US1479833A - Method for refining oils - Google Patents

Description

Patented Jan'. s, 1924.

WILLIAM J. REILLY, or DENVER, ooLonAno.

lltlll'llliIODl FOR REFINING OILS.

Original application'led August 1, 1921, Serial No. 488,760. Divided and this applieation filed April 6,

- 1922. serial 110.549,988. f

To all whom it may concern: y

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. REILLY, citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have, invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods for Refining Oils; and I do declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the a'rt to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and .to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to the art of retiningpetroleum and other oils, and its principal object is to provide a process and an apparatus by which petroleum and other oils of high specific gravity may be converted into oils of lower specific gravity. At present, and most likely to continue into the future," there 1 is a preponderance of the heavy gravity oils and lsuch oils are of much less commercial val-ue than the light oils.

Various methods for treating these heavy oils, so as to change their physical and chemical characteristics and render them of y more economic value, have been used in the lytic agents such-as iron,

past and are used today. The principal methods employed are,-First: distillation at atmospheric pressure, which means the light oils are removed. tion under increased pressure and temperature, which is known in the artas cracking. By the. second'process a marked increase in the yieldot1 the lighter hydrocarbonoils of the gasoline serles is obtained. Investigatorshave devised many methods and types of apparatus for distilling and cracking hydrocarbon oil. They have sought to accomplish this heat, with or without pressure, in some casesusing 'various catanickel, alumina, manganese oxide, etc. Some of these methods are used today with more or less success.

I will now proceed to describe my 'invention 'and in 'order to do this in a clear and omprehensive manner I shall refer to the accompanying drawings in which- Y Fig. l shows my apparatus in side elevation and partly broken away so as to disclose the interior thereof.

gecond: distilla- Fig. 2 is a longitudinal' section of my improved reacting and distilling element or tube, and Y.

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of reacting and vdistilling element or" tube.

In the drawing the same reference characters denote the same parts in all the views:

In Fig. 1 I have shown my'apparatus fully assembled 1I being a vapor chamber usually made 'in the form of a closed cylinder: this chamber is divided into two compartmentsv A and B', separated lby a dia-v phragm2 having a central opening 3 there- 1n which is surrounded with a cylindrical portion 4 which in turn is* provided with an outwardly projecting flange 5. 4Into one ofthe compartments (A') my vaporizing tube, designated as a 'whole by the letter T extends; the other compartment (B) isv subdividedby means of baffle plates 6 'and' 7 into several chambers forming zi zag passages, baffles 6 extending upwardly om the bottom and terminating a short distance from the top of the chamber and terminating a` short distance from the bottom. l 1 Any vapors which enter chamber B will thus have their direction of travel abruptly changed whereby any undecomposed particle will -beseparated Yout andl finally settle, to the bottom of the chamber where openingsare provided in plates 64 to permit the material thus collected to reach 'the drain pipe 9 through which they are removed. y

Referring now more particularly 'to Fig. 2, I will proceed tol describe my reaction and distilling element or tube T. This tube comprises an elongated tubular member which I shall indicate as a whole by reference numeral 10: This tube has dilerent parts ot its length of different diameters and'is preferably cast i-n the desired shape. Passing through the entire length of tube 1() is a rod 11 which we may term a valve stem: this stem is supported by member 12 which has screw threaded connection with tube 10 at 13 and with rod 11 at 14. Member 12 has attached thereto a screw cap -15 which coopcrates with it to form a stued vapor tight joint. Carried on stem 1l and freely movable in tube 10 is a helical worm 16 which forms a spiral passage of considerable length the purpose and funcron of which will ap` baiile 7 extending downwardly from the top able means to ide that have pear as the description proceeds. N ear its inner end tube 10 is enlarged to form a cham- 'ber 17. Within the chamber and secured to bar 11 is a catalytic or conversion promoting agent 18 of iron, nickel, alumina or other suitable material, here shown in the form of helical bar but it may be made in any desired form. Beyond chamber. 17, tube 10 is again contracted to the size of the main portion thereof as indicated-by numeral 19. Within the reduced portion 19 is another spiral passage formed by two helical members 20 and 20. Secured to the reduced portion of tube 10 is a conical or top shaped chamber 21 having a restricted opening 22 in the outer end thereof. Stem 11 extends through opening 22 and carries at its outer end a dish `shaped member 23, the hollow portion of which faces the opening 22 and is adjustable towards and away therefrom, by means of the stem 11. pening into tube l0 near the outer end thereof are three pipes 24, 25, 26. Pipe 24 supplies the oil to be treated, which oil has been heated by. suitthe desired temperature,- this pipe has its end bent at right angles and lies parallel to the axis of tube 10; this end is also provided with a series of openings 29 thru which the oil enters tube 10. The end 28 of tube 24 preferably has the top thereof plugged so that the oil can leave only thru holes 29. Near the outer end of tube 10 pipe 25 is connected; this pipe conveys vapors such as air, natural gas or carbon dioxbeen heated to the required temperature and which are supplied under pressure. Pipe 26 is connected to a steam or vapor (or both) supply and controls the admission of steam to the tube T. rlhe heated oil and vapor as well as the steam is admitted to the tube T under pressure and flow towards the inner end of said tube, the quantity of each being controlled by valves 30 and 31. In flowing inwardly thru tube 10 the intermingled oil, vapor steam or both, pass thru the'spiral passage of the helical Worm where they become intimately associated in a minutely divided form, resulting in an almost instantaneous heat absorption by the liquid under treatment, a decomposition of the oil and the production of the desired vapors. The intermingled. heat carrying vapors and the vapors from the oil continue to flow inwardly and enter chamber 17 which contains a catalytic or conversion promoting agent 18; the nature of this agent depends upon the nature of the liquid under treatment but is usually nickel, copper, iron, alumina or any other material that may be found to be the most suitable for the material under treatment.

From chamber 17 the vapors pass thru the spiral passage between the helical members 20 and 20 into the enlarged conical chamber 21 and finally leave the tube l thru terasse opening 22 and impinge on the curved surface of the reaction cup member 23 which retlects the stream of vapor and directs it outwardly towards the inner sides of vapor chamber las shown in Fig. 1.

The fall of pressure-along tube T can be controlled by means of the hand wheel 3:2

which rotates stein 11 and causes the reac? tion cup 23 to approach or recede from the opening 22. 1It is evident that if cup 23 is brought up of vapors and oils will be restricted and the fall of pressure along the tube decreased, whereas if cup 23 is moved away from opening 22 the ases and oils have a freer exit from the tu e and consequently the fall of pressure will be greater. The pressure within the tube can therefore be varied within the limits of the pressure at which the heated vapor and oils enter, and the pressure within the vapor chamber 1.A

-As the temperature is controlled by controlling the heat of the vapor, oil and steam admitted, we have means of accomplishing the distillation at any desired pressure or temperature. Pipes 24, 25, and 26 are each provided with a check valve 27 to prevent the vapors from flowing in the oppositev direction. y

When the vapors and oils leave the tube T thru opening 22 they impinge on the curved surface of reactioncup 23 and are directed outwardly and rearwardly. In this Way any undecomposed particles are given a high velocity toward the walls of the vapor chamber and are thus separated from the vapors which then How toward diaphragm 2 and enter compartment B through opening 3. 'lille cylindrical member 4 and outwardly extending collar 5 serve to prevent any undecomposed particles that may impinge on the diaphragm 2 from passing into compartment B. All the liquids ,and solids that are separated from the vapors in compartment A settle to the bottom where theyn are finally removed thru pipe 33. When the vapors and gases enter compartment B they are detected by balie plates G and 7 which has the further effect of removing liquid and solid particles which settle to the bottom of the compartment and are finally. drawnoff through pipe 9, holes 8 being provided in bailleA 6 to permit the liquids to reach the entrance of pipe 9. The gases and vapors enter openings 34 in dry pipe 35 and are removed through pipe 36. The lower side of pipe 35 has an opening 37 for the escape of any liquids that may be carried into the pipe by the vapors or whichmay condense there.

A. heat coil 38 is provided in one end of compartment B for the purpose of utilizing some of the heat present. The coil can be connected to pipe 24 or utilized in any manner desire close to the opening 22 the iiow' The helical member 16 can be made of various lengths to suit the requirements of the particular material operated upon.

Pipe 36 is shown connected to a condenser 42 and to which is connected a vertical pipe 43 for the purpose of providing an outlet for any uncondensable vapors that may pass throughv the condenser. The condensed liquid is discharged into' any suitable container.

. In cases where the catalytic agent is not desired tube T may be modified by omitting chamber 17 and the helical passage between members 2O and 20 and made as shown in Fig. 3. The vapor chamber is provided with a saftey valve 39, a thermostat 40 and' a pressure gauge 41, the former to prevent dangerous pressures within the container and the other two for the purpose of enabling the operator to control the distilling and decomposing of the oils within the distilling element or tube T.

The operation of my device is as follows: Oil heated to any desired degree and at any desired pressure, is introduced into the vaporizing tube through the pipe 24. Simultaneously therewith, heated vvapors. such as products of combustion, saturated or superheated steam or both vapor and steam, are

admitted under pressure through pipes 25V and 26.l These vapors flowing along the tube towards the inner end thereof, carry with them the oil, this stream' of oil and vapor then enters, the helical chamber formed by member 16 wherein the articles, due to their constant change of direction and consequent bombardment of the surfaces, become intimately intermingled. Due to this intimate association of the oil particleswith the heated vapors an almost instantaneous transfer of heat takes place, resulting in the decomposition necessary in order to obtain the product desired. The mixture of oil and vapors then continue inwardly until they reach the chamber 17,

v where they are subjected to the action of the catalytic agent 18 where further conversion of the undecomposed particles of the heavier hydrocarbons take place. The stream of combined oil and vapor then pass through the helical passages between members 20 and 20 where the direction of iiow is changed andthe velocity slightly retarded, as they 'enter the chamber 21. The combined oils and vapor then pass out of the tube opening 22 and impinge on the surface of the reaction cap 23 whereby the direction of flow is changed as the vapors enter the vapor chamber, in this manner all `undecomposed oils and solid or liquid particles are separated from the vapor and. accumulate 'in the bottom of chamber A. Thevapors then .pass through the opening in diaphragm 2 and enter chamber B where the direction of flow is changed by means of baffle plates 6 and 7, this results in a further separation of undecomposed particles which settle to the bottom of chamber B and are removed through pipe 9. The vapors are removed through pipe 36 and passed thru a condenser 39 from 70 which they are removed in liquid form, or the vapors may be used to heat o il in another reacting and distilling tube in the manner set forth above, or the hot vapors may be used to boil and decompose oil in a vapor still commonly known as a steam still.

This method of distilling liquids has the advantage of preventing or limiting the vformation of oil mists in the gases of distillation, also the formation of non-condens'able oil mists, by causingthe reactions and'v distillation to take place under a controlled pressure and within a limited space, and causingthe gases to constantly'smove over loil wetted surfaces where 'the oil mists, if

produced, Will be absorbed. This is 'made possibleby the fact that only apportion of the oil passing through the distilling element is converted into a gas, the remainder covering and keeping wet the exposedsurfaces of the helical worm 16.

I desire to point out that while the condensation of the vapors may be carried out under pressure that this pressure is always less than that under which the distillation and decomposition took place.

In' Fig. 2 I have shown an additional pipe I bers A and B are primarily intended to,

function as separators whereby the liberatedvapors and gases are separated from vthe undecomposed particles and liquids. It may be possible that some minor reactions do take place in chambers A and B, but Iam not depending upon these for the success of my process. v

When air is introduced into the reaction anddistillation element T in sufficient quantity, and employed in the absence of steam, and the temperature maintained above that required for ignition, it is evident. that a Vcertain amount of the oil will combine with the oxygenfof the air and form fatty acids or other products which will result from this oxidization, the degree of oxidization beino plie As examples of the temperatures and the governed by the amount of air suppressuresl Ithat are preferably employed for obtaining the desired results, the following are submitted: p

For the production of oils of the gasoline series from crude petroleum, a temperature of between 250 and 450 degrees 1F. is em ployed, anda pressure of about 100 pounds per square inch.

For the production of oils of the illuminating series, such as kerosene, a temperature of from 400 to 600 degrees F.' and `a pressure of about 100 pounds per square inch is employed. .Y

When it is desired to produce oils of the low specific gravity gasolinel series, from oils that have had the primary benzines and gasolines removed, such pressures and temperatures will have to be used that the reaction known as cracking will take place, and this requires a temperature of between 750 and 1000 degrees F. and av pressure which does not exceed 300 pounds per square inch. The pressureand the temperature requiredI varies with the chemical reacting characteristics of the oil "under treatment and must be adjusted to meet the requirements of the specific oil that is treated, and it is therefore possible to give only the limits of temperature and the approximate pressure to be employed, The temperatures and the pressures given in the above examples are as near as applicant can determine them, and are believed to be correctly defined, but it is possible that cases may be'found where the optimum temperatures, and pressures would vary by 2O per cent 4from those given,

as the widely varying responsiveness of hydrocarbon oils to pressure and temperature treatment is Well known to the oil refining industry.

rlhis application is a division of my ap- 'plication Serial Number 488,760 filed Aug.

Having now described my process and apparatus what li claim as my invention or discovery is:

1. A method of converting oils of high specific gravity into oils of lower specific gravity which comprises passing the oil into a distilling chamber, mixing the same With vapors heated to the temperature required to maintain conversion passing the mixed oil and vapor through a helical passage at the pressure necessary to maintain conversionv whereby they become thoroughly intermingled,passing the intermingled oil and vapor into a' chamber containing a catalytic agent passin said intermingled oil and vapor throng another helical passage, expanding the mixture into a vapor chamber, separating the undecomposed particles from the vapora'nd condensing the vapor under any desired ressure less than that under which the distillation takes place.

2. A method of converting oils of high specic gravity into oils of lower specic remesa gravity which comprises passing the oil into a distilling chamber, mixing the same with vapors heated to the temperature required to maintain conversion passing the mixed oil and vapor through a helicai passage at the pressure necessary to mainta-in conversion whereby they become thoroughly intermingled, passing the intermingled oiland vapor into a chamber containing a catalytic agent passing said intermingled oil and vapor through another helical passage into an enlarged chamber, expanding the mixture into a vapor chamber separating the undc composed particles from the vapor and condensing the vapor under any desired pressure less than that under which the distillation takes place.

3. A method of converting oil of high specific gravity into oils of lower specific gravity which comprises passing the oil into a distilling -chamber, mixing the same with vapors heated to the temperature required to maintain conversion, passing the mixed oil and vapor through 'a helical passage at any pressure necessary to maintain conversion whereby they become thoroughly intermingled, passing the intermingled oil and vapor into a chamber containing a catalytic agent, and passing saidintermingled oil and vapor through another helical passage, into an enlarged chamber, thence through a restricted opening and against the surface of a reflecting member, expanding the mixture into a vapor chamber, separatmg the undecomposed particles from the vapor and condensing the vapor under any desired pressure less than that under which the distillation takes place.

4. A method of converting oils of hi h specific gravity into oils of lower speci c gravity which comprises passing the oil into a ,distilling chamber, mixing the same with vapors heated to the temperature required to maintain conversion, passing the mixed oil and vapor through a helical passage at any pressure necessary to maintain conversion whereby they become thoroughly intermingled, passing the intermingled oil and vapor into a chamber containing a catalytic agent, and passing said intermingled oil andv vapor through another helical passage, into an enlarged chamber, thence through a restricted opening and against the surface of a reflecting member, whereby the direction 4of the stream is changed, expanding the vapors and oil into a vapor chamber, separating the undecomposed particles from the vapor and condensing the vapor under any desired pressure less than that under which the distillation took place. Y

5. A' method of converting oils of high -specific gravity into oils of lower s ecific gravity which comprises passing the oil into a distilling chamber, mixing the same with vapors heated to the temperature required to maintain conversion, passingthe mixed oil and vapor through a helical passage at any pressure necessary to maintain conversion whereby they become thoroughly intermingled, passing the intermingled oil and vapor into a chamber containing a catalytic agent, introducing more heated vapors,

and passing said intermingled oil and vapor through another helical passage, expanding the mixture into a vapor chamber, separating' the undecomposed particles from the vapor and condensingr the vapor under any desired pressure less than that the distillation takes place.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM J. REILLY.

vunder which

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