Patent GB-898796-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the sulphonation of hydrocarbon oils
IPC: B01F27/73
Filed: 1958-11-10
Abstract: <PICT:0898796/III/1> <PICT:0898796/III/2> Gas-liquid reactor for use in the sulphonation of hydrocarbon oils with an SO3-containing gas (see Group IV(b)) comprises (Fig. 1) a container 1 having therein a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart members 8 rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis by a shaft 7, the members each having a portion thereof dipping in a body of the oil in the lower part of the container and each having apertures formed therein and/or being so p  spaced apart that on rotation an oil film is formed across those apertures and/or spaces between the members which are out of contact with the oil.  The gas is forced through those apertures in and/or the spaces between the members 8 which carry the oil film.  The apertured rotatable members may be perforated discs or cylinders, concentrically disposed ring segments, impellers, propellers, discs apertured to form spokes or a plurality of concentric rings.  The rotatable members may also be in the form of a plurality of concentric imperforate cylinders.  As shown, the members 8 are expanded metal discs which may be provided with heating or cooling coils (Fig. 4) and scraper bars 9.  Other forms of members rotatable by shaft 7 are illustrated including a nest of wire mesh cylinders mounted concentrically on the shaft.  The apparatus can be of non-uniform circular cross-section.  The apparatus may be used with co-current flow, gas and liquid inlets 10, 12 being provided at one end and a gas outlet 11 and a liquid overflow being provided at the other end, or if desired, the apparatus may be adapted for counter-current flow of the gas and liquid.  Examples describe sulphonations with air containing SO3 in the above apparatus wherein (1) a partially acid-treated heavy coastal petroleum distillate is sulphonated and the emergent oil stream is neutralized and the sulphonates therein are extracted; (2) the oil recovered from (1) is resulphonated to provide a heavy medicinal white oil; (3) a solvent treated coastal oil distillate is similarly sulphonated.ALSO:<PICT:0898796/IV (b)/1> Hydrocarbon oils are sulphonated by an SO3-containing gas, the method comprising so rotating about a substantially horizontal axis a plurality of substantially parallel spaced-apart members in a container with a lower portion of each member dipping into a body of the oil therein (the members having apertures formed therein and/or being so spaced apart that, on rotation, an oil film is formed across these apertures and/or spaces between the members which are out of contact with the oil) that, at any instant, only a portion of the effective area of apertures and/or spaces is in contact with the oil but after completion of one rotation substantially the whole of the effective area of apertures and/or spaces has been immersed and forcing the SO3-containing gas through the apertures in and/or spaces between the members which carry the oil film.  The apertured rotatable members may be perforated discs or cylinders, concentrically disposed ring segments, impellers, propellers, discs apertured to form spokes or a plurality of concentric rings. The rotable members may also be in the form of a plurality of concentric imperforate cylinders.  Suitable apparatus comprises a jacketed cylindrical container 1 (see Fig. 1) through which extends axially a rotable shaft 7 carrying perforated discs 8 of a diameter substantially that of the container.  The discs may be provided with heating or cooling means and scraper bars 9. The SO3 gas and hydrocarbon oil are introduced via inlets 10, 12 at one end and at the other end are provided a gas outlet 11 and a liquid overflow.  If desired, counter-current flow of gas and liquid may be used.  The apparatus need not be of uniform circular cross-section.  The discs shown are of expanded metal.  Other forms are illustrated including a nest of wire mesh cylinders mounted concentrically on shaft 7.  Examples describe sulphonations with air containing SO3 using the above apparatus wherein (1) a partially acid treated petroleum distillate is sulphonated and the emergent oil stream is neutralised and extracted to recover petroleum sulphonates (6.0 vol. per cent.) therefrom; (2) the residual oil is resulphonated as in (1) leaving a purified white oil; (3) a solvent treated Coastal oil distillate is similarly sulphonated.