Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatus, systems, and/or methods for fractionating a feed mixture comprising, for example, one or more isocyanates, light components, solvents and/or heavier components. In some embodiments, fractionating an isocyanate feed mixture may comprise distilling the feed mixture in a non-adiabatic fractionating apparatus comprising a prefractionating section and/or column and a main section and/or column, which comprises a rectification section, a side section, and a stripping section. For example, isocyanates may be separated from light component(s), solvent(s) and/or heavier component(s). A fractionating apparatus may be configured and arranged, in some embodiments, as a dividing wall column. According to some embodiments of the disclosure, apparatus, systems, and/or methods may be energy efficient and/or may have a broad operating range.

Abstract: An improved de-entrainment device for use in distillation towers, especially vacuum distillation towers used for fractionating petroleum atmospheric resids is in the form of a baffle which is to be located in the portion of the tower below the feed zone and at the top of the flash zone. The baffle is in the form of an apertured plate above the stripping zone and in its preferred form comprises number of radial fins or blades, resembling a static fan with openings between the fins to permit vapors from the lower portions of the tower to pass upwards through the baffle with a minimal pressure drop. The fins of the baffle are preferably oriented at an angle between 30° and 60° away from the incoming feed so that the incoming feed stream skims over the top edges of the fins.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatus, systems, and/or methods for fractionating a feed mixture comprising, for example, one or more isocyanates, light components, solvents and/or heavier components. In some embodiments, fractionating an isocyanate feed mixture may comprise distilling the feed mixture in a non-adiabatic fractionating apparatus comprising a prefractionating section and/or column and a main section and/or column, which comprises a rectification section, a side section, and a stripping section. For example, isocyanates may be separated from light component(s), solvent(s) and/or heavier component(s). A fractionating apparatus may be configured and arranged, in some embodiments, as a dividing wall column. According to some embodiments of the disclosure, apparatus, systems, and/or methods may be energy efficient and/or may have a broad operating range.

Abstract: A dividing wall column comprises the following segments: a) an upper column region (1), b) an enrichment section (2) of the feed section, c) a stripping section (4) of the feed section, d) an upper part (3) of the offtake section, e) a lower part (5) of the offtake section, f) an intermediate region (9) of the feed section, g) an intermediate region (10) of the offtake section and h) a lower column region (6). For the purposes of the present invention, it is essential that the dividing wall (7) is located vertically between the segments b) (2) and d) (3) and between the segments c) (4) and e) (5), the segments b) (2), d) (3), c) (4) and e) (5) have separation-active internals and the cross-sectional area Ab of the segment b) (2) is at least 10% smaller than the cross-sectional area Ad of segment d) (3), and the cross-sectional area Ac of the segment c) (4) is at least 10% greater than the cross-sectional area Ae of segment e) (5).

Abstract: The invention concerns a distillation column (1) comprising means (21) for conveying at least one mixture to be distilled to the column, means (23) for drawing at least one fluid enriched in one constituent of the mixture from the column, inside the column, an evaporator-condenser (3) and means (25) for conveying a gas to be condensed and a liquid to be evaporated to the evaporator-condenser as well as means for removing the condensed gas and the evaporated liquid, at least one module of packing materials (5) located above the evaporator-condenser and at least one firebreak barrier (7A, 7B, 7C) between the evaporator-condenser and the module of packing materials.

Abstract: A facility and process capable of extracting oxygen in extraterrestrial environments from materials available in extraterrestrial environments, for example, on planets, planetoids, etc. The facility extracts oxygen from a mineral-containing solid material and is configured to form a free-falling molten stream of the solid material, evaporate at least a portion of the molten stream and produce a vapor containing gaseous oxygen, create a supersonic stream of the vapor, condense constituents of the supersonic stream to form particulates within the supersonic stream, separate the gaseous oxygen from the particulates, and then collect the gaseous oxygen.

Abstract: A method of enriching a heavy oxygen isotope by distillation of the present invention includes: a first distillation step of feeding oxygen and ozone generated by an ozonizer 12 into a distillation column 13 filled with a diluent gas, and separating the oxygen, and the ozone and the diluent gas; a photodecomposition step of introducing a mixed gas of the ozone and the diluent gas from a bottom of the distillation column into a photoreaction cell 14, and irradiating the mixed gas with a laser light to selectively decompose the ozone containing the heavy oxygen isotope; and a second distillation step of returning non-decomposed ozone and oxygen containing the heavy oxygen isotope to the distillation column, and separating the oxygen, and the ozone and the diluent gas.

Abstract: A system is configured to remove volatile organic compounds from a container. The system includes an enclosed contactor vessel having a first inlet to receive vapor containing volatile organic compounds from the container and a second inlet. The second inlet receives a vapor capture medium from a source. A contactor facilitates entrainment of the volatile organic compounds with the vapor capture medium while a first outlet recirculates treated vapor back to the container to effect a closed loop.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to catalytic distillation column internals providing improved liquid reaction mixture and catalyst contacting for simultaneous catalytic reaction and separation of the reaction mixture. The invention is an improved catalytic distillation apparatus providing optimum balance of catalytic reaction and mass transfer steps, wherein distribution, mixing and feeding of liquid reaction mixture to the reaction zone and distillation section are better controlled and more uniformly applied. At least one catalyst bed is situated in at least one receiving pan of a distillation tray so that the tray performs the functions of both of the reaction section and the distillation section of the catalytic distillation column simultaneously within a stage.

Abstract: According to the invention, a process for the rectification of mixtures of high-boiling air- and/or temperature-sensitive substances which require a high separation efficiency is proposed, in particular a process for the working-up of a VE- or VEA-containing product stream. The process is characterized in particular in that, in a first purification stage, low-boiling products and unspecified isomers of the useful product are separated from the product stream virtually without loss of useful product and that, in a second purification stage, the useful product is removed in a stream having a purity of >97% by weight and a further stream having a purity of >92% by weight. A preferred embodiment of the process serves for working up VEA, in which the loss of useful product in the first purification stage is less than 5%, based on that amount of VEA in the feed which is added to the purification stage per unit time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the purification of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C., which further has approximately 275 g carboxylate ions/l or less, preferably 250 g carboxylate ions/l or less, and preferably less than 1% by weight ionic impurities, calculated on the basis of the total solution. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous purification and concentration, on an industrial scale, of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C. According to the method, this solution is subjected to two or more distillation steps, the first distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 150° C. and a pressure of from 50 to 250 mbar, and the second distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 200° C. and a pressure of from 0.01 to 50 mbar.

Abstract: A method and a device for treating fluid streams produced during the combustion of carbon- and ash-containing fuels optimally uses the heat content contained in the system, as well as the amount of water for cooling and condensation required during recirculation of the latter. Suspension withdrawn from the mixing vessel is expanded in at least one subsequent stage during the evaporation of at least part of the water and reduction of the temperature, The vapor produced is cooled by direct contact with water and at least partially condensed out. In the device, a line between a lower section of the mixing vessel leads to a first expansion vessel that is designed as a scrubber tower, the scrubber tower being provided with a condensate collection bottom and a recirculation line towards the mixing vessel for the forming condensate, which mixing vessel is equipped with spray heads.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for improving the esterification procedure, in particular for improving the esterification procedure to obtain an ester of low carbon number such as the ethyl acetate and the isopropyl acetate, are provided. By applying the provided method and apparatus, the conversion ratio of the esterification procedure is significantly increased and hence an ester product of a relatively high purity, up to the industrial specification, is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for yielding boron-depleted chlorosilanes from a chlorosilane mixture containing boron by means of separation by distillation of a boron-enriched distillation flow. The invention further relate to a device for yielding boron-depleted chlorosilanes from a chlorosilane mixture containing boron.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-structured internal heat exchange-type distillation column including at least an outermost heat exchange section, an intermediate section, and an innermost heat exchange section, in which the innermost heat exchange section is isolated from the intermediate section, the outermost heat exchange section is also isolated from the intermediate section, the outermost heat exchange section and the innermost heat exchange section are in communication with one another through at least two vapor tunnel connecting ports, a channel is formed inside the outermost heat exchange section in such a manner that, in a case where at least one of the vapor tunnel connecting ports serves as an inlet for vapor from the innermost heat exchange section into the outermost heat exchange section, and the other vapor tunnel connecting port serves as an outlet for vapor from the outermost heat exchange section back to the innermost heat exchange section, the vapor can smoothly flow in one-way traffi

Abstract: The present application concerns a process for the removal of hydrocarbons from an aqueous stream, which process may include conducting a phenol-containing water stream into a separation column, separating the phenol-containing water in the column using heat to form an overhead portion and a bottoms portion, and collecting the overhead portion as well as the bottoms portion. Further, the process may include adding an eluent to an aqueous stream, thereby forming an aqueous mixture, subsequently conducting the aqueous mixture into a separation vessel, wherein it is allowed to settle into two phases, which form a hydrocarbon stream and a phenol-containing water stream, subsequently collecting the hydrocarbon stream, and conducting the phenol-containing water stream to the separation column for further separation.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods useful in waste processing. Disclosed is the use of a regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) unit for production of industrially useable steam. Disclosed are systems including a stripping unit associated with a regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) unit so that the stripping unit provides fuel for the RTO unit and the RTO unit provides a stripping gas for the stripping unit. Disclosed are systems including an RTO unit providing steam to operate a vapor condensation (VC) unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparation of pure methacrylic acid, at least comprising the process steps: a) gas phase oxidation of a C4 compound to obtain a methacrylic acid-comprising gas phase, b) condensation of the methacrylic acid-comprising gas phase to obtain an aqueous methacrylic acid solution, c) separation of at least a part of the methacrylic acid from the aqueous methacrylic acid solution to obtain at least one crude methacrylic acid-comprising product; d) separation of at least a part of the methacrylic acid from the at least one crude methacrylic acid-comprising product by means of a thermal separation process to obtain a pure methacrylic acid.

Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses, for example reactors and distillation columns (as well as reactive distillation apparatuses), comprising a vessel with one or more vortex contacting stages, are described. The one or more stages provide high interfacial area for the effective contacting of the different phases, in addition to the effective disengagement of these phases after contacting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a (meth)acrylic acid collecting method for collecting a (meth)acrylic acid from a mixed gas that includes an organic byproduct, a steam, and a (meth)acrylic acid that are generated in a production reaction of the (meth)acrylic acid, which includes the steps of a) contacting the mixed gas that includes the organic byproduct, the steam, and the (meth)acrylic acid with a (meth)acrylic acid absorption solvent to obtain a gas that includes the organic byproduct and the steam and the (meth)acrylic acid containing solution while the gas and the (meth)acrylic acid containing solution are separated from each other; b) contacting the gas that includes the organic byproduct and the steam that are obtained in the step a with the organic byproduct absorption solvent to obtain the gas that includes the steam and the organic byproduct containing solution while the gas and the organic byproduct containing solution are separated from each other; c) supplying the gas that includes the steam that

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a separation zone for separating a plurality of naphtha components. The separation zone can include first and second columns. The first column may include a dividing imperforate wall with one surface facing a feed and another surface facing a side stream. Typically, the wall extends a significant portion of the column height to divide the portion into at least two substantially vertical, parallel contacting sections. Also, the second column can communicate with the first column so as to provide a feed to or receive a feed from the first column. Generally, the second column is non-divided. The separation zone may provide at least four product streams.

Abstract: A mass-exchange contact device is proposed, comprising upper and lower flat ring-shaped trays attached to a column, a sleeve having windows with bottom edges in the plane of the lower tray, a barbotage unit having orifices in its sidewalls placed on the top sleeve, a movable double-acting valve including upper and lower plates connected with a rod. The barbotage unit includes an ascending limiter of valve's movement, the sleeve's bottom includes a descending limiter. Alternatively, the barbotage unit is made as a portion of the sleeve. Embodiments comprise a number of rows of the proposed devices situated one above the other, and separated by multi-layer packing fittings. The devices can be used in catalytic distillation columns, wherein the fittings are filled with catalytic material. Alternatively, the fitting is substituted with a grating supporting a catalytic granular layer. The proposed design improves device operation, reliability, durability, reduces its weight and costs.

Abstract: A process for separating carbon dioxide from a fluid containing carbon dioxide, NO2, and at least one of oxygen, argon, and nitrogen comprises the steps of separating at least part of the fluid into a carbon dioxide enriched stream, a carbon dioxide depleted stream comprising CO2 and at least one of oxygen, argon, and nitrogen and a NO2 enriched stream and recycling said NO2 enriched stream upstream of the separation step.

Abstract: A vapor/liquid separation apparatus for treating a flow of vapor/liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons and steam comprises a vertical drum with a side inlet to introduce hydrocarbon/steam mixtures, an overhead vapor outlet, and a lower section in communication with a cylindrical boot of less diameter than the drum, the boot comprising sufficient gas-liquid contact surface, e.g., that provided by one or more sheds, baffles and/or distillation trays, to provide at least a partial theoretical distillation stage, and a lower portion for receiving liquid from the drum, a lower outlet for removing the liquid, and an inlet for introducing a stripping gas such as steam, hydrogen, light crackable hydrocarbon, and/or methane, below the distillation tray and preferably above the level of liquid in the boot.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of reactive-distillation which includes the step of distillation of the surplus light components and separation of the heavy phase components in the same vessel. This may be achieved by utilising a reactive-distillation column having a plurality of trays. A weir is provided on at least most trays and at least most weirs have sufficient height to enable a residence time of material on the tray at least double the residence time of a conventional tray in normal distillation.

Abstract: A column for distillation or fluid-fluid separation is oriented at an angle to the horizontal other than vertical to provide increased transfer plate surface area within the interior of a column of determined diameter and to reduce overall height of the structure.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering dichlorohydrins from a mixture comprising dichlorohydrins, one or more compounds selected from esters of dichlorohydrins, monochlorohydrins and/or esters thereof, and multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and/or esters thereof, and optionally one or more substances comprising water, chlorinating agents, catalysts and/or esters of catalysts is disclosed. The mixture is distilled or fractionated to separate a lower boiling fraction comprising dichlorohydrin(s) from the mixture to form a higher boiling fraction comprising the residue of the distillation or fractionation. The higher boiling fraction is stripped to recover remaining dichlorohydrins. Advantages include more efficient recovery of dichlorohydrins for a given distillation column, less waste due to avoiding the conditions conducive to the formation of heavy byproducts, and reduced capital investment in recovery equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid process comprising an adsorption process and a distillation process for the separation of butene-1 from a C4 hydrocarbon mixture gas including butene-1, trans-2-butene, cis-2-butene, normal butane, isobutane, etc. The above hybrid process comprises introducing a gaseous C4 mixture into the adsorption tower loaded with adsorbents which adsorb olefins selectively to discharge C4 paraffins to the outlet of the tower, desorbing C4 olefins selectively adsorbed in the adsorption tower to produce high purity C4 olefins mixture gas in which isobutane and normal butane was removed, and separating the high C4 olefins mixture gas (a mixture of butene-1, trans-2-butene, cis-2-butene, and a trace amount of C4 paraffins) via distillation to obtain high purity butene-1 including a trace amount of isobutane in the top of the distillation tower and obtain a mixture gas including trans-2-butene, cis-2-butene and a trace amount of normal butane in the bottom of the tower.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an alkylation unit connected to a first benzene recycle conduit, a feed conduit and an alkylation effluent conduit; a transalkylation unit connected to an polyalkylbenzene recycle conduit, a second benzene recycle conduit, and a transalkylation effluent conduit. A dividing wall distillation column is in fluid communication with the transalkylation effluent conduit, the alkylation effluent conduit, a product stream, a bottoms stream conduit and first and second benzene recycle conduits. A polyalkylbenzene fractionation column is connected to the bottoms stream conduit, the polyalkylbenzene recycle conduit and a heavy component conduit.

Abstract: A divided exchange column includes a shell column having a first longitudinal axis, a cylindrical wall spaced apart from and surrounding the first longitudinal axis and defining a first interior space, a first divided wall column having a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, and a second divided wall column having a third longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first and the second longitudinal axes, where the first divided wall column and the second divided wall column are positioned in the first interior space of the shell column.

Abstract: The helical fractionating column according to the invention falls into the field of oil separation apparatus for the petroleum refining industry, which includes a column body (8), and is characterized in that the inside of the column body (8) is divided into three sections, the lower section being jet tray section, the middle section being packing section, and the upper section being floating valve section. The helical fractionating column has many advantages, such as having enhanced integrity of separation, decoloration and deodorization, simple structure, convenient manufacturing and maintenance, and low investment cost as well as high product quality etc. Thus, the present invention is worthy to be extended in the petroleum refining industry which uses waste plastics and rubbers as raw materials.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing urea are provided. In one or more embodiments, an apparatus for producing urea can include a first zone, which can include a first flow channel in fluid communication with a first tube disposed about a first end of a plurality of trays, a second flow channel in fluid communication with a second tube disposed about the first end of the trays and a second end of the trays, and a third flow channel in fluid communication with a third tube disposed about the first and second ends of the trays. The apparatus can include a second zone, which can include a fixed bed comprising one or more inert packing materials disposed therein to provide additional surface area. The apparatus can include a third zone, which can include a plurality of tubes disposed therein. The second zone can be disposed between the first and third zones.

Abstract: A heat integrated distillation column including a cylindrical shell having an upper and a lower end and at least one first inner volume and at least one second inner volume in the shell, and being in heat exchanging contact with each other through a wall separating the volumes. The heat integrated distillation column having the capacity to exchange heat through the wall from the first volume into the second volume, whereby the inside of the heat exchanging means is in open connection with the first volume.

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: Systems and processes for recovering alkylene oxide, including an alkylene oxide recovery column including a stripping section located in the column to convert a portion of a feed stream to a gas phase including alkylene oxide; a reabsorption section in the column above the stripping section including a water stream to reabsorb the alkylene oxide in the gas phase portion and to produce an aqueous solution, a first stripping gas to strip carbon dioxide and oxygen from the aqueous solution by converting a portion of the aqueous solution to a gaseous portion, producing an alkylene oxide stream, and a side take-off located at a bottom portion of the reabsorption section for removal of the alkylene oxide stream; a condenser to partially condense the gas phase portion; and a top take-off for removal of a light impurity fraction.

Abstract: A new distillation process of simultaneous evaporation and condensation distillation that enables efficient transfer of heat energy and allows binary fluids to attain different concentrations and temperatures in the stripper and rectifier stages is disclosed. The process utilizes preferential evaporation of the more volatile component in the stripper while in the rectifier the less volatile component condenses first allowing for concentration of the more volatile component in subsequent stages. The rectifier operates at correspondingly hotter temperatures than the stripper allowing energy transfer from the rectifier to the stripper.

Abstract: Purified hydroquinone is prepared and formed from raw compounds essentially containing hydroquinone associated with very small quantities of impurities including resorcinol and pyrogallol, and includes a distillation purification step in which the resorcinol and pyrogallol are eliminated, directly followed by a step in which the purified hydroquinone is formed.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises at least two distillation zones located within the column shell to produce an overhead and bottoms product from the first distillation zone and an intermediate product from the second distillation zone. A partition separates the two zones to prevent mass transfer across the boundary between the zones while permitting heat transfer across the boundary. A conduit provides fluid communication between a side draw stage in the first distillation zone and the second distillation zone.

Abstract: A facility and process capable of extracting oxygen in extraterrestrial environments from materials available in extraterrestrial environments, for example, on planets, planetoids, etc. The facility extracts oxygen from a mineral-containing solid material and is configured to form a free-falling molten stream of the solid material, evaporate at least a portion of the molten stream and produce a vapor containing gaseous oxygen, create a supersonic stream of the vapor, condense constituents of the supersonic stream to form particulates within the supersonic stream, separate the gaseous oxygen from the particulates, and then collect the gaseous oxygen.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution by providing a specific process that enables a dialkyl carbonate and a diol to be produced on an industrial scale of not less than 2 ton/hr and not less than 1.3 ton/hr respectively with high selectivity and high productivity stably for a prolonged period of time through a reactive distillation system of taking a cyclic carbonate and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol as starting materials, continuously feeding the starting materials into a continuous multi-stage distillation column in which a catalyst is present, and carrying out reaction and distillation simultaneously in the column. Although there have been many proposals regarding processes for the production of the dialkyl carbonate and the diol through a reactive distillation method, these have all been on a small scale and short operating time laboratory level, and there have been no disclosures whatsoever on a specific process or apparatus enabling mass production on an industrial scale.

Abstract: A divided wall exchange column includes a dividing wall strengthened by stiffening members and/or a double wall design to better withstand pressure differentials and minimize temperature differentials. When a double wall is used, cost of manufacture and installation is minimized by reducing the manufacturing tolerances required while providing a design robust in construction, installation, and operation. When structured packing is used, the stiffening members, combined with positioning the layers of packing at preferred angles relative to the dividing wall, result in minimal interference with the heat and/or mass transfer process while minimizing the complexity of manufacture and construction of the packing. Further, by positioning the top layer of structured packing at other preferred angles relative to the dividing wall, a simplified liquid distributor design may be used in the divided wall exchange column while the layers below may still be orientated as described above with all the associated benefits.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing purified methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) comprising subjecting a feed stream containing MIBK and impurities to a first distillation procedure from which acetone is recovered. The bottom product of the first distillation procedure is fed to a liquid-liquid separator and an organic phase from the said liquid-liquid separator is fed to the top region of a second distillation column to produce an overhead product. The said overhead product is condensed and fed to the said liquid-liquid separator. A bottom product containing MIBK is withdrawn from the second distillation column. This bottom product is fed to a third distillation column, high boiling impurities are withdrawn as a bottom product, and purified MIBK is also withdrawn. The invention also relates to an apparatus used in such a method.

