Patent GB-456537-A (GB)
Title: Process of treating hydrocarbons
IPC: C07B35/04
Filed: 1935-05-24
Abstract: Alcohols and ketones are obtained by exposing aliphatic hydrocarbons with addition of moisture to the radiation from a rare gas lamp preferably of positive column type.  The treatment may be effected in presence of a <PICT:0456537/IV/1> catalyst, particularly one containing an oxidizing agent, and of an electrically conductive material which is added to the hydrocarbon to increase the effect of the radiation.  The catalyst preferably comprises a porous substance such as carbon, pumice, or silica gel, which may be impregnated with an oxidizing agent such as a perborate, percarbonate, bichromate, hydrogen peroxide, or with metals such as a mixture of copper and cerium.  The conductive material may be a metallic oleate or resinate, or a colloidal dispersion of copper or other metal or hydroxide.  A suitable apparatus comprises a column 20 maintained under reduced pressure into which heated hydrocarbon is sprayed at 21 and water at 24.  The vapours pass through a layer 26 of porous material which may be catalytic.  The upper part of the column contains a coiled neon lamp 28 and a heating coil 29, and the vapours are led to condensers 31, 32.  The production of amyl, propyl, and butyl alcohols and of acetone from hydrocarbons such as gasoline is described.ALSO:<PICT:0456537/III/1> <PICT:0456537/III/2> Aliphatic hydrocarbons are treated to form degradation and/or oxidation products, such as alcohols and ketones, by exposure to radiation from a rare gas lamp, preferably of the positive column type.  Neon, argon, or krypton lamps may be used.  The treatment may be effected in presence of a catalyst, particularly one containing an oxidizing agent, and of an electrically conductive material such as a metallic compound.  One form of apparatus comprises a tubular rare gas lamp surrounded by a reaction chamber in the form of a jacket which may be surrounded by an earthed metallic member.  If gas oil having a boiling range of 200--800 DEG  C., is passed through this apparatus the boiling range is lowered to 150--700 DEG  C.  Another apparatus, Fig. 3, comprises a column 20 maintained under reduced pressure, into which oil to be treated is introduced at 400 DEG  C., through the spray head 21.  The vapours rise through a layer 26 of porous material (which may be catalytic) below which water is introduced through jets 24.  The upper part of the column contains a coiled neon lamp 28 and a heating coil 29.  The vapours are led to condensers 31, 32.  The gasoline yield of the oil is increased by the treatment. Another apparatus, Fig. 8, comprises a vessel 60 containing a body of liquid 78 which is circulated by a centrifugal pump 71 through a mass of catalyst 66 in which is embedded a neon tube 65.  The catalyst preferably comprises a porous substance such as carbon, pumice, silica gel, &c., which may be impregnated with an oxidizing agent such as a perborate, percarbonate, bichromate, or hydrogen peroxide, or with metals such as a mixture of copper and cerium.  The electrically conductive material which may be added to the reactant to increase the effect of the radiation may be a metallic oleate or stearate, or a colloidal dispersion of a metal or hydroxide, e.g. copper or copper hydroxide, in a liquid hydrocarbon.