US1512264A - Process of converting oils - Google Patents

Description

, o. P. AMEND PBOCESS OF CONVERTING OILS Filed June 8, 1917.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Gal-21, 1924. v 1,512,264

. o. P. AMEND v PROCESS OF CONVERTING 0111s Fil ed June a, 1917 [Sheets-Sheet 2 3 wue'nto 0 FQJZALmeWJ;

' naphthas and gasolines,

- shale,

. tion engines,

rates OTTO P. AMEND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PROCESS OF CONVERTING OILS.

Application filed June 8 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, O'rro P. AMEND, a

citizen of the United States of America, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have in-. vented certain new and useful Processes of Converting Oils. This invention relates broadly to the art of cracking crude petroleum, .kerosene, or other higher boiling hydrocarbon distillates, orresi'duals,that is, hydrocarbons having boiling points above 130 (1, and converting the same into lower boiling and even petrolic ethers, suitable for use in internal combusand for all other purposes-for which low boiling hydrocarbon distillates are used.

The process is applicable either to the treatment ofcrude petroleum or to any of the higher boiling petroleum distillates, such as, heavy naphthas, kerosenes, gas oils, fuel oils, or even heavier hydrocarbon products or to any kerosene or burningoil, or higher boiling hydrocarbons derived from bituminous coal, source derived. Where crude petroleum is treated by my process, the low boilinghy- .drocarbons within the gasoline limits should preferably be first removed, usually by or clinarvmthods of fractional distillation.

a suitable cracking Hitherto, processes hydrocarbons, siduals, to produce therefrom low boiling hydrocarbon distillates, where the cracking takes place -in largestills, have. generally been carried out by the use of heat externally applied to the still. In order to obtain temperature in the intemuch higher tem-.

for cracking heavy rior of theoil itself, very peratures must be externally'applied to the I metal sides and bottom of the sun, or to interior tubes,- with'thersult that the metal sides and bottom, or the interior tubes, are

extremely hot, and result in extensive overcracking of those portions of the oil coming in direct contact with the heated metal, producing an undesirable unsaturated'cracked product. A further disadvantage of external heating lies in the fact that, if the iron, ofwhich the stills are generally made, is heated to the high external heat necessary toproduce a cracking temperature within the oil itself, and the result of thecracking of the -oils being also to cause a'heavy depositionnof carbon upon the sides and or from whatever crude oils, distillates, or re- 1917. Serial No. 173,667.

bottom of the still,this deposition of carbon in the case of a large one thousand barrel still amounting to as much as from 350 pounds to over 1000 pounds of deposited carbon,the red hot iron of'the still sides and bottom is chemically affected by the depositing carbon, with the resulting production of carbide of iron and the rapid deterioration of the metal in its ability to withstand pressure, as well as the rapid destruction of the bottom of the still. Because of this result, it has been found .necessary to have as many as five false still bottoms in a single still, by which'the carbon resulting from the cracking operation, is klept away from the structural iron of the sti Up to the present time, kerosene, that is to say, a mixture of hydrocarbons having a boiling point range not in excess of between 130 C. and 260 my knowledge, been successfully cracked in large stills and converted into a low 'boiling distillate. I have discovered a method by which kerosene, as well as higher boil-' ing hydrocarbons and crude oil, may be cracked and converted into a low boiling hydrocarbon distillate in large stills by subjecting the liquid hydrocarbons in the still to a. suitable dissociating temperature for 0., has never, to

tocontact with carbon heated electrically the particular hydrocarbon of between-a red and a white heat, while maintaining" the liquid and vapor hydrocarbons both' in the still and condenser under any desired" autogenous pressure in. excess {of atmospheric up to two inch, or higher, tainin-g relatively cool the-- the still or container.

I The essential difierence ess and. previous. processes uid hydrocarbons in large stills or'refceptacles and .at the same time IIlfilIF metal parts of between my procby heat and pressure,;confs1sts in'the fact that in previous processes of the high boiling hydrocarbon is produced chiefly by the'back action of pressure of the --'e"volved hydrocarbon vapors, the amount of heat applied to the liquid hydrocarbon being for cracking liqthe dissociation hundred-pounds to the square I generally only sufiicient to produce the necessary evolution of vapors'and consequent autog'enous pressure. In' previous pressure processes, it is the action of the pressure upon the heated hydrocarbons, rather than anydirect dissociating action of the heat itself, that is relied on to crack the heavy .hydrocarbons. By my process, however, the

cracking or dissociation of kerosene or other higher boiling liquid hydrocarbons 1s produced directly and initially by enforclng contact or close proximity With highly heated carbon, this carbon, being preferably heated by the passage of an electric current, or by induction. In my process, the action of the pressure of the evolved vapors,' which; need not be more than in excess of atmospheric and below four atmospheres, is not, as in previous processes, to produce the dissociation of the hydrocarbons, but merely to force the liquid hydrocarbons and their evolved vapors back upon, the incandescent or highly heated carbon. In previous processes, initial vaporization of the hydrocarbons is relied on to produce the pressure, which, upon reaching a certaln point, effects the cracking, or dissociation of the hydrocarbons. In my process, the initial dissociation of the high boiling hydrocarbons is instantaneous upon the contact of the hydrocarbons with the highly heated carbon, and the pressure produced by the evolved vapors is used merely to facilitate this intimate contact between the hydrocar- I bon and the heated carbon.

One of the chief difliculties hitherto experienced in attempts at cracking and converting high boiling hydrocarbons into a low boiling distillate, by the use of a me' tallic resistor submerged Within the oil and heated to incandescence, consists in the fact that when the metal resistor Was heated to the high heat required for successful cracking of the kerosene or other high boiling hydrocarbon, in the case of kerosene, a temperature corresponding to that of from a cherry red to a bright red or a White heat being generally required, the heated resistor -repelled the oil and prevented intimate contact, and the oil at a distance from the resistor was merely vaporized without being cracked or converted into lighter hydrocarbons. The greater part of the condensate obtained was, therefore, unconverted oil. Any pressure in excess of atmospheric that is sufiicient or suitable to keep the liquid hydrocarbon, or the evolved hydrocarbon vapors, or both, in contact with or close proximity to the electrically heated carbon, or other high resistance conductor, or other source of heat, so as to produce thereby dissociation of the high boiling hydrocarbon into low boiling vapors, is suflicient. Where the carbon or other high resistance conductor is heated toa temperature corresponding 7 a White'heat, and more particularly, where it is heated to l a bright red, or between a bri'ghtred and sirable.

a white heat, pressures ranging from about 20 to 150 pounds to the square inch are de- Generally, higher pressures are preferable to lower pressures, for the reason first be removed by injecting an ten pounds to the square inch up to four atmospheres, the cracked hydrocarbon con densate being released at the regulated pressure by the action of a check valve. I have also produced a low boiling distillate from kerosene under substantially the same heat conditions at pressures ranging from four atmospheres up to 200 pounds to the square inch. It is, therefore, obvious that pressures of four atmospheres or over are unnecessary even to convert kerosene into a low boiling distillate, the only effectof the increased pressure being to produce more intimate contact between the hydrocarbon and the heating element.

By my process, I am able to secure any desired cracking or dissociating temperature within the interior of the oil itself, at the same time that the sides and bottom of the still or container are relatively cool, and the ability of the metal of the still to resist high pressures is not seriously impaired. I secure this result by internal electrical heating of the oil and its evolved vapors by means of one or more high resistance resistors, preferably made of carbon, heated to- Whatever cracking or dissociating temperature is desired.

This electric heating either entirely immersed in the oil, or it may be entirely above the surface of the liquid, or one or more of such electric heating elements may be either Wholly submerged or partially immersed in the oil, and at the same time, one or more of such. electric heating elements may be inserted in a suitable space above the liquid to secure an intimate contact with the evolved hydrocarbon vapors. Where the electric heating element is Wholly or partly above the surface of the liquid, all air should inert gas free from oxygen, such as hydrogen gas or natural gas, or if one or more resistors are entirely submerged in the oil, and one or more are above the surface of the oil, the current onto. the submerged resistor until the hydrocarbon vapors evolved, which, are allowedto. escape, have ,driven -ofi' all air element may 1 be may be first turned ltHl above the surface of the oil, in the-container and only then is the current turned on to the resistors or other electric heating elements above the oil. Where an electric heatlng element is located entirely above the surfacelof the oil, I prefer to fill th space above the oil with hydrogen gas, before turning on the current. There is a very distinct advantage in having one or more electric heat-' ing elements located above the surface of the oil in the still or container, or partially submerged and partially above the surface of the liquid, as by this means more intimate contact is had bet-ween the heating element and the evolved hydrocarbon vapors, and such liquid hydrocarbons as have only been vaporized without cracking or conversion into lighter vapors, because of the conduction of heat from the heating element in the heated carbon tubes, either filled with a porous mass of carbon, such as broken charcoal, or petroleum coke,should substantially fill a cross section of the vapor dome or the pipe or outlet leading I to the condenser, such as shown in my copendin application Serial No. 173,668, filed une 8, 1917. In this way, all of the evolved hydrocarbon vapors must pass in contact with the heated carbon. Where an electric heating element located above the surface of the liquid as above de scribed, is used, much lower pressures may be successfully used than where the sole source of heat is located within the liquid hydrocarbon. In addition, the hydrocarbons in the vapor stage are much more expeditiously cracked than liquid hydrocarbons.

By the use of internal heat, electrically .applied, I am able to regulate to a nicety the actual cracking temperature within the body of th oil or its evolved vapors, which is practically impossible where external heating is resorted to. This more perfect regulation of the heat within the oil enables a more constant quality of cracked product to be produced than is possible with external heating of the still, and also a product much freer from terpenes and other highly unsaturated undesirable 'oxidizable hydrocarbons.

With the use of carbon resistors, there is substantially-no deposition of carbon, and the condensate or distillate is composed substantially of saturated hydrocarbons. .Contrary to all preconceived ideas, the higher the heats used with carbon resistors even up to a white heat, the freer is the condensate from unsaturated hydrocarbons and the freer it is from coloring matter.

The upper part of the still or cracking retort in which the liquid hydrocarbons are to be cracked by being brought in contact with the heatedcarbon resistors, should preferably be equipped witha vapor dome or tower of suitable height in comparison to I the size of the still or retort, so that the greater part of the heavy unconverted hydrocarbon vapors will condense and fall back into the heated zones for recracking.

From the upper part of this vapor dome or tower, an inclined conduit or runback preferably leads up to the condenser coil. This inclined conduit, while not necessary,

is distinctly advantageous, as it obviates the necessity of making the vertical vapor dome or to-wer'too high, and roduces the effect of increasing the length -0. the reflux condensation zone. The operation of-the air cooled inclined conduit is to condense the heavier fractions of the distillate and automatically to return them to the heated zones of the still for further treatment. This inclined ,conduit may be of any desired length and diameter depending on the size of the still and the amount of vapors requiring to pass. over in a given time. The heavier hydrocarbon vapors are subjected to condensation under pressures in the runback and returned to the still and subjected again to the disso-' ciating action of the heated carbon, the light vapors passing over to the condenser.

