Distillation Tower Feed Atomization for Yield Improvement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distillation columns in the petroleum refining industry face challenges in achieving high fraction oil yield due to limitations in reducing vaporization section pressure and heat transfer efficiency, leading to incomplete vaporization of lighter components and reduced distillation yield.
Innovation Solution
A distillation column method involving preheating feedstock oil and using a pressure-feeding system to atomize the oil into fine droplets within the vaporization section, increasing the pressure and heat transfer coefficient, thereby enhancing vaporization and fractionation efficiency without the need for a reboiler.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vaporization section pressure is reduced to increase vaporization ratio, then the distillation yield improves, but the pressure reduction becomes difficult to achieve further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from low pressure to high pressure (100-1000 kPa) in the vaporization section, fundamentally altering the operating conditions to achieve both high vaporization ratio and practical pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local atomization zones within the vaporization section where feedstock is broken into fine droplets, providing enhanced heat transfer in specific locations without requiring overall pressure reduction
2Productivity
If the furnace tube diameter is increased to improve heat transfer, then the vaporization efficiency increases, but the furnace structure becomes complex and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter to high pressure (100-1000 kPa), which increases the heat transfer coefficient and allows efficient vaporization without requiring large furnace tube diameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the feedstock into fine droplets through atomization, increasing the surface area for heat transfer and enabling efficient vaporization in compact furnace structures
3Productivity
If the feedstock is vaporized incompletely due to limited heat transfer, then the process is simpler, but the lighter components are not fully distilled off reducing yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure to high pressure (100-1000 kPa) which enhances heat transfer coefficient and ensures complete vaporization of lighter components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent atomizes the feedstock into fine droplets, dramatically increasing the heat transfer surface area and ensuring complete vaporization without requiring excessive residence time
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 method increases the real vaporization ratio closer to equilibrium, reduces the need for large furnace tube diameters, decreases furnace temperature, and simplifies the heating furnace structure, resulting in higher distillation yields and reduced operational costs for both atmospheric and vacuum distillation processes.
Implementation Method 1
sending it through a pressure-feeding system at a pressure of 100-1000 kPa higher than the vaporization section pressure of the distillation column into the vaporization section of the distillation column, atomizing and vaporizing in the vaporization section
Implementation Method 2
atomizing and vaporizing in the vaporization section
Implementation Method 3
preheating feedstocks
Implementation Method 4
the vaporized fraction oils are distilled off from the top and/or the sideline of the column
Implementation Method 5
Non-vaporized streams fall into the column bottom and are removed as atmospheric residue
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a fraction oil yield from petroleum hydrocarbons in a distillation column, wherein said distillation column comprises a fractionation stage, a vaporization section and a stripping stage from the top to the bottom of the distillation column. The method comprises preheating and sending a feedstock oil of petroleum hydrocarbons through a pressure-feeding system at a pressure of 100-1000 kPa higher than the vaporization section pressure of the distillation column, wherein said preheating is conducted in a heating furnace, wherein said heating furnace has an outlet pressure of 100-1000 kPa higher than the vaporization section absolute pressure, and an outlet temperature of 360-460° C.