Dividing Wall Column Heat Pump for Distillation Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distillation columns, including dividing wall columns, face challenges in heat recovery due to temperature differences between overhead and bottom products, making it difficult to efficiently exchange heat between these streams.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dividing wall column integrated with an open-loop or closed-loop heat pump system, where a portion of the first product is compressed and used to indirectly transfer heat to the intermediate distillate, which is then recycled, allowing for improved heat recovery and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If direct heat exchange between overhead and bottom products is attempted, then heat recovery efficiency would improve, but the temperature difference between these streams prevents effective heat exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate fluid system that acts as a thermal mediator between the overhead and bottom products. The intermediate fluid absorbs heat from the overhead stream and transports it to the bottom section, enabling heat recovery despite the temperature difference that prevents direct exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermal parameters of the intermediate fluid through compression and expansion processes. By compressing the intermediate fluid, its temperature increases to match the bottom product temperature, enabling effective heat transfer. The expansion process then cools it back to overhead temperature levels, creating a cyclic parameter change that facilitates continuous heat recovery.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple columns are used to isolate intermediate-boiling substances, then separation precision improves, but device complexity and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fractionation functions into a single dividing wall column. The dividing wall creates separate compartments within one column, allowing simultaneous separation of different boiling point ranges including intermediate-boiling substances, thereby achieving the separation precision of multiple columns while reducing device complexity to a single column.
Solution Approach 2:
The dividing wall introduces a spatial dimension (lateral separation) to the traditional vertical fractionation. By creating compartments side-by-side within the column, the system can handle multiple separation tasks simultaneously, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the separation process that eliminates the need for multiple sequential columns.
3Use of energy by moving object
If heat pump system is implemented, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate fluid serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal carrier for heat recovery, undergoes compression and expansion to manage temperature differences, and circulates continuously through the system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved 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
This configuration enhances heat recovery and energy efficiency, reducing operating costs by enabling effective heat exchange across temperature gradients within the column.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the first product is compressed to provide a compressed first product
Implementation Method 2
Heat can be indirectly transferred from the compressed first product to at least a portion of the intermediate distillate to provide a heated intermediate distillate
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for separating a multi-component fluid are provided. The method can include introducing a multi-component fluid to a dividing wall column. The multi-component fluid can be heated to provide a first product, a second product, an intermediate distillate, and a process fluid. At least a portion of the first product can be compressed to provide a compressed first product. Heat can be indirectly transferred from the compressed first product to at least a portion of the intermediate distillate to provide a heated intermediate distillate. The heated intermediate distillate can be recycled to the dividing wall column. The compressed first product can be expanded.