MIXED REFRIGERANT/EXPANDER PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF C_+ HYDROCARBONS

ABSTRACT The present invention is an energy efficient process for the recovery and purification of C3+ hydrocarbons from a high pressure natural gas or refinery/petrochemical feed gas containing C3+ hydrocarbons and light gases. In the process, the high pressure feed gas is initially cooled by heat...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser:	ROWLES, HOWARD C, AYRES, CALVIN L
Format:	Patent
Sprache:	eng ; fre
Schlagworte:	ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS BLASTING CHEMISTRY COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS HEATING LIGHTING LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING METALLURGY MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT ORGANIC CHEMISTRY REFRIGERATION OR COOLING WEAPONS
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:	ABSTRACT The present invention is an energy efficient process for the recovery and purification of C3+ hydrocarbons from a high pressure natural gas or refinery/petrochemical feed gas containing C3+ hydrocarbons and light gases. In the process, the high pressure feed gas is initially cooled by heat exchange with a multi-component refrigerant fluid circulating in a closed-loop cycle thereby condensing a large portion of the C3+ hydrocarbons. The non-condensed, remaining gas is work expanded to an intermediate pressure thus providing refrigeration for condensing the remaining C3+ hydrocarbons. The condensed C3+ hydrocarbon liquid streams are combined and are further purified by distillation in an integrated distillation column. Optionally, refrigeration for refluxing the integrated distillation column can be provided by the mixed refrigerant cycle.