US2757076A - Test apparatus - Google Patents

Test apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US2757076A
US2757076A US335266A US33526653A US2757076A US 2757076 A US2757076 A US 2757076A US 335266 A US335266 A US 335266A US 33526653 A US33526653 A US 33526653A US 2757076 A US2757076 A US 2757076A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
chamber
reaction chamber
gas
confined
tube
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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
Application number
US335266A
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English (en)
Inventor
Deprez Charles-Louis
Daras Nestor Gustave
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Solvay SA
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Solvay SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Solvay SA filed Critical Solvay SA
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Publication of US2757076A publication Critical patent/US2757076A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N7/00—Analysing materials by measuring the pressure or volume of a gas or vapour
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N25/00—Investigating or analyzing materials by the use of thermal means
    • G01N25/50—Investigating or analyzing materials by the use of thermal means by investigating flash-point; by investigating explosibility
    • G01N25/54—Investigating or analyzing materials by the use of thermal means by investigating flash-point; by investigating explosibility by determining explosibility
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/4456—With liquid valves or liquid trap seals
    • Y10T137/4643—Liquid valves
    • Y10T137/4658—With auxiliary means for varying liquid level

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a process and apparatus for automatically determining the presence of potentially explosive gaseous mixtures before the explosive limit of such mixtures is reached, and is more particularly concerned with a process and apparatus of the character indicated suitable for determining the presence of potentially explosive gaseous mixtures in electrolysis cells.
  • hydrogen may be formed and released at the surface of the cathode in electrolysis cells of the mercury cathode type as a result of local decomposition of the alkali metal amalgam which is formed during the operation of the cell.
  • the formation of hydrogen at the surface of the cathode not only causes a decrease in electrolytic yield, but more seriously, the mixing of the hydrogen thus released with the gas normally evolved at the anodes, e. g. chlorine, may form an explosive mixture.
  • the gas normally evolved at the anodes e. g. chlorine
  • the process according to the present invention is based on the principle of purposely bringing about the chemical combination of the gases in the mixture being tested and making use of the physical changes which result from such combination.
  • the combination of the gases in the mixture is effected periodically, and the variation in pressure resulting therefrom is caused to act on a manometric device which, when the variation reaches a predetermined limit value, causes the closing of an electric current to operate an alarm.
  • the combination of the gases takes place in a reaction zone or chamber, preferably under the action of actinic rays, and the variation in pressure of the gases, as a result of the combination, causes a saline solution to enter into an electrode tube to provide a conductive path between two spaced-apart electrodes.
  • the electric circuit which is made by this bridging of the gap between the electrodes actuates an alarm.
  • the gas mixture to be tested is introduced into the reaction chamber through a tube which is of relatively small cross-sectional area, in order to prevent an overly rapid extinction of the pressure variation caused by the combination of the gases in the reaction chamber.
  • the variation in the pressure of the gases in the reaction chamber is employed to cause either an increase or a decrease in pressure in the electrode tube, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.
  • the chamber While a quantity of the gaseous mixture to be subjected to the test is being introduced in the reaction chamber, the chamber is not exposed to the light. The gaseous mixture is then exposed to the actinic rays of a lamp for two or three seconds, during which the desired chemical combination takes place, then the lamp is turned off or masked, the products of the combination are evacuated by continuing the flow of the gaseous mixture through the apparatus, and a quantity of fresh gaseous mixture replaces the evacuated gas. Thus the reaction chamber is periodically exposed to the light rays for a few seconds at a time. The frequency of these exposures may be determined by any convenient means, e. g. manually or by a mechanical or hydraulic timing arrangement.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a testing apparatus embodying features of the present invention showing the reaction chamber and the electrode chamber communicating therewith, and
  • Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modified form of apparatus.
  • reference numeral 1 designates the inlet tube for receiving the gas mixture to be tested.
  • Inlet tube 1 communicates directly with a vessel 6 provided with an overflow tube 7 which empties into a receptacle 8.
  • Communicating with the side of inlet tube 1 is a branch inlet 2 of relatively small diameter which has a free end extending into an enlarged tube 3 which extends downwardly into vessel 6 and at its upper end extends into reaction chamber t.
  • Associated with reaction chamber 4 is an electrode chamber 12 which extends into a larger gas chamber 13 having a gas outlet 14.
  • the upper end of reaction chamber 4 communicates with the upper end of electrode chamber 12 by means of a gas conduit 5 and the lower portions of reaction chamber 4 and gas chamber 13 are connected by a liquid conduit 18.
  • the lower portions of the chambers 4 and 13 are adapted to contain an electrolyte solution, e. g. a sodium chloride brine, the solution flowing between the two chambers through conduit 18. From the lower portion of chamber 4, the electrolyte overflows into tube 3 and thence into vessel 6 from which it overflows through tube 7 into receptacle 8.
  • a constant supply of electrolyte to chamber 13 is provided by a reservoir 17 which communicates at its lower end with the lower portion of chamber 13.
  • an alarm circuit including an electrode 15 extending clownwardly into electrode chamber 12, an electrode 16 extending upwardly through the bottom of chamber 13 into the lower end of electrode chamber 12, a source of current, e. g. a battery 34, and a relay 33, the'relay 33 being arranged to close a circuit 35.
  • the electrodes are advantageously formed from graphite and the source of current may, if desired, be the electrolysis cell with which the apparatus is associated. Radiation to which the gas mixture is exposed in the reaction chamber is, in the embodiment illustrated, provided by an incandescent lamp 30 connected through a switch 31 to a current source 32.
  • the gas inlet tube 1 is connected by any suitable means to the source of the gas to be tested, e. g. a mercury cathode electrolyte cell.
  • the gas under a positive pressure, thus enters the apparatus through tube 1 and flows through branch tube 2.
  • the gas pressure in tube 1 causes some of the liquid in vessel 6 to rise in tube 3 to a point above the free end of tube 2 so that the gas bubbles through this liquid and flows upwardly into reaction chamber 4.
  • the arrangement comprising tubes 3 and 7, vessel 6, and receptacle 8 operates to maintain the flow of gas into reaction chamber 4 substantially constant.
  • switch 31 which, as mentioned, may be manually operated or may be connected to any convenient mechanical, hydraulic or similar timing device, is closed for a few seconds, thereby causing the lamp 30 to be energized and the resultant exposure of the gases in chamber 4 to the radiation from lamp 311 causes the gases to combine chemically.
  • the resulting instantaneous rise in temperature causes a pressure increase which drives the gas through line 5 into electrode chamber 12 for a few seconds, e. g. 2 or 3 seconds, the gas flows through the electrode chamber 12 and escapes by bubbling through the liquid into chamber 13 from which it is removed through gas outlet 14.
  • a vacuum is produced in the electrode chamber and the liquid in chamber 13 rises in the electrode chamber 12 toward electrode 15.
  • the electrodes 15 and 16 being arranged to be vertically adjustable so that they may be positioned at any desired position relative to one another and relative to the overflow line 18 in accordance with the nature of the gas being tested.
  • the arrangement shown in the drawings is particularly suitable for testing chlorine-hydrogen mixtures which may be formed in a mercury cathode electrolysis cell.
  • the completion of the circuit between electrodes 15 and 16 energizes relay 33 which in turn makes the alarm circuit and sounds the alarm to the cell operator.
  • FIG. 2 One such modified form of apparatus is illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the relationships of the gas chamber 13 and the electrode chamber 12 have been changed somewhat.
  • the electrode chamber 22 extends into the gas chamber 23 but is not connected to line 5 from reaction chamber 4. Instead, line 5 communicates with the upper end of gas chamber 23.
  • Gas outlet 29 from gas chamber 23 joins a gas outlet 21 which communicates with the upper end of electrode chamber 22.
  • the apparatus of Fig. 2 is substantially identical with the apparatus of Fig. 1. In the operation of the apparatus of Fig.
  • the expanding gas from reaction chamber 4 passes through line 5 into gas chamber 23 and exerts a pressure upon the liquid contained in this chamber, the gas outlet line 29 being of relatively small diameter so as to prevent rapid diminution of the pressure.
  • the pressure on the liquid forces it upwardly into electrode chamber 22 and eventually the liquid bridges the gap between the ends of electrodes 25 and 26 and closes the circuit which operates the alarm, as described above in connection with the embodiment of Fig. 1.
  • the electrodes are vertically adjustable so that the distance between the lower end of the upper electrode 25 with respect to the level of the liquid overflow 28 can be varied.
  • the apparatus has no parts which are required to move during operation and the apparatus remains clean at all times, hence minimum maintenance is required. While the invention is primarily applicable to mercury cathode electrolysis cells, it may also be used in testing any gaseous mixture having constituents which will react with one another and while an incandescent lamp has been shown as the means for bringing about the desired chemical combination in the reaction zone, it will be apparent that other reactioninitiating means may be employed within the scope of the invention.
  • Apparatus for determining the presence of an explosive gaseous mixture which comprises, in combination, means defining a reaction chamber, means for supplying the gas to be tested to said chamber, contacts in end spaced-apart relationship in an electrical circuit including means for sounding an alarm when the circuit is made between said contacts, means defining a first confined chamber enclosing the spaced-apart ends of said contacts, means defining a second confined chamber for containing an electrolyte in fluid-communicating relationship with said first confined chamber, first conduit means connecting the lower end of said reaction chamber with the lower end of said second confined chamber and second conduit means connecting the upper end of said reaction chamber with one of said confined chambers to bring the gases produced in said reaction chamber to act upon said electrolyte to vary the level of said electrolyte in said first confined Zone enclosing the ends of said contacts, and a gas flow control means communicating with said reaction chamber for regulating the volume of gaseous mixture supplied to said chamber, said first conduit means including a U-tube and said flow control

