US1428312A - Oil-converting apparatus for the conversion and transformation of oils - Google Patents

Description

I. H. ADAMS.

OIL CONVERTING APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION AND TRANSFORMATION OF OILS.

APPLICATION FILED IUNEZ5, I9I8.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

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Patented Sept. 5, 1922,

JOSEPH H. ADAMS, 0F FLATBUSH, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TEXAS COMYANY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, A CORPORATION OF TEXAS.

OIL-CONVERTING APPARATUS r03 THE CONVERSION AND TRANSFORMATION or OILS, 4

Application filed June 25,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH H. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Flatbush, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Oil-Converting Apparatus for the Conversion and Transformation of Oils, and of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the art of converting, fluids such as oils into products of dissimilar character, such as for example, the conversion of heavier petroleum oils into gasoline, and has special reference to apparatus for use in this art.

The apparatus illustrated and described herein is particularly adapted for use in carrying out my oil converting process for the conversion and transformation of oils set-forth and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 241,836 filed of even date herewith.

One object of this invention is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive means of applying super-heated steam under easy control to heated and vaporized oil in mist like or vaporous form for the purpose of alteringthe physical and chemical characteristics of such oil to a predetermined extent.

Another object within the contemplation of this invention is to devise an apparatus which will facilitate the conversion of heavy and high boiling oils such as kerosene, gas oil and other non-viscous and neutral ,oils as well as those of the coal targroup into lighter oils and oily spirits such as gasolines, ,naphthas, benzol and toluol; and which Wlll do so under conditions of continuous operation, to eliminate undesirable interruptions and other features common in many types of so-called oil conversion apparatus.

This invention. seeks to provide an apparatus well adapted for cracking and transforming hydro-carbon and other oils according to my process heretofore referred to. which. from an operative standpoint in practical usage, possesses a high degree of efficiency and durability and which will be simple and inexpensive in mechanical construction.

The apparatus is so designed that the flow of ing ing oil and steam and the discharge 1918. Serial No. 241,837.

of distillates and generated gases may be continuous, and as the apparatus is arranged for suchoperation the lighter vapors will be automatically separated from the heavier matter and the precipitation of the latter is I that two or more of such converters may be employed in a battery, the vapor and gas outlets from which may lead to the same condenser or to a series of condensers.

The oil supply tank from which the oil is supplied to the apparatus for the conversion process is designated A, and the oil passing from this tank A, through pipe 5,is forced by pump 40, through pipe 6 and precision feed valves 7, into heater B, where it is heated to or above its boiling point and preferably to a temperature above 600? F., within the coils 8 of this heater. This hot oil is then admitted through pipe 9, to the spray nozzle 10, located at one end of the mixing chamber 11.

Oil is admitted to the tank A, throughpipe 1, controlled by valve 2, and displaced air may escape through pipe 3 controlled by valve 4, when the tank is filled at first, but subsequently, and during the operation of the apparatus oil may be forced in through pipe 1, at greater pressure than that maintained by compressed air over the surface of contained oil; such compressed air being furnished from an outside source through pipe 3 controlled by valve 4, but in such arrangement the pump 40, pipe 41 and valve 42 are omitted.

A gauge or set of glass gauges 12, may be arranged on tank A, to indicate the heightof oil therein for when the apparatus is in operation the tank should be well filled with oil and kept full'vin order to maintain a generous supply of the raw material undergoing transformation.

. For the greater accuracy in delivering oil into the system under a; uniform pressure, the suction and force pump 40, is provided and interposed in the supply line 56, and which pump draws the oil from tank A, forces it against a back pressure into the converter ()-DE, through the precision valves 7, heating coils 8,, pipe 9 and nozzle 10. v

- As it is not possible to so perfectly regulate the speed of a pump as to accurately deliver a given amount of oil into the converter at all times and at a givenpressure, a pipe 41 and an enclosed release or popvalve 42, are provided to return any excess oil to tank A, so that in this operation only the desired amount of oil ma pass into the converter as regulatedby t e precision valves 7:

In this manner, oil to be delivered into the system against a back pressure of say 75 pounds to the square inch will be forced by the pump 40, against the release valve 42, set at 100 pounds pressure, and in such regulation the oil will be delivered into the system under a head pressure of 25 pounds to the square inch above the 75 pounds maintained pressure, or sufi'icient to become properly atomized by the admixture of super-heated steam.

The oil preheater B, may be of any suitable form such as a feed water heater, a small boiler or thelike whereby the oil may be heated by suitable means in order to raise it in temperature, preferably above 600 F., within the coils 8, or suflicient to become easilyv vaporized, cracked and transformed when *brought into contact with high temperature super-heated steam through the nozzle 10, and within the mixing chamber 11 of the converter C-DE.

Steam which may be generated in a boiler J, outside this converting apparatus and system is supplied through pipe 14 controlled by valve 15, to a trap 16 where any heavy steam is caught; then the dry steam asses through pipe 17 into the superheating coils 18, of the heater B, is raised in temperature above 800 to 1000 l and then flows through pipe 19 being mingled with and atomizing the heated oil as both oil and steam pass through nozzle 10. The oil molecules are thus broken up and transformed from the high boiling oil into lower boiling products within the mixing chamber 11 and expander D.

In this form of heater, gas, fuel oil or other means may be employed by arranging a'burner at the lower part of the enclosure containing the heater tubes, as shown, and providing a flue or vent leading to a stack 46, the flow of hot gases within which can be controlled by a fine damper, as indicated in the drawing just above the top of the super-heater.

The steam generated in boiler J, musthave a sufiiciently high ressure to be forced into the converter -D'E,- in association with the oil admitted at 25 pounds head above the maintained back pressure.

and consequently the steam shouldhave an equalpressure or 100 pounds to the square inch, and which pressure can be a recorded on the gauge 13, located at the top of the dry steam dome on the boiler J, while the oil pressure is recorded on the gauge 13, which gau 'e may be located somewhere along the plpe 41, leading surplus oil to supply tank A.

Both the oil and steam may be controlled in its flow through nozzle 10, by"

valves 9 and 19, for the better regulation and proportionate admission of steam and oil into the chamber 11 and expander C.

Located within the expander C, and opposite the mixing chamber 11, a curved plate 20, of metal such as hardened steel, nickle hard alloys or other substances capable of withstanding high tempera tures, is made fast at an angle so as to defleet the incoming spray or vaporous oil in an upwardly direction towards the perforated disks 21, located in dome E,through which the lighter converted vapors will rise and pass through pipe 25, into the condenser F. Y

Arranged between the expander C and dome E, and connecting both of these parts,

a tubular heater or cracking tube 22 is enclosed within a furnace D. This heater is preferably of tubular construction and can be made up of one or more tubes extending vertically through the furnace, the samelining for confining the heat, and any suitable means may he provided for causing the heat in this chamber. such as burners supplied by fuel and air pipes 23 and 24. to consume gas or fuel oil or the heating can be done by any other economical means of heat generation, the exhaust from which is carried through flue 47 to stack 46.

For economy and high efficiency, I prefer making the super-heating coils in tubular form so that there will be a large heating when' admitted to the mixing chamber 11 and expander C, and is not intended to perform. any cracking operation beyond that which might naturally take place in the more or less rapid passage of oil through the tubes while being subjected to'high temperatures and pressures preparatory to their entering the nozzle 10, and becoming mixed with the super-heated steam to immediately vaporize'and expand them for the vapor con version process.

The construction of the heater B, is such that oil and oily vapors, afterbeing subjected to the high temperature in the coils 8, pass out through the nozzle 10, and into the chamber 11, and then intov the expandin receptacle C, where the lighter converte vapors rise and flow through chamber orcracking tube 22 to the dome E and the perforated bafiie plates 21, and then pass out from the top of dome E through the pipe 25 to the coils 26,0f the condensenF It will be noticed that the condenser F, is in free communication'with the expander, heating tube and dome CDE, and that any pressure maintained in the apparatus CD-E, will extend through the condenser F, as well.

The heavier unconverted vapors coming in contact with the perforated baflie plates 21, and being thrown down will be affected by the high temperature of the cracking tube 22, and a large partv'of such vapor may be broken up under the influence of this heat and the maintained pressure into finer vapors to again pass into the dome E and through the perforated plates 21, on their way to the condenser F.

In order to prevent any quantity of unconverted vapors that may have passed-the bafiie plates 21, entering the condenser F, a trap 48 is interposed in the vapor line 25, and a pipe 49 leads any heavy parts of oil from this trap to the discharge or overflow pipe 36 and into tank H, from which the oil may be withdrawn and passed through the converter again for re-treatment.

From the condenser, the distillates of con- (lensation pass freely into a trap tank G, through pipe 27, and from which they may be withdrawn through pipe 28 controlled by valve 29, while the fixed gases generated during the operation of the rocess in this apparatus may esca e throug pipe 30 con-- trolled by needle va ve 31.

The vapor pressure in the system may be recorded on gauge 32, located at the top of trap tank G and on gauge 33 located on the tank H. By means of the needle valve 31 arid the withdrawal of both li uid and ases from tank G, a constant pre etermined vapor pressure may be maintained within the system from the source of supply through to the foot of and beyond the condenser F.

Since some of the unconverted heavier vapors may fall to the bottom of the apparatus C-D-E, they will pass into the heavy bottoms chamber 34, located below the expander C, and in their passage they will carry any particles of coke or carbon,

which may result from the transformation process as carried on in-this apparatus, and

which may fall or precipitate to the lower part of the chamber C.

Such carbon or foreign solid matter which may be caught in this chamber 34:, canbe removed from time to time as occasion requires through the bottom of the chamber 34 by suspending operation, withdrawing oil from the converter, removing the cap plate 35 and clearing out the chamber; then replacing the cap and proceeding with theoperation of the apparatus, the lighter part of the sediment may occasionally be withdrawn through pipe and valve 50, located near the lower end of the trap,

Any accumulation of hot oil in this chamber 34 will overflow through pipe 36 into the tank H,from which it can be removed aslrequired through pipe 37 controlled by a va ve.

Both the distillate tank G and hot oil overflow tank H, are provided with glass sight gauges 38 and 39, so that the operator may be informed as to when it is necessary to withdraw oil to inake room for that which will be constantly flowing into these tanks.

The continual feeding of new quantities of hot oil to be broken into spray or vapors on admission to the mixing chamber 11 and expander C, together with the super-heated steam and the tendency of the super-heated oil to greatly expand when released, will build up or raise the vapor pressures in the converter and consequently throughout the condenser, so that the vapors undergoing the cracking operation will at all times be under super-atmospheric pressures while being subjected to the cracking heats of the steam and possibly also the external heat maintained at cracking temperatures in the cracking tube 22, provided for this purpose, and

consequently the expander, heater and dome must, necessarily be constructed of material sufliciently strong and enduring to withstand the required pressures and temperatures for protracted periods oftime. I

While the pressure gauges 32 and 33. register the vapor pressures in this form of apparatus, the gauge 13' in the oil line 41, should register a higher pressure by 10 to 25 pounds to the square inch so that the inflowing oil to the system will be fed at 10 to 25 pounds head pressure over the back or vapor pressure maintained in the system, otherwise the atomizing effect of the oil with super-heated steam would be .lost and the efliciency of the process as carried on in this ap aratus would be rendered ineffective.

s the overflow hot oil may accumulate rapidly in the'operation of a battery of converters the pump 43 is connected with the tank H, and the oil may be' intermittently or continuously Withdrawn through pipe 37 and returned to the supply tank A, through pipe 44.

s a means of safety in this high temperature and pressure apparatus a release blow off or pop valve 45, is preferably located at a distance away from the converter, usually at the end of the vapor line 25, and just above the condenser E, as indicated in the drawing.

This valve may be set for anumber of pounds above the actual working pressure maintained in the system so that should any unusual pressure occur a means of releasing it, other than the bursting of some working part, will be interposed in the piping of the system.

This apparatus is, of course, not limited to the particular arrangement of parts shown in the drawing as the co-related parts may be combined in various Ways to obtain the same process results but I believe the fundamental apparatus as set forth to be broadly new and it is my intention to cover the apparatus in its broadest aspect by the langua e employed in the following claims.

H aving described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An oil converting apparatus comprising an expansion chamber having spaced chambers with a communicating passage, means for imparting heat to the communicating passage, a nozzle adapted to discharge into one of the chambers, an oil heating coil and a steamsuperheating coil connected to the nozzle, means for heating the coils so that the oil is vaporized and largely cracked by the direct action of the superheated steam as it is discharged from the nozzle into one of said chambers, a condenser in open communication with the expansion chamber and means for maintaining super-atmospheric pressure through the expansion chamber and condenser.

2. An oil converting apparatus comprising an expansion chamber having spaced chambers with a communicating passage, means for imparting heat to the communicating passage, a nozzle adapted to discharge into one of the chambers, an oil heating coil and a steam superheating coil connected to the nozzle, means for heating the coils so that the oil is vaporized and cracked 'as it is discharged from the nozzle with the superv heated steam, a condenser in open communication with the expansion chamber, a collector connected to the condenser, a back trap connected between the condenser and the expansion chamber and means for returning the liquid from the back trap to the oil heating coil.

3. An oil converting apparatus comprising-an expansion chamber having spaced chambers with a communicating passage,

means for imparting heat to the communicating passage, a nozzle adapted to discharge into one of the chambers, an oil heating coil and a steam superheating coil'connected to the nozzle, means for heating the coils so that the oil is vaporized and largely cracked by the direct action of the superheated steam as it is discharged from the nozzle into one of said chambers, a condenser inopen communication with the expansion chamber, a

collector in open communication with the condenser, and means for maintaining superatmospheric pressure through the expansion chamber, the condenser and the collector.

4. An oil conversion apparatus comprising an expansion chamber, having spaced upper and lower chambers and an interposed communicating passage, means for spraying into the lower chamber a mixture of hot oil and steam superheated to sufficient tempera ture to largely crack the oil by its direct action as it is commingled therewith, in said lower chamber, means for imparting a cracking'heat to said communicating passage to augment the cracking process asthe vapors hot oil and steam superheated to sufficiently u high temperature to crack the oil by its di rect action as it is mixed therewith in said expansion chamber.

6. 'An oil conversion apparatus comprising an expansion chamber, means for spraying into said chamber a mixture of hot oil and steam superheated to a suflicient temperature to produce cracking by its direct action as it is commingled therewith in said chamber, means for collecting the heavy residue below the cracking zone of said chamber, means for withdrawing'the evolved vapors and condensing them and means for back trapping the unconverted vapors and the heavy residue and returning them to said spraying means.

7. An oil conversion apparatus comprising a vertically arranged elongated expansion chamber, an atomizer for laterally spray-ing into the lower part of said chamber a mixture of hot oil and steam superheated to a sufficient temperature to produce cracking by its direct action as it is commingled therewith in said chamber, a receiver disposed below said chamber and outside the cracking zone for collecting the heavy residue, means for withdrawing the residue from said receiver, and means connected to the top of said chamber above the cracking zone for removlng the evolved vapors.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signa ture.

JOSEPH H. ADAMS. Witnesses:

A. CAPs'rIoK,

J OEL S. DE SELDING.

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