US3676981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treatment of hydrocarbon gases
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1971-02-24
•
Granted: 1972-07-18
•
Expires: 1991-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A process for treating hydrocarbon streams comprising methane, ethane and higher boiling fractions which comprises separating the stream into vapor and liquid components; separately cooling the vapor and liquid components; adding to the vapor stream prior to the ultimate cooling stage a desiccant material; and recontacting the chilled liquid and vapor streams in a contact zone. The described process enhances the quality of the separated vapor stream and the recovery of gas hydrate inhibitor chemicals from hydrocarbon gas stream under superatmospheric conditions to which such inhibitor chemicals have been added to inhibit formation of gas hydrates.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald L Afdahl
- 👤 Harold W Barber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:00
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/14; C; C10; C10G; C10G5/00; C10G5/04; C10G2300/00; C10G2300/10; C10G2300/1025; Y; Y02; Y02C; Y02C20/00; Y02C20/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising admixing with said natural gas stream a gas hydrate inhibitor prior to passing said natural gas stream to said vapor-liquid separator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising introducing into said contact column a desiccant material at a locus above the point of entry of the liquid component of step (g).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 2 further comprising introducing into said contact column a desiccant material at a locus above the point of entry of the liquid component of step (g).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 3 further comprising admixing with said natural gas stream a gas hydrate inhibitor prior to passing said natural gas stream to said vapor-liquid separator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising admixing with said liquid component from (b) a desiccant material prior to passing said liquid component through said heat exchange means of step (f).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said heat exchange means of step (d) comprises a train of two or more heat exchangers in series and a desiccant material is added to said vapor component prior to passing said vapor component through the ultimate of said heat exchange means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 7 further comprising admixing with said natural gas stream a gas hydrate inhibitor prior to passing said natural gas stream to said vapor-liquid separator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 8 further comprising admixing with said liquid component from (b) a desiccant material prior to passing said liquid component through said exchange means to step (f).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 9 further comprising introducing into said contact column a desiccant material at a locus above the point of entry of the liquid component of step (g).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |