GB190607478A - Improvements in and connected with Dissolving Plant for the Recovery of Sodium Nitrate from Caliche. - Google Patents

Abstract

7478. Fairweather, W. C., [Beaver, J. R., and Nordenflycht, R. de]. March 28. Extracts, decoctions, and infusions.-Relates to apparatus for the extraction of sodium nitrate from caliche, and consists in an arrangement of a battery of dissolving-tanks and also in a construction of dissolving-tank. Fig. 1 shows the arrangement for the circulation of air and liquids. The pipe A is connected to a vacuum-pump and by means of the valves V and pipes d air can be drawn through any of the tanks to agitate its contents; a condenser k is inserted as shown to prevent liquid passing over to the pump. By means of this pump and the valves g in the pipe f, liquid is transferred from one tank to another or is run into the settling-tank x or " relave " tank y ; " agua virgen " is supplied from the tank x<1> by the pipe B and " agua madre" from the tank y' by the pipe C. Fig. 2 shows the arrangement for heating the materials ; steam from the boiler k<1> passes by the pipe l and valve b to the heating-coil s of, say, the first tank, returning to the boiler through the valve e and pipe o ; condensed water is drawn off by the valve d<1> and pipe p, which also serves to supply steam to the settling-tanks, " relave " tanks, &c. When the contents of this tank boil, the steam therefrom escapes through the valves a, c to the heating-coil s of, say, the second tank ; in this way, any tank may be heated by secondary steam from a tank preceding it as well as directly from the boiler. The dissolving-tanks are conical-ended cylinders as shown in Fig. 3, and are fitted with perforated false bottoms J, Fig. 6 ; the false bottom consists of two semicircular disks which are kept in an horizontal position by screws fitted in the stuffing-boxes H, but can rotate about a diameter of the circle when these supports are removed ; the tank is closed top and bottom by air-tight doors E, F ; the pipe G which conveys solution enters beneath the false bottom. The airsupply pipe is formed with branches M as shown in Fig. 3, and is provided with a valve at its upper end ; steam is supplied by the pipe A' to the coil inside the cylinder, and secondary steam is supplied from the pipe 0. The pipes P, Q, R supply the various liquids ; the pipe N for exit of air is connected to the pipe A, Fig. 1, and the opening Z allows of the withdrawal of solution for testing the density ; glass-covered sight-holes are also provided. The outlet of the steam-coil from the cylinder is divided into two branches, each fitted with a valve Q<1> opening outwards only.