US3846993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic extraction process for natural gas liquids
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1971-02-01
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A process for the cryogenic extraction of natural gas liquids through the vaporization and direct heat exchange of liquefied natural gas with a wet natural gas.
Inventors
- 👤 B Bates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:30
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/02; F25J3/0204; F25J3/0209; F25J3/0214; F25J3/0228; F25J3/0233; F25J3/0238; F25J2200/00; F25J2200/02; F25J2200/70; F25J2205/00; F25J2205/02; F25J2205/04; F25J2205/30; F25J2205/90; F25J2210/00; F25J2210/62; F25J2260/00; F25J2260/10; F25J2270/00; F25J2270/90; F25J2270/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A PROCESS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF ETHANE AND HEAVIER HYDROCARBONS FROM A WET NATURAL GAS CONTAINING METHANEM ETHANE AND PROPANE AND THE VAPORIZATION OF A PORTION OF A LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS CONTAINING METHANE, ETHANE AND PROPANE, COMPRISING: PASSING A FIRST STREAM OF THE LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS AND A SECOND STREAM OF THE WET NATURAL GSS INTO A MIXING ZONE SO AS TO VAPORIZE A PORTION OF THE LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS AND CONDENSE A PORTION OF THE WET NATURAL GAS; REMOVING FROM THE MIXING ZONE A THIRD STREAM COMPRISING THE VAPORIZED LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS AND THE WET NATURAL GAS WHICH IS NOT CONDENSED; REMOVING FROM THE MIXING ZONE A FOURTH STREAM COMPRISING THE CONDENSED WET NATURAL GAS AND THE LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS WHICH IS NOT VAPORIZED; PASSING THE FOURTH STREAM TO A DEMETHANIZER; REMOVING A FIFTH STREAM COMPRISING METHANE FROM THE DEMETHANIZER; AND REMOVING A SIXTH STREAM FROM THE DEMETHANIZER COMPRISING HYDROCARBONS IN THE FOURTH STREAM HEAVIER THAN METHANE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A PROCESS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF ETHANE AND HEAVIER HYDROCARBONS FROM A WET NATURAL GAS CONTAINING METHANEM ETHANE AND PROPANE AND THE VAPORIZATION OF A PORTION OF A LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS CONTAINING METHANE, ETHANE AND PROPANE, COMPRISING: PASSING A FIRST STREAM OF THE LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS AND A SECOND STREAM OF THE WET NATURAL GSS INTO A MIXING ZONE SO AS TO VAPORIZE A PORTION OF THE LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS AND CONDENSE A PORTION OF THE WET NATURAL GAS; REMOVING FROM THE MIXING ZONE A THIRD STREAM COMPRISING THE VAPORIZED LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS AND THE WET NATURAL GAS WHICH IS NOT CONDENSED; REMOVING FROM THE MIXING ZONE A FOURTH STREAM COMPRISING THE CONDENSED WET NATURAL GAS AND THE LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS WHICH IS NOT VAPORIZED; PASSING THE FOURTH STREAM TO A DEMETHANIZER; REMOVING A FIFTH STREAM COMPRISING METHANE FROM THE DEMETHANIZER; AND REMOVING A SIXTH STREAM FROM THE DEMETHANIZER COMPRISING HYDROCARBONS IN THE FOURTH STREAM HEAVIER THAN METHANE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the third stream is passed in indirect heat exchange relationship with the second stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the second stream is removed from a pipeline, and at least a portion of the third stream and at least a portion of the fifth stream are returned to the pipeline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said wet natural gas comprises about 95 percent methane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the ratio of liquefied natural gas to the wet natural gas is in the range of about 10 to about 20 percent by volume.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |