US1870193A - Method of and apparatus for distillation of hydrocarbon oils - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 2, 1932 J. H. GRAHAME 1,870,193

METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLATION OF HYDROCRBON OILS` Filed April 24. leso s sheets-sheet 1 wit- 11131;

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J. H. GRAHAME Aug. 2, 1932.

METHOD oF AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLATION oF HYDRocARBoN oILs Filed April 24, 1930 5 sheets-sheet 2 of@ w All@ 2, 1932- J. H. GRAHAME 1r,870,l93

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLATION OF HYDRCARBON OILS Filed April 24, 1930. 3 sheets-sheet s @All EISA

Patented Aug- 2, 1932 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES H. GRAHAME, OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR T THE TEXAS COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. COREORATION OF DELAWARE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS. FOB DISTILLATION 0F HYDROCABBON OILS Application ined April 24,

This invention relates to an improved method of and ap aratus for the distillation of hydrocarbon o' s and more particularly to the treatment of hydrocarbon oils for the production of vapor and liquid fractions which are to undergo further treatment. y

Broadly, the invention contemplates the treatmentof hydrocarbons oils for the pro- .duction of vapor and liquid fractions which W comprises heating the oil, subjecting the Y heated oil to vaporizing conditions wherein it disposed in a shallowv film-like body from which a vaporous fraction is evolved and a liquid fraction remains, subjecting the evolved vapors to scrubbing action wherein the vapor together with such liquid particles as are entrained therewith are caused to iiow Yat varying velocity and with abrupt directional changes in iow with the vaporizer, in- 29 troducing a gas to the liquid fraction to strip out desirable low boiling constituents remaining admixed therewith and subsequently commingling them with the evolved vapor fraction which is being scrubbed, removing the scrubbed vapors and withdrawing the liquid fraction substantially free from desired low boiling constituents.

In the distillation of hydrocarbon oils as commonly practiced with conventional pipe still apparatus a stream of oil to be treated is passed through a heating coil where it is heated to a predetermined temperature following which it may be delivered to a vaporizer or to the vaporizing section of a dephlegmator or fractionator .wherein the low boiling or volatile constituents are evolved as a vapor and separated from the unvaporized or high boiling liquid'portion and subsequently subjected to dephlegmation while the liquid portion may be withdrawn from the system to storage or for further treatnient.

In operations of this nature difficulty may frequently be experienced in effectively iiashing or vaporizing the desired low Vboiling constituents from a liquid which is undergoingtreatment particularly where this liquid is maintained in relatively deep pools during the vaporization of the low boiling W components such that an appreciable liquid 1930. Serial No. 446,829.

head or static pressure must be overcome by the vapor risin towards the surface from within the liqui body, thereby necessitating maintaining relatively high temperatures and/or employing .a relatively large quantity of steam in order. to facilitate vaporization and completely strip out the desired constituents. I

Furthermore, the evolved vapors during separation from the liquid portion, usually entrain and carry along with them appreciable amounts of undesired liquid material in the form of finely suspended mist-like particles7 the entrainment of which is further enhanced through the' necessary use of relatively large amounts of steam introduced into and contacted with the main body of vaporizing liquid to effectively strip out the low boiling constituents as previously mentioned.

For example, in the conventional distillation of a relatively high boiling hydrocarbon oil such as a reduced or topped crude, from which the gasoline and kerosene fractions have been removed, for the production of a distillate cylinder oil fraction and a residual liquid fraction which -may be of the nature of a residuum or heavy fuel oil it is difficult to completely and effectively separate all of the desired cylinder stock constituents from the residual fuel fraction while on the other hand the vaporized portion may contain a considerable quantity of fuel residuuln entrained in aiine suspension, the presence of which is undesirable in the resulting cylinder oil distillate since it may result in a final product having an excessively high content of residual carbonaceous matter.

The present invention therefore contemplates passing oil through a heating coil wherein it may be heated to a. predetermined temperature corresponding to the vaporizing temperature of certain of its desirable lighter fractions, introducing the heated oil tangenti'ally in a plurality of streams to a vaporizer or Hash tower wherein the streams of iuid delivered at a relatively high linear velocity are jetted against an inner surface thereof over which they are distributed to form a shallow film or sheet of liquid from which, too

due to the extremely small liquid head, thel low boiling constituents or desirable lighter fractions are readily flashed into vapor leaving an unvaporized liquid portion to collect in the bottom of the vaporizer. This liquid portion may be contacted with a gas or steam to strip out any desirable low boiling constituents which may have been unintentionally deposited therewith. The combined vapors including steam used for this final stripping are passed through a plurality of successive scrubbing stages within the vaporizer wherein the combined vapors flow through a region or zone of progressively enlarging cross sectional area in which the linear velocity of How gradually decreases to thereby facilitate precipitation and deposition of entrained liquid particles, then How through a succeeding zone of progressively decreasing cross sectional area wherein the linear velocity of flow gradually increases. The vapors are deflected and their direction of flow is abruptly reversed while moving at a high velocity to effect further separation and precipitation of entrained particles as the result of the whirling action during reversal of flow. The scrubbed vapors substantially free from entrained matter may then be conducted to a refractionator while the excess high boiling liquid collecting in the lower portion of the flash tower may be withdrawn from the system.

Another important aspectof the invention contemplates an improved apparatus suitable for practicing the invention.

In order to more fully disclose the invention, reference will now be made to the iigures of the accompanying drawings illustrating diagrammatically a preferred embodiment of the apparatus adapted to carrying out the invention in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view, partially in section, of the vaporizer.I

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on theline 2 2 of Figure 1B Figure 3 illustrates diagrammatically a section of peripheral openingsand battles in the inner chambers of the vaporizer shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a preferred arrangement of apparatus adapted to carry out the method of the invention.

Referring to Figures l, 2, and 3, the vaporizer comprises a vertical vessel 1, the outer surface of which is preferably covered with heat insulating material la having a plurality of inlet nozzles or pipes 3a, 3b, etc., tangentially connected with respect to the inner surface `of the circular shell of the vessel.

Eccentric cylindrical chambers 4 and 5,

preferably of progressively decreasing diameter, are placed within the vessel 1 and pref-v erably depend Afrom its top 6, making a solid or vapor proof joint therewith, while their lower and free ends project towards the bottom of the vessel and are adapted to submerge beneath the surface of a body of liquid 1b maintained within the bottom of the vessel. These eccentric chambers may be braced together by suitable spacers or bracket .mem-

bers 7 and while only two eccentric chambers are thus described, it is contemplated that any desired number of such chambers may be placed within the vessel.

Panel sections 8 and 9 each having a series of baied vertical openings 10 are provided in suitable openings in the walls of the chambers 4 and 5 respectively, affording means of vapor communication1 between the chambers. each panel or section being designed and disposed in lthe wall of its respective chamber so as to cause the vapors to flow substantially completely around the periphery or outside of each chamber before gaining access to its interior.

As illustrated in Figure 3, each of the panels 8 and 9 comprise a plurality of fiat vertical vanes or baiiies 9a, 9b, etc., spaced a suitable distance apa-rt by means of spacers 10a, 10b, etc., to form narrow vertical apertures or openings. The inner vertical edges of the vanes may be slightly inclinedtowards each other, the amount of such inclination depending more or less upon the Width of the baffles as well as the number of bailed openings employed in a given section. In addition all of the vanes in each panel are set angularly with respect to the periphery of the chamber so as to impart a whirling or rotary mot-ion to the vapors as they How around the outer vertical edges of the vanes or bailies and enter the openings there between and as a result of which their direction of flow is reversed forcing them to flow substantially completely around the exterior of the next and inner chamber in a direction cxactly the reverse of that followed about the outer surface of the preceding chamber before reaching the panel section of the inner chamber whereupon they are again subjected to a similarv whirling movement with a subsequent reversal in direction of flow.

Any desired number of these peripheral openings may be employed and they may be arranged individually rather than in sections comprising a series of openings. Preferably these openings in the wall of each chamber occupy different elevations thereby causing the vapors to follow an up and down course in iowing from one chamber to the next as the case may be as an additional means of facilitating removal of entrained matter.

A vapor outlet 11 is provided in the top of the innermost chamber 5 through which the final scrubbed vapors are withdrawn to he conducted, preferably, to a dephlegmator as will be described later in connection with the discussion of Figure 4.

A liquid outlet 12, having a valve 13, is

` between the inner surface of the vessel 1 and provided at the bottom of the vessel 1 through which liquid collecting in the bottom thereof' may be disposed of in any suitable manner. The valve 13 is preferably controlled automatically by a float 14 located within the vessel and adapted to maintain therein a suitable depth of liquid so that the lower, and otherwise open, ends of the inner chambers 4 and 5 are constantly submerged beneath the surface of the liquid to afford a seal and thereby prevent vapor iowing around the lower edges of .the chambers rather than entirely through their peripheral openings as described above.

A suitable steam spray 15 is located within the bottom of the vessel 1 preferably well submerged below the surface of the body of liquid maintained therein through which steam may be admitted and caused to commingle or contact with the liquid as it bubbles therethrough in order to facilitate vaporization and strip out desirable low boiling constituents remaining dissolved in or admixed with the liquid. v

A hood or baiiie 4a supported by straps 4b depending from the lower edge of the chamber 4 serves to divert the vaporsreleased from the liquid in the bottom of the vaporizer due to the admission of steam thereto into the space surrounding the chamber 4 wherein it combines with the main vapor fraction for removal of entrained matter.

In the treatment of hydrocarbon oil wherein a desired fraction is evolved which is to undergo subsequent rectification as will now boiling constituents following which it is` introduced tangentially through the inlet pipes 3a, 3b, etc., having valves 3m, 3y, etc., into the interior of the vessel 1. These inlet pipes serve to jet the oil at a relatively high velocit-y against the inner surface of the vessel over which it s reads to form a shallow vertical sheet or 1m of Huid fromwhich the desired low boiling constituents are evolved as la'vapor and the remaining unvaporized liquid fraction is deposited to collect in the bottom of the vessel.

The evolved vapors flow through the space the'exterior of the chamber 4 and in doing so pass rst through a region of progressively increasing cross sectional area, corresponding to the gradually widening portion of the annular space between the wall of the vessel 1 and that of the chamber 4 eccentrically positioned therewithin, wherein the vapor velocity proportionally decreases to facilitate deposition of the entrained material, and then through a region of progressively decreasing cross-sectional area, wherein the vapor velocity proportionally increases, following which the direction of vapor i'low is reversed as it passes through the peripheral openings in the anel 8. The vertical vanes or baiies 9a, 9b, etc., impart a rotary or whirling motion to the vapors as they enter the openings between the vanes thereby bringing about a further separation of the entrained material which is precipitated outwardsl by centrifugal force and either deposited on that portion of the inner surface of the vessel or chamber adjacent to the panel section, or drops directly to the bottom of the vessel to commingle with the liquid fraction collecting therein.

Upon passing through the peripheral openings 10 and gaining access to the interior Aof the chamber 4 the vapors again pass through the same series of successive var1ations in iiow to reach the interior of the next inner chamber 5.

Accordingly it is seen that the vapors fiowing from one chamber to the next go through a gradual swelling in which the volume of the `vapor increases to a maximum with a corresponding decrease in linear velocity of How then through a gradual contraction 1n which the volume decreases to a minimum with a corresponding increase in linear velocity whereupon it-s direction of ow is completely reversed.

The entrained matter separated from the vapors during their passage around and through the cylindrical chambers is deposited directly in the bottom ofthe vessel or is precipitated against the surfaces of the outer vessel and its inner chambers to trickle down to the bottom of the vessel and admix with the unvapori'zed liquid collectin therein, the excess of which may be wit drawn through the pipe 12, having a valve 13, to a cooling coil 28 from which it is conducted through a line 29 to storage or for disposition in some other suitable manner.

The final scrubbed vapor is removed through the vapor line 11 and may be conducted to a dephlegmator 30 wherein itis subjected to fractionation t0 form one or more inal products such as, forexample, a

remaining in this liquid. Steam introduced for this purpose together with the lightzmaterial which it has stripped out of the liquid mixes or commingles with the main vapor fraction which is being scrubbed in the upper portion of the vaporizer as already described.

While provision has thus been provided for the admission and use of steam or gas, it is contemplated that in manyinstances its use may be unnecessary since sufficient stripping or separation of the low boiling materials will be effected during the separation of vapor immediately following distribution of the heated oil charge in the form of a liquid sheet within the vaporizer shell.

Although substantially atmospheric pressures are usually employed in conventional pipe still vaporization it is to be understood that the vaporizer described above may be equally well adapted to withstand either subatmospheric or super-atmosphericv pressures.

Obviously many modifications and varia-- tions. of thel invention, as hereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope there0f, and therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim: t

1. A method of treating hydrocarbon oil comprising heating the oil to the vaporizing .temperature of certain of its desirable lighter fractions, introducing the heated oil into an enlarged vessel, disposing the oil in a film therein tothereby facilitate the vaporization of the said"lighter fractions, depositing an unvaporized portion ofthe oil in the bottom of the vessel, nioving a vaporized fraction and such liquid particles as are entrained therewith through a passage first of increasing and then of decreasing crosssectional area thus varying the velocity of the vaporous fraction, abruptly changing the direction of flow of the vaporous fraction while vflowing at the higher velocity and successively repeating the movement to thereby mechanically remove the entrained liquid articles, eventually releasing the substantially liquid free vaporous fraction overhead to further treating means while regulatably withdrawing. the surplus of the unvaporized portion collecting in the bottom of the vessel.

2. A method of treating hydrocarbon oil comprising heating the oil to the vaporizing temperature of certain of its desirable lighter fractions, introducing the heated oil into an enlarged vessel, disposing the oil in aiilm therein to thereby facilitate the vaporization of the said-lighter fractions, depositng the unvaporized portion of the oil in the bottom of the vessel, moving a vaporized fraction and such liquid particles as are entrained therewith through a passage first of increasing and then of decreasing cross-sectional area thus varying the velocity of the vaporous fraction, abruptly changing the direction of flow of the vaporous fraction while flowing at the higher velocity and repeating the movement to thereby mechanically remove the envessel to thereby aid in vaporizing such un-v vaporized portions of the desirable lighter fraction as may have been unintentionally deposited with the liquid while regulatably withdrawing the surplus of the unvaporized portion collecting in the bottom of the vessel.

3. A method of treating hydrocarbon oil comprising heating the oil to the vaporizing temperature of certain of its desirable lighter fractions, introducing the heated oil into an enlarged vessel, disposing the oil in`a film therein to thereby facilitate the vaporization of the said lighter fractions, depositing the unvaporized portion of the oil in the bottom of the vessel, moving a vaporous fraction and such liquid particles as are entrained therewith through a passage irst of increasing and then of decreasing cross-sectional area thus varying the velocity of the vaporous fraction, abruptly changing the direction of ow of the vaporous fraction while flowing at the higher velocity and repeating the movement to thereby mechanically remove the entrained liquid particles, eventually releasing the substantially liquid free vaporous fraction overhead to further treating means, introducing gas into the lower portion of the body of liquid deposited in the bottom'of the vessel to thereby aid in vaporizing such unvaporized portions of the desirable lighter fraction as may have been unintentionally deposited with the liquid, diverting the thus released vaporous fraction to the first mentioned passage of the vaporous fraction in the removal of entrained liquid while regulatably withdrawing the surplus of the unvaporized portion collecting in the bottom of the vessel.

4. In the treatment of hydrocarbon oil to form vapor and liquid fractions the method which comprises introducing a plurality of streams of heated oil to a vaporizer wherein a vaporous fraction is evolved and a liquid fraction is deposited in the bottom of the vaporizer, passing the evolved vapor through a plurality of successive scrubbing stages within the vaporizer in each of 'which the vapors How through a Zone of progressively decreasing .vapor velocity then through a succeeding zone of progressively increasing vapor velocity whereupon their direction of flow is reversed to precipitate entrained matter therefrom, removing the scrubbed vapors for further treatment, depositing the precipitating entrained matter from the vapors in the bottom of the vaporizer to collect with the liquid fraction and regulatably withdrawing the said liquid from the bottom of the vaporizer.

5. In the treatment of hydrocarbon oil to formlvapor and liquid fractions the method which comprises introducing oil to a vaporizer wherein a vaporous fraction is evolved and a liquid fraction is deposited in the-bottom of the vaporizer, passing the evolved vapor through a plurality of successive scrubbing stages within the vaporizer in each of whichthe vapors flow throughv a zone of progressively decreasing velocity then through a succeedin zone of progressively increasing velocity W ereupon their direction of How is reversed to precipitate entrained matter therefrom, removing the scrubbed vapors, depositing the precipitating entrained matter in the bottom of the vaporizer to collect with the liquid fraction, maintaining a body of the liquid within the vaporizer, introducing steam to the liquid body to strip out low boiling constituents remaining ad` mixed therewith and regulatably withdrawing the excess of said liquid from the vaporizer.

6. In a vaporizer for separating'more volatile fractions from less volatile fractions ofl hydrocarbon oil the combination which comprises a vessel having inlet ports through which the oil is introduced to the vessel whose lower portion is adapted to contain a body of liquid, a plurality of chambers one within the other and within the vessel disposed eccentrically therein with respect to the vessel and to sach other, having their top ends'integral with the top of the vessel while their bottom and open ends are adapted project below thel surface of a body of ligM d in the bottom of the vessel and about"which the volatilized fractions are caused to flow at varylng velocity to effect precipitation of entrained matter, openings in each chamber wall affording vapor communication therebetween and so disposed that the vapor is caused to ow substantially completely around each chamber before gaining access to its interior, vanes at each. opening adapted to. impart whirling motion to the' vapors flowing therethroughwhereby further portions of remaining entrained matter are precipitated from the vapor, a vapor outlet through which the linal vapors are removed from the innermost chamber, means for admitting steam to the bottom of the vessel, a baille depending below the submerged ends of said eccentric chambers to divert steam and accompanying vapors rising from the body of liquid into the space surrounding the outer eccentric chamber, a liquid drawofl:l in the bottom of the vessel and automatic means regulating the flow of liquid through said draw-off.

7. In a vaporizer for separating more volatile fractions from less -lvolatile fractions of hydrocarbon oil the combination which comprises a vesselhaving inlet ports through which the oil is introduced to the vessel whose lower portion is1 adapted to contain a body of liquid, a plurality of depending cylinders one within the the other and within the vessel disposed therein eccentrically with respect to the vessel and to each other, having their upper ends solidly secured to the top of the vessel while their lower ends are adapted to project below the surface of a body of liquid in the bottom of the vessel and about which the volatilized fractions are caused to fiow at varying velocity to effect precipitation of entrained matter, a plurality of openings in each cylinder wall affording vapor communication therebetween and so disposed that the vapor is caused to flow substantially completely around each cylinder before gaining access to its interior, vanes at each opening adapted y to impart whirling motion to the vapors flowing therethrough whereby further portions of remaining entrained matter are precipitated from 'the vap'or, a vapor outlet through which the flnal vapors are removed from the innermost cylinder and a liquid drawof at the bottom of said vessel.

8. In a vaporizer for separating more volatile fractions from less volatile fractions of hydrocarbon oil the combination which comprises a vessel having inlet ports through which the oil is introduced to the vessel whose lower portion is adapted to contain a body of liquid, a plurality of depending cylinders one within the other and within the vessel disposed therein eccentrically with respect to the vessel and to each other, having their upper ends solidly secured to the top of the vessel while their lower ends are adapted to project below the surface of a body of liquid in the bottom of the vessel and about which the volatilized fractions are caused to How at varying velocity toprecipitate entrained matter, a section of baffled openings in each cylinder wall a'ordinlg vapor communication therebetween and suc that the vapor is caused to flow substantially completely around each cylinder in a reversed direction to that followed when flowing around the preceding chamber, a vapor outlet through which the inal'vapors are removed from the innermost cylinder, means for introducing steam to the bottom of the vessel, a baffle depending below the submerged ends of said eccentric cylinders to divert steam and accompanying vapors rising from the body of liquid into the space surrounding the outer eccentric cylinder, a liquid drawof Ain the bottom of the vessel and automatic means regulating the How of liquid through said drawof.

9. In a vaporizer for separating more volatile fractions from less volatile fractions of hydrocarbon oil the combination which comprises a vessel whose lower portion is adapted to contain a body of liquid, means for admitting the oil to the inner surface of the vessel to form therein a relatively thin sheet of liquid,l a plurality of chambers of progressively decreasing diameter supported one within the other within the vessel with their upper ends closed while their lower ends are adapted to project below the surface of the liquid in the bottom of the vessel, openings in the wall of each chamber aording vapor communication therebetween and such that the vapor is caused to ow around each chamber in a reverse direction to that followed when flowing around the preceding chamber 'and during which iow entrained matter is precipitated, a vapor outlet through which the final vapors are removed from the innermost chamber and means for removing surplus liquid collecting in the bottom of the vessel.

l In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 4hand this 27th day of March, 1930.

JAMES H. GRAHAME.

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