Aromatics separation process and method of retrofitting existing equipment for same
AssigneeGTC Technology Inc.
InventorsJoseph C. Gentry, Fu-Ming Lee
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Abstract
An improved process for the recovery of aromatic compounds from a mixture containing aromatic and non-aromatic compounds and method for retrofitting existing equipment for the same is provided. The improved process comprises the steps of recovering aromatic compounds via parallel operation of a hybrid extractive distillation/liquid-liquid extractor operation and variations thereof. Methods of quickly and economically retrofitting existing recovery process equipment for use with the improved aromatics recovery process are also disclosed.
Claims16
A process for recovering aromatic compounds from a mixed hydrocarbon feedstock containing aromatic compounds and non-aromatic compounds, comprising:
- providing the mixed hydrocarbon feedstock directly to an extractive distillation column having a solvent therein;
- providing an overhead stream from the extractive distillation column to a liquid-liquid extractor having a solvent therein without refluxing any portion of said overhead stream to said extractive distillation column;
- providing a bottom stream from the liquid-liquid extractor to at least one location along a length of the extractive distillation column below the feed point of said mixed hydrocarbon feedstock;
- and
- recovering aromatic compounds from the mixed hydrocarbon feedstock via said liquid-liquid extractor and said extractive distillation column.
A process for recovering aromatic compounds from a mixed hydrocarbon feedstock containing aromatic compounds and non-aromatic compounds, comprising:
- providing the mixed hydrocarbon feedstock directly to an extractive distillation column;
- providing a bottom stream of rich solvent from the extractive distillation column to an extract recovery operation;
- providing a bottom stream from the extract recovery operation to a raffinate extractor;
- providing a top stream from the extractive distillation column to the raffinate extractor without refluxing any portion thereof to said extractive distillation column;
- and
- recovering aromatic compounds from an overhead stream from the extract recovery operation without water washing thereof.
A process for recovering aromatic compounds from a mixed hydrocarbon feedstock containing aromatic compounds and non-aromatic compounds, comprising:
- providing the mixed hydrocarbon feedstock directly to an extractive distillation column;
- providing an overhead stream from the extractive distillation column to a liquid-liquid extractor without refluxing any portion of said overhead stream to said extractive distillation column;
- providing a bottom stream from the liquid-liquid extractor to at least one location along a length of the extractive distillation column;
- and
- recovering aromatic compounds from the mixed hydrocarbon feedstock via said liquid-liquid extractor and said extractive distillation column.
A process for recovering aromatic compounds from a mixed hydrocarbon feedstock containing aromatic compounds and non-aromatic compounds, comprising;
- providing the mixed hydrocarbon feedstock directly to an extractive distillation column;
- providing an overhead stream from the extractive distillation column to a liquid-liquid extractor;
- providing a bottom stream from the liquid-liquid extractor to at least one location along a length of the extractive distillation column below the feed point of said mixed hydrocarbon feedstock;
- and
- recovering aromatic compounds from the mixed hydrocarbon feedstock via said liquid-liquid extractor and said extractive distillation column.
A process for recovering aromatic compounds from a mixed hydrocarbon feedstock containing aromatic compounds and non-aromatic compounds comprising:
- providing the mixed hydrocarbon feedstock directly to an extractive distillation column;
- providing an overhead stream from the extractive distillation column to a liquid-liquid extractor;
- providing a bottom stream from the liquid-liquid extractor to at least one location along a length of the extractive distillation column;
- and
- recovering aromatic compounds from the mixed hydrocarbon feedstock via said liquid-liquid extractor and said extractive distillation column.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.