Sulfonation of Naphthalene

Abstract

The equipment for this conversion consisted of a concrete mixer, two large wooden tanks, and necessary pump, steam, and water lines. It was assembled as shown in Figure 2. A charge of 200 pounds of ore (ground to 200 mesh), 40 pounds of sodium carbonate (a 25 per cent excess), and 15 gallons of hot water were placed in the concrete mixer. A temperature of about 90°C. was maintained by blowing live steam into the slurry in the mixer during operation. The mixer was allowed to rotate for one hour, and the course of the reaction followed by determining the residue insoluble in dilute hydrochloric acid (Figure 3).Further operations were limited to a 30-minute period of agitation, after which the charge was dumped into a 350gallon tank. One day's operation of 1400 to 1600 pounds of ore about filled the tank. After standing overnight to settle, the clear liquor on top was pumped off, more water added, and the slurry pumped to a 400-gallon tank. This was worked twice by decantation in 24 hours, and the thick slurry taken to a plate dryer. Less than one per cent of water-soluble material remained in the dried product. AcknowledgmentThe pilot-plant experiments were carried out by Edward Ammer of the Manufacturers Mineral Company of Seattle.