Configurations and methods for improved NGL recovery
US7051552B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2240/02
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Feed gas (1) in an improved NGL processing plant is cooled below ambient temperature and above hydrate point of the feed gas to condense heavy components (6) and a significant portion of water (4) contained in the feed gas. The water (4) is removed in a feed gas separator (101) and the condensed liquids are fed into an integrated refluxed stripper (104) that operates as a drier/demethanizer for the condensed liquids, and the uncondensed portion (5) containing light components is further dried (106) and cooled prior to turboexpansion (23) and demethanization (112). Consequently, processing of heavy components in the cold section is eliminated, and feed gas with a wide range of compositions can be efficiently processed for high NGL recovery at substantially the same operating conditions and optimum expander efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.