US1715095A

US1715095A - Prevention of substantial corrosion in hydrocarbon-oil-treating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US1715095A
Application number: US54340A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jacque C Morrell; Harry P Benner
Original assignee: Universal Oil Products Co
Current assignee: Universal Oil Products Co
Priority date: 1925-09-03
Filing date: 1925-09-03
Publication date: 1929-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 1946-05-28

Description

May 28, 1929. .1. c. MORRELL ET AL PREVENTION OF SUBSTANTIAL CORROSION IN HYDROCARBON OIL TREATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 3, 1925 Jabqae C/ldorrell attozueg Patented May 28, 1929.

UNITED STATES 'PAT'ENT' OFFICE.

JACQUE C. MORRELL AND HARRY BENNER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO THE UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA- TION OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

PREVENTION OF SUBSTANTIAL coanosron m HYDROCARBON-OIL-TREATING APPARATUS.

Application filed September 3, 1925. Serial No. 54,340.

This invention relates to improvements in a method of preventing substantial corrosion in apparatus for treating hydrocarbon oils,

and refers more particularly to the idea of introducing ammonium hydroxide or a solution of ammonia in water into the oil treating apparatus at a point where condensation of water would take place.

More specifically this process has for its purpose the prevention of corrosion in vaporlines and condenser tubes of hydrocarbon oil treating apparatus. This corrosion is formed by the hydrochloric acid produced during the reaction in the apparatus when treating hydrocarbon oils which contain chlorides, especially those of magnesium and calcium.

The hydrocarbon oils which generally contain chlorides may be naturally occurring emulsified oils, although it is to be understood that the invention contemplates broadly the prevention of corrosion formed by any oils, whether emulsified or not, which contain chlorides.

Crude oils and other heavy oils which contain water emulsified therein, usually have various salts dissolved in the water which on heating or distillation form hydrochloric acid by hydrolysis. This is true whether the emulsified oil has been previously treated to remove a certain portion of the water or not.

In carrying out the present invention a solution of ammonia in water, forming ammonium hydroxide is injected into the apparatus at a point where condensation of the water will take place, for instance in the condenser. The ammonia solution neutralizes the hydrochloric acid formed in the apparatus as previously described. Further this solution of ammonia not only neutralizes the hydrochloric acid,- but also dilutes it owing to the excess Water. It will thus be seen that the double action of neutralization and dilution taking place gives ,the maximum protection against the effects of the hydrochloric acid and thereby prevents excessive corrosion. The ammonium chloride formed as a result of neutralization remains dissolved in the water and is carried away therewith.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing illustrates a side elevational view of an apparatus by which the process according to the present invention may be carried out.

' The illustrated embodiment of the apparatus comprises a heating coil 1, an enlarged reaction chamber 2, a dephlegmator 3, a condenser 4, and a receiver 5, serially connected. Suitable connections are provided for introducing the raw oil to the heating coil 1, and

to return reflux condensate from the dephlegmator 3 to the heating coil. The ammonia solution may be introduced to the pipe 7, which conducts the vapors from the dephlegmator, 3 to the cooling coil 4, by means of a pipe 8 controlled by a valve 9.

In actual practice it has been found that the use of the present invention prevents substantial corrosion to such an extent that where it wasnecessary formerly to renew tubes or piping say every threeor four days, that utilizing the present invention it isnow only necessary to renew the same piping about every thirty days, more or less.

As an example of carrying out the present invention in actual practice, the distillation and cracking of Smackover crude may be cited. The crude contains say 2% of salt water, the salt being composed of magnesium and calcium chlorides which form hydrochloric acid on heating.

' By analysis, it was estimated that 2% to 1% solution of ammonia would completely neutralize the hydrochloric acid. Fifty gallons per hour of this solution cut downthe corrosion by neutralization and dilution to a point where it was feasible to operate over long periods as described above without difficulty. It is, of course, recognized that any amount of hydrochloric acid can be neutralized by adding a large quantity. and high enough concentration of ammonia solution.

The above figures and proportions are purely illustrative, and we do not in any way wish to limit ourselves to such proportions. I

It was found'that the introduction of large quantities of ammonia solution per hour into the oil treating apparatus, operating under pressure, did not affect the operation of the process at all.

We are awarethat gaseous ammonia has been introduced into an oil distilling apparatus at substantially atmos heric ressure.

One of the advantages 0 intro ucin a solution of ammonia rather than some ot er alkaline substance, is that the ammonia vaporizes from the solution, which neutralizes an hydrochloric acid in the vapors which 0 not come in contact with the aim monia solution.

We claim as our invention:

1. A method for preventing corrosion of the condensing portion of an oil cracking apparatus, consisting in introducing ammonia in solution to the vapors subsequent to the heat treatment thereof and prior to their passage through the condensing portion of the apparatus whereby the ammonia solution is not subjected to the oil cracking conditions, to effect a neutralization of the hydrochloric acid contained in the vapors formed during the cracking reaction in the apparatus.

2. A method for preventing corrosion of the condensing portion of an oil cracking apparatus, in which hydrocarbon oils are converted under superatmospheric pressure, consisting in introducing and mixing with the vapors, subsequent to the cracking reaction and prior to final condensation, regu lated quantities of ammonia in solution,

adapted to neutralize and dilute any hydrochloric acid formed during the cracking reaction without subjecting said ammonia'solution to the cracking treatment for the oil.

J ACQUE C. MORRELL; HARRY P. BENNER.