Twin reflux process and configurations for improved natural gas liquids recovery
US7051553B2 · kind B2 · utility
47Cited by
6References
22Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2280/02
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A two-column NGL recovery plant includes an absorber (110) and a distillation column (140) in which the absorber (110) receives two cooled reflux streams, wherein one reflux stream (107) comprises a vapor portion of the NGL and wherein the other reflux stream (146) comprises a lean reflux provided by the overhead (144) of the distillation column (140). Contemplat configurations are especially advantageous in a upgrade of an existing NGL plant and typically exhibit C3 recovery of at least 99% and C2 recovery of at least 90%.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.