I have found that by subjecting the liquid and vaporized hydrocarbon to pressures of the evolved vapors in excess of atmospheric and preferably in excess of ten pounds to the square inch and up to as high as five hundred pounds to the square inch, and by imparting a suitable temperature to dissociate the hydrocarbons, while such hydrocarbons are in direct contact with the electrically heated* carbon resistors, I obtain a condensate containing a' higher percentage of low boiling hydrocarbons than where no pressure is used. Any desired regulated pressure up to five hundred pounds to the square inch, may be obtained by the use of a suitable check valve, which valve is set to open at the desired pressure. In practice, the pressures used are below two hundred pounds to the square inch. This check valve'is placed beyond the condenser, that is, between the pondenserv and the reservoir for the condensate,'so that the condensation of the vapors, as well as it, into a receiving tank or reservoir; I have found that the'eflectof'carbon when heated to a temperature corresponding to that from a red to a white heat, pref erably by electrical means, is to crack kerosene and other higher boiling hydrocarbons and convert them into low boiling hydrocarbons, with a practical absence of gas losses or of carbon deposition, even when comparatively high cracking temperatures are used, to a minimum of gas losses and a minimum of deposition of carbon, when even such high temperatures are used as would normally, by any process of external heating, decompose the hydrocarbon into fixed gases and carbon. In other words, the effect of the cracking of the hydrocarbon vapors by the use of carbon heated to a temperature corresponding to that ranging, from a red to a white heat, either by the passage of an electric current is apparently protective to the hydrocarbons, in that it prevents the formation of the end products,-fixed gases, hydrogen and carbon, in any quantity, and keeps the dissociated hydrocarbon within the limits of a vapor that is capable of condensation into a low boiling hydrocarbon distillate, with a minimum of gas loss. l have further found that the higher the carbon is heated, even to a temperature corresponding to that of a white heat, the smaller is the percentage of unsaturated hydrocarbons in the resulting distillate. By saturated hydrocarbons, I mean hydrocarbons of the paraflin or of the naphthene series, or hydrocarbons of the benzene series, such as benzol, toluol, Xylol, etc. These latter benzene hydrocarbons, are however, not present in any quantity in my distillate, it being substantially composed --\either of naphthene hydrocarbons or of a mixture of parafiin and naphthene hydrocarbons. The extremely objectionable terpene, hemiterpene, and asphaltic hydrocarbons, are conspicuous for their absence from my condensate when carbonis used heated to from a bright red to a white-heat. As a result, therefore, of the practical absence of gas losses and of carbon deposition, and the further absence of undesirable unsaturated hydrocarbons from the distillate, I am able .to obtain a very high recovery, close to ninety per cent, of low boiling. distillate from the high-boiling hydrocarbons treated.

The degree of heat to which the hydrocarbons should be subjected by contact with the heated resistors or heated carbon, may

depend in any given case both upon the character of the hydrocarbon to be treated and also upon the character of the distillate desired to be produced. For instance, kerosene should besubjected to contact with carbOI1 heated preferabl to from a bright red to a white heat. racking temperatures for kerosene. may be used ranging from those of a cherry red heat to a white heat, that is approximately from 700" G. to 2000 (l, or higher. l-prefer a temperature eases-e ranging from that of a bright red to a white heat. Where a gas oil or a fuel oil is to be cracked, the carbon may be heated to be tween a visible red and a white heat and preferably, as with kerosene, to a bright red heat. Generally, with gas oils or fuel oils, cracking temperatures of between 000 voltage andlow amperage may be used. I

have obtained good results with carbon re sistors using a current of 77 volts and 18 amperes. Generally, a current of between and 120 volts and between 14 and 20 amperes, is satisfactory, or a current of 12 to 15 volts and from 100 to 150 amperes.

lVhen tested with concentrated sulphuric acid, practically no unsaturated hydrocarbons were found to be present in the condensate produced by the present process. I have also obtained highly volatile saturated distillates of a gravity of about 46 B. The high volatility, low boiling points, and high gravity of these distillates, combined with the absence of ethylene or other unsaturated hydrocarbons, is explained by the presence of a high percentage of volatile low-boiling naphthene or polymethylene hydrocarbons. These naphthene hydrocarbons have a Baum gravity about 35 B. lower than the corresponding parafin hydrocarbons of the same carbon content, although their respective boiling points are only about 12 C. abovethat of the corresponding parafiin. F or instance, the highly Volatile saturated naphthene hydrocarbon, hexymethylene (C H has a specific gravity of .793.

or a Baum gravity of onlyabout 45.6" B,

and a boiling point of 81 G whereas the gravity of only about ,53 B., and notwithw y 120 standing has a boiling point of only 49 (1, as compared with pentane (G H which has a Baum gravity of about 88 B. and a boiling point of about 37 0. Similarly, the naphthene hydrocarbon heptamethylene (C H has a specific gravity of .825, a Baum gravity of about 38 513., and a boiling point of 117 (1, and the naphthene octamethylene O I-I has a specific gravity of .850, a Baum gravity of only about 30' B. and a boiling point of 14:7 O. A gasoline equal parts of thenaphthene hydrocarbons.

(C H (c H land (Cl-I would have a specific gravity of about .79, or a Baum gravity of only about 46 B. As I have obtained a saturated cracked distillate by my process having a specific gravity of .79 and a range of boiling points from 52 B. up to about 150 C., it is obvious that this cracked distillate must be chiefly composed of the naphthene hydrocarbons just described.

A certain proportion of the naphthene hydrocarbon tetramethylene (C H as well as of pentamethylene (C l-I is obtained through compressing and condensing the vapors obtained, uncondensable by ordinary cooling at atmospheric pressures. 'This naphthene hydrocarbon tetramethylene has a specific gravity of .7 04, a Baum gravity of 6913. and a boiling point of 11 G., and any considerable percentage of this hydrocarbon lowers considerably the specific gravity of the mixture. In order to clearly show the remarkable difference in the Baum and specific gravities of a mixture of naphthene hydrocarbons on the one side and of paraifin hydrocarbons on the other, I have prepared the following table. In each case, I have taken a theoretical gasoline mixture containing equal percentages of each of the homologous naphthene or paraffin hydrocarbons respectively included therein. I

. Baum gravity- Specific gravity. (.asolline mixtturte:

at on con en Paratfin. 552: Paraflin. iii g2 0 o (la-C both inclusive.-." 81. 7 45. 1 656 .794 05-0 3 both inclusive 78. 7 41. 4 667 808 0 -0 both inclusive. 75 37. 4 681 823 CrCa both inclusive. 82. 6 47 654 787 The apparently high specific gravity and low Baum gravity of these distillates does not therefore militate in any way against their use as a high grade gasoline in internal combustion engines. Where paraffin hydrocarbons are cracked, the specific gravity of the resulting cracked distillate is consider ably lower and the Baum gravity considerably higher, owing to the presence of a percentage of light paraffin hydrocarbons in the distillate.

'Where carbon and particularly graphitic carbon resistors are used, heated to from a bright red to a white heat, a saturated hydro carbon condensate is obtained in the .first or the pressure may easily oxidizable hydrocarbons and tarry or resinous colloidal matter, "which must subsequently be removed by well known methods. Where carbon resistors and high temperatures are used, only rectification or dephlegmation of the crude condensate is necessary, to obtain a distillate of the desired boiling points suitable for use in internal combustion engines.

Instead of using simply carbon electrodes heated by the passage of an electric current, an electric arc'may be produced within the oil, or the vapors above the oil, by passing an electric current through two carbon resistors kept a slight distance apart, both the resistors and their leading-in and leadingout conductors being separated from contact with the metallic parts of the still by suitable insulating material, such as soapstone, asbestos, or mica. v

It is, of course, understood that the hydrocarbon vapors coming over from the still may be passed through suitable dephlegmatorsby which all hydrocarbons boiling over the desired point of cut may be removed, thereby making rectification unnecessary. Rectification is, however, distinctly advantageous, as the redistillation apparently'produces a further cracking of the condensate. The process may be made continuous by injecting from time to time additional oil into the still or container. The oil may be pumped in from time to time, under pressure, by a suitable pump, be released during the introductionof the oil.

-By high-boiling liquid hydrocarbons, I mean to include all liquid hydrocarbons having boiling points above 130 C,

By a kerosene or burning oil, mean to include all liquid hydrocarbons,

either crude or refined, boiling between naphthene hydrocarbon distillate, I mean a low-boiling distillate composed principally of hydrocarbons of the naphthene o-r polymethylene (C E series. As much as thirty to forty per cent of parafiin hydrocarbons may, however, be present in the distillate. v

The temperatures, .amperages, voltages, wattages and pressures, given herein, are intended to be illustrative and not limiting".

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows, more or less diagrammatically, partly in section and partly in elevation, a substantially complete apparatus for practicing the process. v I

Figure 2 shows substantially the same type of apparatus except that the pipe connecting the outlet of the still to the condenser is not inclined as it is in. Figure 1..

