High temperature reactions

Abstract

The general type of reaction considered here involves heating an element or compound in a gas stream. The solid material, in a suitably inert container, is placed in a reaction tube which is heated by a tube furnace, and a measured flow of gas is passed through the tube. A gas absorption system may be incorporated on the inlet side of the reaction tube in which undesirable impurities in the gas stream can be removed by absorption in suitable solutions. A smaller absorption system may also be placed on the exit side of the tube to prevent any back absorption of air. This system also provides a useful visual check on the flow of gas from the reaction tube. It is also advisable to have a mercury-sealed lute on the inlet side of the reaction tube to release any pressure build-up should the gas flow be blocked in any way. This will eliminate the possibility of sealed joints being forced open, with subsequent spraying out of the contents of the Drechsel bottles, see Figure 4, p. 34.