A method for producing epoxyalkane includes the step of separating, in a separation column, a stream containing epoxyalkane, extractant, and diol. The separation column operates under conditions so as to enable the extractant and the diol to form an azeotrope, and a stream containing extractant and binary azeotrope is extracted from the side-draw of the separation column to liquid-liquid separation. The method can be used for the industrial production of epoxyalkane.

A support beam is provided for supporting an internal such as a structured or grid packing within a mass transfer column. The support beam has an elongated web and upper and lower open flanges respectively positioned at upper and lower edge portions of the web. Each of the upper and lower open flanges has reinforcement rails that extend along a longitudinal length of the web and are spaced from opposed first and second faces of the web by spacers to create open fluid flow channels between the reinforcement rails and the first and second faces of the web. The upper and lower open flanges strengthen the web against deflection while minimizing horizontal surfaces that may lead to accumulation and growth of solids that may interfere with fluid flow to and from the internal.

A vane inlet device is provided in a vessel to receive and redistribute a fluid stream entering the vessel and to facilitate separation of liquid from the fluid stream. The vane inlet device includes a passageway bounded by a top plate and a bottom plate spaced from the top plate. First and second arrays of vanes extend between the top and bottom plates and are positioned to receive respective portions of the fluid stream flowing from an inlet end of the passageway toward an opposite end and redirecting it out opposite sides of the passageway. A spacing between the first array of vanes and the second array of vanes progressively decreases in a direction from the inlet end of the passageway toward the opposite end. A beam extends from the top plate to the bottom plate between the first and second arrays of vanes to reduce flexure of the top and bottom plates and to separate the respective portions of the fluid stream.

A vane inlet device is provided in a vessel to receive and redistribute a fluid stream entering the vessel and to facilitate separation of liquid from the fluid stream. The vane inlet device includes a passageway bounded by a top plate and a bottom plate spaced from the top plate. First and second arrays of vanes extend between the top and bottom plates and are positioned to receive respective portions of the fluid stream flowing from an inlet end of the passageway toward an opposite end and redirecting it out opposite sides of the passageway. A spacing between the first array of vanes and the second array of vanes progressively decreases in a direction from the inlet end of the passageway toward the opposite end. A beam extends from the top plate to the bottom plate between the first and second arrays of vanes to reduce flexure of the top and bottom plates and to separate the respective portions of the fluid stream.

A system for producing ethanol comprises a rectifier column that receives a first process stream comprising from about 42% to about 60% ethanol, wherein the rectifier column purifies the first process stream to provide an ethanol product stream that is at least about 90% ethanol, and one or more evaporators configured to evaporate water from a second process stream, wherein the one or more evaporators generate vapor, and wherein at least a portion of the vapor supplies heat energy for separation of ethanol from water in the rectifier column.

A distillation head for distilling a distillate from a vaporous distilland. The distillation head including a headspace chamber within a condenser surface. An inlet port having an extended portion below and to but not into the headspace, to receive the vaporous distilland and pass it into the headspace. A collection surface below the headspace to collect the distillate. And an outlet port, to receive the distillate from the collection surface and pass it out of the distillation head.

A distillation head for distilling a distillate from a vaporous distilland. The distillation head including a headspace chamber within a condenser surface. An inlet port having an extended portion below and to but not into the headspace, to receive the vaporous distilland and pass it into the headspace. A collection surface below the headspace to collect the distillate. And an outlet port, to receive the distillate from the collection surface and pass it out of the distillation head.

A system of interlocks for controlling flow of low temperature process streams in a manufacturing process through a cold box to equipment or piping not specified for such temperatures by opening and closing valves and starting and stopping pumps. At least one interlock affects streams heated in the cold box. At least one interlock affects the streams cooled in the cold box. The interlocks are activated by temperatures of process lines to prevent exposure of equipment and piping to low temperatures while preventing the shutdown of the cold box. An override controller including a predictive failure capability is also provided.

The present disclosure discloses a multi-bubbling region column tray and a corresponding plate column. The multi-bubbling region column tray includes: at least two bubbling regions, provided with first openings for liquid and gas to be mixed and in contact with each other; and at least one non-side downcomer, including at least one hanging downcomer, where the hanging downcomer has a bottom part which includes one or more second openings allowing the liquid to flow toward a lower left side, and one or more third openings allowing the liquid to flow toward a lower right side; and the bottom part of the hanging downcomer is designed to separate the liquid flowing out from the one or more second openings and the liquid flowing out from the one or more third openings.

A system of interlocks for controlling flow of low temperature process streams in a manufacturing process through a cold box to equipment or piping not specified for such temperatures by opening and closing valves and starting and stopping pumps. At least one interlock affects streams heated in the cold box. At least one interlock affects the streams cooled in the cold box. The interlocks are activated by temperatures of process lines to prevent exposure of equipment and piping to low temperatures while preventing the shutdown of the cold box. An override controller including a predictive failure capability is also provided.