US1377553A - Xsheefs-sheetj - Google Patents

Description

I I. E. BLOOM. ELECTRICAL TREATMENT IN THE GOMPOUNDING 0F SOLIDS WITH GASES, 0R SOLIDS WITH SOLIDS AIID GASES, INCLUDING FERTILIZERS,AND APPARATUS THEREFOR,

AND THEPRODUCTS RESULTING THEREFROIVI.

Patented May 10, 1921;

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6, I920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I- I N V ENTO R 2. E.' BLOOM. ATnENT W m; cemPouwnmc GF souns WITH GASES, 0R souus WITH soups AND GASES, ENCLUDING FERTILIZERS,AND APPARATUS THEREFOR,

RENEWAL TEE mourns RESULTXNG THEREFROM.

AND THE P APFLlCATlON man FEB. a, 1920. Patented May 1% Mn} 4 SHEHS-SHEET 2.

I. E. BLOOM. MENT IN THE CDMPOUNDING 0F SOLIDS WITH GASES ELECTRICAL TREAT 0R SOLIDS WITH SOLIDS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR,

AND GASES, INCLUDING FERTILIZERS,

AND THE PRODUCTS RESULTING THEREFRDIVI.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6. I920. May

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

Nma

I, E. BLOGM. ELECTRICAL TREATMENT IN THE COMPOUNDING 0F SOUDS WITH GASES, 0R SOLIDS WITH SOLiDS AND GASES, INCLUDING FERTLLIZERSAND APPARATUS THEREFOR,

' AND THE PRODUCTS RESULTING THEREFROM: 1 377 553 APPLICATION Juan FEB. s. 1920. P t t fi M 1Q lgZL 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

INJENTOR lift? .3 Malawi.

.l'llilt'lll BESSIE. Cli ERGGIELYII NEW YGRK.

EATllUflh-"l? II? T 11 COJMFOUNDING OF SOLIDS VJITH GASES OB SOLIDS INCLUDING Eli TILIZERS, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR,

THEREF'PJQM.

application filed February 5,-;

Fltatem residing at Yorln county of rforl; ha re invented i ul iinprowuien in in the compounding ot es or solids 'h HUllHS and fertilizers. and apparatus t. i l the products resulting therefrom. of which the following is a speedwatiou relates to an electrical a" r nt in the prore oi eoinpouuoing o'l L: l' is with gases. ineluding solids with other solids and gases or either thereof and without liquid solutions and to th apparatus therefor and the products thereof; and is i istrzited herein by or in the mainlineii I re of tertil in till-spelliility "ith di ier ob ects are set litill'lt l and e i a l or ity.

in part. thi it! inents upon parts ll' lio. 133.700 and l Larch lo. um): and LIird. 199i and 1334.590 l 33%.352 and 1.338 355) of April QTlh i920.

its a 'n'ocess. generally stated. my invention consists. in the eonipoui'iding of a solid and a gas eoinponenl. in suitably drying and pulyeriziug the solids and in ionizing the gases by well ltnown methods. and thereby and thereupon separately electrifying or eon'ierriiug' an eleetrir or eleetrost-atic ehargei'riotional charge or additional charge upon each emuponeut. as by thermal enlissiou oi" eler'irous therefrom. and the ground- 'o the components heing igus and (it li -her no- Specifimtioa of Letters Pa tent.

liiooii, a

11ers ol suiulry basic :ornpin' neuts with nitrogen from air: and has for its.

Patented Ma 10, L521.

Serial li 356.768.

tential in the positive than in the negative; and thereupon bringing and forcing the powders into suspension in and while mov ing with the gases under suitable pressure and temperature and Tcloeity; and then 'w'itlnlrawiug or separating the resulting,

compounds in fused or powder form or both from the waste and unconihined gases, all under insulated conditions, and under airiree onditions.

And similarly proceeding in the compouuding ot a solid with a difi erent solid and with gases: that is to say, my invention consists advantageously in separately pulrerizing each oi the solids, and in ionizing the gases; and then separately electrifying each component. the different powders he ing electrified with opposite signs, with the highestpotential in the positive. all while se iiarately forced into suspension in a porlion of sand moving gases. ad antageously previously electrified with sign opposite to the particular solid suspended therein and with ditl erent potentials; and thereafter blending the different powder suspensions, oppositely electrified. together with the gases and a secondary supply of gases: and then withdrawing the resulting compound from the uneonihincd or waste gases; all under insulated conditions: and with suitable pres sure and temperatures and due motion.

, And. in some cases. where a catalyzer has been heretofore used to ata'eleraite reactions between like components. I may likewise use such but advantageously in dry powdered form and suspended in the gases simultaneously with the solids to be compound ed. And from the crude mixed product thus attained. I separate and remove the eata'iyzer substantially as at present, or otherwise.

My process stated in an alternative form includes and is specifically illustrated here in, in part, by a process for fixation of nitrogen from air or producer gas and the like by compounding same. with a suitable basiov solid in powder form by the method above generally stated.

Additional novel amplifications or alternatives of steps or" the process are set forth in the :emainder of the speeiiieation and trated by nitrogen gases, each separately electrified, of opposite s1 gns, prior to the compounding; and thereby attaining increased density in the compounded molecule which in creased density results in increased stability and duration and decreased hygroscopicity;

and further attaining increased homogeneity and increased amount or per cent. of nitrogen fixed through the compounding of the solid in powdered form while suspended in and moving in the gases under insulated conditions.

As a product my invention comprises a solid compound, advantageously in pulvera ized form for, fertilizer or other use, comprising solid components electrically combined and compounded with gases, the constituents of the compound comprising the combinations "and molecules from or of chemical reactions, and of adsorptions, and of molecular associations of said molecules and the like, each and all electrically actisated andelectrically compressed whereby increased per cent. of nitrogen is fixed and "whereby increased density, stability, durability, homogeneity and decreased hydroscop'i'city are attained in the molecules and particles of the product.

By the term or? increased homogeneity, density, stability, durability, and of decreased hygroscopicity, and increased per cent. of nitrogen lined and the like, I mean increased or decreased as compared with a compound product as-iiow made of and from the same components or compounds, but without the prior electrification of the components as described, e., beiore'the bringing the components together as in present processes; and including those present processes, as in sundry electric furnaces, where an electric heat is applied to a mixture of the components; the broad distinction being that in my improvement, I electrify one or both or all components separately and oppositely and with one sign only before the compounding, and in addition as described with the solids in powder form suspended in the gases; and all under insulated conditions. 1

I This invention practically applies andadapts with improvements, the following principles of physics; towit:

(1) The electrical principle that when particles under insulated conditions are brought into contact with the extension of one pole of a sufficiently high voltage sourceof constant or direct current electricity, the said particles leave the said contact electrified with a charge like that of the Contact pole, and with varying degree of rapidity depending upon their electrostatic or electric capacity and resistivity or conductance influenced by temperature and in some cases by pressure and the velocity of molecular impact.

I In my improvement, I adapt this principle to A. C. advantageously, of low frequency about 16 cycles by providing means of grounding of one alternation, of

'each' cycle, and means of contacting with the other or non grounded alternation of each cycle, under insulated condit ons.

(2) The electrical principle thatfthere is' an emission of electrons from hot bodies and metal surfaces and the like, either Ipositive or negative or both, depending upon the temperature, the nature and form of the body and influenced by an electric force;

and the hot body being left with charge 01)- v posite to the emission; and similarly.

(3) That a static charge is attainable upon a particle by duefriction, with the simultaneous emission of an opposite eleceliiciently described, by well known scientists. In accord therewith and authorita tive writers since 1913, I apply the word electron to both and electrons, and using the term positive electron and negative electron herein.

I also take cognizance of, and adaptherein sundry additional electrical principles involved in the said electron theory to wit:

(4;) The atom consists of a' heavy positively charged nucleus or matter with free positive electron or electrons, innumber. approximating half its atomic weight about which are grouped-enough negative electrons to render the whole neutral.

(5) An electrical charge wherever found,

whether on an insulator or semi-conductor or'conductor, from any and every source, Whether in electrolytes in solution, or gases or Illegals, or elsewhere, consists of an exact number of specks of electricity or electrons, positive or negative, which in static phenomnewness 'ena or state, are scattered over the surface at rest with reference to each other; and in current, are drifting along the conductor.

