Removal of a Small Amount of Water in Hydrocarbons by Distillation

Abstract

This paper describes on a distillation which reduces the water content of hydrocarbon (benzene, n-hexane and toluene) from 700 to less than 50ppm. The distillation was carried out in a 50mm dia., 1, 300mm high packed column with 10 theoretical plates. The distillate was collected in a new type decanter at the top, the lower aquesous layer being withdrawn and upper layer being refluxed to the column. Dry hydrocarbon was obtained from the bottom.
As a result of the distillation, it has been confirmed that water in the hydrocarbon can be reduced to less than 50ppm. The actual efficiencies of the distillation were very low, measured H.E.T.P. (Height Equivalent to a Theoretical Plate) being 11.0∼13.0m in the n-hexane-water system, 1.5∼1.6m in the benzene-water system and 7.0∼9.0m in the toluene-water system. In addition, experimental data are measured on the isobaric three vapor-liquid equilibrium of the systems; n-hexane-water, benzene-water and toluene-water, in the region of low water concentration.