US2102548A

US2102548A - Apparatus for treating hydrocarbon oils

Info

Publication number: US2102548A
Application number: US13219A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles W Stratford
Original assignee: STRATFORD DEV CORP
Current assignee: STRATFORD DEV CORP; STRATFORD DEVELOPMENT Corp
Priority date: 1935-03-27
Filing date: 1935-03-27
Publication date: 1937-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 1954-12-14

Description

C. W. STRATFORD APPARATUS FOR TREATING HYDROCARBON OILS Dec. 14, 1937.

Filed March 2'7, 1955 INVENTOR. CMZSfrzvfl-on BY flwlf: ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 1937 UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE ArrAaA'rUs ron- 'ram'rma unmo- CARBON. oms

Charles W. Stratford, Kansas City, Mo., asslgnor to Stratford Development Corporation, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Application March 2'1, 1935, Serial No. 13,219

7 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for treating hydrocarbon oils and more particularly to a contactor for contacting a hydrocarbon oil with a treating agent, as for example, acid.

15 is of great importance in order to secure the best treating results. By way of clarification and not by way of limitation, the following example is given. When treating a pressure distillate containing a large percentage of sulphur bodies at atmospheric temperature (70 F.) with relative large quantities of acid (approximately 12 pounds of 98 percent sulphuric acid), 'the'total contact time between the acid and the distillate must not exceed one second. It has been found that a contact time in excess offlthis period will result in polymerization losses and further losses or distil- .late by dissolution in the concentrated sulphuric acid. The polymerization losses and distillate losses will be so excessive that the treating process duced, the contacting time could be lengthened. Still by way of example, in the treatment of lubricating oil distillates with sulphuric acid, it is 35 usually necessary to heat these to a temperature of in the neighborhoodof 180 F. in order to reduce their viscosity to such a point that they may be dispersed and homogenized with .acid. The contact me which is permissible in the treatment 40 Of lubri ting oil distillates with sulphuric acid may be as long as 300 seconds. It will readily be understood by those skilled in the art that the contact time is usually a function ofthe strength 'and quantity of the acid, the particular hydrocarbon oil" belngtreated and the temperature at which the treating process takes place.

The difflculties encountered in acid treating in refinery operations and the unsatisfactory-results which are often attained'for a given hydrocarbon distillateare caused chiefly by the employment of A contactor is a mechanical mixer, the con- 0 will be uneconomical. In the-above example, if

the temperature of the pressure distillate were re-- agent and the hydrocarbon oil being treated obtained, the determination of the proper contact c s time is impossible.

The temperature in treating processes can be readily controlled by heat exchange. The chemi- 5 cal composition of a particular distillate to be treated can be ascertained and is moreor less constant. The strength of the acid, if acid is the r.

" treating agent to be employed, can also be governed and maintained at a uniform point. We have then two variables which ,must be controlled in order to'get proper results. These are uniformity of dispersion or mixing of the treating agent with the distillate to be treated, and the contact time during which the acid and the disl5 tillate are to remain in intimate contact with each other..

I have given a case of contacting hydrocarbon 'distillates with acid by way of example. It is to be understood that any of the treating agents known to the art which are or may be suitable for the treatment of hydrocarbon oils,-may be employed in my apparatus. For example, sulphur dioxide, either alone or in combination with benzene, chloroform, or the like, nitro enzene, phe- I101, dichlor ethyl ether, furfural, propane, mixtures of propane with selective solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, or the like, may be employed. Likewise, solutions of ,metallic salts or metallic oxides as well as caustic solutions may be intimately mixed with hydrocarbon oils in my apparatus. Similarly, oils may be blended and addition agents may be added to oils by means of my apparatus. For example, pour point depressants like the condensation product of a chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon and a chlorinated wax may be intimately mixed with hydrocarbon oils by means of my 'apparatus. Similarly, film strength and oiliness characteristic improvers may be blended with hydrocarbon oils in my ap- 40 paratus. For example, chlorinated diphenyl may be mixed with hydrocarbon oils as oiliness improvers.

One object of my invention is to provide a mechanical mixing device whereby intimate mixtures of liquids and/or liquids and finely divided solids, as for example diatomaceous earth, bnto- 5Q nite; fullers earth, tripoli, and other filter aids, may be intimately mixed and uniformly dispersed through the liquid. x

' Another object of 'my invention is to provide a mechanical mixing device in which the time or Jam,

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanical contacting device in which the volume of the apparatus may be varied in order to provide a. time interval of contacting which is gas with the liquid being contacted in my apparatus.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

In general, my invention contemplates the pro vision of a circular impeller for establishing a zone of high turbulence and providing stationary shearing blades above the impeller and diffuser vanes below the impeller. The impeller establishes a rapid flow of liquid in a short, continuous path. The direction of flow is constantly being changed and the velocity of flow is constantly being altered so that ,frequent enforced changes in velocity and direction result. The volume of liquid within the contacting zone is governed by an adjustable means.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms part of the instant specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in' the various views;

Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section, of an apparatus embodying one mode of carrying out my invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation of .the lower part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, with part of the exterior casing broken away.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a. sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

More particularly referring now to the drawing, a shell is formed with an upper cylindrical portion I and a lower portion 2, which is made in the form of a truncated cone. The lower pertion 2 is provided with a spaced shell 3 forming a jacket in which is provided a suitable baflie, as for example spiral baflle 4. Suitably supported from shell I is a driving motor 5 which is con-- nected to shaft 6, which is housed in a tube 1. The end 8 of shaft 6 is guided by a bushing 9 in the lower portion of the apparatus. Keyed to shaft 6 in any suitable manner is an impeller I0. It will be observed that, by putting the driving motor at the top, leakage and diiliculties which would otherwise be encountered by a bottom stuffing box are avoided. This is especially advantageous if acid is used as a treating agent.

Within the lower portion 2 of the shell and spaced therefrom, I provide abaflie I I in the form of a truncated cone. The shell 2 and the bailie II form an annular passageway of progressively increasing cross sectional area. Within this passageway I position a plurality of vanes I2 which extend longitudinally. Lying longitudinally along the interior surface of baflle II and extending radially, I provide a plurality of vanes I3. Directly above the impeller I0 I provide a plurality of shearing blades I4. Directly below the impeller III I provide a plurality of diffuser vanes I5 by which the liquid is straightened into linear turbulent flow. Further vanes I6 are provided in the annular passageway formed in the lower portion of my contactor. A lubricating device I! is contact may be readily controlled and adjusted.

provided for lubricating the lower portion 8 of the shaft 6. A plurality of manifolds I8 having branch pipes I9 communicating with the interior of shell I are provided as can readily be seen by reference to Figure 1. These manifolds are the outlet manifolds. Each manifold is provided with a plug cock 20 which controls communication of each manifold with a header 2 I. Positioned within the cylindrical portion I of the shell I provide a float 22 which is made up of a plurality of segments secured to each other by flanges 23 in any suitable manner. In its lowest position, with my apparatus empty, the float rests upon stops 24. The float may be made of steel or any other suitable material. A wire cable 25 passes through stuffing box 26 over pulleys 21 and is secured to an indicator device 28 which is adapted to ride in a .guideway 29 secured to the exterior of the shell I. It will be obvious that, as the float 22 rises, the indicator button 28 will drop indicating the position of the float within the shell. The liquids to be mixed are charged to the contactor through inlet nozzle 30, an inlet pipe 3| being provided interiorly to conduct the liquids to be mixed to a point near the axis of my apparatus.

, By introducing the liquids to be mixed or contacted in this manner into the suction of the impeller, there is no danger of having materials which are not thoroughly mixed overflowing through the outlet manifold. It will be noted that the outlet manifolds are positioned to skim the mixture from the very outside of the shell at points where the mixture is intimate and homogeneous. A number of eduction points are provided around the shell to avoid the withdrawal of a mixture from entirely one point, thus avoiding the short circuiting of unmixed liquids. The

plug cocks

20, 20a, 20b, and 200 determine the level which the float will assume. For example, if plug cock 20cwere opened, the liquid would pass into the eduction header 2| through the lowermost circular manifold. If

plug cocks

20a, 20b, and 200 were closed, the float would assume its uppermost position and the liquid would be withdrawn through circular manifold I8. A gas vent 32, controlled by a valve 33 is provided. 'Drain pipe 34

controlledplug cock

20, 20a, 20b, or 20c is opened and the others closed. The liquids to be mixed are supplied through inlet'-30. The motor 5 is started. The liquids to be mixed will flow downwardly at constantly increasing velocity due to the fact that the b'ailie II is provided with a progressively decreasing cross sectional area. The impeller I3 discharges the liquid downwardly. The mixture is forced to change its direction the vanes I5 imparting to it a straight line turbulent flow. Vanes I6 and I2 prevent a tendency toward whirling. In the annular jacket formed by the shell 2 and the bailie II, the" mixture will flow at a constantly decreasing velocity due to the fact that the cross sectional area of the annular passagewayis constantly increasing. The vanes I3 in the'interior of baflle II also prevent a tendency toward whirling. The float 22 excludes all air, vapor and/or gas, preventing cavitation and precluding the formation of gas and/or air emulsions. It is to be noted that, if

A heating or cooling medium may be.

air is present, the resulting oxidizing reaction will accelerate the formation of polymers. The float prevents this oxidation. If air and/or gasoil emulsions are formed, the subsequent separation of the treating agent is greatly impaired. The intimately contacted mixture is withdrawn through its manifold and discharged through header 2| to centrifuges in which centrifugal separation of the treating agents is effected.

It will be observed that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided a mixing apparatus which permits easy variation of volumetric capacity. By means of the control which I am able toexercise over the volumetric capacity, I can control the time of contact of the material undergoing mixing. I have provided a sealing fioat for the protection of the upper surface of the liquids undergoing mixing precluding the formation of gas and oil, or air and oil emulsions with the resulting oxidation which would otherwise ensue. The jacket provides a means for easily controlling the temperature of the contacting operation. The fiow' homogeneous mixtures.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claims. It is'further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for contacting a treating 4 agent with a hydrocarbon oil, a'shell comprising fie and to discharge the same through said annular passageway, a floating dam within said cylindrical portion, an inlet to said shell for the treating agent and the oil, a plurality of drawofi connections communicating with the interior of said shell at a plurality of vertically spaced points and means for controlling said drawoffs.

2. In a contacting apparatus, a vertical shell formed with a lower tapered'portion, a liquid inlet to said shell, a tapered baflle within said lower portion spac'edly mounted therefrom to form a passageway of progressively varying cross-sectional area, an impeller mounted within said lower portion for circulating liquid within said shell through said passageway, a floating dam mounted within said shell, and a plurality of selective drawoifs from said shell.

3. In a contacting apparatus, a vertical shell formed with a lower portion enclosing a space of decreasing cross-sectional area, a baffle mounted within said shell in spaced relation thereto and forming a passageway therewith, an impeller mounted within the shell and adapted to discharge liquid through said passageway and piston means for varying the volume of said shell above said impeller.

4. In a contactor, a shell, a liquid inlet means into said shell, a liquid drawoff means communicating with the interior of said shell, an agitating means within said shell, and piston means within said shell above said agitating means for varying the volumetric capacity of said shell.

5. In a contactor, a shell, a liquid inlet means, a plurality of liquid drawolf means, an agitator within said shell, and a piston means within said shell above said agitator adapted to prevent cavitation of the liquid due to the operation of said agitator. v

6. A contactor having a shell, an agitator therewithin, piston means within said shell above said agitator to vary the volumetric capacity of said shell and means for controlling the temperature of the liquid being contacted.

7. In a contactor, a shell, 2. liquid inlet means into said shell, a liquid drawoif means communicating with the interior of said shell, an agitating means within said shell, means for controlling the temperature existing within said shell, and piston means within said shell above said agitating means for varying the volumetric capacity of said shell.

CHARLES W. S'I'RATFORD.