Separation of hydrogen-hydrocarbon gas mixtures using closed-loop gas expander refrigeration
US6560989B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/932
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for the recovery of hydrogen and one or more hydrocarbons having one or more carbon atoms from a feed gas containing hydrogen and the one or more hydrocarbons, which process comprises cooling and partially condensing the feed gas to provide a partially condensed feed; separating the partially condensed feed to provide a first liquid stream enriched in the one or more hydrocarbons and a first vapor stream enriched in hydrogen; further cooling and partially condensing the first vapor stream to provide an intermediate two-phase stream; and separating the intermediate two-phase stream to yield a further-enriched hydrogen stream and a hydrogen-depleted residual hydrocarbon stream. Some or all of the cooling is provided by indirect heat exchange with cold gas refrigerant generated in a closed-loop gas expander refrigeration cycle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.