist, and CHARLES GELSTHARP, of 211, Jubilee
Terrace, Clayton, Manchester, in the County of Lancashire, Chemist and
Metallurgist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of our said invention is to provide in a more simple and efficient
manner than heretofore, for the production of chlorine in the process of separating
or extracting zinc and other metals from ores containing zinc and other metals
such as gold, silver, lead or autimony and metalloids such as sulphur, carbon or
oxygen.
Our said invention comprises an improved method or process for accomplishing
this result, by first crushing or reducing the ore to a fine state, roasting or calcining
it when necessary so as to bring the zinc contained in the ore into such a condition
that it can be dissolved or washed out with water or with a mixture of water
and acid, and then lixiviating or washing the ore and adding to the solution
thus obtained chloride of sodium, chloride of calcium or other chloride, and
obtaining chlorine and zinc therefrom by electrolysis, as hereinafter mentioned.
Our said invention also comprises an improved apparatus for carrying on the
said method or process.
In carrying our said invention into practice, we proceed as follows, that is to
sayWe first crush or reduce the ores to a fine state by any well-known method,
and then if necessary roast or calcine the ores, so as to render the zinc contained
in the same soluble in water or in a mixture of water and acid, with or without a
chloride. In roasting or calcining the said ores, we prefer to employ furnaces of
the kind or class described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted
to us and dated 5th April 1892, No. 6567. Sulphuric acid and sulphur are obtained
or recovered from the gases and vapours given off in the roasting, which gases or
vapours are conducted into a condenser or into vitriol chambers. In the roasting
or calcination of the ores, part of the metallic contents may be volatilized, in which
case we recover the same by condensation in suitable condensers substantially as
described in our said former Specification. When the ore has been properly
roasted or calcined, or is in a suitable condition to be treated by our improved
process, we lixiviate or wash it with water or with water containing sulphuric
acid to combine with any oxide of zinc that may be contained in the said ore.
To the solution thus obtained we add chloride of sodium, or chloride of calcium, or
other chloride, the proportion of chloride thus added being varied according to the
proportion of zinc contained in the solution.
When chloride of sodium or a similar chloride is added to the solution, we
concentrate the solution, when necessary, by evaporation to the proper strength,
and we then pass a current of electricity through the solution thus obtained in the
manner and by means of the apparatus hereinafter mentioned, whereby chlorine is
liberated in the gaseous form at the anode. The chlorine thus liberated is
conveyed by means of tubes into chambers containing slaked lime, for the pro-
luction of bleaching powder; or it may be used for producing bleaching liquid, or

page_text: chlorates, or it may be liquified. The zine is deposited in a state of purity at the
cathode.
When chloride of calcium or a chloride that produces a precipitate is added to
the solution obtained by lixiviating the roasted ore, the precipitate is allowed to
subside or settle down, and the clear solution is decanted or filtered, and cou-
centrated by evaporation until all the excess of water is driven off. We then pass
a current of electricity through the liquid thus obtained, as hereinafter mentioned,
the chlorine liberated at the anode being conveyed by tubes into chambers for the
production of bleaching powder, or bleaching liquid, or chlorates or it may be
liquified as required; and the zinc is deposited in a pure state at the cathode, from
which it is removed by a revolving arm, being then conducted through suitable
valves as required.
The residue (containing other metals, such as lead, gold and silver) which is left
after lixiviating or washing the roasted or calcined ore, we treat substantially as
described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to us and dated
4th May 1892, No. 8467; for instance we smelt it in water-jacket or other suitable
furnaces, to produce either metallic lead or a matte containing the lead, gold and
silver, which may be separated by any well-known methods.
The electrolysis of the liquid containing the zinc and chlorides, we effect in
covered vessels, made of suitable materials, and so arranged that the liquid may be
kept hot either by steam, hot air, or hot water, or other source of heat, the
apparatus being preferably constructed with a hollow casing or jacket, so that the
liquid may be kept hot by means of steam, hot air or hot water circulating through
the said casing or jacket. In the said covered vessels, we place one or more
cathodes made of metallic gauze or perforated or porous electrodes, made of
zine or other suitable materials, which may be covered with asbestos or other
suitable material, or a combination of asbestos or other suitable material and
gauze. A short distance from the cathodes, we place one or more anodes, made of
perforated or porous carbon, or other suitable materials, or a metallic gauze which
is not acted upon by chlorine, which may also be covered with asbestos, or other
suitable material, or a combination of asbestos or other suitable material and
gauze or we so arrange the cathodes, that they form a false-bottom to the
covered vessel containing the electrolyte, or we place a porous or permeable
diaphragm over or just above the cathode, forming the false-bottom of the covered
vessel. We leave sufficient space between the electrodes, to prevent the chlorine
recombining with the zinc. The anodes and cathodes are suitably connected with
a dynamo-electric machine, or other source of electricity. The anode may be
caused to revolve when necessary, and the deposited zinc we remove from the
cathodes by causing a scraper or arm to revolve over the same at intervals.
