IMPROVEMENTS IN AND PERTAINING TO THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL TUBES, CYLINDERS, RINGS, PANS, BOILERS, CONTAINERS, RECEPTACLES AND SO FORTH
Year: 1885

page_text: I FRANK (FRANCIS EDWARD) ELMORE, of 359 Clapham Road in the County of
Surrey, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the uature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND PERTAINING TO THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL TUBES,
CYLINDERS, RINGS, PANS, BOILERS, CONTAINERS, RECEPTACLES AND SO FORTH, to be
as follows:
This invention has for its object certain means for the reduction of the cost of
and otherwise for improving the process for the manufacture of tubes cylinders,
rings, pans, boilers, containers receptacles and such like finished articles directly by
the electrolytic process as specified and referred to under the specifications of
certain applications for Letters Patent made by me viz N° 1737 dated February 7th
1885; for "Improvements in the manufacture of metal tubes cylinders rings and
bars";-N° 4499 dated April 11th 1885 for "Improvements in the manufacture of
metal tubes and cylinders"; N° 8707 dated July 18th 1885 for "Improvements in
the manufacture of metal tubes and cylinders" and No 10451 dated September 3rd
1885 for Improvements in the manufacture of metal pans, cylinders, boilers,
containers or receptacles."
The improvements comprised under this invention consist-Firstly-in an
electrolytic process for the separation or extraction of copper from its matte or
impure slab, or cast slabs of impure copper or from its ore in combination with the
aforesaid improvements for the manufacture of finished articles so that whilst
refining the copper there are being produced finished or semi-finished articles of
fine quality and which represent a commercial value over and above that of the so
refined copper
considered as refined metal, and Secondly these improvements have
reference to the tank and an arrangement of the electrodes whereby an equal
current density on the cathode is to be obtained and maintained throughout all the
tanks on any one circuit which will provide for a large number of tanks containing
solution and anodes and cathodes for producing tubes, cylinders pans or receptacles
or such like articles of different surfaces to be worked on the same circuit in
series, and which will provide for each cathode having the same current density
economically and thereby is meant without the use of wire or carbon shunts which
entail a wasteful consumption of energy.
This specification is intended to be read with and the invention is to be
employed in combination with any or all of the processes referred to in the before
mentioned Patents.
In carrying the invention into effect I proceed as follows:-
I have the copper or impure copper cast into convenient size and shape to serve
the purpose of anodes or positive electrodes of the depositing tank into which tank

page_text: the anode or anodes will be hung or otherwise arranged and connected to the
positive pole of the Dynamo or other source of electricity; the electrolyte in this
tank should be such that the impurities metallic or otherwise contained in the
anode are either practically insoluble or that they shall by secondary or other
action or reaction be prevented from electrically depositing on the cathode (for
instance as follows:-In a solution of sulphate of copper containing free or uncom-
bined sulphuric acid and a copper anode containing bismuth,-on passing a current
from this anode into the solution the copper of this anode is converted into copper
sulphate, the bismuth being principally left at the anode as sulphate of bismuth
which eventually falls to the bottom of the tank a small quantity only being
dissolved into solution which by a secondary action of the atmosphere on the
bismuth in solution is converted into a basic or oxy-salt of this metal) the copper
will deposit at the cathode and the impurities (foreign metals such as gold silver
lead or iron) will fall to the bottom of the tank as a mud or slime.
The core, mould, mandril or other object to receive the deposit is connected to
the negative (cathode) pole of the Dynamo electric machine, or where the tanks
are to be worked in series the core, mould, mandril, or other object to receive the
deposit is connected to the anode of the last tank and the aforesaid cathode is then
kept revolving or otherwise moving during the whole time that the current is
passing and during such revolution a burnishing implement or device will be kept
pressed against the surface being deposited on.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that the process of depositing or
forming the tube, cylinder, pan, receptacle, or other useful article in copper and
that the separation of the copper from its impurities is effected simultaneously and
at the same cost as would be incurred in carrying out either process separately, less
also the difference between the prime cost of ordinary commercial copper and the
cost at which the unrefined copper is procurable and where the foreign metal or
metals present in the anode is one of the superior metals the same may be
recovered as a valuable bye product.
Copper may also be washed out from its ore or impure matte as a sulphate,
chloride or other soluble salt of copper and this liquor be from time to time added
to the bath and be treated by this electrolytic process with practically insoluble
anodes or such anodes in combination with impure copper anodes, or such impure
anodes alone together with such solution.
In working a number of tanks in series the whole current is passed through each
tank on that circuit and suppose that in the first tank, a. core, mould, or mandril
(cathode) is being deposited upon which has a surface of one hundred square feet
and the next tank in series contains a cathode with only fifty square feet the
mandril with the smaller area will get double the number of amperes of current
per square foot than will the one having the larger area and so as to supply each
cathode with the same number of amperes per square foot of surface I proceed as.
follows: I supply a current of sufficient volume to obtain the necessary number of
amperes to the foot on the largest cathode there may be in the series, and sufficient
space is left between the anodes of the bath and the sides of the tank to hang in
thin sheets of copper or other suitable conductor of electricity and where the
current in the circuit is larger than is necessary for the cathode in any particular
tank I hang in a sufficient number of these sheets to take up, deposit thereon and
so make up for the difference of the surface between the smaller cathode and the
large one and I connect these additional sheets or shunting plates in shunt to the
smaller cathode.

