US1508769A - Process of and apparatus for treating oils - Google Patents

Description

5 am. E6 1924, 1,508,769

R. w. anssau.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OILS Fiied Add]. 15-. 1926 I I Inventor: QaflZ A Atty Taiented Sept. 16, 1924.

eaten sures 1,508,769 PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT W. BISBELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO VEGETABLE OIL SECURI- TIES COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANI- PROCESS OCH AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING OILS.

Application flied April 15, 1920. Serial No. 374,008.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, ROBERT W. BISSELL, a citizen of the United states, residing at the borough of Manhattan, in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of and Ap aratus for Treating Oils, of which the fol owing is a.

s ecification, reference being bad therein to t e accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to a process of treatin oils by means of which the F. F. A. (free atty acid) content of the oil may be reduced and such acid and other volatile constituents may be removed from the oil and the iodin number of the oil reduce without disru ting the oil cells, notwithstanding the elevated temperature at which the process is carried on; and to an apparatus so constructed and arranged as to be capable of use in the practice of such a process.

To successfully purify oils by the process of my invention, it is not only desirable to subject the oil, while being maintained at an elevated temperature, to the action of hydrogen or superheated steam, or both, but to bring such gases into intimate relation with the entire volume of the oil under treatment in a manner to ensure uniformity in the volume of gas mixed with a given volume of the oil, and of the interval during which the oil is subjected to the action of the gas, thus ensuring uniformity in the resultant product. Wit this end in view, I have evolved a process by which a considerable volume of oil may be treated by a continuous process, notwithstanding that at no time is any substantial volume of the oil subjected to the action of the refining gases and brought to a high temperature, and then for a comparatively short interval. By thus subjecting only a small volume of the oil to a high temperature and to the refining ases, and continuously renewing the supp y of oil under treatment, from a main source of suppl I am enabled to bring the oil to the desired elevated temperature without subjecting it to the action of the heating medium for a material length of time and I am also enabled to treat a relatively large volume of oil with a relatively small volume of gas by reason of the -tact during each stage.

V0 atile constituents of the oil which are 4 thereafter separated from the ases used for refining purposes, so that if desired these gases may thereafter be purified and again used.

In order to afi'ect the desired degree of purification of the oil, I may repeat the.

above treatment any desired number of times in succeeding stages, it being possible, in some of these stages, to use one gas, while in other stages, to use other gases, the oil having a slow circulation while being so treated, thus defining the duration of the interval of high temperature and gas con- In fact a continuous process is secured through the maintenance of this slow circulation, which also results in uniformity in the treatment of the entire volume of oil and in the product. The process may be carried on under normal or under subatmospheric pressures, as desired.

In the ractice of the process of my invention, referabl e'm loy an apparatus by means 0 whicht e oi to be refined may be continuously circulated, and every part thereof durin this circulation, will be passed in'a thick film between an oil feed pipe and an inner ipe connected with a source of sup ly of ydrogen, superheated steam, or bot so constructed as to dischar e such asesinto the flowing volume of 01 with tfie twofold object of inducing a circulation of the oil about said gas pi e and ensuring the desired intimacy of t e relation of said gases with the oil. Means are rovided exteriorly of the oil feed pipe for rin ing the oil to, and maintainin it at, the esired elevated temperature w ile being thus commingled with the gases.

The apparatus employs a plurality of heating and mixing units, each being associated with a compartment, the lower portion of which serves as a storage chamber for the oil under treatment, and the upper part of which serves as a collecting chamer for the refining gases and the volatile matter passing from the oil therewith after their separation from the oil. Succeeding compartments are in communication with each other adjacent the normal-level of the oil in the lower part of the compartment, so as to ensure the flow of the oil from one compartment to the other with the desired progression in the treatment of the oil, and limiting the oil thus passing from one unit to the other, to that which has been subjected to the action of the gases, which oils will have lower specific gravity than those which have not been so subjected.

The oil circulation, the oil heating and the gas distributing elements of each unit are so arranged that the oil will be withdrawn from ad acent the bottom of the compartment before being subjected to the refining gas, and will be delivered adjacent the top of the compartment after being so subjected to the gas.

Each compartment is provided with an ofitake system for the refining gases and the volatile matter removed from the oil therewith, which is so constructed as to condense the free fattyl acid separated from the hydrogen or ot er gases.

In connection with the gas ofitake system, I use a heat exchanger which will have the twofold effect of assisting in the condensa tion of the free fatty acid and preheating the oil to be treated. I also construct the oil feed system and the oil oiftake system in the form of a heat exchanger, so as to reduce the temperature of the refined oil bein delivered, and utilize the heat units derive therefrom in reheating the oil before subjecting it to t e gas treatment.

The invention consists in a process of treating oils consisting in the novel steps and practices hereinafter specified and in an apparatus for carrying on said process, all

as hereinafter set forth and described and more particularly pointedout in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

. Fig. '1 is a side view partly in elevation and partly in section of an apparatus used in carrying on the process of my invention, said apparatus being broken away and condensed so as to disclose only a few of the units thereof; A

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the supp]. tank, one of the gas ofitake unlts and one o the heating and mixing units; and

Fig. 3 is a detail fragmentary view of a portion of one of the heating and mixing units.

Like letters refer to like the several views. 7

In the practice of the process of my invention, the oil in large volume maybestored in any desired manner so as to permit a continuing small volume thereof being withdrawn and brought to an elevated temperature and parts throughout charged with a refining gas such as hydrogen, superheated steam, or amixture of the ingfilm of oil, thus ensuring the thorough admixture of the oil and gases with the use of a small volume of the latter.

' The admixture of oil and gases is delivered to a compartment having relatively greater capacity than the tube from which the oil and gas is delivered, thus afi'ordjng opportunity for the separation of the refining gases, and of those volatile constituents of the oil reduced to a gaseous form as a result of the elevation in the temperature of the oil and the reactions resulting from the intimate contact of the refining gases with the oil while at this elevated temperature.

The hydrogen or other refining gases will react upon the oil both while being maintained at the high temperature while flowing about the gas supply pipe, and during the process of separation from the body of the oil in the compartment into which the oil and gas admixture is delivered.

The refining gases and volatile constituents of the oil separated therefrom with the gases, are withdrawn from the upper part of this compartment sufliciently rapidly t6 prevent condensation of such constituents, particularly free fatty acid within the compartment, it being possible, and possibly desirable, to maintain a subatmospheric pressure in the upper part of the compartment,

with the twofold object of facilitating a purities in the oil in like manner to that,

heretofore described.

This treatment may be repeated any desired number of times until the oil has attained the desired degree of purity.

The succeeding stages of the treatment afford a continuous process which will subject every particle of the oil to the same temperature conditions while in intimate relation with the refinin gas, and will de--.

fine and make uniform t e duration of the interval durin at the elevate temperature, and is so subjected to the gases.

After the last stage of the treatment, the oil is withdrawn and cooled and is in condition for commercial use, or for further treatment such as hydrogenation, if it is desired to harden same.

illustrated an apparatus particularl adapted for use in carrying on the above escribed process. This apparatus comprises a storage tank a for the oil to be purifiedor refined, which tank may have any vdesire-d capacity, and into which oil is pouredfrom time to time. Associated with the tank a is a drum 1) provided with a partitions b-b etc., forming a lurality of compartments, the lower ortionsof which form chambers for the oi under-.

going purification or refinement, and the upper portions of which form collecting chambers adapted to receive the refining gases and the volatile constituents se arate dischar es at a substantially central from the oil therewith, to facilitate t eir re-,-

moval from the apparatus.

The succeeding compartments are in communication with each other throu h open- ,ings 0'0', c"-c, a -c etc. in the artitions bbb etc., said 0 enings eing s aced above the bottom of said drum. The rum 6 may be of any desired length, and may be divided into any desired number of compartments, .there being one compartment for each stage of the treatment'of the oil in the apparatus.

The drum 7) is provided with a chargin header d and with a discharging header (1 The tank a. communicates with the header d through a pipe e, one end of which 0 ensadjacent but below the normal level 0 the oil in said tank a, and the other end of which oint of the eader d, the said connecting pipe 0 having a heat exchanger arranged in the len th thereof so as to utilize the heat units in t e finished product for preheating the oil prior to its de ivery to said header 0?. A detailed description of this heat exchanger will be given when describing the oil oil'- take s stem.

Eac of the compartments in the drum 7; is provided with an oil circulating, an oil heating and a gas mixing unit by means of which a closed continuous circulation of a portion of the oil in each compartment is maintained, the oil while so circulating being brought to the desired elevated temperatureand having hydrogen or superheated steam, or both, intimately mixed therewith. Each of these units is a duplicate of which the oil is maintained- 1 thus formin In the accompanying drawings, Ihave 2plurality of transverse 7 every other, so a detailed description of but one of them will be entered into.

Depending from each compartment in the drum 6 is a vertical pi e or tube f which is surrounded by a steam acket g. Leading from a point adjacent the normal level of the oil in,.and opening into, each compartment above the adjacent open end of the pipe f is a second vertical pipe f also surrounded by a steam jacket y. The pipes f and f ale connected by the bottom fitting a looped pipe connection, the inlet end 0 which opens adjacent the bottom of the drum (2, and the discharge end of which is adjacent but below the normal level of the oilin'said drum, while the steam jackets g and g are connected by the fittingJ g The steam inlet opening, which may e placed in communication with an desired source of superheated steam, is indicated at g", while the steam outlet opening is-indicated at g.

Extending vertically through and arranged concentrically with the pipe f, and terminating above the upper end thereof in a deflecting cap it, is a gas supply pipe h having a multitude of small openings through that portion thereof within the pipe f so'that the refining gas may pass therethrough into, and be-thoroughly admixed with, the oil film between the pipes h and f.

Leading from the up er part of each compartment inthe drum is a gas oiftake pipe 71 of relatively greater capacity than the oil and gas feeding units associated with each compartment, which pipe extends downwardly and terminates in a. collecting drum 3' adapted to receive and accumulate the condensate of free fatty acid andother condensates of volatile matter removed from the oil by means of the elevated temperature and the refinin gas. This drum 1' is provided with a drain cock y" by means ofwhich such condensates may be removed therefrom from time to time.

Passing through the downwardly extending reach of the ofl'take pipe 2' is one reach of a circulating pipe is, one leg of which 0 ens into the tank a adjacent the bottom t ereof, and the other leg of which Opens into said tank at a point considerably above the bottom thereof. but below the point of the inlet of the oil feed pi )e e. In this manner heat units from the gases flowing through the outlet ipe will be transferred to oil contained in t is pipe k,-and since one leg of this pipe communicates with the tank a at a higher level than the other leg which passes through the gas oiltake pipe 2, a convection circulation of oil will be set up in said pi e k which will preheat the oil contained in the tank a.

The drum y is provided with a gas ofitake opening which may be connected with an exhauster, so that if decided either a slightly lll) elevated or subatmospheric pressure may be maintained in the various compartments of the drum 6.

To equalize the pressures in the various compartments of the drum 6, I provide, in each of the diaphragms or partitions b, 6?, b etc., openings such as .mr-m m etc.

adjacent the top of the diaphragms, and thus through the coils of this pipe, serves as a heat exchanger to transfer to the oil flowing product.

from the tank a to the charging header d of the drum b,-'heat units in the finished 011 While I have herein referred to the use of superheated steam in the steam jackets of the oil heating units associated with the several compartments, and with the .possibility of introducing such throughthe gas distributing pipe h, it is to be understood that this refers merely to a use of the apparatus when high temperatures are required, such as when refining vegetable or other fatty oils. If other material is to be treated, saturated steam may be used and if desired other means than a steam jacket may be used to bring the oil in the pipes f and f and their connection f to the desired high temperature.

While I have referred to the possibility of maintaining the desired level of oil in the tank a by pouring additional oil thereinto from time to time, I preferably provide means as the valve controlled pipe 0 leading from a storage tank of large capacity and discharging into said tank a, so that when the right conditions have been established, a continuous stream of oil may flow into said tank a in volume proportionate to that flowing from the drum 6 through the pipe n so as to ensure continuity in the operation of the apparatus without requiring constant attention. I

lhe operation of the herein described apparatus is substantially as follows In starting the apparatus, the tank a is first filled with oil, the oil, as said tank is being filled, filling the pipe k and flowing, when the proper level of the tank a has been reached, through the oil feed pipe 6 into the charging header d, and through the openings 00 1n the partition I) into the compartment of the first stage of the drum 6. While the oil is thus flowing from the tank a, steam is admitted to the steam jackets g, g and g entering through the steam inlet g and passing through the steam outand the pipe let 9, so as to ensure the hest temperature of the jackets being ad acent the gas mixing pipe 71..

As soon as the oil has had opportunity to fill the circulation, heating and mixing unit associated with the compartment between the partitions b' and bathe refining as is delivered to the pipe h and passes t rough the various minute openings therein into the volume of oil between this pipe Since at this time the temperature of te oil will have been raised by the steam jacket, to that temperature at which it is desired to subject it to the action of said gases, and since the delivery of gas into the body of the oil will result in the formation of a multitude of small bubbles, the oil in the pipe f will instantly rise and thus cause the oil in the compartment with which this unit is associated, to all raduall pass through this unit and be reeliver to the compartment after being thoroughly admixed with gas while maintained at the desired temperature.

The charged and heated oil will be de-. livered adjacent, but below, the normal level of the oil in the compartment from which it is withdrawn, so that the oil already within said compartment which is of a very much lower temperature, will descend to the bottom of thecompartment, and the charged oil 7 willstay at the top of the body of oil in said compartment. As the charged and heated oil enters said compartment, the gas bubbles will burst, and the refining gases and other volatile matter will separate from the body of the oil and rise to the upper portion of the compartment, or the gas collecting chamber therein, and be withdrawn through the gas oiftake pipe 2', the heat therefrom being transferred to the oil contained in the pipe is with the twofold result of raising the temperature of the oil in the looped pipe and condensing the free fatty acid content of the gases and other condensable matter therein which will be delivered in liquid form to the collecting drum the non-condensable gases being removed from said drum, and if esired, subsequently washed or otherwise purified and returned to the source of gas supply with which the pipe 72, communicates.

As the level in the compartment of the first stage of the drum 6 reaches the level of the openings c 0 in the partition 6 the oil will flow from the first compartment to the adjoining compartment where it will againbe circulated, heated and mixed with the refining gas, and thus pass through the apparatus, being successively and progres sivel' subjected to these treatments until it final y reaches the discharge header d and passes therefrom through the oil ofitake pi? n.

y passing the 011 through a. sequence of stages, impurities therein will be gradually removed without the necessity for a continuous subjection of the oil to the efiects of heat and of the refining gases, and the overheating of any portion of the oil is thus avoided. It is possible that in. succeeding stages, even though the same temperatures and the same volume of gas be employed, there ma be a variance in the rateof flow of the oi in the circulating unit, owing to the variances in the specific gravity of the oil as the treatment thereof progresses. This condition will not in any way destroy the effectiveness of the treatment and might have the effect of more thoroughly separating the deleterious constituents therefrom. If desired the capacity of succeeding units may be varied to meet changing conditions in the apparatus, although preferably I em- I apparatus are ploy interchangeable units.

If necessary, in starting the apparatus the feed of oil through the pipe e may be controlled until the working conditions are such as to ensure the entire volume of oil in the various compartments of the drum 1) and their associated circulating and mixing units, having been brought to the desired temperature before a fresh and continuing supply of oil is delivered to the tank a When the right conditions, however, have once been established, the valve of the pipe 0 ma be opened and thereafter the apparatus will operate continuously and automatically without any substantial variations as to temperature conditions or the length of time to which the oil is subjected to the high temperatures, or the volume of refining gas admixed therewith.

By employin a plurality of succeeding stages as descri ed, and by heating only a small volume of oil, and mixing a refining g'as therewith, I am enabled to reduce the interval during which the oil is subjected to the high temperatures necessary in carrying on the process of my invention, and affect a more or less gradual and thorough separation of the deleterious ingredients from the oil. At the same time every particle of the oil passin throu h the apparatus and deliveredit rough t e pipe n will have been brought into intimate and repeated contact with a, refining gas, so that the entire volume of oil delivered will be of uniform quality.

By having the openings 0, etc. adjacent but slightly below the normal level of the oil in each compartment, such oil flowing from one compartment to the other will be at the highest temperature, and will have been subjected to the action of the refining gas.

In the event that any gas bubbles are carried from one compartment to another, these bubbles will remain at the top of the volume of oil in the compartment into which it flows, so that it will not pass through the heating and mixin unit of this com artment until the enve opes of the bubbles ave burst and the gases escaped therefrom so that the oil descends by gravity toward the bottom of this compartment.

While the apparatus herein described is particularly adapted for use with hydro en as the refining gas, it is apparent tat difierent mixing units may be employed to deliver different refining gases in difierent stages, or a combination of such gases in any stage.

It is therefore not my intention to limit the invention to the particular nature of the refining gas employed, nor to the particular temperatures, particularly as such will vary with the nature of the different oils to be treated in accordance with m invention.

When hydrogen is used, al parts of the referably made of aluminum, particular y where the oils or volatile matter contacts with the metal parts.

Having described the invention, What I I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is

1. The herein described process of treating oils consisting in continuously withdrawing a small uantity of oil from a large volume thereof, owing the oil thus with drawn in a small stream through a confined space, subjecting the flowing oil to an elevated temperature, and slmultaneously charging it with a refining gas, delivering said flowing oil with said refining gas to and within the volume from which the oil is withdrawn, permitting the refining gas and the constituents of the oil volatillzed as a result of the action of the heat and of the refining gas upon the oil, to commingle with the oil in the volume from which it is withdrawn, and thereafter separate therefrom and withdrawing the refining gas and the volatile matter from adjacent the oil.

2. The herein described process of treatin oils consisting in the removal of the de eterious volatile constituents of the oil by continuously withdrawing a small guantity of oil from a large volume thereof,

owin it in a succession of small streams throng confined spaces, subjecting each stream of flowing 011 to an elevated temperature and simultaneously charging it witha refining gas, delivering said flowing oil with saidrefinin gas to the volume from which it is with rawn, permitting the refining gas and the constituents of the oil volatillzed as a result of the action of the heat and of the refining gas upon the oil, to sefparate from the oil after each application 0 heat and charge of gas 'thereinto, and

withdrawing the refining gas and the volatile matter from adjacent the oil as it separates therefrom.

3. The herein described (process of treatin oils consisting in with rawing. 8. sm

volume of oil from a body of oil being treated, flowing said small volume of oil in .a small stream through a confined space,

uously delivering a fresh supply of oil to said volume. 4. The herein described process of treating oils consisting in the removal of the deleterious volatile constituents of the oil by withdrawing small volumes of oil from a plurality of connected bodies of oil being treated, flowing said small volumes of oil in a succession of small streams through confined spaces and subjecting each stream of flowing oil to an elevated temperature, and simultaneously charging it with a refining gas, delivering the mixture of oil and gas of each stream into the body from. which it is withdrawn, withdrawing the refining gas and the volatile matter from adjacent each body of oil asit separates therefrom, continuously delivering a fresh supply of oil to the first of said bodies of oil, and continuously withdrawing oil from adjacent the top of the last body of oil.

5. lhe herein described process of treating oils consisting in the removal of the deleterious volatile constituents of the oil by continuously withdrawing a small quantity of oil from a large volume thereof, flowing it in a succession of small streams through confined spaces, subjecting each stream of flowing oil to an elevated temperature and simultaneously charging it with a refining gas, refinin gases havin difi'erent properties being 0 arged into diflerent streams of flowing oil, deliverin said flowing oil with said refining gas to t e volume from which it is withdrawn, permitting the refining gas and the constituents of the oil volatilized thereof, flowing the oil thus withdrawn in a small stream through a confined space, bringin the flowing oil to a temperature of rom 220 to 275 (1, and simultaneously charging it with hydrogen,

moans delivering said flowing oil with said refining gas to and within the volume from continuouslywithdrawing a small quantity of oilfrom a large volume thereof, flowin it in a succession of small streams throng confined s aces, and bringing each stream of flowing oi to a temperature of from 220 to 275 G, and simultaneously charging it with hydrogen, delivering, said flowing oil with said refining gas to the volume from which it is withdrawn, permitting the hydrogen and the constituents of the oil volatilized as a result of the action of the heat and of the hydrogen upon-the oil, to separate from the oil after each application of heat and charge of gas thereinto, andvwithdrawing the hydrogen and the volatile matter from adjacent the oil as it separates therefrom.

8. Anapparatus for treating oil embodying therein a container adapted to contain oil, two connected pipes, one of which leads from the bottom of said container, and the other of which discharges into said container adjacent the normal level of the oil therein, a refining gas su ply pipe within said last named pipe, an therewith, whereby as is charged directly into the oil flowing t rough said last named pipe, a source of heat adjacent said last named pipe, means whereby unrefined oil may be delivered to said container, means whereby refined oil may be withdrawn therefrom, and an ofi'take system leadi from the upper portion of said container, whereby the refining gases and the volatilized constituents of the oil may be withdrawn from said, container after separation from the oil. 9. An apparatus for treating oils embodying therein a drum divided by a plurality oi transverse partitions into compartments connected b means of openings in said partitions, sac of said compartments being adapted to contain oil, and the opening therein being adjacent the normal level of the oil in the compartment, each of said compartments having associated therewithtwo connected pipes, one of which leads from the bottom of said drum, and the.

other of which discharges into said drum adjacent the normal level of the oil therein, a refining gas supply pipe within said last named pipe, and communicating therewith whereby gas is charged directly. into the oi oils consisting in the removal of the deleterious volatile constituents of the oil by communicating flowing through said last named pipe, a source of heat adjacent said last named pipe, an ofl'take system leading from the up or portion of said drum, whereby the refining gases and the volatilized constituents of the oil may be withdrawn from said drum after separation from the oil, means whereby unrefined oil may be delivered to one end compartment of said drum, and means whereby refined oil may be withdrawn from the other end compartment thereof.

10. An apparatus for treating oils embodying therein a drum divided by a plurality of transverse partitions into compartments connected by means of openings in said partitions, each of said compartments being adapted to contain oil, and the opening therein being adjacent the normal level of the oil in the compartment, each of said compartments having associated therewith two connected pi es, one of which leads from the bottom 0 said drum, and the other of heat a of which discharges into said drum adjacent the normal level of the oil therein, a refining gas supply pipe within said last named pipe, and communicatin therewith, wherey gas is charged direct y into the oil flowing through said last named pipe, a source of heat adjacent said last named ipe, and an offtake system leading from t e upper portion of said drum, whereby the refining gases and the volatilized constituents of the oil may be withdrawn from said drum after separation from the oil, a storage tank for unrefined oil, a pipe leading therefrom and discharging into one end compartment of said drum, a pipe leadin from a source of unrefined oil su ply an dischar ing into said tank, where unrefined oil wi 1 be continuously supplie to said tank and to said drum, and means whereby refined oil may be withdrawn from the other .end compartment thereof.

11. An apparatus for treating oils embodying therein a drum divided by a plurality of transverse partitions into compartments connected by means of openings in said partitions, each of said compartments being adapted to contain oil, and the opening therein be ng adjacent the normal level of the oil in the compartment, each of said compartments having associated therewith two connected "pi es, one of which leads from the bottom of said drum, and the other of which discharges into said drum adjacent the normal level of the oil therein, a refining gas supply pipe within said last named ipe, and communicating therewith, where'- y gas is charged directly into the oil flowing throu h said last named pipe, a source djacent said last named ipe, and

an ofitake system leading from t e upper portion of said drum, whereby the refining gases and the volatilized constituents of the oil may be'withdrawn from said drum after separation from the oil, a storage tank for unrefined oil, a pipe leading therefrom and discharging into one end compartment of said drum, a pipe leading from a source of unrefined oil supply and discharging into said tank, whereby unrefined oil will be continuously supplied to said tank and to said drum, means whereby refined oil may be withdrawn from the other end com nirtment thereof, a looped pipe, one end of which leads from the bottom of said tank and the other end of which discharges into said tank above the bottom thereof, one reach of said pipe being subjected to the heated gases flowing through said offtake system, whereby the heat from said gas will be absorbed by the oil flowing through said pipe, and vapors flowing through said ofi'take system will be condensed, and a collecting drum adapted to receive such condensates.

12. An apparatus for treating oils embodying therein a drum div'ded by a plu rality of transverse partitions into comartments connected by means of openings 1n said partitions, each of said compartments being adapted to contain oil, and the openings therein being adjacent the normal level of the oil in the compartment, each of said compartments having associated therewith two connected pipes, one. of which leads from the bottom of said drum. and the other of which discharges into said drum adjaoent the normal level of the oil therein, a refin ng gas supply pipe within said lasl named pipe, an communicating therewith. whereby as is charged directly into the oil flowing t rough said last named pipe, a source of heat adjacent said last named pipe. and an ofi'take system leading from the upper portion of sa d drum, whereby the res ning gases and the volatilized constituents of the oil may be withdrawn from said drum after separation from the oil, a storage tank for unrefined oil, a pipe leading therefrom .and discharging into one end compartment of said drum, a pipe leading from a source of unrefined oil supply and discharging into said tank, whereby unrefined oil will be continuously supplied to said tank and to sa d drum, and an oil delivery pipe leading from the other end compartment of said drum having in the length thereof a coil through which said pipe d scharging oil into'said drum passes, whereby heat units from the oil withdrawn from said drum will be. transferred to the oil flowing to said drum.

13. An apparatus for treating oils embodying therein a drum divided by a plurality of transverse partitions into compartments connected by means of openings in said partitions, each of said compartments being adapted to contain oil, and the opening therein being adjacent the normal level of the oil in the compartment, each of said compartments having associated therewith lit) two connected pipes, one of which leads from v the bottom of said drum, and the other of which discharges into said drum adjacent the normal level of the oil therein, a refining gas supply pipe within said last named pipe, and communicating therewith, whereby gas is charged directly into the oil flowing through said last named pipe, a source of heat adjacent said last named pipe, and an ofltake system leading from the upper portion of said drum, whereby the refining gases and the volatilized constituents of the oil may be withdrawn from said drum after separation from the oil, a storage tank for unrefined oil, a pipe leading therefrom and discharging into one end compartment of said drum, a pipe leading from a source of unrefined oil supply and discharging into said tank, whereby unrefined oil will be continu-' ously supplied to said tank and to said drum, and an oil delivery pipe leading from the other end compartment of said drum having in the length thereof a coil through which said pipe discharging oil into said drum passes, whereby heat units from the oil withdrawn from said drum will be transferred to j the oil flowing to said drum, a looped pipe,

one end of which leads from the bottom of said tank and the other end of which discharges into said tank above the bottom thereof, one reach of said pipe being subjected to the heated gases flowing through said otltake system, whereby the heat from said gas will be absorbed by the oil flowing through said pipe, and vapors flowing through said ofi'take system will be condensed, and a collecting drum. adapted to receive such condensates.

14. An apparatus for treating oils embodying therein a container adapted to contain oi two connected pipes, one of which leads from the bottom or said container, and the other of which discharges into said container adjacent the normal level ofthe oil therein, a refining gas supply pipe within said last named pipe, and communicating therewith, whereby gas is charged directly into the oil flowin through said last named pipe, a steam jac et surrounding said last named pipe means whereby unrefined oil may be delivered to said container, means whereby refined oil may be withdrawn therefrom, and an ofitake system leading from the upper portion of said container, whereby the refining gases and the volatilized constituents of the oil may be withdrawn from said container after separation from the oil.

15. An apparatus for treating oils embodyin therein a container adapted to contain oi two connected pipes, one of which being adjacent said drum and said first named pipe, means whereby unrefined. oil may be delivered to said container, means whereby refined oil may be withdrawn therefrom, and an ofltake system leading from the upper portion of said container, whereby the refining gases and the volatilized constituents of the oil may be withdrawn from said container after separation from the oil.

16. An apparatus for treating oils embodyingtherein a drum divided by a plurality of transverse partitions into compartments, the lower portions of which are adapted to contain oil, and the upper portions of which are adapted to form chambers for the refining gas and volatile matter removed from the oil therewith, said partitions each having an opening therethrough below the normal level of the oil, and an opening therethrough above the normal level or" the oil, whereby pressure conditions about all of said compartments will be equalized, each of said compartments having associated therewith two connected pipes, one of which leads from the bottom of said drum, and the other of which discharges into said drum adjacent the normal level of the oil therein, a re fining gas supply pipe within said last named pipe, and communicating therewith,

whereby gas is charged directly into the oil flowing through said last named pipe, a

source of heat adjacent said last named pipe, and an oiltake system leadingfrom the upper portion of said drum, whereby the refining gases and the volatilized constituents of the oil may be withdrawn from said drum after separation from the oil, means whereby unrefined oil may be delivered to one end compartment of said drum, and means whereby refined oil may be withdrawn from the, other end compartment thereof.

In witness whereof li'have hereunto afiixed my signature, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this seventh day of April,

ROBERT W. BISSELL.

Witnesses G. F. WN, Wm. G. Burr.

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