Chapter 230: Synthetic Ammonia, Calcium Carbide, and Matches

Zhang Zhimu struggled to recall the process of making gas from coal, and he said: "Let's talk about gas production first. We put the coal in the gas generator. According to his recollections, Zhang Zhimu got up and drew a gas generator on the blackboard, which had an upwind outlet and a downwind outlet.

Pointing to the picture, Zhang Zhimu said: "We can use the batch method to make gas, that is, air and steam are alternately fed into the gas generator. The process of introducing air is called blowing, and the prepared gas is called air gas; The process of introducing water vapor is called gas production, and the prepared gas is called water gas; The mixture of air gas and water gas is called semi-water gas. ”

Zhang Zhimu saw that everyone had finished taking notes, and then said: "It is generally divided into several steps.

1. Air blowing Air is blown in from the bottom of the gas furnace, the air is supplied to heat, the furnace temperature is increased, and the gas after blowing is vented after the waste heat is recovered by the waste heat boiler;

2. Blowing gas steam and air are blown into the semi-water gas from the bottom of the furnace, and the half-water gas recovers heat through the waste heat boiler, and is sent to the gas cabinet after dust removal and washing.

3. Downward blowing gas After blowing gas, the temperature of the bottom of the furnace drops, and the temperature of the top of the furnace is still high, so that steam and air are blown in from the top of the furnace and reacts with carbon to generate semi-water gas from the bottom of the furnace, which is sent to the gas cabinet after dust removal and washing;

4. After the second upper and lower blowing, the bottom of the furnace is filled with water and gas, and the air is blown into the furnace at this time to raise the furnace temperature, which may cause an explosion. Steam is then blown from the bottom of the furnace to exhaust the gas from the bottom of the furnace in preparation for blowing. Although the secondary upblowing can produce gas, the furnace temperature is low, the temperament is poor, and the secondary upblowing time is as short as possible;

5. Air blowing air is blown from the bottom of the furnace, and the residual semi-water gas is blown out and sent into the gas cabinet, and the prepared air (air gas) is mixed with the semi-water gas prepared in the 2, 3, and 4 stages in the gas cabinet.

The gas produced in this way contains a lot of carbon monoxide, and we can react carbon monoxide with water to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen under the condition of using copper as a catalyst several times under the condition of one to three atmospheres of pressure. This reaction process is "

Zhang Zhimu laid down the reaction equation on the blackboard

CO + H2O(g)= CO2 + H2

Zhang Zhimu continued: "The following is the purification process of desulfurization, decarburization, and gas refining.

Let's talk about desulfurization first: we can simply use soda ash solution to absorb hydrogen sulfide.

Decarburization: Absorption of carbon dioxide with an alkaline solution of potassium carbonate

Refining of gases: Residual carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are further removed. Generally, we can convert these two gases into methane, which is harmless to synthetic ammonia, at a certain pressure, to further purify the gas. ”

Zhang Zhimu wrote down two more reaction equations:

CO + 3H2＝CH4 + H2O

CO2 + 4H2=CH4 + 2H2O

Li Yunhe couldn't help but ask: "This time you started synthesizing ammonia, right?" ”

The room full of people laughed. Zhang Zhimu also smiled and said: "Of course, this time we can pressurize the purified gas into the ammonia synthesis tower for synthesis." The synthesized gas generally only has a few percent ammonia and needs to be separated. We can simply absorb it with water or refrigerate it out. Gases that do not contain ammonia can also be recycled.

The key here is the synthesis tower, ammonia synthesis is carried out at high temperature and high pressure, hydrogen and nitrogen have obvious corrosive effects on carbon steel. The tower is designed into two parts: the outer cylinder and the inner part. The outer cylinder is generally made cylindrical, which can be made of ordinary low-alloy steel or high-quality carbon steel, and the inlet and outlet of the gas are located on the top cover of the upper and lower ends of the tower. The outer barrel is only subjected to high pressure and not high temperatures.

The tower internals are composed of three parts: a heat exchanger, a gas distribution box and a catalyst basket. The heat exchanger is used for heat exchange between the incoming gas and the reaction gas; The gas distribution box plays the role of gas separation and gas collection; The catalyst basket houses the catalyst, cooling pipes, electric heaters and temperature measuring instruments. The action of the cooling tube quickly removes the heat of reaction.

The pressure in the synthesis tower can be in the range of fifteen to twenty megapascals, and the temperature should be between 400 and 500 degrees. The hydrogen-nitrogen ratio in the tower should be between 2.8 and 2.9. ”

After Zhang Zhimu finished talking about this in one breath, he knew that he couldn't say anything else.

