US1770221A - Bubble tower - Google Patents

Description

July 8, 1930. y P J, SWEENY 1,770,221

BUBBLE TOWER Filed May l5. 1927 Patented July 8, 193D UNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE PERRY J'. SWEENY, OF WHITING, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD OIL COMPANY, OF WHITING, INDIANA,.A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

BUBBLE TOWER Application filed May 13,

.This invention relates to improvements in fractionating columns and particularly to columns of the bubble cap type.

The invention will be readily understood from the following description taken in conand at its upper end with a liquid supply pipe 14 and a vapor outlet 15.

Instead of the ordinary overflow pipes which are mounted on each bubble plate and extend into the liquid maintained on the bubble plate next below I provide overflow pipes 16 which contain a liquid seal or trap and are .provided with an outlet located above the liquid level of the plate next below.

Each of the overflow pipes 16 preferably comprises an upstanding nipple 17. a flange 18 therebeneath for attachment toa bubble cap plate, and a lower body portion constituted by sides 19 and a wall portion 20 which extends downwardly from said flange, closes the bottom of the nipple 17 and then proceeds upwardly forming with the sides 19 a well 21. The wall 20 then bends downwardly again and together with extensionsof the sides 19 forms a spout 22 which terminates, somewhat above the level of the liquid maintained in the next inferior plate. A septum 23 extends between the sides 19 and from the flange 18 into the well 21 so as to establish a liquid seal therein. The septum 23 preferably conver es downwardly towards the vertical part o .the wall portion 20 so as to create a scavenging eifect in the `well 21 thus aiding in preventing accumulation of rust or scale therein.

As shown in the drawings, the overflows 16 are attached to the bubble plates 11 at a.

point near the margins thereof. It is preferred to place the overflows 16 at opposite 1927. Serial No. 191,250.

points on alternate bubble plates. The liquid sealed spouts 18 extend toward the central portion of each of the bubble plates 11. By means of this structure the overflow devices of the present invention pick up the liquid on their respective bubble plates at a point adjacent the margin thereof, and discharge it centrally of the bubble plate therebeneath and above the level of the liquid thereon. By means of this structure, asubstantially uniform composition is realized for the pools of liquid maintained on the bubble plates and consequently more accurate vapor fractionation is possible.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the details of a specific embodiment thereof, it is not intended that such details shall be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the invention except in so far as included in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A bubble tower provided with super imposed bubble cap plates, the successive bubble-cap plates being provided with overflow pipe plates, each comprising a nipple projecting above the bubble plate to which it is attached near the margin thereof, a spout below the plate and emptying centrally above the level of liquid on the plate beneath, whereby a flow of liquid is established from the central portion to the margin of said plates and means providing a liquid seal between said overflow and the spout.

2. A bubble tower provided with superimposed bubble cap plates, the successive bubble-cap plates being provided with overflow pipes for said bubble cap plates, each comprising a nipple projecting above the bubble plate to which it is attached near the margin thereof, a well portion, a spout extending therefrom and emptying centrally above the level of li uid on the plate beneath, whereby a flow of liquid is established from the central portion to the margin of said plates and means providing al liquid seal in said wel] portion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of May, 1927.

PERRY J. SW'EENY.

Images