Improvements in the Distillation of Mineral Oils and like Bodies, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 8th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Distillation of Mineral Oils and like Bodies,
and in Apparatus therefor.
I, JOHN LAING of 34 East Preston Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, Analytical &
Consulting Chemist do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Instead of heating oil stills from the bottom & thus forcing the heat to pass
through the entire depth of oil in the still, I propose to apply the heat, necessary
for distilling the said oil, nearer to its surface, & by this means a less depth of oil
will be brought to the distilling point at one time. The residual matter, from the
distillation, will fall to the bottom of the still. The still is to be fed at as near as
possible the same rate as the distillate leaves the still, so as to keep the depth of oil
always at a uniform depth in the still. This can be effected either by a ball-cock
arrangement inside the still, or by other mechanical means found more suitable.
The residuum to be run off from bottom of still by a suitable apparatus, at any
convenient time, and dealt with according to manufacturing demands.
By this means mineral oils are less liable to be "cracked up;" the more volatile
portions distil over sweet and clean, and the heavier portions shew a greater
viscosity than when distilled in the manner generally employed at present.
In
this general method of distilling oils, the contents of the still get gradually heavier,
& accordingly requires a greater heat to distil it; and this high heat proves a great
destruction both to the plant, & likewise to the oil under treatment.
By my method there is an economy of fuel, & much less destruction to plant.
In carrying out my invention, I subject the oil to a practically continuous distilla-
tion in an upright still, which may be of a cylindrical or other convenient form, &
which is wider in circumference at the top than at the bottom; a suitable furnace
being arranged so that the heat is made to act most on the under side of the wider
portion at top of still.
The lower part of still may have the same axis as the upper portion, or it may
have a bend, at such an angle, as is found most suitable or convenient for dealing
with the residuum.
1
11001
JNO. LAING,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Distillation of Mineral Oils and like Bodies,
and in Apparatus therefor.
1, JOHN LAING of 30 Grange Road (late of 34 East Preston Street,) Edinburgh
Scotland, Analytical and Consulting Chemist 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:-
Instead of heating oil-stills from the bottom and thus forcing the heat to pass
through the entire depth of the contents, I propose to apply the heat, necessary for
distilling the said oil or like body, nearer to its surface, and by this means a less depth
of oil will be brought to the distilling point at one time. The residual matter from
the distillation will fall to the bottom of the still.
The still is to be fed at, as nearly as possible, the same rate as the distillate
leaves the still, so as always to keep a uniform depth of material in the still. Thiş

page_text: can be effected by a ball-cock arrangement, or by other mechanical means found to
be more suitable.
The residuum may be run off from the still by a suitable apparatus at any con-
venient time and dealt with according to manufacturing demands. By this means
mineral oils and like bodies, are less liable to be "cracked up "-thermore volatile
portions came off sweet and clean and the heavier portions show a greater viscosity
By this general
than when distilled in the manner generally employed at present.
method of distilling oils, the contents of the still get gradually heavier as the
distillation advances, and accordingly it requires a greater heat in proportion, and
this high temperature proves a great destruction to plant and likewise to the oil
under treatinent.
By my invention there is a great economy of fuel, and much less destruction of
plant.
In carrying out my invention, I subject the oil to a practically continuous distilla-
tion in an upright, still, which may be of a cylindrical or other convenient form, and
which, in vertical section partakes, in a degree, of the form of an upright cross
whose upper portion forms the attachment for the swan-neck outlet; the wings
forming the main body of the still and the lower portion or tail end forming the
"well
into which the pitchy residual matters fall and are thus removed from the
source of heat, and can be run off as required.
The furnace is so arranged that the heat is made to act most on the under part
of the main body of the still. As the still is always kept at a uniform depth, and
as the heavy residual matters are removed as they are formed, the nature of the oil
under action of distillation is nearly uniform.
No part of the still gets unduly heated.
gases
There is no forcing of fires required to overcome the resisting action of the heavy
residual matters. The
in the still have a uniformn and short travel, and a
practically uniform heat is employed throughout the entire distillation, the energy
of which is employed in doing useful work.
In order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may be
properly understood I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings, and as they
indicate, so clearly, in themselves, what I have here set forth I need make no further
reference to them here.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. The improved process of treating mineral oils and like bodies by distillation at
a lower temperature obtained by the removal of the heavy non-conducting residues
as they are formed substantially in the manner hereinbefore described.
2. The improved apparatus for the treatment of mineral oils, and like bodies,
consisting of a still whose vertical section partakes of the form of a cross whose
upper part forms the connection for the swan-neck outlet; the wings forming
the main body or distilling portion of the still; and the tail end forming the
"well
into which the residues fall and are removed from the source of heat.
The parts being arranged, combined and operating in the manner and for the
purposes substantially as herein before described.
"
nd thin Sirth dor of January 1892.
JNO. LAING,
Applicant.