Patent ID: 6263700
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B01D,F25J

Abstract:
A process for multieffect distillation of a multicomponent fluid containing at least four components, each component having a different volatility, into at least three product streams, said process using a distillation column system having at least two distillation columns, including 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 a plurality of locations between the top and the bottom, comprising the steps of:feeding a mixture stream into the first distillation column at a first location, said mixture stream containing at least four components;withdrawing a first submixture stream lean in a component having a lowest volatility from the first distillation column;withdrawing a second submixture stream lean in a component having a highest volatility from the first distillation column;feeding at least one of the first and second submixture streams into the second distillation column; andremoving from the distillation column system a first product stream rich in the component having the lowest volatility, a second product stream rich in the component having the highest volatility, and at least one other product stream rich in a component having an intermediate volatility, said intermediate volatility being between the highest volatility and the lowest volatility.