Abstract A process for continuously separating, in the liquid phase, the components of a feed mixture by contact with a solid sorbent utilizing a simulated countercurrent flow system wherein a liquid stream flows through serially and circularly interconnected desorption, rectification and sorption zones, in which process the flow of liquid stream is interrupted between both the desorption and rectification zones, and the first portion of effluent from the desorption zone, the portion being rich in sorbate, is directly circulated, and the second portion of the same comprising sorbate of high purity and desorbent is fed to a distillation apparatus from which one portion of the sorbate distillate is circulated, both as reflux into the rectification zone, to maximize the sorbate product purity at a reduced cost.
The process according to claim 1 further characterized in that said liquid streams flowing through said three zones are further interrupted at a point between said sorption zone and said desorption zone and said raffinate effluent is withdrawn from the bottom of the last section of said sorption zone while the first portion of said raffinate effluent which portion substantially consists of said desorbent is directly circulated into the firt section of the desorption zone and the second portion thereof which contains both said less sorbed component and said desorbent is introduced into a distillation apparatus from which the desorbent fraction is circulated, into the first section of said desorption zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process according to claim 1 further characterized in that one portion of said raffinate effluent is withdrawn from a point such that at least one section of said sorption zone remains downstream therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process according to claim 1 further characterized in that said solid sorbent is a crystalline metal alumino-silicate and said liquid feed mixture is a mixture of xylene isomers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The process according to claim 4 further characterized in that said crystalline metal alumino-silicate is a faujasite-type crystalline metal alumino-silicate having a silica/alumina ratio of less than 4.0 and containing (a) barium (b) potassium and (c) at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, yttrium, neodymium, lead, uranium and mercury (herein referred to as M) in the proportion satisfying the following atomic ratios; K/(K + 2Ba) 0.0 * 0.5 M/(K + 2Ba) 0.0 * 0.5
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The process according to claim 4 further characterized in that said crystalline metal alumino-silicate is a faujasite-type crystalline metal alumino-silicate having a silica/alumina ratio of not less than 4.0 and containing (a) barium, (b) potassium and (c) at least one metal M selected from the group consisting of zirconium, yttrium, neodymium, lead, uranium and mercury in the proportion satisfying the following atomic ratios; K/(K + 2Ba) 0.6 * 1.0 M/(K + 2Ba) 0.0 * 0.5
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
135 words
The process according to claim 4 further characterized in that said crystalline metal alumino-silicate is a mixture of both the faujasite-type crystalline metal alumino-silicates, one having a silica/alumina ratio of less than 4.0 and containing (a) barium, (b) potassium and (c) at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, yttrium, neodymium, lead, uranium and mercury in the proportion satisfying the following ratios; K/(K + 2Ba) 0.0 * 0.5 M/(K + 2Ba) 0.0 * 0.5 and the other having a silica/alumina ratio of not less than 4.0 and containing (a) barium, (b) potassium and (c) at least one metal M selected from the group consisting of zirconium, yttrium, neodymium, lead, uranium and mercury in the proportion satisfying the following atomic ratios; K/(K + 2Ba) 0.6 * 1.0 M/(K + 2Ba) 0.0 * 0.5