Abstract: A vapor compression distiller having a shell for enclosing a pair of heat exchange tube bundles each having one end connected to a steam chest and its other end connected to a condensate collecting chamber. A vapor compressor has its inlet connected to the shell and the outlet to one steam chest which is coupled to a second steam chest through a steam ejector for elevating the inlet pressure to the second heat exchange tube bundle. A half partition extends across the lower end of the vessel and between the wells to divide the lower portion of the vessel into two sections which are in communication across the upper end of the vessel. One well is connected to receive fresh feed liquid and the other includes a density sensor to discharge a portion of the concentrate to therein maintain a desired concentrate level and each well is connected to a spray nozzle manifold disposed in its respective shell section.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for converting sensitive organic compounds such as acrolein, methacrolein, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid from liquid to vapor in admixture with a gas stream at super-atmospheric pressures with minimum decomposition and substantially without polymer formation. The acrolein and methacrolein partial pressures being up to super-atmospheric and those of acrylic and methacrylic acids up to about an atmosphere.An apparatus and a process are also disclosed for transferring a sensitive organic material in an energy-efficient manner from a low-pressure, high-temperature gas-vapor stream to a solvent for the sensitive material, and then to another gas stream at increased pressure.

Abstract: A control system for a multiple feed fractional distillation column is disclosed in which the flow rate signals of the multiple feed streams are delayed and combined for use in feedforward predictive control of the upper reflux flow, intermediate reflux flow and/or reboiler fluid flow to the fractional distillation column. Temperature measurements of the upper vapor stream, the upper reflux stream, the intermediate vapor stream and the intermediate reflux stream as well as analysis of a product stream can be utilized to provide feedback control of the fractional distillation column.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for use in combination with a conventional distillation column to provide for measurement and control of reflux flow from a column intermediate fractionation stage at which a liquid side stream draw is taken. The apparatus comprises liquid receiver, flow control, and flow metering elements of particular description, and of particular relative position.

Abstract: A control system for a fractional distillation column in which a pumparound stream is used to remove heat from the fractional distillation column is disclosed. A combination of feedforward and feedback control is utilized to control the heat removal by the pumparound stream in such a manner that smoother operation of the fractional distillation column will be accomplished and a closer approach to required product specifications will be approached.

Abstract: There is disclosed a water distiller, primarily for producing water for human consumption which includes a boiler, a distillation tower extending about two or more feet above the boiler, and a steam conduit exiting from near the top of the tower leading into a helically grooved condensation tube with a water-cooled jacket. The boiler and tower are of uniform cross-section to facilitate cleaning. The water jacket has a water inlet located in the bottom and an exit orifice for preheated input water at the top. A conduit from the orifice leads to an evaporator for volatile impurities on top of the tower, and a conduit for preheated input water leads to the bottommost part of the boiler from the evaporator. An overflow conduit with an intermittent siphon is provided connected to the bottom of the boiler; the highest and lowest points of the siphon serve to automatically regulate the maximum and minimum depths of water in the boiler.

Abstract: A fractionation column is provided with a feed inlet and three product outlets, with the product outlets including an overhead vapor outlet, a bottoms liquid outlet and a side draw outlet. A plurality of vertically spaced apart vapor-liquid contact trays are mounted in the column. A generally vertical partition is positioned within the column in a central region between an upper and a lower vapor-liquid contact tray and divides the central region into first and second chambers defined by the upper and lower trays, column shell and partition. The feed inlet opens into the first chamber while the side draw outlet opens into the second chamber. First control means is provided for controlling the various inputs and outputs of the column. Second control means is also provided for measuring various constituent portions of fluid mixtures within the column.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a fractional distillation column where at least a portion of the overhead vapor stream from the fractional distillation column is utilized in a refrigeration and heating system for a process with which the fractional distillation column is associated. The liquid level is an overhead accumulator associated with the fractional distillation column is maintained at a level sufficient to insure that a sufficient supply of the overhead vapor stream from the fractional distillation column is available to supply the refrigeration and heating needs of the process with which the fractional distillation column is associated.

Abstract: A method is provided for the transfer of heat from a source of thermal energy to at least one thermal user or heat consuming apparatus wherein waste water, such as from an industrial process, is used as the heat transfer medium and wherein a portion of the waste water flow is evaporated in an indirect heat exchanger under pressure to yield a mixture of steam and heated liquid waste water. The steam is supplied to an indirect heat exchanger for supplying heat to the heat consuming apparatus and the heated waste water is subsequently vaporized in a plurality of stages by reducing the pressure on the waste water in each stage and by using the steam formed by the vaporization in each stage to supply part of the heat of vaporization for the waste water in the subsequent stage. When the heat requirement of the heat consuming apparatus is reduced, the heat exchanger supplying heat to the heat consuming apparatus may be valved out of the system or the steam flow thereto may be reduced.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the flow through a distillation apparatus for separating components of a mixture, particularly a dissolved substance, such as an oil, a wax, a polishing agent or alike, from a liquid mixture, particlularly containing a chlorinated solvent, such as tri- or perchlorethylene. According to the present invention, the feeding of new liquid mixture or solution into the boiling vessel of the distillation apparatus is controlled in response to the liquid level in the boiling vessel, whereas the draining of substance-enriched liquid or separated substance from the boiling vessel is controlled in response to the distillation temperature, or to a variable being co-variant therewith, so as to maintain the distillation temperature within predetermined limits and the flow through the apparatus at an optimal, high level.

Abstract: In a fractionation system wherein a stream of heat-containing fluid is taken from a zone effecting at least a partial control of at least one operating condition in said zone by withdrawing said fluid at a rate responsive to and correlated with a change in said condition and utilizing the heat in said withdrawn fluid.

Abstract: A direct contact condenser of a distillation system has a condenser vessel comprising a vapor space with a vapor inlet, a condensate pump, with the liquids' level defining the top of the sump and the bottom of the vapor space. The thermal efficiency of the system is improved wherein the heat of condensation is concentrated in one of two coolant effluent lines while the other coolant line removes unheated excess liquid coolant. This is accomplished with the use of two temperature sensors at spaced vertical locations of the sump and a liquid level control together regulating the opening and closing of respective valves in respective influent and effluent lines of the sump.

Abstract: The flow rate of feed material containing a constituent to be absorbed and the flow rate of the absorption medium entering an absorption zone are controlled in response to the content and flow rate of feed material entering the absorption zone and the amount of a desired bottoms constituent in the overhead stream of the absorption zone so that the efficiency of the absorption process is optimized. Under circumstances necessitating maximum production from the absorption zone and its associated stripping zone, the absorption medium flow rate is maintained at a maximum value and the feed flow rate is controlled in response to feed composition and flow as well as the concentration of desired bottom product in the overhead stream. The output of the absorption unit is stabilized by alteration of the flow control apparatus associated with the output stream of the stripping zone in order to alter the amount of control over the output flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for measuring the concentration of a light hydrocarbon in a relatively high boiling liquid mixture. A chamber is sealed liquid full of the liquid mixture. The internal volume of the chamber is then increased by mechanical means, causing the liquid to boil adiabatically within the chamber. The absolute pressure within the chamber is then measured and indicates the amount of light hydrocarbon present as compared to previous samplings. In a specific embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises a chamber with a spring and bellows mechanism for increasing the internal volume of the chamber. In a further embodiment of the invention the input of heat to a distillation column is controlled in response to a signal generated corresponding to the absolute pressure measured in a continuous sequential sampling of liquid from a chosen point within the distillation column.

Abstract: A method for controlling the production of pitch and the like is disclosed comprising simultaneously measuring the viscosity and temperature of the pitch material from the production unit, comparing the measured value with a predetermined correlation of the viscosity and temperature for the pitch, and adjusting the parameters of the production operation in response to the comparison. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed comprising a means for withdrawing and returning a sample of the pitch material from the still, a chamber for holding the sample of the pitch material, the chamber having a means for heating and cooling the sample, a temperature sensing device and a viscosity measuring device located in the chamber, and a means for recording the temperature and viscosity values.

Abstract: A method for controlling the production of pitch and the like is disclosed comprising simultaneously measuring the viscosity and temperature of the pitch material from the production unit, comparing the measured value with a predetermined correlation of the viscosity and temperature for the pitch, and adjusting the parameters of the production operation in response to the comparison. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed comprising a means for withdrawing and returning a sample of the pitch material from the still, a chamber for holding the sample of the pitch material, the chamber having a means for heating and cooling the sample, a temperature sensing device and a viscosity measuring device located in the chamber, and a means for recording the temperature and viscosity values.

Abstract: A method for regulating, or controlling heat input to the reboiler section of a fractionation column. Flow-measuring means, disposed in a substantially liquid-free environment within the confines of the reboiler section, produces a signal which is representative of the quantity of vapor flowing from the reboiler section upwardly into the fractionation section. This signal is transmitted to heat-varying means, whereby fuel input to an external reboiler heater is regulated in response to the quantity of vapor flow.

Abstract: The environment of the invention comprises work degreasing apparatus wherein a tank contains liquid solvent to be vaporized by a heater for degreasing contact with work introduced into the tank, the vapor being subject to condensation, there also being a tank cover having open and closed positions. The inventive improvement comprises means responsive to closing of the cover to control the heater to reduce heat transfer to the liquid solvent, and also responsive to opening of the cover to control the heater to increase heat transfer to the liquid solvent.

Abstract: A control method and system for regulating the heat input to the reboiler section of a distillation column having attendant thereto a first external heat-recovery reboiler. Flow-measuring means, disposed within a substantially liquid-free environment, produces a signal which is representative of the quantity of vapor flowing from the reboiler section upwardly into the fractionation section of the column. This signal is transmitted to heat-varying means whereby the heat input to a second external reboiler heater is regulated in response to the quantity of vapor flow.

Abstract: Recovery of pure propylene oxide from propylene oxide which is contaminated by C.sub.6 hydrocarbons and methyl formate, by distillation with the addition of more methyl formate so that the amount of methyl formate is four times that of the 2-methylpentane present.

Abstract: A sampling circuit connected directly to the distillation column consists of a primary loop formed by a sampling tube which penetrates into the column in a region of expansion and vaporization and is equipped with means for limiting the velocity of the vapor collected therein and for separating the entrained liquid fraction if necessary. The sampling circuit further comprises a condenser and a filter, the condensate being returned to the column by a circulating pump and a withdrawal of condensate being effected by a secondary loop for supplying an analyzing device in parallel.

Abstract: Overflash within a withdrawal zone of a complex fractionating column is monitored to provide a control characteristic related to the efficiency of the fractionation column, and associated processes linked to the column. To accurately monitor the overflash, notched weir means including an upright wall means, is positioned at the intersection of the withdrawal tray and the downcomers connecting the former with a lower, adjacent fractionating tray. Differential pressure measuring means is also provided with sensing means in the vicinity of the notched weir means. The differential pressure measuring means produces a signal characteristic of said overflash. A complex controller means, external of the column, generates correction operators in response to said signal. Respective control means regulate column feed and withdrawal streams in response to said correction operators and thus maintain a pre-selected material balance within the column.

Abstract: A control system controls the flow rates of waxy oil and solvent entering a dewaxing unit so as to control the viscosity of a chilled slurry mix or waxy oil and solvent provided to a filter in the dewaxing unit. The dewaxing unit includes valves controlling the flow rates of the solvent and waxy oil being provided to the chiller. The filter provides a dewaxed oil and solvent mixture and wax. Using the equation hereinafter mentioned, the control apparatus utilizes the sensed refractive index of the solvent, the sensed viscosity of the waxy oil, the sensed flow rates of the solvent and the waxy oil, and the sensed filtering temperature of the chilled slurry mix to generate a signal corresponding to the viscosity of the slurry mix provided to the filter at the filtering temperature. The viscosity of the chilled slurry mix is controlled within predetermined limits by a generating signal corresponding to the dilution ratio of the solvent to the waxy oil.

Abstract: Apparatus for conducting a continuous, pressurized liquid-state reaction while maintaining internal recycle. The apparatus has a perforated barrier plate which separates a reaction zone from a reboiler zone and has a by-pass conduit which connects these two zones. Control devices maintain the liquid levels in the reaction and reboiler zones. A heater in the reboiler zone evolves vapors in that zone, which vapors return to the reaction zone through the perforated barrier plate.

Abstract: A method for control of the steam flashing of poly(arylene sulfide) reaction product to remove substantially all of the reaction diluent from a reaction mixture containing poly(arylene sulfide) polymer, organic polar diluent, byproduct alkali metal halide, and reaction mixture impurities is provided by measuring the vapor effluent from the flashing operation, producing a signal representative of this flow, controlling the rate of flow of the effluent from the reactor in response to this signal, and controlling the rate of flow of steam admixed with the reactor effluent in ratio to the effluent flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of a normally liquid stream comprising low, high and intermediate volatility components by distilling the feed stream in a distillation zone, removing a vaporous overhead stream comprising the high volatility components together with some of the intermediate volatility component, removing from a central portion of the zone a vaporous side stream consisting essentially of the intermediate volatility component, the rate of removal of the intermediate volatility component being controlled by the liquid level of the intermediate volatility component condensed from the overhead stream and contained in a reservoir.

Abstract: An automatic water distiller has an insulated evaporator to which water is supplied after being preheated by cooling the steam, which is produced by the evaporator, in a condensing chamber with which the water is in heat exchange relation. Air also flows in heat exchange relation with the condensing chamber to aid in condensing the steam. A storage chamber is disposed above the evaporator and beneath the condensing chamber to receive the condensed steam and the air, which flows over the condensing chamber to cool the steam therein, is first passed in heat exchange relation with the distilled water in the storage chamber. The vapors in the condensing chamber are vented to the chamber in which the water is in heat exchange relation with the condensing chamber.