Recently I've been playing with Gallium a bit, as well as using a pressure cooker to distill liquor, meanwhile researching a host of hydrogenation reactions.
It is apparent that with 1-2 atmospheres a lot can be accomplished although pushing the pressure far higher than this is ideal for both reaction rates and more dynamic chemical manipulations.
I've been looking at a lot of the larger hydrogenators, and they seem uncannily similiar to a pressure cooker or an autoclave, with the addition of gas inlets, a mechanical stirrer, and in some cases a vacuum pump.
I've been playing around with palladium salts in the lab (working on mastering the Heck reaction), however a lot of them require a pressure reactor and my university does not have it in their budget to provide me with a fancy parr shaker, so on comes the engineering challenge. Time to make my own.
The biggest question is how much pressure can I pump into one of these steal or aluminum pressure vessels before it bursts. They have a safety valve, but that’s easily nixed. It appears to have a gauge that reads to 2 atm albeit theres a caution sign on that end of the gauge. I’d wager it can take a good deal more than is intended for simple steam cookery and sterilization.
The model I have identified as looking the most structurally sound for this investigation is the Wisconsin all American 910 (10.5 quart). However this is aluminum which could prove problematic with my proposed gallium route to pressurizing with hydrogen. I may look into pressurizing from a tank, but while I’m still enjoying the novelty of gallium, I’ll stay away from aluminum.
Another interesting candidate is a 12L stainless steel autoclave used for dentistry and tattooing. The question again is how much pressure can it take.
I will be ordering one in a few days, if there are any recommendations, please feel free to advise.
Once I get the autoclave, I’ll play with the max pressure, simple modifications, and then start working on some stress tests. Concurrently I’ll likely play with lower pressure reactions in the typical range, and try investigate my proposed scheme of pressurizing via an Al/Ga hydrolysis reaction.
I hope to end with a sectioned pressure reactor that can replace the need for pipe bombs, fire extinguishers and glass bottle, that have been recommended to me, but that lack certain safety assurances, not to mention do not address the concern of scale!
Anyone competent enough to crunch some theoretical numbers on suspected pressure resistance, or who want to participate in a lateral investigation with me… by all means it is encouraged.
If there is already a comprehensive guide or an easier (but not ghetto) solution, my ears are open.
Regards,
Stone
It is apparent that with 1-2 atmospheres a lot can be accomplished although pushing the pressure far higher than this is ideal for both reaction rates and more dynamic chemical manipulations.
I've been looking at a lot of the larger hydrogenators, and they seem uncannily similiar to a pressure cooker or an autoclave, with the addition of gas inlets, a mechanical stirrer, and in some cases a vacuum pump.
I've been playing around with palladium salts in the lab (working on mastering the Heck reaction), however a lot of them require a pressure reactor and my university does not have it in their budget to provide me with a fancy parr shaker, so on comes the engineering challenge. Time to make my own.
The biggest question is how much pressure can I pump into one of these steal or aluminum pressure vessels before it bursts. They have a safety valve, but that’s easily nixed. It appears to have a gauge that reads to 2 atm albeit theres a caution sign on that end of the gauge. I’d wager it can take a good deal more than is intended for simple steam cookery and sterilization.
The model I have identified as looking the most structurally sound for this investigation is the Wisconsin all American 910 (10.5 quart). However this is aluminum which could prove problematic with my proposed gallium route to pressurizing with hydrogen. I may look into pressurizing from a tank, but while I’m still enjoying the novelty of gallium, I’ll stay away from aluminum.
Another interesting candidate is a 12L stainless steel autoclave used for dentistry and tattooing. The question again is how much pressure can it take.
I will be ordering one in a few days, if there are any recommendations, please feel free to advise.
Once I get the autoclave, I’ll play with the max pressure, simple modifications, and then start working on some stress tests. Concurrently I’ll likely play with lower pressure reactions in the typical range, and try investigate my proposed scheme of pressurizing via an Al/Ga hydrolysis reaction.
I hope to end with a sectioned pressure reactor that can replace the need for pipe bombs, fire extinguishers and glass bottle, that have been recommended to me, but that lack certain safety assurances, not to mention do not address the concern of scale!
Anyone competent enough to crunch some theoretical numbers on suspected pressure resistance, or who want to participate in a lateral investigation with me… by all means it is encouraged.
If there is already a comprehensive guide or an easier (but not ghetto) solution, my ears are open.
Regards,
Stone