A Certain New and Useful Process for Facilitating Chemical Reactions.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Certain New and Useful Process for Facilitating Chemical
Reactions.
I, HENRY BOWER of 29th Street Grays Ferry Road in the City of Philadelphia,
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Chemist, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Before proceeding to describe the process in detail, I deem it best to explain the
theory upon which I believe it to be based, but I do this merely in order that
those skilled in the art may more clearly appreciate its peculiar characteristics and
It must therefore be
may consequently be enabled to better apply it in practical use.
understood that I neither claim said theory as an essential part of my invention, nor
do I wish it to be thought that the patentable novelty of my process depends upon
the scientific accuracy of said theory.
It is a well known principle in chemistry that many substances will, when first
evolved or disengaged from previous chemical combinations, readily unite with other
substances to which they are presented, and towards which they would be, under
other conditions, chemically inert.
+6
nascent state" to describe this
A convenient nomenclature has applied the term
condition. Thus for instance, hydrogen will, when in this state, unite with nitrogen
to form ammonia, but if the nascent condition has passed, no length of exposure of
the gases to one another, and so far as heretofore developed, no method of manipula-
tion of treatment, and no form of apparatus has been devised which will cause them
to combine in sufficient quantity for the commercial production of ammonia gas.
In theory, this fact may be explained by considering that the molecules of the gases
have their structure divided or altered when entering into combinations, such
division or alteration of the molecules may persist momentarily after the disengage-
ment of the gas from combination, but by lapse of time and a continuing state of
freedom, the molecules may assume an individuality, the tendency to maintain which
is stronger than the inducement to enter into other combinations.
While, therefore, in the nascent state which corresponds to the period before which
such individuality has been established, the molecules may be open to readily form
fresh combinations, they cease to be so by lapse of time, and by what might be
termed the settling of the substance into a definite and fixed condition.
I have discovered that the condition of a given substance which corresponds to the
nascent state, may be again brought about after the definite individuality of the sub-
stance has been established, and I have embodied my discovery in a process whereby
the substances, with which it deals, are caused to retrograde, as it were, into a con-
dition from which they have emerged, and in which they are open to form chemical
combinations that would otherwise be beyond their power. I believe that the means
by which my process acts, is the actual mechanical disintegration of the whole or a
portion of the several molecules, since this theory serves best to explain the behaviour
which is exhibited by various bodies when treated as hereinafter set forth; but, as
before stated, I do not make the correctness of this theory in any manner essential to
my claim.
"
Without attempting to enumerate all the various applications to which my discovery
is adapted, a convenient classification (with types of the several classes), is as follows:
and in thus classifying them I wish it to be understood that by the word "combination
I mean chemical union, and further that the bodies mentioned are, under previously
known conditions, chemically inert towards one another, or that they are comparatively
speaking, difficult to combine. In the former case my process is, of course, absolutely

page_text: new as a means of affecting the given result, and in the latter case it is an improved
means for carrying on existing processes. The classes are as follows:-
First, the combination, of two gases, as for example, hydrogen and nitrogen for the
commercial manufacture of ammonia.
Second, the combination resulting from the use of a gas and one or more solid
substances, as for example chloride of sodium and atmospheric air for the production
of chlorine gas.
Third, the combination resulting from the use of a vapor, and one or more solid
substances, as for example, chloride of sodium and steam for the production of hydro-
chloric acid.
Fourth, the combination of two or more liquids, as for example, different products
of petroleum to form intermediate grades of such products; or the production of
fatty aids and glycerine by the action of water upon neutral fats.
Fifth, the combination resulting from the use of a salt in solution, and a substance
in suspension, as for example, a solution of sulphate of soda, and milk or cream of
caustic lime, to form caustic soda.
Sixth, the combination of a gas in solution, and a solid, as for example, the treat-
ment of wood, by means of sulphurous acid in solution in water, to disintegrate,
purify and bleach the material for paper manufacture.
Seventh, the combination resulting from the use of a gas, a solid and a liquid, as
for example, the action of finely divided carbon, or coal upon the gas already produced
from coal, with or without the use of a liquid hydrocarbon, for the production of
illuminating gas.
