Mineral Facts and Problems: 1960 Edition Page: 151
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BROMINE
Bromine is liberated from the carbonate so-
lution by sulfuric acid, steamed out, and con-
densed as previously described.
A modification of the process now in use
consists of replacing the sodium carbonate with
sulfur dioxide.
Air from the blowing-out tower is mixed
with water vapor and sulfur dioxide. The re-
sulting acids are collected and transferred to a
steaming-out tower where bromine and chlo-
rine are liberated. The byproduct hydro-
chloric-sulfuric acid is used for acidification of
the raw ocean water (6).
In producing ethylene dibromide bromine is
introduced into a packed reactor. Descending
bromine reacts with a rising stream of ethylene
gas forming ethylene dibromide with the evo-
lution of heat. The rate of introduction of
bromine and ethylene gas is regulated to main-
tain a temperature in the reaction zone above
the boiling point of bromine but below the boil-
ing point of ethylene bromide. The reaction
proceeds in a vapor phase, while the liquid
ethylene bromide formed flows out of the re-
actor countercurrent to the incoming stream of
ethylene gas. Free acids in the ethylene dibro-
mide are neutralized, and the liquor is frac-
tionated in a still to remove small amounts of
ethylene chlorobromide.
USES
Ethylene dibromide, the chief compound of
bromine, is used with tetraethyl lead as gaso-
line antiknock fluid. Ethylene dibromide acts
as a scavenging agent, preventing lead from
depositing on cyhlinders, valves, and spark
plugs of gasoline engines. Ethylene dibromide
is also used as a reagent in the synthesis of
dye and pharmaceutical intermediates, as an
anaesthetic, sedative, and antispasmodic agent,
and as a solvent for gums and waxes. It is
being used increasingly in fumigation prep-
arations for control of insects and pests in soil
and seeds. Methyl bromide and 1,2-dibromo-
3-chloropropane are also used as fumigants.
Elemental bromine is used as a bleaching and
disinfecting agent, as an analytical reagent in
the laboratory, and for synthesis of bromine
compounds. It is used in the manufacture of
dyes, ink, resins, and leather and rubber prod-
ucts. The military has used bromine in poison-
ous and tear gases.
Metal compounds of bromine are used for
the production of high-purity metals. Potas-
sium, sodium, and ammonium bromides are
used as nerve sedatives in medicinal ]prepara-
tions and for the preparation of silver bromide
emulsions used on photographic films, plates,
and papers. Ammonium bromide has minor
use min process engraving and lithography.
Calcium bromide is an excellent dehydrating
agent. It serves also as a sedative in pharma-ceutical preparations, as an intermediate in
the preparation of organic calcium compounds,
and in photography. Potassium bromate is
used in bread to improve the texture and re-
duce carbohydrate loss, and as a neutralizer
in permanent wave preparations. Zinc bro-
mide solutions serve as windows in atomic
laboratories to hold back gamma radiation.
It is used also as an absorbent in humidity
control, as a component of non flammable
nitrocellulose compounds, in rayon finishing,
and as a catalyst.
Chlorobromomethane is used as a noncor-
rosive fire-extinguishing fluid in homes, fac-
tories, and warehouses and as a solvent in
organic synthesis. Ethyl bromide is used as
an intermediate in organic synthesis and in
the manufacture of dyes, perfumes, and phar-
maceuticals, especially barbiturates. Bromo-
trichloromethane forms noncatalytic additions
with olefins to yield flame-resistant polymers.
Acetylene tetrabromide has been tested as a
dense-medium solution in mineral separation.
BYPRODUCTS, COPRODUCTS AND RELA-
TIONSHIPS TO OTHER COMMODITIES
At Searles Lake bromine is recovered as
a coproduct from brine that also yields soda
ash, salt cake, potash, borax, and lithium
minerals. Bromine produced in Texas and
California from sea water, and in Michigan
from brine, is a coproduct of magnesium and
other compounds. Bromine is produced in
conjunction with oil production at El Dorado,
Ark. In Israel bromine is extracted from
waste liquors of a potash plant. Bromine is
extracted as a coproduct of potash production
in Germany.
SUBSTITUTES
The chemical properties of chlorine and
iodine are similar to those of bromine, and
these materials are sometimes substituted for
bromine. Some substitutes for ethylene
dibromide-tetraethyl lead antiknock fluid have
been introduced, but despite this the use of
ethylene dibromide has continued to grow.
The production of very high octane gasoline
by catalytic cracking and reforming methods
is costly. A method of raising the octane
rating of low-grade gasoline to the level re-
quired by today's engines is to add antiknock
fluid. Thus gasoline containing tetraethyl
lead and ethylene dibromide antiknock fluid
can be substituted for high-octane nonleaded
gasoline.
RESOURCES
The quantity of bromine contained in
domestic brines is reported to be large but
has not been measured. The quantity of
bromine in the oceans is very large and can151
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United States. Bureau of Mines. Mineral Facts and Problems: 1960 Edition, report, 1960; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc38790/m1/159/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.