US 6,638,397 B1 · Simplified automated distillation system for recovering a solvent from a liquid mixture

Abstract

A system is described for recovering a purified distillable component from a starting mixture utilizing a transition tank to receive a transition mixture distilled from a starting mixture, which is returned to the system for further distillation. The system includes a condenser which features an annular tube having cooling fins arranged inside and outside its annular region to improve its cooling efficiency, and a reflux column which features a flow distributor and a flow centralizer to improve mixing of the rising vapors with the descending liquid. The system also includes a temperature sensor located between the reflux column and the condenser for supplying temperature measurements used in the automatic, operator-less control of the system.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A system for recovering through at least one distillation cycle at least one purified component from a starting mixture, said system comprising:

an evaporation tank for evaporating of said starting mixture into vapors;
a condenser in fluid communication with said evaporation tank for receiving said vapors from said evaporation tank and condensing them to a liquid state;
a reflux column extending between said evaporation tank and said condenser;
a collection tank for collecting said purified component from said condenser;
and
a transition tank connected with said evaporation tank and receiving at least one transition mixture from said condenser which has been distilled from said starting mixture during said distillation cycle and is to be supplied to said system as a part of the starting mixture used in a next distillation cycle.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Simplified automated distillation system for recovering a solvent from a liquid mixture

Life of this patent

Simplified automated distillation system for recovering a solvent from a liquid mixture

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10