Eighth, the combination resulting from the use of a solid and a gas, as for example,
oxide of iron and atmospheric air, for the production of a higher oxide of iron, or the
converse of this process, viz. :
The action of carbon, hydrogen, or other reducing agents upon metallic oxides,
such as alumina, producing aluminium by the gradual reduction of the oxide.
Other similar applications may suggest themselves, and as I believe that my
discovery is a fundamental one, and widely applicable to chemical reactions, I do not
wish to be understood as restricting my claim to the above specified instances. The
same are given as typical of several classes of substances to which my discovery is
applicable, and the classes are obviously only distinguished by reference to the physical
condition of the substance mentioned.
The characteristic mode of operation of my process is as follows:-
I cause two opposing jets of the substances to be combined, to be forced together
in a proper receptacle under pressure, and when the substances themselves are not
capable of producing, by merely their joint impact and attrition, such a disintegration
as is essential to the success of the process, I commingle with them, in such form as
to be freely carried into the jets. finely divided solid material of such character as to
take no part in the chemical reaction, but acting mechanically to produce impact and
attrition. I find also that the use of heat, or of cold, or of changes of temperature is
a valuable adjunct to the process, and under some circumstances, I avail myself
thereof.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown, in vertical section, an apparatus
adapted to operate in connection with the first class of reactions, ciz.: combination
between two gases, as for instance, hydrogen and nitrogen to form ammonia.
A, A¹, represent two strong, closed vessels of metal.
At the top of the vessel A, is a charging pipe A³, controlled by a suitable stop-cock
and a similarly controlled discharge pipe a¹ at the bottom. The vessel A¹ has similar
pipes A2, and, respectively. From the lower end of the vessels, outlet pipes B, B¹.
lead through the valve chambers b, 61, to a common pipe or duct D. This duct com-
municates with the inlet of a blast fan E, whose discharge leads to the inlet d, of a
steam force pump F, actuated by the piston rod g, of a steam cylinder G. The pump
discharges at, into a duct D¹, which terminates in a closed chamber H. This
chamber, which I term the accumulator, has at its bottom a discharge pipe h2, and

page_text: at its top two outlet pipes 1, I', which are controlled by weighted valves h, N³,
respectively.
The pipes I, I, lead into the interior of a furnace K, where they are disposed in
coils J, J, respectively, and beneath said coils is a gas burner L, or other suitable
heating apparatus. Above the furnace is a small strong vessel or compartment M,
preferably shaped like a double cone as shown, and into the end of said vessel,
nozzles N, N1, lead or project, said nozzles being the outlets from the coils J, J¹,
respectively.
Said nozzles are placed directly opposite to one another, preferably only a short
distance apart.
From the vessel M. an outlet pipe 0, leads to a dust separating chamber P, having
one or more screens p, arranged in the well known manner for the separation of
dust. The bottom of the dust chamber converges, as shown, to an opening provided
with a damper Q, whence a pipe, leads to the duct D. The gas outlet pipe S, of
the dust chamber leads to a coil T, placed within a cooling tank U, and the other end
of said coil, communicates by means of a pipe V, with the two branches W, W¹,
which lead through suitable valve chambers w, w¹, respectively, to the vessels A, A¹
Within the valve chamber b, b¹, and w, w¹, are puppet valves c, c', and f, f',
respectively, whose stems are controlled by rotating cams m, m³, simultaneously
actuated by means of an endless belt n. These cams are so arranged that when one
of them opens the inlet valve for f¹. of one of the vessels A or A¹, the other cam
will open the outlet valve c¹, or c, of the other vessel, whereupon, the pressure within
the vessels and pipes will close each of the other valves. I find that the above arrange-
ment is a convenient method for controlling chambers which are to be used alternately
as will now be described, such alternating use enabling me to carry on the process as
practically a continuous one.
Assuming now that the chamber A, has been charged with a mixture of hydrogen
and nitrogen gases from any convenient source of supply, and in the proper propor-
tions for conversion into ammonia, the outlet valve c, of that of said chamber is open
and the inlet valve f, is closed. The valves of the other chamber A¹, assuming of
course, the converse position.
I then introduce into the duct D, (either by means of the pipe R, or in any other
convenient manner) a quantity of very finely divided graphite or plumbago, and the
fan E, being actuated, a powerful blast of the mixed gases, carrying in suspension
the particles of graphite, is thrown into the inlet of the force pump F, and thence
by the action of the pump is forced into the accumulator H.
