US1881406A - Method and apparatus for treatment of hydrocarbons - Google Patents

Description

l. W. HENRY Oct. 4, 1932.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF HYDROCAR-BNS Filed Aug. 15, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l @fsf v1.52. zou.

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l. HENRY Oct. 4, i932.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF HYDHOCARBONS Filed Aug. l5, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 A TTORNEY l. w. HENRY LSSTAOG METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF HYDROCARBNS Oct. 4, 1932.

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-Patented Oct. 4, i932 IRA WALTON HENRY, OF GBEENWICH, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB. TO IONIZING- CORPO- RATIQN 0F AMERICA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK MEIjHOD-AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT 0F HYDROCARBONS Application med August 15, 1929. Serial No. 386,182.

This invention relates to the conversion of hydrocarbonaceous starting material into hydrocarbonaceous vapors and liquids of changed molecular weights;method and ap- 5, paratus.

One of the advantages and objects of the invention is production of anti-knock gasoline.

By starting material is meant that ma-V `0il itsel In my United States Patent No.y 1,601,218 of September 28th, 1926, I described and claimed among other features,-The method of producing hydrocarbons possessing properties similar to those of benzol, consisting in subjecting bituminous material, in a place of partial confinement, to heat in a high frequency, oscillating electric field, vaporizing and decomposing the hydrocarbons of said bituminous material while subjecting the resulting products to the action of hydrogen gas for conversion into the desired products. In my subsequent United States Patents Numbers 1,709,813; 1,709,814' and 1,709,815, all of April 16, 1929, I described various methods and apparatusk for converting petroleum oil and other hydrocarbonaceous starting material into desired products, either unfinished as in the case of hydrocarbon vapors; or finished, as in the case of gasoline, for example; and the general object of the present invention is to improve upon my prior inventions and to produce apparatus and methods for economic betterment of the. procedure indicated in my said patents and for betterment of the quality of the hydrocarbon products obtained by it. Y v

In all cases, I have heretofore shown and now show a high frequency, oscillating, nondischarging and consequently non-sparking electromagnetic field in Which the starting material to be converted is treated.` Suchv electromagnetic fields possess the function of dissociatin'g the hydrocarbonaceous starting into hydrogen and carbon, electrifying the carbon molecules, and of primarily forming` va hydrocarbon vapor of hydrogen and exceedingly small electrified carbon particles; involving what is often referred to as ionization.

It is Well known that crude petroleum from different fields and different countries varies in quality. For example, some Texas fields yield crude petroleum containing so much sulphur that such oils have been deemed impossible of refining except at a prohibitive cost.

Generally, the differing hydrocarbonaceous starting materials convertible by my invention are so variable that some are best treated under vpartial vacuum; others under 10W pressure; some under high pressure; and

some at low; others at intermediate, and some under high temperatures.

In some cases, it is preferred to treat the starting material inbatches; in other cases, the starting material is best fed to the high frequency, oscillating, electromagnetic field continuously, depending on circumstances. Again, it is often desired to convert the starting material not into products of lighter molecular Weight, as in the case of benzol, gasoline and the like, but on the contrary, into some product of heavier molecular weight, such as lubricating oil, for example.v

I have discovered a hitherto unknown and unsuspected waxy content or substance in my gasoline distillate and which up to this time has defied chemical analysis; and which has previously gone over into the finished product'wherein, when that product has been used as fuel for internal combustion engines, such waxy substance has been promotive of carbonization of engine cylinders and pis- As another instance of the practical obkjects and advantages of this invention, 1j

point out that whereas, in converting hydro- 'carbonaceous starting' materlal into vapors,

hi h fre uenc oscillatin non-dism a g q y, g vunperceived objection of not providing:

B charging and consequently nonfsparking electromagnetic field, it has always been heretoforedeemed necessary to employ a chambered converter, receiver, container or still of dielectric material, such las ceramic v'or pyrex glass which are of low tensile strength;

I have discovered how to generate suchl a 7field in a chambered converter', receiver or the,y like, made .of metal having 'high tensile strength, suchl` as steel for example. Thls is a reversal of all prior knowledge on that point, but does not mean that dielectric re,-

ceivers are in all cases tovbe disp ced when y used in association with alternatvng electric current coils effective to generate high frezo quency, oscillating, ynon-discharging, nonsparking electromagnetic fields. A But it does mean that for the first time I novv provide the art, and that by my invention the art is provided, with a metal, Vchambered converter that can be used for high internal pressure work When and if such high pressure operation is desired with safety to property and life, in the case of installations containing the kind of electric field speeied. l

Sueh afield is Wholly different from a high tension electricl condition producible within the chamber of -a metal converter through which chamber a high tension alternating electric current conductor extends,

with such a conductor electrically insulated` from the metal Wall of the receiver. By` such a structure, a high tension electric condition is established around the conductor and between it and the encasing metal of the receiver, and electrical discharges both audible and silent of' high tension are set up from the conductor to the metal wall. Such discharges, however, have been found, as is Well known in the art of installing highA tension feed wires and the like on petticoat insulators, for examples, to result in such violent sparking that loss yof life-has frequently occurred. Such discharges though creating high tension and oscillating fields, under the conditions mentioned, would inevitably result in sparking and explosions if'hydrocarbonaceous material were .passed into the receiver for treatment.

The high frequency, oscillatin non-dis-r o other Words, the field in which I treat hydrocarbonaceous starting material is the function of a coil energized by a high frequency, alternating electric current through the coil as a conductor. I

I-Iigh frequency, oscillating, non-discharg-4 ing, non-sparking electroma etic fields as heretofore generated byv di erent existing t esjof alternating current eneratorsfy as made for the market have ha thev hitherto the voscillations is regulated andI constantly and certainly maintained for the different. qualities and characters of theparticular sta-rtin materials under treatment at a'given time; c anging the frequenciestosuit the socalled natural periods of the different kinds or qualities of the crude petroleum' lor other hydrocarbonaceous starting materials converted. I hereinbelow describe one form of Aapparatus effective for that purpose and by which selected, different constantfrequencies of oscillation 'can be effected Aforldiiferent grades or kinds of starting' material.v

' VIt may be emphasizedthatthe herein described'metallic converter of high tensile strength to meet high pressure conditions -may consitute a standardized converter for use at all pressureswhether above or below f in described chamberl members lmay be of ceramic material;

`An important feature of 4this invention relates to the recovery and introduction into a final product of the light fixed hydrocarbon gases which Ihave hitherto either gone to waste or been burned under boiler furnaces 0r the like. Another important feature of the invention relates to the conversion of said starting material into hydrocarbon vapors and liquids of changed molecular weight by dissociation of the starting material in exclusion from extraneous oxygen and without addition or use of hydrogen obtained from any source extraneous to the starting material itself.

Another feature provides for effective and economic low temperature conversipn of the starting material into hydrocarbon vapors andA liquids. y

The foregoing is a statement of some of the objects and advantages of my present methody and apparatus, other features of the invention being set forth hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and illustrating now preferred apparatus forms of my invention, and showing forms thereof useful in practicing my vnew method: p

atmospheric pressure; but many of the heree elevation andpartly in vertical, sec- Y interior, electrically insulated field generating coil of catalytic metal; and shows a partial vacuum system for treatment of crude petroleum; the apparatus Ybeing provided with my new alternating) current generator for effecting either varia .e or constant frequency of oscillations in the electromagnetic field transversely and throughout the length of the coil. The vacuum apparatus shown is convertible, at the will of the operator, into a pressure system.

Fig. 2 is a view similar t o that of Fig. 1 with the partial vacuuinizing apparatus omitted.

Fig. 3 is a transverse horizontal section at line 3--3 of Fig. 1 illustrating the rcatalytic cylinder structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2. 11i 4 and 5 show modifications.

t is noted that the partial vacuum apparatus shown in the drawings is of the barometric type and capableA of producing a partial vacuum of from about twenty-seven inches to twenty-eight inches of mercury.

ln the Fig. 1 form of appara-tus, an oil supply pipe 1 leads to the intake side of an oil charging pump 2 which discharges through a pipe 3 into the upper part of the chamber of a steel walled converter 4. 1f preferred, the starting material may be fed 4into thev converter by gravity, in some cases; but the use of a feed pump the speed of which may be varied from negligible head to high pressure of the starting material fed is desirable as explained below. The lower portion of the chamber of the converter, which may be called a receiver, or a container, or a still, is provided with an interior, tubular, elongated' field generating coil 5 which extends upwardly from near the converter bottom to the line w--cr Ywhich in some cases may be considered as an oil level; for example, in batch treatment. rlhis coil 5 is made of nickel tubing and is therefore a catalyst. It also serves as an alternating electric current conductor; and also as a conductor of a cooling medium, such as fri id air or cold water for example, for coolin the coil, the ends 6 of which extend outwardly through the side wall of the converter. The cooling medium may be introduced at either end 6, fiow through the coil and escape at the other end 6. Where the end portionsv of the coil 5 pass through the converter Wall,

. they are electrically insulated from that wall by passing through electric insulating blocks 7 xed in the walls. rlhe coil is also electrically insulated from the wall of the container `by' an asbestos or other suitable packing 8 between the coil and the side wall of the converter.

An alternating highfrequency electric current is passed through coil 5 to energize it for the production, within and transversely of the coil, and throughout the length of the coil,

of a high frequency, oscillating, non-discharging and consequently non-sparking electromagnetic field. The energy of this field is also exterior to the coil and through the converter wall as it is also through the metal of the coil, the supplementary catalytic cylin ders mentioned below, the starting material and the vapors thereof. The oscillations in this field are of incredible velocity. Said vfield is effective to dissociate hydrocarbonaceous starting material into'hydrogen and electrified carbon particles, these products of dissociation having a movement corresponding to that of the field in which they are generated.

One end of coil 5 is in electric connection, at 9, with a conductor 10 provided with a condenser 11 and a switch 11. Conduct-or 10 is in electric connection with the brush 12 of one of the two alternatingelectric current generating rings 13, the other ring 13 being provided with a brush 14 from which a conductor 15, provided with a condenser 16, leads into connection at 17 with the other end portion of coil 5. The electric connections with the coil, at 9 and 17, are exterior of the condenser.

The generator rings 13 are on a shaft 18 carrying a rotor 19 and driven by an adjustable speed, electric motor 20; the rotor revolving. between field pieces 21, all as usual; but, in accordance with a feature of this invention, and for eiiecting a constant frequency of adjusted oscillations in the high frequency,

, oscillating, non-discharging and non-sparking electromagnetic field through coil 5, and consequently for treatment of the starting material in the converter chamber in such a field possessing constant high frequency of oscillations adjusted to the natural period of the starting material under conversion, l now provide for the alternating current circuit, a constant speed, direct current, exciter 22 driven through a power application member 23 ywith which the exciter is provided. Hcretofore such an exciter has been mounted on the shaft 18, but I remove it from g the shaft and drive it independently of the shaft and of the adjustable speed motor 20. |l'his permits the exciter 22 to be driven at const-ant speed, while the adjustable speed motor 20 may have its speed adjusted for varying the frequency of the cycles and of oscillations in the electromagnetic field; that is, adjusted at the will of the operator to Vary the frequency according to the particular quality or character of the material under treatment. One of the field pieces 21 for rotor 19 is in connection through a conductor 24 with the direct current exciter, at 25; and, at 2G, the exciter is in electric connection with a conductor 27 which is in connection with the other field piece 21.

The practical effect and advantage of thc arrangement just described, due to the separately and constantly maintained speed of the 'to "m'aintan electric current fffva'por','in said field, and constant'uniformity 'of quality Iof the vapor of dissociation'and recombination, foreach particular grade of densed.

` period of the oil or other startin 'material treated. Uniformity ofthe vaporV results in uniformity of the quality of the hydrocarbon liquid into which the vapor is con- The starting lnaterial forms a working load in the electromagnetic field, and the constant oscillations in the' field selected for cach different kind or grade of material Aare advantageous in treating different grades ofcrude petroleum and other hydrocarhonaceous starting material, depending upon their carbon content.

' In dissociating different grades or types of crude petroleum, .I change the frequency of the oscillations to suit the so-called natural material. The change in the frequency of t e oscillations may be one involving a greater or less frequency than that assumed to be a normal frequency.

In all cases, according to one feature of this invention based on my discovery of its practical efficiency, the crude petroleum or other hydrocarbonaceous `starting material treated for production of hydrocarbon fluid -molecular weights.

an extraneous source 1s used on a Working is first dissociated into a vapor by the action of the electromagnetic field in the converterv chamber; the hydrogen and electrified carbon particles of the vapor then recombinin into a purified vapor. Both dissociation and recombination occur in the electromagnetic field and without addition of oxygen or of hydrogen from any source extraneous to the hydrocarbonaccous starting material itself. This object, `feature and economic advantage of the invention-constitute an extremely important new departure from all'comparable prior practice under which additional hydrogen from some extraneous source or hydrogen and oxygen have been introduced into the converter chamber and the electromagnetic field during the dissociation. The qualitative results arising from exclusion of oxygen and of hydrogen from an extraneous source are very marked in the ultimate products whether they are of high or lour When hydrogen from scale, either hydrogen gas has to be manufactured in large quantities for supplying *the converter and electromagnetic field; or

' yelse,-the additional hydrogen has to be supplied'by dissociation of Water at a high temperature sufficient to produce a supply of super-'heated steam for the converter and electromagnetic field, the latter being raised to a sufficiently high heat to dissociate the nasales ueous Jvolume introduced in presence loy a catalyst into hydrogen andpoxygen.

Obviously, dissociation of the` aqueous volume used for the additional or extraneous hydrogen supply necessarily involves supplying the converter not only with hydrogen, butfalso with oxygen. Theo gen does not enter into combination with t e hydrocarbonaceous vapor and though. some of it may be burned up in hightem rature work, yet such an effect is ne li 'b e; the oxygen actively oxidizing oxidlzi le surfaces with which it may come into contact, and ially attacking the surfaces of themetal c catalytic elements described belowpr other catalytic'metal in the field.

In the form shown, the supply pipe 3 communicates with the converter chamber throuvh the converter cover 4* which is suitably fixed in place at y.

the catalytic current conductin coil 5, and .within the electromagnetic fiel with a removable catalytic element which is preferably, but not necessarily, in the form of a plurality of concentrically arranged, spaced apart, perforated nickel cylinders 28. '.The cylinders are frequently perforated at 29 and are supported on insulating blocks 30 arranged on the bottom of the condenser chamber spacedly apart to permit circulation between them.

When the high frequency, oscillating, nondischarging non-sparking electromagnetic field is established, and the oil 'is introduced into the field, by the feed pump, if that is continuously operated, the oil is jetted or The Aconverter chamber is provided, within sprayed into the upper portionk of the converter chamber from the discharge end of the feed pipe, upon andbetween the members of the catalytic elements and into the electromagnetic field. The jetting or 'spraying action is favorable to the almost instantly occurring subsequent dissociation. If desired, the initial oil supply may be preheated by any' suitable kind of re-heater. By the natural period of the di erent kinds or types of the starting material-and evolved vapors is mea-nt, as usual in physics, the inherent amplitude of vibrations peculiar to each different type.

It is durin the dissociation that different impurities, oten including sulphur, are released from the starting material, collecting on the converter Walls and bottom, and on the walls of the members of the catalytic elements. A

The dissociated hydrogen and electrified carbon particles of the recombination constitute a purified hydrocarbon vapor which passes out of the u per part of the converter chamber, in a puri ed and also in an expanding condition, through an eduction pi 31 that discharges the vapor into a parti condenser 32 having two discharge ports. An

neem

upper port isprovided with a pipe 33 that delivers into a multi-stage ejector condenser member 34 which is4A in communication through a pipe 35 with an associated chambered condenser member 36. The tops of.

charge pipe 41 and member 34 has a bottom discharge pipe 42. Both pipes 41 andv 42 discharge downwardly into a water separator and hot well tank 43 provided with a waste water discharge pipe 44 having a valve 45.

' tinuously rises from the body of the The partial oil condenser has a discharge pipe 46 from its under portion to a wet vac'- uurn pump 47 for condensed oil from the partial oil condenser 32, and pump 47 delivers through an ednction pipe 48 to a fractionating manifold 49 having a gasolinedeliver pipe 50 provided with a valve 51 throng which the gasoline Hows into a worm 52 1n the gasoline condensing tank 53.

For recovery of the fugitive, light fixed gas, above mentioned and which rises from the as a uid forming part of the general gasoline supply in the gasoline storage tank T, the discharge end portion 54 of the worm 52 leads into the expansion chamber of a gasohne receiver 55 above its bottom; the main rtion of the gasoline flowing out of the receiver chamber through an ednction pipe 56 that discharges in to the gasoline storage tank T. But the exceedingly light and economically important fugitive gas expandingly and consolme and flows throu h the receiver cham er and out of it .throng a pipe 57 into the chamber of a second converter 58 in which the light fugitive fixed gas is converted into fluid gaso- 4 line which flows out through a pipe 59 into the gasoline storage tank T.

The converter 58 may be either of. metal with an interior eld generating coil as above described; or it may be of dielectric material, if preferred. The coil 60 is in circuit through leads 61 and 62 with the conductors 11 and 15 through which coil 5 is energized. Converter 60 is shown provided with the catalytic metal cylinders 28. Apparatus for the purposes described may be made largely lof ceramic material when economy of plant construction is desired. y

Substantially better results are obtained for liqnefaction of the fixed gas introduced into converter 58, and subjection therein to the action of the high frequency, oscillating, non-discharging and non-sparking electromagnetic ield, by winding the coil 5 clockwise and the coil 60 anti-clockwise as shown.

' The opposite sides of the perforated plate P asoline, and for incorporation thereof or screen of catalytic metal; the opposite endportions of thev catalytic metal tubes 28 and the ends of the interior conducting coilof catalytic metal act as poles. The alternatin current generator driven at a variable spec and in circuit as described with the constant speed direct current exciter produces a constant magnetic ield in the generator when the generator speed is varied. `Thevariations in the speed of the generator create variations in the frequencies without changing either the strength of the alternating field or the volta e of the exciter; and the `catalytic metal po e-forming portions are alternately polarized, thus alternately subjecting the starting material to polarizing effects. I have found in practice that the winding of the coils in reverse directions has a new effect on the catalytic, electrically energized members that is quite dierent from the effect obtained when the coils are both wound in the same direction. The coils wound in reverse directions as shown are connected inl series and are Wound clockwise and anti-clockwise in order to var the magnetic fields Aproduced in the catalyytic metal members, severally, and analogously to the field variations obtained by winding electromagnets in direct current work for produc` tion of north and south poles; the so-oppositely wound coils effecting the opposite polarities, act and re-act on the lcatalysts and on the carbon content of the starting material under treatment. I find that this action and re-action positively intensifies the conjoint action ofthe catalysts and energized carbon particles and that the polarization of the catalytic material is a highly important feature of my invention.

The converter 4 has abottom discharge pipe 63 for carrying 'olf the im urities or sludge. It leads to the intake si e of a' wet vacuum pump 64 which discharges through its ednction pipe 65 into a sludge residue tank T.

When and if the apparatus is to -be operated for production of lubricating oil, it is l desirable to put a booster ejector lnto operation ahead of the vacuum apparatus described, if that is used; or ahead of the fractionating manifold, as the case may be. Such a booster ejector is shown and includes a chambered member 66 provided at one end' with a high pressure steam supply pipe 67 which delivers steam into the chamber o member 66 crosswise of the upfiow of vapor of recombination from converter 4 through pipe 31. This ejector member 66 is inter-y posed, conduitwise, in the pipe 31, the discharge from member 66 being through a p0rtion of the pipe 31. If the ejector booster member is used, the hydrocarbonaceous vapor ascending into the booster member is en` trained by the high pressure steam. n

As iabove stated, the Fig. 1 structure'is convertible and maybe for high`,vlo w or intermediate pressure operation.

I with'a shut-off valve v To shut oi the booster ejector, a valve vA with which the high pressure steam supply pipe is provided, is closed. The booster elector structure then becomes merely a portion of the conduit connection of converter 4 with a partial vacuum apparatus designated by' the reference numerals 32 to 48, inclusive.

a valve B in pipe 31, forward of the oil vpartial condenser 32, is closed; the vaporof ience in ada ting the apparatus to various anyof such low tem workin con itions.

The ractionating manifold 491s provlded as usual with valve take-off plpe such as 68l for kerosene; 69 for gas oil and 70 for lubri- Converter 4 is provided with an automatic `pressure relief valve E in communlcatlon with the chamber of converter 4 through a pipe 71. The automatic relief valve remains closed during partial vacuum operations.

Converter 4 is also provided'with a flue 72 provided with a shut-off valve 73. The flue 1s used only when the converter 1s to be cleaned out byV raising the temperature of' said field and burning sludge and other impuritiesv oi interior surfaces of and within the converter chamber.

y `By using sections of Catal tic metal cylinders concentric and remova ly mounted in 'the chamber of converter 4, it is possible conveniently to vary the area of catal ic surface to which the starting material, t e vapor of dissociation and the vapor of recombination are exposed during operation. -i `The coil 5 under the conditions stated being located within the converter chamber and electrically insulated from the walls `of the converter 4, affords some resistance to the alterna-ting electric current of which it-V is a lconductor and tends to become more or' less heated by self-induction. This coil 5 is' in circuit with thehigh frequency alternating electric current generating means; and I have discovered that the catalyst is rendered more 4intensive in its catalytic action when' electrically energized than is otherwise the case.' 4The catalytic cylinder sections arewithin the coil and theirtemperature is naturally raised to a greater or lesser degree by induction from the electromagnetic field.

To shut oi the partial vacuum apparatus,l

sesam..-

l casethe temperature 'of the coil 5 due to its resistance tothe currentls greater than.

l. is increased. Reduction of heat in the coil 5 2 articularly secured by reduction ofv d of the alternating .current genera' tor. The use of the cooling media such as.

desired, the coil temperature"` is reduced b passage of the, cooling media through it. a higher heat is desired, the current stre is more the spec cold water or frigid air is a convenient way of generally reducing too great a temperature in the coils. Reduction' of current strength .in the coils by reduction of the speed of the= alternating -current generator constitutes the practical way of obtaining alowtemperature of the converter structure in whole and in art. i

have found it very desirable not only'for safety and convenience but also for increased quantitative and qualitative results in the distillation of some grades of crude petroleum, to operate at substantially low temperatures; for example, at from about de renheit up to.about -250 degrees ahrenheit. Production of motor fuels and the like at erto unheard of in t e art; and just as the dissociation and recombination above referred'to, without addition of'oxygen or of hydrogen, constitutes anew departurein the art; so my present low temperature distillation constitutes a new departure, and it has the great advantages of safety and convenience because the-converter 1n its general structure is kept approximately cool and workmen are not liable to be burned or otherwlse injured bgi contact with the coil or converter wall.

resu ts.

By operating the charging pump at speed the starting material will issue as a sl ray into the upper portion of the chamber ofp converter 4. As the oily spray descends, counter currentwise to the ascent of the generated and recombined vapors, it passes into vthe electromagnetic field and is immediately dissociated. Simultaneously, sulphur and other impurities are separated from the vapors of dissociation, and-are be'st removed continuously away from the presence of the dissociating and recombining constituents of` the vapors by operation of the pump 64 or by unaided, outiowing discharge through the pipe 63. v The molecular weight of the startmg material is reduced during dissociation' and recombination by elimination of the various impurities referred to including the mysterious waxy substance above mentioned.`

-When the higher partial` vacua are required than above indicated, and such as correspond to an absolute pressure of approxiratures has been hith-.

oreover, my invention sec ures freedom lfrom explosions and substantiall increased quantitative and qualitative mately fifteen, millimeters of mercury, such vacua may be obtained by operation of the steam jet type of booster ejector above described; but whatever degree of artlal vacuum is required may be obtained y use of any other practical form of partial vacuumizing apparatus.

As in some cases it `may be preferred to 11nstall a pressure system as a unit without association with partial vacuum apparatus, I have shown in Fig. 2 a pressure system which is the same as the pressure system as shown in Fig. 1. But in the Fig. 2 construction, the sludge discharge pipe 63 leads directly to the pipe 65 through the shut-olf valve 64 which takes the place of the Wet vacuum pump 64 shown in Fig. 1. In both Figs. 1 and 2', I show a transverse perforated, nickel and therefore catalytic, baille plate P the periphery of which is detachably secured in the insulating mat M interposed between the converter Wall and the interiorly mounted coil. By making the baille plate P detachable, access is had to the removable catalytic cylinders for varying the number thereof to suit working conditions. Plate P is merely forced peripherally into the mat and is electrically energized by induction from the electromagnetic field.

Whenever desired, and Without departure from the broader features of this invention, the converter may be of dielectric ceramic material, and in that case the alternating current conducting coil may be either inside or outside the converter chamber; said chamber may be interiorly provided with or may not be provided with a catalyst; and hydrogen from an extraneous source may be introduced into the converter chamber. With some grades of material or under some circumstances, hydrogenation may be desired and be beneficial as explained in my prior patents. In F igs. 1 and 2, I show a hydrogen intake ipe 76 provided with a shut-oilV and regulhting valve 77, this hydrogen supply` pipe discharging into the converter chamber for the starting material or otherwise as may be preferred. By closing valve 7 7 no hydrogen will be admitted.

The booster ejector 66 when used assists in propelling heavy gases through the vapor pipes commonly called vapor lines. Operationof ejector 66 effects higher vacua which increase the flowing movement of the heavy gases through the vapor lines. K

By increasing the frequency of the current through the coil the function of which, as already stated, is to establish a high frequency, oscillating, non-discharging, nonsparking electromagnetic field within the coil and converter chamber, a distillate of heavier molecular weight, such as lubricating oil, is obtainable.

The temperatures in the converter chamber when' there is an electric resistance in the electromagnetic field may be varied to an degree from about 5() degrees Fahrenheit to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit, or more, by regulation of the electric current; and the pressures may be varied fromY below atmospheric to about 2000 pounds per square inch or more by adjustment ofthe automatic pressure relief or safety valve with which the converter chamber is provided. It is, however, a dem' onstrated fact that temperatures are of relatively and generally of slight importance in the described operations which are eected mainly, if not in most cases exclusively, by change of frequencies to which questions of temperature are incidental.

Converter 4 may be called the initial converter and converter 58 may be called the' light gas converter.

A cylinder 28 in both converters, together with the plates, P, shown in each converter function as short-circuited secondaries and can be replaced ifso desired by constant graphite and carbon, with or Without catalytic metal'pieces, all as described in my Letters Patent aforesaid, and if preferred, they can be replaced by natural metallic ores such as iron ores, galena, nickel -or copper, for example. In large sca-le operations the use of natural ores as c atalysts and short-circuited secondaries will be economically advantageous.

The gaseous vapors generated may involve high, internal pressure in the converter chambers and an automatic pressure relief valve E, or the like, which can be set at any desired pressure is very desirable to permit safe operation at very high pressure. As shown, the Fig. 1 apparatus can-be used at pressures below atmospheric and at a great range of pressures above atmospheric,-.from low to very high. Even a converter of dielectric material may bev used for very high internal gaseous pressures with such a'relief valve. When working with high pressures and with the valve P or Eopen, any undue high pressure would be relieved to-a considerable extent through the sludge escape pipe 63. Nevertheless there is generally no practical reason for working at anything approximat- Y ing high pressures. lGenerally the work described has been found to be most eective under low tions.

- In Figs. 1 and 2 the cylinder or tubesections 28 of catalytic material, preferably nickel, are in the electromagnetic field and are energized inductively by it. While I show a plurality of these sections 28 with passagesbetween them for flow and treatment of the starting material, they may be reduced in number. A single tube or section 28 within the field may be used. Whether one or more of these catal ic tubes or sections are employed, they are 1n substance and effect a part of the converter structure, being active in the disassoeiation and vaporization of the starting material. The upper space of the pressure or partial vacuum condigna chamber of the converter 4 forms an e ansion chamber. Various changes in the orm of. construction of the converter structure may be made without departing from the princi le of the invention. Thusl in Fig. 4, the o' suction line 3; the pressure relief valve E; the valved llue lI2; and the va r escape conduit 31 and the provisional hy ogen supptliy pipe 76 are all entrant into a chambe header or manifold 80 which forms an' expansion and mixing structure; the manifold 80 being provided with a plurality of depending tubes 81 the under ends of which communicate with a chambered header 83 from which the-sludge removing apparatus includingdpipe 63 is in communication. The manifo 80; the tubes 81 and the manifold 83 are referably of catalytic material such as nicEel. The tubes 81 are all enclosed within the energizable coil 82 for establishment of the high frequency, oscillating, non-discharging electromagnetic field.

In Fi 5 only one tube 81 is provided for the hea er or manifold 80 this tube being enclosed by the electromagnetic field generatingcoil 82 and the under end of the single tu 81 being `in communication with the sludge removing apparatus through pipe 63. In the Fig. 5 structure the manifold 80 and the single tube 81 are both referably of catalytic metal such as nickel. llhe converter 4 is practically a tube with openings at-its upper end and an opening at its under end.

- Having described the principle of this in?,

vention and shown different forms of apparatus embodying the principle and useful 1n practicing my new method, and intending to cover all features of the invention in the broadest, legally permissiblemanner.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a chambered converter and alternating, electric current conducting coil .effective to establish throughthe coil and within the converter chamber, a high a frequen oscillating, non-d ischar g and non-spar g electromagnetic tiel -of an alterna current generator lwith which the coil is in circuit; the converter and coil bein each made of any appropriate material an the coil being located either outside or inside the converter chamber; vapor condensing ap.`

paratus in conduit connection with the converter chamber; a receiver in conduit conrials, and an alternating, electric current coni ci tlect coil eective to establish through and within the converter chamber,

nection with the vapor condensing appara.

l a high frequency, oscillating, non-dischargi ing and non-sparking electromagnetic fiel of partial vacuumizing apparatus having its intake side in conduit connection withv the chamber of said converter; the vacuumizing apparatus including a vacuum pump for disc arge of a condensate tus into which the' said pump disc arges; a receiver in conduit communication with the condensing apparatus; atank in conduit communication with the'receiver; and a light weight, fugitive gas converter having a chamber .in conduit connection ywith said tank, and rovidedwith an energizable, alternatin e ectric current conducting coil for establishing a high frequency, oscillating, non-discharging and 'non-sparking electromagnetic ie d within the chamber ofthe last mentioned converter.

3. The combination with a chambered converter for initial treatment of starting materials, and an alternating, electric current conducting coil effective to establish through the coil and within the converter chamber, a high frequency, oscillating, non-dischar ing and non-sparking electromagnetic field; of partial vacuumizing apparatus having its intake side in conduit connection with the chamber of said converter; the vacuumizing apparatus including a vacuum pump for dischar of a condensate; a condenser withv whic the eduction side of said pump is in conduit communication; and a bypass conduit in conduit communication with the converter chamber; and means under the control of an operator for rendering thepartial vacuumizing apparatus ineffective, thereby permitting the apparatus to be used at presures 1 at or about atmospheric; and for rendering the bypass conduit inoperative when the ap-V paratus is toVL be used under partial vacuum conditions. i' 1 E 4. The combination of a chambered con: verter, the" converter having an intake port for starting material and an escape port for a product of treatment, and also having spaced 'apart fromsaid intake and escape ports, a sludge discharge port; a high frequency, alternating, electric currentconducting coil, electrically insulated from the converter and arranged for electrical connection with, a source of high frequency, 'alternating electric current for generation within theV coil and converter chamber of a high frequency, oscillating, non-discharging and nonsparkvng electromagnetic field; said coil being of catalytic metal.

5. The combination of a chambered converter; an energizable, high frequency, alternating, electric current conducting coil ere` for effective to establish in the converter chamber, a high frequency, oscillating, nondischarging, non-sparking electromagnetic field; and, within the converter chamber, a

;condens in appara-` open ended cylinders of catalytic material;

the coil being Within the converter chamber, of catalytic metal and out of electric contact with the converter Wall; the converter Wall being of steel or other metal of-high tensile stren h.

7 the combination set forth in claim 6, a transverse, catalytic metal, perforated plate; and electric insulating means therefor; the plate being removably installed and energizable by induction from said field.

8. The herein described method of converting petroleum oil and other starting material into fluids of changed molecular Weight, consisting in spraying the starting material counter-current-Wise to the outilow of generated hydrocarbon vapors into a place of Vpartial confinement adjacent a high frequency, oscillating, non-discharging, nonsparkable electromagnetic eld, simultaneously expanding the spray, passing it into said field, and therein and thereby dissociating it into hydrogen and electrilied carbon particles; recombining the hydrogen and electrified carbon particles; passing the vapor of recombination out of the place of formation in a direction opposed to the direction of the spray; and in simultaneously removing impurities from the starting material and vapors and passing the same out of the place of vaporization counter-current- Wise to the path of discharge of the purified vapor.

9. The herein described method of converting petroleum oil and other starting material into fluids of changed molecular weight, consisting in subjecting the starting material to the action of a high frequency, oscillating, non-discharging and non-sparkable electromagnetic iield, therein and thereby dissociating the hydrogen and carbon of the-,starting material, and electrifying the carbon particles during the dissociation,removing impurities" from the starting material and from the hydrocarbonaceous vapor of dissociation and in recombining the hydrogen and electrified carbon particles of `the dissociation into a purified hydrocarbonaceous vapor; expanding the same and passing it from the place of dissociation, purification and recombination; and in simultaneously and continuously removing sludge from the place of dissociation and purification. f

10. The combination of a chambered converter; an energizable, high frequency, alternating, electric current conducting coil enclosing the converter and effective to establish therein, a high frequency, oscillating, nondischarging, non-sparking electromagnetic eld; the converter Walls being of catalytic metal; the converter being formed with a chamber for expansion and mixing of vapors and with one or more tubes also of catalytic metal yenclosed by the coil.

11. The combination cfa chambered converter having a metal wall; an insulation mat around the interior of the metal wall; an

energizable electromagnetic field generating' coil within the converter chamber and separated from the metal wall by the mat; the ends of the coil projecting outwardly through the converter wall and being electrically insulated therefrom.

12. The combination of a chamber-converter; Aan energizable, high-frequency, alternating electric-current conducting coileifective to establish in the converter chamber a high-frequency, oscillating, non-discharging, non-sparking electromagnetic field; the converter Walls being of catalytic metal and the converter being formed with a chamber for expansion and mixing of vapors and with one or more tubes of catalytic metal mounted in said field.

13. The combination with a container for hydro-carbon starting material; an alternating current conducting coil, eective for production of a high-frequency, oscillating, nonsparking, electromagnetic field Within the container chamber; a polarizable, catalytic member in said electromagnetic field; of a chambered vapor-receiver in conduit connection with the container chamber; and an alternating, current conducting coil for the vapor receiver effective to produce therein a high-frequency, oscillating, non-sparking, electromagnetic field; a polarizable catalytic member in the electromagnetic field in the receiver chamber; vsaid coils being reversely wound and in series, thereby to effect alternate polarization ofsaid catalytic members for intensification of the catalytic action thereof.

14. In apparatus for treatment of hydrocarbons and other material, the combination with a high frequency, oscillating, electromagnetic field inducing coil; of an alternating-current generator; a variable speed motor for driving the generator; conductors connecting the coil with the generator; and a constant speed directfcurrent exciter; and conductors .connecting the exciter with the field pieces; whereby the exciter may be driven at constant speed and the motory may be given an adjusted speed for varying the frequency of the cycles and of oscillations in the electromagnetic field for maintenance of current strength of the oscillations in the adjusted electromagnetic field, constant freas'k Pus

be given an adjusted speed for varying the fre uency of the cycles and of oscillations in tlie electromagnetic field for maintenance of current strength of the oscillations in the adjusted electromagnetic eld, constant frequency of oscillations, and uniformity of treatment; and another electromagnetic field inducing coil in circuit with the conductors between the generator and the first men.- tioned coil; the coils being wound'in reverse directions.

16. The herein described method of treatin h drocarbons, consisting in vaporizing a liydlrocarbon, su'ch as petroleum oil or vapori'n' ahigh frequency, oscillating electromagnet eld; passing and condensing the vapor 1nto a main stream of lighter weight petroleum'oil; passing such main stream to a. 'place of reception; capturing light weight vapor arising from' themain stream; p ass- I ing the captured Avapors through a high-freuency, oscillating 'electromagnetic field; llquefyin the captured vapors in this latter field; an passing the so liquefied vapors to a place of recovery.

17. The herein described method of converting petroleum oil or vapor and other starting material into fluids of l changed molecular weight, consisting in spraying the starting material counter-current-wise tothe outflow of generated vapors into a place of partial confinement adjacent an oscillating electromagnetic field; adjusting the frequencies of electric impulses in said field to the re uirements of the particular starting materlal under treatment; expanding the spray and passing it into said field, therein and thereby dissociating the spray, and passing l the vapor so' formed out of the place of vaporization counter-current-wise to the path of discharge of the vapor.

18. The herein described method of treating hydrocarbons, consisting in vaporizing a hydrocarbon in an electromagnetic field; passing and condensing the vapor into a main-stream of a liquid hydrocarbon; passing such main stream to a place of reception;

capturing vapor arising from the main stream; passing the captured vapor arising from the main Stream through another electromagnetic field; liquefying the captured vapor in the latter field, and recovering such liquid. 19. The herein described combination of an electromagnetic fieldl generating apparatus; a receptacle for vaporizable material to be treate-d located in said field and under the iniiuence thereof; a vapor eduction conduit from the receptacle; a vapor condenser; a main eduction conduit from said condenser; a secondary vapor eduction conduit from the main eduction conduit from the condenser; a second electromagnetic field generating apparatus and receptacle located within the infiuence of .the second field; the secondary conduit discharging into the receptacle under the influence of the second iield.

20. The herein described-method of making anti-knock gasoline, consisting in vaporizing petroleum [oil or vapor in an electromagnetic field at a temperature of from about 75 to about 490 Fahr. and at approximately atmospheric pressure or lower; in condensing the vapor into gasoline and passing the same as a main stream to a place of reception; in capturing light weight vapors arising from such main stream and passing them through another electromagnetic field therein and thereby converting the captive vapors into gasoline; and in recovering the converted vapor gasoline.

21. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a converter; an electromagnetic field inducingicoil therefor; and a frequently orificedv transverse vapor baliing member of catalytic metal located in the converter .chamber with its edge closely adjacent the converter wall near the coil; such member being within the influence of said field and thereby energizable.

22. The combination of a metal walled vaporizer, an insulating side lining for the vaporizer chamber, and an electromagnetic field generating coil of catalytic material located within the insulated side wall lining thereby reducing the field energy outside the vaporizer.

Signed at New York in the county of New Yorkxand State of New York this 8th day of August A. D. 1929.

IRA WALTON HENRY..

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