Description

Hydro-Carbon Smelter, Mayer, Yavapai County, Arizona Territory, c. 1903.

Photo from the Mining and Scientific Press newspaper, January 31, 1903, p. 65.

The following description is taken verbatim from the article: "At Mayer, Yavapai County, Arizona, a furnace of unusual construction has been built to smelt copper ores by a process employing crude petroleum as fuel. The ore is crushed to nut size, no piece larger than will pass a 3/4-inch ring. This passes down what may be termed the inclined hearth of the furnace, constructed at an angle of about 45°, at the foot of which is a horizontal hearth or floor. Upon this the ore falls and extending upward on the inclined hearth is subjected to the powerful heat of the petroleum blast, the ore matting at and near the lower hearth, melting and flowing over into a lower compartment, the slag being tapped at one opening, and the matte at a lower one. The illustrations show a general view of the smelter buildings and surroundings, and of the front of the furnace from a nearer point.

The process is undergoing some changes, suggested by experience, as is the case with most new processes. One important change suggested by M. P. Boss, the inventor of the process and furnace, is that of crushing the ore much finer, by which means it is expected more satisfactory results will be obtainable. The experimental runs have been made through the short period of two months under many disadvantages. When a constant supply of ore is available still more favorable results are anticipated in the application of this novel process."