Divided-Wall Distillation Column for Octanol Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing alkanols, such as octanol, face inefficiencies in energy usage and cost due to the lack of effective heat exchange and reflux mechanisms in traditional distillation processes.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a divided-wall distillation column with a condenser, reboiler, and heat exchangers configured to produce steam and preheat raw materials, allowing for efficient separation and reflux of streams to minimize energy consumption and optimize the production of high-purity octanol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional distillation processes are used for preparing octanol, then the octanol product can be obtained with high purity through distillation columns, reboilers, and condensers, but energy consumption is high due to lack of effective heat exchange mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchange functions into a integrated system where the divided-wall distillation column includes internal heat exchange between ascending vapor and descending liquid streams. Additionally, the condenser outlet stream is heat-exchanged with the raw material feed, and the reboiler utilizes heat from the distillate stream, creating a merged heat recovery network that reduces external energy requirements while maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts waste heat streams into useful energy sources. The hot distillate stream from the condenser, which would normally be discarded, is used to preheat the raw material feed. The reboiler utilizes heat from the distillate stream to vaporize the feed. This transforms waste thermal energy into beneficial heating functions, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining the high-purity separation process.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple heat exchangers and reflux mechanisms are added to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges heat exchange functions into the distillation column structure itself through the divided-wall design, which enables internal heat transfer between vapor and liquid phases. The condenser and reboiler are integrated with the process streams, where the condenser outlet directly feeds into heat exchange with the raw material, and the reboiler utilizes distillate heat. This merging reduces the need for separate, additional heat exchange equipment while achieving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The divided-wall distillation column performs multiple functions simultaneously: separation of components, internal heat exchange, and reflux generation. The condenser serves both as a cooling device and as a source of preheating for the raw material. The reboiler functions both as a heating device and as a heat sink for the distillate stream. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of equipment pieces needed while maintaining energy efficiency.
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
The solution significantly reduces energy consumption by minimizing steam and cooling water usage, achieving energy-saving and cost-cutting effects while maintaining high purity of the octanol product.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to preheat a raw material, and a divided wall, wherein the distillation column is divided into a raw material feed region, a product outflow region, a column top region, and a column bottom region
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger configured to produce steam for column top stream... configured such that some or all of the column top stream flowing out from the column top region exchanges heat with water to produce steam
Implementation Method 3
the raw material flowing into the raw material feed region is separated into a product stream, a column bottom stream and a column top stream to flow out therefrom
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a device and a method for preparing alkanol. According to the present application, energy can be reduced when preparing alkanol by reducing the amount of steam used in a reboiler or cooling water used in a condenser and a cooler, and steam generated from a heat exchanger for column top stream can be utilized in a variety of fields. Also, highly pure alkanol can be prepared according to the present application.