US3328264A - Two-stage overhead process condenser for distilling columns - Google Patents

Two-stage overhead process condenser for distilling columns Download PDF

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Publication number
US3328264A
US3328264A US391844A US39184464A US3328264A US 3328264 A US3328264 A US 3328264A US 391844 A US391844 A US 391844A US 39184464 A US39184464 A US 39184464A US 3328264 A US3328264 A US 3328264A
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condensate
air
vessel
condenser
vapor
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US391844A
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Wartenberg Kurt
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
    • B01D5/0078—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation characterised by auxiliary systems or arrangements
    • B01D5/0081—Feeding the steam or the vapours
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
    • B01D5/0003—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation by using heat-exchange surfaces for indirect contact between gases or vapours and the cooling medium
    • B01D5/0015—Plates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
    • B01D5/0057—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation in combination with other processes
    • B01D5/006—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation in combination with other processes with evaporation or distillation
    • B01D5/0063—Reflux condensation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D5/00—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation
    • B01D5/0078—Condensation of vapours; Recovering volatile solvents by condensation characterised by auxiliary systems or arrangements
    • B01D5/009—Collecting, removing and/or treatment of the condensate
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28B—STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS
    • F28B1/00—Condensers in which the steam or vapour is separate from the cooling medium by walls, e.g. surface condenser
    • F28B1/06—Condensers in which the steam or vapour is separate from the cooling medium by walls, e.g. surface condenser using air or other gas as the cooling medium

Definitions

  • This invention relates to condensers that are used as part of a processing system. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a two-stage surface condenser which employs air-cooling for condensing and cooling the overhead product of a distilling column.
  • distilling columns are provided whose purpose is to separate the high-purity distillate from other matter such as refined hydrocarbons which are obtained in conjunction with coking, for instance.
  • the amounts of refiux are relatively high as compared with the quantities removed as product.
  • the temperature of the condensate is determined also by operational steps such as a change in the admission of heat to the condenser.
  • two-stage distilling columns have opera-ted as follows:
  • an air-cooled condenser is provided in which the vapors from the distilling column are reduced to liquid.
  • the so obtained condensate will either cool down only to a temperature that is slightly lower than the condensing temperature or not at all.
  • This so-called hot condensate is collected in a hot well.
  • Part of the hot-well liquid is then fed in controlled quantities to a second cooling stage which comprises also an air-cooled condensate cooler that is independent of the first air-cooled condenser.
  • the hot-well liquid is cooled down to cold condensate which then flows to a mixing well.
  • the mixing well also receives hotwell liquid from the first cooling stage through an overflow in the hot Well. It should be noted here that the latter portion of hot-well liquid from the first cooling stage flows through the overflow of the hot well directly into the mixing well rather than through a valve-controlled pipe.
  • a mixed condensate is obtained in the mixing well which consists of a predetermined amount of cold condensate and of overflow liquid from the hot well.
  • the temperature of the mixed condensate is sensed by a suitable heat-sensing element which through suitable switching means such as electrically actuated contacts, controls the temperature by adjusting the supply of the components of the mixture to the mixing well accordingly. That is to say, the temperature of the mixed condensate is selectively adjustable within the temperature range between the hot-well liquid from the first cooling stage and the cold condensate from the second stage.
  • heat-transfer devices of the type described hereinbefore have had the disadvantage that they were not suited for being mounted at the top of a distilling column because of the numerous apparatus required for controlling the cooling process. Rather conventional process condensers have to be mounted on the ground adjacent the column. With such an arrangement, however, all the advantages that are normally attained when air is used as cooling medium for an overhead condenser will be lost. Instead, such an air-cooled condenser system would be subject to the same disadvantages that are inherent in watercooled systems which serve the same purpose and which must be necessarily installed on the ground in proximity to the column. Disadvantages of such ground installations include, inter alia, the use of pumps for returning the reflux and for passing the vaporous overhead product through long pipelines of relatively large diameters.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a two stage surface condenser in which the cooling elements serve the dual purpose of condensing the vaporous overhead product trom the column and cooling the condensate.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide an air-cooled surface condenser for use at the top of a distilling column.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide an aircooled process condenser in which the etfects of the everchanging atmospheric conditions are greatly reduced.
  • the condenser of the invention has an adjustable exhauster as well as first-stage means for condensing a vaporous overhead product or distillate and second-stage means for cooling a suitable portion of the condensate from the first stage in controlled quantities.
  • an enclosed structure which carries an air dome with diffuser and exhauster means. Inside the structure a vapor distribution chamber is arranged which is in communication with vapor supply pipes. Vapor lanes branch from the vapor distribution chamber, the lanes being laterally defined by cooling elements.
  • the cooling elements have fins on the air side of their cooling surfaces.
  • a number of condensate collection trays are arranged on ditferent levels in the lower section of the condenser, whereby vapor condensing zones and zones for cooling the condensate are established.
  • the condensate collection trays are slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal so that they can be used as guide elements for the condensate because of the available head.
  • a further advantage of the invention is that only short connecting pipes are required for establishing communi- .3 cation between the head of the distilling column and the condenser, thereby avoiding pressure losses as the vaporous overhead product is fed to the condenser. Moreover, no expensive heat insulation is required.
  • the cooling elements which have fins on the air side of their cooling surfaces are used to define the condensing zones which, according to the invention, are relieved from their function as vapor distributor so that the effects of atmospheric conditions on the control of the condensing process may be neglected.
  • Another advantage of the arrangement of the invention is that no pumps are required. This is so, because the inclined condensate collection trays within the vapor lanes cause the condensate running down from the cooling surfaces of the cooling elements to flow back by gravity to the uppermost exchange plate of the distilling column.
  • the cascaded arrangement of the condensate collection trays within the vapor lanes has the advantage that part of the latent heat of the liquid is given olfto the contacted surfaces of the cooling elements as the condensate flows through the lower portion of the lanes.
  • the condensate flows through the lanes in a zigzag course, that is, in counter-flow, transversely to the path of the cooling air.
  • the lower portion of the vapor distribution chamber is separated by dividing walls from the lanes making up the condensing section, at the same time establishing communication between the condensate storage tank and the bottom of the lanes through adjustable by-passes.
  • a plurality of trays are arranged in the condensate storage tank in the form of a cascade. In this manner the obtained condensate can be discharged directly from the bottom of the lanes and transferred to a separate collecting pipe through the afore-mentioned by-passes, provided the valves between the by-passes and the condensate storage tank are closed.
  • FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of one of the internally finned cooling elements which may be employed in the present invention for instance for defining the lanes by placing the elements with their narrow surfaces side by side;
  • FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-section through the condenser of the invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 4;
  • FIGURE 3 is a detail view of a portion of a condensate collection tray
  • FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross-section through the condenser of FIG. 2 taken along the line BB' of FIG. 5;
  • FIGURE 5 is a horizontal cross-section through the condenser of the invention taken along line C-C of FIG. 2;
  • FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail view of FIG. 5, and
  • FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cooling element with vapor and cooling channels.
  • vaporous overhead product from a distilling column (not shown) is fed through pipes 1 (herein designated as vapor lines) to a vapor distribution chamber 2 in an enclosed structures 3, whence it enters vapor lanes 4.
  • lanes 4 are defined by cooling elements 5 of rectangular cross-section, inside of which are disposed fin members 5. Elements 5 extend vertically through the condenser and exit at the top into an airsupply dome 20. At their lower. ends, cooling elements 5 are open. The condensate obtained on the outer surfaces of cooling elements 5 flows down along the elements to condensate collection trays 6.
  • collection trays 6 consist of sectional strips tapering in cross-section and having grooves 6 at their narrow sides for receiving correspondingly shaped sealing members 6". Trays of the type described above can be easily inserted into lanes 4 and held in place therein for instance by suitable adhesive or bonding means.
  • the condensate will flow in a zigzag course, that is, in counter-current, transversely to the path of the cooling air, through the lower portions of lanes 4 which form the second cooling stage.
  • valves 12 Any intermediate position of valves 12 will determine the ratio of hot condensate that flows off directly, to cold condensate from the lower or second cooling stage.
  • a mixed condensate of a certain temperature is obtained from the hot and cold component condensates.
  • the mixed condensate is collected in condensate storage tank 14, and its temperature is sensed by a suitable heat-sensing element (not shown) which serves to adjust the regulating valves 12 automatically through conventional relay means (not shown), depending upon the temperature sensed.
  • the temperature of the mixed condensate is selec' tively adjustable within the temperature range between the relatively hot condensate from the condensing section and the relatively cold condensate from the cooling stage.
  • the ratio of leaving condensate to condensate reflux is determined by regulating valve 15. A suitable portion of the condensate leaves the storage tank 14 through pipe 16,
  • the gases are directed along upper trays 18 serving as guides through the upper section of lanes 4 to which the vapor is not directly admitted. From this zone the gases are then passed to channels 19 defined by trays 18 from which they can be removed by suitable means through :pipe 19, which terminates in an upper portion of vapor distribution chamber 2, the upper portion being separated from chamber 2 by a partition 18.
  • the vapor lanes are sealed both at the top and the bottom.
  • the side walls of the enclosed structure 3 carry the air-supply dome 20 and the exhauster housing 21. with diffuser means 22.
  • a gear unit 23 with impeller means 24 is mounted on the reinforced upper supporting plate of vapor distribution chamber 2. Exhauster 24 sucks the cooling air upwards through the vertically arranged, internally finned cooling-air elements 5.
  • the cooling-air elements may consists of properly dimensioned plate sections 25 each of which has fins on its one side.
  • the finned plate sections are liquidand vapor-tight connected in pairs in such a manner that a space 29 is formed by the nonfinned surfaces of each pair of plate sections.
  • the pairs of finned plate sections of FIG. 7 act as vapor guide elements which, when assembled, will define finned air channels 30.
  • the arrangement shown in FIG. 7 has the advantage that the elements employed may be more easily fabricated.
  • the plates are first formed to the desired shape, with their connecting edges 26 offset and with spacing projections 27 formed across their nonfinned surfaces.
  • FIG. 7 is a detail view of a portion of a condenser employing cooling elements of the type just described. For sake of simplicity, only the left-hand and central channels are shown provided with fins 28.
  • the projections 27 serve the purpose of preventing the sheets from being compressed or bent together under the force of the air pressure.
  • the air channels 30 would be laterally closed by walls 31.
  • wall 31 of the left-hand channel 30 has been omitted.
  • the dashed arrows indicate the direction of vapor flow, whereas the solid arrows indicate the direction of air flow.
  • the eificiency of the heat transfer surface is determined solely by the quantity of air delivered by the exhauster or by the velocity of the air in the channels.
  • a distillation column having a condenser for arrangement at the top of the distillation column, the said condenser comprising air-conducting elements which are disposed in a containing vessel, said vessel being secured by mounting elements to the upper end of said distilling column, vapor pipe means which are arranged between said distilling column and said containing vessel to establish communication between said column and said vessel, a vapor distribution chamber which is centrally disposed in said containing vessel, said vapor pipe means exiting into said vapor distribution chamber, said air-conducting elements containing fin members and establishing vertical channels which exit at their upper ends into an air-conducting dome, said air-conducting elements being spaced within the vessel to horizontal channels therebetween which communicate with said vapor distribution chamber, condensate collection tray means arranged at the bottom of the vessel having said horizontal channels for cascade of condensate and communicating with a condensate discharge means and a condensate to storage tank, gas olftake means at the top of the vapor distribution chamber, fan means being disposed in
  • gas oiftake means comprise gas-conducting elements, an otftake chamber and at least one oiftake pipe exiting into said offtake chamber, said gas-conducting elements being disposed in the upper section of the vapor channels of said takeoff chamber.
  • the air channels are defined by pairs of plate sections, the sections of each pair being airand vapor-tight connected to each other and being provided with spacing projections on their nonfinned surfaces and with fins on their air side, each pair of plate sections enclosing a vapor lane.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
US391844A 1963-09-19 1964-08-25 Two-stage overhead process condenser for distilling columns Expired - Lifetime US3328264A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT752663A AT239197B (de) 1963-09-19 1963-09-19 Zweistufiger Kopfkondensator für Destillierkolonnen

