Abstract: Vacuum distillation system which has a vacuum distillation column (1) having a column inlet (6), a bottom outlet (8) and a top outlet (10), a furnace (2) provided with a heat-exchange tube (27) having a tube inlet (28) and a tube outlet (29), and a connecting conduit (3) extending between the tube outlet (29) and the column inlet (6), wherein the inner diameter of the heat-exchange tube (27) increases along the length of the heat-exchange tube (27) to between 2.4 and three times the inner diameter of the tube inlet (28), and wherein the inner diameter of the connecting conduit (3) gradually increases along the length of the connecting conduit (3) to between 2.5 and 5.4 times the inner diameter of the tube outlet (29).

Abstract: A draw-off device is disclosed for a vacuum distillation column in which device a layer of gutters is provided. A secondary wall is arranged in the gutters creating a heat-insulating layer to reduce the condensation of vapor passing along the outer walls of the gutters.

Abstract: In a vacuum distillation process a feed stream is supplied to a furnace and a heated feed stream containing vapor and liquid is passed from the furnace into a distillation column operating at a subatmospheric pressure. Vapor is allowed to rise inside the distillation column. The rising vapor is contacted with a de-entrainment means to remove entrained liquid from the rising vapor. Wash liquid is sprayed on the de-entrainment means and subsequently passed from the distillation column to a collection vessel. The wash liquid is cooled and then withdrawn from said collection vessel.

Abstract: A feed which contains vapor and liquid is introduced into a distillation column operating at a subatmospheric pressure. Vapor is allowed to rise inside the distillation column and liquid is allowed to drop to the bottom part of the distillation column. From said bottom part a liquid is passed through a transfer conduit to an external collecting vessel from which a liquid stream is withdrawn. The liquid stream is cooled and part thereof is introduced into the transfer conduit.

Abstract: Improved hydrocarbon vacuum distillation process wherein the process steps include introducing a feed which contains liquid hydrocarbons and vaporous hydrocarbons into an inlet section (3) of a distillation column (1) operating at a subatmospheric pressure, removing liquid from a bottom section (6) of the distillation column (1), allowing vapor to pass through three condensation sections (13b, 13a and 13) arranged above each other in the distillation column (1) between the inlet section (3) and a top section (8), removing vapor from the top section (8), spraying into each condensation section (13, 13a and 13b) cooled liquid, and removing liquid from each condensation section (13, 13a and 13b), wherein the cooled liquid which is sprayed into each condensation section (13, 13a and 13b) includes liquid removed from that condensation section (13, 13a and 13b), and wherein the cooled liquid which is sprayed in the uppermost condensation section (13) further includes liquid removed from the condensation sections (1