page_text: Improvements in and Pertaining to the Manufacture of Metal
Tubes, Cylinders, Rings, Pans, Boilers, Containers, Receptacles,
and so forth.
I FRANK (FRANCIS EDWARD) ELMORE of 359 Clapham Road in the county of
Surrey, Electrical Engineer 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 has for its object certain means for the reduction of the cost of,
and otherwise for improving the process for, the manufacture of tubes, cylinders,
rings, pans, boilers containers, receptacles and such like finished articles directly
by the electrolytic process, as specified and referred to under the specifications
of certain applications for Letters Patent made by me vizt. N° 1737 dated
February 7th 1885 for "Improvements in the manufacture of metal tubes, cylinders
rings and bars"; No 4499 dated April 11th 1885, for Improvements in the
manufacture of metal tubes and cylinders; No. 8707 dated July 18th 1885 for
"Improvements in the manufacture of metal tubes and cylinders; and No. 10451,
dated September 3rd 1885 for "Improvements in the manufacture of metal pans,
boilers, containers or receptacles."
The improvements comprised under this invention consist :-
:-
Firstly In an electrolytic process for the separation or extraction of copper
from its matte or impure slab, or cast slabs of impure copper, or from its ore in
combination with the aforesaid improvements for the manufacture of finished
articles so that whilst refining the copper there are being produced articles in a
finished or semi finished state and of fine quality.
Secondly-These improvements have reference to the tank, and an arrangement
of the electrodes whereby a proper density of current in the cathode may be
obtained and proper currents provided according to the extent of surface or
surfaces of the articles intended to be produced.
This specification is intended to be read with, and the invention is to be.
employed in combination with any or all of the processes referred to in the
Specifications of the before mentioned Patents.
In carrying the invention into effect, I proceed as follows:-I have the copper
or impure copper cast into convenient size and shape to serve the purpose of
anodes or positive electrodes of the depositing tank or tanks in which the anode
or anodes will be hung or otherwise arranged, and connected to the positive pole
of the "Dynamo" electric machine or other source of electricity.
The electrolyte in the tank, or tank of the series, should be such that the
impurities metallic or otherwise contained in the anode are either practically
insoluble or that they shall by secondary or other action or reaction be prevented
from being electrically deposited at the cathode or cathodes; for instance as
follows: In a solution of sulphate of copper containing free or uncombined
sulphuric acid and a copper anode containing bismuth, antimony and tin, or other
foreign metals, on passing a current from the anode into and through the solution

