GB946851A - Process for the production of finely-divided copper oxychloride - Google Patents

Abstract

Finely-divided copper oxychloride is prepared by oxidizing cuprous chloride in an aqueous medium, which may contain sodium chloride, with an oxygen-containing gas, intensive mixing of the aqueous and gaseous phases being effected by cavitation of the gas bubbles in the aqueous medium. The concentration may be 50-300 grams of copper per litre as cuprous chloride. Hollow stirrers, preferably with prismatic stirrer elements, which can draw air into the solution, or turbine-like stirrers with drilled apertures for passing gas, may be used. The temperature may be from room temperature to the boiling point of the aqueous phase. A suspension of crude cuprous chloride purified by screening out coarser impurities and by hydrocyclone treatment may be used. The cupric chloride produced in the process may be converted, when sodium chloride is not used in the aqueous phase, to copper oxychloride by the addition of alkaline earth oxides, hydroxides or carbonates. In Example 1, a cylindrical vessel with four internal vanes is provided with a square stirrer of 60 mm. diagonal and 10 mm. height with 4 holes passing from the centre to the edges with the location of discharge immediately behind the edges in the direction of rotation. The shaft is hollow. A cuprous chloride suspension is prepared in the vessel, and at 3500 r.p.m. the stirrer draws in 2500 litres of air/hour and distributes it uniformly in the suspension. At the end of the reaction, the product is filtered, washed and dried at 110 DEG C. Example 2 is similar, using a stronger cuprous chloride suspension.