Patent ID: 6116051
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: B01D,F25J,Y10S

Abstract:
A process for the distillation of a feed stream containing three or more components into product streams enriched in the respective components, said process comprising:(a) feeding the feed stream to a first distillation column;(b) removing a gaseous stream enriched in the lighter components of the feed stream from the first column at a location above the feed location of the feed stream and either:(i) feeding a first portion of the gaseous stream to a second column, partially condensing a second portion of the gaseous stream and subsequently feeding the at least partially condensed second portion to the second column at least one separation stage above the feed location of the first portion; or(ii) feeding the entire gaseous stream to the second column without any intervening condensation step and removing heat from the second column between the feed location of the gaseous stream and the top of the second column;(c) removing a liquid stream from the second column at the feed location of the first portion of the gaseous stream with respect to step (b)(i) or the feed location of the entire gaseous stream with respect to step (b)(ii), and feeding the liquid stream to the first column at the removal location of the gaseous stream.