US2273929A - Recovery retort for mercury and the like - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 24, 1942. w. BROTHERTQN 2,273,929

RECOVERY RETORT FOR MERCURY AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 12, 1941 II III III INVENTOR z%e/jioiz 7/ was:

Patented Feb. 24, 1942 asoovrmr RETORT FOR MERCURY AND THE LIKE l William Brotherton, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Elizabeth M. Price, Chicago, 111.

Application February 12, 1941;, Serial No. 378,560

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in distillation apparatus for the recovery of mercury or similar products from their natural ores, and has for its principal object to provide a simple and improved form of distillation apparatus for the purpose mentioned, operating on a novel principle whereby practically all the mercury or the like can be extracted from the ore and whereby the escape of unhealthful, noxious vapors from the apparatus will be eliminated.

The conventional form of apparatus most widely used for many years in the recovery of mercury from cinnabar consists of a retort contained in a heated furnace or oven, having one or more discharge tubes extending laterally from the retort and thence through the furnace wall. The retort is charged with cinnabar and when heat is applied thereto the mercury is driven from the ore in the form of mercury vapor. The

vapor passes through th tubes to the exterior of the furnace where it is condensed by cooling and finally drawn off in liquid form.

With the conventional form of apparatus above described, up to 40% of the ore has heretofore been considered unrecoverable and remains in the charge of ore, or is deposited in the retort or along the walls of the discharge tube.

I have found that this inefficiency of the present apparatus is largely due to the fact that the mercury vapor is allowed to become partially chilled before it reaches a point where it will flow by gravity away from the retort. As a result, the chilled or partially condensed vapor tends to produce reverse eddy currents in the discharge tubes,

which prevent the free flow of vapor to the proper condensation areas, and sets up a continuous cycle of redepositing some of the mercury in the retort and ore charge.

Moreover, with the conventional form of apparatus above referred to, poisonous or noxious fumes and vapors often escape, seriously endangering the health of those who work in the vicinity.

With my improved form of apparatus, I find it possible to recover a much greater percentage of mercury from a given charge of ore, and also to eliminate the dangers of escaping fumes and vapors.

The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein the single figure shows a fragmentary view, in perspective, of a distillation apparatus constructed in accordance therewith.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawing, a retort I is enclosed and suitdisposed on a horizontal axis within the oven so as to be readily charged and discharged with ore from one end or the other in any well known manner. When in use, the ends of the retort are sealed gas tight by any suitable closure means, herein consisting of end plates [3, l3 each having a locking bar l4 detachably secured in lugs I5, l5 at opposite sides of the retort.

As shown in the drawing, the retort is preferably disposed wholly within the furnace ll so as to be subjected to heat on all sides. The retort can be reached through end doors I I of the furnace for charging or discharging the ore.

Leading from the top of the retort II] are one or more vapor discharge tubes l6 for carrying off the mercury vapors from the ore, said tubes project upwardly and then arch laterally, with the highest point or arched portion ll of each tube disposed within the upper portion of the furnace. The tubes then are inclined downwardly from the highest point before they pass through the side wall of the furnace. The outer end portion I8 of said tubes is connected to a condenser, indicated generally at l9, herein consisting of a water jacketed manifold extending along th side of the furnace. The condensed mercury cools in liquid form in the manifold and may be drawn off through the tap 20 at one end thereof. The water jacket surrounding the manifold has inlet and outlet water pipes 2| and 22 connected thereto.

The operation of the apparatus above described ls as follows: A charge of ore is placed in the retort Ill, and the latter is closed and sealed gas tight. Heat is then applied within the furnace so as to free the mercury from the ore in the form of mercury vapor. The vapor passes up the tubes I6, l6 and is maintained at fully vaporizing temperature within the furnace until after it has passed over the highest or arched portion ll of the tubes. Thereafter, the vapor passes out of the furnace through the downwardly inclined end portions l8 wherein it is subject to air cooling. A portion of the vapor is condensed in said end portions and the remainder is condensed in the water jacketed manifold I9. The mercury in condensed liquid form is drawn off through the tap 20.

Obviously the number and arrangement of discharge tubes It may be varied, depending upon the size and shape of the retort l0 and the furnace II. For instance, some of the tubes may be arched toward the opposite side of the furnace and led into a, similar condenser disposed along the other side of the apparatus.

From the above description it will now be understood that the mercury vapor is not condensed until after it has passed over the highest point of the tubes [6. In other words, all condensation takes place either in the downwardly inclined end portion l8 of said tubes, where the liquid mercury will flow into the manifold, or in the manifold itself. I find that due to this novel arrangement, substantially all the free mercury can be recovered from a given charge of cinnabar.

Alhough I have shown one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction til shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

In an apparatus for distilling mercury or the like, a retort, heating means for said retort, a

vapor discharge duct leading from the top of said retort, a portion of said duct being arched upwardly and thence downwardly in an unrestricted path within the vaporizing influence of said heating means, and the remaining portion of said duct being inclined continuously downwardly beyond the vaporizing influence of said heating means, whereby all products of condensation in the portion of said duct beyond the arched portion thereof willdrain away from said retort.

WILLIAM BROTHERTON.

Images