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US 7,267,747 B2Granted
Plant and method for vacuum distillation of hydrocarbon liquids
AssigneeChevron U.S.A. Inc.
InventorThomas Hugh Musial
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vacuum distillation system and method utilizing a low capacity vacuum producing ejector operated in parallel with a primary ejector during the Winter months enables significant reduction in the absolute pressure of a vacuum distillation column. Operation of a vacuum distillation tower at lower absolute pressures results in increased yield of desirable vacuum distillation products.
Claims1
A plant for vacuum distillation of a liquid comprising:
- a. a vacuum distillation column having a pipeline for receiving a heated feed, a gaseous-vapor discharge pipeline and at least one liquid discharge pipeline for discharging at least one liquid fraction;
- b. a first condenser;
- c. a primary vacuum producing ejector having an inlet end connected to the gaseous-vapor discharge pipeline and an outlet end connected to the first condenser;
- d. at least one auxiliary vacuum producing ejector connected in parallel with the primary vacuum producing ejector and connected to a source of motive steam and having an inlet end connected to the gaseous-vapor discharge pipeline and an outlet end connected to the first condenser;
- e. a first valve connected between the vacuum column and the at least one auxiliary ejector;
- f. a second valve connected between the at least one auxiliary ejector and the first condenser;
- g. a third valve connected between the at least one auxiliary ejector and the source of motive steam;
- h. at least one second stage vacuum producing ejector having an inlet end connected to the first condenser and an outlet end connected to at least one second condenser, a condensate collection vessel and a product discharge pipeline.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.