The lower part of the vessel we provide with suitable cocks or valves for the
removal of zinc, or sulphate of soda, or exhausted liquid. The covers of the
vessels we provide with suitable tubes for conveying the chlorine into chambers or
vessels for use as required. The zinc is deposited on the cathodes and is scraped
off at intervals by the said revolving scraper or arm and falls to the bottom of
the vessel, whence it is removed through the said valves.
The chlorine is liberated at the anode and is conveyed by the aforesaid tubes
into chambers or vessels for treatment or use as required.
Dated the 9th day of January 1895.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: An Improved Method or Process and Apparatus for Obtaining
Chlorine and Zinc in the Treatment of Ores containing Zinc
or Blende and other Metals and Metalloids.
We, HENRY RYAN LEWIS, of 7 Drapers' Gardens, in the City of London,
Mining Engineer and Metallurgist, and CHARLES GELSTHARP, of 211 Jubilee
Terrace, Clayton, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Chemist and
Metallurgist, 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:-
The object of our invention is to provide in a more simple and efficient manner
than heretofore, for the production of chlorine in the process of separating or
extracting zinc and other metals from ores or compounds containing zinc and
other metals, such as gold, silver, lead or antimony, and metalloids, such as sulphur,
carbon or oxygen.
Our said invention comprises an improved method or process for accomplishing
this result, by first crushing or reducing the ores or compounds to a fine state of
division and, when required, adding a suitable chloride or chlorine, roasting or
calcining the said ores or compounds when necessary so as to bring the zinc
contained therein into such a condition that it can be dissolved or washed out with
water or with a mixture of water and acid, and then lixiviating or washing the
ore and when necessary passing the solution thus obtained through a further
quantity of ore, and then adding to the solution chloride of sodium, chloride of
calcium or other chloride, and obtaining chlorine and zinc therefrom by electrolysis,
as hereinafter described.
Our said invention also comprises an improved apparatus for carrying on the
said method or process.
say:
in carrying our said invention into practice, we proceed as follows, that is to
-We first crush or reduce the ores or compounds to a finely divided state by
any well-known method, and then, if necessary, roast or calcine them so as to
render the zinc contained in the same soluble in water or in a mixture of water
and acid, with or without a chloride; or we add to the finely divided ore either
before or after calcining or roasting a suitable chloride. In roasting or calcining
the said ores, we prefer to employ furnaces of the kind or class described in the
Specification of former Letters Patent granted to us and dated 5th April 1892
No. 6567. Sulphuric acid and sulphur are obtained or recovered from the gases
and vapours given off in the roasting, which gases or vapours are conducted into a
condenser or into vitriol chambers. In the roasting or calcination of the ores, part
of the metallic contents may be volatilized, in which case we recover the same by
condensation in suitable condensers substantially as described in our said former
Specification. When the ores have been properly roasted or calcined, or are in a
suitable condition to be treated by our improved process, we lixiviate or wash
them with water or with water containing an acid to combine with any oxide of
zine that may be contained in the said ores. The solution thus obtained we pass
through a further quantity of oxidized ores when necessary, and we then add to
the said solution, chloride of sodium, or chloride of calcium, or other chloride, the
proportion of chloride thus added being varied according to the proportion of zinc
contained in the solution.
When chloride of sodium or a similar chloride is added to the ores or compounds
either before or after the roasting or calcination thereof, or to the solution obtained
by lixiviating such ores or compounds, we concentrate the solution, when necessary,

page_text: by evaporation to the proper strength and allow it to stand so that the sulphates
may be separated, and we then pass a current of electricity through the solution
thus obtained, in the manner and by means of the apparatus hereinafter described,
whereby chlorine is liberated in the gaseous form at the anode whilst the zinc is
deposited in a state of purity at the cathode. The chlorine thus liberated is
conveyed by means of tubes into chambers containing slaked lime, for the production
of bleaching-powder; or it may be used for producing bleaching-liquid, or chlorates,
or it may be liquified, or used for chlorinating a further quantity of the ores or
compounds.
When chloride of calcium or a chloride that produces a precipitate is added to
the solution obtained by lixiviating the roasted ore, the precipitate is allowed to
subside or settle down, and the clear solution is decanted or filtered, and con-
centrated by evaporation until all the excess of water is driven off.
We then pass
a current of electricity through the liquid thus obtained, as hereinafter described,
the chlorine liberated at the anode being conveyed by tubes into chambers for
the production of bleaching-powder, or bleaching-liquid, or chlorates, or it may
be liquified, or used to chlorinate a further quantity of the ores or compounds
as required; the zinc, which is deposited in a pure state at the cathode, is
removed therefrom and conducted from the vessel through suitable valves as required.
The residue (containing other metals, such as lead, gold and silver) which is
left after lixiviating or washing the roasted or calcined ore, we treat substantially
as described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to us and dated
4th May 1892, No. 8467; for instance we smelt it in water-jacket or other suitable
furnaces, to produce either metallic lead or a matte containing the lead, gold and
silver, which may be separated by auy well-known methods.
