Wire Gauzes

Since gauzes have limited effectiveness in quenching high-velocity flames, they are only used as end-of-line deflagration flame arresters. 

Bjorklnnd et al. (1982) report experimental results on the evalnation of a single 30-mesh gauze screen and a dual 20-mesh gauze screen flame arresters using propane-air and ethylene-air mixtures. The test results are as follows  

The single 30-mesh stainless steel flame arrester was effective in arresting flashback flames from all eight fuel-air mixtures tested. 

The dual 20-mesh stainless steel arrester was effective in arresting flashback from all eight fnel-air mixtures tested except in some ethylene-air tests. It failed in three out of three tests where the flame speed was 4.86 m/s (15.94 ft/s) or greater. 

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Place 5 mi. of ethyl acetate in a 100 ml. round-bottomed flask, and add about 50 ml. of 10% sodium hydroxide solution, together with some fragments of ungiazed porcelain. Fit the flask with a reflux water-condenser, and boil the mixture gently over a wire gauze for 30 minutes. Now disconnect the condenser, and fit it by means of a bent delivery-tube (or knee-tube ) to the flask for direct distillation (Fig. 59, or Fig. 23(0), p. 45). Reheat the liquid, and collect the first 10 ml. of distillate, which will consist of a dilute aqueous solution of ethanol. Confirm the presence of ethanol by the iodoform test Test 3, p. 336). 

The theory of the process is discussed in Sections 1,1-1,3. The apparatus of Fig. 11,12,1 may be used when moderate quantities of the substance are available. A is a 50 ml. distilling flask attached by a cork to a Liebig condenser B, upon the end of which an adapter C is fitted D is a receiver for collecting the distillate. The thermometer E is fitted into the neck of the distilling flask by means of a well-bored cork the bulb of the thermometer should be in the centre of the neck of the flask and slightly below (ca. 5 mm.) the level of the side tube. The flask may be heated on a wire gauze with asbestos centre or preferably in an air bath (Fig. 77, 5, 3). 

Solvents with boiling points above 90-95°. The apparatus of Fig. 77,13, 3 (with closed filter flask and rubber lead-off tube) or of Fig. 77,13, 4 (see discussion in previous paragraph but one) should be vtilised vrith an air bath or oil bath as the source of heat. Heating on a Wire gauze is not recommended. 

The simplest form of apparatus consists of a small porcelain evaporating dish covered with a filter paper which has been perforated with a number of small holes a watch glass of the same size, convex side uppermost, is placed on the filter paper. The substance is placed inside the dish, and the latter heated with a minute flame on a wire gauze or sand bath. The sublimate collects in the Fig. II, 45, 1. watch glass, and the filter paper below prevents the sublimate from falling into the residue. The watch glass may be kept cool by covering it with several pieces of damp filter... 

Trimethylene Dibromide. In a 1-litre round-bottomed flask place 500 g. (338 ml.) of 48 per cent, hydrobromic acid and add 150 g. (82 ml.) of concentrated sulphuric acid in portions, with shaking. Then add 91 g. of trimethylene glycol (b.p. 210-215°), followed by 240 g. (130-5 ml.) of concentrated sulphuric acid slowly and with shaking. Attach a reflux condenser to the flask and reflux the mixture for 3 hours. Arrange for downward distillation and distil, using a wire gauze, until no more oily drops pass over (30—40 minutes). Purify the trimethylene dibromide... 

Filter the dried product through a fluted filter paper or a small cotton wool plug supported in a funnel into a dry 50 ml. distilling flask, and distil on a wire gauze or from an air bath (Fig. 11, 5, 3). Collect the fraction, b.p. 100-103°. The yield of n-butyl bromide is 18-19 g. 

Methyl ethyl ketone. Use the apparatus of Fig. Ill, 61, 1 but with a 500 ml. round-bottomed flask. Place 40 g. (50 ml.) of see. butyl alcohol, 100 ml. of water and a few fragments of porous porcelain in the flask. Dissolve 100 g. of sodium dichromate dihydrate in 125 ml. of water in a beaker and add very slowly and with constant sturing 80 ml. of concentrated sulphuric acid allow to cool, and transfer the resulting solution to the dropping funnel. Heat the flask on a wire gauze or in an air bath until the alcohol mixture commences to boil. Remove the flame and run in the dichromate solution slowly and at such a rate that the temperature... 

Pour the reaction mixture into a 1-litre round-bottomed flaak, add 250 ml. of water, fit a still head and a condenser for downward distillation (Fig. II, 13, 3, but without the thermometer). Distil the mixture until about 125 ml. of distillate (two layers) have been collected. Saturate with salt (about 30 g. are required), and separate the upper layer of cj/cZohexanone extract the aqueous layer with 25-30 ml. of ether and combine the ether extract with the cycZohexanone layer. Dry with about 6 g. of anhydrous sodium or magnesium sulphate, filter the solution into a distilling flask of suitable size to which a condenser has previously been attached. Distil oflF the ether from a water bath—a beaker containing warm water is satisfactory. Distil the residual liquid from an air bath or a wire gauze, and collect the cyclohexanone at 153-156°. The yield is 16 g. 

Transfer the reaction product to a 500 ml. Claisen flask and distil over a wire gauze or from an air bath. Some acetyl chloride and acetic acid passes over first, the temperature then rises, and the fraction, b.p. 150-200°, is collected separately run out the water from the condenser when the temperature reaches 150°. The fraction, b.p. 150-200°, solidifies on cooling. Drain off any hquid from the crystals as rapidly as possible, and redistil the solid using an air condenser. CoUect the fraction b.p. 182-192° this sets to a sohd mass on cooling and melts at 63°. The yield of monochloroacetic acid is 150-175 g. 

C. Fumaric acid from furfural. Place in a 1-litre three-necked flask, fitted with a reflux condenser, a mechanical stirrer and a thermometer, 112 5 g. of sodium chlorate, 250 ml. of water and 0 -5 g. of vanadium pentoxide catalyst (1), Set the stirrer in motion, heat the flask on an asbestos-centred wire gauze to 70-75°, and add 4 ml. of 50 g. (43 ml.) of technical furfural. As soon as the vigorous reaction commences (2) bvi not before, add the remainder of the furfural through a dropping funnel, inserted into the top of the condenser by means of a grooved cork, at such a rate that the vigorous reaction is maintained (25-30 minutes). Then heat the reaction mixture at 70-75° for 5-6 hours (3) and allow to stand overnight at the laboratory temperature. Filter the crystalline fumaric acid with suction, and wash it with a little cold water (4). Recrystallise the crude fumaric acid from about 300 ml. of iif-hydrochloric acid, and dry the crystals (26 g.) at 100°. The m.p. in a sealed capillary tube is 282-284°. A further recrystaUisation raises the m.p. to 286-287°. 

Method 1. Arrange the flask containing the reaction mixture for steam distillation as in Fig. II, 40, 1. Proceed with the steam distillation until crystals of p-dibromobenzene appear in the condenser. Change the receiver and continue with the distillation until all the p-dibromobenzeiie has passed over from time to time run out the water from the condenser so that the crystals melt and run down into the receiver. Reject the residue in the flask. Transfer the first distillate to a separatory funnel, wash it with a httle water, and dry the lower layer with a little anhydrous magnesium sulphate or anhydrous calcium chloride filter. Distil slowly from a small distilling flask use a wire gauze or an air bath (Fig. II, 5, 3). Collect the fraction which passes over at 150-170° pour the residue (R), while it is still hot, into a small beaker or porcelain basin for the isolation of p-dibromobenzene. Redistil the fraction of b.p. 150-170° and collect the bromobenzene at 154-157° (3). The yield is 60 g. 

Pure dimethylaniline from commercial dimethylaniline. Into a 250 ml. round-bottomed flask fitted with a reflux condenser place 50 g. (52-5 ml.) of a good commercial sample of dimethylaniline and 25 g. (23 ml.) of acetic anhydride. Heat vmder reflux for 3 hours, and allow to cool. Transfer to a 100 ml, Claisen flask equipped for distillation, and distil using a wire gauze or, better, an air bath (Fig. II, 5, 3). Some acetic acid and the excess of acetic anhydride passes over first, followed by pure dimethylaniline (a colourless liquid) at 193-194°, There is a small dark residue in the flask. The yield depends upon the purity of the commercial sample, but is usually 30-40 g. 

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