Cryogenic distillation with unbalanced heat pump
First Claim
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1. A method for separating a multicomponent feed by cryogenic distillation comprising:
- (A) providing feed having lighter and heavier components into a distillation column;
(B) separating the feed by cryogenic distillation in the column into a top vapor enriched in lighter components(s) and into a bottom liquid enriched in heavier component(s);
(C) heating a first heat exchange fluid by indirect heat exchange with a cooling process stream;
(D) warming the bottom liquid by indirect heat exchange with a first portion of the heated first heat exchange fluid;
(E) warming a second heat exchange fluid having a vapor pressure less than that of the first heat exchange fluid by indirect heat exchange with a second portion of the heated first heat exchange fluid;
(F) passing the cooled first and second portions resulting from steps (D) and (E) in indirect heat exchange with said process stream to carry out the heat exchange of step (C); and
(G) cooling the second heat exchange fluid and passing the resulting cooled second heat exchange fluid in indirect heat exchange with the said second portion to carry out the heat exchange of step (E).
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Abstract
A cryogenic distillation system wherein a first heat exchange fluid transfers heat in part from a process stream to the bottom of a column, and in part from a process stream to a second heat exchange fluid and out of the system, thus generating net refrigeration.
32 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for separating a multicomponent feed by cryogenic distillation comprising:
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(A) providing feed having lighter and heavier components into a distillation column; (B) separating the feed by cryogenic distillation in the column into a top vapor enriched in lighter components(s) and into a bottom liquid enriched in heavier component(s); (C) heating a first heat exchange fluid by indirect heat exchange with a cooling process stream; (D) warming the bottom liquid by indirect heat exchange with a first portion of the heated first heat exchange fluid; (E) warming a second heat exchange fluid having a vapor pressure less than that of the first heat exchange fluid by indirect heat exchange with a second portion of the heated first heat exchange fluid; (F) passing the cooled first and second portions resulting from steps (D) and (E) in indirect heat exchange with said process stream to carry out the heat exchange of step (C); and (G) cooling the second heat exchange fluid and passing the resulting cooled second heat exchange fluid in indirect heat exchange with the said second portion to carry out the heat exchange of step (E). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification