Apparatus and process for recovery of hydrocarbon from inorganic host materials

• US 4,285,773 A
• Filed: 10/25/1979
• Issued: 08/25/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UMATAC Industrial Processes Inc. a Company of ThyssenKrupp
• Original Assignee: Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority
• Inventors: Taciuk, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Michael S.
• Application Number:
  US06/088,133
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 422/209, 422/210, 202/100, 202/117, 202/131, 202/136, 202/216, 202/218, 202/134, 202/135, 201/32, 201/33, 34/128, 432/106, 432/108
• US Class Current: 202/100
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/182 horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 1/10 Rotary retorts
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 1/02 by distillation

Abstract

In the apparatus, concentric, radially spaced tubes are secured to each other and rotated about a common horizontal long axis. Selectively placed and configured lift elements repeatedly lift and drop feed material in the two tubes. Advance elements cause the feed material introduced into the feed end of the structure to advance through the inner tube where it is progressively heated, dehydrated and its hydrocarbon content is largely vaporized. The hydrocarbon vapors are removed from the opposite product end of the structure. The remaining solid material falls from the end of the inner tube into a combustion zone in the outer tube. Oxygen supplying means are provided for causing the carbon coatings on the particles in the combustion zone to burn to produce heat employed in the processing of the feed material. The solid particles in the outer tube are moved back toward the feed end by advancing elements. Recycle fixtures divert a portion of the hot, solid material which has had its carbon coating burned off back into the inner tube to be mixed with the incoming feed material. Means are described for processing the hydrocarbon vapors removed from the inner tube and for cleaning combustion gases and vapors removed from the feed end of both tubes.

Claims

1. An apparatus for thermally treating a heavy hydrocarbon-containing liquid, said apparatus containing a charge of particulate solids, comprising:

a substantially horizontal inner tube defining an inner processing area therein extending throughout its length, said area being a substantially open cylindrical space free of auger-type advancing means;

an outer tube circumscribing the inner tube along a substantial portion of the latter'"'"'s length, said tubes being rigidly connected for rotation together and cooperating to form between them a substantially open annular space free of auger-type advancing means, said tubes having corresponding first and second ends, the annular space providing a combustion zone at the second end;

a stationary first end assembly connected with the outer tube for substantially sealing the latter'"'"'s first end;

a stationary second end assembly connected with the outer tube for substantially sealing the latter'"'"'s second end;

means, associated with the outer tube, for rotatably supporting the tubes;

means, associated with the outer tube, for rotating the tubes;

means, carried internally by each of the tubes, for advancing particulate solids along a path extending through the inner processing area from first to second ends and the annular space from second to first ends, said means comprising surface means protruding inwardly without extending across the width of the inner tube, thereby leaving the inner processing area substantially open, said means being oriented generally longitudinally relative to the tube involved;

lifting means, carried internally by the outer tube, for repeatedly lifting and dropping particulate solids being advanced through the annular space, said means comprising surface means protruding inwardly without extending across the width of the inner tube, thereby leaving the annular space substantially open;

means, extending into the annular space, for introducing heated oxygen-bearing gas into the combustion zone to support combustion therein, to heat the solids passing therethrough, and to supply supplemental heat to said solids if required;

transfer means, connected with the inner tube at its second end, for transferring particulate solids from the inner processing area to the combustion zone, said means being adapted to cooperate with the solids being transferred to prevent significant gas movement between said area and said zone;

end means, connected with the inner tube at its first end, for sealing said end, said end means including recycle means, connecting the first end of the annular space with the first end of the inner processing area, for returning at least a portion of the particulate solids, being advanced through the annular space, back into said area, said recycle means being adapted to cooperate with the solids to prevent significant gas movement between the inner processing area and the annular space;

means, extending through one of the end assemblies, for introducing solids as required;

means, extending through one of the end assemblies into the inner processing area, for depositing the liquid onto particulate solids being advanced therethrough;

first means, extending through one of the end assemblies into the inner processing area, for withdrawing hydrocarbon vapors from said area;

second means, separate from the first means and associated with one of the end assemblies, for withdrawing combustion gases from the annular space and maintaining therein a negative pressure relative to atmospheric pressure;

and means for controlling the first and second withdrawal means to maintain substantially equal pressures in the inner processing area and the annular space;

whereby coke, generated in the inner processing area and carried by the particulate solids, may be burned in the combustion zone while being lifted and dropped to heat said solids, and the product hot solids may be recycled into the inner processing area wherein they are gently tumbled by rotation of the inner tube to vaporize hydrocarbons deposited thereon and form coke, and the atmospheres in the inner area and the combustion zone are kept substantially segregated by a combination of the withdrawing means and the transfer and recycle means.