Solvent Separation Apparatus Waste Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solvent separation processes in polymer production consume a large amount of energy due to the high energy requirements of steam stripping, and there is a need to reduce energy consumption by recovering and utilizing waste heat.
Innovation Solution
The solvent separation apparatus recovers waste heat from the oil mist discharged during the polymer and solvent separation process and uses it to heat water for transferring the product to the stripping unit, reducing the energy needed for heating and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If steam stripping is used to separate polymer and solvent, then separation efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers waste heat from the top stream discharged from the stripping unit and uses it to preheat the polymer solution feedstock before it enters the stripping unit. This heat recovery system reduces the energy consumption of steam while maintaining separation efficiency by reutilizing the thermal energy that would otherwise be discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a preheating step where the polymer solution is heated using recovered waste heat before entering the stripping unit. This preliminary heating action reduces the temperature difference that steam must bridge, thereby lowering the overall energy consumption while maintaining the required separation efficiency.
2Temperature
If high-temperature steam is used for stripping, then solvent volatilization is improved, but cooling water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers waste heat from the hot top stream discharged after condensation and uses it to preheat the feedstock. This reduces the temperature that cooling water must handle, thereby reducing cooling water consumption while maintaining effective solvent volatilization through steam stripping.
3Productivity
If conventional stripping process is used, then polymer-solvent separation is achieved, but waste heat is discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a heat recovery system that captures waste heat from the top stream discharged from the stripping unit and uses it to preheat the polymer solution feedstock. This eliminates waste heat loss while maintaining the polymer-solvent separation capability, transforming a loss into a useful resource.
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 significantly reduces the energy consumption by utilizing waste heat, minimizing the amount of cooling water and steam used in the process, thereby enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the top stream (201) discharged from the top region of the stripping unit (20) is condensed in the condenser (30) and then introduced into a heat exchanger (60) to be heat-exchanged with water
Implementation Method 2
the top stream (201) discharged from the top region of the stripping unit (20) is condensed in the condenser (30)
Implementation Method 3
the polymer solution is introduced into a high-temperature water and the solvent is volatilized and removed together with water vapor using steam
Implementation Method 4
The stripping unit used for stripping is for evaporating and separating mixed materials of two or more components present in a feedstock by the boiling point difference
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a solvent separation apparatus and a solvent separation method, and the solvent separation apparatus and the solvent separation method according to the present application can reduce the used amount of cooling water and the used amount of steam, in a process of separating a polymer and a solvent.