US1368362A - Machine for electrocyanid chlorination process - Google Patents

Description

4R. T. slLL. M ACHINE FOR ELECTROCYANID CHLORINATION PROCESS.' APPLICATION FILED APR. I6, 1919. 1,368,362, Patented Feb. 15, IILQZL "1l/.ill 1 v a. ...Ww/1| v PATENT OFFICE.

RUSH T. SILL, OF LOS ANGELES, CALFORNIA.

MACHINE FOR ELECTROCYANXD GELORTATION PROCESS.

Application filed April 16,

To all whom t may concern Be it known that l, RUSH T. Sinn, a' citieen of the United States, residing at Los angeles, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new and useful lmprovements in Machines for Electrocyanid Chlorination lrocesses, of which the tollowing is a specification.

rthis invention relates generally to that class of ore treating machinery in which` a pulp or pulverized value carrying material is submitted to the action of a cyanid solution or' other dissolving agent in the presence of an electrical current. Such processes may be carried out in a variety of manners; and l have developed a particular method or process for carrying out such an electrocyanid process in the presence of chlorin liberatcd by the electrical action from sodium chlorid put into the pulp. The present invention has for its general object the prevision of mechanism for the efficient carrying on of such processes. This machine is particularly effective in carrying on my electrocyanid chlorination process, but it will be readily understood that the machine invention is not limited specifically to the chlorination process but may be applied to such a. solvent process as is herein broadly referred to.

Due to several advantageous features and accomplishments of my improved machine, obtain results which are far superior to those obtained by other machines of which l am aware. Among the advantageous features which l may preliminarily mention before going to a detailed description of my machine are the following:

(1) The constant and steady circulation of liquid pulp between spaced electrodes, in such a manner as to keep the positive elecA trode always clean and in such a manner as to expose every particle of the pulp to the inter-electrode action;

(2) Iteration ofthe pulp by means of an air-litt device which is a preferred method of causing pulp circulation. ln connection with these major features of the machine, there are many other features, some of them more or less specific, which will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred form of machine embodying my invention; reference for this purpose being;v had to the accompanying drawings, in which# Figure 1 is a. vertical central section of Speoca'tion of Letters Patent.

Fatented Feb. 15, 1921.

191i). Serial No. 299,375.

my improved machine; Fig, 2 is a bottom plan of the rotating electrode7 said view being taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1; Fig'. 3 is an enlarged detail section taken as indicated by line on Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a detail section taken as indicated by line elllon Fig. 1; Fig. is an enlarged detail icction talren on line 5-5 of Fig. 1; and 6 is an enlarged detail section taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 1.

ln the drawings l show a circular tank preferably of wood with sides 10 and bottom 11. @n the bottom 11 l place a metallic cathode plate 12 and immediately above this cathode plate there is an anode plate 13 preferably made of plate iron or other suitable metal and constructed in several sector-sections with flanges lil turned up at their edges. 'lhese sector-sections are secured together by bolting their flanges together; and the whole anode plate is secured to the lower end of a hollow column 15 by the expedient of bolting the lianges 11i on opposite sides of flanges 1G, which project from the lower end of the hollow column. This hollow column 15 forms the upward central passage for the liquid pulpsfrom the inter-cleo trede space; and it also conveniently forms the driving means whereby the upper electrode is rotated. 1t will be understood however, that, so far as the 'function of the column as a vertical passage is concerned, it is not necessary for it to rotate. This hollow column may be formed in any desired manner, as by casting it as an integral piece;

Aand its lower end may be flared as indicated at 1'? for the easy and smooth passage of the "liquid pulp upwardly into it. Near its upper end this hollow column has a plurality of discharge openings 18, shown here as three in number. To strengthen the column at the openings, l provide flanges 19 between the openings, which extend downwardl from a circular flange 19 above the openings and connect below with a circular sloping apron 20 which directs the discharge outwardly instead of allowing it to .fall directly downwardly. it the discharge Opeliings 18 there is an inverted conical deflector 21 adapted to deiiect the upwardly iiowing stream of pulp outwardly to the outlets; and the flange 19a may assist in or continue such defiecting action.

