Dividing Wall Distillation Column Assembly for Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distillation processes for separating mixtures of three or more components are energy-intensive and inefficient, particularly when separation pressure and temperature differences are significant, leading to high energy consumption and carbon emissions, and existing energy-saving solutions like dividing wall columns (DWCs) may not provide substantial savings in such conditions.
Innovation Solution
A distillation column assembly is proposed, combining a dividing wall column (DWC) with a typical distillation column, where the DWC has one inflow point and three outflow points, and the typical column has two inflow points and two outflow points, with streams from the DWC introduced into the typical column to improve energy efficiency and adaptability to varying separation conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a typical distillation column is used to separate a three-component mixture, then the separation process is simple and easy to operate, but energy consumption increases due to remixing of the intermediate boiling-point component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two distillation columns into a single integrated column by installing a dividing wall, merging the first column (separating low boiling-point component) and second column (separating high boiling-point component) into one unified structure. This integration eliminates the remixing problem while maintaining operational simplicity, as the divided sections operate simultaneously without requiring separate column operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The distillation column is segmented into multiple sections by installing a dividing wall, creating distinct zones for separating different boiling-point components. The dividing wall divides the column into a first section (upper) and second section (lower), allowing simultaneous separation of low and high boiling-point components without remixing, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a dividing wall column (DWC) is used to integrate two distillation columns, then energy efficiency improves and investment expenses are saved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Two distillation columns are merged into one integrated column by installing a dividing wall, combining the first column (for low boiling-point component separation) and second column (for high boiling-point component separation) into a single structure. This merging achieves energy efficiency improvements and investment savings while the dividing wall provides the necessary structural integration.
Solution Approach 2:
A dividing wall is introduced as an intermediary structure within the distillation column to separate and direct different boiling-point components to their respective outlet sections. The dividing wall acts as a mediator that enables simultaneous separation of low and high boiling-point components without requiring separate columns, thus achieving energy efficiency while managing structural complexity through a well-defined partitioning element.
3Ease of manufacture
If a dividing wall is installed in the main column to create a DWC, then two distillation columns are integrated into one, but the internal structure design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two distillation columns into one by installing a dividing wall, integrating the first column (separating low boiling-point component) and second column (separating high boiling-point component) into a single manufactured unit. This merging simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate column structures required while the internal dividing wall provides the necessary structural complexity for functional separation.
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 energy-saving capabilities, allows for easy installation, and maintains high efficiency even when separation pressure and temperature differences are great, reducing energy consumption and emissions while being economically viable for replacing existing apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
A variety of raw materials such as crude oil are usually composed of a mixture of many compounds. These raw materials are rarely used by themselves industrially, but are usually used after being separated into respective compounds. A representative chemical process for separating the mixtures is a distillation process.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a distillation column assembly combining two distillation columns used in a distillation process. The distillation column assembly is characterized in that a dividing wall column (DWC) that has one inflow point, three outflow points and an internal dividing wall and a typical distillation column that has two inflow points and two outflow points are sequentially connected to each other, and in that streams of the two outflow points of the DWC are introduced into the two inflow points of the typical distillation column. The distillation column assembly improves an existing process apparatus based on two distillation columns, so that it can be easily installed, has a high energy-saving effect, and can be applied to the case where a separation pressure difference and a utility temperature difference are great.