Method for ethane liquefaction with demethanization

US9903645B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude · FR

Inventors

• Michael A. Turney · Houston, US
• Paul Terrien · Newton, US
• Yasser Jebbari · Saint-Mandé, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 7, 2015
• Grant date: Feb 27, 2018
• Expiry date: May 18, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25J2215/62
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The process for liquefying a gaseous stream received from a pipeline that is comprised predominantly of ethane and a relatively small amount of other components by using a mixed refrigerant loop incorporating heavy hydrocarbons (butane, and/or pentane), as well as a distillation column to remove constituents lighter than ethane. Prior to cooling in a main heat exchanger, the gaseous stream is split into two fractions. The first fraction is cooled in the main heat exchanger and introduced to the distillation column. The second fraction is expanded to produce a two phase fluid, with the liquid fraction being introduced to the distillation column below the first fraction, and the gas fraction being cooled and then introduced to the distillation column at a point above the first fraction.