US1707349A - Process and apparatus for converting hydrocarbon oil - Google Patents

Description

April 2, 1929. G. EGLOFF PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HYDROCARBON "O l [L Filed June 25, 1923 Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES ousrav EGLOFF, or CHICAGO, rumors,

commnv, or cnreaeo, run-101s, A conronarron or sou'rH DAKOTA.

Applicationfilcd June 25,

This invention relates to improvements in a process and apparatus for converting hydrocarbon oil, and refers more particularly to a continuous process for the destructive distillation of oils to convert relatively high boiling point oils to oils of a low boiling point having the characteristics of gasoline.

The single figure is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the apparatus with parts broken away and parts in section.

In the drawing is shown a heating coil 1' mounted in a furnace 2, an expansion chamber 3 having an inner secondary container or receptacle 4, a dephlegmator 5, condenser 6 and a receiving tank 7. The oil to be treated is introduced fromany convenient extraneous source through the line 8 and is charged by means of the pump 9, directly to the heat ing coils through the line 12 controlled by a valve 13, or it may be desirable to divert part of the charging stock to the dephlegmator through the line 10 regulated by the valve 11 and direct the remaining portion to the heating coil. If circulated through the dephlegat mater and there utilized as a'refluxing medium, the oil and what condensate it may collec flows down through the dephlegmator leg 14 and may be drawn oil through the line 15 controlled by a valve 16 through so which it is directed to the expansion chamher 3 where it is brought in contact with the v heated oil coming from the heating coil. If charged direct to the heating coil, the oil is raised to a cracking or conversion temperaas ture in the heating coil 1 and passes thence through the transfer line 17 into the; inner chamber 4 of the expansion chamber 3 where it is discharged and collects in a substantial body. The oil on filling up the container, to overflows into the outer expansion chamber, vaporization takin place substantially from the time it is disc arged in the inner container until the unvaporizedliquid residual products are drawn off from the outer chamher through the line 18 regulated by a valve 19. The vapors evolved, rise to the top of the chamber, passing off through a vapor line 20 in which is interposed a valve 21, passipg through the refluxing or fractionating co'ltO umn where they are subjected to the fractionating action 0 the tower into which may be introduced portions of the charging stock as a cooling medium, as explained. The uncondensed vapors pass off from the top of the tower through the vapor line 22 in which is 1,707,349 PATENT OFFICE.

ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL; OIL PRODUCTS PROCESS APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HYDROCARBON OIL.

1923. Serial No. 647,430.

trolling the valves 30 and 26 on the receiver,

the pressure in the system may be regulated to maintain desirable conditions for conversion. The reflux condensate scparatedout in the tower is returned and introduced to the outer shell of expansion chamber 3 wherein it is mixed with the heated oil overflowing from the inner container 4 and simultaneously therewith is in radiating contact with the oil contained in the inner container which serves to transmit tothis returned product sufficient heat to promote further conversion and cracking.

The circulationof this relatively refractory condensate to the outer container has also the advantage of retarding the evolution of the vapors to an extent that the conversion or cracking proceeds at a slower rate, giving time for further complete digestion of the liquid body.

The time factor is of importance as it has been found that by maintaining the oil body; at a high temperature for a considerable period of time and retarding to a limited extent the too rapid evolution of vapors, a more uniform and satisfactory distillate is obtained in the receiver, both in so far as its boiling point range is concerned and also with regard to other important characteristics which are factors in its marketability. At 31 is shown a drawofi' line communicating with the inner container, by means of which any residual products tending to collect in the inner container may be withdrawn either continuously or intermittently.

This line 31 is controlled by suitable valve 32. The chamber 3 is shown mounted in a portion of the furnace, or in an insulated compartment adjoining the furnace whereby the space around the greater part of the chamber may be heated by means of the hot flue gases. This permits the maintenance of a relatively high temperature in the conversion or expansion chamber and revents the excessive loss of heat by radiation. When carbon accumulation has become excessive in the tively constant pressure of 125 ounds er square inch, a good quality distil ate having a gravity of from 49. to 52 Baum and comprising from 40% to 60% of the charging stock was obtained. These temperatures and pressures are merely illustrative, and may be changed according to the type of oil used, and the condition desired in the apparatus. It is also not the purpose of this illustration to limit the invention to these particular operating conditions as pressures from 50 to 500 pounds-may be utilized, while the temperatures may range accordingly.

I claim as'my invention:

1. In an apparatus for converting petroleum oil, the combination with means for heating the oil to a conversion temperature, of an expansion chamber comprising inner and outer receptacles wherein the oil is maintained in conversion pools, means for directing the oil from the heating means to the inner receptacle to overflow into the outer receptacle, dephlegmat-ing and condensing the expansion chamber for retreatment, and

independent means for withdrawing the unvaporized products from the separate receptacles while maintaining a regulated pressure upon the oil undergoing treatment.

2. A process for converting hydrocarbon oil, consisting in raising the oil to a conversion temperature in a heating zone, in delivering the heated oil to 'a body of oil Within an enlarged expansion zone, in permitting the oil to. overflow from said body into a second body of oil in said enlarged expansion zone, in taking off vapors from both of said bodies and in sub'ecting such Vapors to reflux condensation, in returning the reflux condensate to said second body of oil, in withdrawing the heavy carbon-containing residue from the first mentioned body of oil and in heating the second body of oil while in said expansion zone, and in maintaining a self-generated superatmospheric pressure on the oil undergoing conversion in the process.

3. An apparatus for converting petroleum oil comprising means for heating the oil to a conversion temperature, an expansion chamber comprising inner and outer receptacles wherein the oil accumulates in pools, said innor receptacle being so constructed as to permit oil to overflow therefrom into the outer receptacle, means for directing the oil from the heating means to the inner receptacle to overflow into the outer receptacle, dephlegmating and condensing means, means for delivering the evolved vapors from said expansion chamber to said dephlegmating and condensing means, means for returning reflux condensate separated from the vapors in said dephlegmating means to said outer receptacle, and means for maintaining a regulated pressure upon-the oil undergoing treatment in the apparatus.

4. A process for converting hydrocarbon oil, consisting in raising the oil to a conversion temperature in a heating zone,'in delivering the heated oil to a body of oil within an enlarged expansion zone, in permitting the oil to overflow from said body into a second body of oil in said enlarged expansion zone, in taking off vapors from both of said bodies and in subjecting such vapors to reflux condensation, in returnin the reflux condensate to said second body 0? oil, in withdrawing the heavy carbon-containing residue from the first mentioned body of oil, in heating the oil and reflux condensate collecting in said second body to effect further conversion thereof while maintained apart from the heavy oil in said first body, and maintaining a self-generated superatmospheric pressure on the oil undergoing conversion in the process.

GUSTAV EGLOFF.

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