Patent · US Expired

Hydrocarbon gas processing

US5881569A · kind A · utility

97Cited by
15References
67Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 20, 1997
Grant dateMar 16, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 20, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25J2270/60
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is divided into first and second streams, and the second stream is expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the column at a mid-column feed position. A recycle stream is withdrawn from the tower overhead after it has been warmed and compressed, and is combined with the first stream. The combined stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it, and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a top column feed position. The pressure of the compressed recycle stream and the quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the column are effective to maintain the column overhead temperature at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.

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