Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
H I G H - P R E S S U R E W O R K
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING L I B R A R T
Just Published.
THE TECHNOLOGY OF DISTILLATION PRINCIPLES
WATER ByC. ELLIOTT, B.SC.
B y Alan A. P O L L I T T , M . S C . MECHANICAL MIXING
ORGANISATION OF PRO- MACHINERY
DUCTION By L. C A R P E N T E R , B . S C , A . I . C .
By J . W . CURTIS, M . B . E .
AGITATING, STIRRING AND
CRUSHING AND GRINDING KNEADING MACHINERY
MACHINERY
By H A R T L A N D S E Y M O U R .
By H A K T L A N D SEYMOUR.
SCREENING A N D GRADING ACID-RESISTING METALS
OF M A T E R I A L S By S Y D N E Y J . TPNGAY
By J- E - L I S T E R , A.M.Tnst.C.E. DISTILLATION I N PRACTICE
THE D U S T HAZARD IN
ByC. ELLIOTT, B.SC.
INDUSTRY
By W . E . G I B U S , D . S c . THEORY A N D P R A C T I C E OF
SULPHURIC ACID CONCEN- COMBUSTION
TRATION. Vol.I. ByHotGases. By J. E . L I S T E R a n d C. H . H A I I R I S .
Vol. I I . In H e a t e d Vessels AUTOCLAVES A N D HIGH-
By P . P A R R I S H , A . I . C . , and PRESSURE W O R K
F . C. S N E L L I N G . By H A R O L D G O O D W I N , M . S C .
In Preparation.
MODERN MUFFLE FURNACES THE PRINCIPLES A N D DE-
ByC. M. W A L T E R , D . S C . SIGN OF TOWER FILLINGS
MECHANICAL ROASTING By " C H E M I C A L E N G I N E E R . "
FURNACES POWER GENERATION AND
TRANSMISSION O N WORKS
By W . W Y L D .
By H A R T L A N D SEYMOUR.
ACID R E A C T I O N CHAMBERS THE DESIGN A N D ARRANGE-
, By P . P A R R I S H , AI.C. M E N T O F CHEMICAL PLANT
B y (T, L . WEYMAN.
CENTRIFUGAL DRYERS AND
SEPARATORS PRINCIPLED OF F I L T R A T I O N
B y E . A. A L L I O T T , B . S C .
PLANT
B y TC. A. ALLIOTT.
COLLOID MILLS
MODERN DRYING
Dy S. P . S C H O T Z , D . S c . MACHINERY
LABORATORIES AND LABO- B y I I , B. C R O N S H A W .
RATORY F U R N I S H I N G TRANSPORT AND HANDLING
By C E C I L H O L L I N S , M . S C . OF MINERAL ACIDS
CHEMISTRY IN POWER B y F. HiRSCir.
PLANT MECHANICAL D R A U G H T
By W. H. M I L E S B y J . E . L I S T E R and C , H . HARRIS,
A Typical Low Pressure Works Autoclave,
A U T O C L A V E S A N D
H I G H P R E S S U R E W O R K
B y H A R O L D G O O D W I N , M . S c .
L O N D O N : E R N E S T B E N N L T D .
8 B O U V E R I E S T R E E T , E,C. 4
2
I9 5
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN
the book.
H . G.
May, 1925.
vii
C O N T E N T S
C H A P T E R I
INTRODUCTORY 1
C H A P T E R II
LABORATORY AUTOCLAVES—CONSTRUCTION . 27
C H A P T E R III
LABORATORY AUTOCLAVES—USE . . . 47
C H A P T E R IV
SEMI-LARGE-SCALE PLANT . . . . 65
C H A P T E R V
C H A P T E R VI
C H A P T E R VII
C H A P T E R VIII
C H A P T E R I X
. 151
ROUTINE RUNNING OF LARGE-SCALE PLANT
. 165
INDEX
1 * ix
L I S T O F I L L U S T R A T I O N S
no. PAGE
A typical low pressure works autoclave
Frontispiece
1. S e c t i o n of a n o n - a g i t a t o r l a b o r a t o r y autoclave 29
2. Arrangement of geared agitator on cover of
small agitator laboratory autoclave 31
4. y - - r •• J -- J -*- V b o r a t o r y a u t o c l a v e f o r complete
37
o. Anchor design agitator . . . . 40
6. Propeller for stirring t h i n m i x t u r e s . 40
7. A g i t a t o r for re-action requiring little stirring 41
8. G a t e a g i t a t o r for stiff pastes 42
9. D o u b l e a g i t a t o r t y p e of s t i r r i n g 43
10. G e n e r a l a r r a n g e m e n t a n d s e t t i n g of m o d e r a t e l y
69
high pressure non-agitator autoclave .
71
11. High pressure gas fire autoclave section
12. Section of high pressure agitator autoclave
73
semi-large-scale plant .
75
13. Horizontal steam-jacket autoclave .
77
14. Vertical steam-jacket autoclave—section
87
15. S e c t i o n a l e l e v a t i o n of s t e e l a u t o c l a v e
89
16. E x a m p l e of j o i n t s . . . .
91
17. A u t o c l a v e m a n h o l e lid
99
IS. H i g h pressure works pan .
107
19. Safety pressure device
109
20. Special pressure registration device .
21. Safety pressure device a n d special manometer 110
connection . . . . . . 121
22. A r r a n g e m e n t for d i r e c t firing of a n autoclave 122
«J 5* J5 3)
23. 123
24.
25. S h o w i n g " baffle " b e t w e e n f i r e b o s a n d a u t o c l a v e 125
2fi 1°6
27. S e c t i o n a l e l e v a t i o n of a s e t t i n g t o a g a s - h e a t e d
autoclave 127
I N T R O D U C T O R Y
C H A P T E R I
INTRODUCTORY
I t is p r o p o s e d t o d e a l first i n a g e n e r a l w a y with
the m o s t c o m m o n construction of autoclaves, to
indicate essential features and to lay down the
principles of h i g h p r e s s u r e work.
O B S E R V A T I O N S O N A U T O C L A V E S I N G E N E R A L
T A B L E 1
Semi-large-scale auto-
clave, agitator type (a) 5 gallons 300° C. 200 a t m .
{b) 2 0 g a l l o n s 3 0 0 ° C. 50 a t m .
T h e c a p a c i t y figures r e f e r t o t h e a c t u a l c a p a c i t y of t h e
a p p a r a t u s , n o t t o t h e c a p a c i t y of t h e c h a r g e .
T h e pressure figures refer to t h e a c t u a l w o r k i n g pressure.
Introductory 19
I l l t h e c o v e r s of a l l a u t o c l a v e s a r e c e r t a i n holes,
20 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
T h e l i n e r s m a y b e m a d e of l e a d , s h e e t t i n , copper,
iron (plain or enamelled) or sometimes zinc. The
fixing i n p o s i t i o n of t h e l i n e r i s a s o m e w h a t difficult
o p e r a t i o n a n d o n e w h i c h it is e s s e n t i a l t o c a r r y out
correctly, f o r if t h e r e b e a n y air gaps between the
22 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
C O N S T R U C T I O N
C H A P T E R II
LABORATORY AUTOCLAVES—CONSTRUCTION
31
32 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
Lubricator Lubricator
Large cogwheel
k^eyed on to shaft
Valve outlet
Stuffing box
Cover of
autoclave
Thermometer
"pipe
Agitator
Furnace
case
Opening for
'gas heater
37
38 Atitoclaves and High Pressure Work
t a g e of t h i s t y p e of a g i t a t o r is t h a t i t c a n be m a d e
17b valve
Discharge
'pipe
e f f i c i e n t s t i r r i n g of t h i n m i x t u r e s , s a y a n oil a n d a n
aqueous l a y e r , t h e r e is n o t h i n g b e t t e r than a good
propeller (Fig. 6). This causes up and d o w n
agitation as well as the usual circular whirlpool
kind, but it is n o t very efficient with thick pastes.
