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A process vessel is provided for separating a multi-component stream. The process vessel includes an inlet for permitting introduction of reaction water stream into the vessel and an outlet for withdrawing a water-rich phase from the vessel. The vessel further includes a plurality of draw-off points

A process vessel is provided for separating a multi-component stream. The process vessel includes an inlet for permitting introduction of reaction water stream into the vessel and an outlet for withdrawing a water-rich phase from the vessel. The vessel further includes a plurality of draw-off points for drawing off a phase rich in suspended hydrocarbons from the vessel, the draw-off point(s) being located above the outlet.

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1. A method for separating a multi-component stream, comprising: providing a process vessel which is divided into a calming zone and a suction zone by a dividing means located between an inlet and an outlet, wherein the dividing means is configured to create the calming zone on the inlet side of the

1. A method for separating a multi-component stream, comprising: providing a process vessel which is divided into a calming zone and a suction zone by a dividing means located between an inlet and an outlet, wherein the dividing means is configured to create the calming zone on the inlet side of the dividing means to permit settling of suspended solids in the calming zone;feeding a reaction water stream to the process vessel via the inlet located at the calming zone of the vessel, wherein the reaction water stream is derived from a Fischer-Tropsch reaction water stream after exiting a three-phase separator, and wherein the reaction water stream contains non-acid chemicals, water, acids, suspended solids and suspended hydrocarbons;allowing the reaction water stream to remain in the process vessel for a minimum residence time of four hours to allow the reaction water stream to separate into a phase rich in suspended hydrocarbons and a water-rich phase and to allow suspended solids to settle out of the reaction water stream;withdrawing the phase rich in suspended hydrocarbons from the vessel via a draw-off point of the process vessel, wherein the draw-off point is selected from two or more draw-off points; andwithdrawing the water-rich phase via the outlet of the process vessel, wherein the outlet is located below the draw-off point. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dividing means is a baffle. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the calming zone comprises a settling zone wherein the suspended solids settle, wherein the settling zone is located below the inlet. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the settling zone is defined by a floor of the process vessel, wherein the floor is conical in shape. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: withdrawing suspended solids from the process vessel. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the suspended solids are catalyst fines. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the dividing means extends between two points on sidewalls of the process vessel, on opposing sides of the inlet, and extends from a floor of the vessel. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the outlet is located sufficiently low in the sidewall of the process vessel so as to allow withdrawal of the water-rich phase while withdrawing as little as possible of the suspended hydrocarbon phase. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein more than one draw-off point is provided, wherein the draw-off points are spaced apart along a height of a side wall of the process vessel from a lowest draw-off point so as to allow various volumes of reaction water to be employed, and thereby to allow for various levels of water-rich phase. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein a location of a lowest draw-off point is located sufficiently high in a wall of the process vessel to allow withdrawal of the suspended hydrocarbon phase while withdrawing as little as possible of the water-rich phase when the process vessel retains a minimum amount of reaction water. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein a residence time of the reaction water in the process vessel is eight hours. 12. A process vessel for separating a multi-component stream, comprising: an inlet configured to permit introduction of a reaction water stream to the process vessel;an outlet for withdrawing a water-rich phase from the process vessel;two or more draw-off points for drawing off a phase rich in suspended hydrocarbons from the process vessel, wherein the draw-off points are located above the outlet; anda dividing means located between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the dividing means extends from a floor of the process vessel; wherein the dividing means is configured to create a calming zone on an inlet side of a baffle configured to permit settling of suspended solids in the calming zone; wherein the floor of the process vessel is conical in shape and slopes towards the inlet thereby defining a settling zone for the suspended solids such that, in use, a residence time of the reaction water stream in the process vessel is at least four hours. 13. The process vessel of claim 12, wherein the floor of the process vessel is stepped towards the inlet so that the settling zone is defined that is lower relative to a remainder of the floor of the process vessel. 14. The process vessel of claim 12, wherein the suspended solids are catalyst fines. 15. The process vessel of claim 12, wherein the inlet and the outlet are located substantially opposite each other. 16. The process vessel of claim 12, wherein the dividing means extends from the floor of the process vessel to at least one third of a height of a working volume of the process vessel. 17. The process vessel of claim 12, wherein the dividing means is a baffle. 18. The process vessel of claim 12, wherein the outlet is located sufficiently low in a sidewall of the process vessel so as to allow, in operation, withdrawal of the water-rich phase while withdrawing as little as possible of the suspended hydrocarbon phase. 19. The process vessel of claim 12, wherein the two or more draw-off points are spaced apart along a height of a side wall of the process vessel from a lowest draw-off point, so as to allow the vessel to accommodate, in operation, varying levels of water-rich phase. 20. The process vessel of claim 19, wherein a location of the lowest draw-off point is located sufficiently high in the wall of the process vessel so as to allow, in operation, withdrawal of the suspended hydrocarbon phase while withdrawing as little as possible of the water-rich phase when the vessel retains a minimum amount of reaction water. 21. The process vessel of claim 19, wherein the lowest draw-off point is located at about 20% of a process vessel height, wherein the height is measured from a highest point of the process vessel floor. 22. The process vessel of claim 20, wherein a lowest draw-off point is located at about 20% of a process vessel height, wherein the height is measured from a highest point of the process vessel floor. 23. The process vessel of claim 21, wherein a spacing between successive draw-off points is about 10% of the process vessel height. 24. The process vessel of claim 19, wherein a location of a highest draw-off point is determined by a maximum level or a maximum volume of reaction water in the process vessel during a residence time while in operation. 25. The process vessel of claim 12, wherein the residence time is eight hours. 26. The process vessel of claim 12, further comprising a level indicator configured to indicate a level of reaction water in the vessel so that a suitable draw-off point is selectable according to a height of the level.