GB1025234A - Method of accelerating and/or promoting chemical reactions and emulsification - Google Patents

Abstract

In Example 3, grape sugar is obtained from sweet potato starch by adding an aqueous dispersions of the starch to a solution of Al2(SO4)3 containing H2SO4 with stirring at 59 r.p.m., the stirred mixture being subjected to a magnetic flux produced by a permanent magnet and to oscillations produced by a crystal oscillator operated at 2.5 kw. and 117 kc./s. The resulting solution is worked up to give crystalline sugar.ALSO:Reactions (including ion exchange) and emulsification may be promoted or accelerated by subjecting the materials to a magnetic field having lines of force extending in one direction therethrough whilst applying a mechanical force to said materials in the field so as to act in a direction perpendicular to said lines of force. The magnetic field may be supplied by a permanent magnet or electromagnet or by one or more solenoids provided on the outer walls of the container and supplied with D.C. or A.C. e.g. of 10-300 Kcs. The mechanical force may be supplied by stirring and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated by an A.C. of 10-300 Kcs. The reactions may be between solids, liquids, gases, solids and liquids, liquids and gases or gases and solids and may be effected in a non-conductive vessel e.g. of cement, glass, rubber, ceramic, synthetic resin or wood. A magnetically permeable layer e.g. of low carbon or silicon steel or permalloy insulated with mica, asbestos or synthetic resin may be interposed between the solenoid coils (where used) and the vessel wall; an electrically conductive body e.g. of metal, metal oxide or graphite, may be provided at the centre of the vessel, insulated from the exterior, whereby the magnetic field is concentrated within the vessel. Where undesired oxidation or hydrolysis occurs, an easily oxidisable substance, e.g. C, Pb or Ni, may be present as part of the stirrer or the electrode or pole generating the ultrasonic vibration or as an electrically positive diaphragm surrounding the electrode or pole and covered with Fe3O4, Cr2O3 or TiO2, to inhibit side reactions. In Example 1, a stable cationic asphalt emulsion is obtained by adding the asphalt to a mixture of water, formamide, stearic amine, urea, calcium chloride and acetic anhydride whilst stirring the aqueous mixture at 1000 r.p.m. in a magnetic field produced by an 80-100 A, 10 KW A.C. of 182 Kcs flowing in a cooled coil.ALSO:In Example 2, barley straw is cut into 1-1 1/2 cm. lengths and added to a solution prepared by stirring Ca(OH)2, Na2CO3, Na2S and S into water. The mixture is stirred at 50 r.p.m. in an alternating magnetic field produced by a pair of solenoids encompassing the reaction vessel, for 45 mins. The resultant fibres were beaten to provide a pale yellow unbleached pulp.