Apparatus for ethane liquefaction with demethanization
US9903646B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 2015 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2215/62
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The apparatus 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 refrigeration cycle loop incorporating heavy hydrocarbons, 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 main heat exchanger is configured to cool the first fraction before heading to the distillation column for separation therein. An expansion device expands the second fraction to produce a two phase fluid, which is separated in a gas/liquid separator, 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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.