Patent ID: 6599348
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A method for reducing entrainment of non-vapor components in a vapor flow exiting a separation vessel, said method comprising:introducing a stream into a separation vessel having a curved first inner surface, a second inner surface perpendicular to said curved first inner surface for distributing vapor velocities within said separation vessel, at least one inlet, and at least one vapor outlet, wherein said stream is introduced through the at least one inlet and flows tangentially to the curved first inner surface, and wherein the stream comprises a non-vapor portion and a vapor portion, and wherein the velocity of the stream is reduced upon introduction of the stream to the separation vessel; separating a vapor flow from the stream in the separation vessel, the vapor flow having a non-uniform velocity within the separation vessel; permitting the vapor flow to exit from the separation vessel through the at least one vapor outlet; maintaining the velocity of the stream through the at least one inlet at a rate whereby the stream flows tangentially along the curved first inner surface and whereby entrainment of the non-vapor portion of the stream by the vapor flow is minimized; distributing the non-uniform vapor velocity within the separation vessel at a rate whereby the stream flows tangentially along the inner surface and whereby entrainment of the non-vapor portion of the stream by the vapor flow is minimized; and contacting the said second inner surface with a liquid flow.