Abstract: A fractionator has a fractionation vessel, a reactor effluent vapors inlet, a vapor feed contacting zone, a baffled contacting section above the vapor feed contacting zone, a tops section above the baffled contacting section, a heavy bottoms liquid hold-up pool section below the vapor feed contacting zone, a bottoms outlet, a bottoms recycle system with a heat exchanger. Recycled, cooled bottoms is fed back to the fractionation vessel at the heavy bottoms liquid hold-up pool section and above the vapor feed contacting zone. The improvements involve providing a separation tray and downpipe for separating cooler bottoms liquid from hotter product vapors within the fractionation vessel: to avoid condensation and absorption of product vapors by the liquid pool; to have more rapid and uniform quenching of hot liquid entering the pool; and substantially reduce costly onstream maintenance to clean fouled bottoms recycle exchangers.

Abstract: The present invention is a distillation vapor and feed mixing and subsequent separation process and apparatus involving the introduction of a vaporizing liquid feed into a flash zone via a tangential nozzle into a mixing and separation chamber which directs the feed into a circumferential path to enhance mixing, and the redirection of rising vapors from the distillation below the flash zone by baffling these vapors into the chamber inlet. The rising vapors are inspirated by the high velocity feed at the inlet side of the chamber and intimate contact and mixing of the rising vapors with the vaporizing feed are enhanced by creating a spinning action. Preferably, the chamber runs peripherally and slightly downward along the inside wall of the distillation column along an arc no greater than 360.degree.. Alternatively, the mixing section of the mixing and separation chamber may be located outside of the distillation tower and the feed, passing through a jet ejector would inspirate the rising vapors.

Abstract: A method of controlling the rate of generating steam by direct heat exchange is provided in which a spray of hot oil drops contacts a spray of water drops. Large water drops are prevented from entering the effluent oil stream during upsets in operating conditions by providing suitable disengaging means such as heated sloped baffles below the contacting zone.