Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Gregory M Lipkin

Joseph L Niedzwiecki

Byron C Lynch

A process for improving the separation of a hydrocarbonaceous oil is provided, in which the oil is separated into fractions in an atmospheric distillation zone. The heavy bottoms fraction (atmospheric residuum) is split into two streams. One stream is passed through a heating zone and, subsequently, to a vacuum separation zone. The other stream by-passes the heating zone and is introduced directly into the vacuum separation zone.

Process for separating hydrocarbons

A process for improving the separation of a hydrocarbon mixture is provided in which the hydrocarbon mixture is separated into fractions in a distillation zone. A liquid fraction and a portion of the vapor phase fraction are removed from the distillation zone as sidestream and introduced into a separation zone comprising a stripping gas to be stripped simultaneously. The resulting stripped vapor is recycled to an upper portion of the distillation zone.

A method and apparatus for improving the separation of a distillation system comprising a main distillation zone and at least one sidestream separation zone is described. The method comprises returning vapor separated in the sidestream separation zone to the main distillation zone at a location at least two trays and/or at least one theoretical stage above the liquid draw-off from the main distillation zone to the sidestream separation zone.

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Secaucus, NJ, United States of America

Gregory M Lipkin