Hydrocarbon gas processing
US11448461B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2270/88
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process and an apparatus are disclosed for separation of a hydrocarbon gas stream containing methane and heavier hydrocarbons and significant quantities of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The gas stream is cooled and expanded, then fractionated in a first distillation column into a first overhead vapor and a hydrocarbon liquid stream containing the majority of the carbon dioxide. The hydrocarbon liquid stream is fractionated into a hydrocarbon vapor stream and a less volatile fraction comprised of heavier hydrocarbons.The first overhead vapor is cooled, expanded, and separated into vapor and liquid streams. Both streams are cooled and expanded before feeding a second distillation column that produces a second overhead vapor that is predominantly nitrogen and a bottom liquid that is predominantly methane. The bottom liquid is vaporized and combined with the hydrocarbon vapor stream to form a volatile residue gas fraction containing the majority of the methane.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.