Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for producing Pips stream for manufacturing catalytic C5 hydrocarbon resins containing all the key reactive monomers that are already present in the C5 fraction of the pyrolysis gasoline, which is otherwise lost with the crude isoprene stream, are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the invention are directed to producing a hydrocarbon resin grade DCPD stream consisting of dimers and codimers of isoprene which are of value in manufacturing thermal hydrocarbon resins, either polymer grade isoprene and gasoline quality raffinate (free or sulfur and acetylenes) or a relatively small crude isoprene stream with maximum utilization of isoprene by moving some of the isoprene to a DCPD stream used to manufacture thermal hydrocarbon resins.

Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for positioning above one or more packing sections in a packed exchange tower includes a plurality of troughs. At least one trough in the plurality of troughs has along a side thereto a deflecting member. The deflecting member is angulated to generally follow a shape of the at least one trough. A diffuser side of the deflecting member is positioned to deposit the liquid into a discharge region. A deflector side of the deflecting member is positioned for deflecting ascending vapor away from the discharge region.

Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.

Abstract: A process for the removal of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream is disclosed. The process includes extractive distillation of a feed stock coupled with a solvent recovery column having a vapor side draw containing the sulfur compound impurities.

Abstract: Process and systems for converting lower molecular weight alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons that include fractionation of brominated hydrocarbons, wherein the brominated hydrocarbons are formed by reaction of the lower molecular weight alkanes with bromine.

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.

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

Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for positioning above one or more packing sections in a packed exchange tower includes a plurality of troughs. At least one trough in the plurality of troughs has along a side thereto a deflecting member The deflecting member is angulated to generally follow a shape of the at least one trough. A diffuser side of the deflecting member is positioned to deposit the liquid into a discharge region. A plurality of break bars are disposed on the diffuser side of the deflecting member. A deflector side of the deflecting member is positioned for deflecting ascending vapor away from the discharge region.

Abstract: A separations tray assembly for use in a fluid-fluid exchange column. The separations tray assembly is of the type where a first fluid, in a continuous phase, is directed across successive trays in a serpentine flow path. A second fluid, in a dispersed phase ascends through apertures in the tray thus inducing interaction and mass transfer with the first fluid. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the separations tray further includes a diffuser skirt, having apertures disposed therein, operatively coupled to a fluid channel. The diffuser skirt is operable to direct the first fluid to cover substantially an entire volumetric cross-flow window between successive separations trays and to induce stirring and mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid to effect efficient mass transfer.

Abstract: [Object] In the existing structured packing, performance depends on the effective contacting area and it decreases in case that large surface tension mixture such as with a lot of water since such mixture are difficult to wet the packing surface. Also they have poor performance for relatively higher liquid load at atmospheric pressure or less and for high pressure system where the ratio of liquid/vapor load becomes relatively higher than non-high-pressure system. [Means for Solution] Summarized are the objects to be solved as follows. (1) Prevention liquid from intersecting the crease of the corrugation to fall into a free space. (2) Liquid flowing in to the slot makes frequent liquid and vapor interfacial update. (3) Positive utilization of wetted area. The most important point of this invention is taking a large the value 3.5 or more of P/H (pitch/height of the crimp) and providing the horizontal slot on the crease, resulting in adding the flow reversal mechanism and the frequent interfacial update.

Abstract: Methods and processes for producing paraxylene from catalytic cracking hydrocarbons, particularly C4 and C5+ streams, are disclosed. Each of the processing steps may be tailored to the overall objective of high paraxylene yield from a relative inexpensive feedstock.

Abstract: A separations tray assembly for use in a fluid-fluid exchange column. The separations tray assembly is of the type where a first fluid, in a continuous phase, is directed across successive trays in a serpentine flow path. A second fluid, in a dispersed phase ascends through apertures in the tray thus inducing interaction and mass transfer with the first fluid. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the separations tray further includes a diffuser skirt, having apertures disposed therein, operatively coupled to a fluid channel. The diffuser skirt is operable to direct the first fluid to cover substantially an entire volumetric cross-flow window between successive separations trays and to induce stirring and mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid to effect efficient mass transfer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention herein described generally relate to novel processes for the production of aromatic acids by fixed bed catalytic oxidation of aromatic compounds carrying at least one oxidizable substituent group attached directly to the carbon atom of the corresponding aromatic nucleus. In an embodiment, a novel oxidation process of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) catalytically oxidizing, with an oxidation catalyst, a liquid phase aromatic acid precursor in the presence of a gaseous oxygen source; b) separating a finished product; c) purging the solvent and the oxidation catalyst; d) optionally recycling at least a portion of the solvent into the oxidation reactor; e) recovering at least a portion of the oxidation catalyst; f) recharging the at least a portion of the oxidation catalyst over a solid recharging catalyst bed; and (g) feeding a reactivated oxidation catalyst to the oxidation reactor.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for removing heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are disclosed herein. The apparatuses extract heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons and provide a solvent stream having the heavy hydrocarbons removed. Two water washing steps are used to remove residual solvent from the heavy hydrocarbon solution in light hydrocarbons. In some embodiments, the second water wash is used for processing subsequent batches of the solvent stream. The heavy hydrocarbons and solvent can be recovered and processed further. Methods for removing heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The inventive process is directed to the production of xylenes through integration of aromatics methylation and transalkylation. This integrated process maximizes the production of xylenes and eliminates or minimizes the production of benzene.

Abstract: A tray valve assembly for a process column of a type wherein a first, heavier fluid flows downwardly from a downcomer onto a tray and thereacross in a first direction through which a second, lighter fluid flows upwardly therethrough for interaction and mass transfer with the heavier fluid before passing therefrom. A plurality of valves disposed across a surface of the tray and mounted above a plurality of apertures on the surface of the tray, each valve of the plurality of valves comprising a top surface and at least one securement leg. A first securement leg of is adapted to intercept the heavier fluid flow in the first direction forming a diverting baffle for engaging the heavier fluid flow across the tray. Each valve includes at least one aperture to facilitate the lighter fluid flow therefrom and further comprising a first aperture in the first securement leg.

Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.

Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for positioning above one or more packing sections in a packed exchange tower includes a plurality of troughs. At least one trough in the plurality of troughs has along a side thereto a deflecting member. The deflecting member is angulated to generally follow a shape of the at least one trough. A diffuser side of the deflecting member is positioned to deposit the liquid into a discharge region. A deflector side of the deflecting member is positioned for deflecting ascending vapor away from the discharge region.

Abstract: A fractionation tray for use in a process column. The fractionation tray is of a type where a first fluid flows downwardly from a downcomer onto the fractionation tray and across the fractionation tray in a first direction. A second fluid flows upwardly through the fractionation tray for interaction with the first fluid. The fractionation tray includes an upper tray section, a lower tray section that is operable to removably engage the upper tray section, a joint region which includes an area of overlap between the upper tray section and the lower tray section. The joint region allows passage of the second fluid therethrough.