Abstract: The present invention relates to the fractionation technology that is used to create purified phenol and acetone products. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fractionation technology that is used to create crude acetone and crude phenol streams using a dividing wall column intended to remove cumene, alpha-methyl styrene and water from the product side of the wall.

Abstract: A dual spray chamber apparatus is described. In one or more implementations, the dual spray chamber apparatus includes a first cyclonic spray chamber for receiving an aerosol and conditioning the aerosol to separate a first conditioned portion of the aerosol from a second portion of the aerosol. The first cyclonic spray chamber defines a first chamber interior and comprises an input port in fluid communication with the first chamber interior. The dual spray chamber apparatus also includes a second spray chamber coupled with the first cyclonic spray chamber for receiving the first conditioned portion of the aerosol and further conditioning the first conditioned portion of the aerosol. The second spray chamber defines a second chamber interior and comprises an output port for expelling a first further conditioned portion of the first conditioned portion of the aerosol from the second chamber interior.

Abstract: Processes for controlling at least one process condition of a chemical processing unit with a turbine. In the processes, a flow of a fluid is adjusted with a turbine in order to provide the fluid with a flow associated with at least one process condition of a chemical processing unit. The turbine wheel is rotated within the turbine, and the turbine wheel is configured to transmit rotational movement to an electrical generator. The resistance of the turbine is modulated and adjusts the flow of the fluid through the turbine. A response time of at least one steady state process condition to a new steady state process condition of at least 10% difference is at least one second to reach 50% of the difference between the at least one steady state process condition and the new steady state process condition after modulating the resistance of the turbine.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for recovering energy from a petroleum, petrochemical, or chemical process are disclosed. The process comprises providing a fluid process stream in a petroleum, petrochemical, or chemical process zone having a direct current power input; controlling a flow rate of the process stream by directing at least a portion of the process stream through a first power-recovery turbine to generate electric power as direct current therefrom; and providing the recovered direct current to the direct current power input of the process zone.

Abstract: A steam reboiler unit that includes turbines for reducing the pressure of various streams associated with the reboilers. The turbines generate electricity from the pressure reduction which can be recovered and utilized elsewhere in the processing unit. Data from the turbine associated with the amount of electrical power generated by the turbine is used to adjust other processing conditions to provide for a more efficient operation of the processing unit.

Abstract: A process for reducing pressure of a vapor stream used for reducing a temperature or pressure in a reactor. A pressure of a vapor stream is reduced with a turbine to provide a lower pressure vapor stream. The vapor stream rotates a turbine wheel within the turbine. The turbine wheel is configured to transmit rotational movement to an electrical generator. Thus, electricity is generated with the turbine. The lower pressure vapor stream is injected into a reactor and reduces a temperature in the reactor or reduces a partial pressure of a hydrocarbon vapor in the reactor.

Abstract: A process for reducing pressure of a vapor stream wherein the vapor stream rotates a turbine wheel within the turbine to transmit rotational movement to an electrical generator and generate electricity. The resulting lower pressure vapor stream reduces a partial pressure of a hydrocarbon vapor or is injected into a reactor to reduce a temperature in the reactor. A recovered electric power measuring system comprises at least one processor; at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions; and at least one receiver configured to receive data from a sensor on an electrical powerline connected to a generator of a turbine, the turbine in fluid communication with a vapor stream wherein the turbine reduces the pressure of the vapor stream and the resulting lower pressure vapor stream is injected into a reactor to reduce a temperature in the reactor or to reduce a partial pressure of hydrocarbon vapor in the reactor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering power in a hydroprocessing process are described. The method involves the use of a power-recovery turbine in place of, or in addition to, a control valve. A hydrocarbon feed stream is combined with a portion of a hydrogen stream. The combined stream is heated, and the heated stream is introduced into a hydroprocessing reaction zone having at least two beds. The heated stream is contacted with a first hydroprocessing catalyst to form a first hydroprocessed stream. At least part of a portion of the hydrogen stream is combined with the first hydroprocessed stream to form a first quenched hydroprocessed stream. The first quenched hydroprocessed stream is contacted with a second hydroprocessing catalyst to form a second hydroprocessed stream. At least a portion of the second portion of the hydrogen stream is directed through a power-recovery turbine to generate electric power.

Abstract: A dual spray chamber apparatus is described. In one or more implementations, the dual spray chamber apparatus includes a first cyclonic spray chamber for receiving an aerosol and conditioning the aerosol to separate a first conditioned portion of the aerosol from a second portion of the aerosol. The first cyclonic spray chamber defines a first chamber interior and comprises an input port in fluid communication with the first chamber interior. The dual spray chamber apparatus also includes a second spray chamber coupled with the first cyclonic spray chamber for receiving the first conditioned portion of the aerosol and further conditioning the first conditioned portion of the aerosol. The second spray chamber defines a second chamber interior and comprises an output port for expelling a first further conditioned portion of the first conditioned portion of the aerosol from the second chamber interior.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting temperature excursion in a chemical plant or petrochemical plant or refinery. Aspects of the disclosure provide an enhanced control system for a reactor, such as in hydroprocessing. The enhanced control system may provide early warnings of impending undesirable events, directly or indirectly manipulate certain process variables to reduce undesirable outcomes, and/or directly or indirectly manipulate of certain process variables so as to place a reactor unit in a “safe park” state. This may avoid a high temperature trip, depressuration, associated operating risks, allow for faster recovery from temperature excursions, and/or avoid unplanned emergency shutdowns of the reactor, chemical process, plant, or refinery.

Abstract: Example methods provided herein generate and employ three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed images of process equipment or areas within various environments in which combustion processes take places. These three-dimensional images are generated with data provided from imaging devices. The imaging devices are disposed or positioned at multiple vantage points, and in various ways, to monitor process equipment in the environment.

Abstract: Example methods provided herein generate and employ three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed images of process equipment or areas within various environments in which combustion processes take places. These three-dimensional images are generated with data provided from imaging devices. The imaging devices are disposed or positioned at multiple vantage points, and in various ways, to monitor process equipment in the environment.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operation of fractionation columns to avoid column flooding is described. The apparatus uses mass flow meters to measure the mass flow rates of the receiver vapor, and the stripper hydrocarbon liquid stream or the stripper reflux and the stripper net overhead liquid. The water from the receiver can be measured with either a volumetric flow meter or a mass flow meter. The apparatus also includes at least one computer in communication with a molecular weight analyzer or specific gravity analyzer; an overhead vapor line pressure gauge; an overhead vapor line temperature gauge; a hydrocarbon liquid outlet line temperature gauge; the stripper hydrocarbon stream mass flow meter, or the stripper reflux hydrocarbon liquid mass flow meter and the stripper net overhead hydrocarbon liquid mass flow meter; the vapor mass flow meter; and the water flow meter.

Abstract: A dual spray chamber apparatus is described. In one or more implementations, the dual spray chamber apparatus includes a first cyclonic spray chamber for receiving an aerosol and conditioning the aerosol to separate a first conditioned portion of the aerosol from a second portion of the aerosol. The first cyclonic spray chamber defines a first chamber interior and comprises an input port in fluid communication with the first chamber interior. The dual spray chamber apparatus also includes a second spray chamber coupled with the first cyclonic spray chamber for receiving the first conditioned portion of the aerosol and further conditioning the first conditioned portion of the aerosol. The second spray chamber defines a second chamber interior and comprises an output port for expelling a first further conditioned portion of the first conditioned portion of the aerosol from the second chamber interior.

Abstract: Purge fluid from a vessel head in an adsorption process is distributed to recovery processes according to the purity of product contained in the fluid. Extract-rich fluid thus is routed directly to recovery of the extract product. Distribution preferably is determined by internal positioning of feed, desorbent and product streams in the adsorption vessel.

Abstract: A process according to various approach includes flushing an intermediate transfer line between the first intermediate transfer line and the extract stream transfer line away from the adsorptive separation chamber to remove residual fluid from intermediate transfer line. The process may include directing the residual fluid flushed from the intermediate transfer line to a recycle stream to introduce the residual fluid into the adsorptive separation chamber.

Abstract: Purge fluid from a vessel head in an adsorption process is distributed to recovery processes according to the purity of product contained in the fluid. Extract-rich fluid thus is routed directly to recovery of the extract product. Distribution preferably is determined by internal positioning of feed, desorbent and product streams in the adsorption vessel.

Abstract: Purge fluid from a vessel head in an adsorption process is distributed to recovery processes according to the purity of product contained in the fluid. Extract-rich fluid thus is routed directly to recovery of the extract product. Distribution preferably is determined by internal positioning of feed, desorbent and product streams in the adsorption vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments of extraction unit and an analysis method are provided. In one embodiment, the analysis method includes the steps of providing a feed stream and a species-selective solvent to the distillation column, drawing a vapor sample from the distillation column, condensing the vapor sample, and analyzing at least a portion of the condensed vapor sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing process control in dual column processes are provided. In an embodiment, a method for processing a raffinate stream includes forming the raffinate stream in an adsorbent zone. The method monitors the pressure in the adsorbent zone. The raffinate stream is split into a first portion and a second portion. A first flow rate of the first portion is adjusted in response to the pressure in the adsorbent zone, and a second flow rate of the second portion is adjusted in response to the first flow rate. The first portion is fractionated in a first column and the second portion is fractionated in a second column.