Hydrocarbon gas processing

US9637428B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Ortloff Engineers, Ltd. · US
• S.M.E. Products LP · US

Inventors

• Hank M. Hudson · Midland, US
• John D. Wilkinson · Midland, US
• Joe T. Lynch · Midland, US
• Scott Allan Miller, III · Lafayette, US
• Kyle T. Cuellar · Crabb, US
• Andrew F. Johnke · Beresford, US
• W. Larry Lewis · Tomball, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 18, 2014
• Grant date: May 2, 2017
• Expiry date: Jun 11, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25J2290/80
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the expanded first stream is heated to form a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction. The vapor fraction is combined with the tower overhead vapor, directed to a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly, and cooled and partially condensed by the expanded first stream to form a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is combined with the liquid fraction and supplied to the tower at its top feed point.