BRITISH CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS
B.—APPLIED CHEMISTRY
D E C E M B E R 23, 1927.
I.— G EN ERAL; P L A N T ; MACHINERY.
A lum inium ovens for catalytic purposes. 3?.
Fisch er and H. Tropsch (Brennstoff-Chem., 1927, 8 , 323—324).:—For experiments requiring a uniform tem perature throughout the oven, a thick-walled, cylindrical block of aluminium is used, 50 cm. long, with 8 cm.
outside diameter and 2-4 cm. bore. A thermometer pocket is bored along the length of the block, a row of burners runs underneath, and heating is automatically regulated by an Ostwald thermo-regulator. The oven is surrounded by insulating brick, and may have a removable segment to enable the contents to be visible.
If it is desired to maintain a catalyst tube at different temperatures along its length, the oven is composed of ten aluminium segments separated from each other by asbestos and individually heated by separate burners.
W. T. K . Braunholtz. Stam m er colorim eter. Xe r t.—See XVII.
Pa t e n t s.
R otary furnace. Gew erkschaft Sachtleben, and J. Ku p p e r s (E.P. 268,308, 18.2.27. Ger., 24.3.26).—
The interior lining of a rotary furnace is provided with a series of longitudinal ribs on its outer surface which engage with projecting blocks on the interior of an outer lining, thus forming a number of longitudinal heating flues. Heating is effected by a number of gas burners in a heating chamber at the end of the furnace, which chamber connects with the flues along the muffle, and from which air is excluded. Air for combustion is introduced through ducts in the lining to different points longitudinally of the heating flues, and thus enables combustion to be regulated along the furnace. By means of closure caps to the ducts the entry of air may be controlled a t any particular time by rotating the furnace, such action closing or opening any of the
air ducts. C. A. Kin g.
Rotary chem ical furnace. L. Tocco and M. Landi (E.P. 278,774, 8.6.26).—The cylinder of a rotary furnace is divided into a number of compartments by means of diaphragms. Material may bo charged into any com
partment, and the products arising from the particular stage of the roasting process removed. Any desired compartment is heated by electrical resistances in the walls of the furnace connected to contact plates on the casing, and waste heat from the furnace is absorbed in a stationary boiler adjacent to the furnace. An example of the regulation of the furnace when roasting lead ores
is given. C. A. Kin g.
Tunnel kiln. P. A. Me e h a n, Assr. to Am er. Dressler
Tu n n e l Kil n s, In c. (U.S.P. 1,646,208, 18.10.27. A ppl., 927
7.7.26).—A channel in the kiln chamber wall communi
cates with the chamber a t separated points, and an injector provided with a mixing chamber is arranged adjacent to one of the points for circulating the kiln-
chamber gases. , H . Holm es.
Tunnel kiln. C. Dr e ssl e r, A s s r. t o A m e r . Dr essler
Tu n n e l Kil n s, In c. (U.S.P. 1,646,279, 18.10.27. A p p l.,
13.6.23).—A c o m b u s ti o n c h a m b e r w i t h i n a f ir e b o x a t t h e s id e o f t h e k i ln c h a m b e r c o m m u n i c a te s w i t h t h e l a t t e r b y a p o r t . T h e w a lls o f t h e p o r t a n d t h e s id e s a n d t o p o f t h e c o m b u s ti o n c h a m b e r a r e p r o v i d e d w itli c o o lin g c h a n n e ls t h r o u g h w h ic h t h e a i r f o r s u p p o r t i n g t h e c o m b u s ti o n is p a s s e d . H . Holm es.
Heat exchangers. Pfa u d ler Co., Assees. of E. P.
Nichols and U. G. Todd (E.P. 265,133, 30.9.26. U.S., 27.1.26).—A heat exchanger is constructed of a con
taining casing and a number of tubular heating elements which are provided with end pieces which will clamp together and form the inlet and outlet headers for the internal fluid. The tubes are also bent so th a t each unit may be introduced through a manhole of any ordinary
size. B. M. Ve n a b l e s.
Transform ation of heat, m ore particularly applicable to refrigerators. Chicago Pneum a tic
Tool Co., Assees. of R. W. Davenport (E .P . 265,562, 10.1.27. U.S., 2.2.26).—A liquid, suitable for use in a closed refrigerating cycle, is composed of mutually soluble more volatile and less volatile constituents, the latter forming a lubricant, and becoming concentrated in the evaporating zone and re-diluted in the condensing
zone. B. 51. Ve n a b l e s.
Condensing plants. A.-G. Brow n, Bo ver i, & Ci e. (E.P. 265,629, 7.2.27. Ger., 5.2.26).—In cases where there is a use for the hot circulating water from con
densers, means are provided for heating the water by supplementary live steam, should the quantity of exhaust steam condensed prove insufficient. B. M. Ve n a b l e s.
Pulverising m ills. E . Kram er, and Har tstoff- MetallA.-G. (Hametag) (E .P . 278,997, 11.7.27).—In a mill where the material is pulverised by the inter
action of eddy currents of air, stirrers are provided which sweep the inside of the casing, especially where the action of the eddy currents is least, and create mechanical whirling which causes the material to re-enter the eddy
currents. B. 51. Ve n a b l e s.
D isintegrators. G. Porteus (E .P . 278,920,17.12.26).
—A disintegrator is arranged with screens surrounding the beaters on both sides and peripherally, and free space is left between the screens and the outer casing for the
a
B r i t is h C h e m ic a l A b s t r a c t s — B .
928 Cl. I .— Gen e ra l; Pl a u t; Machinery.
passage of the ground material. The screens are pro
vided on the interior with roughened cross-bars or seg
ments to co-operate with the beaters.
B. M. Ve n a b l e s. Apparatus for depositing [and collecting] lum p and granular m aterial. 0 . Doblhofe (E.P. [a]
264,815, and [b] 271,403, 7.1.27. Czechoslov., [a]
22.1.26, [b] 22.5.26; Addn. to [a]).—(a) A fixed con
veyor discharges the material on to a second conveyor running a t right angles to it, the latter being mounted on wheels so th a t it can be moved as a whole parallel to the first conve3Tor. The second conveyor discharges on to a third conveying means (preferably in duplicate) which delivers the m aterial to the place of storage. The last (or each) conveyor is arranged so as to swivel about two axes a t right angles, so th a t in combination with the movement of the second conveyor any point may be reached, (b) The apparatus as above described is adapted to reclaim the material by providing the third conveyor with buckets or grabs adapted to pick up the material on reversal. This conveyor is extended above
the second conveyor so as to deliver thereon.
B. M. Ve n a b l e s. Centrifugal apparatus for collecting dust, especially asb estos in course of m anufacture.
L. Me l l e r sh-Jackson. From Asbestos Co r f., Lt d. (E.P. 278,928, 18.1,27).—Prior to entering an exhaust fan (which would break up th c fibres of asbestos) the dust
laden air enters a cylindrical vessel with horizontal axis tangentially at the circumference, passes part of the way refund to a collecting hopper a t the lower part of the circumference, and is withdrawn axialty a t one end.
B. M. Ve n a b l e s. Separation of m atter of different specific gravi
ties. H. Vel t e n (U.S.P. 1,646,506, 25.10.27. Appl., 17.9.26. Ger., 28.9.25).—The mixture of granular materials is scattered in a current of air moving at con
stant speed along a passage provided with walls moving in the same direction and a t the same speed as the air.
The particles remaining suspended are discharged separately from those deposited. Ii. Holmes.
Manufacture of agglom erated m a sses. R. Bo w en, Assr. to Su p e r Coa l Process Co. (U.S.P. 1,646,385, 25.10.27. Appl., 13.3.24).—A number of heterogeneous components are subjected to a mixing action, then worked to a desired consistency, and subjected to high- frequency vibrations by means having a yielding nature.
B. M. Ve n a b l e s. Manufacture of pellets [from m olten m aterials].
R. W. Po in d e x t e r, j u n., and H . J. Morgan, Assrs. to Cal ifor nia Cy a n id e Co., In c. (U.S.P. 1,647,194,1.11.27.
Appl., 5.8.26).—The material is melted and filtered and delivered in small drops upon a cool surface from which the pellets formed are removed. H . Holm es.
F ilte r p re s s. A. M. Ca p r a(E.P. 278,940,14.2.27).—
A filter of the plate-and-frame type, but with vertical axis, is arranged so th a t the frames are attached to a fixed vertical board or post, and the plates are attached to a board or post th a t slides horizontally. The upper faces alone of the filter plates are pervious, the bottoms being imperforated and forming trays which collect the filtrate and conduct it to the outlet. When the press is
full the clamping pressure is released and the plates’ are withdrawn, thus permitting the cakes to drop through the frames to a vessel below. The operation of with
drawing the plates also scrapes the filter surfaces ready for re-use. B . M. Ve n a b l e s.
Thickening filtering apparatus. J. B. Vernay
(E.P. 275,573, 22.6.27. Fr., 3.8.26).—A thickening filter is made to operate continuously by discharging and cleansing the filter elements in groups. An auto
matic valve-operating device is described.
B. M. Ve n a b l e s. Cake-w ashing m eans for rotary vacuum filters.
W. Mau ss (U.S.P. 1,646,653, 25.10.27. Appl., 14.1.27).
—Wash liquid is passed continuously through the filter from a body of such liquid supported liydrostatically by the filtrant against the outgoing segment of the drum.
The liquid is replenished continuously to maintain the desired circumferential extent of its contact with the
drum. H . Holm es.
H eat-treatm ent of liquid and solid m aterials by m eans of hot liquids. C. F . Hajimond and W.
Shackleton (E .P . [a] 278,768 and [b] 278,985,15.4,26).—
(a) The hot liquid, e.g., lead, is kept in circulation by means of a pump or gas lift, and the material to be treated is entrained in the downward flow of the hot liquid, and thus carried below the surface, and is then permitted to rise to the surface, baffles being provided to cause it to take a path which is more or less circuitous according to the period of heating required. The trea t
ment may be in more stages than one if desired, (b) A submerged flame is used for the double purpose of heating and circulating the liquid, and the downward circulation tubes are formed in the shape of ejectors to assist the entrainment. B . M. Ve n a b l e s.
Apparatus for evaporation or concentration of aqueous solutions such as sugar solution. Ber ten
& Co., G.m.b.H. (E .P . 265,127, 19.7.26. Ger., 1.2.26).—
The apparatus is constructed so th a t a number of boiling vessels may be connected in turn to a single source of vacuum. The solution is also supplied from a common source, and may be introduced through the vacuum hood of each vessel. B . 51. Ve n a b l e s.
Apparatus for electro-osm osis of liquids con
taining dissolved or suspended m a terials. Electro- Osmose Lat in e (F .P . 619,080, 20.7.26).—The liquid to be treated and one or more washing liquids flow in counter-current through a series of frames containing electrodes and porous precipitating diaphragms forming
chambers. J. S. G. Thomas.
R em oval of liquid from the interior of rotating cylinders or drum s. E. A. Lea th er (E .P . 278,882, 12.10.26).—The liquid is discharged during rotation through a hollow outlet trunnion by means of a cone having its apex a t the trunnion and its base within the cylinder. The interior of the cone is provided with a spiral blade or gutter arranged to convey liquid to the outlet trunnion. The base of the cone is closed, but the liquid is lifted from the circumference of the cylinder by a bucket or other means, through an aperture in the surface of the cone near the base.
B . M. Ve n a b l e s.
B r i t is h C h e m ic a l A b s t r a c t s — B .
C l. I L — Fu e l ; Ga s ; De s t r u c t i v e Di s t i l l a t i o n ; Mi n e r a l Oi l s. 929
Apparatus for the precipitation of liquids from vapours and gases. R . Fia l a (Austr. P. 106,083,
7.12.23).—The precipitators are provided with channels which open in the direction of the stream of vapour or gas to be purified, and which are arranged a t the ends opposite the point of entry of the vapour.
J. S. G. Thomas. Separation of m ixtu res of gases. M. Benson
(E.P. 273,229, 3.8.26. U.S., 25.6.26).—In the process of separation of a mixture of gases (e.g., air) by differential dissolution under high pressure, the inert insoluble gas (e.g., nitrogen) is heated while still under pressure to such an extent th a t on subsequent expansion through a heat engine enough work will be accomplished to effect the pre-compression of the whole mixture. The gas being inert to metals, much higher temperatures may be used than if the other constituent (oxygen) were heated. B. M. Ve n a b l e s.
D istillation plant for alcoholic liquids. A . J.
Dupont (F.P. 619,168, 21.7.26.).—The plant comprises plates with tubes surrounded by supports which constrain the liquid to flow from each plate to the one below.
J. S. G. Thomas. P lates for distillation colum ns. P. Chevalet
(F.P. 619,029, 17.7.26).—Plates upon which a very th in layer of liquid is traversed by a stream of very finely-divided vapour are provided with small openings fitted with small valves which permit passage of the vapour, but prevent the liquid from running down.
J. S. G. Thomas. Fractional distillation. H. Ko pper s, Assr. to Ko ppers Developm ent Co r p. (U.S.P. 1,646,698, 25.10.27.
Appl., 6.7.21. Ger., 22.4.18).—The mixture to be separated is passed continuously through a vaporising device maintained a t a temperature and pressure suitable for the distillation of the ingredient of highest b.p. of the group to be eliminated, and the vapours are passed to a dephlegmator maintained a t a temperature suitable for separating one fraction, the remaining fraction being condensed in a cooler a t a regulated temperature. The conditions in the vaporiser and condensing apparatus are readjusted successively to deal with groups of higher b.p., the original liquid being thus completely fractionated.
C. 0 . Ha r v e y. Centrifugal separating apparatus. K. A. Sturgeon
(U.S.P. 1,648,790, 8.11.27. Appl., 24.9.26. U.K., 1.10.25).—See E.P. 257,422; B., 1926, 936.
A bsorption refrigerating apparatus. Electro lux, Lt d., Assees. of Pl a te n-Mu n t e r s Refrigera ting
System Aktiebolag (E .P . 258,580, 10.9.26. Swed., 15.9.25).
Catalytic heating apparatus. Soc. Lyo nn aise d e s Rechauds Catalytiques (E.P. 273,668, 21.5.27.
Fr., 3.7.26).
Purifying or filtering apparatus for gaseous fluids [air for internal-com bustion engines].
M. C. E. Mulot (E.P. 279,000, 26.7.27. Fr., 18.6.27).
Finely-divided substances from em ulsions (E.P.
278,395).—See XIV.
n .— F U E L ; G A S ; D ESTRUCTIVE D IST IL LA T IO N ; M INERAL OILS.
Reactivity of coke constituents. G. Agde and L.
vox Lyncicer(Gas- u. Wasserfac-h, 1927,70,1016—1019).
—A Westphalian coking coal, with 7-8% of ash and 24% of volatile m atter, was exhaustively extracted with benzene a t 285° and 55 atm ., whereby 6-0% of solid bitumen (49-5% of volatile matter) and 4-6% of oily bitumen (92-6% of volatile matter) were obtained, leaving a residual, non-coking coal with 17-5% of volatile matter. Each of these three coal constituents was carbonised at 800° and 1000°, and the reactivity of the coke was determined a t 900° by passing carbon dioxide over samples contained in a boat in a porcelain tube, the unchanged carbon dioxide being absorbed in an Orsat apparatus and the volume of carbon monoxide and gas evolved by further decomposition of the cokes being measured. The temperature of initial reduction was 380—390° (the temperature at which amorphous carbon begins to reduce carbon dioxide) in all cases except th a t of the 1000° coke from solid bitumen, for which it was 530—540°. The reactivity of the carbonised coal residue from the benzene extraction is much higher than th a t of the cokes from the solid or oily bitumen, and is higher for the 800° than for the 1000° coke. The reactivity of the bitumen cokes is due mainly to soot deposited on them during carbonisa
tion, and decreases when this has been gasified. To obviate any disturbing influence due to the gaseous decomposition products of the cokes themselves a t 900°, the reactivity of the S00° cokes was also determined at 800°. The reactivity of the extracted-coal coke was greatly diminished, whilst th a t of the bitumen cokes sank after 2 lirs. to nil. W. T. K . Braunholtz.
Action of bacteria on coal. W. Fuc hs (Brennstoff- Chem., 1927, 8, 324—326).—A critical summary of the work of Renault, Potter, and Galle, who have shown th at bacteria are capable of living on coals, where they produce a slight evolution of gas (containing 71—85%
CII4 and 5—27% CO) and a slight rise in temperature.
W. T. K . Braunholtz. Determ ination of volatile m atter in fuels. L . F.
Dooremans and D . J. W. Kr e u l e n (Chem. Weekblad, 1927, 24, 562—563).—For those fuels for which losses occur by spitting in the usual determination of volatile material, more accurate figures may be obtained by heating 1 g. of the powdered fuel, covered with 10 g. of purified and previously ignited fine sand, in a platinum
crucible. S. I. Le v y.
Mode of occurrence of dopplerite : an unusual constituent of peat. W. Fra nc isand F . V. Tid e swell
(Fuel, 1927, 6, 516—521).—The mode of occurrence of dopplerite, a black jelly-like material, in a number of Irish peat bogs shows th a t it consists of peat ulrnins which have been deposited from solution, or have settled in fluid form, in fissures or voids existing in the peat. No evidence of the conversion of vegetable material into dopplerite in situ was observed. T he means whereby the ulmin solution or hydrosol was precipitated or coagulated as dopplerite is still indefinite.
A . B. Ma n n in g. a 2
B r i t is h C h e m ic a l A b s t r a c t s — B .
9 3 0 C f.. I I . — Fo e i. ; Ga s ; De s t r u c t i v e Di s t i l l a t i o n ; Mi n e r a l Oi l s.
Causes of different reactivity of carbonisation products. G. Agde and H. Schmitt (Gas- u. Wasser- fach, 1927, 70, 1000—1002).—Coke is composed of substances of differing reactivity, e.g., amorphous carbon, tar coke, and small proportions of graphite.
Amorphous carbon, which is derived from the coal constituents not extracted by benzene under pressure, reacts appreciably with oxygen above 170° and with carbon dioxide above 385°, and is converted into graphite slowly above 1100° and rapidly above 1600°.
Tar coke, the solid decomposition residue of the tar produced during carbonisation, reacts with oxygen above 370° and with carbon dioxide only above 800°, a t which temperature it undergoes further decomposition with evolution of hydrogen, accompanied by shrinkage, Assuring, and gradual graphitisation. Graphite reacts with oxygen above 500° and with carbon dioxide above 800°. The reactivity of coke depends also on the magnitude and nature of the surface it presents to the reacting gases. The partial pressure of the latter is important, and may be markedly reduced by the evolu
tion of hydrogen owing to decomposition of ta r coke a t high temperatures. Variations in reactivity during a determination may arise from preferential gasification of the coke constituents, or from Assuring due to shrinkage of decomposing tar coke. W. T. K. Braunholtz.
Form ation of oils from ethylene ar.d its homo- logues. M. O rro (Breunstofi-Chem., 1927, 8, 321—
323).—In the presence of boron fluoride,- «'sobutylene polymerises vigorously to a thick, colourless oil (boiling from 200°, with about 50% below 300°). Propylene polymerises similarly b u t less readily. Ethylene, under pressure and in the presence of boron fluoride, poly
merises a t the ordinary temperature, polymerisation being much more rapid and complete if nickel is also present. Carbon monoxide, on the other hand, greatly reduces the polymerisation. The yellowish-brown oils obtained vary in properties with the experimental conditions, e.g., the viscosity decreases rapidly with increasing temperature of production, and the oils obtained with the nickel catalyst are less viscous than those prepared with boron fluoride alone. Their boiling ranges vary correspondingly. The oils resemble very closely in viscosity, flash point, etc. good lubricating oils prepared from petroleum fractions. The small quantity of boron fluoride contained in the oils may be recovered and used repeatedly, and the polymerisation of successive charges of ethylene can be carried out in a continuous process. W . T. Iv. Bra unho ltz.
Apparatus for fractional distillation [of petro
leum ] under reduced pressure. J. C. Morrell
and G. Egloff (Ind. Eng. Chem., 1927, 19, 1292).—
An improved form o f the apparatus previously described (cf. J.S.C.I., 1923, 4 2 , 188—192 t). E. Holmes.
Apparatus for vacuum distillation of lubricating and heavy petroleum o ils. Ml J. Ga v in and A. L.
Foster (U.S. Bur. Mines Rep. Invest., 1927, No. 2819, 5 pp.).
Refractories for gas reto rts. St e in h o ff.—See V III.
Ignition of ga s-a ir m ixtu res. Perrott and Gaw throp.—See X X II.
Pa t e n t s.
Carbonisation of coal. F. Pu e n i n g ( E .P . 256,942, 26.7.26. U.S., 13.8.25).—The fuel is carbonised on a scries of ledges projecting from the surface of a cylinder which is internally heated. The outer casing is made to rotate and any excess fuel is removed by a separate chute and returned to the feed hopper. In another modi
fication the fuel is fed from a series of rotating discs on to the carbonising ledges, the resulting coke being removed by scrapers. A. 0. Monkiiouse.
Lo w-tem perature carbonisation of coal, lignite, etc. D. Bretherick and G. J. Glossop (E.P. 277,819, 5.1.27).—The retorts consist of a series of vertical metal tubes with horizontal and vertical ribs arranged so as to reverse the flow of heating gases a t each successive horizontal flue. The retorts discharge through a rotary or horizontal door into a cooling chamber having a sloping floor and water-sealed discharge valve. The carbonisa
tion gases are withdrawn through a water-jacketed gas off-take pipe ; the waste gases are collccted in flues at varying heights in order to equalise the chimney pidl on
each retort. A. C. Monkhouse.
Cracking, catalysin g, and hydrogenation of carbonaceous m aterials. A. E. Bia n c h i and G.
Gu a r d a b a ssi (E.P. 277,'101, 8.6.26, and 278,041, 27.5.26).—The materials are carbonised in troughs containing rotating shafts with stirrers ; the products of distillation pass to a gas chamber in which, suspended from a screen, arc a large number of small chains kept in vibration by means of the agitators below. The chains or the surfaces of the chamber are coated with a catalyst according to the nature of the products required.
A. C. Monkhouse. D estructive hydrogenation of m o ist solid fu els.
1. G. Fa r b e n in d. A.-G. (E.P. 262,099, 20.11.26. Ger., 26.11.25).—The fuel is mixed with a liquid hydrogenation product obtained from the fuel and compressed. W ater together with a small amount of the added liquid is removed, and the remaining dehydrated pulp passes direct to the hydrogenation vessel. A. C. Monkhouse.
Regenerative coke ovens. N. V. Silica e n Ov e n-
bouw Mi j. (E.P. 269,188, 7.4.27. IIoll., 7.4.26).—In order to obviate the difference in the lengths of travel of the air in the respective flues of a regenerative coke oven of the twin-flue type, the air is adm itted beneath the regenerators from openings placed along the middle line of the oven battery instead of from both sides of
the battery. A. C. Monkhouse.
Production of a dry m ixtu re of vaporised fuel and air. E. R. Go dw ard (E.P. 258,222, 2.6.26. Can., 9.9.25).—The liquid fuel is vaporised by passing the vapour-air stream through a number of expanding curved passages in which the velocity of flow is diminished and which are heated a t their lower ends by the engine exhaust gases. For a fuel with a higher boiling range of 232°, the temperature of the plates ranged from 177—232°
a t the bottom to 66—121° a t the top, giving a com
pletely vaporised mixture. A. C. Monkhouse. Apparatus for concentrating m aterials such as coal. E. De ist e r (U.S.P. 1,644,112—3, 4.10.27.
Appl., [a] 28.11.24, [b] 15.2.26).—(a) For dry concentra
B r itis h C h em ica l A b s tr a c ts — B .
Cl. I I .— Fu el ; Gas ; Destru ctiv e Distillatio n ; Min er a l Oil s. 931
tion the coal is delivered to a differentially-reciprocated, transversely-inclined deck within which is a box for air under pressure. The surface of the deck is provided with longitudinal channels, and in one wall of each channel—th a t rising abruptly toward the channel next above it—are located corrugated strips forming ducts which communicate with the air box and lead laterally therefrom to the exterior, (b) For wet concentration a transversely-inclined deck with upwardly-inclined parallel launders, all in the same plane, is used, means being provided for feeding water to each launder. The sides of the launders arc reduced in height a t their lower ends to enable the lighter particles to pass over them for discharge a t the side of the deck, and the recipro
cation is such as to cause the heavier particles to travel up the launders for discharge a t the end of the dock.
