Patent GB-1056074-A (GB)
Title: Electrohydraulic processes and apparatus for initiating chemical and physical reactions
Inventor: ARNOLD THEODORE ERNEST
IPC: G10K15/06
Filed: 1963-07-08
Abstract: <PICT:1056074/C6-C7/1> <PICT:1056074/C6-C7/2> Mechanically bound constituents of differing elasticity coefficients in a solid are selectively separated by immersing the solid in a liquid, subjecting it to a series of high-intensity sparks and collecting the separated constituents, the sparks being repeated at intervals of less than half the attenuation time.  In specific embodiments (a) hematite is comminuted and then separated by xanthate floatation, (b) a tin is reduced to particles minus 50 mesh of steel or tin, (c) a slurry of sphalerite in water is treated in the presence of air to give SO2 and ZnO which was separable from slurry and (d) a slurry of iron oxide and a liquid hydrocarbon were treated and the resultant mixture fed to a magnetic separator to give magnetite and iron, a high frequency induction coil being used to aid the reaction.  In one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention (Fig. 2), material is added at 17 to tank 16 containing electrodes 15 and stirrer 21. The tank contains screens 20 to retain material of predetermined size whilst an annular trough may be provided around the upper rim of the trough if float/sink separation is used.  In another embodiment (Fig. 3) suitable for continuous use, gas is fed through pipe 24 to the solid suspended in the liquid medium. A conical feed deflector 27 may be used while the leads for the discharge are insulated at 23 from vessel 16.  The vessel may be cooled by water-coils if required.  In another embodiment Fig. 4, (not shown) a high frequency induction coil is provided to heat the vessel, insulation being placed around the vessel and heating coils.  A series of reactors or a recycling system may be used if the degree of reation in a single stage is not satisfactory e.g. in endothermic reactions.ALSO:<PICT:1056074/C1/1> <PICT:1056074/C1/2> Mechanically bound constituents of differing elasticity coefficients in a solid are selectively separated by immersing the solid in a liquid, subjecting it to a series of high-intensity sparks and collecting the separated constituents, the sparks being repeated at intervals of less than half the attenuation time.  In Example 3, a slurry of sphalerite in water is treated in the presence of air to give SO2 and ZnO which was separable from the slurry.  In one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention (Fig. 2), material is added at 17 to tank 16 containing electrodes 15 and stirrer 21. The tank contains screens 20 to retain material of predetermined size whilst an annular trough may be provided around the upper rim of the trough if float/sink separation is used.  In another embodiment (Fig. 3) suitable for continuous use, gas is fed through pipe 24 to the solid suspended in the liquid medium. A conical feed deflector 27 may be used while the leads for the discharge are insulated at 23 from vessel 16.  The vessel may be cooled by watercoils if required.  In another embodiment (Fig. 4, not shown) a high frequency induction coil is provided to heat the vessel, insulation being placed around the vessel and heating coils. A series of reactors or a recycling system may be used if the degree of reaction in a single stage is not satisfactory, e.g. in endothermic reactions.