(6) In metals the mobility of negative electrons is about 100 to 200 times that of positive electrons.

in electrolytes, in solution, the mobility of neg-i ve electrons is about 10 times that of positive electrons.

7) Positive electrical charge or positive electrons, may be regarded as an actual entity which is always associated with matter, whose mass is not less than that of the H atom 7 Negative electrical charge or negative electron is an actual entity alike for all kinds of matter and which may exist independently of matter and though of a mass of about that of the H atom.

{8) A positive charge on matter may be due either to the addition of or adsorption or absorption of positive electrons thereto, or thereon; or to the emission or withdrawal therefrom of a definite quantity of negative electricity or negative electrons; or both.

A negative charge on matter may be due either to the addition of or absorption or adsorption of negative electrons thereto, or to the emission or withdrawal therefrom of positive electrons; or both.

My improvements in compounding embody or add the electrical adsorption force, 2'. 8. increased adsorptions through the additional superimposed electric or electrostatic charges of adsorbed electrons, advantageously negative from an exterior source of supply; or conversely by emissions of electrons advantageously negative from the component to an exterior contact material, and'due grounding through low potential current contact.

As an apparatus, my invention generally stated, comprises, means of pulverizing the solids Separately; with means of ionizing the gases, separately; with means of transport.- ing and blowingthe powders with jets of streams of gases into suitable retorts or electrifier conduits and compounding vessels and the like; with means of attaining the electrification of the powders separately by the application'of friction in the pulverizers or in said retorts and the like, or both; with means of heat also applied thereto; with means of applying unipolar current electricity to the electrifier conduits and the like, and grounding by unipolar contact from each component and conduit scparately and through the conduit, either both thermal and frictional emissions of posi- 'tive electrons only or negative electrons only,

thereby lea ving the atoms, molecules or particles electrified ,respectively negative only or positiie onlyfand with means of unipolar contact to simultaneously or thereafi '65 ter further electrifyingmrsurcharging the components separately with additional like electrifications, 2'. 6., additional negative electrons only, or additional positive electrons only; with means thereafter oi cor pounding the oppositely electrified powders and gases in suitable vessels, the final cornpounding vessel being advantageously dielectric-g with means of heating the coinpounding vessel; with means thereafter of withdrawing any resulting compounds from the vessels both fused and in powder form, and separately withdrawing the non-used o1- uncombincd or product gases; with means of controlling and regulating throughout the temperature, pressure, velocity, or degree of motion and the electric supply; and all under insulated conditions, with dielectric supports for all the apparatus As a part of the apparatus of my invention, and which I call the elcctrifier apparatus and which alone is also applicable to sundry present or existing apparatus for similar compoundings, my invention generally stated comprises a constant current supply circuit of electricity advantageously dircct current, of suitable voltage and ainperage, with means of earthing one pole thereof, and simultaneously electrically connecting the other pole thereof, to a suitable conduit or plate or the like, of conductor or resistor material; with means of forcing the materials in powdered form or gases or both, into, through and out-of the conduit: and with an extension of the non-grounded terminal wire, advantageously in the form of a flat ribbon wire, which I call a trailer wire, through the length of the interior of the conduit; with a rheostat, ammeter, voltmeter, pole changer and circuit breaking switch in the said circuit; with means of increasing the difference of potential in the said cirniit advantageously by means of I the rheostnt at and near the conduit; with insulator supports for all connecting apparatus; with dielectric joints in connecting wipes.

I And where A. C. is used as hereinafter described, in lieu of the l). C. in the above combination, then, for grounding positive or negative electrons only, I advantageously use the intcrrupters or interrupter selectors, and the operating mechanism therefor to ground the positive or negative alternations only as described in my Patent No. 1,334,590,

and more especially as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 and 9 and 10 of said Patent No. 1,33%,590; and I use the non-grounded alternation for electrifying by contact suhstantially as with above I). C. combination.

Additional novel amplifications or alternatives of the apparatus. process and product. are set forth in the remainder of tho specification and claims.

By the term electric supply circuit. 1 mean a metallic circuit o't' which the cartl'i forms no part excepting as herein stated. This constitutes what I call the electrifier supply or circuit.

The D. C. supply may be a storage battery or a D. C.-dynan1o or a battery of numerous cells or a D. C. motor generator set, in connection with a standard lighting and power electric system or source of supply; or the equivalent.

Where the available supply is only alternating current, I advantageously convert such to D. (l, by well known means such as a rotary converter or motor generator set or rectifier, or the like and with a previous step-up transformer, to first attain a high voltage with a continuous and steady potential; or a pulsating unidirectional current of reat regularity.

may also use an A. (l, as herein .de' scribed, advantageously reducing its frequency to 16 cycles, and increasing its voltage to high voltage, as hereinafter-described.

I may also use the current from a static, frictional or influence machine or the like by grounding either its negative or positive pole, the other being connected with the electrifier conduit and the like.

Where a source of heat sufiiciently high to attain-emissions of electrons isemployed as herein described, then I may use low voltage advantageously five to fifty in the electrifier circuit for mere grounding of the thermal electrons; and likewise from frictional electricity; otherwise for surcharging or further electrifying, without heat or friction I advantageously use high voltage; in-

fluenced also by the time of contact, the area of the contact surface and its amperage, and velocity of the moving material.

By suitable voltage I mean and include the ordinary commercial light and power electric'supply systems of 110 to 220 V.

By resistance, or rheostat, I mean any device heretofore commonly known as a resistance, used for operation, protection or control of a circuit. 4

In connection with the use of resistance R Figs. 1 and 2 in the supply circuit, to attain drop of potential vat the electrifier contact surface, for surcharging or electrification purposes, the amount of current flowing in the circuit is not diminished thereby; the volts lost equal the number of amperes multiplied by the number of ohms of the resistance; therefore I advantageously use in the circuit a voltage as above stated or in excess of the latter multiple, with its It increased by the number of ohms resistance in the remainder of the circuit.

I advantageously regulate the amperage, advantageously continuously supplied or renewed, by the area of the electrifier surface of cont-act, advantageously providing about one to ten amperes or more per square foot, per second of time of contact, to attain in in the non-grounded terminal.

I advantageously use a contact pressure of about two pounds per square inch; and

a velocity for the solids advantageously in the conduits of about one inch per minute, or less,the shorter the conduit, the longer time or less velocity.

I advantageously use a higher voltage or up to double voltage for positive electrification as for negative; and I advantageously so do by increasing the resistance through or of a rheostat in the circuit advantageously Or I increase the voltage at the source. Thereby I increase the potential of the positive component as compared to the negative component; and such increase is advantageously in excess of the dissociating voltage of the compound or product plus the resistivity of the envelop of gases used; and with the effect that when such components meet or contact in the compounding chamber, and sometimes in the conduits and under insulated conditions, a compounding of the oppositely charged components takes place, electrically activated by having the potential of the one component higher than the other, and which may be described as electrical catalytic action; such compounding may be a chemical reaction Where the components have a chemical afiinity for each other; or it may be an adsorption; or an absorption; or the like; and in some cases accompanied by molecular association; and which may be determined by an empirical test and analysis. I

If from any cause, such compoundings do not amply and quickly result, then it will be advantageous to increase the voltages; or the temperatures; or to conduct the compounding in an A. C., field in the compounding vessel, under insulated conditions as described in my aforesaid patents.

By the term insulated conditions, I mean and include, the supporting of the apparatus on dielectric supports, advantageously water cooled; and advantageously the inclosing of the exterior of the apparatus, electrifier conduits, connecting piping, etc., with an envelop of dielectric covering or insulating paints and cements and the like; and the use of dielectric joints in connecting piping; and such insulation being suflicient, because the electric current proper sticks to and seeks the easiest route towit: the electrifier supply circuit described, though a convection current of the one sign, or what may be called a unipolar convection'current so a "terials being treated, may arise from kinetic norm-5e by contact of moving particles, of the maenerg'ygor force impressed by physical agitation or blowers and the like, and which force often results in a particle preferably taking up or adsorbing another particle of like sign, which may result in molecular association and the like, or may result merely in increasing the number of like electrons on a particle. increasing its static marge.

As an insulator material, where high temperature is employed. l advantageously use boron nitrid, which does not lose its insulating property, at the greatest heat used herein.

By the .term con'ipound, or compound product, or compoundin' I include the products of chemical reactions, of molecular associations, of aclsorptions, of absorptions, and the like, of the components. and mixtures or combinations of such products including alloy-like mixtures and blends and solid solutions of molten fused particles, of and with any such. And the vessel or chamber, or any conduit performing the like function in part, I include in the term compounding vessel.

By the term gases herein, 1 include vapors and sprays.

I do not restrict the general process to the particular electrical means, current or apparatus as described for attaining electrical charges on any material but may use other electrical means.

I attain this invention hy the mechanism illustrated in diagram, in the accompanying drawings, and showing the application thereof to present processes and apparatus; and in which similar letters and numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views; to Wit:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of the electrifier apparatus from D. C. source, with a motor generator and frequency converter and step-up transformer and rotary converter in the circuit to attain l). C. high voltage, as applied to an electrifier conduit.

l ig'. 2 is a diagram of the electrilicr apparatus from A. (1, source with a shunt therefrom having: an interrupter therein for grounding only positive or negative electrons.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of vertical longitudinal section of the apparatus in applying the process to compounding solids, such us Call or (all and the like, with io".. :l gases such as N, where the former cniit negative electrons by heat; and in comhination with electrifier l igs. l or Q.

litr. l, ditto with alternative means where the solids such as the phosphates cruit positive electrons hy heat and by friction; and in combination with applying the clcctritiers ldigs. 1 or Big. 5, ditto with'alternative means where one of the solids ennts negative electrons and another solid to be compounded there with (in addition to gases) emits positive electrons by heat and by friction; in combination with applying electri'l'iors Figs. 1 or 2.

lig. 6 1s avertical longitudinal section in iagram, of a suitable apparatus for separ'. ting and collecting powders and powder prodcts of difiierent sizes, applied to and in connection with the exit end of any compounding vessel or furnace and the like.

Fig. 7 is, in diagram. a vertical longitudinal section of a type of powder and gas jet injector nozzle, with electritier Fig. 1 applied to the nozzle, with centrifugal in the mouth of the twyer or nozzle.

Fig. 8 is a diagram of a vertical section of walls of a heating furnace supporting one joint of electritier conduit 01? 3 or 4: or 5.

Fig. 9 is a diagram of a longitiulinal section of a shorter joint connectimr two of the joints of Fig. 8 and with a gashlower nozzle projecting therein.

Fig. 1 is a diagram of the electrifier apparatus comprising a direct current metallic circuit of which the earth forms no part, as from a direct current generator D. (I. G. with leads -VW and +ll", or dynamo or storage battery and the like: and with a circuit breaking switch S to cut out the supply when not operating; in combination with a motor generator set M. (l. and the like to convert said primary 1). into a primary A. C, of low frequency, :ulvantageously of 16 cycles per second. a.lvantageously of single phase and symmetrical; or if such is not of 16 cycle. then I advantageously provide a frequency converter F C with a double :olc switch S, which when manually closed, throws F G into the circuit of the primary converter A. (1,113 shown, preceding the transformer; and in combination with said. primary A. (1., I provide a stcp-up adjust able transformer 88 to tausiorm the low voltage supply such as the A. t. converted from the l). (l. or a storage battery or other continuous current supply which i'nay he that of the usual city lighting'or power sup ply of about ill) V. or 220 V. l transform such to high voltage 21(lf2lilt=. .980l[Sly about or over 220 V. for negative electrification. and when the positive pole is to he grounded as hereafter explained; or aboutor over ltd V. for positive electrification; and thereafter, I provide in further combination with said transformed or secondary high voltage A. (1, a second rotary converter ll C or the like to transform such A. (h. to a secondary direct current suppl current -u". u of about such high voltage, and which is the D. (h, in fact applied for the electrification and grounding herein described: and for such latter purpose, I further provide in combinalike are duly forced for electrification thereof by what I call unipolar contact with P, and as hereinafter described; and the said lead wire to is further provided with an eX tension thereof advantageously as a ribbon wire or the like baffle wires of resistor mate rial, H projecting into the conduit P throughout its length advantageously heated by the current. In said secondary D. Q, circuit, I advantageously provide an ammeter A and voltmeter V and a-galvanometer, in the grounded terminal line -w as shown, or

in the non-grounded terminal line +10.

The P. U. as shown is adjustedto contact with b and b the and leads respectively, thereby to ground the negative, and for carrying the positive to P when S is closed; and when P. (l, is changed to contact with buttons 6 and b the reverse connections are made, namely the positive is grounded and the negative carried to P.

For hot conduits, under 300 (1, I advantageously use a conductor metal for making the electrifier conduits to facilitate the grounding of the thermal electrons emitted from the powders; and for that thereby a most extensive surface for contact is available; and likewise where the conduit or a second electrifier conduit like P Fig. 5 or B of Fi 4 is intended also to further surcharge t e powders or gases respectively. For temperatures over 300 C. I may advantageously use a vitreous material or the like or a dielectric, which will not fuse or leak at the said temperature.

And when from any cause the electrifier conduit is made of a dielectric material such as stoneware, which I advantageously use where highly heated and where emissions of electrons are not desired from the conduit to the material passing thercthrough,thenthe ribbon or the like metal extension wires H of Figs. 1 and 2 or a number of such wires, in the circuit '11) w as shown act electrically like the metal conduit as described. And such extension is advantageously of thin flat wires of resistor material electrically heat ed by a shunt from the current. I include such extension in the term conduit plate and the like herein and in the claims.

I advantageously connect to and as part ofl'i at the end within the conduit, a coarse woven wire screen or bailie screen as of nichrome wire, H Fig. 8 of about 10 mesh which will permit the ready blowing theresuch throu h of the powders. And in some cases, may be made of a wire which acts catalytically.

In my Patent No. 1,334,590 Fig. 10 and part of Fig. 9 is an improved apparatus ad vantageously in the ground line for forcing to earth with'additional force than a more ground line onlyfthe freed thermal. electrons and the like; and likewise advantaw geousiy used herein.

Further amplifications of D. C., electrifier apparatus are described in the above patent.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of the A. 0., electrifier apparatus proper where A. (l, is used; A. C. G. is the alternating current generator or source of A. C. supply and which is advantageously of low frequency 16 to 25 cycles; for higher cycles, a frequency converter, not shown, is advantageously used to reduce to 16 cycles. w, w are the metal wires of the circuit; S is a. manually tripped double pole circuit breaker switch; 88 is an adjustable transformer to raise the usual city supply voltage of 110 to 220 V. or the like, to any desired high voltage, advantageously over 220 V. for negative and over 440 for positive; Or less where external heatis used as herein described. Where the object and function is merely to constitute the earthing means of electrons emitted by heat from the powders herein described, and the like, no transformer is needed and such can be cut out entirely, and the ordinary voltage of the lighting or power supply of 110 V. is ample; or even as low as five to 60 V. is ample.

11 representsimpedance, and 17 capacity an adjustable condenser, R a rheostat, A an ammeter, and V a voltmeter in the A. C. circuit; C E is a clamp or the like electrical connection attained as by brazing or soldering to the circuit wires to and w, electrically connecting the circuit to P, the electrifier conduit or retort and the like when of metal; and when the conduit is a. dielectric then w w are extended into the interior of P in the form of a flat ribbon or double wire H or the like woven wire baflie advanta geously made of a resistor like nickelin wire,

which will not obstruct materially-the flow of materials through the conduit; and which can be heated red-hot or higher by the current. When thus heated H performs the function of the electrifier contact or of the metal electrifier conduit herein described. I include such extension H in the term conduit plate and the like in the claims. This trailer extension is also advantageous when the conduit is of metal, though not so essential. in" and w" are the metal wires of a shunt circuit from the main circuit w w,- and in which 1.0 and m shunt circuit is the interrupter X details not shown. same being described in and illus'-' trated in Figs. T8-9--l0 of my Patent menses No. 1,334,590; or any equivalent device which may be called a selector or interrupter selector inunue. ly permanently adjust-able to select or therethrough to ground, through wire 10 only positive or only negative electrons and alternations in synchro- Insm with the like l oi: alternations of cycles of the (3., in the said principal, or frequency circuit.

