US2218625A

US2218625A - Steam spray sweeper

Info

Publication number: US2218625A
Application number: US265987A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward A Rudigier
Original assignee: Standard Oil Development Co
Current assignee: Standard Oil Development Co
Priority date: 1939-04-04
Filing date: 1939-04-04
Publication date: 1940-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1957-10-22

Description

Oct. 22, 1940. E, RUD|G|ER 2,218,625

' STEAM SPRAY SWEEPER v Filed ApI il 4, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 O t- 22. 1940- v E. A.RUD lGlER 2,218,625

STEAM SPRAY SWEEPER Filed April 1939 Z-Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 22, 1940 STEAM SPRAY SWEEPER Edward A. Rudigier, Baltimore, -Md., assignor' to Standard Oil Development Company, a' corporation of Delaware Application April 4, 1939, Serial No. 265,987

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to a method and means for preventing the deposition of solid or semi-solid materials on the bottom of a container for liquids. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for inhibiting incrustation of the bottom of a shell still in the distillation of petroleum oils or other liquids tending to deposit coke or the like when heated.

In the conventional distillation of petroleum oils in a shell still, with or without the introduction of steam to assist in the removal of lighter fractions, it has been found that, that portion of the shell which is exposed to the hot combustion gases and to the radiant heat of the furnace, tends to burn out quite rapidly. Pri

marily, this has been due to the rapid incrustation of the still bottom with coke produced by heating of the oil. Although for the most part the coke is produced as fine particles, it settles to the bottom and there, under the influence of the higher temperature directly above the furnace combustion chamber, becomes compacted and solidified into a fiinty mass, extremely difficult to remove. By reason of the poor heat conduction characteristics of this carbonaceous deposit, it causes over-heating of the metal to which it adheres. Continued and unequal overheating of the shell causes the plates to buckle and to burn out. To correct the existing conditions, it is the object'of this invention to maintain a constant and positive agitation of the- The invention is fully set forth in the following specification and may be clearly understood therefrom when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which 7 Fig. 1 is a vertical section along the longitudinal axis of a still installation;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section of the same still, along the line II-1I, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings and Fig. 1, the numeral l designates a still shell. The numeral 2 designates I-beams bracing the shell and carrying bearing members 3. A steam pipe 4 is supported in said bearings for oscillating movement therein. The pipe 4 is provided with swing joints 5 through which a steam connection is made with supply pipes 6 passing out of the shell as at l and 8, respectively.

A discharge pipe 9 is disposed in closely spaced relation to the shell floor, supported by means of pipes l9 and cross-members 'H, the former providing steam connections between the distributing pipe 4 and discharge pipe 9. Counter weight members I2 are secured to the pipe 4 to 5 partially compensate for the weight of pipe 9 and the connecting frame-work. Because of the obstruction of other equipment within the shell, such as the float gauge mechanism I3, it is sometimes necessary to use a shortened distributing 10 pipe. -In such instance, as shown, the discharge pipe need not also be of reduced length, the portion I4 which extends beyond the distributing pipe 4 being suitably braced, as by angle stiffener [5. The discharge pipe 9 is provided with jet 15 members [6 along its lower surface, which extend downward into closer relation with the bottom of shell I discharging fine jets of steam against the bottom at high velocity. The disposition and structure of one of these jets is more 20 clearly shown in the enlarged view in Fig. 3.

The structure comprising the distributing pipe 4, the connecting pipes Ill, the cross-members I I and discharge pipe 9 constitutes the sweeper mechanism. This sweeper is oscillated in the bearings 3 by means of a lever arm ll mounted on the distributing pipe 4, connecting rod I8 and push rod l9 extending through the shell by means of the packing nut assembly 20, secured to the shell. The rod I9 is connected to a source of power not shown. Reciprocating motion imparted to the push rod I9 is converted into oscillatory motion of the sweeper through the connecting rod 18 and the arm l l. The arc through which the sweeper moves is, of course, dependent upon the length of the push rod thrust, and may be readily adjusted as required. The extreme positions of the sweeper shown by dotted lines at A and B in Fig. 2 are preferred for most installations, but the extent of such movement may be increased or decreased at will.

As mentionedabove, the discharge pipe 9 may be fitted with nozzle or jet members ill for the high velocity discharge of steam against the 4 bottom wall. A typical jet member is illustrated 5 in Fig. 3. It comprises a small section of pipe threaded into an opening in the lower side of the pipe 9. A number of such nozzles are provided at closely spaced intervals. These jet members, as shown, may be drilled so as to provide a 1 frusto-conical discharge passage lfia converging inwardly to a throat portion I61) and then expanding to open into the discharge pipe 9. The jet member l6 may be of any convenient form, 65

to provide steam jets of any desirable character. Fan shaped jets may be desirable.

The operation of the apparatus is substantially self-evident. When distilling liquids in the shell still illustrated, the steam spray sweeper is actuated in the manner provided in order to maintain a constant discharge of steam against the shell bottom and dislodge any deposits which may tend to form or settle out of the liquid contents. The steam discharge not only sweeps the bottom from side to side in oscillatory fashion, but also aids in the distillation step by its stripping action. The discharge of steam and the oscillatory movement of the sweeper frame through the body of the oil provides for positive agitation of the liquid contents.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to the more specific embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that numerous modifications and structural changes may be made without departing from the inventive concept. It is not intended that the invention be limited by the specific details set forth for the purpose of illustration, but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a shell still for liquids, means for preventing the deposition of solid matter on a heated surface of the shell, comprising a frame of intercommunicating pipe members, means for unilaterally supporting said frame longitudinally of between said pipes in communication with each,

a plurality of discharge elements on said dis- I charge pipe, directed toward the shell bottom, means for supplying steam to-said distributing pipe and means for limited oscillation of the structure.

3. In a heated liquid container, means for preventing deposition of solid matter on the heated inner surface thereof, comprising a pipe disposed longitudinally of said container in closely spaced relation to said heated surface, a plurality of fluid discharge members opening from said pipe toward the heated surface, means for supplying a fluid to said pipe under pressure, and means for oscillating the pipe laterally about the longitudinal axis of said container.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 in which the pipe is disposed for oscillatory motion through an arc of less than 180.

EDWARD A. RUDIGIER.