Improved Method of Distillation or Condensation and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 15th Mar., 1900-Accepted, 26th June, 1900
0
PROVISIONAL SPECIFINI
Improved Method of Distillation or Condensation and Apparatus
therefor.
I, JOSEF FISCHER, of 1, Maximilianstrasse 5, Vienna, in the Empire of Austria,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In my hollow plate condensers the two medial vapours and cooling fluid are
spread out in thin layers and passed through the apparatus in opposite directions
in consequence of which arrangement not only the best possible yield of the
apparatus is obtained, but also the condensed product is obtained in great purity,
while the other parts such as the combinations contained in the mineral oils,
sebacic acid, tar &c., can be easily and separately obtained, or at least the light
oils and fats may be easily divided from the heavy oils and fats, and the lye.
In order to obtain this result the several condensing plates contained in the.
plate-condenser must be constructed in such a manner that each plate is closed
up to a certain height whereby the condensing portion of each plate is separated
from the rest, and the oils condensed in each space can then be separately drawn off.
It is also to be remarked that the hollow plates are provided at the lowest points
with discharge orifices communicating with a U-shaped discharge pipe, which pipe
serves the purpose of closing the hollow plate and preventing communication with
the outside. All these discharge pipes discharge their contents into a common
receiver-pipe and in which taps are arranged between each adjacent pair of plates.
This pipe also communicates with other pipes through which the condensed
product of the condenser is passed, which condenser is divided and consists of
say three parts whereby it is possible to cool the condensed product separately,
and to collect it separately.
By the arrangement of the discharge pipes and the taps it is possible to collect
the condensed product separately from each of the hollow plates or from two or
intended to collect the condensed product
more of them combined. If it
separately from each hollow plate, the common collecting pipe is not necessary.
The condensed product can, of course, also be kept in each of the hollow plates
until after the end of the operation.
The operation of these condensers when raw oil is used is as follows:-
The benzine vapours obtained from the distilling boiler are passed through the
condenser which is kept by means of cooling fluid at a temperature of say 100° C.
and passed from one plate or chamber to the other of the apparatus, during
which passage the heavier oils, which have a higher boiling point than 100° C.
are condensed, while the lighter oils, which are not condensed at 100° C. pass
5 through the outlet pipe into the second condenser where they are condensed and
the product is cooled. The heavier oils contained in the first condenser can be
separated from the lighter oils since the heavier oils are contained in the first
condensing plate or chamber, while the lighter ones are contained in the following
chambers which are separated from each other by taps: the condensed products
0 thus separated from each other are then passed through the other coolers. The

page_text: petroleum vapours which pass over during the process of distilling benzine follow,
in the same way, from hollow plate to hollow plate and are successively condensed,
the condensed product, petroleum and heavy oil being divided from each other,
as explained above. In the latter case it is better to have the first condenser cooled
by a continuous current of water and to pass the two separate products into
the subsequent cooler.
If several separate products, i.c. several divisions of the condensed products
are required, the discharge tubes and coolers must be proportionately increased.
If the impure condensed product is separately collected from the hollow plates
where it condenses, then pure benzine and pétroleum etc. is obtained.
Inasmuch as that a steady and even current of cooling water passes through the
water reservoirs or cooling passages water of an even and constant temperature
will be contained in the several water reservoirs and passages, and in the corre
sponding hollow plates which are surrounded by the cooling medium, the oil
will always be characterised by the same specific gravity.
When the hollow plates are so constructed that the product contained in them
can be separately collected, the products obtained from raw oil can be separated
from each other with great precision. In case of large quantities of vapour, or
when such vapours require a longer space of time for their condensation, several
such hollow plates, kept at the same temperature, may be connected together.
In order to obtain this result the condenser is sub-divided by simple partitions.
each partition being separately heated or cooled to the degree at which the
desired product is obtained.
If, for instance, a hollow plate condenser is arranged to contain four divisions,
i.e. the condenser divided into four independent condensers or coolers, each sub-
division or condenser being kept at an even temperature by means of cooling
fluid, four oils of certain specific gravities can be obtained.
The inlet plate or chamber of the hollow plate condensers, as well as the other
plates may be provided with plates or ribs by means of which the vapours are
forced to pass through the apparatus in a zig-zag manner.
If the distillation is carried out with superlicated steam, the steam together with
the oil vapours are passed from the first condenser into the cooler or second con-
denser. Of course it is possible to separate in the first condenser and in the cooler
the lighter oils from the heavier ones, according to the manner already described.
Separation of sebacic acid and tar may also be effected in the manner described.
The condenser must however be made in this case of copper, brass or the like.
or the cast iron hollow plates or their passages must be lined with said metals.
This can be effected by inserting in the passages correspondingly shaped metal
sheets or by casting the metal lining at the same time as the hollow plates.
Dated this 26th day of June 1890
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
DE MULTIVALINN.
Improved Method of Distillation or Condensation and Apparatus
therefor.
I. JOSEF FISCHER, of 1, Maximilianstrasse 5, Vienna, in the Empire of Austria,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
The present invention relates to the condensation of vapour arising say from

page_text: 50
distillation of crude oils, and the separation of the
ording to their density or point of vapourisation.
By this process the gasified oils, obtained in connection with the distillation
aw oil, are separated during condensation and collected as separate oils, whereby
eat advantages are obtained.
In carrying out the invention I employ a series of hollow metal plates; such
are shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, each plate being flat
d provided with a central passage », provided preferably with a baffle plate n',
d with outer ribs or projections rio facilitate cooling of the walls of the
ates, which are so arranged that when a series of these plates are holted
gether with suitable packing at their meeting edges the passages communicate
d form a serpentine or zigzag passage while the recessed portions of the outer
alls of the plates form other corresponding passages through which cooling water
fluid can be passed to cool the vapours passing through the central passage.
he vapours and cooling fluid are passed through the apparatus in opposite
irections, the gasified oils, or oil gases being thus effectually condensed and
ooled.
The gasified oils pass along the passages from one hollow plate to the other,
while the cooling fluid passes along the outer spaces in the opposite direction,
hus being in continuous contact with the outer surfaces of the plates
In the accompanying drawings:
The
Figure represents a side elevation of a condenser plant according to this
nvention and comprises a series of condenser plates A of the kind described and
series of other similar condensers, or coolers B subdivided into sets B, B", B,
constructed in the same manner as the condenser A, the sets of plates forming
the series B, B. B, being drawn and bolted together by screw bolts.
coolers B and B being intended for cooling only the condensed products, may
be replaced by other suitable cooling devices. Figure 2 represents a horizontal
section of the condenser A showing the conduit or passage for the passage of
the oil gases, and the passage for the cooling fluid supplied from any suitable
source, while the coolers B, B", BI, are represented in plan-view..
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the condenser arrangement, while
Figure 4, represents the hollow-plates used in the construction of the con-
denser apparatus, the detail view being sections on the lines -- and -
respectively.
Figures to 7 show modified apparatus for use in carry out the invention.
To render the plates suitable for carrying out the invention, the exit opening
of each plat, Figure 4, is somewhat shorter than the main passage so as to
form a trap, to prevent the products of condensation of each plate from running
off and mixing with the condensed products of the other plates each plate or
section being provided at its lowest point with an outlet d, Figure 3, by which the
condensed product of each individual hollow plate may be drawn off separately.
All these outlets, provided with taps, discharge their contents through pipes
(as seen in Figures 2 and 3) into a common receiver-pipe and in which taps h
are arranged between each adjacent pair of plates. This pipe e also communicates
with other pipes and m Figure 2, through which the condensed product of the
condenser A is passed to the apparatus B, which is divided and consists of say
three parts B, B, B, whereby it is possible to cool the condensed product
separately, and to collect it separately.
By the arrangement of discharge pipes and c and the taps hit is possible to
collect the condensed product separately from each of the hollow plates or from
each
two or more of them combined as indicated in the accompanying drawing. If
to collect the condensed product separately from
it is intended
c is not necessary. The condensed
hollow plate, the common collecting pipe
55 product can, of course, also be kept in each of the hollow plates until after the
end of the operation.
The process is as follows:-
--

page_text: Before starting the distillation, the temperature in the hollow plates is raised
to a determined degree, in reaching which the distillation is started. Such heat-
ing of the hollow plates may be effected in any suitable manner, such as, passing
through the apparatus hot oil, water or the like; heating the cooling water by
steam or passing steam through the plates or through the cooling circuit o
before water is admitted to it.
As soon as distillation begins, cooling water is passed into the condenser B
from which it then passes on, along the passage o through the whole apparatus in
a direction opposite to that of the oil vapours or gases introduced at the point a,
(passing first through a baffle chamber) thereby becoming in its passage through
the condenser, cooled and condensed.
The products of distillation arriving from the distilling apparatus of any
suitable kind, pass into the condenser A previously heated to a temperature of,
say, 100° C. and pass from plate to plate through the whole series of the
apparatus A during which passage the heavier oils, which only vapourize at a
temperature higher than 100°, are condensed in the condenser A, while those
that continue to exist as vapour at that temperature pass over through a tube
into the condenser B to be.condensed there and cooled when condensed.
The oil vapour of the oils designated as heavy oils condensed in the hollow
plates of the apparatus A become separated according to their density, the very
heavy oils (those vapourising at a very high temperature) being condensed in.
the first hollow plate, the relatively lighter oils (vapourising at a somewhat lower
temperature) in the next, and so on to the last hollow plate, the several oils,
thus obtained being drawn off. separately if required through the pipes g.
Should any vapour of light oil (vapourising at less than 100°) become condensed
in the apparatus A, it will evaporate again since the temperature in the plates is
100°. The vapours of the light oils which pass into the condenser B and
are condensed there, may also be separated there according to their density
and separately drawn off if required directly from the various condensing plates
composing the condenser B, since the vapours of relatively heavier oils of this
series will be condensed in the plates first encountered on their passage, those of
the relatively lighter oils in the plates encountered later, and so on to the end of
the series.
Owing to the communication of the tubes km with the tubes c and g and
the several plates of the apparatus A, the oil from several plates can be passed
when required into one or the other coolers by a simple corresponding setting of
one or several of the cocks h.
In the arrangement of plant illustrated in the accompanying drawing, two
oils of distinctly different density are generally obtained from the condenser A
and passed into the coolers B and B respectively, while a third is obtained in
the condenser B
In the case of very heavy oils only one condenser series A is used, in which the
cooling medium water, or the like, travels in a direction, opposite to that in
which the oil vapours are passing.
Since, given an even and continuous current of water, the hollow condenser
plates are always evenly cooled, it follows that the separate oils obtained from the
several plates, will always be of the same density.
On comparing the various oils taken separately from the various hollow
plates it will be found that the various combinations contained in the raw oil, can
be divided out with great precisión. In cases of large quantities of vapour, or
when such vapours require a longer space of time for their condensation, several
such hollow plates, kept at the same temperature, may be connected together.
In order to obtain this result the condenser is sub-divided by simple partitions,
each partition being separately heated or cooled to the degree at which the desired
product is obtained.
If, for instance, a hollow plate condenser is arranged to contain four divisions,
.e., the condenser is divided into four independent condensers or coolers, each

page_text: 15
ivision or condenser being kept at an even temperature by means
four oils of certain specific gravities can be obtained.
stead of such a divided condenser several condensers may be employed,
anged one behind the other, each of which is maintained at a determined
perature. The mineral oil vapours pass through these condensers while the
densation product is discharged from each condenser separately.
f the distillation is carried out with super-heated steam, the steam together
h the oil vapours are passed from the first condenser A into the condenser Bu
ich can also consist of a divided apparatus. Of course it is possible to separate
the lighter oils from the
the first condenser A and in the condenser B
avier ones, according to the manner already described.
In the same manner, as described above, the products of condensation may be
parated in the case of distilling sebacic or like acids and tar.
Figure 5 illustrates an arrangement of condenser with the hollow plates
ranged one over another instead of side by side as in Figure 2, Figure 6
presenting a plan view and vertical section of one of the hollow plates. In
onstruction these plates are like those represented in Figure 4, but they are
rranged one above the other, instead of side by side, and are also provided at
ne meeting edges with packing, and are tightly clamped together by long screw
olts. Instead of such plates the oval shaped tubular devices represented in
Figure 7 in vertical section and plan may be employed as condensing elements,
but they must be placed in a reservoir in which cooling fluid circulates. These
elements consist of endless tubes of an oval shape, each having an inlet passage at
one end, or side and an outlet at the opposite end, and being so formed that
when placed one on another a continuous zigzag passage for the fluid is provided.
Projections and taps are provided at different levels to retain and draw off
the condensed product.
In order to effect with these condensers the separation of the oils, each plate
or series must be so constructed as to retain its condensed product and prevent it
mixing with the products collecting in the other condensing elements; or special
vessels must be connected with the condenser or cooling elements in order to
intercept and retain the condensed product; or the condensing arrangement must
consist of several parts each separately heated or cooled, so as to yield a product
of determined density.
In the case of the known arrangement of condensers, Figure 5, consisting of
hollow plates Figure 6 arranged one above the other or cooling elements which
may be arranged in a reservoir, the said hollow plates or cooling elements must
be provided with a ridge or projection Z Figures 5, 6 and 7 near the outlet or
with a recess in the bottom, so as to intercept and retain the condensed product.
The separation is effected, in the case of these coolers in exactly the same
manner as described above. In this case also the first condenser, or part of it,
is heated, or cooled to a certain temperature, and the condensed product drawn off
from the condenser or collectors, while the uncondensed vapours pass into another,
or to the next condenser to be separated there in the same manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that wha
I claim is―
1. A process for separating the products of distillation during condensation
characterised by the vapours being passed through condensers, the elements o
50 which consist of hollow plates arranged side by side, or one above another or
serpentine conduits so arranged that each chamber or compartment retains i
condensed product and prevents its passing out or mixing with the produc
condensed in the other elements, the lighter constituents, which boil at a low
temperature, which may have condensed being again vapourised whereby th
55 separation of the products of condensation is obtained, said separate produc
-

page_text: being drawn off from the condensers in any suitable manner substantially
as described.
2. In condensing apparatus of the kind described a series of chambers, conduits
or hollow plates provided with traps for returning the various condensed products
and allowing them to be drawn off separately substantially as described.
3. Condensing apparatus of the kind described comprising a first condenser
to be heated, or cooled to a certain temperature, so that only oils of a higher
boiling point are condensed in it, the uncondensed portion passing into a second
condenser to be condensed, while the heavier products condensed in the first con-
denser or also these of the second condenser can be drawn off in any known
manner, the condensers being either single condensers or formed of one or more
hollow plates or elements kept at a certain temperature, substantially as described.
4. The modification of the process, as specified in Claim 1, characterised by the
lighter products of distillation being separated from the heavier ones in such a
manner that in the case of more than two condensers being employed, each
condenser, or each division in case of only one large apparatus being used, is kept
at a certain temperature the vapours being passed through these condensers or
divisions and the condensed products drawn off in any known manner from the
condensers or divisions, whereby a product of a determined degree of density is
obtained from each condenser or division, substantially as described.
5. In condensing apparatus of the kind described the construction or arrange-
ment of hollow condensing plates or elements in such a manner that each hollow
plate or element is partially closed or closed to such a height by ridges or like
projections near the outlet or is provided with a recess interposed between the
elements for the purpose of preventing the condensed product formed in one
plate or element from mixing with that of another, while any condensed lighter
constituent is again evaporated substantially as described.
con-
6. In condensing apparatus of the kind described U-shaped outlet tubes (g)"
nected with the collecting tube (c) having taps interposed between said outlet
tubes and discharge pipes as km substantially as described.
7. The complete condensing apparatus substantially as described or illustrated
in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of March 1900.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.