GB1349414A - Apparatus for and a method of supplying discrete quanta of gas to a reaction - Google Patents

Abstract

1349414 Controlling hydrogenation ROCHE PRODUCTS Ltd 25 Oct 1972 [26 Oct 1971] 49654/71 Heading B1X [Also in Division G1] Apparatus for supplying discrete quanta of gas to a reaction, for example a hydrogenation process, comprises a hydrogen inlet 116 with control valve 117, an outlet 120 leading to a reaction vessel (not shown), a main reservoir 112, a secondary reservoir 114 having a charging valve 118 at its input end and a discharging valve 119 at its output end, and a pressure transducer 110 having a diaphragm 111 responsive to the differential pressure between the reservoirs. In operation, gas is supplied to reservoir 112 at a predetermined temperature and pressure, the output from the strain gauge transducer being, at this stage, at a maximum. Valve 118 opens allowing gas into the reservoir 114 so that the pressure differential and hence the transducer output falls to a value at which valve 118 closes, and valve 119 is put in a state of readiness. On the receipt of a demand signal from a sensor 126 associated with the section vessel valve 119 opens allowing a metered quantity of gas to flow until the pressure in reservoir 114 falls to a predetermined level. A thermostat arrangement operating at say 37‹C operates to maintain a flow of air so that in the event of a leak no build up of hydrogen occurs. As shown valves 126 and 122 provide a hydrogen/nitrogen flushing system, the latter being connected with a nitrogen source at 123.