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Lead from Sil′ver sep′a-rat-ing.

Pattinson's method (English) of separating lead from silver is an economical substitute for cupellation. It is founded upon the property which pure lead has of crystalizing out of a solution of silver in lead. The argentiferous lead being fused is allowed to cool slowly, solid crystals of nearly pure lead are first formed, and are separated by an iron strainer from time to time, the melted remainder becoming still richer in silver. At Beaumont's works, Allenheads, Northumberland, the process is conducted in hemispherical, cast-iron pans, each holding about 3 tons of metal and heated by a fire beneath. The process is several times repeated, and the remaining metal is treated by cupellation.

Argentiferous lead ores containing only 3 ounces [1271] of silver to the ton can be profitably worked for the silver by this means, while 20 ounces of silver to the ton scarcely paid when treated by the process of cupellation. See also cupellation; Pattinson's pots; lead-bath.

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Northumberland, Pa. (Pennsylvania, United States) (1)

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H. L. Pattinson (1)
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F. B. E. Beaumont (1)
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