A new device for separating minerals by means of heavy liquids

Extract

During the investigation of a zeolite it became necessary to separate small quantities of zeolitic material from a mixture of calcite and other heavier minerals; this could be done most easily by using a liquid of such density that the zeolite just floated, while all the other minerals sank to the bottom. A solution of potassium-mercuric iodide could not be used, as this reacts chemically with zeolites and alters their composition ; acetylene tetrabromide diluted with benzene was therefore chosen, and in consequence the apparatus had to be made entirely of glass. Certain dittlculties were found in using the ordinary form of glass separating apparatus, and to overcome these the form here described was devised.