US1958450A

US1958450A - Method and apparatus for distillation of hydrocarbons, etc.

Info

Publication number: US1958450A
Application number: US326771A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles G Stupp
Original assignee: Barrett Co Inc
Current assignee: Barrett Co Inc
Priority date: 1928-12-18
Filing date: 1928-12-18
Publication date: 1934-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 1951-05-15

Description

May 15, 1934. c G, STUPP 1,958,450

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLATION OF HYDROCARBONS, ETC

Filed DEC. 18, 1.928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 'May '15, 1934. c STUPP 1,958,450

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DI STILLATION OF HYDROCARBONS, ETC.

INVE TOR ATTORN EYS May 15, 1934. Q STUPP 1,958,450

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLATION OF HYDROCARBONS, ETC

Filed D80. 18, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 r II 2 4 4a 4/ 2 f 1 4 i ATTORNEYS May 15, 1934. c G, s u 1,958,450

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILLATION OF HYDROCARBONS, ETC

Filed DEC. 18, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR M a 4 glaw ATTORNEYS Patented May 15, 1934 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTILI JA TION OF HYDROCARBONS, ETC.

' Charles G. Stupp, New York, N. Y., assignor to The Barrett Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 18, 192s, Serial No. 326,771

21 Claims. (01. 202-30) This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for distilling hydrocarbon liquids and particularly coal tar by direct contact with highly heated gases and particularly with coke oven gases'at practically their maximum temperature.

Liquid hydrocarbons such as coal tar, etc., when subjected to distillation ultimately give coke as the residue if the distillation is carried to completion. If the tar undergoing distillation is locally overheated, local formation of hard pitch and coke may take place.- When tar is distilled by direct contact with highly heated gases" such as those coming directly from coke ovens,

the gases are at such a high temperature that if they come into contact locally with a limited amount of tar or pitch coking readily takes place. Similarly, in distilling other hydrocarbon oils to produce an asphalt-like or pitch-like residue 10- cal coking of the pitch or asphalt may take place unless precautions are taken to avoid it.

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus 'for distilling hydrocarbon oils such as pitch, etc. with gases at high temperatures in a particularlyadvantageous manner, whereby danger of coke formation and deposit on the walls of the still is obviated or minimized.

The present invention provides an,improved.

method and apparatus in which the hot gases employed for the distillation are introduced into a still and brought into-contact therein with a thorough spray of the liquid hydrocarbon and in which the internal surfaces of the still are thoroughly flushed with the liquid hydrocarbon so that in effect the hot gases in the still come into contact onlywith liquid particles of hydrocarbon and with surfaces flushed with hydrocarbon.

The present invention also provides an improved method and apparatus in which the hot gases entering the still are sprayed with a thorough spray of the liquid hydrocarbon and in which the spray is concentrated in that portion of the still where the gases enter.

The present invention also includes an improved still for the distillation of liquid hydrocarbons having provision for the introduction of the hot gas and the withdrawal of the cooled gas and admixed oil vapors, and which still has a contour promoting the formation of a continuous layer of liquid hydrocarbon on the internal still walls and with rotating spray devices of such a character that they spray all parts of the still. with the liquid hydrocarbon and in addition cause 5 a continuous flow of the liquid hydrocarbon over the internal surfaces of the still. The improved process carried out in such a still involves creating and maintaining a conduit of the liquidhydrocarbon which encloses a spray of the same material and the passing of the hot gases which are 00 employed for the distillation through the conduit into contact with the spray and with the liquid hydrocarbon forming the lining of the conduit.

' 'In its preferred form the improvedstill of the present invention has a generally oval or ellipti-= cal or circular or similar shape in cross-section and there is arranged in the bottom thereof a rapidly rotating spray device of a generallycylindrical contour which dips into the body of liquid hydrocarbon in the bottom of the still and eifectively sprays the same into all parts of the still. In addition the rotating spray devices are so ar-' ranged adjacent to the still walls that they continuously draw or pump the liquid hydrocarbon between the element and the walls at a rapid rate and cause it to flow over thewalls of the still as acontinuous sheet or layer of liquid hydrocarbon, thus forming a continuous conduit filled with spray through which the gases pass. so

The-high temperature gases employed in the process and apparatus of the present invention may be coke oven or other coal distillation gases, producer'gas, water gas, or other like fuel gas or gases produced by other processes of destructive s5 distillation, etc. The gases from coal distillation retorts may have a temperature, for example, of around 450 to 500 C. or higher, while byproduct coke oven gases may have a temperature of around600 to 800 C. or higher. These temperatures are such that pitch would be rapidly coked if a limited amount of pitch came into contact with an. excess of the'gas'es. The hydrocarbons which are distilled according to the present invention are hydrocarbons which on local overheating or on distillation to completion give solid coke-like residues. The invention is of particular value for the distilla tion of coal tar hydrocarbons, such as coke oven tar, water gas tar, retort gas tar, producer gas 1 tar, etc. Such tars on distillation yield ultimately coke as the. residue. The present invention enables such tars to be distilled to such an extentthat practicallythe maximum yield of distillate can be obtained therefrom and a pitch residue which is still liquid but which may contain only a limited excess of fluxing constituents to permit the discharge of the residue from the still in a liquid state.

The still employedmay be of varying lengths but as above stated, the preferred construction and one which is particularly advantageous is a cross-section having a rounded top over which a continuous wash layer can be forced to form, with the layer of liquid hydrocarbon in the bottom of the still, a continuous conduit of liquid hydrocarbon.

The mechanical. devices employed for spraying the hydrocarbon and for maintaining the wash layer of hydrocarbon may be cylindrical in shape and are preferably of a generally cylindrical contour. Smooth cylinders may be employed or cylinders having circumferential grooves or ribs. These cylinders are so located that they dipinto the body of liquid hydrocarbon in the bottom of the still. Instead, however, of rotating so that they spray the liquid hydrocarbon directly into the still, they are placed adjacent to a side wall of the still and so arranged that they draw the hydrocarbon up between the rotating element and the side of the still in such volume and with such velocity that a layer of the liquid hydrocarbon is carried up over the rounded top of the still as a wash layer. In conjunction with the formation of this wash layer the rotating elements sprays the liquid hydrocarbon into the gases but the spray is discharged from the rotating element after it leaves the wash layer.

In prior spray devices in which a rotating roll or similar rotating element has been employed the rotating element has dipped to a limited extent into the liquid to form a liquid film on the rotating element which has then discharged the liquid by centrifugal force in the form of a spray.

In such operationsspray is most largely concentrated in the small angle adjacent the liquid layer at the bottom of the apparatus on the rising side of the roll. Asdistinguished from such an operation, the process and apparatus of the present invention provide a spray which is concentrated in an upward direction. The present invention also includes an improved process in which the hot gases enter the still through such localized spray zone so that they are subjected to the maximum spraying effect. while they are at their maximum temperature.

The gases employed for the distillation may enter the still at one end or they may enter at various points along the length of the still. In general, the gases and vapors will be withdrawn from one location, such as one end of the still, or the center of the still, but in special cases a plurality of outlets may be provided.

The invention will be further described in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate in a somewhat conventional and dia-' "grammatic manner different forms of apparatus embodying the invention and adapted for the practice of the process of the invention, but it is intended and will be understood that the invention is illustrated thereby but is not limited thereto.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 shows a plan view of part of a by-product coke oven plant with one form of apparatus illustrating the invention; i

Fig. 2 is an elevation with parts broken away of the apparatus of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of still;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the still of Fig. 3 with parts broken away;

7-'? of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5.is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of still;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

' The by-product recovery system of an ordinary coke oven plant is illustrated conventionally in the lower part of Fig. 1. The coke oven block 1 has the usual uptake pipes 3 leading from the individual ovens 2 to the collector main 4 common to a number of ovens. From the center box 5 the cross-over main 6 leads to the condensers 7, shown as direct condensers provided with mains for spraying cooling liquid into the gases.

From-the condensers the gases .pass'through I the pipe 8 to the exhauster 9 and thence to ammonia and light oil recovery apparatus (not shown) The tar separated from the, gases in the col- 1 lector main passes oif through the pipe 10 to the decanter 11 from which the tar collects in tank 12 and is pumped by pump 13 and line 14 to the still 20, or is otherwise disposed of. The tar 1 separated inthe condensers passes through pipes 15 to decanter 16 from which the tar collects in tank 17 and is pumped by pump 18 through line 19 to the still 20 or is otherwise disposed of. Either the heavy tar collected in the tank 12 or the light tar collecting in tank .17 or both may be subjected to distillation, or tar from other sources may be subjected to distillation by supplying it through the pipe 24.

The still 20 is for convenience of illustration located at the opposite side of the block from thecollector main and is connected with several ovens, four being shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These four ovens connect with-the still 20 thru individual and heavily insulated uptake pipes 21 which enter the still on one side as shown in Fig. 6. Tar is supplied to the still thru the line 23-either from the by-product system of the same plant or from another source thru line 24. A clean-out opening 25 is shown in Fig. 2 for permitting access to the still, for example, for cleaning purposes. Clean out openings 26 are also provided prevent flow of gases therethru, during the charging of the ovens.

The gases and vapors leave the still thru outfor the individual uptake pipes. Removable clo-- sures 60 enable the uptake pipes to be closed to'lfirlet 2'7 and in the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 and enter the settling chamber 28 where entrained spray'is permitted to settle from the gases and return to the still. From the top of the settling chamber the gases pass thru the pipe 29 to the condenser 30, which is shown as an indirect condenser cooledby water coils having inlet 31 and 1'- outlet 32. The gases leave the condenser thru pipe 33 and combine with gases from the main exhauster 9. The liquid oils condensed in the by-product system between the condenser 8 andthru line 34 to decanter 35, the oils being drawn oil to tank 35". x

The pitch leaves the still through the outlet 38 and over flow pipe 39 and discharges into'a suitable receptacle shown as a 'trough'40 supplied with water through pipe 41 for cooling and disintegrating the pitch and flushing it into the 1'81 ceptacle 42.

Located within the still is a cylindrical roll 43 directly driven by electric motor 44. The still has the cross-section illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 and the roll is located at one side of the still and near the bottom and side walls which are preferably made of a contour concentric with the roll at this point. It will be noted that the still illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7 has a curved upper portion. The depth of liquid maintained in the bottom of the still and the location and operation of the rotating roll are such that the roll dips in the liquid and draws the liquid between it and the side wall of the still at such a rapid rate and with such velocity that a sheet of the liquid hydrocarbon is carried up the side wall of the still and across the top and down the opposite side to again join the body of liquid hydrocarbon at the bottom of the still. By locating the roll close enough to the corner of the still and by making the still of proper contour the rotating roll acts as a pump drawing the liquid up between it and the side wall and continuously pumping a sheet of it up and over the top of the still to form a layer of liquid hydrocarbon protecting the still walls from direct contact with the hot gases.

In. addition to forming a layer of liquid hydrocarbon within the still the rapidly rotating roll retains a layer of the liquid hydrocarbon and discharges it by centrifugal force into the gases in the still, thoroughly spraying them with an excessive amount of spray so that all parts of the gases are brought into intimate contact with the spray and thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned thereby. The operation of the rotating roll thus serves both to produce a spray for spraying the liquid hydrocarbon into the gases and to produce a layer of liquid hydrocarbon on the still walls. At the ends of the still the walls are washed with liquid hydrocarbon due to the action of the spray which is so excessive that it continuously flushes the end walls.

From Fig. 6 it will be noted that the inlet from each uptake pipe 21 has a projection 47 extending a short-distance into the still at the bottom of the gas inlet. Without this, the heavy sheet of liquid passing over the gas inlet might interfere with the entrance of the gas therethrough. The projection at the bottom of the inlet breaks the layer of liquid hydrocarbon and forms an opening through which the gases may enter without difficulty.

In order to prevent objectionable surging within the still a battle 55 is provided as shown in Figs. 6 and '7, forming a body of liquid hydrocarbon into which the wash layer discharges and from which it overflows to form a relatively quiet body of liquid in the bottom of the still. This baflle extends into the pitch outlet as shown at 55:: in Fig. 8 and prevents objectionable surging at that point. Longitudinal. surging of the liquid in the still can be prevented or by transverse baflles 56 which serve to localize the longitudinal movement of the liquid hydrocarbon which flows under the baiiles from one section of the still to the next as progressive distillation takes place.

The gas inlets to the still as well as the still itself and the settling chamber are heavily insulated, w indicated at 49 in order to reduce to a minimum the loss of heat and to insure that the hot gases are employed at substantially their maximum temperature and with practically their maximum distillation capacity.

.The apparatus of Figs. 3 and 4 has a single gas inlet 2111 at one end of the still instead of a plurality of inlets as illustrated in Fig. 2. In this case the hot gases all enter at one end whereas in the apparatus of Fig. 2 the hot gases enter at difierent points along the length of the still. Moreover, in the apparatus oi Figs. 1 and 2 the gases enter through the side of the still and through the zone of maximum spray caused by the rapidly rotating spray device, whereas in the apparatus of Fig. 2 the gases enter at one end of the still and pass through the liquid conduit formed by the wash layer in the still and are subjected to thorough spraying with the liquid hydrocarbon. In the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 4 the flow of the gases and of the liquid hydrocarbon is concurrent. In the apparatus of Fig. 5 the flow is counter-current and provision is made for preheating the tar and partly it by 'contact with the hot gases and vapors leaving the 27b and a pipe 52 conveys the partly distilled tar to the still 20b. The arrangement is such that preheated tar can be introduced into .the tower 28 and brought into direct contact with the hot gases and vapors leaving the still and thereby partially distilled. The partly distilled tar then enters the still and is there further distilled. In Fig. 5 the gases enter the still atone end','as' in Fig. 3, but in Fig. 5 the flow of gases and liquid is countercurrent while in Fig. 3 it is concurrent.

The rotating roll 42b of Fig. 5 has circumferential ribs and recesses. When this rotating device is rapidly rotated it gives an improved spray within the still itself and it has other advantages in the production of acontinuous wash layer of liquid hydrocarbon in the still.

In the operation of the apparatus illustrated, the hot coke oven gases, or other high temperature gases, enter the still through .the individual pipe 26 of Figs. 1 and 2 or through the

end inlet

21a or 21b of Figs. 3 and 5, for example, at a temperature around 750 0., although this temperature may vary with the character of gases employed. The liquid hydrocarbon to be distilled, such as tar, or partly distilled tar or pitch, etc., which may be in a preheated state, enters the still through the line 14 of Fig. 2 or the and, in the tower 28b, will serve to partially distill the entering hydrocarbon. The pitch will be withdrawn through the pitch outlet. These operations will be continuous, with continuous introduction of the liquid hydrocarbon and of the gases, and with continuous withdrawal of the admixed gases and vapors and of the pitch residue.

A body of the liquid hydrocarbon will be maintained in the bottom of the still and, by means of the rapid rotation of the roll, will be pumped up between the roll and the side of the still at a rapid rate and will be discharged in the form of a layer upwardly along the vertical wall of the still and over the curved top, and part of the liquid hydrocarbon will simultaneously be sprayed by the roll into the gases in the still, forming a thorough mass of intensive spray throughout the entire interior of the still. The wash layer of liquid hydrocarbon will be more or less irregular, and the liquid hydrocarbon will be kept in such active circulation and will be so thoroughly splashed and sprayed into the gases and along ,the walls of the still that all parts of the gases -fact that the gases may require only a period of a few seconds, say from one to five seconds, for their passage through the still, and during this brief period of time they may be reduced, for

example, from 750 C. to around 300 C. or lower,

while the liquid hydrocarbon may require a period of only a few minutes for its passage through the still and its distillation therein, for example,

a-period of three to ten minutes or somewhat I more, depending upon the rate of speed, the dimensions of the still,.the size of the body of liquid hydrocarbon in the bottom of the still, etc. Nevertheless, during the brief interval of passage of the gases through the still and of the passage of the liquid hydrocarbon therethrough, the action of the gases, and of the liquid hydrocarbon on the gases, is so great that the gases are cooled to a temperature approximating that of the-liqture approximating that of the gases, so that the escaping gases and pitch approach a condition of equilibrium with respect to each other.

Some of the spray may leave the still with the gases and vapors, but it will be caught in the settling tower and returned to the still. The admixed gases and vapors leaving the settling tower will be at a high temperature, for example, around 250 to 350 0., when 400 F., pitchis made from coal tar, although this temperature may vary with the conditions of operation, and particularly when the tar or other hydrocarbon isintroduced into the settling tower to be partially distilled therein.

By varying the depth of the liquid in the still, by means of the adjustable overflow outlet 39, the distance which the rotating spray device dips into the liquid can be adjusted, and the character of the layer of liquid propelled against the surface of theapparatus and the character of the spray produced can be regulated. Less careful adjustment is necessary with the grooved roll of Fig. 5 than with a smooth cylindrical roll, and the grooved roll has other advantages. If local over-distillation and formation of small particles of coke take place, this will be unobjectionable because theparticles of coke will be caught in the rapidly moving body of liquid and blended therewith so that the liquid residue, which may contain more or less finely divided coke in it, will leave the apparatus in a liquid state, the liquid constituents serving as a flux for any solidified particles which may be formed. The present process enables ordinary coke oven tar to be distilled to produce practically the maximum pos sible yield of oil, for example, around '75 or or more of the tar distilled, together with a high melting point pitch around 400 or 500 F. melting point; but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the distillation of the liquid hydrocarbon to produce the maximum yield of distillate oils and the highest melting point pitch residues, since the invention presents many advantages when employed for the rapid distillation of hydrocarbons to produce lower yields of distillate and lower melting point residues.

r 1. The method of distilling liquid hydrocarbon by direct contact with high temperature gases, which comprises maintaining a body of the hydrocarbons in a still, spraying the hydrocarbons rapidly into the vapor space of the still with the maximum intensity of'spray in an upward direction, and introducing the gases, into the still through the zone of maximum spray and thoroughly contacting the gases with the spray to effect almost instantaneous cooling of the gases and rapid heating and distillation of the hydrocarbons by contact therewith, causing liquid be-'- ing distilled to flow rapidly as a layer over the interior surfaces of the still walls in such manner as to form a rapidly rotating liquid conduit that inhibits formation of stationary accumulations on the still walls.

2. The method of distilling liquid hydrocarbons by direct contact with high temperature gases, which comprises maintaining a body of the hydrocarbons in the bottom of a still having a curved upper portion, pumping the hydrocarbon upwardly between a rapidly rotating element and a side wall of the still to continuously form a layer passing over the curved upper portion of the still, simultaneously, filling the still with a thorough spray of the hydrocarbons, and passing the high temperature gases into. and through the still and removing the admixed gases and vapors from the still.

3. The method of distilling tar and of producing distillate oils and pitch residue therefrom, which comprisesintroducing hot coal distillation gases into a still continuously. and removing admixed gases and oil va'pors from the still continuously, introducing the tar or partially distilled tar into the still and withdrawing the pitch residue there: from continuously at a point remote from the introduction of tar, and effecting the distillation by causing the tar to flow rapidly and continuously over the interior walls of the still to form a conduit thereof enclosing the gases, the liquid forming said conduit flowing in a generally spiral direction from the point of tar introduction to the point of pitch removal and thoroughly sprayaproaching that of the tar or partially distilled v tar, and the tar is rapidly distilled and pitch produced therefrom.

4. The method of distilling tar and of producing distillate oils and pitch residues therefrom, which comprises introducing into a still hot coke oven gases through a plurality of individual openings, introducing into the still the tar or partially distilled tar and withdrawing therefrom the pitch residue, spraying the tar or partially distilled tar into the gases to thoroughly contact all parts of the gases therewith, and concentrating the spray of the tar or pitch at the location where the gases enter through the separate gas inlets.

5. The method of distilling tar and ,of producing distillate oils and pitch residues therefrom, which comprises continuously introducing into a still at one location high temperature coke oven gases and continuously withdrawing from the still at a remote location admixed gases and oil vapors, introducing into the still the tar or partially distilled tar and withdrawing the pitch residue therefrom, continuously spraying all parts of the still with the tar or pitch and continuously pumping a layer of the tar or pitch over the interior walls of the still to form a liquid conduit through which the gases are caused to pass, and which conduit is filled with spray of the tar or pitch.

6. The method of distilling tar and of producing distillate oils and pitch residues therefrom in a still containing an element of generally cylindrical contour adjacent one wall, which comprises introducing into the still the tar to be distilled and withdrawing the pitch residue from the still, maintaining in the still a body of the tar or pitch, rapidly rotating-the element of generally cylindrical contour so that the tar or pitch is pumped by the rapidly rotating element upwardly between it and the still wall, and causing the interior of the still to be sprayed with the tar or. pitch by the rapidly rotating element, introducing into the still high temperature gases to effect distillation of the tar and pitch and withdrawing from the still the admixed gases and vapors and the pitch residue.

7. The method of distilling tar and of producing distillate oils and pitch residues therefrom, which comprises introducing into one end of a still of generally oval contour high temperature gases and withdrawing admixed gases and vapors from the other end of the still, introducing into one end of the still the tar to be distilled and withdrawing from the other end the pitch residue,

and effecting distillation of the tar in the still by pumping it continuously upwardly along one wall of the still and over the curved top of the still and by continuously spraying the interior of the still with the tar.

8. The method of distilling tar and of producing distillate oils and pitch residues therefrom in a still with a curved upper portion which contains a rotatable element adjacent one wall, which comprises introducing into the still hot coke oven gases at .practically the maximum temperature at which they leave the coke ovens and causing the same to pass rapidly through the still and withdrawing the admixed gases and vapors from the still, continuously introducing into the still the tar to be distilled and continuously withdrawing the pitch residue therefrom, rapidly rotating the element so as to pump a continuous layer of the tar or pitch over the curved upper portion of the still to form a continuous conduit of the tar or pitch and continuously spraying the interior of the still with the tar or pitch whereby the gases are almost instantaneously cooled to a temperature approaching that of the pitch and whereby the tar is rapidly distilled by 'contact with the hot gases.

9. A still provided with means for introducing high temperature gases and withdrawing admixed gases and vapors and with means for introducing liquid to be distilled and for withdrawing residue therefrom, means for maintaining a body of liquid in the bottom of the still, a rapidly rotating element of generally cylindrical contour arranged to dip into the said liquid and arranged near one side wall of the still so that the liquid will be pumped upwardly in the form of a layer between the rotating element and the still wall and so that the liquid will be sprayed by the rapidly rotating element into the still to bring about effective contact of the liquid with the gas, and a condenser for cooling the admixed gases and vapors to condense oils therefrom.

10. A still having a curved upper portion and a rotating element of generally cylindrical contour located in the lower portion of the still at one side, means for introducing high temperature gases into the still and for removing admixed gases and vapors, means for introducing into the still liquid to be distilled and for removing the liquid residue therefrom, means for maintaining a body of liquid in the bottom of the still into which the rapidly rotating element dips, and means for rotating said element to cause rapid circulation of the liquid upwardly between it and the side wall of the still and over the curved upper portion of the still in the form of'a continuous layer and for spraying the liquid into the "gases inthe still,-and a condenser for cooling the admixed gases and vapors to condense oils therefrom.

11. A still having a curved upper portion and having a rotating element of generally cylindrical contour near the bottom of the still at one side, means for rapidly rotating said element, means for maintaining a body of liquid in the bottom of the still, means for introducing the liquid to be distilled and for withdrawing the residue therefrom, means for introducing hot gases for effecting the distillation and for withdrawing admixed gases and varors from the still and for cooling the same to condense oils therefrom, said rapidly rotating element and the shape of the still being adapted to cause a continuous flow of the liquid upwardly between the element and the side wall of the still and over the curved upper portion of the still and said rapidly rotating element being adapted to spray the liquid into the gases in the still to effect rapid cooling of the gases and rapid distillation of the liquid.

12. An apparatus for distilling liquid hydrocarbons with hot coal distillation gases, comprising a still located adjacent 'to coal distillation ovens or retorts and having a plurality of gas inlet connections with a plurality of such ovens or retorts, whereby the coal distillation gases can be introduced from the individual ovensor retorts into the still at a plurality of difierent points, means for introducing into the still the liquid hydrocarbon to be distilled and for withdrawing from the still the residue remaining after the distillation. an outlet for the gases and vapors from the still and means for cooling the same to condense oils therefrom, a rapidly rotating element of generally cylindrical contour arranged in the still near one side wall thereof and having means for rotating the same at a rapid rate, the location of the gas inlets and of the rapidly rotatable element being such that the liquid is sprayed into the gases and the spray is concentrated at the location where the gases enter the still.

13. An apparatus for the distillation of liquid element being so located with reference to a wall of the still that it will force a layer of liquid upwardly between the element and the wall and spray the liquid hydrocarbon into the'gases in the still.

14. An apparatus such as defined in claim 9 having bafiles arranged to reduce or prevent surging of the liquid in the stil 15. An apparatus such as defined in claim 9 arranged for concurrent flow of gases and liquid through the still.

16. An apparatus such as arranged for countercurrent liquid through the still.

1'7. An apparatus for the distillation of tar at coke oven plants by direct contact with hot coke oven gases, comprising a heavily insulated still,

defined in claim 9 flow of gases and connections therefrom to a plurality of coke ovens so arranged as .to permit introduction of the gases from a plurality of coke ovens into the still at a high temperature, an outlet from the still and means for cooling the escaping gases and vapors to condense oils therefrom, means for introducing continuously into the still the tar to be distilled and for withdrawing pitch therefrom, and means for bringing about intimate contact and thorough scrubbing of the gases with the tar or pitch and rapid distillation of the tar or pitch by the hot gases comprising a rapidly rotating element of generally cylindrical contour so arranged. in the still as to cause a layer of the tar or pitch to be continually circulated over the interior walls of the still and to spray the interior of the still with the tar orv pitch.

18. A stillprovided with means for introducing liquid to be distilled and for withdrawing residue therefrom, means for maintaining a body of liquid in the bottom of the still and providing a vapor space above said body, a rapidly rotating element of generally cylindrical contour arranged to dip into said liquid so that the liquid will be sprayed into the vapor space to bring about effective contact of the liquid with the gas, a hot gas inlet at a wall of the still and provided with a lip extending into the. still adjacent the inlet to protect the inlet from liquid projected by the rotating element, and means for withdrawing admixed gases and vapors from the still.

19. In the method of distilling a liquid hydrocarbon by bringing it into direct contact with a high temperature gas, the improvement which comprises causing the liquid hydrocarbon to flow rapidly as a layer over the interior surfaces of the still walls in such manner as to form a rotating liquid conduit that inhibits formation of stationary accumulations on the still walls, and passing the high temperature gas through the liquid conduit.

20. In the method of distilling a liquid hydrocarbon by spraying it into direct contact with a high temperature gas wherein the hot gas is continuously introduced into a still and the gas and admixed oil vapors and also the distillation residue are continuously removed from the still, the improvement which comprises causing the liquid hydrocarbon to flow rapidly as a layer over the interior surfaces of the still walls in such manner as to form a rapidly rotating liquid conduit that inhibits formation of stationary accumulations on the still walls, producing an intense spray of the'liquid hydrocarbon within the rapidly rotating liquid'conduit, and passing the hot gas therethrough.

21. In the method of distilling a liquid hydrocarbon by bringing it into direct contact with a high temperature gas wherein the hot gas is continuously introduced into a still and the gas and admixed oil vapors and also the distillation residue are continuously removed from the still, the improvement which comprisespumping the liquid hydrocarbon upwardly between a rapidly rotating cylindrical element and a side wall of the still in such manner as to form a rapidly rotating liquid conduit that prevents formation of stationary accumulations on the still walls, and

CHARLES: G. STUPP.