GB200167A - Improvements in and relating to chemical reduction of organic compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

200,167. Adam, W. G., Siderfin, N. E., Murdoch, D. G., and Galbraith, W. L. April 3, 1922. Stationary batch-mixers with rotary stirrers; freely-flowing material mixed in conduits.-Two constructions of apparatus are described in which the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds is effected by an intimate mixture or emulsion thereof with water into contact with alkali-metal amalgam. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, a sloping trough 5 provided with ridges 7 on its bed and a beating-jacket 8 is supplied with amalgam from a container 1 and with the 'emulsion of nitro compound and water by pipe 17; the mixture discharges into a separator 6, the mercury flowing off by pipe 11 back to the electrolytic cell, while the aqueous mixture is drawn off and emulsified by pipe 12 and pump 13 and recirculated through the beater 16 and pipe 17 to the trough. The apparatus shown in Fig. 2 comprises a container 24 provided with staggered baffles 26, a rotary shaft 28 with blades 27, and a beating-coil 33. The lower part of the container is filled with mercury, the mixture of nitro compound and water is added and the stirrer and beater set in operation; amalgam is then fed in from a hopper 32 and is distributed through the charge' from a perforated coil 30; the mercury flows away by pipe 25 back to the cell, and the aqueous mixture when sufficiently treated is run off by pipe 36. Specification 3090/96, [Class 2, Acids and salts, Organic], is referred to.