The present invention relates to a process for thermally separating a mixture comprising a first main component and a second main component, where the boiling point of the first main component is lower than the boiling point of the second main components. The invention further relates to a system for thermal separation comprising a computer for control of the thermal separation which is set up to control the process of the invention. By means of predetermined thermodynamic models, pressure and temperature data are used to ascertain the proportions of first and second main component in bottom product streams.

A mass transfer column is provided in which a shell is formed of one or more side walls having an exoskeleton. The exoskeleton includes a plurality of vertical trusses joined together by crossing rails. An inner skin is supported by the vertical trusses and rails and, together with a top and bottom of the shell, defines an open internal region that may be pressurized and in which mass transfer process may occur. Horizontally extending beams that may be in the form of trusses span the open internal region and are supported by the exoskeleton. Internals such as structured packing may be supported on the horizontally extending beams.

A mass transfer column is provided in which a shell is formed of one or more side walls having an exoskeleton. The exoskeleton includes a plurality of vertical trusses joined together by crossing rails. An inner skin is supported by the vertical trusses and rails and, together with a top and bottom of the shell, defines an open internal region that may be pressurized and in which mass transfer process may occur. Horizontally extending beams that may be in the form of trusses span the open internal region and are supported by the exoskeleton. Internals such as structured packing may be supported on the horizontally extending beams.

In a propane dehydrogenation (PDH) process, the purpose of the deethanizer and chilling train systems is to separate the cracked gas into a methane-rich tail gas product, a C2, and a C3 process stream. By the use of staged cooling, process-to-process inter-change against propane feed to the reactor and use of high efficiency heat exchangers and distributed distillation techniques, refrigeration power requirements are reduced and a simple and reliable design is provided by the process described herein.

In a propane dehydrogenation (PDH) process, the purpose of the deethanizer and chilling train systems is to separate the cracked gas into a methane-rich tail gas product, a C2, and a C3 process stream. By the use of staged cooling, process-to-process inter-change against propane feed to the reactor and use of high efficiency heat exchangers and distributed distillation techniques, refrigeration power requirements are reduced and a simple and reliable design is provided by the process described herein.

A method and systems are provided for controlling degradation in a reboiler using a hydrophobic coating. A reboiler is provided that includes a steam shell and a plurality of tubes. The reboiler includes a low surface-energy coating on a surface of the plurality of tubes.

Processes and systems are provided to compress vapors produced in distillation and recover the heat of condensation through vapor compression and to derive mechanical, thermal, and electrical energy from a combined heat and power system, while maintaining the plant's original ability to operate. The plant's existing distillation system, steam generation, and electrical demand determine the design basis for the retrofit system that is targeted at an optimized combination of energy usage, energy cost, and environmental impact. Vapor compression (by mechanical vapor recompression and/or thermal vapor recompression) minimizes the total energy usage. Optionally, combined heat and power provides a means of converting energy between fuel, electricity, and thermal energy in a manner that best complements plant requirements and energy economics and minimizes inefficiencies and energy losses.

A process for purifying a crude composition comprising rectifying the crude composition in a rectification plant. The rectification plant comprises a rectification column including: a first overhead condenser for condensing a head fraction, and a reboiler for evaporating a bottom fraction. A difference between a temperature of the head fraction and a temperature of the bottom fraction is less than or equal to 20° C. A heat pump is provided between the first overhead condenser and the reboiler. The heat pump is an indirect heat pump that is operated with water or methanol as a refrigerant, and the indirect heat pump includes an expansion valve and a compressor. The heat pump comprises a second condenser located upstream of the compressor.

Processes and systems are provided to compress vapors produced in distillation and recover the heat of condensation through vapor compression and to derive mechanical, thermal, and electrical energy from a combined heat and power system, while maintaining the plant's original ability to operate. The plant's existing distillation system, steam generation, and electrical demand determine the design basis for the retrofit system that is targeted at an optimized combination of energy usage, energy cost, and environmental impact. Vapor compression (by mechanical vapor recompression and/or thermal vapor recompression) minimizes the total energy usage. Optionally, combined heat and power provides a means of converting energy between fuel, electricity, and thermal energy in a manner that best complements plant requirements and energy economics and minimizes inefficiencies and energy losses.

Described herein is a column packing for a distillation apparatus, the column packing having an upper end opposite a lower end, the column packing comprising: a body extending along a central axis, the body comprising: a central channel extending parallel to the central axis, the central channel comprising a first open end opposite a second open end; and a plurality of perimeter channels circumscribing the central channel, each of the perimeter channels comprising a first open end opposite a second open end wherein the multi-channel body is formed of fluoropolymer.