Patent ID: 8852405

Claim:
A dual-mode dividing wall column that is capable of mode switching between a dividing wall column operating mode and a conventional column operating mode, wherein the dual-mode dividing wall column comprises: a column top region; a pre-fractionation region including an upper supply region and a lower supply region; a main separation region including an upper outflow region and a lower outflow region; and a column bottom region comprising: an outflow line to a reflux device installed in the column top region and inflow lines from the reflux device; a feed material supply line for a dividing wall column operating mode, which is installed at a stage in which the upper supply region and the lower supply region of the pre- fractionation region contact each other; an outflow line of a medium boiling point component that is installed at a stage in which the upper outflow region and the lower outflow region of the main separation region contact each other; and a feed material supply line for a conventional column operating mode and a vapor equalizing line which are installed in the column bottom region, wherein, (1) in the dividing wall column operating mode, the feed material supply line for the single wall mode and the vapor equalizing lines are closed, and the outflow line to the reflux device, the inflow line from the reflux device, the outflow line of the medium boiling point component, and the feed material supply line for the dividing wall column operating mode are opened, and (2) in the conventional column operating mode, the feed material supply line for the conventional column operating mode and the vapor equalizing line are opened, and the outflow line to the reflux device, the inflow line from the reflux device, the outflow line of the medium boiling point component, and the feed material supply line for the dividing wall column operating mode are closed.