Patent ID: 11878260
Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
Field: Chemical engineering (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC B  C | IPC B  C

Claim 7:
8. A phase separation assembly for installation in a distillation column, the phase separation assembly comprising:
a stand pipe configured to be located at a bottom of the distillation column, the stand pipe for directing a liquid phase of a hydrocarbon fluid through a bottom outlet to a heating assembly;
a return conduit configured to direct a heated hydrocarbon fluid from the heating assembly into the distillation column;
a horizontal plate configured to be disposed above the stand pipe; and
a ring baffle configured to be located within the distillation column above the return conduit, the ring baffle comprising:
a first top weir and a second top weir extending upward from an inner perimeter of the ring baffle, wherein the first top weir and the second top weir direct the liquid phase of the hydrocarbon fluid to a first top aperture and a second top aperture of the ring baffle; and
at least one bottom weir extending downward from the inner perimeter of the ring baffle, wherein the at least one bottom weir directs a vapor phase of the heated hydrocarbon fluid through a bottom vent of the ring baffle;
wherein the first top aperture and the second top aperture are offset from the bottom vent to minimize interaction between the liquid phase and the vapor phase.