US4842718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for recovery of hydrocarbons from a fluid feed
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1987-10-19
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Granted: 1989-06-27
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Expires: 2007-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A process for recovery of hydrocarbon (C 2 + ) containing at least two carbon atoms per molecule (e.g. LPG) from a fluid feed containing C 2 + hydrocarbons and components having at most one carbon atom per molecule (e.g. refinery gas) comprising the following steps: (i) contacting the fluid feed with one side of at least one membrane which is substantially non-permeable for C 2 30 hydrocarbons and removing a first fluid (permeate) containing a substantial amount of components having at most one carbon atom per molecule from the other side of the membrane(s), and (ii) fractionating fluid (retentate) obtained from the one side of the membrane(s) into at least a product containing C 2 30 hydrocarbons and a gaseous product.
Inventors
- 👤 Cornelis P. Luteijn
- 👤 Michel Muylle
- 👤 Carolus T. Sanders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:50
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C7/00; C07C7/144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
Process for recovery of hydrocarbons (C 2 ) having at least two carbon atoms per molecule from a fluid feed containing C 2 hydrocarbons and components normally boiling at temperatures lower than C 2 hydrocarbon and having at most one carbon atom per molecule which comprises the following steps: (i) contacting the fluid feed with one side of at least one membrane which is substantially permeable for methane and substantially non-permeable for C 2 hydrocarbons to afford permeate fluid containing a substantial amount of components having at most one carbon atom per molecule and a retentate fluid having a C 2 hydrocarbon content higher than said feed to the membrane(s), and (ii) fractionating by fractionation distillation said retentate fluid into at least a product containing C 2 hydrocarbons and a gaseous product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
Process for recovery of hydrocarbons (C 2 ) having at least two carbon atoms per molecule from a fluid feed containing C 2 hydrocarbons and components normally boiling at temperatures lower than C 2 hydrocarbon and having at most one carbon atom per molecule which comprises the following steps: (i) contacting the fluid feed with one side of at least one membrane which is substantially permeable for methane and substantially non-permeable for C 2 hydrocarbons to afford permeate fluid containing a substantial amount of components having at most one carbon atom per molecule and a retentate fluid having a C 2 hydrocarbon content higher than said feed to the membrane(s), and (ii) fractionating by fractionation distillation said retentate fluid into at least a product containing C 2 hydrocarbons and a gaseous product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Process according to claim 9 wherein the fluid feed contains at least one of platformer off gas and refinery fuel gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said contacting is carried out at a pressure differential from 2 to 200 bar between the retentate, --and the permeate--side of the membrane(s).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said permeate fluid obtained in step (i) contains hydrogen and optionally water vapor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the retentate fluid obtained from step (i) is expanded before being fractionated in step (ii).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein step (ii) is a cryogenic separation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein step (ii) includes absorption of C 2 hydrocarbons with a butane-containing absorbent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-06-26 | 1992-12-26 | 1993-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-26 | 1996-12-26 | 1997-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-26 | 2000-12-26 | 2001-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |