# US 2014/0150494 A1 · Method for Optimizing Energy Efficiency in a Polymerization Process

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0150494 A1
- Document ID: US20140150494A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/103,339
- Filed: 2013-12-11
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2007-07-23
- Assignees: Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy
- Applicants: Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy
- Inventors: Bernard Van Der Schrick
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150494A1

## CPC

- C08F 6/04: Fractionation
- B01D 3/007: {Energy recuperation; Heat pumps}
- B01D 3/143: {by two or more of a fractionation, separation or rectification step}
- B01D 3/32: Other features of fractionating columns {; Constructional details of fractionating columns not provided for in groups B01D3/16 - B01D3/30}
- B01D 3/4216: {Head stream}
- C08F 6/001: {Removal of residual monomers by physical means}
- Y02P 20/10: Process efficiency
- C08F: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A process for separation of a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream can include cooling the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream using an absorption refrigeration cycle to form a cooled feed stream. The cooled feed stream can be subjected to distillation conditions to remove a bottom stream including co-monomer; and an overhead stream including hydrocarbon diluents, olefin monomer, and components selected from H2, N2, O2, CO, CO2, and formaldehyde. The overhead stream can be subjected to distillation conditions adapted to remove a bottom stream including substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon diluents; a side stream including hydrocarbon diluent; and an overhead vapor stream including olefin monomer, diluents, and components selected from H2, N2, O2, CO, CO2, and formaldehyde. The overhead vapor stream can be cooled using an absorption refrigeration cycle to form a cooled overhead vapor stream. Olefin monomers can be separated from diluents in the cooled overhead vapor stream.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-11. (canceled)

### Claim 12

A process comprising:
subjecting a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream to distillation conditions adapted to remove a bottom stream comprising co-monomer and an overhead stream comprising hydrocarbon diluents, olefin monomer and further components comprising H2, N2, O2, CO, CO2, formaldehyde, or combinations thereof,
wherein the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream is cooled prior to being subjected to the distillation conditions using a first absorption refrigeration cycle; or the overhead stream is cooled using a second absorption refrigeration cycle; or combinations thereof; and
separating olefin monomer from diluents in the overhead stream.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The process of claim 12, wherein the overhead stream is cooled to a temperature of between 0° C. and −40° C.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The process of claim 12, wherein the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream is subjected to the distillation conditions within at least one distillation zone, and wherein the second absorption refrigeration cycle is driven from heat recycled from a reboiler of the at least one distillation zone.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The process of claim 12, wherein subjecting the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream to the distillation conditions produces a side stream, and wherein the side stream is cooled using a third absorption refrigeration cycle.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The process of claim 15, wherein the third absorption refrigeration cycle utilizes water and lithium bromide as working fluids.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The process of claim 15, wherein the third absorption refrigeration cycle utilizes water and ammonia as working fluids.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The process of claim 12, wherein the first absorption refrigeration cycle utilizes water and lithium bromide as working fluids.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The process of claim 12, wherein the second absorption refrigeration cycle utilizes water and ammonia as working fluids.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The process of claim 12, further comprising subjecting the bottom stream to distillation conditions adapted to remove an additional bottom stream comprising co-monomer and an additional overhead stream comprising hydrocarbon diluents.

### Claim 21 (depends on 12)

The process of claim 12, wherein the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream is a product of a polyolefin production process.