T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y
88
Jan., 1913
RECENT INVENTIONS
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BY C. L. PARKER, Solicitor of Chemical Patents, McGill Building, Washington. D. C.
Alkali-Metal Cyanids. J. A. Kendall, Aug. 27, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,037,019.In this process nitrogen and an alkalimetal compound are heated to a high temperature in the presence of carbon. I n using the apparatus illustrated, the nitrogen and alkali metal compound, such as fused sodium carbonate, pass downward @J8
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through pipes D and E respectively into reaction chamber A , which is filled with carbon. Heat is supplied by the surrounding furnace and the cyanid produced is condensed in the condenser B fro+ which i t is withdrawn through pipe c. The non-volatile matter or ash may be removed from time to time through pipe a. Attaching Rubber to Metals. Leo Daft, Aug. 27, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,036,576. The metal to which the rubber is to be attached is first electroplated, using a n electrolytic bath made from a n alloy containing copper and zinc and a n alloy containing copper, zinc and antimony and the rubber is attached to the plated surface by vulcanization. Oxidizing or Reducing Chemical Substances by Electrolysis. Geo. Kolsky, Sept. 24, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,039,415. This apparatus is intended primarily for the electrolytic production of hypochlorates, chlorates, perchlorates, and persulfates, the patentee having found that the reactions for the production of these compounds may be facilitated by placing either the cathode within the anode or the anode within the cathode. I n the apparatus the anode is in the form of a hollow sphere, a , having a number of lateral perforations a’, similar to what is known as the “ W i t t Stirrer.” The sphere a is surrounded by a second hollow sphere, b , forming the cathode. The outer sphere is also perforated, the perforations having the form of oblong openings. The anode is mounted upon a shaft, c, which passes through the cathode and by means of which it is rotated to circulate the electrolyte into cottact with the anode and cathode. Removing Carbon from Cylinders, Valves and Rings of Gasolene Engines. C. Elliott and C. Kelly, Sept. IO, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,038,324. This method consists in placing a fusible metal or alloy in the engine cylinder and melting this metal or alloy by the heat generated in the cylinder. Hydrogenated Butter Substitute. C. Ellis, Sept. 17,1912. U. S. Pat. 1,038,545. This is a butter-like composition consisting of
an emulsion of a hydrogenated vegetable oil and milk, from which emulsion the excess of moisture has been expressed. Process of Hydrogenation. C. Ellis, Oct. 8, 1912. U. S. Patent 1,040,531. In this process oily material comprising unsaturated bodies is heated and moved in a traveling stream through a plurality of beds of porous solid material comprising a catalytic body. A countercurrent of a hydrogen-containing gas is simultaneously passed through the porous beds. The excess hydrogen is removed and again becomes a part of the counter gaseous current. The oil is removed and at least a portion of it becomes a part of the traveling stream of oil. Alcohol. K. Keifer, Oct. 15, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,041,298. The patentee prevents the development of bacteria and detrimental ferments as well as the so-called after-taste in alcoholic drinks by impregnating the sweet wort with carbonic acid gas under pressure, and fermenting the wort under pressure, using as a yeast a ferment accustomed to a large amount of carbonic acid. Treating Feldspar to Recover Potassium Salts. Morse and Sargent, Oct. 15, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,041,327. I n this process, feldspar a t a n elevated temperature is subjected first to the action of a sulfate of calcium and secondly, to that of an alkali chlorid or a n alkaline earth chlorid whereby there are produced oxids of sulfur, a soluble compound of potassium and a residual material capable of being converted easily into Portland cement. I t is stated that it is the production of the oxids of sulfur and the cement material in connection with that of the soluble potassium compound that makes possible the economical production of the latter. Sodic-Silico Aluminate and Hydrochloric Acid. A. H. Cowles, Oct. 15, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,041,598. In this process naturally occurring materials containing silica and alumina, such as clay, bauxite, feldspar and the like, are mixed with sodium or potas-
sium chlorid, and carbonaceous matter. The mixture is formed into briquets and placed in a down-draft furnace of the character shown in the accompanying illustration. Steam, air and fuel gases, from oil, gas or powdered coal are admitted from above and the waste gases together with water vapor and hydrochloric acid gas are drawn off from the bottom. Alcohol from Sulfite Liquor.
GiSsta Ekstr6m, Oct.
22,
1912.
U. S. Pat. 1,042,332. Sulfite liquor from the sulfite pulp process contains saccharine matters which by fermentation may be converted into ethyl alcohol. Before such fermentation
Jan., 1913
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T H E JOLTR.\-AL
OF IA’DCSTRIAL A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y
can be successfully carried out it is necessary to remove the sulfurous acid present. When this acid is neutralized by means of quicklime, limestone or the like, a number of organic acids, notably lactic acid, are formed which react with the organic compounds present in which the sulfurous acid is loosely bound, transferring the sulfurous acid into compounds injurious to the yeast. The patentee adds to the sulfite liquor ammonium sulfate which reacts with the unstable organic compounds, its negative ions combining with the lime of such compounds while the sulfurous acids of such compounds are set free. The sulfite liquor is then neutralized with quicklime, limestone or the like and liquor fermented. Available Phosphoric Acid. J. H. Connor, Oct. 29, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,042,400. I n this process phosphatic rock or other naturally occurring phosphatic material is reduced to a size to pass through a screen of sixty meshes to the inch. Soda ash, crushed limestone and iron oxid are mixed with it and the mixture heated to from 2000 to 3000 degrees F., until the phosphoric acid becomes soluble. Nitrogen Compounds. Pettibone and von Sholly, Oct. 22, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,042,141.This process is designed to provide a n economical method of manufacturing cyanamid and other nitrogen compounds, and at the same time to utilize a by-product in the nature of spent gas, after the heat units have been utilized for the production of heat or power. I n the practice of the process, fire is kindled in the generator and a good producer gas generated from liquid or solid fuel and delivered by the centrifugal extractor and fan G into holder H. I n the operation of the exhaust fan G air will be drawn through the heating chamber E into the generator, and hot gas will be drawn from the generator through the tubes of the heater, thereby heating the air circulated around the tubes. The gas is also
FIG.
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in the coil W2, and which passing in contact with the red hot charge causes a chemical reaction to take place between it and the carbid mixture which is expressed by the following equation, S, = CaSCN C. using calcium carbid as a n example: CaC, The result of the reaction is a complete conversion of the carbid into cyanamids and carbon. The conversion being completed, the nitrogen is shut off,the charge drawn from the retorts, cooled in a n atmosphere of cool nitrogen gas, and a fresh charge of carbid mixture introduced and the process repeated. Making Nitrogen Compounds Including Nitrids and Ammonia. Sinding-Larsen, Oct. 29, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,042,723. I n this process minerals containing metals or metalloids which can be directly transformed into nitrogen compounds are vaporized in a n atmosphere ahich contains xitrogen and a reducing agent
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20 U-Z”
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such as a hydrocarbon in a state of gas or vapor. The products obtained are led away, separated and collected. Among the minerals mentioned as being suitable for use in the process are feldspar, kaolin, apatite, limestone and dolomite. The accompanying illustration shows apparatus in which the process may be carried out. Pitch from Coal-Tar, Petroleum Residues, Creosote, Schist Oils, etc. Henri Hennebutte, Nov. 12, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,044,175. I n this process the coal tar or like material to be converted into pitch is first mixed with a solvent such as tar, the boiling point
1
drawn through the scrubber F where it is freed from ash and cinder. A store of gas being accumulated, it is admitted to the burner N, together with a regulated air supply, and ignited, the proportions of gas and air being regulated to produce perfect combustion without material excess of either gas or air in the chamber around the retorts P. The resulting products of combustion are substantially free of both air and unburnt gas. A jet exhauster nil1 draw the products of combustion from the combustion chamber of furnace 0 and deliver them s into the scrubber T from which they \\ill then pass through the purifier U where carbon dioxid and sulfur compounds will be absorbed by the puriFIG 2 fying material. The purified gas, consisting of nitrogen, 99.3 per cent., and other gases, seven-tenths of one per cent,, is stored in the holder V, from vhich it is supplied to the retorts a s required. The retorts being heated t o a red heat, C , are charged with carbids and approximately 800’ halogen salts, mixed in suitable proportions, introduced a t the rear ends, and the lids tightly closed. The carbids and halogen salts being heated to the proper temperature, the valves y are opened, admitting nitrogen nhich has been preheated
of which is higher than that of the hydrocarbons under treatment. The mixture is then heated and a current of air driven slowly through it. The oxygen of this air is nearly all absorbed by the mixture, causing a transformation of i t into pitch. Formic Acid. J. Weise, Nov. 12, 1912. U. S. Pat. 1,043,985. This process is designed to increase the yield of formic acid in n preparing it from the reaction mixture of formates and mineral acid ordinarily used. The improvement consists in leading a current of a gas indifferent to the reaction mixture and its final product in a cyclic current through the whole distillation apparatus and the reaction chamber connected therewith which arc both closed off against the access of outer air. f-
