Encyclopedia of practical receipts and processes. Containing over 6400 receipts; embracing thorough information, in plain language, applicable to almost every possible industrial a by Dick William B. (William Brisbane) 1827-1901

Author:Dick, William B. (William Brisbane), 1827-1901
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Industrial arts, Recipes
Publisher: New York, Dick & Fitzgerald

HER C UB T—AL UMIN UM.

Merciiry or Quicksilver This is a neavy liquid metal, possess ing a nearly silver-white color, and a brillian metallic lustre. The principal sources of thi metal at the present time are the mines of Idria in Carniola, and Almaden in Spain, where i exists under the form of cinnabar, from which the pure metal is obtained by distilling tha ore with lime or iron filings in iron retorts, by which the sulphur it contains is seized ant retained, while the mercury rises in the stat( of vapor, and is condensed in suitable receiv ers. Its specific gravity, when pure, i 13.5; it solidifies at —39° (39° below zero. Fahr., and when solid is ductile, malleable and tenacious ; boils at 662° Fahr., but volatilizes slowly at the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere, and when mixed with water at from 140° to 160°, it is volatilized in considerable quantities. It unites with oxygen, forming two oxides; and with chlorine forming calomel and corrosive sublimate:, with the metals it forms amalgams, combining, however, with difficulty with iron, nickel, platinum, and some other less importanl metals. Its oxides form salts with the acids. The only acids that act on metallic mercury are the sulphuric and nitric; but for this purpose the former must be heated.

3325. Test for the Purity of Mercury. Metallic mercury may be known by its volatility; and when, in a finely divided or pulverulent state, by the microscope, or by staining a piece of copper white when rubbed on it, or when heated beneath it. It is totally dissipated by heat, and dissolved by diluted nitric acid, but is insoluble in boiling muriatic acid. The acid poured off, and allowed to cool, is neither colored, nor yields a precipi tate with sulphuretted hydrogen. A globule moved about on a sheet of paper yields no trail; pure sulphuric acid agitated with it (in the cold) evaporates when heated, without leaving any residuum.

3326. To Purify Mercury. Mercury, as imported, is usually very pure. It may be prepared for medical purposes by putting 6 parts into a retort and distilling off 4 parts. The whole of the mercury may, however, be safely drawn over. The product is to be agitated and boiled with 2 fluid drachms hydrochloric acid and 1 fluid ounce water for each pound of the metal; then washed with pure water, and dried by heat. A strong earthenware or iron retort, with a low neck or tube dipping into a basin of water, may be used for this purpose.

3327. To Purify Mercury. One of the

quickest and best means of purifying mercury is to agitate it with a concentrated solution of nitrate of mercury, at a heat of 104° Fahr., then wash it with distilled water, and dry by passing several times through clean, dry chamois leather.

3328. To Purify Mercury. Distill equal parts of mercury and iron filings in an iron retort, into a vessel containing water.

3329. To Purify Mercury. The following simple method of purifying quicksilver is bv Dr.

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