US1623136A

US1623136A - Process and apparatus of dephlegmation

Info

Publication number: US1623136A
Application number: US18187A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean D Seguy
Original assignee: Universal Oil Products Co
Current assignee: Universal Oil Products Co
Priority date: 1925-03-25
Filing date: 1925-03-25
Publication date: 1927-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 1944-04-05

Description

Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

UNITED .STATES 1,623,136 PATENT OFFICE.

JEAN D. SEGUY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

`PROCESS AND APPARATUS OF DEPHLEGMATION.

'Application led March 25, 1925. Serial No. 18,187.

This invention relates to yimprovements in a process and apparatus ot' dephlegmation, and refers more particularly lto the treatment of vapors in a dephlegmator forming part of a system for the treatment of hydrocarbon oils.

In the specific 'embodiment of the'present invention, the vapors released from hydrocarbon oil which has been subjected to hifrh heat, are introduced into the interior of tie dephiegmator and there subjected t d ephlegmation. Portions of said vapoix will condense as reflux condensate, and the remaining uncondensed portions after passage through the dephlegmator, are withdrawn, condensed and collected as distillate. The capacity-and efficiency of the-dephleg mator are carefully controlled and regulated by regulating the point ot introduction of the vapors and controlling the point of withdrawal of liquid reflux condensate, which liquid reflux is maintained in a pool in the lower end of the dephleglnator, the depth of said pool being carefully controlled by controlling the point at which reflux is withdrawn from said pool. v

In the drawing, the single ligure is a side elevational view, partl in vertical section ot' a dephlegmator witi its associated connections.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 1 designates asa whole the dephlegmator which may take the form of a steel drum disposed in a vertical plane having the rounded lower end 2 and upper detachable cap 3, from which extends the vapor outlet 4 in which is interposed the valve 5. Connnunicating with the lower end 2 of the dephlegn'iator is the reflux leg 6 of restricted diameter, in which is interposed the valve 7. An upward extension 8 projects ,into the interior of the chamber from the lower end 2 having a spaced cap portion 9 disposed thereabove. Suitable baflles or perforated pans 10 which are of standard construction, are superimposed in the interior of the chamber.

Referring now to some of thefeatures of the present invention, the hydrocarbon vapors which have been released from a body of hydrocarbon oil which has been subjected to a high conversion temperature, passes upwardly through the vapor inletpipe 11. This vapor inlet pipe 11 is provided with

branches

12, 12 and 12" cont-rolled by

valves

13, 13 and 13 respectively, said branches being preferably superimposed and connected into the side wall of the chamber 1 at varying heights. The vapors in their passage upwardthrought the dephlegmator are retarded by the baflles or perforated pans 10, and a large percentage of the heavier ends or fractions will condense therein and fall to the bottom or lower end 2 of said dephlegmator, the vapors still remainingS uncondensed after passage through the dephlegmator being discharged through the vaportoutlet 4.

As a feature ot' the present invention, instead ot' allowing the liquid reflux condensate to drain into the reflux leg 6 and be withdrawn from the system or returned to the body of oil being subjected to the conversion temperature as is usually the practice, the reflux condensate may collect in a pool such as shown at 8. By regulating the extent to which the pipe, 8 projects into the interior of the chamber through the bottom 2. the level of the pool of reflux condensate designated at A may be carefully regulated. When the level is maintained at A, only the branch 12 preferably discharges vapors into the interiorof the chamber 1, the'valve 13 being open, and the

valves

13 and 13 in the

branches

12 and 12 being closed. The reflux condensate overflowing through .the pipe 8 passes down through the leg 6, the valve 7 being open, into the enlarged portion 14C of the reflux leg 6, discharging into the suction side of the pump 15 which may discharge said liquid condensate through the line 16 regulated by the valve 17to storage, or through the line 18 regulated by the valve 19 to be returned to the body of oil being heated. It will be understood that the dephlegmator may be maintained under a superatmospheric pressure.

Depending upon the characteristics of the vapors released when treating certain kinds of oil, it may be desirable to maintain the pool of liquid reflux condensate accumulating in the lower end of the chamber 1 ata much greater depth than that sho-Wn at A. In this event the valve 7 is totally or partially closed. and the level of the pool carried atV B. Regulated portions of the liquid condensato may be withdrawn from the pool of oil maintained at the level B through the drawofl' 20 controlled by valve 21, discharging into the drawofl' 22` which drawofl 22 discharges into the enlarged. portion 14 of the reflux leg communicating wit-h the pump 15.

In the same manner when dephlegmating vapors releasedl from other oils containing different characteristics, itanay be desirable to carry the level of' the pool of reflux condensate at a point, say. midway of the dephlegmator at a level designated as C. In this event, liquid condensate may be withdrawn troni the pool when it is maintained up to the. level C through the line Q3 controlled by the valve Q4, which line 23 communicates with the line 22, heretofore described, returning the said liquid condensate to the enlarged portion 14 ot the reflux leg, which in turn communicates with the pump 15.

Raw oil may be introduced to the interior ot the chamber through the raw oil inlet line 25 in which is interposed valve 2G, terminating in the spray or rose 27, said raw oil preferably being introduced at a point immediately adjacent the upper end of the dephlegmator.

In the vsame manner, regulated portions of the distillate produced by condensing the vapors discharging through the line 4, may be returned through the distillate inlet line 28 controlled by the valve 29, which line 28 terminates in the rose or spray 30 in the interior ot the dephlegmator 1. The purpose ot introducing the raw oil and distillate is to control the temperature of the vapors discharging through the vapor outlet 4 .to produce a cooling and condensing `of the heavier fractions of the vapors.

It is to be noted that the point of vapor introduction to the interior of the dephlegmator is slightly above the level of the pool of reflux condensate maintained therein. In other words, if the level of the pool of liquid condensate is maintained at A, the vapors will discharge through the branch 12, the valve 13 being open` and the valves 13 and 2l closed. Also valve 7 can be opened, and valves 21 and 24 closed. It will be apparent that the same method of operation will be followed as the vapors areintroduced at successively higher points, the valves being suitably regulated as hereinbefore described.

By means of the present invention, the capacity of the dephlegmator :is carefully regulated, according to the characteristics of the vapors entering and leaving the dephlegmator by controlling the level of the pool ot liquid reflux maintained in the lower end thereof. The advantage of being ableto do this, will be at once apparent, as it is not possible to change the capacities of the present dephlegmators now in use, and it would not be practical to substitute dephlegmators of differing capacities in treating different kinds of oils. It is of course, apparent that as the depth of the pool of liquid reflux is increased, thatIthe t is' dephlegmating capacity is decreased. pointed out that it is not actually necessary to superimpose the vapor lines or reflux drawotl lines, as they may be placed at points of' varying height.

The apparatus is very flexible in operation, and is productive of extremely good results.

I claim as` my invention:

1. A process of dephlegmating hydrocarbon oil vapors, consisting in introducing vapors released from liquid hydrocarbon oil subjected to a conversion temperature into a vertical dephlegmator, maintaining a pool of liquid reflux condensate in the lower portion thereof, controlling the depth of the pool by regulating the point of withdrawal of the condensate from said pool, regulating the point of introduction of said vapors dependent upon the depth ot' the pool, thus controlling the capacity of said dephlegmator, withdrawing the uncondensed vapors from the upper portion ot the dephlegmator.

2. A process ofV dephlegmating hydrocarbon oil vapors, consisting in introducing vapors released from liquid hydrocarbon oil subjected to a conversion temperature into a vertical dephlegmator, maintaining a pool of liquid reflux condensate in the lower portion thereof, controlling the depth of the pool by regulating the point'of withdrawal' of the condensate from said pool, in concurrently regulating the point of introduction of said vapors, thus controlling the capacity of said dephlegmator, withdrawing the uncondensed vapors from the upper portion of the dephlegmator, and maintaining the contents of the dephlegmator under a superatmospheric pressure.

3. A process of dcphlegmating hydrocarbon oil vapors, consisting in introducing vapors released fronrliquid hydrocarbon oil subjected to a conversion temperature into a. vertical dephlegmator, maintaining a pool ot' liquid reflux condensate in the lower portion thereot', controlling the depth of the pool by regulating the point of withdrawal of the condensate from said pool, in concurrently varying the point of introduction of said vapors to correspond with the changed depth of the pool, thus controlling the capacity of said dephlegmator, withdrawing the uncondensed vapors from the upper portion of the dephlegmator. and maintaining the contents of the dephlegmator under a superatmospheric pressure, introducing a liquid cooling medium to the dephlegmator and physically commingling said medium with the contents of the dephlegmator.

4. A dephlegmator for use with oil treating apparatus, comprising a vertically disposed chamber, a vapor outlet adjacent its upper end, a plurality of valved vapor inlets disposed at various heights on ihe side wall ol said chamber discharging lzhe vapors regulated heighl's ino the inlieriur ol' seid chamber, und a plurality of vnlved outlels disposed ali varying;i heighls on seid chainher through any one oi which the liuuic re,- iux condensate muy he withdrawn 'llo nuiin lain a controlled level in said dephlegin:ilerw means adjacent the upper end of said eha1nher for introducing` liquid cooling .medium lo the interior 1thereof.

A dephl-eginulor for use with oil realing apparatus7 comprising a veilicalhv disposed chamber, a vapor outlec' ailier-cnt ils upper end, a pluralit) oi' superimposed valved vapor inlets disposed ai" various heights on the side wall of said chaniher discharging the 'vapors at reguleeed heighls into the interior of seid chamber, and e, pliuulilg,v i superimposed valved outlels disi'iosed ul varyingr heights on said chai-uber hrough a ny one of which the liquid reflux condenszite may he withdrawn lo 'nieinlain u conrol liuud level in said dephlegnn:ilern means adjecent the upper end of said chmnher Yl'or introducingg,` liquid cooling` inediiun lo she interior thereof.

6. A niethod for coni'rollinggj she capacil'v of a dephleginziting coluinn "for dephlegeginal.A ing hydrocarbon oil vapors, consisting* in maintaining a 'n'edelerniined velunie o; rcl'lux condensate in ihe elepl'ilegg'nniing coluinn hy witlidrnwiney Ehe reflux condensate l'roln the dei hleglnaling` column al; predelerinined vertically spucecl poinls thereof nd in inlrmlucingv the vapors lo lhe dephlegjuiatin(T columnar n point shove the liquid leve o'lA lhe reflui condensate'niziinaiued in lie dephlegniating column, und, in varying the point al which the vapors are introduced io lhe dephli'lgslnialingcoluniu when ll liquid L! ill,

level of 'the reflux condensale in the dephlegina'ing column is varierh i', jin epiiaralus 'for dephlegrinnling h5 drocarhon oil vapors, comprising an elonglzilerl if'ertically disposed colin'nnq n pluralit)v ol" .'erlically spaced vapor inlets coinniunieating wil'h Asaid dephlegggniasing column, nieans for introducing vapors lo said dephlegjmnling colunin through any one, of said vapor inlets, means for raking;V oil' dephlegruaed vapors from said colun'inA9 a. plurality ol' vertically siaced reflux draw-off lines cuinniunicaing; willi said dephleguiating colunin, nicnns for drawing oil' rellux lhroug'h any one of said reiiux draw-oil' lines to lherehy nieintziiu a predelerinined liquid level in said deii hleginuiing column, to conlrol the dephlegniaing i capacity chereolil 8. ln lpperatus lor dephleginnting lijvfflrocarhon oil vapors, comprising` fr Vverlicallv disinised dephlgenialingi.;- column, :i pluralil'y o 1vertically spaced 'spor inlet lines connnunicalinl;` with said column, means for independenlly` introducing vapors 'lo seid dephlegnuiring column through any one ol said vapor inlet lines, n pump for conveying reflux condensae away from said column, a plu elity o1 verlicallgv-v spliced 'redux drawoil' lines eornniunicziingr 'with said dephleghurling column and having; e. coninion coni* niunicaion with seid pun'ip`r ineens or cadring oil rei'lux condensate hrouggh any one or said fireef-oli" lines9 lo inuinain u. predecerniined liquid level in seid depliiee'niuincf; column ineens for denhleginuled vapors roni said ne in? Y' f linnn7 and Ineens for supplying; agb-ent seid dephlegins, ne; cnlunnn