Enhanced NGL recovery processes
First Claim
1. A process for the separation of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing gas feed under pressure, comprising:
- introducing a cooled gas feed condensate into a distillation column at one or more feed trays, said column having a plurality of liquid recovery trays;
condensing hydrocarbon liquids in said recovery trays;
withdrawing a condensed, hydrocarbon liquid from one or more recovery trays disposed below the lowest feed tray in said column;
reducing the pressure of at least a portion of said withdrawn liquid to preferentially vaporize some of said withdrawn liquid and produce a two phase stream;
separating said two phase stream into a vapor stream for use as an enhancement vapor and a liquid stream;
increasing the pressure of said enhancement vapor; and
reintroducing said pressurized enhancement vapor back into said distillation column.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods for improving the efficiency and economy of processes for the recovery of natural gas liquids (NGL) from a gas feed, e.g., raw natural gas or a refinery or petrochemical plant gas stream. These methods may be employed with most, if not all, conventional separation methods using a distillation tower, e.g., a demethanizer or deethanizer column. In the methods of the present invention, a portion of a hydrocarbon liquid condensed on a chimney tray disposed below the lowest feed tray of the column is withdrawn from the tower. This withdrawn liquid hydrocarbon is expanded and heated to produce a two-phase system for separation into a heavy, liquid hydrocarbon product and a vapor phase for recycle to the column, preferably as a stripping gas. The withdrawn hydrocarbon liquid is preferably heated by indirect heat exchange with the inlet gas, thus reducing or eliminating the external refrigeration requirements of the process. The expanded, heated vapor recycled to the column increases the ethane and propane concentration in the column, thus reducing the tray temperature profile and increasing the separation efficiency. Accordingly, the column may be operated at lower temperatures and higher pressures, resulting in significant energy savings and economies of operation.
88 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A process for the separation of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing gas feed under pressure, comprising:
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introducing a cooled gas feed condensate into a distillation column at one or more feed trays, said column having a plurality of liquid recovery trays; condensing hydrocarbon liquids in said recovery trays; withdrawing a condensed, hydrocarbon liquid from one or more recovery trays disposed below the lowest feed tray in said column; reducing the pressure of at least a portion of said withdrawn liquid to preferentially vaporize some of said withdrawn liquid and produce a two phase stream; separating said two phase stream into a vapor stream for use as an enhancement vapor and a liquid stream; increasing the pressure of said enhancement vapor; and reintroducing said pressurized enhancement vapor back into said distillation column. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A process for the separation of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing gas feed under pressure, comprising:
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introducing a cooled gas feed condensate into a distillation column at one or more feed trays, said column having a plurality of liquid recovery trays; condensing hydrocarbon liquids in said recovery trays; withdrawing a condensed, hydrocarbon liquid from one or more recovery trays disposed below the lowest feed tray in said column; reducing the pressure and increasing the temperature of at least a portion of said withdrawn liquid to produce a two phase stream; separating said two phase stream into a vapor stream and a liquid stream; and reintroducing said vapor stream back into said distillation column. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for separating C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing gas feed under pressure, comprising:
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a distillation column having a plurality of liquid feed and recovery trays; means for introducing a cooled gas feed condensate into said distillation column at one or more of said feed trays; means for withdrawing a condensed, hydrocarbon liquid from one or more of said recovery trays disposed below the lowest feed tray in said column; means for reducing the pressure of at least a portion of said withdrawn liquid to preferentially vaporize some of said withdrawn liquid and produce a two phase stream; means for separating said two phase stream into a vapor stream for use as an enhancement vapor and a liquid stream; means for increasing the pressure of said enhancement vapor; and means for reintroducing said pressurized enhancement vapor back into said distillation column. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification