Patent GB-362414-A (GB)
Title: Process and apparatus for the treatment of carbonaceous materials with reducing gases at elevated temperature and pressure
IPC: C10G1/06
Filed: 1930-05-29
Abstract: <PICT:0362414/III/1> Carbonaceous materials, such as coal, lignite, cellulose, tars, asphalts, and hydrocarbon oils, are treated with reducing-gases, such as hydrogen or carbon monoxide, or gases containing them or giving rise thereto, at elevated temperatures and pressures, with or without catalysts, so as to effect destructive hydrogenation or hydrogenation without substantial splitting of the molecule when bodies such as phenols or cresols or sulphur-containing bodies are acted upon, cyclic hydrocarbons being produced in this case.  The materials to be treated and the reducing-gases are mixed under pressure and so conducted, in the liquid or gaseous phase, through a reaction zone that the temperature rises as rapidly as possible to the desired point, after which the material is discharged and a separation effected between the high and low boiling products by withdrawing the latter in the vapour phase, with or without release of pressure.  Solid carbonaceous material is made into a paste with liquids, such as oils or tars.  When destructive hydrogenation is to be effected, a pressure of at least 50 atmospheres is used but when reduction only is required, a lower pressure may be employed.  The catalyst, if employed, may be added to the material to be treated or may be fixed in the reaction chamber. Preheating may be effected of the material or of the reducing gas or both to a temperature less than the reaction temperature, and the reaction chamber may be heated externally by hot gases or liquids or by internal electric heating or by both. When the reaction is sufficiently exothermic, no heating means is employed.  In the apparatus shown, the material to be treated and the reducing gas are forced by pumps 3, 4 into a mixing chamber 7 and thence to a pressure-resistant reaction chamber 9 whence the material may pass to a cooler 12.  From the cooler the reaction products pass to a separation chamber 14, provided with a pressure release valve 13, and thence the gases and vapours pass to condensers 17, 18, 19 which fractionate the condensate.  Residue from the separating chamber is forced by a pump 22 and a pipe 21 to the mixing chamber 7 to undergo further treatment or it may pass by a pipe 23 or a pipe 26 to some other apparatus.  In a modification, two separating chambers are provided which are used alternately so that the process is continuous.ALSO:<PICT:0362414/IV/1> Cyclic hydrocarbons are obtained by treating phenol or cresols with reducing gases, such as hydrogen or carbon monoxide, or gases containing them or giving rise thereto, at elevated temperatures and pressures, with or without catalysts. The materials to be treated and the reducing gases are mixed under pressure and so conducted, in the liquid or gaseous phase, through a reaction zone that the temperature rises as rapidly as possible to the desired point, after which the material is discharged and a separation effected between the high and low boiling products by withdrawing the latter in the vapour phase, with or without release of pressure.  A lower pressure than 50 atm. may be employed.  The catalyst, if employed, may be added to the material to be treated or may be fixed in the reaction chamber.  Preheating may be effected of the material or of the reducing gas or both to a temperature less than the reaction temperature, and the reaction chamber may be heated externally by hot gases or liquids or by internal electric heating or by both.  When the reaction is sufficiently exothermic, no heating means is employed.  In the apparatus shown, the material to be treated and the reducing gas are forced by pumps 3, 4 into a mixing chamber 7 and thence to a pressure-resistant reaction chamber 9 whence the material may pass to a cooler 12.  From the cooler the reaction products pass to a separation chamber 14, provided with a pressure release valve 13, p  and thence the gases and vapours pass to condensers 17, 18, 19 which fractionate the condensate.  Residue from the separating chamber is forced by a pump 22 and a pipe 21 to the mixing chamber 7 to undergo further treatment, or it may pass by a pipe 23 or a pipe 26 to some other apparatus.  In a modification, two separating chambers are provided which are used alternately so that the process is continuous.