Partial Reflux Condenser Patents (Class 202/161)
  • Patent number: 11400388
    Abstract: Integrated rotary evaporator apparatuses are provided. Such rotary evaporators include a vertically oriented evaporator for evaporating a sample to form a sample evaporate, a mixing apparatus for mixing the sample in the evaporator, a condenser for condensing the evaporated sample into a condensate, a collection vessel for collecting the condensate, a vacuum pump to create a vacuum in the evaporator, and a refrigeration system integrated into the condenser, where all components are integrated into a single apparatus. Standalone large-scale chillers for cooling a liquid, vapor or other medium are also provided. Such chillers include a heat exchanger or evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and a temperature controller, all integrated into a single standalone chiller usable with any vessel or reservoir containing liquids, vapors or other medium from which heat is to be removed. Methods of using such devices to distill, evaporate and/or cool a sample or medium are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Ecodyst, Inc.
    Inventor: George Adjabeng
  • Patent number: 9297580
    Abstract: Improvements in tubes, which increase the heat exchange capacity of tubular heat exchangers using the tubes, are described. These improvements involve the use of one or more external surface enhancements, optionally combined with an internal enhancement and/or differing tube geometries. These improvements apply, for example, to internal condensers, including those in which the tube bundles are oriented vertically, in vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses such as distillation columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Phillip F Daly, Steven P Lankton, Raymond E Tucker
  • Patent number: 9126126
    Abstract: A process for recovery of sulfolane used in a solvent-extraction or extractive-distillation process includes introducing a mixture into a solvent-recovery column having a heat source connected to a bottom portion of the column and removing a lean solvent stream, substantially free of hydrocarbons, from the bottom of the column, removing a polar-hydrocarbon-rich overhead stream from the top section of the column and maintaining the needed vacuum conditions using a liquid-jet ejector, preferably using water as the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Bisht, Anup Dhaigude, Sandeep Gupta
  • Publication number: 20150136582
    Abstract: Provided is an NMP recovery system 1 for causing NMP-containing gas to contact NMP-absorbing water, including: fillers (10A) to (10D) that are permeable to the water and hold the water, wherein the permeated water moves according to gravity to flow out from the fillers; an NMP-containing gas distribution unit (30) for distributing the NMP-containing gas so as to cause the NMP-containing gas to contact the water held by the fillers (10A) to (10D); and a water distribution unit (40) for distributing the water so as to make the water permeate through the fillers (10A) to (10D). In the fillers (10A) to (10D), the NMP-containing gas is made to contact the NMP-absorbing water. Accordingly, NMP in the NMP-containing gas is absorbed in the water, so that the NMP is separated from the NMP-containing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Tomokiyo Takeyama, Akiyoshi Oda, Yasuhito Kawase, Taijun Kawase
  • Publication number: 20150129409
    Abstract: In a system for recycling a high-boiling-point waste photoresist stripper generated in processes of manufacturing LCDs or semiconductor devices, wherein an expensive high-boiling-point stripper solvent can be easily recycled at high yield and high-purity electronic grade. This system includes a first distillation device for removing low-boiling-point impurities, a second distillation device for recycling a stripper solvent composition while removing high-boiling-point impurities, a third distillation device for removing trace water, thus recovering the stripper solvent composition, a fourth distillation device for additionally recycling a stripper solvent, thus additionally recovering a high-boiling-point stripper solvent, and a fifth distillation device for sequentially and separately recovering the stripper solvent composition recovered by the second distillation device and the high-boiling-point stripper solvent additionally recovered by the fourth distillation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Ho Kyung LEE, In Gyoo LEE, Myung Jun PARK, Kee-Kahb KOO, Jae-Kyeong KIM
  • Patent number: 8999117
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a system for separating a plurality of naphtha components. The system can include a column, an overhead condenser, and a side condenser. Generally, the column includes a dividing imperforate wall with one surface facing a feed and another surface facing at least one 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. Typically, the overhead condenser receives an overhead stream including a light naphtha from the column. Usually, a side condenser receives a process stream from the column and returns the stream to the column to facilitate separation. A cooling stream may pass through the overhead condenser and then the side condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, Xin X. Zhu, Jibreel A. Qafisheh
  • Publication number: 20150090581
    Abstract: A rectification column for multi-component mixture separation with internal heat and mass exchange, which ensures a heat and mass exchange in the film mode with internal reflux generation along the whole length of heat and mass exchange tubes and which allows for an increased efficiency, is proposed. The rectification column includes the rectifying/enriching section with the heat and mass exchange in its tubular and annular spaces being topped by a heat carrier distributor with a distributor chamber (17) on top of the heat carrier distributor in such a way that a higher pressure of fluid heat carrier in the distributor chamber (17) than in the annular space is allowed. The design of the distributor allows to separate an upper outlet for heat carrier vapors and a lower outlet for liquid heat carrier from the annular space completely from the fluid supply of fluid heat carrier in the distributor chamber. A feed-in device allows the multi-component mixture to enter the tubular spaces from below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Albert Faritovich Saifutdinov, Oleg Yegorovich Beketov, Viktor Seliverstovich Ladoshkin, Guennadi Anatolievich Nesterov
  • Publication number: 20150031905
    Abstract: A propylene oxide separation system that comprises a distillation column, a decanter, and water wash system. The distillation column is configured to receive a crude propylene oxide stream, discharge an impurity stream that comprises methanol and water, and discharge a bottoms stream that comprises a majority of the propylene oxide entering in the crude propylene oxide stream. The decanter is configured to receive at least a portion of the impurity stream and a hydrocarbon solvent to provide for formation in the decanter of an organic phase and an aqueous phase. The organic phase comprises propylene oxide and hydrocarbon solvent, and is sent to the distillation column. The aqueous phase comprises a majority weight percent of the methanol and the water entering in the impurity stream. The water wash system is configured to receive and purge the aqueous phase from the propylene oxide separation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Xiangmin Li, Te Chang, David W. Leyshon, Walter S. Dubner, Elizabeth I. Ross-Medgaarden
  • Patent number: 8932434
    Abstract: There are provided a dividing wall distillation column for producing high-purity acrylic acid, and a fractional distillation method using the same. The dividing wall distillation column includes a condenser, a reboiler and a main column having a dividing wall. Here, the main column is divided into a column-top zone, an upper feed zone, an upper outflow zone, a lower feed zone, a lower outflow zone and a column-bottom zone. Accordingly, since one distillation column can be used to realize the same effect as that obtained from the use of two distillation columns, the dividing wall distillation column can have an effect of reducing the costs of equipment to produce high-purity acrylic acid, as well as an energy-reducing effect, compared to a conventional process system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Jong Ku Lee, Joon Ho Shin
  • Publication number: 20140367243
    Abstract: A dephlegmator is provided comprising two stages connected in series wherein a first stage includes an air-cooled reflux condenser and a second stage includes a generally horizontal tube bundle of smooth or finned tubes that can be operated selectively in either an air-cooled (dry) mode under selected ambient conditions or in a wet evaporatively cooled mode under other selected ambient conditions including that of elevated ambient temperature. Spray nozzles may be installed above the tube bundle whereby water can be sprayed onto the tube bundle. One or more collection troughs are preferably provided beneath the tube bundle for collecting run-off water and enabling recycling of excess deluge water. Preferably, the tube bundle comprises at least two, and preferably three groups of tubes communicating with each other wherein the second group of tubes has appreciably fewer tubes in it than the first group of tubes and any third group of tubes has appreciably fewer tubes in it than the second group of tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Detlev G. Kröger, Hanno Carl Rudolf Reuter
  • Patent number: 8910702
    Abstract: Vapor flow-diverting devices that re-direct upwardly flowing vapor, for example, in a downward direction across condenser tubes disposed in the upper or top section of a vapor-liquid contacting apparatus, are described. These devices are particularly beneficial in tubular condensers within distillation columns and may be used in combination with other associated equipment (e.g., a deflector plate and divider plate) as well as in combination with the tube surface enhancements to improve the heat transfer coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Phillip F. Daly, Steven P. Lankton, Raymond E. Tucker
  • Patent number: 8894820
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Charles P. Luebke, David N. Myers
  • Patent number: 8894823
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method of manufacturing isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol with high purity is obtained from a feed including water and isopropyl alcohol. In addition, energy used in a process of obtaining the isopropyl alcohol, and investment cost for manufacturing facilities are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Jong Ku Lee, Joon Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 8894821
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dividing wall column for preparing high-purity 2-ethylhexyl-acrylate, and a method for distilling 2-ethylhexyl-acrylate. The dividing wall column provides an effect having two distillation columns through one distillation column, thereby having an effect of reducing energy compared to the conventional processing device in preparing high-purity 2-ethylhexyl-acrylate and an effect of reducing equipment costs of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Joon Ho Shin, Jong Ku Lee, Sung Kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8888964
    Abstract: A dividing wall distillation column for producing high-purity n-butanol and a method for the production of high-purity n-butanol by fractional distillation are disclosed. More particularly, the method which provides a dividing wall distillation column with crude n-butanol as a feed to perform a fractional distillation of n-butanol and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. The dividing wall distillation column exhibits the effects of a two distillation column from only one distillation column, thereby reducing energy and the costs of installing the apparatus as compared to conventional distillation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Kyu Lee, Joon-Ho Shin, Jong-Ku Lee
  • Patent number: 8864948
    Abstract: Disclosed is 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Joon Ho Shin, Jong Ku Lee
  • Patent number: 8858761
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dividing wall column for preparing high-purity 2-ethylhexyl-acrylate, and a method for distilling 2-ethylhexyl-acrylate. The dividing wall column provides an effect having two distillation columns through one distillation column, thereby having an effect of reducing energy compared to the conventional processing device in preparing high-purity 2-ethylhexyl-acrylate and an effect of reducing equipment costs of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Joon Ho Shin, Jong Ku Lee, Sung Kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8852405
    Abstract: A dual-mode dividing wall column capable of mode switching between a dividing wall column operating mode and a conventional column operating mode, and a distillation method using the dual-mode dividing wall column, wherein when compared to the existing conventional column, the invention can reduce device costs and energy and improve productivity is described. Furthermore, since a mutual conversion between a dividing wall column operating mode and a conventional column operating mode is enabled without shutting down a process, an economic loss which can occur during shutdown caused by the malfunction of a device can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Joon Ho Shin, Jang Ku Lee
  • Publication number: 20140290093
    Abstract: The substrate treating apparatus includes a drying chamber in which an organic solvent remaining on a substrate is dissolved by using a fluid, and a recycling unit including a separator for separating the organic solvent from the fluid discharged from the drying chamber to recycle the fluid. The separator includes a distiller in which a fluid containing an organic solvent having a first concentration is introduced, a heating unit heating a fluid containing an organic solvent having a second concentration discharged from the distiller, and supplying an evaporated fluid containing an organic solvent having a third concentration into the distiller, and a condensation unit liquefying a fluid containing an organic solvent having a fourth concentration discharged from the distiller. The organic solvent has the second concentration, the first concentration, the third concentration, and the fourth concentration which are successively lowered in concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In-Il JUNG, Eun-Sun JUNG, Chan-Young HEO, Jeong Seon PARK, Seong-Soo KIM
  • Publication number: 20140231238
    Abstract: The claimed invention provides a technique wherein the two column system is combined into a single column. The light components are concentrated on the prefractionation side (feed side) of the column, where they are removed as an overhead top product. The middle boiling components are removed as an overhead product on the opposite side of dividing wall. For the same product specifications, top divided column requires substantially lower capital and operating cost than a conventional two-column system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: GTC Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Manish Bhargava, Cole Nelson
  • Patent number: 8764946
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dividing wall distillation column for producing high-purity 2-ethyl hexanol that includes a condenser, a reboiler and a main column having a dividing wall, where the main column is divided into a column-top zone, an upper feed zone, an upper outflow zone, a lower feed zone, a lower outflow zone and a column-bottom zone, a raw material flows in a middle inflow plate in which the upper feed zone and the lower feed zone come in contact with each other, a low boiling point component flows out from the column-top zone, a high boiling point component flows out from the column-bottom zone, and a middle boiling point component flows out through a middle outflow plate in which the upper outflow zone and the lower outflow zone come in contact with each other, and the middle boiling point component is 2-ethyl hexanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Jong Ku Lee, Joon Ho Shin
  • Publication number: 20140138237
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual-mode dividing wall column capable of mode switching between a dividing wall column operating mode and a conventional column operating mode, and a distillation method using the dual-mode dividing wall column, wherein when compared to the existing conventional column, the invention can reduce device costs and energy and improve productivity. Furthermore, since a mutual conversion between a dividing wall column operating mode and a conventional column operating mode is enabled without shutting down a process, an economic loss which can occur during shutdown caused by the malfunction of a device can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Joon Ho SHIN, Jong Ku LEE
  • Patent number: 8715467
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying a chlorine supply that includes a chlorine component, a bromine component, and nitrogen trichloride. The method includes the steps of introducing the chlorine supply into a vaporizer, heating the chlorine supply in the vaporizer to form a vapor, and introducing the vapor into a distillation system to provide purified chlorine gas, a distillate that includes liquid chlorine and the bromine component, and a bottoms component including the nitrogen trichloride. The method also includes the steps of condensing the vapor in a reflux condenser, heating the condensate in a reboiler, removing the purified chlorine gas from the distillation system, and removing the distillate from the distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Robert A. Doerr, Steven D. Gagnon, Kenneth K. Bordelon, Johannes D. Jacobs, Thomas A. Grzanka
  • Publication number: 20130284581
    Abstract: 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 includes a first purification stage to separate low-boiling products and unspecified isomers of the useful product from the product stream virtually without loss of useful product and a second purification stage for removing the useful product in a stream having a purity of >97% by weight and a further stream having a purity of >92% by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.
    Inventors: Juan HERGUIJUELA, Werner PIETZONKA, Angela WILDERMANN, Thomas WOLF
  • Patent number: 8557087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation by distillation of a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream containing olefin monomer, co-monomer and hydrocarbon diluent. The present invention also relates to a distillation system including a distillation column for carrying out the process according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy
    Inventor: Denis Mignon
  • Publication number: 20130206577
    Abstract: For the distillation of temperature-sensitive liquids, in particular acrylic acid and its esters, the liquid is heated in a column and at least partly evaporated. The vapor is guided through a condenser provided inside the column, in which the vapor is at least partly condensed. The condensed liquid is at least partly withdrawn from the column. The distillation is characterized in that the vapor not condensed yet is guided through the condenser cocurrently to the condensed liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Lurgi GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Bauer, Frank Castillo-Welter, Klaus Kirsten, Markus Kreich, Christoph Steden, Dominic Walter, Rudolf Zeyen
  • Patent number: 8420838
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Juan Herguijuela, Werner Pietzonka, Angela Wildermann, Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 8414850
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Werner Pietzonka, Peter Ruckstuhl, Angela Wildermann
  • Publication number: 20130015052
    Abstract: An improved process for separation of liquid mixtures involves vapor stripping followed by mechanical compression of the vapor which is then exposed to a permeation membrane for separation of the compressed vapor. The apparatus for separating a liquid mixture of two or more solvents comprises components a stripping column, at least one over-head compressor and, thereafter, at least one selectively permeable membrane wherein the membrane separates the components of the vapor based on the different sorption and diffusion characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Leland M. Vane, Franklin R. Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20120255852
    Abstract: When obtaining a target substance by gradually cooling the reaction liquid by cooling in a plurality of stages divided in series, and then distilling the cooled reaction liquid by distillation in a plurality of stages divided in series, this method and this apparatus include: circulating a heating medium to be used for cooling in the plurality of the stages by way of; sequentially passing the heating medium toward the most upstream cooling stage from the most downstream cooling stage of the reaction liquid; cooling the heating medium which has been discharged from the most upstream cooling stage by using the heating medium for keeping or raising the temperature of the liquid which has been discharged from the distillation in the plurality of the stages; and returning the cooled heating medium back to the most downstream cooling stage of the reaction liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Masayuki KAMIKAWA, Toshiaki Matsuo, Kenichiro Oka, Takeyuki Kondo, Yasunari Sase, Masashi Tanto, Hiroyuki Ito
  • Publication number: 20120024690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclonic fluid separator comprising a throat portion (4) which is arranged between a converging fluid inlet section and a diverging fluid outlet section. The cyclonic fluid separator is arranged to facilitate a cyclonic flow through the converging fluid inlet section and the throat portion towards the diverging fluid outlet section in a downstream direction. The diverging fluid outlet section comprises an inner primary outlet conduit (7) for condensable depleted fluid components and an outer secondary outlet conduit (6) for condensable enriched fluid components. The cyclonic fluid separator comprises a further outer secondary outlet conduit (16). The outer secondary outlet conduit (6) is positioned on a first position along a central axis (I) of the cyclonic fluid separator and the further outer secondary outlet conduit (16) is positioned on a second position along the central axis (I) of the cyclonic fluid separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: TWISTER B.V.
