Harry Kloepfer

Carbon black process

Harry Kloepfer (born February 1, 1897 in Berlin , † May 14, 1973 in Bad Homburg ) was a German chemist . He was involved in the development of the Degussa carbon black process and invented the fumed silica Aerosil .

Kloepfer studied at the Technical University of Berlin and completed his doctorate in 1922. In 1925 he started at Degussa .

After the First World War gas black already (been in the United States English carbon black ) made from natural gas, while in Germany nor the expensive lamp black was used. In 1933 the first German carbon black based on coal tar was produced and in 1935 the first plant using the new process was put into operation in Kalscheuren .

In 1940 Kloepfer began experiments to produce a silica aerosol ( white soot ) from silicon tetrachloride . The new product had a high rubber activity, which was dependent on the flame temperature. In 1944, production of the first pyrogenic silica, which was given the brand name Aerosil®, began using the roller process developed by Kloepfer. Kloepfer's original idea of using Aerosil as a filler in tires failed because of the high price. Today, fumed silica is used for a variety of uses, e.g. B. used as a thixotropic agent , flow aid , as a carrier for pesticides or as a polishing agent for wafers .

In his further career he dealt with the synthesis of hydrocyanic acid and cyanides , the utilization of chlorine , the production of sodium hydride and sodium suspensions and the processing of monazites and zirconia .

source

• Mechtild Wolf (Ed.): Always an idea better: Researcher and inventor at Degussa ; Frankfurt am Main, Degussa AG 1998 (pp. 76–93)

Web links

• Patent US2307050 : Process for the preparation of active carbon black. Applied on August 23, 1938 , published January 5, 1943 , applicant: Chemical Marketing Company, inventor: Harry Kloepfer. ‌
• Evonik history portal: The inventor of the "white soot" (with photo)
• Deutsche Gasrußwerke: Gas Black
• picture of science: the magic powder