US1811834A - Apparatus for the conversion and transformation of hydrocarbons, liquids and fluids - Google Patents

Description

June 30, 1931; J. HQAD AMS APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION 'AND TRANSFORMATION OF HYDROCARBONS, LIQUIDS AND FLUIDS Original Filed Jan. 26, 1916 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR'.

June 30, 1931. J. H. ADAMS 1,811,334

APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION AND TRANSFORMATION AND FLUIDS OF HYDROCARBONS, LIQUIDS,

Original Filed Jan. 26, L916 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH'H. ADAMS, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIG-NOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO'THE TEXAS COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION AND TRANSFORMATION OF HYDROCARBONS, LIQUIDS AND FLUIDS Application filed January 26, 1916, Serial .No. 74,337. Renewed January 12, 1929.

This invention relates to a'modified and improved apparatus for converting liquids, fluids and oils, more especially those of the hydro-carbon group, into products of lower specific'gravity for the purpose of obtaining from high boiling hydro-carbons low boiling products such as naphthas, gasolene and benzine, benzol, toluol and other low specific gravity and boiling products of .both the plain and aromatic series'as carried on by my process, methods and apparatus as disclosed in co-pending applications Serial Nos. 530,852 filed Dec. 1, 1909; 618,011 filed March 30, 1911; 879,907 filed December 31, 1914; 17,699 filed March 29, 1915 and 53,377 tiled September 30, 1915. These applications have eventuated, respectively, in" Patents 1,320,354, 1,327,263, 1,320,726,-1,320,727 and 1,445,281. 1 a

One object of this invention is to formulate a relatively simple and inexpensive means for applying intense-heat under easy control to hydro-carbon oils While under pressure in excess-of atmospheric for the purpose of altering their physical and chemical character to a pre-determined extent in order to produce by this means products in greater quantity" than presently obtained by the well known methods of fractional distillation or separation processes commonly employed in the art.

Another object in View is to secure simple and inexpensive'parts and features which may be easily assembled into a complete system capable of continuously converting l1ydro-carbons on a commercial basis and in large qiiantities.

This invention accordingly, consists in the features of construction, arrangement of parts and method of operation which will be more fully indicated in the following description and claims.

A pp amtus In order to completely disclose this inven tion to those skilled in the art the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1, and Fig. 2. which will illustrate the (to-related parts of the apparatus, have been appended and in which the principal features are lettered from A to F inclusive While like numbers denote corresponding parts throughout the two drawings, 7,

These drawings show side and partly sectional elevations of an apparatus embodying horizontal tubes overlying the upper part of a furnace and through which hydrocarbon liquids or Vapors are forced and brought into contact with the intensely heated walls of the tubes for the purpose of transforming them into products essentially. different from the original untreated liquids or oils.

This improved apparatus is based on my former inventions particularly co-pending applications 530,852 filed Dec. 1, 1909, 618,011, filed March 80, 1911, 879,907 filed Dec. 31, 1914.- and 53,377 filed Sept. 30, 1915,

. with which I have successfully converted high boiling point hydro-carbons into lower boiling products by means of properly ap plied intense heats and self generated and maintained vapor pressures to the oil or oily vapors without unduly converting, them into large volumes of fixed gases; and by means of this apparatus products of a valuable nature can be obtained from inexpensive original oils and distillatcs while at the same time 7 increased yields of desirable low boiling hydro-carbons can be had to meet the great demand for them in general commercial usages.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1, the source of supply A, can be somewhat elevated above the principal apparatus or pump, if so desired, to augment the flow of oil into the converting tubes and dome or separator C, under the influence of pressure maintained over the surface of oil in the tank A, or, by means of pump 5, the oil may be delivered continuously into the converting apparatus 0 under pressure greater than that maintained in the system.

-()riginal oil can be admitted to tank through pipe 1, regulated by valve 2, and displaced air will escape through pipe 3.

Pipe 3, may be connected with an air compressor or high pressure pump, if desired, to maintain pressure over the surface of oil in tank A, but in general practice 1 have found it best to draw oil through pipe 4,-by means of pump 5, and force it through pipe 6, into the converter B.

It is best to preheat original oil before admitting' it to the converting system so that the heat maintained in the furnace B, and converting tubes 11, may be conserved for the more important function of oil and oily vapor transformation.

th overflow hot oil and waste furnace heat can be applied to this purpose by forcing the original oil through heating coils, as shown at 7 where the waste heat from furnace B, which passes through primary stack 8, before it is exhausted through flue 9, and out into stack 10, pre-heats the ingoing oil to the converting tubes 11.

The drawing shows one of the many forms of tubular converters or stills which may be employed in my oil converting apparatus, and such converter comprises a multiple of tiers of heat enduring tubes 11, constructed of material capable of withstanding intense temperatures and high pressures enclosed within the walls of a furnace B, and designed to maintain therein protracted high temperatures.

The tubular converting tubes 11 are connected in series with terminal fittings and assembled so that each layer or group of tubes will overlie the spaces between those of the layer or group below, in order that the entire nest of tubes may receive the greatest heat elliciency from the heat generated in the underlying furnace and in the path of hot gases passing from the fire box of the furnace to the flue. The terminal or return fittings above referred to are located outside the furnacc walls in such positions that they may be readily removed in order to expose the connecting tubes for the purpose of cleaning out any carbon that may have been deposited therein during the cracking process.

At the outgoing end of the series of tubes 11, oil is led into an enlarged carbon collecting device or trap 12, where free carbon, aecumulated in the process of oil and oily vapor cracking and transformation is swept by the circulation of oil or oily vapors in the tubes.

This collecting device or trap 12, is provided with a detachable plate 13, for cleaning out purposes, and leading out from the top of this trap. pipe 14, conducts oil and vapors into the horizontal separating dome or chamber C, located at the side of, or above the converting tubes 11.

Any free carbon which may be held in suspense in the oil within pipe 14, may have a chance to precipitate into collecting device or trap 12, so that oil or oily vapors led into separating chamber or dome C, will be partly or wholly frcod from mineral carbon.

The separator C, is provided with a false inner bottom or diaphragm plate 15, perforated with holes in which a considerable number of short stand pipes 16, have been made fast so that oil admitted above this bottom or diaphragm plate 15, must necessarily rise to the top of these tubes 16, before it can overflow into the cavity or basin in the lower part of the separating dome G.

The principal object of the plate 15, and

the large number of tubes 16, is to provide greater superficial area for the rapid separation of lighter from heavier oils in vapor form than would be possible from the surface only of a body of oil contained in the dome or separating chamber 0 and to cause a smaller amount of oil to be contained in the dome between the upper side of the plate or diaphragm 15, and top of tubes 16, due to the considerable number of overflow tubes which displace the greater body of oil and leave only that which is intersticed between these stand pipes 16; thusmaki-ng' it possible to move the oil in a comparatively rapid flow with assurances of a more or less perfect separation of the lighter converted oils and vapors from the heavier partially or wholly unconverted oils.

Overflow oil caught in the lower part of separating chamber 0, is led through pipe 17, into the cooling and collecting apparatus D, of which 18 is'a cooling coil contained in a tank of cold water and 19 is a trap tank in which the partially cooled oil is collected and from which it is withdrawn through valve 20 into sight box 21 and running tank 22.

From the running tank 22, oil is withdrawn by pump 23 and forced through pipe 24 to the tank A for re-treatment as before.

In practice it has been found best to lower the temperature of overflow hot oil passing from the converting tubes and drum C, by flowing it through the coils of apparatus 18 before returning the overflow hot oil to the tank A. This can be done by regulating the temperature of water or other cooling medium employ-ed in the tank and in which the coils are immersed. It has been found that heavy oil at temperatures not exceeding 300 to 4-H) degrees F. can be safely returned to a tank of cool oil but it is more or less hazardous to mingle very hot oil or that in excess of 500 to (300. degrees F. with cold oil as under certain atmospheric conditions it might ignite or cause spontaneous combustion. Therefore, the apparatus 18 will be found convenient and necessary when operating this form of apparatus.

Vapors collected in the upper part of dome C, rise in the tower 25, and are conducted through vapor pipe 26, to the condensing apparatus E. of which '27 are the coils immersed in cold water or other cooling medium which may be the active principle in any forth of condenser.

Condensate accumulated in these coils runs into collecting trap tank 28. from which it is withdrawn into running tank F through v-alve 29, and sight box 80, from which in same uniform pressure throughout the sysfaces to the quantity of contained oil is in tern, that is, the vapor pressures whichthe 01lS.11'1Cl oily vapors are undergoing 1n this conversion process.

Simplicity. in the operation of this appa ratus is one of its principal features as well as the rapid, continuous and safe method of oil and oily vapor transformation to produce large yields 1 of low boiling hydro-carbon products to augment the supply from natural sources.

The multiplicity of tubular converters presents large surfaces to the furnace heats in proportion to the amountof oil contained in the tubes provided the ratio of heating surfavor of theformer. V p This result can always be obtained by increasing the number of tubes having the comparatively small diameterof from three to twelve inches, and by so arranging the tubes in the furnace that the proportion of heated surface is from four to six or more times greater than that part of the tube extending through and beyond the walls of the furnace for terminal or return fittings.

The continual flow of oil through the tubes in a relatively small stream permits the intense heat to act rapidly and convert high percentages of the subjected oil into desirable products and the small quantity of oil contained within such tubes,' overfiow pipes; cooling coils and trap tanks lend the same valuable safety feature to this form of apparatus as claimed in some of my co-pendingapplications, especially Serial Nos. 530,852 and 618,011 heretofore mentioned; for if a break or rupture occurred in any part of the a fuel oil burning equipment with burner 37, arranged to deliver oil under pressure atomized with steam or compressed air and a direct low pressure air supply through an underlying pipe or duct 38, gives the best results; for in this method of intense heat generation a natural draught need not be depended upon and no matter what the weather conditions may be the temperature of the furnace and the stability of such generated heat can be depended upon to produce the desired result. A

As a feature of safety on this high pres sure system, the blowoff valve 39, is preferably located at a distance away from the converter, either above or below the condensing coils, which latter are placed in free communication with the converter tubes 11 and dome C, by means of tower 25 and vapor line 26. e

In the drawings, Fig. 2, a vertical type of separator chamber or dome is shown where the inner false bottom or diaphragm 15, is supported on'a vertical stand pipe or base. This bottom has a cylindrical open top shell or band made fast to its outer edge, and in holes made in the bottom or diaphragm plate 15, a number of stand pipes 16, are securely attached, as in the false bottom plate 15, of Fl 1; i

The top of this cylindrical side and the *tubes 16, are the same height from the diaphragm plate 15 ,'so that oil may overflow both the tubes and the sides of the oil containing'well, at the same time, for oil entering the separating chamber or dome C, at the bottom through pipe 14, and rising in the stand pipe, designed as a. base to the dome, must rise to the top of the tubes 16, and sides of; the well before it can overflow into the cavity at-the lower part of the dome to be conducted out through pipe 17 to the cooling and collectingapparatus D. 5 a

Oil and oily vapors can be -delivered through pipe 14- directlyinto the base of the dome 0, when the valve 41 in pipe 40 is closed and the valve 42 is open; but if, for any reason, it is preferable to deliver oil through valve 4-1 and pipe 40 to the top of the well,

then by closing valve 42, this methodof overhead delivery can be accomplished.) I

In the conversion of parafline gas oil-s, solar oils, certain heavy grades of fuel oils and the distillates heavier than illuminating oils from almost any crude, it is desirable and preferable to employ the overhead delivery method, so that gases and vapors may pass off from the end of pipe 40, within the dome C, while the heavier partially or wholly unconverted oils may drop into the well to overflow the sides and pipes 16 in order that a more perfect separation will take place within the pipes 16, and in the vapor spaces above the well and between the outer sides of the catch basin and inside of the shell of dome or separating drum C.

When converting light distillates such as illuminating oils, naphtha still bottoms and low grade naphthas into gasolenes and other low boiling products, it is desirable to feed oil from the converting tubes through pipe 14, into the base of separating drum C, through valve 42 or through valve 41 and pipe 40, so

I that oil may flow into the top part of the Well and so that cracked oil vapors may condense in the oil contained in the well, and when oil therein is overflowing the sides and tubes, the lighter parts will separate out without mechanically carrying over through the imay be termed units, the latter, for some reason, seems to give the most satisfactory results in the accumulation and separation of low boiling distillates carrying large percentages of desirable products.

Mode of operation Having filled the reservoir tank A with original oil to be converted, the pump 5 is operated to withdraw oil through pipe 4 and force it through pipe 6, then through preheater coil 7, and into the converter tubes 11 where it comes in contact with surfaces exposed tothe intense heat generated in furnace B.

The rise in temperature generates a vapor pressure, as steam in an enclosed boiler, which pressure overlies the surfaces of oil and occupies all spaces in the system not occupied by liquid oil, and which is maintained at a predetermined degree throughout and durin the process operation.

As t e oil and oily vapors leave the converting tubes they enter the collecting device or tank 12, where any free carbon may be caught before the oil. rises to the separating chamber or dome C through pipe 1 1.

* Heavier partly or wholly unconverted oils overflow the stand pipes 16, which latter are located generously over the surface of the plate 15, and as they flow to the cavity or collecting basin at the under part of the dome C, the lighter or converted oils escape in the form of vapors through the upper part of the dome C and tower 25, then through vapor line 26, and condensing apparatus E, and are finally caught in collecting tank F, in the form of distillates after passing through trap 28, valve 29 and sight box 30.

The heavier oils flow out from the catch basin at the lower part of dome C through pipe 17, and rise in the cooling coils 18 of apparatus D, then flow into collecting trap tank 19, and are withdrawn into tank 22, through valve 20 and sight box 21, from which they are in turn withdrawn by means of pump 23 and returned to supply tank A through pipe 24 for re-treatment as before.

"This continuous method of oil and oily vapor transformation in a multiple tubular converting apparatus, I have found to be one of the most satisfactory of the various forms of converters, as more fully described in my former inventions and co-pending patent applications, heretofore referred to, and in the application of intense heat above that re- 30 quired merely for the vaporization ofthe particular oil undergoing conversion and in generating and maintaining vapor pressures of several atmospheres for the purpose of holding down the oils and oily vapors undergoing conversion as well as to assist in the actual conversion, the best commercial results have been obtained where the vapor pressure is maintained throughout the converting system from the source of supply through to the end of or beyond the condensing apparatus While the latter is in free communication with the tubular converting apparatus and other parts of the system under equal pressure:

As this form of apparatus designed for my process of hydro-carbon oil conversion as disclosed in my co-pending application 618,011, filed March 30, 1911 is intended to operate continuously and as many minor changes could be made in the above described construction and many widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof with its fundamental and principal features, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.

' It is intended also, that the language used in the following claims is to cover all of the generic and specific features of this invention and all statements of the scope thereof which, as matter of disclosure, should apply to this invention pertaining to an apparatus for the carrying out of my process for means for discharging products at the-boting vapors and oil from said device to said tom, ,a carbon and residue collecting device chamber. connected to said discharge and extending 5. Apparatus for converting high boiling below the point of discharge, means for drawhydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products, ing off the collected residue and carbon in comprising a converter, a residue and car-. said device, a separating chamber connected bon collecting device into which said conto the upper portion of said collecting device verter discharges, means for removing the to receive the vapors and oil therefrom, and residue and carbon, a separating chamber means for separately drawing off the conprovided with a vapor outlet in its upper porverted vapors and unconverted oil'from said tion and an oil outlet at the bottom, meansseparating chamber; for conveying oil and vapors from the upper 2. Apparatus for converting high boiling part of said carbon collecting device to said hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products, chamber, means in said chamber above the comprising a tubular oil converter 'mainbottom to receive the oil and vapors supplied tained at a cracking temperature, means for from said carbon collecting device the said continuously supplying oil to one end of said receiving means being so constructed as to converter under pressure, means for discontain a layer of oil of substantially concharging products at the other end thereof, stant depth and being provided with means a carbon and residue collecting device confor permitting the overflow ofoil at numernected to said dischargeand extending below ous points into the bottom portion of the the point of discharge, means. for drawing ofl. chamber. v r the collected residue and carbon in said de- 6. Apparatus forconvcrting high boiling vice, a separating chamber connected to the hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products, upper portion of said collecting device to recomprising a converter; a residue and carbon ceive the vapors and oil therefrom and means collecting device into which said converter for separately drawing oil" the converted discharges, means for removing theresidue vapors and unconverted oil from'saidcham- I and carbon, a separating chamber provided er. wit-ha vapor outlet in its upper portion and -3. Apparatus for converting high boiling "an oil outlet at the bottom, means for conhydrocarbon oil into lower boilingproducts, veying oil and vapor-s from the upperzpart of comprising a tubular oil converter mainsaid carbon collecting device'to said chamtained at a cracking temperature, means for her, means in said chamber above the bottom continuously supplying oil to one endof said toreceive the oil suppliedfroin'saidcarbon converter, under pressure, means for. discollecting device including a'plate provided charging products at the other end thereof, a WithIsh-o'rt, upwardly extending pipes procarbon and residue collecting deviceconnectjecting-therethrough to permit the overflow ed to said discharge and extending below the. ofvl-oil intothe bottom portion of said chan1- point of discharge, means for drawing off her whenithe oil reaches a certaindevelv the collected residue and carbon in said de- 7..In-a'n oil converter, a separating chamvice, a separating chamber connected to the vber providedwith a vapor outlet ,at the top upper portion of said collecting device to reand an oil outlet at the bottom, a false botceive the vapors and oil therefrom, means for tom or plate extending across said chamber separately drawing off the converted vapors above the bottom,a series of pipes extending and unconverted oil from said chamber, and a substantially uniform distance upwardly means for maintaining substantially uniform from; said plate furnishing overflow passagesuperatmospheric vapor pressure in said conways and means for continuously supplying verter, collecting device and separating-to the upper side of said plate intermingled chamber. hot oils and vapors to be separated. i

4. Apparatus for converting highgboiling 8. In an oil converter,-a separating chamhydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products, ber provided with a vapor outlet at the 'top comprising a furnace, a tubular converter and an oil outlet at the bottom, a. false botmaintained at a cracking temperature and tom or'plate extending across said chamber comprising sections extending through opabove the bottom, a series of pipes extending posite furnace Walls and connected by rea'substantially uniform distance upwardly movable fittings to facilitate the removal of y from said plate furnishing overflow passagecarbon deposited in said sections, means for .ways, means for heating oil in a substantially supplying oil under pressure to one end of continuous stream under pressure to a crack said converter, means for discharging the ing temperature, means for separating out heated products at the other end thereof, a carbon and residue from said product and residue and carbon collecting device into means for discharging the balance of saidwhich said products are discharged extendproduct into said chamber above said plate. ing below the point of discharge, means for 9. In an oil converter, a separating chamremoving the residue and carbon collecting ber provided with a vapor outlet at the top in said device, a separating chamber mounted and an oil outlet at the bottom, a false bottom outside said furnace and means for convey or plate extending across said chamber above the bottom, a series of pipes extending a sub stanti'ally uniform distance upwardly from said plate furnishing overflow passageways, means for heating oil in a substantially continuous stream under pressure to a cracking temperature, means for separating out carbon and residue from said product, means for discharging the balance of said product into said chamber above said plate, a condenser connected 'to the vapor outlet of said c-hamber, and means for maintainingsubstantially uniform vapor pressure in said converting means, carbon separator, chamber and condenser.

10. Apparatus for converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling pro ucts, comprising a furnace, a tubular oil converter therein maintained at a cracking temperature, means for continuously supplying oil to one end of said converter under pressure, means for discharging products at the other end thereof, a carbon and residue collecting device Outside of said furnace connected to receive said discharged material, a separating chamber outside said furnace connected with the upper portion of said carbon collecting device and means for separately withdrawing oil and vapors from said separating chamber.

11. A continuous tubular oil treating apparatus comprising a nest of heating tubes, a chamber connected in circuit with said tubes, a diaphragm in the chamber dividing the same into upper and lower compartments, said diaphragm being provided with open passageways connecting the compartments,-

the entrance to said passageways in the upper compartment being above the level of said diaphragm, means for continuously supplying liquid to the heating tubes, means for withdrawing liquid from the lower part of the chamber and means for withdrawing vapors from the upper part of said chamber and condensing the same.

12. A continuous tubular oil treating apparatus comprising a nest of heating tubes connected in series, an enlarged separating chamber, a diaphragm dividing said chamber into compartments, means for continuously supplying oil to said apparatus so as to cause the oil in transit to progressively flow through the heating tubes,a carbon and residue collecting device connected with the discharge end of the heating tubes, a pipe leading from said device to the separating chamber above said diaphragm, means for withdrawing liquid oil from said chamber and means for withdrawing the vapors.

13. A continuous tubular oil treating apparatus comprising a nest of heating-tubes connected in series, an enlarged separating chamber, a diaphragm dividing said chamber into compartments, means for continuously supplying oil tosaid apparatus so as to cause the oil in transit to progressively flow through the heating tubes, a carbon and residue collecting device connected with the discharge end of the heating tubes, a pipe leading from said device to the separating chamber above said diaphragm, means for withdrawing liquid oil from said chamber and returning it to the tubes for retreatment.

l4pApparatus for converting high boiling hydro-carbon oil into lower boiling products, comprising a tubular oil converter maintained at a cracking temperature, means for supplying oil to said converter at the top, means for discharging products at the bottom, a carbon and residue collecting device connected to said discharge and extending below the point of discharge, means for drawing off the collected residue and carbon in said device, a separating chamber connected to the upper portion of said collecting device to receive the vapors and oil therefrom, means for separately drawing off the converted vapors and liquid oil from said chamber, means for condensing the converted vapors and means for returning the liquid oil to the converter for retreatment.

15. Apparatus for converting high boiling hydro-carbon oil into lower boiling products, comprising a furnace, a tubular converter in said furnace maintained at a cracking temperature, a source of oil supply, means for continuously forcing oil from said supply under pressure into the upper end ofsaid converter, means for conveying the heated products from the bottom of said converter to a point outside of said furnace, a residue and carbon collecting device into which said products are discharged extending below the point of discharge, a separating chamber at a higher level and connected to the upper portion of said residue and carbon collecting device means for separately and continuously drawing off the converted vapor and liquid oil from said chamber, means for continuous 1y condensing the vapors under pressure and means for continuously returning the liquid oil to theconverter.

16. Liquid phase apparatus for converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boil ing products, comprising a tubular converter maintained at a cracking temperature and a superatmospheric pressure, a carbon and residue-collecting device connected to the end of said tubular converter, a separating chamber connected to said device for separating the evolved vapors from the unconverted liquid oil, means for continuously forcing a stream of oil under pressure through said tubular converter, device and separating chamber and returning the unconverted liquid to said converter for retreatment, and means for withdrawing the separated vapors from said separating chamber.

17 Apparatus for converting high boiling point, hydrocarbon oils into lower boiling products that comprises a single elongated tubular cracking coil Composed of a plurality of pipe sections connected together at their ends in series relation and arranged in vertical tiers of rows or layers one above the other, means for rapidly forcing oil under pressure through said cracking coil, a furnace disposed beneath the cracking coil for heating the coil to raise the oil to a cracking temperature in transit therethrough tobe cracked therein, an enlarged unheated zone disposed outside of the furnace in free and open communication with one end of said cracking coil and containin a body of hot liquid oil delivered thereto rom said cracking coil, said enlarged zone comprising a lower portion into which the cracking coil delivers the oil and in which heavy residual oil and carbon accumulates and an upper portion into which the hot oil rises, means to establish a liquid level in the upper portion of said zone from which the separation of vapors takes place, a draw-off connected to the lower portion of said enlarged zone for removing heavy residual oil and carbon, and a vapor line connected to the upper portion of said zone above the liquid level for removin the separated vapors.

18. pparatus for converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises an elongated tubular cracking coil composed of a plurality of pipe sections connected together attheir ends in series relation, means for forcing oil rapidly through said cracking coil, means for heat ing sald cracking coil to raise the oil in transit therethrough to a cracking temperature, an enlarged unheated collecting chamber disposed outside of the heating zone and connected to the discharge end of said coil in which a body of highly heated oil collects and the velocity of flow is retarded and in which heavy residue and carbon resulting from the cracking operation precipitate, and a vapor separating chamber into which cracked prod ucts from the enlarged collecting chamber are delivered comprising an intermediate tray or partition having a plurality of short pipes projecting upwardly therethrough around which a shallow pool of oil accumu: lates on the tray and through which vapors from the space below pass in heat-exchange relation to the shallow pool of collected oil on the tray, means for removing the evolved vapors from the space above said pool and means for maintaining superatmospheric pressure on the oil under treatment throughout the apparatus.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. JOSEPH H. ADAMS.

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