US4711651A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for separation of hydrocarbon gases
Assignee: MW KELLOGG COMPANY (A DE CORP FORMED IN 1987)
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Filing: 1986-12-19
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Granted: 1987-12-08
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Expires: 2006-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A process for separation of a high pressure gas stream such as refinery gas in which the starting gas mixture is cooled and separated into a first vapor portion and a first liquid portion which is expanded to an intermediate pressure. The first vapor portion is further cooled and separated into a second vapor portion which may be further processed for ultimate recovery of, for example, a methane-rich product gas and a second liquid portion which is expanded to essentially the same intermediate pressure and combined with the expanded first liquid portion. The resulting mixed intermediate pressure stream or a portion thereof is then employed as refrigerant.
Inventors
- 👤 Shanmuk Sharma
- 👤 Donnie K. Hill
- 👤 Charles A. Durr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:30
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/02; F25J3/0228; F25J3/0233; F25J3/0204; F25J3/0219; F25J3/0242; F25J3/0247; F25J2200/00; F25J2200/04; F25J2200/70; F25J2200/74; F25J2205/00; F25J2205/02; F25J2205/04; F25J2210/00; F25J2210/02; F25J2210/12; F25J2240/00; F25J2240/02; F25J2270/00; F25J2270/02; F25J2270/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A process for separation of a high pressure gaseous stream containing mixed light hydrocarbons which comprises: (a) cooling the high pressure gaseous stream and introducing the resulting cooled high pressure stream to a first, single equilibrium, separation zone; (b) recovering a first vapor stream and a separate first liquid stream from the first, single equilibrium, separation zone; (c) expanding the first liquid stream to form a first intermediate pressure stream; (d) cooling the first vapor stream and introducing the resulting cooled stream to a second, single equilibrium, separation zone operated at substantially the same pressure as the first, single equilibrium, separation zone; (e) recovering a second liquid stream from the second, single equilibrium, separation zone; (f) expanding at least a major portion of the second liquid stream to form a second intermediate pressure stream; (g) combining the first and second intermediate pressure streams to form a mixed intermediate pressure stream; and (h) recovering refrigeration from at least a portion of the mixed intermediate pressure stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A process for separation of a high pressure gaseous stream containing mixed light hydrocarbons which comprises: (a) cooling the high pressure gaseous stream and introducing the resulting cooled high pressure stream to a first, single equilibrium, separation zone; (b) recovering a first vapor stream and a separate first liquid stream from the first, single equilibrium, separation zone; (c) expanding the first liquid stream to form a first intermediate pressure stream; (d) cooling the first vapor stream and introducing the resulting cooled stream to a second, single equilibrium, separation zone operated at substantially the same pressure as the first, single equilibrium, separation zone; (e) recovering a second liquid stream from the second, single equilibrium, separation zone; (f) expanding at least a major portion of the second liquid stream to form a second intermediate pressure stream; (g) combining the first and second intermediate pressure streams to form a mixed intermediate pressure stream; and (h) recovering refrigeration from at least a portion of the mixed intermediate pressure stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein refrigeration recovered from the mixed intermediate pressure stream is employed for cooling the high pressure gaseous stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the first vapor stream contains hydrogen and methane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein refrigeration is recovered from the second intermediate pressure stream prior to combination with the first intermediate pressure stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 4 wherein refrigeration recovered from the second intermediate pressure stream is employed for cooling the first vapor stream.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of either claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the mixed intermediate pressure stream is introduced to a third, single equilibrium, separation zone and a third vapor stream containing methane is recovered from the third, single equilibrium, separation zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of either claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the high pressure gaseous stream is at a pressure between 5 and 55 kg/cm 2 a and the intermediate pressure stream is at a pressure between 3 and 40 kg/cm 2 a.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of either claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the high pressure gaseous stream contains between 10 and 90 volume percent nitrogen and the first vapor stream contains principally nitrogen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of either claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the high pressure gaseous stream contains between 10 and 90 volume percent carbon dioxide and the first vapor stream contains principally carbon dioxide.
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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) | 1990-12-07 | 1991-06-08 | 1991-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-07 | 1995-06-08 | 1995-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-07 | 1999-06-08 | 1999-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |