Process and apparatus for using a waste heat stream in an aromatics complex

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for using a waste heat stream in an aromatics complex. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process and apparatus for using waste heat to drive multiple compressor services within an aromatics complex to achieve energy savings and provide low grade heat that is otherwise wasted.

1 . A process for using waste heat, comprising:
 passing a column waste heat stream from a column to an expanding zone to produce a compressed stream wherein the expanding zone includes a turboexpander having a turboexpander wheel(s), one or more compressor service(s), and a generator in a single installed machine;   passing the compressed stream to a condensing zone to produce a condensed stream;   passing the condensed stream to a preheating zone to produce a preheated stream;   passing the preheated stream to an evaporation zone to produce an evaporated stream; and   passing the evaporated stream back to the column.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the column waste heat stream may originate from multiple waste heat sources in the aromatics complex. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the waste heat stream has a temperature of about 100° C. to about 140° C. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the column may be any column within an aromatics complex. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the column is an extract column. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the column is a reformate splitter. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the column is an A 8  stripper. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the preheating section includes a plurality of preheaters. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporation zone includes a plurality of evaporators. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for using waste heat, comprising:
 an inlet in direct communication with a column having an overhead line;   the overhead line in direct communication with an evaporation zone having an overhead line in direct communication with a expanding zone and an outlet line in direct communication with an overhead receiver;   the expanding zone having a expanding zone outlet line in direct communication with a condensing zone having a compressing zone outlet line wherein the expanding zone includes a turboexpander having a turboexpander wheel(s), one or more compressor service(s), and a generator in a single installed machine;   the condensing zone outlet line in direct communication with preheating zone having a preheating zone outlet line; and   the preheating zone outlet line in direct communication with the evaporation zone.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the waste heat stream is a vapor-enriched fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the waste heat stream has a temperature of about 100° C. to about 140° C. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the column may be any column within an aromatics complex. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the column is an extract column. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the column is a reformate splitter. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the column is an A 8  stripper. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the preheating section includes a plurality of preheaters. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the evaporation zone includes a plurality of evaporators.