GB263381A - Process and apparatus for the purification and hydrogenation of liquid hydrocarbons - Google Patents

Abstract

263,381. Maze, C. D. April 27, 1926. Mineral and tar oils, purifying, &c.-Heavy liquid hydrocarbons are desulphurized and hydrogenated by passing a mixture of 2 lb. of steam from a pipe 3 with 1 lb. of vaporized or atomized oil from a pipe 4 through a pipe 5 and a bell 2 into contact with finely divided metals 6 capable of decomposing water at the temperature 350- 450‹ C.-maintained by a fire 7, and carrying off the vapours by a pipe 8 to a condenser 9. Metals specified are iron, nickel, cobalt, zinc, cadmium, or mixtures thereof with or without say 5 per cent of vanadium or tungsten. The metals are regenerated in situ by periodically increasing the proportion of steam to 3 lb. They may thus be introduced as oxides on inert porus carriers, and reduced. The operation may be conducted under pressure by providing a loaded valve on the outlet pipe 8. In a modification the mixture of steam and oil is injected into readily oxidizable molten metal or alloys placed at the bottom of the retort 1; metals specified are tin, zinc, copper, antimony, bismuth, and aluminium. Or metals such as lead forming volatile oxides may be used. In a modified apparatus the retort is heated internally by combustion gases from an upper chamber with a burner at its apex, the steam and oil being introduced at the lower part of the combustion chamber, and the vapours and gases being conducted to the condenser by a pipe at the bottom of the retort.