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
  • Testing Resistance To Weather, Investigating Materials By Mechanical Methods (AREA)
US335266A 1952-02-06 1953-02-05 Test apparatus Expired - Lifetime US2757076A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE307672X 1952-02-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2757076A true US2757076A (en) 1956-07-31

Family

ID=3867505

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US335266A Expired - Lifetime US2757076A (en) 1952-02-06 1953-02-05 Test apparatus

Country Status (6)

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US (1) US2757076A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE509023A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH307672A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1007526B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR1069940A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (2) NL90119C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3021200A (en) * 1958-07-11 1962-02-13 Solvay Gas measuring device
US3107981A (en) * 1961-04-26 1963-10-22 Honma Minoru Apparatus for controlled combustion
US3287088A (en) * 1956-09-24 1966-11-22 Chevron Res Analyzing drilling fluid for aromatic hydrocarbons

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3180811A (en) * 1960-10-18 1965-04-27 Stockholms Superfosfat Fab Ab Process for electrolytic manufacturing of alkali metal chlorates

Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US977947A (en) * 1910-06-15 1910-12-06 Anton Grohs Danger-signal apparatus for mines, &c.
US1243604A (en) * 1916-04-03 1917-10-16 Honeywell Heating Specialties Company Safafety relief device for low-pressure steam-boilers.
US1459127A (en) * 1919-10-01 1923-06-19 Williams Leo Daft Method of determining the composition of gases
DE401666C (de) * 1922-12-08 1924-09-06 Franz Meyer Vorrichtung zum selbsttaetigen Feststellen brennbarer Gase in Luftgemischen in regelbaren Zwischenraeumen
US1578697A (en) * 1922-06-15 1926-03-30 Young Lawrence Automatic gas analyzer and control
US1850871A (en) * 1927-05-11 1932-03-22 Air Liquide Automatic measuring device for gaseous mixture analysis
US1861989A (en) * 1928-01-19 1932-06-07 Trebitsch Bruno Gas indicating apparatus
GB402011A (en) * 1932-06-23 1933-11-23 Jerzy Malecki New or improved apparatus and process for detecting the presence of combustible gases or vapours
US2225190A (en) * 1940-07-25 1940-12-17 Weaver Mfg Co Fluid-operated electric switch
US2364898A (en) * 1940-09-21 1944-12-12 Shell Dev Analysis method for geochemical exploration
GB567974A (en) * 1942-02-19 1945-03-12 Kent Ltd G Apparatus for analysing gas
US2488812A (en) * 1945-04-10 1949-11-22 Lionel S Galstaun Gas analysis apparatus
US2519134A (en) * 1946-12-06 1950-08-15 V Ray Van Wey Pressure control switch
US2536089A (en) * 1948-03-19 1951-01-02 William P Ratchford Device for automatic regulation of fluid pressure
US2673339A (en) * 1952-02-25 1954-03-23 James W Gray Gas detector
US2721065A (en) * 1952-05-31 1955-10-18 Walter J Ingram Blast furnace pressure regulator

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE109114C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) *
DE463401C (de) * 1928-07-28 Alwin Wilmes Vorrichtung zum Anzeigen von schaedlichen Gasen mittels eines Diffusionskoerpers
DE297327C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) *
DE366687C (de) * 1921-07-17 1923-01-09 Alfred Starke Apparat zum Anzeigen schlagender Wetter, bestehend aus einem Gehaeuse, in das eine an eine Stromquelle angeschlossene Zuendkerze eingebaut ist, welche die in das Gehaeuse eventuell eintretenden schlagenden Wetter zur Entzuendung bringt
DE393617C (de) * 1922-09-26 1924-04-12 Heinrich Rohde Vorrichtung zum Anzeigen von Schlagwettern, bei welcher die explosible Beimischungen enthaltende Grubenluft in einem abgeschlossenen, starkwandigen Behaelter zur Explosion gebracht und ein Warnungssignal infolge Explosionsdruckes mittels eines beweglichen Kolbens ausgeloest wird
DE825907C (de) * 1950-06-17 1951-12-27 Basf Ag Geraet zum Anzeigen explosiver Gasgemische

Patent Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US977947A (en) * 1910-06-15 1910-12-06 Anton Grohs Danger-signal apparatus for mines, &c.
US1243604A (en) * 1916-04-03 1917-10-16 Honeywell Heating Specialties Company Safafety relief device for low-pressure steam-boilers.
US1459127A (en) * 1919-10-01 1923-06-19 Williams Leo Daft Method of determining the composition of gases
US1578697A (en) * 1922-06-15 1926-03-30 Young Lawrence Automatic gas analyzer and control
DE401666C (de) * 1922-12-08 1924-09-06 Franz Meyer Vorrichtung zum selbsttaetigen Feststellen brennbarer Gase in Luftgemischen in regelbaren Zwischenraeumen
US1850871A (en) * 1927-05-11 1932-03-22 Air Liquide Automatic measuring device for gaseous mixture analysis
US1861989A (en) * 1928-01-19 1932-06-07 Trebitsch Bruno Gas indicating apparatus
GB402011A (en) * 1932-06-23 1933-11-23 Jerzy Malecki New or improved apparatus and process for detecting the presence of combustible gases or vapours
US2225190A (en) * 1940-07-25 1940-12-17 Weaver Mfg Co Fluid-operated electric switch
US2364898A (en) * 1940-09-21 1944-12-12 Shell Dev Analysis method for geochemical exploration
GB567974A (en) * 1942-02-19 1945-03-12 Kent Ltd G Apparatus for analysing gas
US2488812A (en) * 1945-04-10 1949-11-22 Lionel S Galstaun Gas analysis apparatus
US2519134A (en) * 1946-12-06 1950-08-15 V Ray Van Wey Pressure control switch
US2536089A (en) * 1948-03-19 1951-01-02 William P Ratchford Device for automatic regulation of fluid pressure
US2673339A (en) * 1952-02-25 1954-03-23 James W Gray Gas detector
US2721065A (en) * 1952-05-31 1955-10-18 Walter J Ingram Blast furnace pressure regulator

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3287088A (en) * 1956-09-24 1966-11-22 Chevron Res Analyzing drilling fluid for aromatic hydrocarbons
US3021200A (en) * 1958-07-11 1962-02-13 Solvay Gas measuring device
US3107981A (en) * 1961-04-26 1963-10-22 Honma Minoru Apparatus for controlled combustion

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH307672A (fr) 1955-06-15
NL175083B (nl)
BE509023A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1900-01-01
FR1069940A (fr) 1954-07-13
DE1007526B (de) 1957-05-02
NL90119C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1900-01-01

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