Enrichment column process

The single-column process (Figure 1) is similar to that of Jones et al. (1). This process is useful for bulk separations. It produces a high pressure product enriched in light components. Local equilibrium models of this process have been described by Turnock and Kadlec (2), Flores Fernandez and Kenney (3), and Hill (4). Various approaches were used including direct numerical solution of partial differential equations, use of a cell model, and use of the method of characteristics. Flores Fernandez and Kenney s work was reported to employ a cell model but no details were given. Equilibrium models predict... 

An example of the effect of pressure on the performance of the single column process for the methane-helium separation is shown in Table 1. Using Figure 4(b) and 4(d), the cuts corresponding to 80 percent recovery of helium were determined as a function of yF and Pr L Then the enrichments and in... 

The curves for H = 0 represent the performance of the single-column process. It is apparent that the single-column process is superior at large product cuts in terms of both enrichment and recovery. For small cuts, the two-column process is superior. 

The equations for a local equilibrium cell model of pressure swing adsorption processes with linear isotherms have been derived. These equations may be used to describe any PSA cycle composed of pressurization and blowdown steps and steps with flow at constant pressure. The use of the equations was illustrated by obtaining solutions for a single-column recovery process and a two-column recovery and purification process. The single-column process was superior in enrichment and recovery of the light component at large product cuts. The two-column process was superior at small cuts ... 

Dl. A mixture of water and n-butanol is being processed in an enriching column coupled to a total condenser and a liquid-liquid setder. The feed is a saturated vapor that is 28 mol% water. Feed rate is 100 kmol/h. The distillate product is the water phase from the liquid-liquid setder. The butanol phase in the setder is refluxed to the enriching column as a saturated liquid. Operation is at 1.0 atm and CMO is valid. An external reflux ratio of L/D = 4.0 is used. Equilibrium data are in Table 8-2. 

Fluorozirconate Crystallization. Repeated dissolution and fractional crystallization of potassium hexafluorozirconate was the method first used to separate hafnium and zirconium (15), potassium fluorohafnate solubility being higher. This process is used in the Prinieprovsky Chemical Plant in Dnieprodzerzhinsk, Ukraine, to produce hafnium-free zirconium. Hafnium-enriched (about 6%) zirconium hydrous oxide is precipitated from the first-stage mother Hquors, and redissolved in acid to feed ion-exchange columns to obtain pure hafnium (10). 

If a waste contains a mixture of volatile components that have similar vapor pressures, it is more difficult to separate these components and continuous fractional distillation is required. In this type of distillation unit (Fig. 4), a packed tower or tray column is used. Steam is introduced at the bottom of the column while the waste stream is introduced above and flows downward, countercurrent to the steam. As the steam vaporizes the volatile components and rises, it passes through a rectification section above the waste feed. In this section, vapors that have been condensed from the process are refluxed to the column, contacting the rising vapors and enriching them with the more volatile components. The vapors are then collected and condensed. Organics in the condensate may be separated from the aqueous stream after which the aqueous stream can be recycled to the stripper. 

Most distillations conducted commercially operate continuously, with a more volatile fraction recovered as distillate and a less volatile fraction recovered as bottoms or residue. If a portion of the distillate is condensed and returned to the process to enrich the vapors, the Hquid is called reflux. The apparatus in which the enrichment occurs is usually a vertical, cylindrical vessel called a stiU or distillation column. This apparatus normally contains internal devices for effecting vapor—Hquid contact the devices may be categorized as plates or packings. 

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