Stripping Column Evaporator Integration for C4 Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The separation of crude C4 cuts in extractive distillation is complicated by the presence of impurities like C5+ hydrocarbons, C3 hydrocarbons, and oligomers/polymers, which lead to foaming and equipment fouling, resulting in high losses of valuable C4 hydrocarbons and increased energy costs.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a stripping column integrated with an evaporator boiler, where the liquid C4 cut is fed to the upper region of the stripping column for direct gas and liquid exchange, operating without a condenser at the top, effectively separates C4 oligomers, polymers, and C5+ hydrocarbons, reducing the purge stream losses and improving high boiler separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an evaporator boiler is used to separate high-boiling components from C4 cut, then the separation of C5+ hydrocarbons and oligomers is achieved, but valuable C4 hydrocarbons are lost in the purge stream
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into two distinct stages: first, a distillation column separates C3 hydrocarbons from the C4 cut; second, an evaporator boiler removes high-boiling components (C5+, oligomers, polymers). This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall separation efficiency while minimizing C4 hydrocarbon losses in the purge stream.
2Productivity
If impurities like C5+ hydrocarbons, C3 hydrocarbons, and oligomers are present in the feed stream, then the extractive distillation can process the crude C4 cut, but foaming and equipment fouling occur
Solution Approach 1:
Before the crude C4 cut enters the extractive distillation column, preliminary separation steps are performed: a distillation column removes C3 hydrocarbons, and an evaporator boiler eliminates high-boiling components (C5+, oligomers, polymers). This preliminary action prevents impurities from causing foaming and equipment fouling in the extractive distillation column, ensuring reliable and continuous operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If a distillation column and evaporator boiler are used for pre-cleaning, then impurities are removed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distillation column and evaporator boiler are designed and operated as an integrated pre-cleaning system with standardized configurations. The distillation column handles C3 hydrocarbon removal while the evaporator boiler manages high-boiling component separation. This universal approach allows the same basic equipment types to perform multiple separation functions, simplifying overall plant design and operation despite the presence of multiple units.
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 simplifies and energy-efficiently separates high-boiling components, reducing the loss of C4 hydrocarbons and extending the service life of the extractive distillation column while maintaining high purity and yield of valuable products like 1,3-butadiene.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid C4 cut is fed to the upper region of the stripping column for direct gas and liquid exchange
Implementation Method 2
evaporation of the liquid raw C4 cut in an evaporator boiler
Implementation Method 3
evaporation of the liquid raw C4 cut in an evaporator boiler
Implementation Method 4
The bottom stream is then fed to an evaporator vessel, i.e. an apparatus with a single separation stage, for the purpose of separating off the high-boiling components
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for providing a purified crude gaseous C4 fraction (2) as an input stream for an extractive distillation using a selective solvent in order to obtain crude 1,3-butadiene on the basis of a liquid crude C4-fraction (1) as a feed stream, containing C3 hydrocarbons, C4 oligomers, C4 polymers, and C5+ hydrocarbons together with butanes, butenes, and 1,3-butadiene. The method has the steps of 1) separating the C4 oligomers, C4 polymers, and C5+ hydrocarbons up to the respective residual content previously specified for the purified crude gaseous C4 fraction and 2) evaporating the liquid crude C4 fraction in an evaporator tank (VK). The invention is characterized in that the evaporator tank (VK) is associated with a stripping column (K) with one or more separating stages, the liquid C4 fraction (1) being fed to the stripping column in the upper region of the stripping column. The stripping column directly exchanges gas and liquid with the evaporator tank (VK) in the lower region of the stripping column, and the purified crude gaseous C4 fraction (2) is drawn off from the stripping column in the upper region. The stripping column (K) is operated without a condenser at the column head.