US1437569A

US1437569A - Apparatus for the oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen

Info

Publication number: US1437569A
Application number: US377138A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Bruno
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1920-04-27
Filing date: 1920-04-27
Publication date: 1922-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 1939-12-05

Description

B. THOMAS. APPARATUS FORIHE OXIDATION OF ATMO SFHERIQNITROGEN.

APPLICATION FILED APR 27. i920.

1A3? 569, mama Dec. 5,1922.

INVENTOR constitutes an annular electrode.

Patented Dec. 5, NW2.

' BRUNO THOMAS, 013 SEATTLE, \VASHINGTON.

APPARATUS FOR THE OXIDATION OF ATMOSPHERIC NITROGEN.

Application filed April 27, 1920. Serial No. 377,138.

ment of gases, as per example for the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.

The object of my invention is to provide a combination of electrodes, so arranged, that the electrical arc will be more cfiicicnt in its action upon the gases.

In the accompanying drawing. I haveshown some diagrams which willlillustrate the new feature of my inve ntionwithout thereby limiting my claim to such features which are not essential to carry out my in vention.

Fig. I shows a section, and Fig. I a plan of such an apparatus for illustration purposes. They consist of a chamber (1) with a tangentially located air inlet (2), and ,an outlet opening (3). This outlet opening Another electrode, named the center electrode, is l0- catedhlong the axis through the center of the annular electrode. W hen a suitable electric current is passed through, a spark will spring from the center electrode to the edge of the annular electrode, as marked by Gi -4L. This spark will be substituted by an arc. The heat of the arc will create a draft upwards through the annular electrode and the arc will bend up against the orifice and spreading out almost fill the opening. At

the same time, the air sucked in through the tangential inlet (2) will rotate in the chamher and out of the opening and thereby move the upper end of the are slowly around the edge of the opening, constantly shifting the attacking point. As the gases are cooled immediately, having passed through the arc ases of comparatively high concentration will be produced in this manner. However, a higher efficiency-in oxidation, as relating to the consuniption of energy, will be obtained if the air current is given more vel0cityeither by increased draft, or pressed in through the inlet.

The former way seems preferable. In either case, the gases passing through the orifice will adopt acentrit'ugal movement, increasing with the velocity. Such a mov It will create a low pressure in the ccnte" the movement, and thereby form a core of the lower end of are, around which the gases will circulateand it will create a higher pressure around the edge of the orifice, thereby increasing the resistance in the are as follows: increase the amount of energy or capacity of the apparatus; and further, an intensified rotation will split the upper end of the are into sparks and intensity the immediate cooling of the reacting These etlects may be observed also it the center electrode is placed outside the intake chamber, as shown in Fig. II. By a high rotation, the core of the arc will stay dQWn- 'ard through the center of the opening and 'a ring of sparks will spring from the core out to the annular electrode. If the movement is further increased, and the bottom of the chamber is a metal plate connected with the annular electrode, the core of the are will go right 'down to the bottom, while at the same time the ring of sparks may be observed, around the edges of the orificeasshown in Fig. IV.

Fig. H shows a hollow center electrode which maybe used for admission of other gases, it wanted, and also-to, cause a shift- 'ing of the attacking point of the electric arc.

Fig. V shows a combination o'f two orifices placed opposite each other, each. pro

vided with a center electrode between which.

electrodes the arc is started, and by the cen tritugal movement drawn out to a ring form.

It is preferable that more than one tangential inlet to the air chamber is applied in order to give the rotating movement a and means to give the gasesa rotating morement around the axis. 1

An apparatus for electricil treatment of gases comprising an orifice constituting i an annular electrode in combination with a centerelectrode terminating inside the plan velocity of the gases and following rapid.

of the orifice and means to give the gases a rotating movement around the axis mutual for both electrodes.

3. An apparatus for electrical treatment of gases. comprising an orifice constituting an annular electrode in combination with a center electrode, terminating outside the plan of the orifice and means to givc rtlie gases a rotating movement around the axis mutual for both electrodes.

4. An apparatus for electrical treatment of gases, comprising an orifice constituting an annular electrode in combination with a tube-formed centerelectrode. and means to give the gases a rotating movement around the axis mutual for both electrodes.

5. An apparatus for electrical treatment of gases comprising an orifice constituting an annular electrode in combination with a center electrode located on the axis of the annular electrode, and means to drive a 1'0- tating air current through the annular electrode.

6. An apparatus for electrical treatment of con'xprising: an annular electrode located in a outlet from and around the axis of a round chamber into which chamher the gases to be treated enter tangentially and by a second electrode located on the axis of said chamber.

B. THOMAS.