5641results about "Fractional distillation" patented technology

A system for automatically creating and maintaining a database of information utilizing user opinions about subjects, particularly exceptional experiences. Described is an Internet system assisting / motivating a population of users interested in information about certain categories of subjects to automatically maintain the database content and to improve the usefulness and quality of the database information without any substantial management by the website owner-manager. The user opinions are primarily in the form of both comments and ratings about which natural-language terms best describe a particular subject, enabling user searches of the subject database to be by way of preferred such descriptive natural-language terms, which terms are further preferred to be evaluative and approving. Also, a system for automatically creating and maintaining a database of information utilizing user knowledge about sales related subjects. Described is an Internet-based system for assisting / motivating a population of users interested in information about certain categories of sales related subjects to automatically maintain the database content and to improve the usefulness and quality of the database information without any substantial management by the website owner-manager. The user opinions are primarily in the form of both comments and ratings of which sales related subjects best provide assistance in completing a sale.

A process arrangement for distilling fuel grade ethanol includes a fermentation portion, a distillation portion, a condensation and dehydration portion, a separation and drying portion and an evaporation portion. The fermentation portion produces beer. The distillation portion, the condensation and dehydration portion and the separation and drying portion receives beer from the fermentation portion and produces hot ethanol vapor and thin stillage. In the evaporation portion, a set of first effect evaporators which are heated either by plant steam or hot ethanol vapor, concentrate thin stillage into mid stillage while producing first effect steam. The first effect steam from the first effect evaporators provides heat to a set of second effect evaporators which concentrate the mid stillage into a syrup for further drying. The second effect evaporators produce second effect steam which is used to heat the distillation portion of the process arrangement. The multiple evaporators of the first and second effects of the evaporation portion can be selectively taken off-line for maintenance while the evaporation portion and the remainder of the process arrangement continue to operate at full capacity.

A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.

Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.

A method for distilling ethanol from a mash includes feeding a fluid to a first distillation column. The fluid and a distillate of the first distillation column are delivered to a second distillation column. The fed fluid and / or distillate of the second distillation column is / are purified in a first and / or last step of the method by a membrane separation process.

The invention is directed to a process wherein a feedstock or stream comprising steam cracker tar is passed to a vacuum pipestill. A deasphalted cut of tar is obtained as an overhead (or sidestream) and a heavy tar asphaltenic product is obtained as bottoms. In preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the bottoms product is sent to a partial oxidation unit (POX) wherein syn gas may be obtained as a product, and / or at least a portion of the bottoms product is used to produce a light product stream in a coker unit, such as coker naphtha and / or or coker gas oil. In another preferred embodiment at least a portion of the overheads product is added to refinery fuel oil pools and in yet another preferred embodiment at least a portion of the overheads product is mixed with locally combusted materials to lower soot make. Two or more of the aforementioned preferred embodiments may be combined.

A hydro-thermal exchange unit (HTEU) for desalinating feed water in accordance with a humidification-dehumidification includes feed water, fresh water and gas conduit circuits for transporting feed water, fresh water, and gas, respectively. The unit also includes an evaporator through which a portion of the feed water conduit and the gas conduit pass. The evaporator causes evaporation of a portion of the feed water to produce vapor that is transported through the gas conduit. The unit also includes a condenser through which a portion of the gas conduit and the fresh water conduit pass. The condenser has input and output ports for coupling the gas and fresh water conduit circuits. The condenser extracts moisture from the vapor transported therethrough by the gas conduit. The extracted moisture is discharged through the fresh water conduit. The unit also includes a heat exchanger through which a portion of the fresh water conduit and the feed water conduit pass to thereby extract residual heat from the fresh water such that the residual heat heats the feed water.

A control apparatus and control method for controlling the separation in a dividing wall distillation column of at least two feeds into at least three products is disclosed. The apparatus uses a temperature measuring device to measure the temperature of fluid in the column, a controller, and a means for adjusting the temperature of fluid in the column. The temperature measuring device may be on either side of the dividing wall or above or below the dividing wall, and more than one such device may be used. The apparatus and method may be used in the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons by alkylating aromatic hydrocarbons with olefinic hydrocarbons.

