US3497324A

US3497324A - Dual fluid injector assembly

Info

Publication number: US3497324A
Application number: US553475A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruno F Loewen
Original assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
Current assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
Priority date: 1966-05-27
Filing date: 1966-05-27
Publication date: 1970-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 1987-02-24

Description

Feb. 24, 1970 a. F. LOEWEN DUAL FLUID INJECTOR ASSEMBLY File d Kay 27, 1966 Ama""" N GP lNVENTOR B F LOEWEN B) y a 2 A T TORNEYS United States Patent 3,497,324 DUAL FLUID INJECTOR ASSEMBLY Bruno F. Loewen, Brownwood, Tex., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 27, 1966, Ser. No. 553,475 Int. C1. C!) 57/00 US. Cl. 23259.5 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dual fluid injector assembly having a plurality of fluid injection conduits positioned in axial, concentric relationship, the injector being adapted for disassembly and replacement of the injection conduits while flow is maintained through at least one of them.

This invention relates to a dual fluid injector assembly. In one aspect this invention relates to a dual fluid injector assembly which is adapted to be employed in a carbon black furnace. In another aspect this invention relates to an improved carbon black furnace provided with said dual fluid injector assembly.

In the prior art it is known to introduce an annular stream of air or other gas around a tube or pipe through which a hydrocarbon feedstock is being introduced into a carbon black furnace. This stream of air or other gas is commonly known as jacket air or jacket gas. One purpose of said jacket air is to reduce carbon deposits around the discharge end of the hydrocarbon feedstock introduction tube. Another purpose of said jacket air or jacket gas stream is to serve as a coolant for the discharge end of the hydrocarbon feedstock introduction tube.

Difliculties have been encountered with the feedstockjacket air injection assemblies of the prior art because there is a tendency for the metal parts exposed to the high heat of the furnace to burn and/or erode away. This is particularly true when for any reason it is necessary that the injection assembly be exposed to the high temperatures of the furnace without at least one of the fluids flowing therethrough. Different types and/or sizes of injector assemblies are frequently employed in making different types of carbon black and when charging different types of feedstocks. Thus, the type and/or size of the fluid injector assembly is frequently changed. When employing injector assemblies of the prior art, it is necessary to cut off the air flow at such times of change, and the ends of the jacket air tube and feedstock tube which extend into the furnace are exposed to the high heat of the furnace. Damage to said tubes frequently occurs during these periods when no air is flowing, such as when a fluid injector assembly is being installed or removed.

I have now discovered that by fabricating the dual fluid injectors as described herein that the above difficulties can be eliminated or at least mitigated. In the dual fluid injectors of this invention the feedstock tube-jacket air tube can be removed as a unit while air is flowing through said jacket air tube, thus protecting both of said tubes at all times. This results in a longer life for the injector assembly and longer periods of satisfactory furnace operation.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved dual fluid injector. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved dual fluid injector which is particularly adapted to be employed in a carbon black reactor. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved dual fluid injector assembly which can be quickly and easily installed in, or removed from, a carbon black furnace while at least one fluid is flowing through said assembly. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved dual fluid injector assembly which can be readily fabricated from commercially available components and which can be conveniently stored in different sizes for quick change or replacement. Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved carbon black furnace which is provided with an improved dual fluid injector assembly in accordance with the invention. Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a dual fluid injector assembly, suitable for a carbon black furnace, comprising: a first tube; first coupling means attached to one end of said first tube; a first conduit extending from within said one end of said first tube and forming a first annular space surrounding said first conduit; a first closure means disposed in and closing said first annular space at a position between said first tube and said first conduit; a second conduit extending into and through said first tube, and into and through said first conduit from one end thereof to a point adjacent the other end thereof; a second closure means surrounding said second conduit and closing said first tube adjacent the other end thereof; and a fluid inlet conduit connect to said first tube.

FIGURE 1 is a view, partly in cross section, of a dual fluid injector assembly in accordance with the invention, and illustrating said assembly installed in an inlet passageway to a carbon black furnace.

FIGURE 2 is a view, partly in cross section, of one type of carbon black furnace in which the dual fluid injector assembly of the invention can be employed.

FIGURE 3 is a view, partly in cross section, of another type of carbon black furnace in which the dual fluid injector assembly of the invention can be employed.

FIGURE 4 is a view in cross section of a detail of one modification of the dual fluid injector assembly of FIG- URE 1.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are employed to refer to like elements, the invention will be more fully explained. In FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a dual fluid injector assembly, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, and illustrated as being installed in an inlet passageway 12 of a carbon black furnace. Said furnace comprises a heat insulated body 14 having a chamber 16 formed therein. The wall of said chamber 16 and said inlet passageway 12 is lined with a more heat-resistant refractory 18. A metal shell or hous ing 20 is provided around the outside of said furnace.

Said dual fluid injector assembly 10 comprises a first tube 22 and a second tube 24. The downstream end of first tube 22 and the adjacent upstream end of second tube 24 are coupled together by coupling means 26, here shown to be a conventional pipe union but which can be any other suitable coupling means, such as two flanges which can be bolted together, with one flange connected to the downstream end of first tube 22 and the other connected to the upstream end of second tube 24. As here shown, said union comprises a first connector member 28 which can be secured to the downstream end of first tube 22 by threads, as shown, or any other suitable means as by welding. A second connector member 30 is secured to the upstream end of second tube 24 in a like manner. Said connector members 28 and 30 seat at face 32 which can be any suitable type of face providing a fluidtight seating surface. The faces of said connector members can be plain, as shown. Or, while not shown in the drawing, one of said members 28 or 30 can be provided with a recess in the face thereof and the other member provided with a cooperating projection which seats in said recess. Another type of connection which can be provided at said face 32 is an O-ring which seats in corresponding grooves provided in the faces of members 28 and 30. Said members 28 and 30 are brought together and maintained together by means of nut 34,

which engages a boss on member 28 and threads on member 30 in known manner.

A first conduit 36 is disposed with its upstream end positioned within the downstream end of said first tube 22. Said first conduit extends through said coupling means 26, through said second tube 24, and forms a first annular space 38 which surrounds said first conduit 36. The downstream end of said first conduit extends beyond the downstream end of said second tube 24 as shown. A first annular closure member 40 is disposed in and closes said first annular space 38 at a position between said first tube 22 and said first conduit 36. In practice, said first closure member can comprise an annular washer or like element and is preferably rigidly connected, as by welding, or by any other suitable means, to the outer circumference of said first conduit 36 and to the inner periphery of said first tube 22.

A second conduit 42 extends into and through said first tube 22, through said first conduit 36, and terminates at a point adjacent the end of said first conduit 36. A second annular closure member 44 surrounds said second conduit 42 and closes said first tube 22 at a point adjacent the upstream end thereof. Said second closure member 44 can be any suitable ring-like member and is preferably rigidly connected to the outer circumference of said second conduit 42 and the inner periphery of first tube 22 as by welding, or in any other suitable manner. A fluid inlet conduit 46 is connected to said first tube 22 in communication with the interior thereof at a point downstream from said second closure member 44.

Preferably, said first tube 22 and said second tube 24 are of substantially the same inner diameter and are coupled together in substantial axial alignment as shown in the drawing. Said first conduit 36 is preferably disposed substantially concentrically with respect to said first tube 22, said coupling means 26, and said second tube 24; and said second conduit 42 is preferably disposed substantially concentrically with respect to said first tube 22 and said first conduit 36.

A second pipe union 48 is connected on one side thereof to fluid inlet conduit 46 and on the other side thereof to an air supply conduit 50 and couples said two conduits together in known manner. A third pipe union 52 is connected on one side thereof to second conduit 42 and on the other side thereof to feedstock conduit 54 and couples said tWo conduits together in known manner.

FIGURE 2 illustrates one type of carbon black furnace in which the dual fluid injector of the invention can be employed. Generally speaking, the furnace of FIGURE 2 comprises a heat-insulated body 14, a first chamber 16 having a diameter greater than its length, and a second chamber 17 having a length greater than its diameter and positioned downstream from said first chamber. FIGURE 3 illustrates another type furnace in which the dual fluid injector assembly of the invention can be employed.

In practice, when operating a carbon black furnace and employing a dual fluid injector of the invention, one fluid, commonly air, is introduced into the furnace via inlet conduit 46 and second annular space 39. A second fluid, the hydrocarbon feedstock, is introduced via second conduit 42. Said second fluid can be introduced in liquid phase, in vapor phase, or in mixed phase. Thus, gaseous hydrocarbons, liquid hydrocarbons, partially vaporized hydrocarbons, or mixtures of hydrocarbon vapors and hydrocarbon liquids can be introduced as the second fluid through conduit 42. The state of said hydrocarbon fluid will determine the type of opening provided at the downstream end of conduit 42. When said hydrocarbon fluid is vaporous or substantially so, it is usually preferred that the downstream end of conduit 42 be open as shown in FIGURE 1. When said hydrocarbon fluid is a liquid or substantially so, it is preferred that the downstream end of conduit 42 be provided with a suitable spray n zzle @11 1! as shown in FIGURE 4. Said spray nozzle can be any suitable type. That shown in FIG- URE 4 is a simple type comprising an orifice plate 60 held in place by union member 62. The hydrocarbon fluid and the air can be injected separately as indicated by the apparatus of FIGURE 1 or can be mixed. In the latter situation, it is within the scope of the invention to provide the downstream end of conduit 42 with any suitable mixing means, such as radially disposed holes, which will inject or direct the hydrocarbon fluid from conduit 42 into the other fluid being introduced through annular space 39.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the hydrocarbon feedstock fluid from the injector assembly of the invention enters chamber 16 of the carbon black furnace and is there surrounded by hot combustion gases. The hydrocarbon feedstock is converted to carbon black in known manner by the action of the heat contained in said combustion gases. The method of obtaining and introducing said hot combustion gases will depend upon the particular design of the furnace being employed, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The carbon black product is recovered from the eflluent from chamber 17 or 16'. These methods are all known to persons skilled in the art.

The dual fluid injector assembly of the invention can be fabricated in any convenient size, depending upon the type of furnace in which it is to be employed. For example, in one embodiment employed with one type of furnace wherein chamber 16 is 37 inches in diameter and 12 inches long, first tube 22 and second tube 24 are made from nominal three-inch pipe and each is about 6 inches long. Union 26 can be a conventional pipe union and if desired can be provided with hammer lugs for quick opening and closing. First conduit 36 is made from nominal two-inch pipe and second conduit 42 is made from nominal one-inch pipe. In one embodiment, first conduit 36 has a length of about 35 inches. In another embodiment, said first conduit 36 has a length of about 31 inches. The length of second conduit 42 will usually be such that the downstream end thereof will be positioned about /2 to 1 inch within the downstream end of first conduit 36. However, it is within the scope of the invention for the downstream end of said second conduit to be flush with or extend slightly beyond the downstream end of said first conduit. The above dimensions are given by way of example only and are not to be considered limiting on the invention.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, first coupling member 28, first tube 22, first conduit 36, second conduit 42, and fluid inlet conduit 46, together with

closure members

40 and 44, form a first unitary subassembly. Similarly, second tube 24 and second connectnig member 30 form a second unitary subassembly. In the practice of this presently preferred embodiment of the invention, said second sub assembly is connected at the downstream end of second tube 24 to the wall 20 of the furnace in any suitable manner, as by welding. Said two subassemblies are connected and maintained together by means of nut 34 as previously described.

In practice, assuming the furnace is hot and operating, and it is desired to change the fluid inlet assembly, e.g., change from an open end to a spray nozzle on the end of conduit 42, the furnace will be maintained hot during such a change for obvious economic reasons. To make the change, flow of the hydrocarbon feedstock is discontinued and union 52 parted. Nut 34 is then loosened and said first subassembly is removed, thus withdrawing first concuit 36 and second conduit 42 from the furnace while air is flowing through fluid inlet conduit 46, tube 22, and annular space 39 to protect the downstream ends of said conduits 36 and 42 from the heat of the furnace. A new first subassembly of the type desired is then connected to air conduit 50 at union 48, the air supply is started, the new first subassembly is placed in position as shown, and the two subassemblies hooked together at union 26. In

this manner an old assembly can be removed and a new assembly installed with air flowing through first tube 22 and annular space 39 to protect the downstream ends of the assembly from the heat of the furnace. Air conduit 50 is preferably flexible to facilitate making said change. Similarly, feedstock conduit 54 can also be flexible if desired.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative purposes, the invention obviously is not limited thereto. Various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A dual fluid injector assembly comprising:

(a) a first tube;

(b) a first coupling means attached to one end of said (c) a second tube attached to said first coupling means;

(d) a first conduit of substantially uniform internal diameter extending from Within said first tube into said second tube to form a first annular space surrounding said first conduit;

(e) a first closure means closing said first annular space at a position between said first tube and said first conduit;

(f) a second conduit extending into and through said first conduit to form an annulus of substantially uniform diameter between said second conduit and said first conduit;

(g) a second closure means between said second conduit and said first tube; and

(h) a fluid inlet conduit in open communication with said first tube.

2. A dual fluid injector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said first tube and said second tube each has a downstream end and an upstream end; said two coupling means comprise a pipe union connecting said downstream end of said first tube and said upstream end of said second tube together; said first conduit and said second conduit each has an upstream end and a downstream end; the upstream end of said first conduit is positioned within the downstream end portion of said first tube and the downstream end portion of said first conduit extends beyond the downstream end of said second tube; said first closure means comprises a first annular member rigidly connected to the outer circumference of said first conduit and to the inner periphery of said first tube; the upstream end of said second conduit extends beyond the upstream end of said first tube; the downstream end of said second conduit terminates adjacent the downstream end of said first conduit; and said second closure means comprises a second annular member rigidly connected to the outer circumference of said second conduit and the inner periphery of said first tube at the upstream end thereof.

3. A dual fluid injector assembly according to claim 2, wherein a second pipe union is connected to the other end of said fluid inlet conduit, and a third pipe union is connected to the upstream end of said second conduit.

4. A carbon black furnace comprising, in combination: a heat-insulated body; a generally cylindrical chamber formed in said body; a passageway communicating between the interior of said chamber and the exterior of said body; and a dual fluid injector assembly in accordance with claim I mounted on said body in communication with said passageway and the interior of said chamber.

5. A carbon black furnace comprising, in combination: a heat-insulated body; a chamber having a diameter greater than its length formed within said body; a passageway communicating axially with the interior of said chamber and the exterior of said body; and a dual fluid injector assembly in accordance wtih claim 2 mounted on the exterior of said body with the downstream end of said second tube disposed around the outer end of said passageway and the downstream end of said first conduit extending into said passageway.

6. A carbon black furnace comprising, in combination: a heat-insulated body; a chamber having a length greater than its diameter formed within said body; a passageway communicating axially with the interior of said chamber and the exterior of said body; and a dual fluid injector assembly in accordance with claim 2 mounted on the exterior of said body with the downstream end of said second tube disposed around the outer end of said passageway and the downstream end of said first conduit extending into said passageway.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 891,349 6/1908 Loder 431-176 3,087,796 4/1963 Latham et al 23259.5 2,518,025 8/1950 Knight 431187 JAMES H. TAYMAN, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.