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Split feed compression process for high recovery of ethane and heavier components

  • US 6,354,105 B1
  • Filed: 06/16/2000
  • Issued: 03/12/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A process for recovering relatively less volatile components from a gas mixture while rejecting relatively more volatile components as residue gas via a cryogenic distillation column wherein its reflux stream is generated by the steps comprising:

  • a) dividing a vapor portion of said gas mixture into a first gaseous stream and a main gaseous stream;

    b) compressing said first gaseous stream and cooling it to produce a cooled, compressed first gaseous stream;

    c) further handling cooled, compressed first gaseous stream as selected from the group consisting of i) feeding cooled, compressed first gaseous stream as a reflux stream directly to said cryogenic distillation column, and ii) further processing cooled, compressed first gaseous stream to generate at least one reflux stream for said cryogenic distillation column; and

    d) cooling said main gaseous stream and separating it into a first liquid phase comprising condensed components, if any, and into a first vapor phase; and

    thereafter introducing said first liquid phase and said first vapor phase into said cryogenic distillation column at one or more feed trays.

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