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US1453435A - Hethod and appabattts fob nitbogen fixation - Google Patents

Hethod and appabattts fob nitbogen fixation Download PDF

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US1453435A
US1453435A US1453435DA US1453435A US 1453435 A US1453435 A US 1453435A US 1453435D A US1453435D A US 1453435DA US 1453435 A US1453435 A US 1453435A
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fixation
nitrogen
water
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    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01BNON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B21/00Nitrogen; Compounds thereof
    • C01B21/20Nitrogen oxides; Oxyacids of nitrogen; Salts thereof
    • C01B21/24Nitric oxide (NO)
    • C01B21/30Preparation by oxidation of nitrogen
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S422/00Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preserving, or sterilizing
    • Y10S422/904Nitrogen fixation means

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  • My invention relates to improvements in method and apparatus to synthetically produce nitric acid and other nitrogen compounds.
  • One of its objects is to providev simple and reliable method and apparatus by means of which nitric acid and alkaline nitrates as for instance calcium oi potassium nitrate. may be economically produced directly from the air or by employing air apd water at the place where the nitrates are, required to be applied to the soil for agricultural purposes, as for instance by employing wind or wave power; or similar widely .available and inexpensive source of elfihctrical power.
  • Another object is to provide an im-' proved method of electrical distribution over an extended liquid surface.
  • Another object is to provide improvedapparatus to effect a reliable electrical distribution over 'an extended liquid surface.
  • Fig. 1 is a'diagrammatic view illustrating my improved apparatus for carrying out my improved method.
  • Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a modification of Fig. 1.
  • Fi 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating anotEer modificationl Fig. 4, is a sectional detail illustrating another modification.
  • Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiments of myinvontion in Fig. 1 of which 16 represents a direct current circuit, 17 a rheostat to regulate the direct current, 18 a voltmeter and 19 an ,ammeter in said direct current. sent a serles of electrical transformers of .which circuits are Another object is to trate the nitrates or 20, repre the spark coil type in which an interrupted direct current is supplied to a low tension primary coil to induce an alternating current of relatively high potential in a secomiary coil. 1 am thus enabled to provide a plurality of independent high potential alternating circuits 21. 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 respectively provided with spark gaps 27 across which the current is designed to leap in rapid relatively hot sparks through the ordinary atmosphere or other mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.
  • the current of water is allowed to flow from a vat or storage reservoir 29 slowly through a valve controlled conduit 30 to a container 31 in which are preferably provided a series of pools 32 and cascades leading from one pool to another. From the last pool 32 the water charged with nitric acid nitrous acid or alkaline nitrates and alkaline nitrites overflows through a forked conduit 34 and 34' provided with valves 35 and 36 by means of which the overflow liquid may be directed to a reservoir 37 from which it may be pumped through conduit 38 back to the reservoir 29 to be again passed thrbughthe container 31 to increase the percentage of nitrates or nitrites therein.
  • the liquid When the strength or percentage of nitrates is sutiicient, the liquid is discharged into the reservoir 40 instead of to the reservoir 37. From the reservoir 40 the liquid may be used directly for fertilizer purposes, or may be drawn 0 to be treated to concento otherwise make use thereof.
  • I also preferably provide for a more or less active circulation of air through the container from the port 42 to the conduit 43.
  • a blower 44 is preferably employed to create a circulation of air and to .draw the air charged with nitrates and nitrites from the interior of the container 31 through the conduit 43 to below the surfaoe'of 'a body of alkaline liquid in the container 45 where the nitrates and nitrites are absorbed from'the air current intothe liquid of container 45- and.
  • the strong liquid thereof conducted are preferably orerthetovcrflow-X rt 'ed awaytlil'mlgltconduit 71f ⁇ , hemadoisp rtl'ullg liquor slorama are away through the overflow conduit -16 for sparks pass from terminals 85 to the liquid concentration or use.
  • figai'es"92 represents insulating material to the primary coil of annlternating currentlainsulate the metallic' terminals and support transformer and 50, 51. 52, 53, and 54-re rethena in position.
  • the-transforrne is substantially as shown and describedafol Fig. 2, and provides a plaralityofiiulepen (lent secondaryy circuit "and 78 provide; -a'ch "witl tall i e n plumlity oiclectrical terminals nalf'ifi. and with 'zrteriun 'djiici' l'it tlie retoah arq,
  • the method of nitrogen fixation which the. atmosphere from the several terminals -comprises subjecting mixed nitrogen and T9 to the terminal 80.
  • the St-longdiqnm oxygen to the action of a, plurality of elecoverllows from the lower portion of thejcon-itrical spark discharges each in an Independtainer 2 through a conduit 83. ;:Lent electrical circuit and passed between a In the modification Fig. -t independent body of alkaline water and a plurality of secondarycircuitsof high potential as shown? electrical terminals adjacent thereto. 7 and described for Fig. l. and 2 aroapp'lied- 6.
  • the alkaline liquid is supplied uit and passed through said air between a i'ody oflalkaline water and a, plurality of from supplyresciwoir 87' through condn to container 86 l'romwhich it-overflows .lcctricail'terminals adjacent thereto in a thin lilm across the fplatc or llangefi 7.
  • the method of nitrogen fixation which comprises subjecting mixed nitrogen and oxygen simultaneously in the presence of a body of alkaline water to the action of a plurality of independent electrical circuits of high potential to pass a plurality of electrical discharges through said mixed nitrogen and oxygen between said body of water and a plurality of independent electrical terminals.
  • the method of nitrogen fixation which comprises subjecting mixed nitrogen and oxygen to the action of a plurality of electrical sparks each in an independent electrical circuit and passed between a body of water and a plurality of electrical terminals adjacent thereto, and causing a circulation of mixed nitrogen and oxygen gas across the face of said body of water to remove a portion of the fixation products for the subsequent"recovery thereof.
  • the method of nitrogen fixation which comprises-subjecting atmospheric air to the action of a plurality of electrical discharges each in an independent electrical circuit and passing between a body of water and a plurality of electrical terminals adjacent thereto, causing a circulation of atmospheric air across the face of said body of water to remove a portion of the fixation products and subsequently treating the air so removed from the face of said body of Water to recover the fixation products therefrom.
  • the method of nitrogen fixation which comprises subjecting atmospheric air to the, action of a plurality of electrical discharges each in an independent electrical circuit and passing through said air between electrical termlnals in pairs, circulating and removing said air from between said electrical terminals and treating the air so removed to recover the fixation products therefrom.
  • An apparatus for nitrogen fixation comprising a bodyof water constituting an electrical terminal common to a plurality of electrical circuits, a plurality of indecirculation of mixed nitrogen and oxygen gas across the face of said body of water to remove a portion of the fixation products for the subsequent recovery thereof.
  • the method of nitrogen fixation which comprises subjecting mixed nitrogen and oxygen to the action of a plurality of electrical discharges each in an independent electrical circuit and passed between a body of flowing water and a plurality of electrical terminals adjacent thereto.
  • An apparatus for nitrogen fixation comprising a body of water in motion to carry away the fixation products and constituting an electrical terminal common to a plurality of electrical circuits, a plurality of independent electrical circuits of relatively high potential each having an electrical terminal adjacent to said body of water to enable a plurality of electrical discharges to'be passed through a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen and between said body of Water and said respective circuit terminals.

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  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
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Description

May 1, 923; 1,453,435
c. H. BUETTNER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NITROGEN FIXATION Filed Nov. 1"r-, 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 1 G. H. BUETTNER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NZTROGEN FIXATION Filed Nov. 1%, 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 2 May 3', 1923.
c. H. BUETTNER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NITROGEN FIXATION Filed Nov. 1'7
1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 1, 1923.
CHARLES H. BUE'ITNER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.
' IETHOD AND APPARATUS. FOR NITROGEN FIXA'IION.
Application filed November I7, 1921. Serial No. 515,844.
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I. CHARLES H. Bpn'rr- NPR, a citizen of the United States, res ding at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have. invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods and Apparatus for Nitrogen Fixation, of which the following is a specification.
My invention relates to improvements in method and apparatus to synthetically produce nitric acid and other nitrogen compounds. One of its objects is to providev simple and reliable method and apparatus by means of which nitric acid and alkaline nitrates as for instance calcium oi potassium nitrate. may be economically produced directly from the air or by employing air apd water at the place where the nitrates are, required to be applied to the soil for agricultural purposes, as for instance by employing wind or wave power; or similar widely .available and inexpensive source of elfihctrical power. Another object is to provide an im-' proved method of electrical distribution over an extended liquid surface. Another object is to provide improvedapparatus to effect a reliable electrical distribution over 'an extended liquid surface. provide improved method and mean to quickly reduce the temperature of the g tises and to chemically fi x the nitric and nitrous or nitrogen compounds formed before they have an opportunity to disintegrate or revert to theiroriginal condition. My 1nvention also comprises certain method steps and order of procedure, and certain details of improvements in apparatus, all of which will be fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1, is a'diagrammatic view illustrating my improved apparatus for carrying out my improved method.
Fig. 2, is a diagrammatic view illustrating a modification of Fig. 1.
Fi 3, is a diagrammatic view illustrating anotEer modificationl Fig. 4, is a sectional detail illustrating another modification.
Fig. 5, is a sectional detail taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred embodiments of myinvontion in Fig. 1 of which 16 represents a direct current circuit, 17 a rheostat to regulate the direct current, 18 a voltmeter and 19 an ,ammeter in said direct current. sent a serles of electrical transformers of .which circuits are Another object is to trate the nitrates or 20, repre the spark coil type in which an interrupted direct current is supplied to a low tension primary coil to induce an alternating current of relatively high potential in a secomiary coil. 1 am thus enabled to provide a plurality of independent high potential alternating circuits 21. 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 respectively provided with spark gaps 27 across which the current is designed to leap in rapid relatively hot sparks through the ordinary atmosphere or other mixture of oxygen and nitrogen. A
series of metallic terminals 28, preferably of a metal which is not readily corroded, ate provided above the spark gaps, while a bod or stream of water or preferably alkaline water forms the lower spark terminals.
The current of water is allowed to flow from a vat or storage reservoir 29 slowly through a valve controlled conduit 30 to a container 31 in which are preferably provided a series of pools 32 and cascades leading from one pool to another. From the last pool 32 the water charged with nitric acid nitrous acid or alkaline nitrates and alkaline nitrites overflows through a forked conduit 34 and 34' provided with valves 35 and 36 by means of which the overflow liquid may be directed to a reservoir 37 from which it may be pumped through conduit 38 back to the reservoir 29 to be again passed thrbughthe container 31 to increase the percentage of nitrates or nitrites therein.
When the strength or percentage of nitrates is sutiicient, the liquid is discharged into the reservoir 40 instead of to the reservoir 37. From the reservoir 40 the liquid may be used directly for fertilizer purposes, or may be drawn 0 to be treated to concento otherwise make use thereof.
