HYDROCARBON GAS PROCESSING
First Claim
1. In a process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane and more volatile components, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components, in which process(a) said gas stream is cooled under pressure to provide a cooled stream;
- (b) said cooled stream is expanded to a lower pressure whereby it is further cooled; and
(c) said further cooled stream is directed into a first distillation column and fractionated at said lower pressure whereby the components of said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered;
the improvement wherein(1) said further cooled expanded stream is directed to said first distillation column at a mid-column feed position;
(2) a distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from a region of said first distillation column below said mid-column feed position;
(3) said distillation liquid stream is heated, and thereafter directed into a second distillation column and fractionated into an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream;
(4) said overhead vapor stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it, thereby forming a condensed stream;
(5) said condensed stream is divided into a first portion and a second portion, whereupon said first portion is directed to said second distillation column at a top feed position;
(6) said second portion is directed to said first distillation column at a lower column feed position below said region wherein said distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from said first distillation column;
(7) said bottom liquid stream is cooled, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (3);
(8) said cooled bottom liquid stream is directed to said first distillation column at a top feed position;
(9) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said second distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of said second distillation column at a temperature whereby said overhead vapor stream is predominantly C3 hydrocarbon components and more volatile components, and said bottom liquid stream is predominantly C4-C5 hydrocarbon components; and
(10) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of said first distillation column at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process and an apparatus are disclosed for recovering ethane, ethylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to a first fractionation tower at a mid-column feed position. A distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from the first fractionation tower below the feed position of the expanded stream, heated, and directed into a second fractionation tower that produces an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream. The overhead vapor stream is cooled to condense it, with a portion of the condensed stream directed to the second fractionation tower as its top feed and the remainder directed to the first fractionation tower at a lower column feed position. The bottom liquid stream from the second fractionation tower is cooled and directed to the first fractionation tower as its top feed.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane and more volatile components, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components, in which process
(a) said gas stream is cooled under pressure to provide a cooled stream; -
(b) said cooled stream is expanded to a lower pressure whereby it is further cooled; and (c) said further cooled stream is directed into a first distillation column and fractionated at said lower pressure whereby the components of said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered; the improvement wherein (1) said further cooled expanded stream is directed to said first distillation column at a mid-column feed position; (2) a distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from a region of said first distillation column below said mid-column feed position; (3) said distillation liquid stream is heated, and thereafter directed into a second distillation column and fractionated into an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream; (4) said overhead vapor stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it, thereby forming a condensed stream; (5) said condensed stream is divided into a first portion and a second portion, whereupon said first portion is directed to said second distillation column at a top feed position; (6) said second portion is directed to said first distillation column at a lower column feed position below said region wherein said distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from said first distillation column; (7) said bottom liquid stream is cooled, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (3); (8) said cooled bottom liquid stream is directed to said first distillation column at a top feed position; (9) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said second distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of said second distillation column at a temperature whereby said overhead vapor stream is predominantly C3 hydrocarbon components and more volatile components, and said bottom liquid stream is predominantly C4-C5 hydrocarbon components; and (10) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of said first distillation column at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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2. In a process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane and more volatile components, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components, in which process
(a) said gas stream is cooled under pressure to provide a cooled stream; -
(b) said cooled stream is expanded to a lower pressure whereby it is further cooled; and (c) said further cooled stream is directed into a first distillation column and fractionated at said lower pressure whereby the components of said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered; the improvement wherein said gas stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it; and (1) said partially condensed gas stream is separated thereby to provide a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream; (2) said vapor stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied to said first distillation column at a mid-column feed position; (3) at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied to said first distillation column at a lower mid-column feed position below said mid-column feed position; (4) a distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from a region of said first distillation column below said mid-column feed position and above said lower mid-column feed position; (5) said distillation liquid stream is heated, and thereafter directed into a second distillation column and fractionated into an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream; (6) said overhead vapor stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it, thereby