Temperature control of integrated fractionation and claytreating of hydrocarbons

A method for controlling the temperature of a fractionation column effluent stream as the effluent stream is being passed into a clay treating zone and of adjusting the temperature of the clay treating zone effluent stream which comprises the steps of:

• a. passing a hydrocarbon feed stream which comprises C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbons into a first fractionation column operated at effective fractionation conditions including a bottom temperature above a maximum desired inlet temperature of a downstream clay treating zone, and effecting the removal of C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed stream by fractionation to thereby produce a fractionation column effluent stream having a first temperature which is above an instantaneous preselected inlet temperature for the clay treating zone;
• b. cooling the fractionation column effluent stream to a second temperature by dividing the fractionation column effluent stream into a first portion and a second portion, cooling the second portion by indirect heat exchange against the hydrocarbon feed stream, and then recombining the first portion and the second portion of the fractionation column effluent stream;
• c. measuring the second temperature of the fractionation column effluent stream, and comparing the second temperature to the instantaneous preselected inlet temperature for the clay treating zone;
• d. adjusting the relative flow rates of the first portion and the second portion of the fractionation column effluent stream in a manner which changes the second temperature of the fractionation column effluent stream to the instantaneous preselected inlet temperature for the clay treating zone;
• e. passing the fractionation column effluent stream through the clay treating zone at clay treating conditions including an inlet temperature within the range of from about 210.degree. F. to about 425.degree. F. to produce a clay treating zone effluent stream having a first temperature;
• f. cooling the clay treating zone effluent stream to a second temperature by dividing the clay treating zone effluent stream into a first portion and a second portion, cooling the second portion by indirect heat exchange against the hydrocarbon feed stream, and then recombining the first portion and the second portion of the clay treating zone effluent stream;
• g. measuring the second temperature of the clay treating zone effluent stream, and comparing the second temperature to the instantaneous preselected inlet temperature of a downstream second fractionation column;
• and,
• h. adjusting the relative flow rates of the first portion of the second portion of the clay treating zone effluent stream in a manner which changes the second temperature of the clay treating zone effluent stream to the instantaneous preselected inlet temperature of the second fractionation column.