Efficient process for evaporating h2o using a flash column

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for evaporating H2O, the process involving (i) providing a flash column; (ii) providing an H2O-containing stream, wherein the H2O-containing stream has a pressure in the range of 0.5 to 100 bara and a temperature which is in a range of 3 to 30 K higher than the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature of H2O at the pressure in the flash column; (iii) introducing the H2O-containing stream into the flash column according to (i), wherein the flash column has a pressure in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 bara, to obtain a gaseous H2O-containing stream and a liquid H2O-containing stream. It has been found that, surprisingly, the process according to the invention makes it possible to efficiently evaporate H2O, which saves energy. This process can accordingly be employed wherever H2O-containing streams are produced and steam is required.

Description

[0001] 231507W001

[0002] Efficient method for evaporating H2O using a flash column

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a method for the evaporation of H2O using a flash column.

[0005] Introduction

[0006] The upgrading of waste heat through vacuum steam generation is subject to certain peculiarities, which can lead to the problem that only a very small percentage of water can be evaporated from a large, only slightly superheated water stream. The efficiency of the evaporation process is crucial for the efficiency of the entire heat recovery process, with the closest possible approximation to thermodynamic equilibrium being advantageous in terms of cost and resource efficiency.

[0007] CN 111854225 A relates to a multi-stage, high-temperature, air-supplied heat pump steam system. The heat pump steam system includes components such as a heat source inlet, a heat source throttle valve, an evaporator, a heat source outlet, an air supply compressor, a main body compressor, a condenser, a heat recovery control valve assembly, a primary heat recovery unit, a subcooler, a primary expansion valve, a primary expansion evaporator, and a secondary expansion evaporator. The multi-stage pressure regulation and control within the system improves the heating effect and steam generation efficiency.

[0008] DE 3015736 A1 relates to a method for recovering residual heat from a liquid flow having a low pressure, in order to convert part of this liquid flow into low-pressure steam, wherein the low-pressure steam is compressed and the resulting steam is used as a hot process stream, characterized in that an intermediate cooling liquid is brought into contact with the compressed, superheated steam.

[0009] US 4466253 A relates to an open-circuit vapor compression heat pump to which a fluid source is supplied, wherein the fluid has variations in its temperature and in its entry rate into the heat pump, comprising an inlet valve assembly, a tank assembly, a compressor fluid, an outlet pump fluid, an outlet valve medium, a fluid level-responsive control medium, and a fluid pressure-responsive control medium installed in the tank medium to monitor and control the pressure of the vapor component of the fluid. 231507W001

[0010] - 2 -

[0011] US 4323109 A relates to a system for transferring heat from a heat source to a heat sink (see claim 1).

[0012] US 2411186 A relates to a method for evaporating aqueous solutions, such as a NaOH solution, in particular including expansion and partial evaporation of the solution in an expansion chamber.

[0013] Therefore, the object of the present invention was to provide an efficient method for evaporating H2O.

[0014] Detailed description

[0015] This task was solved by a process for evaporating H2O in a flash column, whereby certain process parameters are applied.

[0016] Surprisingly, it was found that H2O can be efficiently evaporated using the method according to the invention. In particular, it was found that a superheated H2O-containing stream at a specific pressure can be efficiently evaporated, thereby saving energy. Thus, the method can be used wherever FhO-containing streams are generated and steam is required.

[0017] Therefore, the present invention relates to a method for evaporating H2O, the method comprising

[0018] (i) Deploying a flash column;

[0019] (ii) Providing a stream containing FW, wherein the stream containing FW has a pressure in the range of greater than 0.5 to 100 bara and a temperature in the range of 3 to 30 K higher than the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature of FW at the pressure in the flash column, wherein the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature of FW is preferably determined in accordance with Reference Example 1;

[0020] (iii) Introducing the FW-containing stream into the flash column according to (i), wherein the flash column has a pressure in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 bara, obtaining a gaseous FW-containing stream and a liquid FW-containing stream.

[0021] It is preferred that the flash column provided in (i)

[0022] (a) a column body comprising a cylindrical space bounded by a top, a bottom and a lateral surface, wherein the top is parallel to the bottom and the lateral surface is perpendicular to the top, wherein the cylindrical space has a height h K between the top and the bottom, and has a cross-sectional area Ao of the top with a diameter do, where Ao = TT (do / 2) 2 ;

[0023] (b) an entrance opening in the lateral surface;

[0024] (c) a diffuser; 231507W001

[0025] - 3 -

[0026] (d) one or more flow disruptors to reduce the kinetic energy of the FW-containing current introduced into the flash column;

[0027] (e) one or more liquid collectors, wherein the one or more liquid collectors are arranged between the one or more flow baffles according to (d) and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a);

[0028] (f) comprises an outlet in the top or in the lateral surface, preferably in the top, of the cylindrical space according to (a) (steam nozzle), and an outlet in the bottom or in the lateral surface, preferably in the bottom, of the cylindrical space according to (a);

[0029] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is preferred that the height h Kof the cylindrical space according to (a) in the range of 5 to 40 m, more preferably in the range of 5 to 30 m, more preferably in the range of 5 to 20 m.

[0030] Provided that the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a) has a cross-sectional area Au with a diameter du, wherein Au = TT (du / 2) 2 , where Au is still preferably equal to Ao, where du is still preferably equal to do.

[0031] Provided that the underside of the cylindrical space according to (a) has a cross-sectional area Au with a diameter du, where Au = TT (du / 2) 2It is preferred that the method according to embodiment 4, wherein the cross-sectional area Ao of the cylindrical space according to (a) and the cross-sectional area Au are independently of each other in the range of 0.05 to 0.65 m 2 per t / h steam, preferably in the range of 0.10 to 0.60 m 2 per t / h steam, preferably in the range of 0.15 to 0.55 m 2 per t / h steam, lie.

[0032] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the ratio of the height h K of the cylindrical space according to (a) to the diameter do of the cylindrical space according to (a), h:do, in a range of 1 :1 to 10:1 , further preferably from 3.5:1 to 4.5:1 , further preferably from 3.9:1 to 4.1 :1 .

[0033] Provided that the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the cylindrical space according to (a) has a volume in the range of 50 to 250 m³ 3 , preferably from 100 to 200 m 3 , preferably from 150 to 165 m 3 , includes. 231507W001

[0034] - 4 -

[0035] Provided that the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more droplet separators, wherein the one or more droplet separators are further preferably arranged between the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) and the one or more baffles to reduce the kinetic energy of the FW-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d).

[0036] If the flash column provided in (i) includes one or more droplet separators, it is preferred that the one or more droplet separators are arranged substantially parallel to the top of the cylindrical space according to (a).

[0037] If the flash column provided in (i) includes one or more droplet separators, it is further preferred that the one or more droplet separators have a height h T exhibit, further preferably h T essentially parallel to h K is, where the height h T further preferably in the range of 0.22 to 0.40 m, further preferably in the range of 0.26 to 0.36 m, further preferably in the range of 0.28 to 0.34 m.

[0038] If the flash column provided in (i) includes one or more droplet separators, it is further preferred that the one or more droplet separators be located at a distance from the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) in the range of 0.02 h K "up to 0.15 h", preferably from 0.04 h K "up to 0.13 h", preferably from 0.06 h K to 0.11 h".

[0039] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the inlet opening according to (b) is arranged between the one or more droplet separators according to one of the embodiments described herein and the one or more liquid distributors according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0040] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the inlet opening according to (b) is substantially circular.

[0041] The diameter of the inlet opening according to (d) can be designed based on the gas velocity of the H2O-containing stream.

[0042] Provided that the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is 231507W001

[0043] - 5 - further preferably that the diffuser according to (c) is connected from outside the flash column provided in (i) to the inlet opening according to (b), wherein the diffuser according to (c) comprises a component comprising a space having the shape of a truncated cone, wherein the truncated cone has a top surface with radius TD, a base surface with radius TG, and a height ho.

[0044] Provided that the diffuser according to (c) is connected to the inlet opening according to (b) from outside the flash column provided in (i), wherein the diffuser according to (c) comprises a component comprising a space having the shape of a truncated cone, wherein the truncated cone has a top surface with a radius TD, a base surface with a radius TG, and a height ho, it is preferred that the top surface of the truncated cone has a radius TD in the range of 25 to 39 cm, more preferably of 28 to 36 cm, more preferably of 30 to 34 cm.

[0045] Provided that the diffuser according to (c) is connected to the inlet opening according to (b) from outside the flash column provided in (i), wherein the diffuser according to (c) comprises a component comprising a space having the shape of a truncated cone, wherein the truncated cone has a top surface with a radius TD, a base surface with a radius TG, and a height ho, it is further preferred that the base surface of the truncated cone has a radius TG in the range of 1.10 to 1.55 m, more preferably from 1.20 to 1.45 m, more preferably from 1.25 to 1.40 m.

[0046] Provided that the diffuser according to (c) is connected to the inlet opening according to (b) from outside the flash column provided in (i), wherein the diffuser according to (c) comprises a component comprising a space having the shape of a truncated cone, wherein the truncated cone has a top surface with a radius TD, a base surface with a radius TG, and a height ho, it is further preferred that the height ho of the truncated cone is in the range of 1.90 to 2.30 m, more preferably from 1.95 to 2.25 m, more preferably from 2.00 to 2.22 m.

[0047] Provided that the diffuser according to (c) is connected to the inlet opening according to (b) from outside the flash column provided in (i), wherein the diffuser according to (c) comprises a component comprising a space having the shape of a truncated cone, wherein the truncated cone has a top surface with a radius TD, a base surface with a radius TG, and a height ho, it is further preferred that the diffuser according to (c) further comprises a cylindrical extension, which is further preferably arranged between the truncated cone component and the inlet opening, wherein the extension has a length L and a diameter dv.

[0048] If the diffuser according to (c) further comprises a cylindrical extension, wherein the extension has a length L and a diameter dv, it is preferred that the cylindrical extension has a length L in the range of 1.90 to 2.30 m, more preferably of 1.95 to 2.25 m, and more preferably of 2.00 to 2.22 m. 231507W001

[0049] - 6 -

[0050] If the diffuser according to (c) further comprises a cylindrical extension, wherein the extension has a length L and a diameter dv, it is further preferred that the cylindrical extension has a diameter dv in the range of 2.20 to 3.10 m, more preferably from 2.40 to 2.90 m, more preferably from 2.50 to 2.80 m.

[0051] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the FhO-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are provided within the column body according to (a), wherein the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the FhO-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are further preferably arranged at the level of the inlet opening according to (b).

[0052] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are arranged between the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) and the one or more liquid collectors according to (e), wherein the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are further preferably arranged between the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) and the one or more liquid distributors according to one of the embodiments described herein.wherein the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are further preferably arranged between the droplet separator according to one of the embodiments described herein and the one or more liquid distributors according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0053] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are selected from the group consisting of one or more baffle plates.

[0054] If the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column are selected according to (d) from the group consisting of one or more baffle plates, it is preferred that the one or more baffle plates are essentially circular and independent of one another. 231507W001

[0055] - 7 -

[0056] If the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the FW-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are selected from the group consisting of one or more baffle plates, it is further preferred that the one or more baffle plates have a diameter dp independently of one another, wherein the ratio of the diameter of the one or more baffle plates to the diameter of the inlet opening according to (b), d:dE, is in the range of 1.00:1 to 1.50:1, more preferably from 1.10:1 to 1.40:1, more preferably from 1.20:1 to 1.30:1.

[0057] If the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the FW-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are selected from the group consisting of one or more baffle plates, it is further preferred that the one or more baffle plates are independently of one another substantially parallel to the lateral surface of the cylindrical space according to (a).

[0058] If the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the FW-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are selected from the group consisting of one or more baffle plates, it is further preferred that the one or more baffle plates independently of one another have a distance to the lateral surface of the cylindrical space according to (a) in the range of 0.02 do to 0.15 do, more preferably from 0.04 do to 0.13 do, more preferably from 0.06 do to 0.11 do.

[0059] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) are arranged between the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the FW-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) and the one or more liquid distributors according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0060] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) independently have one or more drip points.

[0061] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) independently comprise one or more gas stacks.

[0062] If the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) independently comprise one or more gas chimneys, it is preferred that the one or more flow disruptors 231507W001

[0063] - 8 - to reduce the kinetic energy of the FW-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) is arranged between the inlet opening according to (b) and the one or more gas stacks.

[0064] If the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) independently comprise one or more gas stacks, it is further preferred that the one or more gas stacks have a smaller distance to the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) than the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the FW-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d), wherein the one or more gas stacks further preferably have a smaller distance to the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) than the inlet opening according to (b).

[0065] If the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) independently comprise one or more gas chimneys, it is further preferred that the one or more gas chimneys do not have covers.

[0066] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more liquid distributors, wherein the one or more liquid distributors are arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the bottom, and wherein the one or more liquid distributors are further preferably arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the one or more packings according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0067] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises a column body according to (a), an inlet opening according to (b), a diffuser according to (c), one or more baffles according to (d), one or more liquid collectors according to (e), and an outlet according to (f), it is further preferred that the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more packings, wherein the one or more packings are arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a), and wherein the one or more packings are further preferably arranged between the one or more liquid distributors according to one of the embodiments described herein and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a).

[0068] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more packings, wherein the one or more packings are arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a), it is preferred that the one or more packings independently comprise one or more packing elements. 231507W001

[0069] - 9 -

[0070] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more packings, wherein the one or more packings are arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a), it is further preferred that the one or more packings independently comprise one or more sheets, wherein the one or more sheets are further preferably perpendicular to the bottom, and wherein the one or more sheets are further preferably having a honeycomb structure.

[0071] If the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more packings, wherein the one or more packings are arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a), it is further preferred that the one or more packings have a height hp in the range of 0.16 hK to 0.28 hK, more preferably in the range of 0.18 h« to 0.26 h«, more preferably in the range of 0.20 hK to 0.24 hK.

[0072] Provided that the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more packings, wherein the one or more packings are arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a), it is further preferred that the flash column provided in (i) comprises a support structure for the one or more packings.

[0073] It is preferred that the H2O-containing stream provided in (ii) has a temperature which, in a range of 4 to 25 K, more preferably 5 to 20 K, more preferably 6 to 19 K, more preferably 7 to 18 K, more preferably 8 to 17 K, more preferably 9 to 16 K, more preferably 10 to 15 K, is higher than the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature of H2O at the pressure in the flash column, wherein the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature is more preferably determined according to Reference Example 1.

[0074] It is preferred that the H2O-containing stream provided in (ii) has a temperature in the range of 38 to 84 °C, more preferably 40 to 82 °C, more preferably 70 to 80 °C, more preferably 72 to 78 °C, more preferably 74 to 76 °C.

[0075] It is preferred that the H2O-containing stream provided in (ii) has a pressure in the range of 1 to 10 bara, more preferably from 1.05 to 2 bara, more preferably from 1.07 to 1.75 bara, more preferably from 1.09 to 1.50 bara, more preferably from 1.11 to 1.25 bara, more preferably from 1.13 to 1.35 bara, more preferably from 1.15 to 1.30 bara, more preferably from 1.17 to 1.25 bara, more preferably from 1.19 to 1.21 bara.

[0076] It is preferred that 90 to 100 wt.%, more preferably 95 to 100 wt.%, more preferably 99 to 100 wt.%, of the H2O-containing stream provided in (ii) consists of H2O. 231507W001

[0077] - 10 -

[0078] It is preferred that the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) comprises 0 to 0.1 wt%, further preferably 0 to 0.01 wt%, further preferably 0 to 0.001 wt% of CO2, wherein the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) is further preferably substantially free of CO2.

[0079] It is preferred that the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) comprises 0 to 0.1 wt%, further preferably 0 to 0.01 wt%, further preferably 0 to 0.001 wt% of NH3, wherein the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) is further preferably substantially free of NH3.

[0080] It is preferred that the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) comprises N2 and O2 of 0 to 0.1 wt%, further preferably of 0 to 0.01 wt%, further preferably of 0 to 0.001 wt%, wherein the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) is further preferably substantially free of N2 and O2.

[0081] It is preferred that the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) comprises boiler feedwater, and more preferably consists of boiler feedwater.

[0082] It is preferred that (iii) further includes

[0083] Releasing the FW-containing stream provided in (ii) to the pressure in the flash column.

[0084] If process step (iii) further comprises expanding the FW-containing stream provided in (ii) to the pressure in the flash column, it is preferred that the expansion of the FW-containing stream provided in (ii) is carried out before introducing the FW-containing stream into the flash column, or that the expansion of the FW-containing stream provided in (ii) is carried out when introducing the FW-containing stream into the flash column.

[0085] If process step (iii) further includes expanding the FW-containing stream provided in (ii) to the pressure in the flash column, it is further preferred that the expansion according to (iii) be carried out adiabatically.

[0086] It is preferred that in (iii) the flash column has a pressure in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 bara, more preferably from 0.18 to 0.32 bara, more preferably from 0.07 to 0.35 bara, more preferably from 0.20 to 0.30 bara, more preferably from 0.22 to 0.28 bara, more preferably from 0.24 to 0.26 bara.

[0087] It is preferred that the temperature in the column at the introduction of the FW-containing stream according to (iii) is in the range of 45 to 81 °C, more preferably 57.8 to 70.6 °C, more preferably 64.8 to 65.6 °C, more preferably 65.0 to 65.4 °C, more preferably 65.1 to 65.3 °C. 231507W001

[0088] - 11 -

[0089] It is preferred that the gaseous FhO-containing stream obtained in (iii) comprises 0.5 to 3.5 wt%, more preferably 1.0 to 3.0 wt%, or 1.5 to 2.5 wt%, of the FW-containing stream provided according to (ii).

[0090] It is preferred that the liquid FhO-containing stream obtained in (iii) comprises 96.5 to 99.5 wt%, more preferably 97.0 to 99.0 wt%, or 97.5 to 98.5 wt%, of the FW-containing stream provided in (ii).

[0091] It is preferred that the procedure be more comprehensive

[0092] (iv) Compressing the gaseous FW-containing stream obtained in (iii), wherein the compression is carried out in one or more stages, more preferably in 1 to 12 stages, more preferably in 1 to 10 stages, more preferably in 1 to 8 stages, more preferably in 2 to 5 stages.

[0093] If the process further includes compression according to (iv), it is preferred that the gaseous FhO-containing stream obtained in (iii) is compressed in (iv) to a pressure in the range of 0 to 20 barg, more preferably from 0.5 to 15 barg, more preferably from 1 to 10 barg.

[0094] If the method further includes compression according to (iv), it is further preferred that the method according to (iv) further includes

[0095] Injecting water into the gaseous FW-containing stream obtained from (iv), wherein the water to be injected into the gaseous FW-containing stream obtained from (iv) more preferably has a temperature in the range of 70 to 150 °C, more preferably 80 to 130 °C, more preferably 100 to 120 °C.

[0096] It is preferred that the procedure be carried out continuously.

[0097] Using the method described herein, steam can be provided, in particular for further use in other processes, whereby the steam can be provided in different pressure and temperature ranges.

[0098] The resulting steam can be further compressed as required for the intended application. This is described in the embodiments, for example in embodiment 56. Steam compression can be carried out using one or more compressors, preferably a cascade of compressors. Positive displacement machines and / or turbomachines, such as screw compressors, radial blowers, radial turbo compressors (e.g., geared compressors), and / or axial turbo compressors, can be used as compressors. The compression preferably includes the addition of water to spray off the steam after a compressor stage in order to increase compression efficiency. Preferably, the water is sprayed to accelerate evaporation.

[0099] The compressed steam can be fed into a steam network. 231507W001

[0100] - 12 -

[0101] The compressed steam can be used, for example, in spatially adjacent systems for the (accompanying) heating of equipment and pipelines (e.g., for frost protection in winter), preferably at a pressure in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 barg. Alternatively, the compressed steam can be used in spatially adjacent systems for heating evaporators and reactors (e.g., to reduce steam consumption from the network). For example, compressing the steam to 3 barg may be sufficient.

[0102] The present invention is further characterized by the following embodiments, including the individual and specific combinations of embodiments indicated by the respective dependencies. It should be noted in particular that in each case where a specific number of embodiments is defined, for example in the context of a term such as "method according to one of embodiments 1 to 4", each embodiment in this set is explicitly disclosed to the person skilled in the art, which means that the formulation of this term is to be understood by the person skilled in the art as synonymous with "method according to one of embodiments 1, 2, 3 and 4".Furthermore, it is expressly pointed out that the following list of embodiments represents a suitably structured part of the general description, which is directed towards preferred aspects of the present invention and thus appropriately supports, but does not constitute, the claims of the present invention.

[0103] 1. A process for evaporating H2O, comprising the process

[0104] (i) Deploying a flash column;

[0105] (ii) Providing an FhO-containing stream, wherein the FhO-containing stream has a pressure in the range of greater than 0.5 to 100 bara and a temperature in the range of 3 to 30 K higher than the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature of H2O at the pressure in the flash column, wherein the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature of H2O is preferably determined according to Reference Example 1;

[0106] (iii) Introducing the FW-containing stream into the flash column according to (i), wherein the flash column has a pressure in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 bara, obtaining a gaseous FW-containing stream and a liquid FW-containing stream.

[0107] 2. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the flash column provided in (i)

[0108] (a) a column body comprising a cylindrical space bounded by a top, a bottom and a lateral surface, wherein the top is parallel to the bottom and the lateral surface is perpendicular to the top, wherein the cylindrical space has a height h K between the top and the bottom, and has a cross-sectional area Ao of the top with a diameter do, where Ao = TT (do / 2) 2 ;

[0109] (b) an entrance opening in the lateral surface;

[0110] (c) a diffuser;

[0111] (d) one or more baffles to reduce the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column; 231507W001

[0112] - 13 -

[0113] (e) one or more liquid collectors, wherein the one or more liquid collectors are arranged between the one or more flow baffles according to (d) and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a);

[0114] (f) comprises an outlet in the top or in the lateral surface, preferably in the top, of the cylindrical space according to (a) (steam nozzle), and an outlet in the bottom or in the lateral surface, preferably in the bottom, of the cylindrical space according to (a);

[0115] 3. The method according to embodiment 2, wherein the height h K of the cylindrical space according to (a) in the range of 5 to 40 m, preferably in the range of 5 to 30 m, more preferably in the range of 5 to 20 m.

[0116] 4. The method according to embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a) has a cross-sectional area Au with a diameter du, where Au = TT (du / 2) 2 , where Au is preferably equal to Ao, where du is preferably equal to do.

[0117] 5. The method according to embodiment 4, wherein the cross-sectional area Ao of the cylindrical space according to (a) and the cross-sectional area Au are independently of each other in the range of 0.05 to 0.65 m 2 per t / h steam, preferably in the range of 0.10 to 0.60 m 2 per t / h steam, preferably in the range of 0.15 to 0.55 m 2 per t / h steam, lie.

[0118] 6. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 5, wherein the ratio of the height h K of the cylindrical space according to (a) to the diameter do of the cylindrical space according to (a), h:do, in a range of 1 :1 to 10:1 , preferably from 3.5:1 to 4.5:1 , further preferably from 3.9:1 to 4.1 :1 .

[0119] 7. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 6, wherein the cylindrical space according to (a) has a volume in the range of 50 to 250 m³ 3 preferably from 100 to 200 m 3 , preferably from 150 to 165 m 3 , includes.

[0120] 8. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 7, wherein the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more droplet separators, wherein the one or more droplet separators are preferably arranged between the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) and the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d).

[0121] 9. The method according to embodiment 8, wherein the one or more droplet separators are arranged substantially parallel to the top of the cylindrical space according to (a). 231507W001

[0122] - 14 -

[0123] 10. The method according to embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the one or more droplet separators have a height h T exhibit, preferably h T essentially parallel to h K is, where the height h T preferably in the range of 0.22 to 0.40 m, more preferably in the range of 0.26 to 0.36 m, more preferably in the range of 0.28 to 0.34 m.

[0124] 11. The method according to one of embodiments 8 to 10, wherein the one or more droplet separators are spaced at a distance from the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) in the range of 0.02 h K up to 0.15 h", preferably from 0.04 h K "up to 0.13 h", preferably from 0.06 h K to 0.11 h".

[0125] 12. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 11, wherein the inlet opening according to (b) is arranged between the one or more droplet separators according to one of embodiments 8 to 11 and the one or more liquid distributors according to embodiment 36.

[0126] 13. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 12, wherein the inlet opening according to (b) is substantially circular.

[0127] 14. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 13, wherein the diffuser according to (c) is connected from outside the flash column provided in (i) to the inlet opening according to

[0128] (b) is connected, wherein the diffuser according to (c) comprises a component comprising a space having the shape of a truncated cone, wherein the truncated cone has a top surface with radius TD, a base surface with radius TG, and a height ho.

[0129] 15. The method according to embodiment 14, wherein the top surface of the truncated cone has a radius TD in the range of 25 to 39 cm, preferably 28 to 36 cm, more preferably 30 to 34 cm.

[0130] 16. The method according to embodiment 14 or 15, wherein the base of the truncated cone has a radius TG in the range of 1.10 to 1.55 m, preferably 1.20 to 1.45 m, more preferably 1.25 to 1.40 m.

[0131] 17. The method according to one of the embodiments 14 to 16, wherein the height ho of the truncated cone is in the range of 1.90 to 2.30 m, preferably from 1.95 to 2.25 m, more preferably from 2.00 to 2.22 m.

[0132] 18. The method according to one of embodiments 14 to 17, wherein the diffuser according to

[0133] (c) further comprises a cylindrical extension, which is preferably arranged between the frustoconical component and the inlet opening, the extension having a length L and a diameter dv. 231507W001

[0134] - 15 -

[0135] 19. The method according to embodiment 18, wherein the cylindrical extension has a length L in the range of 1.90 to 2.30 m, preferably from 1.95 to 2.25 m, more preferably from 2.00 to 2.22 m.

[0136] 20. The method according to embodiment 18 or 19, wherein the cylindrical extension has a diameter dv in the range of 2.20 to 3.10 m, preferably from 2.40 to 2.90 m, more preferably from 2.50 to 2.80 m.

[0137] 21. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 20, wherein the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the l-hO-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are provided within the column body according to (a), wherein the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the FhO-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are preferably arranged at the level of the inlet opening according to (b).

[0138] 22. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 21, wherein the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are arranged between the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) and the one or more liquid collectors according to (e), wherein the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are preferably arranged between the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) and the one or more liquid distributors according to embodiment 34, wherein the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are further preferably arranged between the droplet separator according to one of embodiments 8 to 11 and the one or more liquid distributors according to embodiment 34.

[0139] 23. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 22, wherein the one or more baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column are selected according to (d) from the group consisting of one or more baffle plates.

[0140] 24. The method according to embodiment 23, wherein the one or more impact plates are essentially circular and independent of each other.

[0141] 25. The method according to embodiment 23 or 24, wherein the one or more baffle plates have a diameter dp independently of one another, wherein the ratio of the diameter of the one or more baffle plates to the diameter of the inlet opening according to (b), d:dE, is in the range of 1.00:1 to 1.50:1, preferably from 1.10:1 to 1.40:1, more preferably from 1.20:1 to 1.30:1. 231507W001

[0142] - 16 -

[0143] 26. The method according to one of embodiments 23 to 25, wherein the one or more impact plates are independently of one another substantially parallel to the lateral surface of the cylindrical space according to (a).

[0144] 27. The method according to one of embodiments 23 to 26, wherein the one or more impact plates independently have a distance to the lateral surface of the cylindrical space according to (a) in the range of 0.02 do to 0.15 do, preferably from 0.04 do to 0.13 do, more preferably from 0.06 do to 0.11 do.

[0145] 28. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 27, wherein the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) are arranged between the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the FW-containing flow introduced into the flash column according to (d) and the one or more liquid distributors according to embodiment 34.

[0146] 29. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 28, wherein the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) independently have one or more drip points.

[0147] 30. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 29, wherein the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) independently comprise one or more gas chimneys.

[0148] 31. The method according to embodiment 30, wherein the one or more flow disruptors for reducing the kinetic energy of the FW-containing flow introduced into the flash column according to (d) are arranged between the inlet opening according to (b) and the one or more gas stacks.

[0149] 32. The method according to embodiment 30 or 31, wherein the one or more gas stacks are located a smaller distance from the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) than the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the FW-containing flow introduced into the flash column according to (d), wherein the one or more gas stacks preferably are located a smaller distance from the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) than the inlet opening according to (b).

[0150] 33. The method according to one of embodiments 30 to 32, wherein the one or more gas chimneys have no covers.

[0151] 34. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 33, wherein the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more liquid distributors, wherein the one or more liquid distributors are arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the bottom, wherein the one or more liquid distributors are preferably arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and 231507W001

[0152] - 17 - the one or more packages according to one of the embodiments 35 to 39 are arranged.

[0153] 35. The method according to one of embodiments 2 to 34, wherein the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more packings, wherein the one or more packings are arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a), wherein the one or more packings are preferably arranged between the one or more liquid distributors according to embodiment 34 and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a).

[0154] 36. The method according to embodiment 35, wherein the one or more packages independently comprise one or more packing elements.

[0155] 37. The method according to embodiment 35 or 36, wherein the one or more packings independently comprise one or more sheets, wherein the one or more sheets are preferably perpendicular to the underside, and wherein the one or more sheets further preferably have a honeycomb structure.

[0156] 38. The method according to one of embodiments 35 to 37, wherein the one or more packs have a height hp in a range of 0.16 h K up to 0.28 h", preferably in the range of 0.18 h K "up to 0.26 h", preferably in the range of 0.20 h K "up to 0.24 h".

[0157] 39. The method according to one of embodiments 35 to 38, wherein the flash column provided in (i) comprises a support structure for the one or more packs.

[0158] 40. The method according to one of embodiments 1 to 39, wherein the H2O-containing stream provided in (ii) has a temperature which, in a range of 4 to 25 K, preferably 5 to 20 K, more preferably 6 to 19 K, more preferably 7 to 18 K, more preferably 8 to 17 K, more preferably 9 to 16 K, more preferably 10 to 15 K, is higher than the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature of H2O at the pressure in the flash column, wherein the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature is preferably determined according to Reference Example 1.

[0159] 41. The method according to one of embodiments 1 to 40, wherein the H2O-containing stream provided in (ii) has a temperature in the range of 38 to 84 °C, preferably 40 to 82 °C, more preferably 70 to 80 °C, more preferably 72 to 78 °C, more preferably 74 to 76 °C.

[0160] 42. The method according to one of embodiments 1 to 41, wherein the H2O-containing stream provided in (ii) has a pressure in the range of 1 to 10 bara, preferably 1.05 231507W001

[0161] - 18 - to 2 bara, further preferably from 1.07 to 1.75 bara, further preferably from 1.09 to 1.50 bara, further preferably from 1.11 to 1.25 bara, further preferably from 1.13 to 1.35 bara, further preferably from 1.15 to 1.30 bara, further preferably from 1.17 to 1.25 bara, further preferably from 1.19 to 1.21 bara, exhibits.

[0162] 43. Method according to one of embodiments 1 to 42, wherein 90 to 100 wt. no, preferably 95 to 100 wt. %, more preferably 99 to 100 wt. % of the FW-containing stream provided in (ii) consist of H2O.

[0163] 44. Method according to one of embodiments 1 to 43, wherein the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) comprises 0 to 0.1 wt%, preferably 0 to 0.01 wt%, further preferably 0 to 0.001 wt% of CO2, wherein the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) is further preferably substantially free of CO2.

[0164] 45. Method according to one of embodiments 1 to 44, wherein the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) comprises 0 to 0.1 wt%, preferably 0 to 0.01 wt%, more preferably 0 to 0.001 wt% of NH3, wherein the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) is more preferably substantially free of NH3.

[0165] 46. ​​Method according to one of embodiments 1 to 45, wherein the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) comprises N2 and O2 of 0 to 0.1 wt%, preferably 0 to 0.01 wt%, more preferably 0 to 0.001 wt%, wherein the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) is more preferably substantially free of N2 and O2.

[0166] 47. Method according to one of embodiments 1 to 45, wherein the FhO-containing stream provided in (ii) comprises boiler feedwater, preferably consists of boiler feedwater.

[0167] 48. The method according to one of embodiments 1 to 47, wherein (iii) further comprises reducing the FW-containing stream provided in (ii) to the pressure in the flash column.

[0168] 49. The method according to embodiment 48, wherein the expansion of the FW-containing stream provided in (ii) is carried out before the FW-containing stream is introduced into the flash column, or wherein the expansion of the FW-containing stream provided in (ii) is carried out when the FW-containing stream is introduced into the flash column.

[0169] 50. The method according to embodiment 48 or 49, wherein the relaxation according to (iii) is adiabatic. 231507W001

[0170] - 19 -

[0171] 51. The method according to one of embodiments 1 to 50, wherein in (iii) the flash column has a pressure in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 bara, preferably 0.18 to 0.32 bara, more preferably 0.07 to 0.35 bara, more preferably 0.20 to 0.30 bara, more preferably 0.22 to 0.28 bara, more preferably 0.24 to 0.26 bara.

[0172] 52. The method according to one of embodiments 1 to 51, wherein the temperature in the column at the introduction of the FW-containing stream according to (iii) is in a range of 45 to 81 °C, preferably 57.8 to 70.6 °C, preferably 64.8 to 65.6 °C, more preferably 65.0 to 65.4 °C, more preferably 65.1 to 65.3 °C.

[0173] 53. The method according to one of embodiments 1 to 52, wherein the gaseous FhO-containing stream obtained in (iii) comprises 0.5 to 3.5 wt%, preferably 1.0 to 3.0 wt%, or 1.5 to 2.5 wt%, of the FW-containing stream provided according to (ii).

[0174] 54. The method according to one of embodiments 1 to 53, wherein the liquid FhO-containing stream obtained in (iii) comprises 96.5 to 99.5 wt%, preferably 97.0 to 99.0 wt%, of the FW-containing stream provided according to (ii).

[0175] 55. The method according to one of embodiments 1 to 54, further comprising

[0176] (iv) Compressing the gaseous FW-containing stream obtained in (iii), wherein the compression is carried out in one or more stages, preferably in 1 to 12 stages, more preferably in 1 to 10 stages, more preferably in 1 to 8 stages, more preferably in 2 to 5 stages.

[0177] 56. The method according to embodiment 55, wherein the gaseous H2O-containing stream obtained in (iii) is compressed in (iv) to a pressure in the range of 0 to 20 barg, preferably from 0.5 to 15 barg, more preferably from 1 to 10 barg.

[0178] 57. The method according to embodiment 55 or 56, further comprising (iv) injecting water into the gaseous FW-containing stream obtained from (iv), wherein the water to be injected into the gaseous FW-containing stream obtained from (iv) preferably has a temperature in the range of 70 to 150 °C, preferably 80 to 130 °C, more preferably 100 to 120 °C.

[0179] 58. The method according to one of embodiments 1 to 57, wherein the method is carried out continuously.

[0180] The unit bara refers to absolute pressure and the unit barg to relative pressure, where 1 bar equals 10 5 Pa correspond. 231507W001

[0181] - 20 -

[0182] The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following reference examples, examples and comparative examples.

[0183] Examples

[0184] Reference example 1: Simulations

[0185] Simulations of steady-state mass transfer processes within the flash column were performed using AVEVA Process Simulation. This involved a rigorous vapor pressure curve simulation, taking energy and mass balance into account.

[0186] The material properties of water are described by IAPWS R7-97(2012) (IAPWS R7-97(2012): IAPWS-IF97 Industrial Formulation for Thermodynamic Properties of Water and Steam). This is a reference equation of state for describing the physical properties of water. No substances other than water were considered in the simulation.

[0187] The steam compression by the compressors was modeled using the isentropic change of state (pV). The compressors are assumed to have an isentropic efficiency of 82%.

[0188] Example 2: Method for evaporating H2O according to the present invention

[0189] Steam generation at 250 mbara was simulated according to reference example 1.

[0190] A mass flow of 136.35 t / h of boiler feedwater at a temperature of 20 °C was used. The feedwater was mixed with the water separated in the flash column, which had a temperature of 65 °C throughout. The separated water was fed to the pump in the evaporation circuit. To blow down the boiling circuit, 0.86 t / h of water was discarded on the pressure side of the pump in the evaporation circuit. The circuit flow was heated to approximately 75 °C in the heat exchanger. Heating took place at a pressure of approximately 1.2 bara, which ensured that no steam formed in the heat exchanger. The heated water was expanded to the column pressure of 0.25 bara before entering the flash column.

[0191] At 75 °C, the vapor pressure of water is approximately 0.4 bara. Therefore, evaporation occurred. If the water had been at its exact boiling point of 65 °C, evaporation would not have taken place. The superheat determined how much water evaporated in the flash column. The vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature of 65 °C results in a water vapor pressure of 0.25 bara. 231507W001

[0192] - 21 -

[0193] Steam was generated in the flash column and exited via the vapor port to a multi-stage steam compressor. The steam compressor was divided into six stages, between which feedwater at a temperature of 104.8 °C was injected from a thermal boiler feedwater deaerator to reduce steam superheating and increase compression efficiency. This process vaporized an additional 34.5 t / h of water. The injections required a pressure boost via a pump to approximately 9 bar to enable injection after the final compressor stage at a steam outlet pressure of 6 bar. The injection after the final compressor stage was adjusted to maintain a temperature of 180 °C.

[0194] The main dimensions of the flash column were 5 m in diameter and 20 m in height. The inlet nozzle had a diameter of 2 m and the vapor nozzle also had a diameter of 2 m. The packing height was 4 m. The residence time of the water in the column sump was 5 minutes. An exemplary and simplified representation of a flash column according to the invention is shown in Figure 1.

[0195] The column was not heated, as the liquid water was to be evaporated by superheating. The temperature difference of the heat exchanger determined the superheat (temperature at the inlet).

[0196] Comparative example 3: Method for evaporating H2O with reduced degassing efficiency in a stationary separator without internal components

[0197] The separator diameter was 5 m, the same as the diameter of the flash column in Example 2. The height was reduced by the height of the packing and the liquid distributors, as the column contained no internals. Therefore, the height was approximately 14 m. To convert the same mass flow of water to steam, equilibrium was not reached in the case of reduced efficiency of the flash column. The column outlet temperature increased by 2 K, resulting in a decrease in steam production. To generate the same amount of steam, the pressure in the flash column was reduced. In the comparative example, the suction pressure of the first compressor stage decreased from 0.25 bara to 0.23 bara.

[0198] Comparison of Example 2 with Comparison Example 3

[0199] The incomplete approximation of phase equilibrium could be compensated for by a correspondingly reduced flash pressure, which would restore the primary evaporator's performance but would require an increase in compressor power of approximately 560 kW, or about 2.4%. Considering the relationship between the desired benefit (steam production) and the required input (primarily compressor power) to assess the process efficiency, a change in compressor power of +2.4% would, to a first approximation, correspond to an efficiency loss of 1 - 100% / 102.4% = 2.34%, where not 231507W001

[0200] - 22 - It is taken into account that with the increased compressor output, injection quantities and total steam production (benefit) also increase slightly. The increase in output would correspond to an increase in operating costs, since the operating costs were largely determined by the electrical power of the compressor.

[0201] Description of the illustrations

[0202] Figure 1: shows a simplified representation of a flash column according to the invention, in particular comprising a demister, a baffle plate as a flow baffle to reduce the kinetic energy, an inlet opening to which a diffuser is attached, a liquid collector comprising gas stacks, liquid distributors, and a support structure.

[0203] Cited literature

[0204] - CN 111854225 A

[0205] - DE 3015736 A1

[0206] - US 4466253 A

[0207] - US 4323109 A

[0208] - US 2411186 A

Claims

231507W001 - 23 - Claims 1. A process for evaporating H2O, comprising the process (i) Deploying a flash column; (ii) Providing a 1-hO-containing stream, wherein the 1-hO-containing stream has a pressure in the range of 0.5 to 100 bara and a temperature in the range of 3 to 30 K higher than the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature of H2O at the pressure in the flash column; (iii) Introducing the FhO-containing stream into the flash column according to (i), wherein the flash column has a pressure in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 bara, obtaining a gaseous FW-containing stream and a liquid FW-containing stream.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flash column provided in (i) (a) a column body comprising a cylindrical space bounded by a top, a bottom and a lateral surface, wherein the top is parallel to the bottom and the lateral surface is perpendicular to the top, wherein the cylindrical space has a height h K between the top and the bottom, and has a cross-sectional area Ao of the top with a diameter do, where Ao = TT (do / 2) 2 ; (b) an entrance opening in the lateral surface; (c) a diffuser; (d) one or more flow baffles to reduce the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column; (e) one or more liquid collectors, wherein the one or more liquid collectors are arranged between the one or more flow baffles according to (d) and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a); (f) comprises an outlet in the top or in the lateral surface of the cylindrical space according to (a) (steam nozzle), and an outlet in the bottom or in the lateral surface of the cylindrical space according to (a); 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the height h K of the cylindrical space according to (a) lies in the range of 5 to 40 m.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a) has a cross-sectional area Au with a diameter du, wherein Au = TT (du / 2) 2 is.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional area Ao of the cylindrical space according to (a) and the cross-sectional area Au are independently of each other in the range of 0.05 to 0.65 m 2 per t / h steam. 231507W001 - 24 - 6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more droplet separators.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the one or more droplet separators are arranged substantially parallel to the top of the cylindrical space according to (a).

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the diffuser according to (c) is connected from outside the flash column provided in (i) to the inlet opening according to (b), wherein the diffuser according to (c) comprises a component comprising a space having the shape of a truncated cone, wherein the truncated cone has a top surface with a radius TD, a base surface with a radius TG, and a height ho.

9. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the one or more flow disruptors for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing flow introduced into the flash column according to (d) are provided within the column body according to (a).

10. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) are arranged between the top of the cylindrical space according to (a) and the one or more liquid collectors according to (e).

11. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more liquid distributors, the one or more liquid distributors being arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the bottom.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more droplet separators, wherein the inlet opening according to (b) is arranged between the one or more droplet separators and the one or more liquid distributors.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) are arranged between the one or more flow baffles for reducing the kinetic energy of the H2O-containing stream introduced into the flash column according to (d) and the one or more liquid distributors.

14. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the flash column provided in (i) comprises one or more packs, the one or more packs being arranged between the one or more liquid collectors according to (e) and the bottom of the cylindrical space according to (a). 231507W001 - 25 - 15. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein 90 to 100 wt% of the FW-containing current provided in (ii) consists of H2O.

Images