Steam-Coupled Liquid Treatment Plant for Impurity Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating liquids containing dissolved solvents and non-volatile impurities, such as ammonia and sodium sulphate, are inefficient in terms of energy yield and require multiple evaporation devices, leading to suboptimal separation of solvent-laden vapor, purified solvent-free water, and concentrated non-volatile impurities.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a treatment installation with a first and second distillation column, an evaporator exchanger with a primary and secondary, and a transport steam generation device, where solvent extraction occurs in the first column, followed by vaporization in the secondary exchanger, condensation, and subsequent processing in the second column to achieve efficient separation of solvent-laden vapor, purified solvent-free water, and concentrated non-volatile impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple evaporation devices are used to separate solvent and non-volatile impurities, then separation completeness is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The process is divided into three functional units: a first evaporation device for initial solvent removal, a distillation column for separating solvent vapor from non-volatile impurities, and a second evaporation device for final concentration. This segmentation allows each unit to perform a specific function efficiently, achieving complete separation without requiring multiple similar complex devices.
Solution Approach 2:
A distillation column is introduced as an intermediary unit between the first and second evaporation devices. This column receives solvent-laden vapor from the first evaporation device, separates the solvent from non-volatile impurities through distillation, and delivers purified solvent vapor to the second evaporation device. This intermediary enables complete separation while reducing the complexity of individual evaporation devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple evaporation devices are used to achieve complete separation, then separation quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distillation column continuously processes solvent-laden vapor from the first evaporation device, maintaining a steady state of separation. The purified solvent vapor is continuously delivered to the second evaporation device, ensuring uninterrupted and efficient energy utilization throughout the separation process, thereby reducing total energy consumption compared to multiple independent evaporation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The process utilizes phase transitions at different stages: liquid to vapor in the first evaporation device, vapor to liquid condensation in the distillation column, and vapor to liquid in the second evaporation device. These controlled phase transitions enable complete separation of solvent from non-volatile impurities while optimizing energy consumption through efficient heat transfer during phase changes.
3Device complexity
If solvent extraction is performed in a single distillation column, then device complexity is reduced, but separation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is segmented into three functional stages handled by different equipment: a first evaporation device for initial solvent removal, a distillation column for efficient solvent separation, and a second evaporation device for final concentration. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, maintaining high separation efficiency while avoiding the complexity of a single multi-functional distillation column.
Solution Approach 2:
The distillation column is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving solvent-laden vapor, separating solvent from non-volatile impurities through distillation, condensing the solvent vapor, and delivering purified solvent vapor to the second evaporation device. This multi-functionality enables efficient separation without requiring additional specialized equipment, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
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 method optimizes energy consumption and improves the concentration of non-volatile impurities, achieving efficient separation with reduced energy expenditure and fewer evaporation devices, enhancing the overall efficiency of the treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
Inside the exchanger tubes, this raw liquid is heated and partially vaporized by compressed steam charged with NH3
Implementation Method 2
It then transfers its energy to the external surfaces of the tubes in the primary side of the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
In this distillation column, the NH3 contained in the condensate is extracted by exchange with a transport steam
Implementation Method 4
The NH3-saturated transport steam, delivered to the primary side of the second evaporator, interacts with the outer surface of the exchanger tubes, vaporizing the purified water circulating inside the tubes in the secondary side of the evaporator
Implementation Method 5
The NH3-laden steam is condensed in the primary of the evaporator heat exchanger
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates to a process for treating a crude liquid containing dissolved solvents and non-volatile impurities, said process comprising the provision of a liquid treatment plant including: -- a first distillation column (10), -- a second distillation column (20), -- a transport steam generation device, in which the solvents are extracted from the crude liquid in the first distillation column by means of the transport steam. Notably, the solvent-purified liquid containing non-volatile impurities falling from the bottom of the first distillation column at the end of this step is conveyed to the secondary side of an evaporator heat exchanger (30) of the steam generation device for concentration, obtaining a solvent-purified liquid concentrated in non-volatile impurities (LPSC30) at the outlet of the evaporator heat exchanger (30).