US46619A - Improved process for desulphurizing and disintegrating ores - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JAMES C; AYER, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVED PROCESS FOR DESULPHURIZING AND DISINTEGRATING ORES.

Specification forming part vof Letters Patent No. 46,619, dated March 7, 1865; antedated January 24, 1865. I

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES C. AYER, of

Lowell, in the county of Middleseix and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Process for Desul'phurizing, Oxidiziug,a'nd Disintegrating-Metalliferous Ores; and

precious metal preparatory to the ainalgamati ng process, but is applicable to'otherores than those which are auriferous or argentifrous; and the object of my invention is the speedy andefl'ectual desulphurization, oxidation, and disintegration of the rcckor ore by aprocess which, while itis speedy and effectual, isatthe same'time cheap and simple toperform. I I I I' will describe my process as applicable to the gold and silver ores, -whichprocessmay'be obseri'ed in the treatment of other ores for the purpose of their desulphurization, oxidation, and disintegration.

I take masses of quartz-rock which contain precious metal, in the condition such masses come from the miue,and place them in a furnape, where they are subjected .to a. high degree of heat,-,less than suifioient to smelt the ore. When so heated the rock is subjected to a. bath of alkaline lye. appliances so arranged as to cause the rock or one to be submerged in such bath; or the lye may be applied in the form of a stream or spray-jets upon the ore .while in the furnace, or to masses of the ore after being taken from he furnace, but while in a highly-heated state. This treatment disintegrates the ore and more orless oxidizes the basermetals in it. It is reheated, during which the heat so acts upon the ore thus impregnated with the alkaline lye This may 'be done by,

as to rapidly effect its further oxidization, and disintegration,- and desulphurization. The mass of rock or ore thus a second time heated}; it not found to be suificiently disintegrated on reduced to a soft state, in which itmuy be easily pulverized, is again subjected to a bath; of the alkaline lye, as before, and again heated.

This operation may be repeated or continued a greater or less number of times, according to the refractory qualities of the ore, until the desired disintegration, desulphurization, and

oxidation are attained. When the rock is of a friable nature the bath may be applied by a stream of thelye or jets upon the ore while in the furnace. If, however, the ore is of a re- .fractory nature, the bath should be applied by 'theisuhmersion ofgthe ore.

' 1. The application of treating rock or ores while in the heated state with an alkaline solution, substantially as described, for the purpose of partial disintegration, desulphurization, and oxidation of the same.

- 2. The application of retreating ores which have been heated substantially as above described, and the same repeated for the com-- plete disintegration, desulphurization, and oxidation, of the same.

JAMES C. AYER.

Witnesses:

A. H. TAYLOR, BENJ'. WALKER;