Distillation apparatus and distillation method

Abstract

A distillation apparatus includes a column body; a partition for dividing the interior of the column body; a first distillation section composed of an enriching section and an exhaust section; a second distillation section composed of an enriching section formed above an upper end of the first distillation section, and an exhaust section located adjacent to the enriching section of the first distillation section; a third distillation section composed of an enriching section located adjacent to the exhaust section of the first distillation section, and an exhaust section formed below a lower end of the first distillation section; a condenser; a negative pressure generation system for generating a negative pressure to thereby withdraw vent gas; a gas cooler for cooling the vent gas; a first discharge system disposed at the side of the column body and adapted to discharge liquid rich in a medium-boiling-point component formed from a high-melting-point material; and a second discharge system disposed at the bottom of the column body and adapted to discharge liquid rich in a high-boiling-point component formed from a high-melting-point material. The first discharge system includes a first solidification prevention system for preventing solidification of the liquid rich in the medium-boiling-point component. The second discharge system includes a second solidification prevention system for preventing solidification of the liquid rich in the high-boiling-point component.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A distillation method employing a distillation apparatus comprising a column body; a partition for dividing the interior of the column body into a first chamber and a second chamber, which are adjacent to each other; a first distillation section having a first enriching section, to which a material liquid is fed through a feed nozzle and which is formed above the feed nozzle, and a first exhaust section formed under the feed nozzle; a second distillation section having a second enriching section connected to and formed above an upper end of the first distillation section, and a second exhaust section formed below the upper end and located adjacent to the first enriching section of the first distillation section while being separated from the same by the partition; and a third distillation section having a third enriching section connected to and formed above a lower end of the first distillation section, and located adjacent to the first exhaust section of the first distillation section while being separated from the same by the partition, and a third exhaust section formed below the lower end; said distillation method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) feeding an adjusted material liquid comprising a material liquid and an additive component to the first distillation section through the feed nozzle;    (b) condensing vapor rich in the additive component into liquid rich in the additive component at the top of the column body;    (c) discharging the liquid rich in the additive component as distillate;    (d) discharging liquid rich in a low-boiling-point component formed from a high-melting-point material at the side of the column body; and    (e) discharging liquid rich in a high-boiling-point component at the bottom of the column body, wherein 
 (f) the boiling point of the additive component is lower than that of the low-boiling-point component.  
   
     
     
         2 . A distillation method employing a distillation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 (a) a portion of the distillate is refluxed into said column body; and    (b) the remaining distillate is added as an additive component to the material liquid.    
     
     
         3 . A distillation method employing a distillation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 (a) a portion of the distillate is refluxed into said column body;    (b) the remaining distillate is discharged; and    (c) an additive component is added for replenishment in an amount corresponding to the amount of the distillate to be discharged.    
     
     
         4 . A distillation method employing a distillation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 (a) all of the distillate is refluxed into said column body; and    (b) in order to start operation of said distillation apparatus, an additive component is added in a predetermined amount to the material liquid.    
     
     
         5 . A distillation method employing a distillation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 (a) a negative pressure is generated to thereby withdraw vent gas from said column body; and    (b) the vent gas is cooled.    
     
     
         6 . A distillation method employing a distillation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein solidification of the liquid rich in the low-boiling-point component is prevented.  
     
     
         7 . A distillation method employing a distillation apparatus comprising a column body; a partition for dividing the interior of the column body into a first chamber and a second chamber, which are adjacent to each other; a first distillation section having a first enriching section, to which a material liquid is fed through a feed nozzle and which is formed above the feed nozzle, and a first exhaust section formed under the feed nozzle; a second distillation section having a second enriching section connected to and formed above an upper end of the first distillation section, and a second exhaust section formed below the upper end and located adjacent to the first enriching section of the first distillation section while being separated from the same by the partition; and a third distillation section having a third enriching section connected to and formed above a lower end of the first distillation section, and located adjacent to the first exhaust section of the first distillation section while being separated from the same by the partition, and a third exhaust section formed below the lower end; said distillation method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) feeding an adjusted material liquid comprising a material liquid and an additive component to the first distillation section through the feed nozzle;    (b) condensing vapor rich in a low-boiling-point component into liquid rich in the low-boiling-point component at the top of the column body;    (c) discharging the liquid rich in the low-boiling-point component at the top of the column body;    (d) discharging liquid rich in a high-boiling-point component at the side of the column body;    (e) discharging liquid rich in the additive component as a column-bottom liquid at the bottom of the column body; and    (f) evaporating the column-bottom liquid to thereby obtain vapor rich in the additive component, wherein 
 (g) the boiling point of the additive component is higher than that of the high-boiling-point component.  
   
     
     
         8 . A distillation method employing a distillation apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 (a) a portion of the column-bottom liquid is fed to said evaporator; and    (b) the remaining column-bottom liquid is added as an additive component to the material liquid.    
     
     
         9 . A distillation method employing a distillation apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 (a) most of the column-bottom liquid is fed to said evaporator;    (b) the remaining column-bottom liquid is discharged; and    (c) an additive component is added for replenishment in an amount corresponding to the amount of the column-bottom liquid to be discharged.    
     
     
         10 . A distillation method employing a distillation apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 (a) all of the column-bottom liquid is fed to said evaporator; and    (b) in order to start operation of said distillation apparatus, an additive component is added in a predetermined amount to the material liquid.    
     
     
         11 . A distillation apparatus according to any one of  claims 7  to  10 , wherein the liquid rich in the high-boiling-point component ia cooled.