Patent GB-661105-A (GB)
Title: An improved method of, and apparatus for the production of gases including acetylene, from liquid hydrocarbons
Inventor: EDIGER WLADIMIR VON
IPC: C10G15/00
Filed: 1948-06-17
Abstract: Acetylene and other gases including ethylene, propylene and methane are prepared from liquid hydrocarbons by passing electric power through a multiplicity of conductive particles, which are loosely disposed as a shallow layer immersed in the liquid hydrocarbons and are closely adjacent to one another, to cause movement of the particles whereby intermittent electric arc discharges are generated therebetween, the said particles being so loosely disposed and the layer being so shallow that gases generated by the arc discharges are able to escape from the regions of discharge promptly after formation.  The temperature of the liquid hydrocarbons may be maintained below a prearranged maximum value, if necessary, the hydrocarbons may be heated to keep them liquid.  An apparatus for carrying out the above process comprises a structure incorporating a plurality of fixed electrode elements insulated from one another supporting a shallow layer of loosely disposed conductive particles immersed in liquid hydrocarbons, and electrical leads connected to the fixed electrode elements for supplying electric power thereto and through the layer of conductive particles, whereby the particles are set into relative movement and intermittent electric discharges are generated in the liquid hydrocarbons between adjacent particles.  The fixed electrode structure may be apertured to allow conductive particles of less than prearranged dimensions to pass therethrough, e.g. slots may be provided between the fixed electrode elements.  The conductive particles may be (a) of single layer depth, (b) supported horizontally, or (c) be prepared from carbon.  The support may comprise a framework of electrically non-conductive material, e.g. of dried wood, in which are mounted a plurality of fixed electrode elements parallel to and spaced from one another, e.g. carbon rods of square or rectangular cross-section provided with strengtheners adjacent thereto.  The apparatus can include a separator, e.g. filter means, placed between a storage tank for the liquid hydrocarbons and the reaction chamber to remove carbon black as the hydrocarbon is circulated between the reaction chamber and storage tank.  The gas outlet pipe from the reaction chamber may include filter means to clean generated gases from carbon black.  A suitable apparatus is shown at Fig. 1 with side elevations in the direction of the p arrows A and B at Figs. 2 and 3, respectively.  The apparatus comprises a tank 1 into which a framework of fixed electrode elements (Fig. 14a) is assembled, and electric power is supplied thereto through terminals 19.  The gases generated from the discharges pass through pipes 20 to a gas collector 21 and then to outlet pipe 22 fitted with cock 23.  A safety baffle, e.g. a flame-trap, is preferably connected to outlet pipe 22 to prevent back-flow of air into tank 1, and may comprise a water bath 24 in which the outlet pipe 22 is immersed while gases pass out through pipe 25 and filter means 26 to remove carbon black (Fig. 3). Conductive darticles are introduced into tank 1 with the aid of hopper 31, shoot 30 and cocks 32 and 33 (means may be provided for interlocking the cocks so that only one may be opened at a time), or by an automatic worm feed device shown in Fig. 6 (the device can be operated automatically when the conductive particles are reduced in size by wear and the arc discharge current fails).  The liquid hydrocarbon supply line is at 42 <PICT:0661105/IV (b)/1> <PICT:0661105/IV (b)/2> <PICT:0661105/IV (b)/3> <PICT:0661105/IV (b)/4> <PICT:0661105/IV (b)/5> <PICT:0661105/IV (b)/6> <PICT:0661105/IV (b)/7> <PICT:0661105/IV (b)/8> (Fig. 1) while it may pas out through two outlet pipes 44 and 45 (pipe 44 may be used as an overflow pipe).  Pipe 45 can include a separator 47 for carbon black, e.g. a filter as illustrated in Fig. 7, containing ceramic filter cylinders 51.  The framework of fixed electrode elements (Fig. 4a) comprises a rectangular open box-like structure of wood or other non-conducting material 4 between the ends of which extend several T-sectioned iron supports 5 parallel to one another upon each of which is supported an electrode element 6, e.g. of square or rectangular carbon rod. The sides of each element 6 are held by longitudinal members 7 of wood spaced apart to leave slots 8 between adjacent electrode assemblies, and the width of the slots may be adjusted to allow conductive particles of less than a predetermined size to fall to the bottom of the tank 1.  Fig. 5 illustrates the method of assembly of the framework of fixed electrode elements (Fig. 4a) into tank 1 with the aid of screw 18 and socket 15.  The retaining member (Fig. 4b) is made of wood, is open top and bottom and is placed round the electrode assembly to prevent the conductive particles from being displaced in a sideways direction.ALSO:Hydrogen and carbon black are obtained from liquid hydrocarbons by passing electric power through a multiplicity of conductive particles which are loosely disposed as a shallow layer immersed in the liquid hydrocarbons and are closely adjacent to one another, to cause movement of the particles where intermittent electric arc discharges are generated therebetween, the said particles being so loosely disposed and the layer being so shallow that gases generated by the arc discharges are able to escape from the regions of discharge promtly after formation.  The temperature of the liquid hydrocarbons may be maintained below a prearranged maximum value, if necessary, the hydrocarbons may be heated to keep them liquid.  An apparatus for the above process comprises a structure incorporating a plurality of fixed electrode elements insulated from one another supporting a shallow layer of <PICT:0661105/III/1> <PICT:0661105/III/2> <PICT:0661105/III/3> <PICT:0661105/III/4> <PICT:0661105/III/5> <PICT:0661105/III/6> <PICT:0661105/III/7> <PICT:0661105/III/8> loosly disposed conductive particles immersed in liquid hydrocarbons, and electrical leads connected to the fixed electrode elements for supplying power thereto and through the layer of conductive particles, whereby the particles are set into relative movement and intermittent electric discharges are generated in the liquid hydrocarbons between adjacent particles. The fixed electrode structure may be apertured to allow conductive particles of less than prearranged dimentions to pass therethrough, e.g. slots may be provided between the fixed electrode elements.  The conductive particles may be (a) of single layer depth; (b) supported horizontall or (c) prepared from carbon.  The support may comprise a framework of electrically non-conductive material, e.g. of dried wood, in which are mounted a plurality of fixed electrode elements parallel to and spaced from one another, e.g. carbon rods of square or rectangular cross-section provided with strengtheners adjacent thereto.  The apparatus can include a separator, e.g. filter means, placed between a storage tank for the liquid hydrocarbons and the reaction chamber to remove carbon black as the hydrocarbon is circulated between the reaction chamber and storage tank.  The gas outlet pipe from the reaction chamber may include filter means to clean generated gases from carbon black. A suitable apparatus is shown at Fig. 1 with side elevations in the direction of the arrows A and B at Figs. 2 and 3 respectively. The apparatus comprises a tank 1 into which a framework of fixed electrode elements, Fig. 4a is assembled, and electric power is supplied thereto through terminals 19.  The gases generated from the discharges pass through pipes 20 to a gas collector 21 and then to outlet pipe 22 fitted with cock 23.  A safety baffle, e.g. a flame trap, is preferably connected to outlet pipe 22 to prevent back-flow of air into tank 1 and may comprise a water bath 24 in which the outlet pipe 22 is immersed while gases pass out through pipe 25 and filter means 26 to remove carbon black, Fig. 3. Conductive particles are introduced into tank 1 with the aid of hopper 31, shoot 30 and cocks 32 and 33 (means may be provided for interlocking the cocks so that only one may be opened at a time), or by an automatic worm feed device shown in Fig. 6 (the device can be operated automatically when the conductive particles are reduced in size by wear and the arc discharge current fails).  The liquid hydrocarbon supply line is at 42, Fig. 1, while the hydrocarbon may pass out through two outlet pipes 44 and 45 (pipe 44 may be used as an overflow pipe).  Pipe 45 can include a separator 47 for carbon black, e.g. a filter as illustrated in Fig. 7 containing ceramic filter cylinders 51.  The framework of fixed electrode elements, Fig. 4a, comprises a rectangular open box-like structure of wood or other non-conducting material 4 between the ends of which extend several T-sectioned iron supports 5 parallel to one another upon each of which is supported an electrode element 6, e.g. of square or rectangular carbon rod. The sides of each element 6 are held by longitudinal members 7 of wood spaced apart to leave slots 8 between adjacent electrode assemblies, and the width of the slots may be adjusted to allow conductive particles of less than a predetermined size to fall to the bottom of tank 1.  Fig. 5 illustrates the method of assembly of the framework of fixed electrode elements, fig. 4a, in to tank 1 with the aid of screw 18 and socket 15.  The retaining member, Fig. 4b, is made of wood, is open top and bottom and is placed round the electrode assembly to prevent conductive particles from being displaced in a sideways direction.