Patent ID: 6173584
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B01D,F25J

Abstract:
A process for multieffect distillation of a multicomponent fluid containing at least three components, each component having a different volatility, into at least four product streams, said process using a first distillation column operating at a first pressure and a second distillation column operating at a second pressure, wherein the first and second distillation columns are thermally linked and each distillation column has a top, a bottom, and at least one separation stage, comprising the steps of:feeding the multicomponent fluid into the first distillation column at a first intermediate location;separating at least a portion of a first component from the other components of the multicomponent fluid in the first distillation column, thereby forming a mixture stream lean in the first component;removing the portion of the first component from the first distillation column in a first product stream rich in the first component;withdrawing the mixture stream from the first distillation column;feeding the mixture stream into the second distillation column;separating at least a portion of a second component and at least a portion of a third component from the mixture stream in the second distillation column;removing the at least a portion of the second component from the second distillation column in a second product stream rich in the second component;removing the at least a portion of the third component from the second distillation column in a third product stream rich in the third component; andremoving a fourth product stream from the first distillation column.