US3607714A - Device for cracking organic products in liquid phase by means of an electric arc - Google Patents

Device for cracking organic products in liquid phase by means of an electric arc Download PDF

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Publication number
US3607714A
US3607714A US796353A US3607714DA US3607714A US 3607714 A US3607714 A US 3607714A US 796353 A US796353 A US 796353A US 3607714D A US3607714D A US 3607714DA US 3607714 A US3607714 A US 3607714A
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Prior art keywords
electrodes
movable electrodes
movable
stationary
rotation
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Expired - Lifetime
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US796353A
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English (en)
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Andre C Vialaron
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Ugine Kuhlmann SA
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Ugine Kuhlmann SA
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J37/00—Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
    • H01J37/32—Gas-filled discharge tubes
    • H01J37/32009—Arrangements for generation of plasma specially adapted for examination or treatment of objects, e.g. plasma sources
    • H01J37/32055—Arc discharge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J19/08—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
    • B01J19/087—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor employing electric or magnetic energy
    • B01J19/088—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor employing electric or magnetic energy giving rise to electric discharges
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10G—CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS; PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES, e.g. BY DESTRUCTIVE HYDROGENATION, OLIGOMERISATION, POLYMERISATION; RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON OILS FROM OIL-SHALE, OIL-SAND, OR GASES; REFINING MIXTURES MAINLY CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBONS; REFORMING OF NAPHTHA; MINERAL WAXES
    • C10G15/00—Cracking of hydrocarbon oils by electric means, electromagnetic or mechanical vibrations, by particle radiation or with gases superheated in electric arcs
    • C10G15/12—Cracking of hydrocarbon oils by electric means, electromagnetic or mechanical vibrations, by particle radiation or with gases superheated in electric arcs with gases superheated in an electric arc, e.g. plasma

Definitions

  • the stationary electrodes and the movable electrodes which are in cooperating relation therewith are so arranged that the free extremities of the movable electrodes come successively into contact with the free extremities of the stationary electrodes in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of the movable electrode support.
  • the present invention is directed to an improved device for cracking organic products in liquid phase and in the pure or mixed state by means of a submerged intermittent electric arc in order to produce a gaseous mixture (examples of such organic products being the hydrocarbons and their substituted derivatives such as the alcohols, phenols, amines and the like). It is apparent that the constituents of the gaseous mixture obtained depend on the nature of the starting products and that the composition of a starting mixture can also be adapted to influence the composition of the gaseous mixture to be obtained.
  • Said process is essentially distinguished by the fact that the electrodes are mounted in such a manner that a shock which has the effect of cleaning the undesirable carbon deposits inevitably formed at the tips of carbon electrodes should take place at the moment when the contact which results in production of the arc is established.
  • a first type of reactor which has been constructed for the practical application of this process comprises a set of axially adjustable stationary electrodes, said electrodes being insulated from the ground and connected through an inductance coil to a transformer which delivers a voltage of the order of 500 v. in single-phase current at 50 c./s. and a moving system which is adapted to carry a corresponding number of electrodes subjected to a rectilinear back-and-forth movement which establishes periodically between the stationary and movable electrodes the contact which is necessary both for striking the arc and for cleaning said electrodes.
  • the back-and-forth movement referred to was obtained by means of a crank rod driven by a synchronous motor having a speed of rotation of 3,000 rpm.
  • the longitudinal axis of the movable electrodes is located at right angles to the axis of rotation of the moving system on which they are supported; said electrodes are usually secured radially at the periphery of a disc to which is imparted a movement of rotation about an axis which passes through the center thereof and are intended to cooperate with stationary electrodes which are disposed at uniform angular intervals around said disc.
  • the majority of propositions which have been directed in the past to this particular design have also indicated the need to ensure that there is no contact between the movable electrodes and the stationary electrodes. This is a primary cause of faulty operation of the electrodes.
  • this contact can only be a point contact inasmuch as the end face of each movable electrode is displaced along a curved surface and not a flat surface.
  • a point contact of this kind is unreliable and cannot ensure the stability of arc ignition which is essential in order to ensure satisfactory operation of the reactor.
  • the wear of electrodes which occurs during operation causes a reduction in the travel of the movable electrodes and consequently in the length of arc.
  • This phenomenon entails the need for either a starting voltage which is too low and results in poor efficiency or a progressive reduction in voltage during operation, the terminal voltage of an arc being known to be substantially proportional to the length of the are within the range of high current intensities which are employed in industrial service; this reduction in voltage produces a progressive decrease in power which is detrimental to industrial operation in which it is desired to ensure a constant rate of production.
  • the device in accordance with the invention wherein, as is generally known, the movable electrodes are secured to a rotary support at uniform angular intervals over a circumference which is concentric wit the axis of rotation of said support, is essentially characterized in that the stationary electrodes and the movable electrodes which are in cooperating relation therewith are so arranged that the free extremities of the movable electrodes come successively into contact with the free extremities of the stationary electrodes in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of the movable electrode support, means being provided in a manner known per se for adjusting the position of the stationary electrodes with respect to the movable electrodes.
  • the diameter of the circumference over which said electrodes are distributed is determined according to the available voltage so that the linear displacement thereof during 1 half-cycle of the current should correspond to the length of are which results from said voltage.
  • the flat contacts of the movable electrode must describe a portion of circumference approximately 150 mm. in length, which corresponds to a diameter of rotation (or to a spacing of the stationary electrodes) of approximately 100 mm.
  • the speed of rotation N in rpm is given by the formula:
  • the device in accordance with the invention has all the advantages of known rotary systems in regard to useful travel for the arcs which are produced and in regard to the rational utilization of alternating current halfwaves, it should be pointed out that the arrangement of the plane of contact of electrodes at right angles to the axis of rotation of the moving system has the advantage of ensuring constancy of the path over which each arc travels, this being the case irrespective of the degree of wear of the electrodes. There corresponds to this constant travel a voltage which is also constant, thereby resulting in optimum efficiency and a better possibility of industrial utilization.
  • the device in accordance with the invention makes it possible to obtain an excellent contact between electrodes which is comparable in every respect with the contact obtained by means of a back-and-forth movement of electrodes.
  • this contact takes place between the flat surfaces of the respective extremities of the movable and stationary electrodes as a result of pressure in the case of the back-and-forth movement and as a result of friction in the case of the rotational movement which is carried out in accordance with the invention.
  • the result thereby achieved is a very substantial stability in the ignition of arcs which is essential in order to ensure satisfactory operation of the reactor.
  • the frictional force which is exerted between the flat surfaces of the extremities of the stationary and movable electrodes effects a constant cleaning of the carbon deposited on said extremities during operation.
  • the means provided for adjusting the positions of the stationary electrodes make it possible to restore the best conditions of contact and of friction when the wear of said electrodes makes such an adjustment necessary.
  • the disadvantages noted in the foregoing have been removed by forming the rotary support which carries the movable electrodes by means of radial arms distributed in a number corresponding to the number of movable electrodes about a common hub, the front portions of the movable electrodes (considered in the direction of rotation) being inserted in the faces of said radial arms which are located opposite to the stationary electrodes whilst the projecting rear portions of said movable electrodes are left free.
  • This arrangement does not entail the suppression of the rear low-pressure zone but only eliminates the destructive action of the arc inasmuch as this latter becomes attached to a carbon surface which affords effective resistance thereto instead of becoming attached to the support sleeve which would otherwise have been destroyed by the are as a result of surface breakaway.
  • the mode of attachment which characterizes this embodiment frees a portion of the electrode surface in order that the arc can adhere thereto without any attendant disadvantage.
  • the arms which carry the movable electrodes are designed in the form of fins each having a portion of surface which is inclined in the direction of rotation in order to facilitate their penetration at high velocity into the liquid product to be processed.
  • the movable electrodes are advantageously designed in the form of prisms having a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, one of the bases of which constitutes the flat contact face of the electrode. Said electrodes can be locked in position by keying after insertion in the rotary support.
  • the electrodes By reason of the stresses carried by the electrodes which are in principle made of a material containing carbon, said electrodes should preferably be endowed with sufficiently high strength.
  • the primary mechanical parameter which provides a criterion of this property is bending strength.
  • high-density graphites which have high mechanical strength and especially a bending strength which is greater than 300 kgs./cm
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic vertical cross-sectional view of an equipment unit comprising two movable electrodes which are adapted to cooperate with two stationary electrodes;
  • FIG. 2 is a front view on a larger scale showing the moving system
  • Fig. 3 is a profile view of the moving system in the direction of the arrow F of FIG. 2.
  • the apparatus comprises a reaction vessel l which is filled with the liquid product to be processed.
  • Two stationary electrodes which are designated by the reference numerals 2 and 2' are attached to the extremities of two supports 3, 3 which are disposed horizontally one above the other and which are adapted to penetrate into the vessel 1 through suitable leak-tight packings 4, 4 which are fitted in one of the lateral walls of said vessel; the position of said electrodes 2, 2' can be adjusted longitudinally, for example by means of a rack and pinion mechanism 5-6 and 5'-6.
  • Said electrodes are connected to the electric supply system by means of a transformer 7 with interposition of an inductance coil 8 having a suitable impedance.
  • a unit comprising two movable electrodes 9, 9' is disposed opposite to the stationary electrodes 2, 2' within the interior of the reactor vessel 1 and are fixed on a support which is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
  • Said support is rigidly fixed to a horizontal shaft 11 which penetrates into the vessel through a leak-tight packing 12 formed in the vessel wall on the side opposite to the packing which carries the stationary electrodes 2, 2'.
  • a movement of rotation in the direction indicated in the figure by the arrow f can be imparted to said horizontal shaft under the action of an electric motor (not shown in the drawings).
  • the support has two arms 13, 13 which are integral with a common hub 14 and extend on each side of this latter both radially and symmetrically with respect to the axis of the shaft 11.
  • the hub 14 is keyed on the shaft 11 by means of a key 15 at a predetermined keying angle a in order to produce a short circuit between movable electrodes and stationary electrodes at the moment when the instantaneous voltage attains a suitable value to ensure reliable arc ignition.
  • the key 15 is keyed on the shaft 11 by means of a key 15 at a predetermined keying angle a in order to produce a short circuit between movable electrodes and stationary electrodes at the moment when the instantaneous voltage attains a suitable value to ensure reliable arc ignition.
  • arms 13, 13' have the shape of fins, the contour of each fin having substantially the shape of a circular sector and that face of each fin which is directed towards the stationary electrodes 2, 2 has a flat portion 13a and a portion 13b which is inclined in the direction of rotation as indicated in the figure by the arrow f.
  • the movable electrodes 9, 9' are designed in the form of prisms each having a contact base of trapezoidal shape and are inserted in diametrically opposite position in recess 13c of corresponding cross-sectional shape which are formed right through the arms l3, 13 so that the contact bases of said electrodes project to a suitable extent from the face of the arms 13, 13 which is directed towards the stationary electrodes 2, 2' whilst the opposite bases are level with the rear face of the arms.
  • Each of said movable electrodes is securely fixed within its recess by means of a wedge 16 which forms part of a T-shaped member, the transverse flange 16a of which is applied against the rear face of the arms l3, 13 on which it is fixed by means ofa screw 17.
  • a device for the cracking of organic products in liquid phase by means of a submerged intermittent electric are wherein the electric arc is produced between stationary electrodes and movable electrodes which are secured to a rotary support at uniform angular intervals over a circumference which is concentric with the axis of rotation of said support, characterized iri that the stationary electrodes and the movable electrodes which are in cooperating relation therewith are so arranged that the free extremities of the movable electrodes come successively into contact with the free extremities of the stationary electrodes in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of the movable electrode support, means being provided for adjusting the position of the stationary electrodes with respect to the movable electrodes.
  • a device as de med in claim 1 characterized in that it comprises one or a number of pairs of movable electrodes which are adapted to cooperate with two stationary electrodes.
  • a device as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the rotary support which carries the movable electrodes is constituted by radial arms which are distributed in a number corresponding to the number of movable electrodes about a common hub, the front portions of the movable electrodes considered in the direction of rotation being inserted in the face of said radial arms which is located opposite to the stationary electrodes whilst the projecting rear portions of said movable electrodes are left free.
  • movable electrodes are designed in the form of prisms having a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, one of the bases of which constitutes the flat contact face of the electrode, said electrodes being advantageously locked in position by keying after insertion in the rotary support.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)
US796353A 1968-02-07 1969-02-04 Device for cracking organic products in liquid phase by means of an electric arc Expired - Lifetime US3607714A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR138966 1968-02-07

Publications (1)

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US3607714A true US3607714A (en) 1971-09-21

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US (1) US3607714A (e)
AT (1) AT284075B (e)
BE (1) BE727527A (e)
BR (1) BR6905988D0 (e)
CH (1) CH502282A (e)
CS (1) CS166002B2 (e)
DE (1) DE1904346C3 (e)
ES (1) ES363309A1 (e)
FI (1) FI53320C (e)
FR (1) FR1561404A (e)
GB (1) GB1207942A (e)
HU (1) HU162273B (e)
IL (1) IL31511A (e)
LU (1) LU57929A1 (e)
NL (1) NL166577B (e)
NO (1) NO120883B (e)
RO (1) RO55375A (e)
SE (1) SE356962B (e)
YU (1) YU32002B (e)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3992277A (en) * 1974-01-22 1976-11-16 Basf Aktiengesellschaft Process and apparatus for the manufacture of a gas mixture containing acetylene, ethylene, methane and hydrogen, by thermal cracking of liquid hydrocarbons
US4051043A (en) * 1976-01-26 1977-09-27 O-3 Company Apparatus for fluid treatment by electron emission
US5534232A (en) * 1994-08-11 1996-07-09 Wisconsin Alumini Research Foundation Apparatus for reactions in dense-medium plasmas
US5604038A (en) * 1994-11-18 1997-02-18 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Polymeric thin layer materials
US5626726A (en) * 1995-09-27 1997-05-06 Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company Method for cracking hydrocarbon compositions using a submerged reactive plasma system
WO2000013786A1 (en) * 1998-09-03 2000-03-16 Laxarco Holding Limited Device with plasma from mobile electric discharges and its applications to convert carbon matter
US20020122754A1 (en) * 1999-03-23 2002-09-05 Ryzhkov Vladislav Andeevitch Method and device for producing higher fullerenes and nanotubes
US20020189668A1 (en) * 1999-04-23 2002-12-19 Woodcock Washburn Llp System and method for cracking hydrocarbons to reduce viscosity of crude oil for improved pumping
US20110088802A1 (en) * 2009-10-19 2011-04-21 Arthur David Bryden Liquid Arc Induced Cavitation (LAIC) System

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2542004B1 (fr) * 1983-03-02 1985-06-21 British Petroleum Co Procede de conversion assistee a l'electricite de produits carbones lourds

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3992277A (en) * 1974-01-22 1976-11-16 Basf Aktiengesellschaft Process and apparatus for the manufacture of a gas mixture containing acetylene, ethylene, methane and hydrogen, by thermal cracking of liquid hydrocarbons
US4051043A (en) * 1976-01-26 1977-09-27 O-3 Company Apparatus for fluid treatment by electron emission
US5534232A (en) * 1994-08-11 1996-07-09 Wisconsin Alumini Research Foundation Apparatus for reactions in dense-medium plasmas
US5604038A (en) * 1994-11-18 1997-02-18 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Polymeric thin layer materials
US5626726A (en) * 1995-09-27 1997-05-06 Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company Method for cracking hydrocarbon compositions using a submerged reactive plasma system
WO2000013786A1 (en) * 1998-09-03 2000-03-16 Laxarco Holding Limited Device with plasma from mobile electric discharges and its applications to convert carbon matter
FR2786409A1 (fr) * 1998-09-03 2000-06-02 Physiques Et Chimiques Dispositif a plasma de decharges electriques mobiles et ses applications pour convertir une matiere carbonee
US20020122754A1 (en) * 1999-03-23 2002-09-05 Ryzhkov Vladislav Andeevitch Method and device for producing higher fullerenes and nanotubes
US6884405B2 (en) * 1999-03-23 2005-04-26 Rosseter Holdings Limited Method and device for producing higher fullerenes and nanotubes
US20020189668A1 (en) * 1999-04-23 2002-12-19 Woodcock Washburn Llp System and method for cracking hydrocarbons to reduce viscosity of crude oil for improved pumping
US20110088802A1 (en) * 2009-10-19 2011-04-21 Arthur David Bryden Liquid Arc Induced Cavitation (LAIC) System
US8480963B2 (en) * 2009-10-19 2013-07-09 Arthur David Bryden Liquid arc induced cavitation (LAIC) system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1561404A (e) 1969-03-28
NL166577B (nl) 1981-03-16
NL6901578A (e) 1969-08-11
FI53320B (e) 1977-12-30
BR6905988D0 (pt) 1973-01-02
YU32002B (en) 1974-02-28
YU28569A (en) 1973-08-31
RO55375A (e) 1973-08-20
ES363309A1 (es) 1970-12-16
NO120883B (e) 1970-12-21
LU57929A1 (e) 1969-09-17
IL31511A0 (en) 1969-03-27
DE1904346B2 (e) 1973-11-22
DE1904346A1 (de) 1969-09-04
GB1207942A (en) 1970-10-07
AT284075B (de) 1970-08-25
BE727527A (e) 1969-07-28
CS166002B2 (e) 1976-01-29
FI53320C (fi) 1978-04-10
HU162273B (e) 1973-01-29
IL31511A (en) 1972-02-29
CH502282A (fr) 1971-01-31
DE1904346C3 (de) 1974-06-27
SE356962B (e) 1973-06-12

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