Multi-Effect Evaporation Tower for Condensed Water Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing short-flow processes for purified terephthalic acid (PTA) face challenges in purifying condensed water due to high energy consumption, high investment costs, and safety concerns related to the use of organic phases as extractants.
Innovation Solution
A novel tower-type water separation tower with low energy consumption, high efficiency, and intrinsic safety is introduced. This tower includes multiple evaporation units with a final-effect condensation unit connected to a vacuum pump, utilizing a pressure difference and gravity to facilitate the separation process without external heat sources for subsequent evaporation units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an extraction apparatus is used to purify condensed water, then the quality of condensed water is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses evaporation and condensation phase transitions to separate acetic acid and p-toluic acid from condensed water. The evaporation units heat the condensed water to vaporize water, and the condensation units cool the vapor to condense pure water, achieving purification without extraction solvents and with lower energy consumption compared to conventional extraction apparatus
Solution Approach 2:
The purification system is segmented into multiple evaporation units and condensation units arranged in sequence. Each evaporation unit is paired with condensation units, creating a staged separation process that improves efficiency and reduces energy consumption by reusing heat across multiple stages
2Manufacturing precision
If an extraction apparatus is used to purify condensed water, then the quality of condensed water is improved, but investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service heat exchange where vapor from evaporation units directly provides heat to condensation units without requiring external extraction solvents or complex chemical treatment systems. This reduces equipment complexity and investment cost while achieving the same purification quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters (temperature and pressure) of the condensed water through controlled evaporation and condensation processes. By adjusting these parameters across multiple stages, the system achieves effective separation of contaminants without requiring expensive extraction apparatus
3Manufacturing precision
If an extraction apparatus is used to purify condensed water, then the quality of condensed water is improved, but safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful organic phase (extraction solvent) from the purification process entirely. Instead of using extraction apparatus with organic solvents that pose safety risks, the system uses purely physical evaporation and condensation processes, eliminating safety concerns related to flammable or toxic chemicals
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporation and condensation process operates in a controlled environment that avoids the use of reactive or hazardous substances. The system creates a safe operating atmosphere by relying on phase transitions of water itself rather than introducing potentially dangerous extraction chemicals
4Use of energy by moving object
If multiple effect evaporation units are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where multiple evaporation units and condensation units are arranged in a compact, integrated tower configuration. Each evaporation unit is paired with condensation units in a nested arrangement, allowing the system to achieve multi-stage heat recovery without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the evaporation and condensation functions into a single integrated purification tower. Multiple evaporation units and condensation units are combined in one structure with shared support systems, reducing the overall complexity compared to having separate standalone units for each stage
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 achieves efficient separation of water from contaminants like acetic acid and p-toluic acid, reducing energy consumption, investment costs, and safety risks while maintaining high product quality.
Implementation Method 1
evaporation units for purifying the condensed water are disposed in the tower body
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchange chamber, an upper portion of the first heat exchange chamber is provided with a first demister for demisting a vapor phase generated after heat exchange of the condensed water
Implementation Method 3
a final-effect condensation unit is disposed below the evaporation units and connected with a vacuum pump
Implementation Method 4
The first concentric-square-shaped apparatus is located between the second heat exchange chamber and the second demister to isolate the first-effect evaporation unit from the second-effect evaporation unit to cause a pressure difference between the two
Implementation Method 5
a final-effect condensation unit is disposed below the evaporation units and connected with a vacuum pump
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a separation tower and method for treating condensed water. In order to overcome the defects that an apparatus has high investment and energy consumption and requires high safety due to the need to use an organic phase as an extractant, the present disclosure provides a separation tower for treating condensed water. The water separation tower includes a tower body. Evaporation units for purifying the condensed water are disposed in the tower body. A final-effect condensation unit is disposed below the evaporation units and connected with a vacuum pump. The present disclosure has the following beneficial effects: 1) the gravity is used, thereby omitting an intermediate pump and saving the power cost and a matching control system; 2) a pressure difference between every two effect evaporation units is designed, and heat energy provided by a first-effect evaporation unit is continuously evaporated to achieve separation, so that subsequent effect evaporation units do not require external heat sources; and 3) the degree of integration is high, the sealing property is good, a vacuum is easy to realize, a subsequent vacuum system is small, the energy consumption is low, a device is small in occupied area, the construction and installation cost is low, and the operation is simple.