Patent GB-518014-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in flowing materials processing
IPC: C10G9/20
Filed: 1938-06-11
Abstract: 518,014. Fluid-pressure servomotor-control systems; fluids, regulating volume of flow. RUDE; R. L. June 11, 1938, No. 17386. [A Specification was laid open to inspection under Sect. 91 of the Acts, Jan. 10, 1939]. [Class 135] [Also in Groups XXXVIII and III] In the treatment of petroleum in a flow path taking into account temperature, pressure and rate of charge, flow responsive devices are arranged at one or more e points in the path and the density of the fluid at such points is determined by correlating the indications of each device with the weight rate of fluid input. The Specification also describes how the time of treatment may be ascertained and correlated with temperature indications to furnish an additional factor in regulating the treatment. Fig. 2 shows a system in which the treatment is effected in two stages in coils 10a, 10b, flow meters A. B. C. being fitted at the input, intermediate and output stages. The density at B is ascertained by correlating the readings of the meters at B and A and assuming a known weight rate of input. Thus the meters at A and B position the Selsyn transmitters 42, 43 by logarithmic cams and the combined effect of the differential receivers 51, 52 positions an antilogarithmic cam 66 in accordance with the density at B which is indicated on scale 74. Similarly the density at C is indicated on scale 75 by correlating the readings of flowmeters at C and A. The mean density in section B, C is recorded on chart 78 by combining the movements of cams 66, 67 over differential 76, allowance for variation of the input rate being provided by manual adjustment at 79. Adjustments may be effected at 70, 71 for the characteristics of the orifices at B and C which are also adjustable. The time of treatment in section B, C is obtained by correlating the mean density (transmitter 46) with the weight rate of input (transmitter 42a) at differential receivers 55, 56 and indicating the result on chart 82. The time is also transmitted from motor 45 to receiver 57 and correlated by cams 83, 84 and linkage, with the mean temperature in section BC which is transmitted from motor 47 to motor 58. The time-temperature relationship is thus indicated at 86 and a correction may be made at 91 for the stock factor. The various indicating members may control valves to regulate automatically the fuel supply, flue gas re-circulation, rate of charge, back pressure &c. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises a number of systems in which the treatment of petroleum is controlled automatically in accordance with density and temperature indications correlated in a manner similar to that described above, and also automatic control systems in chemical processes involving the mixture of solid or fluid reagents. In a system described with reference to Fig. 6 (cancelled and not shown), the indicating system described above is used to control the working conditions of a cracking still in accordance with the mean density of the petroleum in the still or the time of treatment in the still or its temperature or a combination of these factors. In another system, Fig. 8 (not shown and cancelled) the supply of heating fuel to the still and the air supply to the burner is controlled in accordance with the position of a lever controlled conjointly by the mean density of the fluid under treatment determined as described above and an electromotor driven in accordance with the temperature of the fluid at one point in the system. This and similar systems may be applied to steam generating plants. Fig. 9 (Cancelled) shows a system in which lever 125 positioned as previously described in accordance with the mean density of the fluid in section 15 and by motor 122 in accordance with the mean temperature in the section, exercises sequential control of flue gas circulation and the fuel supply. The lever 125 controls valves 128a, 128b in the pressure lines leading to the fuel valve 118 and a valve 143 controlling the circulating motor 141, the arrangement being such that in response to the temperature decrease and density increase, circulation is first increased to a maximum, the rate of fuel is then increased, and the circulation backed off as required. Sequentially operating valves are described (Figs. 19 and 20 Cancelled and not shown). The mean temperature and density may be determined by single instruments located at the centre of the conversion section. In another system, Fig. 10 (Cancelled and not shown) the back pressure in a system including a reaction chamber is controlled by correlating the density at the input to the chamber and output pressure. Fig. 12 (Cancelled and not shown) comprises an arrangement for controlling the fuel or the input to the cracking coil in accordance with the time of treatment determined in the manner described above, and Fig. 13 (Cancelled and not shown) introduces temperature as an additional control factor. As a further factor, the nature of the stock charged into the cracking coil may be taken into account. Fig. 16 (Cancelled) shows an example of the above described methods applied to a chemical process involving the mixture of the two reagents. One fluid reagent is introduced at a constant flow over pipe 1a by means of the flow meter 17A, pressure line control valve 17D and valve 175 in pipe 1a. Manual adjustment is provided at 17B. The density is also transmitted electrically to an integrator 176 which receives similar density indications from feed pipe 1 of the other reagent and also from the output of the reaction chamber 178. The integrator controls a valve 187 in a pressure line which controls the feed of the reagent through pipe 1 and also a relay 184 which is further subject to control by the temperature and/or pressure of the output from the chamber 178 to vary the flow of heating fluid in the reaction chamber. The system is also applicable where one of the reagents is solid (Fig. 17 Cancelled and not shown). This subject matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.