| abstract |
A solvent extraction process for separating polar hydrocarbons from non-polar hydrocarbons. The solvent-rich extract phase is introduced into a stripping column, the bottoms from which, being a polar hydrocarbon-containing, solvent-rich stream, is introduced into an upper portion of a solvent recovery column. A first vaporous stripping medium is introduced into a lower portion of the solvent recovery column. A portion of the solvent-rich stream, virtually free from hydrocarbons, withdrawn as a bottoms product, is introduced into a solvent regeneration zone, the remainder being recycled to the extraction zone. A second vaporous stripping medium is introduced into the solvent regeneration zone, recovered with regenerated solvent and introduced into the solvent recovery column as at least a portion of the first vaporous stripping medium. |