Patent GB-794367-A (GB)
Title: Process for cracking hydrocarbons in the liquid state
IPC: C10G15/08
Filed: 1955-10-13
Abstract: <PICT:0794367/IV (b)/1> A process for cracking liquids consisting of or containing hydrocarbons to produce acetylene by means of a plurality of arcs which burn intermittently in the liquid at auxiliary electrodes as the latter are moved out of contact with spaced main electrodes by the gases which are involved is effected at reduced pressure which is preferably under 250 mms. and more desirably under 100 mms. of mercury.  The auxiliary electrodes may consist of bar-shaped members having spherical, arcuate or disc-shape portions which contact the main electrodes, alternatively they may have a knifeedge or toothed portion; they may also consist of granular or porous material such as carbon granules of 14-15 mms. diameter.  A preferred apparatus consists of a container 51 (Fig. 5), for the liquid having arranged therein a cage 52 of circular cross-section rotatable about a horizontal axis 53 the periphery of the cage consisting of carbon rods 54 which are the main electrodes. The auxiliary electrodes 55 consist of carbon granules which are too large to pass through the gaps between the electrodes 54 the polarity of which alternates from one to the next in the case of the rods which carry the current, this being limited to 1/3 -\ba1/4 of the total number and being the rods which at any given moment are at the lowest positions.  The process is preferably applied to the cracking of coke-gas benzine of a boiling range of 180-320 DEG  C. and the product comprises 33 per cent of volume of acetylene, and 59.5 per cent of hydrogen.ALSO:A process for cracking liquids consisting of or containing hydrocarbons or nitrogen-substituted hydrocarbons to produce acetylene and hydrogen or hydrocyanic acid respectively by means of a plurality of arcs which burn intermittently in the liquid at auxiliary electrodes as the latter are moved out of contact with spaced main eletrodes by the gases which are involved is effected at reduced pressure which is preferably under 250 mms. and more desirably under 100 mms. of mercury.  The auxiliary electrodes may consist of bar-shaped members having spherical, arcuate or disc-shape portions which contact the main electrodes, alternatively they may have a knife-edge or toothed portion; they may also consist of granular or porous material such as carbon granules of 14-15 mms. diameter.  A preferred apparatus consists of a container 51, Fig. 5, for the liquid having arranged therein a cage 52 of circular cross-section rotatable about <PICT:0794367/III/1> a horizontal axis 53, the periphery of the cage consisting of carbon rods 54 which are the main electrodes.  The auxiliary electrodes 55 consist of carbon granules which are too large to pass through the gaps between the electrodes 54, the polarity of which alternates from one to the next in the case of the rods which carry the current, this being limited to 1/3 -\ba1/4 of the total number and being the rods which at any given moment are at the lowest positions.  The process is preferably applied to the cracking of coke-gas benzine of a boiling range of 180-320 DEG  C. and the product comprises 33 per cent of volume of acetylene, and 59.5 per cent of hydrogen.