In the A. (1., cleclrilier Fig. 2 l advantageously use two step-up l-ltll'lSlfOl'lnQlS to attain high voltage towit: S8 and 88', the former duly wired to attain the higher volh age, advantageously double, for positive electrification than the latpcr 88-for neg-utive electrification; and with an additional double switch in the leads in and w from 88--so that thereby w and Ill may be entirely disconnected from the circuit; and likewise with an additional double switch S in the leads from. transformer 88+. The switch-hoard of S has six Contact points or buttons l-2-3--4-5-6, of the wires; and two buttons 3) and Z) of the double evil-ch S; un dftwo buttons and 71" of the double switch S and two buttons 5 and b of switch S I operate same as follows: The clamp C E is duly fixed to the electrifier conduit P; vhen the process of passing the powders and ases through P in operation, switches i and S and El are thrown open, as shown in Fig. 2; and wl. l the powders and gases are being passed through P, there are three possibe adjustjmcius oi the swilches to meet the requirements or the process; first: for grounding free electrons only, 5 is adjusted so that its buttons Z17 and (U in contact with l. and 2 respectively, and in addition the interrupter X is adjusted to ground negative only or positive only (ilepending upon whether the thermal free electrons in. l he nega'live or positive. The s iii-hes und 5% are l 1 open excepting when addilions]. resistance is wanted in the circuit whereupon one or both are closed end whereupon the stepup i {runsformer is in the (Wk-U16 transrormer itself Second: For cl not operating. I

rilying or surcharging powders in P pUSllil the switch ii is adjusted-so that its billions Z1 and 7/ are in contact with El and and switch Fl" is closed. and switch W is opera-d and whereupon the transformer 88+ is in the main circuit and the high potenti advanl; usly over 44!) volts is c. luineo, for Hi1 l potential to he given to the positive powders bv contact in l? (the negative being grounded through the lllllllll'il adjustnuant of X); such increased vol...,,;e iv also udvaulageous as a ground lower to drive the selected dcsired "on to earth.

'lhird: For electrify ng. or surcharging negative, the gases as in l5 Fig. 25, or the powders us in P Fig. 5, the swilch S is adjusted so that its buttons b and Z contact only with buttons 5 and 6 respectively,- and switch S is closed so that its buttons 6 and 6 contact with b and I); and switch S is opened; and interrupter X is adjusted to ground positive only; and thereby the transformer 88 only is in circuit to give :1 high potential but only advantageously about 220 volts or over or about half the potential given to the positive.

It will be understood that in lieu of using two step-up translormers 88+ and S8 as explained, I also use only the one adjustable step-up transformer 88, manually adjusting it materially higher advantageously double for positive than for negative; and omitting entirely the 88' or its operation excepting when the use of its fine wire secondary coil is desired as assistance and which aids in attain ing dillerence of potential; and for which purpose S is closed while 5 is adjusted so that its buttons Z) and b are in contact with buttons 3 and l of adjustable transformer 88+.

Moreover, the advantage of two separate transformers may avoid confusion bye careless operator by marking the one (88) positive and the other (88) negative.

For bre ity, I hereafter call or esignate the whole apparatus of Fig. l as E or D. G. E and precede E with or sign when applied with the positive or negative pole grounded respectively. And likewise, l hereafter call or designate the whole apparatus of Fig. 2 as E or A. C. E and precede E with lor sign when applied with the adjustment to ground only positive or only negative emissions of positive or negotive elec trons.

And when the principal use of such upparatus is as herein applied for grounding such emissions from the moving powders and the like, mid which emissions are due to heat. generally not from electric source. then ll call the apparatus of lligs. l or "ltll designation (l E or G E emission grounder or emission grounder apparatus as distinguished from the name electrified or elcctrifier apparatus. when it is used principally to electrify the moviup powders and the like by contact and when I use desivnw E or E or to emit electrons by contact. which may he called unipolar contact. to the moving powders from the fixed electrifier conduit P and the like. In the latter case. a much higher voltage is used and with the l). C. E the pole is grounded to electrify the movinr powders, etc.,negative. '2'. negative unipolar contact. to cause she emission from fixed liof negative electrons where it is desired to have such taken up by contact by the moving powder;

whereas on the contrary. in the former case;

t'. 6., to act merely as emission grounder" liill tive as with phosphates.

of negative electrons emitted from the hot moving powders as with CaO, the negative paratus as described or the equivalent, I

call unipolar contacting.

I advantageously electrify solid compo nents by friction in the pulverizing or by heating same in powder form by contact with hot surfaces at sufiiciently high temperature to cause emissions of electrons therefrom, or by both; and I simultaneously or instantly thereupon and thereafter ground such emissions by the unipolar contacting apparatus described; and thereby the solids are left charged with the opposite sign.

,And conversely I also electrify the powders by the addition thereto of electrons emitted by heat from the contacting surfaces, advantageously of good conductor metal. I

In Fig. 3 is shown the application of said A. C. electrifier apparatus of Fig. 2, to the U shaped conduit retort P whereof more detail is shown in Fig. 8; heated exteriorly by any hot blast system Y to high temperature advantageously 240 to 290 C. for iron conduit and preferably 700 to 800 C. for conduits of any material not fusing thereat; the pulverized solids are blown with great force after and upon falling from a supply bin D, whence the powders fall by gravity upon a nozzle N of a twyer T projecting into P, through which nozzle is blown a jet from gas-conduit B of compressed ionized gases, blown by a compression centrifugal blower t), or the like, from a suitable gasometer G not shown in detail, or from source of gas supply not shown, into and through pipe B and thence into a U-shaped retort or tube (2 C heatedby gas blast Y being filled with loose charcoal or copper granules to absorb oxygen from the gases or a1r being forced therethrough from Q; and thence througha pipe B and ionizer U Van ultra-violet ray ionizer, details not being shown, and thence through the twyer T and nozzle N into I, simultaneously there sucking and projecting the powders from I) into the gases and which further carry and project the powders against the hot inner surfaces 5; of the conduit retort ll supported on insulators I, .(see Fig. 8), and heated exteriorly by hot blasts or coal or gas or petroleum or gasolene flames Y and the like. A branch pipe B draws additional ionized gas from B and advantageously injects same through jet nozzle N into the upper or second bend of the U retort, carrying the powders into the compounding vessel or furnace V; and into which V additional streams of secondary and principal suppl of similar gas is forced by several nozzles hi supplied from gas conduit B by branch pipe B precedin U V, and leading to another ionizer V thence to a U shaped gas conduit B with electrifier apparatus E applied thereto to electrify negatively and thence injecting the gas only, into V through several nozzles N spray of a basic salt solution, as hereinafter" described, to further assist in the ionization and electrification of the gas; such spray is best introduced separately from the conduits for the electrification of the powders. Insulator supports I, are advantageously hollow with means of cooling, not shown, like water-cooled electrodes. I

The vessel V, is advantageously a closed vessel furnace, further heated exteriorly by well known means Y, to attain in thevessel the desired compounding, or reacting temperature; such temperature may be at tained in the electrifier conduit if made of any metal or refractory material which will not be injured by the high temperature,- and in which case such conduit may also constitute the compounding vessel.

The compounding chamber of vessel V, is advantageously quite extensive, advantageously over four times the volume of the compressed gases and like a long reverberatory furnace; and with the object of diminishing therein the velocity of the moving gases with suspended powders by expansion into the large space and to thereby sometimes facilitate the contact of'the CaO with the N gases.

For the electrifier conduits and compounding chambers, I avoid pure iron as a material for constructing same on account of the catalytic eli'ect of such in decomposing the cyanogen compound at very high temperature; but steel or copper or other metals named herein may be used.

The vessel V is advantageously of the types either horizontal or vertical or inclined retort or furnace or kiln lined with refractory insulation material and either liked or rotatory; and practically air-tight, dust-proof, water-proof, with means of heating such to about 700 to 1400 C. prior to starting the compounding; and with means of cutting out or stopping exterior.

action is ample to continue the process. It is advantageous to regulate and control the heat of the conduit to be less than the fusing temperature of the powders, z. 12., calcium 805 (3., lime 2565 C. or the temperature of the back action, or decomposition of the product, 1:. a, 1400 C. for cyanamid CalLC beyond which it disintegrates with freeing, of the N; and the like.