page_text: the copper of the anode or anodes is converted into copper sulphate which is
dissolved. The bismuth antimony and tin are principally left at the anode as
sulphates and oxy-sulphates of bismuth antimony or tin and eventually fall to the
bottom of the tank, a amall quantity only being dissolved which by the action of
the atmosphere on the bismuth antimony or tin in solution, are converted into
basic or oxy-salts of these metals.
The copper
will be deposited at the cathode or cathodes, and the other foreign
metals which may be combined with the copper in the anode such as gold, silver,
lead and sulphur will fall to the bottom of the tank.
The core mould mandril or other object to receive the deposit is connected to
the negative (cathode) pole of the Dynamo electric machine, or other source of
electricity or where the tanks are to be worked in series the core mould mandril
or other object placed to receive the deposit in any one tank of the series is
connected to the anode rod of the next tank in the series.
The aforesaid cathode is then kept revolving or otherwise moving during the
whole time that the current is passing, and during such revolution or motion,
a burnishing implement or device will be kept pressed against the surface being
deposited upon of the article being treated or formed.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that the process of depositing or
forming the tube cylinder pan receptacle or other useful article in copper, and that
the separation of the copper from its impurities is effected simultaneously and at
practically the same cost as would be incurred in carrying out either process
separately Also the difference between the prime cost of ordinary commercial
copper and the cost of which the unrefined copper is procurable is in effect saved
and where the foreign metal or metals present in the anode are of sufficient value
the same may be recovered as a valuable bye product.
Copper may also be washed out from its ore or impure matter as a sulphate,
chloride or soluble salt of copper and the liquor be from time to time added to the
bath and be treated by the electrolytic process herein described with practically
insoluble anodes or such anodes may be used in combination with impure copper'
anodes or such anodes alone together with such solution.
When using the washings of ore or matte for the deposition of copper in the
manufacture of tubes or other useful articles it is necessary to keep the quantity
of copper and free acid per gallon of solution at all times during the operation as
nearly equable as possible. This may be done by causing the solution to circulate
slowly or rapidly from each electrolytic depositing tank separately over the mass
of ore from which the supply of copper is being obtained, and for the purpose of
reducing any excess of free acid which may be present, ores containing oxide of
copper or carbonate of copper are to be provided over which when necessary the
solution containing the excess of free acid is to be passed thereby neutralizing
the excess of free acid, so producing a soluble salt of copper; the solution con-
taining such soluble salt of copper is to be again returned to the depositing tanks
to be further electrolytically decomposed or treated.
In the application of this process to the washing of ore or matte I find the said
washing to contain, besides copper in soluble form and free acids, small quantities
of iron, bismuth, antimony and arsenic these impurities vary in quantity and kind
in accordance with the ore under treatment. When these impurities occur in
sufficient quantity so as to render their presence objectionable I use the following
means for rendering them insoluble or for reducing their quantity to an un-
objectionable amount. I introduce the solution containing such impurities into
and cause it to pass through a tube or cylinder of suitable dimensions fixed in a
vertical position and open at the top and provided at its lower extremity with
a rose jet perforated with a large number of small holes. Through these holes
air is drawn in along with the solution for the purpose of rendering such impurities
insoluble or less soluble and thereby suspending them in the solution, which
suspended matter is to be removed by a self acting vacuum filter or other well
known filtering device. This spraying or aerating device and apparatus may
be

page_text: used for forcing the solution into contact with air or air may be forced through
the solution for oxidizing the impurities and getting rid of the same. When iron
is present in the solution it will be got rid of in the same way.
In working a number of tanks in series the whole current is passed through
each tank of the circuit, let it be supposed that in the first tank of the series
a core, mould or mandril (cathode) is being treated by having metal deposited
thereon and that it has a surface of one hundred square feet, and that the
next tank in series contains a cathode having only fifty square feet the core
mould or mandril with the smaller area will get double the number of amperes
of current per square feet as compared with the one having the larger area; and,
in order to supply each cathode with the same number of amperes per square
foot of surface I proceed as follows:-I supply a current sufficient for the
necessary number of amperes to the foot on the largest core, mould or mandril
there may be in any one tank of the series and sufficient space is left between the
anodes and the sides of the tank to hang in sheets of copper or other suitable
conductors of electricity, and where the current in the circuit is larger than is
necessary for the core mould or mandril in any particular tank I hang in a sufficient
number of these sheets to receive the deposit and so make up for the difference
of the surface between the smaller core, mould or mandril and the larger one and
I connect these additional sheets which may be termed shunting plates so as to be
what is technically termed in shunt with the smaller core mould or mandril or
cathode.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
Firstly. The manufacture of articles by electro deposition of metal together with
the electrolytic separation or extraction of copper from its matte, ore, or impurities
or from other metals as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Secondly. In the manufacture of articles by electro deposition of metal, the use
of the tank connections and electrodes, arranged as described whereby equable
current density on the core mould or mandril or on cores moulds, or mandrils is
obtained, and maintained throught all the tanks connected with or in any one
circuit substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Thirdly. In the manufacture of articles by electro deposition of metal the use
of the tank connections and electrodes and shunting plates arranged as described
in combination with the core mould or mandril or cores moulds or mandrils so as
to work the same in series connected with or in the same circuit substantially
as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Fourthly. In the manufacture of articles by electro deposition of metals and in
the process of refining the metal of the anodes or refining the soluble salts of the
solution the employment of currents of air for oxidizing the foreign metals and so
causing their separation, as and for the purpose herein set forth.
WALTER A. BARLOW,
Agent for Frank Elmore.