IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DISTILLATion of MinerAL OILS AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR to be as follows
Year: 1884

page_text: We, WILLIAM YOUNG of Priorsford in the Town and County of Peebles North
Britain Chemical Engineer and GEORGE THOMAS BEILBY of Midcalder in the
County of Midlothian North Britain Chemical Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DISTILLATion of MinerAL
OILS AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR to be as follows :-
"
This Invention relates to the treatment of Mineral Oils and in the apparatus
employed therefor and consists of improved arrangements and modes of effecting
their distillation in the process of refining and having for their principal object the
cheapening of the cost of labour and fuel and the more efficient fractionating of
the various grades of oils of which the crude oils or tars are composed.
The guiding principles on which the process and arrangements are founded are
(First) Continuous distillation, (Second) The utilization of the heat from the fuel
employed to effect the distillation in such a manner that the high temperature
where the combustion is effective is made to distil the oils having a high boiling
point, and that as the products of combustion lose heat by distilling the said
oils they are made successively to distil the more volatile oils, so that by the time
they reach the flue leading to the chimney stalk the heat has been fully utilized;
(Third) The separation of the oil vapours arising from the oils of different densities
as they flow from the colder to the hotter end of the still; (Fourth) The conjoined
heating and partial distillation of the oils on their way to the still and the conden-
sation of the oil vapours coming from the still in such a manner that the cold oil
flowing to the still will first act as the condensing agent for the more volatile
vapours from the still, and that as the oils become gradually heated by so acting as
the condensing medium of the more volatile vapours, it will be made to act
successively as the condensing medium of the heavier or loss and less volatile
vapours and by being thus heated and applied will act as a means of further
fractionating the oils and at the same time conserve the heat from the condensation
of the oil vapours.
The still which we employ to carry out the process of distillation embracing
those essential features is so constructed that the oils which are to be distilled are
made to flow in a tortuous manner either horizontally or vertically by means of
divisions in the Still, and the vapours arising from the oils flowing in this tortuous

page_text: manner are isolated in the different stages of the flow by means of partitions
hanging from the roof of the still and dipping into the oil, the oil vapours being
drawn off and conveyed to the combined condensers and oil heaters by a still head
and connecting pipe. The distillation may be continued for considerable periods
when the oil is clear and nearly all volatile, but when the oils contain solid matters
in suspension or solution the residues must be drawn off from the last division of
the still whilst they are in a liquid state, and treated in separate residue stills.
A still, having the aforesaid character, may be of various forms but the form we
find most convenient is a long cylinder of malleable iron built in brickwork in the
usual manner, but having rollers or other provision made to allow of the expansion
due to the extra length.
In cases where the oil to be distilled has a tendency to deposit solid matters
upon the walls of the still, the still may be built up of cast iron segments bolted
together, and a stirrer may be made to rotate and keep the solid matters from
being deposited.
The still in whatever way constructed is heated either by gaseous or solid fuel,
the fire gases travelling along the bottom and sides of the still in a direction
opposite to that of the flow of oil undergoing distillation.
The condenser for the condensing of the oil vapours and the heating of the oil on
their way to the still may be of various designs but the form of combined condenser
and heater which we have found best suited for the purpose and to which we give
preference consists of a vessel containing a number of vertical tubes. These tubes
are screwed or otherwise fixed into a plate forming the bottom of the oil containing
vessel, and underneath this plate is a chamber for the collection of the condensed
oils. The upper ends of the tubes are carried above the surface of the oil in the
oil containing vessel, and may be kept in position but not fixed in a plate are free
to expand and contract.-The oil vapours pass through those tubes whilst the oil is
admitted at the bottom and made to flow in a current upwards external to them.―
The overflow from the heated oil being placed so low as to allow it to flow over
into the next condenser and beater and prevent it commingling with the oil
condensing in the vertical tubes.
To prevent the condensed oil particles from being carried forward in the current
of uncondensed oil or steam vapour, the tubes may have placed in thom granulated
metal, wire gauze, or other substance having large a surface.
Small supplementary cooling coils are provided to cool the condensed oils flowing
from the bottom of the condensing and heating arrangements and the vapours
which escape condensation in the first condensing and heating arrangements are
conveyed to the next or to the Still on the other side of the isolated partition, and
the vapours which escape condensation in the second, are in like manner conveyed
to the third and so on until they reach the final condenser and heater in which the
cold oil enters, and any oil vapours arising from the oils in the passage to the still
through the heating and condensing arrangement, is also conveyed back to this
condenser and heater, and any oil vapours which are not condensed by the cold oils
are conveyed to a condenser cooled by water.
Dated this coventh day of Anvil 1001
J. H. JOHNSON, DAY & JOHNSON,
Petitioners' Agents,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.

page_text: We, WILLIAM YOUNG, of Priorsford, in the Town and County of Peebles, North
Britain, Chemical Engineer, and GEORGE THOMAS BEILBY, of Midcalder, in the
County of Midlothian, North Britain, Chemical Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of our invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DISTILLATION OF MINERAL
OILS AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR "and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
Our Invention relates to the treatment of Mineral Oils and in the apparatus
employed therefor.-The Invention consists of an improved mode or process and
arrangements or apparatus for effecting the distillation of such Oils in the operation
of refining, and has for the principal object the cheapening of the cost of labour
and fuel and the more efficient fractionating of the various grades of Oils of which
the Crude Oils or tars are composed.
The guiding principles on which the process and arrangements are founded are,
First Continuous distillation.
Second-The utilization of the heat from the fuel employed to effect the distilla-
tion in such a manner that the high temperature, where the combustion is effective,
is made to distil the oils having a high boiling point, and that as the products of
combustion lose heat by distilling the said oils, they are made successively to distil
the more volatile oils, so that by the time they reach the flue leading to the
chimney the heat has been as fully as possible utilized;
Third-The separation of the oil vapours arising from the oils of different
densities as they flow from the colder to the hotter end of the still;
Fourth-The conjoined heating and partial distillation of the oils on their way
to the still and the condensation of the oil vapours coming from the still, in such a
manner that the cold oil flowing to the still, will first act as the condensing agent for
the more volatile vapours from the still, and as the said oil becomes gradually heated
by so acting as the condensing agent of the more volatile vapours, it will be made
to act successively as the condensing agent of the heavier or less and less volatile
vapours, and by being thus heated and applied, will act as a means of further
fractionating the oils and at the same time conserve the heat given up from the
oil vapours in the act of condensation.
The still which we employ to carry out the process of distillation embracing the
aforesaid essential features, is so constructed that the oils which are to be distilled,
are made to flow in a tortuous manner either horizontally or vertically by means of
divisions in the still, and the vapours arising from the oils flowing in this tortuous
manner are isolated in the different stages of the flow, by means of partitions in
the still, the oil vapours being drawn off and conveyed to the combined condenser
and oil heaters by a still head and connecting pipe or the equivalent thereof.-The
distillation may be continued for considerable periods together when the oil is
clear and nearly all volatile, but when the oils contain solid matters in suspension
or solution the residues must be drawn off, from the last division of the still whilst
they are in a liquid state and treated in separate residue stills such as constitute
our Invention of even date with this and described in the Specification numbered
8409 A.D. 1884.
A still, having the aforesaid character, may be of various forms but the form we
find most convenient is a long cylinder of malleable iron built in brickwork in the
usual manner in oil works, and which is, or may be, provided with rollers or other

page_text: equivalent provision made to allow of its movement by expansion or contraction-
due to the alterations in temperature.-In cases where the oil to be distilled has a
tendency to deposit solid matters upon the walls of the still, the still may be built
up of cast iron seginents bolted together and a stirrer may be made to rotate and
keep the solid matters from being deposited.-This still, in whatever way con-
structed, is heated either by gaseous or solid fuel, the fire gases travelling along
the bottom and sides of the still in a direction opposite to that of the flow of oil
undergoing distillation.
The condenser, or what is more strictly a combined condenser and heater, for
the condensing of the oil vapours and the heating of the oils on their way to the
still may be of various designs but the form of combined condenser and heater
which we have found best suited for the purpose and to which we give preference
consists of a vessel containing a number of vertical tubes.-These tubes are screwed
or otherwise fixed into a plate forming the bottom of the oil containing vessel, and
underneath this plate is a chamber for the collection of condensed oils.-The upper
ends of the tubes are carried above the surface of the oil in the oil containing vessel,
and being kept in position but not fixed at the upper ends, are free to expand and
contract. The oil vapours pass through these tubes, whilst the oil is admitted at
the bottom and made to flow in a current upwards;-the overflow or the heated
oil being placed so low, that is to say, below the level of the upper ends of the
vertical tubes, as to cause it to flow over into the next condenser and heater and
thus prevent it from commingling with the oil condensing in the vertical tubes.
To prevent the condensed oil particles from being carried forward in the current of
uncondensed oil (or steam vapour), the tubes may have placed in them granulated
metal, wire gauze or other substance having a large surface.-Supplementary
cooling coils are provided to cool the condensed oils flowing from the bottom of
the condensing and heating arrangements, and the vapours which escape condensa-
tion in the first condensing and heating arrangement are conveyed to the next, or
to the still, or section of the still, on the other side of the isolated partition, and
the vapours which escape condensation in the second, are in like manner conveyed
to the third, and so on until they reach the final condenser and heater in which
the cold oil enters, and any oil vapours arising from the oils in the passage to the
still through the heating and condensing arrangement, is also conveyed back to
this condenser and heater, and any oil vapours which are not condensed by the
cold oils are conveyed to a condenser cooled by water.
In order that our said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, we will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1, is in part a front elevation and in part a vertical section of one form
of oil distilling apparatus constructed according to and constituting our present
Invention.
Figure 2, is in part a plan and in part a horizontal section of the same.
Figure 3, is an end elevation of the same.
Figures 4, and 5, are views similar to Figures 1, and 2, respectively of a form of
oil distilling apparatus wherein are employed stirrers for preventing Solid Matter
being deposited within the still.
Figure 6, is a transverse section of the same.
Figures 7, to 11, (inclusive) are enlarged views of a detached portion of the
apparatus constituting our present Invention and hereinafter more particularly
referred to.
With reference to the still represented at Figures 1, 2, and 3, of the annexed
Drawings it is formed of the long cylinder a, of malleable iron, and built up
in brick work b.-This apparatus is provided with rollers e², seen more particularly
at Figure 3, or with other equivalent means for admitting of longitudinal expan-
sion and contraction, which rollers or their equivalents are provided beneath the
brackets c, secured to the shell a, of the still.
The Construction and Connections of the Still a, with its attached Apparatus
represented at Figures 1, 2, and 3, are such that the oil is first passed into the

page_text: inlet pipe d, connected to the four-way cock e.-This cock e, admits the oil through
one of its ports into and through the pipe f, by which the said oil is passed into
the oil containing vessel of the combined condensers and heaters.-One of these
combined condensers and heaters is represented more particularly in enlarged view
in side elevation at Figure 7, and in vertical and horizontal sections respectively at
Figures 8, and 9.-It consists of the oil containing vessel g, in which are the vertical
tubes h, which are screwed or otherwise secured, at their lower ends, into the plate i,
forming the bottom of the said oil containing vessel g.-The upper ends of the
tubes h, if necessary, may be supported in their proper positions by a plate j, in and
through which they are free to move by expansion or contraction in a longitudinal
direction. The outlet, from the oil containing vessel g, is at a distance below
the upper ends of the tubes h, so that the said upper ends of these tubes are always
above the surface of the oil and thereby the passage of any of the condensing oil
thereinto is prevented.-The oils flowing out from N° 1 (Figures 1, and 2,) combined
condenser and heater, through the outlet, pass down through the pipe 1, the lower
end of which is connected to the four-way cock e.-This cock e, admits the oils
through a second port in the cock to and through the pipe r³, constituting the inlet
pipe of N° 2 combined condenser and heater, and corresponding to the inlet pipe d,
herein beforo described.-The flow of the oils through each of the further combined
condensers and heaters of the series, or those which are marked N° 2, No 3, and
No 4, upon the annexed Drawings, is similar to that which has been described with
reference to N° 1.-The oils entering at the several inlets f, and leaving at the
several outlets k.-Each of these outlets k, in the successive combined condensers and
heaters is situated at a lower level than that of the preceding combined condenser
and heater, so that the oils may flow over one into the next following it in the series.-
From the last combined condenser and heater which is N° 4 of the series shewn on the
annexed Drawings, the oil passing out therefrom through the outlet k, and four-way
cock e, is led back through the pipe m, into the coolest end or compartment of the
still a. From the upper part of the still a, the division plates n, dip down into the
oil o, contained therein, and in this way virtually divide the still into a number of
compartments which corresponds with the number of combined condensers and
heaters employed in the apparatus.-Within each of these compartments so formed,
the plates 8, are secured leaving spaces between the upper and lower edges thereof
and the enclosing cylinder a, for the passage therethrough of the oil vapours and
the oils respectively.-Between the several plates n, and 81, the plates p, are secured
to the lower part of the cylinder a, the upper edges of these pairs of plates p, in
each successive compartment of the still, are upon a lower level than those of the
compartment preceding it. From the last compartment of the still the oils pass
over the plate q, and are collected in the chamber a³, which may either be formed
independently of, or in part with, the said still.-The heat contained in the residues
so collected in this chamber a², is utilized in superheating the steam entering by
the valve 68, and passing through the coil c², and which incoming steam after being
so superheated escapes through the perforated pipe d³, into the oil undergoing
distillation within the still and thereby assists in the volatilization of the said oil.-
The residues so partially cooled in the chamber a³, are drawn off at the outlet r,
and may be conducted to separate residue stills.
In the employment of solid fuel for the distillation of the oils passing through
the still as hereinbefore set forth we arrango a furnace, or furnaces, 8, at the end of
the still opposite to that in which the oils enter the said still, so that the high
temperature, at the part where the combustion is effected, is caused to distil the
less volatile oils or those having a high boiling point, and as the products of
combustion lose heat by distilling the said oils and in passing towards the opposite
end of the still, they are caused successively to distil the more volatile oils or those
having a lower boiling point. The products of combustion pass out from the
furnaces 8, through the ports t, (shewn more particularly in dotted lines at Figure 3)
which are formed through the arches over such furnaces.-The fire gases then travel

page_text: along the sides and bottom of the still a, in the direction indicated by the arrows,
and pass into the flue u, by which they are conducted to the chimney.
The vapours which arise from the oil in passing through the successive compart
ments of the still are fractionally condensed at successively lower temperatures by
gradually losing heat in passing through the combined condensing and heating
apparatus in the opposite direction to that of the oils, the heat given off by the
said vapours being taken up by the oil-For effecting this passing outwards of the
oil vapours, they are led off from the N° 4 compartment of the still up through
the pipe v, shewn more particularly in vertical section (enlarged) at Figure 8, and
into the chamber w, formed in the bottom of the combined condenser and heater.-
From this chamber w, the oil vapours pass upwards through the vertical tubes h,
and are therein subjected to the condensing action of the surrounding oils contained
in the oil containing vessel g,-The ascending oil vapours which, in passing through
these tubes, have escaped condensation, then pass out of the upper ends of the
tubes h, and are collected by the condenser cover a, from which they are conducted
through the pipe y, to the next or cooler compartment namely the compartment
No 3, of, the still as represented at Figures 1, 2, and 3, or, the vapours may be
taken to the lower chamber w, of the N° 3, combined condenser and heater or that
preceding it in the series, as represented at Figures 4, 5, and 6, of the annexed
Drawings and in both cases are condensed by passing up through the said next or
cooler combined condenser and heater, and so on throughout the series; the oil
vapours escaping condensation in one combined condenser and heater, are passed
through the next one, until the last of the series, when any out going oil vapours
escaping condensation by the incoming crude or cold oils, pass out through the
pipe, to and through the condenser a', (Figures 2, and 3.) which is cooled by
water, the condensed -oils-flowing out therefrom-through-the outlet pipe-61, -or-
instead of conducting the vapours from each combined condenser and heater to the
next combined condenser and heater of the series or to the next compartment of
the still, the vapours from each combined condenser and heater may be conducted
to separate condensers a¹, similar to that shewn at Figures 2. and 3.
The condensed oil formed within the vertical tubes h, of each of the combined
condensers and heaters of the series, fall into the chambers w, from which they are
conducted through the outlet pipes c', to and through the supplementary cooling
coils d¹, which are cooled by water, the condensed oils flowing out therefrom
through the outlet pipes e, from all of which, and from the outlet pipe b', the
condensed oils may be delivered independently of each other into any receptacles,
or if necessary, into apparatus for the further treating of the said oils. The form
of still herein last described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, of the annexed
Drawings is especially suited for treating oils comparatively free from solid deposits,
and when it is required to empty the still to clean out any deposit which may
have collected therein the several valves v¹, are opened by pulling or pushing the
rod w, to which they are attached, which allows the deposit to flow out through
the outlet -In cases where the oils, to be distilled, have a tendency to deposit
solid matters upon the walls of the still, the still may be built up of cast iron
segments bolted together, and a stirrer or scraper may be made to rotate and keep
the solid matters from being so deposited. An arrangement of still for this purpose
is represented at Figures 4, 5, and 6. In this apparatus the incoming crude or cold
oil passes through the several combined condensers and beaters in a manner
precisely similar to that hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2,
and 3. From the last combined condenser and heater in this case N° 5. the oil
passing out therefrom through the outlet k, and four-way cock c, is led back
through the pipe m, (which pipe m, is shewn more particularly at Figures 5, and 6,)
into the first segment or compartment of the still, namely the segment or com-
partment No 1 which is the compartment furthest from the combined condenser
and heater marked N° 5,. This still is built up of cast iron segments which may
be of any number (the still represented upon the annexed drawing being of five

page_text: such segments) and which are holted or otherwise secured together.-The several
segments or compartments of the still communicate with each other through the
openings -The oil to be treated within the still passes into N° 1, compartment
thereof and in flowing through the series of segments or compartments is caused to
flow in a tortuous manner by means of the several discs, upon the shaft j',-In
passing from the central opening of one segment into the central opening of the
next segment or compartment it flows round the edges of the said discs k² as shown
by the arrows.
For directing the products of combustion against the surfaces of the stills and.
consequently for tho better heating of the same, we provide the partition walls g',
which check the said products of combustion passing direct to the fluo u, and which
cause them to be better directed against the surfaces of the said stills as represented
by the arrows upon the annexed drawings. The oil vapours arising from the oil
in passing through the several compartments of the still, pass out therefrom through
the pipes h', each of which is provided with a valve i¹, These pipes h', conduct
the oil vapours through the side of, and into the chamber w, (see Figures 10,
and 11,) and any oil vapour escaping condensation in passing through the tubes h,
of one combined condenser and heater is conducted by the pipe y, either into the
side of the chamber w, of the combined condenser and heater preceding it in the
series as represented at Figures 4, 5, and 6, of the annexed Drawings or into
the next or cooler compartment of the still as herein before described with reference
to Figures 1, 2, and 3.
The stirrer employed in the form of still represented at Figures 4, 5, and 6,
is one composed of a series of parts corresponding in number to the number of
segments or compartments into which the said still is divided and consequently
corresponding with the number of combined condensers and heaters employed in
the apparatus. All the several parts of the stirrer are mounted rigidly upon the
longitudinal shaft ¹, which is supported in the bearings k¹, secured to the sides of
the segments or compartments of the still.-These parts of the stirrer each consists
of four arms, cast on or otherwise secured to a central boss m³, and each carrying
a blade t', the outer edge of which is shaped to the inner surface of the compartment
of the still, within which it is caused to rotate by gearing engaging with the toothed
wheel n', at one end of the still, whore the shaft j¹, passes out through a gland and
stuffing box o', to prevent the escape of any oil from the still-When it is desired
to inject steam into any one segment or compartment of the still the valve or
cock e, is closed and the valve f³ opened so that steam is admitted from the steam
pipe g, through the perforated pipe h2,-When it is desired to clear the still of any
oils or residues, the valves f³, and i, are closed and the valve or cock e³, opened and
steam is admitted through the valve 2, which, by pressing upon the surface of the
oils or residues in the still, forces the said oils or residues through the perforations
of the several pipes h2, and out through the pipe -In place of employing the
apparatus hereinbefore described and shewn upon the annexed drawings, we wish
it to be understood that our process of continuous fractional distillation of mineral
oils, may be effected in various forms of apparatus, for example, we may employ,
for working our said process, the stills constructed in the manner set forth in
our Specification and drawings numbered 8,409. and of even date with this
Specification. Under such employment and with reference to those drawings the
oils, their residues and tars falling into the lower chamber x, of one still of a series
may be pumped therefrom by the pump a³, into the upper part of the next still,
and so on throughout the series. The vapours passing out from the several stills
being led to combined condensers and heaters in a manner analogous to that
hereinbefore described and as more particularly pointed out in our said Specification
No 8409 A.D. 1884. Each of the combined condensers and heaters is or may be
provided with a gauge glass as represented at p¹, Figure 6, for observing the
level of the oil in the oil containing vessel g, around the tubes h, hereinbefore
referred to.

page_text: To enable the temperatures in the respective combined condensers and heaters to
be regulated to that necessary to fractionate the oils, the four-way cocks e, can be
so regulated as to partially or wholly "bye pass "the inflowing oils from any one
or more of such combined condensers and heaters to the still, or to the still direct,
without the oil passing through any one or more of the said combined condensers
and heaters.
In order to prevent the condensed oil particles from being carried forward in the
current of vapour that may escape condensation in the combined condensers and
heaters hereinbefore described and shewn more particularly at Figures 7. 8, and 9,
the tubes h, may have placed in them granulated metal, wire gauze or other
substance having a large surface. The part vertical section at Figure 10, and the
horizontal section at Figure 11, are views of a combined condenser and heater
whose tubes h, are of an increased size, to those represented at Figures 7, and 8,
and secured at their lower ends in a similar manner, to the plate i. These tubes h,
at their lower ends are also provided with the gratings q¹, or their equivalent, for
supporting the granulated metal, wire gauze or other substance employed. The
substance we have represented at Figures 10, and 11, and which we prefer to
employ for the before mentioned purpose is small metal balls or shot.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed; we declare that what
we claim is :-
First, The process in which oils are continuously and fractionally distilled, and
fractionally condensed with conservation of heat used in the operation substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
Second. For the distillation of mineral oils, a still constructed substantially as,
and operating in the manner, herein before set forth with reference to Figures 1, 2,
and 3, of the annexed Drawings.
Third. For the distillation of mineral oils, a still constructed substantially as,
and operating in the manner, herein before set forth with reference to Figures 4, 5,
and 6, of the annexed Drawings.
Fourth. In the distillation of mineral oils, a combined fractional condenser and
heater constructed substantially as, and operating in the manner herein before set
forth with reference more particularly to Figures 7 to 11, (inclusive) of the annexed
drawings.
Fifth. The combination and arrangement of the apparatus claimed in the
preceding claiming clauses for effecting the continuous and fractional distillation
and fractional condensation of Mineral oils substantially as herein before described
and shewn at Figures 1, to 6, (inclusive) of the annexed Drawings.
Dated this sixth day of January 1885

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