In the compounding vessel V, and also where the conduits are lined with or made of a dielectric material, the lining is advantageously of refractory material to withstand the high temperatures, such Dinas brick or fused quartz, or a. fused mixture of zirconia and quartz which remains gas tight and non-porous at the high temperature employed. is a dielectric, boron nitrid has been found to continue as an insulato at the highest temperature employed.

The electrifier conduits P and the like, are advantageously heated from exterior source of heat Y, by duly placing same in a furnace, not shown. except at 50 Fig. 8,

like an enlarged mulile furnace, analogous to those now used for heating retorts to a high temperature; and with like source of heat, advantaoeously a blast lamp and the like. 01', where electricity is very low priced, as when generated by a near-by large water-power same may be heated electrically, by well known means and which may simultaneously constitute my electrifier currents (or vice verse) of Figs. 1 or 2.

As a general rule, when the electrifier conduit of conductor or resistor material and the like is heated to materially over 400 (3., both positive and negative electrons are emitted; and one kind of electron is grounded, as explained by the suitable adjustment of the E or E employed, and the other kind of electron largely further clectriiies or surchar es by contact, the pas ing powders or gases, either neutral or oppositely charged, or in some cases, when of the same sign, due in part its velocity or momentum overcoming the repulsion of like charges.

In and for the treatment of the solid components I may either first dry and then pulverize and store the powders in suitable bins D feeding into bin D by gravity and endless screw propeller p a a well known method with details not shown; and thence feed by gravity as wanted into the electrificr conduit P per the nozzle N of twyer T blowing the powders and into same as shown in Fig.

Or (2) I may dry and then pulverize the solids only as wanted; and by a type of pulverizel' as shown at 16 Fig. 4, and 18 Fig. 5, with a blower@ injecting the powtiers mixed with gases, direct into the 818C trifier conduit l" through suitablenozzles N of suitable twycrs not shown. In such there is a commingling or mixing of the gases with pressure with the powders which together are blown and forced through the connecting tubes and electrifier conduits into the compounding vessel V.

In most cases I use advantageously a see onoary and the principal supply of ionized and electrified gases under pressure, blown direct into the compounding vessel V, using a part of the gases only at the pulverizer and conduit forinjecting the powders therethrough. 5,

The object of grounding, the negative electrons or most thereof, emitted from the hot (a0 or the like by heat or friction, as hereafter stated, is to, attain the elfect, so that the remaining positive molecules or powdered particles which are then positive, may the more readily take up or compound with the ionized negative nitrogen gases or even neutral nitrogen gases when subsequently encountered or in contact therewith in the conduit P or an ensuing conduit, and more especially with the secondary and principal negative gas supply in the compounding vessel V.

The provision or means indicated of manually changing the pole or cycle, e., the plus or minus alternation of the A. C. to be grounded (and which proceeds automatically after the one manual adjustment). is essential for the reason that different kinds of powders to be similarly compounded wit-h gases by this process, emit different electrons, some positive and some negative at high temperatures; thus the inorganic oxids emit negative electrons, whereas the inorganic chlorids and also the phosphates emit positive electrons; and: the nitrates emit positive until converted into oxids after which only negative electrons are emitted; and upon such emission the powder is left oppositely charged. it will be understood there are minor exceptions to said general rule as for instance l ad peroxid; all such can ,be readily determined empirically. Therefore in the process with phosphates and the like. which emit positive electrons by adequate heat or friction, the above adjustments will be manually made to earth the positive pole of the D. C. E and the positive alternations of thecycles of the A. C, E where the latter is duly applied as described.

When the solids are pulverized as at present and stored in bins as in D Fig. 3, before feeding therefrom as described, or from D Fig.'3,-l advantageously exhaust air and moisture therefrom by well known means not shown as by closing same and connecting with a vacuum pump or vacuum chamber; and then cut out the latter before opening" a suitable valve 1*, whereupon the powder feeds into conduit P by gravity and.

suction of nozzle N and its incoming gas.

It has been demonstrated that there is a. most marked emission of negative electrons from Cat), and other basic oxids on a cathode electrode when heated between 700 to 800 C, though commencing to emit such It isimmaterial how such heat is attained whether electrically or by the application of an external hot blast.

In my process, I advantageously attain such heat by external hot blast for the reason of its economy, applied in a suitable furnace. to the exterior of the conduit or retort through which the powder is blown: or I may so do by heating the metal conduit or retortacting as a resistance in series in the electric circuit described when carrying a large current; or I may use both; or-l advantageously use the former method together with the similar application of a small current to the retort, for the purpose of grounding the emitted electron (the negative in the case of (a as shown at E of Fig. 3) and by bringing the powders violently into repeated contact with the heated conduit as described. the heat of the latter spreads to the' powder and thus the Cat) is intact, when in contact, on the cathode for the time of the contact, and at such time emits negative electrons, the Cat) being thereby left positively charged. Some of said negative electrons are grounded in nascent state forthwith when emitted by contact with the adjoining A. C. electrifier surface, during the negative alternation, 2'. e.,

when surface becomes negative (which.

it does become 16 times per second when the frequency is 16 cycles.) and reaching the earth therethrough and through the 1nterrupter selector X, previously adjusted powder, even though such be negative, for

the reason that the kinetic energy ofthe moving particle of. gas 'm'ore than counterl'ialances the repulsihn' of like charges. Again some of saidemitted negative electrons recombine with some of .the positive CaO powders, but such may again be emitted and grounded on subsequent contact of the powders with the surface further along in the conduit. Therefore it is advantageous tov use very long conduits. It is impractical to state exactly what portion of the emitted electrons take any one of the courses above indicated, such being influenced by the accident of different contacts due to the kinetic energy from temperature and pressure and velocity of motion and to the form of and length of the conduit or retort.

The particles of (a0 upon the. emission therefrom of negative electrons become thereby positively charged and are carried by the transporting gas accordingly through the same conduit (and sometimes through a. connecting conduit) and thence into the compounding vessel, V. Most of the gas to be compounded therewith is introduced separately and either oppositely charged after ionization, or neutral into the compound-- ing vessel; only a minor portion thereof being used as may be necessary for the transportation of the powder from its source of supply to the same vessel; and this for the reason that the positive CaO combines with the neutral or negative nitrogen gases to form calcium nitrate and calcium nitrite and the like, and which fuse or melt at about 499 (1.; and if a higher temperature be used for the conduit as for instance 800 to 1100 G. such will not fuse the CaO which will in fact have its surface cleaned to combine with N gases and the fused compound portion if any may be periodically withdrawn from the bottom valve 0 (see Fig. of the conduit P, to which it gravitates; or may be blown onward like a spray by a blast nozzle N (see Fig. 8) at or near U and with the withdrawal of the fused portion separately from the bottom through doorways 0 of.

the compounding vessel V like from certain forms of reverberatory furnaces.

In cases where emissions from a compenent are to be grounded I may advantageously construct the conduit of stoneware or other refractory material, with the electrifier apparatus applied thereto having the trailer ribbon wire Hor E or E ,Figs. l or 2 projecting into the conduit P throughout its length, i. 6., l advantageously use such where reliance is placed entirely upon the external hot -hlast for heating; and the electrilier trailer is then used more especially to earth or neutralize the electrons from the C210 and the like powder. The conduit is advantageously placed obliquely, higher at one end than'the other, and made of several U shaped sections with a hermetically sealed door not shown at the base of the U or a suitable valve and cock 0 at the bottom angle to withdraw therefrom periodically the fused products into suitable receptacles to be cooled and then pulverized for use as fertilizer or other purpose. 7

Or in lieu of thus withdrawing at a gas blast nozzle may be hermetically introduced at O, or the like to further blow and spray the fused compound from the conduit into the compounding vessel V and thence withdrown from suitable openings from gutters or puddles in the bottom of the ves U The gas which acts as 'eed from oxygen before it is rier oi the powders as debe then used either in neunon-ioniaed,--or advantageously in ion' il state as described.

The heat e .oyed does not ionize the gas; and in some cases, I use it accordingly non-ionized and in the manner described for transporting the powders into and through the electrilier conduit; and in such cases there may be little or no combination otthe emitted thermal negative electrons therewith, in the conduit. But in other cases where I use the ionizer to ionize and negatively charge the gas, there may be earthing of some or": its electrons in the conduit; and again there may be compounding of the l? gases, in part, in the conduit with some of the powdered positive (,aO.

It is advantageous tointroduce separately most at the gases i. c. all the secondary supply oi N gases, duly ionized and electrh lied negatively into the compounding vessel V as through several nozzles N from electrifier conduit l3 and another ionizer U T and branch pipes from B not shown,

the carrier i loved as may to N such negative gases meet the powders (a0 elec 2d positively, and separately introduced into V and tor due compounding therein.

The conduits are supported on insulator sleeves or rings l l, at the points of enance into the vessel V.

l advantageously prolong the compounding vessel by an extension like a long brickdust fine or smelting furnace dust fines beyond the furnace which flue of refractory brick lining may be several hundred feet long raised on piles with hoppers beneath and facilities to discharge from the hoppers into cars beneath.

a silica or fire-clay brick rapidly wastes away, when in contact with a molten containing a large per cent. of e ory linings used in the eompoundiug vessels are advantageously male of; magnesitc brick.

@he absorption, electrical adsorption and chemical reaction of the powders and gases begins in the injector-nozzle and continues in the conduits and is completed principally in the compounding vessel. When the gases blown through the nozzle meet and inject the powders, the commingling of the gases and powder is followed by adsorption in and at the nozzle it the temperature is sulficiently high; and the reaction follows in the compounder when its temperature has attained the reaction ternperi'itui'e.

Before commencing the. injection, the coinpounder is first heated to the reaction temperature by well known means; and sucn means are discontinued if the reaction is exothermic. And if the heat of the lat ter rises above the point where there is a reverse or dissociating action as for instance 1400 C. with oyanimid, then all external means of heating are cut oil; and means of cooling must he provided such as injecting cold gases, etc, or utilizing cooling exterior tubes; and additional powder injections suspended until the chamber has cooled to the desired temperature.

The powdered products which may continue in powder form in the gases in the compounding vessel. are separated and collected as described; or in other well known methods of separation ensuing upon cooling of and retarding velocity of the gas as by enlarged ensuing vessels and long lines, .v'ltll change of direction and introducing a counter-blast toward end of flue 01 cold gases, and about center of length of line of hot gases.

F151". 6 is a diagram of a vertical longitudinal section of one form of apparatus for separating powders from gases. applied to end of compounding vessel V Fig. 3; and also advantageously used likewise with Figs. 4 and 5. In the collection of the resulting compounds in powder form, from the coinpounding vessel, I use any of the present well known apparatus for collecting and separating powders from gases and air. and advantageously use a type devised by Dr. J. F. Mackey of the University of Kansas for determining fineness of powders, as explained in Technological Paper No. 48 of 1915, page 20, of the U. S. Bureau of Standar s; and applied by me as illustrated in Fig. 6 in combination with the compounding vessel V; and in which F is a pipe, with shut-off valve and cook, from the end side or top of vessel furnace V for the exitthereifrom of powders in suspension in and with compressed gases in V, and which are blown therefrom into flue F and sucked therefrom into 'separator chamber (7, by a blower of gas from B through nozzle N and'thence into separator chambers C and. (3,, being well known top and bottom conical shaped closed separator vessels. with connecting flue or pipe F between G, and C, with exit flue F, from C to chimney F for waste gases: or with a pipe F, from F, with control valves F., to close exit to chim ney, and valve F, to open the way into which ca 'ries the gases back to any of the apparatus to be heated or tor re-use at the supply source; and I advantageously provide between G, and chimney in F a U shaped joirt or trap P whose bottom has a loose \v ad of filbers of glass 0 'asbestosthreads or the like to catch minute powders and which joint has a hermetically sealed door M to give ready access to the U joint to removeand renew the wad and remove the few powders ltliercfrom. A. similar El shaped dust collector joint is shown in Fig. 4 between C, and C The cone of chamber C is open at top, and lies within C, as illustrated, the distance between the two widening at the top, to about double the width at bottom. Most of the coarser powders drop out in C, and are withdrawn with others falling in from 0 into suitable receptacles; any finer particles clinging to the walls fall therefrom by gen tly periodically tapp ng the outer wall. A powder withdrawal spout or the like with valve, 0 as shown is at bottom of end of furnace, but such may be alternatively provided below Cgas at 0 from pipe F, such O, having a perforated or open wire catchplate projecting into F. In F is a dielectric joint l) J. From the open spaces above G a large portion of finer powders drop out and into C and are removed from exit 0,, the finest powders are carried over through F into C, and are withdrawn therefrom at Any of the powders still in suspension are blown with the gases into F and are. stopped by the 'wad in U shaped joint F Suitable valves and cocks are placed at outlets 03, O, and O to periodically withdraw the powders therefrom. The coarser powders or grits may be reground for use as fertilizers in some cases and in others are again added to the original powders used in the process. I' advantageously use a similar system of separators and collectors as above described for such reg'rinding; andadvan- 'tageously a battery ofseveral such for separating the original pulverized solids as such come from the pulverizers, prior to storage in bins.

It will be understood that any vapors as of metals and compounds thereof and the like arising during the process or passing off with the uncombined gases through F and the like of Fig. 6, can be'condensed and separated and utilized substantially as at present.

Fig. 7 is a diagram of a vertical longi tudinal section of a pressure powder and gas injector of well known type, modified and with the nozzle N of gas conduit B advantageously of resistor material in series with a metallic electrical circuit which may be either E, or E or other current suitable for heating the nozzle red-hot or over, where such is desired in combination with a powder tum of a cone T having at and in or near its mouth, a screw or propeller like blade bl, perforated and electrically connected with GE, with either plus or minus grounded, depending upon whether or electrons are emitted by the hot powders. Such blade bl further mixes and causes close contact of the powders and gases on the electrified surfaces of the blade and its perforation while being blown therethroug'h. The twver advantageously rests on insulator supports I at entrance point to ensuing conduit or vessel. In some cases P is insulated from N and B; but not so where high heat would destroy the insulation and in which case, the electrification of the powderonly is applied. that of the being neutral or centrifugal spray type of nozzle not shown;

and in some cases also for powder and gas injections. And further, I advantageously make same of resistor material and electrically connect same with the positive pole of the electrifier apparatus with negative grounded, in order to thereby further charge positive the basic powder and the like or its blend with gases or the gases with sprays, or the gases alone, forc1bly passing therethi'ough; and conversely l electrically connectthe nozzle for the carbon powders and the like or its blend with gases, with the negative pole of the electrifier apparatus having its positive grounded, and having about half the potential of the former;

It will be understood that by the term frictional electricity, herein, I include such arising from violent passage through such nozzles,

Where the nozzle is not used for electrification or as an electrifier by means .of the E or E 2'. 0., of gas, but is used merely as an injector of compressed gas for inspiration or the like of the powders, the electrification of the conduit of the powders only, is considered and effected as described. The gas being considered-as neutral and the electrification of the gas being allowed in the main and secondary supply of gas in conduits B prior to the separate injection thereof alone, into the compounding vessel V.

Fig. 8 is a diagram of vertical longitudinal single section of a joint of electrifier conduit P in Figs. 8 and 5, in tulmlar form, advantageously U'shaped and of elliptical or. catenary cross section, and made in lengths advantageously of about six feet to ten. advantageously shown as duly supported on insulator supports 1, in and through the walls 50 of one form of a muflle heating furnace; the conduit 1 having an nmate enlarged end 30 advantageously projecting outside the wall for connections from electrilier E or E also for inserting a preceding conduit orshort joint like Fig. ll 01' pipe connectioin for powder injections and the like with the exit end 31 to lit into the enlarged entrance end of an ensuing similar n. or into end 32 of a shorter cylind ical joint P Fig. 9, of the conduit. having a circular hole ill with slanting edges in the top or side for introducing, with hermetically sealinga a blower nozzle N from gas conduit ll, and Wire H if desired of electrifier 112 or E Fig. l or to project into P and. applied. either to the nozzle of B or to P. Such latter P of Fig. 9 may be of same material and cross section. as P of Fig. or it may be of dielectric material where such is needed. as elsewhere described. In Fig. 5% the bottom of l is shown. with an inclination advantageously over 15 so that any molten product will lion to and into an orifice at the bottom connected with an exit pipe with valve and coclt to be opened periodically to Withdraw the fused product, iii any, advantageously under pressure of the passing gas blower nozzle N is advanintroduccd into the bottom of l? adjoining the exit into pipe 0 or nearby for periodical use.