Abstract: A nitrogen oxide purifying apparatus includes a gas absorption vessel (1) and a condenser (6), where the vessel receives an absorption solution containing liquefied N2O4 for absorbing NO and also receives a source gas to vary the temperature and/or pressure of the source gas and the absorption solution, while the condenser receives a gas from the gas absorption vessel (1) to vary the temperature and/or pressure of the gas. In the gas absorption vessel (1), the absorption solution containing liquefied N2O4 may be applied to the source gas containing NO, so that NO is absorbed in the absorption solution. Then the absorption-solution is heated and/or depressurized to generate an intermediate gas containing a relatively large amount of NO and a smaller amount of NO2 from the absorption solution. In the condenser (6), the intermediate gas is cooled and/or pressurized to give condensed N2O3 and/or condensed N2O4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating a flowing fluid, in particular water, including a housing with an inlet for supplying the fluid and an outlet for discharging the fluid, an element for generating radiation, in particular UV radiation, the radiation at least acting on a part of the flowing fluid, and a means for influencing the fluid flow within the housing wherein the means for influencing the fluid flow is configured as a module with a large number of structured metal sheets.

Abstract: Contemplated solvent regenerators include a flash drum in which lean solvent from the regenerator is flashed, and from which supplemental steam is recovered that is then fed back to the regenerator using a compressor, and most preferably a thermocompressor. Such devices have a substantially reduced net steam and energy requirement despite an increase in electrical energy demand, and further maintain a neutral water balance in the regenerator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and to a process for continuously preparing ethylene cyanohydrin.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the separation of a feed by distillation into a low-boiler (A), a medium-boiler (B) and a high-boiler fraction (C). Separation takes place in one or more dividing-wall columns, in which a dividing wall is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the column to thereby form an upper, common column region, a lower, common column region, a feed part with rectifying section and stripping section, and a withdrawal region with rectifying section and stripping section. The feed of the C5+ cut is in the central region of the feed part. The high-boiler fraction (C) is discharged from the bottom of the column, the low-boiler fraction (A) is discharged via the top of the column, and the medium-boiler fraction (B) is discharged from the central region of the withdrawal part. A first heat source is provided for heating the lower column region.

Abstract: A splitter system is disclosed that produces a product stream from a mixed stream of two materials with similar boiling points. A multi-stage heat pump compressor is used in combination with a bottoms reboiler and an intermediate reboiler resulting in reduced utility consumption. The appropriately placed intermediate reboiler enables use of a lower temperature heat source relative to the bottoms reboiler heat source. As a result, a lower pressure overhead vapor stream can be used to deliver heat to both the intermediate and bottoms reboilers, thereby conserving energy. The first stage of the multi-stage heat pump compressor delivers pressurized overhead vapor to the intermediate reboiler and the second stage provides pressurized overhead vapor to the bottoms reboiler. The disclosed design and method lessens the heat pump compressor power consumption and trim condenser duty for a propylene/propane splitter system by over 20%.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering 1-butene from a feed steam comprising n-butane, isobutane and butene isomers using a single, divided wall distillation column. The disclosed process includes introducing the feed steam into an inlet of a first side of a distillation column, wherein the distillation column comprises a top, a bottom and a center dividing wall extending between the bottom and the top of the column and dividing the column into the first side and a second side. The process includes taking off an isobutane stream from the top of the second side of column, taking off a 1-butene stream as a bottoms stream from the second side of the column, and taking off a combination 2-butene and n-butane stream as a bottom stream from the first side of column.

Abstract: A combination of differently sized structured packings in the wash zone of distillation towers is provides advantages at high vapor rates. The use of a large crimp structured packing below a smaller crimp size structured packing is advantageous for vacuum crude unit service where fouling resistance is desirable and liquid entrainment into the wash zone is a problem at high vapor rates. The tower may be operated at high vapor flux rates or C 0.4 ft/sec or higher (0.12 m/sec). An unexpected characteristic of the combinations is that the entrainment increases only slowly with increasing vapor flux rate up to Cs values of at least 0.55 ft/sec (0.17 m.sec), as compared to other packings such as random packing, grid packing and combinations of grid packing with structured packing which allow entrainment to increase sharply at high vapor rates.