Patent GB-886155-A (GB)
Title: Method of producing hydrogen compounds under the action of electric glow discharges
IPC: H01J37/32
Filed: 1958-06-09
Abstract: 886,155. Treating gases with discharges. BERGHAUS, B. June 9, 1958 [June 8, 1957; June 18, 1957; June 29, 1957; July 3, 1957; July 19, 1957; Aug. 28, 1957], No. 18365/58. Class 39(1) . Hydrogen compounds are produced by reacting the initial substances in an electrical glow discharge, the hydrogen or hydrogen containing substances being introduced in the form of a jet preferably at a speed greater than 1/10 or greater than twice the speed of sound. Specific examples given are the production of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen; hydrazine obtained as a solid compound from nitrogen and hydrogen and a quantity of chlorine gas which is small relative to the nitrogen; acetylene from finely dispersed carbon in an argon gas stream and hydrogen, steoric acid from finely dispersed oleic acid and hydrogen; monosilane from finely dispersed silicon in argon and hydrogen; and borane from finely dispersed boric oxide in argon and hydrogen. Compounds of metals, metalloids or other elements may be introduced as liquid or solid substances finely dispersed in a carrier gas. An auxiliary gas may be introduced in a starting up procedure or auxiliary gases e.g. chlorine or mercury vapour may be introduced during the actual carrying out of the reaction. The gas or vapour introduced as a jet may be previously ionized in a discharge vessel 22a, Fig. 1, by a glow, spark or arc discharge. Counter-electrode 15a in front of the nozzle 8 is axially adjustable. Further ring electrodes 15b, 15c are also provided. The nozzle has cooling ducts 9 and 10 and the vessel 2 is also cooled. A.C., D.C., half-wave or impulse voltages may be supplied to the electrodes. In modifications two or more jets may be provided. The jets may be directly opposed, parallel convergent or divergent relative to one another. The jets may have different speeds or include different media. Auxiliary substances may be introduced as a jet intersecting the main jet. The jet may be focused in a magnetic lens or passed through a transverse magnetic field to separate components. The jet nozzle may be within the field of the magnet and spark discharges may be set up along the jet axis to cause further constriction of the jet. The jet stream may be ionized after leaving the nozzle. Charge carriers, e.g. electrons, may be introduced into the jet as it leaves the nozzle. In Fig. 7 a glow discharge is set up in the recess 88 in electrode 86, between the electrode and the nozzle 80. A metal ring 84 serves as a screen and protective gaps 85, 87 and 92 are formed between the various elements. A cooling duct 89 is provided in the electrode 86 and electrode 90 may also be cooled. In Fig. 9 a glow discharge is set up between the rim 123 of nozzle body 120 and a surrounding electrode 124. Openings 127 are provided in the rim 123. The glow discharge may be set up, instead, between the rim 123 and a ring electrode facing the rim 123. Several nozzles may be provided in a single body, and the nozzle opening may be in the form of a flat slot, intersecting slots or an annular slot. Hollow electrical discharges may be set up. Fig. 10 shows a multiple nozzle with five bores 141. In Fig. 13 a number of nozzle bores 154 are provided within an inner tube 151 and reacting substances or an auxiliary gas may also be introduced in the direction 156. The counter electrode is a central rod (not shown) and each bore 154 may be provided with a recess in which a glow discharge is formed to produce electrons, as in Fig. 7. The nozzles may be of metal, ceramic or porcelain or semiconductive material e.g. germanium, silicon or sintered metal and non-metal bodies. Elements of the nozzle body may be provided with a coating of discharge inhibiting material such as silicone varnish. Specification 804,916 is referred to.