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the still, showing a modined way of electrically heating the contents thereof.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, A is a still having an oil inlet a and an inlet for inert gas 6 extending to nearly the bottom of the still. The still is heated by means 4 of a submerged carbon resistor 0, preferably in tubular form as shown, the said resistor being provided with suitable terminals (2 and e properly insulated from the walls of the still. The upper portion of the still may also be provided with a carbonresistor f for subjecting the oil vapors to heat, said resistor being preferably in tubular form, and being provided with suitable terminals 9' and h, also properly insulated from the walls of the still. The outlet or gooseneck B of the still is inclined as shown, whereby a more or less reflux effect is obtained. The gooseneck of the still connects with a coolmg coil or condenser D, positioned within a cooling jacket or casing E, said jacket being provided with a suitable inlet a" and outlet j for the cooling agent such as water. The outlet in from the condenser is provided with a pressure valve C and leads to a suitable trap or condensed liquid collector F having a baffle Z and a suitable draw-off pipe m. The trap is provided with anoutlet it for non-condensed gases or vapors, said outlet leading to a suitable compressor G, diagrammatically shown, wherein said vapors or gases are compressed, whence they pass through, the outlet- 0 of the compressor into an expansion chamber H. The effect of expanding the mixture of compressed gases and vapors in chamber H results in the reduction of the temperature thereof to such extent that practically all the condensable vapors are liquefied in said chamber and may be drawn off through pipe 7. The expansion chamber H is provided with a gas or vapor outlet 9 through which the residuary, uncondensed vapors or gases pass, whereupon they may be. subjected to such further use or treatment as is found desirable.

Referring now to Figure 2, A. is a still having an oil inlet a and an inlet for inert gas 1) extending to nearly the bottom of the still. The still is heated by means of a submerged .carbon resistor 0, preferably in tubular form as shown, the said resistor being provided with suitable terminals 03' and e properly insulated from the Walls of aeiaaee the still. The upper portion of the still may also'be provided with a carbon resistor f for subjecting the oil vapors to heat, said resistor being preferably in tubular form,

The gooseneck of the still connects with a cooling coil or condenser D, positioned within a cooling jacket or casing E, said jacket being provided with a-suitable inlet 73 and outlet ,4" for the cooling agent such as water. The outlet is from the condenser is provided with a pressure valve C and leads to a suitable trap or condensed liquid collector F having a battle Z and a suitable draw-off pipe m. The trap is provided with an outlet n for non-condensed gases or vapors, said outlet leading to a suitable compressor Gr, diagrammatically shown, wherein said vapors or gases are compressed, whence they pass through the outlet 6 of the compressor into an expansion chamber H. The effect of expanding the mixture of compressedgases and vapors in chamber H results in the reduction of the temperature thereof to such extent that practically all the condensable vapors are-liquefied in said chamber and may be drawn off through pipe 3). The expansion chamber H is provided with a gas or vapor outlet q through which the residuary, uncondensed vapors or gases pass, whereupon they may be subjected to such further use or treatment as is found desirable.

Referring to Figure 3, A is a still providod with an oil inlet a and an inlet for inert gas 6 The still is heated by means of carbon electrodes 0 c", which may be of substantially the same form described in connection with Figures 1 and 2, the main difference in the method of heating consisting, however, in spacing the electrodes apart, whereby arcing is produced within the body of the oil. The electrodes 0 0 are provided with suitable electrical connections 6 6 respectively. It will be understood that the still illustrated in Figure '3 may also be provided with means, similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, such as tubular electrode f having terminals 9 7: for electrically heating the oil vapors.

. From the foregoing description of the apparatus, its mode of use will be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art from the detailed description of applicants process. It will be observedthat the pressure valves C, C in Figures 1 and 2, re spectively, are positioned beyond the condensing coil, thereby maintaining the vapors and gases under pressure during the conill ill)

my process may be carried out with different steps and with the assistance of different apparatus from that described, without, however, departing from the scope of my invention, and, accordingly, I intend that all matter contained in the above description, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

i I realize that considerable variation is possible in the details of the process herein shown, and I do not intend to limit myself thereto, except as pointed out in the following claims, in which it is my intention to claim all the novelty inherent in the process as broadly as is permitted by the state of the art.

Any suitable chemical equivalents to the reagents described herein, may also be used.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The process of converting kerosene into a low boiling hydrocarbon distillate,

consisting in subjecting the kerosene first in the liquid and then in the vapor state-t0 contact with carbon heated electrically to a temperature ranging from a bright red to white heat under a regulated pressure in excess of atmospheric and below five hundred pounds to the square inch, and maintaining such pressure. upon the hydrocarbons both during their conversion and throughout the course of their cooling and condensation.

v 2. The process of converting high boiling hydrocarbons into a low boiling hydrocarbon distillate, consisting in subjecting the liquid hydrocarbons and their evolved vapors, in a confined space, to contact with carbon heated electrically to a dissociating temperature not above a white heat, and maintaining a regulated pressure in excess of atmospheric and below two hundred pounds to the square inch upon the hydrocarbons both during their conversion and subsequent cooling and condensation.

3. The method of converting kerosene into a low boiling hydrocarbon distillate, which consists in dissociating and distilling the high boiling hydrocarbons by subjecting the hydrocarbons first in the liquid state and .then in the vapor state to carbon resistance means heated electrically to a temperature ranging from between a cherry red and a white heat under a pressure in excess of atmospheric, cooling all the' vapors passing from the still while under such pressure to condense the heavier fractions thereof, and

simultaneously returning the condensed heavier fractions to the still to undergo therein further treatment, leading off and condensing the light vapors, and maintaining such distillation pressure on saidvapors throughout their course to and while undergoing condensation 4. A process of cracking hydrocarbon oils that consists in maintaining abody of oil in vaporization,

a combined vaporizing and cracking chamber, applying heat locally to the body of liquid to vaporize it, and applying heat locally to the vaporsin the chamber above the liquid level of sufficient intensity to crack said vapors, and condensing the cracked vapors under superatmospheric pressure, self-imposed by the evolution of vapors in the chamber.

5. A process of cracking hydrocarbon oils that consists in maintaining a body of oil in a combined vaporizing and cracking cham-' ber, applying heat locally to the body of liquid to vaporize it by a heater immersed therein, and applying heat locally to the vapors in the chamber above the liquid level by a heat generator within the chamber of suflicient intensity to crack said vapors, and condensing the cracked vapors under superatmospheric pressure, self-imposed by the evolution of vapors in'the chamber.

6. A process of cracking hydrocarbon oil which comprises maintaining a body ofliquid oil in a combined vaporizing and cracking chamber, heating the body of oil to efi'ect its vaporization, electrically heating the evolved vapors above the body of oil in said chamber to sufficiently intense heat and under self imposed superatmospheric pressure to crack the vapors and condensing the cracked vapors.

7 A process of cracking hydrocarbon oil which comprises maintaining a body of oil in a combined vaporizing and cracking chamber, heating said body of oil to effect its .applying heat to the vapors in the chamber above the body of oil of sufiicient intensity to crack the vapors, and maintaining superatmospheric pressure on the oil under treatment.

8. A process of cracking hydrocarbon oil which comprises maintaining a body of oil in a combined vaporizing and cracking chamber, heating said body'of oil to effect its vaporization, applying heat to the vapors in the chamber above the body of oil of suflicient intensity to crack the vapors maintaining superatmospheric pressure on the oil under treatment, separating out and retlirning for retreatment certain heavier cone stituents or the evolved vapors, and condensing the vapors of. desired volatility.

9. The process of converting heavy hydrocarbon oils into low boiling hydrocarbon distillates consisting in subjecting a relatively stationary body of such heavy hydro carbon oils to direct contact with an electris cally heated noninetallic resistor immersed in the body of oil, while the'body of oil is kept under pressure, and passing the evolved vapors into contact with a second electrically heated non-metallic resistor which serves to convert anyunconverted. vapors carried by the converted vapors.

10. The process of converting liquid low boiling hydrocarbon distillate, which consists in subjecting both the liquid hydrocarbon and its evolved vapors, While the liquid hydrocarbon is in a quiescent state, to a local decomposing heat ranging in tentperature between 800 C. and 2000 6., While subjecting both the liquid hydrocarbon and its evolved vapors to a controlled pressure in excess of 5 atmospheres and collecting and condensing the resulting cracked vapors 11. The process of converting liquid hydrocarbons boiling abo e 200 G. into a low boiling hydrocarbon distillate, consist- 1 ing in subjecting the liquid hydrocarbon,

:neiaace While in a quiescent state, to contact with a n0n-1netallic resistor heated to between a red and a White heat by the passage of an electric current, and maintaining in contact with the evolved vapors a non-metallic resistor heated to between a red and a White heat by the passage of an electric current,

and subjecting both the liquid hydrocarbons and the hydrocarbon vapors to a controlled pressure, principally autogenous, in excess of live atmospheres, and collecting and condensing the resulting cracked vapors.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification.

@TTU P, AMEND

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