Abstract: A multiple pass, parallel flow downcomer tray for a mass transfer column and method for liquid-vapor contacting in a mass transfer column is provided. The multiple pass, parallel flow downcomer tray has at least four mass transfer decks configured to provide contact between an ascending vapor passing upward through apertures on the tray surface and a traversing liquid on the tray surface. The tray further includes a central downcomers disposed near a central axis of the tray and two or more peripheral downcomers disposed near the edge of the tray and spaced apart from the central axis, wherein at least two of the four mass transfer decks are configured to discharge the traversing liquid into the peripheral downcomers and two of the four mass transfer decks are configured to discharge the traversing liquid into the central downcomer.

Abstract: A producing system of reduction product of carbon dioxide includes a chemical reaction apparatus including an oxidation reaction electrolytic bath and a reduction reaction electrolytic bath, the chemical reaction apparatus configured to generate a reduction product by reducing carbon dioxide, an electrolytic solution supply unit supplying an electrolytic solution to the reduction reaction electrolytic bath, a carbon dioxide supply unit configured to dissolve carbon dioxide into the electrolytic solution, the carbon dioxide supply unit serving to sustain a reduction reaction in the reduction reaction electrolytic bath, and a separation unit configured to separate the reduction product from the electrolytic solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purifying apparatus for polycarbonate polyols, especially for removal of cyclic alkylene carbonates, comprising an evaporation unit (1) provided with a heater (10) and having an inlet (6) disposed at the top end thereof and a bottoms vessel (11), and a stripping column (2) connected downstream of the evaporation unit (1) and having a top (21) and a bottom (23), wherein a feed (5) for the polycarbonate polyol to be purified opens into the inlet (6) to the evaporation unit (1) and a gas outlet line (12) and a connecting line which opens into the top (21) of the stripping column (2) and is equipped with a pump (18) depart from the evaporation unit (1), and wherein a gas inlet line (24) for an inert gas opens into the bottom (23) of the stripping column (2) and a product line (27) for the purified polycarbonate polyol departs from the bottom (23) of the stripping column (2) and a gas outlet line (25) departs from the top (21) of the stripping column (2).

Abstract: Provided are a divided wall distillation column and a separating method. According to the divided wall distillation column and the separating method, when a mixture having three or more components is separated, a material to be separated, for example, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate can be separated with high purity, and energy reduction in a separation and refinement process of 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate can be promoted.

Abstract: A pot distillation system, in particular for whiskey, includes a distillation bubble with a base equipped to heat an alcoholic liquid, and a top removing alcohol vapors. The alcoholic liquid in the base is heated by a heating unit having a heat exchanger which is in thermal contact with the alcoholic liquid and heated by water vapor. A condenser having a cooling water circuit recirculating cooling water across the condenser condenses the alcohol vapor supplied from the top. The cooling water circuit includes a separator which removes water vapor from the cooling water circuit. The water vapor removed by the separator is pre-compressed in a mechanical compressor and supplied to an intake port of a steam jet pump which is driven by water vapor from a water vapor source and which further compresses the pre-compressed water vapor, and the steam jet pump supplying the further compressed water vapor to the heat exchanger for heating same.

Abstract: A process for recovering heat from the separation of hydrocarbons. The overhead vapor stream from a fractionation column is passed to a two stage heat pump compressor. The first stage of compression is used to reboil the fractionation column. The second stage is compressed and cooled passed to a separation zone. The liquid in the separation zone may be passed back to the fractionation column as secondary reflux, and/or recovered as liquid product. Heat may also be removed from the second stage. A suction drum on the first stage may be used to protect the heat pump compressor from any droplets in the overhead stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of olefins from oxygenates, comprising the following steps: (i) heterogeneously catalyzed conversion of methanol to a product stream containing a C3? and a C4+ fraction, (ii) distillation of the product stream for separating the C3? fraction from a bottom product, and (iii) distillation of the bottom product for separating a stream containing the C4+ fraction and dimethyl ether from a stream containing water and methanol. Furthermore, the invention also comprises a plant for carrying out this process.

Abstract: An energy conservation process directed to the purification of styrene monomer via distillation after the dehydrogenation reaction of ethylbenzene to produce crude styrene is disclosed. As practiced today, the purification of styrene via distillation requires large amounts of energy (i.e., steam) to provide heat to the various distillation columns. The presently disclosed improved process allows for a reduction in the amount of steam needed for this purpose.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enriching an oxygen isotope which enables the oxygen isotope to be enriched without requiring regular replenishment of large amounts of the nitric oxide raw material and with a small liquid NO hold-up volume, without reducing the separation efficiency for the oxygen isotope. By performing a chemical exchange between a water acquired by adding hydrogen to an oxygen having a crudely enriched oxygen isotope produced by a first distillation device, and a nitric oxide discharged from a second distillation device, a nitric oxide having an enriched concentration of the oxygen isotope and a water having a reduced concentration of the oxygen isotope are obtained, and the nitric oxide is supplied to the second distillation device, while an oxygen obtained by electrolysis of the water having a reduced concentration of the oxygen isotope is returned to the first distillation device.

Abstract: A liquefied natural gas facility employing a heavies removal column having multiple reflux streams. The reflux streams can have different compositions and can be operable to reduce the critical pressure of the fluids within the heavies removal column in order to permit the column to operate at higher pressures without adversely affecting the horsepower requirements of plant compressor/driver systems.

Abstract: A trihalosilane refining device and a trihalosilane refining method are provided. The trihalosilane refining device can be useful in obtaining high-purity trihalosilane from a feed containing a trihalosilane while consuming a small amount of energy.

Abstract: A thermal desalination system adapted to produce distilled water from feed water which may be sea water, based on a forward feed evaporator made up of a main water feed line, a vapor feed line, a distilled water main line and any number of effect groups. The effect groups include any number of effects which in turn include vapor inlets, water inflow lines, concentrate outflow lines that drain into a common concentrate drainage line, a vapor and water outlet in fluid communication with the distilled water main line, and heat transfer means that condense part of an inlet vapor to produce the distilled water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating an alcohol, and in particular butanol, from a fermented feed and concentrating thin stillage into syrup includes operation of one or more alcohol recovery distillation columns using the heat supplied by steam generated from concentration of the thin stillage in a multi-train, multi-effect evaporation system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method producing a portioned column by forming a first segment and a third segment into arcuate segments, and attaching these arcuate segments to a second z-shaped segment to from two contiguous volumes with approximately semi-circular cross-sections that combine to form a partitioned, approximately cylindrical segment.

Abstract: A trihalosilane refining device and a trihalosilane refining method are provided. The trihalosilane refining device can be useful in obtaining high-purity trihalosilane from a feed containing a trihalosilane while consuming a small amount of energy.

Abstract: A modular portable evaporator system for use in a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) systems having an evaporator, with a sump including an oil skimming weir, a short tube vertical falling film heat exchanger including an outer shell containing short tubes provided for lower water circulation rate. The system further having external to the evaporator, a compressor for compressing evaporated steam from the tube side of the heat exchanger and routing to the shell side of the same exchanger, a distillate tank to collect hot distilled water, a recirculation pump to introduce liquids from the sump into the heat exchanger and an external suction drum protecting the compressor from liquid impurities. The evaporator system receives produced water from the SAGD process into the sump and provides cleaned hot water to a boiler.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a fractionation zone for an alkylation apparatus. The fractionation zone can be a column adapted to receive a feed including at least one alcohol, water, and at least one ketone. The column may provide an overhead stream including the at least one ketone and a side-stream including the at least one alcohol and water.

Abstract: A distillation station for separating components of a liquid mixture, comprising a vertical distillation column split into individual separation stages by fittings and which is further split by the liquid mixture feed into a stripping chamber and an enriching chamber, wherein in the stripping chamber the lower boiling fraction of vapour from the fluid mixture rising from a column sump comprising an evaporator is stripped, and in the enriching chamber the vapour is enriched with the lower-boiling fraction, which is withdrawn from a return fluid produced due to the vapour drawn from the column head being precipitated at least partially in a condenser and returned to the rectifier column, and the return liquid and the liquid mixture preferably fed between two separating stages being routed to the fittings vertically connected in sequence.

Abstract: An aromatics complex producing one or more xylene isomers offers a large number of opportunities to conserve energy by heat exchange within the complex. One previously unrecognized opportunity is through providing two parallel distillation columns operating at different pressures to separate C8 aromatics from C9+ aromatics. The parallel columns offer additional opportunities to conserve energy within the complex.

Abstract: An onsite purification plant/system to delivery high and ultra high purity product, such as, process chemicals, industrial and specialty gases to manufacturing processes within the onsite plant turndown ratio from 0% to 100% while preserving the predetermined purity of the supplied substances within a predefined specification range is provided. Preserving liquid/vapor ratio in at least one of the purification means/units ensuring that product purity range stays unchanged is achieved by redirecting the product back into the onsite purification plant/system.

Abstract: A process of purifying 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) from a fermentation broth including separating solid materials, salts and water, and subjecting the resulting material to a two, three or four column distillation system, that can include a wiped film evaporator to produce a purified 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: The claimed invention relates to a method for reducing energy consumption in a distillation process by using thermal coupling. Embodiments of the claimed invention are directed to the inclusion of a side reboiler and a partial condenser in the prefractionation section of a first column, which in turn helps to uniformly distribute the vapor liquid traffic between a first column and a second column.

Abstract: A crude treatment system includes a primary and second distillation tower for treating crude containing corrosive material. The primary distillation tower fractionates first crude into a target fraction. The secondary distillation tower fractionates second crude having a corrosive material content greater than that of the first crude into a light fraction and a remaining heavy fraction. Corrosive material in the light fraction is insufficient to corrode the primary distillation tower. A light fraction supply line supplies the light fraction from the secondary distillation tower to the primary distillation tower for treatment. The secondary distillation tower and the supply line are made from a corrosion resistant material.

Abstract: Provided is a distillation column assembly combining two distillation columns used in a distillation process. The distillation column assembly is characterized in that a dividing wall column (DWC) that has one inflow point, three outflow points and an internal dividing wall and a typical distillation column that has two inflow points and two outflow points are sequentially connected to each other, and in that streams of the two outflow points of the DWC are introduced into the two inflow points of the typical distillation column. The distillation column assembly improves an existing process apparatus based on two distillation columns, so that it can be easily installed, has a high energy-saving effect, and can be applied to the case where a separation pressure difference and a utility temperature difference are great.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first distillation apparatus for obtaining a fraction enriched in C8+ aromatics; a second distillation apparatus for obtaining a fraction enriched in C8 aromatics; an adsorption separation apparatus for obtaining an extract containing para-xylene and a raffinate containing xylene isomers; a third distillation apparatus for obtaining a fraction enriched in para-xylene; and a fourth distillation apparatus for obtaining a fraction enriched in xylene isomers. The second distillation apparatus includes a high-pressure part including a rectifying section; a low-pressure part including a stripping section; a line for directing overhead vapor of the low-pressure part to a column bottom of the high-pressure part; a line for directing a column bottom liquid of the high-pressure part to a column top of the low-pressure part; and a heat exchange structure for transferring heat from the rectifying section to the stripping section.

Abstract: Heat integrated distillation column for separating components in a fluid mixture. The heat integrated distillation fluid column is provided with a stripper part (S), a rectifier part (R) and a compressor (2) between the stripper part (S) and the rectifier part (R). Furthermore, a heat exchange assembly for transferring heat between the stripper part (S) and the rectifier part (R), and a mass transfer assembly for condensation and vaporization in the heat integrated distillation column are provided. The stripper part (S), the rectifier part (R), or the stripper part (S) and rectifier part (R), comprise a channel assembly (6) which forms a structural part of the heat integrated distillation column and a functional part of the heat exchange assembly and of the mass transfer assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for the pre-concentration of a target molecule from feed solution comprising a low concentration of the target molecule.

Abstract: Methods for continuously preparing cyclohexanone from phenol make use of a catalyst having at least one catalytically active metal selected from platinum and palladium. The process includes enriching phenol in a distillation fraction as compared to a subsequent fraction, wherein the subsequent fraction includes phenol and side-products having a higher boiling point than phenol. Distillation is carried out in a vacuum distillation column equipped with trays in the lower part of the column. In an upper part of the column, i.e., in the part above the feed inlet, packing material is present instead of trays in at least part thereof. The packing material has a comparable or improved separating efficiency, and provides a reduction of the pressure drop by at least 30%, preferably more than 50%, as compared to the case with trays in the upper part, under otherwise similar distillation conditions.

Abstract: A multi-effect evaporator, having an upstream and a downstream end, adapted for distillation of water. It includes a plurality of effects connected in a series manner and arranged into groups. Each group has a common parallel water feed inlet adapted to supply all effects in the group with feed water. The evaporator further includes a main feed water line in fluid communication with the most upstream group. An array of heaters is disposed along the line, adapted for heating the feed water before its entry into the effects of the latter group. Each effect includes means for forwarding the second outlet vapor into one of the heaters for heating the feed water. Each group includes a pump adapted to extract the concentrate from the effects of the group and pump it into the common parallel water feed of an adjacent downstream group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dividing wall column for preparing high-purity neopentyl glycol, and a method of distilling neopentyl glycol. Using only one column, the dividing wall column has the same effect as when using two columns. Thus, energy and equipment costs may be reduced in the production of the high-purity neopentyl glycol as compared to a conventional process apparatus.

Abstract: A method of treating a polymerization reactor effluent stream comprising recovering the reactor effluent stream from the polymerization reactor, flashing the reactor effluent stream to form a flash gas stream, separating the flash gas stream into a first top stream, a first bottom stream, and a side stream, wherein the side stream substantially comprises hexane, separating the first top stream into a second top stream and a second bottom stream, wherein the second bottom stream substantially comprises isobutane, and separating the second top stream into a third top stream and a third bottom stream; wherein the third top stream substantially comprises ethylene, and wherein the third bottom stream is substantially free of olefins.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus of the present invention includes high-pressure column 1 corresponding to a region above a heat exchanging section located at a lowermost part of a region including a trayed section or a packed bed section, which is used as a rectifying section; and low-pressure column 2 that is located above as seen from high-pressure column 1, which integrates a region including a trayed section or a packed bed section which is used as a stripping section, with rectifying section corresponding portion 2g that corresponds to a region locating below the heat exchanging section located at the lowermost part in the rectifying section. Rectifying section corresponding portion 2g is located on top 2c of the stripping section in low-pressure column 2 so that rectifying section corresponding portion 2g continues to the stripping section.

Abstract: Processes and systems for purifying silane-containing streams are disclosed with relatively less silane being lost in impurity streams by use of distillation and/or condensation operations.

Abstract: Processes and systems for purifying silane-containing streams are disclosed with relatively less silane being lost in impurity streams by use of distillation and/or condensation operations.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus includes a rectifying column, a stripping column located above seen from the rectifying column, a liquid sump unit located at a predetermined stage of the stripping column and configured to hold liquid that has flowed downward, a heat exchanger located in the liquid sump unit, a second pipe for introducing vapor in the rectifying column to the heat exchanger of the stripping column, and a third pipe for introducing fluids flowing out from the heat exchanger of the stripping column to the rectifying column. Further, a flare line having lower pressure than pressure in the rectifying column is connected to a downstream side of the third pipe. The distillation apparatus can switch a first flow toward an inside of the rectifying column through the third pipe to a second flow branching from the third pipe toward a pipe at a lower pressure side.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus includes a rectifying column, a stripping column, a first pipe that communicates a column top of the stripping column with a column bottom of the rectifying column, and a compressor configured to compress vapor from the stripping column and then to feed the compressed vapor to the rectifying column. The distillation apparatus further includes a heat exchanger located at a predetermined stage of the rectifying column, a liquid withdrawal unit located at a predetermined stage of the stripping column and configured to withdraw a part of liquid from the predetermined stage to an outside of the column, a second pipe that introduces the liquid from the liquid withdrawal unit to the heat exchanger, and a third pipe that introduces fluids introduced through the second pipe to the heat exchanger and then discharged out of the heat exchanger to a stage directly below the liquid withdrawal unit.

Abstract: A method of purifying crude organometallic compounds using a plurality of distillation columns is provided. This method effectively removes both relatively more volatile impurities and relatively less volatile impurities as compared to the organometallic compound.

Abstract: Provided is a heat integrated distillation apparatus includes: rectifying column including a trayed section or a packed bed section; stripping column including a trayed section or a packed bed section located higher than rectifying column; first pipe for connecting top part of the stripping column with bottom part of the rectifying column; and compressor that compresses vapor from top part of the stripping column to feed the compressed vapor to bottom part of the rectifying column. The heat integrated distillation apparatus further includes: heat exchanger located either at the trayed section or a packed bed section of rectifying column or at the trayed section or a packed bed section of stripping column; second pipe; and third pipe for circulating fluids through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Systems and methods for solar water purification are described. In one exemplary aspect, the system includes a sun-tracking reflecting mirror unit, and a two-axis Fresnel concentrator mirror unit to collect sunlight reflected from the sun-tracking reflecting mirror unit and focus the sunlight. A central water purification boiler module includes a heating zone upon which the sunlight is focused by the two-axis Fresnel concentrator mirror unit. The focused sunlight heats the water contained therein to create steam which is redirected to heat water coming into the boiler and to condense as purified water.

Abstract: A rectification column and system for the working-up of a vitamin E (VE)- and/or vitamin E acetate (VEA)-containing product stream includes purification of a vitamin E-containing product stream, acetylation of at least a part of the purified vitamin E and purification of at least a part of the acetylated vitamin E, the purification of vitamin E and vitamin E acetate preferably being effected by distillation, for example rectification.

Abstract: Separation and purification of hydroquinone from crude mixtures thereof essentially containing hydroquinone in combination with very small amounts of impurities including resorcinol and pyrogallol, include a topping distillation allowing the resorcinol to be removed as the distillation top product, and allowing a crude mixture essentially containing hydroquinone and the heavy impurities to be recovered at the column bottom, such mixture then being subjected to a bottoming distillation which allows the pyrogallol to be removed at the column bottom and allows hydroquinone in a purified form to be recovered at the column top.

Abstract: Process for purifying unsaturated compounds, and a plant for performing the process. Unsaturated compound obtained by the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating a multi-component feed mixture in a distillation system comprising a first distillation column having a first fired reboiler, and at least a second distillation column having a second heat-exchange reboiler, comprising the steps of a) introducing the feed mixture to the first column, and separating into at least a first top and a first bottom product; b) taking part of the first bottom product for providing heat to the second reboiler as a utility stream; and c) feeding part of said utility stream after heat-exchange as main feed to the second column for further separation. This process allows significant energy savings, by reduction of the amount of external heat required for the fired reboiler and omission of a conventionally used heat-exhanger. The invention also relates to such distillation system suitable for separating a multi-component mixture with the process of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process (and a corresponding plant) for the purification of trichlorosilane and/or silicon tetrachloride comprising the following steps of treating technical grade trichlorosilane and/or technical grade silicon tetrachloride: complexation of the boron impurities (trichloride (BCl3)) and other metallic impurities by addition of diphenylthiocarbazone and/or triphenylchloromethane, with the formation of complex macromolecules having high boiling point, first column distillation of the complexation step products, wherein the complexed boron impurities, together with other metallic impurities are removed as bottoms, and second column distillation of the tops of the previous distillation, wherein electronic grade trichlorosilane (plus dichlorosilane possible present); and/or silicon tetrachloride are obtained as tops and phosphorus chlorides (PCl3) and phosphorus containing compounds, arsenic chlorides (AsCl3) and arsenic containing compounds, aluminium compounds, antimony compounds and in

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for recovering an acrylic acid from a mixture containing acrylic acid, acrylic acid dimer and impurities with high boiling point, including: an acrylic acid recovering device that comprises an acrylic acid distillation unit being present within an acrylic acid dimer pyrolysis tank, and is operated under reduced pressure; a separation column for removing impurities with high boiling point from the mixture which is introduced into the acrylic acid recovering device; and a line for introducing the mixture into the acrylic acid recovering device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and related methods of water purification by distillation that will operate in a self-contained mode using a passive heat source, such as, without limitation, solar heat, air conditioning waste heat, or waste heat from the exhaust or cooling systems of an internal combustion engine, which may be used to desalinate sea water, saline water, or saline water containing contaminants. The present invention may also be used to distil sewage water, creek water, swamp water or water containing contaminants or used to cleanse or purify water contaminated with mud, chemicals, minerals, or bacteria in a local environment.

Abstract: This invention describes a low temperature, self-sustainable desalination process operated under natural vacuum conditions created and maintained by barometric pressure head.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to an apparatus and method for recovering acetic acid from an aqueous feed stream containing acetic acid, in particular a stream generated during terephthalic acid production. The apparatus includes: a liquid-liquid extraction column to which water-rich feed streams are fed, having a guard bed situated near the top and within the extraction column for conversion by reaction with acetic acid of alcohol within the mixture to the corresponding ester; and an azeotropic distillation column to remove residual water from acetic acid, to which water-poor feed streams are fed directly at a height of the azeotropic distillation column at which the mixture therein has a similar water concentration. The liquid-liquid extraction column produces an extract comprising an extraction solvent and acetic acid which is sent to the azeotropic distillation column to separate residual water and acetic acid.

Abstract: A method for purifying tetrahydrofuran from a liquid containing tetrahydrofuran and as impurities at least water, 2,5-dihydrofuran and butanol, the method comprising: a first distillation step in which the liquid is subjected to distillation using a distillation column to separate into a first bottoms product containing water as a major component and a first distillate containing tetrahydrofuran, 2,5-dihydrofuran and butanol as major components, a second distillation step in which the first distillate is subjected to distillation using a distillation column to separate into a second bottoms product containing tetrahydrofuran and butanol as major components and a second distillate containing 2,5-dihydrofuran as a major component, a third distillation step in which the second bottoms product is subjected to distillation using a distillation column to separate into a third bottoms product containing butanol as a major component and a third distillate containing tetrahydrofuran as a major component, and further c

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating draw solution solutes and product solvent from a draw solution using a plurality of distillation columns is disclosed. In one embodiment, the draw solution is used in a Forward Osmosis (FO) water desalination process. In this embodiment, the draw solution is directed to the plurality of distillation columns in parallel while the energy stream (heat) is directed to the plurality of distillation columns in series such that the efficiency of heat use is improved and in turn the cost of the heat is reduced.