Column 15 is suspended on a shaft 25 which may also be hollow, this shaft running in bearing 26 and being suspended by an end thrust bearing 2'?. The shaft is driven by a gear 28 driven in turn by gear 29 from a pulley 30, or any other suitable driving means. Bearings 26 and 27 are suspended on a suitable frame work 31 in a central position over the top'of the tank. The frame work rests upon the edges of the tank, and there it has adjusting screws' 32 by means of which the frame may be adjusted vertically in position, thereby adjusting the vertical position oi' the electrode 13 with reference to the lowerl stationary electrode 12. By this means the space between the electrodes may be accurately adjusted tosuit any particular circumstances and the rotating plate may thus be also accurately leveled with reference to the stationary plate.

In order to properly suspend the rotating plate on the hollow column and to keep it in true alinement, l provide brace rods 55 which extend out to the flange ont the plate. These brace rods may have turn-buckles 36 so'that they may be accurately 'adjusted to accurately aline the plate so that it will truly rotate in the proper plane. l may ro vide a suitable number of paddles 37 mounted at their inner ends on the column 15 and supported at their outer ends on the brace rods 35, these paddles serving to keep the liquid pulpin .constant circulation above the rotating plate so as to cause an outward movement of the liquid pulp toward the ou er edge ol the rotating plate. The outer edge of the rotating plate is fairly close to the tank wall, allowing suiiicient space around its entire periphery for the passage of the liquid pulp around and under the edge of the plate to enter the inter-electrode space.

On the bottom ol' electrode 13 l provide a suitable number of members Il() in the form of pump runners which are designed for the purpose of causing inward moveh ment of the pulp toward the central column. rlhese members 40 are made of insulating material (l make them of wood) and are secured to plate 13 by bolts 40a vhose heads 41.0b are sunk into the wood and arecovered by a tightly fitted wooden plug 40C. ln a machine of substantial size the rotating elec* trode rotates fairly slowly so as to not lagitate the pulp. It is an object to keep the pulp flowing evenly and constantly without over agitating it, or without any substantial agitation at all. Pump runners 40 are designed to suit the speed of rotation and to give a smooth even inward flow o'll the pulp in the inter-electrode spa-ce. These pump runners of course aid in lifting the liquid through the central column; and they may be so designed as to do allot the lifting work. It the speed of rotation be somewhat increased. the runners can be designed to do more or all of the lifting work. Thus, in a machine of 2O foot diameter, or so, at 3--5 revolutions per minute,` the runners do a substantial part of the lifting. lf the speed be increased to, say, 15 revolutions per minute, the runner-scan be so designed as to do all the lifting work, at Vthe same time handling the pulp smoothly and without agitation. vllowevr-ir, l prefer to design these pump runners so that they will only assist in the lifting work and will, by the nature of their action, keep the pulp flowing smoothly and evenly in all parts of the inter-electrode space, while the-major part of the iii-ting work is done by the airliit which also aerates the pulp. lt will be readily seen that the pump runners not only positively help the lift but also perform a i'unction of regulation to regulate and make smooth and even the iiow of pulp through the inter-electrode space; keeping the pulp flou equally in all parts of the inter-electrode spaces, so as lto subject equally all parte oi the thin flowing stream tothe electric action.

New, although l may use any desired form of lifting' means for vthe liquid pulp in the column, l prefer to use an airlift means because that means aerates the pulp at the same time that it lifts it.l For this purpose l provide a conical air nozzle 50 having in its upper part air openings 51 adapted to deliver air in line streams into the liquid pulp.

These openings are so'directed that their jets of air tend to overcome or neutralize the rotary motion et the pulp in the column, thus overcoming any tendency of the solid particles to be thrown lto the outside of the column and more or less cling` to its wall. The conical shape of the nozzle allows room for the expansion of the mixed fluids as the air is fed into the pulp. The nature of an airlii't being well understood, it is not necessary here to explain it in detail. l utilize air pressure or live pounds per square inch or so, delivered through the air pipe 52 under control of valve 53. Pipe 54, which is controlled by valve 55, is a pipe for draining or for introducing cleaning water or other iluid to the nozzle to clean the appa" ratus. The air nozzle is insulated, asat 56, from the surrounding` cathode plate, and is also insulated from the anode plate by being spaced therefrom, so that there is no tendency :'or the current to short-circuit through the air nozzle.

The tank may have one or more valve controlled outlets at 60 which may discharge into a suitable trough as illustrated at 61; The process may be carried on continuously by continuous operation oi the machine and continuous introduction and withdrawal of pulp; crit may be operated on the batch rinciple by introducing a batchof pulp and treating it to deposit the valves on the deposit plate 12 and then withdrawing the spent pulp and introducing a new charge.

Such methods of operation are readily understood in the art and need no specific description.

The cathode deposit plate l2 is preferably an amalgamated copper plate. llllectrical connections are made to this cathode plate by any suitable electrical connector and to the anode plate by an electrical connection which may be made, as diagrammatically illustrated at 62, to the upper end ot the hollow column or shaft 25. L direct current of comparatively low voltage and ot low amperage per square loot ot surface, is used. ln a machine oi say 2O it. diameter, the circulation of liquid pulp may be at any eiiicient rate; and without limiting ourselves to any particular rate oi iiow, we may state that, about 1500 gals. per minute more, or less, has given effective results. This circulation is fast enough to keep the solid particles in suspension; and furthermore any tendency of the solid particles to settle is caused by the action ci detlector 2O and paddles 37 to be at the outer edge of the rotating plate rather than at its inner part; and the settlement, if any, being at the outer edge, these particles are of course drawn directly into the stream which is constantly passing around and under the edge of the anode plate. This whole circulation oi liquid passes through the relatively thin space between the two plates, in a smooth evenly iiowing stream. lIhus there is Va relatively thin sheet oi liquid pulp being constantly subjected to the electrical action, and to the chemical reactions induced by the electrical action on. the solvent and on the other substances which may be intro duced. The action of the pump runners in keeping the liquid moving at all times, also olf course keeps the solid mattei' moving and keeps it in suspension and therefore keeps the deposit plate l2 clean at all times. The valves deposited on the cathode deposit plate may beperiodically cleaned olf; the upper structure 3l and the rotating parts being liitedout of the tank `for this purpose.

rlhis apparatus has proved to be exceptionally efficient in clectro-cyanid work and particularly in carrying on the process oi elcctro-cyanid chlorination; being highly effective both on clean ore and on ores containing organic impurities. The cyanid or other dissolving agent may be added tothe pulp liquid either before or after placement in the tank; as may also the salt which is introduced for conductivity and to give the chlorination action. The dissolution and deposit of precious metals takes place in this machine in a time period of one-eighth to onc-twentieth of that required for the ordinary cyanid process; with complete or very nearly complete precipitation of precious metals from the solution, which may then be regenerated to be used again.. Furthermore, a smaller quantity ci cyanid is used in this machine than in other machines or processes.

ik very marked advantage in my machine is in this: that its capacity can be very easily increased by simply increasing the depth ot pulp, increasing the depth of the tank if necessary. This 4can be done becai se the method oi operation can be carried on eiiiciently regardless oi' the depth of pulp. My machine is not limited at all to a shallow body of pulp. Another distinctive Vfeature, and one which is i'urther emphasized by the possibility ci operation oi a great depth of pulp, is this: that l move the large mass ci pulp-all that above the upper plate-with rather than against centrifugal actiong only the smaller part in the thin space between the plates being moved inwardly.

llVhile l have proceeded to a description which is full in particular' and detail, l have done so tor the purpose of rendering my invention clearly and fully intelligible to those skilled in the art and not for the purpose of limiting my invention to the particular and specific things herein set forth; believing my invention to be broad in its nature andV scope and not limited except as is herein after specifically set forth in the following claims, which claims are to beread and in terpreted broadly as applying to the inven tion herein typified, as well as specifically as applying to the particular things herein set forth.

llavingdescribed a preferred iorm ot my invention, l claim:

l. ln combination, a, tank, an electrode plate in the tank, another electrode :plate in the tank spaced above the iirst mentioncf plate, a hollow column leading upward 'from the central part ci the inter-electrode space and discharging above the upper electrode, and means 'for raising liquid pulp through the column.

2. ln combination, a tank, an electrode plate in the tank, another electrode plate spaced a relatively small distance from the iirst mentioned plate; the capacity ot the tank relatively to the capacity oit the interelectrode space being comparatively A i.; and means to cause rotation and outuard centrifugally assisted iiow ci the liquid in the tank exterior ot the inter-electrode space, and to cause inward iiow ci liquid in said inter-electrode space.

3. In combination, a tank, an electrode plate in the tank, another electrode plate spaced a relatively small distance from the first mentioned plate; the capacity ot the tank relatively to the capacity ci the interelcctrode space being comparatively large", and means to cause rotationand outward centrifugally assisted flow ot the liquidin the tank exterior ot the inter-cl trede ice tank.

