Method and apparatus for the separation of C.sub.4 hydrocarbons from gaseous mixtures containing the same
US5505048A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/932
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
C.sub.4 hydrocarbons are separated from a gaseous mixture containing the same and lower hydrocarbons and hydrogen, by cooling such a gaseous mixture (45) to a temperature between -60.degree. F. and +32.degree. F. until a portion of the C.sub.4 hydrocarbons is condensed. The mixture of gas and liquid C.sub.4 hydrocarbons thus produced is phase separated in a first phase separation (53), and the liquid from this first phase separation is withdrawn as C.sub.4 hydrocarbons product (69). Gas from the first phase separation (53) is further cooled (47) until substantially all of the remaining C.sub.4 hydrocarbons are condensed but not the hydrogen. The latter material is subjected to a second phase separation (75), and liquid from the second phase separation (77) is withdrawn as liquid C.sub.4 hydrocarbons product (69). Vapor from the second phase separation (75) is withdrawn and expanded isentropically in a first expansion engine (81) to produce a mixture of liquid and vapor, which is subjected to a third phase separation (85 ), and liquid from the third phase separation (85) is withdrawn as liquid C.sub.4 hydrocarbons product (69). A portion of vapor separated in the third phase separat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.