Shielding of heat exchangers in columns
AssigneeUop LLC
InventorsConstante P. Tagamolila, F. Joseph O'Driscoll
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for exchanging heat in a column by passing a first vapor phase through a heat exchanger in the column to exchange heat with a first stream and produce a second vapor phase in the column. The second vapor phase is passed through a shielding device located above the heat exchanger and the shielding device prevents descending liquid from contacting the heat exchanger. The shielding device may be interposed between two heat exchangers in the column.
Claims20
A method of exchanging heat in a column comprising:
- passing a first vapor phase ascending from a vapor/liquid contacting device in the column through a heat exchanger in the column to exchange heat with a first stream, the heat exchanger producing a second vapor phase in the column;
- passing the second vapor phase through a shielding device;
- the shielding device being located above the heat exchanger and preventing descending liquid from contacting the heat exchanger;
- and
- passing the first stream exiting from the heat exchanger through a shell of the column at a location above the vapor/liquid contacting device.
A method of exchanging heat in a column comprising:
- passing a first vapor phase ascending from a vapor/liquid contacting device in the column through a first indirect heat exchanger in the column to exchange heat with a first stream, the first indirect heat exchanger producing a second vapor phase in the column:
- passing the second vapor phase through a shielding device;
- the shielding device being located above the first indirect heat exchanger and preventing descending liquid from contacting the first indirect heat exchanger;
- and
- passing at least a portion of the second vapor phase above the shielding device through a second heat exchanger inside the column to exchange heat with a second stream.
An apparatus for exchanging heat in a column comprising:
- a vapor/liquid contacting device located inside the column and producing a vapor phase;
- a heat exchanger located inside the column above the vapor/liquid contacting device, the heat exchanger being in fluid communication with the vapor phase in the column and a first stream;
- a conduit providing passage of the first stream exiting from the heat exchanger in the column through a shell of the column at a location above the vapor/liquid contacting device;
- a shielding device located above the heat exchanger and having a liquid outlet and a vapor passage, the vapor passage having a vapor inlet in fluid communication with the column below the shielding device and a vapor outlet in fluid communication with the column above the shielding device, the shielding device comprising a barrier;
- and
- the apparatus being arranged to shield the heat exchanger from contact with descending liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.