In the end, Zhang Zhimu said: "What I can talk about is some principles, as for how to produce ammonia, it depends on the efforts of all of you." However, I would like to remind you that when choosing a site for an ammonia plant, you should consider that there is a large enough area, sufficient water, and it is far away from other residential areas and other factories. It is also necessary to set aside a large enough space for the construction of other factories that produce follow-up products. ”

After Zhang Zhimu finished speaking, Qingfengzi, Li Yunhe, and Li Shoutan all stopped smiling, they knew that synthetic ammonia was not a simple matter.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Zhang Zhimu asked, "What's wrong?" Scared? Fang Cai is not full of pride, and he will not squeak at this time. ”

Qingfengzi said: "This time we have encountered a tricky matter. The problem is that we can't do it ourselves, let's just say that we haven't done those tens of megapascal pressure vessels before. ”

Li Yunhe also said: "We also have to start from scratch with more than a dozen megapascal compressors, and we also have to tackle key problems with such a large pressure tank, but fortunately, there are good steel and hydraulic presses, and steel can be forged." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "This matter is specifically responsible for Master Qingfengzi and Li Yunhe, and any equipment and tools you need will go directly to Li Yunhe." The site for the construction of the plant was selected on the side of the smelter. ”

Qingfengzi said: "Mr. Zhang, I think we will digest this matter in chemistry first, and then consider the equipment before we can consider the venue." We're done researching and coming up with a plan. My suggestion is that such a big project should be coordinated by Mr. Zhang personally, because this time it involves all aspects of the kiln, and there are some things that Li Yunhe and I cannot solve. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Okay, I accept Master Qingfengzi's opinion, and I will personally grasp this matter." ”

After Qingfengzi led Li Shoutan and them away, Li Yunhe asked, "This time we should study the matter of the barrel, right?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Don't worry, there are still a few things that have been arranged, and we will calm down and study this matter." ”

"Anything else?" Li Yunhe asked.

"Absolutely. We also have to make arrangements for making matches, refrigerators, and calcium carbide. Zhang Zhimu said, got up and went to the outhouse and asked Yang Yulin to send someone to call Li Di and Yang Chang over.

After Li Di and Yang Chang sat down, Zhang Zhimu asked them about their work. When Zhang Zhimu heard that there was a telegram between the kiln and this side and the cave side, and was connecting to the smelter, Zhang Zhimu said: "You should stop the telegram to the smelting plant now." ”

Li Di and Yang Chang were stunned at the same time, and Zhang Zhimu said: "When we study it, we will use a secret way to telegraph to the smelter and Lingshui Wharf." Absolute secrecy is required. Nowadays, when the telegraph encounters an enemy attack, the first thing people will do is to cut off our telegraph contact. ”

Li Di asked, "What kind of secret way is used?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Underground cables, this matter must be kept absolutely confidential. ”

Li Di and Yang Chang didn't ask about it again, they knew that Zhang Zhimu would definitely make new arrangements.

Zhang Zhimu said: "We have made carbon arc lamps before, and this time I invite you to come to ask you to make electric arc furnaces. In fact, their principles are the same, the arc lamp uses the arc to emit light, and the arc furnace uses the arc to generate heat. The electric arc furnace we are going to make this time is a mixture of apatite powder, quartz sand powder, and carbon powder that is thermally melted with an electric arc. In such an environment, carbon can reduce the phosphorus in apatite into phosphorus vapor. When phosphorus vapor is passed into the water, white phosphorus is obtained. You have to remember that white phosphorus is very toxic and will burn itself when it comes into contact with air. When the white phosphorus is isolated from the air and heated at a temperature of more than 200 degrees, it will turn into red phosphorus, which is very stable and almost not toxic. ”

Li Yunhe said: "Red phosphorus is what you said is used to make matches?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Yes. It is also necessary to make another electric arc furnace, which melts the mixture of coal powder and lime powder with electric arc furnace burning, pours out the melted liquid, and crushes it into calcium carbide after cooling. ”

Li Di asked: "What is calcium carbide for?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "When calcium carbide encounters water, it will produce acetylene gas, which is extremely flammable. There are many uses for welding metals in addition to being used. However, a lot of carbon monoxide will be produced in the process of firing calcium carbide, and if it is produced in large quantities in the future, it is necessary to pay attention to recycling. ”

Li Di said: "We will make the electrode for the arc, but the electrode temperature is very high, and we need a set of lifting and lowering devices in the furnace. ”

Li Yunhe said: "I will arrange these things. There are also electric arc furnace stoves that should be rebuilt to see how easy to use. ”

After Li Dong and Yang Chang left.

Zhang Zhimu said: "To make matches, you have to organize a team to specialize in this." ”

Li Yunhe asked puzzledly: "It stands to reason that these are all chemical things, why didn't they hand them over to Qingfengzi today." ”

Zhang Zhimu replied: "The future match factory will be a very dangerous, flammable and explosive factory, and he will be arranged in the ravine behind the cave just like your bullet factory." So it's all up to you. Actually, what Zhang Zhimu didn't say was that he had to keep the match production secret for a period of time, and he didn't trust Qingfengzi and them, because the people in the smelter were too mixed, and it was difficult to keep it secret.

Li Yunhe asked: "In this case, with antimony sulfide, red phosphorus, and potassium chlorate, you can make matches." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "The antimony sulfide ore we brought back, although it has been carefully selected, still contains a lot of impurities, we can put them in the crucible to melt them, we must master the heat, heat them to the time when they have just melted, remove the impurities that sink to the bottom and float on them, and then pour them out and let them cool and crush." This process is called melting. It is also a commonly used purification method. ”

Then Zhang Zhimu showed Li Yunhe the size of the matchbox and matchstick in his previous life, and told him that the general process of the manufacturing process mainly includes: sawing wood, peeling bark, rotating blades, cutting stems, and drying; screening, stemming, stemming, oiling, slurry preparation, dipping, drying, unstemming, spinning box pieces, cutting box pieces, pasting boxes, drying; Box setting (carton is: printing, indentation, slitting, pasting, boxing), cartoning, phospho paste modulation, phosphorus brushing, encapsulation, packing.

Of course, the most important thing is that the phosphorus surface of the match and the formula of the match head are: the agent of the phosphorus surface is composed of red phosphorus, antimony sulfide, glass powder, and gum; The match head agent is composed of potassium chlorate, sulfur powder, glass powder, a small amount of starch, and gum.

Li Yunhe also wrote down what Zhang Zhimu said word for word.

Zhang Zhimuhe said: "With the match alone, we kiln people can eat and drink without worry, so the recipe must be kept secret." When we test, you and I test together, and the formula produced is just you and I know, understand? ”

Li Yunhe nodded solemnly and said, "Don't worry, I know the severity." After I went back, I immediately arranged for someone to set up a match factory, and now I will arrange for someone to make special equipment for the production of matches. ”

Zhang Zhimu knew that there was no need to worry about handing over this matter to Li Yunhe, now Li Yunhe's subordinates are fully equipped with soldiers, and they have everything for turning, milling, boring and drilling. This is a very reassuring cadre.

Li Yunhe sorted out the information in his hand and said, "Okay, let's not delay time, let's finish the matter of the refrigerator in one go." lest I have to worry about it all the time. ”

In fact, there are too many things to say today, and Zhang Zhimu is a little tired. But when Li Yunhe said this, Zhang Zhimu had no choice but to lift his spirit and say: "I have told you before, the principle of thermal expansion and cold contraction of gas, in turn, the temperature of gas should increase when it is compressed, and the temperature should be reduced when it is released. That is, when the gas is compressed, it must be exothermic, and when the gas is diffused, it must be heat-absorbed. ”

Li Yunhe thought for a moment and said, "That's right." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "The refrigerator is made according to this principle. ”

Zhang Zhimu combined the structure of the refrigerator and drew a schematic diagram for Li Yunhe, telling him:

The compressor is the heart of the refrigeration system, which sucks low temperature and low pressure refrigerant gas from the suction pipe, compresses it through the motor operation and drives the piston, and discharges high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas to the exhaust pipe to provide power for the refrigeration cycle, so as to realize the refrigeration cycle of compression→ condensation→ expansion → evaporation (endothermy). The compressor is generally composed of a shell, an electric motor, a cylinder block, a piston, a control device and a cooling system.

The materials for gas-liquid conversion are called refrigerants, and we can use ammonia, which is easily available, as refrigerants. When the refrigerant is in the gaseous state, it is pressurized by the compressor, and then flows through the throat to the condenser at the back of the refrigerator, and then condenses into a liquid after dissipating heat dissipation (the temperature rises when the material is compressed). After the liquid refrigerant enters the valve of the evaporator, it immediately turns into steam because it is released from the pressure of the compressor, and at the same time absorbs the latent heat of vaporization into the air in the refrigerator to cause the internal cooling of the refrigerator. The vaporized refrigerant is pressed back to the condenser outside the box by the compressor to dissipate heat, and then turns into liquid, and so on, pumping the heat energy of the refrigerator to the outside of the box.

