US2045216A - Method of reclaiming used lubricating oil - Google Patents

Description

H. G. CROWLEY ET A1. '2,045,216

MTHD OF RECLAIMING USED LU'BRICATING OIL June 23,l 1936.

Filed Feb', e. 1933 s sheep-sheet 1 June 23, 1936. r H G. CROWLEY ET Al.A I 2,045,215

METHOD OF RECLAIMING USED LUBRIOATING OIL Filed Feb. 6, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /L- "S Inni- U, l1

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H. G. CROWLEY ET AL METHOD OF RECLAIMING USED LUBRICATING OIL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 6, 1933 45| We have also discovered that the oil after heat Patented lune 23, 1936 UNITEDI STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD 0F RECLAIMING USED LUBRICATING OIL vappumid'im February s. 1933, serial No. 655,504

4 emma. (cl. ias-1s)A Y* invention relates to a method and apparatus for reclaiming or reconditioning used lubricating oils and particularly to the reclaiming of crank case oils, which have become so diluted w'ith lighter hydrocarbons and so contaminated with foreign substances such as dust, particles of metal, carbon, or the like, so as to render them useless as a lubricant.

In prior process for reclaiming used lubricating oilvsteam or air employed for agitating the oil in the heating chamber was introduced while the oil was being heated. We have discovered, however. that it is advantageous to iirst subject the used lubricating oil to heat treatment and discontinue the heating thereof before the steam is introduced into the body of the heated oil. Among the advantages incident to our improved method are the cooling of the oil to a desirable temperature whereby the same will not injure the lter paper when introduced to the filtration zone, minimizing the tendency of cracking of (the oils, preventing the tendency of the heated oils to iiash" when led to the filtration zone .and avoiding the tendency of slowing down the heating operation as would be the case if the steam were intro,- duced during the heating step. i

We have also discovered that aportion of the heavier impurities can be removed from the used crank case oils before subjecting them to the heating and steaming steps above mentioned by the utilization of a portion of the waste heat from the oil from a prior heating and filtering step to effect a separation of heavygreases and sludge from the lubricating and lighter oils contained in the used-oils such that the 'oil charged to the heating and steaming step can be more elcaciously treated. As a result of this improvement the temperature of the lered oilis lowered, while producing the important advantage above described, so as to leave the oil at a desirable temperature for a further purification step and at a temperature at which oxidization after discharge from the process is inhibited.

treatment and filtering still contains a quantity of very finely divided carbon and have further discovered that if this oil, after it has had its temperature somewhat reduced by causing' it to give up some of its heat `to the oil entering the process for the purpose above stated, is caused to come into intimate contact with a metal con-v tact surface, the `finely divided carbon is precipitated and removed from the oil.

We have also provided an improved apparatus aninternal combustion engine,

in which our process may be carried out although it is to be understood vthat the process may be carried out in an apparatus other than that illustrated.

One object of the invention is, therefore. to 5 provide a method whereby used crank case oil may be subjected to controlled heating and filtering to separate it from contained impuritiessuch as lighter hydrocarbons'from the cylinders of water, motor. 1o cuttings, dust and carbon. 4

Another object of the invention is to provide a process for reclaiming usedlubricating oils in which the oil is subjected to heating and'steam-4 ing,- wherein the heating of the oil is discontinued before the steam` is introduced into the body of the heatedoil, to produce the improved' results above pointed out.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a method of reclaiming used crank 2o case oil wherein the waste heat from the heat Y treating portion of the process is used to effect Another object of the invention resides in an so improved apparatus providinga combination of elements for carrying out our process of reclaiming used lubricating oils hereindisclosed.

A further object of the inventionis to provide. in a device for treating'used lubricating oils, an 35 improved filtering aparatos which cooperates with the otherelements of the combination to l producea more-complete purification of the oil and which lends itself to safety in the operation of the device and eliminates the danger of serious 40 burns to the operator due to the handling of heated residues and the`dripping ofheated oilsv from the :dltering aparatus.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved device for utilizing the heat of the oil being treated, to provideand admitto the oil, steam of the desired temperature and pressure and in the correct amount for satisfactory treatment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description of the preferred embodiment ofthe apparatus shown in the attached drawings and in the description of the preferred process of treating used crank case oil. In the attached drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation of the complete oil treating device;

Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, of the treating chamber;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of the lower portion of the treating chamber with parts removed;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the lter door.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I6 -indicates a heat exchanger in which treated oil is made to give up part of its heat to the oil to be treated; II indicates a mixing chamber in which oil and lter material is mixed prior to charging into treating chamber; I 2 indicates generally an oil treating chamber assembly; I3 indicates generally the filter door and filter paper supplying assembly; I4 indicates the condenser for condensing vapors from the oil treating chamber; I5 indicates the receiving tank for the distillate from theA condenser; and I5' indicates a metal contact filtration device for the treated oil after it is passed through the heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger Iii comprises a tank I6 provided with an `inlet I1 through which used crank case oil may be pumped or drained into the heat exchanger tank. A pipe coil i 8 is positioned Within the heat exchanger tank and connected to the outlet of the filter door, asvhereinafter explained. The other end of the coil I8 is connected to an outlet pipe I9 which leads to the contact filter I5'. The heat exchanger tank is provided with an overflow pipe 20 and with an outlet pipe 2I. It is to be noted that the outlet pipe 2|A is connected to the heat exchanger tank at a point spaced from the bottom of the heat exchanger tank to provide a settling chamber below the outletand that a drain 22 having a valve 23 is provided to empty the lowerportion of the heat exchanger tank. The outlet pipe 2i is provided with a `manually operable quick action valve 24-and this outlet pipeempties into the top of the mixing chamber II.

The mixing tank Il has an enlarged opening which `can be closed by the cap 25, the opening being provided for the purpose of allowing a measured amount of oil treating material, for example, acid treated clay to be poured into the mixing chamber II. An agitating device operated by the agitating lever 26 is provided for lsecuring an intimate mixture between the oil to be treated and the mixing material. A source y of compressed air 21 connected to the mixing chamber Il through air pressure regulator 28, valve 29 and pipe 38 allows air pressure to be applied to the surface of the mixture in the treating chamber, to force the mixture through the I `suitable gaseous pressure may be utilized for this purpose. A check valve 34 is provided in the pipe 3| to prevent back pressure from the treating chamber`32 from interfering with the operation ofthe mixing chamber II.

The treating chamber 32 which is positioned within the outer casing 33 comprises a cylindrical portion 35 anda conical lower portion 36. Pines '31 extend vertically through the treating steam generating device 39 is positioned within the treating chamber 32 and has its outer surface in' contact with the mixture contained in the treating chamber. This steam generating device comprises an outer casing 40 which is connected with a source of water 4I through a strainer 42, water pressure regulator 43, orifice fitting 44, a three-way valve and the pipe 46. A pipe 41 extends through the bottom of the casing 48 to a point adjacent the top of the casing and is connected to the outlet pipe 48 of the treating chamber 32 through a ball check valve 49. The burner 38 surrounds the outlet pipe 48 and is connected to a fuel supply through a pipe 5U which has interposed therein a fuel regulating valve 5I controlled by a thermostat 52 responsive to the temperature of the mixture in the treating chamber. This thermostat can be utilized to discontinue the heating of the mixture when a predetermined temperature is reached. A thermometer 53 is also provided to give a visual indication of the temperature of the mixture. 'An outlet 54 for vapor leads from the upper portion of the treating chamber 32, through the outer casing 33 to an expansion chamber 55. 'I'he expansion chamber 55 is connected through a pipe 56 to a cooling coil 51 positioned within the condensing chamber I4. The other end of the cooling coil is connected through a sight glass 58 to the receiving tank I5. The condensing chamber I4 is provided withan inlet 59 and an outlet 60 for a cooling medium such as water. The receiving chamber I5 is provided with a vent 6I which may, lead to any desired location and an outlet 62 for the distillate.

As shown inr Figure 2, a manually operated valve 63 is provided in the lower outlet 48 o1' the treating chamber and has connected thereto a pipe leading into a filter chamber 64 positioned below the outer casing 33 and forming a support for the treating chamber assembly. A pipe 63' is connected to a source of compressed air through a pipe 21, pressure regulator 28, valve 64 and enters the filtering chamber 64 to provide air pressure for pressure filtration. As indicated above with respect to the mixing chamber any other source of suitable gaseous pressure such as steam or any inert gas may be utilized. As shown in'Figure 1 the filter chamber 64 is supported upon a frame work 65 which also forms a support for the filter paper feeding device hereinafter de- Y scribed.

chamber and guide members 10 slidably mounted upon the guide pins and rigidly secured to the door plate 68, by means of bolts 1I permit the filter door 66 to be moved vertically but maintain the door in a horizontal position at all times. The door 66 is supported upon a spherical bearing member 12 which is drilled and internally threaded to receive a threaded discharge pipe 13.

The pipe 13 is also threaded into the door plate 68 to form a rigid connection between the bearing member 12 and plate 68. The bearing member 12 is received in a semi-spherical socket 14 forming part of a door closing beam 16. Beam 15 is pivotally supported at one end by a link 16 and has an extension 11 engaging one end oi' a counter-balancing spring 18 which has its other end engaging a bracket 18 mounted upon the frame 85. Link 18 is pivoted at 88 to a '15 when the beam approaches its uppermost position. 'I'he link 82 is pivoted at 84 to a vertically lmovable member 85 slidably mounted in a bracket 88 secured to the illter chamber casing 84. 'Ihe slidable member 85 isprovided at its upper end with a screw threaded extension (not shown) lupon which is mounted an internally threaded member 8,1 bearing upon the bracket 88. A double ratchet device 88 provided with a lever 88 is positioned above the member 81 and is effective to turn the internally threaded member 81 in either direction at the will oi the operator.

'Ihe ltering device I3 is also provided with means for positioning a freshl supply of filter paper or cloth upon perforated plate 81 forming part of the lter door and for removing the residue .from the lter chamber; In the embodiment shown, this device includes supports 88 and 8| mounted upon the frame 65 and provided with notches for. receiving arbors upon which filter l paper rolls 82 and 83 are mounted. Superposed webs of lter paper 84 are threaded across the top of the lter door 88 as shown in Figures 1 and3 and are re-rolled upon an arbor 85 journaled in a bearing V88 mounted-upon the frame 88. The arbor 85 is provided with a crank 81 for manual rotation. 'Ihe guide pins 81, upon which the'fllter door is slidably mounted; also' serve as guides for the filter paper.

The dischargepipe 13.from the iiltering device is connected through flexible connections to the coil I8 o! the heat exchangerl8 by al pipe 88. As described abovegthe coil I8 of the heat exchanger is connected through pipe I8 to the upper portion of the contact ltration device I5. The contact filtration device I5 comprises an outer 'casing 88 providingl a chamber which may .be nlled with copper or steelwool, or similar metalli'c material, having a large, contact surface and small interstices for the oil to illter through. A discharge pipe I88 leads from the lower portion'v of the iliter I5 and discharges into any convenient container for the reconditioned oil.

The improved process which we employ to rel claim used crank case oil will be described in connection with the operation, of the apparatus herein shown, but it is to be understood-"that other i'orms of apparatus caribe used in carrying out our process.' In carrying out our process, used `.'I-l into the roll fromA 'throucl one oil is pumped or drained through pipe heat 'exchanger chamber I8. Heated a prior 4treating operation 'is forced The heat thus made available` attacks grease and sind present in the crank case drainings, the

heavy 'non-mtering substances settle down and the lubricating or lighter oil separates upwardly 'auch that the heavy greases and sludge accumuthe coil I8 in the heat exchanger and l gives up some of its heat totleilto be treated.

opening valve 24- is opened to anew the 4lubricating and lighter oils to drain into the mixing chamber. The overflow 28 in the heat exchanger chamber determines the amount of crank case drainings in the heat exchanger such that itis impossible to overload the mixing chamber and also provides a vent so that the oil will readilyl flow from the heat exchanger. A calculated charge of acid treated clay or other -oil treating substance is introduced into the mixing chamber and agitated so as to thoroughly incorporate the treating substance into the oil. The cover 25 for the mixing chamber is `then screwed down tightly and compressed air vintroduced into the pipe' 38 to force the mixture through the pipe 8i and check valve 34 into-a treating chamber 32.

Heat is then applied to the treating chamber by means of the burner 38 and the temperature of the oil and treating material raised to substan-1 tially`600 F. When the temperature reachessub- L stantially this point, the burner is shut on' and the three-way valve 45 actuated to admit a controlled amount of water into the steam generator 48. The amount of wateradmitted in a given time is determined by the water pressure regulator 43 and the oriiice iittlng 44 and the water thus admitted .is strained through strainer 42 to prevent a deposition oi.' foreign matter in the pressure regulator, oriiice 44, valve 45 or steam generator 48. The water admitted to the steam generator -48 absorbs heat from the oil Vsurrounding the steam generator and the resultant steam is collected by the pipe 41 and injected into pipe 48 so as to pass upwardly through the mixture contained in the treating chamber to agitate the t same and carry -o'fl' vapors entrained therein. The formation of steam in the steam generator will abstract heat from the mixture in the treating chamber and the steam admitted to the treat` ing chamber will be at a somewhat lower temperature than the mixture. It will be seen that the effect of the formation oi.' the steam and admission of the steamto the treating chamber will cause a drop in temperature of the mixture `as well as an agitation of the mixture.

During the heating oi.' the mixture and the subsequent agitation by steam, the lighter Ifractions containedin the .mixture will'be driven 0E as vapors contained in the condenser I4, andA received as a liquid in the condensation tank I5.

When the mixture `has been agitated for a sufiicient length of time and the temperature lowered to approximately 524 F. thefthree-way valve 45 may b'e operated to disconnect the water sup ply from the steam generator and open thev generator to the atmosphere to relieve the pressure therein. The checkvalve 48 prevents the passage of any of the mixture back to the steam generator 48.

Introducing the steaml after the heating operation does not have a tendency to slow down the heating ofthe oil as would be the case if it were introduced simultaneously with the heating-step..

nor does the steam, 4when employed, have a tendency to aid in cracking the oil due to the-high and the temperature is'lowered sutllcientlyto pre- 70 vent burning or charrlng of the iilter paper used.

other gases or vapors, for example an inert gas,

' Although steam is preferred, it is possible touse to agitate the mixture and carry ofi' entrained 75 incoming crank case drainings in is also to be noted that our During the heating steps a fresh supply of filter paper has been positioned upon the perforated plate 61 of the filter door 66 and the filter door has been closed tightly against the opening 'in the filter chamber. The manually operated valve 63 is then opened and the mixture allowed to ow into the filter chamber 64, after which the valve 63 is again closed. Compressed air is then admitted into the filter chamber through pipe63 to force the oil through the filter paper. This pressure is also effective Vto force vthe filtered oil through the pipe 98, the heat exchanger coil i8 and the contact filter I5 to the outlet |90.

Upon completion of the filtering operation the ratchet device 88 is operated by a lever 89 to relieve the pressure exerted by the beam 15 against the filter door 66. The link 82 is then removed from the end 83 of the beam 15 and the beam lowered manually carrying the filter door with it. Upon actuation of the crank 91, the used filter paper is withdrawn from the perforated filter plate 61 and wound upon the arbor 95. As a result of the rolling of the filter paper, the collection of clay and carbon deposit on the paper is dumped into any convenient container placed below the arbor 95. Also, a fresh supply of filter paper is positioned upon the filter plate for the next filtering operation. It will be noted that the filter paper, at all times, completely covers the top of the filter door and prevents any accidental accumulation of residue upon the door which might prevent the proper closing of the door. Also, it eliminates the necessity of the operator handling the heated residue or in any way coming in contact with the heated portions of the treating apparatus. After a fresh supply of filter paper has been positioned, the beam 15 is again raised, the link 82 slipped over the end thereof and the ratchet device 88 actuated to tighten the door against the bottom of the filter chamber. It improved device for closing the filter door eliminates the necessity of the operators placing any portion of his body below the filter chamber and coming in contact with heated oil dripping therefrom.

It will be noted that in our process the oil is filtered while hot, although the maximum temperature reached is somewhat reduced before 'filtering in order to prevent fiashing and burning of the filter paper. The heat still contained in the oil is used to raise the temperature of the order, not only to conserve the heat necessary for treating the oil, but also to 'effect a preliminary separation of lubricating and lighter oils from non-filtering residues. Also, the heat exchanger serves to still further reduce the temperature of the filtered oil such that oxidation of the oil is inhibited.

We have discovered that oil treated,yas described above, still contains a considerable amount of very finely divided carbon and have discovered that this carbon can be removed by passing oil,

while at an elevated temperature through a device wherein it is brought into intimate contact with the metallic surface. The filtered oil, when it leaves the heat exchanger, is at such a temperature that' passing it through a chamber containing copper or steel wool, or a similar substance, the finely divided carbon is deposited thereon and removed from the oil.

While we have described our preferred apparatus for the -re-claiming of use crank case oil and have described our preferred method of treating used oil. it will be understood that the apparatus herein disclosed and described'isfor the purpose of illustration only and that `our method may be carried out in other apparatus than that shown. It will alsobe understood that various changes may be made in the apparatus and method describedwithin the scope of the following claims.

What we claim is: l

1. The herein described process of reclaiming used lubricating oils, the steps which comprise,A

introducing used oils and a colloidal absorbent into a heated zone and heating the same to a high degree of temperature, discontinuing the heat treatment and while the oil remains in a condition introducing steam upwardly through the body thereof of a pressure sufficient to completely agitate the mixture and carry off the released volatile constituents thereof, withdrawing the oil from the heating zone and introducing it to a separate filtration zone and forcing the same, under pressure, through a filtration fabric, the said supply of steam tending to reduce the temperature of the oil to an extent such that it will not scorch the ltration'fabric during the filtration stage.

2. The herein described process of reclaiming used crank case oils, the steps which consist in introducing used oils and a sufcient amount of acid clay to restore it substantially to its original specification into a heated zone, heating the mixture to a high temperature sufficient to boil off the light constituents, discontinuing the heating operation and introducing an inert 'gas into the body of the mixture for the purpose of reducing its temperature to a predetermined extent, said inert gas being introduced under a sufficient pressure to completely agitate the mixture, withdrawing the heated oil at its reduced temperature from the heating zone and introducing it into a filtration zone, applying an inert gas to the body of oil within the filtration zone for the purpose of accelerating its filtration therein.

3. The herein described process of reclaiming used oils, the steps which comprise, mixing a quantity of colloidal clay and used oil, thence introducing the mixture into a heated zone, where it is subjected to a heat treatment, discontinuing the heat treatment and reducing the temperature of the heated oil to a predetermined degree by passing a stream of inert gas upwardly which serves also to agitate the mixture, withdrawing the heated oil, at its reduced temperature from the heated zone and subjecting it to a separate filtration zone whereby to separate the clay and other non-lubricating constituents from the oil.

4. The herein described process of reclaiming used oils, the steps which comprise, mixing a quantity of colloidal clay and used oil, thence introducing the mixture into a heated zone, where it is subjected to a heat treatment, discontinuing the heat treatment thereafter reducing the temperature of the oil'v by bringing water into inclirect heat exchanging relation with the oil to re-.

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