Patent GB-149915-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus for chemical production and research
IPC: B01J3/08
Filed: 1920-08-04
Abstract: The production of formates, formaldehyde, and acetic acid, and the polymerization of acetylene is carried out in the cylinder of a compressor,-or in a chamber in communication therewith,-the admission and discharge devices of which are controlled in such a manner that the number of strokes between the initial admission and the discharge is greater by two or more than the strokes of a two-stroke cycle or the ordinary four-stroke cycle.  These additional strokes serve to mix the reacting-materials, and enable the reaction to be brought more nearly to completion.  For the production of formates, a solution of caustic soda is injected into a charge of producer or water gas previously compressed in the compressor.  Formaldehyde is produced by the oxidation of methyl alcohol either introduced as vapour with a charge of air and brought to reaction by compressing the mixture, or forced into a charge of compressed air; the catalyst, asbestos impregnated with silver, is placed in the compression space. In a similar manner, acetic acid is obtained by the oxidation of acetaldehyde.  Hydrocarbons are produced from acetylene either alone or mixed with hydrogen or water gas, by subjecting the compressed gas in the compression space to the action of electric arcs, sparks, dark discharges, &c., with or without the aid of catalysts.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) describes also an apparatus in which the additional strokes above referred to are not employed.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.ALSO:The manufacture of sodium carbonate, caustic soda, and hydrogen peroxide is carried out in the cylinder of a compressor, or in a chamber in direct communication therewith, the admission and discharge devices of which are controlled in such a manner that the number of strokes between the initial admission and the discharge is according to requirements greater by two or more than a two-stroke cycle or the ordinary four-stroke cycle.  These additional strokes serve to mix the reacting-materials and to enable the reaction to be brought more ready to completion.  For the production of sodium carbonate, a neutral or ammoniacal solution of common salt is injected into a charge of compressed and highly heated carbon dioxide in the compression, obtained, for example, injecting combustible material in the presence of air either in a preceding part of the cycle or simultaneously with the salt solution.  Caustic soda is produced by injecting a neutral or ammoniacal solution of common salt together with combustible material into a highly compressed mixture of air and steam. Nitrogen oxides are produced synthetically by electric arcs in the presence of oxidizing contact bodies such as barium oxide; at the first compression stroke the oxygen in the gas mixture unites with the oxide to form peroxide, and at a subsequent compression after the introduction of a fresh charge of gas, the peroxide is decomposed to give nascent oxygen which in the presence of the arc unites with the nitrogen.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) includes also the production of ozone and hydrogen peroxide by subjecting a charge of barium oxide in the compressor to the action of compressed air, and at a subsequent stage to treatment with water vapour to decompose the barium peroxide formed in the first stage; and it describes apparatus working on cycles in which the additional strokes are omitted.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.