forming a condensed stream; (7) said condensed stream is divided into a first portion and a second portion, whereupon said first portion is directed to said second distillation column at a top feed position; (8) said second portion is directed to said first distillation column at a lower column feed position below said region wherein said distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from said first distillation column; (9) said bottom liquid stream is cooled, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (5); (10) said cooled bottom liquid stream is directed to said first distillation column at a top feed position; (11) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said second distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of said second distillation column at a temperature whereby said overhead vapor stream is predominantly C3 hydrocarbon components and more volatile components, and said bottom liquid stream is predominantly C4-C5 hydrocarbon components; and (12) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of said first distillation column at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered. - View Dependent Claims (5, 7)
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3. In a process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane and more volatile components, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components, in which process
(a) said gas stream is cooled under pressure to provide a cooled stream; -
(b) said cooled stream is expanded to a lower pressure whereby it is further cooled; and (c) said further cooled stream is directed into a first distillation column and fractionated at said lower pressure whereby the components of said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered; the improvement wherein following cooling, said cooled stream is divided into first and second streams; and (1) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied to said first distillation column at a mid-column feed position; (2) a distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from a region of said first distillation column below said mid-column feed position; (3) said distillation liquid stream is heated, and thereafter directed into a second distillation column and fractionated into an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream; (4) said overhead vapor stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it, thereby forming a condensed stream; (5) said condensed stream is divided into a first portion and a second portion, whereupon said first portion is directed to said second distillation column at a top feed position; (6) said second portion is directed to said first distillation column at a lower column feed position below said region wherein said distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from said first distillation column; (7) said bottom liquid stream is cooled, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (3); (8) said first stream is expanded to an intermediate pressure and thereafter combined with said cooled bottom liquid stream to form a combined stream; (9) said combined stream is cooled and thereafter expanded to said lower pressure; (10) said expanded cooled combined stream is directed to said first distillation column at a top feed position; (11) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said second distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of said second distillation column at a temperature whereby said overhead vapor stream is predominantly C3 hydrocarbon components and more volatile components, and said bottom liquid stream is predominantly C4-C5 hydrocarbon components; and (12) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of said first distillation column at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.
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4. In a process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane and more volatile components, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components, in which process
(a) said gas stream is cooled under pressure to provide a cooled stream; -
(b) said cooled stream is expanded to a lower pressure whereby it is further cooled; and (c) said further cooled stream is directed into a first distillation column and fractionated at said lower pressure whereby the components of said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered; the improvement wherein said gas stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it; and (1) said partially condensed gas stream is separated thereby to provide a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream; (2) said vapor stream is thereafter divided into first and second streams; (3) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied to said first distillation column at a mid-column feed position; (4) at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied to said first distillation column at a lower mid-column feed position below said mid-column feed position; (5) a distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from a region of said first distillation column below said mid-column feed position and above said lower mid-column feed position; (6) said distillation liquid stream is heated, and thereafter directed into a second distillation column and fractionated into an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream; (7) said overhead vapor stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it, thereby forming a condensed stream; (8) said condensed stream is divided into a first portion and a second portion, whereupon said first portion is directed to said second distillation column at a top feed position; (9) said second portion is directed to said first distillation column at a lower column feed position below said region wherein said distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from said first distillation column; (10) said bottom liquid stream is cooled, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (6); (11) said first stream is expanded to an intermediate pressure and thereafter combined with said cooled bottom liquid stream to form a combined stream; (12) said combined stream is cooled and thereafter expanded to said lower pressure; (13) said expanded cooled combined stream is directed to said first distillation column at a top feed position; (14) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said second distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of said second distillation column at a temperature whereby said overhead vapor stream is predominantly C3 hydrocarbon components and more volatile components, and said bottom liquid stream is predominantly C4-C5 hydrocarbon components; and (15) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first distillation column are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of said first distillation column at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.
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8. In an apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane and more volatile components, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components, in said apparatus there being
(a) a first cooling means to cool said gas stream under pressure connected to provide a cooled stream under pressure; -
(b) an expansion means connected to receive at least a portion of said cooled stream under pressure and expand it to a lower pressure, whereby said stream is further cooled; and (c) a first distillation column connected to receive said further cooled stream, said first distillation column being adapted to separate said further cooled stream into said volatile residue gas fraction and said relatively less volatile fraction; the improvement wherein said further cooled expanded stream is directed to said first distillation column at a mid-column feed position, and said apparatus includes (1) liquid withdrawing means connected to said first distillation column to receive a distillation liquid stream from a region of said first distillation column below said mid-column feed position; (2) heat exchange means connected to said liquid withdrawing means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it; (3) a second distillation column connected to said heat exchange means to receive said heated distillation liquid stream and fractionate it into an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream; (4) second cooling means connected to said second distillation column to receive said overhead vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it, thereby forming a condensed stream; (5) dividing means connected to said second cooling means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least a first portion and a second portion; (6) said dividing means connected to said second distillation column to supply said first portion to said second distillation column at a top feed position; (7) said dividing means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said second portion to said first distillation column at a lower column feed position below said region where said liquid withdrawing means is connected to said first distillation column to withdraw said distillation liquid stream; (8) said heat exchange means being further connected to said second distillation column to receive said bottom liquid stream and cool it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (2), said heat exchange means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said cooled bottom liquid stream to said first distillation column at a top feed position; (9) first control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said second distillation column to maintain the overhead temperature of said second distillation column at a temperature whereby said overhead vapor stream is predominantly C3 hydrocarbon components and more volatile components, and said bottom liquid stream is predominantly C4-C5 hydrocarbon components; and (10) second control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first distillation column to maintain the overhead temperature of said first distillation column at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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9. In an apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane and more volatile components, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components, in said apparatus there being
(a) a first cooling means to cool said gas stream under pressure connected to provide a cooled stream under pressure; -
(b) a first expansion means connected to receive at least a portion of said cooled stream under pressure and expand it to a lower pressure, whereby said stream is further cooled; and (c) a first distillation column connected to receive said further cooled stream, said first distillation column being adapted to separate said further cooled stream into said volatile residue gas fraction and said relatively less volatile fraction; the improvement wherein said apparatus includes (1) said first cooling means being adapted to cool said gas stream under pressure sufficiently to partially condense it; (2) separating means connected to said first cooling means to receive said partially condensed gas stream and separate it into a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream; (3) said first expansion means being connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said first expansion means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said expanded vapor stream to said first distillation column at a mid-column feed position; (4) second expansion means connected to said separating means to receive at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said expanded liquid stream to said first distillation column at a lower mid-column feed position below said mid-column feed position; (5) liquid withdrawing means connected to said first distillation column to receive a distillation liquid stream from a region of said first distillation column below said mid-column feed position and above said lower mid-column feed position; (6) heat exchange means connected to said liquid withdrawing means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it; (7) a second distillation column connected to said heat exchange means to receive said heated distillation liquid stream and fractionate it into an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream; (8) second cooling means connected to said second distillation column to receive said overhead vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it, thereby forming a condensed stream; (9) dividing means connected to said second cooling means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least a first portion and a second portion; (10) said dividing means connected to said second distillation column to supply said first portion to said second distillation column at a top feed position; (11) said dividing means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said second portion to said first distillation column at a lower column feed position below said region where said liquid withdrawing means is connected to said first distillation column to withdraw said distillation liquid stream; (12) said heat exchange means being further connected to said second distillation column to receive said bottom liquid stream and cool it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (6), said heat exchange means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said cooled bottom liquid stream to said first distillation column at a top feed position; (13) first control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said second distillation column to maintain the overhead temperature of said second distillation column at a temperature whereby said overhead vapor stream is predominantly C3 hydrocarbon components and more volatile components, and said bottom liquid stream is predominantly C4-C5 hydrocarbon components; and (14) second control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first distillation column to maintain the overhead temperature of said first distillation column at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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10. In an apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane and more volatile components, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components, in said apparatus there being
(a) a first cooling means to cool said gas stream under pressure connected to provide a cooled stream under pressure; -