After listening to Zhang Zhimu's explanation, Li Yunhe asked a few more questions and said, "I probably understand, the refrigeration principle you said." I don't think it's going to be hard. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "You first come up with a prototype of the principle of the test. In the future, our cold storage will be refrigerated with this thing, so we don't need to get so much ice in winter. In the future, every family must have a refrigerator, and everything that cannot be eaten will not be broken in the refrigerator in the summer. When the room is too hot, you can blow out a cold air, how cool it is. You can also freeze some ice cubes to cool down our furnace workers, that would be great. ”

Li Yunhe was also moved by Zhang Zhimu's description, and said: "Don't worry, I will organize a few good people to do this." Later, when it's hot, we can also freeze it into ice cubes and sell it on the street. ”

Zhang Zhimu was happy in his heart and said: "Yes, it is better to add some sugar and flavor to the ice cubes." In fact, many of our production processes need to be refrigerated. Zhang Zhimu didn't say anything about the ice cream, otherwise he would have to explain it again.

After talking to Li Yunhe, Zhang Zhimu got up and said, "Okay, let's stop here today." I promised Xiaoqing and Xiaohu today that I would go home in the evening to cook for them, and the children haven't eaten my cooking for a long time. ”

Li Yunhe said, "Okay, I'm going home too." I'll come back to you if there's something to do. ”

But when they pushed the door out, they found that Zhang Bingchen and a person were waiting outside, Li Yunhe stuck out his tongue at Zhang Zhimu and said, "Haha! I'll go first. ”

Zhang Zhimu had no choice but to let Zhang Bingchen and another person into the back room, Zhang Zhimu felt that the person who came with Zhang Bingchen was a little familiar, and then looked at the expressions of the two, and then looked at the person carefully, Zhang Zhimu found that there were some traces on his face, and immediately understood who it was, and said: "Oh, it's General Qin Peng, I didn't dare to admit it at once, it seems that your face skin graft was successful." ”

Qin Peng was a little excited and wanted to cry, and said, "Mr. Zhang, I, Qin Peng, am really a human being in two lives." I will repay your great kindness with dogs and horses. ”

Seeing Qin Peng like this, Zhang Zhimu was also a little moved, and said, "General Qin, don't say that. You and I can be thousands of miles apart, but we meet at the border, that is our fate. Now that the words on your face are removed, you can come out and meet people in a dignified manner, which is great. I listen to Mr. Ouyang He, and I have a high opinion of you. I haven't seen Mr. Ouyang say anything about anyone. I can also be in charge and tell General Qin that if General Qin is willing to fight together with our kiln people, your talents will soon be useful. ”

Qin Peng was taken aback when he heard Zhang Zhimu's words, and asked, "I, Qin Peng, will be the head of Mr. Zhang from now on." But what do you mean, Mr. Zhang? ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Please don't scruple about the general, Bingchen is not an outsider." I'll tell you directly. The imperial court has forced Sun Chuanting to send troops south to attack the enemy, and we are not optimistic about him sending troops this time, if he is defeated, we must be prepared to directly face Li Zicheng. So, your military talent can really be used. ”

Qin Peng nodded, not saying anything else. Zhang Bingchen looked at Qin Peng and Zhang Zhimu and said nothing, he said: "General Qin's skin grafting operation is a success. But something almost happened in the middle. Because of the knife edge he sewed, it grew well everywhere, but there was a little, a small bulging bag, and pus came out of it. We were terrified, and after squeezing out the pus with a needle, the wound miraculously healed. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "It's an infection, if only there was penicillin." ”

Zhang Bingchen asked: "Mr. Zhang, what kind of penicillin did you say, does that thing cure infection?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "That thing is used to treat infections, and the effect is wonderful. ”

When Zhang Bingchen heard that there was such a good medicine, he said: "Mr. Zhang, no matter what, you have to get this." Many of our wounded died from this infection, and it is too rare for General Qin to be as good as himself. It wasn't General Qin himself last time, and you won't see him when you come back this time. Because we were worried about suppuration again, we didn't dare to do it again because of the skin grafting of the other two people, and the master said, 'Let's talk about it when it's cold.' ’”

Zhang Zhimu said: "There is nowhere to buy this penicillin, so we have to find a way to produce it ourselves." ”

Zhang Bingchen asked: "Is it difficult to produce this thing?" ”

"To be honest, I haven't done it either, but I know it's hard to produce it." Zhang Zhimu replied.

Zhang Bingchen said: "No matter how difficult it is, it must be produced, which is a major matter of human life." ”

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Calculus formulas, tables of chemical elements; Conquer Japan in the east and attack Mayi in the south; Penicillin, syringe. --Progress of "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty".