US1484612A - Process for treating hydrocarbons - Google Patents

Description

miaou um I @hilo/mm3 Feb. 19 11924.

s. L. GARTLAN PROCESS FCR TREATING HYDROCARBONS Original Filed Oct. 28.

Patented Kiel@o lid,- ilQdo narran stares ernennen :tours daaraan, or roaonra'onrnaro, canapa, assren'oa or oren-nennennrns ro ernaar nennen escanear-rar, or rosolare, carmen.

PROCESS FR TREATNG HYDFJDOAREDNS.

A Application llled october te, isti, serial No. 511,041. Renewed January t, wat.

To all whom t may concern: l

Be it known that l, STEPHEN Lome GART- LAN, a citizen of the United States ot America, residin at. the cit of Toronto, in the county of ork and rovince of Untario, `Dominion of Canada, have inventedcertain new and useful Processes for Treating Hydrocarbons; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same. i

lt is known that a natural telluric hydrocarbon is a mixture of substances of varying boiling points, and that each of the hydrocarbons of higher boiling points contained in such mixtures is, during the process of distillation, exposed to various degrees of temperature below its own boiling point, so long as the hydrocarbons of lower boiling points are not removed from the still, and

that the sepa-ration of these hydrocarbons by distillation. is oft/en diflicult for fractions boiling as low as 200 C., on account of the ease of partial decomposition o't the higher lboiling fractions at ordinary atmospheric pressure.

lt is also known in the cracking of heavy oils, that two essentialtantors govern, largely, the reaotions that take place, namely temperature and pressure, the function of increased temperature being to break the bonds ot groups that make up the complex hydrocarbon molecule, and the function of premure, which is of chief importance,.be ing to,exert an influence on the nature of the resulting product.

Broadly speaking, cracking processes have heretofore been divided into two principal types; those that involve cracking n at atmos heric pressure and those that involve 'crac in under increased pressure.

The disadvantage of processes involving cracking at atmospheric pressure is the formation of relativel large volumes o oleiins and the tendency'o the hydrocarbons to pass out of the reacting sphere with a small degree et alteration; and the diiilculty of obtaining cracking in any effective degree in processes operating Without pressure, is that the higher temperatures cannot be attained without causing va-porization and without ressure the vapors cannot be held in the lieate'd zone. The degree of conversion is necessarily less at atmospheric pressure than under-high pressure, as on account of the greater stability of the lighter molecules U5 only the heavier molecules are subject to alteration.

Great danger is inherent in crackin operations in which a large volume ot iquid 1s heated under pressure in a still or other large container, as a liquid-vapor phase system necessitates the employment ot a given pressure for a given temperature and vice versa, unless one of the phases be caused to disappear. Therefore, in order to reach the high temperatures that are desirable in order to bring about a maximum of cracking it is necessary to use correspondingly hi h pressures if the two phase system is to is maintained. This simultaneous use of' both high, temperatures and high pressures in the same vessel is a source oit danger when a large volume of liquid is heated in a single operation, as the container is apt to give way and the great volume of highly heated liqgid then becomes a serious menace.

recesses of the above nature are also subject to the limitation common to all tvvo phase systems namely, that the temperature and pressure cannot be varied independently of each other. This fixed interdependence ot temperature and pressure has heretofore been one of the greatest handicaps ot all two phase systems, 'lor the higher temperatures and pressures, favorable for cracking the lighter and intermediate fractions', cannot be attained in large operations because of the difficulty of finding retainers that will withstand the necessary strain.

By conducting the vaporization at approximately atmospheric pressure and continuously withdrawing the `gvapors from the vaporizing zone, a continuous evolution ol the vapors can be maintained at temperatures which will permit of the vapors passing from G5 the vaporizing zone with but a minimum alteration of the original hydrocarbon molecules, and then by bringing these vapors to a favorable temperature, the cracking opera. tion can be carried on in a separate apparatus with maximum efficiency under controllable conditions of temperature, pressure and subsequent release of pressure tor the sudden expansion of the compressed vapors, and will insure substantially all ot the evolved vapors being broken down into the desired roduct.

To this end the vaporizing and cracking lll 'terdependent st ing stage are varied independentl of the temperature and pressurefemploye during the cracking stage, and .in a two phase system, 'necessitating 'the employment of pressure and temperature, the pressuremay be caused to entirely disappearduringthe.

vaporlzing stage. As a consequencea lar e volume of liquid may be heated 'and t e' maximum vaporization may be' attained' .a single operation without danger of the containerl giving' way, and without danger of the'large volume of highly heated liquid becoming. a serious menace." And .further the temperature and pressure durmg the vaporizing stage can be so controlled that the' evolved vapors will pass'from the vaporizing zone with 'but a minimum alteration of the bonds of groups'that make u ,the

- original hydrocarbon molecules an l vaporizatiom under theseconditions, may bel continued until an excessively' low presi sure in the vaporizer indicates that the maximum vaporization hasbeen attained. These vapors after passing from the vaporizing zone, can be brought to a temperature favorable to their alteration during-the seconder cracking stage by increasing and maintaining the temperature attained during the vaporization, either beforel or during the 'period when the cracking pressure -is exerted on them, and the pressure during the cracking stage may be variedto meet the requirements of the reaction and afterwards released for the suddenexpan'sion of the compressed vapors. This regulation of the temperatures 4and pressures employed 'during the vaporizing and cracking stages gives control to a large extent, of the nature of the resulting product'and the percentage of the original hydrocarbon treatedwhiclr can be converted into the resulting product.

'This invention therefore, relates to a proccess or method consisting of distinct, but interdependent stages by which the vaporization of hydrocarbons. particularly telluric hydrocarbons, and the alteration of the original hydrocarbon molecules to form resulting productsof different specific gravity and boilingpoints to the hydrocarbon vaporized may be continuously carried on in safety and with maximum efficiency, and it 'consists essentially of z-conducting the vapori'zation under favorable conditions of temperature at atmospheric, or plus or minus 'atmospheric pressure, -the degree of variation in either direction fromzero being' negligible and the heat applied during the vaporizing period being so regulated as to maintain a continuous evolution of vapors 'without appreciably altering. the bonds of groups that make up. the original hydrocarbon molecules; withdrawing the evolved vapors the from the`va ori-zing zone during the vaporzing perio '5 increasing and maintainingthe temperature of the vapors attained during the. vaporization 'to a degree favorable to the cracking stage of the operation; compressing tli'e vapors under controllable c'onditions of temperatur'ean-d pressure and releasing --theypressure .after compression for their sudden expansion and the alteration o f the original' hydrocarbons into liquefied res'nlting products 'of' different specific gravity and boiling points to the hydrocarbon treated. f

:The .objects of the invention are :'to enable -the vaporization to be carried on atrelativelylow "temperatures, and under such conditions of pressure as will facilitate-the rapid 'evolution of the vapors with but Slight alteration Yof the original hydrocar' bon molecules; to effect the alteration .of these molecules by a controllable regulation 'of temperature and pressure, followed by release of pressure and-4 sudden ex ansion to form a resulting product of a di erent specific' gravity and boiling points to the hydrocarbon treated; and to eliminate the elementl of danger resulting from high pressures Within the vaporizing sphere and the element of failure ofthe apparatus resulting from high pressures during the vaporization. l

A In carrying out these objects a suitable vaporizing apparatus is employed in Which a large volume of' hydrocarbon matter .can be exposed to heat. A steamgeneratormay be'connected with the vaporizing apparatus for the injection of steam into the hydrocarbon o-r hydrocarbon vapors during the vaporizing period to increase the degreeandrate of .vaporization. A superheater may be connected with the vaporlzing apparatus to .raise the temperature of the vapors to a degree favorable to the cracking stage of the eration. A compressor, suitably jacketed; -or 'heating and cooling purposes,` is connected directly with the vaporlzing apparatus and with the superheater for continuously withdrawing the evolvedvapors from and maintaining adiminished pressure Within the Vaporizing..

zone and superheaterand compressing the vapors under conditions of heat exchange favorableto the requirements 'of the reaction, and an'expansion chamber is connected with the compressor` for releasing the presl Vthe sudden expansion of the vapors.

rThe drawing is a diagrammatic view of a suitable. arrangement of a paratus by which the" operation' may be e ectively carried out. i In the practical #operation of the 'invention has been found that thefollowingmethod and apparatus produce satisfactory results both as regards yields of the desired hydrocarbon products andi economy' of operation, but other apparatus -V of any usual or approved type may be l substituted I for thathereinafter described and the specific temperatures and-pressures maybe Varied to the character or conditions of the hydror.

to another of the series; or 1t may take the carbonstreated.

vThe plant inavhi'ch -this process. was elaborated consists 'of a- 5 0. H.' P. tubular Y typ'e boiler 8 for steam generating purposes connected z-to 'an engine 16 which drives the compressor 5; to the steam coil 3 of the superheater 2; and to the outer jacket of Athe compressor `5. The superheater 2`is an oil fire heated boX` of brick' construction containing two sets of coils 3' and 4v for superheating the steam from the boiler, and

l thefvapor from'the still or vaporizer.

The superheater is provided with'a burner or burners 25 connected with a fuelv supply by a pipe 26, and these burners are supplied with a steam jet from the steam pipe line 15.

' tion of a total volume of approximately 100 The vaporizer 1 is of cylindrical construcgallons and is provided with temperature and pressure recording instruments. Connected with itis one of the steam lines from the superheater and two. vapor lines, one of the vapor lines leading -through the superheater to the compressor. rllhe compressor, provided with temperature and pressure recording instruments, is of the three stage type, having an outer jacket such as iscommonly used for cooling purposes, and has a capacity of twelve cubic feet per minute, at 110 R. P. M. The compressor is connected 4with the intake 18 of the eX- pansion chamber 17, through a needle valve 19, and both compressor and expansion chamber are capable of withstanding high pressures. The expansion chamber 17 consists of a steel cylinder with a total volume of about 2?; cubic feet and is capable of withstanding high pressures up to approximately 2,000 pounds. The cooler 21 is of the usual spiral type consisting of about thirty feet of one and one quarter inch coiled pipe and the receiving tank 23 is of thirty gallon capacity and capable of withstanding pressures up to 300 pounds.

v The liquid hydrocarbons to be treated are A newbie 'f tubular construction, satisfacto introduced into the vaporizer' 1. which -is provided" with burners 12 connected by a pipe line .13. with the source of fuel supply and when. oil is used as fuel the burners are also connected'bya pipe line 15 'with the steam coils '3;.of the superheater 2, the steam flowing through theA lpipe linel '15 to thebu'rners atomizing the o1 o'f ran apparatus of any other design which will provide for the -continuous evolution of .a relatively large volume of vapors and Amay beicharged and run in batches or' a numberv of theinmay be connected with one or more'compressors, and run simultaneously, or va number of them'may be connected in series and run simultaneouslythe oil circulating in the' latter casefrom one vapors directly from the vaporizer to the compressor 5, and the valve controlled pipe 7 conducting the vapors from the vaporizer to the coil l1 of the superheater 2, and then to the valve controlled pipe 6, between its valve 6 and the intake port of the compressor 5. To minimize the drop in temperature between the vaporizer or superheater and the compressor, the pipes 6 and 7 may be suitably covered with heat insulating malterial. rllhe steam coil 3 in the superheater 2 is connected with the steam generator 8l and supplies superheated steam to the vaporizer through the steam pipe, 10.

To facilitate the cracking of the vapors it is necessary to maintain the compressor at a temperature favorable to the maximum cracking eciency. ln treatingTexas fuel oil the compressor was preheated to a temperature up to 550 C. and this temperature was maintained for the compressor during the evolution of the vapors of those fractions evolved by boiling the mass at temperatures between 124 C. and 400 C. When the temperature ofthe mass for the evolution of the vapors of the higher boiling fractions exceeded 400 C., it was found advis- 4and spraying. it, under pressure, throu h the burner out. lets..: 'l`he -vaporizer -1. ta' es the form of a' cylindrical still, but it may take the form reo is provided with a 'coil or jacket for heatin l steam pipe andcoolin purposes. The intake end o this coilor acket is connected with the main line 9 by a valve controlled steam pipe 11, and with the steam coil 3 in the su erheater 2 by a valve controlled pi e 15.

team' circulates from the steam oiler i' through the valve controlled pipe 15 and during the'compression of the hydrocarbon fractions -whenl the boiling temperature of the mass was or below 400 C. When the boiling temperature of the mass attained 400 C., the steam from the superheater to the coil -or jacket of the compressor was cut off, and when the boiling temperature of the mass exceeded 400 C., the steam circulated from the steam generator by means of the pi e lines 9 and 11, to the compressor and eflxcted a. heat exchangeor reduction of teinperature of the com ressor to about l150 C., the tem erature o .the compressor at all times being controlled to the requirements of the cracking temperature of the vapors being compressed. When it is necessary to effect' a considerable reduction in the temerature of the compressor, suitable mechanical' cooling means may be connected with the compressor for that purpose.

Connected with the intake 18 of the expansion chamber 17 andthe exit of the high pressure cylinder of the compressor is a vapor line 20, and this high ressure vapor line is covered with suitable insulating material to minimize the drop in temperature. The expansion chamber is provided with a gauge. glass so lthat the apparent condition and the rate of' colle'ction of the liquefied vapors may be observed. When the oil is introduced into the vaporizer, steam pressure is raised in the steam generator to about' 100 pounds and-the burners in the superheater are lighted and so regulated as to superheat the steam from the generator and the' vapor passing from the vaporizer l through the superheater to the compressor to a temperature up to 550 C.- Steam from the superheating coil 3 is' then conducted throu h the coil or jacket ofthe compressor to -pre eatthe compressorto approximately the same temperature. The burners in the vaporizer-are now lighted and the temperature. raised until vapors are evolved. The evolutionl of the va ors may be continued .until an excessively ow pressure in the vaporlzer indicates that the maximum vapori# zation of the oil introduced into the vaporizer has been attained. When the vapors begin to be evolved, the compressor is started andthe vapors are withdrawn' by the compresser from the vaporizer through the vapor coils a of the superheater. The temperaturevof the superheater is so regulated as to heat the va ors of the low boiling fractions, before co pression, to a temperature of about 550 C., which is found to be favorable tothe cracking stage o'f the o eration.

When the vapors passing throng the superheater pick up sufficient heat to keep-the compressor at the proper operatin temperature, the superheated steam to t e coil or jacket of the compressor is turned off. When the temperature of the h drocarbons in the vaporizer reaches the maximum boiling point before cracking, the vapors `are conducted direct from the vaporizer to the compressor. When the temperature of the compressor exceeds 550 C. wet steam from the steam generator is turned into the coil or jacket through the pipes 9 and 11. The introduction of this wet steam into the coil or 'acket of the compressor has the eiect of re ucing the temperature of the compressor, thereby preventing an abnormal rise in its temperature, due to the high temperature of the vaors of the higher boiling fractions and any eat develope by the compression.

Instead of using 1the superheater to preheat the vapors passing from the vaporizer to the compressor, the temperature of the compressor can be raised to a degree which will permit of the vapors passing direct from the vaporizing zone to the pressure zone at the va orizing temperature and being heated by t e compressor to the required degree for the cracking stage of the operation.

The temperature of the vaporizer is so regulated as to maintain a continuous evo* lution of the vapors and the speed of the compressor is so regulated as to continuously withdraw the vapors from the vaporizing zone and maintain in it a normal pressure at or about atmospheric pressure, the degree of variation from atmospheric pressure in either direction being negligible. The low pressure in the vaporizer facilitates \the rapid evolution of the vapors; it enables the vaporization to be carried on at relatively low temperatures; it eliminates the risk of danger resulting from high pressures within the vaporizing sphere; and it eliminates the dan er of failure of the apparatus resulting rom high pressures.

The vaporization of the liquid is started at a relatively low temperature to vaporize the hydrocarbon fractions of low boilin point ranges, each fraction as it is vaporize eing drawn off from the va orizer by the compressor, which action of t e compressor maintains in the vaporizer a normal atmospheric pressure or pressure varying but little above or below atmosfpheric pressure. l

When the vapors o the low boiling fractions .have been evolved and withdrawn from las aaa-asie the vaporizer, the temperatures of the \va porizer and its contents are increased to continue the va orization of the higher boiling fractions, t e continuous withdrawal of these vapors being 'maintained by the compressor and the operation being continued until an excessively low pressure in the vaporizer indicates that the maximum vaporization has been attained.

When the vaporizing temperature reaches 200 C., superheated steam may beintroduced into the vaporizer and the mixture of vapors and steam is drawn olf by the compressor through the sup'erheater. rlhe pressure in the high ressure cylinder is regulated to the Arequirements of the cracking operation and may vary from 100 pounds to 1,500 poundsl or more per square inch. When the temperature of the mass for the evolution of the vapors reaches 4009 C. the passageof the mixture of vapors and steam through the superheater may be discontinued and vapors may then be conducted directly to the compressor from the vaporizer. rlhe operation of the compressor is regulated to give any required pressure in the high pressure cylinder, A practically constant flow of compressed vapors is maintained through the needle valve into the expansion chamber where the pressure is immediately reduced to or within a few pounds of atmospheric pressure. During the compression the temperature of the vapors will approximate 550 C., and this temperature and the pressure are maintained until the delivery of the vapors through the needle valve into the expansion chamber, where the vapors are suddenly expanded. rlhe sudden expansion of the vapors causes a great drop in temperature and the liquefaction of all but the very lightest vapors. The strain on the vapors caused by the high temperature and pressure in the compressor and the sudden expansion and great drop of pressure in the expansion chamber results in the alteration of the bonds of groups that make up the original hydrocarbon molecules, and the formation of bonds of .groups which make up hydrocarbon molecules of diierent specic gravity and boiling points or, in other words, this arrangement of heat control, compression, and expansion, brings into use and renders possible the close control of the two well recognized factors made use of in the cracking of hydrocarbons i. e. temperature and pressure, and brings into operation an additional factor, i. e., the principle of subjecting the hydrocarbon molecules to great strain by expansion.

For the condensation of those vapors not liqueed in the expansion chamber, the intake end of the cooler 21 is connected with the outlet 22 of the expansion chamber 17 and this cooler 2l discharges into the receiver 23 where all liquefied vapors :are collected, the diderential pressure between the expansion chamber and receiving tank permitting of the unimpeded circulation. of the liquefied products to the latter. In this Way everything except some of the permanent gases is collected in the' receiving tank in the form of liquid of di'erent boiling points and specific gravity to those kof the original hydrocarbon treated.

It has been ascertained in the practical operation of this method of treating hydrocarbon oils, such as heavy paran base or asphaltum base crude oils, that yields as high as 31% of gasolenehave been obtained on a single run on the batch system. y

It will be understood that the above mentioned temperatures and pressureshave been merely set forth as one specific example of the practical application of the process and that they may be varied to meet the requirements of the operating conditions of a commercial plant. v v

Having thus fully described my invention, what li claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is `1. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of transforming liquid hydrocarbon into vapors and while in a vapor state `subjecting them to a plurality of intense changes of pressure and then suddenly releasing the pressure.

2. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of, transforming liquid hydrocarbon into vapors, suddenly applying intense compression on the vapors and suddenly releasing the compression after the pressure has been applied.

3. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which v consists of transforming liquid hydrocarbon into vapors, transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separate from the vaporizing zone, and effecting the alterationv of the evolved vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by vintensely compressing the transferred vapors and then suddenly collecting the products.

4. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of separating the operation into distinct but interdependent stages and vaporizing the liquid hydrocarbon during one of the stages and maintaining a relatively low pressure in the vaporizing zone during the vaporization, and during another stage, separate from the vaporizing stage, transferring all the evolved vapors to a separate pressure Zone and altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by suddenly applying intense pressure and then suddenly releasing the pressure, and collecting the product, 1

expanding them, and

lapplying a plurality ture of said vapors, altering the transferred vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by of intense changes of pressure to said vapors, including the com- /pression and sudden expansion of the vapors, and then collecting the altered product.

6. of lower boiling'liquid hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon, continuously transferring all the evolved vapors to'a pressure zone se arate from the va orizlng zone, and then a tering them into a ower boiling hydrocarbon by suddenly .applying intense pressure and suddenly re-v yleasing the ressure.

7. A crac 'ng rocess for the production Aof lower boiling iqnid hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon at about atmospher1c-'pressure, transferrmg all the evolved vapors to a pressure zone i p separate from the vaporizing zone, and then i Ui alteringthem into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by the sudden application of intense pressure followed by a sudden, release of pressure.

8. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon at relatively low temperatures, continuously transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separate from the vaporizing zone and maintaining a low pressure in the latter, and then altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by suddenly applying 'intense pressure on the vapors and suddenly releasing the compression after the pressure has been applied.

i 9. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling. liquid hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquidhydrocarbon at about atmospheric pressure, maintaining a continuous evolution of vapor, continuously withdrawing the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone during the vaporizing period and maintaining a substantially' constant pressure in it, and then altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by a plurality of intense pressure changes followed by a sudden release of pressure.

10. A cracking process for the production of lower. boiling hydrocarbons which consistsv of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon at about atmospheric pressure, maintaining a continuous evolution of vapor, continuously withdrawing the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone during the vaporizing period and maintaining a substantially constant pressure in it, and then altering these A cracking process for the production vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by a plurality of intense pressure changes, fo lowedl by a sudden release of pressure, and regulating the intensity of the pressure changes to the requirements of the operation. 11. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon, maintaining a continuous evolution of vapors, continuously withdrawing the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone during the vaporizing period and maintaining al substantially constant pressure in it, and then \altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by the suddenapplication of intense pressure followed by a sudden release of pressure, and regulating the temperature during compression to therequire ment of the operation'. 4

12. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of va orizing liquid hydrocarbon at about atmosp eric pressure, maintaining a continuous evolution of vapor, continuously withdrawing the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone `j duri-ng the vaporizing period and maintaining a substantially constant pressure in it, and then altering vthese vapors intov a lower boiling hydrocarbon by the application of intense pressure followed by a sudden relase of the pressure, and regulating the temperature and pressure during thev compression to the requirements of the alteration. Y" I...

13. The hereindescribed cracking process for the reduction of lower boiling liquid hydrocarions Whichconsists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon, transferringr all the evolved vapors to a pressure zone separate fromthe vaporizing zone, and then altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by multiple stage compression followed by sudden expansion.

14. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon, transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure. zone separate from the vaporizing zone, regulating the heat in the pressure zone at will to a degree favorable to the operation, and then altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by intensely compressing the vapors and suddenly releasing the intense compression after the pressure has been applied.

15. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists "in vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon, transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone. separate from the vaporizing zone, raislng said vapors at will to a temperature higher than that at which they were evolved, subjecting the vapors to intense ressure ranging from 200 lbs.- or less to 1500 bs. or more per square incedere vapors from the pressure zone and suddenly @lll tense pressure an releasing the ressure.

16. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists in va orizing liquid hydrocarbon, transferring al the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separate from the vaporizing zone, raising said vapors at will to a temperature highei1 than that at which they were evolved, sub]ectin'g all'the va ors to intense 4sudden pressure, increasing ie pressure until the maximum pressure has been attained, and then expel\ ling the com ressed vapors ,from the pressure zone and su denly releasing the pressure.

17 ."A. 'cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of va orizing liquid hydrocarbon at a vrelatively ow temperature, continuously transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separate from the vaporizin zone and maintainin Y a low pressure in tievaporizing zone, an then altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon b suddenly applying insuddenly releasing the coni ression after the maximum pressure has been applied. y

18. A cracking process for the productron of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consist of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon at a relatively7 low temperature and pressure, continuous y transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separate from the vaporizing zoneand maintainin a low pressure in the vaporizing zone, an then altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by exerting on them'sudden ressure of an intensity which will result w en the ressure 1s released in the cracking or t e vapors, suddenly releasing the cpmpression after the maximum pressure h'as been applied, and varying the temperature and pressure emplo ed during the vaporization independently of .the pressure employed during the compression.

19. A cracking recess for the production of a lower boiling liquid hydrocarbon which consists of vaporizing liquidhydrocarbon ati a relatively low pressure, continuously transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separate from the vaporizing zone and maintaining a Vlow pressure in the Vaporizing zone, then` altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by compressing the vapors when transferred to the pressurezone and exerting on all the transferred vapors during the compression pressure of an intensity which will result in a lower boiling hydrocarbon when the pressure is released, expelling the compressed vapors from the pressure zone after the pressure has been a plied, and suddenly expanding the intense y compressed vapors.

20. A cracking rocess for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which comprises converting li uid hydrocarbon into vapor, transferring a l the vapors to a separate pressure zone, regulating the temperature of the transferred vapors at will, compressing all the transferred vapors by the sudden application of intense pressure, releasing the pressure by sudden expansion of the va ors,and collecting the product.-

21. cracking recess for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which comprises converting liquid hydrocarbon into vapor, transferring all the vapors to a separate pressure zone, regulating the temperature of the transferred vapors at will, compressing all the transferred vapors by the'sudden application of intense pressure ranging from 200 pounds or less to 1500 pounds or more per square inch, releasing the pressure by the sudden expansion of the vapors and collecting the product.

22. cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of transforming liquid hydrocarbon into vapors, transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separate from the vaporizing zone, without a lowering of the temperature attained during the vaporization, and then altering the transferred vapors by a plurality of intense sudden pressure changes followed by a sudden release of pressure.

23. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which comprises .converting liquid hydrocarbon into vapors, transferring all the vapors to a separate pressure zone, compressing all the transferred vapors by the sudden application of intense pressure, releasing the pressure by sudden expansion of the vapors and injecting steam into the hydrocarbon matter being vaporized or into the evolved vapors before the maximum pressure is applied.

24. The hereindescribed cracking process for the production of lower boiling hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizin the hydrocarbon mass at about atmosp eric pressure, regulating the heat for the vaporization to maintain a continuous evolution of vapors, maintaining a relatively low pressure in the vaporizing zone continuously durino the vaporizing period, varying only slightly above or below atmospheric pressure, regulating the temperature of the vapors'evolved during the vaporization to a degree favorable to the cracking stage of the operation, compressing all the vapors and releasing the pressure after compression for the sudden expansion of the vapors to .form a resulting product differing in specific' gravity and boiling points from the hydrocarbon v'aporized.

lill?) @carbons which consists of vaporizing the hydrocarbon mass :itabout atmospheric pressure, and regulating the heat during the vaporizing eriod so as to maintain a continuous evo ution of vapors, increasing and maintaining the temperature of the .vapors evolved durin the vaporization to a degree most favorab e to the cracking operation, compressing all the va ors, and suddenly releasing the pressure a ter compresslon for the expansion of the vapors to form a resulting product of-diiferent specific gravity and boiling points to the hydrocarbon vaporlzed.

27. 'Ehe hcreindescribed cracking process for thevproduction of lower boiling hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing the hy-4 drocarbon mass at about atmospheric pressure,l regulating the temperature of the vapors after passing from the vaporizing zone to the requirements of the reaction, and compressing all the vapors and suddenly releasing the pressure after compression for their expansion.

28. The hereindescribed cracking process for the production of lower boiling hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing the hydrocarbon mass at about atmospheric pressure, regulating the temperature of the vapors after passing from the vaporizing zone to the requlrements of the reaction by a system of heat exchange, compressing all the vapors and releasing the pressure after compreion for their sudden expansion. 29. The hereindescribed cracking'process for the production of lower boiling hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing the hydrocarbon mass at about atmospheric pressure, superheating the vapors of the low boiling fractions after passing from the va-xv porizing zone, compressing all the vapors evolved during the vaporization under controllable conditions of temperature and pressure and releasing the pressure after compression for the sudden expansion of the vapors.

30. The 'hereindescribed cracking process for the production of lower boiling hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing the hydrocarbon mass at about atmospheric pressure, and after vaporization increasing the temperature of the vapors of the low boiling `fractions to a degree favorable to the reaction, compreing all the vapors, and releasing the pressure i after` :compression foifltlie sudden "expansion of the vapors.

31. The hereindescribed cracking rocess for the production of lower. boiling4 ydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing the'hydrocarbon mass at about'atmospheric pressure, compressing all the vapors on passing from the va rizing'zone under regulable conditions o pressure, releasing the pressure after compression for their sudden ex,- pansion and liqucfaction, and collecting the .liquefied products of vall the vapors in the same receiver. I

32. The hereindescribed cracking process for the production of. lower boilinghydrocai-bons which consists of vaporizingthe hydrocarbon mass at about atmospheric pres-1, 4 sure, superheating'the vapors of the low boiling fractions after passingfrom the'vaporizingzone,- compressing all the vapors evolved during the vaporization under controlla-ble conditions of temperature and pressure and releasing the pressureafter compression for the sudden eXpansionand-liquefaction of the vapors, and collecting all the liquefied products in acommon receptacle.

3 3. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling li uid hydrocarbons which consists in vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon,` transferring all the evolved vapors from the :95 vaporizing zone to a separate pressurezone, heating the transferred vapors at will to a degree favorable to the alteration, and compressing all the evolved vapors in saidv separate pressure zone.

34. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists in vaporizingA liquid hydrocarbon, transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a separate pressure zone, heating the transferred vapors at will during the pressure period to a degree favorable to the alteration, and compressing all the transferred-vapors'in said separate pressure zone.

35. A cracking process for the production ofy lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists in vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon, .transferring all the evolved vapors'from the vaporizing zone to aseparate' pressure vzone 1l; and heating the vapors at will before and A during the compressionto a'degree favorable to the altera-tion, and compressing all the evolved vapors in said separate pressure zone.

36. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling 'liquid hydrocarbons which. consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon, transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a separate pressure zone, 121 compressing all the transferred vapors in said separate pressure zone undercontrolla- Able conditions of preure, and releasin ,the compression for vsudden expansion o the A compressed vapors. p

meente 37. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons Which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon, transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a separate pressure zone, compressing all the transferred vapors in said separate pressure zone under controllable conditions of temperature, and releasing the compression for sudden expansion of the compressed vapors.

38. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon, transferring all the vapors from the vaporizing zone to a separate pressure zone, compressing all the transferred vapors in said separate pressure zone under controllable conditions of temperature and pressure, and releasing the compression for sudden expansion of the compressed vapors.

39. A cracking 'process for the production of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon, transferring all the vapors to a separate pressure zone, regulating the temperature of the transferred vapors at will to the requirements of the reaction, compressing all the transferred vapors in said separate pressure zone, and releasing the pressure after compression for their sudden expansion.

Washin ton D. CL, October 26th, 1921.,

s Erima Lorne marrant

Images