Dividing Wall Column for Phenol Fractionation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing phenol fractionation process requires multiple distillation columns, leading to high capital and operating costs, and inefficient recovery of phenol and acetone, with a need for a more economical and simplified design that can separate phenol contaminants and impurities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing a single dividing wall distillation column to separate cleavage product mixtures into three fractions, where a first fraction comprising ketone is removed at the top, a second fraction comprising phenol at the bottom, and a third fraction comprising unreacted benzene, water, and hydroxy ketone is removed as a side stream, with proper steam/water injection and chemical treatment to maintain quality and avoid fouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple distillation columns are used for phenol fractionation, then separation effectiveness is improved, but capital equipment costs and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple distillation columns into a single dividing wall column. The dividing wall column integrates the separation capabilities of what would traditionally require two or more columns, thereby reducing capital equipment costs and operating costs while maintaining separation effectiveness for phenol fractionation
Solution Approach 2:
The dividing wall column is designed to perform multiple separation functions simultaneously within a single vessel. It can separate phenol from other components while also handling different fractions (overhead, side draw, and bottoms) that would traditionally require separate columns, making the equipment multi-functional
2Device complexity
If conventional single distillation column is used, then device complexity is reduced, but recovery of acetone and phenol is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dividing wall column segments the separation process into distinct sections within a single column. The dividing wall creates separate compartments that allow for simultaneous separation of different components (acetone overhead, phenol in bottoms, and intermediate fractions via side draw), thereby improving recovery rates while maintaining a single-column configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the separation process by adding a dividing wall that creates multiple separation zones within the single column. This dimensional change allows the column to perform multiple separations simultaneously, achieving high recovery rates for acetone and phenol without requiring multiple columns in series
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 reduces capital and operating costs, improves phenol and acetone recovery, and stabilizes the operation of the dividing wall column, enhancing acetone distillation while maintaining product quality and preventing fouling and corrosive reactions.
Implementation Method 1
resolving the cleavage product mixture into at least three fractions in a single distillation step by feeding the cleavage product mixture to a side of a dividing wall distillation column
Data Source
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AI summary
This present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for use of a single dividing wall distillation column for phenol fractionation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for phenol fractionation by combining crude acetone column and cumene-AMS column into a single dividing wall distillation column. The proper allocation of steam or water injection, chemical treatment reactor and internal liquid phase separator, the positioning of the side draw enables high yield of acetone and phenol.