Hydrocarbon gas separation process
First Claim
1. A process for separating components of a feed gas containing methane and heavier hydrocarbons, comprising the steps of:
- condensing said feed gas to provide a first vapor component comprising vapor and a first liquid component comprising condensed liquid;
directing said first vapor component to a demethanizer; and
partially vaporizing at least a portion of said first liquid component to form a second vapor component and a second liquid component, said second vapor and liquid components being directed to different feed points on the demethanizer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for the recovery of components of a feed gas containing methane and heavier components utilizing a demethanizer wherein at least two separation stages are provided, in which at least a portion of the liquid condensate from the first separation is partially vaporized to provide a vapor component that, when directed to a first feed point on the demethanizer, preferably functions as an enhanced reflux stream in the demethanizer. Preferably, the first separation is conducted at a higher pressure than the second separation, and both separations are preferably conducted at pressures higher than the operating pressure of the demethanizer.
114 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A process for separating components of a feed gas containing methane and heavier hydrocarbons, comprising the steps of:
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condensing said feed gas to provide a first vapor component comprising vapor and a first liquid component comprising condensed liquid; directing said first vapor component to a demethanizer; and partially vaporizing at least a portion of said first liquid component to form a second vapor component and a second liquid component, said second vapor and liquid components being directed to different feed points on the demethanizer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A process for recovering components of a feed gas containing methane and heavier hydrocarbons comprising:
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cooling said feed gas under a first pressure to provide a first vapor portion and a first liquid portion; partially vaporizing at least a portion of said first liquid portion at a second pressure to provide a second vapor portion and a second liquid portion; and directing said second vapor and liquid portions to the demethanizer, wherein said second pressure is lower than said first pressure.
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15. A process for the recovery of components of a feed gas under high pressure containing methane and heavier components comprising:
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cooling said feed gas under high pressure to form a liquid portion under said high pressure and a vapor portion under said high pressure; directing said vapor portion under said high pressure through an expander such that the vapor portion partially condenses into a second liquid portion; feeding said second liquid portion into said demethanizer column at a first feed point; expanding at least part of said liquid portion under said high pressure to an intermediate pressure that is lower than said high pressure but higher than said low pressure, resulting in a flashed liquid portion; passing said flashed liquid portion through a heat exchanger to vaporize at least part of said flashed liquid portion to produce a partially vaporized stream; dividing said partially vaporized stream into at least two streams, wherein the first of said two streams comprises primarily vapors and the second of said two streams comprises primarily liquids; and passing said first stream through a heat exchanger and expanding said first stream to said low pressure and then supplying said first stream as an enhanced reflux stream to said demethanizer column at a second feed point, said second feed point being above said first feed point, and expanding said second stream to said low pressure and supplying said second stream to said demethanizer at a third feed point. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification