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Gas separation process

  • US 6,405,561 B1
  • Filed: 06/06/2001
  • Issued: 06/18/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a process for separating a feed gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components and heavier components into a volatile gas stream containing a major portion of the methane and C2 components and a less volatile stream containing a major portion of the C3 and heavier components by adjusting the temperature and pressure of the feed gas stream to a suitable temperature for separation into an absorber gas stream and a first liquid stream in a separator/absorber with the absorber gas stream containing a major portion of the methane and C2 components and the first liquid stream containing a major portion of the C3 and heavier components, the first liquid stream being charged to a deethanizer from which a bottoms liquid product comprising primarily the C3 and heavier components is recovered with the deethanizer overhead consisting primarily of C2 and lighter components, the improvement comprising:

  • a) cooling the deethanizer overhead to produce a partially condensed stream;

    b) separating the cooled deethanizer overhead stream into a liquid stream comprising principally C2 components and a residue gas stream; and

    , c) cooling a portion of the liquid stream in heat exchange with the absorber gas stream to produce a subcooled liquid stream and passing the subcooled liquid stream to an upper portion of the separator/absorber for contact with a gas stream rising through the separator/absorber to absorb C3 and heavier components therefrom.

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