(b) a first expansion means connected to receive at least a portion of said cooled stream under pressure and expand it to a lower pressure, whereby said stream is further cooled; and (c) a first distillation column connected to receive said further cooled stream, said first distillation column being adapted to separate said further cooled stream into said volatile residue gas fraction and said relatively less volatile fraction; the improvement wherein said apparatus includes (1) first dividing means connected to said first cooling means to receive said cooled stream and divide it into first and second streams; (2) said first expansion means being connected to said first dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said first expansion means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said expanded second stream to said first distillation column at a mid-column feed position; (3) liquid withdrawing means connected to said first distillation column to receive a distillation liquid stream from a region of said first distillation column below said mid-column feed position; (4) heat exchange means connected to said liquid withdrawing means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it; (5) a second distillation column connected to said heat exchange means to receive said heated distillation liquid stream and fractionate it into an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream; (6) second cooling means connected to said second distillation column to receive said overhead vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it, thereby forming a condensed stream; (7) second dividing means connected to said second cooling means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least a first portion and a second portion; (8) said second dividing means connected to said second distillation column to supply said first portion to said second distillation column at a top feed position; (9) said second dividing means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said second portion to said first distillation column at a lower column feed position below said region where said liquid withdrawing means is connected to said first distillation column to withdraw said distillation liquid stream; (10) said heat exchange means being further connected to said second distillation column to receive said bottom liquid stream and cool it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (4); (11) second expansion means connected to said first dividing means to receive said first stream and expand it to an intermediate pressure; (12) combining means connected to said second expansion means and said heat exchange means to receive said expanded first stream and said cooled bottom liquid stream and form a combined stream; (13) third cooling means connected to said combining means to receive said combined stream and cool it; (14) third expansion means connected to said third cooling means to receive said cooled combined stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said expanded cooled combined stream to said first distillation column at a top feed position; (15) first control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said second distillation column to maintain the overhead temperature of said second distillation column at a temperature whereby said overhead vapor stream is predominantly C3 hydrocarbon components and more volatile components, and said bottom liquid stream is predominantly C4-C5 hydrocarbon components; and (16) second control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first distillation column to maintain the overhead temperature of said first distillation column at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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11. In an apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane and more volatile components, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components, in said apparatus there being
(a) a first cooling means to cool said gas stream under pressure connected to provide a cooled stream under pressure; -
(b) a first expansion means connected to receive at least a portion of said cooled stream under pressure and expand it to a lower pressure, whereby said stream is further cooled; and (c) a first distillation column connected to receive said further cooled stream, said first distillation column being adapted to separate said further cooled stream into said volatile residue gas fraction and said relatively less volatile fraction; the improvement wherein said apparatus includes (1) said first cooling means being adapted to cool said gas stream under pressure sufficiently to partially condense it; (2) separating means connected to said first cooling means to receive said partially condensed gas stream and separate it into a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream; (3) first dividing means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide it into first and second streams; (4) said first expansion means being connected to said first dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said first expansion means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said expanded second stream to said first distillation column at a mid-column feed position; (5) second expansion means connected to said separating means to receive at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said expanded liquid stream to said first distillation column at a lower mid-column feed position below said mid-column feed position; (6) liquid withdrawing means connected to said first distillation column to receive a distillation liquid stream from a region of said first distillation column below said mid-column feed position and above said lower mid-column feed position; (7) heat exchange means connected to said liquid withdrawing means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it; (8) a second distillation column connected to said heat exchange means to receive said heated distillation liquid stream and fractionate it into an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream; (9) second cooling means connected to said second distillation column to receive said overhead vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it, thereby forming a condensed stream; (10) second dividing means connected to said second cooling means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least a first portion and a second portion; (11) said second dividing means connected to said second distillation column to supply said first portion to said second distillation column at a top feed position; (12) said second dividing means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said second portion to said first distillation column at a lower column feed position below said region where said liquid withdrawing means is connected to said first distillation column to withdraw said distillation liquid stream; (13) said heat exchange means being further connected to said second distillation column to receive said bottom liquid stream and cool it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (7); (14) third expansion means connected to said first dividing means to receive said first stream and expand it to an intermediate pressure; (15) combining means connected to said third expansion means and said heat exchange means to receive said expanded first stream and said cooled bottom liquid stream and form a combined stream; (16) third cooling means connected to said combining means to receive said combined stream and cool it; (17) fourth expansion means connected to said third cooling means to receive said cooled combined stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said fourth expansion means being further connected to said first distillation column to supply said expanded cooled combined stream to said first distillation column at a top feed position; (18) first control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said second distillation column to maintain the overhead temperature of said second distillation column at a temperature whereby said overhead vapor stream is predominantly C3 hydrocarbon components and more volatile components, and said bottom liquid stream is predominantly C4-C5 hydrocarbon components; and (19) second control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first distillation column to maintain the overhead temperature of said first distillation column at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification