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

Claim 0:
1. A distillation column comprising:
a cylindrical body;
a feedstock inlet of the cylindrical body through which a hydrocarbon fluid enters the distillation column;
a plurality of trays arranged within the cylindrical body;
a stand pipe located at a bottom of the distillation column, the stand pipe directing a liquid phase of the hydrocarbon fluid through a bottom outlet to a heating assembly;
a heating assembly return line comprising a return conduit, the heating assembly return line directing a heated hydrocarbon fluid from the heating assembly into the distillation column;
a ring baffle located within the cylindrical body and 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;

a horizontal plate disposed above the stand pipe; and
a drain line proximate the bottom of the distillation column that directs a third phase component of the hydrocarbon fluid from the bottom of the distillation column to a settling pot.