MX2008009499A - Heat integration - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat integration system for removing heat of reaction from an EC-I Reactor and generating Chilled liquid for use by one or more Consumer Units, in a catalytic process for producing EC from EO for conversion into MEG wherein the system comprises an EC-I Reactor Cooler suitable for removing heat from an EC-I Reactor, an Intermediate Loop which is in communication with the Reactor Cooler and with an absorption Refrigeration Unit, and which is suitable for conductingIntermediate liquid therebetween, the absorption Refrigeration Unit being suitable for generating Chilled liquid, and a Chilled liquid loop suitable for conducting Chilled liquid generated in the absorption Refrigeration Unit for use by one or more Consumer Units, the system being such that the absorption Refrigeration Unit uses heat generated in the EC-I Reactor to generate Chilled liquid for the Chilled liquid loop and Consumer Unit(s), wherein the system additionally comprises a Shutdown Cooler having an independent cooling source which is suitable, alternatively or in addition to the absorption Refrigeration Unit, for removing heat from the EC-I Reactor, and wherein the system additionally comprises an independent stand-by source of Chilled liquid which is suitable, alternatively or in addition to the absorption Refrigeration Unit, for generating chilled liquid, to serve the one or more Consumer Units;a control system for use in the heat integration system;a two phase separator for separating two phase flow in a side draw from the EC-I Reactor in a first compartment providing liquid recycle to EC-I and a second compartment providing a two phase flow to a second EC Reactor EC-2, such that the two phase flow to EC-2 Reactor is stable, the separator being suitable for use in the process and the heat integration system;their corresponding methods;and the uses of the system and separator in an EO/ethylene glycol (EG) unit.

Description

HEAT INTEGRATION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat integration system within a process for producing ethylene carbonate (EC) from ethylene oxide (EO) for conversion to monoethylene glycol (MEG); a control system to be used in the heat integration system; a two-phase separator for use in the process and in the heat integration system; its corresponding methods and the uses of the system and the separator in an EO / ethylene glycol (EG) unit. Background of the Invention The EG is produced from the EO reaction, obtaining MEG as the main product. MEG is used predominantly in the manufacture of polyester fibers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and, to a lesser extent, in the cooling systems of motorized vehicles in which it functions as antifreeze. The EG is produced in a combined EO / EG process, which provides very efficient heat integration. The integrated process is generally divided into four parts: EO reaction and C02 extraction plus EO recovery; light component extraction (CL) and EO purification; EC / MEG reaction and recovery of MEG; and purification of MEG. In the section corresponding to the EO reaction, the EO REF. : 195039 is produced by reacting ethylene gas and oxygen on a catalyst at high temperature (200-300aC) printing (15-20 bar). The reactions in the catalyst produce a considerable amount of heat, which is extracted by means of steam generation in the vault of the reactor. The steam generated is used as a heating medium in the plant. In the section corresponding to the EC / MEG reaction, the EO is reacted with C02 to produce EC. In one system, the reaction is carried out in two EC-1 and EC-2 reactors aligned in series and in which most of the EO is transformed. If necessary, the residual EO can be converted into a tubular reactor, the final EC reactor. The EC-1 reactor produces approximately 24 kcal / gmol (100 kJ / gmol) of heat of reaction at a temperature of approximately 100 eC. This heat must be extracted from the reactor through a side outlet and cooled and recirculated to the reactor. This is discussed in the patent US 6,080,897. In the system of US 6,080,897 the heat generated in the section corresponding to the EC is low temperature heat with which useful energy can not be obtained, for example, for the production of steam. We have now discovered that it is possible to integrate heat between the EC-1 reactor and other units located in other parts of the plant, at the same time achieving the desired temperature in the EC-1 Reactor by means of cooling in the liquid recycle and liquid production cooled. Brief Description of the Invention Accordingly, in the broadest sense of the invention, a heat integration system is provided to extract heat from the reaction in an EC-1 Reactor and generate Cooled Liquid for use in one or more Consumer Units, in a catalytic process intended to produce EC from EO for conversion to MEG, where the system comprises an EC-1 Reactor Cooler suitable for extracting heat from an EC-1 Reactor, an Intermediate Circuit communicated with the EC Reactor Cooler -1 and with an absorption refrigeration unit and that is suitable for conducting intermediate liquid between both, being the refrigeration unit by absorption suitable to generate cooled liquid, and a circuit of cooled liquid suitable to conduct the cooled liquid generated in the unit of Refrigeration by absorption for use by one or more Units Consuming, the system being such that the Refrigeration Unit No absorption uses heat generated in the EC-1 Reactor to generate Chilled liquid for the Chilled Liquid circuit and the or consuming units, wherein the system further comprises a cooler stop having a source independent cooling it suitable, alternatively or additionally to the absorption Refrigeration Unit, to extract heat from Reactor EC-1, and where the system also comprises an auxiliary source of independent Chilled Liquid, which is suitable, alternatively or additionally to the absorption Refrigeration Unit , to generate cooled liquid to feed one or more Consuming Units. The Intermediate Circuit is, properly, a closed circuit. Preferably, the Stop Cooler is in a bypass of the Intermediate Circuit so that the Intermediate Liquid can be diverted to the Stop Cooler to draw heat or remain in the Intermediate Circuit. Preferably, the Intermediate Circuit includes a bypass of the Cooling Unit by absorption by which the Intermediate Cooling Liquid can be conducted to the Cooling Unit by absorption for heat extraction or it may not pass through the Cooling Unit by absorption. Preferably, the auxiliary source of the Independent Chilled Liquid comprises an independent auxiliary absorption Refrigeration Unit. When reference is made here to a source of auxiliary cooled liquid and an auxiliary absorption refrigeration unit, the reference is to a source and an additional, independent unit, available as a backup when the absorption refrigeration unit is not finds (fully) in operation and that can be in use or operation permanently if desired. The EC-1 Reactor Cooler can be internal or external to the EC-1 Reactor. Preferably the Reactor Cooler EC-1 is external. Preferably, the Reactor Cooler EC-1 is located in a liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor comprising a side outlet and the liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor. Preferably, the recycle of the EC-1 reactor comprises between 50 and 99%, more preferably between 80 and 95% of the total feed rate of the reactor. In this way the recycling allows to extract heat of reaction and control the temperature of the reactor. Preferably, the system of the invention comprises a plurality of controllers, a plurality of control valves and one or more Control Units.; the controllers send signals related to the load of the EC-1 Reactor and the demand of the Consumer Unit (s) to controllers or Control Units, or to a combination of both, and / or to the control valves that regulate the operation of the Stop Cooler and the Cooling Unit by absorption.

Preferably the controllers are located: in the Reactor. EC-1; in the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1, preferably downstream of Reactor Cooler EC-1, between Reactor Cooler EC-1 and Reactor EC-1; in the Intermediate Circuit, preferably between the absorption Refrigeration Unit and the EC-1 Reactor Cooler, upstream of the EC-1 Reactor Cooler; and / or in the Chilled Liquid Circuit, preferably downstream of the Cooling Unit by absorption and upstream of the Consumer Unit (s). The control valves are located in the deviation of the Stop Cooler and in the Intermediate Circuit in parallel with the deviation of the Stop Cooler, to regulate the flow of Intermediate Liquid to the Stop Cooler, and / or in the liquid recycle of the Reactor EC-1 upstream of the EC-1 Reactor Cooler, and / or in a bypass of the Cooling Unit by absorption. Preferably, each of the controllers is programmed to measure a value related to the planned load and the conversion of Reactor EC-1, the temperature or flow in the Intermediate Circuit, the flow in the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 or the temperature of the Chilled Liquid Circuit, compare it to its corresponding reference point and send an output signal to a controller, Control Unit and / or control valve to regulate the charge of the Stop Cooler, the flow in the bypass of the Intermediate Circuit and / or the operation of the Refrigeration Unit by absorption. Preferably, a measured value is selected that is related to the planned load and the conversion of Reactor EC-1, which value is selected from the temperature, the conversion and the flow rate; more preferably the selected value is the temperature. Accordingly, preferably the controllers used are temperature or flow controllers, or a combination of both; more preferably the controllers used for Reactor EC-1 and the Chilled Liquid Circuit are temperature controllers and the controllers used for the Intermediate Circuit are a combination of temperature and flow controllers. The system of the invention provides an Intermediate Liquid Intermediate Circuit for extracting heat from Reactor EC-1 which is used to drive the Cooling Unit by absorption with Intermediate Liquid return to extract more heat from Reactor EC-1; The Intermediate Circuit is used in conjunction with an independent Stop Cooler located in a bypass of the Intermediate Circuit to extract heat from the EC-1 Reactor in case the Absorption Refrigeration Unit can not cool the Intermediate Liquid enough to extract the entire heat of the reaction in EC-1. Consequently, the heat of Reactor EC-1 can be used to produce Cooled Liquid that can be used in any part of the Consuming Units in other Systems without compromising or endangering the operation of the EC-1 Reactor or the Unit (s). (en) Consumidora (s). Brief Description of the Figures The following Examples and Figures illustrate, in a non-limiting manner, aspects of the invention: Figure 1 illustrates the EC / MEG unit according to the prior art. Figures 2 to 5 and Figures 7 to 10 illustrate aspects of the heat integration system and the control system of the invention. Figure 6 illustrates the separator for use in the systems of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention Auxiliary or Cooling Water (AE), as mentioned hereinafter, can be any water from an external source, for example seawater or the like. Intermediate Liquid and Cooled Liquid conveniently refer to any type of inert and conditioned liquid, such as demineralized water or the like. Conveniently, the cooling water is at room temperature in itself. Conveniently, the Intermediate Liquid works as a heat exchanger liquid and varies between a reduced temperature, lower than the content of Reactor EC-1, and a high temperature resulting from heat exchange with the content of Reactor EC-1. Preferably, the elevated temperature is high enough to drive an absorption Refrigeration Unit. Conveniently, the Cooled Liquid acts as a heat exchanger liquid and varies between a reduced temperature lower than the ambient temperature in itself and a high temperature resulting from heat exchange with the Consuming Unit (s). In one embodiment of the heat integration system of the present invention, a signal from a controller or control unit regulates the operation of an inlet control valve to the Stop Cooler and a control valve parallel to the Stop Cooler, and optionally it can generate a signal sent to the Control Unit and to the control valve to regulate the supply of cooling water to the Stop Cooler. Preferably, the Control Unit (s) sends a signal to the control valves to control the amount of Intermediate Liquid that is diverted to the Stop Cooler and the amount of Intermediate Liquid that does not pass through the Stop Cooler and follows the normal course of the Intermediate circuit. Therefore, preferably the Control Unit (s) detect (s) the degree to which a value measured by the controllers deviates from the set reference point and regulates the opening or closing of the control valves to the Cooler of Stop and, optionally, to the means of supplying cooling water to the Stop Cooler. Preferably, the system further comprises a Trim Cooler for the EC-1 Reactor which allows regulating the temperature of the EC-1 Reactor. Conveniently, the Trim Chiller is located in the liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor. Preferably the Trim Chiller is located downstream of the EC-1 Reactor Cooler and upstream of the EC-1 Reactor, in the liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor. Preferably, the liquid recycle controller of Reactor EC-1 is located downstream of the Trim Cooler, at the outlet thereof in the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1. In one embodiment the Trim Chiller is controlled by the liquid recycle controller of the EC-1 Reactor, which, in turn, receives signals from the EC-1 Reactor controller and sends a signal to a control valve so that the supply of Cooling water of the Trim Chiller regulate 0 control the temperature of the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 within a preferred recycle temperature range. This allows the system to maintain a required cooling rate that limits the increase or decrease of the EC-1 Reactor temperature above or below a set reference point. This embodiment is especially preferred when the system is installed in a location where the ambient temperature and the cooling water temperature are low (e.g., around 15 BC), since the cooling rate of the Trim Cooler can be carefully controlled. Preferably, the liquid recycle controller of the EC-1 Reactor also sends a signal to the Intermediate Circuit Controller to regulate the Stop Cooler. As a special advantage of this embodiment, the 'Chiller Trim allows to adjust with precision the temperature of the Reactor EC-1 thanks to its independence with respect to other units, while the EC-1 Reactor Cooler can achieve a higher cooling regime although with less precision because to achieve said cooling depends of the Intermediate Circuit. Preferably, the Trim Cooler is operated to reach or substantially approximate the maximum cooling water flow, at which point the controller located in the liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor downstream of the Trim Cooler indicates that additional cooling is required, which leads to the operation or increase of the Stop Cooler regime. Conversely, if the controller indicates that less cooling is required, the Stop Cooler is operated at a lower rate or, if it is completely shut off, the Stop Cooler is excluded and the cooling rate continues with the Trim Cooler. . In an alternative aspect