Hydrocarbon gas processing
US4140504A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 1976 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2270/60
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for separating hydrocarbon gases is described for the recovery of gases such as ethane and heavier hydrocarbons from natural gas streams or similar refinery or process streams. In the process described, the gas to be separated is cooled at a high pressure to produce partial condensation, and the vapor and liquid portions are separated. Liquid from the partial condensation is further cooled and then expanded to a lower pressure. At the lower pressure, the liquid is supplied to a distillation column, wherein it is separated into fractions. The vapor portion is work-expanded to the operating pressure of the distillation column and supplied to the distillation column below the feed point of the expanded liquid portion. The operating efficiency of the process is improved by turning back at least part of thevapor portion and warming it by heat exchange against incoming feed before it is work-expanded. By thus warming the vapor, more work and refrigeration can be recovered in the work expansion machine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.