US1433519A - Process for the conversion and transformation of liquids, fluids, and oils - Google Patents

Description

I I. H. ADAMS. PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION AND TRANSFORMATION OF LIQUIDS, FLUIDS AND OILS.

Pwbemmd 0011124, 1922..

APPLICATION FILED DEC.5, I9]?- 4 SHEEISSHEEI I.

WITNESSES:

I. H. ADAMS. PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION AND TRANSFORMATION OF LIQUIDS, FLUIDS,

AND OILS.

Patented DUI 24, 1922...

4 SHEETSSHEE'I 2.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-5115M]. v

WITNESSES.

J.H.ADAMS. PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION AND TRANSFORMATION OF LIQUIDS, FLUIDS, AND OILS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.5,1OI7- IAW MQI Patented 066.2%1922;

4 SHEETSSHEET 3 J. H. ADAMS.

PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION AND T RANSFORMATIONOF LIQUIDS, FLUIDS, AND OI-LS.

' APPLICATION FILED'DEC-i IQIT.

L%38 5 1 9., Patented 001;. 241, 1922.

4 SHEEIS-SHEE 4.

lllll/E/VTOR V illh Patented Octn 2d, lOEN.

JOSEPH H. AJDNNES, O15 FLATBUSH, NEW YORK, ASSIGN'ON. TO THE TEXAS COMPANY,

OIIF HOUSTON, TEXAS, A CORPORATION OJF TEXA$.

PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION AND TRANSFORMATION 01E LIQUIDS. FLUIDS, AND OILS.

Original application filed December 1, 1909; Serial No. 532,842. Divided and this application filed December 5, 1917. Serial No. 205,597.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. hours, 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 Process, for the Conversion and Transformation of Liquids, Fluids, and Oils, and of which the followin is a specification.

This invention re ates to processes of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oils to lower boiling products and is set forth and described, but not claimed, in my apparatus application S. No. 530,852 filed December 1, 1909 (U. S. Patent No. 1,320,354: granted October 28, 1919), of which this application is a division.

Furthermore, my present invention is a species which is covered broadly by my generic application S. No. 618,011 filed March 30, 1911, (renewal S. No. 289,425) Patent No. 1,327,263.

One of the objects of my invention, broadly considered, is to provide a process which may be practiced on a large commercial scale for converting high boiling hydrocarbon oils into lower boiling products, and which shall be particularly adapted for cracking large volumes of oil preferably supplied during the conversion process to a battery of highly heated converters which are operated concurrently to severally produce products of substantially uniform characteristics, this uniformity being insured by equalizing the pressures therein through the maintenance of the vapor spaces thereof in free and open communi- 'cation and otherwise operating the several converters under similar conditions.

Another more specific object of my invention is to providea process in which a sufiicient time is allowed to obtain the most effective conversion of the oils while applying moderate cracking temperatures, that consists in passing the oils successively 'through a series of concurrently operating cracking chambers, in each of which a portion of the oil is converted and from which the evolved converted vapors are withdrawn, condensed and collected.

Another object of my invention is to devise a continuous and expeditious oil conversion process, which shall be especially adapted for large capacity production, and

in accordance with which extremely lar e volumes of oil may be treated continuou y by passing the oil successively through a series of connected converters which operate concurrently .to crack or convert the oil under superatmospheric pressure into the desired product which is constantly withdrawn from the several converters and then condensed and collected.

A still further object is to provide a process of the general character above indicated, which may be practiced on a large commercial scale with comparative safety to the apparatus as well as to the operators.

lln accordance with the broad aspect of invention, the proposed process is carried out in connection with a plurality of converters that are subjected to cracking temperatures and which are operated concurrently to convert large volumes of oil which are supplied thereto during their operation. The vapors evolved from the several converters are withdrawn as they are produced and are then condensed and collected. A uniformity in the vapors evolved by the several converters and in the ultimate products is secured by making provision for maintaining the converters under the same super-atmospheric pressure conditions through the establishment and maintenance of free and open communication next adjacent converter of the series where in. this further "conversion takes place. way the oil is subjected to cracking conditions for a sufficient period of time to enable an exceedingly large proportion of the oil to be converted into the desired product.

Moreover, by so dividing the actual conversion among a plurality of converters, it is entirely {feasible to treat a ver large volume of oil, while maintaining t e con-- INN ' by 3, and controlled by valve 4,

verters of a size consistent with safety of operation, it being understood that the internal stresses upon the walls of a converter, imposed by the high pressures therein develop tremendously as the diameter of the converter is increased beyond certain safe limits.

These and other objects of the invention and features by which they are attained will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following illustrative description of my process as carried out by certain specific apparatus or systems which are especially adapted for practicing the invention.

In order that my invention may be thoroughly understood T will now proceed to describe the same in the following specification and will then point out the novel features thereof in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings,

F1gure 1 is an assembly view of a system embodying a converter adapted for use in carrying out my invention and other apparatus.

Figure 2 is an assembly in elevation, of an apparatus including only a single converter, but showing the supply and the collecting devices asarranged for carrying out my process.

Figure 3 illustrates a battery of converters .showlng the free communication of units,

one to another.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the battery converters showing one of the oil coolers and the vapor condenser.

Figure 5 is a. sectional elevation of the converter shown in Figure 3.

In F lgure 1, the containing vessel 1, of the supply apparatus A, may be somewhat elevated with respect to the adjacent converter (1, so that the gravitating tendency of the 011 may augment itsfiow into the converter under the influence of the compressed air maintained over the surface of oil contained within the tank 1, to cause its delivery into the system against a back or vapor pressure maintained over the surface of oil and in the vapors while undergoing conversion and condensation in the converter and condenser. 1

A suitable frame 2, of Wood or metal may be utilized as a support for this tank.

- The fluid oil may be admitted into the containing vessel -or tank 1, by.means of one or more suitable supply pipes indicated and when admitting oilthe displaced air Y through pipe 5, controlled by valve 6. This tank is provided with glass sight gauges 8, so that the oil level therein may be constantly under observation.

A pipe 9, connects the supply tank and converter C, in any desired manner and in order to control the delivery! of oil into the may escape converter the valve 10, is provided in the pipe line 9, for this purpose.

s a means of drawing oil oil from the tank, the pipe 11, controlled by valve 12, is

provided below the pipe fittings under the The converters (3' proposed for use in this 0 invention may assume diverse forms without undergoing an essential difference in character.

The converter shown in Figure 1, which may constitute one of a battery of converters, comprises a retort or heating section 13 provided with a glass sight gauge 1i, and surmounted by a cylindrical crown or dome 15, also provided with a glass sight gauge 16.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the supply pipe 9, in this form leading from the supply tank 1, will lead into the upper part of the retort or section 13, which section forms the lower part of the converter C.

This lower section is provided with a pipe 17, controlled by a valve 18, so that when occasion so demands, the retort may be emptied and cleaned of any heavy oil or sediment which may have accumulated therein, and the heavy residual oil may be withdrawn from time to time during the operation of the system.

The crown cylinder 15, is secured to the retort 13, by means of a suitable interposed flange member 20, which is bolted to each. of them.

Inasmuch as the vapors rising into and filling the crown or dome 15, exert a high pressure, I have arranged a cap Q1, in close fitting relation with the upper end of the cylinder crown or dome, and have utilized as a means for securely retaining the cap in position a number of strong steel bolts which will hold this cap securely to the top of the dome. The lower section or retort may be connected with the overlying dome by means of a gauge column 22, on which glass sight gauges 23, are arranged so that the condition and disposition of the contents of the converter C, may always be the more read ily apparent and be susceptible of an intelligent variation.

A feature of importance is the means for internally applying heat to the oil con tained in the retort while held under a selfimposed super-atmospheric vapor pressure for the purpose of bringing about a conversion of such oil.

Frefferably, this feature is electri ally op- L40 lcent oil, being vto some extent held in suspeas-pie rods, which are adapted to be maintained at a heat sufficient to crack and convert the oils within the oil.

undergoing treatment while submerged By controlling the electric current, the electric heater may be maintained at any predetermined temperature as rendered dey sirable h the conditions of operation.

llli

This-e ectric heater is especially adapted for working under an electric current having relatively low voltage and correspondingly higha amperage. The current is brought in by means of a metallic conductor rod 24, which passes through the cap 21, at

, the summit of the'dome 15, and in order to prevent grounding or short circuit tthe 28, as will beobserved.

current, an insulating bushing and gland 25,

' ,ot suitable material such as soapstone or long fibre asbestos composition will be interposed in a tight fitting relation between such cap and the leading in conductor rod 24.. f

' So also, a leading out conductor rod 26, may similarly pass through the bottom of the retort section 13, and the current for op eration will be taken from the mains 27 and It will be understood that during the operation the raw or unconverted oils ,will be relieved of more, or less of the carbon of p which they are inpart composed. This, of course, alters their chemical character and converts them from one or more of the products of the hydrocarbon series into others of an essentially different character. The carhim which is removed in this manner will be 7 in part deposited on the highl heated electrodes and in part precipitate in the adja pension and to some extent gravitated through the oil towarjdzthe bottom of the converter.' The heavy residual oil, contain ing thisigravitated carbon may, of course, be withdrawn as desired through the pipe v 17 and valve 18. 4

I Mixed ;vapors,ot thenorig'inal and the" 7 cracked. oil are evolved very rapidly ow ng to the intense heat of the resistors and con-- sequently care should be exercised to-keep the .oil I line at the proper mark in the gauge and not permit it to fall belowor approach the top of the electric heater for the resistors ,vvnuld protrude above the level of the oil and the radiation otlieat. The mixed vapors pass ill an uneven heati'would be the result, the ,upper or exposed part becoming hottest wheretheret was the greatest resistance to from the dome or grown cylinder 15, into the vapor discharge pipe 43, and thence throu h the pipe 44:, into asuitable condenser E, e which 45, are the cooling; co ls,feontained within a tank 4:5,

and mounted on a suitable supportdtyit deire ' ess.

enable the preliminary condensed unconverted oil to be readily passed through the retort again. l also prefer to provide a safety pop valve4c7, mounted above the condenser E, and in an elbow'of the pipe 44, so as to relieve any sudden or excessive pressure above the pre-determined vapor pressure under which the processfis operating".

i I may also placein the vapor line did-44, a thermometer or pyrometer 48, so that the temperature of the converted vapors' passing over to the condenser may be underobserva tion. a

After passing through the coil condensing apparatus E, the fluid oil passes into and iscollected within a reservoir F, ofwhich the container-4:9, is the tank, by means of pipe 50, shown inlFigs. 1, 2 and 3.

The upper part of this reservoir F, is provided with a gas vent pipe 51, controlled by l a needle valve ,52, and the' lower part is provided with a liquid" draw ofl' pipe 53, con trolled by valve 5%.

rhglass' sight gauge 55, is located on this A tank 49, so that the surface level of oil may be noted, and a pressure vided at the upper part 0t the tank so that vapor pressures within the system can be under constant'obser vation to make it pos sible for the'opera-tor to be informed when to lower the built up pressure by openin th needle valve 52, inpipe 51.

A draw oil tap 57, is located in pipe 50, at theloot of the condenser E, forthe purpose of taking samples of distillate from time to time during the operation of theproc- The utility gass vent pipe 51, and valve '52, in conjunction with the'other teatures of myfinvention'are very greatt'or,

(range 56, is proldla lllh

thereby, lam enabled to regulate the predetermined'vapor pressure in the apparatus and promote unil ormityand certainty in the operation of the entire apparatuslrom the supply through tothe end of or beyond the condenser.

rlsa means of re latingthe temperature or thecondensin coils .45, ofthe condenser E, l have provi eda cold water inlet pipe 58, and an overflow pipe 59, for'the discharge of the heated water. which accumulates at the top oil the tank; andas a means of observing pressure in the supply'tank' 1, l have provideda pressuregauge 60, at the top f the tank, ill: have also provided a pressure gauge 61, at the top of crown or dome 15.,

so thatthelpressures in the converter may be hnpwn as 'wellas at the discharge end in llh ltd

rat

tank F, and when the apparatus is working under satisfactory conditions both gauges 56 and 61, should register the same uniform pressure throughout the system from the valve 10, in pipe 9, through the condenser and into the collecting apparatus F.

' The above specifically described apparatus was employed by me in connection with the conversion of light oils, as kerosene, into naphthas anchgasolenes at high or cracking temperatures While the oil undergoing treat ment and the vapors being condensed were held under super atmospheric vapor pressures. N

Another and more commercially practical apparatus is shown in Fig. 2, which, as a unit min a battery as shown in Fig. 3, comprises an efficient system for transforming high boiling oils into lower boiling products; The system of Figures 2 and 3 consists of the various co-related parts shown and described in Fig. 1, but in place of the use of compressed air maintained over the surface of oil in the supply tank 1, a pump 62, is provided to Withdraw oil from the supply tank and force it into the converter C, through a pre-heater B, against a back or vapor pressure maintained in the pre-heater B, converter C, condenser E and running tank F.

Inasmuch as it is desired to conserve heat energy as much as possible in this apparatus, the comparatively cold oil flowing through the pipe 9, is preferably caused to pass through .the oil pre-heater B,and thus be raised in temperature before passing into the oil converting receptacle. This pre-heater may be of any suitable type but preferably provides a continuously rising coil 63, connected With the outlet pipe 6 1, which is located at the top so that any air bubbles may readily escape and not form air locks in such pre-heating coil. The source of heat for said pre-heater may be the oil returning from the converter and hot oil receivers at the opposite side of the apparatus or it may consist of any other heat supplying means. -The converter in this type of apparatus comprises the retort 13 and overlying dome residues.

15, and an underlying chamber 65, provided With a detachable plate 1,9, for receiving the heavy bottoms, carbon and other The accumulated residuum may be drawn off through pipe 17 and valve 18.

The means for admitting oil to the converting receptac e is shown as pipes \66 controlled by valve 67, and 68 controlled by valve 69, and by this means oil'may be delivered into the upper or lower part of the converter, as a matter of choice. 7

This converting receptacle may be supported by suitable legs or supports 70, and like the converter of Fig. 1, Will preferably consist of a number of sections bolted together in fluid-tight connections.

The heavy bottoms chamber 65, is' formed of apipe-like section having the bottom plate 19, provided with an insulating bushin 71, tightly fitting in a central aperture. his bushing, like 25. at the upper end of the retort, tightly encircles the vertical conductor rod 26, and insulates the same from the metal of the receptacle.

A suitable thermometer or pyrometcr 72, may be arranged in permanent relation with the retort 13, and another one 73, with dome 15, so that the temperature of the oil contained therein may be kept under constant observation.

As has been stated, the branch line feed pipes 66 and 68, may enter the converter as shown, and also a branch line pipe 74, having a valve 75, may connect such com verter With a return pipe 76, to enable a flow to take place as will be subsequently described.

The vapor dome 15, comprises a drum like section having one'inlet 66, for the oil coming from the supply tank 1, through the coils 63 of the heater B, and pipe (54-, and an outlet pipe 77, controlled by valve 78, for overfloiv unconverted hot oil.

It may here be stated that since the process of conversion depends upon subjecting oil or oily vapors to'very high temperatures considerably above their vaporizing points, and since this evidently cannot be done Without volatilizing in unconverted form large quantities of such oil it will be necessary to maintain high self-generated vapor pressures Within the system and to re-treat such fractions as have escaped the action of the process.

By arranging the electric heater in the manner described, it is possible to materially reduce the escape of unconverted oils, but nevertheless, it has been found that considerable quantities pass through the converting receptacle Without having been materially affected. Such oils being comparatively heavy, may be readily condensed or caught by properly arranged baiiie plates, and to this end this invention proposes a structure or system of parts intervening between the converter and condenser for the converted fractions and the un-converted oils which are to be collected and returned for ice-treatment. a

In this embodiment a vapor trap 79, having a baiiie plate 80, intercepts the vapors escaping from the upper part of dome 15, and any heavy parts not light enough to go down and around the baffle plate 80, and out through pipe 14, are led back into the converter through pipe 76.

The oily vapors and particles of heavy oil from the converter pass out through the lects the heavy particles, condenses and throws them down in liquid form. Such .iaaatae the square inch underwhich the apparatus is working normally.

This apparatus may be operated with the oil flowing either upwardly or downwardly past the electric heater as a matter of choice. Thus, when operating with a downflow of oil, valve 69 in pipe 68, is closed as well as valve 78 in pipe 77. The incoming oil will then flow through pipe 66 and valve 67, into the dome 15, and passing down through the retort 13, it is led out through pipe 74 and valve 75, then rises in pipe 76 and overflows into tank 82 through pipe 81.

This hot oil overflow tank 82, is provided I with aglass sight gauge 83, so that the height of oil therein may be known in order to indicate when the valve 85 1n pipe 84,

should be opened to draw ott the hot oil into the collecting apparatus D, of which 86, is the tank provided with glass sight gauges 87. Oil may be withdrawn from this collecting apparatus D, by means of pipe 88, when pump 89, which latter will force the oil through pipe 90, and past check valve 91, into supply tank 1, for re-treatment with new oil. I p

The converted vapors will pass through the trap tank 79, and other parts as described, the distillates and gases being caught in the running tank 1]? located beyond the condenser.

In case it is desired to have the flow upwardly past'theheater, valve 67 in pipe 66,

i and valve 75 inpipe 74, will be closed while the valve 69 in pipe 68 and 78 in 77, will be opened. In this manner oil flowing through pipe 68, and up through retort 13,-will overflow through pipe 77, into tank 82, from whichit is drawn into collecting apparatus l), and returned to supply tank 1, by means of pump 89, as described. The vapors passing oil through pipe 43, trap 79 and condensing coils 45, are reduced to distillates and collected as described.

Figures 3, 4 and 5, illustrate another form of apparatus for practicing this invention on various grades of oil by causing large volumes oi oil to be supp (1 during the cracking process to a battery of converters that are severally operated at cracking temperatures and super-atmospheric pressures to concurrently effect the conversion of oil in said converters into like vapors that are withdrawn, condensed and collected, the

" pressures in the several converters being 1 is illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it is to be understood that any of the types of converters shown in the drawings, and, in fact, any converter constructed and arranged for performing the cracking function may be em,- ployed. As shown, the several converters are independently and internally heated by means of suitable electric heaters which may be so regulated by controlling the current flowing therethrough as to produce the requisite heat for the conversion process under the existing conditions. @bviously, the invention, broadly considered, is not restricted to the use of internal electric heat and any means of maintaining the converters at the ilesiged cracking temperatures may be utiize Tn Fig. 3, a battery of converters is shown wherethe vapor outlets connect into a common vapor line 44, leading to the condenser E. In operation, the oil to be treated enters 4 through the pipe 66, and flows into the dome 15, thence downwardly into the retort 13, of I the first or right hand converterflC and past and into intimate contact with the hot electrodes of the electric heater and thence out through pipe 92, (see T i 4,) into the.

lower end of the coils 93, of t e cooling ap paratus Gr. 7

By entering at the lower end of this coil,

the oil and gases are able to rise therethrough' without interruption and without the likelihood of forming airpockets. The upper end 94, of the coil 93, is connected with a pipe 95, leading into the next, converter of the battery. The oil then passes down through the converter past the intensely heated electrodes thereof and into a second cooling coil in the apparatus G, then into a third retort C and so on through other coolers and converters, if desired.

The use of the coolers interposed between the several converters isnot at all essential to the operation of the invention, and is not intended to make the oil cold by any means, but merely to insure that the temperatures are not superposed to such a degree that the oil will be overheated and changed into fixed gas instead of cracked into light products as desired.

Ultimately, the oil passing through the series emerges from the last cooling coil through the pipe 96, preferably provided with a valve 97, and from this pipe it may be run into an enclosed collecting tank as 86, of apparatus D, (Fig. 2,) and returned to the system for Ire-treatment, if desired.

Returning now to the first converter, C the course of the vaporized products may be followed:

The major proportion of the vapors evolved in the first converter C will rise through the vapor dome l5, and pass out through pipe 43 at the upper end of such dome. The vapors must rise a short distance through the stand pipe 98, and the precipitated unconverted residue may flow back through the pipe 99, and be returned to the action of the electric heater. The vapors then rise through the stand pipe 98, and past the release pop valve 100, which will be operative in case the pressure suddenly and unduly increases, and then will flow downwardly through the elbow pipe.

101, into the inclined vapor pipe or main 44. The successive converters are connected in like manner and severally discharge their converted products into the common main which leads to the condensing apparatus E, and from which the converted products run into the collecting trap; tank 55, through pipe 50.

Fig. 5, represents in vertical section the construction of one of the converters as shown in Figs. 3 and 4t, and illustrates the yery simple combination of parts compristhe electric heater at the lower part of'the retort 13, and positioned. opposite a sight glass 102, in the lowermost narrow portion of the converting receptacle.

From the foregoing description of the illustrated apparatus it will be understood that the several converters constituting the battery are connected in series relation by means of suitable flow line pipes through which the oiltraverses, and,moreover, the

vapor spaces of the converters are also connected by vapor line pipes to a common vapor main which delivers .the evolved vapors to the-condens1ng apparatus and collector. This lnter-connection of the vapor spaces of the converters is of particular importance in serving, to equalize the pressures on the several converters and thus insure substantially constant oil levels therein and uniformity of the evolved vapors.

Since all of the converters are maintained at a cracking temperature, and under superatmospheric pressure, a portion of the oil which passes through them in succession is cracked or converted in each of the units of the battery, While that portion Which is not converted in any one of the converters is eventually passed on to the next adjacent converter,.where it is further subjected ing a converter. This form is provided with to cracking temperatures and in which further portions of the oil are converted. in this manner, the oil courses successively through the several units of the battery and it is thus subjected to cracking temperatures for a considerable period of time, thereby resulting in the conversion of relatively large amounts of the oil. While the oil is thus acted upon successively by the several converters as it passes through them, it will be understood that all of the converters opcrate continuously upon that portion of the oil contained therein, so that the evolution of converted vapors in the converters takes place concurrently and is subsequently withdrawn, condensed and collected.

i l/Vith this multiple or battery arrangement of converters relatively large volumes of oil may be treated continuously, while the size of the individual units may be held within safe limits.

One or more of these receptacles may be provided with a pipe 103, leading to a pressure gauge 61, so as to enable the operators to be constantly informed as to the pressure under which the apparatus is working.

Thus, it will be seen that when operatlng under super-atmospheric pressures, the high heat of the electric heater raises the temperature of the oil and oily vapors above that re quired only to volatilize the oil and selfgenerated vapor pressures in excess of atmospheric pressure will be the result.

lit-will be noted that in each of the collective drawings Figs. 1, 2, 3 and a, the converters are in free communication with the condensers and running trap tanks for the accumulation of distillates and fixed gases, and that the super-atmospheric vapor pressures generated in the converters extend to and through the condensers and running trap tanks located at the foot of or beyond the condensers.

While I have, for illustrative purposes, set forth the process of my present invention in connection with apparatus of a more or less specific character and as embodying certain definite steps and mode of procedure, it will be understood that my invention is not so restricted, and that omissions and variations in the steps of the process may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims."

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

1. A process of treating high boiling hydrocarbon oils to obtain lower boiling point hydrocarbons which comprises continuously passing the oil to be treated under pressure successively through a plurality of heating chambers connected in series, maintaining vaporpressure in each of said chambers on rasatm said oil, and drawing ed the vapors from each of said chambers. I I

2. A process of treating high boiling hydrocarbon oils toobtain lower boiling point hydrocarbons which comp-rises continuously passing the oil to be treated under pressure successively through a series of heating chambers connected inseries, maintaining a vapor space in each of said chambers above said oil, maintaining free and open communication between the vapor spaces of said chambers, passing the vapors through a con denser and maintaining vapor pressure in said chambers to and through the condenser.

3. A process of treating high boiling hydrocarbon oils to obtain lower boiling point A. A processor treating high boiling hydrocarbon oils to obtain lower boiling point lib hydrocarbons which comprises supplying oil under pressure to a series of separate converting chambers, heating said oil in said chambers to cracking temperatures, maintaining self-imposed vapor pressure in said chambers, and passing the vapors evolved in the several converters to and through a condenser under substantially the same pressure as that in the chambers.

5. A process of treating high boiling hydrocarbon oils to obtain lower boiling point hydrocarbons which comprises continuously passing the oil to be treated under pressure successively through a plurality of heating chambers connected in series, maintaining a vapor space in each of said chambers above said oil, maintaining free and open communication between the vaporspaces' of said chambers, and condensing the vapors under the self-imposed vapor pressure generated and maintained in said chambers and extending through the condensing means.

.6. A process of treating high boiling hydrocarbon oils to obtain lower boiling point hydrocarbons which comprises supplying oil to a plurality of heating chambers, heating the oil in said chambers to cracking temperatures, maintaining a vapor space in said chambers above said oil, maintaining open communication between the vapor spaces of said chambers, condensing the vapors and maintaining substantially the same vapor pressure in said chambers to and through the condensing means.

7. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon'oil into lower boilingproducts that comprises supplying oil to a plurality of converters, subjecting the oil in the several converters to suflicient cracking temperatures and super-atmospheric pressures to effect concurrent conversion of oil contained therein, equalizing the pressures in the several converters by maintaining free and open communication between the vapor spaces thereof, and withdrawing the evolved vapors from the several converters.

8. process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lo\ver boiling products that comprises supplying oil during the cracking operation to a plurality of converters, heating the converters to cracking temperatures while maintaining self-imposed super-atmospheric vapor pressures therein whereby oil in the several converters is concurrently cracked, equalizing the vapor pressures in the several converters by maintaining free and open communication between the vapor spaces thereof, and withdrawing thevaporsas they are evolved in said converters.

9. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises continuously supplying oil to a plurality of concurrently operating converters, subjecting the oil in the several converters to cracking temperatures and super-atmospheric pressures generated by evolved vapors, and continuously withdrawing from the several converters the vapors as they are evolved therein, while establishing uniform pressures in the several converters by maintaining the vapor spaces thereof in free and open communication whereby any unbalance of vapor pressure is immediately equalized.

-10. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises supplying oil to a plurality of converters, subjecting the oil in the several converters to cracking temperatures under equalized super-atmospheric pressures whereby oil in said converters is concurrently converted under substantially uniform operating conditions .into substantially like vapors, condensing the converted vapors and collecting all of the condensed con- 'tained therein, equalizing the pressures in the several converters by maintaining free and open communication between the vapor spaces thereof, withdrawing the evolved vapors, separating out the heavy unconverted portions and returning cyclicly them for re-treatment, and condensing'and collecting the converted vapors.

substantially uniform high boiling oil in succession through a series of connected converters, cracking or converting the oil in the several converters concurrently by subjecting the oil therein to cracking temperatures and super-atmospheric pressures, and separating the vapors evolved in each converter from the oil thereinand withdrawing the same.

14. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises passing the high boiling oil in succession through a series of connected converters that are severally maintained at super-atmospheric self-imposed vapor pressures and cracking temperatures, whereby oil in each of the converters is cracked, and separating the vapors evolved in each converter from the oil therein and withdrawing the same.

15. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises passing the high boiling oil in succession through a series of connected converters, maintaining the several converters at cracking temperatures whereby the oil in the severahconverters is concurv rently cracked, equalizing the pressures on the several converters by maintaining free and open communication between the vapor spaces thereof, and withdrawing," condensing and collecting the vapors evolved in each of the converters.

16. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lowerboiling products that comprises continuously passing the high boiling oil in succession through a series of connected converters, maintaining the converters at suiiicient temperatures and under sufiicient self-imposed vapor pressures to concurrently crack the oil therein as it progressively traverses through them, and separating the vapors evolved in each converter from the oil therein and withdrawing the same.

. 17. A process of converting high boiling converters, heating the converters under self-imposed vapor pressure to. severally maintain them at a cracking temperature whereby conversion takes place concurrently in the several converters, withdrawing the evolved vapors, separating out the heavy unconverted portions and cyclicly returning them for retreatment, and condensing and collecting the converted vapors.

18. A process oi converting high boiling hydrocarbonoil into lower boiling products that comprises passing the high boiling oil in succession under super-atmospheric pressure through a series of connected and highly heated converters whereby oil is concurrently cracked in each of the converters, concurrently withdrawing the evolved vapors from the several converters, and returning to the series of converters for reteatment the unconverted oil delivered therefrom.

19. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises passing a stream of fresh high boiling oil through a series of connected converters maintained at cracking temperatures and super-atmospheric pressures whereby a portion of the oil is cracked in each of the converters, withdrawing and condensing the evolved vapors from each of the converters, and creating a cyclic operation by returning the unconverted oil to the first converter of the series while maintaining the supply of fresh oil whereby the returned oil is mixed with the fresh oil and retreated.

20. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises continuously passing the high boiling oil in succession through a series of connected converters maintained at cracking temperatures and super-atmospheric pressures, withdrawing and collecting the vapors evolved from the several converters, and partially cooling the oil as it passes from one converter to another.

21. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises passing the high boiling oil in succession through a series of connected converters, subjecting the oil in the several converters to substantially uniform superatmospheric pressures and cracking temperatures, while maintaining a substantially uniform oil level in said converters as the oil progressively traverses through them and is cracked,- whereby the several converters operate concurrently and under substantially like conditions'to severally produce substantially like vapors and withdrawing the evolved vapors from the several converters.

22. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises passing the high boiling oil in succession through a series of connected converters, subjecting the oil therein to isa,

cracking temperatures and super-atmosin the converters whereby the passing oil is converted, withdrawing the evolved vapors from the several converters, and separating out the heavy unconverted oil and returning it for reheating and retreatmentk 24:. A process of converting high, boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises passing the high boiling oil through a series of connected converters successively, subjecting theoil to heat by heat ers disposed within. the converters under self-imposed vapor ressure 'toedect concurrent crackin of t e .oil therein, and immediately withdrawing the vapors evolved in the several converters. g

25. A process of converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil' into lower boiling products that comprises pa sing the high boiling oil through a series 0 connected converters severally heated tosubstantially like temperatures suflicient to efi'ect a conversion of the oil therein whereby the converters operate concurrently under substantially like temperature conditions to reduce substantiallylike vapors, and withdrawing the evolved vapors from the several converters.

26. A recess of converting high boiling hydrocar on oil into lower boiling products that comprises continuously passing the high boiling oil in succession throu h a series of connected converters,;indepen ently electrically heating the several converters to temperatures suficient to a conversion of oil threin; and withdrawing the evolved vapors from the several converters.

27 The process of converting high boiling oils into lower boiling products which comprises continuously passing the oils through a plurality of converters provided with vapor spaces and having direct communication the one with the other for determining the oil levels therein, and permitting the oil to' flow through them successively, heating the several converters under self-imposed superatmospheric pressures to cracking temperatures, maintaining equalized pressures in the vapor spaces of the convert ers by establishing free and open communication hetween them at points above the liquid flow and oil level communication, and removing and condensing the evolved vapors from said converters. I 28. The process of converting high boiling oils into lower boilingproducts which comprises continuously supplying .oil in liquid form to the first of a plurality of series-connected converters maintained at cracking temperatures and under super-atmospheric self-imposed pressures and operating concurrently upon the' oil in transit therethrough, separating the unconverted oil from the evolved vapors in each preceding converter of'the series and supplying it to the next succeeding converter thereof for further treatment, withdrawin the converted vapors of desired volatility as fast as formed from the several converters, and condensing said converted vaporsunder the same pressure as maintained within the converters during the cracking operation.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signaturein the presence of two witnesses.

JUSEPH H. ADAMS.

itnesses: I

A. Garsrron, JOEL S. Dn- Snmme.

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