Treatment of ferrous sulfate and the production of iron powder

Claim 1

THE METHOD HEREIN DESCRIBED WHICH COMPRISES REPEATEDLY RAISING, DROPPING AND ADVANCING SUGAR FERROUS SULFATE THROUGH A ZONE HEATED TO A TEMPERATURE ABOVE 212* F. AND BELOW THAT AT WHICH FERROUS SULFATE IS THERMALLY DECOMPOSED AND THEREBY DRIVING OFF THE CONTAINED WATER FROM SUCH SULFATE, COMMUNICATING THE SO-TREATED SULFATE WHILE HEATED TO ABOVE ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE TO PROVIDE A FINELY DIVIDED ANHYDROUS FERROUS SULFATE, ADVANCING THE LATTER SULFATE THROUGH SUCCESSIVE ZONES IN RETORT APPARATUS, EFFECTING UNDER HEAT IN ONE OF SAID ZONES THE RELEASE OF OXIDES OF SULFUR FROM THE SULFATE, AND IN A SUCCEEDING ONE OF SAID ZONES HEATING THE ADVANCING DESULFURIZED FINELY DIVIDED ANHYDROUS MATERIAL IN THE PRESENCE OF A REDUCING GAS TO PRODUCE IRON POWDER.