Patent · US Expired

Fractionation process for gaseous hydrocarbon mixtures with a high acid gas content

US4976849A · kind A · utility

47Cited by
8References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 20, 1988
Grant dateDec 11, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 20, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P20/151
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A fractionation process for gaseous hydrocarbon mixtures of high acid gas content is described, for separating at least a fraction containing ethane, propane and heavier hydrocarbons, a fraction containing essentially acid gases and a fraction containing essentially methane and possible inert gases, characterized by comprising the following stages: PA0 (a) feeding the gaseous hydrocarbon mixture after dehydration to a first distillation column to which a liquid hydrocarbon stream is fed, to obtain a gaseous overhead product stream containing methane, ethane, acid gases and possibly light inert gases, and a bottom product stream containing ethane and higher hydrocarbons; PA0 (b) feeding the overhead product of the first distillation column to a second distillation column to obtain a gaseous overhead product stream containing methane, the ethane-carbon dioxide azeotrope and possibly light inert gases, and a bottom product stream consisting essentially of acid gases; PA0 (c) feeding the overhead product of the second distillation column to a third distillation column the condenser of which is injected with a liquid hydrocarbon stream, to obtain a gaseous overhead product stream consis…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.