.lt u'ill be uiuleri-stood that such electrifier conduits and the compounding vessel are quite loop. the length to be determined cinpirically for runercnt products; or such in lieu of the length illustrated in part only, iny consist of several smaller sections each section shaped as illustrated. and duly hern'ietically sealed into each other. And in the '5' 'e Sections of the conduits P and vessel f. f adyantageously use di'lterent increasing pneumatic pressure blowers Q1 Fig. 5 or injectors of gases and the like, and increasing heat temperature and increase of U. voltage of E in P of Fig.

to thereby and to therein atwe hi; 'erent zones of the coinponndings in h successive s ctions.

Fin. L is a diagram of a vertical longitudinal section oi an advantageous form of a short joint lmtu'cmi electrilier conduits or betuiuui such, and the compounding ves' sci-hayinu a crosssection not shown, like that oi the conduit: and with an enlarged mouth 2322 into which its a. d is sealed the end oi Fig. h of elcctritier conduit and the lilteits opposite end 3:5 to fit into an ensuing section a duplicate of 50 8; and in such joints. 1 provide at top or bottom or sides a suitable hole, with inclined sides to r ive and place erethrough herm tically sealed into the joint th nonzle of hlou'er pipe B or a branch t or, to Luther reinforce the pressure of the gases to propel the powders; and which n05- v e-i zle is in some cases supplied with means to electrically connect with E or E I conduct the process as follows:

The solids are first crushed, in' a rock crusher 01' the like, so as to pass through a to 1 inch orifice or screen; and then dried to about 1% of moisture or less, in a direct heatcontact drier in order to permit of ready pulvcrizzin z; and then pulverized to a powder, in a suitable insulated grinder 0r mill to increase the electrostatic capacity and the adsorption surface and the capillarity, advantageously to a fineness so'tnat about 85% or more will pass through a 200 mesh screen and about 95% or more through a 100 mesh; a Well known form of separator or separator and powder collector. and a second impalpcble dust collector is advantageously used with the pulverizer. It has been calculated that the surface of a one inch cube solid is thereby converted into surfaces aggregating over eight square feet. The powder may be carried to bins from Whichit is fed to the electrifier conduits as in. Fig. 3 andcfompounding chamber as required under positive control; though I a d.- vantageously grind and feed direct from the pulyerizer into the electrifier conduit as in Figs. 4 and 5.

lVhere the feeding of the powder is by the Well known feed-screw method which may be used from storage bins. the number of revolutions per minute of the feecl-screw regulates the supply of the powder. The supply of the gas is controlled by gates or by fan speed of centrifugal pressure blow ers or the like or both. The operator adjusts these factors together with the source of exterior heat to the temperature desired in the electrifier and compounding vessel during the operation, as determined by pyroineter, gagged in accordance With the temperature found empirically to give or produce the desired resultinq compound as herein stated.

The heating of the electrifier conduit is advantageously by any of the present means Y not shown. in detail for heating retorts as by gas, hot blast or other fuel flames applied to the exterior of the conduit analo goiis to the heating of retorts.

As shown in Fig. 3, the stored previouslyground powders are allowed to gravitate from the powder storage tank or bin such as D advantageously through a conveyer screw 20s to a air-closed bin D whence the powders tall by gravity and are sucked into the clectrifier conduit P by the suction of the pressure gas feeder through Venturi nozzle N or the like, and in which conduit P the powder is thoroughly comzningled with and carried by the pressure primary gas from conduit B and blown thence into the compounding chamber V or equivalent furnace or retort Where additional. or seeondary hot. gases are also advantageously introduced to complete the reaction or compounding of the powders and gases; such sing advantageously introduced on lines across the powder blast line through several jet nozzles N to create swirling rotating motion or eddy action in the chamber.

I provide adequate control of the temperature by providing in the supply pipes of both the gas and the powder, suitable gates or stop-cocks not shown to cut off all or any portion of each; and thereby determine empirically the amounts of each and tempera ture required to attain the desired resulting compound. I advantageously provide sev eral secondary andv the principal gas supply pipes at different points along the length of V, constituting successive zones for due reaction or adsorption, etc. And likewise may use in successive zones several powder injectors using same kind of gas for the pneumatic injection thereof.

I provide means of control of the quantity of powder and of." gases injected to attain a desired compound reaction. Where the reaction is endothermic, and where there is a danger of having the temperature rise above the point where back action or dis integration would result (as for instance. over 1 100 for cyanamid) in addition to the above means. I increase the gas pressure and advantageously provide a series of cooling tubes not shown. as of flowing cold water through the compounding vessel V to lower the temperature.

\Vhen temperature is too high or reaches destructive limits, I reduce the exterior heat or I introduce excess of cooled gases by well known means. not shown. or increase the. amount ot powders introduced as by manipulating the cut-off gates from. the supply source. In other words. increase the ratio of powder to gas to reduce the temperature; and conversely if the temperature is too low or less than the reaction tenv perature, l increase the influx of hot gases or increase the exterior heating or reduce the supply of powder.

it the temperature employed be higher or becomes beyondthe control and higher than the fusing temperature. of the product,as for instance: about 499 or over for crude calcium nitrate. or the favorable reaction temperature of calcium carbid with N gases, which is. about 700 to 1100" C. de pending upon the pressurc,-then it is manifest the product or some of the compound would melt or tusc, and then I withdraw the fused portion by gravity and suitable exits U and which is allowed to cool and then reground or pulverized for use as fertiliner. in such a type of compounding vessel like the rcverberatory or other metallurgical furnace is advantageous. with like means of withdrawing the molten product.

other well known method for ioni Before attaininga desired satisfactory product the conduits and the compounding chamber refractory lining is advantageously uniformb heated to avoid chilling the injected powders and gases; therefore theiirst product obtained, until chamber is duly heated, should be reworked or again similarly put through the process.

As an alternative method, I also inject the powders previously electrified as herein described, with one sign, into a closed furnace chamber, holding the gases under pressure previously ionized and advantageously electrified with opposie sign as described andall under insulated conditions and under air-tight conditions. 7

It will be understood that the nitrogen gases used may be such as are at present used either from are furnaces or producer gas furnaces or from air and the like, the free oxygen thereof being removed by well. known means as described, prior to use in the electrifier conduits or the compounding vessel.

To electrify the gases negatively, 1 advantageously use the ultra-violetlight ray or high tension violet ray as at l V. Fig. 3. with an electritier ilatc p in the conduit electrically connected with +G E. said plate and conduit being made advantageously of an alloy of K and Xa or amalgam of K or Na or Mg or Zn; or pure copper or the more electro-positive metals. advantageously as in the volta series. for contact electricity which most readily lose negative electrons: such elcctritier plate being in series in a l). circuit with the positive *arthed +G- E Though other metals may be thus used the above named are superior in emitting a greater number of negative electrons, I ad\antagcously use any are lamp as the source of l. V. light or a. mercury vapor lamp in quartz tube; or spark across air-gap through whicl' a series of -:-ondenser discharges takes place. i conveniently use an arc-lamp with direct current supply.

it will be understood that I may use any the gas or putting same in a conducting slate; and thereafter neutralizing or leading to earth therefrom electrons of the one sign not desired. and leaving the gases charged with the other sign. as desired. lint it has been demonstrated that il V,- rays are more cilicient than Roentgen and other rays in promoting chemical action. When i use l Y. rays or Roentgen rays and the lil-zc lor ionizing the gas. then i may clectrily the tubes or conduits with low r potential say about 5U V. or upward; though the higher potential of it or F. is more advantageous especially for stir-charging the particles.

l thc term gases and ionizing gases. 1

include atmosphere or air; but herein, in

til;

this process for fixing nitrogen such is advantageously freed from oxygen as de scribed; when such is subjected to the ionizing process described there is. some dis ruption and ionization of some of the nitrogen-molecules of the air and thereby and the s11rchargrino by using E or l5 applied to B and ll, their combination is facilitated in the compounding process described. Before using such herein 1 remove the free uncomhined oxygen as described.

