Process for making nitric oxide, and apparatus suitable therefor

摘要

Apparatus for carrying out gas reactions such as the production of nitric oxide from air comprises in series a first regenerator chamber, containing for example a pebble bed, a reaction chamber containing electric arc producing means, and a second regenerator chamber, valve gear being provided enabling periodical reversal of flow of gas through the three chambers. As shown air is passed through heat regeneration chambers 2, then through reaction chamber 1 where it is heated to about 3000 DEG C. by the passage of an electric arc, and then through heat regenerator chambers 3. Each regenerator chamber preferably containing a bed of refractory pebbles 4 as shown in chamber 2 although spaced refractory plates as shown in chamber 3 may alternatively be used. Reversal of gas flow is effected by means of hinged shutters 5 and 6. Air is supplied at a pressure of several atmospheres to inlet duct 7 by a main compressor 11 and an auxiliary compressor 13 connected thereto by a cooler 12. The auxiliary compressor 13 is driven by a gas turbine 14 in turn driven by gas from outlet duct 8. The main compressor 11 is driven by a gas turbine 15 which also drives electric generator 20. A combustion system 16 which supplies combustion product gases to the p turbine 15 supplied with fuel via pipe 16 and air from compressor 11 via heat exchanger 17 where the air is heated by heat exchange with the exhaust gases from the turbine 15.