The valves h h are weighted to correspond with any desired degree of pressure
within the accumulator, and I prefer using a very high one, such for instance as
200 pounds or more to the inch, which I maintain during the operation.
When the required pressure is reached, the valves h, h¹ open automatically and the
mixed gases pass through the heating coils J J¹ where they are highly heated. They
are then discharged by the nozzles N N¹ in opposing currents of great force, and after
momentary submission to the effects of attrition within the vessel M, they pass out
into the dust chamber P, where the finely divided graphite is in a large measure
thrown down and accumulates at the bottom of the chamber to be again fed by the
pipe R into the duct D, where it renews its circuit through the apparatus. The gases,
in a more or less combined state, pass out through the pipe S, and are cooled by
means of the coil T, whence they pass by means of the pipe W. into the vessel A¹.
When the vessel A, has been substantially exhausted of its contents, the position of
the valves ff and c c¹ is reversed. the chamber A¹ now becoming the supply chamber
and the chamber A the receiving chamber. The circuit of the gases through the
apparatus is continuously maintained until, by the repeated action of the opposing
jets, a chemical union results, in the form of ammonia gas, which is then drawn off
from the receiving vessel A or A¹ and absorbed by any convenient vehicle after the
manner usually practiced in the manufacture of ammonia gas, water of ammonia or
ammoniacal salts.
For the commercial manufacture of ammonia it is of course necessary that the

page_text: above process should be conducted on a large scale, thus the chambers A A' should
cach have an interior capacity of say 4000 cubic feet. It will therefore be understood
that the relative size of the parts in said drawings is not in the proper proportion, the
intention being merely to indicate the general nature of the apparatus.
The purpose of introducing the powdered graphite is to supply a solid agent to act
upon the molecules of the gases by attrition. This I believe to be necessary for
effecting a combination between the two gases, since the mere impact of the gaseous
particles upon one another is not sufficient, under the conditions which I have been
able to attain, for the necessary disintegration of the molecules. I prefer to use
plumbago or graphite, because it is not only easily carried along by the current of the
gas, but it acts as a lubricant upon the fan and working portions of the pump instead
of wearing them out, as would be the case were the powder of a gritty nature, but I
wish it to be understood that I do not limit my claim to the use of any particular
solid material, it being only essential that it should be of such a nature as not to
injuriously affect the process by chemical reaction of its own. Thus, for instance, I
use finely divided silica in some cases where plumbago would be objectionable.
I have now described a typical instance of the use of my process when applied
to produce combination between two gases. If, however, the process is to be used
with other substances, the apparatus may be modified accordingly, thus in the
classes above referred to, where solids and liquids are to be treated, I dispense
with the fan, the dust chamber and the dust feeding devices.
The solid in this case should be very finely divided so that it may be held in
suspension in the liquid and two jets of the liquid so charged with the solid matter
are caused to impinge the one on the other.
Where a solid and a gas are to be treated the apparatus will need no change,
the solid matter either replacing the graphite or being applied together with it.
Under some circumstances, the use of heat is dispensed with and cold is sub-
stituted. Again in other cases (see class eight) finely divided solid material is
used, not only for the benefit of the attrition which its particles will yield, but
because the solid particles themselves are to be acted upon, and enter into the
chemical combination.
Therefor under these different conditions, it must be understood that the
apparatus may be varied so as to produce the needed results, without in any way
affecting the mechanical principle, upon which the process depends for its success,
and which principle is embodied in the treatment by continued impact and attrition
of opposing currents under such pressure and variations of temperature as the
different industrial applications may demand.
I am aware that the use of two opposing jets, as a means of grinding or
pulverizing substances carried by said jets, is not new and I do not claim the
same; my discovery being the fact that chemical reaction may be rendered
possible, or facilitated, by the molecular disturbance which results from such
impact and attrition.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
The hereinbefore described process of mechanically facilitating chemical reactions,
which consists in subjecting two or more substances to be combined, to the effect of
impact and attrition from opposing jets, substantially as set forth, and with or
without the use of a finely divided solid agent, or intensifying such impact and
attrition.
Dated this 27th day of tumorst 1880