Improvements in and in Apparatus for Manufacturing Oil-gas.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in Apparatus for Manufacturing Oil-gas.
I, WALTER RALPH HERRING of The Corporation Gas Works, Leeds Road,
luddersfield, in the County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for the destructive
distillation of crude oils or other liquid hydrocarbons for the production of a
permanent oil gas of high illuminating quality.
My invention is based on the fact that the degree of heat suitable for the
destructive distillation of oils depends upon their specific gravity, and that the
specific gravity of the same oil constantly increases as its distillation progresses, so
that the heat which is suitable at the commencement of the distillation is insufficient
for its continuance.
The invention consists in a methodical and systematic subjection of the liquid
hydrocarbon to a progressively increasing heat as it flows through the retort or series
of retorts, so that as the specific gravity of the oil increases by reason of the distilla-
tion which it has already undergone the higher will be the temperature at which
the distillation is effected.
The resulting gases flow in the reverse direction to the inflowing oil, the result
being that any portion of the oil which might be merely vaporized will be
converted into a permanent gas.
The apparatus in which this method is carried into effect may be variously
arranged so as to produce the systematic flow, in inverse directions, of the oil to be
distilled and of the furnace gases by which the heating of the retorts is effected,
but the preferred arrangement comprises two or more superposed series or benches
of inclined retorts arranged at opposite inclinations, the oil flowing through the
retorts and from those of one series to the series below in succession.
The lower bench of retorts in which the ultimate distillation and final carboniza-
tion of the oil is effected, receive the first heat of the furnace near their lower
ends and are set beneath an arch separating the lower from the upper bench of
retorts and through which the gases from the furnace flow towards the upper end
where they pass up through an aperture in the arch. into the flues of the upper
bench. The retorts of the lower bench are of larger area than those of the upper
bench and are intermittent in operation and provided with the necessary means of
access for the periodical drawing of the residual carbon. They may have
independent ascension pipes connected to their upper ends for carrying off the
gaseous products of distillation, if these are to be kept separate from the gases
distilled in the upper bench.
The oil is supplied to these retorts from those of the upper series whose lower
ends are connected with the upper ends of those of the lower series, the same
connection also affording a passage into the upper retorts for the gases distilled in
the lower retorts, if no separate means of carrying them off is provided.
The chamber in which the upper retorts are set is divided by transverse walls
into flues communicating alternately at top and bottom in zig-zag order, into which
the furnace gases enter through the aperture in the arch below, these transverse flues
dividing the length of the upper retorts into zones of gradually diminishing
temperatures from the lower ends of said retorts to the upper ends where the oil is

page_text: fed in, so that as the stream of oil flows down these retorts and becomes partially
distilled in its progress it is subjected to degrees of heat increasing progressively
and approximately in proportion to the increase in the specific gravity of the oil
consequent on the distillation it has undergone, provision being made for the
admission of air to the various flues for regulating the temperatures as may be
required. The gases of distillation are conducted away to ascension pipes
connected to the upper ends of the retorts, any condensed products therein being
conducted to the upper ends of the lower retorts.
The upper series of retorts may be continuous in their operation, as the
distillation is not carried therein to such a point that a solid residue is left, requiring
periodical removal, and therefore for every set of the upper retorts it would be
necessary to provide duplicates of the lower retorts and means for bringing the
one into operation whilst the other is being drawn, and so on alternately.
Dated this 5th day of December 1893.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in Apparatus for Manufacturing Oil-gas.
IWALTER RALPH HERRING, of The Corporation Gas Works, Leeds Road,
Euddersfield in the County of York, 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:-
My invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for producing a
permanent oil gas of high illuminating quality by the destructive distillation of
crude mineral oils, coal-tar or other liquid hydrocarbons.
My invention is based on the fact that the degree of heat suitable for the
operation depends upon the specific gravity of the oil and that the specific gravity
of the oil increases as the distillation progresses so that the heat which is suitable
at the commencement of the distillation is insufficient for the continuance of the
distillation through its subsequent stages.
The invention consists in a methodical and systematic subjection of the liquid
hydrocarbon to a progressively increasing heat as it flows through the retort or
series of retorts, so that as the specific gravity of the oil increases so will the
temperature at which the distillation is continued and completed.
The apparatus in which this method is carried into effect may be variously
arranged so as to produce the required systematic flow, in inverse directions of the
oil undergoing distillation and of the furnace gases by which the heating of the
retorts is effected, but the preferred arrangement comprises two or more superposed
series of oppositely inclined retorts, the oil flowing through the upper retorts and
thence to and through the lower retorts.
The retorts of the lower bench in which the ultimate distillation and final
carbonization of the heavier oil left after the distillation in the upper retorts is
effected, receive the first heat of the furnace near their lower ends and are set
beneath an arch through which the gases from the furnace flow towards the upper
end where they pass up into the flues for heating the upper retorts. The retorts
of the lower bench are of larger area than those of the upper bench and are inter-
mittent in operation and provided with means for the periodical drawing of the
residual carbon. They have independent ascension pipes connected to their upper
ends for carrying off the gaseous products of distillation.
The heating chamber in which the upper retorts are set is divided by transverse
walls into flues communicating with each other alternately at top and bottom in

page_text: zigzag order through which the furnace gases pass, provision being also made for
the admission of air to any of the flues independently for regulating the temperature
as may be required, these flues having the effect of heating different sections of the
length of the upper retorts to different temperatures, the temperatures of successive
sections gradually diminishing from the lower to the upper ends of said retorts. The
oil is fed in at the upper ends of the retorts so that as the stream of oil descends
and becomes partially distilled in its progress it is subjected to a progressively
increasing temperature, the increase in temperature being approximately pro-
portional to the increase in the specific gravity of the oil consequent on the partial
distillation it has already undergone in its descent through the retort. The
gases of distillation are conducted away throngh ascension pipes connected to
the upper ends of the retorts, any condensed products passing along with the
undistilled oil to the lower retorts.
The upper retorts may be continuous in their operation, as the distillation
therein effected consists only in the gasification of the more volatile constituents of
the oil under treatinent and is not carried to such a point as to leave a solid
residue which would require periodical removal. This is however the case with
the lower retorts and therefore for every set of the upper retorts it would be
necessary to provide duplicate sets of lower retorts and means for bringing the one
set into operation whilst the other set is being drawn.
The apparatus for carrying my improved method of oil gas manufacture into
practice is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein
Figure 1 represents a front elevation partly in section, illustrating two arrange-
ments differing only in the number of the upper retorts and in the structural details
consequent on the greater width of the bench.
Figure 2 is a vertical section on line 2,2 Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a part elevation of the back of retort bench.
In these figures A represents the upper and B the lower retorts, the former
being inclined downward from front to back and the latter inclined downward from
back to front. The retorts B are placed at either side of a combustion chamber C
and beneath an arch D separating the heating flues of the lower from those of the
upper retorts. The retorts B are surrounded with fire brick in order to protect
them from the direct action of the furnace gases and by storing up heat to
maintain the retorts B at a uniform temperature. The chamber C is supplied with
producer gas from a main flue E leading from a gas producer and communicating
with a fine e under the control of a damper e' which is shown in the closed position but
is normally open, the gas entering chamber C through apertures e in the floor.
chamber C is also supplied with hot air from a flue F communicating with similar
flues fat either side under the control of dampers f¹ which are also normally open,
the air entering the chamber C through apertures in the side walls directly
opposite the gas inlet apertures e in order to ensure immediate and perfect
combustion of the gases.
The
The combustion chamber C communicates by apertures c in the sides of chamber C
at the front end with the flues B' in which the retorts B are placed, and these flues
communicate at the opposite end by apertures D' in the arch D with the Hues H
above, the gases of combustion flowing along the flues from the lower to the higher
end of the retorts B and thence into the flues H by which the upper retorts A
are heated. An aperture c' is also provided in the part of arch D which forms the
top of the chamber C, which aperture is normally closed by a damper c², but may
be opened more or less when required to allow part of the gases of combustion to
pass direct from chamber C into the flues H without passing through B'.
B are additional flues which may if required be formed in the brickwork beneath
the retorts B, said flues communicating at one end with chamber C, and at the
other with the flues B'.
The retorts A are set in transverse walls which divide the heating chamber
above the arch D into a series of zigzag flues H (numbered on the drawing from H¹

page_text: to H° successively) through which the gases of combustion pass in the direction of
the arrows to the outlet flue O, the draught being regulated by a damper which
is normally open, and the temperature in each part of the flue H, and consequently
in each section of the retorts A, being further controlled if necessary by the
admission of cold air to successive portions of the flues independently, as at h', 2,
and. The retorts A are arranged in two or more tiers, those of each tier
being connected at their front or higher ends with a cross collecting pipe I, which
is in turn connected by an ascension pipe J provided with a stop valve J₁ with a
condensing main K. From the lower ends of the retorts A, dip pipes descend
into a hydraulic main or trough L common to both tiers of retorts A, which
receives the undecomposed oil therefrom and whence it overflows through pipe L'
into the upper end of one or other of the retorts B, a valve being provided to
close the communication with the retort, which is for the time being not in operation.
The retorts B communicate at their upper ends with ascension pipes M provided
with stop valves M' and leading into the underside of the overhead condensing
main K, so that any oil condensed in the latter will flow back to the retorts B aud
be again subjected to distillation, along with the oil coming from the retorts A.
The oil is fed to each of the retorts A preferably through a syphon pipe n
supplied from a sight feed glass N, the pipe n entering the retort near the upper
end and discharging the oil into a semi-cylindrical sheet iron scoop or tray (not
shown) forming a removable liner for the lower side of the retort, the scoop
extending nearly the whole length of the retort, and having for its object to
receive any carbon deposited in the retort and enable it to be readily withdrawn,
such a scoop or liner being placed in each of the retorts both of the upper and
lower series A and B. As the oil flows down the retorts A it passes through
successive regions of progressively increasing temperatures, these regions corre-
sponding to the successive portions of the zigzag flue H, the gases distilled off
passing in the opposite direction, and any imperfectly gasefied vapors being converted
into permanent gas in passing through the next lower heat zone or zones of the
retorts. The oil remaining uudistilled in the retorts A passes thence through the
hydraulic main L to the lower retorts B where it is again subjected to distillation
at progressively higher degrees of temperature until the whole of the oil is
distilled and converted into permanent gas which passes off, and carbon which
deposits in the scoop or liner of the retort. No purification of the gas is needed
unless the oil distilled contains impurities such as for example, compounds of
sulphur. The carbon deposited in the retorts is very small in comparison with
that resulting from the methods heretofore practised, being not more than about
one-fifth of that produced by the best known methods. This result I ascribe to
the fact that the gasefication of the oil is effected in a single and practically
continuous operation by means of an apparatus wherein the oil is subjected to
fractional distillation at different temperatures which increase in a methodical and
progressive manner proportionately to the increase of the specific gravity of the
oil as the distillation proceeds, no more oil being introduced than can be wholly
gasefied in one continuous operation, and no washing of the gas with the oil or
contact with oil-saturated surfaces and the consequent absorption by the oil of
valuable constituents of the gas, being permitted.
I am aware that it has been proposed to distil or crack and gasify hydro-
carbon oils and the like by subjecting the same to distillation at one temperature
and the deposited products of fractional condensation to redistillation at different
temperatures corresponding to their specific gravities, but this method involves
waste of heat and consequently of fuel by the alternate distillation and condensa-
tion of the oil, and no adequate means existed of regulating the temperature of
the retorts, according to the specific gravity of the products of the first distillation
of the oil, whereas by the arrangement of the flues, dampers, and cold air inlets
herein described and illustrated in the drawings, I am enabled to obtain the most
complete control of the operation in both sets of retorts, and to maintain in

page_text: сце Sume
retorts well defined regions of progressively varying temperature
corresponding to the specific gravity of the oil in the different stages of
distillation.
I will proceed to give an example of the actual results, as regards control of
temperature, obtained in apparatus such as herein described and illustrated with
special reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, the grades of
temperature indicated in the appended tabular statement being those suited to
successive stages in the continuous fractional distillation of an oil having an initial
specific gravity of from 870 to 880 degrees
Temperature of retorts A at point where oil enters from 300° to 400° Fahrenheit
Temperature of that section of retorts A which
lies in flue H'
Temperature of that section of retorts A which
lies in flue H*
Temperature of that section of retorts A which
lies in fluc H³
Temperature of that section of retorts A which
lies in flue H*
Temperature of that section of retorts A which
lies in flue H*
Temperature in upper end of retort B
Temperature in lower end of retort B
دو
450° 500°
"
600°
650°
"
"
800°
"
900°
"
"
"
1000° 1100°
22
1200° 1300°
"
"
1400° 1600°
"
22
1600° 1750°
"
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I wish it to be clearly understood that I do not confine myself to the use of the
precise number or proportionate dimensions of the flues or retorts, or other portions
of the herein described and illustrated apparatus, it being obvious that with certain
classes of oils it might be advantageous to vary, for example, either the number of
compartments of the zig-zag flues HI, or the proportionate width of some or all of
those compartments, or (with a view to altering the speed of flow of the oil) the
angle of inclination at which any tier of the retorts is set.
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 herein described method of converting crude mineral oils, coal tar and
other liquid hydrocarbons into permanent gas of high illuminating quality, by
a continuous process of destructive distillation at progressively increasing
temperatures (corresponding to the increase in the specific gravity of the liquid
whilst undergoing distillation) without intermediate fractional condensation and
re-distillation of the condensed products, substantially in the manner and by means
of apparatus such as herein specified.
2. The apparatus for carrying out the herein described process of destructive
distillation of oil, tar, and other liquid hydrocarbons at progressively increasing
temperatures corresponding to the increase in the specific gravity of the liquid
undergoing distillation, the said apparatus consisting essentially of upper and lower
series of oppositely inclined retorts connected for the flow of oil therethrough,
and heated by flues arranged so as to subject the oil to progressively increasing
degrees of heat, substantially as herein described and illustrated in the drawings.
3. In apparatus for the destructive distillation of liquid hydrocarbons for the
manufacture of illuminating gas as herein described, the arrangement of the flues
for heating the retorts so as to convey the heating gases alternately to and fro in
directions transverse to the length of the retorts, and thereby produce, in the
length of the same retorts, regions of progressively varying temperature
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. In apparatus for the destructive distillation of liquid hydrocarbons for the
manufacture of illuminating gas as herein described, the combination, with the

page_text: heating flues arranged as set forth in Claim 3, of separate inlets for the admission
of cold air to successive.portions of such' flues independently, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
Dated this 5th day of September 1894
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.