With Product Recycle Between Distillation Zones Patents (Class 208/355)
  • Patent number: 11312792
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactor system for a multimodal polyethylene polymerization process, comprising; (a) a first reactor; (b) a hydrogen removal unit arranged between the first reactor and a second reactor comprising at least one vessel connected with a depressurization equipment, preferably selected from vacuum pump, compressor, blower, ejector or a combination thereof, the depressurization equipment allowing to adjust an operating pressure to a pressure in a range of 100-200 kPa (abs); (c) the second reactor; and (d) a third reactor and the use thereof as a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: Thai Polyethylene Co., Ltd., SCG Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chatdao Suk-Em, Natthaporn Suchao-In, Watcharee Cheevasrirungruang, Warachad Klomkamol, Boonyakeat Thitisak
  • Patent number: 11236179
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactor system for a multimodal polyethylene polymerization process, comprising; (a) a first reactor; (b) a hydrogen removal unit arranged between the first reactor and a second reactor comprising at least one vessel connected with a depressurization equipment, preferably selected from vacuum pump, compressor, blower, ejector or a combination thereof, the depressurization equipment allowing to adjust an operating pressure to a pressure in a range of 100-200 kPa (abs); (c) the second reactor; and (d) a third reactor and use thereof as a sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: Thai Polyethylene Co., Ltd., SCG Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chatchai Jarumaneeroj, Saranya Traisilanun, Watcharee Cheevasrirungruang, Piyawan Tiyapiboonchaiya
  • Patent number: 11104856
    Abstract: Turbine fuel provided for large-scale land based turbines used by utilities for producing electricity and desalinated water, and for large mobile engines and turbines in marine and remote applications where only liquid fuels are available. Use results in less corrosion, ash formation and emissions (NOx, SOx, CO2 and noxious metals) than firing contaminated heavy crude, refinery residual oils or high sulfur fuel oils. Manufacture is by decontaminating crude oils, non-conventional crudes, and other highly contaminated feeds. Each fuel is produced as a single product of unit operations, not ex-plant blend of various refinery products, yet using an apparatus configuration less complex than conventional crude oil refining. These fuels can be fired by advanced high efficiency turbines of combined cycle power plants having hot flow paths and heat recovery steam generation systems susceptible to corrosion, which systems cannot otherwise risk contaminated heavy crudes or refinery residual oils feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Mawetal LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Wohaibi, Tom F. Pruitt
  • Patent number: 9410090
    Abstract: Crude containing a comparatively large content of nickel, vanadium, or carbon residue is treated so as to supply a raw material to a downstream catalytic cracking process. A primary distillation tower fractionates first crude into a residue fraction partly used as raw oil of a catalytic cracking process and other fractions. A secondary distillation tower fractionates second crude containing a larger content of a catalytic poison with respect to catalysts used in the catalytic cracking process than the first crude into a light fraction included in a distillation temperature range of the other fractions and a heavy fraction as a rest thereof. A light fraction supply line supplies the light fraction to the primary distillation tower so as to be treated in the primary distillation tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Naoaki Sawai, Yoshihiro Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 8986536
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for recovery of spent lubricating oil. The evaporation of hydrocarbon fractions from spent lubricating oil is carried out in three steps. The first step is at approximately 150-1030 mbar and between 70-240° C. in which is greater than 99% water, greater than 99% of ethylene glycol and greater than 50% of hydrocarbon molecules with normal boiling point up to 310° C. are evaporated from spent oil. The second step is operated at 6-30 mbar and 200-2900 C in which predominantly gasoil and light vacuum gasoil fractions are evaporated. The third step is operated at 250-320° C. and 0.5-15 mbar in which mainly heavy vacuum gasoil (boiling range of 425 to 570° C. on ASTM D-1160 test) is evaporated from spent oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Rohit Joshi
  • Patent number: 8864951
    Abstract: Systems and processes for improving quality and yield of one or more distillate products generated in a distillation column are disclosed. The system comprises a feed inlet distributor that reduces the amount of liquid entrained in vapor rising from the feed zone of the distillation column, a wash zone collection apparatus having an improved design for collecting slop wax falling from a liquid/vapor contacting structure provided in the wash zone, a recirculation subsystem for recirculating at least a portion of the collected slop wax to the top of the wash zone for distribution as wash oil, and a control subsystem. The feed inlet distributor ensures a horizontal fluid flow path free of transverse surfaces thereby minimizing atomization of liquid droplets entrained in vapor in the feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: ThioSolv, LLC
    Inventors: Mark C. Anderson, George R. Winter
  • Patent number: 8747654
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering product from catalytically converted product streams. An integrated debutanizer column provides an LPG stream, a light naphtha stream and a heavy naphtha stream. The integrated debutanizer column may comprise a dividing wall column. The light naphtha stream may be used as an absorbent for a primary absorber column which provides advantageous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Saadet Ulas Acikgoz, Michael A. Schultz, Xin X. Zhu
  • Patent number: 8618344
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for enhanced recovery of propylene and LPG from the fuel gas produced in Fluid catalytic cracking unit by contacting a heavier hydrocarbon feed with FCC catalyst. In the conventional process, the product mixture from FCC main column overhead comprising naphtha, LPG and fuel gas, are first condensed and gravity separated to produce unstabilized naphtha, which is subsequently used in the absorber to absorb propylene and LPG from fuel gas. However, the recovery of propylene beyond 97 wt % is difficult in this process since unstabilized naphtha already contains propylene of 5 mol % or above. In the present invention, C4 and lighter components from unstabilized naphtha are first stripped off in a separate column to obtain a liquid fraction almost free from propylene (<0.1 mol %) and other LPG components. Such a stripped liquid fraction, after cooling to 20° C. to 30° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Reliance Industries Limited
    Inventors: Manoj Yadav, Sukumar Mandal, Asit Kumar Das, Yogesh Gupta, Minaz Makhania, Gobind Tulsi, Shailendra Arora, Shubhangi Jaguste
  • Patent number: 8093440
    Abstract: An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing methane and lighter, C2 (ethylene and/or ethane), and heavier components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing predominantly C2 and heavier hydrocarbon components including the steps of cooling and partially condensing and delivering the feed stream to a separator to provide a first residue vapor and a first liquid containing C2, directing a first part of the first liquid containing C2 into a heavy-ends fractionation column wherein the liquid is separated into a second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue and a second liquid product containing C2; further cooling the second part of the first liquid containing C2 and partially condensing the second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue; combining the cooled second part of the first liquid and partially condensed second hydrocarbon-bearing vapor residue and directing them to a second separator effecting a third residue and a third li
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Linde Process Plants, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Key, William G. Brown
  • Patent number: 7993435
    Abstract: A process for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid comprising: heating the feedstock, mixing the heated feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, flashing the mixture to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase which collect as bottoms and removing the liquid phase, separating and cracking the vapor phase, and cooling the product effluent, wherein the bottoms are maintained under conditions to effect at least partial visbreaking. The visbroken bottoms may be steam stripped to recover the visbroken molecules while avoiding entrainment of the bottoms liquid. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Stell, George J. Balinsky, James N. McCoy, Paul F. Keusenkothen
  • Patent number: 7982086
    Abstract: A process for fractionating isobutene from normal butenes, including: introducing hydrogen and a feed stream comprising isobutene, 1-butene, and 2-butene into a first column including a reaction zone containing a hydroisomerization catalyst operating at a first pressure and concurrently: (i) converting at least a portion of the 1-butene to 2-butene, and (ii) separating isobutene from the 2-butene; recovering a first overheads fraction comprising isobutene from the first column; recovering a first bottoms fraction comprising isobutene, 2-butene, and unreacted 1-butene from the first column; introducing the first bottoms fraction into a top portion of a second column comprising a fractionation column operating at a second pressure lower than the first pressure; separating the first bottoms into a second overheads fraction comprising isobutene and 1-butene and a second bottoms fraction comprising 2-butene; compressing the second overheads fraction; and introducing the compressed second overheads fraction to a lo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventor: Martinus J. Almering
  • Patent number: 7670573
    Abstract: A process for decoking of a process that cracks hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid and coke precursors, wherein steam is added to the feedstock to form a mixture which is thereafter separated into a vapor phase and a liquid phase by flashing in a flash/separation vessel, separating and cracking the vapor phase, and recovering cracked product. Coking of internal surfaces in and proximally downstream of the vessel is controlled by interrupting the feed flow, purging the vessel with steam, introducing an air/steam mixture to at least partially combust the coke, and resuming the feed flow when sufficient coke has been removed. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Stell, Arthur R. Di Nicolantonio, James M. Frye, Subramanian Annamalai, Nicholas G. Vidonic
  • Patent number: 7641870
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid is cracked by a process comprising: (a) heating the hydrocarbon feedstock; (b) mixing the heated hydrocarbon feedstock with steam and optionally water to form a mixture stream; (c) introducing the mixture stream to a flash/separation apparatus to form i) a vapor phase at its dew point which partially cracks and loses/or heat causing a temperature decrease and partial condensation of the vapor phase in the absence of added heat to provide coke precursors existing as uncoalesced condensate, and ii) a liquid phase; (d) removing the vapor phase as overhead and the liquid phase as bottoms from the flash/separation apparatus; (e) treating the overhead by contacting with a hydrocarbon-containing nucleating liquid substantially free of resid and comprising components boiling at a temperature of at least about 260° C. (500° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Stell, Nicholas G. Vidonic
  • Patent number: 7494584
    Abstract: An energy efficient process scheme for a highly exothermic reaction-distillation system in which the reactor is external to the distillation column and the feed to the reactor is a mixture of at least one liquid product stream from the distillation column with or without other liquid/vapor reactants. The reactor is operated under adiabatic and boiling point conditions and at a pressure that results in vaporizing a portion of the liquid flow through the reactor due to the heat of reaction. Under these conditions, reaction temperature is controlled by reactor pressure. The pressure (and hence the temperature) is maintained at a sufficiently high level such that the reactor effluent can be efficiently used to provide reboil heat for the distillation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Arvids Judzis, Abraham P. Gelbein, John R. Adams, Christopher C. Boyer
  • Patent number: 7437891
    Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of ethylene and optionally propylene from a stream containing lighter and heavier components that employs an ethylene distributor column and a partially thermally coupled distributed distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Ineos USA LLC
    Inventors: Rian Reyneke, Michael J. Foral, Guang-Chung Lee, Wayne W. Y. Eng, Iain Sinclair, Jeffery S. Lodgson
  • Patent number: 7320745
    Abstract: An energy efficient process scheme for a highly exothermic reaction-distillation system in which the reactor is external to the distillation column and the feed to the reactor is a mixture of at least one liquid product stream from the distillation column with or without other liquid/vapor reactants. The reactor is operated under adiabatic and boiling point conditions and at a pressure that results in vaporizing a portion of the liquid flow through the reactor due to the heat of reaction. Under these conditions, reaction temperature is controlled by reactor pressure. The pressure (and hence the temperature) is maintained at a sufficiently high level such that the reactor effluent can be efficiently used to provide reboil heat for the distillation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Arvids Judzis, Jr., Abraham P. Gelbein, John R. Adams, Christopher C. Boyer
  • Patent number: 7204928
    Abstract: A process for the fractional distillation of crude oil, which comprises the steps of: feeding a continuous current of crude oil at 310–400° C. into a turbomixer comprising a tubular cylindrical body (1) provided with a rotor (9) formed with helically oriented paddles (10) and rotatably supported inside the body, along with a continuous current of steam; subjecting both currents to the mechanical action of the paddled rotor (9), so as to create a thin tubular dynamic turbulent layer, which is discharged and fed continuously into a fractioning column, at a predetermined height level in the column, to produce an upward-flowing vapor current and a downward-flowing liquid current therein; and optionally discharging the downward-flowing liquid current continuously from the column bottom, and feeding it continuously into the turbomixer in the same direction as the crude oil current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Vomm Chemipharma S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giuseppina Cerea
  • Patent number: 6723231
    Abstract: Process to separate propene from gaseous fluid catalytic cracking products by performing the following steps: a) separating a feed mixture comprising the gaseous products, propene and other saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons obtained in a fluid catalytic cracking process into a hydrocarbon-rich liquid fraction and a hydrogen containing gaseous fraction, b) separating the hydrogen containing gaseous fraction into a hydrogen-rich gaseous fraction and a hydrocarbon-rich gaseous fraction by means of a membrane separation, c) supplying the hydrocarbon-rich gaseous fraction obtained in step (b) to an absorber section and obtaining in said absorber section a lower boiling fraction rich in gaseous products having a boiling point of ethane or below and supplying the hydrocarbon-rich liquid fraction obtained in step (a) to a stripper section and obtaining in said stripper section a higher boiling fraction comprising propene and hydrocarbons having a boiling point higher than ethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eduard Rudolf Geus, John William Harris, Johan Jan Barend Pek
  • Patent number: 6605208
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed that relate generally to a process for reducing harmful or unwanted emissions during the production of asphalt, such as blue smoke. The process includes the introduction of a pump around of the wax oil fraction for re-introduction into the vacuum tower. Additional desirable features include stripping trays below the wax oil collection tray and the feed zone. The result is to produce an asphalt product that creates less blue smoke in the hot mix plant. Another desirable feature is that a product can be created that meets Performance Grade specifications with the addition of polymers or other additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth Hucker, Sanford P. Brass
  • Patent number: 6483002
    Abstract: Construction and operational costs of simulated moving bed adsorptive separation process units are reduced by recovering desorbent from both the extract and raffinate streams of the process in a single column. Both streams are fractionated to recover desorbent, which is removed at one end of a dividing wall column, while separate extract and raffinate products are removed from the other end of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Dennis E. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6395951
    Abstract: Construction and operational costs of recovering the extract or raffinate product of a simulated moving bed adsorptive separation process units are reduced by employing a dividing wall column to perform the separation. The raffinate or extract stream is passed into the column at an intermediate point on the first side of the dividing wall, with the column delivering the adsorptive separation product as a sidedraw from the opposite side of the dividing wall. A stream of co-adsorbed impurity is removed as an overhead stream and desorbent is recovered as a net bottoms stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: David A Hamm
  • Patent number: 6348637
    Abstract: Construction and operational costs of simulated moving bed adsorptive separation process units are reduced by recovering desorbent from both the extract and raffinate streams of the process in a single column. Both streams are fractionated in the same column to recover desorbent, which is removed at the bottom of the column. The bottom of the column is divided into a reboiler sump section and a bottoms product-desorbent inventory section, with this reducing the equipment required in the overall process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: James W. Harris
  • Patent number: 6278035
    Abstract: An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing methane and lighter, C2 (ethylene and/or ethane), and heavier components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing predominantly C2 and heavier hydrocarbon components including the steps of cooling and partially condensing and delivering the feed stream to a separator to provide a first residue vapor and a first liquid containing C2, directing a first part of the first liquid containing C2 into a heavy-ends fractionation column wherein the liquid is separated into a second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue and a second liquid product containing C2; further cooling the second part of the first liquid containing C2 and partially condensing the second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue; combining the cooled second part of the first liquid and partially condensed second hydrocarbon-bearing vapor residue and directing them to a second separator effecting a third residue and a third li
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Ronald D. Key, William G. Brown
  • Patent number: 5456823
    Abstract: A process for the dehydration and/or desalination and simultaneous fractionation of a petroleum deposit effluent containing oil, associated gas and water which can be saline, which process comprises:(a) at least one step for separating the liquid and gaseous phases at the pressure P1 for removal of the gas, producing a gaseous fraction G1, on the one hand, which is removed and a liquid fraction L1, on the other hand, which is sent to step(b) at least one step for separating, at least partly, the two liquid phases mixed in the liquid fraction L1, the aqueous phase being partly removed and the oil phase containing a quantity of residual aqueous phase being sent to step (c);(c) at least one distillation step carried out at a pressure P2 which is less than, or at the most equal to, the pressure P1 in step (a), in a distillation zone C1, said distillation being carried out in the presence of the oil phase coming from step (b), said zone C1 comprising an internal heat exchange zone and a boiling zone, and enabling
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Christophe Lermite, Joseph Larue, Alexandre Rojey
  • Patent number: 5389242