Fig. 7 shows a n agitator a r r a n g e m e n t for a reaction
i n w h i c h v e r y little s t i r r i n g is n e c e s s a r y , b u t where
9*
42 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
i t m a y b e r e q u i r e d t o b l o w off s a m p l e s of t h e batch
from time to time during the c o u r s e of t h e experi-
ment. A f u r t h e r a d v a n t a g e of t h i s t y p e of agitator
is that very small batches can be made, as the
thermometer pipe comes almost to the bottom of
the vessels.
Ci
F o r t h e a g i t a t i o n of stiff p a s t e s a f u r t h e r gate "
is s o m e t i m e s fitted to the anchor type (Fig. 8), or
a double agitator autoclave is used. This latter
is a n excellent device for high-speed agitation of
any sort, and is perhaps the best of all systems
where very vigorous agitation is e s s e n t i a l and the
pressures are low. As will b e seen in F i g . 93 both
a g i t a t o r s a r e d r i v e n off t h e s a m e p u l l e y i n opposite
Laboratory Airfodaves—Construction 4 3
B y t h i s i t is n o t m e a n t t h a t it Avould b e impossible
to carry out such operations in non-agitator direct-
fired laboratory autoclaves, but rather that such a
piece of apparatus would not be desirable, much
less ideal.
Before c o n s i d e r i n g d e t a i l s of c l o s i n g u p , heating,
a n d opening laboratory autoclaves which are
m u c h the same whatever the nature of t h e opera-
tion performed in t h e m , let u s briefly t o u c h on the
special requirements of chemical reactions (2) and
(3).
S 0 3a H - ( > S 0d 3 H
from \ .
N 0 2 N 0 2
/ X
/ \ l N H 2 . / V > O H
^ from
2
I from
from aniline.
(6) The preparation of ethyl a-naphthyl-
amine from a-naphthylamine.
T h e a u t h o r h a s k n o w n of c a s e s i n w h i c h t h e screw
t h r e a d s of t h e m a n o m e t e r and even the cover bolts
have been stripped owing to the neglect of this
precaution. In carrying out a series of experi-
ments it is important to keep the sizes of the
batches approximately constant, for the golden
rule in research work is to alter one factor, and
one factor only, at a time. In spite of m u c h that
h a s b e e n w r i t t e n t o t h e c o n t r a r y , it is q u i t e possible
to carry out caustic fusions in a steel autoclave
54 Autoclaves and S i g h Pressure Work
without t h e u s e of a l i n e r , p a r t i c u l a r l y if t h e fusion
of t h e rock caustic with the necessary quantity of
w a t e r is d o n e in a c a s t - i r o n vessel, a n d , w h e n melted,
transferred to the autoclave. If the liner is
properly fitted with solder into the b o d y of the
autoclave there can, of course, be no possible
objection t o t h e u s e of it.
T e m p , of T e m p , of
oil-bath. charge. Pressure.
A s s o o n a s t h e t i m e for t h e h e a t i n g of t h e charge
at full temperature is over the heat is turned off
and t h e a u t o c l a v e is a l l o w e d to cool. The practice
of c o o l i n g v e r y q u i c k l y i n w a t e r is n o t t o b e recom-
m e n d e d except in cases of emergency, as it is
liable to cause strains m t h e s t e e l of t h e autoclave.
In addition, it is a procedure which it would be
hnpossi ble to imitate on a large scale. It is,
however, quite reasonable to lift the autoclave
from its "bath and allow it t o cool in t h e a i r of the
laboratory. T h e chart should be filled up during
cooling, a n d this m a y yield valuable evidence in
some experiments.
SEMI-LARGE-SCALE PLANT
3 ^
66 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
autoclave.
autoclave.
(3) A very high pressure agitator autoclave.
I n t h e l a r g e - s c a l e w o r k s c l a s s of p a n of capacities
200 gallons upwards, non-agitator pans will work
u p t o 1 0 0 a t m o s p h e r e s , a l t h o u g h t h i s t y p e of plant
has m a n y disadvantages.
