Flash Vaporization Of Distilland Patents (Class 203/88)
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Publication number: 20080202914Abstract: A de-entrainment device separates entrained liquid from vapor in a fluid stream that flows through a chimney tray in a distillation tower. The separated liquid is collected and shielded from the fluid stream to prevent re-entrainment of the liquid in the vapor flowing upward into the tower. The chimney tray includes risers with hats that have gutters to guide liquid toward the tray deck, channels to collect and drain liquid from the top of the hats to the tray deck, and baffles extending from the risers to shield the liquid collected on the tray deck from the vapor flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company Law DepartmentInventors: Arun K. Sharma, Theodore Sideropoulos, Berne K. Stober, Brian D. Albert, Alvin U. Chen, Vikram Singh
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Patent number: 7390380Abstract: Incoming wastewater is preheated in a heat exchanger before delivery to a flash chamber through an orifice for flashing into water vapor rising into an upper section of the flash chamber which also has a bottom section into which liquid waste oil or other contaminants settles. Rise of such water vapor into the upper chamber section is induced by a vacuum established therein by a vacuum pump withdrawing the water vapor in a superheated and compressed condition for cooling within a condenser from which the incoming wastewater is delivered to a heat exchanger for preheating. The water vapor during rise into the upper section of the flash chamber is filtered to extract contaminates therefrom while liquefied water vapor thereafter formed therein is collected before the remaining water vapor is cooled into the condensate for collection within a distillate tank from which it is withdrawn for overboard discharge after being monitored for oil content.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Henry J. Molintas
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Patent number: 7351312Abstract: A vessel is provided for collecting a process stream and fractionating the process stream into a liquid and gas phase in the vessel. Cooling may be provided by an internal bath and/or an external bath. The liquid phase retained in the vessel and the gas phase collected in lots from the vessel may be delivered to a lab for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: UOP LLCInventor: Jessy E. Trucko
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Publication number: 20070284240Abstract: A system for optimized operation and troubleshooting/diagnosis of an amine regeneration system comprising a flash tank, a rich/lean heat exchanger, a still, a reflux condenser, a reflux accumulator, a pump, a reboiler, and a pump bypass line to the flash tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventors: Roy Wade Rhodes, Quenten Zane Rhodes
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Publication number: 20070286785Abstract: A system for optimizing operation of an amine regeneration system comprising a flash tank, a rich/lean heat exchanger, a still, a reflux condenser, a reflux accumulator, a pump, a reboiler, and a flash tank pressurization assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventors: Roy Wade Rhodes, Quenten Zane Rhodes
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Patent number: 7291250Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum distillation plant and a process for concentrating organic aqueous solutions, especially spissum extracts, using said plant. The vacuum distillation plant of the invention comprises a flash evaporator, a means for vapor concentration and a multi-stage condenser positioned down-stream of said means for vapor concentration, means for recycling at least part of the condensate from a condensation stage into the bottoms product being provided. In addition, the present invention relates to a process for concentrating organic aqueous solutions such as concentrated extracts using said plant.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Bionorica AGInventors: Michael A. Popp, Heinz Walter Joseph, Michael R. Rannow
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Patent number: 7276139Abstract: An low concentration dope is fed through a nozzle into a concentrating apparatus, and flash evaporation of the low concentration dope is performed at an end of the nozzle. The low concentration dope is concentrated thereby to an concentrating dope which is contained and heated in the concentrating apparatus. Thus part of solvents of the low concentration dope and the concentrating dope is evaporated to a solvent gas. The solvent gas is cooled and condensed in a condensing section of the concentrating apparatus, and thereafter drawn through a first exit from the concentrating apparatus. The concentrating dope is concentrated to a high concentration dope, which is drawn through a second exit from the concentrating apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Yukihiro Katai, Tadahiro Tsujimoto, Misao Takahashi
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Patent number: 6984292Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for treating produced water from a heavy oil thermal recovery unit to achieve water recovery and recycle levels of greater than 80% and as high as 100% to achieve zero discharge criteria. The method includes the initial steps of capturing the waste heat energy from the high pressure steam separator located downstream of the steam generators. Further, transferring the heat energy into a heated separator and reboiler exchanger to distill oil reservoir produced water and recover distilled water and a concentrated brine or solid product. The heated separator concentrated stream is circulated through the reboiler exchanger to maintain from 1% to about 50% mass vapour in the stream returning to the heated separator and prevent fouling and scaling. The apparatus includes a low pressure waste energy separator, heated separator and vapour compressor in combination with a forced circulation circuit to generate the distilled water.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: EnCana CorporationInventors: Steve Kresnyak, Alex Braun
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Patent number: 6969446Abstract: Process for producing a nitric acid of a concentration from 75 to 99.9% from a more diluted nitric acid, wherein a nitric acid of a concentration of about 45 to 70% is rectified in contact with a liquid extraction medium to prevent the formation of a nitric acid-water-azeotropic mixture, and the vapors of the concentrated nitric acid are condensed and a concentrated nitric acid is obtained and wherein additionally the extraction medium is reconstituted through reconcentration and returned into the extractive rectification, wherein the nitric acid to be concentrated is fed as a boiling liquid or partially vaporized to the extractive rectification preferably carried out in two columns (K 1.0, K 1.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: QVF Engineering GmbHInventors: Gottfried Dichtl, Frank Dorstewitz, Manfred Sassenberg, Ulrich Walter
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Patent number: 6958107Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the components of a feed material prior to or simultaneously with at least partially vaporizing one of the components is described. The apparatus comprises at least one inlet (8) for admitting the feed material (10) containing the two components to the apparatus (2) wherein a device for introducing a first movement to the feed material is located, such as, for example, an in-line swirl generator (14), which imparts a swirling movement to the feed material to partially separate the components into two swirling flows. The partially separated material on emerging from the in-line swirl generator (14) is in an evaporation tube (20) in which the more volatile component is vaporized to further assist in separating the two components into a liquid component and a gaseous or vapor component. The liquid component and the vapor phase are discharged from the apparatus in two streams through the same outlet (36).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Alcos Technologies Pty LtdInventors: Neville Clarke, Paul Woodley
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Patent number: 6939444Abstract: A sulfur-bearing residue treatment system is provided for the recovery of valuable organic components and the reduction of capital costs and operating costs. The treatment system involves the use of a stripping vessel in conjunction with a heating apparatus. All elements of the treatment system may be coupled together to form one integral piece of equipment.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Rohm and Haas CompanyInventors: Curtis Instad Carlson, Jr., Michael Stanley DeCourcy, Jamie Jerrick John Juliette, Thomas Albert Kaminski, Nicole Rendon Koegel, Nelson Ivan Quiros, Paul Benjamin Schladenhauffen, Peter John Schmeidler, Robert R. Maven, William Harry Engle, Jr., Arthur Meisch
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Patent number: 6936140Abstract: A distillation system is provided for recovering water from sea water and other polluted water source. The system has a heat engine embodying Carnot cycle and a Rankine cycle formed by heat exchangers, flash evaporator and condenser. Burnt gases from the engine such as a jet engine no longer fit for flying are directed into a duct where the exchangers are located. Sea water is pumped into the heat exchanger for preheating by residue heat in the duct and then into the exchanger for further heating. A recirculating pump raises water pressure in the exchanger for increasing boiling point to about 165° C. The heated water is fed into the evaporator where it changes into vapour and condensed into water by the condenser. The jet air stream is used to create Venturi effect for maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure in the evaporator. Any solid left in the evaporator is removed by a transfer mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Aqua Dyne, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Mark Paxton, Patrick Joseph Glynn
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Patent number: 6932889Abstract: A point of use water purification unit for continuously and completely purifying water at all point of use for removing all chemicals, killing all microorganisms; the device having a computer monitored and controlled system for degassing, super heating and exploding water into a vacuum chamber, condensing the steam in a counter current cold brine apparatus and stored in a holding tank.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Inventor: Robert R. Holcomb
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Patent number: 6896772Abstract: A process for distillative removal of ammonia from solutions (I) which include a lactam and ammonia comprises effecting said removal in a distillation apparatus (a) at an absolute pressure of less than 10 bar.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2001Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hermann Luyken, Frank Ohlbach, Stefan Maixner, Rolf-Hartmuth Fischer, Johann-Peter Melder, Peter Bassler, Andreas Ansmann
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Patent number: 6869501Abstract: A process for evaporating a portion of a colloidal solution, said process including: a) passing a colloidal solution, said colloidal solution including particles in a liquid medium, wherein at least a portion of said liquid medium includes at least one volatile component, through one or more orifices into an evaporation zone that has at least one inner surface, wherein said colloidal solution does not substantially contact said at least one inner surface of said evaporation zone as said colloidal solution is passed through said evaporation zone; b) applying pressure in said evaporation zone that is lower than the vapor pressure of said colloidal solution as it is passed into said evaporation zone, allowing for flash evaporation of at least a portion of said at least one volatile component from said colloidal solution; c) adjusting the pressure in said evaporation zone to evaporate an amount of said at least one volatile component from said colloidal solution; and d) collecting the remaining colloidal solutionType: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert S. Davidson, Danny B. Anderson, Richard A. Gerth, David R. Holm
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Patent number: 6797125Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating condensates containing compounds, which are more volatile than water, in an evaporation plant, where liquid, such as effluent liquid from a pulp or paper mill is evaporated in multiple effects and where condensates generated in the evaporation are flashed and purified in a steam stripping column. In the method, the condensates from at least two evaporation effects are combined and flashed together, and the vapor obtained from the flashing is made to contact with a condensate stream to be purified in the stripping column, wherefrom the impurities-containing vapor and the purified condensate stream are discharged.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Andritz OyInventors: Risto Honkanen, Jan E Öhman
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Publication number: 20040182692Abstract: A method for processing a vitamin E acetate-containing product stream, which comprisesType: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Harald Laas, Jens von Erden, Frank Kinner, Bernd Rumpf
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Publication number: 20040173449Abstract: A system for cooling a heated juice by partial low-pressure evaporation, said juice comprising a charged liquid, preferably juice from a harvested crop, said system comprising a vat in which the juice is subjected to various pressure reductions, said vat (4) comprising at least two compartments(5,6) which communicate with each other by means of a pulsed-effect valve, said juice being subjected to two different decreasing pressure reductions in said compartments, each compartment being connected to a condenser (19,25) which can condense the vapor produced by the pressure reduction. The condensers are serially mounted or parallel mounted and connected to a common vacuum pump (34) by means of at least one control valve (18) which can permanently adjust the pressure in each condenser to a value which is lower than the saturating vapor pressure corresponding to the temperature of the vapor created in each of the condensers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: Jean-Pierre Nadeau, Dominique Cadiot, Patrick Sebastian, David Callede
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Patent number: 6740205Abstract: Incoming wastewater is preheated in a heat exchanger before delivery to a flash chamber through an orifice for flashing into water vapor rising into an upper section of the flash chamber which also has a bottom section into which liquid waste oil or other contaminants settles. Rise of such water vapor into the upper chamber section is induced by a vacuum established therein by a vacuum pump withdrawing the water vapor in a superheated and compressed condition for cooling within a condenser from which the incoming wastewater is delivered to a heat exchanger for preheating. The water vapor during rise into the upper section of the flash chamber is filtered to extract contaminates therefrom while liquefied water vapor thereafter formed therein is collected before the remaining water vapor is cooled into the condensate for collection within a distillate tank from which it is withdrawn for overboard discharge after being monitored for oil content.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Henry J. Molintas
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Patent number: 6685802Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process and an apparatus (1) for removing dissolved and undissolved solids and/or high boiling point liquid contaminants from a mixture of miscible liquids (9). A recycle liquor stream (6) is fed at high velocity through a heat exchanger having a single flow path (12) and the heat added by the heat exchanger is sufficient to vaporize the feed stream (2) when the recycle liquor and feed stream are mixed upon delivery to the separation vessel (3).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Inventor: Craig Nazzer
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Publication number: 20030205335Abstract: The present invention provides a contactor apparatus and method for removing solvent from a polymer cement. The resulting polymer is substantially free of solvent and exhibits improved oil absorption and lower fines. In one aspect, a contactor is provided comprising a cylindrical casing having a high pressure section, a convergence section, a high velocity section, a divergence section, and a discharge section. The polymer cement is introduced into the high pressure section to significantly and unexpectedly improve solvent removal. The convergence and divergence sections have cross-sectional areas that correspond to an effective angle from about 4° to about 65°, such as 6°. The polymer cement is mixed with high pressure steam. After converging, the polymer cement forms more uniform droplets due to high shear of steam. In the divergence and discharge sections, the polymer is substantially devolatized.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Rong-Her Jean, Chin-Yuan George Ma
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Patent number: 6635150Abstract: A method for distilling a fluid which is useful, for instance, in eliminating salt from brackish and/or sea water includes percolating films on plates with multiple effects having several evaporating zones and condensation zones. The evaporation zones (EVAP) and the condensation zones (COND) are vertically arranged. The liquid to be distilled emerges in the top part of the evaporation zone (EVAP). The vapors produced in the evaporation zone (EVAP) are horizontally transferred into the condensation zone (COND) through a communicating connection. The condensed liquid percolates vertically along the walls of the condensation zone and is evacuated from the lower part of the condensation zone. A distilling plant is also provided for implementing the distilling method, and includes plural cascades made up of elementary cells alternatingly assembled in thermal series.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Centre International de l'Eau de Nancy - NancieInventors: Pierre Le Goff, Jean-Marie Hornut, Viviane Renaudin
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Publication number: 20030116286Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved falling strand devolatilizer apparatus and method for devolatilization of viscous solutions to yield viscous liquids with lower content of volatile solvents, unreacted components, and reaction byproducts. The novel apparatus utilizes a devolatilization system comprised of a single vessel with two or more liquid compartments or zones, a recirculation loop, and one or more manifold and stranding distributor assemblies to divide the viscous liquid stream into a plurality of strands for effective devolatilization. A stranded stream of solution is dropped through a first zone of the chamber and collected at the bottom, the stream is recirculated, and then dropped through a second zone of the vessel and separately collected. Devolatilization is accomplished by stranding thi falling streams to optimum parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2002Publication date: June 26, 2003Applicant: PROCESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Peter R. Cowley, Randolph E. Newman
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Publication number: 20030089590Abstract: A distillation system (10) is provided for recovering water from sea water and other polluted water source. The system (10) has a heat engine (12) embodying Carnot cycle and a Rankine cycle formed by heat exchangers (16 and 24), flash evaporator (26) and condenser (32). Burnt gases from the engine (12) such as a jet engine no longer fit for flying are directed into a duct (14) where the exchangers (16) and (24) are located. Sea water is pumped into the heat exchanger (24) for preheating by residue heat in the duct (14) and then into the exchanger (16) for further heating. A recirculating pump (20) raises water pressure in the exchanger (16) for increasing boiling point to about 165° C. The heated water is fed into the evaporator (26) where it changes into vapour and the condensed into water by the condenser (32). The jet air stream is used to create Venturi effect for maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure in the evaporator (26). Any solid left in the evaporator (26) is removed by a transfer mechanism (50).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Gregogy Mark Paxton, Patrick Joseph Glynn
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Publication number: 20030089593Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating condensates containing compounds, which are more volatile than water, in an evaporation plant, where liquid, such as effluent liquid from a pulp or paper mill is evaporated in multiple effects and where condensates generated in the evaporation are flashed and purified in a steam stripping column. In the method, the condensates from at least two evaporation effects are combined and flashed together, and the vapor obtained from the flashing is made to contact with a condensate stream to be purified in the stripping column, wherefrom the impurities-containing vapor and the purified condensate stream are discharged.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Risto Honkanen, Jan E. Ohman
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Patent number: 6454907Abstract: Method and apparatus for concentrating slurries by removing liquid in a single effect unit maintained under vacuum to effect low temperature flashing of the liquid. The single effect unit is a single flash column with separate recirculation loops, one to preheat incoming slurry for concentration and a separate loop for withdrawal of concentrated slurry Vapor from the flash column can be treated to separate liquid from other components in the vapor.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1999Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Minerals Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Gerald Dean Erdman
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Patent number: 6419797Abstract: There is provided a process for producing Guerbet alcohols not containing any heavy metals or soaps, wherein primary and/or secondary alcohols having 2 to 30 carbon atoms are condensed at elevated temperature in the presence of alkaline catalysts and/or heavy metal catalysts while eliminating the reaction water, and the reaction product is immediately separated by distillation without any additional purification.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Sasöl Germany GmbHInventors: Erich Scherf, Hans-Jürgen Letsch, Clemens Schröder, Albert Thomas Herrmann
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Publication number: 20020088703Abstract: A method to treat wastewater brines to remove the salts prior to discharge. The method includes evaporating the water component of the pretreatment effluent into the atmosphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventor: Thomas Jeffrey Walker
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Patent number: 6254734Abstract: A process for the evaporation of an available warm or hot liquid under a vacuum by applying a pressure drop thereon initiating flash-down evaporation, and followed by further flash-down evaporation under an applied pressure gradient whereby the residual liquid is raised by the vapor produced to an elevation sufficient for subsequently discharging the residual liquid from vacuum without a pump; and by separating the vapor phase from the residual liquid phase before condensing the vapor produced into distilled liquid.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Inventor: Hugo H Sephton
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Patent number: 6235162Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of treating a solution containing hydroxylamine, involving subjecting the solution containing hydroxylamine to fractional distillation using a packed column thereby providing a first distillate; and subjecting the first distillate to flashover distillation thereby providing a second distillate containing a hydroxylamine solution. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an ultrapure solution simply containing hydroxylamine, at least one stabilizer, and water.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1998Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Sachem, Inc.Inventors: Hossein Sharifian, John W. Drew
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Patent number: 6211398Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production and purification of dialkyl naphthalenedicarboxylate compounds wherein a crude naphthalenediacarboxylic acid is esterified with an alkanol such as methanol to produce a crude esterification product comprising dialkyl naphthalenedicarboxylate, starting materials and other compounds and the crude esterification product is purified by flash distillation to remove impurities which can cause fouling of conventional distillation equipment. A particularly useful diester is dimethyl 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventor: Thomas Michael Pell, Jr.
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Patent number: 6169211Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing 5-cyclohexadecen-1-one continuously from 1,2-divinylcyclododecanol in a short time in an efficient manner without side reactions. In the process, 1,2-divinylcyclododecanol as a starting material is supplied from a raw material container 1 by a dosage pump 2 to a flash unit 3 which is set under a vacuum of 5 mm Hg or less by a vacuum pump 8 and is heated. 1,2-Divinylcyclododecanol which is flashed in the flash unit is supplied to a reactor 4 which is heated to 400 to 650° C. and is set under a vacuum of 5 mm Hg or less whereby 1,2-divinylcyclododecanol is converted into 5-cyclohexadecen-1-one. The reaction product is discharged from the top of the reactor and is cooled to recover the objective 5-cyclohexadecen-1-one in the recovery container 6. The reduction in the pressure of the apparatus is preferably performed by a vacuum pump 8 via a hydrochloric acid trap 7 comprising, for example, sodium methylate/methanol cooled to −78 to −100° C.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Takasago International CorporationInventors: Misao Yagi, Keisuke Itakura, Kenichi Yamamoto, Akira Amano
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Patent number: 6106673Abstract: A process and system are provided for the separation of a fermentation process byproduct into its constituent components and for the subsequent recovery of those constituent components. The process is remarkably simple--requiring only 1) heating of a mixture containing the byproduct so as to separate the oil from a base component of the byproduct to which the oil is bound, followed by 2) recovering the base product, oil, and possibly other substances such as molasses from the mixture. The process can be performed on a large scale and in a continuous fashion using a mechanical separator to recover fibers from a heated mixture to produce a solids stream and a liquor stream and by then removing oil and insoluble substances from the liquor stream in an evaporator assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: CDC Environmental Corp.Inventor: David Ray Walker
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Patent number: 6096171Abstract: A process for purifying a crude ester containing dimethyl terephthalate, includes flash distilling a mixture including para-xylene and methyl para-toluate, and separating the crude ester into fractions. By separating the crude ester with a distillation column containing structured packing and using a lower bottom temperature, product yield is increased, and the process is made more economical.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Huels AktiengesellschaftInventors: Udo Lenz, Ulrich Neutzler, Anton Schoengen, Reinhard Sigg
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Patent number: 6056791Abstract: In a novel process for the production of particles or powders, a substance or mixture of substances to be treated is provided in a pressure vessel. A highly compressible fluid is dissolved under pressure in the substance or mixture of substances provided until a solution containing 5% to 90% by weight of said highly compressible fluid has formed. The melting point of said highly compressible fluid is at least around 40 K lower than the melting point of the substance or mixture of substances to be treated.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1997Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Inventors: Eckhard Weidner, Zelijko Knez, Zoran Novak
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Patent number: 6045661Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for recovering diluent, unreacted monomer, and unreacted comonomer from a polymerization reactor effluent. The comonomer has a boiling point higher than the boiling point of the monomer and the diluent has a boiling point between the boiling points of the monomer and comonomer. The process and apparatus employ at least one flash tank, a first fractionation stage including a first column and operating at a first fractionation pressure, and a second fraction stage including a second column and operating at a higher second fractionation pressure. Comonomer is withdrawn from the first column as a fractionation product, and overhead vapor containing diluent and monomer is substantially condensed to yield a substantially condensed overhead stream. Liquid and vapor from the stream are separated in an accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventors: Bruce E. Kreischer, Donald W. Verser, James E. Hein
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Patent number: 5972171Abstract: De-entrainment devices are provided for separating an entrained liquid from a vapor stream exiting a flash zone in a separation column. Methods for utilizing the de-entrainment devices are also provided. In one embodiment, the de-entrainment device of the present invention is embodied in a de-entrainment tray that has a tray deck and a plurality of risers extending vertically up from the tray deck. The risers are provided with devices for imparting rotational movement to the fluid stream, which have the vapor stream and entrained liquid, entering the riser. The rotational movement imparted to the fluid stream causes the liquid to separate from the vapor stream and to flow upward along the riser walls. The de-entrained liquid is then transported from above the separation tray back into the flash zone by way of a liquid downcomer. The vapor stream separates from the liquid within the riser and flows out of the riser upward through the column.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: Mark Sheldon Ross, Berne K. Stober, John Scott Buchanan
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Patent number: 5925223Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the thermal efficiency of a steam turbine power generating plant while simultaneously desalinating seawater or brine and purifying water which contains minerals, salts, and other dissolved solids. Exhaust gases from a power plant is heat exchanged against water in a secondary ecomomizer which circulates water at a temperature near, or slightly above the dewpoint of the combustion exhaust of the high-pressure boiler. The heated water is flashed to produce low-pressure steam. The low-pressure steam is condensed against the last effect of a multi-effect desalinization unit. Steam from the first effect of the desalination unit is condensed against steam condensate from the power plant turbine to preheat the condensate and thereby recover heat from the power plant's exhaust gas. Salinous water is fed to the multi-effect desalinization unit to produce fresh water and a concentrated brine.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1997Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Inventors: Gary D. Simpson, Karl Lin
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Patent number: 5897749Abstract: Liquid mixtures which contain (meth)acrylic acid as the main component are continuously separated in a distillation apparatus which comprises a still, a condenser and a connection between still and condenser and to which the liquid mixture to be separated is continuously fed, by a process in which the energy required for evaporation of the liquid mixture is supplied to the distillation apparatus by a procedure in which a part of the liquid content of the still is continuously removed, superheated and recycled to the still.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1996Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ruprecht Kroker, Manfred Wiedemann
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Patent number: 5882486Abstract: Contaminated glycol is refined by vacuum distillation. Specifically the evaporator is heated to a temperature below the degradation temperature of the glycol. The vacuum is used to bring the flashpoint down sufficiently so that glycol evaporates or flashes at that temperature. The glycol is condensed and filtered through activated granular carbon. The principal use of refining the glycol is to refine the triethylene glycol used in natural gas dehydration plants. For such purposes the equipment is mounted upon a trailer to be taken to the plant for cleaning glycol. In such instance, in addition to refining the glycol, a cleaning agent (which contains a degreaser) is added to the refined glycol. The glycol is refined while the natural gas dehydration plant is in normal operation and therefore it is not necessary to stop the natural gas dehydration plant for refining the glycol used therein.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Inventor: John W. Moore, Jr.
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Patent number: 5770770Abstract: The present invention is a reactive distillation process for methyl acetate hydrolysis comprising a rectifying section a reaction section and a stripping section. A water stream is fed into the upper portion of the rectifying or reaction zone and a methyl acetate stream is fed into the lower portion of the reaction zone which contains packings made of ion exchange resin. The products, acetic acid and methanol, are continuously produced from the bottom of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1995Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Sunkyong IndustriesInventors: Ki-Joo Kim, Hang Duk Roh
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Patent number: 5750007Abstract: A process for the recovery of a carbonylation product from a liquid reaction composition of an iridium-catalysed carbonylation reaction of a carbonylatable reactant includes subjecting the composition to a vaporization with or without the addition of heat to produce a vapor-fraction and a liquid fraction, the vapor fraction includes carbonylation product and the liquid fraction has a water concentration of at least 0.5% by weight to stabilise the iridium catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: BP Chemicals LimitedInventors: Kirsten Everald Clode, Derrick John Watson, Carl Josef Elsa Vercauteren
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Patent number: 5738762Abstract: An improved process for separating oil and water from an emulsion containing toxic light ends by flashing the heated and pressurized emulsion, condensing and separating the vaporized water and light ends, recovering the light ends, and recycling the condensed water. The resulting liquid water product has a reduced content of toxic light ends, such as benzene.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1995Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Inventor: Ernest O. Ohsol
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Patent number: 5730836Abstract: A method for concentrating a clay slurry by subjecting the slurry to indirect heat exchange within a heat exchanger to elevate the temperature of the slurry while specifically suppressing boiling of the liquid within the heat exchanger. The heated slurry is subsequently subjected to a rapid pressure reduction which causes flash evaporation of part of the liquid. The rapid pressure reduction can occur in a separation vessel.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1994Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Comalco Aluminium LimitedInventors: Christopher Roy Greig, Peter James Tait, Peter John Noble
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Patent number: 5723433Abstract: A method of removing solvents from a paste includes introducing a heated paste into a channel of a dryer under pressure selected so as to avoid flashing of any of the components of the paste. At the inlet of the channel, the pressure is dropped, resulting in the flashing of selected components of the paste. As the paste advances through the channel heat is applied to the paste. Vapor liberated during the flashing acts as a motive force to convey the paste along the channel. The resulting concentrate is collected at an outlet of the channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: The Chemithon CorporationInventors: Lanny R. Duvall, Burton Brooks, Walter Jessup
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Patent number: 5662774Abstract: The invention relates to a method of adjusting the sulphur balance of a sulphate cellulose plant, in which method black liquor is concentrated and heat treated by keeping it at a temperature higher than the cooking temperature for a certain time period to separate the sulphur compounds contained in the black liquor as gaseous sulphur compounds therefrom in the last evaporation stage of a series of evaporation stages.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Tampella Power OyInventors: Jari Ekholm, Esa Pikkujamsa
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Patent number: 5653853Abstract: A process by which iodine compounds contained in crude acetic anhydride or a mixture of crude acetic anhydride and crude acetic acid can be converted into methyl iodide having a low boiling point and which can be separated by distillation and efficiently removed by the combination of the conversion step with the heat treatment step and distillation step. The process includes the steps of heat-treating the crude acetic anhydride or the mixture of crude acetic anhydride and crude acetic acid in the presence of methanol and/or methyl acetate in a treatment tank and distilling the heat-treated crude acetic anhydride or the heat-treated mixture of crude acetic anhydride and crude acetic acid, in the presence of an alkali metal salt and/or an alkaline earth metal salt if necessary.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1996Date of Patent: August 5, 1997Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Kagotani, Yasuo Tsuji
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Patent number: 5624534Abstract: An apparatus and method for stripping volatiles from a feed stream and concentrating the volatiles in the overhead vapors forming a condensate product and simultaneously producing a low percent volatiles outlet stream as a concentrate product. The volatiles separator and concentrator, ("VSC"), unit has many applications in the reduction and the concentration of voiatiles in the beverage, fuel, and industrial alcohol industries, as well as in chemical applications for removing or stripping volatiles from heat sensitive feed substrates which require low temperatures and a short residence time to prevent degradation of the product. For heat sensitive applications, the VSC unit utilizes a short feed stream preheat contact time in combination with turbulent high velocity flow to separate and concentrate volatile and nonvolatile components at temperatures below 100.degree. F. utilizing flash vaporization for volatiles separation with reboil capability to adjust volatiles concentration in the residue and product.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Inventors: Armand R. Boucher, Philip N. Hambrick
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Patent number: 5582690Abstract: Desalination of sea water is achieved using a solar pond that includes a halocline interposed between a convective upper wind mixed layer exposed to the ambient atmosphere, and a lower heat storage layer of hot, concentrated brine, Hot brine from the heat storage layer is flashed into steam which is condensed into desalted water using an indirect heat exchanger cooled by saline water. The latent heat of condensation of the steam warms the saline water and effects evaporation of water therefrom in the form of vapor. The last mentioned water vapor is condensed into desalted water using a two-stage condenser, the first stage of which is an indirect heat exchanger cooled by saline feed water which is heated as a result producing warmed saline feed water that constitutes the saline water used for condensing the steam produced by flashing the brine from the heat storage layer of the pond.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1993Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Ormat Turbines (1965) Ltd.Inventors: Joseph Weinberger, Uriyel Fisher, Gad Assaf, Benjamin Doron
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Patent number: H2134Abstract: The present invention provides a contractor apparatus and method for removing solvent from a polymer cement. The resulting polymer is substantially free of solvent and exhibits improved oil absorption and lower fines. In one aspect, a contractor is provided including a cylindrical casing having a high pressure section, a convergence section, a high velocity section, a divergence section, and a discharge section. The polymer cement is introduced into the high pressure section to significantly and unexpectedly improve solvent removal. The convergence and divergence sections have cross-sectional areas that correspond to an effective angle from about 4° to about 65°, such as 6°. The polymer cement is mixed with high pressure steam. After converging, the polymer cement forms more uniform droplets due to high shear of steam. In the divergence and discharge sections, the polymer is substantially devolatized.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Rong-Her Jean, Chin-Yuan George Ma