GB354736A - Improved process for the production of nitrogen-oxygen compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0354736/III/1> Nitrogen - oxygen compounds such as nitric acid are produced by passing gases containing nitrogen and oxygen, for example air, through the electric field produced between solid electrodes by a current having a frequency substantially exceeding 100,000 and a tension exceeding 50000 volts. Catalytic substances such as copper may be placed in the field and may act as intermediate electrodes. Gases enter the apparatus, which is made of porcelain, at a, the reaction products leaving at b. A perforated metal sheet c is connected to a high frequency generator, a second sheet d constituting the earth electrode. An intermediate electrode e consists of a sieve of catalytic metal or is coated therewith. According to an example, if moist air is led through at a velocity of 10 cm. 1 sec. and the field set up between the electrodes c, d is adjusted to 200,000 volts and 800,000 frequency, 105 grams of nitrogen are combined per cubic metre. The use of currents having a frequency of 20000 to 100,000 at a tension of 30000 to 150,000 volts, water constituting at least one electrode, is stated to be known. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) states that the reaction gases are led through the electric field produced in an adjustable circuit of high frequency oscillations of very high, arbitrarily changeable, tension, and is not restricted to magnitudes of the above order or to the use of solid electrodes. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.