Distillation system

Abstract

Improved HETP is obtained in the operation of a distillation column containing trays with a packing of a porous container containing a particulate material intimately associated with a resilient component having at least 50 volume % open space, preferably at least 70 volume % positioned on the trays compared to the trays without the packing. The packing may contain a catalytic particulate material and the distillation may involve reaction and distillation of the reaction products. The particulate material may also be inert and the distillation of the conventional type to separate components in the distillation mixture without reaction.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . In the operation of a distillation column containing a plurality of trays wherein the improvement comprises positioning on said trays a packing comprising a porous container containing a particulate material intimately associated with a spacing component, said resilient component being comprised of at least 50 volume % open space in an amount to provide height equivalent to theoretical plates (HETP) of less than said trays without said packing.  
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein said open space is at least 70 volume %.  
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein said particulate material comprises a catalytic particulate material and the distillation involves reaction and distillation of the reaction products.  
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein said particulate material comprises inert material and the distillation is for separation components in the distillation mixture without reaction.  
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein said particulate material comprises catalytic particulate material and the distillation is-for the separation of components in the distillation mixture without reaction.  
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the spacing component is resilient.  
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the spacing component is rigid.  
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  or  7  wherein said trays comprise sieve trays.  
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  or  7  wherein said trays comprise bubble trays.  
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 8  wherein said column is operated to separate cyclohexane from n-heptane.  
     
     
         11 . The process according to  claim 10  wherein said HETP is less than 28 inches.