    Abstract: A description is given of a process for the fractionation of oil and gas on a petroleum deposit effluent, including:(a) a stage wherein the liquid and gaseous phases are separated at the gas evacuation pressure P1, producing a gaseous fraction G1, on the one hand, which is evacuated, and a liquid fraction L1, on the other hand, which is constituted at least partially of oil, sending the liquid fraction L1 to stage (b);(b) at least one distillation stage carried out at a pressure P2 which is less than or at least equal to the pressure P1 in stage (a), in a distillation zone C1 which has an internal heat exchange zone and a reboiling zone, and which permits a gaseous fraction G2 to be recovered, on the one hand, and a liquid fraction L2 to be recovered, on the other hand, which is sent to the internal exchange zone, then evacuated; and(c) at least one recompression stage at the pressure P1 of at least a part of the gaseous fraction G2 which is at least partly mixed with the gaseous fraction G2 and evacuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Christophe Lermite, Joseph Larue, Alexandre Rojey
  • Patent number: 5326927
    Abstract: In a process for the recovery of a polymerizable useful fraction, consisting of styrene, methylstyrenes, vinyltoluenes, indene, methylindenes and fractions whose boiling points are between styrene and methylindenes, from the crack gases of a steam cracker, the sidestream of the crack gas column is divided, by means of a distillation unit, into the useful fraction and into fractions which are recycled to the crack gas column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Stabel, Gerd Wunsch, Helmut Woerz, Andreas Fried, Ruediger Kotkamp
  • Patent number: 5252201
    Abstract: An improved fractionating process is provided wherein a liquid stream is withdrawn from the separation zone of the fractionator, is cooled and is recycled to the fractionator at a location below the location of withdrawal of the liquid stream. An improved fractionator is provided which comprises a withdrawal point from which a liquid stream is withdrawn, a cooler to cool the withdrawn stream and a means for recycling the withdrawn stream to a point below the withdrawal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Vijay R. Sampath
  • Patent number: 5180474
    Abstract: A method of separation of aromates from hydrocarbon mixtures by extractive distillation with a selective solvent, includes introducing a hydrocarbon mixture into the extractive distillation column, distillating out non-aromate components of the introduced hydrocarbon mixture from a head of the extractive distillation column, withdrawing aromates together with a used solvent from a sump of the extractive distillation column and supplying to a driving-out column, separating the aromates from the solvent in the driving-out column, withdrawing the aromates as a head product and the solvent as a sump product from the driving-out column, reintroducing the withdrawn solvent into the extractive distillation column, the withdrawing of the solvent from the driving-out column including withdrawing only part of the solvent with a high temperature required for the complete aromate driving-out from the sump of the driving-out column, while a rest of the solvent with a certain aromate content and a lower temperature is with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Luzian Skatulla, Hans-Jurgen Vollmer, Hans-Christoph Schneider
  • Patent number: 5167773
    Abstract: A distillation tower (1) has a plurality of liquid sidestream lines (5, 6, 7) and a multi-stage sidestream stripper (13) which includes a respective stripping section (14, 15, 16) for each sidestream line housed in a common, upright, cylindrical shell (28) which allows vapor to pass freely from each stage to the one above. Partial vaporization of each sidestream is achieved by applying a vacuum to the top of the stripper shell (point 21) and/or introducing strip gas at the bottom (point 20). Because the vapor passes serially through the stripping sections from the bottom of the stripper (13) to the top, the need to supply strip gas separately to the stripping sections and/or apply vacuum individually is avoided. The separation between the sidestream products is improved by including, in each stage, a rectification zone (22, 23, 24) positioned above the stripping section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: James D. Eagan, Adrianus Welmers
  • Patent number: 5139651
    Abstract: Processes are provided for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons from feeds comprising mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons using a mixed aromatic extraction solvent at extraction temperature of less than 250.degree. F. The mixed extraction solvent is comprised of a solvent component containing low molecular weight polyalkylene glycols and a cosolvent component containing glycol ethers. Extractive distillation and steam distillation operations are employed to separate the hydrocarbon components from the rich solvent extract. Low temperature extraction followed by subsequent heating of the rich solvent stream results in improved solvent selectivity, reduced solvent to feed ratios, improved thermal stability and energy savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Paulino Forte
  • Patent number: 5116485
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for recovering a diesel-quality fuel from produced crude oil is described. The diesel-quality fuel is produced by flashing the crude feedstock at high temperatures and recovering the diesel quality fuel as a liquid from a refluxing exchanger. Process efficiency is enhanced by heat integration. The process is particularly applicable to remote locations, both onshore and offshore, where conventional fuel supplies are inadequate or not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas E. Krisa
  • Patent number: 5105041
    Abstract: A process for the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons uses a working fluid to reduce the costs of separating an unreacted aromatic feed substrate from aromatic hydrocarbon products. Unreacted aromatic substrate is combined with a light hydrocarbon, such as propane, to form a combined effluent stream. The combined effluent stream enters a flash separator where unreacted aromatic substrate is lifted overhead with the light hydrocarbon while heavier aromatic products are recovered below. The aromatic substrate and light hydrocarbon are easily separated in a simple separation zone. Lifting the aromatic substrate with the working fluid reduces the volume of aromatic substrate that remains with the aromatic product so that the more energy intensive separation of the aromatic substrate and aromatic product is performed on a reduced volume of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Don L. Ferk, Eugene Schmelzer, Edward C. Haun
  • Patent number: 5031754
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon material of the starting product is separated in an extractive distillation column in which an N-substituted morpholine whose substituents do not have more than seven carbon atoms is used as a selective solvent. The overhead product comes down as a top product of the extractive distillation and is fed through a coalescer in which the sump product comes down with a solvent content of 20 to 75% by weight at a temperature of 20.degree. to 70.degree. C. and subsequent to that is fed into a separating vessel. There it is separated into a heavier and lighter phase. After that the heavier phase is conducted into an extractive distillation column and the lighter phase into the overhead product distillation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Emmrich, Hans-Christoph Schneider, Ulrich Rudel
  • Patent number: 5022981
    Abstract: Processes are provided for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons from feeds comprising mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons using a mixed aromatic extraction solvent at extraction temperature of less than 250.degree. F. The mixed extraction solvent is comprised of a solvent component containing low molecular weight polyalkylene glycols and a cosolvent component containing glycol ethers. Extractive distillation and steam distillation operations are employed to separate the hydrocarbon components from the rich solvent extract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Paulino Forte
  • Patent number: 4994168
    Abstract: The quality and yield of dewaxed, hydrotreated lube oil base stocks are improved by reducing the top temperature in the hydrotreated lube stripper so as to increase the proportion of heavy kerosene components in the lube oil base stock. The separation system provides for a two stage stripping of the lube oil fraction such that the kerosene fraction stripped from the lube product in the primary product stripper under vacuum is stripped in a second stage stripper at a higher pressure with recycle of the heavy kerosene fraction as a reflux stream to the primary vacuum stripper so that a product with improved viscosity index and flash point is separated in the primary stripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Mohsen N. Harandi
  • Patent number: 4954247
    Abstract: A process for improving the separation of a hydrocarbonaceous oil is provided, in which the oil is separated into fractions in an atmospheric distillation zone. The heavy bottoms fraction (atmospheric residuum) is split into two streams. One stream is passed through a heating zone and, subsequently, to a vacuum separation zone. The other stream by-passes the heating zone and is introduced directly into the vacuum separation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gregory M. Lipkin, Joseph L. Niedzwiecki
  • Patent number: 4952305
    Abstract: In a process for obtaining higher-boiling hydrocarbons from a gaseous stream, the latter is first partially condensed and the thus-formed liquid fraction is introduced into a rectification process whereas the gaseous fraction is scrubbed in a scrubbing column using condense residual gas from the rectification. The thus-formed bottom product is likewise passed on to rectification.In order to enhance the scrubbing step by condensed gas, higher hydrocarbons are admixed to this residual gas. Thereby, on the one hand, the residual gas is subjected to improved initial condensation and, on the other hand, the scrubbing effect is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Paul Kummann
  • Patent number: 4941967
    Abstract: Process for re-refining spent lubeoils, wherein a lubeoil freed from water and sludge forming impurities is subjected to a pre-destillation at reduced pressure and with a short residence time of the oil in the distillation column and is subsequently subjected to film evaporation under vacuum, in one or more wiped-film evaporators wherein the overhead product obtained with the film evaporator is subjected to an after-treatment after condensation and the heavy bottom product (residue product) of at least one film evaporator is at least partially recycled to the entrance of said film evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Kinetics Technology International B.V.
