US1412540A - nelsost - Google Patents

Description

J. NELSON..

APPARATUS Foa THE CRACKING 0F HYnHocARBoN olLs AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILVED MAR. 2,1918.

Patentedl Apr. 11, 1922.

d lJill/ll UNITED srarss' PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN NELSON, 0F GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

' APPARATUS FOR THE CRACKXNG OF HYDROCARBON OILS .AND THE LIKE.

To all whom it Coface/mt: y

.le it known that l., Jeux NnLsoN, asubject of the King of England, residing in Glasgow, Scotland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Cracking of Hydrocarbon Oils and the like, of which the following isa specilication.

The present invention relates to apparatus for cracking hydrocarbon oils and the like.

ln processes heretofore employed for this purpose it has been customary to pass the hydrocarbon"through retorts, tubular cham` bers or the like partly iilled with Solid contact-materials such as iron, nickel, or earthenware and heated to an appropriate temperature. In operating with solid contactsubstances, however, it has been found that dilticulties and Virregularities of working are apt to occur, chiefly on account of the gradual accumulation of carbonaceous deposits in theinterstices of V,the contact-material or at constrictedfpartsof the chamber. A further `disadvantagei has been that,

'pas a rule, it has not" been easy to maintain a uniform` temperature in the contact-material itself and the consumption of fuel for heating` has been somewhat wasteful,

The object of the present invention is to obviate these ditiiculties'and to improve the cracking process generally. u

The present invention consists in an improved apparatus for cracking oil by a process in which there is used as contact-substance a suitable liquid material, such as molten metal, instead of the solid bodies hitherto employed, the liquid being agitated, as for example by passage of the hydrocarbon vapours and gases through it.

The selection of the liquid substance to be used depends, among other considerations, upon the working temperature required. In operating at moderate temperatures (such as are employed in the production of volatile'spirits for use in petrol engines) I prefer to use a bath of molten lead Vas the con-- tact-substance, and to pass the hydrocarbon or .its vapours into the bath at a suitable distance below its surface. The gases and vapours rushing up through the liquid metal keep it vigorously agitated: local/accumula- Specification of Letters 4Patent. Patented Apr'. 11, 1922. lApplication led March 2, 1.918. Serial No. 219,950.v I

tions of c arbonaceous .matter are prevented and the maintenance of a uniform temperature in the .fontact-substance is facilitated.

It will be un-:lerstcod that the liquid contact-substance comes directly into contact with the hydrocarbon itself and is notused merely as a means for the external heating of the contact-chamber. The cracking takes place solely in Contact with the molten metal, or substantially so.

If the hydrocarbon to be cracked contains tarry matters or the like which cannot be wholly vapourized during the cracking process, it may be distilled from an auxiliary vessel and the distillate or vapours be then subjected to the cracking process.

The extent of the cracking may be varied by varying the depth at which the hydrocarbon or its vapours are delivered beneath the surface of theliquid contact-substance.

s the time during which thehydrocarbon and its product remain in contact with thefhot liquid substance is very brief, the

whole product or any desired fraction thereof may be subjected to one or more retreatments; for example the heavier fraction, condensed out of the hot vapours by means of a dephlegmator in the known Y manner, may be thus retreated.

Figure l is a vertical section of a modification. Y

Figure 2 is a detail vertical section.

Figure 3 is a plan view partly broken away showing the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section of a modication. Y

lFigure 5 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 4;. e f Y Figure 6 is a vertical section through another modiiication, and

Figure 7 is a detail vertical view of the apparatus shown in Figure G taken at right angle thereto.

If temperatures exceeding those at which lead is satisfactorily employed are to be adopted, metals or alloys of higher meltingpoint than lead may be used ascontact-substance and the apparatus may be constructed of i'ireclay or other refractory material.

According to this invention one form of apparatus consists of a covered horizontal tank set in a furnace and containing the g v l 1,412,540

Y the vapours into small streams.

ings.

