Solvent and moisture removal
Modular process units for dehydration, removal of solvents and volatile components from petroleum products, oils and industrial liquids
Removal of volatile components from liquid products
Water, solvents, fuel residues and other volatile components can reduce the stability of the liquid product, impair its performance and limit further use. The possibility of their removal is determined by the composition of the mixture, the thermal properties of the components and the target product specifications.
The process plant may include pre-filtration, controlled heating, supply and circulation of inert gas, vapor removal, cooling, condensation and separate collection of separated liquid phases. The process design is selected after feedstock analysis.
Feed liquids
Processing tasks
Free water removal
Separation of water present in the product as an independent liquid phase
Removal of emulsified and dissolved water
Reducing emulsified or dissolved water where the selected operating conditions allow
Solvent removal
Separation of volatile organic components from a process mixture
Removing fuel residues
Reduction of the content of light hydrocarbon components in an oil or petroleum product stream
Product stabilization
Reduction of volatile components before storage or further use
Increase in flash point
A higher flash point may be achievable by removing selected light components; the result requires product testing
Separate collection of components
Removal of aqueous and organic condensed phases into separate collection containers
Preparation for further processing
Preparation of a liquid stream for downstream processing
Advantages of the process solution
Process tailored to the feed composition
Operating conditions and equipment package are determined after studying the initial mixture
Controlled heat exposure
The operating temperature is selected for the primary product and the components to be removed
Separate removal of volatile impurities
Water, solvents and light hydrocarbons can be removed and condensed in separate process streams
Inert gas circulation
The working gas transfers vapors of volatile components from the heated product to the cooling and condensation system
Closed process loop
After separation of the condensable components, the working gas can be returned to the process
Modular design
The installation is formed from separate heating, processing, condensing and product collection blocks
Designed for future upgrades
Individual modules can be integrated into an existing production line
Automated control
Monitoring of temperature, pressure, levels and equipment status is integrated into a control system
Process configurations
The plant is configured for the feed liquid, water and solvent content, component volatility, required throughput and target product specifications.
Main process stages
- Feed receipt and storage
- Sampling and composition analysis
- Preliminary removal of mechanical impurities
- Feeding the product into the process unit
- Controlled heating
- Working-gas supply and circulation, if required
- Transition of water and highly volatile components into the vapor phase
- Vapor-gas flow outlet
- Cooling and condensation of vapors
- Separation of aqueous and organic liquid phases
- Return of working gas to the process if a circulation loop is included
- Collection of processed product
- Testing the treated product
The specific sequence of steps, temperature, processing time and number of cycles are determined by the composition of the starting product and confirmed by laboratory or pilot tests.
Feed preparation
Before removing moisture and solvents, the product is examined and, if necessary, cleaned of mechanical impurities that can impair the operation of pumping, heat exchange and process equipment.
Depending on the condition of the initial mixture, settling, mesh filtration, filter-media filtration, mixing and preheating may be used.
Water removal
Removal of moisture is carried out by creating conditions for the transition of water from the liquid product to the vapor phase. Operating conditions depend on the properties of the main product, water content and permissible temperature exposure.
The resulting water vapor is removed from the process unit, cooled and condensed. The aqueous phase is collected separately and sent for the treatment provided for in the project.
Removal of solvents and light components
Solvents, fuel residues and other volatile components pass into the vapor phase at the selected temperature and are removed from the main product.
After cooling the vapor, the separated organic components are condensed and collected in a separate container. The possibility of reusing the resulting condensate is determined by its composition and analysis results.
Inert gas circulation
An inert gas may be introduced into the heated product to transport water vapor, solvents, and other volatile components. The gas flow is directed to the cooling and condensation system.
After separation of the condensed liquid phases, the gas can be returned to the process unit. Gas composition, pressure, flow rate and circulation mode are determined by the process flowsheet.
Cooling and condensation
The withdrawn vapor–gas stream is cooled to condense water and organic components. The composition of the cooling system is determined by the temperature and flow rate, as well as the properties of the condensed substances.
If necessary, separate collection of the aqueous and organic phases is provided. Further handling of each stream is determined by its composition and project requirements.
Process line equipment
The actual equipment package is determined by the selected process flowsheet. Individual items are used only when necessary.
Modular design of equipment
The plant can combine modules for feed reception, filtration, heating, treatment, gas circulation, cooling, condensation and collection of separated components.
The scope may include a laboratory, pilot or industrial plant, individual process modules, or equipment for upgrading an existing line.
Resulting process streams
Processed liquid product
The main product after removing part of the water, solvents and volatile components provided for by the process flowsheet
Aqueous phase
Water separated from the feedstock and routed for further treatment as specified by the project
Organic condensate
Solvents and light hydrocarbon components condensed from the vapor-gas stream
Mechanical impurities and residues
Solid contaminants and used filter materials requiring separate handling
Options and configurations
Pretreatment module
Equipment for feed receipt, equalization and solids removal
Dehydration module
Equipment for heating, removing, cooling and condensing water vapor
Solvent removal module
Process equipment for evaporation, removal and condensation of organic volatile components
Inert gas circulation module
System for supply, circulation, cooling and return of working gas
Complete moisture and solvent removal plant
Sequential combination of preconditioning, heating, devolatilization and condensation
Modernization of an existing installation
Integration of additional heating, circulation, cooling, condensing and automation modules
How a process flowsheet is selected
- Review of project data
- Sampling and examination
- Determination of water content
- Determination of solvent composition
- Determination of volatile components
- Evaluation of product temperature characteristics
- Determination of permissible heating mode
- Clarification of requirements for the processed product
- Laboratory tests
- Pilot tests if necessary
- Defining operating conditions
- Selection of equipment and automation
- Preparation of technical proposal
The extent of water and solvent removal depends on the feed composition. Residual content can be specified only after testing.
Delivery and implementation
Available equipment configurations
We will select a technology for removing moisture and solvents based on the composition of your product
To prepare a technical proposal, we need the feed composition and volume, water and solvent content, permissible operating temperature and target product specifications.