IMPROVEMENTS IN THE UTILIZATION OF ALKALI WASTE
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Gossage, of Widnes, in the County of
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE UTILIZATION OF
ALKALI WASTE."
Sealed the 16th August 1859, and dated the 22nd February 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Gossage at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd February 1859.
I, WILLIAM GOSSAGE, of Widnes, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE UTILIZATION
OF ALKALI WASTE," to be as follows:-
The Invention for which I am now soliciting the grant of Letters Patent
comprises further developments of the improvements for which I obtained
Letters Patent bearing date the 21st of February, 1857, and numbered
518, for my Invention of "Improvements in the Manufacture of Soda and
Potash."
In the Specification which I filed in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st of August, 1857, I have described the means by which sulphur, contained
in alkali waste (which is a constant waste product in the manufacture of soda
and potash, and which sulphur is largely required in such manufacture) may
be extricated from such waste (in the state of sulphuretted hydrogen gas) by
Paine 1
"

page_text: the action of carbonic acid gas thereon, also certain means by which carbonic
acid gas may be obtained for such purpose.
My present Invention comprises the application for the extrication of
sulphur from alkali waste of carbonic acid gas which is produced during the
manufacture of alkali when sulphate of soda or sulphate of potash is decom-
posed by means of carbon and lime at a red heat.
My present Invention also comprises the use of carbonate of lime (obtained
from the decomposition of alkali waste by means of carbonic acid gas) for the
production of a further quantity of carbonic acid gas; also the use of car.
bonate of lime so produced, or of lime obtained from such carbonate of lime
for effecting the decomposition of sulphate of soda or sulphate of potash.
My present Invention also comprises the obtainment of carbonic acid gas
from alkali waste by the action of muriatic acid or of acid liquors produced
during the manufacture of chlorine on such waste.
In the said Specification I have also described means by which I effect the
decomposition of sulphuretted hydrogen gas (obtained from alkali waste) and
consequent extrication of free sulphur therefrom by the action thereon of
sulphurous acid gas at certain high temperatures therein defined. My present
Invention comprises the effecting of such decomposition at lower tempera-
tures than are indicated in my said Specification for such purpose, also cer-
tain arrangements of apparatus by which such decomposition is facilitated.
My present Invention also comprises the use of compounds of nitrogen
with oxygen for effecting the decomposition of sulphretted hydrogen obtained
from alkali waste and consequent production of sulphur therefrom.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Gossage in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 22nd August 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
GOSSAGE, of Widnes, in the County of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second dayof February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Gossage, Her special license that I, the said William Gossage,
my execntors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Gossage, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time

page_text: agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter.
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE UTILIZATION OF ALKALI WASTE," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said William Gossage, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Gossage, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, (that is to say):
My "Improvements in the Utilization of Alkali Waste "comprize further
developments of the improvements for which I obtained Letters Patent
bearing date the Twenty-first of February, 1857, for my Invention of
"Improvements in the Manufacture of Soda and Potash."
In the Specification of such Invention, which I filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the Twenty-first of August, 1857, I have described the means
by which sulphur contained in alkali waste (which is a constant waste product
in the manufacture of soda and potash, and which sulphur is largely required
in such manufacture) may be extricated from such waste in the state of
sulphuretted hydrogen gas by the action of carbonic acid gas thereon, also
certain means by which carbonic acid gas may be obtained for such purpose.
My present Invention comprises the application for the extrication of
sulphur from alkali waste of carbonic acid gas which is produced during the
manufacture of alkali, when sulphate of soda or sulphate of potash is
decomposed by means of carbon at a red heat.
In effecting this part of my Invention, I can either employ such rever-
berating furnaces as are in ordinary use for decomposing sulphate of soda or
sulphate of potash or closed furnaces such as are described in the Specification
of an Invention for which Letters Patent were granted to George Elliott and
William Russell, bearing date the Thirteenth day of April, 1853. In either
case I cause the supply of air requisite for the combustion of fuel in the
furnace employed to be obtained by the use of blowing machines such as air
pumps or ventilating fans, and I cause the gases passing from the furnace
employed to be conducted through a cooling vessel such as is described in the
Specification of any said Invention of "Improvements in the Manufacture of

page_text: Soda and Potash," and indicated in the Drawings attached to such Specifi-
cation as the vessel C, and by the application of water in such vessel I cause
the gases to become cooled.
I connect the inlet passage of the blowing machine employed with the
outlet passage of such cooling vessel, and thereby cause the requisite current
of air through the furnace employed, and 1 connect the outlet passage of the
blowing machine with the apparatus in which I effect the decomposition of
alkali waste by means of carbonic acid gas so obtained.
During the decomposition of sulphate of soda orsulphate of potash by means
of carbon at a red heat, a considerable quantity of carbonic oxide as well as
carbonic acid is produced, and it is desirable to convert such carbonic oxide
into carbonic acid. This can be effected by a regulated admission of atmo-
spherical air into the furnace employed either by means of air flues through
the bridge of the furnace (as commonly used for consuming smoke) having
dampers attached for regulating the quantity of air admitted, or by other
means. It is desirable to avoid the presence of any excess of oxygen gas
the gases passing from the furnace,also to cut off the connection of the furnace
with the cooling vessel during the period when a charge of alkali is being
drawn from the furnace, or a fresh charge is being introduced therein; this
latter can be readily effected by means of a damper in the flue connecting
the furnace with the cooling vessel.
in
My present Invention also comprises the use of carbonate of lime (obtained
from the decomposition of alkali waste by means of carbonic acid gas) for
the production of a further quantity of carbonic acid gas.
In effecting this part of my Invention, I prefer to mix the carbonate of
li:ne so obtained with such a proportion of common clay moistened with water
as will communicate to it sufficient adhesiveness to admit of its being formed
into balls, and I cause such balls to be dried; I then introduce such dried
balls together with coke or coal into a kiln, such as is described in the Speci-
fication of iny said Letters Patent for "Improvements in the Manufacture of
Soda and Potash," and indicated in the Drawings attached to such Speci-
fication by the letter A, and by the application of heat and air in such kiln,
combustion ensues, and carbonic acid gas is produced suitable to be applied
for the decomposition of a further quantity of alkali waste, or for other
useful purposes. The residuum from such combustion contains a propor-
tion of silicate of lime, which renders it valuable to be used for agricultural
purposes as a dressing for land.
This residuum is also free from any soluble compound of sulphur which may
have been present in the carbonate of lime used for its production. The car-

page_text: bonate of lime obtained from the decomposition of alkali waste by means of
carbonic acid gas can also be burned in kilns without admixture of clay, when
the residuum will be free from soluble compounds of sulphur; also be useful as
a dressing for land, and may be applied to other useful purposes in which lime
is required. I also obtain carbonic acid from carbonate of lime (produced
from the decomposition of alkali waste by means of carbonic acid gas) by the
action of muriatic acid or of acid liquors produced during the manufacture of
chlorine on such carbonate of lime. As the carbonate of lime so produced
usually contains some portion of sulphuret of calcium, I cause the gas evolved
by the action of such acid or acid liquors to be purified by the means herein-
after described for the abstraction of sulphuretted hydrogen from mixed
gases, and I thereby obtain carbonic acid gas suitable to be employed for the
manufacture of bi-carbonate of soda, or for certain other useful purposes.
My present Invention also comprises the obtainment of carbonic acid
gas from alkali waste by the action of muriatic acid or of acid liquors
produced during the manufacture of chlorine on such waste.
In effecting this part of my Invention, I cause muriatic acid or acid liquors
produced during the manufacture of chlorine to be brought into contact with
alkali waste in suitable apparatus. The result of such contact is the extri-
cation of gases consisting of sulphuretted hydrogen and carbonic acid, also the
formation of chloride of calcium in solution. I conduct such gases into
suitable apparatus in which I effect the abstraction of sulphuretted hydrogen
therefrom either by the means hereinafter described for effecting the de-
composition of sulphuretted hydrogen or by other suitable meaus, and I
thereby obtain carbonic acid gas free or nearly free from admixture with
other gases, and suitable to be employed for certain useful purposes. .In
order to ensure the perfect abstraction of sulphuretted hydrogen from
carbonic acid gas thus obtained, and thereby to render this gas suitable to
be employed for the manufacture of bicarbonate of soda, I cause the gas,
still containing some sulphuretted hydrogen, to be passed through a
vessel containing pieces of coke, stones, or other suitable material, and at
the same time I cause solution of chloride of lime or of persalt of iron or
other suitable solution to be passed through such vessel in such manner
that the gas passing through the vessel is greatly exposed to the solution,
and the latter causes the abstraction of sulphuretted hydrogen from such
gas. The same effect may be produced by the use of chlorine gas, or of
gaseous compounds of nitrogen with oxygen.
In my said Specification of "Improvements in the Manufacture of Soda
and Potash," I have described means by which I effect the decomposition of

page_text: .
sulphuretted hydrogen gas (obtained from alkali waste) and consequent
extrication of free sulphur therefrom by the action thereon of sulphurous
acid gas at certain high temperatures therein defined. My present Invention,
comprises. the effecting of such decomposition at lower temperatures than
are indicated in my said Specification, also certain arrangements of apparatus
by which such decomposition is facilitated.
In effecting this part of my Invention, I employ for the decomposition of
sulphuretted hydrogen, sulphurous acid gas, obtained from the combustion of
sulphuretted hydrogen or of sulphur, or from such other source as may be
most convenient to obtain such gas. Icause the gases containing sulphuretted
hydrogen and those containing sulphurous acid to become intimately mixed
with each other by introducing such gases into a rectangular chamber containing
a series of inclined shelves, so placed that the gases being introduced at the
upper part of such chamberare caused to pass through an aperture or apertures
existing between one pair of shelves in the centre of such chamber, and alter-
nately through an aperture or apertures existing between the ends of another
pair of shelves and the end walls of the chamber, so that the gases are caused
to pass alternately through one set of apertures in the middle part of the
chamber, and through two sets of apertures consisting of one set at each end of
such chamber. This arrangement of shelves being repeated a sufficient number
of times in the height of the chamber, and the shelves being placed at such an
inclination that fluid introduced at the upper part of the chamber will flow over
the shelves, and wash down sulphur previously deposited ou such shelves.
I introduce steam into such chamber at or near the upper part thereof,
aud I thereby keep the chamber at a temperature of about 120 degrees
Falirenheit. In the first instance 1. cause water to be introduced into the
upper part of the chamber so as to wash down sulphur, but I afterwards
pump up the liquid flowing from the chamber,and employ such liquid to wash
down sulphur which I collect in suitable vessels. Ijudge of the proportions
of sulphuretted hydrogen and of sulphurous acid suitable to be introduced
into such chamber for decomposition by testing the gases proceeding from the
chamber. If these gases contain sulphuretted hydrogen, I introduce a larger
supply of sulphurous acid; on the other hand, if they contain sulphurous
acid, I increase the proportion of sulphuretted hydrogen to be introduced.
My present Invention also comprises the use of compounds of nitrogen
with oxygen for effecting the decomposition of sulphuretted hydrogen
obtained from alkali waste, and consequent production of sulphur therefrom.
In effecting this part of my Invention, I cause some of the compounds of
nitrogen with oxygen which are capable of giving up oxygen (such as nitric

page_text: nitrous, hyponitric, or hyponitrous acids) or deutoxide of nitrogen, together
with atmospherical air to be introduced along with sulphuretted hydrogen gas
obtained from alkali waste into such an apparatus as I have herein-before
described as suitable for effecting the decomposition of sulphuretted hydrogen
by sulphurous acid; also I introduce steam into such chamber. The decom-
position of sulphuretted hydrogen is effected by such compound of nitrogen
with oxygen, and sulphur is liberated; deutoxide of nitrogen is thereby
produced, and this meeting with oxygen in the atmospherical air introduced,
is again converted into a compound of nitrogen capable of decomposing
sulphuretted hydrogen. These decompositions and recompositions of the
compound of nitrogen with oxygen by the alternate action of sulphuretted
hydrogen and atmospherical air are repeated many times as the gases pass
through the apparatus employed, producing sulphur, which 1 cause to be
washed out of the apparatus by the introduction of water, or of the liquid
proceeding from such apparatus.
I have herein-before particularly described and ascertained the means by
which I perforin my said Invention of "Improvements in the Utilization of
Alkali Waste," but I do not confine myself in performing the same to the
precise details herein-before described, as these may be varied to some extent,
without deviating from the nature of my said Invention. I claim, as my
Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent,-
Firstly, the use of carbonic acid produced by the decomposition of sulphate
of soda or sulphate of potash by means of carbon at a red heat, for the
decomposition of alkali waste, and consequent production of sulphuretted
hydrogen from such waste.
Secondly, the use of carbonate of lime obtained by the decomposition of
alkali waste by means of carbonic acid for the production of carbonic acid
therefrom, also for the production of lime or compounds of lime capable of
being applied to useful purposes.
Thirdly, the obtainment of carbonic acid of such quality as to be suitable to
be used for the manufacture of bicarbonate of soda, and for other useful
purposes by the action of muriatic acid, or of acid liquors produced during
the manufacture of chlorine on alkali waste.
Fourthly, the obtainment of sulphur from sulphuretted hydrogen gas
(evolved from alkali waste) by the action of sulphurous acid thereon at tem-
peratures below boiling heat, such action being facilitated by means of an
apparatus which provides for mixing the gases by causing these to be alter-
nately collected together and spread about during their transit through such
apparatus.

page_text: Fifthly, the obtainment of sulphur from sulphuretted hydrogen gas (evolved
from alkali waste) by the action of gaseous compounds of nitrogen with
oxygen thereon.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Gossage, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of August, in the year of our Lord
1859.
WILL. (L.S.) GOSSAGE.