Distillation column having enlarged downcomers and method of downcomer enlargement
US9079121B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49716
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A distillation column is provided with a downcomer having an enlarged upper region to increase a processing rate for the removal of permanganate reducing compounds (PRCs) formed by the carbonylation of methanol in the presence of a catalyst to produce acetic acid. The distillation column includes a vertically extending distillation housing; and a plurality of tray assemblies, at least one of which includes a horizontally extending tray panel and a downcomer having, in a downward direction, an enlarged, funnel-shaped upper region defined by a top downcomer panel oriented at an angle to the vertical, and a lower region of substantially constant cross-sectional area defined by a vertically-oriented bottom downcomer panel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.