Multi-Evaporator Distillation for Continuous Multi-Product Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuous distillation processes struggle to simultaneously produce multiple liquid bottom products without using complex and difficult-to-control dividing wall columns, leading to product loss and composition changes during parameter transitions.
Innovation Solution
A distillation unit comprising an evaporation unit with multiple evaporation devices and a distillation column, where each evaporation device has a circulation device for recycling liquid streams and a discharge device for continuous product output, allowing for the simultaneous production of multiple liquid product streams and a gaseous stream without a dividing wall column.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a distillation column is operated with changed process parameters to produce different bottom products, then the composition of the bottom product changes, but product loss occurs and composition changes during transition phases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the distillation column into multiple distillation zones (at least three zones: first, second, and third zones) with different functional purposes. The first zone produces a first bottom product, the second zone produces a second bottom product, and the third zone handles transition phases. This segmentation allows simultaneous or sequential production of different bottom products without complete parameter changes, reducing product loss during transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention prepares for product transitions by having pre-configured distillation zones ready to handle different product requirements. Before a full parameter change is needed, the system can switch between zones that are already prepared for different bottom product compositions, avoiding the harmful transition phase where off-spec material is produced.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a distillation column is operated to produce multiple bottom products sequentially, then different bottom products can be obtained, but production downtime occurs during parameter transitions
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the distillation column into multiple functional zones, the system can operate different zones simultaneously or switch between them without shutting down the entire column. This allows continuous production of different bottom products through zone selection rather than complete parameter transitions, eliminating production downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention maintains continuous operation of the distillation column by keeping multiple distillation zones active and ready. When product demand changes, the system continuously switches between zones rather than stopping and restarting, ensuring uninterrupted production and eliminating downtime during product transitions.
3Productivity
If a dividing wall column is used to produce multiple bottom products simultaneously, then simultaneous production is achieved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex dividing wall structure, the invention segments the distillation column into multiple sequential zones with different operating parameters. This achieves simultaneous or near-simultaneous production of multiple bottom products through controlled parameter zones rather than physical division, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses dynamically controllable parameters (temperature, pressure, flow rates) in different distillation zones to achieve flexible product production. Rather than a fixed dividing wall structure, the system can dynamically adjust zone parameters to optimize for different bottom product requirements, reducing structural complexity while maintaining versatility.
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
Enables the continuous production of multiple liquid product streams of differing compositions and a gaseous stream efficiently, avoiding product loss and composition changes, while simplifying control and reducing equipment complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporation unit (10000) for the partial evaporation of the liquid substance mixture (10) to be separated
Implementation Method 2
each evaporation device has a circulation device (1200-1, 1200-2, . . . ) for recycling a portion of each of the liquid bottom streams (22, 21, . . . ) of an evaporation device into the respective evaporation device
Implementation Method 3
a distillation column (20000) for obtaining the gaseous product stream (300)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a distillation unit (100 000) which is designed for a continuous distillation process and to a method for a continuous operation for separating a liquid substance mixture (10) into two to six liquid product flows (201, 202, . . . ) with different compositions and into a gaseous product flow (300). For this purpose, an evaporation unit (10 000) is provided consisting of multiple evaporation devices (10 000-1, 10 000-2, . . . ), wherein each evaporation device has a circuit device (1 200-1, 1 200-2, . . . ) for recirculating a sub-quantity of each of the liquid sump flows (22, 21, . . . ) of an evaporation device into the respective evaporation device, and each of the circuit devices additionally has a discharge device (1 300-1, 1 300-2, . . . ) for providing one of the liquid product flows (201, 202, . . . ).