GB191214871A - An Improved Electric Furnace for Fixing Nitrogen from the Air. - Google Patents

Abstract

14,871. Scott, E. K. June 26. Gases, treating with electric discharge.-In a nitrogen-oxide furnace, three electrodes a, Fig. 1, diverging upwards, are connected in star or delta fashion for threephase currents, and an axial metal pipe serves as neutral electrode in the former arrangement. The outer electrodes may be placed at angles of 120‹. Jets of air, which may be heated or ozonized, issue from the upper end of a tube b surrounding the lower part of the axial pipe, or from holes in the furnace floor, and drive arcs up the electrodes. At the end of their motion, the arcs encounter jets of cool air from the central pipe or from the floor, walls, or roof of the furnace. This air may contain ozone or nitrogen peroxide. The upper part of the furnace is spacious, to allow ready mixing of the gases, and large outlets are provided. The outer electrodes are mounted on wheeled carriages, adapted to close openings in the furnace walls when the electrodes are in their working positions. By means of linkwork and gearing, the three carriages can be moved simultaneously. The outer electrodes are preferably of water-cooled steel tubing, and may be surrounded by replaceable metal tubes. Wedges of copper or other material may be secured at the lower ends of the outer electrodes to facilitate starting, which may be effected by moving the electrodes or by raising and lowering a metal cone by means of toggle levers. The upper part of the axial pipe may be mounted so that it can be turned to present fresh arcing surfaces, and may be cooled by water or by air passing through it.