Multi-column system and method for producing pressurized liquid product
US5799510A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/91
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and method involving the use of a multi-column system in which higher and lower pressure columns are operatively associated with one another by a condenser-reboiler. A pump is provided for pumping a stream of sump liquid of the lower pressure column to produce a pressurized product. The condenser-reboiler is a falling film type of heat exchanger in which liquid is vaporized to produce boilup in the lower pressure column against vaporizing tower overhead in the higher pressure column to reflux both of the columns. Liquid is recirculated back to the condenser-reboiler by an ejector that uses part of a pumped stream as the motive fluid to draw liquid for recirculation. In such manner, less energy is consumed in the recirculation than had all of the recirculated liquid been pumped. Furthermore, an ejector, unlike a second pump used for recirculation purposes, is a solid state device with no moving parts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.