Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Mineral or other Oils from Oils or Substances of Different Specific Gravities.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 3rd Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 6th Jan., 1888
Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Mineral or other Oils
from Oils or Substances of Different Specific Gravities.
We, ARCHIBALD FULTON CRAIG, of the Caledonia Engine Works, Paisley, in the
County of Renfrew, North Britain, Engineer, ALEXANDER NEILSON, of Inkermann,
in the same County, Oil-works Manager, and JAMES SNODGRASS, of Pumpherston Oil
Works, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain, Manager and Chemist, do
hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows, that is to say :-
Our said Invention has for its object the continuous and expeditious separation of
mineral or other oils from oils or substances of different specific gravities, one
important application of our Invention being in the refining of mineral oils for the
separation of the lighter oils from the heavier oils or tarry or other matters used or
produced in the refining operation.
Our improved apparatus is of the centrifugal class and somewhat like the apparatus
described in the Specification of our patent No. 3749 of 1886, but with the parts
improved and simplified. According to our present Invention we employ a rotating
vessel placed with its axis horizontal, and formed with castiron end disks connected
by a cylindrical or slightly tapered shell of wrought iron, strengthened by internal
angle-iron ribs which also assist in imparting rotation to the liquid operated on. The
disks are formed with tubular bosses projecting outwards from their centres and made
with journals to run in bearings in which the machine is carried, the machine being
driven by means of a pulley or wheel fixed on one of the tubular bosses. The liquid
to be operated on is introduced through an inlet pipe passing through one of the
tubular bosses, its outer end extending into a stationary stuffing box on the end of
the supply pipe. On the inner side of the disk the inlet pip is made with two or
more radial branches extending nearly to the circumference and having their outer
ends curved in the direction of rotation so as to deliver the liquid quietly. The
lighter oil or constituent of the liquid operated on is led off through a stationary pipo
the open entrance end of which is placed by preference at or near the highest part of
the annular layer of lighter liquid, and near the disk or end opposite to that at which
the liquid to be operated on is introduced. The open end of the pipe faces the

page_text: rotating current of oil, and from that point the pipe follows a curve to the centre,
passing there through the tubular boss of the disk, and beyond the outer end of the
boss proceeding in an upward direction if required. This oil pipe, as it may be
termed, is held stationary, and the oil rises up the external part of it in consequence
of the energy which it has due to its rotation in the vessel. This rising up of the oil
is a practical convenience, as it facilitates the conveyance of oil to store tanks or to
apparatus in which it has afterwards to be operated on. The inner or receiving end
of the oil pipe may he within a channel formed within the vessel the light oil passing
into this channel over the edge of the flange forming its inner side. Or instead of
there being a channel for the lighter oil there may be simply a cylindrical guard to
prevent any disturbing action caused by the oil entering the pipe, from extending
outwards and mixing the layers of oil. The tarry or heavier part of the liquid may
pass through siphon passages like those described in our earlier Specification herein-
before referred to, or it may pass through direct openings into a channel formed on
the outer side of the end disk; and it may be delivered from such clannel by means
of a stationary pipe with its inner receiving end adjustable in position and dipping
into the higher part of the annular current of liquid. This delivery pipe is arranged
so as to lead the heavy liquid or tarry matter downwards from the receiving end to
the receiving tank; and this arrangement avoids the difficulty of lifting or raising
tar out of a machine. The outer channel is made with an outer flange extending
towards the shaft far enough to retain all the liquid the vessel may contain when the
rotation is stopped; and a valve is provided for emptying the vessel as it cannot be
conveniently started except when empty. A tank provided just beneath the machine
to receive the emptied liquid is connected by a pipe to the inlet pipe, and after the
machine has been restarted the action sucks up the liquid from the tank. This
sucking action can be availed of to raise the liquid to be operated on from a lower
level.
The various parts of the apparatus may be modified or varied to some extent. Thus
instead of placing the internal radial branches of the inlet pipe so as to feed in the
liquid near one end disk they may be arranged to feed it about midway between the
two end disks, and the lighter oil or liquid may be taken off from a channel formed
on the outer side of the smaller end disk whilst the heavier oil or liquid is taken off
from the channel formed on the outer side of the larger end disk.
Dated this Ninth day of March 1887.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Mineral or other Oils
from Oils or Substances of Different Specific Gravities.
We, ARCHIBALD FULTON CRAIG, of the Caledonia Engine Works, Paisley, in the
County of Renfrew, North Britain, Engineer, ALEXANDER NEILSON, of Inkermann,
in the same County, Oil-works Manager, and JAMES SNODGRASS, of Pumpherston
Oil Works, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain, Manager, and 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, that is to say:-
Our said Invention has for its object the continuous and expeditious separation of
mineral or other oils from oils or substances of different specific gravities, one
important application of our Invention being in the refining of mineral oils for the
separation of the lighter oils from the heavier oils or tarry or other matters used or
produced in the refining operation.
Our improved apparatus is of the centrifugal class, and somewhat like the apparatus
described in the Specification of our Patent No. 3749 of 1886, but with the parts
improved and simplified. According to our present Invention we employ a rotating
vessel placed with its axis horizontal, and formed with castiron end disks connected
by a cylindrical or slightly tapered shell of wrought iron, strengthened by internal
angle-iron ribs which also assist in imparting rotation to the liquid operated on. The
mixture to be operated upon is led into the vessel through an axial pipe and is
supplied thence by radial pipes towards the shell near one end; and in one modifica-
tion the heavier oil or substance is delivered from the end near the radial inlet pipes
the lighter oil being delivered from the other end; whilst in a second modification
both the heavier and lighter portions are separately delivered from the end furthest
from the inlet radial pipes. In both modifications the pipe through which the lighter
oil is delivered is placed with its entrance mouth facing the rotating current; and
the momentum of the oil is taken advantage of to cause the oil to flow along the
delivery pipe even in an upward direction when required or when it may be con-
venient for leading the oil into storage tanks or into apparatus in which it has next to
be operated on.
Figure, 1, on sheet, 1, of the accompanying explanatory drawings is an end elevation,
and figure, 2, is a longitudinal vertical section of one modification of our improved
apparatus. Figure, 3, on sheet, 2, is an end elevation, and figure, 4, is a longitudinal
vertical section of a second modification. In these drawings the same reference
numerals are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
In the modification shown in figures, 1, and 2, the vessel, which is placed with its
axis horizontal, consists of castiron end disks, 5, 6, connected by a lightly tapered
circumferential shell, 7, of wrought iron, strengthened by internal angle-iron ribs, 8.
The disks, 5, 6, are formed with or fixed on tubular bosses or short shafts, 9, 10,

page_text: projecting outwards from their centres, and made with journals to run in pedestal
hearings, 11, in which the apparatus is carried, the vessel being driven by means of
pulleys, 12, fixed on the shafts, 9, 10, and acted on by belts; or the vessel may be
driven in any other convenient way. The liquid to be operated on is introduced
through an inlet pipe, 13, passing through one, 10, of the tubular shafts its outer end
extending into a stationary stuffing box (as shown at 14 in figure 4) on the end of
the supply pipe. On the inner side of the disk, 6, at the smaller end of the vessel the
inlet pipe, 13, has connected to it two, or it might be more radial pipes, 15, extending
nearly to the circumference and having their outer ends curved in the direction of
rotation so as deliver the liquid quietly. With this disposition of the end of the
radial pipes, 15, the liquid should be supplied to the pipe, 13, with a slight head; but
if it is more convenient to draw up the liquid from a lower level that may be effected
by turning the outer ends of the pipes, 15, in the opposite direction.
The rotation of the vessel causes the heavier constituent of the liquid operated on
to be nearest the circumferential shell, 7, the lighter oil or constituent being nearer
the centre. The lighter oil is led off through a stationary pipe, 16, the open entrance
end of which is placed by preference at or near the highest part of the annular layer
of lighter liquid and near the disk, 5, or end opposite to that at which the liquid to be
operated on is introduced. The open end of the pipe, 16, faces the rotating current
of oil, and from that point the pipe follows a curve to the centre where it is fixed to
an axial pipe, 17, passing through the tubular boss or shaft, 9, of the disk, 5, and
beyond the outer end of the shaft, 9, proceeding in an upward or other direction as
may be convenient, the momentum of the oil enabling it to rise some distance if
required. This oil pipe, as it may be termed, 16, 17, is held stationary, and its inner
or receiving end is situated within a channel, 18, formed on the inner side of the end
disk, 5, the light oil passing into this channel over the edge of the flange forming its
inner side. Or instead of there being a channel, 18, for the lighter oil there may be
simply a cylindrical guard (corresponding to the bottom of the channel, 18) to
prevent any disturbing action caused by the oil entering the pipe, 16, from extending
outwards and mixing the layers of oil.
The tarry or heavier part of the liquid may pass through siphon passages like those
described in our earlier Specification hereinbefore referred to, or it may pass through
direct openings, 19, in the end disk, 5, and near the shell, 7, into a channel, 20,
formed on the outer side of the end disk by means of an annular plate, 21, fixed to
the shell, 7, by means of angle iron iron. The heavy liquid is delivered from the
channel, 20, by means of a stationary pipe, 22, with its inner receiving end dipping
into the higher part of the annular current of liquid. This heavy delivery pipe, 22,
is held by a plate, 23, which is adjustable in position by means of a screw so that the
entrance end of the pipe may be set in the best position; and the pipe, 22, is arranged
so as to lead the heavy liquid or tarry matter downwards from the entrance end to
the receiving tank, this arrangement avoiding the difficulty of lifting or raising tar
out of a machine. The annular plate, 21, forming the outer side of the channel, 20,
for the heavy liquid is made radially broad enough to retain all the liquid the vessel
may contain when the rotation is stopped; and a valve or plug, or by preference a
pair of diametrically opposite valves or plugs, 24, is provided for emptying the vessel,
as it cannot be conveniently started except when empty. A tank (not shown)
provided just beneath the machine to receive the emptied liquid is connected by a
pipe to the inlet pipe, 13, and after the machine has been restarted the action sucks
up the liquid from the tank. This sucking action can be availed of to raise the liquid
to be operated on from a lower level.
The various parts of the apparatus may be modified or varied to some extent.
Thus, instead of placing the internal radial branches, 15, of the inlet pipe, 13, so as to
feed in the liquid near the smaller end disk, 6, they may be arranged to feed it in
about midway between the two end disks, 5, 6, or nearer the larger end disk, 5, as in
the modification shown in figures, 3, and 4. And as also shown in these figures the
lighter oil or liquid may be taken off from a channel, 26, formed on the outer side of
the smaller end disk, 6, whilst the heavier oil or liquid is taken off from the channel, 20,

page_text: formed on the outer side of the larger end disk, 5, as in the first modification. The
annular plate, 27, forming the outside of the channel, 26, is made to extend towards
the centre as far as the corresponding plate, 21, at the other end of the vessel. In
figure, 4, the valves, 24, for emptying the vessel are shown as connected internally by
rods, 28, to eccentrics, 29, on a spindle passing through the tubular shaft, 9, which
has a handwheel, 30, fixed on the outer end of it.
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 :--
1-Continuous centrifugal separating apparatus comprising in combination a
cylindrical or tapered vessel placed with its axis horizontal, end disks with tubular
bosses or shafts supported in bearings, pulleys or toothed wheels on the shaft to
receive driving action, an axial feed pipe with rotating radial branches inside the
vessel, a channel or guard and a stationary pipe with its entrance within such channel
or guard for delivering the lighter oil or liquid, and a channel and a stationary pipe
with its entrance within such channel for delivering the heavier oil or liquid, the
several parts being constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2-In horizontal continuous centrifugal separating apparatus, a stationary delivery
pipe placed with its entrance in the higher part of the annular layer of lighter liquid
and facing the rotating current, the outer part of the said delivery pipe being made
with an upward direction substantially as and for the purposes herein before
described.
3-In horizontal continuous separating apparatus, a stationary delivery pipe placed
with its entrance in the higher part of the channel which receives the separated
heavier liquid and facing the rotating current the said delivery pipe being made wi h
a downward direction throughout substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Second day of December 1887.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.