US4507133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for LPG recovery
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1983-09-29
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Granted: 1985-03-26
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Expires: 2003-09-29
Abstract
Abstract An improved process is described for the separation and recovery of substantially all the propane and heavier hydrocarbon components in a hydrocarbon gaseous feedstream. In this process, the vapor stream from a deethanizer is cooled to liquefaction and contacted with a vapor phase from the hydrocarbon gaseous feedstream. The contact takes place within a direct heat exchanger, and the resulting vapor fraction, which is essentially ethane and methane, is the gaseous product of the process.
Inventors
- 👤 Shuaib A. Khan
- 👤 James Haliburton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:29
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C7/00; C07C7/09; F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/02; F25J3/0204; F25J3/0209; F25J3/0219; F25J3/0228; F25J3/0233; F25J3/0242; F25J2200/00; F25J2200/04; F25J2200/74; F25J2200/78; F25J2205/00; F25J2205/02; F25J2205/04; F25J2210/00; F25J2210/12; F25J2235/00; F25J2235/60; F25J2240/00; F25J2240/02; F25J2270/00; F25J2270/12; F25J2270/60; F25J2270/90; F25J2290/00; F25J2290/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In a process for separating propane and heavier hydrocarbons from a gaseous feedstream containing hydrocarbon components of different boiling points wherein said feedstream is cooled and separated into a first vapor fraction and a first liquid fraction and said first liquid fraction is distilled in a deethanizer to form a second vapor fraction and a second liquid fraction, the improvement which comprises expanding and transferring said first vapor fraction to the lower portion of a direct heat exchanger, cooling said second vapor fraction to form a substantially liquefied stream, transferring at least a portion of said liquefied stream to the upper portion of said direct heat exchanger whereby said liquefied stream contacts said first vapor fraction to form a third vapor fraction and a third liquid fraction, returning said third liquid fraction to said deethanizer, and removing said third vapor fraction from said direct heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a process for separating propane and heavier hydrocarbons from a gaseous feedstream containing hydrocarbon components of different boiling points wherein said feedstream is cooled and separated into a first vapor fraction and a first liquid fraction and said first liquid fraction is distilled in a deethanizer to form a second vapor fraction and a second liquid fraction, the improvement which comprises expanding and transferring said first vapor fraction to the lower portion of a direct heat exchanger, cooling said second vapor fraction to form a substantially liquefied stream, transferring at least a portion of said liquefied stream to the upper portion of said direct heat exchanger whereby said liquefied stream contacts said first vapor fraction to form a third vapor fraction and a third liquid fraction, returning said third liquid fraction to said deethanizer, and removing said third vapor fraction from said direct heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as described in claim 1 wherein said direct heat exchanger is a packed column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as described in claim 1 wherein said direct heat exchanger is a tray column.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as described in claim 1 wherein said first vapor fraction is expanded in a turboexpander.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as described in claim 1 further comprising partially flashing said liquefied stream prior to transferring it to said direct heat exchanger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
193 words
A process for separating propane and heavier hydrocarbons from a gaseous feedstream containing hydrocarbon components of different boiling points which comprises: (a) cooling and separating said feedstream into a first vapor fraction and a first liquid fraction; (b) distilling said first liquid fraction is a deethanizer to form a second vapor fraction and a second liquid fraction; (c) removing said second liquid fraction from said deethanizer as a liquid product; (d) expanding said first vapor fraction and transferring it to the lower portion of a direct heat exchanger; (e) cooling said second vapor fraction to form a third vapor fraction and a third liquid fraction; (f) returning at least a portion of said third liquid fraction to said deethanizer as reflux; (g) further cooling said third vapor fraction to form a substantially liquefied stream; (h) transferring said liquefied stream to the upper portion of said direct heat exchanger whereby said liquefied stream contacts said first vapor fraction to form a fourth vapor fraction and a fourth liquid fraction; (i) removing said fourth vapor fraction from said direct heat exchanger as a gaseous product; and (j) returning said fourth liquid fraction to said deethanizer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
193 words
A process for separating propane and heavier hydrocarbons from a gaseous feedstream containing hydrocarbon components of different boiling points which comprises: (a) cooling and separating said feedstream into a first vapor fraction and a first liquid fraction; (b) distilling said first liquid fraction is a deethanizer to form a second vapor fraction and a second liquid fraction; (c) removing said second liquid fraction from said deethanizer as a liquid product; (d) expanding said first vapor fraction and transferring it to the lower portion of a direct heat exchanger; (e) cooling said second vapor fraction to form a third vapor fraction and a third liquid fraction; (f) returning at least a portion of said third liquid fraction to said deethanizer as reflux; (g) further cooling said third vapor fraction to form a substantially liquefied stream; (h) transferring said liquefied stream to the upper portion of said direct heat exchanger whereby said liquefied stream contacts said first vapor fraction to form a fourth vapor fraction and a fourth liquid fraction; (i) removing said fourth vapor fraction from said direct heat exchanger as a gaseous product; and (j) returning said fourth liquid fraction to said deethanizer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as described in claim 6 wherein said direct heat exchanger is a packed column.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as described in claim 6 wherein said direct heat exchanger is a tray column.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as described in claim 6 wherein said first vapor fraction is expanded in a turboexpander.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as described in claim 6 further comprising partially flashing said liquefied stream prior to transferring it to said direct heat exchanger.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process as described in claim 6 further comprising combining at least a portion of said third liquid fraction with said third vapor fraction prior to further cooling said third vapor fraction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as described in claim 6 further comprising transferring at least a portion of said third liquid fraction to said direct heat exchanger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
197 words
A process for separating propane and heavier hydrocarbons from a gaseous feedstream containing hydrocarbon components of different boiling points which comprises: (a) cooling and separating said feedstream into a first vapor fraction and a first liquid fraction; (b) distilling said first liquid fraction in a deethanizer to form a second vapor fraction and a second liquid fraction; (c) removing said second liquid fraction from said deethanizer as a liquid product; (d) expanding said first vapor fraction and transferring it to the lower portion of a direct heat exchanger; (e) cooling said second vapor fraction to form a third vapor fraction and a third liquid fraction; (f) removing said third vapor fraction as a gaseous product; (g) returning at least a portion of said third liquid fraction to said deethanizer as reflux. (h) transferring at least a portion of said third liquid fraction to the upper portion of said direct heat exchanger whereby said third liquid fraction contacts said first vapor fraction to form a fourth vapor fraction and a fourth liquid fraction; (i) removing said fourth vapor fraction from said direct heat exchanger as a gaseous product; and (j) transferring said fourth liquid fraction to said deethanizer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
197 words
A process for separating propane and heavier hydrocarbons from a gaseous feedstream containing hydrocarbon components of different boiling points which comprises: (a) cooling and separating said feedstream into a first vapor fraction and a first liquid fraction; (b) distilling said first liquid fraction in a deethanizer to form a second vapor fraction and a second liquid fraction; (c) removing said second liquid fraction from said deethanizer as a liquid product; (d) expanding said first vapor fraction and transferring it to the lower portion of a direct heat exchanger; (e) cooling said second vapor fraction to form a third vapor fraction and a third liquid fraction; (f) removing said third vapor fraction as a gaseous product; (g) returning at least a portion of said third liquid fraction to said deethanizer as reflux. (h) transferring at least a portion of said third liquid fraction to the upper portion of said direct heat exchanger whereby said third liquid fraction contacts said first vapor fraction to form a fourth vapor fraction and a fourth liquid fraction; (i) removing said fourth vapor fraction from said direct heat exchanger as a gaseous product; and (j) transferring said fourth liquid fraction to said deethanizer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as described in claim 13 wherein said direct heat exchanger is a packed column.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as described in claim 13 wherein said direct heat exchanger is a tray column.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as described in claim 13 wherein said first vapor fraction is expanded in a turboexpander.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as described in claim 13 further comprising partially flashing said third liquid fraction prior to transferring it to said direct heat exchanger.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3675435A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-25 | 1988-09-24 | 1989-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-25 | 1992-09-24 | 1993-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-25 | 1996-09-24 | 1997-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |