An Improved Process and Apparatus for Extracting the Liquid obtained by the Treatment of Metalliferous Slime, Pulp, or Sand with Solvents

9956. Draper, T. T., and Ryley, W. April 30. Filtering metallic solutions.-Relates to a process and apparatus for extracting the liquid obtained by the treatment of metalliferous slime, pulp, or sand with solvents, particularly a cyanide solvent. The material is delivered from a hopper A to an endless travelling belt A, formed of porous material, and passing around two drums B, B' and rollers C. The edges of the belt may be turned up or strengthened, and while passing over the drum B the two edges are covered by two compression belts F passing around pulleys F . While passing over the drum B , the whole belt is covered by a washing-blanket F travelling around pulleys F . The peripheries of the drums are formed as a number of independent closed chambers b, each with an angular lower section y. These chambers are perforated on their outer surface, and are each connected by a radial pipe b with an annular chamber b at one end of the axle B . The annulus is provided with a cut-off valve, whereby only the chambers b which are at that moment covered by the belt are connected with an exhaust pump. The liquid drawn into the chambers b by the pump is discharged, as the drum rotates, into the collecting-dish E. To weaken the solution, the material on the band is washed by the spray G. While passing over the drum B', the material is further washed, the water from the sprays G passing through the blanket. The drum B is formed similarly to the drums B, and the liquid similarly connected. The residual slime &c. is discharged, and may be carried by a belt H to a second mixing-apparatus, and afterwards passed a second time over the drums. Any number of drums may be used in series. In a modified form, the vacuum chambers are made of a segmental section to lie close together so as to form an endless belt passing around plain drums.