US920893A - Art of extracting aluminum and other metals. - Google Patents

Description

H. S. BLAGKMORB. ART OF EXTBAOTING ALUMINUM AND OTHER METALS.

4P-PLIQATIOI FILED JULY 31, 1907.

Patented May 4, 1909.

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, fusion and electrolytic action of non-metall I fuse the composition .hy'the action of'an alternating current and'dissociate or reduce a direct current, with or without the presence UNITED STATES PATENT op nion.

HENRY SPENCER BLACKMORE, or noUN'r vnauou, NEW YORK.

OF EZTRAGTINGALU'MINUM AND OTHER METALS.

naozases.

, Serial No.

To all whom it may concern: I

'Be it known. that I, Hnunn firnucnn BLAGKMORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Vernon, in the; county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements. in the Art of Extracting Aluminium or otherMetals, of which the following is a specification, being a division from Serial No. 172,960, filed September 12th, 1903.

The object of my invention is to reduce or extract metal from a com ound of the metal desired with one or more e ectro-negative elements, by the combined action of an electric current of selective heating nature, such as an alternating or non-metal-yielding current, and an electric current of electrolytic or metal-yielding nature, such as a direct, electrolyticor similar current, in such a manner that a larger yield of metal from the action of the metal-yielding current may be obtained, in shorter time, with less current, at less expense, and yielding a product of greater purity,. than with processes employed hitherto.

With this object in View the invention consists infusing or liquefying and maintaining fusion or liquefaction of substances containing the metaldesired, by ex osing the same to .the action of a current of e ectricity of non metalyielding nature such as an alternating current, and, while in a fused or liquefied state, liberating the metal desired by exposing the fused metal-containing substance to the action of a metal-yielding current'such as of an augmenting reducing agent capable of uniting with the electro-negative elements liberated during action. I

This process relates specifically to the reduction of aluminium from-a mixture or compound consisting of aluminium combined with fluorin and oxygen by the combined yielding and metal-yieldingelectric currents, such as alternatingand direct currents, elm ploying carbon anodes, but it is not limited thereto, as it may be applied tothe' reduction of many other metals without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

In extracting the aluminium or othermetal in accordance with my process as aforestated v Specification of Letters Patent.

Original application filed September 12, 1908, Serial No. 172,960. Divided and this application filed July 81, 1907.

.Patented May 19.09.

the whole of the direct current may be expended in yielding metal instead of utilized to a considerable extent to maintain fusion, asemployed in rocesses hitherto.

The apparatus which prefer to employ in carrying out my process'is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure 1' is a plan or top view; Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section;

In referring to the drawing, the letter A designates a box or receptacle, preferably of cast iron, lined with a conductive substance, such as carbon B, into which project the electrodes U, which pass through the in sulators D, D. 4

The material is introduced into the apparatus through the openings E which are closed by theinsulating covers or plugs I" passing into the insulating cover X through which passesthe electrodes G.

, In the operation of the process I lace in the-apparatus a quantity of the su stance containing the metal desired combined with fluorin and one or more non-metallic elements other than a halogen, such as aluminium with oxygen and fiuorin, and fuse the same by assin g an alternating current therethrough etween the electrodes C, C, which heating means is independent-of the elec trodes G employed for electrolytic purposes. I thenadd from time to time qr antitiesof the composition until the interior of the apparatus has been sufficiently filled with fused material. When thesubstance is fused, a direct or electrolytic current is -3 passed through the mass between the electrodes G which constitute the anode and which con- 'sists preferably of carbon, and the carbon lining B which constitutes the cathode of the electrolytic circuit, the tension and intensity of the current being'approximately three volts and eighty-five am eres per square inch ofanode surface exposed, with the temperature maintained by inde endent means at approximately 18OQ deg. at which time t e' oxygen of the substance containing alutap-hole plug I.

. to the substances, where minium, oxygen and fluorin, is liberated at the anode combining with the carbon thereof, evolving carbonic oxid gas, while metallic aluminium'accumulates in the bottom of the a paratus and is withdrawn from time to time through the ta hole H by removing the T e resence of carbon as anode augments the re nation by facilitating reduction and generating heat b union of the oxygen contenttherewith, t IUS economizing both the electrolyzing and heating currents of the electricity employed. If the electrode G consists of a material which is not acted on bythe electro-negative constituentevolved at the said electrode, this augmentin action is not available. As the oxygen an aluminium are separated b electrolytic action of the direct current 0 such selective tension as not to affect the fluorin content, the material may be replenished" from time to time by adding further incre- 'ments of aluminium and oxygen in the form of aluminium oxid.

The current for heating urposes is applied independently of the e ectrolytic electrodes G and is passed through the .substances contained in the reduction receptacle between the electrodes C, C, fusing the substances and maintaining them in a state of fusion while the electrolytic or direct current is ap lied through the substances between the e ectrodes and the carbon lining B, whereupon the electrolytic efliciency of the direct or electrolytic current may be utilized without loss. The gaseous by-products escape through the opening in the insulating covers or lugs F, shown at M, Fig. 1.

t can be seen by this method of procedure, the substance to be decomposed or electrolyzed is fused and maintained-in a fused conditionwith the heat evolved by the resistance to the passage of the alternating or non-metal-yieldlng current through a fusible or fused conductor in such a manner as to heat the ingredients independent of the electrolyzing or direct current and of the electIiQCl-ES through which the said current is app It is well known that by assing alternating currents of electricity of lli h voltage and comparatively low amperage fiirough a fusible conductor, it can be converted into heat energy more readily with less expense and time and with more economy than can a direct or electrolytic current. It is for this reason that I prefer to term the current of electricity especially adapted to impart heat y their fusion may be accomplished and maintained without decomposition, an electric current of selective heating nature in contradistinction to the more expensive direct current employed only for electrolytic purposes in the reduction of metal, after its compound has been fused or ceases liquefied, The present invention also has the advantage of being absolutely controlled, in that the source of the alternating, nonmetal-yielding, or fusion, electric current is independent of, and separate and distinct from, the direct or electrolytic current, and each can be separately and independently controlled, so that the fusion of the electro- 'lyte or electrolyte vehicle, and electrolysis,

may be jointly accomphshed. The nonmetal-yieldin or alternating current is disposed throug the metal-containing substance in either an interrupted or continuous manner, with the' direct or metal-yielding current employed at a voltage selectlve to the electrolytic disrupting tension of the metal-containing substance, and capable of electrically liberating the metal desired, regardless of the voltage necessary to overcome the electrical resistance of the metalcontaining substances in order to fuse and container to so much higher temperature than the fused contents that the melting pots become rapidly corroded and destro ed with the simultaneous contamination of t 1e metal reduced from the molten substances in the melting pot by electrolytic action; and second, those which depend upon internal fusion such as roduced by the passage of a direct currentt irough metal-containing substances, whereby the substances are maintained in a state of fusion by the conversion of a portion of the direct current into heat energy and the metal electrolytically separated by the employment of an excess of direct current over that necessary to fuse and maintain the fusion of the substances; those depending upon the fusion of the substances by impinging a fusing heat upon the same, such as a blow-pipe flame or reverberatory furnace and electrolyzing the fused contents by an electrolytic current; and the heating of non-conductive refractory ores in a furnace, such as a reverberatory furnace until the refractory non-conductive ores become electrically conductive and then passin a direct current of electricity through the heated un fused refractory ore in sufficient volume and of suliicient intensity to fuse the same and afterward dissociating or electrolyzing the fused refractory ores by the excess of direct current over that necessarily transformed into heat energy to fuse and maintain the fusion of the refractory ores.

One of the great difficulties experienced in the employment of internal heating processes consists in the fact'that the metal-containing substances from which it is desired to separate the metal, are, in their ordinary or cold, state, non-conductors of electricity. They must therefore be first heated or fused in order to render them sufiiciently electrically.

conductive to admit of-the passage of the current of electricity therethrough. This is usually accomplished by bringing'theelectrodes together and separating them slightly whereby a small arc between the electrodes is formed. Into this are a small quantity'of be started until -the non-conductive strataof chilled substance is removed from between the electrodes and a new are started ref-fusing and converting the substance into a conductive condition. The prior art also reveals another form of furnace and process whereb metal-containing substances are fused, whic includes the 'emplo ment of a rodor bar of conductive in fusibl e material, such as carbon, which is heated by the passage of a current of electricity therethroughof sufficient volume and intensity, which heated c0n ductor is so dis osed as to bein contact with the substance dilsired to be fused. It should be noted, however, in connection with this form of application of the electric heater. for fusion purposes that carbon becomes a better conductor when'heated than-it is when cold, and therefore requires an increased flow .of electric current to maintain an equivalent heating action. The rior art also reveals a species of fusion whic includes the employment of asolid metal wire spiral communieating with electrical contacts, placed in a vertical position and acting as a continuous conductor heated by electrical resistance, it is obvious in the case employing a solid metal wire spiral which was placed in a vertical position, that the temperature of this spiral wire heater never reached a point, at which the coductivity of the molten substances in contact therewith was a better conductor than the solid metal spiral, or in which the resistance of the molten substances was less, so that any fused substance in contact with the heated wire s iral wasnever maintained in a molten con ition by any other means than the heat imparted by the spiral heated by electrical resistance, and the molten compound was not maintained in its molten condition by the passage of electricity therethrough as "employed and claimed in the present invention. The'prior state of the art, however, does not reveal any means for fusing and maintaining the fusion of metal com unds whereby a direct current maybe emp 0 'ed and wholly utilized for the purpose of vie ding metal, which means covers the fusion of the metal-containing substances by the action of a non-metal-yielding electric current through a. fused metal compound and electrolyzing and se crating the metal'from' the metal conunr by the action of adirect or metal-yielding current.

By the present process great advantage is obtainedin maintaining fusion by passing an alternating electric current through a fused metahcompou'nd during the process 'of electrolysis employing adrrect current,

for the reason'that -where a direct-current is used forboth fusion and electrolytic p'urposes the electrolyte is caused to rapidly circulate between the electrodes and is thereby greatly agitated and disturbed both by this cause and from the evolution of gaseous or other products from the anode, which agitation or disturbance tends to suspend in the molten mass particles of metal electrol tic-' ally separated especially in cases where ight metals like aluminium are being reduced and wherethe difference in gravity between the reduced metal'and the electrolyte is but little. This agitation not only-prevents the metal from accumulating in mass and settling from the fused electrolyte, but also causes loss from oxidation when the articles of the light metal in a heated con ition come in contact with the atmosphere at the surface. This is not the case where an alternating current is employed for the reason that the circulation between the electrodes does notoccur nor are there any gaseous products generated attheelectrodes as in cases where a direct current is employed. The fine particles of light metal, when suspended by agitation of the electrolyte, also have a tendency to short circuit the electrolytic' or direct current, occasioning loss of current and also loss of metal which may come in contact with the electro-negative constituents evolved at the anode.

The advantage of employing an electric current for fusion purposes can be seenwhen it is understood that the substances are fused molecularly throughout the mass instead of and in contradistinction frond heat applied from an external source where the first -incre and unsatisfactory operation when employed in connection with refractory substances. The employment of an alternating current for fusion purposes has'the advantage of preventing corrosion of apparatus which occurs when outside heating is em loyed,

'andalso the difliculties as hereinbe ore set prevents loss of time and attention which would be required to operate adevice including a secondary metal spiral heater which would require careful adjustment as to current densities and attention to preventthe metallic spiral heater from becoming fused or disintegrated whereby the heating operation would cease. cannot be readily communicated to a'fused material from a solid secondary heater communicating therewith, is that when the heated solid comes in contact with the molten substance, thereis always produced injuxtaposition thereto a film of the substance which is highly heated or vaporized and which film is more or less anon-conductor of heat. This prevents the substance proper from coming in direct contact with the heater and thereby interrupts or resists the imparting of the heat from the heater to the substance desired to be fused or main tained in fusion.

In the em loyment of the electric current for heating t e mass, as in the present process, however, the whole body of fused conducting substance becomes molecularly electrified and the electrical energy transformed into heat energy by the resistance thereof within and throughout the body of the metalcontaining compound almost immediately. Inasmuch as it re uires an electric current of higher voltage to use and maintain fusion of metal-containing compounds than it takes to liberate metal from such fused metal compounds, it can be readily seen that a further advantage is gained by employing a nonmetal-yielding electric current of relatively high voltage for fusion while the more expensive direct or metal-yielding current is simultaneously supplied at a lower voltage, and. only of such tension that the metal desired may be liberated from its compound, thus admitting of. employment of higher amperage and consequent larger metal-yielding efficiency, without over heating the compounds employed, or constituents, to a degree that the metal liberated is dissipated or volatilized by excess heat, or converted into Another reason why heat carbids or other metal com ounds in the presence of carbon or other e ements which would result in loss of metal. The higher voltage fusing current can be also transmitted from source of generation to the reduction apparatus on smaller conductors or conveyers than the lower voltage and higher amperage direct current, thereby economizing cost of plant and apparatus to produce equivalent amount of metal with recesses depending solely upon the single dlrect current of electricity for the 'dual purpose of fusionand electrolysis for producing metal. When a direct current of electricity, capable of yielding metal from liquefied substances containing the same, is employed for the dual and common pur )ose of accomplishing both fusion and electro ysis, it is found, for example, during the reduction of aluminium, that should the fused bath become depleted of aluminium oxid by electrolysis, that the resistance quickly rises, resulting in the burning or volatilization of the fused bath, resulting in loss, as well as electrically overloading and overheating other furnaces when connected in series, to avoid which a large number of men have to be employed to rush in and re-feed or re-sup ly such furnaces which have become depleted of aluminium oxid, at once. This is not the case in the present process where the direct current can be cut off until the furnace is re-fed at leisure with aluminium oxid, the chemical bath being maintained in a state of fusion by the alternating, non-metal-yielding or heatin current separate and independent of the electric current capable of yielding metal. Also when a direct or metal-yielding current is emplloyed for both fusion and electrolysis the bat is not uniformly heated, but is hottest at the anodes, while the alternating, nonmetal-yielding, or other heating current, as employed in this process, heats e ually throughout the mass of ingredients, and thus saves the anodes from combustion by overheating and produces an even fusion of the ingredients.

It is well known that many metals and compounds thereof will assume a fused or molten condition when mixed or associated with each other at a lower temperature than is possible to fuse, melt, or li uefy either of the constituents individually y the action of heat, and practically applying this fact and condition I. have ascertained one can mix together compounds of a metal containing fluorin, such as aluminium fluorid, and one or more non-metallic elements other than a halogen, such as aluminium oxid, and expose this mixture or composition consisting of aluminium combined with oxygen and fluorin to the action of an electric current whereby the fusion of the composition and the electric dissociation of the oxid content I .cuniulate' and; ingredients; for f.

conditions wherebv the is.,not volatilized 0,

pounds of alumin uh minium and fiuorin in he ifu ed c of lessspe ific-gravity thanflthe" separated, and whichfcomposit" being'freei om 0 611?metals"t ian ;.fllli nmn f,

s the production of alum nrm c'ontammate d" with other metals, yielding a product of practically pure and uncontainina l formjthe elcrtrolytical dissociation 'b'eing a ined at substantiallythe samel e H perature and with the same expenditure cf'eleariccua rent fbyaddingto; the} composition more aluminium oxid from time to time tocompensate for the amount electricallydissociated, thus maintaining the compost "n iii'apractically uniform condition, 'the-"-('liss' ociation being preferably carried'on with the employment of an anode capable of uniting with oxygen, such as carbon.

The reduction of refractory metal oxids, such as aluminium oXid fused, melted, liquelicd, or dissolved by the heated chemicals mixed or associated with the same, whereby they are rendered molten below their normal melting point as hereinbefore set forth, is accomplished by the direct liquefying action of the mixed or associated chemicals, or chemical bath by means other than the direct or independent action of an electric current; the refractory metal oxid being added to or dissolved in the. fused liquefying or solvent chemicals from time to time as the fused substance becomes depleted of the refractory oxid content by electrolytic action resulting in the de osition or reduction of the metal content t ereof. V

The term liquefying employed herein isv intended to'imply and does imply that the metal-containing substance is reduced, transformed, or converted into a fluid condition,

by solvent, fiuxing, absorbing, or other action, of molten or fusible substance, or heat, with which it may be associated.

The terminology herein, referring to the electric currents, as being disposed or a plied through the metal-containing su stance, for the (purpose of fusion and reduction, is intende to imply the passage or con- 'veyance of the electrical currents molecularly through the mass, body, or increments of the metal-containingsubstances per se, in contradistinction to and from the passage of electricity through an independent or primary heater or conductor communicating with the ingredients to which heat may be imparted therefrom; and the term metalcontaining substance is intended toimply a compound containing the metal in combination or a substance containing a compound of the metal desired. a

" a direct current.

sea 0 2 Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letrst ten tishw l 1.11 (llie process producing metal," which consists in ,fusing a substance containing the metaldesired to be produced,

7' by the actionof an alternating current disposed or applied"thdrethrough, and liberating thedesired metal therefrombythe action of .2,.f The processof electrically producing metah which consistsin' fusing a substance, containing the metal desired to be produced,

by'theaction of an alternating current disposed or a lied therethrough, and liberating the desire metal therefrom by the action of a direct current, while in the presence of a substance capable of uniting with the electro negative {constituent of the metal-com tainin substance to be electrolyzed.

3. he process 3 of electrically producing metal from a substance containing the same, which consists in maintaining the fusion of such substance by the action of an alternating current disposed or applied therethrough, and liberating the desired metal therefrom by the actiomof a direct current.

4. The process of electrically producing metal from a substance containing the same, which consists in maintaining the fusion of such substance by the action of an alternating current disposed or applied therethrough, and liberating the desired metal therefrom by the action of a direct current, while in the presence of a substance capablerof uniting with the electro-negative constituent of the metal-containing substance to be electrolyzed.

, 5. The process of electrically producing metal, which consists in maintaining the fusion of substances, containing the metal desired to be produced, "by the action of a non-metal-yieldin current disposed or applied therethroug and liberating the desired metal therefrom by an electrolytic current.

6. The process of electrically roducing metal, which consists in maintaining the fusion of a substance, containing the metal desiredto be produced, by the action of a non-metal-yieldingl current disposed or applied therethrou and liberating the desired metal there rom by an electrolytic current, while in the presence of a substance capable of uniting with the electro-negative constituent of the metal-containing substance to be electrolyzed.

7. The process of electrically producin metal from a substance containing the meta desired to be produced, which consists, in subjecting such substance.- to the action of an electric current of heating. or non-metalyielding nature, and an electric current of a metal-yielding nature, said heating current .being disposed or applied through the substance independently of the electrolyzing current, whereby the electrolytic efficiency of the metal-yielding current may be utilized without loss.

8. The process of electrically producin metal from a substance containing the meta desired to be produced, which consists in maintaining the fusion of such substance by the action of an alternating current, disposed orapplied through the ingredients independently of the electrolytic electrodes, and liberating the desired metal therefrom by the action of a direct current.'

9. The process of producing metal, which consists in maintaining fusion of a substance containing the same, by the action of a nonmetal-yielding current disposed or applied therethrough, while liberating the desired metal therefrom by the action of a metalyielding current.

10. The process of producing inetal, which consists in exposing a metal-containing compound to the combined action of a nonmetal-yielding and a metal-yielding current disposed or applied through increments of said compound.

11. The process of producing metal, which consists in exposing a metal-containing compound to the combined action of an alternating and a direct current disposed or applied through increments of said compound.

12. The process of producing metal, which vconsists in exposing a substance, containing the metal desired to be produced, to the combined action of an electric current of a heatin nature and an electric current of an electro yzing nature, disposed or applied through the body of said substance.

13. The process of producing metal, which consists in fusing a substance capable, while in a state of fusion, of liquefying metal oxids,

. by disposing through the same an electric current incapable of yielding metal, adding to the fused substance and liquefying therein an oxid of the metal desired to be reduced, and electrolytically decomposing the liquefied metal oxid by the action of a separate or metal-yielding current.

14. The process of roducing metal, which consists in fusing su stances capable, while in a state of fusion, of liquefying metal oxids, by disposing through the same an alternating current, adding to the fused substance and liquefying therein an oxid of the metal desired to be reduced, and electrolytically decomposing the liquefied metal oxid by the action of a direct current.

15. The process of roducing metal, which consists in fusing su stances capable, while in a state of fusion, of liquefying a refractory metal compound, by disposin through the same an electric current inca a le of yielding metal, adding to the fuse substance and liquefying therein a refractory metal compound to be reduced, and electrolytically decomposing said liquefied compound by the action of a separate or metal-yielding current. v a

16. The process of roducing metal, which consists in fusing su stances capable, while in a state of fusion, of liquefying refractory metal compounds, by disposing through the same an a ternating current, adding to the fused substance and li( uefying thenein a refractory compound of t 0 metal desired to be reduced, and electrolytically decomposing said liquefied compound by the action of a direct current.

17. The process of producing metal from substances containing the same, which consists in liberating the metal by the con bined action of a metal-yielding and a non-metalyielding electric current, disposed through an electrolytic conductor containing a compound of the desired metal.

18. The process of producing aluminium from substances contaming the same, which consists in liberating the aluminium by the combined action of a metal-yielding and a non-metal-yieldin electric current, disposed through an electro ytic conductor containing a com ound of the desired metal.

19. he process of producing aluminium,

which conslsts in fusing substances capable, 1

while in a state of fusion, of liquei'ying aluminium compounds, by disposing through the same an electric current incapable of yielding metal, adding to the fused substance and liquefying therein the aluminium con.- pound to be reduced, and electrolytically dcco'mposing said liquefied compound by the action of a separate or meta -yielding current.

