The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-03-02
WILL TAKE WEALTH
FROM ATMOSPHERE
Southern Plant to Produce Important FertiI.
izer Element by Electric Energy

a remarkable example of the appli-
cation OF scientific principles to prac-
tical use which will be watched with
| interest by the industrial world, will
DO illustrated in the manufacture of
nitrate OF lime by the Southern Electro
Chemical company. Nitrolee, s. C.,
In which the nitrogen will be- reduced
from the atmosphere by means of the
electric arc. This company's plant
viii he in readiness for operation as
soon as the immense blower which IL
to force the strong current OF air
through powerful electric arcs is no.
ceived from Europe.
The Importance OF this work lies IN
the demand for nitrates In the mann.
facture Of fertilizers. power, etc. and
the decrease in the available sources of
supply OF nitrates. With the great
hydro electric developments already
made in the South and.the plans Tor
still greater works. and the accom-.
panying increase in the demand for
fertilizers, the far reaching Importance
OF this method of reducing nitrates
from the air may be appreciated.
: successful outcome OF this initial
production at Nitrolee will result In
greatly increasing the plant. The
power is derived from the two great
hydro electric plants of the Southern
Power company at Great Falls and
Rocky Creek. which are capable .of
generating 80 600 horse power. The
nitrate plant will utilize about A. 600
horse power, and will produce about
i've tons of nitric acid every twenty
four hours. which will make about
eight tons OF nitrate OF lime. The
lime stone will be shipped to Nitroree.
The patent rights of DIR. Harry
Pauling were acquired several years
ago and the Southern Electro Chemical
company was organized in New YORK
with A. Fl. Burroughs president aud
X. b. Trrington secretary and treas
urer, Tor the purpose of developing
pans for applying the principles con
tanned in the process The basic prin-
ciple OF the pauling process is the
utilization OF electric energy TO raise
the temperature of the air az blown
through the electric arc TO heat OF
5000 TO 3, 800 degrees Centigrade. This
intense heat changes the elements of
the air from the mixture as II ordinar-
lily exists TO a chemical combination
forming oxide OF nitrogen. which,
when combined with water, forms
nitric acid This acid il then combin-
ed with limestone to form nitrate OF
lime.
The plant at Nitrolee consists OF sew
eral electric furnaces. oxidation tanks.
steam receptacles. coaliDg chambers
and absorption towers. The furnace
Is constructed of especially prepared
fire clay brick, with masonry and iron
support. The two electrodes in each
furnace provide the electric arc through
which the air Is driven The nitraus
oxide thus produced escapes through
a channel built along the casing of the
furnace in the fire proof gas collecting
pipes, which convey the gases to the
steam boiIerhouse where the temper.
allure IL reduced TO 1000 degrees. The
temperature Is further reduced in the
cooling tanks, and then the gases are
conveyed to the oxidation tanks, then
Tn the absorption towers,
whence it is conveyed TO receptacles
crushed limestone, where il I
forms nitrate of lime. This finished
product il worth about $50 ton.
One of the elements OF efficiency is
hat this plant will consume surplus
power and will operate for twenty-four
hours per day, thus supplying 1e.
nand for power at times when electric
light plants, mills, factories. transpor.
alton lines, etc, are not using the
'ower rom the hydro electric plant.