Title: Fractionation apparatus having two integral and concentric fractionating units

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Claims: I claim as my invention:

1. A fractionating apparatus capable of producing three pure component streams which comprises:

a. a lower first, and an upper, second fractionation unit, each of the units being cylindrical in cross-sectional configuration, each of the fractionation units having an upper rectification section and a lower stripping section, the rectification section of the lower first unit being of less diameter than the second unit and extending upward into the second unit a substantial distance, thereby forming an annular chamber, said chamber having therein a series of fractionation trays extending between said first and second units;

b. means to introduce a feed stream to the apparatus at a point located between the top and bottom of the lower first fractionation unit;

c. reboiler means located near the bottom of the stripping section of each of the fractionation units;

d. means to provide external reflux to the rectification section of the upper fractionation unit;

e. means to remove a product stream from the bottom of each of the stripping sections; and,

f. means to remove a product stream from the top of the rectification section of the upper fractionation unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substantial distance which the lower first fractionation unit extends into the upper unit is in the amount of about one-half the height of the lower first unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the rectification section of the upper fractionation unit is equal to the diameter of the stripping section of the lower, first fractionation unit.

Other info:

Inventors: De Graff, Richard R. (Arlington Heights, IL, US)

Application Number: 476984
Filing Date: 1974-06-06
Publication_date: 1976-05-25
Assignee: Universal Oil Products Company (Des Plaines, IL)
Primary Class(es): 202/154 196/100, 202/155, 202/158, 203/DIG19
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

1257470	Feb, 1918	Filippo et al.	202/158.
1919599	Jul, 1933	Schonberg	202/158.
2134836	Nov, 1938	Ostergaard	196/139.
2578469	Dec, 1951	Goldsbarry et al.	196/105.
3412016	Nov, 1968	Graven	202/158.
3489649	Jan, 1970	Weiss	202/161.
3502547	Mar, 1970	Bridgeford	202/158.
3544428	Dec, 1970	Mellbom	202/158.
3844898	Oct, 1974	De Graff	202/154.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Bascomb, Jr., Wilbur L.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Hoatson, Jr.; James R., Erickson; Robert W., Page, II; William H.