Distillation Apparatus
OwnerMichael R. Smith, Gavin P. Towlerinventors
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Abstract
The apparatus comprises at least two distillation zones located within the column shell to produce an overhead and bottoms product from the first distillation zone and an intermediate product from the second distillation zone. A partition separates the two zones to prevent mass transfer across the boundary between the zones while permitting heat transfer across the boundary. A conduit provides fluid communication between a side draw stage in the first distillation zone and the second distillation zone.
Claims20
A distillation column for producing at least three product streams, the column comprising:
- a) a column shell having a feed inlet, an overhead outlet, a bottoms outlet, and an intermediate outlet;
- b) a first distillation zone within the column shell, the first distillation zone being in fluid communication with the feed inlet, the overhead outlet, and the bottoms outlet;
- c) a side draw stage located in the first distillation zone;
- d) a second distillation zone within the column shell, the second distillation zone being in fluid communication with the intermediate outlet;
- e) a partition within the column shell, the partition defining the second distillation zone, and preventing mass transfer between the first and second distillation zones proximate the partition;
- and
- f) a conduit providing fluid communication between the side draw stage and the second distillation zone.
A distillation column for producing at least three product streams, the column comprising:
- a) a column shell having a feed inlet, a overhead outlet, a bottoms outlet, and an intermediate outlet;
- b) a first distillation zone within the column shell, the first distillation zone being in fluid communication with the feed inlet, the overhead outlet, and the bottoms outlet;
- c) a side draw stage located in the first distillation zone, the side draw stage comprising a trap-out tray;
- d) a second distillation zone within the column shell located below and spaced apart from the side draw stage, the second distillation zone being in fluid communication with the intermediate outlet;
- e) a partition within the column shell, the partition defining the second distillation zone, and preventing mass transfer between the first and second distillation zones proximate the partition;
- f) a first conduit providing liquid communication between the side draw stage and the second distillation zone;
- and
- g) a second conduit providing vapor communication between the side draw stage and the second distillation zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.