US1671423A

US1671423A - Apparatus for the treatment of hydrocarbon compounds

Info

Publication number: US1671423A
Application number: US750346A
Authority: US
Inventors: Earl R Hamilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1924-11-17
Filing date: 1924-11-17
Publication date: 1928-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 1945-05-29

Description

May 29, 1928. 1,671,423

E. R. HAMILTON APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS Filed Nov. 17, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 [lll/11111111111' Illalll/llllI/llllllllllllhJ will hmmm/to2,

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May 29, 1928.

E. R. HAMILTON APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYDROGARBON COMPOUNDS 3 sheets-sheet 2 Filed NOV. 17, 1924 Y@ 9 4 4/ t MLV@ 7 .J w w o J May 29, T928.

E. R. HAMILTON APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT 0F HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS Filed Nov. 17, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet ,'lllrrlrn vill/111111111111',

Levi--- (1MM/nego Patented May 29, 14928.

EARL R. HAMILTON, OF PEKIN, INDIANA.

` Price.

APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENTOF HYDROCARBN COMPOUNDS.

This invention, which is an improvement upon the subject matter of my co-pending application Serial No. 672,099, tiled Nov. l, 1923, (Patent No. 1,614,791, Jan. 18, 1927,) and vis embracedV by certain of the claims thereof, relates to apparatus for thel treatment of hydrocarbon compounds for the purpose of obtaining therefrom hydrocarbons kof a different nature from the compounds treated and is particularly adapted for the treatment yof heavy hydrocarbon disv tillates and residues for the purpose of obtaining therefrom hydrocarbon compounds of low boiling points and high volatility such as motor fuel or gasoline.

One of the principal objects of the inven-v tion is to provide an apparatus which is capable of either continuous or intermittent operation, as well as one which may be operated at either atmospheric pressure or at higher pressures.

Another object of the vinvention is to provide an'apparatus of the above described character of the cylindrical still type `in which provision is made to gradually -heat the hydrocarbon compounds, to make the compounds pass along a definite path through the apparatus, to keep the charge in motion by gravity, to keep the compounds in the apparatus for a definite length of time, and to heat them in a uniformmanner for a uniform period of time assuring uniform products.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in which the low boiling point constituents of the hydrocarbon compounds are vaporized progressively.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the ycontinuous still type, which may be used in connection with a reflux condenser in conjunction with means for the return of the distillate from the condenser to a point in the still where the temperaturevof th-e charge corresponds to the temperature of the distillate returned.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described'in the form of an externally heated container in which the hydrocarbon com pounds may be subjected to cracking temperature and the low boiling point constituents collected as distillates or the vapors retained and the whole mass of hydrocar bons allowed to pass from the apparatus to Application filed November 17, 1,924.- seriai no, 750,346.

be separated by distillation in separate apparatus. f

A still further object of theinvention is to provide an apparatus for the treatment of hydrocarbon compounds, which kapparatus includes a container capable of being operated as an externally heated still'or as a re action chamber in whichv heated hydrocarbon compounds are fed and react without further application of heat.

According to the invention, the part of the apparatus in which the hydrocarbon compounds are treated, consists of an outer container in which is removably placed an inner container, which is partitioned. from its center outward and also transversely into a plurality of communicating cells, 'so that the hydrocarbon compounds pass through a sinuous course rthrough the inner container.

rl`he construction of the innercontainer and its arrangement within the outer container constitutes the principal novel features of the invention, although -as'will hereinafter- Fig. l is a horizontal sectional view of a" cylindrical still constructed in yaccordance with the principles cf the present invention; Y

Fig. 2 isa vertical sectional view of the still taken substantially along the line 2-2 Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the still, taken substantially on the plane indicated bythe line 3 3 of Fig. l; l

Fig. 4t is an end view of a portion of the removable end of the still; t.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view -partly in section and partly'in elevation of a still such as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusiv-e, set up together with other apparatus for the treatment ofhydrocarbon compounds in accordf ance with the invention;

Fig. 6' is a diagrammatic view, partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating the manner in which the still sucha's shown in Figs. l to 4 inclusive, may be setup for use as a reaction chamber;

Fig. is avertical longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of another type of cylindrical still embodying features of the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the still shown in Fig. 7, said viewbeing takenA 1 1 designates the 'hereinbefore referred to outer container of the apparatus. .This of #course is made of metal of a prope-r .thiclc ness and is preferably of` cylindrical form,

'being closed at its ends by

lheads

2 and 8.

As shown, the head 2 is fixed, but the head 3 is removable, being held in position by Ingeans of boltse and making a liquid-tight jointiby reason of the gasket 5.

The inner Acontainer which is arranged' within the outer container 1 composed --of a plurality of receptacles disposed one within the other and having all of their walls arranged in spaced relation. In the present instance, .three of these receptacles are shown, being lrepresented by the

numerals

6, 7 and 8, but it will be understood that any number of the receptacles may he used. Inasmuch as the receptacles comp-rising the inner container are disposed one within the other and have their walls equally spaced, it may be said that suchreceptacles are concent-rically arranged. i

Extending longitudinally through the receptacles 6., 7 and 8 so as to divide each of these receptacles in half, is a vertical partition 9. A part of this partition 9 is eX- 4tended downwardly from the lower side of *the receptacle Sand restsupon the bottom of the outer container 1. Still another part of the partition 9 projects beyond the end wall of the receptacle 8 to form; a fiuidstight Ajoint with the web 9 formed on the inside of the fixed head 2 of the outer container 1. Splice plates 1() disposed on opposite sides ofthe partition 9 and web 9 at their abut-` ting edges, complete the fluid-tight ,joint be tween these parts. In order to provide a 'fluid-tight joint between ythe lower ledge of the partition 9 and the bottom of the outer container 1, inoltenv lead is poured or run into the bottom l`of the container l on opposite sides of the partition 9. This lead being nonsmiscible with the oil acts as a lute at `the points 11 and .provides the fluid-tight joint. When removed, the joint is broken so that the inner container -as a whole may be withdrawn from the outer container.

One of the elements forsupporting the inner container within the outer container is `a yrail or I-beam which is secured along the 'han'gerslll which extend above the vinner containers arebrokem the inner container may be .slid out of the open end of the outer container.

The

receptacles

6, 7 and 8 constituting the inner container are divided into a plurality of cells by means of transverse partitions 7 15. The various partitions and walls of the recep'tacles', 7 and 8 are provided with openings or apertures 16 so that the cells communicate one with another. As` will hereinafter appear, the hydrocarbon compounds to be treated in the still are introduced into one of vthe cells of the inner receptacle 6. They then pass into another cell and so on, ultimately passing through all of the cells of all o f the

receptacles

6, 7 and 8. In order that the course of the hiydrocarbon compounds maybe understood. the cells of the vreceptacle 6 are numbered successively from 6a to 6j according to they course vtaken by compounds in passing .through this receptacle. In a similar inanner, the cells of the receptacle 7 are numbered from 7a to 7j and those of the receptacle 8 from 8n to `81. From this system of.` nun'ibering, it will be understood that the compounds are introduced into thecell 6a. From there, they pass into the cell 6b and then successively through all of the cells of i the receptacle 6 to the cell 6i. From the cell 6j they pass into the cel-l 7a and then successively through all of the cells of the receptacle 7 lto the cell 7j. From the cell 7j the compounds pass into the cell 8EL and through all of the cells of the receptacle 8, finally arriving at the cell 81, from which they pass into the space between the outer container 1 and the inner container. The aperture or opening through which the hydrocarbons pass from the receptacle 8 into the space lictweenA the outer container and the inner container, is located at the rear end of the inner container, on one side of the partition 9, so that the compounds in order to reach the outlet pipe 17 disposed on the opposite side of the partition 9, mnst pass entirely around `the inner container andportion of the partition 9 which is disposed between the inner container and the outer container.

From Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the openings or apertures 16 in the partitions and walls of the inner container, are arranged in staggered relation at the upper and lower portions of the cells, so that the compounds will take a Zig- Zag course in passing through the series of cells. For instance, the compounds will pass downwardly through one cell and upwardly through the next, and so on through the entire series.

The means for introducing'the hydrocarbon compounds into the cell 6a of the inner container consists of a pipe 18 which-passes through the upper side of the outer container 1. The hereinbe'liore described pipe 17 :tor conveying away the hydrocarbon compounds from the still, passes through the closure plate for an opening or passage 19. This opening 19 is disposed at the lower portion of the liXed head 2 of the outer container 1 on one side of the end portion of the partition 9, and arranged on the other side of the partition at the lower portion of the head 2 is'an opening 2O similar to the [opening 19 and closed by a suitable closure plate. The lower portion of the removable head 3 ofthe container 1 is provided with an opening 21 closed by a closure plate 22, throughwhich passes a valved pipe 23 capable of being usedtor removing the lead used as a lute. In `addition to the openings 19 and 20, the liXed head 2 of the outer container 1 is provided with an opening 24 closed by a closure plate 25. Fitted to the upper side of theA outer container 1 is a pipe 26 by which the vapors formed in the still may be conducted away.

The openings 19, 2O and 21 are primarily intended for the purpose of cleaning vthe carbon deposits and sludge from the` bottom of the outer container. This may be accomplished by irst withdrawing the liquid from the outer container by means of the outlet pipe 17, and then removing the closure plates of the openings 19, 20 and 21 and raking or sweeping out the carbon or sludge from the bottom off the outer container, blowing it out by a sand blast or in any other suitable manner. y

Attention is now directed to Fig. 5 of the Adrawings which shows a set-up of the still illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 capable of being used for cracking or distillation or both of hydrocarbon compounds either at atmospheric pressure or a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure according to the nature of the compounds to be treated and the character of the products desired. In

this view, the still is shown mounted upon a suitable furnace setting 27 having a com bustion chamber 28 and heated by a gas or oil burner 29. The apparatus is heated by the burner 29, and the hydrocarbon compounds to be treated are introduced into the still through the pipe 18. They pass successively through the series of 'cells as hereinbefore decribed, linally leaving the still through the outlet pipe 17. This pipe is continued and formed into a coil 30 surrounded by a jacket 31 and is cooled by water or other cooling medium, which enters the jacket through the pipe 32 and leaves lthrough the pipe 33. In the coil 30, the pipe 17 is provided with a valve 34 for the purpose of regulating the flow of the hydrocarbonsy passing through the apparatus. A similar valve 35 is arrangedV in' thepipe 17 beyond the jacket 31 to serve as a further convenience in regulating the flow of the hydro-- is alpressure gauge 39, inthe branch 37 is a release valve 40, and in the branch 38 is a regulating valve 41. This branch 38 leads into the interior ota reflux condenser 42. The vapors which pass into the condenser 42 through the branch 38 are spread lby the impingement cap 43 and passed'through the tubes 44. The tubes 44 are cooled by water or oilentering at 45 and leaving at 46. The hydrocarbon vapors which enter thetubes 44 are partially condensed to liquid hydrocarbon compounds which liow* from the condenser 42 by a pipe 47 whichk passes through pipe 47 mayA be adjusted 'or extended to discharge into any selected chamber of the still. By this means,- thehigher boiling point constituents of the vapors are condensed and returned to the stillor further treatment. The vapors, however, leave the vcondenser by the pipe l48 leading to any desired type of condensing apparatus, not shown, where complete'condensation takes placer and the linal product is collected.v

The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 5 is? also suitable 'for the cracking of hydrocarbon compounds without separation of the v*low boiling point constituents toi-med by cracking. In this-case, the valve 41 and the valve '49 arranged in the pipe 47, are closed, and

constituents is accomplished by distillation.

loo

rIhe routing of the hydrocarbons up and down and back and l'forth through the sinuous passage of the still results iii-making the vcompounds travel. through av considerably longer distance than in the usual. cracking stills.- The velocity oit the hydrocarbons is also increased, all parts ot the charge are kept in a uniform state of motion, and the charge is progressively heated as it passes outward from the center ot the apparatus to the-outer side. The lowboiling point constituents of the compounds are va,-

porized in a progressivev manner as theL charge works outward from the coolest zone Vin the center to the hottestzone at the out- Thus, the" danger ot excessive :Erothside. ing or hammering due to the water content of the hydrocarbons being treated is4 elimithe closure plate 25 ot the opening 24 'in l?" vthe fixed head ot the still and the'end of the nated, the progressive heating eliminating the water content and steam before the hottest Zone is reached. The deposition ot carbon or other solid matter in the apparatus is minimized by keeping` all parts of the K tainer. A uniform product is assured by the uniform` heat treatment tor a uniform interval ot time and under constant pressure ot each and. every portion ot the material treated.

`While the apparatus shown in Fig. 5 is primarily intended to be used for continuous operation, it is equally well adapted for intermittent, operation which is desirable on some distillates and residues. In using the apparatus for 'intermittent operation, the hydrocarbon compounds to be treatedv are fed into the apparatus by the pipe 18 and allowed to pass through the different cells until the inner container is filled and overflows into the space between the inner container and the outer container l, and reaches the desired level 4in vtheouter container, it

being understood that the'valve Se is closed.y

Heat is now applied to the outer container' until the hydrocarbons in the still are sutliciently treated, the vapors being allowed to ind exit through the pipe 26. The valve 3a is then opened and the space between the inner container and the outer container is drained of residual matter, after which a further quantity ot hydrocarbon compound, equal. in volume to the capacity of the space between the two chambers7 are admitted by the pipe 18. This causes the heated compounds in the outer chamber ot the inner container to overflow into the space between the two containers, and the cycle of operation is repeated. This method of operation is convenient when working residues inclined to the deposition ot large amounts of carbon-'or sludge, and the bottom and sides of1 the outer container are kept clear by frequent removal ot the entire residue. Any adhering deposits on the bottom or sides ot the outer container may be removed through the openings 19, 20 and 2l as previously described.

Another useful feature' of the invention is its adaptability as`a topping apparatus for' crude petroleum. For topping, the method of operation is the same as hereinbetore described in connection wit-h cracking, except that the temperature of the apparatus notmaintainedlquite as high. A temperature just high enough to. remove the natural gasoline from the oil is suicient. The oil may be topped and cracked simultaneously,

the topping taking place in the inner chamber 2Sv and heated by a gas or oil burner 29V. y

Arranged in the combustion chamber 28 s0 as to receive heat from the furnace `1s a coll 50. The hydrocarbons tobe'treated in the I still are introduced into the coil 50 through a pipe 5l provided with the valve 52 and from the coil 50 the heated hydrocarbons pass into the pipe 18, which in this case is provided with a valve 53. In this type of appara-tus, the still is not heated by the furnace which acts only as a means of support, but the hydrocarbons are heated .entirely while in the coil 50. In this connection, it will be stated that the coil 50 has been shown and described as a convenient means of heating the hydrocarbons, but it is to be understood that other suitable heating means may be employed.

The method ot using the still as a reaction chamber consists in opening the valve 52 and permitting the hydrocarbons to pass into the coil 50, where they areheated to the desired temperature by contact of the coil with the hot gases in the combustion chamber 28. The flow of hydrocarbonsthrough `the coil 50 is controlled by the valve 53, and

the hot hydrocarbons enter the chamber by the inlet pipe 18. After entering the container '1, which may now be termed a reaction chamber, the hot hydrocarbon compounds pass successively from the center outward. through the series of cells, and after reaching'the last cell, they are withdrawn through the pipe 17, the rate of flow being regulated by the valve `34, After passing through the valve 34, the compounds pass through the cooling coil 30 as hereinbefore described. In this form of apparatus, the

heavy hydrocarbons may be cracked into lighter constituents by being allowed to remain in the apparatus at a sufficient degree of temperature tor a sufficient period of time. The arrangement ofy the cells and concentric chambers causes the constant circulation of all `parts of the charge and keeps the separated carbon and sludge in suspension and prevents the fouling ot the apparatus with carbon deposits.v

A further useful feature of the invention is its reversibility. In the embodiment hereinbetore described, the hydrocarbons are introduced into the center of the apparatus and in passing through the various cells work their way outward, leaving4 by the outermost chamber, and in this form of apparatus, the wall of each inner chamber is slightly higher than the wall of the next outer chamber'. lt is equally practical, however, and in some cases desirable, to have the hydrocarbons enter the outermost chamber and leave by the innermostchamber. This can be accomplished by making the walls ot each inner chamber or receptacle slightly lower than the walls of the next outer chamber. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings.

In the embodiment of the invention illus-- trated in Figs. 7 and 8, the receptacles (3, 7 and 8 are disposed one within another and arranged in concentric relation, the

walls of the receptacle 6 being higher than receptacle 8.

those of the receptacle 7 and the walls ot the latter being higher than those or the This :form or' apparatus is suitable for use. in connection with a pump to promote rapid circulation of the charge. Such a pump is illustrated in Fig. 7.' 1n this case, the outerk container 1 is provided at the top withan opening 5l closed by aclosure plate 55, and supported by this plate within the container isvthe housing of a submerged pump 57. The shaft ot the pump 57 which is a centrifugal pump, extends upwardly through the housing 56 and plate 55 to suitable bearings 58 and 59 and is provided at its upper end with a pulley 60 to which power tor driving the pump is supplied. Ot course, any other suitable way of driving the pump may be provided. As

shown, the induction opening 6l of the pump is disposed in and close to the bottom of the inner receptacle 8, so that when the pump is in operation, the hydrocarbons in the receptacle 8 will be drawn out of thesame. To the eduction side of the pump, a pipe o2 is connected. This passes around the upper edges of all three receptacles and discharges into the space between the outer container 1 and the inner container'. It will thus be seen that by means of the pump, the hydrocarbons may be withdrawn from the inner chamber of the apparatus and discharged into the outer chamber. y v

In the form of apparatus illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the inlet pipe 18 for the hydrocarbons discharges into the space be-y tween the outer container 1 and the inner container composed of the

receptacles

6, 7 and 8. This form of apparatus still has the pipe 17 through which the carbon and residue in the outermost chamber may be drawn on', the vapor outlet pipe 26 having the

branches

36, 87 and 38, the same as before. The branch 38 is of course connected to a reflux condenser. This is not illustrated in Fig. 7, but it is to be understood that the branch 38 leads to one the same as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 7, the numeral 47 represents a pipe corresponding to the pipe 47 of Fig. 5 which leads from the relux condenser to the pipe 18. This pipe 17l is provided for the purpose of returning the condensed hydrocarbons from thefreflux condenser into the outer chamber of the apparatus. ln this connection, it will be noted that the discharge end ot' the pipe 18 is disposed adjacent the discharge end `of thepipe v62, so that the condensate returned from the reflux condenser will be intimately miXedwith the contents ol the apparatus.

- ln using the type of apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 8,\the hydrocarbons'are introduced by the pipe 18 until all ot the chainbers are lilled, the charge flowing` by gravity from the. outermost chamber to theinnermost chamber. VAfter the chambers have been filled, heat is applied vand the pump is started- The pump keeps the entire charge in a constant state of motion by litting it trom the innermost chamber and conveying it to the outermost chamber, from which it returns to the innermost chamber by gravity. As the charge is heated, the

'lighter hydrocarbons and water are vaporized and pass out through the vapor outlet pipe 26` and are lead by such pipek to the reiux condenser in which the heavier portions arc condensed and returned by the pipe 47 and the pipe v18 into the apparatus for :further treatment.` This procedure is continued until the level of the hydrocarbons in the apparatus is suiiiciently reduced to re.- quire a further quantity of Vhydrocarbon compounds to be introduced, which is of course done and the operation is allowed to continue. W'hen a suiiicient quantity of hydrocarbons have beenk worked to `cause the accumulation ofconsiderable carbonv or other residue, the outermost chamber should be emptied by the pipe 17, and after this has been done, fresh material should be introduced by the pipe 18 and operation should be resumed as already described. ,v

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

vthe, construction, operation, use and advantages of the invention will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains to enable them to make use of the same. Further description is thereore thought to be unnecessary, but it is desirable' to mention that the invention is. adaptable to the conventional form` of still now in general use, for by the removal of the head of any conventional tyi'ae oit still, an inner container such as hereinbei'ore described may be installed soas to convert the plain type of still into one of the types disclosed herein. i

It is obvious that numerous changes in form, proportion, and the details of lconstruction, may be made without departing from the spirit and principle of the invention and without sacrificing any ofthe advantages thereof, so that it is to be understood that such may be done within the meaning and scope of the appended claims,

.What is claimed is':-

l. An apparatus for thetreatment o 'l hydrocarbon compounds Vcomprising an outer container, an inner container within the outer container and spaced thereiiron'i, the bottom of the inner container having a partition member connected to the bottom ot the outer container by a liquid-tight joint, said joint including` a fusible substance of higher specific gravity than and nonmiscible with the substance to be treated. in the apparatus.

2. An apparatus for the treatment ot' hydrocarbon compounds comprising a container having a plurality of concentrically'arranged receptacles dividing the interior of the container into a. series of concentric chambers, a plurality of transverse parti-y therefrom, said inner container having' a 'partition memberconnected to the outer con.-

tainer throughout the length of the bottom and the height of one end of said inner container by a liquid-tight joint, an inlet into vouter container, whereby the hydrocarb'o n-A compounds owing from the inner contain.- er into the space. between the outer container and the inner container are caused to4 flow around the Vinner container before passing from the apparatus. n

4. An apparatus 'or the treatment of hydrocarbon compounds comprising an outer container provided with a plurality ofeoncentric receptacles dividing the interior of the container into a plurality of concentric chambers, a plurality of transverse partitions in the chambers dividing the latter into a series of charge receiving communicating cells through which the charge w-illilow from the central chamber outwardly, an inlet into the lirst cell of the yiinnermost chamber, and an outlet from the last cell of the outermost chamber.

5. An apparatus 'for the treatment of hydrocarbon compounds comprising an externally heated container divided into a plurality of concentric charge receiving communicating` chambers, anv inlet into the innermost chamber and an outlet trom the outermost chamber, said container being provided In testimony whereof I haveI hereunto affixed my signature.

EARL `R. HAMIL'roN.