H . Holm es. Manufacture of granular carbon. E. N. Bu n t in g
(U.S.P. 1,646,389, 25.10.27. Appl., 29.4.25).—Carbon granules for microphones are prepared by heating carbonaceous material gradually to not less than 500°
over a period of from 10 to 100 hrs., continuing the heating a t this tem perature for 1—10 lirs., and finally heating for 1—10 hrs. to above 1400°. A non-oxidising atmosphere is used throughout the process.
I I . Holm es. Apparatus for com pletely separating gasoline from m ineral oil. A. E. Pe w, to n., and H . Thomas, Assrs. to Su n OilCo. (U.S.P. 1,645,969, 18.10.27. Appl., 23.2.24. Cf. E.P. 230,821 ; B., 1925, 873).—A still comprises a largo elongated container provided in its upper part with means for receiving oil, distributing it laterally, and conveying it in a thin layer down a succes
sion of inclined pans for discharge into the main body of oil. Means are provided for maintaining an equal volume of oil a t each side of the longitudinal centre line of each upper pan and an equal lateral distribution in the passage from pan to pan. H . Holmes.
Fractional distillation [of petroleum hydro
carbons]. N. E. Looms and W. K. Le w is, Assrs. to Sta n d a r d Developm ent Co. (U.S.P. 1,646,619, 25.10.27.
Appl., 21.7.22).—The vapours from a continuous still are passed through a fractionating zone, a t least a portion of the oil passing to the still being preheated by heat exchange with vapours from this zone, and the preheated oil being introduced into an intermediate portion of the fractionating zone and allowed to pass downwards in contact with the ascending vapours. The amount of condensation is regulated by by-passing to the fractionat
ing zone such of the-feed oil as is in excess of th a t required in the heat interchanger, and the vapours from the partial condensation zone are condensed and collected.
C. 0. Ha r v e y. T reatm ent of oil w ith alum inium chloride. F. W.
Hal l, Assr. to Tex a s Co. (U.S.P. 1,647,445, 1.11.27.
Appl., 15.3.20).—A stream of hot oil is brought into contact with aluminium chloride vapours, and the mixture passes to a reaction chamber maintained (solely by the heat of the mixture) a t a temperature adequate for cracking and distillation.
C. O. Har v e y. Purification of hydrocarbon oils containing sulphur. Sta n d a r d Development Co. (E.P. 270,626,
3.9.26. U.S., 8.5.26).—Sour oils of which the sulphur coûtent is so high as to render the cost of refining sby
“ doctor ” solution prohibitive {e.g., Reagan crude) are treated with a mixture of sulphur, caustic soda solution, and lead sulphide (which is recovered and re-used), the lead present being insufficient for the conversion of more than a small proportion of the mercaptans into lead mercaptides, and the sulphur being sufficient forjjtlie conversion of the mercaptans into less volatile poly
sulphides which remain imdecomposed in the still on subsequent distillation (preceded by acid treatment) a t temperatures not substantially above 160°. Other heavy metal sulphides may be used (e.g., cupric or cuprous sulphide), and, alternatively, the sulphide may bo formed by passing hydrogen sulphide into an oil containing sodium plumbite, the mixture being subse
quently treated with sodium sulphide. Agitation is effected by air-blowing. The distillate may be given' a final light treatm ent with “ doctor ” solution.
C. O. Ha r v e y. Purification of w aste lubricating oils. W. A.
Str eet and H . He y (E.P. 278,434, 6.7.26).—The waste oil is diluted with a volatile solvent (e.g., petrol), and finely-divided water and solid materials are removed by treatm ent with a small quantity (0-5—1%) of a reagent made by the action of strong sulphuric acid on oleic acid (cf. E.P. 176,540 ; B ., 1922, 334 a). The diluted oil is separated from the sludge formed, and treated with concentrated sulphuric acid (1—2-5% by vol.). The oil, after settling, is separated, neutralised with an excess of solid or alcoholic caustic alkali, and run into a still where the solvent is removed by heating with closed steam coils ; the heavier spirit and light oils are distilled off in a current of superheated free steam a t a temperature up to 200°. The hot residual lubricating oil, after being mixed with an absorbent decolorising earth (1—2%) or active carbon (0-5%), is passed through a warm filter press from which is delivered a clear bright oil of good colour, high viscosity, and high
flash point. R. C. Od a m s.
H andling of crude oil and resid u als. A. E . Mil l e r, Assr. to Sin c l a ir Re f in in g Co. (U.S.P. 1,646,760, 25.10.27. Appl., 9.5.21).—Volatile constituents are removed from asphaltic petroleum oils and residues by spraying a mixture of preheated oil and neutral gas (preheated to about 343°) into the vapour space of a still containing liquid asphaltic residues (at about 343°), through which a further quantity of heated neutral gas is passed. The vapours and the asphaltic m atter free from volatile constituents thus obtained are withdrawn from the still. C. 0 . Ha r v e y.
Separation of coal from dirt and like foreign su bstances. W. H . Ber r isfo r d (U.S.P. 1,648,716, 8.11.27. Appl., 9.12.26. U.K., 11.12.25).—See E.P.
265,341 ; B ., 1927, 625.
Carbonisation of subdivided fuel. S. McEw e n, Assr. to In t e r n a t. Combustion En g in e e r in g Corp. (U.S.P. 1,648,856, 8.11.27. Appl., 11.7.21. U.K., 11.10.20).—See E .P . 169,389; B ., 1921, 805 a.
Prevention of evaporation of petroleum o ils.
R. E. Wilso n, Assr. to Sta n d a r d Oil Co. (U .S .P . 1.647.424.1.11.27. Appl., 8.10.24).
B r itis h C h em ica l A b s tr a c ts —B .
932 Cl. I I I . — Tarand Tar Products. Cl. IV .— Dy e8t u f f3 and In ter m ed ia tes. Cl. V .— Fib r e s ; Tex t il e s ; etc.
H eat treatm ent of m aterials (E.P. 278,768 and 278,985). Fractional distillation (U.S.P. 1,646,698).
V isco sity of oils (E.P. 263,781).—See I. Refractories for g a s retorts (E.P. 278,821).—See VIII. Acetic acid from wood distillation (E.P. 275,158).—See XX.
III.— TAR AND TAR PRODUCTS.
R em oval of sulphur from com m ercial benzols.
H. Kiem st ed t (Brcnnstoff-Chem., 1927,8, 326—327).—
Free sulphur in benzol is derived mainly from hydrogen sulphide reaching the crude product from the gas. I t is therefore advisable to remove hydrogen sulphide as early in the process as possible, e.g., the freshly condensed distillate can be washed with sodium hydroxide.
W. T. K. Bra unholtz. Reactivity of carbonisation products. Ac.de and Schmitt.—See II.
Wood preservation. Cu r t inand Bogert.—See IX.
Pa t e n t s.
Cracking etc. of carbonaceous m aterials (E.P.
277,404 and 278,041).—See II.
IV — D Y E ST U FF S A N D INTERM EDIATES.
Identification of dyestuffs on cellulose acetate.
C. M. Keyw orth (J. Soc. Dyers and Col., 1927, 43, 343—361).—Tables are given showing the reactions on cellulose acetate silk of 220 dyestuffs, mostly not in the Colour Index, with alcohol, 5% acetic acid, dilute hydrochloric acid, 1% ammonia solution, saline sodium hydroxide, hydrosulphites B, BX, and RS (the last of which is prepared from 100 g. of hydrosulphite NF, 50 g. of Rochelle salt, 50 c.c. of sodium hydroxide of d 1-4, and 800 c.c. of water), titanous thiocyanate, hydrogen peroxide, “ chemic," concentrated acids, and sodium hydroxide (d 1-25). Basic colours are stripped more or less completely with alcohol or 5% acetic acid, less readily with hydrochloric acid. Hydrosulphite RS and titanous thiocyanate also effect decolonisation, but the colour is restored with hydrogen peroxide, which is not the case with azo or anthraquinone dyestuffs.
Saline sodium hydroxide decolorises dyes of the tri- phcnylmethane group, the colour returning on acidifi
cation. Concentrated acids afford lighter shades with basic and anthraquinone dyestuffs, darker shades with azo dyestuffs. Many developed azo dyestuffs are stripped with alcohol, but the direct dyestuffs are little affected.
Azo dyestuffs are little changed by 5% acetic a c id ; the action of dilute hydrochloric acid or saline sodium hydroxide is variable. Anthraquinone dyes are usually stripped completely with alcohol, but 5% acetic acid, dilute hydrochloric acid, or 1% ammonia solution has little action. From these tests the following dyestuffs are shown to be identical or very sim ilar; Auramine, Setacyl Yellow AO ; Cellutyl Fast Yellow AY, Aliz
arine Yellow WS ; Cellutyl Fast Yellow AB, Anthra
cene Brown W L P ; Cellutyl Fast Golden Yellow, Metanil Yellow Y ; Cellutyl Yellow C, Citronine Y (couc.); Cellutyl Fast Orange G, Chlorazol Orange G ; Duranol Orange G, Celatene Orange, Celliton Orange R ; Cellutyl Fast Orange 2R, Orange I I ; Setacyl Red FC, Magenta, Cellutyl F ast Bright R e d ; Duranol Red G, Celliton Pink R ; Duranol Red 2B, Celliton Fast Pink B :
Cellatene Red Violet, Celliton F ast Red Violet R ; Setacyl Violet MB, Methyl V iolet; Cellatene Brilliant Violet B, Celliton F ast Violet B ; Setacyl Violet BR, Modern V iolet; Cellutyl F ast Lilac, Anthracene Blue B D G ; Setacyl Turquoise Blue S, Turquoise Blue G, Cellutyl Sky B lu e; Aeronal Brilliant Blue, Setacyl Sky Blue S ; Cellutyl F ast Blue, Prune Blue ; Cellutyl F ast Green Y, Brilliant Green Crystals, Setacyl Green B ; Setacyl Green M, Malachite Green, Cellutyl F ast Green B ; Setacyl Blue Green M, Methylene Green. Setacyl Scarlet G, R, and B are mixtures of Setacyl Brilliant Pink G and Setacyl Orange C R ; similarly Setacyl Black G, B, and R are mixtures of Setacyl colours and Setacyl Direct Black G, B, and R mixtures of Setacyl Direct Blue R with Setacyl Reds and Yellows. The Cellatene, Duranol, Celliton, and Celliton F ast Colours are of the anthraquinone class. The Setacyl colours are all basic colours, but the Setacyl Direct, the Cibacet, and Cellit colours belong to the azo group. The S.R.A. colours contain dyestuffs of both the azo and anthraquinone classes. S.R.A. Golden Yellow X, Golden Orange I and III, Orange I and III, Red I, III, and V appear to be azo colours. The Cellutyl colours comprise basic, azo, and mordant dyestuffs, whilst the Cellitazols include a number of organic bases which are diazotised on the fibre and developed. R. Br ig h t m a n.
Evaluation of M ethylene Blue. Holmes.—See XX.
V .— F IB R E S ; TE X T IL E S; C EL LU L O SE ; P A P E R . Intracellular structure of the w ool fibre. J. B.
Sp e a r m a n (J. Text. Inst., Spec. Issue, 1927, 18, 431—
453 t).—The elastic properties of the wool fibre as a whole are those of the single cell, which is assumed to consist of an elastic cell wall, enclosing a fibrillar structure the interstices of which are filled with a viscous medium.
This structure tends to lie preferentially along the axis of the fibre and is heterogeneous in composition. Under small stress, extension of the cell is a t first delayed by internal friction, Hooke’s law being obeyed up to 2%
extension for different wools in water and for the same wool a t different humidities ; for the same wool in water a t higher temperatures (up to 100°), deviation begins between 1-4 and 2% extension. Above this critical value rapid extension occurs chiefly by rotation of the fibrilloe, the rate being determined by the viscosity of the medium within the cell and the clastic constants of the cell framework ; it is greatest a t high humidities.
When all the fibrilke are drawn into line, extension is retarded and afterwards takes place by direct extension of the fibrilke. The parts of the cell structure which are not plastic in water a t ordinary temperatures become so a t higher temperatures, whilst a t 100° extended fibres take a set which is permanent as regards subsequent immersion in cold water and is due to plastic flow within the fibrillsG. Different wools show fibrillar plasticity to different degrees, and for ease in manufacture wools should be highly plastic. B. P. Rid g e.
S om e chem ical aspects of w ool research. A. T.
Kin g (J. Text. Inst., Spec. Issue, 1927, 1 8 ,361—368 t).
—Clean wool removes hydrolysis-alkali from neutral soap solutions, the liberated fatty acids being partly deposited on the fibre as acid soap and partly left in
Cl. V.—F ibres ; Te x t i l e s ; Ce l l u l o s e ; Pa p e r. B r i t is h C h e m ic a l A b s t r a c t s — B .
833
suspension in the liquid. In proportion to the amount of sodium hydroxide absorbed, the wool becomes yellowed by heating or steaming, acquires an increased affinity for dyes tuft's, is more susceptible to bacterial attack, and less resistant to bleaching and chlorination. Wool keratin allows of no criterion of purity. Its sulphur content varies not only with variety, but also with fibres of different fineness from the same fleece. Approximately 66% of the total sulphur is removed in cystine, one of the most readily isolated of the hydrolysis products of wool, but although several products of amino-acid nature of known .constitution have been obtained by the acid hydrolysis of keratin, no light has been shed ou the nature of the keratin complex. In view of the changes in properties (e.g.. dyeing affinity) produced by exposure or chemical processing, it is suggested th a t some form of incipient hydrolysis occurs which, if it does not detach the simpler proteins, liberates their active groups by lactone or other ring formations. The anhydride of glycine (diketopiperazine) is suggested as representing the ring formation predominantly present in keratin, and its behaviour on hydrolysis as being similar to that of keratin ; a large number of substituted diketopiper
azine ring formations are, however, possible. The cystine nucleus may act as an oxygen carrier in a similar manner to glutathione from which it is derived by hydrolysis, thus explaining the oxidation occurring on the exposure of neutral wool to light, and the behaviour of certain azo dyes on wool. B. P. Eidge.
Isoelectric point of silk-fibroin. W. S. Denham and W. B ra sh (J. Text. Inst., Spec. Issue, 1927, 18, 520—524 t).—For samples of China and Italian silks, the results of experiments with copper acetate, silver nitrate, and potassium chromate place the isoelectric point between p n 3-6 and pn 4-0, the value 3-8 being accepted, although the possibility of the existence of more than one point, or of an isoelectric range, is not excluded. The p a values were determined colorimetri- cally. No conspicuous difference is shown between the values for China and Italian silks or between those for mulberry and tussali fibroin. The isoelectric point for sericin of raw silk is about pa 4. A considerable increase in the quantity of base fixed by fibroin from 0 d i s solutions of sodium or calcium chloride is shown when the pn of the solutions is greater than 5, negligible amounts being absorbed near the isoelectric point.
B. P. Ridge. Nature of the action of sunlight on cotton.
G. Baer and (Miss) I. H. Hadfiet/d (J. Text. Inst., Spec. Issue, 1927,18, 490—493 t).—Continuous decrease of strength and of the viscosity in cuprammonium solu
tion, with increase in reducing power (as shown by the copper and silver numbers), are obtained with increasing time of exposure of cotton, whilst the Mgthylene Blue absorption shows first a fall and then a slow rise, the modification of cotton thus produced corresponding to th a t formed by mild oxidation with chlorine water.
Experiments with linen show the reaction to be essenti
ally one of oxidation, loss of strength occurring most rapidly in oxygen, less so in air, and to an almost neglig
ible extent in a vacuum, hydrogen, or carbon dioxide.
No significant change takes place when strips of cotton cloth are exposed for six months in sealed glass tubes
containing hydrogen, either dry or about two thirds saturated with water vapour. Similar exposure in tubes containing oxygen results in considerable loss of strength with increase of copper number and the production of carbon dioxide and monoxide, and perhaps hydrogen, the reaction being more rapid in the presence of moisture and a rough parallelism being shown between copper number and the corresponding quantities of carbon dioxide produced. Similar cloth previously steeped in 0-001Ar-sulp!iuric acid is more highly reducing and shows a greater production of carbon dioxide after exposure under the same conditions. Precipitation of ferric hydroxide on the cotton before exposure (0-1% Fe203 on the weight of cloth) results in increased attack but diminished formation of carbon dioxide. I t is suggested th a t a t least two reactions may occur during the exposure of cotton to sunlight, both being accom
panied by the development of reducing power and loss of strength, but one producing much less carbon dioxide than the other, iron being a photocatalyst to the latter
reaction. B. P. Rid g e.
U ltra-violet radiation as an aid to textile analyses.
H . R. Hir st (J. Text Inst., Spec. Issue, 1927, 18, 369—
375 t).—By the examination of substances submitted to the radiation from a mercury vapour lamp two types may be qualitatively distinguished : those showing pure brilliant colours and those having only ordinarily coloured appearances. Patterns of dyed fabric which have faded through exposure to light show considerable change in appearance under the influence of this radia
tion, and the method of examination furnishes a means of controlling the dyeing process in the production of shades fast to light. Many benzene substitution products, and azo dyes having benzene nuclei, show no fluorescence;
similar naphthalene compounds and dyes are strongly fluorescent. a-Naphthol in aqueous alkaline solution gives a brilliant blue, (3-naphthol a violet fluorescence, whilst salts of fluorescent compounds are more fluorescent than the acids or bases themselves. Solutions of fluores
cent compounds (e.g., a- or {3-napht,hol, or quinine sulphate) may be used as indicators for the titration of coloured or turbid solutions, since definite changes in the colour of the fluorescence are given a t the neutral point. Textile fibres, and the same fibres in different stages of bleaching, give characteristic colours and can be thus identified; the method also furnishes informa
tion about oils and oil, mildew, and other stains on wool fabrics. Unsaturated fatty acids give blue or violet, the saturated compounds white, and oxidised fatty acids yellow-brown or no fluorescence. Saturated hydrocarbon oils are non-fluorescent and unsaturated strongly so, although oxidation appears to destroy the source of fluorescence in oils. B. P. Rid g e.
E xtensibility of flax yarns. J. A. Matthew
(J. Text. Inst., Spec. Issue, 1927, 18, 506—514 t).— A brief survey of published work with deductions there
from. I t is shown th at stretch-load diagrams from flax yam s may be interpreted to reveal effects due to differ
ences in the nature of the fibre in the yarns, and a measure is deduced which reveals the effects of past tensions and is an indication of irregularities in manufac
turing conditions. B. P. Rid g e.
B ritis h C h c m ic a l A b s tr a c ts —B .
934 Cl. V.— Fi b r e s ; Te x t i l e s ; Ce l l u l o s e ; Pa p e r.
S om e problem s of textile testing. F. T. Peirce
(J. Text. Inst., Spec. Issue, 1927, 18, 475—489 t).—The influences of variable factors in the testing of textile materials are discussed from a mathematical point of
view. B. P . Rid g e.
Determ ination of the physical properties of artificial silk and their relationship to textile manufacture. A. L. Wyk es (J. Text. Inst., Spec.
Issue, 1927, 18, 494—505 t).—An artificial silk thread acts as though it consisted of two components, one brittle and one ductile, difficulties in weaving and knitting being ascribed to this dual nature. Its per
centage extension under load increases very slowly with increasing tension until a yield point is reached, when it increases rapidly. Tension-% extension curves show th at artificial silk can be converted into such a form th a t the thread is very brittle, very strong, and almost completely elastic, and it is suggested th a t the material under ordinary conditions contains a varying proportion of this brittle form of cellulose. For a thread tested first in a dry and then in a wet state the following relation holds: E /T for dry viscose = E j l - V T for wet viscose (where E is the % extension and T the tension), and from it the physical properties of any viscose silk (e.g., yield point, elasticity, etc.) may be calculated.
B. P . Rid g e. Identification of cupram m onium rayon. Ano n. (Textile Col., 1927, 49, 242—243).—Copper (0-001—
0-002%) in cuprammonium silks may be detected by ashing 3—5 g. in platinum, dissolving the ash in hydro
chloric acid, adding excess of ammonia solution, and concentrating the filtrate to 5 c.c. One drop of potas
sium ethyl xanthate solution (5%) gives a yellow colour.
Alternatively, a few drops of potassium ferrocyanide solution (5%) gives a pink coloration. W ith a concen
trated solution, free from bromine, the addition of hydro- bromic acid yields the red compound CuBr2,IIBr,2H20.
Chem ical Abstr a c t s. Structure of ram ie cellulose as derived from X -ray data. 0. L. Sponslerand W. H. Dore (Fourth Colloid Symposium Monograph, 1926, 174—202).—The cellobiose (1 : 4) linking of the dextrose units does not exist in ramie fibre. Cellulose must consist of at least eight glucose units. The cellulose structure is stabilised longitudinally by the primary valency forces uniting the dextrose units, and laterally by the secondary valency forces of the oxygen atoms. Ester formation may alter the fibrous structure only by separating the longitudinal chains, bu t with the substitution of large groups the secondary valency forces may fail to stabilise the fibrous arrangement. Chemical Abstra cts.
M icroscopical structure of paperm aking fibres in relationship to their m anufacturing properties.
J. Str achan (Proc. Tech. Sect. Papermakers’ Assoc., 1925, 6, 128—137).—From a study of microscopical structure it is possible to predict the behaviour of a fibre during beating and the character of the paper it will give. Thus, for example, thick-walled robust fibres hydrate slowly compared with hair-like fibres, which offer a greater effective area of adsorption. Factors determining strength include fibre length and thickness of cell wall, i.e., individual fibre strength. Fibre charac
teristics associated with opacity are air-space within the fibre, a striated surface, and a laminated cell w a ll;
those associated with closeness of texture (when no special beater treatm ent is to be given) are fineness of fibre and the presence of parenchymatous tissue.
D. J. No rm an. M echanism of resin sizin g [of paper]. J. M.
Arnot (Proc. Tech. Sect. Papermakers’ Assoc., 1925, 6,95—105).—The various theories p u t forward to explain the precise nature of resin sizing are reviewed and dis
cussed. The author considers it possible th a t if, as suggested by Schwalbe, sizing is due to resin particles coated with aluminium hydroxide, the action of heat under suitable conditions causes the resin particles to coalesce to give a continuous film while still retaining a protective coating of alumina. Some support for this theory is adduced from the observation th a t sized fibres, when mounted in glycerin and immediately examined microscopically, expand slowly, whereas the resinous coating retains its original dimensions, later detaching itself and aggregating in coarse lumps, which appear to lie loosely among the fibres. Comparative laboratory experiments (using 4% of resin on the weight of pulp) show th a t resin sizing causes a considerable loss of strength (46-2% in the experiments cited).
D. J. No r m a n. D yestuffs on cellulose acetate. Key w o r t h.—
See IV .
Pa t e n t s.
D egum m ing of silk . L . Wa l l e r st e in. Assr. to Wa l l e r st e in Co., In c. (U.S.P. 1,644,764, 11.10.27.
Appl., 15.4.22. Renewed, 24.2.26).—Silk is subjected to the action of a proteolytic enzyme which is active in a faintly alkaline, neutral, or faintly acid medium a t a temperature not le.^s than 50°. D. J. No rm an.
Preparation of cellulose for the m anufacture of artificial silk etc. W . Ka u f m a n n, Assee. of M.
Kohler (E.P. 258,836, 5\7.26. Fr., 28.9.25).—Cellulose substantially free from hemieelluloses and suitable for the manufacture of artificial silk is produced from waste woven fabric by digesting the comminuted material, previously freed from foreign m atter, for about 1—10 hrs. a t 1—5 atm. with, e.g., seven times its weight of a 3—20% suspension of caustic lim e ; digestion is pre
ferably carried out in absence of air to prevent formation of oxycellulose. The digested material is washed, lightly bleached, again washed, and finally dried either in the form of flakes or in sheet form on drying cylinders. The resulting cellulose may be directly converted into alkali- cellulose by kneading it with twice its weight of 15—18%
caustic soda solution. D. J. Norm an. Manufacture of artificial threads, filam ents, etc.
Co u r t a u ld s,bLt d., and F. D. Le w is (E.P. 278,814, 19.7.26).—Improved results are obtained in the dry- spinning process if the temperature of the spinning solu
tion and th a t of the air around the spinning nozzle are the same. This may be effected by, for example, passing the spinning solution through a coiled pipe placed in the upper part of the spinning chamber, or by using the same water to heat both the spinning chamber and the spinning solution. This method of dry-spinning enables the lustre and, to some extent, the cross-section of th e
