초록 ▼

An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing methane and lighter, C2 (ethylene and ethane) and heavier components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing predominantly C2 and heavier hydrocarbon components incl

An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing methane and lighter, C2 (ethylene and ethane) and heavier components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing predominantly C2 and heavier hydrocarbon components including the steps of cooling and partially condensing and delivering the feed stream to a separator to provide a first residue vapor and a C2 containing liquid, directing a portion of the C2 containing liquid into a heavy ends fractionation column wherein the liquid is separated into a second hydrocarbon bearing vapor residue and a C2 containing product, conducting a portion of the first residue vapors with at least part of the partially condensed second residue into a light ends fractionating column to thereby obtain third residue vapors and liquids, supplying the liquids recovered from the light ends fractionating column to the heavy ends fractionation column as the liquid feed thereto and directing part of the C2 containing liquid from the first step into intimate contact with the second residue, which liquid provides additional liquefied methane which acts with the partially condensed second residue as a direct contact refrigerant to thereby condense C2 and heavier components while the methane itself is evaporated in the light ends fractionation column.

대표청구항 ▼

An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing ethane and C2 (ethylene and/or ethane) components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing a predominant portion of the C2 and heavier components, comprising the step

An improved process for separating a hydrocarbon bearing feed gas containing ethane and C2 (ethylene and/or ethane) components into a fraction containing predominantly methane and lighter components and a fraction containing a predominant portion of the C2 and heavier components, comprising the steps of: (a) cooling and partially condensing the feed gas and delivering it to a separator to provide thereby a first residue vapor and a C2-containing liquid, which liquid also contains lighter hydrocarbons including appreciable methane; (b) directing at least part of the C2-containing liquid into a heavy ends fractionation column wherein said liquid is separated into a second hydrocarbon bearing residue vapor containing predominantly methane and a C2-containing product; (c) passing the second residue through a heat exchanger to condense at least a major portion of the methane content thereof; (d) contacting at least part of said first residue vapors with at least part of the partially condensed second residue in a light ends fractionation column to thereby obtain third residue vapors and liquids; (e) supplying the liquids thereby recovered from the light ends fractionating column to the heavy end fractionation column as a liquid feed thereto; and (f) directing at least part of the C2-containing liquid from step (a) into intimate contact with the second residue prior to step (d), which liquid provides additional liquefied methane which acts with said partially condensed second residue as a direct contact refrigerant to thereby condense C2 and heavier components while the methane itself is evaporated in the light ends fractionation column.