Patent · US Expired

Energy balance control for fractionation tower

US4292138A · kind A · utility

0Cited by
12References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 20, 1976
Grant dateSep 29, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 20, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01D3/425
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

This invention relates to an improved apparatus and process for controlling heat input to a fractionation tower so that a proper energy balance is maintained. The apparatus and method for controlling a fractionation tower and process wherein feed and heat flow into the tower and feed is distilled and separated into distillate and bottoms, said distillate flowing from the tower through an overhead line into a condenser where it is allowed to condense before it is drawn off as product with a portion of this product being returned to the tower as reflux, and said bottoms being allowed to at least partially collect in the tower thereby establishing a liquid level which is allowed to fluctuate within predetermined limits, which method comprises generating and using the signal: EQU Q.sub.I =Kp(K.sub.R +K.sub.D -K.sub.F) where PA1 Q.sub.I is the heat required by the fractionation tower; PA1 Kp is the pressure controller output signal; PA1 K.sub.R is the reflux flow rate signal; PA1 K.sub.D is the distillate flow rate signal; PA1 K.sub.F is a scaled feed flow rate signal; to control energy balance in the fractionation tower and process.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.