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Distillative separation of methane and carbon dioxide

  • US 4,451,274 A
  • Filed: 05/12/1983
  • Issued: 05/29/1984
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of distillatively separating a feed stream containing methane and carbon dioxide into an overhead product enriched in methane and a bottoms product enriched in carbon dioxide, comprising:

  • a. introducing said feed stream into a distillation column;

    b. providing sufficient heat to the bottom of said distillation column to provide a bottoms product enriched in carbon dioxide;

    c. withdrawing an overhead stream from the top of said column;

    d. condensing at least a portion of said overhead stream for reflux in an overhead condenser at a temperature above the triple point of carbon dioxide and directing said condensed portion of overhead back to said column as reflux, said condensed portion being sufficient to provide a column overhead enriched in methane;

    e. introducing a non-polar agent miscible with methane directly into the said overhead condenser of said distillation column in a quantity sufficient to maintain the temperature in the said condenser and at all locations within the distillation column above the triple point of carbon dioxide;

    f. withdrawing that portion of the overhead stream not employed as reflux as overhead product enriched in methane; and

    ,g. withdrawing a bottoms product enriched in carbon dioxide.

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