Back to results
US 4,297,123 AGranted
Method and apparatus for producing a nitrate fertilizer
OwnerHarold G. Wyse, Millard S. Smithinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
OwnerHarold G. Wyse, Millard S. Smithinventors
Estimating the term…
A portable, self-contained system for producing nitric acid from a supply of electricity and water, incorporates a nitrogen generating unit including a cabinet enclosing a manifold defining a plurality of series connected air combustion chambers each having one electrode concentric within a restricting orifice defined by a second electrode. The unit also includes an air compressor for supplying air which spirals through each combustion chamber to rotate the arc within the orifice, and each combustion chamber is exposed for viewing through a corresponding lens. The system also incorporates a liquid fertilizer generator unit including a closed plastic tank containing water and a submersible pump which recirculates the water through an aspirator where nitrogen gas is introduced into the water and then through a long plastic absorption tube coiled within the tank. The compressor also supplies additional oxygen to the tank for further converting nitrous oxide to nitric acid.
A method adapted for efficiently producing a nitrate fertilizer, comprising the steps of forming an air combustion unit including a combustion chamber having a first electrode element defining a circular restriction aperture, arranging a second electrode element concentrically with said aperture, supplying an electrical voltage across said electrode elements to produce an electrical arc therebetween within the aperture, producing a spiral flow of air within the chamber and directing the flow through the restriction aperture at an increased velocity to effect rotation of the arc within the aperture and to assure the air is exposed to the arc for efficiently generating a nitrogen dioxide gas, and introducing the gas from the combustion chamber into a flow of water contained within a tank and being recirculated through an elongated absorption tube having substantial length to produce a nitric acid solution usable as a nitrate fertilizer.
Apparatus for producing a nitrate fertilizer solution, comprising an air combustion unit including means forming a combustion chamber with a first electrode element defining a circular restriction aperture within said chamber, a second electrode element projecting into said chamber and disposed concentrically with said aperture, means for introducing a flow of pressurized air into said chamber on one side of said aperture and for directing the flow of air in a spiraling manner through said aperture, said restriction aperture causing the flow of air to increase in velocity through said aperture, means defining an exhaust passage for said chamber on the opposite side of said aperture, means for supplying a high voltage current to said electrode elements to produce an electrical arc therebetween within said aperture, the spiraling flow of air through said aperture being effective to rotate the arc within said aperture to assure the air is exposed to the arc for efficiently generating a nitrogen dioxide gas, a tank adapted to receive a volume of water, an elongated tube forming an absorption coil, a pump connected to recirculate the water within said tank through said coil, and means for directing the nitrogen dioxide gas into the recirculating flow of water within said coil to produce a dilute acid solution usable as a nitrate fertilizer.
Apparatus for producing a nitrate fertilizer, comprising at least one air combustion unit including means defining a combustion chamber having a circular cross-sectional configuration and forming a first electrode element defining a circular aperture, a second electrode element projecting into said chamber and disposed concentrically with said aperture, means for introducing pressurized air into said chamber on one side of said aperture and for causing a spiral flow of air through said aperture, means defining an exhaust passage for said chamber on the other side of said aperture to assure that all of the air flowing through said inlet passage into said chamber passes through said aperture, means for supplying a high voltage to said electrode elements to produce an electrical arc therebetween, said spiral flow of air through said aperture being effective to rotate the arc within said aperture for subjecting a high proportion of said air flow to the arc for efficiently generating a nitrogen dioxide gas, a tank adapted to receive a volume of water, an elongated tube forming an absorption coil disposed within said tank and having substantial length, means for recirculating water from said tank through said coil, and means for introducing the gas generated by said combustion unit into the water flowing through said coil to provide substantial gas-water exposure time for the nitrogen oxide gas to dissolve into the water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.