18561836. DISTILLATION PROCESS WITH A LAVAL NOZZLE simplified abstract (BASF SE)
Contents
DISTILLATION PROCESS WITH A LAVAL NOZZLE
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Bernd Metzen of Ludwigshafen am Rhein (DE)
Torsten Mattke of Ludwigshafen am Rhein (DE)
DISTILLATION PROCESS WITH A LAVAL NOZZLE - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18561836 titled 'DISTILLATION PROCESS WITH A LAVAL NOZZLE
The invention described in the abstract is a process for separating a light boiling component from a mixture containing both light and heavy boiling components. This process involves feeding the mixture into a distillation column, withdrawing a distillate stream enriched in the light boiling component from the top section, and withdrawing a bottom stream enriched in the heavy boiling component from the bottom section.
Key Features and Innovation:
- The process includes transferring at least part of the distillate stream as a condensation stream to a condensation device, where it is at least partially condensed and recycled to the top section of the distillation column.
- The condensation device features a pump and a de Laval nozzle, which accelerates the condensation stream to sonic speed while passing through the throat of the nozzle.
- The condensation stream is then expanded in the diverging zone of the nozzle to supersonic speed, resulting in the condensation of at least part of the stream into a liquid recycle stream.
Potential Applications:
- This process can be used in the petrochemical industry for separating different components in a mixture.
- It can also be applied in the pharmaceutical industry for purifying chemical compounds.
Problems Solved:
- Efficient separation of light and heavy boiling components in a mixture.
- Recycling of the condensation stream to improve the overall process efficiency.
Benefits:
- Increased yield of the desired light boiling component.
- Reduced energy consumption due to the recycling of the condensation stream.
Commercial Applications:
- This technology can be utilized in refineries, chemical plants, and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities to improve separation processes and increase product purity.
Prior Art: Prior art related to this technology may include patents or research papers on distillation processes, condensation devices, and nozzle designs for separation applications.
Frequently Updated Research: Researchers may be exploring ways to optimize the design of the de Laval nozzle for better condensation efficiency and overall process performance.
Questions about the Technology: 1. How does the use of the de Laval nozzle improve the condensation process in this technology? 2. What are the potential environmental benefits of implementing this separation process in industrial settings?
Original Abstract Submitted
The invention relates to a process for at least partially separating a light boiling component from a mixture containing said light boiling component and at least a heavy boiling component, the process comprising the steps of (a) feeding the mixture into a distillation column and withdrawing a distillate stream enriched in the light boiling component from the top section of the distillation column and withdrawing a bottom stream enriched in the heavy boiling component from the bottom section of the distillation column: and (b) transferring at least part of the distillate stream as a condensation stream to a condensation device wherein the condensation stream is at least partially condensed and recycled to the top section of the distillation column, wherein the condensation device comprises a pump and a de Laval nozzle having a throat, a converging zone before the throat and a diverging zone after the throat, the condensation stream being passed into the converging zone of the de Laval nozzle, the condensation stream being accelerated to sonic speed while passing the throat, the condensation stream being expanded in the diverging zone to supersonic speed, thereby at least part of the condensation stream being condensed to form a liquid recycle stream, and the recycle stream being recycled through the pump to the top section of the distillation column.
