Mixed-phase reaction product effluent separation process

Claim 1

A process for separating a mixed-phase hydrocarbonaceous reaction product effluent, said product effluent (1) resulting from the conversion of a hydrocarbon charge stock boiling above a temperature of about 400° F. and, (2) containing hydrogen to be recycled to the conversion zone, normally liquid hydrocarbons and normally vaporous hydrocarbons, which separation process comprises the sequential steps of: (a) separating said product effluent, in a first separation zone at substantially the same pressure as said effluent, to provide (i) a first liquid phase and, (ii) a first vaporous phase; (b) cooling said first vaporous phase to a temperature in the range of about 50° F. to about 150° F., and separating the cooled vaporous phase, in a second separation zone at substantially the same pressure as said first separation zone, to provide (i) a hydrogen-rich second vaporous phase and, (ii) a methane-containing second liquid phase; (c) increasing the temperature of said second liquid phase, and separating the heated liquid phase, in a third separation zone at a substantially reduced pressure, said temperature and pressure being selected to provide (i) a third liquid phase and, (ii) a third vaporous phase containing at least about 70.0% of the methane in said second liquid phase; and, (d) admixing at least a portion of said third liquid phase with said first vaporous phase.