V4. In combination, a tank, an electrode plate inthe tank, another electrode plate in the'tankv spaced above the first mentioned' plate, a hollow column leading upwardly from the central part of the inter-electrode space and discharging above the upper electrode, and means for raising liquid pulp through the column, the upper plate extending out toward the wall ot the tank and being imperforate so that the liquid pulp must travel outwardly over the upper plate and around its edge in order to reach the space between the plates.

5. In combination, aV tank, an electrode plate in the tank, Vanother electrode plate in the tank spaced above the first mentioned plate, a `hollow column leading upwardly from. the central part of the inter-electrode space and discharging centrally above the upper electrode, means for raising liquid pulp through the column to be discharged into the tankat its upper end, and means forL directing the discharge from the lcolumn outwardly so as to cause anfoutward movement ofliquid pulp over the upper plate toward itsedge.

' 6. In combination, a tank, an electrode plate in the tank, another electrode plate in the tank spaced above the first mentioned plate, a hollow column leading upwardly from the central part of the inter-electrode space and discharging centrally above the upper electrode, means for raising liquid pulp through the column to be discharged into the tank at its upper end, and means for causing outward movement of the liquid pulp above the upper plate.

7. In combination, a tank, a lower electrode plate therein, an upper electrode plate spaced above the lower plate and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a hollow column leading upwardly from the interelectrode space and discharging above the upper electrode, means for raising` liquid pulp through the hollow column, and means on the under side ofthe rotating plate acting to move the liquid pulp inwardly toi ward the center in the inter-electrode space.

8. In combination, a tank, a lower elec trode plate therein, an upper electrode plate spaced above the lower plate and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a hollow column leading upwardly from the interelectrode space, and means to create an inward flow of liquid pulp in the inter-electrode space and to raise the liquid pulp through the hollow column.

`9. In combination, a tank, a lowerfelectrode plate therein, van upper electrodeplate spaced above `the lower plate and rotatable anode supported atfa suitable distance from Y the deposit plate, a hollow central column, and means fon -moving a liquid pulp through the hollow central column.

l1. In combination, a tank, a cathode deposit plate at the bottom of the tank, a rotating metallic anode supported at a suitable distance above the deposit plate, a hollow central column, and means :tor moving a liquid pulp upwardly through the hollow central column. p

12. In combination, a tank, a cathode deposit plate at the bottom of the tank, a rotating metallic anode supported at a suitable distance above the deposit plate, a hollow central column, means Vfor moving a liquid pulp upwardly through the hollow central column, and a series of non-conducting fluid controlling means mounted on the under side of the rotating anode to regulate the movement of the liquid pulp inwardly under 'the anode to the hollow central column.

13. In combination, a tank, a cathode deposit plate at the bottom of the tank, a rotating metallic anode supported at a suitable distance above the deposit plate, a hollow central column, and means for moving a liquid pulp upwardly through the hollow central column, said last mentioned means comprising means for forcing a fluid under pressure into the hollow central column to produce an upward circulation of the fluid pulp, the hollow central column having an outlet at its top through which the iiuid discharges into the tank, thus creating a circulation of the liquid pulp which moves outward and downward to the outer edge of the rotating anode, and then moves inwardly under the rotating anode and over the cathode deposit plate, and then moves upward through the hollow central column in a closed circuit of circulation.

14;. In combination, a tank, a cathode deposit plate at the bottom of the tank, a rotating anode plate supported above the deposit plate and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a hollow central column communicating below withV the inter-electrode space and discharging above the upper rotating electrode, air vliift means for raising liquid pulp in the column, means for causing movement of liquid pulpabove the upper electrode outwardly toward the peripher of vthe upper electrode, said electrode eing limperforate'so that the liquid pulp must llow to its edge in order to enter the inter-electrode space, and means on the under side of the rotating electrode to move the liquid pulp inwardly toward the column.

l5. ln combination, a tank, a cathode deposit plate at the bottom ci' the tank, a rotating anode plate supported above the deposit plate and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a hollow central column communicating below with the inter-elec trode space and discharging above the upper rotating electrode, air litt means for raising liquid pulp in the column, means above the rotating electrode and rotating therewith and adapted to throw the liquid pulp outwardly toward the periphery of the upper rotating electrode, said electrode being importer-ate so that the liquid pulp must flow to its edge in order to enter the inter-electrode space, and pumping means on the under side ot said electrode to cause inward movement oit the liquid pulp toward the central column.

16. ln combination, a tank, cathode deposit plate at the bottom oli the tank, a rotating anode plate supported above the deposit plate and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a hollow central column communieating below with the inter-electrode space and discharging above the upper rotating electrode, air lift means for raising liquid pulp in the column, means above the rotating electrode and rotating therewith and adapted to throw the liquid pulp outwardly toward the periphery of the upper rotating electrode, said electrode being imperforate so that the liquid pulp must flow to its edge in order to enter the interelectrode space, and pump runners of a nonconducting material mounted on and projecting below the lower suriace oit the rotan ing electrode and adapted by rotation to move the liquid pulp inwardly toward the central column.

17. In combination, a tank, an electric deposit plate at the bottom oi' the tank, a rotating electrode plate supported at a suitable distance above the deposit plate, a hol low ycentral column, and means tor moving a liquid pulp upwardly through the hollow central column, the hollow column hai/'ing discharge openings at its upper end, and a circular deflector around the hollow column immediately below the openings to direct the liquid outwardly.

18. ln combination, a tank, an electrode deposit plate at the bottom oit the tank, a rotating` electrode plate supported at a suitable distance above the deposit plate, a hollow central column, and means for moving a liquid pulp upwardly through the hollow central column, the hollow column having discharge openings at its upper end, and defiector means inside and outside the hollow column at the discharge openings to deflect the upward stream of liquid and direct it outwardly horizontally into the tank to cause outward movement of the liquid pulp above the upper rotatingelectrode.

19. ln combination, a suitable tank, a cathode deposit plate on the bottom `of the tank,- a rotating element in the tank above the cathode deposit plate, said rotating element embodying a horizontal anode plate with its edges close to the side of the tank and allowing a passage-way around the edges of the anode plate and between the anode plate and the cathodey plate, and a central hollow column carrying the anode plate and open at its lower end to the lspace under the anode plate and having discharge openings at its upper end; and means to cause upward movement of a liquid pulp in the hollow column.

20. ln combination, a suitable tank, a cathode deposit plate on the bottom of the tank, a rotating element in the tank above the cathode deposit plate, said rotating element embodying a horizontal anode plate with its edges close to the sides of the tank and allowing a passageway around the edges of the anode plate and between the anode plate and the cathode plate, a central hollow column carrying the anode plate and open at its lower end to the space under the anode plate and having discharge openings at its upper end; and means to cause upward movement of a liquid pulp in the hollow column; said rotating element being suspended from and rotatable in an over head bearing adjustably supported on the tank.

2l. ln combination with a tank, an elec trede on its bottom, a rotating electrode above, and means for adjust-ably and rotat ably carrying' said rotating electrode embodying a shaft member on which the electrode is suspended, an upper bearing for the sha-itt, and a trame carrying the bearing and spanning the top of the tank and adjustably mounted with reference to the tank so that the position of the suspended electrode may be adjusted.

Q2. ln combination, a tank, an electrode deposit plate' at the bottom of the tank, a rotating electrode plate supported at a suitable distance above the deposit plate, a hollow central column, and means for moving a liquid pulp upwardly through the hollow central column, said means embodying means 'for counteracting within the column the rotation and centrifugal action oi the pulp due to rotation of the anode.

23. ln combination, a tank, an electrode deposit plate at the bottom of the tank, a rotating electrode plate supported at a suitable distance above the deposit plate, a hollow central column, andineans for moving a liquid pulp upwardly through the hollow central column, said means embodying air jets directing air into the pulp in the col- .i umn in directions opposite to the rotation of the anode.

24. In combination, la tank, an electrode deposit plate at the bottom of the tank, aV

rotating electrode plate supported at a suitable distance above the deposit plate, ahollow central column, and means for moving a liquid pulp upwardly through the hollow central column, said means embodying an upwardly tapering air nozzle in the column.

25. In combination, a tank, a plate in the tankl spaced above the bottom of the tank,

a hollow column leading upwardly froml said means including means to aerate the liquid.

between the space below'the plate, and the spacerabove the plate, and lmeans on the plate and adapted by virtue of its rotation to cause inward movement of liquid beneath the plate toward its center.

28. In combination, a tank, a rotatable plate in the tank spaced above the bottom of the tank, there being an opening at the center of the plate forming communications between the space below the plate and the space above the plate, and means on the plate and adapted by virtue of its rotation to cause inward movement of liquid beneath the plate toward its center, said means embodying curved runners adapted to cause inward low of the fluid.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 8th day of April, 1919.

RUSH T. SILL.

Witness VIRGINIA BERINGER.

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