Patent GB-386669-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the treatment or manufacture of hydrocarbons
IPC: C10G9/40
Filed: 1931-07-09
Abstract: Hydrocarbons are cracked by the action of catalysts dissolved or suspended in molten or liquid media comprising inorganic compounds. The hydrocarbons treated may be Russian or American petroleums, paraffin oils, ligroins, pentanes, butane, or propane, and may be admixed with indifferent gas such as nitrogen.  The hydrocarbon may be passed in gaseous form through the liquid medium containing the catalyst, or the liquid hydrocarbon may be caused to drop or impinge upon the liquid medium.  Where ethylene or other gaseous products are to be the principal products, ordinary or reduced pressure may be employed, while when liquid products suitable for motor spirit or lamp oils are desired pressure such as 50-200 atmospheres may be used.  The liquid medium may be a mixture of alkali and/or alkaline-earth halides, and the catalysts mentioned are silicates such as magnesium and aluminium silicates alone or together with silicon or difficultly reducible oxides such as molybdenum and chromium oxides; silicon; difficultly reducible oxides such as oxides of calcium, barium, strontium, magnesium, and the rare earth metals; aluminates, tungstates, vanadates, chromates and uranates of the alkali and alkaline-earth metals; silica, graphitic carbon, sulphur, metallic carbides such as calcium and iron carbides; metaphosphates and other phosphates of alkali, alkaline earth and heavy metals; and metals such as nickel, copper, iron, chromium and cobalt in powder or other form.  The cracking may be effected at 500-1000 DEG C.ALSO:Hydrocarbons are cracked by the action of catalysts dissolved or suspended in molten or liquid media comprising inorganic compounds.  The hydrocarbons treated may be Russian or American petroleums, paraffin oils, ligroins, pentanes, butane or propane, and may be admixed with indifferent gas such as nitrogen.  The hydrocarbon may be passed in gaseous form through the liquid medium containing the catalyst, or the liquid hydrocarbon may be caused to drop or impinge upon the liquid medium.  Where ethylene or other gaseous products are to be the principal products, ordinary or reduced pressure may be employed, whilst when liquid products suitable for motor spirit or lamp oils are desired, pressure such as 50-200 atmospheres may be used.  The liquid medium may be a mixture of alkali and/or alkaline earth halides, and the catalysts mentioned are silicates such as magnesium and aluminium silicates alone or together with silicon or difficulty reducible oxides such as molybdenum and chromium oxides; silicon; difficulty reducible oxide such as oxides of calcium, barium, strontium, magnesium, and the rare earth metals; aluminates, tungstates, vanadates, chromates and uranates of the alkali and alkaline earth-metals; silica, graphitic carbon, sulphur, metallic carbides such as calcium and iron carbides; metaphosphates and other phosphates of alkali, alkaline earth and heavy metals; and metals such as nickel, copper, iron, chromium and cobalt in powder or other form.  The cracking may be effected at 500-1000 DEG  C.