20. The process of producing aluminium, which consists in fusing substances capable, while in a state of fusion, of liquefying aluminium compounds, by disposing through the same an alternating current, adding to the fused substance and liquefying therein the aluminium compound to be reduced, and electrolytically decorn osing the liquefied aluminium compound y the action of a direct current.

21. The process of producing aluminium, which consists in fusing substances capable, while in the state of fusion, of liquefying aluminium oxid, by disposing through the same an electric current incapable of yielding metal, adding to the fused substance and liquefyin therein aluminium oxid, and electrolytlcal decomposing said liquefied oxid by the action of a separate or metal-yielding current.

22. The process of producing aluminium, which consists in fusing'substances capable, while in a state of fusion, of liquefying aluminium oxid, by disposing through the same oxid, and electrolytically. decomposingsaid liquefied oxid by the action of a direct-current. I 23. The process of producing metal-from substances containing the same; which con-" sists in liberating the metal by thecombined and simultaneous action of a metalyielding and a non-metal-yielding electric current, disposed through an. electrolytic conductor containing a compound of the desired metal.

24. The process of producing aluminium from substances containing the same, which consists in liberating the alumimum by the combined and simultaneous action of a metal-yielding and a non-metal-yielding electric current, disposed through an elecof t e desired metal. I

25. The process of produclng metal from substances containing the same, WhlGh consists in liberating the metal by the combined action of a metal-yielding and a non-metalyielding electric current, disposed through a fused electrolytic conductor containing a compound of the desired metal dissolved therein.

26. The process of producing aluminium from substances containing the same, which consists in liberating the aluminium by the combined action of a metal-yielding and a non-metalyielding electric current, disposed through a fused electrolytic conductor containing a compound of the desired metal dissolved therein.

27. The process of producing metal from substances containing the same, which con sists in liberating the metal by the combined action of a direct and an alternatmg electric current, disposed through an electrolytic conductor containing a compound of the desired metal.

28. The process of producing aluminium from substances containing the same, which consists in liberating the aluminium by the combined action of a direct and an alternating electric current, disposed through an electrolytic conductor containing a compound of the desired metal.

29. The process of producing metal from substances containing the same, which conconsists in liberating the aluminium by the combined and simultaneous action of a direct and an alternatingelectric current, distrolytic conductor containing a compoundthe posed through an electrolytic conductor containinga compound of the desired metal.

31. The process of producing metal from substances containing the same, which consists in liberating the metal by the combined action of a direct and an alternating electric current, disposed through a fused electrolytic conductor containing a compound of the desired metal dissolved therein.

32. The process of producing aluminium from substances containi the same, which consists in liberating the a uminium by the combined action of a direct and an alternating electric current, disposed through a fused electrolytic conductor containing a compound of the desired metal dissolved therein.

33. The process of electrically decomposing or transforming chemical compounds, which consists in fusing such compounds by the action of a non-metalielding current, disposed or applied through the same, and producing the desired product by the action of an electrolytic current.

34. The process of electrically decomposing or transforming chemical compounds, which consists in fusing such compounds by the action of an alternating current disposed orapplied through the same, and producing the desired product by the action of a direct current.

35. The process of electrically decomposing or transforming chemical compounds, which consists in fusing such compounds by the action of a non-metalielding current, disposed or ap lied through producing the esired product by the simultaneous action of an electrolytic current.

- 36. The process of electrically decomposing or transforming chemical compounds, which consists in fusing such compounds by the action of an alternating current disposed or apilied through the same, and producing esired product by the simultaneous action of a direct current.

37. The process of electrically decomposing or transforming chemical compounds, which consists in fusing such compounds by the action of a non-metal-yielding current, disposed or ap lied throng the same, and producin the desired product by the action of an e ectrolytic current and chemical aflinity. v

38. The process-of electrically decomposing or transforming chemical compounds, which consists in fusing such compounds by the action of an alternating current disposed or applied through the same, and producing the desired product by the action of a direct current and chemical affinity.

39. The process ,of electrically decomposing or transforming chemical compounds, which consists in 'fusing such compounds by the action .of a non-metal-yielding current,

the same, and

disposed or up lied through the same, and the desired product by the simultaneous 10 producing the esired product by ther' simultaneous action of an electrolytic current and chemical aflinity.

40. The process of electrically decomposing-or transforming chemical compounds,

which consists in fusing such compounds by the action of an alternating current disposed or applied through the same, and producing action of a direct current zmd chemical aflinity.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

v. HENRY SPENCER BIIAGKMORE- Witnesses H. N. JENKINS, J. R. NOTTINGHAM.

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