Patent GB-718551-A (GB)
Title: Process for accelerating or completing exothermic chemical reactions
IPC: B01J19/00
Filed: 1952-05-26
Abstract: Benzene sulphonic acid is prepared from benzene and sulphuric acid by passing the liquid reactants to a radially symmetrical rotation chamber having an axial discharge aperture, and generating in the chamber a liquid vortex which causes intimate mixing of the liquids (see Group III); the mixture is discharged as a dispersion in wholly or mainly unreacted condition and is maintained at a suitable temperature to effect the reaction. Benzene and heated 96 per cent sulphuric acid are fed at a pressure of 2 1/2 atmospheres into a rotation chamber and then discharged into a vessel provided with a cooling jacket. Benzene sulphonic acid may be added as an emulsifying agent or part of the reaction mixture may be recycled.  Yields of over 90 per cent may be obtained at a temperature below 70 DEG C.ALSO:Exothermic chemical reactions between two immiscible or difficulty miscible liquids are effected by passing the liquids to a radially symmetrical rotation chamber having an axial discharge aperture, and generating in the chamber a liquid vortex which causes intimate mixing of the liquids; the mixture is discharged as a dispersion in wholly or mainly unreacted condition and is maintained at a suitable temperature to effect the desired reaction.  The reactants may be fed to the chamber tangentially or the chamber may be provided with vanes and the feed introduced axially; one component may be fed tangentially and one axially as described in Specification 708,355.  Several chambers may be arranged in series or parallel or both, and the reactants may be circulated repeatedly through the chambers.  The pressure employed may be 1-50 atmospheres.  The liquid mixture may contain catalysts or further reactants in solution or suspension, and also substances which stabilize the emulsion or dispersion formed. Heating or cooling of the reactants or the mixture may be effected before, during, or after passage through the rotation chamber. The kinetic energy of the mixture issuing from the chamber may be converted to pressure energy by passing through a diffuser as described in Specification 693,649, [Group II].  In Example I soap is formed from beef tallow and sodium hydroxide solution which are heated and forced through conduits at a pressure of 15 atmospheres to a common pipe where they are coarsely mixed; the mixture is introduced tangentially into two rotation chambers in series and is then discharged into a vessel where reaction takes place at above 80 DEG  C.; the soap is salted out in the usual manner.  Example 2 describes the preparation of benzene sulphonic acid from benzene and sulphuric acid (see Group IV (b)).  Specification 370,154 also is referred to.ALSO:In apparatus for effecting exothermic chemical reactions between two immiscible or difficultly miscible liquids (see Groups III and IV(b)) the liquids are fed to a radially symmetrical rotation chamber having an axial discharge aperture, and a liquid vortex is generated in the chamber to cause intimate mixing of the liquids.  The liquids may be fed to the chamber tangentially or the chamber may be provided with vanes and the feed introduced axially; one liquid may be fed tangentially and one axially as described in Specification 708,355.  The pressures employed may be 1-50 atmospheres.  Several chambers may be arranged in series or parallel or both, and the liquids may be circulated repeatedly through the chambers.  The kinetic energy of the mixture issuing from the chamber may be converted to pressure energy by passing through a diffuser as described in Specification 693,649.  A rotation chamber of diameter 14 mm. is described, comprising a cylindrical portion of length 11 mm. and an adjoining conical portion having a half apex angle of 30 degrees; the feed apertures are 5 mm. in diameter and the discharge aperture 4 mm.