Use of product gas recycle in processing gases containing light components with physical solvents
First Claim
1. A process for separating the components of a multi-component gas stream, the process comprising:
- contacting the multi-component gas stream with a solvent in an extractor to produce an overhead stream that is enriched in at least one unabsorbed component gas and a rich solvent bottoms stream that is enriched in at least one absorbed component gas;
flashing the rich solvent bottoms stream in at least one reduced pressure stage to regenerate lean solvent and to produce an overhead stream that is enriched in the at least one absorbed component gas;
recycling the regenerated lean solvent to the extractor;
compressing the overhead stream that is enriched in the at least one absorbed component gas to produce a product stream; and
recycling a portion of the product stream to the extractor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for separating the components of a multi-component gas stream is disclosed. The multi-component gas stream is contacted with a solvent in an extractor to produce an overhead stream enriched with unabsorbed component(s) and a rich solvent bottoms stream enriched with absorbed component(s). The rich solvent bottoms stream is then flashed regenerate lean solvent and to recover the absorbed component(s) as an overhead stream, which is compressed to produce a product stream. The regenerated solvent is recycled to the extractor. A portion of the product stream is also recycled to the extractor to improve the overall purity of the product stream.
33 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A process for separating the components of a multi-component gas stream, the process comprising:
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contacting the multi-component gas stream with a solvent in an extractor to produce an overhead stream that is enriched in at least one unabsorbed component gas and a rich solvent bottoms stream that is enriched in at least one absorbed component gas;
flashing the rich solvent bottoms stream in at least one reduced pressure stage to regenerate lean solvent and to produce an overhead stream that is enriched in the at least one absorbed component gas;
recycling the regenerated lean solvent to the extractor;
compressing the overhead stream that is enriched in the at least one absorbed component gas to produce a product stream; and
recycling a portion of the product stream to the extractor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for separating the components of a multi-component gas stream, the apparatus comprising:
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an extractor for contacting the multi-component gas stream with a solvent to produce an overhead stream that is enriched in at least one unabsorbed component gas and a rich solvent bottoms stream that is enriched in at least absorbed component gas;
at least one reduced pressure stage for flashing the rich solvent bottoms stream to regenerate lean solvent and to produce an overhead stream that is enriched in the at least one absorbed component gas;
piping suitable to recycle the regenerated lean solvent back to the extractor;
a compressor for compressing the overhead stream that is enriched in at least one absorbed component gas to produce a product stream; and
piping suitable for recycling a portion of the product stream back to the extractor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification