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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Aromatics extraction process having improved water stripper

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5089619
This patent describes a process for the recovery of an aromatic extraction solvent from a raffinate phase containing non-aromatic hydrocarbons and the aromatic extraction solvent of an extraction zone of an aromatics extraction process. It comprises contacting the raffinate phase with a wash water stream in a water-washing zone and recovering a raffinate product stream and a spent raffinate wash water stream comprising water and the aromatic extraction solvent; passing the spent raffinate wash water stream to a steam generation zone to provide steam and a lean solvent stream comprising the aromatic extraction solvent; contacting a process stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and the aromatic extraction solvent with a first portion of the steam in a steam distillation zone to provide a bottoms stream comprising the aromatic extraction solvent, and at least one of an overhead or a side-cut comprising an aqueous phase and a hydrocarbon phase comprising aromatic hydrocarbons; condensing a second portion of the steam and recycling a portion of the second portion to provide reflux in the steam generation zone; and combining the aqueous phase with the remaining portion of the second portion to provide the wash water stream.
Assignee:
UOP, Des Plaines, IL (USA)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 5008004
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-459163
OSTI ID:
5089619
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English