The high pressure works pan of 400 gallons
capacity or more, fitted with stuffing-box agitator,
has a working p r e s s u r e of 40 to 50 atmospheres,
while t h e larger size low p r e s s u r e agitator autoclave
w o r k s best u p t o 10 or 15 atmospheres.
autoclave. T h i s is d e s c r i b e d a s a m o d e r a t e l y high
pressure semi-large-scale pan, and is therefore
u s u a l l y of c a p a c i t i e s of 2 5 t o 5 0 g a l l o n s a n d working
p r e s s u r e s of 4 0 atmospheres.
Fig. 1 1 s h o w s a s e c t i o n of t h i s p a n a n d serves to
i l l u s t r a t e t h e o u t s t a n d i n g f e a t u r e s of t h e same.
t- • > ; ! ; i m
Gas
Heater
FIG. 1 0 . — G e n e r a l a r r a n g e m e n t a n d s e t t i n g of m o d e r -
ately High Pressure Non-agitator Autoclave.
G9
70 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
xnat
tarn
Oil Jacket
•joafl
< 5 6 < p 6 , 6
Gas burners
F I G . 1 1 . — H i g h P r e s s u r e G a s F i r e Aufcoclavo Section.
71
72 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
F x c i . 1 2 . — S o c t i c f n of H i g h P r e s s u r e A g i t a t o r
Autoclave—Semi-large-scale Plant.
3* 73
74 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
A brief d e s c r i p t i o n of t w o t y p e s of steam-heated
autoclave will n o w follow:
jrhairrlft i m
i^g-^:
Gas' heaters
77
78 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
O F W O R K S A U T O C L A V E S
C H A P T E R V
AUTOCLAVES
T H E L A R G E - S I Z E L O W P R E S S U R E W O R K S
A U T O C L A V E
600 to 1 0 0 0 g a l l o n s c a p a c i t y , w h i l e it is s e l d o m that
temperatures higher t h a n 2 5 0 ° G. a r e required.
T h e f r o n t i s p i e c e of t h i s b o ' o k is f r o m a photograph
of a l a r g e size l o w p r e s s u r e works autoclave m a n u -
factured b y Messrs. A d a m s o n a n d Co., Ltd., of
H y d e , Manchester. T h e author has used m a n y of
these pans a n d subjected t h e m to a practical test
of r e l i a b i l i t y b y r e a s o n of m o n t h s of unintermittent
daily working quite out of the ordinary. T h e y
came through the test m o s t creditably a n d can be
confidently q u o t e d a s e x a m p l e s of f i r s t - c l a s s British
workmanship. I n the following descriptions of a
low pressure works autoclave, it is n o t intended to
follow in every detail the A d a m s o n design, b u t the
description a n d diagram m a y be taken as sub-
stantially correct and characteristic of a works
autoclave of t h i s type.
I n the first p l a c e , t h e b o d y of t h e p a n , i n s t e a d of
being cast in one piece, c o n s i s t s of a riveted cylin-
drical tube, m a d e from sheet steel, o p e n at the top
to receive t h e cover, a n d a shallow dish for the
b o t t o m w h i c h is r i v e t e d o n t o t h e c y l i n d r i c a l sides.
I t is c l a i m e d b y some authorities t h a t the prejudice
in favour of a riveted joint between the dish and
the sides is without foundation, b u t m o s t works
chemists w h o have h a d experience of b o t h riveted
a n d w e l d e d joints will favour the former.
?•>*:
•i^
LI
:j
1 . •/..
\ s * " «.'/ t :•j
rf .
£! ,;;
• "clearance
•£•$
-1 iiil
c
2
FIG. 1 5 . — S e c t i o n a l E l e v a t i o n of S t e e l A u t o c l a v e .
87
88 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
The flange o n w h i c h t h e c o v e r r e s t s is e i t h e r of
as part of the cylindrical body or riveted, to
although in autoclaves m a d e of thicker steel
might be bolted into the body, the bolts being,
course, n o t t a p p e d through.
For this type of p a n it is sufficient to u s e stc
of 1 inch thickness both for the sides a n d dis
although the cover would be thicker, say 2 inchc
I t is i n t e r e s t i n g t o n o t e t h a t t h e j o i n t m a d e betwct
the cover a n d the flange is of the " half-register
type, whereas u p to n o w in previous models w e ha"1
always dealt with full register joints. F i g . ]
shows the two kinds of joints on a larger seal
from which it will be seen that the full registi
w o u l d b e s e l e c t e d if v e r y h i g h p r e s s u r e s w e r e to I
withstood. For this type of autoclave t h e hal
register joint, if properly packed, is on t h e w h o
satisfactory. In this connection it is interestin
to note a suggestion which appeared as a contr
bution of M r . P . Bloor i n t h e Engineering World c
M a y 7th, 1921. In this it is s h o w n t h a t th
p r e s s u r e of t h e b o l t s o n t h e h a l f - r e g i s t e r j o i n t tend
to squeeze the packing material out at A (Fig. 1
a) and causes a hinge m o v e m e n t at B to be exerte
Construction of Works Autoclaves 89
C±3
Tightening
' Nut '
Vertical
Rod
V-/ \J
Plan o f manhole l i d .
(Dotted lines show position
of packing ring.)
Hexagonal Vertical
Nut " H : 3 s Rod
Ring Packing
i-ra- -at B
Rin$±
A l t h o u g h it h a s n o t b e e n possible t o s h o w it i n the
diagram, the cover of the autoclave should have a
92 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
safety valve.
pressure gauge.
commented on.
(1) In such large pans as these a manhole is an
absolute necessity, as t h e lifting of t h e c o v e r is an
operation involving the use of pulley-blocks, and
means putting the autoclave out of commission
for the best part of a week. Once a satisfactory
joint has been obtained between cover and body,
it should only be broken w h e n it begins to leak
t h r o u g h w e a r o r f o r t h e p e r i o d i c o v e r h a u l i n g of the
plant, say once every six m o n t h s or even a year.
The function of the manhole is, therefore, the
c h a r g i n g of t h e m a t e r i a l f o r t h e b a t c h a n d t h e usual
means of access into the p a n for examination.
Naturally the size of the manhole shoixld be as
small as possible, for the larger the hole the more
difficult it will b e t o m a k e a tight joint when it is
closed. I t is u s u a l in 7 0 0 g a l l o n a u t o c l a v e s to have
Construction of Works Autoclaves 93
the m a n h o l e of o v a l s h a p e a n d j u s t l a r g e e n o u g h for
an a v e r a g e m a n to squeeze through. The manhole
is c l o s e d b y a h e a v y l i d of s t e e l a s t h i c k a s t h e rest
of t h e cover. I n t h e m i d d l e is a s t o u t r i n g through
which c h a i n s c a n p a s s w h i c h b e a r t h e w e i g h t of the
lid w h i l e the workmen, are adjusting the packing
ring. T h e m a n h o l e lid is l a r g e r than the oval hole
it is designed to cover, and has, therefore, to be
passed edgewise through the hole into the pan. On
its o u t e r side at the extreme edge is p l a c e d a flat
packing ring about an inch wide, m a d e of black-
leaded asbestos, which fits into a shallow groove
designed for the purpose. T w o stout rods cut
with s c r e w threads are fastened at right angles to
the surface of the lid, and these thread through
stout b a r s which bridge across the manhole itself.
O n screwing down two massive nuts, one on each
rod, t h e manhole lid is pressed upwards firmly
against the inside surface of the manhole, the
asbestos packing ring causing a gas-tight joint to be
made?:. I t will be seen that, provided the joint is
good, t h e effect of p r e s s u r e w i l l b e to push up the
m a n h o l e lid more firmly against the inside of the
cover. This explanation is necessarily rather
involved, but a study of the frontispiece, which
shows clearly the nuts and bars holding the manhole
lid in place, together with Tig. 17, w h i c h s h o w s a
sketch of the manhole lid from different positions,
should help to m a k e this explanation easier to
follow.
(2) T h e t h e r m o m e t e r p i p e is n o t s h o w n i n F i g . 1 5 ,
as it w a s desired to illustrate mainly features of
94 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
pressure.
A U T O C L A V E
C H A P T E R VI
I t is b e s t t o r e g a r d t h e s e m i - l a r g e - s c a l e autoclave
of F i g . 11 a n d t h e l o w pressure w o r k s autoclave of
P i g . 15 a s t h e p r o t o t y p e s of t h e h i g h p r e s s u r e works
pan, a n d so, in order to avoid useless repetition, only
a diagram a n d t h o s e p o i n t s of o u t s t a n d i n g interest
or difference will n o w be given.
L e t u s t h e r e f o r e s t u d y d i a g r a m F i g . 1 8 , w h i c h is a
s e c t i o n a l e l e v a t i o n of a t y p i c a l w o r k s h i g h pressure
pan. In the first place, since the question of heat-
ing w o r k s p a n s , w h e t h e r h i g h or l o w pressure, will be
considered in a subsequent chapter, no method of
firing has been shown. The space A represents
where the coal or gas furnace for direct or oil-bath
heating would be situated. The general construc-
t i o n of t h e a u t o c l a v e is v e r y s i m i l a r t o t h a t shown
in Fig. 15, but it is interesting to note that the
4C
d i s h " or b o t t o m w h i c h is r i v e t e d on to the main
body at (av a2) is less shallow a n d m a y even be
hemispherical in shape in order to better resist
the higher pressures. Again, the overlap between
the " dish " and the autoclave sides is greater, a
double row of rivets being often employed. On
examining the top part of the diagram it is again
to be observed t h a t t h e r e is a g r e a t e r r o u n d n e s s of
The High Pressure Works Autoclave 105
Bolt
m ^
Plate of metal' l*^2qj.p autoclave
tested to burst h^£^^~~~^
at desired pressure
Sectional elevation
Sample of hexagonal
bolt head
^e of sheet of metal
lying as a plate over
the pipe between the
flanges
Plan of flange
Oil seal
A U T O C L A V E S
C H A P T E R V I I
I n t h e first p l a c e , t h e t y p e of w o r k d o n e i n works
autoclaves is so different. Instead of a series of
isolated batches carried out on a very small or
moderately large scale mainly, if not solely, for
experimental purposes, we are faced with the
problem of routine manufacture in which i t " is
d e s i r a b l e t o g e t a s m u c h o u t of a n y p l a n t i n a given
time as is possible. Then, again, the heating of
laboratory or even semi-large-scale autoclaves of
the smaller sizes b y means of coal or coke fires is
out of the question, as it would be impossible to
regulate or control such tiny furnaces, whereas
the coal or coke furnace is probably the most
economical and general method of actually firing
works pans.
115
110 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
In most c a s e s of r o u t i n e m a n u f a c t u r e , however,
it is p r o b a b l e that the best forms of direct firing
if carried out under experienced guidance possess
advantages over the oil-bath m e t h o d which exceed
their drawbacks.
is s o l v e d b y the provision of t h e f o l l o w i n g :
d e g r e e of accuracy.
Cover flange
F I G . 2 2 . — A r r a n g e m e n t f o r D i r e c t F i r i n g of a n Autoclave.
^ . Q'-Q\ _->j
F I G . 2 3 . — A r r a n g e m e n t f o r D i r e c t F i r i n g of a n Autoclave,
sequent h e a t i n g of t h e s i d e s of t h e p a n i s g o o d , a n d
although this setting possesses one grave defect,
this can be obviated b y an addition rather than b y
complete reconstruction so t h a t the design deserves
description as it stands, especially as it is a n
arrangement in very c o m m o n use. I n order to
The Heating of WorJes Autoclaves 123
F I G . 2 4 . — A r r a n g e m e n t f o r D i r e c t F i r i n g of a n Autoclave.
w a l l w h i c h s t a r t s a t o n e s i d e of t h e fire-bos tunnel
(X, Fig. 23) a n d passes r o u n d to t h e other side (Y)
as a n u n b r o k e n circle s a v e for a g a p a b o u t 18 inches
a c r o s s (Z). T h i s wall is a b o u t 3 feet high. S o m e
further support could be given b y allowing the
124 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
effect of t h e e r e c t i o n of t h i s baffle is r e m a r k a b l e , as
with a good draught it does not d a m p d o w n the
fire, but entirely prevents the actual flames entering
the space beneath the autoclave, which is to all
intents a n d purposes heated b y a hot air-bath.
Such a modified setting, properly a n d skilfully
worked, is an almost ideal method of firing pans
m t e n d e d for h a r d routine use, a n d one w h i c h allows
the m a x i m u m output to be obtained from the plant.
The Heating of Works Autoclaves 127
Flanges of autoclave
Dampen
Body of autoclave
4
Regulator
F I G . 2 7 . — S e c t i o n a l E l e v a t i o n of a S e t t i n g t o a Gas-
heated Autoclave.
A U T O C L A V E S
C H A P T E R V I I I
131
132 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
of t h e s t a r t i n g material.
d e r i v a t i v e , l e t u s s u p p o s e t h a t t h e s i z e of t h e batch
134 Autoclaves and High Pressure Work
that capital.
The usual procedure with caustic fusions and
m a n y other autoclave operations is to draw the
fire o n c o m p l e t i o n of t h e r e a c t i o n t i m e a n d t o open
fully t h e fire-box door and flue, while the blow-off
v a l v e is cautiously released too. N a t u r a l l y if the
p r o d u c t is v o l a t i l e i n s t e a m t h i s l a t t e r c o u r s e cannot
be adopted, but wherever possible it should be
d o n e , f o r t h e r a p i d b o i l i n g off of s o m e of t h e water
has a marked effect on the cooling rate of the
batch.
In a complicated t a n g l e of p i p i n g i t is surprising
h o w e a s y it is t o omit to close o n e of m a n y paths.
The Working of Large-scale Autoclaves 143
S C A L E P L A N T
C H A P T E R I X
I N t h e p r e c e d i n g c h a p t e r t h e a c t u a l w o r k i n g of a
large-scale autoclave was elaborated in some detail
with a view to provide hints which might be help-
ful to t h e inexperienced. Thus, a typical autoclave
manufacturing process was taken and considered
step b y step from the charging of the starting
m a t e r i a l t o t h e b l o w i n g o v e r of t h e b a t c h . It was
not considered desirable to go into the details of
the subsequent working u p of t h e batch, for these
come under the heading of g e n e r a l c h e m i c a l works
processes rather than high pressure work. It is
p r o p o s e d n o w t o g o i n t o t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e working
of autoclaves from a rather broader viewpoint
to -
s a y , t w e l v e h o u r s , t h e w h o l e of t h e o t h e r operations
could not be squeezed into the remaining twelve
hours of the day. Again, with oil-bath heating,
the ideal " one batch per pan per day " is hardly
practicable, but with good management, good
workmen and a short-time fusion it is possible if
a direct-fired p a n is used-
Let us, therefore, consider a typical time-table.
O n arriving a t the works at, say, 9 a.m., the chemist
will find the previous day's batch in the pan, the
fire d r a w n , a n d t h e p r e s s u r e b l o w i n g off. The morn-
ing will be spent in getting r e a d y the material for
the day's batch, breaking caustic, and weighing out
q u a n t i t i e s of t h e s u l p h o n i c a c i d , w h i c h w i l l probably
be in the form of m o i s t c a k e s o r d r i e d powder.
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e t e s t i n g of a u t o c l a v e s instituted
b y the works chemist, most pans are periodically
e x a m i n e d b y b o i l e r i n s p e c t o r s o r , if i n s u r e d , b y the
offi.cj.als of t h e company with w h o m the policy has
been taken out.