Energy Conservation in Heavy-Hydrocabon Distillation
AssigneeUop LLC
InventorsGregory R. Werba, Jason T. Corradi, David W. Ablin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aromatics complex producing one or more xylene isomers offers a large number of opportunities to conserve energy by heat exchange within the complex. One previously unrecognized opportunity is through providing two parallel distillation columns operating at different pressures to separate C8 aromatics from C9+ aromatics. The parallel columns offer additional opportunities to conserve energy within the complex.
Claims5
A distillation apparatus comprising two distillation columns for separating C8-aromatic components from C9-and-heavier aromatic components comprising:
- (a) a first distillation column adapted to operate at a first pressure and having a bottom portion in fluid communication with a reboiler;
- (b) a second distillation column adapted to operate at a second pressure and having a top portion in fluid communication with an overhead conduit;
- (c) the overhead conduit from the second column providing fluid communication to the reboiler of the first column.
A distillation apparatus comprising two distillation columns for separating C8-aromatic components from C9-and-heavier aromatic components comprising:
- (a) a first distillation column adapted to operate at a first pressure and having a bottom portion in fluid communication with a reboiler;
- (b) a second distillation column adapted to operate at a second pressure and having a top portion in fluid communication with an overhead conduit;
- (c) the overhead conduit from the second column providing fluid communication to the reboiler of the first column, the overhead conduit adapted to supply a heat source to the reboiler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.