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Low temperature process for separating propane and heavier hydrocarbons from a natural gas stream

  • US 4,251,249 A
  • Filed: 12/15/1978
  • Issued: 02/17/1981
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1977
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A process for low temperature fractionation of dehydrated natural gas to remove propane and heavier hydrocarbon components therefrom and reject methane and ethane, comprising the steps of:

  • cooling the inlet natural gas to produce a first gas-condensate mixture;

    separating the gas phase and the hydrocarbon condensate of said first gas-condensate mixture;

    heating the hydrocarbon condensate of the first gas-condensate mixture to effect at least a partial reboil thereof to produce a liquid-vapor stream;

    expanding the gas phase of said first gas-condensate mixture through a turbine to produce a second gas-condensate mixture;

    separating the gas phase and the hydrocarbon condensate of said second gas-condensate mixture;

    flowing the hydrocarbon condensate of said second gas-condensate mixture to a fractionating column;

    flowing said liquid-vapor stream to said fractionating column to strip methane and ethane from the hydrocarbon condensate of said second gas-condensate mixture;

    flowing the gas phase of said second gas condensate mixture to a reflux condenser inside said fractionating column; and

    condensing hydrocarbon components of said inlet gas with said reflux condenser providing the necessary refrigeration for recovering propane as the liquid product and rejecting the ethane.

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