GB191418007A - Process for Treating Metallic Sulphides or Sulphide Ores. - Google Patents

Abstract

18,007. Hooton, W. M. July 30. Hydrogen; sulphur.-Metallic sulphides and sulphide ores, especially iron pyrites, are treated with steam at 750-1,000‹ C., the products being porous oxides comparatively free from sulphur and a mixture of hydrogen, sulphur, sulphuretted hydrogen, and sulphur dioxide. The hydrogen is purified, the sulphur being separated during the purification. The pyrites is fed into a retort 1, into which steam is blown by a pipe 4. Sulphur condenses in the upper part of the retort and collects in a seal 5<a>, and the gaseous products pass through a hot chamber 6 containing bog iron ore or porous iron oxide obtained by the reaction, to induce reaction between sulphuretted hydrogen, and sulphur dioxide, then through a chamber 7 in which sulphur condenses in powder form, then through a cooler, 10 preferably containing cold bog iron ore to remove the last traces of sulphuretted hydrogen, and then through water in a vessel 11 to remove any sulphur dioxide. Water passes from a compartment 9 through a coil 8 and around the chamber 6, issuing as steam into the pipe 4. The steam may be superheated electrically. To reduce the quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen, the gases may be cooled quickly after leaving the retort. Specification 500/78 is referred to.