    Inventors: Leonardus M. M. Mannetje, Ashok S. Laghate
  • Patent number: 4925535
    Abstract: The process for production of an aromate concentrate for use as a blending component for gasification fuel includes subjecting another feed hydrocarbon mixture to an extractive distillation using N-substituted morpholines as selective solvent in a extractive distillation column. Low-boiling non-aromates with a boiling range up to about 105.degree. C. practically completely and higher-boiling non-aromates with a boiling range between about 105.degree. and 160.degree. C. to a substantial extent are discharged as a raffinate from the top of the extractive distillation column. The extract bottoms from the extractive distillation are fed to a solvent stripping column where the solvent is at least partially recovered from other hydrocarbons. To eliminate condensation and polymerization products due to components with a boiling point over 170.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Preusser, Gerd Emmrich, Martin Schulze
  • Patent number: 4919794
    Abstract: A process for improving the separation of a hydrocarbon mixture is provided in which the hydrocarbon mixture is separated into fractions in a distillation zone. A liquid fraction and a portion of the vapor phase fraction are removed from the distillation zone as sidestream and introduced into a separation zone comprising a stripping gas to be stripped simultaneously. The resulting stripped vapor is recycled to an upper portion of the distillation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gregory M. Lipkin, Joseph L. Niedzwiecki
  • Patent number: 4894145
    Abstract: In a fractional distillation tower which is divided into a plurality of sections by total drawoff trays, and wherein at least one fraction is withdrawn from each section. The cut point temperature between fractions is determined based on the partial pressure and temperature of the vapor in the upper portion of a section. The thus determined cut point temperature may be compared to a set point with the results of the comparison being utilized to maintain the actual cut point temperature between fractions substantially equal to the desired cut point temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Applied Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Jensen
  • Patent number: 4885424
    Abstract: A process for the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons uses a light hydrocarbon recycle to reduce the costs of separating an unreacted aromatic feed substrate from aromatic hydrocarbon products. Unreacted aromatic substrate is combined with a light hydrocarbon, such as propane, to form a combined effluent stream. The combined effluent stream enters a flash separator where unreacted aromatic substrate is lifted overhead with the light hydrocarbon while heavier aromatic products are recovered below. The aromatic substrate and light hydrocarbon are easily separated in a simple separation zone. Lifting the aromatic substrate with the light hydrocarbon reduces the volume of aromatic substrate that remains with the aromatic product so that the more energy intensive separation of the aromatic substrate and aromatic product is performed on a reduced volume of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Don L. Ferk, Eugene Schmelzer, Edward C. Haun
  • Patent number: 4859310
    Abstract: An effective, economical catalytic cracking process is provided to produce quality gasoline and other hydrocarbons from whole crude oil. The catalytic cracking process is operable and particularly useful during maintenance or shutdown of associated pipestills, vacuum tower, and/or atmospheric tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Fitzharris, Scott J. Ringle, Kathy S. Nicholes
  • Patent number: 4832830
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating selected C.sub.4 olefinic products from combinations thereof with lower boiling point compounds comprises partially condensing a stream containing said products and compounds, atmospherically separating said partially condensed stream to yield gas and liquid streams, stipping said liquid stream to yield stripper overhead gas and stripper bottoms liquids, and recovering said C.sub.4 olefinic and paraffinic products from said stripper bottoms liquid, all at selected temperatures and pressures adapted to produce a high recovered percentage of said desired C.sub.4 olefinic and paraffinic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee J. Howard
  • Patent number: 4822480
