Patent GB-719929-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for producing or promoting chemical reactions
Inventor: ROUY AUGUSTE LOUIS MARIE
IPC: B01J19/08
Filed: 1951-07-13
Abstract: <PICT:0719929/III/1> Apparatus for the production of chemical reactions in reactant gas comprises a reaction tube; two capacitive members spaced longitudinally on and surrounding the tube means for maintaining one of the members at zero potential, means for applying a high frequency alternating voltage to the other member to create within the tube a high frequency alternating electric field of intensity progressively decreasing along the tube; means for effecting flow of the reactant gas at substantially constant sub-atmospheric pressure and mass velocity through the tube in the direction of decreasing intensity; and means for carrying off reaction products from the tube.  In Fig. 6 two centre fed quartz reaction <PICT:0719929/III/2> tubes, 53, 53a each have three capacative members 54, 55, 56, and 54a, 55a, 56a.  The outer members 55, 56, 55a, 56a are grounded at 57.  Central members 54, 54a are connected to serially connected coils 49, 49a in a load tank circuit 48 inductively associated with a class C, tuned-grid, tuned-plate push-pull power amplifier 46 excited by a crystal controlled oscillator buffer-doubler driver unit 47.  The capacitances of the capacitive members are jointly variable by adjustment of the relative spacings of the members, particularly in starting operation, when the outer members are moved towards the central members until sufficient capacity to cause circuit resonance and produce discharge in each reaction tube is obtained.  As shown in Fig. 7 the reactant gas is fed through dryer and blower unit 62 and flow meter 63 to the = centre inlets of tubes 53, 53a and the reactant products from both ends of the tubes pass out through orifices 67, the size of which establishes the pressure heat exchangers 68 and pump 66 to further treatment.  The reactions referred to are the production of nitrogen dioxide from nitrogen and oxygen (air) for use in making nitric acid the production of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen, sulphur trioxide from sulphur dioxide and oxygen, methyl alcohol from hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and acetone from methane and carbon dioxide.  In Fig. 8 reaction tubes 53, 53a are supported on vertical frame 70 secured to a rigid base member by supports 72, 73, 74, 75 and each tube support carries an outlet portion forced into sealing relation with the exit ends of the tubes through gold covered asbestos gaskets by helical tension springs (see Fig. 12, not shown). Capacitive members 54, 54a are interconnected by insulating rod 86 and supported by insulating rod 87 and are connected to coils 49, 49a supported by clamp brackets and connecting links (see Fig. 9, not shown).  Outer capacitive members 55, 56, 55a, 56a, are respectively interconnected by rods 97, 100, carrying earth connections 105, 106, and supported by insulated rods 98, 101 secured to carriages 99, 102, which carriages are engaged by right and left threads of rotatable shaft 103 to adjust the spacing of the capacitive members.  The pressure at which reactions are effected may be 10-500mm, preferably 100-300mm <PICT:0719929/III/3> and the frequency may be 5-150mc, preferably 10-50mc, and specific values for pressure, frequency, and voltage applicable to nitrogen dioxide production from air are quoted.  Specifications 700,801 and 714,698 are referred to.