IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF HYDROCARBONS FOR THEIR PURIFICATION AND CONVERSION INTO OTHER PRODUCTS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel, of No. 20, Southampton Buildings,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
TREATMENT OF HYDROCARBONS FOR THEIR PURIFICATION AND CONVERSION
INTO OTHER PRODUCTS." A communication from abroad by Charles Friedel
and James Mason Crafts, both of Paris, in the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Denton Abel at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th December 1877.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 20, Southampton Buildings, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF HYDROCARBONS FOR THEIR
PURIFICATION AND CONVERSION INTO OTHER PRODUCTS." [A communication from
abroad by Charles Friedel and James Mason Crafts, both of Paris, in the Republic of
France.]
This Invention relates to a method of treating hydrocarbons, whereby they
become converted or convertible into other products, as we will now describe.
In a vessel or retort is mixed the hydrocarbon with anhydrous or partially
hydrated chloride of aluminium, or with oxychloride of aluminium, or with a
mixture of either or both these substances with metallic oxides, such as those of
zinc, iron, lead, and the like. The hydrocarbon thus operated on at moderate
temperatures, varying from 100° to 600°. centigrade, becomes transformed into other
hydrocarbons or products of oxydation in the course of a few hours. During the
process oxygen from the atmosphere or otherwise may be supplied to the mixture.
By this treatment a hydrocarbon, such as petroleum of low grade, is converted into
gas, light oils suitable for illumination, and heavy oils containing paraffin; also
petroleum, naphtha, and other hydrocarbons containing sulphur, are by the process
above described freed from sulphur, and enhanced in value. Napthaline thus treated
is converted into benzol, tolnol, and other products. Hydrocarbons such as benzol

page_text: treated as described are caused to combine with cyanogen, forming cyanides which
can be converted into acids such as benzoic acid.
In the treatment above described there may be substituted for the aluminium
chlorides other metallic chlorides, such as the sesquichloride of iron or the chloride
or zinc.
The quantity or chloride of aluminium or of the other chlorides mentioned should
vary from 5 to 20 per cent. of the hydrocarbons acted upon, according to the extent
of the action desired.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Denton Abel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
June 1878.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 20, Southampton Buildings, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF HYDROCARBONS FOR THEIR
PURIFICATION AND CONVERSION INTO OTHER PRODUCTS." A communication from
abroad by Charles Friedel and James Mason Crafts, both of Paris, in the Republic of
France.
This Invention relates to a method of treating hydrocarbons, whereby they
become converted or convertible into other products, as I will now describe.
In a vessel or retort is mixed the hydrocarbon with anhydrous or partially
hydrated chloride of aluminium, or with oxychloride of aluminium, or with a
mixture of either or both these substances with metallic oxides, such as those of
zinc, iron, lead, and the like. The hydrocarbon thus operated on at moderate
temperatures, varying from about 100° to 600° centigrade becomes transformed into
other hydrocarbons or products of oxydation in the course of a few hours. During the
process oxygen from the atmosphere or otherwise may be supplied to the mixture;
also organic chlorides may be added with advantage, as they assist the reaction and
the formation of definite products. By this treatment a hydrocarbon, such as
petroleum of low grade, is convorted into gas, light oils suitable for illumination, and
heavy oils containing paraffin; also petroleum, naptha, and other hydrocarbons
containing sulphur, are by the process above described freed from sulphur, and
enhanced in value. Napthaline thus treated is converted into benzol, tolnol, and
other products. Hydrocarbons such as benzol treated as described are caused to
combine with cyanogen, forming cyanides which can be converted into acids such as
benzoic acid.
In the treatment above described there may be substituted for the aluminium
chlorides other metallic chlorides, such as the sesquichloride of iron or the chloride
of zinc.
The quantity of the chloride of aluminium or of the other chlorides mentioned
should vary from 5 to 20 per cent. of the hydrocarbons acted upon according to the
extent of the action desired.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the

page_text: same is to be performed as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, I
claim, the process for puryfying and converting hydrocarbons by treating them
with chlorides and metallic oxides under the influence of heat, substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Denton Abel, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.