Method and Apparatus for Distilling Fatty Acids by Means of Superheated Steam.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 14th June, 1887.
Method and Apparatus for Distilling Fatty Acids by Means
of Superheated Steam.
We, WILHELM SANZENBACHER of Primorskaya Strasse, Odessa, Merchant and
SEBASTIAN TANATAR of Michailowskaya Strasse, Odessa, Professor of Chemistry both
in the Empire of Russia 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 :-
This invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for distilling fatty
acids. Heretofore the distillation of these acids has been effected by heating them by
means of steam first superheated to a high degree in a separate superheater and which
after heating the fatty acids to a certain degree is afterwards made to enter among
the acid.
The present improvements on this process are based upon the following observations
made by us:
Firstly. The fatty acids become decomposed when too highly heated.
Secondly. The temperature of the superheated steam must not be higher than the
temperature of the fatty acids to be distilled.
Thirdly. The fatty acids are not at all decomposed when heated to from 300°
to 320° Čent. under exclusion of air.
Fourthly. In the existing processes the fatty acids are heated to above 320° Cent.
and consequently they are partially decomposed.
The improved process is carried out in apparatus shewn in longitudinal and cross
section in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
The fatty acids to be distilled are introduced into a horizontal copper boiler A
having a dome B with a branch pipe C; the fatty acids are charged in through the
manhole D. Within the boiler is a long helically coiled pipe E made of several
lengths joined together so as to be readily introduced and removed through the
manhole. The end e¹ of the coil is connected to the steam supply pipe F and the
other end to the pipe G. This pipe communicates with a longitudinal pipe H
lying on the bottom of the boiler, from which extend lateral perforated branch pipes J.
The part of pipe G outside the boiler has a stop valve v² and a discharge valve * on
[Prins 11

page_text: a branch pipe on which is fixed a thermometer t. Another thermometer T passing
into the boiler serves to shew the temperature of the charge of fatty acid.
The opening has fixed to it a tapering pipe K that cools and leads off the products
of distillation and surrounding this is a second pipe L leaving an annular space j
between the two into which opens a small pipe with stop cock v3 leading from a
supply pipe of fatty acid, so that the annular space is supplied with such acid which
flows off into the boiler through a pipe m..
Thus this part of the apparatus constitutes a large "Liebigs Cooler" of copper
which at the same time effects the preliminary heating of the fatty acid that is
continuously flowing through it on its way to the boiler. By this means the
apparatus is made continuous in its action until the removal of the accumulated
residues of distillation is found to be necessary.
The boiler is charged to about two thirds of its capacity with fatty acid and is
heated.
As soon as the contents have been raised to a temperature of from 270° to 280°
Cent, the valve is opened and at the same time steam is admitted into the coil E
through the pipe F.
When
The steam passes through the coil is superheated therein and escapes through
valve into the air, the temperature being indicated by the thermometer t.
the temperature has risen to 200° Cent the valve is closed and is opened where-
upon the steam will pass through pipe H and issue through the perforations of the
branches into the boiler. The process of distillation then commences, the
temperature of the steam being then only slightly below that of the fatty acid to be
distilled. The thermometers 1 and t serve to guide the workman in the operation of
distillation.
If the apparatns is required to act continuously, the cock is opened so as to
allow fresh fat acid to flow continuously through the feed heater K L and pipe m into
the boiler, the cock being so adjusted in position that the level of liquid in the
boiler indicated by an external gauge or by a float is maintained constant. The
entering supply is heated to about 230° and cools down the escaping products of
distillation to a corresponding extent, so that the heat of the latter is utilised in being
transmitted to the boiler again.
Thus by means of the above described apparatus, the charging heating and
distillation are effected in succession automatically and continuously.
The construction of the above described apparatus is simple and, as compared with
other arrangements, inexpensive. The steam superheating apparatus is dispensed
with, the coil inside the boiler taking its place, this being readily fitted and independent
of the boiler.
The boiler does not require to have a number of apertures, and is therefore stronger
and safer, and loss from leakages and risk of fire are avoided.
The essential novelty of the invention consists, as above stated, in that the super-
heating of the steam is not effected outside the distilling apparatus, serving to heat
the liquid to be distilled the fatty acid in the boiler being on the contrary heated to
the requisite degree by an independent source of heat and serving to superheat the
steam passing through the coil in the boiler before entering into the contents thereof.
The important advantage is gained hereby that the temperature of the steam never
exceeds that of the charge and can consequently never rise high enough to effect.a
decomposition of the fat acid.
The above described superheating coil can be readily introduced into any existing
boiler or still. The application of the entire apparatus in combination with
ordinary superheaters also offers certain advantages as compared with other systems,
as it is not necessary to watch carefully the temperature of the superheated
steam, this being automatically regulated in the present case. If the steam
coming from the superheater is too hot, it will impart its excessive heat to the
charge in passing through the coil so as to be sufficiently cooled down by the
time it enters among the latter.
:

page_text: The continuous automatic action of the apparatus also enables much larger
quantity of fatty acid to be distilled with a smaller plant involving less first cost.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is:
1. The method of distilling fatty acids by means of superheated steam wherein the
steam never attains a higher temperature than the liquid to be distilled, by causing
the steam to be superheated in the distilling apparatus by the heat of the fatty
oxides, and allowing it to enter among the fat acid when it has attained about
the temperature of the latter the charge of the fatty acid being heated to from
270° to 280°, and the steam that is passing through the apparatus being allowed
to escape into the air until it has attained a temperature of about 200° Cent,
after which it is allowed to enter among the fatty acids and to carry off the
products of distillation, substantially as herein described.
2. Arranging a steam superheating apparatus within the distilling apparatus in the
form of a coiled pipe such as E composed of separate sections so that it may be readily
introduced into the man hole, substantially as herein described.
3. The method of utilizing the heat of the escaping distillate of the fatty acids by
imparting such heat to the supply of fatty oxide to be distilled, the process being
carried on in a continuous manner by causing the distillate to pass from the dome B
of the still into the cooling pipe K where it imparts heat to the supply of fatty acid
flowing continuously through the annular space between the pipes K and L so that
the liquid passes in a heated condition into the bottom of the still A.
Dated this 19th day of May 1887
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.