there is a deviation around the Trim Chiller and a control valve located in the detour, beyond the point where the detour begins. There is an additional control valve located at the entrance of the Trim Cooler. The control valve located in the bypass of the Trim Chiller is controlled by a flow controller upstream of the reactor EC-1 cooler. The control valve located at the entrance of the Trim Cooler is controlled by a temperature controller located downstream of the Trim Cooler (downstream of the point where the bypass joins again with the liquid recycle flow of the EC-1 Reactor). In this regard, a control valve for the supply of cooling water to the Trim Cooler is not required to control the temperature of the liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor. This embodiment is especially preferred for systems in which the cooling regime of the Trim Cooler is low (for example, when the Trim Cooler rate is 10% and the reactor Cooler EC-1 rate is 90%). This is because it is possible to maintain a relatively high flow of cooling water from the Trim Cooler, even when less cooling is required (since the liquid recycle flow of the EC-1 Reactor can be derived using the bypass) and this avoids corrosion that could occur as a result of chloride build-up that occurs when the cooling water flow of the Trim Cooler is low. If there is no control valve for the cooling water supply of the Trim Chiller, it is preferred that the control valve located at the entrance of the Trim Chiller have a minimum opening to avoid very low temperatures and the possible crystallization of EC in the flow of the liquid recycle of the Reactor EC-1 to the output of the Trim Cooler in case the ambient temperature is low. Preferably, controllers and Control Units monitor the measured value continuously and send calculated signals to revert the measured value and bring it to a reference point. Preferably, a Control Unit as defined herein comprises a processor and a memory controlled by the processor, memory that is programmed with software designed to allow the processor to compare the measured values such as temperature or flow, optionally quantify any discrepancy above or below the reference point value, and send a signal to direct or direct regulation indirectly a control valve, for example, to activate or leave the Stop Cooler out of the circuit or activate the Trim Cooler and optionally regulate the operation level thereof, as defined above. In one aspect of the present invention, the heat integration system detects excessive temperatures in the EC-1 Reactor that require additional cooling in the Intermediate Circuit; in a second aspect, it detects disturbances or interruptions in the demand of Cooled Liquid of the Consuming Unit (s) that make it necessary for the Intermediate Liquid to be diverted from the Refrigeration Unit by absorption; in a third aspect, it detects that the heat generation in Reactor EC-1 is insufficient to generate Cooled Liquid, for example, during start-up, shutdown or low-performance operation, which makes it necessary to operate the Liquid supply. Cooled reserve towards the Consuming Units. In the first preferred embodiment, the controller located in the Intermediate Circuit at the entrance of the EC-1 Reactor Cooler sends a digital signal to an Intermediate Circuit Control Unit indicating the value measured as normal or deviated (ie, if the value measured corresponds to the reference value or differs from it, for example if the temperature corresponds to the reference point or differs from it, while the controller located in the Intermediate Circuit upstream of the detour of the Stop Cooler also sends a numerical signal to the Control Unit of the Intermediate Circuit indicating whether a measured value is normal or deviated, for example, if the flow of Intermediate Liquid is normal or zero When the Control Unit receives normal signals it does not emit other signals or emits a constant signal, when it receives deviated signals it sends a signal to the control valve located in the Intermediate Circuit to deviate from l Stop Cooler in order to reduce the flow, and also to the Stop Cooler Control Unit, which calculates a signal comprising a function of the deflected signal and the resulting signal, and sends the calculated signal to the control valve. control located in the detour of the Stop Cooler to regulate the flow of Intermediate Liquid to the Stop Cooler and maintain a constant flow in the Intermediate Circuit. A special advantage of the system of the present invention is that it offers continuous heat extraction from the EC-1 reactor; in addition, it allows to easily control the temperature of the EC-l reactor by means of the three coolers. The Stop Cooler is located in the detour of the Stop Cooler that leaves the Intermediate Circuit, with control valves in the detour of the Stop Cooler and in the Intermediate Circuit. When the Absorption Refrigeration Unit and the Trim Cooler do not provide sufficient cooling, the Stop Cooler begins to operate automatically due to a controller action in the liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor, for example temperature detection. The action of the controllers and combined Control Units keeps the total flow of Intermediate Liquid constant in the liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor and the Intermediate Circuit and supplies more cooling water to the Stop Cooler. In a second aspect, a controller in the Chilled Liquid Circuit between the absorption Cooling Unit and the Consumer Unit (s) monitors a measured value that is related to the temperature of the Downstream Chilled Liquid Circuit of the Cooling Unit by absorption and detects the measured value as normal or deviated (that is, if the measured value corresponds to the reference value or if it differs from it), for example, a temperature equal to or lower than the point reference indicates, respectively, a normal or deviated consumption of Chilled Liquid by the Consumer Unit (s), and sends a signal to the control valve to maintain flow or divert it from the Refrigeration Unit by absorption. In turn, a deviation of the flow of the refrigeration unit by absorption is detected in the form of an increase in the temperature of the Intermediate Circuit and leads to the operation of the Stop Cooler as defined above. A special advantage is that diverting the flow of the refrigeration unit by absorption in a situation in which the demand of the consuming unit decreases or ceases prevents the absorption refrigeration unit from cooling excessively, which would produce an unwanted precipitation of the absorber of the Refrigeration Unit. In a third aspect, the auxiliary absorption refrigeration unit, driven by an independent energy source, is located in the cooled liquid circuit in parallel with the absorption refrigeration unit, together with a controller downstream of the refrigeration unit by auxiliary absorption and in communication with the control valve for the independent power source. When the controller detects a deviated measured value, such as a temperature higher than the reference point, which indicates that cooling of the cooled liquid is insufficient, it sends a signal to the control valve of the independent power source to operate the unit. Refrigeration by auxiliary absorption in order to cool the liquid circulating in the Chilled Liquid Circuit and that can be used by the Consuming Unit (s). A special advantage is that this supplies Chilled Liquid when there is no heat of reaction available from the EC-1 Reactor or when there is not enough heat available to supply Cooled Liquid to satisfy the demand of the Consumer Units.

By providing an absorption refrigeration unit and an auxiliary absorption refrigeration unit within the same refrigeration system, the supply of cooled liquid can operate independently of the EC-1 reactor, controlled by the heat integration system. Preferably, the auxiliary absorption refrigeration unit is driven by low pressure steam. Accordingly, the present invention offers a cooling system that provides independent control of the temperature of the EC-1 reactor, independent control of the temperature of the cooled liquid, and decoupling of the two systems when the plant operates at low efficiency, for example , during start-up, stop or operation at low performance (ie, for any situation where Reactor EC-1 operates at less than 50%). More specifically, the invention allows the integrated heat extraction to be part of the heat integration system, and comprises two different Refrigeration Units - an absorption refrigeration unit powered by waste heat in combination with an independent auxiliary absorption refrigeration unit. powered by steam. The latter works only when the plant is started, when it interrupts its operation or when it is operating at low performance and there is no residual heat available from Reactor EC-1, while the first one also works when there is residual heat coming from the Reactor. EC-1. A special advantage of the invention is that the auxiliary Refrigeration Unit is capable of operating the Refrigeration System up to a capacity of approximately 50%, for example in the range of 40 to 60%. Preferably, the Absorption Refrigeration Unit is in operation when the EC-1 Reactor operates at a rate of more than approximately 50%, either alone or together with the auxiliary Refrigeration Unit, and the auxiliary Refrigeration Unit is functioning when Reactor EC-1 operates at a rate of less than about 50%. In this case, the Stop Cooler can work with any significant requirement of heat extraction. In the exceptional case that the stop cooling system is operating simultaneously, the energy consumption can be rationalized by manually reducing the regime of the auxiliary cooling unit, thus avoiding the undue consumption of independent energy to perform the cooling. Therefore, it is possible to keep the EC and the Consumer Units decoupled at least with respect to the heat integration for a yield of up to 50% of the design capacity. As the performance of Reactor EC-1 increases and approaches 50%, the yield of the rest of the plant feeds similarly approaching 50% and the Refrigeration Unit by auxiliary absorption can not satisfy the demand, which makes that the controller of the Chilled Liquid Circuit downstream of the Cooling Unit by absorption indicates an increase in the temperature of the Chilled Liquid Circuit; in this case the absorption refrigeration unit is put into operation by means of the control valve of the intermediate circuit upstream of the refrigeration unit by absorption. Accordingly, the Stop Cooler Control Systems as defined hereinbefore gradually reduce the Stop Cooler regime. Preferably, for a throughput of up to 50% an operator manually sets the reference point of the Chilled Liquid Circuit controller downstream of the Cooling Unit by absorption, selecting a level higher than the controller reference point downstream of the Unit of refrigeration by auxiliary absorption to force the loading of cooled liquid to use the refrigeration unit by auxiliary absorption. For a 50% yield, the manual correction of the reference point decreases the rate of increase of the contribution of the Refrigeration Unit by auxiliary absorption. Once the performance of the EC-1 Reactor exceeds 50% and the increased demand for Cooled Fluid leads to the System activating the Cooling Unit by absorption, the transition and finally the change between the Stop Cooler and the Cooling Unit by absorption is achieved by gradually reducing the reference point of the controller of the Chilled Liquid Circuit downstream of the Cooling Unit by absorption. The system of the invention can be used in any catalytic process that produces EC from EO for conversion to MEG. Preferably the system is employed in a catalytic process to produce MEG which includes a step in which the EO is allowed to react with C02 in the presence of a catalyst to allow the formation of a reaction solution containing EC; a step of hydrolysis in which the reaction solution is transformed into aqueous MEG solution by hydrolyzing EC in the reaction solution; and a distillation step in which, by distillation from the aqueous MEG solution, purified MEG and a catalyst solution containing the catalyst are obtained. Preferably the catalyst is present in a bubble column type reactor together with EO, C02, water and MEG. Preferably the system is operated with a process temperature in the range of 50 to 200eC, more preferably 70 to 1702C, more preferably 90 to 1502C, more preferably still 100 to 127aC.

Preferably Reactor EC-1 operates with an inlet temperature in the range of 70 to 110eC. Preferably Reactor EC-1 is fed with pure EO or with an aqueous mixture of EO by a pump that is responsible for supplying the desired flow rate, C02 by means of a C02 recycle compressor / catalyst solution by means of a pump that supplies the rate of desired flow, and liquid recycling of Reactor EC-1 (from the heat exchange with the Intermediate Cooling Circuit and the Trim Chiller), also by means of a pump that supplies the desired flow rate. Conveniently, the liquid recycle stream of Reactor EC-1 comprises 50 to 95%, for example 80-92%, of the total feed stream of the reactor, whereby it can provide cooling to the reactor and control the temperature in the exothermic reaction of the reactor. EC. Preferably the Trim Cooler regulates a temperature increase above the EC-1 Reactor as established above, allowing a high selectivity of the MEG. Preferably the Reactor Stop Chiller and the Trim Cooler can collectively eliminate at least 50% of the Reactor EC-1 regime. A special advantage is that the heat integration system can operate as a closed loop system, including the EC-1 Reactor Cooler, the Intermediate Cooling Circuit and the Absorption Refrigeration Unit. However, it is necessary to ensure that the EC-1 Reactor or the Chilled Liquid Consumer (s) can operate independently, which requires that the different Chillers and Cooling Units operate as an intimately integrated system, employing both Absorption refrigeration units in the heat integration system as defined above. The heat integration system of the invention provides operational flexibility for the start-up and stopping of the EC-1 Reactor by decoupling the sections corresponding to EO and MEG. We have found that the system of the invention offers for the first time three different modes of operation as defined above, as well as total flexibility in including the heat integration itself. A special advantage is that the application of a closed Intermediate Circuit allows an easy integration of heat, which is important to maintain the total steam consumption at a competitive level. The heat integration system of the invention can operate with any suitable absorption refrigeration unit as is known in the art to operate on the basis of the principle of evaporation of a low pressure refrigerant fluid and absorption in an absorbent for the fluid. Preferably the cooling fluid is water and the absorbent is a solution of lithium bromide which acts as a strong water absorbent. Each absorption refrigeration unit includes two vaults installed at different heights. The lower vault is divided into sections corresponding to an absorber and an evaporator, while the upper vault consists of a generator and a condenser. Preferably the Refrigeration Units for use in the system of the present invention contain a single simple desorber, and not a multiple desorber such as a two-stage desorber. The heat of evaporation of the cooling fluid is contributed by the fluid to be cooled. An absorption pressure gradient is achieved. The heat extracted from the EC-1 Reactor and / or external energy is used to drive the generators of the Refrigeration Unit. Preferably the heat integration system is used in conjunction with a two-phase separator to separate the two-phase flow at a side outlet of the EC-1 reactor, whereby in a first compartment liquid is recycled to the EC-1. and in a second compartment a two-phase flow is obtained towards a second EC reactor (EC-2), in such a way that the two-phase flow to Reactor EC-2 becomes stable. Preferably the separator operates without liquid level in the second compartment to drive the two-phase flow to Reactor EC-2, thus avoiding the risk of accumulation of liquid level and flooding of the separation vessel, as well as the risk that the extraction of gas from liquid recycling will be affected. The release of vapor from the liquid recycle is important to prevent cavitation from occurring in the circulation pump of the reactor present in the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1. Preferably the two-phase separator is located at the lateral outlet of Reactor EC-1 and comprises means for separating the flow of two gas-liquid phases at the lateral outlet of Reactor EC-1 and obtaining a first liquid phase component for cooling and recycle to Reactor EC-1, and a second flow of two gas-liquid phases as feed flow for another reaction in EC-1 or EC-2. A similar separator is conveniently located in a side outlet of the EC-2 Reactor. Preferably the two-phase separator comprises a container, generally horizontal, which defines a space for liquid and a space for gas, the latter located above the space for liquid. This vessel has a space at the inlet end which has a feed flow inlet and a space at the outlet end which has independent outputs for the liquid phase, the gas-liquid phase and the gas phase components. The container further comprises an inlet device with a primary gas-liquid separator disposed in the gas space and an inclined return tray disposed in the gas space below the primary separator and with a lower end located near the end wall. of the container that feeds the liquid space in such a way as to define a channel between the lower end and the wall of the inlet end. In addition, the container comprises a speed reducer in the liquid space. This speed reducer serves to remove any gas that may have trapped in the liquid coming from the input device, so that the liquid leaving the liquid phase outlet does not contain gas. Preferably the space of the outlet end has a weir that ensures that there is no liquid level above the outlet of the gas-liquid phase, whereby gas comes out together with liquid in the form of a gas-liquid flow of two phases, for example by a cyclone effect that can be achieved by using an outlet nozzle having a special shape, such as a conical nozzle. The two phase separator may include an antivorde device in the liquid phase outlet. The two-phase separator can be as defined in US-Bl-6, 537, 58. In said document, a three-phase separator is described which operates on the basis of a similar principle; its content is included here by reference. Preferably the separator comprises a horizontal gas-liquid separator having a plurality of speed reducers and stabilization sections to obtain flow patterns that allow extracting liquid from a two-phase flow mixture. Preferably, during low-efficiency operation of the EC-1 Reactor, the recycle flow of C02 is reduced in order to ensure a good gas separation in the separators. In a further aspect of the invention, a novel separator is provided to separate the two-phase flow in a side outlet of the EC-1 Reactor, obtaining in a first compartment liquid recycle to the EC-1 and in a second compartment a flow of two. phases to a second EC reactor (EC-2), such that the two-phase flow to Reactor EC-2 becomes stable, as defined above. Another aspect of the invention provides a control system for controlling the heat integration system as defined above, which encompasses a plurality of controllers, Control Units and / or control valves where the controllers send signals related to the load of the EC-1 Reactor and the demand of the Consumer Unit (s) to Controllers or Control Units, or to a combination of both, and / or to the control valves that regulate the operation of the Stop Cooler and of the Refrigeration Unit by absorption. Preferably the controllers are located as defined hereinabove. Other advantages and characteristics of the control system correspond to the advantages and characteristics of the respective components referred to in the context of the heat integration system as defined above. Another aspect of the invention provides a heat integration method and a control method corresponding to the heat integration system and the control system as defined above. Another aspect of the invention provides a suitable computer program to allow the heat integration system and the control system or any component thereof to perform the operations defined above. A further aspect of the invention provides the use of the heat integration system, the separator, the control system or the computer program in a process for producing EC from EO for conversion to MEG, as defined above. In Figure 1 Reactor EC-1 (1) has inlets for aqueous C02 (2a) and EO (2b) and outlet (3) to the separator (6) for the EC product and unreacted gases and liquids that pass to through the separator (6), which delivers product fluids and unreacted fluids to the feed line going to Reactor EC-2 (4) and recycles the reaction liquid in the form of liquid recycle (5) by means of a pump (7) through the heat exchanger (8) to extract heat before returning to Reactor EC-1 (1). For Reactor EC-2 (4) a similar scheme is illustrated, although in this case the recycle is heated. In Figure 2 the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 (5) separated by a separator (6) passes to Reactor Cooler EC-1 (8a). The Reactor Cooler EC-1 (8a) exchanges heat with the Intermediate Circuit (9), which in turn exchanges heat with the Cooling Unit by absorption (10). The Stop Cooler (8b), which is located in the detour of the Stop Cooler (11) and functions as a bypass of the Intermediate Circuit (9), is fed with independent cooling water. The Trim Cooler of Reactor EC-1 (12) is located downstream of Reactor Cooler EC-1 (8a) in the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 (5). The temperature controller TC-1 is located in the Reactor EC-1 (1), TC-2 is located on the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 (5) downstream of Trim Cooler (12), and TC-3 is located in Intermediate Circuit (9) waters above the EC-1 Reactor Cooler (8a). The control valve CV-1 is located above the cooling water supply for the Trim Cooler of the EC-1 Reactor (12), the CV-2 is located in the Intermediate Circuit (9) parallel to the detour to the Cooler of Stop (8b), the CV-3 is located in the detour of the Stop Cooler (11), the CV-4 is located in the cooling water inlet to the Stop Cooler (8b) and the CV-5 is located on the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 (5) upstream of reactor cooler 8a. The FC-1 flow controller is located in the Intermediate Circuit (9) upstream of the detour to the Stop Cooler (8b) and the FC-2 is located on the liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor (5) upstream of the reactor cooler 8a. TC-1 communicates with Reactor EC-1 and sends signals to TC-2. TC-2 communicates with the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 and with TC-1 and sends signals to TC-3 and CV-1. TC-3 communicates with the Intermediate Circuit (9) and sends signals to three Control Units: Y-1, Y-2 and Y-3. Control Unit Y-1 communicates with FC-1 and TC-3 and passes signals to CV-2; Y-2 communicates with FC-1 and TC-3 via Y-1 and passes signals to CV-3; and Y-3 communicates with TC-3 and passes signals to CV-4, FC-2 communicates with the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 (5) and sends signals to the CV-5. In the heat integration system the temperature of Reactor EC-1 is regulated permanently. When TC-1 detects a temperature higher than the reference point, which typically occurs during start-up, it operates the Trim Cooler (12) by opening the CV-1 control valve to the desired degree until, for an opening of approximately 90%, the Reactor Cooler (8a) and the Stop Cooler (8b) will operate by opening or closing the CV-2, CV-3 and CV-4 control valves to absorb part of the cooling rate. The Control Units Y-1, Y-2 and Y-3 ensure that the flow in the Intermediate Circuit (9) remains constant using programmed algorithms, so if the TC-3 and FC-1 controllers receive signals and determine that a value is normal, they send a signal to partially open CV-2, and if FC-1 receives a signal and determines that its value is too high it sends a signal to partially close CV-2. For example, Y-1 calculating the product between an FC-1 (a) signal equal to 0, fractional or equal to 1 and a TC-3 (b) signal equal to 0, fractional or equal to 1 to determine a signal to CV-2 (ab) equal to 0, fractional or equal to, and Y-2 receiving the same signals and calculating a factor thereof (1-a (1-kb)) to determine a signal to CV-3 equal to 0, fractional or equal to 1 that regulates the opening of CV-3. The FC-2 flow controller ensures that the flow in the reactor EC-1 recycle remains constant. If FC-2 receives a signal and determines that the flow is too high, this controller sends a signal to partially close CV-5. Conversely, if the signal indicates that the flow is too low, it sends a signal to partially open CV-5. Scheme 1 illustrates the operation of the heat integration system of the present invention to control the temperature of Reactor EC-1. TC-1 receives a temperature from Reactor EC-1 as input and compares it with a reference point set for the temperature of Reactor EC-1, generating a signal addressed to TC-2. TC-2 receives as input a temperature from the Reactor Liquid Recycle EC-1 and a TC-1 signal, and generates a signal directed to TC-3 and a signal directed to CV-1, opening the water flow of cooling in case the signal requires cooling by means of the Trim Cooler (12). TC-3 receives as input data a temperature from the Intermediate Circuit (9) and a signal from TC-2, and generates a signal to CV-3, opening the control valve of Intermediate Circuit CV-3 to the detour of the Stop Cooler (8b), and also generates a signal directed to CV-4, opening the cooling water passage to the Stop Cooler. Simultaneously, TC-3 sends a signal to CV-2 regulating the flow in the Intermediate Circuit parallel to the detour of the Stop Cooler. FC-1 receives as input a flow rate from the Intermediate Circuit, compares it with an established reference point and sends a signal to CV-3, so that the flow of the Intermediate Circuit remains constant. FC-2 receives as input a flow rate from the Reciprocal Circuit, compares it with an established reference point and sends a signal to CV-5, so that the flow of the Reciprocal Circuit remains constant. Figure 3 illustrates the absorption Refrigeration Unit (10), which is fed with cooling water (20) to extract heat of reaction from the Intermediate Liquid flowing in the Intermediate Circuit (9). The cooled liquid generated by the absorption refrigeration unit (10) is passed through the cooled liquid circuit (21) to the consumer unit 26 (a). The temperature controller (TC-4) located in the Chilled Liquid Circuit (21) transfers signals to the three-way control valve (CV-6) located in the Intermediate Circuit (9) upstream of the Refrigeration Unit by absorption (10) and in the diversion (22) of the refrigeration unit by absorption (10). The auxiliary absorption refrigeration unit (23) is driven by independent steam (24) and fed with cooling water (25). The TC-5 temperature controller is located in the Chilled Liquid Circuit (21) downstream of the auxiliary absorption Refrigeration Unit (23) and communicates with the CV-7 control valve in the independent steam inlet (24). ). The auxiliary absorption refrigeration unit (23) is driven by steam (24) and generates cooled liquid for the cooled liquid circuit (21). The temperature controller TC-6, which is located at the output side of the process of the Consumer Unit (26a), sends signals to the control valve CV-8 located in the Chilled Liquid Circuit (21) downstream of the Consuming Unit (26a). More than one Consumer Unit (26b, etc.) may be arranged in parallel with the Consumer Unit (26a) on the Chilled Liquid Circuit (21). The additional Consuming Units are associated with their corresponding temperature controllers and control valves. The cooling rate of the absorption Cooling Units (10, 23) is so high that each can comprise multiple different subunits that work together as a single unit, for example any number of machines, to handle a higher unit rate. Consumidora During start-up, low-efficiency operation or stopping, the Absorption Refrigeration Unit (23) is functioning and the Stop Cooler (8b, Figure 2) is functioning partially or fully.

When Reactor EC-1 reaches a rate greater than approximately 50% the Cooling Unit by absorption (10) is working and the Reactor Cooler (8a, Figure 2) and the Trim Cooler (12, Figure 2) are working in combination. Figure 2 shows the operation of the heat integration system of the invention with respect to controlling the temperature of the refrigeration unit by absorption (10). TC-6 receives as input data the temperature from the output of the process side of the Consumer Unit (26a), compares it with the reference point established for the process outlet temperature of the Consumer Unit, and sends a signal to CV-7 to operate or regulate the flow of Cooled Liquid to the Consuming Unit (26a). CV-7 can be located before or after the Consuming Unit (26a). TC-4 receives as input the temperature of the output of the Refrigeration Unit by absorption (10), compares it with the reference point established for the outlet temperature of the Refrigeration Unit by absorption, and sends a signal to CV-5 to open the three-way control valve to the absorption refrigeration unit (10) or to open the three-way control valve (CV-5) to the bypass (22) if TC-4 indicates a higher or lower temperature, respectively, than the reference point. In Figure 4 the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 (5) separated by a separator (6) passes to Reactor Cooler EC-1 (8a). The Reactor Cooler EC-1 (8a) exchanges heat with the Intermediate Circuit (9), which in turn exchanges heat with the Cooling Unit by absorption (10). The Stop Cooler (8b), which is located in the detour of the Stop Cooler (11) and functions as a bypass of the Intermediate Circuit (9), is fed with independent cooling water. The Trim Cooler of Reactor EC-1 (12) is located downstream of Reactor Cooler EC-1 (8a) in the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 (5). The Trim Cooler of Reactor EC-1 (12) is located downstream of Reactor Cooler EC-1 (8a) in the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 (5). The TC-10 temperature controller is located in the EC-1 Reactor (1), TC-20 is located in the liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor (5) downstream of the Trim Cooler (12), and TC-30 is located in the Intermediate Circuit (9) upstream of the EC-1 Reactor Cooler (8a). The control valve CV-10 is located in a detour around the Trim Cooler (12), CV-20 in the Intermediate Circuit (9) in parallel with the detour to the Stop Cooler (8b), CV-30 is located in the detour of the Stop Cooler at the entrance to the Reactor Stop Cooler (11), and CV-40 is located on the liquid recycle of Reactor EC-1 (5) between the Reactor Cooler (8A) and the Cooler Trim (12) (downstream of the point where the detour begins at the entrance of the Trim Cooler). The FC-10 flow controller is located in the Intermediate Circuit (9) upstream of the detour to the Stop Cooler (8b) and FC-20 is located on the liquid recycle of the EC-1 Reactor (5) upstream of the Cooler of Reactor 8a. TC-10 communicates with Reactor EC-1 and sends signals to TC-20. TC-20 communicates with the liquid recycle reactor EC-1 (5) and with TC-10, and sends signals to CV-40 and to the valve position controller XC. TC-30 communicates with the Intermediate Circuit (9) and with XC, and sends signals to CV-3. FC-10 communicates with the Intermediate Circuit (9) and sends signals to CV-20. FC-20 communicates with the liquid recycle reactor EC-1 (5) and sends signals to CV-10. In the heat integration system the temperature of Reactor EC-1 is regulated permanently. When TC-10 detects a temperature higher than the set reference point, it communicates with TC-20, which acts on the CV-40 valve, increasing the flow through the Trim Cooler (12). When FC-20 detects a flow greater than the set reference point sends a signal to open CV-10 that increases the flow through the detour of the Stop Cooler (reducing the flow through the Trim Chiller). The flow in the Intermediate Circuit (9) is regulated permanently. When FC-10 detects a flow greater than set reference point it sends a signal to partially close CV-20. The temperature in the Intermediate Circuit (9) is regulated. When TC-30 detects a flow greater than the set reference point it sends a signal to partially close CV-30, thereby increasing the flow through the Reactor Stop Cooler (8b). To ensure that TC-20 remains in control, the TC-30 reference point is adjusted by means of the valve position controller XC. Limits apply to TC-20 and TC-30 output to keep these controllers within range. Figure 9 shows the operation of the heat integration system of the invention with respect to controlling the temperature of Reactor EC-1. TC-10 receives the temperature from Reactor EC-1 as input, compares it with the reference point set for the temperature of Reactor EC-1 and generates a signal to TC-20. TC-20 receives as input the temperature from the Reactor Liquid Recycle EC-1 and a TC-10 signal, and generates a signal towards CV-40, opening the valve in case the signal requires more cooling by means of the Trim cooler (12). TC-30 receives as input the temperature of the Intermediate Circuit (9) and generates a signal to CV-30, opening the control valve of the Intermediate Circuit CV-30 to the detour of the Stop Cooler (8b). FC-10 receives the flow of the Intermediate Circuit as input, compares it with the established reference point and sends a signal to CV-20, which keeps the flow in the Intermediate Circuit constant. FC-20 receives the Reciprocal Circuit as input, compares it with the established reference point and sends a signal to CV-10, which keeps the flow of the Reciprocal Unit constant. Figure 5 illustrates the absorption Cooling Unit (10), to which cooling water (20) is fed to extract heat of reaction from the Intermediate Liquid flowing in the Intermediate Circuit (9). The cooled liquid generated by the absorption refrigeration unit (10) is passed through the cooled liquid circuit (21) to the consumer unit 26 (a). The temperature controller (TC-40) in the Intermediate Unit (9) downstream of the absorption Refrigeration Unit (10) sends signals to the control valve (CV-50) in the Intermediate Circuit (9) upstream of the the absorption refrigeration unit (10). Differential pressure control is applied on the bypass (22) of the absorption refrigeration unit (10) by means of a control unit (Y) to maintain a constant flow in case any of the refrigeration units fails.

The auxiliary absorption refrigeration unit (23) is driven by independent steam (24) and fed with cooling water (25). The TC-50 temperature controller is located in the Chilled Liquid Circuit (21) downstream of the auxiliary absorption Refrigeration Unit (23) and communicates with the CV-7 control valve in the independent steam inlet (24). ). The auxiliary absorption refrigeration unit (23) is driven by steam (24) and generates cooled liquid for the cooled liquid circuit (21). The TC-60 temperature controller located at the process side outlet of the Consumer Unit (26a) sends signals to the control valve CV-70 located on the Chilled Liquid Circuit (21) downstream of the Consumer Unit (26a) ). More than one Consumer Unit (26b, etc.) may be arranged in parallel with the Consumer Unit (26a) on the Chilled Liquid Circuit (21). The additional Consuming Units are associated with their corresponding temperature controllers and control valves. The cooling rate of the absorption Cooling Units (10, 23) is so high that each can comprise multiple different subunits that work together as a single unit, for example any number of machines, to handle a higher unit rate. Consumidora The differential pressure control that is applied to the bypass ensures an even operation, as well as a constant flow to the subunits of the absorption refrigeration unit (10). During start-up, low-efficiency operation or stopping, the Absorption Refrigeration Unit (23) is functioning and the Stop Cooler (8b, Figure 4) is functioning partially or fully.

When Reactor EC-1 reaches a rate greater than about 50% the Cooling Unit by absorption (10) is functioning and the Reactor Cooler (8a, Figure 4) and the Trim Cooler (12, Figure 4) are functioning in combined form. Figure 10 shows the operation of the heat integration system of the invention with respect to controlling the temperature of the refrigeration unit by absorption (10). TC-60 receives as input the temperature from the output of the process side of the Consuming Unit (26a), compares it with the reference point set for the process outlet temperature of the Consumer Unit and sends a signal to CV -70 to operate or regulate the flow of Cooled Liquid to the Consuming Unit (26a). CV-70 can be located before or after the Consuming Unit (26a). TC-40 receives as input the temperature from the Intermediate Circuit (9), upstream of the Refrigeration Unit (10), compares it with the reference point established for the temperature of the Intermediate Circuit and sends a signal to CV- 50 to open the control valve to the absorption refrigeration unit (10) if TC-40 indicates a temperature higher than the reference point. Figure 6 illustrates a two-phase separator (30), which comprises a gas / liquid inlet at the side outlet of the EC-1 reactor (31), an inlet device for gas / liquid (32), a space for liquid (33), a gas space (34), the liquid recycle outlet of Reactor EC-1 (35), a reconstituted two-phase flow outlet (36) to Reactor EC-2 (not shown), the landfill (37) and a speed reducer (38). By means of bleeding (39) the accumulation of stagnant gas is avoided. Most of the gas in the inlet (31) is separated in the inlet device (32) and exits directly through the outlet (36). An amount of gas remains trapped in the form of bubbles in the liquid coming from the inlet device (32) and passes through the speed reducer (38) into the liquid space (33) where it rises and detaches from the liquid, entering the space for gas (34). Consequently, the liquid exiting the outlet (35) does not contain gas and comes out in the form of a liquid flow that substantially has a single phase. The landfill (37) ensures that there is no liquid level above the outlet (36), whereby gas comes together with liquid in the form of a gas-liquid flow of two phases, for example by a cyclone effect. This can be achieved by using an outlet nozzle that has a special shape (for example a conical nozzle). A liquid level above the outlet (36) would prevent the gas from being led to the outlet (36). Examples Example 1 - Energy Efficiency The work of the Reactor Cooler EC-1 becomes a Chilled Liquid; otherwise, this energy would be wasted. The heat integration system of the present invention represents a saving equivalent to the EC-1 Reactor Cooler regime. For a world-scale plant this savings would be of the order of 12MW. Example 2 - Security The invention allows the uncoupled and independent operation of the EC-1 Reactor and the Consumer Units in specific circumstances. Therefore, there is no possibility of run of the EC-1 Reactor due to insufficient demand of Chilled Water by the Consumer Unit (s), and there is also no possibility of problems arising in the Consumer Units due to the lack of Chilled Water available at the time of commissioning, operation at low performance or stopping Reactor EC-1. Example 3 - Separator The separator of the prior art (6) illustrated in Figure 1 is a standard gas-liquid separator that operates with a liquid level at the bottom of the separator. This separator has a separation surface and on it, in the upper part of the separator, a gas-liquid zone of two phases. Therefore, to perform the separation the separator needs sufficient height, as well as a low superficial velocity at the bottom of the separator. To achieve the required capacity, the liquid recycle input of Reactor EC-1 (31) must be increased. The design requirements of the container are a certain maximum dwell time and a certain maximum surface velocity of the liquid to ensure that the vapor falls off at the bottom of the separator. The application of these design requirements would lead to obtaining a very flat container in the form of an omelette or pancake with a high degree of turbulence that would lead to obtain a very poor steam release at the bottom of the separator. The separator (6) of Figure 6 complies with the residence time required in the liquid phase and achieves the gas extraction required from the inlet (31) in the inlet device (32). The separated gas exits directly through the outlet (36). Accordingly, the liquid exiting through said outlet (35) is substantially free of gas and comes out in the form of a single phase liquid flow, ensuring that the liquid recycle pump of the EC-1 Reactor operates without cavitation. Substantially 100% of the gas comes out together with liquid in the form of a two-phase gas-liquid flow through the outlet (36). It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. Claims Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. - A heat integration system for extracting heat of reaction from an EC-1 Reactor and generating Chilled Liquid for use in one or more Consuming Units, in a catalytic process destined to produce EC from EO for conversion into MEG, where the system comprises an EC-1 Reactor Cooler suitable for extracting heat from an EC-1 Reactor, an Intermediate Circuit communicated with the Cooler of the Reactor and with a Refrigeration Unit by absorption, and that is suitable for conducting Intermediate Liquid between both, being the Refrigeration Unit by absorption appropriate to generate Chilled Liquid, and a Circuit of Cooling Fluid suitable to conduct the Chilled Fluid generated in the Absorption Refrigeration Unit for use by one or more Units Consumers, the system being such that the absorption refrigeration unit uses heat generated in Reactor EC-1 to generate Cooled Liquid for the Cooling Liquid Circuit and for the Consumer Unit (s), characterized in that the system also comprises a Cooler Stop that has an independent cooling source that is suitable, alternatively or additionally to the absorption Refrigeration Unit, to extract heat from Reactor EC-1, and where the system also comprises an auxiliary source of independent Chilled Liquids, which is adequate , alternatively or additionally to the Refrigeration Unit by absorption, to generate cooled liquid to feed one or more Units Consuming.
2. 2. - A heat integration system according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate circuit includes a bypass of the absorption refrigeration unit by which cooled liquid can be conducted to the absorption refrigeration unit for heat extraction or it may not pass through the absorption refrigeration unit.
3. 3. - A heat integration system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reactor cooler EC-1 is located in a liquid recycle reactor EC-1, which comprises a side outlet and the liquid recycle of the EC-1 reactor.
4. 4. - A heat integration system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of controllers, a plurality of control valves and one or more control units, where the controllers provide signals related to the load of the EC-1 reactor and the demand of the consumer unit (s) to controllers or control units, or to a combination of both, and / or to the control valves that regulate the operation of the stop cooler and the absorption refrigeration unit.
5. 5. - A heat integration system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it additionally comprises a Trim cooler of the EC-1 reactor to regulate the temperature of the EC-1 reactor, located downstream of the EC reactor cooler. -1 and upstream of reactor EC-1 in the liquid recycle of reactor EC-1.
6. 6. - A heat integration system according to claim 5, characterized in that the Trim cooler is controlled by a liquid recycle controller of the EC-1 reactor, which in turn receives signals from a controller of the EC-1 reactor, and sends a signal to a control valve so that the cooling water supply of the Trim cooler controls the temperature of the liquid recycle of the EC-1 reactor within a preferred recycle temperature range.
7. 7. - A heat integration system according to claim 5, characterized in that there is a detour around the Trim cooler and a control valve located in the bypass; the control valve located in the bypass is controlled by a flow controller upstream of the EC-1 reactor cooler; and there is a control valve located at the inlet of the Trim cooler and the valve at the inlet of the Trim cooler is controlled by a temperature controller located downstream of the Trim cooler and downstream from the point where the bypass joins again with the flow of the coolant. Liquid recycling of the EC-1 reactor.
8. 8. - A heat integration system according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it additionally comprises a two-phase separator to separate the flow of two phases in a side outlet of the reactor EC-1 obtaining in a first compartment recycle liquid to the EC-1 and in a second compartment a two-phase flow to a second EC EC-2 reactor, such that the two-phase flow to Reactor EC-2 becomes stable; preferably the separator operates without liquid level in the second compartment to drive the two-phase flow to the EC-2 reactor, thus avoiding the risk of accumulation of liquid level and flooding of the separation vessel, as well as the risk of see gas extraction from liquid recycling affected.
9. 9. - A process for separating a two-phase flow from an EC-1 reactor, wherein a two-phase separator is located in the lateral extraction of the EC-1 Reactor, characterized in that it comprises the steps of (a) recycling a first liquid phase component of a first compartment of the two-phase separator to the EC-1 reactor; and (b) providing a second two phase liquid gas stream from a second compartment of the two phase separator to an EC-2 reactor, such that the two phase flow to the EC-2 reactor is stable.
10. 10. - A control system for controlling a heat integration system as defined above in any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of controllers, control units and / or control valves, where the controllers send signals related to the EC-1 reactor load and the demand of the consumer unit (s) to controllers or control units, or to a combination of both, and / or to the control valves that regulate the operation of the stop cooler and the absorption cooling unit.
11. 11. - Use of a heat integration system, separator or control system according to any of claims 1 to 10 in a process intended to produce EC from EO or in a process designed to produce MEG from EO through EC. Summary of the Invention A heat integration system for extracting reaction heat from an EC-1 Reactor and generating Cooled Fluid for use in one or more Consuming Units, in a catalytic process intended to produce EC from EO for conversion in MEG, where the system comprises an EC-1 Reactor Cooler suitable for extracting heat from an EC-1 Reactor, an Intermediate Circuit communicated with the Reactor Cooler and with an absorption Cooling Unit, and which is suitable for driving Liquid Intermediate between both, being the Cooling Unit by absorption appropriate to generate Chilled Liquid, and a Circuit of Cooling Liquid suitable to drive the Chilled Liquid generated in the Cooling Unit by absorption for its use by one or more Units Consuming, being the system such that the Absorption Refrigeration Unit uses heat generated in Reactor EC-1 to generate Cooled Liquid for to the Chilled Liquid Circuit and to the Consumer Unit (s), where the system further comprises a Stop Cooler having an independent cooling source that is suitable, alternatively or additionally to the refrigeration unit for absorption, to extract heat from Reactor EC-1, and where the system also comprises an auxiliary source of independent cooled liquid, which is suitable, alternatively or additionally to the absorption refrigeration unit, to generate cooled liquid to feed one or more consumer units; a control system to be used in the heat integration system; a two-phase separator for separating the two-phase flow in a side outlet of the EC-1 reactor obtaining in a first compartment liquid recycle to the EC-1 and in a second compartment a two-phase flow to a second EC reactor EC- 2, in such a way that the flow of two phases towards the EC-2 reactor is stable, being the separator suitable for its use in the process and the integration system; the corresponding methods; and the uses of the system and the separator in an EO / ethylene glycol (EG) unit.