Patent GB-190320049-A (GB)
Title: Improved Method of Producing Powerful Chemical Reactions in Gases or Gas Mixtures, and Apparatus therefor.
Inventor: HOWORTH FRANKLIN WISE
Filed: 1903-09-17
Granted: 1904-01-28
Abstract: 20,049. Howorth, F. W., [Eyde, S., and Birkeland, K.]. Sept. 17. Gases, treating electrically; nitrogen oxides; oxidizing. - In oxidizing gases by means of the electric arc, more especially for obtaining nitrogen oxides from atmospheric air, the arc is caused to spread out into more or less of a circular form, which may extend to one metre in diameter, and the gas is passed through this extended arc. The spreading out of the arc is produced by forming the arc between the poles of an electro or other magnet. With currents of high voltage, the poles are set a few millimetres from each other. When direct currents are used, several hundred arcs per second may be formed. With alternating currents, the arcs are alternately above and below the conductors. The poles may be provided with arrowhead projections B formed of platinum, Fig. 1<a>. When a direct or alternating current of 600 volts or less is used, the poles are also caused to make and break contact rapidly. With alternating currents. this may be done by forming the conductors E, E<1> as springs bearing against stops F, F<1>, Fig. 2, or as springs bearing against a central conducting inclined stop F", Fig. 3. For direct currents, coils are arranged in the conductors, Fig. 4. For either form of current, one of the conductors may be arranged as a solenoid, Fig. 5. A tuning- fork arrangement may also be used, as also a small motor with eccentric gear, for the same purpose. In a further form, a series of radial conductors G, Fig. 6, on a rotating shaft L, may be provided, each having a contact spring H which engages on rotation with contact springs K on fixed conductors I. With high tension currents, the conductors G may be stationary. A number of such arcs are enclosed within an insulating and fireproof tubular casing, against the outer sides of which the poles of the magnet (which may be an electromagnet or a magazine of steel magnets) rests, and which is divided by vertical partitions to form zig-zag compartments, in each of which is placed a pair of conductors, and through which in succession the gas is passed. In the form shown in Fig. 11, for use with high tension currents, a large electromagnet 10, 11, 12 has pole-pieces 8, 9 enclosing a portion of a narrow insulating fireproof casing 1, 2, through which the electrodes, such as 7, pass. Arms 13, 14 from the pole-pieces help to spread the lines of magnetic force. The gas may be admitted at the top of the casing, and the product removed at the bottom, or it may be admitted through hollow electrodes, or through ducts at the centre of the furnace, thereby keeping the conductors cool, and withdrawn at either end. The conductors may also be kept cool by passing water or oil through passages formed therein. The internal sides of the furnace opposite the conductors may be protected by plates formed of a row of flat iron bars connected together by bolts and insulated from one another by strips of mica. The whole inner wall of the furnace may be covered with iron or other metal plates lined with mica. With currents of very high tension, several furnaces may be used in series with an adjustable inductive resistance in series therewith ; and each may also be provided with a condenser in parallel therewith ; or one condenser of great capacity may be used in series with a series of furnaces.