Abstract An improved process for the separation and purification of high purity acetylene and ethylene from a gaseous hydrocarbon comprised of acetylene and ethylene wherein the gaseous hydrocarbon is contacted at an elevated pressure with a selective solvent in an amount sufficient to absorb all of the acetylene and concurrent absorption of a portion of the ethylene. The enriched selective solvent is subjected at the same pressure to a stripping operation whereby a portion of the ethylene is stripped therefrom. The partially stripped enriched solvent is cooled and introduced into a second stripping zone operated at low pressure wherein the remaining ethylene is stripped therefrom and an acetylene-enriched selective solvent is obtained from which high purity acetylene is subsequently recovered.
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein said selective solvent of step (a) is presaturated with ethylene by introducing ethylene into the upper portion of said first stripper-absorber column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein the partial pressure of acetylene in the reboiled vapors of step (b) is monitored to control the heat level of said reboiled vapors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
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The process as defined in claim 2 wherein the temperature of said absorption zone of the first stripper-absorber column is sensed to control the amount of ethylene introduced into the first stripper-absorber column to presaturate the selective solvent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the temperature of the refrigerated selective solvent introduced into the first stripper-absorber column is maintained constant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein substantially pure ethylene is recovered from step (a).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
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The process as defined in claim 1 wherein the partially stripped enriched solvent is cooled in step (c) by 35* to 65* F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein said first stripper-absorption column is operated at a pressure of from about 250 to 350 psia.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein said stripping zone of step (d) is at a pressure of from about 15 to 25 psia.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process as defined in claim 1 wherein dimethyl formamide is the selective solvent.