GB958777A - Improvements in and relating to the production of hydrosine - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0958777/C1/1> In a method for producing hydrazine from ammonia, a gaseous phase is subjected to an electric discharge at a frequency in the range 1 to 300 mc./sec., in the presence of a liquid phase. The liquid may be anhydrous ammonia at - 70 DEG C. or a solution of ammonia in water at - 50 DEG to O DEG C. or higher if it contains ammonium nitrate or calcium chloride. The liquid may be present in the discharge chamber as a mist or a pool, or a vertically or helically falling layer of liquid on the chamber walls, or may be injected in the form of droplets as described and claimed in Specification 958,776. The gaseous phase may contain ammonia or may consist predominantly of argon. The total gas pressure may be 5 to 100 mm. of Hg, at a temperature below 1300 DEG C., the field strength 25 to 1500 volts per cm., and the current density below 0.5 amp. per cm. The electrodes may be of platinum, tungsten, nickel, stainless steel, or nickel- or chromium-plated copper or copper alloys, and may be hollow for the circulation of cooling fluid. Preferably, at least one electrode is immersed in the liquid which then contains an electrolyte, e.g. ammonium nitrate. The may be imposed on the discharge a further electric field whose polarity is constant or alternates at a frequency of at most 1 mc./sec. As shown, the discharge chamber 1, comprising electrodes 2, 3 and an inlet 4 for gas or liquid, is mounted in a cooling jacket 6 surrounded by a re-entrant coaxial resonator for the input of the high-frequency alternating current. Specific examples of the preparation of hydrazine from ammonia are given. According to the Provisional Specifications, hydrogen peroxide may be produced from water by similar methods. Specification 958,778 also is referred to.