Patent GB-638358-A (GB)
Title: Distilling method and apparatus
IPC: B01D3/00
Filed: 1946-12-02
Abstract: <PICT:0638358/III/1> <PICT:0638358/III/2> <PICT:0638358/III/3> The process for exhausting a binary liquid of its more volatile component, e.g. recovering concentrated alcohol from wine &c. as described in Specification 638,348, wherein the liquid is passed through a plurality of exhaustion columns in each of which the liquid flows downwardly in countercurrent to an upward flow of steam or vapours formed in the process and the liquid passes through the columns in series, the exhausted lees being removed from the final column, is modified in that the liquid is also fed in parallel to each column and part of the liquid is removed from the bottom of each column as well as from the final column.  These exhausted fractions are subjected to flash autoevaporation under vacuum and the vapours produced are employed to preheat the crude wine and remove sediment therefrom.  The plant comprises columns A-D, the final column D being maintained at the highest pressure and being heated by steam while the pressure in the remaining columns is reduced in the direction of the first column and these columns are heated by vapours derived from columns of higher pressure.  As in the above Specification 638,348, the columns A-C have nested annular rectification columns associated therewith as shown in hachured lines.  Columns A and B also are divided by mediary sections 3A, 3B for removal and supply of liquids. The wine is preheated and purified in a series of evaporators 11-15 which are directly heated by injection of vapours obtained <PICT:0638358/III/4> by subjecting the wholly and partially exhausted lees to vacuum evaporation in evaporators 21-24.  The crude wine is supplied through line 61A to the first sediment purifier evaporator 11A and then flows in series through the evaporators 12A-15A.  The wine is then divided into two parts, one flowing through line 72A to the dome of column A while the other part flows to evaporator 12B. The wine is then pumped through line 66B and again divided, one part passing to dome of column B while the remainder flows to evaporator 12C and thence through line 66C to column C.  The supply of wine to column D is effected by extracting part of the wine flowing down column A when it arrives at the mid section 3A and pumping it through line 71B to evaporator 11B and thence through line 72B where the flow is divided, part passing through line 95 B to mediary section 3B of column B and the remainder flowing through evaporators 11C, 11D and line 72D to the top of column D.  Vapours from each column are passed to the preceding column through lines 92D, 93C, 93B while condensates collected at the bottom of the inner exhaustion columns are pumped through lines 86C, 86B, 86A to the domes of the same column.  A main steam line serves (a) to supply steam for injection through lines 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D into the base of the exhaustion columns; (b) to operate ejector pumps 71 which convey vapours from the evaporators 22D, 21D, 21C, 21B to the crude wine evaporators 11D, 11C, 12C, 12B, 11B, 15A. The remaining evaporators are maintained under vacuum by a pump 31A. The various fractions removed from the column 1 through lines 82A, 83A, 84A, 85A, 92A lead to a final <PICT:0638358/III/5> <PICT:0638358/III/6> <PICT:0638358/III/7> <PICT:0638358/III/8> rectification column of the type shown in Fig. 11 of Specification 638,348.  Fractionating towers.-The column D is shown in detail in Figs. 4, 5.  It is of similar construction to the same column described in Fig. 4 of Specification 638,348, but has the following modifications: (1) the condensates formed from the vapours used to heat the calandria tubes 151 are collected on dished plates 163, 167 provided with drain pipes 165, 168, 169; (2) the calandria tubes 151 are separated into annular sections by a vertical division plate 162 wound in the form of a spiral, Fig. 5: (3) the lower compartment 153 is separated into two sections by a plate which supports the nozzles 156, thus allowing liquid residues to be drawn off through port 154 separately from the vapour supply to the nozzles supplied through port 155.  The nested columns A, B, C, shown in Figs. 6, 8 comprise an inner exhaustion column as shown in Fig. 4 and an annular rectification column formed by the cylinders 101, 102 and a helicoidal strip 103.  The cylinders 101, 102 are mounted eccentrically and at points where the annular cross section is a minimum the vapour passageway is obstructed by a drum 111 provided with converging and diverging tubes 106.  The rectifying liquid supplied to the drums emerges therefrom through perforations 105 and is atomized by the jets of expanding vapour passing out of the tubes 106 and carried therewith until flung by the centrifugal motion of the vapours against the outer wall 102, whereupon they are collected by gutters and skimmers 107, 108. A metal coil 110 forming a spring forms a cornice with the outer wall.  The liquid collected in the gutters is picked up by tubes 109 and fed to the next lower drum 111. Spray evaporators.-The reheaters and sediment removers 11-15 comprise each a cylinder 119, Fig. 2, divided into sections by conical plates 122.  A central rotating shaft 120 carries conical discs 121.  The wine entering through tube 131 is atomized by the first disc 121 and the drops are collected on the walls and plates 119, 122 and fed to the following discs which repeat the atomization.  Sludge collecting in the base is removed through line 118 to tank 129.  Vapours fed through aperture 126 pass off through a helical separator 123.  The evaporators 21-24 for effecting autoevaporation of the lees comprise each a cylinder 142, Fig. 3, divided into sections by conical plates 134 and provided with perforated spinner baskets 133 mounted on a rotating shaft 136.  The lees are fed to the baskets and sprayed out through the perforations.  Specifications 507,435 and 608,595 also are referred to.