Partially vaporized refrigerant, flow

The partially vaporized refrigerant flows into the evaporator. In Fig. 22.1, the evaporator shown is similar to a kettle-type reboiler (see Chap. 5). The process fluid flows through the tube side of the kettle evaporator. The refrigerant liquid level is maintained by the letdown valve. The refrigerant vapor flows from the top of the kettle, to the compressor suction. 

The partially vaporized refrigerant flows into the evaporator. 

If the feed is partially vaporized, the vapor flow below the feed will be lower than the top of the column. For above ambient temperature separations, the cost of operating the distillation will be dominated by the heat load in the reboiler and the vapor flow in the bottom of the column. For below ambient temperature separations, the cost of operating the column will be dominated by the cost of operating the refrigerated condenser and hence the vapor flow in the top of the column. If constant molar overflow is assumed, the vapor flow in the bottom of the column V is related to the vapor flow in the top of the column by... 

The process flow sheet fint comprises the elimination of uncombined water from the C4 cut in a coalescer, and the addition of a hydrogen-rich gas. The combination is sent to a reactor, operating in the liquid phase, under pressure (0.5 to 1.10 Pa), between 10 and 60"C, and with downflow or upflow as required. This unit has several palladium-based catalyst beds. The heat of reaction is removed by partial vaporization of the reaction medium or the use of a tube bundle with cooling by propylene refrigeration c> cle. After cooling, the effluent is flashed, which serves to recycle part of the unconverted hydrogen, after it is recompressed to the reactor pressure. - . -... 

The refrigerant liquid partially flashes to a vapor as it flows through the letdown valve. The flashing represents the conversion of the sensible heat of the refrigerant to latent heat of vaporization. In Fig. 22.1, the refrigerant is chilled from 100 to 40°F. Approximately 25 percent of the liquid flashes to a vapor to provide this autorefrigeration. 

The bypassed vapor heats up the liquid there, thereby causing the pressure to rise. WTien the bypass is closed, the pressure falls. Sufficient heat transfer surface is provided to subcool the condensate, (f) Vapor bypass between the condenser and the accumulator, with the condenser near ground level for the ease of maintenance When the pressure in the tower falls, the bypass valve opens, and the subcooled liquid in the drum heats up and is forced by its vapor pressure back into the condenser. Because of the smaller surface now exposed to the vapor, the rate of condensation is decreased and consequently the tower pressure increases to the preset value. With normal subcooling, obtained with some excess surface, a difference of 10-15 ft in levels of drum and condenser is sufficient for good control, (g) Cascade control The same system as case (a), but with addition of a TC (or composition controller) that resets the reflux flow rate, (h) Reflux rate on a differential temperature controller. Ensures constant internal reflux rate even when the performance of the condenser fluctuates, (i) Reflux is provided by a separate partial condenser on TC. It may be mounted on top of the column as shown or inside the column or installed with its own accumulator and reflux pump in the usual way. The overhead product is handled by an alter condenser which can be operated with refrigerant if required to handle low boiling components. 

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