US2588469A - Process for the production of high concentration alkaline lyes - Google Patents

Process for the production of high concentration alkaline lyes Download PDF

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Publication number
US2588469A
US2588469A US761702A US76170247A US2588469A US 2588469 A US2588469 A US 2588469A US 761702 A US761702 A US 761702A US 76170247 A US76170247 A US 76170247A US 2588469 A US2588469 A US 2588469A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
alkali metal
concentration
metal hydroxide
solution
amalgam
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US761702A
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English (en)
Inventor
Basilewsky Alexis
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Solvay SA
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Solvay SA
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Publication date
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01—Products
    • C25B1/34—Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis
    • C25B1/36—Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis in mercury cathode cells
    • C25B1/42—Decomposition of amalgams
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00—Springs
    • F16F1/36—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
    • F16F9/02—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using gas only or vacuum
    • F16F9/04—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using gas only or vacuum in a chamber with a flexible wall

Definitions

  • This invention relates to process and apparatus for the decomposition of alkali amalgams with production ofhydrates of corresponding hydroxides having a high content of alkali metal.
  • the heat absorbed by the mercury is used to vaporise part of the water in presence and the vapor thus produced is caused to condense in the lye of highest concentration, so as to raise the temperature of said 1 e and to promote the decomposition.
  • the vaporising of water is caused to take place both by direct heat exchange between the mercury and the water and by the heat evolved by the reaction.
  • This vapor then is used to heat the lye in the hottest compartment where the lye reaches the highest concentration, its temperature thus being raised to a maximum. and it will be in a condition to flow from the cell in the form of monohydrate or at still higher concentrations in alkaline hydroxide.
  • the decomposition of the amalgam thus will take place in at least two stages, the second stage taking place in presence of boiling lye, the resulting water vapor being condensed in the lye concentrated by the first stage of decompositibn.
  • the decomposition of the impoverished amalgam (second or' last stage) is produced by a solution brought to the boiling point, these temperature conditions being most highly favourable to the reaction of decomposi tion.
  • the conclusions of the alkaline hydroxide solution in the mercury are eliminated by water in a manner known per se but, in accordance with the invention, this operation is eiiected in a compartment with a large exchange surface where heat is abandoned by the mercury and the very diluted solution is brought to the boiling point;
  • An apparatus for carrying out the process comprises at least three chambers or compartments, two with twodecomposition compartments A and B and one heat'exchange compartmentC,'through which the amalgam circulates in the order'A, B, C and the lye in reverse. direction.
  • the compartments A, B, C are arranged vertically? one above the.” other' and: separated by 3. partitions l and 2 provided with passages with non return flaps 3, 4 and a hydraulic seal 5, 6.
  • Compartment A is fitted with the amalgam inlet pipe 1, the hydrogen outlet 8 and lye outlet 9.
  • This compartment A and the next B carry aloose charge of catalyst or a stack of decomposition grids on which the amalgam flows.
  • the amalgam passes through the hydraulic seal 5 into compartment B where its decomposition is completed.
  • the mercury then passes through the hydraulic seal 6 into compartment C which is fitted with trays where it relinquishes heat and it flows out of the cell through the valve ID.
  • the apparatus is completed by a separating cooler D and a steam supply pipe E.
  • the water enters the bottom part of compartment C which is arranged for example as a column of trays and it circulates in countercurrent to the exhausted mercury coming from compartment B. There the mercury is completely freed from any lye inclusions it may still contain, it yields its heat to the solution the temperature of which rises gradually up to the boiling point and it leaves the apparatus at a temperature near 100 C., while the mixture of water (or of very dilute solution) and water vapor enters compartment B in which takes place the decomposition of the amalgam coming from A.
  • the sensible heat in said amalgam, the reaction heat and eventually a part of the heat produced in C are sufficient to bring the lye in compartment B to the boiling point.
  • the boiling lye then leaves compartment B and together with the steam produced in B and C and with the hydrogen evolved by the reaction of decomposition, it enters compartment A where it will be brought to its maximum concentration by the partial decomposition of the amalgam resulting from the electrolysis. Whereas the heat carried by the amalgam and the reaction heat are not sufficient to raise the temperature of the lye to the requisite degree, the complmentary heat is supplied by the condensation of the water vapor from the preceding compartments.
  • the mixture of water and steam at 104 C. enters compartment B where the decomposition reaction is completed in presence of boiling lye containing 32% NaGH.
  • the quantity of steam is raised to about 8 kgs. superheated to 120 C.
  • the decomposition being favoured by the supply of heat from the preceding compartment, the temperature in A being C.
  • the process and apparatus as described supply hydrogen at a pressure which already is high enough to make its distribution and its use possible without supplementary compression, but with introduction of extraneous heat, the apparatus being able to operate under higher pressure conditions, it is further made possible to dispense with pumping the lyes, the latter being under pressure as they leave the apparatus.
  • the injection of extraneous vapors, although not indispensable to carrying out the process according to the invention, thereof will often be advantageous, not only when starting the operation of the cell, but also during its normal operation. It can be performed so as to supply a more or less important part, or even the whole of the amount of water necessary to the constitution of the lyes in operation. 1
  • the drawing of the apparatus as illustrated is given merely to show its principle, as the device may be realised in many forms and modifications within the scope of the invention.
  • the connection for the amalgam between the compartments may be carried outsidethe cell, the compartments may be arranged in stepped relation, they may be subdivided into groups of smaller elements at increasing temperature and concentration, each group as a whole operating like the subdivided original compartment; or in the subdivided cell, the order of the elements may be changed, thus the lye comin out of any compartment may be led to the next after having passed through another compartment of the same group.
  • the enumeration of these modifications is of course not restrictive.
  • a process of producing alkali metal hydroxide solutions of high concentration by de composing the corresponding amalg'ams which comprises establishing a plurality of vertically superimposed confined reaction zones containing alkali metal hydroxide solution, the solution in each of said zones increasing in alkali metal concentration from a lowermost zone of least concentration to an uppermost zone of highest con-- centration, causing the amalgam to flow unidirectionally in the direction of the zone of least alkali metal hydroxide concentration, thereby becoming gradually exhausted of alkali metal, in troducing water into the zone of least alkali metal hydroxide concentration, withdrawing the exhausted amalgam in contact with said water to efiect vaporization of at least some of said water by the sensible heat in said exhausted amalgam, introducing the water vapor thus produced and the alkali metal solution of least concentration into an alkali metal hydroxide solution of higher concentration to condense said vapor, thereby raising the temperature of said alkali metal hydroxide solution, introducing the vapors and liquid contained in each of said zones of
  • a process for the production of alkali metal hydroxide solutions of high concentration by decomposing the corresponding amalgam which comprises establishing a plurality of adjoining bodie of alkali metal hydroxide solutions of increasing concentration including a lowermost body of least concentration and an uppermost body of highest concentration, said bodies being disposed in interconnected vertically superim posed relationship, causing 'the amalgam to flow unidirectionally in contact with said bodies in the direction of the body of least alkali metal hy droxide solution, causing the alkali metal hydroxide solution to flow counter-currently to tne flow of said amalgam, the flow of alkali metal hydroxide solution passing from the top of one body into the lower portion of the next superimposed succeeding body, and simultaneously causing the vapors generated by each body of alkali metal hydroxide solution to flow into the lower portion of the next succeeding body of higher alkali metal hydroxide solution and to bubble upwardly therethrough and condense 'therein, thereby raising the temperature of said alkali metal hydroxide solution and

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Primary Cells (AREA)
  • Hydrogen, Water And Hydrids (AREA)
  • Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
US761702A 1944-02-18 1947-07-17 Process for the production of high concentration alkaline lyes Expired - Lifetime US2588469A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE454461T 1944-02-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2588469A true US2588469A (en) 1952-03-11

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ID=37664066

Family Applications (1)

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US761702A Expired - Lifetime US2588469A (en) 1944-02-18 1947-07-17 Process for the production of high concentration alkaline lyes

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US2588469A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AT (1) AT162877B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE454461A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH251639A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE938966C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DK (1) DK66803C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR902480A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB612322A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL60274C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2718458A (en) * 1951-12-26 1955-09-20 Socony Mobil Oil Co Inc Method and apparatus for preparing finely divided anhydrous alkali metal hydroxides
US2732284A (en) * 1956-01-24 sakowski
US2837408A (en) * 1954-06-29 1958-06-03 Olin Mathieson Process and apparatus for the catalytic decomposition of alkali metal amalgams
US2872291A (en) * 1955-03-24 1959-02-03 Solvay Process and apparatus for the decomposition of alkali metal amalgams
US2938773A (en) * 1954-03-06 1960-05-31 Zoutindustrie Apparatus for the reduction of solutions by means of a liquid amalgam
US3104949A (en) * 1958-01-15 1963-09-24 Ici Ltd Process for the production of caustic alkali solutions from alkali metal amalgams and to apparatus therefor
US3512220A (en) * 1966-09-23 1970-05-19 Hoechst Ag Vertical decomposing device for separating mercury and alkali metal hydroxides

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2706890A (en) * 1950-05-15 1955-04-26 Schmidt Ernst Heinrich Wilhelm Production of steam under pressure
DE960093C (de) * 1952-07-22 1957-03-14 Dr Alfred Wurbs Zersetzungsapparatur zur Zerlegung von elektrolytisch erzeugtem Alkaliamalgam
DE940117C (de) * 1954-03-26 1956-03-08 Rumianca Spa Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Gewinnung von Alkalihydroxyd

Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US679355A (en) * 1900-05-03 1901-07-30 John H Barr Amalgamator.
US728746A (en) * 1902-08-25 1903-05-19 Union Ore Extraction And Reduction Company Means for precipitating dissolved metals.
GB190910352A (en) * 1909-05-01 1910-05-02 August Goepfert Improved Process and Apparatus for Recovering Copper from Waste Liquors Produced in Pickling Metals.
US1532489A (en) * 1924-10-06 1925-04-07 Farbenfab Vorm Bayer F & Co Process for producing the hydroxides of alkali metals or of alkalineearth metals
US1704909A (en) * 1925-05-14 1929-03-12 Ig Farbenindustrie Ag Manufacture of alkali of high concentration
US1753015A (en) * 1928-05-04 1930-04-01 Mcgregor Alexander Grant Precipitating system
US1784066A (en) * 1925-04-01 1930-12-09 Ig Farbenindustrie Ag Process for producing hydroxides of alkali metals
US1945114A (en) * 1932-02-23 1934-01-30 Vapor Treating Processes Inc Method for refining hydrocarbon oils
GB415466A (en) * 1932-02-25 1934-08-27 Ig Farbenindustrie Ag Process for the manufacture of alkali metal hydroxide solutions
US2009347A (en) * 1935-03-09 1935-07-23 Socony Vacuum Oil Co Inc Apparatus for contacting liquids
GB452302A (en) * 1935-03-02 1936-08-20 Ig Farbenindustrie Ag Improvements in and apparatus for the manufacture of alkaline liquors or salt solutions
GB453517A (en) * 1934-03-13 1936-09-14 Krebs & Co Sa A method and apparatus for the treatment of alkali-metal amalgam obtained in electrolytic cells having mercury cathodes
US2091709A (en) * 1935-04-10 1937-08-31 Lummus Co Countercurrent contact apparatus
US2154144A (en) * 1937-02-25 1939-04-11 Forest Products Chemical Compa Apparatus for extracting liquids with liquids
US2191919A (en) * 1936-01-21 1940-02-27 Sinclair Refining Co Art of refining
US2405158A (en) * 1945-01-16 1946-08-06 American Cyanamid Co Multiple contact countercurrent extractor

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE598314C (de) * 1932-02-25 1934-06-08 I G Farbenindustrie Akt Ges Herstellung von Alkalilaugen aus Alkaliamalgam
DE763863C (de) * 1941-05-24 1953-07-06 Ig Farbenindustrie Ag Verfahren zur Gewinnung von Alkalilaugen durch Zersetzung von Alkaliamalgam
DE738656C (de) * 1941-05-24 1943-08-26 Ig Farbenindustrie Ag Verfahren zur Gewinnung von Alkalilaugen durch Zersetzung von Alkaliamalgam

Patent Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US679355A (en) * 1900-05-03 1901-07-30 John H Barr Amalgamator.
US728746A (en) * 1902-08-25 1903-05-19 Union Ore Extraction And Reduction Company Means for precipitating dissolved metals.
GB190910352A (en) * 1909-05-01 1910-05-02 August Goepfert Improved Process and Apparatus for Recovering Copper from Waste Liquors Produced in Pickling Metals.
US1532489A (en) * 1924-10-06 1925-04-07 Farbenfab Vorm Bayer F & Co Process for producing the hydroxides of alkali metals or of alkalineearth metals
US1784066A (en) * 1925-04-01 1930-12-09 Ig Farbenindustrie Ag Process for producing hydroxides of alkali metals
US1704909A (en) * 1925-05-14 1929-03-12 Ig Farbenindustrie Ag Manufacture of alkali of high concentration
US1753015A (en) * 1928-05-04 1930-04-01 Mcgregor Alexander Grant Precipitating system
US1945114A (en) * 1932-02-23 1934-01-30 Vapor Treating Processes Inc Method for refining hydrocarbon oils
GB415466A (en) * 1932-02-25 1934-08-27 Ig Farbenindustrie Ag Process for the manufacture of alkali metal hydroxide solutions
GB453517A (en) * 1934-03-13 1936-09-14 Krebs & Co Sa A method and apparatus for the treatment of alkali-metal amalgam obtained in electrolytic cells having mercury cathodes
GB452302A (en) * 1935-03-02 1936-08-20 Ig Farbenindustrie Ag Improvements in and apparatus for the manufacture of alkaline liquors or salt solutions
US2009347A (en) * 1935-03-09 1935-07-23 Socony Vacuum Oil Co Inc Apparatus for contacting liquids
US2091709A (en) * 1935-04-10 1937-08-31 Lummus Co Countercurrent contact apparatus
US2191919A (en) * 1936-01-21 1940-02-27 Sinclair Refining Co Art of refining
US2154144A (en) * 1937-02-25 1939-04-11 Forest Products Chemical Compa Apparatus for extracting liquids with liquids
US2405158A (en) * 1945-01-16 1946-08-06 American Cyanamid Co Multiple contact countercurrent extractor

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2732284A (en) * 1956-01-24 sakowski
US2718458A (en) * 1951-12-26 1955-09-20 Socony Mobil Oil Co Inc Method and apparatus for preparing finely divided anhydrous alkali metal hydroxides
US2938773A (en) * 1954-03-06 1960-05-31 Zoutindustrie Apparatus for the reduction of solutions by means of a liquid amalgam
US2837408A (en) * 1954-06-29 1958-06-03 Olin Mathieson Process and apparatus for the catalytic decomposition of alkali metal amalgams
US2872291A (en) * 1955-03-24 1959-02-03 Solvay Process and apparatus for the decomposition of alkali metal amalgams
US3104949A (en) * 1958-01-15 1963-09-24 Ici Ltd Process for the production of caustic alkali solutions from alkali metal amalgams and to apparatus therefor
DE1170384B (de) * 1958-01-15 1964-05-21 Ici Ltd Alkaliamalgamturmzersetzer
US3512220A (en) * 1966-09-23 1970-05-19 Hoechst Ag Vertical decomposing device for separating mercury and alkali metal hydroxides

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE938966C (de) 1956-02-09
CH251639A (fr) 1947-11-15
GB612322A (en) 1948-11-11
FR902480A (fr) 1945-08-31
DK66803C (da) 1948-05-18
BE454461A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1944-03-31
AT162877B (de) 1949-04-25
NL60274C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

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