March 22, 1960 M. J. BEAGLE, Jr.

, ETAL 2,929,443
DOUBLE EFFECT EWAPORATORS AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME
Filed June 4, 1956

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 2,929,443
United States Patent Office Patented Mar. 22, 1960
2
it is small compared to the total amount of circulating
spin bath. Additional vapor is removed from this al
2,929,443 ready concentrate solution and the concentrate dis
charge from the first effect may be carried from its liquor
DOUBLE EFFECT EVAPORATORS AND METHOD 5 outlet 44 by a suitable pipe or connection 46 to a flash
(OF OPERATING SAME tank or the like 48. The flash tank is at the same pres
Melvin J. Beagle, Jr., Park Forest, and Hobart H. New sure as the second effect and the evaporator discharge is
man, Palos Park, ill., assignors to Whiting Corpoi’atio2, substantially cool. The concentrate discharge 50 from
a corporation of idiois the flash tank may be returned by a return line to the
Application June 4, 1956, Serial No. 589,084 0 rayon spin bath process, and even though the return
lines 38 and 50 have been shown as separate, these could
13 Claims. (C. 59-20) be combined at any suitable point in Figure 1. Vapor
from the flash tank may be taken to the condenser 30
by a suitable line 51.
This invention refers to doube effect evaporator units 5 The amount of liquor fed to the first effect, by way
or the like, and relates more particularly to improved of conduit 40, from the second effect discharge, which
evaporator structure and method of operating it. has been characterized as "small,” is actually set as low
A primary object of this invention is the provision of as possible while at the same time preventing salting out
a double effect evaporator unit for use in a rayon spin of the crystals in the first effect tubes. This is to say
bath system or the like, designed to effect substantial 20 that the feed is regulated so that the discharge from the
steam economy as compared to conventional rayon open first effect is just below the saturation point.
bath evaporation. A variant has been shown in Figure 2 and parts or
Another object is a double effect evaporator unit of the elements the same as in Figure 1 have been designated
above type designed to reduce the heating load on the by the same numerals. The Figure 2 form differs from
first effect. 25 the Figure 1 system in that the liquor discharge from the
Another object is a double effect evaporator unit de first effect, indicated at 52, which corresponds to the
signed for improved steam economy at high feed to discharge 44 in Figure 1, instead of being cooled in a
evaporation ratios. flash tank, as at 48 in Figure 1, is returned by a suitable
Another object is a double effect evaporator unit an pipe 54 and cooled by mixing with the dilute feed 32 to
a method of operating it to eliminate the normally pres 30 the second effect. There is no objection to mixing the
ent liquor flash tank. concentrate discharge from the first effect with the dilute
Another object is a double effect evaporator unit de feed to the second effect.
signed so that the amount of liquor fed to the first effect Control or regulation of the "small” amount of liquid
from the second effect discharge is set as low as possible feed to the first effect by way of conduit 40 from the
while still preventing salting out of the crystals in the 35 Second effect might be done manually. The operator
tubes of the first effect. could observe the discharge from the first effect and
Another object is a double effect evaporator unit of regulate valve 4i. The operator could take samples of
the above type designed and arranged with the feed to the discharge from the second effect, at line 46 in Figure
the first effect regulated so that the discharge from the 1 or at line 52 in Figure 2, to determine if crystallization
first effect is just below saturation. - 40 was present. He could reduce the flow in line 40 until
Other objects will appear from time to time in the crystals appeared in the second effect discharge. Then
ensuing specification and drawings in which: he could increase the fow slightly by manually adjusting
Figure. 1 is a diagrammatic layout of one form of this the valve 45. This is more or less a trial and error
invention; method and is common in practice.
Figure 2 is a variant form; and 45 A further variant has been shown in Figure 3. A well
Figure 3 is a further variant, recognized problem with double effect evaporator sys
In Figure 1, the first effect evaporator, with regard to tenas when concentrating rayon spin bath solutions is
vapor flow, has been indicated generally at 10, and it will the tendency of sulphur compounds carried in the vapor
be recognized as a conventional long tube vertical evap from the first effect to collect on the outside of the tube
orator having a vaporhead 4 and lower shell 6. The 50 in the bundle of the second effect. This scale or deposit
shell 16 has a tube bundle which is supplied with steam isdown extremely difficult to remove and can result in a lot of
time. In Figure 3, the vapor pipe 56 from the first
through a suitable inlet at 38 for the first effect and a
condensate discharge 25. The vapor outlet pipe 22 from effect has been connected to the steam inlet header of a
the top of the first effect is led through a suitable pipe 55 horizontal steam tube evaporator designated generally ,
to the steam inlet 24 for the second effect 2, and a at 58. This horizontal tube evaporator serves as the
suitable condensate discharge 26 is provided to dispose Second effect unit and is supplied with the dilute feed
of the condensate. The vapor pipe 28 from the second from the system at 60. The vapor carrying the sulphur
effect is led to a suitable condenser 39 in the usual compound from the first effect will form a scale or de
ac. posit on the inside of the tubes in the second effect evap
An inlet line 32 from a rayon spin bath process or the 60 orator. But this scale can be much more easily removed
like, brings what is referred to as "spin bath' or dilute from the inside of the tubes than from the outside by
feed to a liquor inlet 34 on the second effect 2. The mechanical means, for example, brushes and the like, or
concentrate discharge from the second effect leaves by chemical means, such as, various suitable flushing com
the usual liquor outlet 36 and through a suitable pipe 38 pounds. It should be understood that a small amount of
is carried back as a concentrate solution to be used in the concentrate discharge from the second effect may be
the rayon spin bath process or the like. carried by the line 40, as in the prior embodiments, to the
A small predetermined amount or quantity of the con liquor inlet for the first effect, and the concentrate dis
centrate discharge from the second effect is fed back by charge from the first effect may be carried either to a
a suitable pipe 49 with a suitable valve 4 to the liquor 70 separate flash tank, as indicated by the line 62, or di
inlet 42 for the first effect. The amount returned will rectly to and mixed with the dilute feed to the second
be described later. Suffice it to say for the moment that effect inlet, as by the line 64,
 2,929,443
3 4.
The use, operation and function of this invention are the liquor outlet on the second effect evaporator being
as follows:
An important consideration in double effect evaporator constructed to return the concentrate discharge liquor to
the circulating spin bath system, a connection between the
systems is steam economy, which can be a substantial liquor outlet on the second effect evaporator and the liquor
factor in a rayon spin bath process. It is desirable to de inlet on the first effect evaporator supplying only a frac
gas all of the circulating spin bath, or as much as possi tional part of the concentrate discharge liquor from the
ble, so that a considerable quantity of the Sulphur corn second effect evaporator to the first effect evaporator, a
pounds will be removed as gas. This results in high feed connection between the vapor outlet on the first effect
to evaporation ratio units, which is the ratio of the weight evaporator and the vapor inlet on the second effect
of liquid fed to the weight of water evaporated. For 0. evaporator, and means for cooling the liquor discharge
example, this ratio could be 50-100 to 1, although it is froin tie first effect evaporator so that the small amount
by no means limited as a ratio of 5-1 should be con of conceitrate discharge liquor from the first effect evap
sidered. orator will be cooled at least no later than when it is
The disclosed invention substantially reduces the heat returned to the circulating spin bath system.
load in the first effect evaporator and improves the steam 15 2. The structure of claim 1 in which said cooling
economy. The amount of liquor fed to the first effect means includes a connection from the liquor outlet on
from the second effect discharge, which has been charac the first effect evaporator to the liquor inlet on the
terized as "small," may be set as low as possible, but second effect evaporator so that the small amount of
at the same time preventing salting out of crystals in concentrate discharge liquor from the first effect evapora
the first effect tubes. The feed can be easily regulated 20 tor will be mixed with and cooled by the dilute feed liquor
so that the discharge from the first effect evaporator is from the system.
just below the saturation point. The discharge from the 3. The structure of claim 1 in which the connection
first effect evaporator can be passed through a flash tank from the liquor outlet on the first effect evaporator is
to further concentrate and cool the liquor, as in Figure 1, connected to a flash tank, the concentrate discharge liquor
or it may be combined directly with the spin bath feed 25 outlet from the flash tank being connected to the return
as there is no objection to mixing the concentrated dis line to the circulating spin bath system.
charge from the first effect with the dilute feed to the 4. The structure of claim 1 in which both evaporators
second effect. The arrangement has the additional ad are the long tube vertical type each having a lower shell
vantage that as the feed to evaporation ratio increases, and vapor head.
degasification will be more effective in the second effect 30 5. The structure of claim 1 in which the first effect
and there will be less sulphur compounds evolved in the evaporator is the long tube vertical type with a lower
first effect. This substantially lengthens the boilout cycle shell and vapor head, and the second effect evaporator
for the heater tubes in the second effect and reduces down is the horizontal tube type.
time. An additional advantage is a reduction in the water
consumption in the condenser in addition to the higher 35 the6.dilute The structure of claim 1 in which essentially all of
feed liquor from the system is fed to the second
steam economy due to the limiting of the liquor flow to effect evaporator.
the first effect evaporator to a minimum. The heat trans 7. A method of operating a double effect evaporator
fer between the liquor and vapor is better with the liquor unit with a rayon spin bath system or the like, the unit
on the inside of the tube as in Figures 1 and 2. However, having first and Second effect evaporators, each with a
if the vapor is passed through the tubes in the second 40 liquor inlet and outlet, a vapor inlet and condensate
effect as in Figure 3, the scale can be more easily cleaned outlet, and a vapor outlet pipe, including the steps of
out by a brush or the like. One of the important points supplying dilute feed liquor from the rayon spin bath
is that the vapor from the small stream in the first effect
evaporator has less sulphur compounds, so the deposit System to the liquor inlet of the second effect evaporator,
returning all but a small portion of the concentrate dis
problem in or on the tubes on the second effect evaporator 45 charge liquor from the liquor outlet on the second effect
is substantially reduced. Such an arrangement as in any evaporator to the circulating spin bath system, supply
one of the disclosed embodiments will effectively and ing the small portion of the concentrate discharge liquor
efficiently balance a spin bath system by removing water
from the bath, and substantially all of the bath flowing from the second effect evaporator to the liquor inlet on
the first effect evaporator, supplying the vapor from the
through the evaporator will be degassed.
Also, the control of temperature of the spin bath 50 vapor outlet pipe on the first effect evaporator to the
vapor inlet on the second effect evaporator, and cooling
return to the system is a matter of major concern to an the Small amount of concentrate discharge liquor from
operator. The concentrate discharge from the first effect, the liquor outlet on the first effect evaporator and re
at 54 in the Figure 2 form, will be cooled by mixing with turning it to the circulating spin bath system.
the cooler dilute feed in line 32 to the second effect. In 8. The method of claim 7 characterized in that the
the Figure 1 form, cooling of the concentrate discharge step of cooling the small amount of concentrate dis
from the first effect is by flashing in tank 48. In the Fig charge liquor from the liquor outlet on the first effect
ure 3 form, it could be either way. evaporator to the system includes returning it to the inlet
The point is that the evaporator discharge returned to
the spin bath system should be at a relatively constant 60 line from the System so that the concentrate discharge
liquor from the first effect evaporator will be mixed with
temperature, and cooling in the above manner is im the dilute feed liquor to cool said concentrate discharge
portant in maintaining the evaporator discharge tempera liquor and be returned to the liquor inlet on the second
ture constant. effect evaporator.
Whereas several embodiments of the invention have 9. The method of claim 7 characterized in that the
been shown and described, various other modifications, 65 cooling step includes the step of supplying the small
substitutions, alterations and changes are possible. It is, amount of concentrate discharge liquor from the liquor
therefore, desired that the invention be unrestricted ex outlet on the first effect evaporator to a flash tank, and
cept as by the appended claims. returning the concentrate discharge liquor from the flash
We claim: tank to the circulating spin bath system.
1. In a double effect evaporator unit for use in a cir 70 10. The method of claim 7 characterized by the step
culating spin bath system or the like, first and second of regulating the quantity of the small amount of liquor
effect evaporators, each having a liquor inlet and outlet, Supplied from the second effect to the first effect evapo
a vapor inlet and condensate outlet, and a vapor outlet, rator so that the discharge liquor from the first effect is
the liquor inlet on the second effect evaporator being con just below the saturation point.
structed to receive dilute feed liquor from the system, 75 11. The method of claim 7 characterized by supplying
 2,929,448
5 6
essentially all of the dilute feed liquor from the system the concentrate discharge liquor from the liquor outlet
to the liquor inlet of the second effect evaporator. on the first effect evaporator.
12. A method of operating a double effect evaporator 13. The method of claim 12 characterized in that the
unit with a rayon spin bath system or the like, the unit step of cooling the concentrate discharge from the liquor
having first and second effect evaporators, each with a outlet on the first effect evaporator includes feeding it
liquor inlet and outlet, a vapor inlet and condensate out to the liquor inlet of the second effect evaporator so
let, and a vapor outlet pipe, including the steps of sup that it will be cooled in the second effect evaporator.
plying dilute feed liquor from the rayon spin bath sys References Cited in the file of this patent
tem to the liquor inlet of the second effect evaporator, O UNITED STATES PATENTS
returning all but a small portion of the concentrate dis
charge liquor from the liquor outlet on the second effect 2,262,519 Talton ---------------- Nov. 11, 1941
evaporator to the circulating spin bath system, supplying 2,631,926 Eckstron ------------- Mar. 17, 1953
the small portion of the concentrate discharge liquor 2,744,571 Mair ------------------ May 8, 1956
2,747,382
from the second effect evaporator to the liquor inlet on s 2,764,234 Sloan ----------------- May 29, 1956
the first effect evaporator, supplying the vapor from the Rauh ----------------- Sept. 25, 1956
vapor outlet pipe on the first effect evaporator to the FOREIGN PATENTS
vapor inlet on the second effect evaporator, and cooling 880,602 France ---------------- Mar. 31, 1943