IMPROVEMENTS IN OIL STILLS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OIL STILLS." A
communication from abroad by Elijah Weston, of Buffalo, State of New
York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th February 1880.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OIL STILLS." A communication from abroad by Elijah Weston, of Buffalo,
State of New York, United States of America.
The
The Invention relates to stills for separating the hydrocarbon products from crude
petroleum and other volatile oils by the application of heat, and the object of this
Invention is to promote the circulation of the oil during its volatilization.
Invention consists in arranging rigid partition plates within the oil space of the
still adjacent to the heating surfaces, so as to separate that portion of the oil in
contact with the heating surface from the portion next the exterior shell, said plates
being opened at their edges to permit a free passage of the oil, and whereby a
constant circulation of the same is maintained, and every particle brought in rapid
and direct contact with the heating surfaces in divided quantities.
If the still is for instance a horizontal cylindrical vessel provided with internal
pipes or flues, two partition plates curved concentrically with the shell may be
placed inside and at a short distance from the latter, and each flue may be surrounded
at a small distance with two concentrically curved partition plates.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th August 1880.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OIL STILLS." A communication from abroad by Elijah Weston, of Buffalo,
State of New York, United States of America.
In the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section;
Fig. 2, a transverse vertical section on the line x, x, Fig. 1, of a still embodying the
Invention. The Invention relates to stills for separating the hydro-carbon products
from crude petroleum and other volatile oils by the application of heat, and the
object of this Invention is to promote the circulation of the oil during its volatilization.
The Invention consists in arranging rigid partition plates within the oil space of
the still adjacent to the heating surfaces, so as to separate that portion of the oil in
contact with the heating surface from the portion next the exterior shell, said plates
being opened at their edges to permit a free passage of the oil, and whereby a
constant circulation of the same is maintained, and every particle brought in rapid
and direct contact with the heating surfaces in divided quantities. To enable others
to understand and use this Invention, I will first proceed to describe the same, and
subsequently to point out in the claim its novel features.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shown an ordinary type of still to which
the Invention is applied; but I wish to be understood that I do not confine
myself to this particular form, as the said Invention may be used in connection with
other types of stills for such purpose, without departing from the principle
involved.
A represents the shell of a still which may be set in brick work, as shown, to
form a furnace B, and the usual connection with the uptake. The shell A is
cylindrical in form, and provided with a series of fire tubes a, a, distributed at
about equal distances from each other, passing longitudinally through the same, and
connecting the combustion chamber c and uptake. D represents a sliding gate
arranged within the combustion chamber c, as shown, to operate to close the upper
tiers of fire tubes when the quantity of oil within the still has been reduced by
vaporization below the level thereof. b, b, represent the partition plates, which are
generally composed of thin sheets of iron or steel and bent to conform to the contour
of the adjacent heating surface. These plates should be located at such distance
from the heating surfaces to permit a free circulation, and contain sufficient oil in
the separated space to prevent burning, and cover the heating surfaces. Different
kinds and densities of oils will require greater or less space to effect the above
conditions, which may be readily determined in practice. The function of the
partition plates is to separate that portion of the oil next the heating surface from
the remaining and greater portion, which produces a variation in the temperature
of the separated portions. The part next the heating surface being of higher
temperature, naturally rises, and its place is supplied from below by the outer part.
This action creates a constant circulation of the oil, and causes every portion
contained in the still to flow in a reduced quantity in direct contact with the
heating surfaces, so that every particle of the oil is subjected to the highest degree
of heat contained in the still, which produces a rapid and perfect volatilization. In
this explanation of the operation of this Invention it is not deemed necessary to
illustrate or describe the usual adjuncts of these stills, such as means for receiving
or removing precipitated matter, and conveying the refined product therefrom, as
such elements are well known and understood by those skilled in the conduct of
treating oils.

page_text: CLAIM.
A still for volatilizing oils by heat, provided with internal partition plates
adjacent to the heating surfaces, and forming open passages for a free circulation,
whereby the oil is brought in direct contact with the heating surfaces in separated
quantities, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set
.my hand and seal, this Twenty seventh day of July, A.D. 1880.