GB870626A - Improvements in or relating to distillation columns - Google Patents

Abstract

870,626. Distillation columns. UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY. April 18, 1958 [April 23, 1957], No. 12994/57. Class 55 (2). A distillation column has a condenser at the top of the column offering a condensing surface separated from a coolant storage chamber by a heat transfer path arranged to be swept by coolant vapour from the storage chamber. The storage chamber may be closed and may be provided with extended heat transfer surfaces in the region normally occupied by coolant and is provided with an exhaust duct for the coolant and a throttle valve in the path of the coolant vapours so that change in level of liquid coolant in the storage chamber gives rise to a change in boiling rate of the coolant and a change in pressure in the storage chamber to expel coolant through the exhaust duct to stabilize the level of the coolant. Preferably the evaporation chamber is in the form of an annular container heated by a unit embraced by the annulus, there being provided a temperature-sensitive device in the inner wall of the annular container, connecting with means for controlling the heat output of the unit and a pressure control valve in the distillate outlet from the column so that a change in level of liquid in the evaporation chamber causes a change in heat transfer to the liquid, a change in temperature of the inner wall and a change in the controller and heat output of the unit so that distillate is discharged through the pressure control valve to stabilize the level in the evaporation chamber.