Patent GB-615425-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in method of contacting fluids one with another
IPC: B01F27/94
Filed: 1945-07-30
Abstract: Two or more substances which form at least two phases in contact with each other, at least one of which substances is a fluid, are contacted by passing the phases simultaneously, preferably in countercurrent, into an annular zone formed between two surfaces of revolution, which have different angular velocities, the relative angular velocity being such that an orderly distribution of a dispersed phase in a continuous phase is maintained.  Orderly distribution is a condition associated with regular visual patterns formed by the disperse phase, as distinct from random turbulence.  In the apparatus shown a cylinder 2 is rotated within <PICT:0615425/III/1> a stationary cylinder 1 by a variable speed motor 5, preferably at a peripheral velocity greater than 2.5-3.0 feet per second. Heavy fluid enters at 6 and leaves at 11, while light fluid enters at 7 and is withdrawn at 10.  Separation of the phases takes place in quiescent settling zones 8 and 9, heavy and light fluids returning to the contactor through lines 12 and 13 respectively. Electric controls 38 and 39 regulate the withdrawal valve 40 according to the levels in the settling zones.  The apparatus may operate under increased or reduced pressure and may be surrounded by a jacket for temperature control.  Substances may be added which reduce the viscosity or alter the surface tension of the phases.  The annular zone may be of different shapes, e.g. the cross-sectional area may vary from one end of the zone to the other, so that the peripheral velocity of the surface alters along the zone. The axes of the surfaces need not be concentric, and several surfaces, forming a plurality of annuli, may be used.  In examples, (1) gasolines are treated with aqueous potassium hydroxide to remove tertiary-butyl mercaptans; (2) a mixture of petroleum alkyl phenols dissolved in iso-octane and benzene is extracted with aqueous caustic soda to separate ethyl phenols and xylenols from cresols; (3) crude lubricating oil is extracted with furfural; (4) hydrogen sulphide is separated from a gaseous mixture with nitrogen by treatment with an aqueous solution of diethanolamine; (5) a cracked light hydrocarbon gas is purified by contact with powdered carbon black adsorbent. Reference is made to other processes as follows: gas drying and humidification; separation of methane from ethane and ethylene in natural gas by adsorption on charcoal; fractionation of powder by elutriation or gas flotation; the extraction, concentration, and purification of antibiotics with solvents, with or without the addition of a solid adsorbent; treatment of mineral oils with sulphuric acid; the activation of clays with acid; washing precipitates; de-oiling of wax with solvents; regeneration and de-oiling of adsorbents; extraction of oils from shales and asphalts; and the separation of antigens, allergenic proteins, hormones, vitamins, and antibiotics from solution by a solid adsorbent. Specifications 613,229 and 615,479 are referred to.ALSO:Two or more substances which form at least two phases in contact with each other, at least one of which substances is a fluid, are contacted by passing the phases simultaneously, preferably in countercurrent, into an annular zone formed between two surfaces of revolution, which have different angular velocities, the relative angular velocity being such that an orderly distribution of a dispensed phase in a continuous phase is maintained.  Orderly distribution is a condition associated with regular visual patterns formed by the disperse phase, as distinct from random turbulence.  In the apparatus shown, a cylinder 2 is rotated within a stationary cylinder 1 by a variable-speed motor 5, preferably at a peripheral velocity greater than 2.5-3.0 feet per second.  Heavy fluid enters at 6 and leaves at 11, while light fluid enters at 7 and is withdrawn at 10. <PICT:0615425/IV(b)/1> Separation of the phases takes place in quiescent settling zones 8 and 9, heavy and light fluids returning to the contactor through lines 12 and 13 respectively.  Electric controls 38 and 39 regulate the withdrawal valve 40 according to the levels in the settling zones.  The apparatus may operate under increased or reduced pressure and may be surrounded by a jacket for temperature control.  Substances may be added which reduce the viscosity or alter the surface tension of the phases.  The annular zone may be of different shapes, e.g. the cross-sectional area may vary from one end of the zone to the other, so that the peripheral velocity of the surfaces alters along the zone.  The axes of the surfaces need not be concentric, and several surfaces, forming a plurality of annuli, may be used.  In examples: (1) gasolines are treated with aqueous potassium hydroxide to remove tertiary-butyl mercaptans; (2) a mixture of petroleum alkyl phenols dissolved in iso-octane and benzene is extracted with aqueous caustic soda to separate ethyl phenols and xylenols from cresols; (3) penicillin is extracted from aqueous solutions with methyl-isobutyl-ketone or chloroform or a mixture thereof; (4) a methyl-isobutyl-ketone solution of acetic acid is extracted with water.  Reference is made to other processes as follows: adsorption of olefines, diolefines or acetylenes by cuprous salts; separation of olefines, diolefines, acetylenes, naphthenes, aromatics, alkyl phenols, thiophenols, and nitrogen bases from petroleum or coal tar fractions by extraction with sulphur dioxide, furfural, phenols, sulpholanes, copper-containing solutions, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, esters, amines, nitrites, and nitro-hydrocarbons; the purification of fatty acids by extraction with ethanolamine, furfural and sulpholane; separation of a dialkylamine such as di-isopropylamine from the corresponding monoalkylamine by extraction with a hydrocarbon; the extraction, concentration and purification of antibiotics with solvents, with or without the addition of a solid adsorbent; the separation of polymers with solvents; separation of epiand di-chlorohydrins from water with diisopropyl ether; the separation of alkyl phenols from thiophenols, and of mixtures of phenols, sulphonic and naphthenic acids by treatment with liquid caustic alkali; the separation of antigens, allergenic proteins, hormones, vitamins, and antibiotics from solution by a solid adsorbent; the separation of phenols from hydrocarbons and aromatics from non-aromatics by adsorption on silica gel; the transfer of phenols from solution in a high boiling hydrocarbon into solution in a lower boiling denser solvent by contact with an aqueous alkaline solution. Specifications 613,229, [Group III], and 615,479 are referred to.