Leroy Howard

US Patent:

41015940, Jul 18, 1978

Filed:

Dec 19, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/755373

Inventors:

Leroy J. Howard - Des Plaines IL

Assignee:

UOP Inc. - Des Plaines IL

International Classification:

C07C 712
C07C 500

US Classification:

260668A

Abstract:

A hydrocarbon conversion apparatus is dried as a preliminary step of a startup procedure by the circulation of a superheated vapor stream which is formed in one of two reboilers attached to a fractionation column used in the process. Preferably this vapor stream is formed on the tube side of the reboiler, with normal on-stream operation comprising the generation of the vapors fed to the column on the shell side of the reboiler.

US Patent:

42305357, Oct 28, 1980

Filed:

Jun 15, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/048859

Inventors:

Leroy J. Howard - Libertyville IL

Assignee:

UOP Inc. - Des Plaines IL

International Classification:

B01D 128
B01D 314

US Classification:

203 26

Abstract:

A process for separating two close-boiling chemical compounds by fractionation wherein a vapor stream removed from the overhead receiver is superheated by indirect heat exchange and is then further heated by compression. The thus-heated high pressure stream is cooled by heat exchange against the overhead vapor and split into at least two portions. One portion of the high pressure stream is passed through a reboiler at an intermediate point in a fractionation column. Preferably, both portions of the high pressure stream are subcooled and returned to the overhead receiver except for the overhead product drawn off.