1-Butene Separation via Heat Integration in Distillation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for separating 1-butene from C4 hydrocarbon streams are energy-intensive and generate significant CO2 emissions, primarily due to the use of heating steam in distillation columns.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing two distillation columns with bottom evaporators for heat integration through compressed vapor streams, reducing the need for external heating steam and enabling almost complete electricity conversion for energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If heating steam is used to separate C4 hydrocarbon stream in distillation columns, then separation of 1-butene is achieved, but energy costs and CO2 emissions increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by condensing vapor streams from distillation columns and using the resulting liquid streams as heating media in bottom evaporators. The condensed vapor from column DK1 heats the bottom of column DK2, while condensed vapor from column DK2 heats the bottom of column DK1, creating a heat integration network that eliminates external heating steam requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The distillation system serves itself by using its own vapor streams as heating sources. The process internally recycles thermal energy through heat exchangers where vapor streams from one column provide the necessary heat for the bottom evaporators of other columns, making the system self-sufficient in terms of thermal energy.
2Manufacturing precision
If heating steam is used to separate C4 hydrocarbon stream, then separation of 1-butene is achieved, but CO2 emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts what would normally be waste heat (condensing vapor) into a useful resource by using it as the heating medium for bottom evaporators. This approach eliminates the need for external heating steam and its associated CO2 emissions, turning a potential waste stream into a beneficial heat source.
3Productivity
If heating steam is used in distillation columns, then separation process operates, but external heating requirements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the condensation and heating functions by directly using condensed vapor streams from one distillation column as the heating medium for bottom evaporators in another column. This integration eliminates separate external heating systems and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining separation throughput.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces energy costs and CO2 emissions by eliminating the need for external heating steam and allowing for the use of green electricity, while maintaining high purity of 1-butene in the product stream.
Implementation Method 1
energy is transferred from the compressed stream VB1 to the stream in the bottom evaporator SV1a
Implementation Method 2
the raffinate 2 stream is passed to the first distillation column DK1 and is separated in the DK1 into at least one vapor stream BS1
Implementation Method 3
a first part BS1a of the vapor stream BS1 is compressed, resulting in a stream VB1 that is more compressed than the vapor stream BS1a
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for separating 1-butene from a hydrocarbon stream containing at least 1-butene, 2-butene, n-butane and isobutane in a separation unit comprising at least two distillation columns DK1 and DK2, wherein the heat of condensation is utilized to save energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions.