US95931A - Improved process for amalgamating gold ahb silves - Google Patents

Description

liliiteti godet LLMARIN B. PAUL, 0F SAN FRANCISCO, AND J. L. WOOD, Ol INDEPE- DENCE, CALIFORNIA.

Letters Paten-t N 95,931, (late-Z October 19. 186i).

IMPROVED PROCESS POR .AMALG-AMATING- GOLD .AND SILVER.

The' Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making pan'. of the same .Kn-ow all 'man by these presents That we, ALMAPJX B. PAUL, of the city and county of San Francisco, California, and J. L. Woon, of Independence, Inyo county, California, have made a new and useful invention for the Amalgamating of Gold and Silver, which is called The Paul and lVood Electric Amalgamating-Irocess; the following, taken together with the drawing, figures, and letters attached, heilig a full andexact description thereof.

The nature of our impuls-ement consists in amalgamating the ores of the precious metals, in a perfect-ly pulverized and dry condition. bv means of a simple and horizontal metallic barrel or cylinder, and the addition of' mercury.

To enable others skilled in the art to widerstand and use our invention, and the process of amalgamation therewith, we will proceed to describe the same.

A, figs. 1 and 2, is 'a horizontal hollow metallic cylinder, suspended or supported on its hollow axles, by

` means of suitable bearings in the chamber of the furnace.

By means of the hollow axles, communica-tion with the cylinder from the atmosphere is made.

On one of the axles is a pulley, for giving a rotary motion to the cylinder.

Below the cylinder is a space for a fire-hearth, or g ate, and at any suitable part of the furnace a chimney or place may be constructed for carrying off' the smoke or gas from any fire that may be made therein.

The cylinder is also pro\'ided"\\'ith a proper Opeliing, at any siiitable place, for the introduction of materials thereto, and for withdrawing the saine.

This opening is provided with a proper cover for closing it.

The inside of' the cylinder is left smooth, as it may he left, by casting, or by wrought-iron materials.

The process of amalgama-tion with the above-described apparatus is as follows, viz:

The lnetalliferous ore, finely pulverized, is placed in the cylinder A, in such a quant-ity as to occupy less depth than one-half of' its diameter. The opening is then closed. .lhe cylinder is then set in slow motion, and a gentle fire applied in the grate, or ou the hearth below it., for the purpose of' completely but slowly drying and Ventilating the pulverizcd orc, the moisture escaping therefrom through the hollow axles B B.

When the drying-process is finished, the fire is ailowed to go out, as it is no longer needed, the hollow axles stopped up, and the mercury in a large amounth greater than in ordinary processes, and according to the different natures ofthe ores to be treated, intro` duced int-o the cylinder, through the openings thereof', which is then closed.

The amalgamation now begins, and goes on by the slow revolution of the cylinder. and its contents. bv which the mercury is thoroughly incorporated with the ore, the slight heat induced therein by the previous drying-process being sufiicient to give a proper tenuity to the mercury, without raporiziug or volatilizing it, for its more perfect dissemination through the pulverized ore.

Figure 1, front view.

Figure 2, cylinder or barrel.

Figure 3, end View.

A, barrei.

l, axles.

C, opening.

l), tire-bed.

We do not claim the use of the hollow cylinder, for the purpose either of roasting, ,lesulphuriziug, Vaporizing, or volatilizing; neither do we. claim the hollow axles for the introduction and use of the vapors ol' mercury, for purposes of amalgamation but l. The combination of the simple horizontal rotatingr hollow or perforated-:tried cylinder A, with a furnace, for the purpose of drying and Ventilating materials to he amalgamated.

2. rlhe process of drying and Ventilating mctalliferons orcs, and amalgamating the same, substantially as set forth.

3. The amalgamating of' pulverized orcs in a dry condition, with mercury, in metallic or wooden barrels or cylinders, without the use of artificial heat.

ALMARXN .'l'. PAU L. J. l.. WOOD. fitnesses CALVIN BRowN, FRANK E. BROWN.

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