I also preferably provide for a more or less active circulation of air through the container from the port 42 to the conduit 43. A blower 44 is preferably employed to create a circulation of air and to .draw the air charged with nitrates and nitrites from the interior of the container 31 through the conduit 43 to below the surfaoe'of 'a body of alkaline liquid in the container 45 where the nitrates and nitrites are absorbed from'the air current intothe liquid of container 45- and. the strong liquid thereof conducted are preferably orerthetovcrflow-X rt 'ed awaytlil'mlgltconduit 71f}, hemadoisp rtl'ullg liquor slorama are away through the overflow conduit -16 for sparks pass from terminals 85 to the liquid concentration or use. 1, 1 Y 011' the face 'of plate 89. In the several In the modification Fig. 2;47, represents ,figai'es"92 represents insulating material to the primary coil of annlternating currentlainsulate the metallic' terminals and support transformer and 50, 51. 52, 53, and 54-re rethena in position. The intimate relations of seatindependent secondary coils to re ace .i the'Sparks and the liquid tend to absorb the a series or independent circuits of a ternat yproduct-before at reversion or ilt-composiing current of relatively high potentiah55r tion of the prodnctran take place. Also- :ii'. 5%, and 59 which high tension circuits: are connected u to the respective metallic terminals 6!) ant to the containers 610011- taining the liquid p00ls62. '.The 'respe'ctiv containers 62 are connected in-an overflow or cascade. series by means ofthe overflow lfOlltlllltSli which eomluctthe liquid sncces ively fromone to another of the container and finally discharge the strong" liquor into either" reservoir (3-1 from \vhichyit maybe pumped lHll'lC to theisupplyreservoir?Q5, through thecondait 660.01 to resergoir' fi from which thestrong liqnor'gis conductor away to be made use of. The terminals- 'theliqnidetends to exert a rapid cooling effect inthe immediate neighborhood of each "park and also a strong tendency to absorb and-fix the product. If desired nitrogen and oxygen mixed in proportions other than thoso commonly found m ,theiitmosphere mayahe'em lo edz Q I I I 'rh ametmi [and apparatus herein illusrat'uland'described are capable of considerlble modificationwithoat departing from the pirit of my invention; Y i What I claim is: V .lgThe method of nitrogen-fixation which gxygen to an electrical discharge between a plurality of electrical terurinals each in an ndependent electrical circuit and a body of rater, and absorbing the fixation products ntosaid-hody of water.
2.;The method of nitrogen lixationiwhich omprises.sahjecting mixednitrogen and "yeah to: the action of a plurality ofelecical discharges each in an independent elecical circuit and passed between a body 1 wateraiula plurality of electrical ter- 'na ls 1U] jacent ther -to.
The method of nitrogen fixation which ompi'iscssubjecting atmospheric air to the iction of a pluralitv of electrical discharges i" in an{imlcm'ndent electrical circuit and v lghjsaidzair between a body of so as to cause the sparksito strike the liquid as it is in the actof orabont to'floui down the conduits 63. A Stl'ltSUf air polftsflftisand airconduits 72 providefor Clll l'ent S 'O v air through the several containersto -"the reservoirs!) where the.uitratcsand nitrite. carried inthe'air are-absorbedinto-the liquid of reservoirl'itl 'aml the fairipassm through the blower and \t astedt. lTh strong liquor from reserroir (35) is-conduct In the modification Fig.3, the-transforrne is substantially as shown and describedafol Fig. 2, and provides a plaralityofiiulepen (lent secondaryy circuit "and 78 provide; -a'ch "witl tall i e n plumlity oiclectrical terminals nalf'ifi. and with 'zrteriun 'djiici' l'it tlie retoah arq,
i v I giul t plllliilltyflf electrical termi'na 8 each upper end ot the terminal so andllm u an ndependent electrical circuit and a downwardlyover the exterior thereof III at; body-of alkaline water, andahsorbing the thin-film where itis exposed to tlle.atmos-" fixation products into said body of water.
phcre and to the. sparks which leap through. I 5. The method of nitrogen fixation which the. atmosphere from the several terminals -comprises subjecting mixed nitrogen and T9 to the terminal 80. The St-longdiqnm oxygen to the action of a, plurality of elecoverllows from the lower portion of thejcon-itrical spark discharges each in an Independtainer 2 through a conduit 83. ;:Lent electrical circuit and passed between a In the modification Fig. -t independent body of alkaline water and a plurality of secondarycircuitsof high potential as shown? electrical terminals adjacent thereto. 7 and described for Fig. l. and 2 aroapp'lied- 6. The method of nitrogen fixation which to the several terminals Sarrangcd wilhina icompriscs subjecting atmospheric air to the culltilim'l' Qti'which forms the opposite tcr actionrof'a plurality of electrical?sparlc'dis-- minal and is common to allof thesceondary argcscach in an imlelamlcnt electrical cir- .'circuits. The alkaline liquid is supplied uit and passed through said air between a i'ody oflalkaline water and a, plurality of from supplyresciwoir 87' through condn to container 86 l'romwhich it-overflows .lcctricail'terminals adjacent thereto in a thin lilm across the fplatc or llangefi 7. ,Tholmcthod offinitrogen fixation which and flows down the overflow conduitftmto onlprisc nsubjcctinkz mixed nitrogen a d w voir; l; xyg en aim comprises/subjecting mixed nitrogen and- \fll l to'sgiil'i'electrical sparlrdischar oboaltaneously in the, pre ence. ofa. a
body of water to the action of a plurality of independent electrical circuits of high potential to pass a plurality of electrical discharges through said mixed nitrogen and oxygen between said body of water and a plurality of independent electrical terminals.