    Abstract: Improved product stripping in a catalytic hydrodesulfurization (CHD) product stream is obtained by employing off-gas from the unit as a stripping medium. The compressed off-gas is introduced into the stripper below the stripper feed level. The stripper may be operated at pressures higher than those previously employed in CHD product strippers and this permits LPG recovery to be maximized with lower product sulfur levels and reduced load in the off-gas compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Mohsen N. Harandi, Hartley Owen, Michael T. Siuta
  • Patent number: 4776948
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for fractionating a hot vaporous hydrocarbon feed from a fluid catalytic cracking reactor wherein the hot vaporous feed is introduced into a fractionator zone near one end thereof and liquid is removed from a liquid collection zone and cooled in a heat extraction zone. A first portion of the cooled liquid is returned to a location between the liquid collection zone and the point of introduction of the vaporous feed and sprayed directly on hot condensed liquid flowing downwardly over an inclined baffle plate to quickly quench the liquid below the temperature at which polymerization of the constituents of the liquid can occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Williams, Phillips & Umphlett
    Inventor: Frank W. Skraba
  • Patent number: 4702819
    Abstract: A process for separating gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons in first and second fractionation zones wherein the first fractionation zone employs a side reboiler discharging below the side draw point. A vapor sidestream is removed from the first fractionator below the side draw point and introduced to the second fractionator. The flow scheme permits control of the first fractionator bottoms temperature to match available low level waste heat which may therefore be used in fractionator reboiling duty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Shanmuk Sharma, Donnie K. Hill, Charles A. Durr
  • Patent number: 4673488
    Abstract: An improved method for processing the effluent of a hydrocarbon conversion zone. The invention is particularly useful in a catalytic reforming reaction, wherein practice of the invention results in an increased recovery of butane and propane. The effluent is separated into vapor and liquid components, which are then recontacted at a higher pressure. Several recontacting steps may be employed. Liquid product is then subjected to fractionation. Overhead vapor from the fractionation zone is recycled back to a recontacting step in order to recover a portion of the hydrocarbons contained therein, instead of routing the vapor to the plant fuel gas system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Turner, Kenneth D. Peters, Richard W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4664784
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for distillation of hydrocarbon oil subject to coking threshold temperature limits. A hydrocarbon oil is heated to a first predetermined maximum temperature above which coking is likely to occur. The heated hydrocarbon oil is introduced into a first distillation zone, wherein the heated hydrocarbon oil is separated into a liquid portion and a vapor portion. The descending liquid portion is withdrawn from the bottom region of the first distillation zone, and the withdrawn liquid is reheated to a second predetermined maximum temperature, above which coking is likely to occur in the return heater line. Finally, the heated withdrawn liquid is returned to a second distillation zone, wherein a second separation occurs to achieve increased valuable products recovery. A divider arrangement maintains the first and second distillation zones physically separate from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Mohsen N. Harandi
  • Patent number: 4664786
    Abstract: In a steam distillation process for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons wherein there is (i) a primary flash zone at the top of the distillation zone in which rich solvent is flashed and/or (ii) provision for the removal of side cut distillate vapors from about the middle of the distillation zone, the improvement comprising (a) heat exchanging flashed rich solvent vapors or side-cut distillate vapors with stripping water to provide stripping water vapors and stripping water at at least about the boiling point of water; (b) passing the stripping water vapors from step (a) to a steam ejector; (c) passing the stripping water from step (a) to a motive steam generator wherein the stripping water is vaporized under pressure; (d) passing the stripping water vapors from step (c) to the steam ejector referred to in step (b); and (e) passing the stripping water vapors, introduced into the steam ejector in accordance with steps (b) and (d), to the lower half of the distillation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Paulino Forte, Jose A. Vidueira