The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 27, 2016
Filed:
Jul. 26, 2012
Richard K. Hoehn, Mt. Prospect, IL (US);
James W. Harris, Aurora, IL (US);
Amit Goyal, Gurgoan, IN;
Xin X. Zhu, Long Grove, IL (US);
Richard K. Hoehn, Mt. Prospect, IL (US);
James W. Harris, Aurora, IL (US);
Amit Goyal, Gurgoan, IN;
Xin X. Zhu, Long Grove, IL (US);
UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for controlling the operation of fractionation columns to avoid column flooding is described. The apparatus uses mass flow meters to measure the mass flow rates of the receiver vapor, and the stripper hydrocarbon liquid stream or the stripper reflux and the stripper net overhead liquid. The water from the receiver can be measured with either a volumetric flow meter or a mass flow meter. The apparatus also includes at least one computer in communication with a molecular weight analyzer or specific gravity analyzer; an overhead vapor line pressure gauge; an overhead vapor line temperature gauge; a hydrocarbon liquid outlet line temperature gauge; the stripper hydrocarbon stream mass flow meter, or the stripper reflux hydrocarbon liquid mass flow meter and the stripper net overhead hydrocarbon liquid mass flow meter; the vapor mass flow meter; and the water flow meter.