It is advantageous to use centrifugal air compressors at high speed to compress the air or gases to force same into the ionizing chamber and the electrifier conduit, and compounding vessel. The greater the pressure or ensuing density of the gas. the more ions and the greater the electrostatic capacity and the amount of electrification thereof.

With the centrifugal pressure blowers. l advantageously use a pneumatic pressure of sixty pounds upward per si' uare inch in the transporting of the powders into and through the electrifier conduits; with renewal of the pressure with dilfercnt successive supplies of the pressure gases: and in suchconduits it will he understood that there is also an. electrical pressure therein, also in tl'iecompoundiug vessel due to the dilference of potentials of the components and the electrical forces used.

All such pressures due to electric forces and heat expansion forces and pnuematic forces effect increased density in the compound molecules, which result in increase of stability and in diminished hygroscopic property in the finished product; and in addi ion, the compounding of the powders while suspended in the result in homop .eity in the finished product.

ll here there is no resulting detriment. it is advantageous to spray a salt or acid solu' tion into the gas to increase the number of. ions and capacity for electrification; shown at S 3 from suitable source 3 advantageously use such salt or acid which is advantageous for or in a fertilizer, and which he of the stone character as the constituents of final pro uct to he case, a soluble lime atteinedrthus. in t salt or dilute nitric acid or dilute nitrate of lime. of one tejith normal solution sprayed through 53 Fig. 3 into the air entering the ioi'iizingz chamber ll l or l may use an allmline sulfa "e such as sulfate of potassium or of magnesium which tends to diminish the deliquescent propt-zrty the product; or I may use a phosphoric acid or other acid or salt of a well ltnown fertilizer element: l

advantapgeously use such sprays only in, the linal conduit ll preceding entrance to the compounding; chamber, shown at i Fig; 3. Among the common elements lltii'lflg the most pronounced tendencies or atnnity to rel (.alcium fuses at ahout 05. 4 at about 2565" C.; magnesium at (351 C; magnesia MgO at about 2771 C. and. calcium nitrate Ca (NO atahout i99 C. Potassium nitrate fuses at about ill (l. "the; 3

fore. I provide means for withdrawin; the fused product. where higher than fusing temperatures are used.

It will he understood that when a fused or molten product attained and with- 3 drawn during the process. as described, such is cooled and powdered or crushed and pack aged for use as fertilizer substantially as a present.

T he advantageous temperature for chemical reactions of sundry bases with nitrogen has been found to be about 1050 to 1100 C. at atmospheric pressure-though in many cases commencing at a lower or glow tern perature; and when the temperature increases to about 1400 C. or glass making temperature, which I generally avoid. there is a reverse effect in mairguses as ith calcium cyanamid resulting;- in a dccomposr tion of the product attained at lower temperature. On the other hand, the products thus produced, generally melt or-i'use atmuch lower temperature Z. 0., (724330 at about l99 G; therefore provision is made as described for withdrawing the i molten product from the compouru with its higher temperature to attain further chemical reaction with non-Eu powder and from the clectriher conduit when the ten'iperature therein accidental exceeds the melting temperature of? product and in which. 2'. 6.. the electri cr conduit'l' acvantageously use a tem era ture below the melting; temperature product in order to keep the suiiuct V and clean to permit contact with the 1 ders for the electrification hearing in mind further that forming compounds by chciui there are also formed at lower ten compounds by adsorption ath'aut oppositely electrified. compon one electrified component with a t facilitated in some ca. 3

construct the f for powders and {it coinpomulingr vessels. l drawi l! taiu t U iuniorcs. molten u'oducts which flow thereto by grav 136 l-la it-y; and further it is advantageous to construct such of well known tubular egg-shape or catenary cross-section, not shown, with doorways from the bottom apex; and

further with a downward inclination of the whole along the'length and advantageously with a gutter along thebottom to suitable openings or exit pipes 0 with shut off valves, so that with such inclination the flow of molten products will be down the sides and along the inclined gutter to 0,. Such catenary (cross section) construction and inclination of the whole is also advantageous for like reasons for the electriiier conduit with an acute angle bottom apex to serve as a gutter, and a similar exit valve or gateway 0 at the lower end of. the conduit; and in some cases at the opposite or upperend having an entrance for a blower nozzle to further assist in moving the powders.

I adapt my said process improvements t present process also of making a crude calcium cyanamid fertilizer and the like, starting with a powdered newly made ca' lcium cyanamid, or a dried powdered CaC, and same above LT gases and conducting the process above described.

In what is known as the present cyanamid process, calcium carbid. (C210,) is the starting point; this is ground line, to the consistency of flour, out of contact with the air and a portion of the ground mass is ordinarily heated in a stagnant state to. a red. heat or about 1100. C, in order to start the action or re-' action, by the absorption of the N, gas, then duly added, under pressure, in said furnace in order to form calcium cyanamid. In the said cyanamid process, the reaction is generally as follows:

Cat plus hl caCN plus C.

In what is knownas the present Odda process of making cyanamid from masses of solid crushed calcium carbid, (31C and N, the absorption of N proceeds 30 to to hours in a closed vertical retort holding 300 to 500 kilos and heated by an electric current about 1000" C. through carbon rods placed inside, acting as a heating resistance; after the aosorpt-ion has begun the is turned off. T he cyanamid formed is removed in a solid coke-like block after cooling in a current of cold air about 9 hours f and is then ground to a fine powder in an air-tight grinding mill; then stored in a large silo until needed; and is then packed in a double bag or other suitable-package for shipment. My process saves very many hours in the absorbing of the N gases and in attaining a purer product, p

In the principal other methods now used for making calcium cyanamid, as at Piano D firta a stream of nitrogen is introduced into and absorbed by powdered stationary calcium carbid in a horizontal retort, similar to retort used in making coal gas, heated in a gas-fired furnace; CaCl or Cal is often added to the crushed CaC, so as to lower the temperature of the reaction to 700 to 900 C.; the favorable influence thereof, '70 it is alleged, is due to the fact that CaCl or Cal mixes with the cyanamid formed 'on the surface of the carbid, and causes it to fuse at a lower temperature and thus permit the entrance of N into the interior of the cal-bid. Lie disadvantage is that CaCl makes the product hygroscopic.

It will be noted that in the said and other present processes, the calcium carbid and the like or other base, is a stagnant or sta- 30 tionary mass, though first pulverized in some cases, whereas on the contrary in my process, such, in powdered form, are in suspension in, and menu g in and with the gases. One step of my improvement cong s-ists in moving and blowing the above pulverized particles into a state of suspension, continuously, and by utilizing the above nitrogen gases as a carrier for moving the powders and suspending same therein, so as to surround every particle of the powders with the same gases to be compounded therewith, and advantageously previously oppositely electrified,the combination, absorption, adsorption and reaction being attained in the state of suspension, and while the particle is moving in the gases, the combination bein elfected under the electrical forces of the opposite charges which result in material pressures, attaining in the prod- 10o not increased purity and density, which results in increased stability and diminished hygroscopic property. I likewise treat a. pulverized raw or newly made calcium cyanamid, for incorporation into fertilizer compounds, as an improved calcium cyanamid. I,

In Fig. 4 is shown the means for application of the process to phosphates and the like which emit. positive, electrons when heated; though it will be understood that Fig. 3 can be likewise used by merely changing the grounding switches of E or E from negative, as shown in Fig. 3 to positive ground in Fig. a;

The soluble phosphate, mono-calcic phosphate or the tri-calcium phosphate prepared as at present from. rock phosphates, which, as found in nature, often contain 70 to 78% phosphate of lime, and whereof the calcium portion has a material afhnity for N, can be similarly advantageously electrically treated like the above quicklimeto combine or compound with nitrogen gases; but when such calcic phosphate is pulver- "ized and thereafter. heated as a powder in the electrifier conduit, it emits positive electrons which are earthed through +G E or of Fig. 4:, and the powder itself is left charged negatively; and thereupon is

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