GB481647A - Improvements relating to the treatment of hydrocarbon oils by the edeleanu process - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0481647/III/1> <PICT:0481647/III/2> In the extraction of hydrocarbon oils by the Edeleanu process, with sulphur dioxide or mixtures containing it, both the oil and sulphur dioxide are pre-cooled, by causing partial evaporation of the sulphur dioxide and transferring the low temperature produced to the oil by indirect heat exchange. Separate cooling of the oil and solvent is thereby avoided. A cooler 1, Fig. 1, is provided with one or a series of pipe coils 5 through which the oil to be treated flows. Sulphur dioxide passes through an expansion valve 3 to the chamber 1, vapours being removed through a pipe 6 and liquid sulphur dioxide through a pipe 4. The flow of oil is regulated so that the oil attains the temperature of the chilled sulphur dioxide. The cooled oil and sulphur dioxide are then led to an extraction tower. In another form, the oil is led through a pipe 3, Fig. 2, to a heat exchanger 2 and flows through pipes 4 to an outlet at the base. Cooled sulphur dioxide passes from the bottom of a chiller 1 through a pipe 5 to the bottom of the space surrounding tubes 4, rises and returns through a pipe 6. Cooled sulphur dioxide passes through a pipe 7 to an extraction tower fed with the oil. A series of such heat-exchangers 2 connected in parallel with a common cooler 1 may be used, in which case the flow of oil may be increased. The formation of ice from small amounts of water present in the oil may be prevented by pre-mixing the oil with a small amount of sulphur dioxide.