The electrolysis of the liquid chloride of zinc can be effected in any suitable
apparatus. We find it advantageous, however, to employ one or the other of the
two forms of apparatus shown in the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a vertical section of one form of our improved apparatus, and
Figure 2 is a vertical central section showing another form or modification
thereof.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, A is a closed vessel of suitable shape
and dimensions; B, B are the anodes; C, C are the cathodes; D, D are pipes
for the introduction of the liquid to be electrolysed; E is a pipe provided with
branch-pipes E¹ for conveying away the liberated chlorine; F, G are cocks
or valves for permitting the discharge of the deposited zinc after it has been
scraped off the cathodes, or of sulphate of soda or exhausted liquid. The
vessel A is divided into several compartments by the anodes B and cathodes C,
and each of these compartments is provided with a pipe D for the supply of
the liquid. Between each anode and the adjacent cathodes are arranged one
above another pieces or strips H of glass or other suitable material, set at a
suitable angle to direct upward the chlorine liberated at the anodes and prevent
its attacking the deposited zinc. In combination with the cathodes C, we provide
scrapers which are arranged to be moved downward and again raised, at
intervals, for the purpose of removing the deposited zine from the cathodes C,
so that it may be discharged through the cocks or valves F, G. The pipe E
is connected by the brauch-pipes E¹ with the several compartments of the
vessel A. Steam-pipes K are, if desired, arranged within the said compartments,
for the purpose of heating the liquid therein. Or we can provide other suitable
means for heating the said liquid.
The cathodes C are made of sheets of zinc or other suitable metal or of metallic
gauze which may be covered with asbestos or other suitable material or with a
combination of asbestos or other suitable material and gauze. The anodes B are
made of carbon or other suitable materials, or of metallic gauze which is not
acted upon by chlorine, which may also be covered with asbestos, or other
suitable material, or with a combination of asbestos or other suitable material
and gauze.

page_text: The anodes and cathodes are suitably connected with a dynamo-electric machine,.
or other source of electricity.
The vertical apparatus shown in Figure 1 can, if desired, be so arranged that
the metal will be deposited in a reguline form, in which case the cathodes C are
made of zinc and are so arranged that they can be removed and replaced by fresh
ones when they are sufficiently coated.
In the modification of our apparatus shown in Figure 2, the vessel A is of
circular form and is constructed with a hollow casing or jacket L, so that the liquid
within it may be kept hot by means of steam, hot air or hot water circulating
through the said casing or jacket. The cathode C is perforated and is so arranged
that it forms a false-bottom to the covered vessel A; in some instances, we
place a porous or permeable diaphragm over or just above the cathode. The
anode B is arranged a short distance above the cathode C, sufficient space
being left between the electrodes, to prevent recombination of the chlorine
with the zinc. The anode B may be caused to revolve when necessary, and the
deposited zinc we remove from the cathode C by means of a suitable scraper
or arm J¹, which is caused to revolve over the same at intervals. The
zinc removed from the cathodes by the said scraper or arm falls to the bottom
of the vessel, whence it is removed through the cocks or valves F, G. The
chlorine liberated at the anode is conveyed by the tube E into chambers or vessels
for treatment or use as required.
It is obvious that our improved process and apparatus are also applicable for
the treatment of other compounds containing zinc or blende and other metals and
metalloids.
Our said process and apparatus are, moreover, very advantageous for treating
the solutions obtained as described in our said former Specifications and containing
sulphate of zinc or both chloride and sulphate of zinc.
Our improved process of producing chloride of zinc solutions and then concen-
trating the same and separating the chlorine and zinc by electrolysis, is more
advantageous than the treatment of the solutions of sulphate of zine or of
sulphate and chloride of zinc directly by electrolysis as described in our said
former Specification No. 8467 of 1892. By our present improvements we obviate
the necessity for the employment of lime and for the use of partitions or diaphragms
in the electrolytic vats, so that currents of lower voltage can be used; moreover
we are enabled to produce chlorine and metallic zinc simultaneously.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we wish it to be understood
that we do not claim broadly or irrespectively of our improvements herein set
forth the separation of chlorine and zinc from chloride of zinc solutions by
electrolysis, but what we claim is :—
First. A process of separating or extracting zinc from ores or compounds
containing the same and other metals and metalloids, in which process a suitable
chloride is added to the ores or compounds or to the solution obtained by lixiviating
or compounds, with or without previous roasting or calcination
thereof, and the chloride of zinc thus produced is concentrated and subjected to.
electrolysis to obtain metallic zinc and chlorine, substantially as herein before
described.
such ores
Second. The production of chlorine and zinc by adding chloride of calcium or
other suitable chloride to a solution of sulphate of zinc or to a solution of sulphate
and chloride of zinc obtained as herein before described or as described in our
aforesaid former Specifications, concentrating the solution and separating the
sulphates therefrom, and then subjecting the chloride of zinc thus obtained to
electrolysis, substantially as herein before described.
Third. The improved apparatus constructed with the scrapers for removing the
deposited zinc and with the deflecting pieces or strips for directing upward the

page_text: liberated chlorine, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of
the drawing, for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The improved apparatus constructed and arranged to operate as
herein before described with reference to Figure 2 of the drawing, for the purposes
specified.
1033
H. R. LEWIS.
CHARLES GELSTHARP.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.