8. The method of nitrogen fixation which comprises subjecting mixed nitrogen and oxygen simultaneously in the presence of a body of alkaline water to the action of a plurality of independent electrical circuits of high potential to pass a plurality of electrical discharges through said mixed nitrogen and oxygen between said body of water and a plurality of independent electrical terminals.
9. The method of nitrogen fixation which comprises subjecting mixed nitrogen and oxygen to the action of a plurality of electrical sparks each in an independent electrical circuit and passed between a body of water and a plurality of electrical terminals adjacent thereto, and causing a circulation of mixed nitrogen and oxygen gas across the face of said body of water to remove a portion of the fixation products for the subsequent"recovery thereof.
10. The method of nitrogen fixation which comprises-subjecting atmospheric air to the action of a plurality of electrical discharges each in an independent electrical circuit and passing between a body of water and a plurality of electrical terminals adjacent thereto, causing a circulation of atmospheric air across the face of said body of water to remove a portion of the fixation products and subsequently treating the air so removed from the face of said body of Water to recover the fixation products therefrom.
11. The method of nitrogen fixation which comprises subjecting atmospheric air to the, action of a plurality of electrical discharges each in an independent electrical circuit and passing through said air between electrical termlnals in pairs, circulating and removing said air from between said electrical terminals and treating the air so removed to recover the fixation products therefrom.
12. An apparatus for nitrogen fixation comprising a bodyof water constituting an electrical terminal common to a plurality of electrical circuits, a plurality of indecirculation of mixed nitrogen and oxygen gas across the face of said body of water to remove a portion of the fixation products for the subsequent recovery thereof.
14. The method of nitrogen fixation which comprises subjecting mixed nitrogen and oxygen to the action of a plurality of electrical discharges each in an independent electrical circuit and passed between a body of flowing water and a plurality of electrical terminals adjacent thereto.
15. An apparatus for nitrogen fixation comprising a body of water in motion to carry away the fixation products and constituting an electrical terminal common to a plurality of electrical circuits, a plurality of independent electrical circuits of relatively high potential each having an electrical terminal adjacent to said body of water to enable a plurality of electrical discharges to'be passed through a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen and between said body of Water and said respective circuit terminals.
In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.
CHARLES H. BUETTNE'R.
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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2468175A (en) * 1949-04-26 Apparatus for electrochemical
US4256967A (en) * 1979-07-25 1981-03-17 Charles F. Kettering Foundation Arc reactor device
US4559206A (en) * 1984-10-26 1985-12-17 Battelle Development Corporation Arc reactor for fertilizer manufacture
US4705670A (en) * 1985-09-03 1987-11-10 Hare Louis R O Multiple oxidation nitrogen fixation

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2468175A (en) * 1949-04-26 Apparatus for electrochemical
US4256967A (en) * 1979-07-25 1981-03-17 Charles F. Kettering Foundation Arc reactor device
US4559206A (en) * 1984-10-26 1985-12-17 Battelle Development Corporation Arc reactor for fertilizer manufacture
US4705670A (en) * 1985-09-03 1987-11-10 Hare Louis R O Multiple oxidation nitrogen fixation

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