PCT No. PCT / JP97 / 00572 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 8, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 8, 1998 PCT Filed Feb. 27, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97 / 31990 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 4, 1997This invention provides a method for reclaiming oil from waste plastic in such a way that thermosetting resins and solid foreign matter in the plastic will not pose a problem. This method greatly reduces the burden of presorting the garbage or industrial waste. To achieve this objective when oil is to be reclaimed from a waste plastic containing chlorine compounds, such as vinyl chloride, the plastic must first be stripped of chlorine. Prior to pyrolysis, while being conveyed forward in a continuous stream, the plastic is mixed with heated sand and / or an additive agent to raise its temperature to 250-350 DEG C. This creates a product which is comprised of a mixture of sand and substantially dechlorinated plastic. The product is mixed with heated sand to heat it directly to a temperature of 350-500 DEG C. It is maintained at this temperature until pyrolysis occurs. In order to obtain high-quality oil with a low boiling point, a first gas / liquid separation process separates the product obtained from the aforesaid pyrolysis into liquid high-boiling point oil, gaseous low-boiling point oil and low molecular-weight gases, and recirculates the liquid high-boiling point oil to the pyrolysis process, and a second gas / liquid separation process separates the gaseous low-boiling point oil and low molecular-weight gases into liquid low-boiling point oil and low molecular-weight gases. The first and second gas / liquid separation process are connected in sequence.

A desalination apparatus capable of obtaining fresh water stably at low cost by utilizing low-temperature waste, wherein the desalination apparatus including a heat exchanger 92 cooperating with an evaporation can 60 so as to subject a low-temperature waste heat 11 and raw water 62 in the evaporation can 60 to heat exchange and generate water vapor 63 in the evaporation can 60; a condenser 98 cooperating with a raw water tank 72 so as to receive the water vapor 63 from the evaporation can 60, cool the water vapor 63 by subjecting the water vapor 63 and raw water 71 in the raw water tank 72 to heat exchange and obtain distilled water 76; a distilled water tank for storing the distilled water 76; vacuum means for evacuating the evaporation can 60 and depressurizing the inside thereof so as to promote generation of water vapor 63 in the evaporation can 60; and raw water supply means for supplying raw water to the evaporation can.

A water producing system adapted to condense water from the air and collected in a storage tank were the water is purified and bacteria is killed. An additive device is configured to supplement additives to the water such as minerals. An additive control system supplements the water and controls the amount of additives therein. One form of killing the bacteria is utilizing an ozone injection system with a filter system to remove the ozone before the water is dispensed.

A process for separating carbon dioxide from a compressed, dried and cooled carbon dioxide containing fluid comprises separating the fluid into at least a carbon dioxide enriched stream, and a carbon dioxide depleted stream, expanding at least part of the carbon dioxide lean stream in an expander, compressing a process stream wherein the power for the compression step is at least in part provided by the power generated by the expander.

Described herein are methods and mechanisms for laterally dispensing fluid to a coke drum in a predictable and maintainable manner that alleviates thermal stress. In one embodiment, the methods and mechanisms utilize a split piping system to dispense fluid through two or more inlets into a spool that is connected to a coke drum and a coke drum bottom deheader valve. A combination of block valves and clean out ports provides a more effective means to clean the lines and allows fluid to be laterally dispensed in a controllable and predictable manner. The fluid is preferably introduced to the spool in opposing directions toward a central vertical axis of the spool at equal but opposing angles ranging from minus thirty (−30) to thirty (30) degrees relative to a horizontal line laterally bisecting the spool. Alternatively, however, fluid can be introduced to the spool tangentially.

Apparatus and process are disclosed for the distillation separation of styrene monomer from ethylbenzene utilizing a split feed to two distillation columns in conjunction with cascade reboiling utilizing thermal energy from the overhead of one column to supply heat to the second.

A method of extraction of fuels, organic pollutants, and elements from Methane hydrate deposits, shale seams and the soil is described which freezes the zone and heats the center carrying the fuel, chemicals and water in these deposits and seams from where they are found, be it deep in the sea or on land, and carries them into the condensing unit in inert Nitrogen gas. Required drilling on the surface or sea bottom includes a main shaft and with auxiliary narrow drillings widely spaced from the shaft. The extraction zone, which is first cooled to brittle cold using the evaporation of Liquid Nitrogen and fractured with vibrations, is heated to the highest temperature of the hydrocarbon fraction desired to be extracted. The evaporating hydrocarbons are extracted in a Nitrogen gas carrier, a recognized fire suppressant (NFPA Code 2000). To speed the extraction rate, tonal input from two or more sounding units vibrates the seam structure freeing the evaporated hydrocarbons allowing more rapid escape into the shaft. To prevent air loss in aquifers, ice barriers seal the zone periphery. These hydrocarbons are separated into the hydrocarbons fractions, into fuel fractions as heating oil, kerosene, gasoline, ethers, and fuel gas including methane, Argon / Oxygen and rare gas segments, or, if pollutants, into the separate chemicals by boiling point. The thermal gradient of the extraction pipe is implemented by sourcing the Nitrogen from Liquid Nitrogen and bundling those pipes with the extraction pipe condensing its contents by hydrocarbon fractions into vessels and gas drums depending on boiling points of fractions. Water is separated from the gasoline segment and purified first by separation and then by freezing. The extraction of deep deposits layer the extraction zones as well as work neighboring extraction zones covering many acres. Fuel gases can be liquefied or burned in an on-site electric generating plant.

Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.

Apparatus and methods for producing urea are provided. In one or more embodiments, an apparatus for producing urea can include a first zone, which can include a first flow channel in fluid communication with a first tube disposed about a first end of a plurality of trays, a second flow channel in fluid communication with a second tube disposed about the first end of the trays and a second end of the trays, and a third flow channel in fluid communication with a third tube disposed about the first and second ends of the trays. The apparatus can include a second zone, which can include a fixed bed comprising one or more inert packing materials disposed therein to provide additional surface area. The apparatus can include a third zone, which can include a plurality of tubes disposed therein. The second zone can be disposed between the first and third zones.

Process for the purification of toluenediisocyanate from a crude distillation feed comprising toluenediisocyanate, an organic solvent and less than 2% by weight phosgene by separating the crude distillation feed in a dividing-wall distillation column into at least four product fractions P1-P4. P1 is a phosgene enriched low-boiler product, P2 is a solvent-enriched product, P3 is a high boiler enriched bottoms and P4 is a toluenediisocyanate product stream.

Recovery of alcohols, in particular ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a reduced energy process. The crude ethanol product may be fed to a distillation column in which a substantial portion of the water is removed with the acetic acid in the residue. The ethanol product is obtained from the distillate.

The present invention relates to a system for producing ethanol from an organic source and that operates to purify and dry ethanol from a beer source. The system for producing substantially anhydrous ethanol comprises: (a) a first distillation stripping column that operates between 160 to 220 degrees F.; (b) a second distillation rectifying column having a higher operating temperature than said stripping column; (c) a molecular sieve dehydration means in fluid communication with said rectifying column; and (d) an energy control means.

Apparatus and methods for producing urea are provided. In one or more embodiments, an apparatus for producing urea can include a first zone, which can include a first flow channel in fluid communication with a first tube disposed about a first end of a plurality of trays, a second flow channel in fluid communication with a second tube disposed about the first end of the trays and a second end of the trays, and a third flow channel in fluid communication with a third tube disposed about the first and second ends of the trays. The apparatus can include a second zone, which can include a fixed bed comprising one or more inert packing materials disposed therein to provide additional surface area. The apparatus can include a third zone, which can include a plurality of tubes disposed therein. The second zone can be disposed between the first and third zones.

The present invention relates to a gas-liquid mass transfer and reaction equiopment of high-pressure rotating bed in ultragravity force field. Said invention drive equipment is a magnetic drive equipment, including driving portion, driving magnetic stell protecting cover positioned on the exterior of the machine shell and driving magnetic steel and driving shaft which are placed in the protecting cover and driven portion, driven magnetic steel protecting cover positioned in the interior of the machine shell and driven magnetic steel and driven shaft which are placed in the driven magnetic steel protecting cover. The driving portion and driven portion are separatedy by means of magnetic isolation cover between both them. Said invention adopts band pressure design and measures of internal and internal magnetic steel protecting cover, magnetic steel cooling system, high-effective coating layer and others so as to raise mass transfer effect.

Systems and methods for separating an alcohol, and in particular butanol, from a fermented feed and concentrating thin stillage into syrup includes operation of one or more alcohol recovery distillation columns using the heat supplied by steam generated from concentration of the thin stillage in a multi-train, multi-effect evaporation system.

Problems generated by heat transfer through the vertical dividing wall of a trayed "dividing wall column" and into a downcomer of a tray are mitigated by providing a separate vertical isolation wall between the downcomer and dividing wall. The isolation wall forms one side of the downcomer and is spaced a short distance outward from the dividing wall to form an isolation volume which thermally insulates the downcomer from the dividing wall. The added wall is parallel to the dividing wall and supplants the dividing wall as a part of the downcomer. It eliminates a need to insulate the dividing wall.

A heat sink or heat transfer device particularly for integrated circuits, uses a phase change working fluid in a cyclic flow path having at least one evaporator that serves multiple heat sources. The evaporator can be an integral vessel made of thermally conductive material to which the multiple heat sources are coupled, preferably at evaporation points that are placed on opposite sides of a fluid reservoir for the liquid phase of the working fluid that feeds the evaporation points via capillary flow through a picking material.

A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.

The invention relates to a new process for more efficient separation and recovery of light olefins such as ethylene and propylene from a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The new process invention for recovering olefins from a mixture of cracked hydrocarbons from a fluid catalytic cracker comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mixture of cracked hydrocarbons including methane, ethylene, ethane, propylene, propane, butylene, butane and heavier hydrocarbons such as naphtha produced in a fluid catalytic cracker; (b) separating said mixture into (i) a first stream comprising substantially all of said ethane, ethylene, and methane and a major portion of said propane and propylene and (ii) a second stream comprising a portion of said butylene and butane, and a major portion of said heavier hydrocarbons; and (c) processing said first stream to recover the ethylene and propylene therefrom, and the details of such process described herein.