Methods and apparatuses for steam addition to a reboiler coupled to an extractive distillation column for improved extractive distillation
Methods and apparatuses for extractive distillation using internal addition of steam to an extractive distillation column from a reboiler are described herein. The apparatuses include an extractive distillation column, a reboiler (for example, a kettle reboiler) coupled to the extractive distillation column, and a steam input line. The steam input line is coupled to an internal steam sparger device of the reboiler. Methods utilizing the apparatuses to perform extractive distillation of a hydrocarbon feed stream are also described herein.
1. An apparatus for extractive distillation of an extract from a feed stream, said apparatus comprising:
an extractive distillation column;
a reboiler coupled to the extractive distillation column, wherein the reboiler further comprises an internal steam sparger device;
a steam input line coupled to the internal steam sparger device, and wherein the extract is an aromatic hydrocarbon; and
a liquid stream line from the extractive distillation column coupled to the internal steam sparger device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the extractive distillation column comprises a one-stage vaporization system.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the aromatic hydrocarbon is styrene.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reboiler is a kettle reboiler.
5. An apparatus for extractive distillation of an extract from a feed stream, said apparatus comprising:
an extractive distillation column;
a kettle reboiler coupled to the extractive distillation column, wherein the kettle reboiler further comprises an internal steam sparger device;
a feed stream input line;
a solvent input line;
a steam input line coupled to the internal steam sparger device;
an output line for removing a mixture of distillate and solvent; and
a liquid stream line from the extractive distillation column to the internal steam sparger device, wherein the extract is an aromatic hydrocarbon.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the extractive distillation column comprises a one-stage vaporization system.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the aromatic hydrocarbon is styrene.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the steam input line comprises a steam system generation loop.
9. An apparatus for extractive distillation of an extract from a feed stream, said apparatus comprising:
an extractive distillation column;
a reboiler coupled to the extractive distillation column, wherein the reboiler comprises an interior space and an exterior surface and further comprises an internal steam sparger device;
a steam input line coupled to the internal steam sparger device; and
a liquid stream line from the extractive distillation column to the internal steam sparger device, wherein the extract is an aromatic hydrocarbon.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the reboiler is selected from the group consisting of a kettle reboiler, a thermosyphon reboiler and a forced circulation reboiler.