A preferred apparatus of this type vis shown diagrammatically in sectional elevatio'n,*cross-section, and `plan respectively in Figuresfl, 2 and 3 of the accompanying draw- The covered horizontal tank F which is-of V-shaped cross-section and into which the oil is fed under pressure throughthe inlet pipes K, contains the liquid contact-sub stance 'for example molten lead l and is pro- 'vided with vapour-outlet pipes L. The tank is-'divid'ed into aseries of compartments (of which four are shown inthe drawing) by transverse `partitions G having ,ports G1 at lthe upper part for the passage of the hydrocarbon vapours, and these compartments are further divided by a series of dependingpar` titions H, the lower parts of which are curved and immersed to a suitable depth in the =molten Vlead or other liquid contact substance as shown. v4The hydro-carbon 'vapours are 'by `this y arrangement caused tol pass through the. apparatus in the directionshown by thearrows and are subjected repeatedly' to `vthe action ol the molten lead. The V- shapedcross-section ot' the `tank is specially advantageous when two or more suwh unite are Imountedy side by side in one lurnarci- FiguresA'and` 5 show, in sectional elevation and plan respectively, a modified arrangement in which the horizontal tank (l, which is preferably of V-shaped cross-section, is provided with a series of vertical cylindrical chambeis A, open at their lower ends and extending downwards through the cover C1 nearly `to the bottom of the molten lead or towhich `the cylinders A and inlet pipes B are respectively immersedin the lead,v must be so adjusted ras to ensure that the hydrocarbon vapours flow in succession from cylinder to cylinder'through the connecting pipes ll, and pass out by the outlet .pipe A2, as in` dicated iagrammatically by the arrows` and do notescapebeneath the lower edges ot any olftl'fecylinders. A filling plug .F it'or the mol ten lead is provided in the cover of the tank. To prevent oxidation of the lead, atmospheric air may be expelled from the tank by means oiLA a reducing or indifferent gas or vapour; for example by introducing hydrocarbon oil or vapour through the inlet Figures 6 and 7 show, in sectional elevation land cross-section respectively,A a modified arrangement 1n which the contact-substances completely fills the covered tank C, and the vertical cylinders A, which are closed at their upper 'en'dsbythe'covers A1, are connected by means of vapour pipes A2, A3, and vprovid.- ed internally with lvertical partitions A4 which'extend downwards lor a short distance into `the contact-substance. The cylinders A extend downwards nearly to the bottom ot the contact-substance. The depths to which tllecylinders A and partitions A* are respectively immersed, inthe lead must be so chosen and driving-V fout theiairitlirough the outlet C3.

'ioA

as to ensure that the hydrocarbon vapours f low'tliroughlthe apparatus as indicated diagrammatically by the arrows. The lower edges A5 ofthe partitions may be 'serrated as shown in Figure 7. A chamber D, formed in the cover C1 and communicating with the interior of the tank C, provides space for the expansion and contraction of 'the moltenV metal whilstminimi'zing the risk ot' oxidation thereof. A plug D gives access to the chamber 'for inspection orlilling purposes.

ltwillbe obvious that the apparatus shown in Figures `land 5 may be modified by substituting, for the form of tank therein shown,

a tank` completely vfilled with the contact-suby stance as indicated in Figures 6 and 7.

he "apparatus mustin all cases, be free from constrictionsinterstices, or lo'nO channels of sinall cross-sectionjcapable ol being obstructed by carbonaceous deposits, at parts where 'high temperatures are reached.

The inlet pipes are provided with feedvalves, preferably a non-return valve to 'prevent the escape ot vapours, and a safetyvalve or pressure gauge to guard against undue rise ot Apressure in case of accidental stoppage. The apparatus is also preferably provided with a pyrometer, the thermocouple of which is immersed in the contactsubstance. The dephlegmators may be interposed between the chambers to facilitate the repeated treatment ot the oil. It will be apparent that the-dimensions of the apparatus may be varied according to the rate of working desired, and that the number of oil or vapour inlet `pipes may be increased in accordance 4with the capacity of the apparatus.

It has `already been'proposed to employ molten metal as a heating agent in the distilla'tion of oils, oil residues, tar oils and other volatile `substances-particularly those which when 'treated by thevusual distillation methods leave a non-volatile residue. example, it has been proposed to force the llll izo

For I oil or other volatile substances at constant rate andY considerable velocity through a coiled pipe at least twenty feet long and of narrow bore (about three-sixteenths of an inch diameter), heated externally by means of a bath of molten lead or other metal to a temperature suliiciently high to evaporate the constituent having Vthe highest boiling point, a separating chamber, immersed in the molten metal, being provided at the outlet of the coiled pipe tor the separation of any unvaporized residue. ln a proposed alternative form of apparatus the coiled pipe opened under the molten lead and at the bottcm lthereoi' ythe oil was thus heated during its passage through the coil and in rising through the molten metal it became further heated and vaporized without fractionation. The object and eilect of this process were to obtain continuously and uniformly either a distillate or vapour of constant composition, the volatile portion ot the oil it flowed through the apparatus being vaporized as a whole instead ot' being distilled over in trace tions of progressively increasing density, as in distillation by the usual methods.

The present invention, however, relates to the cracking of oils and not to the mere vaporization thereof and it is an essential feature that the oil or vapours shall at no time be subjected to a cracking temperature in long or constricted pipes or other narrow channels, since the accun'iulation of carbonaceous deposits,'which it is the object of the invention to avoid, would inevitably occur I therein. t is of the essence of the invention that the cracking shall take place solely in contact with the mobile metal itself, or substantially so, in order that the constant, vigcrous movement oi the .metal will prevent mechanically any local accumulations of deposit. I disclaim the use ot' molten metal in either the Yfractional or non-fractional vaporization of oils.

What l claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s l. Apparatus 'for cracking hydrocarbon cils andV the like by means of a liquidV contact substance, the apparatus comprising an externally heated covered tank, said tank having a series of intercommunicating contact chambers therein, and means in each chamber t'or conducting the hydrocarbon below the level et the liquid contact substance betere its pass ge to the succeeding chamber, substantially as described.

Q, apparatus tor crackingThydrocarbon oils and the like by means of a liquid contact substance, the apparatus comprising a horizontal externally heated covered tank, said tank having a series of intereommunieating contact chambers therein, and means in each chamber Jfor conducting the hydrocarbon' below the level ot the liquid contact substance bejlfoi'e its passage to the succeeding chamber, all these elements being so disposed that the apparatus is tree from constricted channels at points exposed to a cracking temperature, substantially as described.

ipparatus tor cracking hydrocarbon oils and the like by means or a liquid contact su stance, the apparatus comprising in combination a horizontally externally heatccvered tank ot if-shaped cross section along an axis at right angles to its length, said tank haring a series ot intercommunicating contact chambers therein, and means in each chamber for conducting the hydrocarbon below the level of the liquid Contact substance betere its passage to the succeeding chamber, all these elements being so disposed that the apparatus is free from censtricted channels at points exposed to a cracking temperature, substantially as described.

a. Apparatus for cracking hydrocarbon oils and the like by means ot' a liquid con` tact substance, the apparatus comprising an externally heated covered tank, said tank having series of intercommunicating contact chambers therein, and a depending partition in each chamber terminating below the level of the liquid contact substance for conducting the hydrocarbon below the level of said substance before its passage to the succeeding chamber, substantially as described. Apparatus ror cracking hydrocarbon f and the like by means ot a liquid contact i" bstance, the apparatus comprising an exv' heated covered tank, said tank havries intercommunicating contact aci-.s therein, and a depending partition h chamber terminating below the level ot the liquid contact substance tor conduct ing the hydrocarbon below the level of said substance before its passage to the succeedinc chamber, all these elements being so disposed that the apparatus is tree from constrictcd channels at points exposed to a cracking temperature, substantially as described.

Apparatus tor cracking hydrocarbon oils and the like by means ot a liquid contact :--fubstance, the apparatus comprising in con .iination a horizontal externally heated covered tank, an expansion chamber for the contact substance in said tank, said tank having a series ol inter-communicating conchambers therein, and means in each tact chamber for conducting the hydrocarbon below the level orf the liquid contact substance before its passage to the succeeding chamber, substantially as described.

7. Apparatus for cracking hydrocarbon oils and the like by means or a liquid contact substance, the apparatus comprising in combination a horizontal externally heated covered tank, an expansion chamber for the contact substance in said tank, said tank ha a series ol? intercomniunicating conirhanibers therein, and ineans in each chamber tor conducting,v the hydrocarbon below theI level of the liquid rContact substance before its pas; ge to the succeeding chamber7 all these'eleinents being so disposed that the apparatus is vtree 'Troin eonstricted rchannels at points 'exposed to a cracking temperature, substa ntiall y as described.

Apparatus for cracking hydrocarbon oils and the like by means oi a liquid conubstance, the apparatus comprising in co, nation a horizontal externally heated entered tank, said tank lie-ving a Series of interconinninieating contactchainbers in the torni of inverted pots7 and means in each chamber i'or conducting the hydrocarbon below the level ot the liquid contact substance beore its passageitothe 'succeeding chanbei',` substantially asde'scribed. f

9. ;'Xpparatas for cracking hydrocarbon oils 'and the like by means of a liquid contact substance, thel apparatus corn rising in con'ibination al'iorizontal externa ly heated covered tank, said tank having a series of intereoinnlimitating contactv chambers in the torniof inverted pots,`an`d means in each chaniber for Conducting the hydrocarbon belowthe level ol the liquid contact substance before its passage to thesucceeding chaniV bei'7 all these elementsbeing so disposed that the apparatus isfree 'from constricted channels at points ep'osed'to a cracking temperature, substantially as described.

ln testimony Wl'iereoil I my signature.

J NO. 1N ELSON.

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