Extractive Distillation Column System for Butene Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extractive distillation plants for separating butenes from C4-hydrocarbon streams are costly and space-intensive due to the need for separate absorber and desorber columns, which require pumps and significant space.
Innovation Solution
An integrated extractive distillation column system combining a combination column with a side rectification column, utilizing a solvent for heat integration and evaporation processes to recycle liquids and reduce the need for pumps, allowing for efficient separation of butenes without the requirement for separate columns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate absorber and desorber columns are used, then butene separation is achieved, but space requirements and acquisition costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the absorber and desorber columns into a single integrated column system. The absorber section absorbs butenes from the C4 stream using solvent, while the desorber section strips butenes from the solvent, both occurring within the same column structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate columns and the pump required to transfer liquid between them, reducing space requirements while maintaining separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated column serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both an absorber for butene recovery and a desorber for solvent regeneration. The column handles both the absorption of butenes from the feed stream and the stripping of butenes from the solvent stream, making it a multi-functional unit that replaces what would traditionally require two separate columns.
2Reliability
If separate absorber and desorber columns are used, then butene separation is achieved, but operating and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the absorber and desorber columns into a single integrated column system. The absorber section absorbs butenes from the C4 stream using solvent, while the desorber section strips butenes from the solvent, both occurring within the same column structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate columns and the pump required to transfer liquid between them, reducing space requirements while maintaining separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pump from the traditional two-column process configuration. By redesigning the system as an integrated column, the pump that would be needed to transfer liquid from the absorber to the desorber is no longer required, reducing both acquisition costs and operating/maintenance costs associated with pump equipment.
3Ease of operation
If pumps are used to transfer liquid between columns, then liquid circulation is achieved, but operational costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the absorber and desorber columns into a single integrated column system. The absorber section absorbs butenes from the C4 stream using solvent, while the desorber section strips butenes from the solvent, both occurring within the same column structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate columns and the pump required to transfer liquid between them, reducing space requirements while maintaining separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated column design allows liquid to circulate through the system using gravity and pressure differential inherent in the single-column structure, eliminating the need for external pumping. The system serves itself by utilizing the natural flow patterns within the integrated absorber-desorber configuration.
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 reduces operational and acquisition costs, minimizes space requirements, and enhances the efficiency of butene separation by eliminating the need for pumps and separate columns, while maintaining high separation performance.
Implementation Method 1
In one column, the absorber, the butenes are dissolved in the solvent and the butanes separated as tops product
Implementation Method 2
arranged on the combination column (1) are at least two side evaporator systems (5, 6) in which in each case a liquid phase from one of the liquid collectors of the collection section is at least partially evaporated and subsequently recycled via a respective inlet (5a, 6a) to the collection section
Implementation Method 3
wherein the extractive column system comprises a feed evaporator (4) which at least partially evaporates the C4-hydrocarbon stream before it is passed into the combination column (1)
Implementation Method 4
arranged at the bottom section of the combination column (1) is a bottoms evaporator (7) which at least partially evaporates the liquid obtained in the column bottom to outgas any residues of butenes from the solvent
Implementation Method 5
the heat of the solvent withdrawn as the bottoms stream is at least partially used for heat integration where heat of the solvent is transferred in the first side evaporator system (5), in the second side evaporator system (6) and in the feed evaporator (4)
Data Source
AI summary
An extractive distillation column system contains a combination column and a side rectification column. A process can be used for separation of butenes from C4-hydrocarbon streams using the extractive distillation column system.