Processes for integrating a continuous sorption cooling process with an

Abstract

A process and a control system are disclosed for continuous cooling of a condensable process stream by the integration of a sorption cooling section for producing a chilled stream therewith. The condensable process stream is cooled with a cooled hot exit stream from the sorption cooling section to provide a hot working fluid stream to desorb an adsorption zone in the sorption cooling zone. A cold working fluid stream comprising a condensed portion of the condensable stream is passed to the sorption cooling section to facilitate adsorption in another adsorption zone in the sorption cooling section and a warm exit stream is withdrawn. The hot exit stream and the warm exit stream are cross-exchanged to smooth out the temperature variations which reduce the size and operating cost of producing the chilled stream. Potential damage to equipment and variation operations can be avoided by comparing the pressure of the condensable process stream to the pressure of the condensed portion and admixing a portion of the condensable stream with the condensed portion. The process provides significant economic benefits operating cost savings in refinery and petrochemical applications where fractionation column overhead vapors or flue gases are available at waste heat temperatures above about 80.degree. C. (176.degree. F.) such as fluid catalytic cracking, crude phenol fractionation, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and cumene columns and naphtha splitter columns.