US 2011/0226014 A1 · Hydrocarbon Gas Processing

A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is divided into first and second portions;
(2) said first portion is cooled;
(3) said second portion is cooled;
(4) said cooled first portion is combined with said cooled second portion to form a cooled gas stream;
(5) said cooled gas stream is divided into first and second streams;
(6) said first stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;
(7) said expanded cooled first stream is heated;
(8) said heated expanded first stream is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(9) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a bottom feed to said second absorbing means;
(10) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from an upper region of said first absorbing means and cooled in one or more heat exchange means sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (7);
(11) said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream is supplied to a separating means and is separated therein, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(12) said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;
(13) said second distillation vapor stream is heated in said one or more heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2) and (6), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(14) a distillation liquid stream is collected from a lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
and
(15) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

13 more elements

A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is divided into first and second portions;
(2) said first portion is cooled;
(3) said second portion is cooled;
(4) said cooled first portion is combined with said cooled second portion to form a partially condensed gas stream;
(5) said partially condensed gas stream is supplied to a first separating means and is separated therein to provide a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;
(6) said vapor stream is divided into first and second streams;
(7) said first stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;
(8) said expanded cooled first stream is heated;
(9) said heated expanded first stream is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(10) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a bottom feed to said second absorbing means;
(11) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from an upper region of said first absorbing means and cooled in one or more heat exchange means sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (8);
(12) said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream is supplied to a second separating means and is separated therein, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(13) said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;
(14) said second distillation vapor stream is heated in said one or more heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2) and (7), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(15) a distillation liquid stream is collected from a lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
(16) at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a feed to said processing assembly below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means;
and
(17) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

15 more elements

A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is divided into first and second portions;
(2) said first portion is cooled;
(3) said second portion is cooled;
(4) said cooled first portion is combined with said cooled second portion to form a partially condensed gas stream;
(5) said partially condensed gas stream is supplied to a first separating means and is separated therein to provide a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;
(6) said vapor stream is divided into first and second streams;
(7) said first stream is combined with at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream to form a combined stream;
(8) said combined stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;
(9) said expanded cooled combined stream is heated;
(10) said heated expanded combined stream is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(11) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a bottom feed to said second absorbing means;
(12) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from an upper region of said first absorbing means and cooled in one or more heat exchange means sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (9);
(13) said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream is supplied to a second separating means and is separated therein, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(14) said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;
(15) said second distillation vapor stream is heated in said one or more heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2) and (8), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(16) a distillation liquid stream is collected from a lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
(17) any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a feed to said processing assembly below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means;
and
(18) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

16 more elements

A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is cooled;
(2) said cooled gas stream is divided into first and second streams;
(3) said first stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;
(4) said expanded cooled first stream is heated;
(5) said heated expanded first stream is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(6) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a bottom feed to said second absorbing means;
(7) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from an upper region of said absorbing means and cooled in a one or more heat exchange means sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (4);
(8) said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream is supplied to a separating means and is separated therein, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(9) said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;
(10) said second distillation vapor stream is heated in said one or more heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (3), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(11) a distillation liquid stream is collected from a lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
and
(12) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

10 more elements

A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it;
(2) said partially condensed gas stream is supplied to a first separating means and is separated therein to provide a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;
(3) said vapor stream is divided into first and second streams;
(4) said first stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;
(5) said expanded cooled first stream is heated;
(6) said heated expanded first stream is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(7) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a bottom feed to said second absorbing means;
(8) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from an upper region of said first absorbing means and cooled in one or more heat exchange means sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (5);
(9) said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream is supplied to a second separating means and is separated therein, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(10) said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;
(11) said second distillation vapor stream is heated in said one or more heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(12) a distillation liquid stream is collected from a lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
(13) at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a feed to said processing assembly below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means;
and
(14) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

12 more elements

A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it;
(2) said partially condensed gas stream is supplied to a first separating means and is separated therein to provide a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;
(3) said vapor stream is divided into first and second streams;
(4) said first stream is combined with at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream to form a combined stream;
(5) said combined stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;
(6) said expanded cooled combined stream is heated;
(7) said heated expanded combined stream is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(8) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a bottom feed to said second absorbing means;
(9) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from an upper region of said first absorbing means and cooled in one or more heat exchange means sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (6);
(10) said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream is supplied to a second separating means and is separated therein, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(11) said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;
(12) said second distillation vapor stream is heated in said one or more heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (5), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(13) a distillation liquid stream is collected from a lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
(14) any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a feed to said processing assembly below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means;
and
(15) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

13 more elements

An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first dividing means to divide said gas stream into first and second portions;
(2) first heat exchange means connected to said first dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it;
(3) heat and mass transfer means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said second portion and cool it;
(4) first combining means connected to said first heat exchange means and said heat and mass transfer means to receive said cooled first portion and said cooled second portion and form a cooled gas stream;
(5) second dividing means connected to said first combining means to receive said cooled gas stream and divide it into first and second streams;
(6) second heat exchange means connected to said second dividing means to receive said first stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;
(7) first expansion means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed first stream and expand it to lower pressure;
(8) third heat exchange means connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream and heat it;
(9) first and second absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said heated expanded first stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(10) second expansion means connected to said second dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a bottom feed thereto;
(11) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a first distillation vapor stream from an upper region of said first absorbing means;
(12) said third heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (8);
(13) separating means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream and separate it into a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(14) said first absorbing means being further connected to said separating means to receive said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;
(15) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said separating means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (6);
(16) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and further heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (2), and thereafter discharging said further heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(17) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from a lower region of said second absorbing means;
(18) said heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
and
(19) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

17 more elements

An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first dividing means to divide said gas stream into first and second portions;
(2) first heat exchange means connected to said first dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it;
(3) heat and mass transfer means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said second portion and cool it;
(4) first combining means connected to said first heat exchange means and said heat and mass transfer means to receive said cooled first portion and said cooled second portion and form a partially condensed gas stream;
(5) first separating means connected to said first combining means to receive said partially condensed gas stream and separate it into a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;
(6) second dividing means connected to said first separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide it into first and second streams;
(7) second heat exchange means connected to said second dividing means to receive said first stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;
(8) first expansion means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed first stream and expand it to lower pressure;
(9) third heat exchange means connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream and heat it;
(10) first and second absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said heated expanded first stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(11) second expansion means connected to said second dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a bottom feed thereto;
(12) third expansion means connected to said first separating means to receive at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said processing assembly to supply said expanded liquid stream as a feed thereto below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means;
(13) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a first distillation vapor stream from an upper region of said first absorbing means;
(14) said third heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (9);
(15) second separating means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream and separate it into a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(16) said first absorbing means being further connected to said second separating means to receive said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;
(17) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second separating means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (7);
(18) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and further heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (2), and thereafter discharging said further heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(19) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from a lower region of said second absorbing means;
(20) said heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
and
(21) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

19 more elements

An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first dividing means to divide said gas stream into first and second portions;
(2) first heat exchange means connected to said first dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it;
(3) heat and mass transfer means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said second portion and cool it;
(4) first combining means connected to said first heat exchange means and said heat and mass transfer means to receive said cooled first portion and said cooled second portion and form a partially condensed gas stream;
(5) first separating means connected to said first combining means to receive said partially condensed gas stream and separate it into a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;
(6) second dividing means connected to said first separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide it into first and second streams;
(7) second combining means connected to said second dividing means and said first separating means to receive said first stream and at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and form a combined stream;
(8) second heat exchange means connected to said second combining means to receive said combined stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;
(9) first expansion means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed combined stream and expand it to lower pressure;
(10) third heat exchange means connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled combined stream and heat it;
(11) first and second absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said heated expanded combined stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(12) second expansion means connected to said second dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a bottom feed thereto;
(13) third expansion means connected to said first separating means to receive any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said processing assembly to supply said expanded liquid stream as a feed thereto below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means;
(14) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a first distillation vapor stream from an upper region of said first absorbing means;
(15) said third heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (10);
(16) second separating means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream and separate it into a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(17) said first absorbing means being further connected to said second separating means to receive said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;
(18) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second separating means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (8);
(19) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and further heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (2), and thereafter discharging said further heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(20) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from a lower region of said second absorbing means;
(21) said heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
and
(22) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

20 more elements

An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means to cool said gas stream;
(2) dividing means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said cooled gas stream and divide it into first and second streams;
(3) second heat exchange means connected to said dividing means to receive said first stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;
(4) first expansion means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed first stream and expand it to lower pressure;
(5) third heat exchange means connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream and heat it;
(6) first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said heated expanded first stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(7) second expansion means connected to said dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a bottom feed thereto;
(8) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a first distillation vapor stream from an upper region of said first absorbing means;
(9) said third heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (5);
(10) separating means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream and separate it into a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(11) said first absorbing means being further connected to said separating means to receive said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;
(12) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said separating means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3);
(13) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and further heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said further heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(14) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from a lower region of said second absorbing means;
(15) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
and
(16) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

14 more elements

An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means to cool said gas stream sufficiently to partially condense it;
(2) first separating means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said partially condensed gas stream and separate it into a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;
(3) dividing means connected to said first separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide it into first and second streams;
(4) second heat exchange means connected to said dividing means to receive said first stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;
(5) first expansion means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed first stream and expand it to lower pressure;
(6) third heat exchange means connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream and heat it;
(7) first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said heated expanded first stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(8) second expansion means connected to said dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a bottom feed thereto;
(9) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a first distillation vapor stream from an upper region of said first absorbing means;
(10) said third heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (6);
(11) second separating means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream and separate it into a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(12) said first absorbing means being further connected to said second separating means to receive said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;
(13) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second separating means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (4);
(14) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and further heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said further heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(15) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from a lower region of said second absorbing means;
(16) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
(17) third expansion means connected to said first separating means to receive at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said processing assembly to supply said expanded liquid stream as a feed thereto below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means;
and
(18) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

16 more elements

An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means to cool said gas stream sufficiently to partially condense it;
(2) first separating means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said partially condensed gas stream and separate it into a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;
(3) dividing means connected to said first separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide it into first and second streams;
(4) first combining means connected to said dividing means and said first separating means to receive said first stream and at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and form a combined stream;
(5) second heat exchange means connected to said first combining means to receive said combined stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;
(6) first expansion means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed combined stream and expand it to lower pressure;
(7) third heat exchange means connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled combined stream and heat it;
(8) first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said heated expanded combined stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;
(9) second expansion means connected to said dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a bottom feed thereto;
(10) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a first distillation vapor stream from an upper region of said first absorbing means;
(11) said third heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (7);
(12) second separating means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream and separate it into a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;
(13) said first absorbing means being further connected to said second separating means to receive said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;
(14) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second separating means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (5);
(15) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and further heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said further heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;
(16) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from a lower region of said second absorbing means;
(17) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;
(18) third expansion means connected to said first separating means to receive any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said processing assembly to supply said expanded liquid stream as a feed thereto below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means;
and
(19) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

17 more elements

Hydrocarbon Gas Processing

Life of this patent

Hydrocarbon Gas Processing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims44