US1816794A - Vertical distillation retort - Google Patents

Description

July 2s, l1931.

J. PlETs-:Rs

VERTICAL DISTILLATION RETORT Filed March 20. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fw., 0 .f J I 5 0W .I 3 5 +0 f fr. mf/ z ...z if mdwj z/mm n0 NNQ\ Fw S W @S I E n ,y n@ M/ Z l e ,ma a au a 1a d V, #E E T \\\\\\\\\w\ el rr- T\\f\\WJ db\ J\M/J- nn 3, Mn u Z l e Mn H. z ifa/, 3T RT l.\\wN|\\\ Cm -l l l -I ha. da ..16 :hv y .dd ww .1J c f. x

July 28, 1931. J. PITERs VERTICAL DISTILLATION RETORT Filed March 2o. 1928 2 sheets-sheet 2 D y C o m@ M a Nn ZH 1.a al.. ,94.* fm .w\ 1 c n i .Y 77H C 7@ ./v c d o h, 4. v a a r., a Q a Z f s. f z ma n f C 7@ u 4 I llll 4..

Patented July 193i uNi'rED Aslxa'ras PATENT OFFICE JULIEN PIETERS, OF PARIS, FRANCE VERTICAL msrnimrlon marcar application mea umbro, 192s, serial no. 263,168, and in France umn 3o, 1927.

The present invention relates to vertical continuous distillationretorts for the distil' lation of all combustible materials, such as coal, lignite, peat,` bituminous shales and the like ofthe t e in which the longitudinal wal s of the istillation chamber are constituted by hollow bricks or tubular elements made of refractory material, of prismatic shape, which, by their superposition and fitting together, form continuous vertical flues for the passage of the gases serving for the heating of said distillation chamber. According to my resent invention, there is provided, along t e major axis of the oblong cavity 01E` each of the said tubular elements, in the heating zone proper of the distillation chamber, a separate brick extendin for a small part of the height of the tubu ar ele'- ment, and forming a partition parallel to the longitudinal walls of the said oblong cavity, incombination with means for supporting said brick.

This partition thus reduces the passageway for the ames and combination gases, causing a thorough mingling of the' latter and ensures a better heat transmission to the ll)ongitudinal walls of the distillation cham- The use of a'separate brick of this kind allows the accurate regulation of the passageway of the gases, in order thus to graduate the resistance to their ilow and the imact of the gases vu on each point of the eating of the distil ation chamber.

The accompanying drawings represent by way of example a form of carrying out the object of the invention.

Figure 1- is aV view in vertical section, partly in external view along the broken line 1-1 of Figure 2, the right hand half corresponding to a vertical axial section throu h a distillation chamber, and the left hand alf corresponding to a vertical axial section through a heating pier.

Figures 2 and- 3 are views in transverse horizontal section 'along the line 2--2Y and the line`3-3 of Figure 1, respectively, 'on

A a larger scale.

Figure t is a view in vertical section, at right angles with relation to that ofv Figure axial section of elements of different types'l utilized in the construction of the distillation chamber.

As represented in Figures 1 and 2, the distillation chambers a are delimited, upon their long sides, by refractory members or elements b of relatively small dimensions; these elements b of rectangular section (Figures 5 and 6 and Figures 7 and 8) com rise a central tubular cavity or hollow b1 o oblong shape; there exist two tvpes of these elements Z), one (Figures 5 and lateral rib b2 and the other (Figures 7 and 8) having lateral grooves bs in such a way as to allow the lfitting together of thel juxtaposed elements in the direction of the length of the distillation chambers (Figure 4:). In order to permit the litting together of the superposed elements, each ofthem comprises at one end (upper or lower) a countersunk part or annular recess b* and at its other end a corresponding projecting partlor annular flange b5, in the wall around the tubular hollow b1 in the centre.

The tubular cavities b1 of the superposed refractory elements form by their assembly conduits or lines serving for the passage of the fiames and combustion gases for the heating of the distillation chambers a along thelr longer sides. In the example illustrated, there are represented three elements b along each of the long sides of a distillation chamber (Figures 1 and 2), but it will be understood that this number may vary according to the length of the chamber and the dimensions given to the elements b utilized for the construction ofthe heating piers.

Since continuous distillation retorts re- 6) having a iliire a temperature decreasing rapidly from. I t

e bottom upwards, each of the elements b of the heating piers (Figures 9 and 10) comprises, internally, on both sides of the major `axis of its tubular cavity b1, vertical axial to the'longitudinal walls of the distillation chamber, in the central cavity b1 of each element b. 'llhe llames and combustion' gases are thus caused to-strike against these bricks b, which leave only a small vfree space between them andthe walls of the elements b; there is thus produced anb energetic stirring up of the gaseous molecules, which activates the combustion to a large extent; moreover there resultsa very intimate Contact of the hot gases with the walls to be heated, which increases considerably the coeilicient of transmission of the heat, The latter is thus given up very actively to the lwalls and the temperature decreases very rapidly in the inverse direction to the downward movement of the material in the distillation chamber a, thus realizing the most favourable conditions for an economical heating and the best output of by-products.

The heating gas isadmitted vat the lower part of the iiues formed by the superposition of the tubular hollows b1 of the elements b. The elements b, at thebase of the distillation chamber, each comprise in their tubular hollow a brick c (Figures 11 and l2), extending over the vwhole heightof the element;

this brick c is formed lwith an axial hole .c1

which is intended 'for the passage of the heating `gas While air necessary for the combustion of this gas passes through the lateral channels c2 formed upon both sides of this brick c, in the tubular hollow or cavity b1 of TheV elements at the base of the distillation chamber thus constitute, by their superposition, channelsc1 and c? for the passage of the gas and air for combustion, respectively (see the left hand half of lFigure l); air is-admitted freely at the base of the channels c2, while the heating gas is admitted through branch pipes Z1 provided with cocks and leading from the gassupply ,main d. The

two fluids (gas and air), intended for combustion, admittedi and circulating separately in the vertical channels c1 and c at the base of the distillation chamber piers, become heated during their passage through 'these piers and thus recuperate part of the heat conthe same method of ,circulation and are ttedf inthe same manner into the refractory elements b situated below them (Figure 4). These upper cast iron members e are connect- `ed by collectors e1, above which there is`arranged the smoke flue fior the escape of the' Y burnt gases towards the chimney 7'1.

The'distillation gases from the material escape from the distillation chambers a through numerous openings a1 arranged in any suitable manner over the entire heating height of the retort, in theaxial plane of each ofthe chambers ain the small unheated sides of these chambers; these openings a1 'upper part of this Vertical collector g and allowing of isolating each distillation .chamber.

In order to ensure a total recuperation 'of the heat contained in the residue such as coke,

semi-coke or distilled shale of distillation of the material used, at the base of the distilla-A Producer gas or steam intended to-be blown into the chambers a is admitted externally` of the distillation chamber into vertical channels constituted by metal trunks It arranged in the transverse direction of the distillation chambers a,between the latter, in the brickwork at the base of' the retort. The gas or steam then enters into the distillation chambers a through openings h1 h2 formed at the top of these trunks, at diiierent heights, and openingout into the chambers a at the small sides of the latter. When steam is utilized for this recovery of heat, this steam may be made bymeans of water occupying the base of the vertical channels L.

Each of the distillation chambers a might comprise two distinct vertical channels h for this blowing in of gas or steam, but it is preferable, when severaldistillation chambers are connected in a battery, as illustrated, to unite the di'ierent vertical channels, corresponding to a small face of the different chambers, into a single channel extending transversely over the hole length of the battery (Figures 3 an When the distillation chambers are arranged in series-parallel, there may be provided a single series of vertical channels arranged in the wall separatingthe two series of parallel chambers, between the small sides of those chambers.

By the direct contact of the iuid (gasor steam), blown in at the base of the distillation chamber, there is effected, in combination with the external recuperation by the lignite,`the blowing in o heating iiuids,.a suiliciently complete coolingv In order to obviate these disadvanta of the residue before its exit from the distilla- `tion chamber. The recuperation of heat effected by thisarrangement is extremel energetic and rapid and the economy rea ized is carried to a maximum. In the case of a pulverulent residue for example with f gas, or steam into theA distillation chambers is effected at a suflicient height above the retaining register at the base of the distillation chamber to revent an external leakage of iluid at the ottom, even during the opening of the register. As the material is heated more rapidly along the walls of the distillation chamber than in the'centre of the latter, there is utilized preferably, at the base of each distillation chamber, an oscillating retaining register; the latter is constituted by a member z' inthe shape of a circular arc at vits upper end, blocking the lower end of. the distillation chamber, and mounted upon a horizontal spindle 1 y so as to be able to oscillate; during this movement of oscillation, in one direction or the other, se arating the register 'from one of the walls o the distillation chamber, the residue' of distillation in the'region adjacent to this wall descends morerapidly than the vmaterial in the central zone of the chamber;

during fthe movement of oscillation of the l register 1I in the other direction,it is the mate- Cranks tlieoperation of these registers z. lThe supply of continuous distillation rer1al in the zone adjacent to the other wallof the chamber which descends inthe first place. 2 keyed upon the spindles 1 permit' torts with pulverulent materials formed from the pulverulent constituents contained in the coal, lignite, or other combustible material to be subjected to distillation, for example, coal dust, presents certain diiculties for maintaining the distillation chamber constantly filled up to its upper part without presenting voids at the supply point. These latter would in e'ect be harmful to a satisfactory yield of by-products such as tar oils, owing to the decomposition of the latter during their more or less prolonged sojourn in these voids.

Now the arrangement, above the distillation chamber, of a single hopper of fairly great height and of suflicient capacityl for ensuring a continuous supply, without an register, presents several disadvantages: (il, in the case of slightly moist pulverulent materials, arches are frequently formed at the base of the hopper which produce blockages and therefore an irre ular supply; (2) in the case of a stoppage o the elevating apparatus delivering materials into the hop# per, the level of these materials may fall too low and no longer suitably obstruct the upper part of the 'distillation chamber, in such a way as to prevent any exit of gas or any entrance of air.

pulverulent materia s, arranged above this register, there is obtained an absolutely. perfect obturation, even if the hopper is only partially filled.

During the normal working of the distillation supply apparatus, when the hopper is suitably filled with pulverulent materials, the register can remain in the vertical open position (Figure l) and it will suiiice to shake it at suliciently close intervals in order to prevent any blockage at this point. In case of stoppage of the supply apparatus, the register Z is placed in the horizontal positon, this register thus preventing the material from descending and constituting, in combination with themateria] contained in the hopper, a *plrfect obturation during the whole duration of the stoppage of the supply apparatus. "In order to avoid any movement of the register outside the few short instants of its operation, it is held fast in its normal open position by engaging its operating lever Z2`by any suitable latchin device. y

at I claim is: p 1. In a vertical continuous distillation apparatus, a distillation chamber, the longi tudinal walls of which are constituted by tubular elements of refractory material and of prismatic shape, and each of said elements having a single oblong cavity, said elements being superimposed and fitted together in such a manner that the continuous vertical gas tight flues formed by the cav1- ties of the superimposed elements are completely separate each from another and have no communication with the distillation chamber, said vertical flues bein adapted to the passa e ofthe gases servin or the heating of t e distillation cham r, the provision, along the major axis of the oblong cavity of each of said tubular elements, 1n the heating zone proper of the apparatus, of a se arate brick extending for a small part of t e height of the tubular element, and forming a partition parallel to the longitudinal walls of the said oblong cavity, an olftake for the distilled volatile products and ofmeans for carrying said separate brick, for the purpose described.

2. In a vertical continuous distillation furnace, (as claimed in claim l) the revision, at the ends of the major axis of t e oblong cavity of each of said tubular elements in the heating zone proper of the furnace, of internal vertical axial notches, in combinages,

tion with a separate brick, adapted to be engaged at its ends in the said axial notches of said element, said brick extending for a small part of the height of the tubular element and forming a partition parallel to the longitudinal Walls ofthe said oblong cavity, for the purpose described.

3. In a vertical continuous distillation apparatus (as claimed in claim l), they provison of means for the admission'of the gas and of the air intended for combustion into the heating piers at the base of they apparatus, and of separate vertical channels formed inthe tubular cavities of the' Superposed tubular elements for the circulation of said gas and of said air of combustion up to a certainv height at the lower end of the apparatus piers, forv the purpose described. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JULIEN PIETERS.

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