    Inventors: Marco Betting, Cornelis Antonie Tjeenk Willink, Robert Petrus van Bakel
  • Patent number: 8052845
    Abstract: The reflux divider for a separation column has portions for the transfer of material arranged in parallel which are mutually bounded by a vertical dividing wall and which include members for the controlled dividing of a liquid to be treated. A reflux divider feeds part flows to the respective portions employing connection lines that are feed from a common container. A restrictor valve is used in one connection line to control the flow based on signals from a pair of flow meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Laurent Zuber, Christian Gottlieb Bachmann, Ilja Ausner
  • Patent number: 8052847
    Abstract: A system and method for removing water from a liquid desiccant such as a glycol used to dry cooled air in order to restore the desiccant to a purity up to around 97% in a closed continuous flow process. Liquid desiccant can be sprayed into cooled air in a conditioner where it gains moisture. The wet or gained desiccant can be optionally preheated in an economizing heat exchanger and then routed into a concentrator. Desiccant pure to around 97% can be removed from the concentrator, passed through an economizing heat exchanger to provide the preheating and returned to the conditioner holding area. The concentrator can be heated by steam or other means such as natural gas to boil the wet desiccant causing mixed vapor to enter a vertical distillation column where most of the glycol condenses out on the column packing or plates and returns to the concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Niagara Blower Company
    Inventors: Matthew Koban, Phillip Rowland, Michael Harvey, Peter Demakos
  • Publication number: 20110226607
    Abstract: Systems and processes for improving quality and yield of one or more distillate products generated in a distillation column are disclosed. The system comprises a feed inlet distributor that reduces the amount of liquid entrained in vapor rising from the feed zone of the distillation column, a wash zone collection apparatus having an improved design for collecting slop wax falling from a liquid/vapor contacting structure provided in the wash zone, a recirculation subsystem for recirculating at least a portion of the collected slop wax to the top of the wash zone for distribution as wash oil, and a control subsystem. The feed inlet distributor ensures a horizontal fluid flow path free of transverse surfaces thereby minimizing atomization of liquid droplets entrained in vapor in the feed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: THIOSOLV, LLC
    Inventors: Mark C. Anderson, George R. Winter
  • Publication number: 20110036702
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Juan HERGUIJUELA, Warner Pietzonka, Angela Wildermann, Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 7867365
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for producing ethanol from an organic source and that operates to purify and dry ethanol from a beer source. The system for producing substantially anhydrous ethanol comprises: (a) a first distillation stripping column; (b) a second distillation rectifying column having a higher operating temperature than said stripping column; (c) a molecular sieve dehydration means in fluid communication with said rectifying column. Heat from the overhead of the second distillation rectifying column and the molecular sieve dehydration are used to heat the first distillation stripping column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Thermal Kinetics Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher J. Brown
  • Patent number: 7862783
    Abstract: A separation system for a methyl acetate hydrolysis is provided. The separation system comprises a reactive distillation system, a reflux system, a first separation system and a second separation. The reactive distillation system allows the hydrolysis of a methyl acetate solution to generate a first mixture and a second mixture. The reflux system is packed with a heterogeneous catalyst and coupled to the reactive distillation system, which refluxes the first mixture to the reactive distillation system. The first separation system is coupled to the reactive distillation system, which directs the second mixture thereinto so as to isolate an acetic acid and a third mixture therefrom. The second separation system is coupled to the first separation system, which directs the third mixture thereintio so as to separate a methanol therefrom. The methyl acetate feeding system is coupled to, one of the reactive distillation system and the reflux system, which feeds the methyl acetate solution thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Hsiao-Ping Huang, Cheng-Ching Yu, Ming-Jer Lee, Yu-De Lin, Jian-Kai Cheng
  • Patent number: 7858813
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Juan Herguijuela, Werner Pietzonka, Angela Wildermann, Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 7842121
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing aqueous stream purification services. The system includes at least one separation unit. Each separation unit may include a mechanical vapor recompression separator, a steam stripper, and a secondary recovery heat exchanger. The system for wastewater purification may receive water from a waste water storage, purify the water, and return the purified water to a purified water storage. The system may include a controller. The controller may include an operating conditions module configured to interpret at least one operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Patent number: 7837768
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for purifying a waste fluid stream. The system includes a recirculation pump having an inlet for a recirculation stream and an outlet to expel a pressurized stream. The system includes a compressor having an inlet for an evaporation stream and an outlet for a pressurized evaporation stream. A primary heat exchanger has inlets for the pressurized stream and the pressurized evaporation stream, an internal surface area for heat transfer from the evaporation stream to the pressurized stream, and outlets for a cooled product stream and a heated pressurized stream. The heated pressurized stream is formed by heating the pressurized stream and the cooled product stream is formed by cooling the evaporation stream. The system includes an evaporation unit having an inlet for the heated pressurized stream and outlets for an evaporation stream and the recycled liquid bottoms stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation as Administrative Agent
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Publication number: 20100288623
    Abstract: The invention relates to the oil processing industry and can be used for producing vacuum in a vacuum petroleum distillation column. The inventive method involves pumping out a vapour-gas medium from the column by means of a gas-gas ejector in such a way that a vapour-gas mixture is formed at the entry thereof and supplying said mixture to a condenser for producing a gas mixture and a vapour phase condensate. The gas mixture is supplied from the condenser to a liquid-gas jet apparatus and the condensate is delivered to an additional separator. A hydrocarbon-containing condensate is removed from the additional separator for the intended use thereof and a water-containing condensate is fed to a steam generator for producing steam by supplying heat of a hot distillate evacuated from the vacuum column. The thus obtained steam is used in the gas-gas ejector as a high-pressure gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Valery Grigorievich Tsegelsky
  • Publication number: 20100264014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation by distillation of a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream comprising olefin monomer, co-monomer and hydrocarbon diluent. The present invention also relates to a distillation system comprising a distillation column for carrying out the process according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS RESEARCH FELUY
    Inventor: Denis Mignon
  • Publication number: 20100243423
    Abstract: A method of dehydrating tolylenediamine which includes subjecting tolylenediamine having a water content of 5-40 wt. % to first-stage distillation at a vacuum of 13-101.3 kPa and subjecting the bottoms from the first-stage distillation to second-stage distillation at a vacuum lower than 13 kPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ogawa, Mitsunaga Dohzaki, Masaaki Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20100224475
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, Xin X. Zhu
  • Publication number: 20100224536
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a system for separating a plurality of naphtha components. The system can include a column, an overhead condenser, and a side condenser. Generally, the column includes a dividing imperforate wall with one surface facing a feed and another surface facing at least one 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. Typically, the overhead condenser receives an overhead stream including a light naphtha from the column. Usually, a side condenser receives a process stream from the column and returns the stream to the column to facilitate separation. A cooling stream may pass through the overhead condenser and then the side condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Michael A. Schultz, Xin X. Zhu, Jibreel A. Qafisheh
  • Publication number: 20100206712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing racemic or optically active menthol in pure or enriched form by distillatively separating menthol from substance mixtures which comprise essentially menthol and diastereomers thereof. This distillatiive separation is performed in a dividing wall column with 50 to 300 theoretical plates and one or more side draw points at an absolute operating pressure of 5 to 500 mbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Gunnar Heydrich, Gabriele Gralla, Klaus Ebel, Wolfgang Krause, Nawid Kashani-Shirazi
  • Publication number: 20100137652
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Danil Tirtowidjojo, Andrei S. Merenov, Christian D. Kneupper, Bruce D. Hook, Anil I. Mehta
  • Patent number: 7699961
    Abstract: A water-soluble organic material condensation apparatus equipped with a distillation column for distilling an aqueous solution of a water-soluble organic material, wherein a vapor generated at the top of the distillation column or a condensed liquid from the vapor is introduced to a device other than the distillation column which has the function to separate water from the water-soluble organic material to thereby condense the water-soluble organic material through separating water and then the condensed water-soluble organic material is recycled to the distillation column. The device other than the distillation column is desirably a separating film such as a zeolite film. The apparatus is improved in the operation of the upper portion of the condensation section of the distillation column and allows energy savings during distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Ikeda, Takashi Nakane
  • Publication number: 20100024473
    Abstract: Controlled RVP C5+ products are produced from feed gas in configurations and methods in which a heavier portion of the feed gas is fractionated into several streams having distinct RVP and in which a C5+ stream is produced from the lighter portion of the feed gas. The so formed streams are then combined to produce C5+ products with controlled RVP. Thus, RVP control is achieved without the need for external products for blending process streams derived from the feed gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20090326257
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a specific process that enables dialkyl carbonates and diols 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 cyclic carbonates and aliphatic monohydric alcohols 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 carbonates and the diols 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuoka, Hironori MIyaji, Hiroshi Hachiya, Kazuhiko Matsuzaki