GB434672A - Improvements in or relating to the separation of hydrocarbon mixtures - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0434672/IV/1> Synthetic resins such as those obtained by polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbons or by condensing unsaturated hydrocarbons with aromatic hydrocarbons are treated with light hydrocarbon solvents at a temperature within 80 DEG F. of the critical temperature of the solvent whereby the resins are separated into two layers which are removed and resins recovered therefrom. The resins are drawn from a tank 1 into a mixer 5 together with 3 to 15 volumes of propane from a tank 2 and the mixture flows through a heater 9 maintained at 183 DEG F. to a heat insulated settling chamber 11 provided with heating coils 13. The upper of the two layers formed is drawn off into a still 15 from which solvent vapours are led into a condenser 18 and are returned to a tank 2. The propane-free oil is drawn off through a pipe 20. The lower layer is led from the separator 11 into a still 22 and solvent vapours are removed and condensed. The resulting purified resin is drawn off through a pipe 26. Methane, ethane, butane, pentane, ethylene, propylene, butylene or amylene may also be used as solvents. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also the treatment of resins with light hydrocarbon solvents in stages maintained at different temperatures. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted but appears in Specification 434,714.ALSO:<PICT:0434672/III/1> Heavy hydrocarbon oils such as lubricating oils are treated with light hydrocarbon solvents at a temperature within 80 DEG F. of the critical temperature of the solvent, whereby the oil is separated into two layers which are removed and the oil recovered therefrom. Oil from a tank 1 is admitted to a mixer 5 together with 3 to 15 volumes of liquid propane from a tank 2 and the mixture flows through a heater 9 maintained at 183 DEG F. to a heat insulated settling chamber 11 provided with heating coils 13. The upper of the two layers which are formed is drawn off into a still 15 from which solvent vapours are led into a condenser 18 and are returned to the tank 2. The propane-free oil is drawn off through a pipe 20. The lower layer of heavier hydrocarbons is led from the separator 11 into a still 22 and solvent vapours are removed, condensed and returned to tank 2. The resulting lubricating oil is drawn through a pipe 26 and may be further treated with adsorptive clays or this treatment may be effected before removing the solvent. Oils treated include, heavy mineral oils, or destructive hydrogenation or cracking products thereof or of coal, pitch, shale, lignite or bitumen. These oils may be pretreated with aluminium chloride, acid, clay or charcoal or submitted to hydrogenation or to extraction with phenol, or with propane to remove asphalt and wax. Methane, ethane, butane, pentane, ethylene, propylene, butylene, or amylene may also be used as light hydrocarbon solvents. The process may also be applied to the purification of waxes or resins such as those obtained by polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbons or by condensing unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons with aromatic hydrocarbons. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also the treatment of hydrocarbons with light hydrocarbon solvents in stages maintained at different temperatures. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted but appears in Specification 434,714.