Publications (1)

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US3328264A true US3328264A (en) 1967-06-27

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US391844A Expired - Lifetime US3328264A (en) 1963-09-19 1964-08-25 Two-stage overhead process condenser for distilling columns

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US (1) US3328264A (de)
AT (1) AT239197B (de)
DE (1) DE1248613B (de)
GB (1) GB1075475A (de)
NL (1) NL6410906A (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3501400A (en) * 1968-02-08 1970-03-17 Chevron Res Deentrainment distillation of hydrocarbons in stripping column having arrester plate and collar
US3995689A (en) * 1975-01-27 1976-12-07 The Marley Cooling Tower Company Air cooled atmospheric heat exchanger
EP0741273A3 (de) * 1995-05-03 1997-10-01 Enel Spa Plattenwärmetauscher
IT202300000771A1 (it) * 2023-01-19 2023-04-19 Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl Sistema e metodo di recupero e condizionamento dell'anidride carbonica per processi di cattura dell'anidride carbonica a base di ammoniaca

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2312752A1 (fr) * 1975-05-27 1976-12-24 Delas Condenseurs Elements d'echangeurs compacts pour refroidissement par l'air atmospherique des divers circuits recevant la chaleur degradee d'une installation industrielle
IL51674A (en) * 1976-03-23 1980-01-31 Maschf Augsburg Nuernberg Ag Dry cooling tower with heat exchanger

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB921492A (en) * 1959-04-28 1963-03-20 Happel Gmbh Air cooled condenser for the head product of a distillation or rectifying column
GB927918A (en) * 1959-04-28 1963-06-06 Happel G M B H Air-cooled condenser for the head product of a distillation or rectifying column
US3165455A (en) * 1959-05-21 1965-01-12 Gea Luftkuhler Ges M B H Distilling arrangement
US3236746A (en) * 1962-01-22 1966-02-22 American Mach & Foundry Electrically heated still with air condenser

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1111598B (de) * 1958-10-06 1961-07-27 Gea Luftkuehler Happel Gmbh Luftgekuehlter Kondensator fuer das Kopfprodukt einer Destillier- oder Rektifizierkolonne
DE1093258B (de) * 1960-03-12 1960-11-17 Heinz A Millinger Radiervorrichtung mit motorischem Antrieb
DE1135421B (de) * 1960-08-16 1962-08-30 Gea Luftkuehler Happel Gmbh Luftgekuehlter Kondensator fuer das Kopfprodukt einer Destillier- oder Rektifizierkolonne

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB921492A (en) * 1959-04-28 1963-03-20 Happel Gmbh Air cooled condenser for the head product of a distillation or rectifying column
GB927918A (en) * 1959-04-28 1963-06-06 Happel G M B H Air-cooled condenser for the head product of a distillation or rectifying column
US3165455A (en) * 1959-05-21 1965-01-12 Gea Luftkuhler Ges M B H Distilling arrangement
US3236746A (en) * 1962-01-22 1966-02-22 American Mach & Foundry Electrically heated still with air condenser

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3501400A (en) * 1968-02-08 1970-03-17 Chevron Res Deentrainment distillation of hydrocarbons in stripping column having arrester plate and collar
US3995689A (en) * 1975-01-27 1976-12-07 The Marley Cooling Tower Company Air cooled atmospheric heat exchanger
EP0741273A3 (de) * 1995-05-03 1997-10-01 Enel Spa Plattenwärmetauscher
IT202300000771A1 (it) * 2023-01-19 2023-04-19 Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl Sistema e metodo di recupero e condizionamento dell'anidride carbonica per processi di cattura dell'anidride carbonica a base di ammoniaca
WO2024153464A1 (en) * 2023-01-19 2024-07-25 Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie - S.R.L. Carbon dioxide recovery and conditioning system and method for ammonia-based carbon dioxide capture processes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL6410906A (de) 1965-03-22
AT239197B (de) 1965-03-25
GB1075475A (en) 1967-07-12
DE1248613B (de) 1967-08-31

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