Scientific American Supplement, No. 508, September 26, 1885Various
Science
Scientific American Supplement, No. 508, September 26, 1885
Various
Science -- Periodicals
The furnace at present in use is charged in substantially the same
manner, and the current is supplied by a Brush machine of variable
electromotive force driven by an equivalent of forty horse power. A
Brush machine capable of utilizing 125 horse power, or two and
one-half times as large as any hitherto constructed by the Brush
Electric Company, is being made for the Cowles Electric Smelting and
Aluminum Company, and this machine will soon be in operation.
Experiments already made so that aluminum, silicon, boron, manganese,
magnesium, sodium and potassium can be reduced from their oxides with
ease. In fact, there is no oxide that can withstand temperatures
attainable in this electrical furnace. Charcoal is changed to
graphite. Does this indicate fusion or solution of carbon? As to what
can be accomplished by converting enormous electrical energy into heat
within a limited space, it can only be said that it opens the way into
an extensive field for both pure and applied chemistry. It is not
difficult to conceive of temperatures limited only by the capability
of carbon to resist fusion. The results to be obtained with the large
Brush machine above mentioned will be of some importance in this
direction.
Since the cost of the motive power is the chief expense in
accomplishing reductions by this method, its commercial success is
closely connected with the cheapest form of power to be obtained.
Realizing the importance of this point, the Cowles Electric Smelting
and Aluminum Company has purchased an extensive and reliable water
power, and works are soon to be erected for the utilization of 1,200
horse power. An important feature in the use of these furnaces, from a
commercial standpoint, is the slight technical skill required in their
manipulation. The four furnaces in operation in the experimental
laboratory at Cleveland are in charge of two young men twenty years of
age, who, six months ago, knew absolutely nothing of electricity. The
products at present manufactured are the various grades of aluminum
bronze made from a rich furnace product that is obtained by adding
copper to the charge of ore, silicon bronze prepared in the same
manner, and aluminum silver, an alloy of aluminum with several other
metals. A boron bronze may be prepared by the reduction of boracic
acid in contact with copper.
As commercial results may be mentioned the production in the
experimental laboratory, which averages fifty pounds of 10 per cent.
aluminum bronze daily, and it can be supplied to the trade in large
quantities at prices based on $5 per pound for the aluminum contained,
the lowest market quotation of this metal being at present $15 per
pound. Silicon bronze can be furnished at prices far below those of
the French manufacturers.
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