Patent GB-185140-A (GB)
Title: Improved apparatus for cracking hydrocarbons, or other oils
Filed: 1921-02-24
Abstract: 185,140. Seigle, A. A. F. M. Feb. 24, 1921. Mineral and tar oils.-In an apparatus for cracking oils a retort and one or more coolers, all of special construction and charged with metal catalysts, are used, and in operation the proportion of light oils may be increased by treating the vapours from the first cooler with stored uncondensed gases in presence of metal catalysts in presence or not of hydrogen. Each retort comprises double-walled drums as A<2>, B<2>, C', each divided by partitions r into annular passages e stopped by a longitudinal partition u but connected by holes r<1> arranged alternately on opposite sides of the partition u. The drums are connected in line by hollow or solid tenons 2 so as to be separated by spaces d, d<1> and yet form a central passage P<1> of increasing diameter, and to form a continuous conduit f, f<1> of increasing diameter of the passages e. The passages e are charged with metal catalysts through stoppered openings x, y, z. Each cooler E comprises connected inner and outer chambers A<4>, A<3> filled with boiling water or calcium chloride or other aqueous solution under atmospheric, reduced, or increased pressure according to the temperature desired, and an intermediate chamber C<4> containing metal catalysts on shelves x<2> having staggered holes for the passage of the retort gases and vapours admitted through the pipe E<2>. In operation, the retort is heated by a stream of flame projected down the passage P', and preheated oil is forced through the annular conduit f, f<1>. The vapours and gases are expanded and cooled in the first cooler E, as from 12 to 4 hectograms per sq. cm. and from 650 to 260‹ C., and preferably the uncondensed vapours and gases pass to a pump by which they are recompressed and consequently heated, as to 9 hectos. per sq. cm. and 300‹ C., and forced into a second cocler. The vapours and gases issuing at say 2-3 hectos. and 160‹ C. may be compressed and cooled again, and are finally passed into a watercooled condenser to condense the light oils, and through a scrubber to a gas holder. Condensates serving as lubricating oils are withdrawn from the coolers E through the cocks F<2>, F<3>. The gas may be used as a motor fuel, for lighting, or for improving producer gas. The vapours and gases from the first cooler E may be mixed with gas from the gas holder with or without added hydrogen, and the mixture passed through a second cooler E charged with metal catalysts usually employed in the hydrogenation of oils. The furnace gases pass from the retort to a heat-exchanger in which they preheat the oil to be cracked, and raise to boiling the water from the water-cooled condenser. This water is then forced to the coolers E. The catalysts are distributed in the retort and coolers according to the temperatures. In regions at 650‹ C., iron turnings, borings, straw, or filings are used; at 450‹ C. aluminium; at 300-500‹ C. copper; at 200-350‹ C. iron-nickel alloy. The apparatus mav be used for the fractional distillation of crude petroleum &c. by cutting out the catalysts and the gas scrubber and holder, and adjusting the temperatures of the retort and coolers. Oils specified for treatment are crude or residual oils such as mazout, coal tars, and heavy oils from coal, peat, petroleum, schists, lignite, and rosin.