Patent GB-435457-A (GB)
Title: Process of and apparatus for the hydrogenation of carbonaceous materials
IPC: C10G1/08
Filed: 1934-03-20
Abstract: <PICT:0435457/III/1> In a process for the hydrogenation of carbonaceous materials by treatment with nascent hydrogen obtained by the interaction of finely divided metals and water with or without accelerators as described in Specifications 339,317, [Class 32], and 405,371, the reacting materials are pumped continuously to the reaction vessel from which the solid products are withdrawn, separated from the vaporous products, subjected to reduction to reform the metals and returned to the reaction vessel in a continuous cycle. Finely divided iron from a feeder 1, water with accelerators from a pipe 3 and carbonaceous material from a pipe 2 are mixed in a container 4 and the mixture is circulated through a pipe 5<1> by a pump 5.  Part of the mixture is drawn off by a pump 6 and fed through a heat-exchanger 7 to a reaction vessel 8 from which the hydrogenated materials are withdrawn through a pipe 55 and the exchanger 7 by a cylinder and piston 9 acting as an expansion device to a separator 10 maintained at high temperature from which gases and vapours pass through a cooler 48 to a separator 50.  Gases pass through a line 52 out of the system or to the reduction furnace while condensate is removed through an outflow 51 for distillation as required.  The residues pass through a cooler 12 to a centrifuge 13 where liquid is separated and withdrawn through a pipe 14 while the solids are agitated with water and oil in a mixer 18, freed therefrom in a press 20, and dry distilled and freed from sulphur in a heated conveyer 23. The residues are passed through a conveyer 27 to a reduction furnace 30 where the metal oxides are reduced to the metallic state (or to carbides) and returned through conveyers 40, 41 to the feeders 1, 42. The reaction vessel 8, Fig. 3, comprises a pressure resistant outer jacket and an inner reaction cylinder 69 provided with a cover 58 to which pressure is imparted by a screw 67 carried by a ring 62 on an annulus 60.  The vessel may be heated by hot gases passing through channels and grooves 72, 73, 74, 75.  The materials flow downwardly over cups 64 <PICT:0435457/III/2> provided with pins 66 spaced between corresponding pins 68 carries by stirring members 67 rotated on a spindle 53.  Means are provided for admitting water at several points near the bottom of the reaction chamber so that it flows in countercurrent to the materials treated.  The water may be admitted in the "supercritical" condition and mixed with metals.  10 parts of an emulsion of tar containing 15 per cent water mixed with 10 parts spongy iron containing chromium, nickel, and carbon and 3,5 parts of a solution of magnesium chloride, cerium chloride and uranyl chloride are heated to 455 DEG  C. under 320 atmospheres pressure.  A product containing 45 per cent benzine, 38 per cent middle oil and 17 per cent residues boiling above 350 DEG  C., is obtained.  Accelerators specified are ammonium, alkali or alkaline earth carbonates, hydroxides and halides also chlorides and sulphates of manganese, chromium, molybdenum, cobalt, tin, nickel.  The metals used include iron, zinc, tin, manganese and aluminium with additions of molybdenum, chromium, uranium and cerium.  The reduction furnace 30 is surrounded by a chamotte jacket and is heated by gases led to an annular space between the jacket and the furnace and mixed with air preheated in an annulus 32.  The metal oxides are supplied from a conveyer 28 and pass down the furnace over stages 35 over which they are fed by stirring arms 36 rotated by a water cooled shaft 34.  The oxides are reduced to metals or carbides by the waste gases of the hydrogenation process fed in co- or counter-current thereto.