Mining Sulfur. Page: 2 of 4
[1], 3 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this patent.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
UNITED
STATES
PATENT OFFICE.
PATTILLO HIGGINS AND GEORGE W. CARROLL, OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
MINING SULFUR.
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 581,479, dated April 27, 1897.
Application filed M1arch 10, 1896, Serial No, 582,607. (No modell)To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that we, PATTILLO HIIGGINS and
GEORGE W. CARROLL, citizens of the United
States, residing at Beaumont, in the county of
5 Jefferson and State of Texas, have invented a
new and useful Improvement in Mining Sul-
fur, of which the following is a specification.
This invention relates to certain new and
useful improvements in mining sulfur and
io like mineral products which are capable of
being liquefied by the application of heat
thereto, and has for its objects to expedite
and simplify the mining process and to re-
duce the cost of extracting the mineral from
15 its bed and to prevent the loss incident to
such process and apparatus which reduce the
mineral to a liquid state by the application
thereto of steam or other fluid or a solution
or hot water which permeates the fissures of
20 the stratum or bed and carries off valuable by-
products.
In accordance with this invention air heat-
ed to a proper temperature is forced under
pressure to the mineral-bearing bed or stra-
25 tum and serves both to reduce the mineral to
a liquid state and to raise the same to the sur-
face by reason of the head or pressure, and
in order to prevent the chilling of the lique-
fied mineral during its ascent and passage to
30 a suitable point of discharge the conveyer is
enveloped in a heating medium, such as hot
air, steam, &c.
For a full understanding of the merits and
advantages of the invention reference is to be
35 had to the accompanying drawings and the
following description.
The improvement is susceptible of various
changes in the form, proportion, and the mi-
nor details of construction without departing
40 from the principle or sacrificing any of the
advantages thereof, and to a full disclosure of
the invention an adaptation thereof is shown
in the accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a detail view of an apparatus for
45 carrying out the spirit of this invention, parts
being in section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view
of the upper portion of the casing and the
parts associated therewith, showing the hoist-
ing-ring in position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged
50 view of the lower part of the casing and the
parts connected therewith.
The underlying principle of this inventionresides in forcing hot air to the mineral-bear-
ing strata at such a temperature as to liquefy
the mineral, whereby the latter can be re- 55
moved in any way found most convenient,
either by pumping or by the pressure of the
air itself, the latter being preferred, as it
causes the mineral to automatically rise in a
pipe or conveyer to the surface of the ground. 60o
To attain this end, the apparatus herein illus-
trated has been devised and will be referred
to in detail hereinafter, the same reference-
characters being employed to designate simi-
lar and corresponding parts in the descrip- 65
tion and all the figures of the drawings.
The shaft is preferably lined by a shell 1,
so as to prevent loose formations dropping
into and choking the shaft. The apparatus.
is shown in the shaft and comprises a casing 70
2 and an inner shell or pipe 3, inclosing a
space 4 between their opposing sides, through
which is forced hot air, steam, or other heat-
ing medium for liquefying the sulfur and
maintaining the same in a molten state while 75
passing through the shell or pipe 3. A ring
5 closes the upper end of the space 4 and is
formed with an opening 6, in which is fitted
a pipe 7 for conveying the hot air, steam, or
other heating medium into the space 4 from 8o
a suitable source. A ring S closes the lower
end of the space 4 and has a series of open-
ings 9, through which the hot air, steam, or
other heating medium escapes from the space
4. The shell or pipe 3 extends through the 85
ring 8 and projects below the same a short
distance and supports a nozzle, the upper
member of which is a ring 10, having open-
ings 11, corresponding in position and num-
ber with the openings 9 in the ring 8 and to 90
which the lower ends of short pipes 12 are
fitted, the upper ends of the said pipes hav-
ing connection with the openings 9. Nipples
13 are fitted to the lower ends of the openings
11 and project a short distance from the lower 95
end of the ring 10 and serve to direct the jets
of hot air, steam, &c., against the inner
curved wall of the lower member 14 of the
nozzle. This lower member 14 is of annular
form and comprises concentric walls 15 and ioo
16, which are closed and connected at their
lower ends by a cap 17, the latter being con-
cave on its inner side to receive the impact
of the jets escaping from the nipples 13, so as
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This patent can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Patent.
Higgins, Pattillo & Carroll, George W. Mining Sulfur., patent, April 27, 1897; [Washington D.C.]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth174589/m1/2/: accessed July 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.