Hydrocarbon gas processing
US5799507A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2240/02
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for the recovery of propane, propylene and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and/or expanded to partially condense it, then separated to provide one or more C.sub.3 containing liquid steams and a first vapor stream. These streams are then directed into a distillation column wherein a second vapor stream is separated to recover a product containing the major portion of the C.sub.3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the first vapor stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the second vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the distillation column as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the distillation column at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.