Krupp Koppers Gmbh

Ulrich Rudel

Gerd Emmrich

Hans-Christoph Schneider

In a method of optimizing the operation of a distillation column with a side heating device for reconditioning of extract which is received during the extraction of hydrocarbon-containing initial products with N-substituted morpholines whose substituents have not more than seven C-atoms as selective solvents a liquid is withdrawn to a side heating device through a chimney plate arranged above a feed plate, so that between 5 and 30 volume percent of the liquid supplied to the chimney plate is not withdrawn to the side heating device but instead supplied directly to a plate located underneath the chimney plate. A vapor-liquid mixture which has escaped through a top from the side heating device is returned back to the distillation column. The returned vapor-liquid mixture is fed either to the feed plate or to the plate located underneath the chimney plate. An arrangement for performing the inventive method is also provided.

Method of optimizing the operation of a distillation column provided

The column for distillation of charge products which form a heavier liquid phase and a lighter liquid phase and connected sump circulating boiler are provided with a liquid impermeable collecting bottom plate located in a lower part of the column. The bottom plate has a discharge passage and the column is provided with a liquid withdrawal outlet arranged closely underneath the collecting bottom plate but above the lower end of the discharge passage so that the heavier phase can be prevented from reaching the liquid withdrawal outlet by gravity. One pipe connects the sump circulating boiler with the liquid withdrawal outlet to provide a free flow of liquid from the column to the sump circulating boiler for heating and another pipe connects the column with the sump circulating boiler above the collecting bottom plate so that the reheated liquid can flow from the sump circulating boiler to the column without a circulating pump. The column also has a column sump arranged so that the lower part of the column opens into the column sump, which has a cross-section which is smaller than the cross-section of the remaining portion of the column; and a separating layer regulator for regulating a separating layer between the lighter and the heavier phase of the charge product and connected with the column sump having the smaller cross-section for greater sensitivity and reliability.

Column for distillation of charge products having a tendency for

A hydrocarbon material of the starting product is separated in an extractive distillation column in which an N-substituted morpholine whose substituents do not have more than seven carbon atoms is used as a selective solvent. The overhead product comes down as a top product of the extractive distillation and is fed through a coalescer in which the sump product comes down with a solvent content of 20 to 75% by weight at a temperature of 20.degree. to 70.degree. C. and subsequent to that is fed into a separating vessel. There it is separated into a heavier and lighter phase. After that the heavier phase is conducted into an extractive distillation column and the lighter phase into the overhead product distillation column.

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Oberhausen, Germany

Ulrich Rudel