US4479812A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sorption fractionation system for olefin separation
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1983-06-29
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Granted: 1984-10-30
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Expires: 2003-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A continuous fractionation technique is provided for recovering ethylene from an olefinic feedstock comprising C3+ higher olefins. This technique provides methods and means for contacting the olefinic feedstock in a counter current sorption tower with a liquid sorbent stream comprising C6+ gasoline range hydrocarbons under process conditions to selectively sorb substantially the entire C3+ olefin components from the feedstock, withdrawing an ethylene-rich vapor stream from the sorption tower and further contacting the ethylene-rich stream with a distillate range liquid hydrocarbon stream in a sponge absorber to purify the ethylene stream. Typically, the olefinic feedstock consists essentially of volatile hydrocarbons, and preferably comprises about 10 to 50 mole % ethylene and 10 to 50 mole % propene. Purified ethylene product may be recovered having an average molecular weight not greater than 28.5 under non-cryogenic conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Chung H. Hsia
- 👤 Hartley Owen
- 👤 Bernard S. Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:52
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C7/00; C07C7/11; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P30/00; Y02P30/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A continuous fractionation process for recovering ethylene from an olefinic feedstock comprising about 10 to 50 mole % ethylene and 10 to 50 mole % propene, said olefinic feedstock consisting essentially of volatile C 2 -C 4 hydrocarbons comprising the steps of contacting the olefinic feedstock in a countercurrent sorption tower with a liquid sorbent stream comprising C 6 + olefinic gasoline range hydrocarbons under process conditions to selectively sorb substantially the entire C 3 + olefin components from the feedstock; withdrawing an ethylene-rich vapor stream from the sorption tower; and further contacting the ethylene-rich stream with a distillate range liquid hydrocarbon stream in a sponge absorber to recover ethylene having an average molecular weight not greater than 28.5.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A continuous fractionation process for recovering ethylene from an olefinic feedstock comprising about 10 to 50 mole % ethylene and 10 to 50 mole % propene, said olefinic feedstock consisting essentially of volatile C 2 -C 4 hydrocarbons comprising the steps of contacting the olefinic feedstock in a countercurrent sorption tower with a liquid sorbent stream comprising C 6 + olefinic gasoline range hydrocarbons under process conditions to selectively sorb substantially the entire C 3 + olefin components from the feedstock; withdrawing an ethylene-rich vapor stream from the sorption tower; and further contacting the ethylene-rich stream with a distillate range liquid hydrocarbon stream in a sponge absorber to recover ethylene having an average molecular weight not greater than 28.5.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein olefinic liquid gasoline sorbent is supplied to the sorption tower as a molar ratio of about 0.2:1 to 10:1 based on feedstock C 3 + olefins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the distillate liquid stream is supplied to the sponge absorber at a molar ratio of about 0.1:1 to 0.06:1 based on ethylene whereby C 3 + and gasoline range hydrocarbons escaping the first sorption tower with the ethylene rich stream are absorbed by the distillate liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein fractionation is conducted under non-cryogenic conditions and process pressure is maintained at about 2000 to 2200 kPa.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
A continuous fractionation process for recovering ethylene from an olefinic feedstock comprising about 10 to 50 mole % ethylene and 10 to 50 mole % propene, said olefinic feedstock consisting essentially of volatile C 2 -C 4 hydrocarbons; comprising the steps of contacting the olefinic feedstock in a countercurrent sorption tower with a liquid sorbent stream comprising C 6 + olefinic gasoline range hydrocarbons under process conditions to selectively sorb substantially the entire C 3 + olefin components from the feedstock; withdrawing an ethylene-rich vapor stream from the sorption tower; mixing the ethylene-rich vapor with incoming liquid sorbent and passing the mixture thereof into a phase separator operatively connected between the sorption tower and a sponge absorber; passing liquid sorbent from the phase separator to the countercurrent sorption tower; and further contacting the ethylene-rich stream with a distillate range liquid hydrocarbon stream in the sponge absorber to recover substantially pure ethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
A continuous fractionation process for recovering ethylene from an olefinic feedstock comprising about 10 to 50 mole % ethylene and 10 to 50 mole % propene, said olefinic feedstock consisting essentially of volatile C 2 -C 4 hydrocarbons; comprising the steps of contacting the olefinic feedstock in a countercurrent sorption tower with a liquid sorbent stream comprising C 6 + olefinic gasoline range hydrocarbons under process conditions to selectively sorb substantially the entire C 3 + olefin components from the feedstock; withdrawing an ethylene-rich vapor stream from the sorption tower; mixing the ethylene-rich vapor with incoming liquid sorbent and passing the mixture thereof into a phase separator operatively connected between the sorption tower and a sponge absorber; passing liquid sorbent from the phase separator to the countercurrent sorption tower; and further contacting the ethylene-rich stream with a distillate range liquid hydrocarbon stream in the sponge absorber to recover substantially pure ethylene.
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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) | 1987-10-30 | 1988-04-30 | 1988-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-30 | 1992-04-30 | 1992-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-30 | 1996-04-30 | 1996-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |