Don`t overlook extractive distillation
- GTC Technology Corp., Houston, TX (United States)
One of the most useful ways to separate chemicals having close relative volatilities is to employ selective solvents. These solvents take advantage of the nonideality of a mixture of components having different chemical structures. Extractive distillation uses a third component to effect the chemical separation. Here, though, the extractive agent simply creates or enhances the volatility difference between components, rather than forming an azeotrope of differing volatility. The extractive agent and less volatile component flow to the bottoms of the distillation column, where the extracted component is recovered by a second subsequent distillation. The paper discusses this technology, mass transfer consideration, solvent selectivity, mixed solvent technology, testing and scale-up, and the use of this technology to remove aromatics from natural gas.
- OSTI ID:
- 556686
- Journal Information:
- Chemical Engineering Progress, Vol. 93, Issue 10; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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