BRITISH CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS
B.—APPLIED CHEM ISTRY
OCT. 14 and 21, 1932.*
I.— GENERAL; PLANT; MACHINERY.
The pachimeter as an instrument for testing m aterials, with special reference to clays, soils, and flours. G. \V. S. Bl a ir and R. K. Sc h o field
(J. Rheology, 1932, 3, 318—325).—Apparatus is de
scribed for measuring the stress required to start plastic flow in a deformable material. Very small quantities of sample can be used. In the case of clays, soils, and flours, the material is tested a t a moisture content near that at which the material is used. The test gives information concerning soil heaviness, is suitable for examining ceramic clays and flour doughs, and may be applied to other industries involving plastic materials.
(Of. B ., 1932, 484.) E. S. H.
Parallel-plate plastom etry. R. L. Pe e k, j u n. (J. Rheology, 1932, 3, 345—372).—The application of parallel-plate plastometers to the study of soft materials, especially thermoplastic compounds, and metals and alloys in the range of hot-working, is discussed. The analysis of the data is described. E. S. H.
Apparatus for testing the hardness of surfaces.
G. G. Sw a r d (Amer. Paint- Varn. Manufrs. Assoc. Circ., 1932, No. 409, 120—127).—A “ hardness rocker ” is described, and vals. are recorded for various coatings.
The apparatus is applicable to determinations of the rate of drying of films and of the hardness of paper and
sheet rubber. Ch. Ab s.
H igh-pressure capillary flow. Theory of non- uniform viscosity, illustrated by experimental data. M. D. He r s e yand G. H. S. Sn y d e r(J. Rheology, 1932, 3, 298—317).—A theory is developed for the flow of liquids in capillaries under pressures sufficiently high to cause an appreciable change in viscosity. The results are expressed in the form of Poiseuille’s law, with a correction factor. The mathematical analysis leads to several methods for determining the viscosity-pressure characteristics of lubricating oils by observing the efflux from a long metal capillary into the atm. Results are given for greases and castor oil at approx. 45,000 lb.
per sq. in. pressure. E. S. H.
Lubricating o ils.—See II. Alkali-recovery sy s
tem s.—See VII. Turboviscosimeter.—See X III.
Leakage of CO, through rubber.—See XIV.
Ceramic pressure filter.—See XVII.
Pa t e n t s.
Muffle furnaces and the like. H. E. Ha z leh u rst, H. E. Te m p l e, and D. & I. Smokeless Fu e l s (1930), L td . (B.P. 377,242, 24.2.31).—A no. of (metallic) retorts for the treatm ent of, e.g., coal briquettes is provided with circumferential ribs which when abutted
(the retorts being horizontal) form supports and trans
verse flue passages. The retorts are heated by a mixture of fresh and used combustion gases, the latter being
circulated by a fan. B. M. V.
Vertical retorts [for sm elting ores]. Gibbons
Bros., Lt d., a n d W. Gregso n (B .P . 377,786, 10.6.31).—
B eh in d a s e ttin g of v e rtic a l r e to r ts a re re c u p e ra to rs in w hich th e flow of b o th a ir a n d co m b u stio n gases is in u p w a rd zig-zags, th e a ir d u rin g c o m b u stio n p assin g d o w n w ard s a ro u n d th e re to rts . A form of b ric k fo r c o n stru c tin g th e re c u p e ra to rs is d escrib ed . B . M. V.
Economisers, heat exchangers, or like assem bly of pipes or tubes. G. F. Ho ller (B.P. 377,884, 18.12.31).—Horizontal tubes are provided with longi
tudinal external fins which when abutted form vertical diaphragms; adjacent vertical rows of tubes are staggered half a pitch so that the vertical passages between the tubes are substantially of uniform width but wavy. Several tubes may be constructed in an
integral group. B. M. V.
Chemical heating com position and its produc
tion. W. W. Tr ig g s. From H . E. Simmons (B.P.
376,819, 16.4.31).—Various compositions are claimed comprising a finely-divided metal, a salt of the same or another metal having ]> 1 valency, an adsorptive accelerating agent adapted to adsorb odours, and an inert absorptive material to regulate the temp. A preferred mixture contains Fe 200, FeCl3 2, activated C 5,
bone black 55 pts. B. M. V.
Grinding m ills. C. H . Crago (B.P. 377,008, 14.9.31).—In a disintegrator, a method of attachment of beater blades to their discs is described. B. M. V.
Roller grinding m ills. Mia gMuhlenbau u. In d. A.-G., Assees. of 0. Moog (B.P. 377,616, 18.3.32. Ger., 4.4.31).—Hydraulic means for pressing the rolls together are controlled by the feeding device in such a way that the greater the feed the greater is the pressure.
B. M. V.
M ixing, kneading, grinding, and sifting machines. L. a n d J. Eir ic h (Ge b r. Eir ic h) (B.P.
377,010, 18.9.31. G er., 27.9.30).—A ro ta tin g p a n h a s p a r t of th e b o tto m p e rfo ra te d a n d is p ro v id e d w ith r o ta tin g m ix ers a n d w ith edge r u n n e r s ; th e l a t te r m a y ru n solely o v e r th e im p e rfo ra te p a r t of th e b e d o r p a r t ly o v er th e p e rfo ra tio n s as well. B. M. V.
Apparatus for m ixing granular or powdery materials. W. F. and 0. F. Kkevii. (B.P. 377,626, 14.4.32).—A vertical elevator dips rather deeply into a bin of the m aterial; the lifting elements are blades rather than buckets and are run a t such a speed that
* The rem ainder of th is set of A bstracts will ap p ear in n ex t week’s issue.
867 a
B r itis h C h em ica l A b s tr a c ts —B .
8 6 8 Cl. I.—General ; Plant ; Machinery.
the material is flung about when passing over the top sprocket. The upper part of the casing is closed during the mixing and later opened to a discharge shoot.
B. M. V.
Mixing and spraying or m oistening pulverulent, granular, or other m ore or less finely-divided m aterial. C. E. Ga r d n e r (B.P. 377,199, 20.4. and 7.11.31).—In a vertical vessel helical stirrers are pro
vided which lift the material both at the centre and the sides and allow it to descend intermediately, and sprays are provided in the upper part. B. M. V.
Classification apparatus. W. W. Tr ig g s. From D o r r Co. (B.P. 377,220, 11.4.31).—A mechanism for a Dorr rake classifier having no cams or sliding guides is described ; the working stroke has straight-line motion.
B. M. V.
Centrifugal machines or hydro-extractors. W.
La idlaw & Co., Lt d., a n d A. F. Dunsm ore (B.P.
377,578, 30.1.32).—A lid attached to the basket is
described. B. M. V.
Separation of solids from liquids. F. Ba il e y
and F. H. Jackson (B .P . 377,353, 22.5.31).—The snail of a centrifugal pump is formed with an auxiliary skimming outlet, and the outer layer of conc. dirty liquid is passed to a separator whence the clean overflow is drawn back to the suction side of the pump.
B. M. V.
Separators for liquids having different specific gravities. H. A. Thom pson (B.P. 377,570, 25.1.32).—
The apparatus comprises an ovate shell within the upper part of a larger ovate shell and a dome rising from the former. The discharge of lighter liquid is regulated by a float in the dome, and baffles are provided in the shells so that the current of mixed liquids is a t first gently swirling in part of the inner shell and later traly
quiet. B. M. V.
Filters. R. A. Ch a l m e r s, and Te c a l e m it, Lt d. (B.P. 377,715, 24.4.31).—A filter of deeply-corrugated cylindrical form is described. I t is provided with a spring-loaded, by-pass valve to permit prefilt, e.g., lubricating oil, to flow when the filter is choked.
B. M. V.
De-aeration of feed water for boilers. G. & J.
We i r, L td ., and H. Hil l ie r (B.P. 377,898, 25.1.32).—
The water is sprayed into steam in a chamber and then passed upwards over two bundles of heated tubes, the steam arising from which is passed back to the spray chamber from which the permanent gases are removed.
The result is that the water is reboiled twice after the preliminary removal of gases. B. M. Y.
Lessening the corrosive action of sea-water on iron or steel tanks or receptacles used for the transport or storage of oils and other fluids.
W. E. Le w is (B.P. 377,226, 22.4.31).—To the sea-water contained in a ship’s tank that has previously contained oil a solution of a Fe" salt is added and a d.c. applied to the tank itself as cathode and to a sol. insulated anode immersed in the water. B. M. V.
Centrifugal separating apparatus [for cleaning gases]. L’As p ir a t io n Scd sn t if., and C. Co u pa rd
(B.P. 377,771, 16.5.31).—Gas to be cleaned is drawn inwardly through a snail-shaped casing at the centre
of which is a perforated rotating drum through which the gas is drawn by a helical blade within it. B. M. V.
Acceleration of chem ical reaction between two or m ore gases. Me t a l l g e s. A.-G. (B.P. 377,189, 12.3.31. Ger., 29.3.30).—The mol. intermixture of the gases is intensified by the introduction of carriers of electricity (e.g., ions or ionised dust or mist), to such an extent as to produce alone no mol. change in the gases, and then subjecting the mixture of gases to a unidirec
tional, non-discharging, electrostatic field, the trans
porting effect of which is in the direction of increased diffusion of the several gases, and the strength of which (without the previous ionisation) is insufficient to produce any electrochemical reaction. B. M. V.
Controlling temperatures of vapour-phase cata
lytic reactions. F. A. C a n o n and C. E . A n d re w s , Assrs. to S e l d e n R e s e a r c h & E n g . C o rp . (U.S.P.
1,834,679, 1.12.31. Appl., 31.7.28).—Catalytic reactions w'hich take place above the b.p. of H g are controlled by using as heating bath an alloy of H g with a metal, e.g., Pb, which alloy has a b.p. above the temp, of the reaction. Since the vapours evolved condense at about 360°, when they are used to preheat the incoming gases, e.g., C10H g and air in making phthalic anhydride, danger of premature ignition is avoided. A. R. P.
Regenerating granular adsorbents. F. J. Be c h t-
hold (U.S.P. 1,836,301, 15.12.31. Appl., 31.5.27.
Ger., 31.5.26).—In a continuous process, the adsorbent passes from the adsorber to a preheater in which it is subjected to indirect heating, and thence to another chamber in which it is heated by direct contact with steam, condensation of the latter on the adsorbent being thereby avoided. Cooling is also effected in two stages, air from the direct cooler being used for the indirect cooler to prevent risk of ignition of the adsorbent.
W. J. W.
Continuous production of [explosive] gases.
Sto o m m eelfa br iek Ho lla n d N. V., Assees. of W.
Be c h e r (B.P. 377,376, 12.6.31. Ger., 12.6.30).—In, e.g., the production of C102, the reacting liquid (II2S 04) is circulated in such quantity th at the gas remains substantially in solution at atm. pressure ; the reaction vessel being lidded but not sealed and maintained under a slight vac., any air drawn in and stray gas are delivered to the still below the level of the liquid therein. From the reaction vessel the solution of gas and solid reaction products is elevated to a still a t a high level by an air-lift so that a vac. may be applied sufficient to remove the gas from solution ; the liquid and solids descend to a settler and the liquid returns to the reaction vessel together with make-up acid, but separately from the
KC103. 'B . M. V.
Washing of flue and other gases. Un d e r f e e d
Sto k er Co., Lt d., H. C. Mo u n t, C. F. Cu r r e y, and J. D.
Cr o zier (B.P. 376,419, 14.5.31).—The gases are caused to travel through two or more sheets of spray produced by sprayers -which are staggered in successive zones.
B. M. V.
Gas filter. B. Ric h t e r (U.S.P. 1,836,131, 15.12.31.
Appl., 13.11.29. Ger., 7.7.28).—In a filter of the type in which filter elements are attached to a chain running vertically, being cleaned in a hath a t the lower sprocket,
B ritish C h em ica l A b s tr a c ts —B .
Cl. I I . — Fu e l ; Ga s ; Ta r ; Mi n e r a l Oi l s. 8 0 9
the very dirty face forming the primary inlet on the rising side is prevented from becoming the final outlet face on the descent side by not allowing the elements to turn over when passing the sprockets, these being supported at the upper part only and maintained always
vertical by gravity. B. M. V.
Gas scrubber. A. F. Ku n b e r g e r, Assr. to Un it e d
Gas Im pr o v em en t Co. (U.S.P. 1,835,954, 8.12.31.
Appl., 3.9.29).—The gas is passed horizontally, turning upwards, a no. of times across a tower divided into separate sections for each pass ; baffles are provided, those nearest the inlet of each section being moistened.
B. M. V.
[Air] separator. G. H. Fr a ser (U.S.P. 1,834,095, 1.12.31. Appl., 27.4.25. Renewed 9.7.30).—42 claims are made for an air separator of the deflection type for use in conjunction with a pulveriser. B. M. V.
Air cleaners. F. He a t h e r(B.P. 376,436, 26.5.31).—
The filtering elements comprise bristles or other filling
lodged in helical springs. B. M. V.
Plate for air filters. W. L. Rich a rd s and 0. J.
Nelso n, Assrs. to Am e r. A ir Fil t e r Co. (U.S.P.
1,834,534, 1.12.31. Appl., 13.6.29).—The plates are corrugated and are maintained parallel by perforated flanges and/or lugs punched up out of the material of the
plates. B. M. V.
Expansion joint with unsaturated filler. A. C.
Fis c h e r, Assr. to Ph i l i p Ca r ey Ma n u f g. Co. (U.S.P.
1,838,036, 22.12.31. Appl., 2.11.25).—In the prep, of resilient bituminous jointing material by incorporating sawdust or the like with bitumen, absorption of molten bitumen by the sawdust during mixing is prevented by first impregnating the sawdust with II20 or aq. Na
silicate. D. J. N.
T esting reaction of substances. E. Truog
(U.S.P. 1,831,894, 17.11.31. Appl., 24.9.30).—The substance is mixed with a small quantity of EtOH and a suitable indicator and a white insol. powder, e.g., CaF2, BaS04, Si02, or CaS04,2H20, is sprinkled on the surface of the mixture so as to absorb the coloured solution and display its colour. A. R. P.
Analytical balance. J. F. Kr a y e r(U.S.P. 1,834,848, 1.12.31. Appl., 10.1.31).—An air damper is attached to each arm of the beam so that fractions of a mg. may be measured by deflection of the pointer, the scale behind which is provided with a vernier attachment.
B. M. V.
Air cleaners [for m otors, com pressors, etc.].
J. Ca r t m e l l (B.P. 378,133, 5.6.31).
Controlling the hum idity of air. II. A. Gil l. From B. F. Stu r t e v a n t Co. (B.P. 378,153, 25.6.31).
Feeding granular material into liquid.—See VII. Heat-treating furnaces. Turbine blades.—
See X. Purifying and treating gases etc.—See XI.
II.— F U E L; G A S; TA R ; MINERAL OILS.
Constitution and nature of Pennsylvania anthra
cite with com parisons to bitum inous coal. H. G.
Tu r n e r (Fuel, 1932, 11, 254—261).—With few excep
tions, Pennsylvania anthracite is as fully laminated as
bituminous coal. Anthracite is tougher and often presents a more eonchoidal fracture than bituminous coal. Photomicrographs show that the brightest laminse, or anthraxylon, of both anthracite and bitu
minous coal consist of compressed woody fragments, whereas the duller lamina}, or attritus, are composed of a variety of plant constituents mixed with inorg.
particles and a substance resembling mud. The fusain from both varieties of coal exhibits very clearly-defined cell structure. The three banded constituents differ chemically in anthracite and bituminous coal, the differences, of which the most characteristic is the large increase in volatile m atter content, being of the same order for each constituent. The iuorg. constituents are not combined with the org. matter to any marked extent. The fixed ash of both coals is approx. 0-5%.
Anthracite possesses greater adsorptive powers than bituminous coal (cf. B., 1926, 697). A. B. M.
Development of Dakota lignite. VII. Effect of temperature and pressure on sorption of water vapour by lignite. M. Gordon, I. Lavin e, and L. C.
Ha r r in g t o n (Ind. Eng. Chem., 1932, 24, 928—932 ; cf. B., 1932, 326).—The absorption of II20 vapour by Dakota lignite a t 50° shows hysteresis, but the hysteresis area is not so great as th at at lower temp. Treatment with saturated steam at 7—15 atm.
pressure eliminates hysteresis; this is attributed to change of structure. Lignite may be successfully dried by flue gas of controlled humidity (cf. B., 1932, 758).
D. K. M.
U se of different media for float-and-sink tests on coal. R. L. Ca w l e y (Fuel, 1932, 11, 303).—The % of floats obtained with a CCl4-PhMe mixture and with aq. CaCl2, respectively, both media being of the same d, may differ appreciably, the difference being due apparently to the wetting characteristics of the two media. With three coals the % of floats a t d 1-35 were 71-7, 87-4, and 68-0 with aq. CaCl2, and 59-4, 78-4, and 63-6 with CCl4-PhMe, respectively. These differences emphasise the importance of adopting a standard procedure for float-and-sink tests. A. B. M.
Determination of the calorific value of high-ash coals. R. L. Ca w l e y (Fuel, 1932, 11, 302—303).—
The calorific val. of the ash-free coal is determined by calculation from the calorific val. of a sample which has been cleaned by flotation in a liquid of suitable d, e.g., a mixture of CC14 and PhMe. If the coal contains resins and hydrocarbons which are sol. in org. liquids, an aq. solution of an inorg. salt, e.g., CaCl2, should be
used. A. B. M.
Application of ash corrections to analyses of various coals. A. C. Fie l d n e r and W. A. Se l v ig
(Fuel, 1932, 11, 306—312; cf. Trans. Amer. Inst.
Min. Met. Eng., Coal Div., 1930, 597).—Tests on various coals by (a) float-and-sink methods, (6) computations on analyses of coals with varying ash content, from the same mine, and (c) comparison with the Stansfield and Sutherland graphic method, show th at although the assumption that one half of the S is present in the form of pyritic S is approx. correct for most coals, the Fieldner and Selvig formula based thereon for calculating the calorific val. and composition of the pure coal substance
a 2
B r itis h C h em ical A b s tr a c ts— B .
870 Cl. I I .—Fu e l ; Ga s ; Ta b ; Mi n e r a l Oi l s.
has no advantage over the Parr formula for “ unit coal,”
which assumes that all the S is present as pyritic S.
Both formul® require additional correction for C02 if carbonates are present in appreciable amount. The graphic method for estimating the heating val. of pure coal and determining the ratio of mineral matter to ash gave satisfactory results when applied to a no.
of coals. Close agreement with the graphic method was obtained by float-and-sink separations in a solution of d 1-38 and applying the Parr formula to the float
portions. A. B. M.
Determ ination of nitrogen in coke and coal by combustion in steam . A. E. B eet (Fuel, 1932, 11, 304—306).—A mixture of 1 g. of coke with 1 g. of soda- lime, contained in a porcelain boat in a S i02 combustion tube, was heated at 900° in a current of steam, the NH3 evolved being absorbed in dil. H 2S04, from which it was subsequently distilled and determined by titration in the usual manner. Combustion was complete within about 1 hr. The method gave results of satisfactory accuracy for the N content of high- and low-temp.
cokes, and required considerably less time than the Kjeldahl method. I t was also suitable for bituminous coals if during combustion the temp, was gradually raised from 400° to 900°. A. B. M.
Determination of sulphur in coals. G. Sta dn ik ov
and N. Titov (Breanstofi-Chem., 1932, 13, 285-287).—
To prevent loss of S in determinations by Eschka’s method a double-crucible arrangement has been adopted.
The inner (porcelain) crucible containing the mixed coal and Eschka mixture, covered by a layer of the latter, is inverted in the outer (Pt) crucible, and the space between the two is then filled with Eschka mixture.
The heating and subsequent manipulation are carried out similarly to the usual procedure. Accurate vals.
for total S are obtained. Experiments on the distribu
tion of S in the coal before and after extraction of the bitumen have confirmed the accuracy of the Parr and Powell method of determining inorg. S (cf. B., 1920,
145a, 713a). A. B. M.
Changes in properties of coking coals due to moderate oxidation during storage. H. J. Rose
and J. J. S. Se b a stia n (Trans. Amer. Inst. Min. Met.
Eng., Coal Div., 1930, 556—584; Fuel, 1932, 11, 284—297).—Three coals, pulverised to pass 100-mesh, were examined after heating in a current of moist air at 80° for 30—60 days. The coals exhibited an increase in wt. of 0-7—1-4%, a reduction in volatile m atter content of approx. 2%, a reduction in calorific val. of 1-5—3-5%, a decrease in C content of 2-2—
3-0%, and a corresponding increase in 0 content;
the H content remained practically const. The agglutina
ting vals. of Pocahontas and Elkhorn coals fell to zero after 56 and 9 days, respectively; that of Powellton coal a t first increased, passed through a max. after about 15 days, and thereafter fell gradually. There appeared to be no correlation between the agglutinating val. and the 0 content of the oxidised coals; most of the increase in O content occurred without much accompanying change in agglutinating val., and the subsequent large fall in the latter corresponded to a relatively small further increase in O content. The
height of the coke buttons from the A.S.T.M. volatile m atter test varied directly with the agglutinating val.
of the oxidised coals. There appeared to be no correla
tion between the colour intensity of the alkaline extracts of the oxidised coals and their agglutinating vals.
A. B. M.
Behaviour of solid fuels during oxidation.
VIII. Ignition and com bustion properties of cokes.
B. Moore (Fuel, 1932, 11, 267—273; cf. B„ 1931, 1031).—The relative ignition temp, and combustible capacities of 5 cokes have been determined by the method described previously (B., 1925, 486). The vals. obtained differed considerably with cokes produced by different methods. Except for an approx. linear relationship between the glow-point temp, and the volatile m atter content, no definite relation between the ignition or combustion characteristics and the proximate compositions or S contents of the fuels
was observed. A. B. M.
Action of hydrogen on coal. J. I. Graha m and D. G. Sk in n e r (Proc. I l l Int. Conf. Bit. Coal, 1932, 2, 17—27).—Hydrogenation of Alberta and Nova Scotia coals a t 427°/160—182 atm. gave 17-5—48-6% of tar oils and 2-6—7-6% of liquids of b.p. < 150°.
NH4 molybdate (max.), Mo03, NH3, Cr03, ZnO, CoO, NiO, Fe20 3 (min.), and NiC20 4 cause increased reactivity;
the ash of some coals was catalytic. Partial hydrogena
tion gave a product affording a briquette stronger than that prepared from the untreated coal. Ch. Ab s.
Pinking in internal-combustion engines. K.
Sc h n a u f f e r (Z. Ver. deut. Ing., 1931, 75, 455 ; Fuel, 1932, 11, 298—302).—The rate of travel of the flame in the combustion chamber of an aero-engine cylinder has been determined by providing the chamber with a series of sparking plugs and recording by means of an oscillograph the ionisation current induced at each plug by the passage of the flame. A simultaneous record of the vibrations of a tuning fork enabled the intervals of time to be determined. The pressure in the cylinder was also recorded as a function of the time. When no pinking occurs the flame is propagated from the sparking plug with an almost uniform speed.
When pinking occurs the whole of the unburned portion of highly compressed gas mixture ignites spontaneously, causing large and rapid increases in the temp, and pressure, as well as large local pressure differences.
The intensity of pinking depends on the amount of unburned gas mixture which is simultaneously ignited and on the fu e l: air ratio in the mixture. With intensive pinking the expansion of the unburned gas on ignition may be so great th at a “ negative speed of flame ” is observed. In addition to the main type of pinking the pressure records enable three other types to be dis
tinguished, viz., pinking due to pre-ignition, pinking due to too great a speed of turbulence, and a type which occurs after the motor has been pinking for some time, due to normal ignition of the unburned gas mixture by hot spots on the wall, which are, however, not hot enough to produce pre-ignition. When pinking is absent after-burning occurs until the exhaust valve opens ; with intense pinking the combustion is so rapid th at after-burning does not occur. A. B. M.
B rjtish C h em ica l A b s tr a c ts —B .
Cl. n . — Fu e l ; Ga s ; Ta r ; Mi n e r a l Oi l s. 8 7 1
Flame radiation and temperature measure
ments of an internal-combustion engine. A. E.
H ersuey (Ind. Eng. Chem., 1932, 24, 867—370).—
The above measurements were made by means of a Coblentz linear thermopile calibrated as a radiation thermometer, using a W-filament lamp. Curves of flame temp., cylinder pressure, flame radiation, and flame absorption against crank angle for air-fuel mix
tures containing 93-1 and 115-6% theoretical air, and of max. temp, against air-fuel rates, are given. There is satisfactory agreement between the temp, maxima obtained by measurement and those calc, from the heat of combustion for air-fuel ratios near that giving max.
power, i.e., 90% of the theoretical val., but the measured temp, fall off much more rapidly than those calc, for very lean or rich mixtures. The two principal sources of error in radiometric temp, measurements are due to the inaccuracy of the flame-absorption measurements (the error should be > 5%) and the assumption of pure thermal excitation of the radiation from the flame.
Both would lead to too high temp. D. K. M.
Bitum ens of sphagnum peat. N. Titov (Brcnn- stoff-Chem., 1932, 13, 266—269 ; cf. B., 1929, 42).—
The peat was extracted with (a) benzine and (6) C6H6, and the extracts were examined separately. Among the constituents of the wax fractions relatively large amounts (15—20%) of high mol. wt. paraffins (C33Hga and CgjH^) were found. The saponifiable part of the wax consisted of the fatty acids C^ITjqOj, C2;H540 2, and CagfLjgOa, a OH-acid of unknown constitution, and the esters of these acids with the alcohol C2;H560.
The resin fraction contained cyclic acids, e.g., C12H2202 and C14I!2C0 2, and their esters with cyclic (saturated and unsaturated) alcohols. The peat bitumen differs considerably from German brown-coal bitumen in
composition. A. B. M.
Caking of coals. G. L. St a d x ik ov and N. G.
Titov (Khim. Tverd. Topi., 1931, 2, No. 1, 49—51).—
Characteristics of coal from the Lenin mine, Kuznetzki basin, and of its distillation products, are recorded.
The relation of bitumens-.^, -B, and -G to the coking properties of the coal was examined. Ch. Ab s.
Effect of inerts on coking properties of Pittsburgh bed coal. Determination by sm all-scale carbonisa
tion test. J. D . Davis and 0 . G. Hanson (Ind. Eng.
Chem. [Anal.], 1932, 4, 328—332).—Apparatus and procedure for preparing and testing small samples of coke are described. Tests of the effect of inerts (washery refuse, gypsum, calcite, FeS2, and H 20 ) on the quality of coke made from a Pittsburgh bed coal indicate t h a t : (1) mineral inerts increase the hardness ; (2) they lower the stability factor (except gypsum) up to a content of 1°% ; (3) the behaviour of fine washery refuse is similar, but when coarse it greatly decreases stability;
(4) > 25-5% of H 20 does not seriously affect pore size, but weakens the coke through the formation of cross-
fracture lines. E. S. H .
Low-temperature carbonisation of New Zealand coals. Millerton and Blackball coals. W. A.
Jo in e r (New Zealand Dept. Sci. Ind. Res., Bull. No.
29; Fuel, 1932, 11, 273—278, 312—315).—The coals were carbonised at 600° in an externally-heated rotary
retort holding a charge of 35 lb. The semi-coke from Millerton coal (I) was highly swollen and fragile, that from Blackball coal (II) strong and com pact; both formed suitable smokeless fuels for the open grate.
Assay experiments indicated that the strength of the cokes could be improved by blending the coals with a non-coking coal. The yields of products per ton of raw coal [(I) and (II) respectively] were: 14-4, 11-1 cwt. of semi-coke ; 25, 39 gals, of tar ; 3786, 3612 cu. ft.
of gas; and 1-11, 1-11 gals, of light spirit (scrubbed from the gas). Both coals were rich in org. S (2-6 and 4%, respectively), which, on carbonisation, appeared principally in the coke and in the gas (as II2S).
A. B. M.
Carbonisation of coal in stream s of gases.
J. H. Scholtz and R. V. Wheeler (Fuel, 1932, 11, 244—253).—Some British and South African coals have been carbonised a t 400—-600° in small vertical retorts of capacity 100 g. and 7-25 kg., respectively, with and without a stream of inert gas or steam passing through the charge. The passage of the gas or steam increased the yield of oil, the increase being more marked with the smaller than with the larger r e to r t;
e.g., with Wigan Six Foot coal the yields, without steam, were 18-5 and 23-3 gals./ton in the two retorts, respectively, and 27-2—29 • 9 and 25-6—26-9 gals./ton, respectively, with steam. The gas yields were also increased but- to a smaller extent. The South African coals gave low yields of oil, even with steam. The quality of the semi-coke obtained was not materially affected by steaming the charge. A. B. M.
Conversion of coal-sulphur into volatile sulphur compounds during carbonisation in stream s of gases. R. D. Snow(Ind. Eng. Chem., 1932, 24, 903—
909).—When bituminous coal (pyritic S 2-51, org. S 2-63, sulphate S 0-20%) was heated alone, in CO, C02, CIi4, C2H4, No, N2 + a little H 20 vapour, N2 + a little HC1, or in N2 + a little NH3, about 50% of the S was eliminated from the solid at 600° and a little more at 1000°. In anhyd. NH3 82% was eliminated at 1000°, and in II2 87%, but rapid heating was less effective owing to the formation of a hard coke a t about 800°, reducing the contact of solid and gas ; in steam the val.
was 84% a t 800°, but this was accompanied by the gasification of large quantities of coal. Water-gas was somewhat less effective than pure H2, but its desul
phurising action was improved by the addition of a little HC1. When coal was leached by aq. Fe‘" NH4 sulphate containing H2S04, 20% of the total S was eliminated, and on heating the dry residue in H 2 at 1000° the total S removed was 93-1%. The instan
taneous carbonisation of 20—40-mesh coal in H 2 at 1000° removed 59% of the S from the solid.
D. K. M.
Production of compact sem i-coke from Rhenish brown-coal briquettes and its use in automobile gas generators. H. Sustmann (Brennstoff-Chem., 1932, 13, 287—291).—By using a very slow rate of heating (30 hr. to reach 600°, which was then maintained for a further 18 hr.) hard and compact semi-coke was obtained from brown-coal briquettes. An electrically- heated, stationary, horizontal, cylindrical retort of 300 kg. capacity was used. The tendency of the coke
B r itis h C h em ica l A b s tr a c ts — B.
8 7 2 Cl. II .—Fu e l ; Ga s ; Ta r ; Mi n e r a l Oi l s,
to self-ignition was removed by treatment with steam, C02, and air in succession (cf. Rosin, B., 1929, 230).
The product was found to be a very suitable fuel for a suction gas producer of the type used on automobiles,
e.g.,the Imbert generator. A. B. M.
Determination of tar in ammoniacal liquor.
C. Ju n gb lut (Ann. Chim. Analyt., 1932, [ii], 14, 337—
339).—The determination of neutral tar in ammoniacal liquor by extraction with CS2 or CHC13, followed by washing with aq. NaOH and H 2S04 and evaporation of the solvent on the water-bath, leads to considerably too high results, owing to the comparative volatility of the tar. Evaporation in vacuo, especially using CS3 as solvent, greatly improved the method. J . W. S.
Bhadravati wood tar and its utilisation. Y. K. R.
Rao, B. S. Rao, and H. E. Watson (J. Indian Inst. Sci., 1932, 15A, 41—57).—Distillation of the tar under reduced pressure gave approx. 35% of distillate con
sisting of acids (I) 1 -7%, phenols and partly methylated polyphenols (II) 60%, neutral oil (III) 37%, and bases 0-4%. Fraction (I) contained 25% of E tC 02H and PrC 02H ; (II) gave on demethylation 26% of mono- phcnols (phenol 0-5%, o- and p-cresols 6-3%, ??t-cresol 2-4%, 1 :4 : 5 - , 1 :3 : 5 - , 1 : 2 : 4 - ,- and (?) 1 : 3 : 4 - xylenols 7-8%), and 37% of polyphenols; (III) con
tained unsaturated material 44%, phenol ethers 20—
30%, other aromatic substances 24%, and paraffins 2%.
The principal Me ethers in (II) were guaiacol 8-6%, creosol 7%, coerulignol 2-0%, and pyrogallol Me2 ether and other ethers 6-9%. Rideal-Walker coeffs. (B.
typhosus) of various phenol fractions are given. Cracking at 400—600°/l atm. gave much higher yields of volatile liquid. A high-grade C black was obtained by in
complete combustion of the tar in the laboratory, but practical difficulties were encountered on a larger scale.
H. A. P.
Determination of wood tar in m ixtures contain
ing resins, pitch, rubber, or gutta-percha. M.
Po n tio(Ann. Chim. Analyt., 1932, [ii], 14, 339—340).—
The method suggested consists in determining the % of the phenols in a tar of the type anticipated, and using this as a means of determining the proportion of tar in the mixture, other ingredients being taken as phenol-
free. J .W .S .
Determination of traces of water in hydro
carbons, especially in m otor benzol and benzine.
I I . Broche and W. Sc h e e r (Brennstofl-Cliem., 1932, 13, 281—285).—-The method depending on the determin
ation of the temp, at which the oil becomes opalescent fails to give the H 20 present in suspension. A chemical method has therefore been developed in which 100 c.c.
of the oil are treated with CaH2 and the H 2 evolved is measured. The apparatus comprises a reaction vessel to which a bulb is attached by a ground joint in such a manner that on turning the bulb its contents (about 1 g. of Call,) fa ir into the oil in the reaction vessel.
The latter is connected through a small bubbler charged with I I 2S 0 4 with a eudiometer in which the H 2 is measured. The method proved to be accurate and
convenient. A. B. M.
Refining characteristics of E . T exas crude oil.
A. W. Tr u sty (Refiner N at. Gas. Mfr., 1932, 11, No. 2,
48).—The oil has a paraffin-asphalt or intermediate base and yields a high % of “ doctor-sweet,” non-corrosive, low-S gasoline ; kerosene of good quality is obtained in
low yield. Ch. Ajbs.
Preparation of transformer oils from Rumanian crude oils. C. Cr e an g a (Petroleum, 1932, 28, No. 23, 1—8).—The efficiencies and principles of the Edeleanu and H2S 04 refining processes are compared and evalua
tion of transformer oils on the basis of sludge tests is discussed. A Rumanian oil was treated with liquid S 0 2 and the residue further refined with small amounts of H 2S 04 or “ Terrana ” (activated hydrated A1 silicate) and the products were compared with those obtained by refining with conc. H 2S 04 followed by moist “ Terrana.”
The several products were examined by the German, English, and Italian sludge tests. Extraction with liquid S 0 2 followed by treatment with conc. H 3S 04 or moist “ Terrana ” improves the quality most (e.g., increases the resistance to “ sludging ” ) and reduces the losses. A comparison of four Rumanian and two Russian transformer oils by the German and English sludge tests did not indicate inferiority of the Rumanian oils and showed that the quality of the oils was secon
darily determined by the method of refining. H. E. B.
Preparing lubricating oils from Surakhani crude oil. K. Y. Ko s t r in (Rep. Lubr. Oil Comm. U.S.S.R., 1932, 2, 7—15).—The characteristics of the crude oil and of the products obtained by treatment with H 2S 04 and activated clay and by dewaxing are
recorded. Ch. Abs.
Sweetening of Oklahoma [petroleum] distillates by brucite. F. T. Ga r d n e r(Chem. & Met. Eng., 1932, 39, 378—379).—Brucite, native Mg(OH)2, is added by increments over 12—18 hr. to a cylinder of H 20.
After hydration the excess of II20 is drained ofi and the mass dried by passing low-pressure steam through vertical pipes inside the cylinder and then blasting with air. The distillate is washed with H 20 to remove tar and the requisite quantity of S is dissolved in a portion of the distillate and this and the main stream are passed upward through the cylinder, the oil being sweetened by the conversion of mercaptans into org.
disulphides. After a time the velocity of reaction falls off owing to the formation of MgS on the surface of the brucite and the latter is then revivified in situ by treat
ment with boiling H20 and boiling dil. NaOH followed by washing with HaO. The life of the brucite appears to be limited by the increased resistance to flow caused by the gradual reduction of the particle size of the
brucite. D. K. M.
New method of refining gasoline. A . Lachman
(Refiner Nat. Gas Mfr., 1931, 10, No. 11, 72).—Vapours are treated (countercurrent) with conc. aq. ZnCl2, evaporation losses being replaced by admission of steam
with the gasoline. Ch. Ab s.
Increasing octane values in gasoline through design and operation of reforming units. W. A . Go l tra p (Refiner Nat. Gas Mfr., 1932,11, No. 4, 281).—
The design of cracking units is discussed. Ch. Ab s. Anti-knock characteristics of natural gasoline with reference to grading. R. C. Aud en (Refiner
B ritish C h e m ic a l A b s tr a c ts —B .
Cl. I I . — Fu e l ; Ga s ; Ta b ; Mi n e r a l Oi l s. 8 7 3
Nat. Gas Mfr., 1932, 11, No. 2, 44).—The higher is the Reid v.p., the higher is the octane val. Octane vals, of natural gasoline hydrocarbons more complex than CgH14 arc high. All gasolines do not show the same response to addition of PbE t4 ; natural gasolines are most, and cracked gasolines least, responsive. Natural gasolines retain their anti-knock characteristics over a wider range of engine-operating conditions. Ch. Ab s.
Principles of natural gas absorption. I. N.
Be a l l (Refiner Nat. Gas Mfr., 1931, 10, No. 7, 93).—
A mathematical analysis of the extraction of gasoline
by absorption. Ch. Ab s.
Effect of concentration on adsorption. H . J.
Tormly, F. L. Koch, and J. J. O’Connor (Refiner Nat.
Gas Mfr., 1932, 11, No. 1, 23).—Highest absorption (60%) by a standard clay was obtained with a 9 :1 mixture of lubricating oil and C6H 8; with naphtha as diluent, 8 : 2 gave 90-7% adsorption. Other adsorbents removed colour more effectively than the clay.
Ch. Ab s. Rectification of natural gas condensates. I—III.
I. N. Be a l l (Refiner Nat. Gas Mfr., 1932, 11, No. 2, 52; No. 3, 251; No. 4, 297).—Theoretical and mathe
matical. Ch. Ab s.
Properties of lubricating oils. T. Nam ika w a
(J. Soc. Chem. Ind., Japan, 1932, 35, 271—273 b).—
The physical properties and elementary analyses of lubricating oils to “ I.J.N .” specifications for use in direct-coupled steam-turbine and for reciprocating steam engines, for geared turbine use, and for refrigerating machinery have been determined. The H/C val. is higher for the lower-viscosity oil, whilst the viscosity and temp, coeff. of viscosity are almost the same for all the oils at 60° and above. The purification of the oils is such th at the sp. heat and coeff. of expansion are
relatively close. H. S. G.
Properties of several heavy fuel oils. T. Na m i
k a w a (J. Soc. Chem. Ind., Japan, 1932, 35, 274—277 b).
—The chemical and physical properties of topped Oha oil (Saghalien), Tarakan (Borneo) crude oil, topped California and Kettleman Hills (California) oils, and Fushun (Manchuria) shale oil are given, and these results aro, discussed in relation to the origin of the base of each oil and their suitability as heavy fuels.
H. S. G.
Examination of w axes. L. Ivanovszki (Allgem.
Oel- u. Fett-Ztg., 1932, 29, 341—343, 394—395; cf.
Seifensied. Ztg., 1932, 59, 189, 287).—The difference in rates of evaporation of the solvent from standardised pasty solutions of waxes affords a means of differentiating them. The “ retention no. (RZ) ” is inversely propor
tional to the “ retention,” which is defined as the ratio of solvent present to evaporation loss. Addition of paraffin wax to ozokerite steadily lowers the RZ until a min. is reached; the greater is the difference between this min. and the original RZ of the sample, the purer and more valuable is the specimen. Paraffin wax has the lowest RZ of all the waxes examined. E. L.
Capillary flow and viscosity.—See I. Petroleum tank coverings.—See X III. Leakage of C 0 2 through rubber.—See XIV. Gas from sewage digestion.
—See X X III.
See also A., Sept., 926, Italian natural gases.
954, Analysis of com plex gaseous m ixtures.
Pa t e n t s.
Manufacture of briquettes from fine coal. F. H.
Ro g er s. From K. Leh m a n n (B.P. 375,779, 23.3.31).—
A saving in pitch is effected by removing the finest dust
« 0-1 mm.), which is rich in fusain, before briquetting.
A. B. M.
Distillation, calcination, or heat treatments of coal, shale, peat, wood, and other suitable frag
mentary solid and/or sem i-solid m aterials. S.
Moore (B.P. 375,930, 30.4.31).—The material is carbonised in a setting of externally-heated, stationary, horizontal retorts. Each retort is provided with an endless conveyor of the push-plate type which conveys the material, delivered into the retort in successive separate charges from a bin by means of a rotary delivery valve, through the retort, and delivers the product to a rotary crushing device, whence it falls into an inclined discharge conduit. The retorts arc enclosed in a heating chamber to which the heating medium and air for combustion are supplied through inlets so spaced and controlled as to give the desired temp, regulation
of each retort. A. B. M.
Coking or low-temperature carbonisation of fuels. Me t a l l g e s. A.-G. (B.P. 376,072, 26.8.31. Ger., 11.9.30).—A layer of the fuel is ignited, subjected for a short time to the action of a current of air, and then cooled, e.g., by spraying with H 20. P art of the charge is burned and the heat evolved carbonises the remainder.
The proccss is preferably carried out on a travelling grate of the Dwight-Lloyd type. A. B. M.
Production of coke and gas in interm ittently operated oven chambers. C. St il l (B.P. 375,902, 10.4.31. Ger., 10.4.30. Addn. to B.P. 357,057 ; B„
1931, 1082).—In applying the proccss of the prior patent to coals of high volatile matter content, a high vac., e.g., at least 100 mm. water-gauge below atm.
pressure, is applied to the internal ducts directly after violent gas evolution has set in. As the gas evolu
tion diminishes the suction is gradually reduced.
A. B. M.
Coking retort ovens, (a, d) J. va n Ac k e iie n, (b, c, e) J. Be c k e r, Assrs. to Ko p p e r s Co. (U.S.P.
1,836,207, 1,837,181—2, 1,837,301, and 1,837,314, [A, b, c] 15.12.31, [d, e] 22.12.31. Appl.,. [a] 5.1.27, [B, c] 14.3.21, [d] 28.12.26, [e] 4.4.27).—(a) A battery of vertical coke ovens of the continuous type and a gas producer are operated together ; the waste heat of the latter is utilised to generate steam which is used for cooling the lower zones of the coke ovens, e.g., by circulation through suitably arranged passageways, and for quenching the coke. The steam which is used for cooling and thereby becomes superheated is supplied together with air to the producer for gas production.
(b) Each heating wall of the oven is formed by two series of horizontal combustion flues, which are connected respectively by cross-over ducts with the flues of adjacent heating walls. Regenerators extend beneath and parallel to the heating walls and coking chambers, and are directly connected in pairs with each of the two
B r itis h C h em ica l A b s tr a c ts— B .
874 C l. I I .— Fu e l ; Ga s ; Ta r ; Mi n e r a l Oi l s.
scries of flues of a single heating wall. During the inflow period the pair of regenerators convey air and an extraneously derived gas, e.g., producer gas, respectively, to the flues of the corresponding heating wall, the flues of the adjacent walls operating as outflow flues for the waste gases which pass thence through the outflow regenerators ; the direction of flow of the gases is periodically reversed, (c) The battery is similar in construction to (b) except that each heating wall is formed by a single series of horizontal flues, which are connected by a cross-over duct with the flues of an adjacent wall. Each heating wall is connected with a pair of regenerators which alternately convey air and producer gas, respectively, to the flues, and convey waste gases therefrom, the arrangement being such that the regenerators conveying waste gases are separated from those conveying combustion gas by those conveying air. (d) An oven of the type described in U.S.P.
1,374,546 (B., 1921, 378a) is adapted to operate with either producer gas or coke-oven gas, the latter being burned either in ordinary preheated air or in a mixture of air with an inert diluent gas. A control mechanism periodically reverses the operation of a single group of regenerators and their heating flues, one group at a time throughout the battery, and reverses the flow through regenerators and flues for individual ovens in succession. The mechanism which operates the levers which reverse the valves for the gas and air supplies and the w'aste gas outlets is maintained in continuous motion, (e) An oven of the type described in U.S.P.
1,623,460 (B., 1927, 769) is provided with two or more channels, extending longitudinally beneath the series of flues, for conveying unpreheated combustible gases to each heating iwall, each channel being provided with its own setting of discharge nozzles. Thus separate channels may be used for, the richer and leaner gases, that for the latter being of correspondingly larger cross- sectional area to deliver the necessary larger vol. of gas at approx. the same velocity ; or one channel only may be used to deliver a rich gas and both simultaneously
to deliver a poor gas. A. B. M.
Coke ovens. J. Be c k e r, Assr. to Ko p p e r s Co. (U.S.P. 1,832,612—3, 17.11.31. Appl., [a] 12.6.26, [b] 6.10.27).—(a) The vertical flues of each heating wall are connected, preferably in pairs, by means of cross
over ducts, with the corresponding flues of an adjacent heating wall. These ducts are connected in groups by means of equaliser ducts which are so arranged as not to interfere with the feed openings of the chambers nor cause weakening of the wall structure, (b) Each heating wall of the battery comprises two parallel series of vertical combustion flues (cf. U.S.P. 1,678,801—2; B ., 1928, 737), which are separated from each other by walls of substantial thickness. The flues of each series are connected in groups, and corresponding groups in the two series of the same heating wall are connected at their tops by ducts. The connecting ducts for a no.
of such groups are connected together by gas-pressure equalising ducts. Regenerators are arranged below and parallel to the heating walls, communicating with the latter in such a manner that the flow of gases in the scries of flues on opposite sides of the same coking chamber is in the same direction. A. B . M.
Oven for the production of gas and coke. Dr. C.
Otto & Co. G.m.b.H. (B.P. 375,201, 10.12.31. Ger., 27.12.30).—Horizontal distributing spaces extending the whole length of the chamber are arranged below or by the side of the soles of the chamber for introducing steam, or other gases or vapours, thereinto. The distributing spaces communicate with the chambers by vertical channels formed in the courses of the brickwork and having downwardly inclined nozzles in the chamber
wall. A. B. M.
Twin-flue chamber ovens for production of gas and coke. W. W. Gr o v e s. From Dr. C. Otto & Co.
G .m.b.H . (B.P. 375,195, 24.11.31).—The ovens are provided with recuperators for gas and air which are arranged in two rows extending between the supporting walls below two adjacent oven chambers ; the two rows are separated by a longitudinal supporting wall. A buckstay is arranged on each side of the oven in the extension of the supporting walls. For each heating wall a vertical steam-supply pipe is provided in the brickwork of the oven outside the heating flues, and horizontal distributing pipes, which branch off from these supply pipes, are disposed in the bonding of the heating wralls at different levels and have steam outlets to the adjacent oven chamber so th at there is a uniform distribution of steam over the whole chamber wall.
A. B. M.
Coke-plant apparatus. S. D. Wr ig iit (U.S.P.
1,836,219, 15.12.31. Appl., 7.11.27).—A charging device which can move along rails on the top of the oven is
described. A. B. M.
Coking of pitch and sim ilar bitum inous sub
stances. H . D . Elk in g to x. From Ge s. f. Te e r v e r-
w e r t u n g m.b.H . (B.P. 375,928, 28.4.31).—Pitch etc. is coked in coke ovens which can be mechanically emptied by pushing out, the heating of the oven being effected only from the bottom. The material may be introduced into the oven in solid or liquid form, or contained in crucibles made of pitch coke. The width of the oven chambers is preferably -< their height. A. B. M.
Manufacture of fuel gas. H. O. Lo e b e l l, Assr. to H. L . Do h er t y (U.S.P. 1,837,226, 22.12.31. Appl., 23.5.23).—Fuel is passed through a generator in the centre of which a blast of steam and air is injected.
This is preheated by passing alternately through two chequer-brick chambers heated by gas combustion.
The major portion of the gas is removed by a central off-take, and a portion by-passed to the top to carbonise the incoming coal. The gas formed is removed separately and purified from NH3, H 2S, etc. Any carbonaceous solid is quenched with H20 at the bottom, the steam formed being mixed with the blast. A gas having a calorific val. ]> 200 B.Th.U./cu. ft. is obtained.
R. N. B.
Manufacture of producer gas. W. M. Cross
(U.S.P. 1,833,964, 1.12.31. Appl., 29.11.26).—Pul
verised coal or coke is fed into an annular space in the top of a cylindrical producer. A mixture of steam and air, heated to 1400° by heat exchange with the gas formed and by passing through a gas-fired, chequer- brick superheater, is passed tangentially into the top of the generator through holes in the annular ring.
