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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Hydrocarbon gas processing

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5450858
This patent describes an improvement in a process for the separation of a gas containing methane, C/sub 2/ components, C/sub 3/ components and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction containing a major portion of the methane and C/sub 2/ components and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of the C/sub 3/ components and heavier components. In this process: the gas is cooled under pressure to provide a cooled stream; the cooled stream is expanded to a lower pressure whereby it is further cooled; and the further cooled stream is fractionated at the lower pressure whereby the major portion of the C/sub 3/ components and heavier hydrocarbon components is recovered in the relatively less volatile fraction. In the improvement the gas is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it; and the partially condensed gas is separated to provide a vapor stream and a condensed stream; the vapor stream is thereafter divided into gaseous first and second streams; the gaseous first stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the lower pressure; the expanded cooled first stream is then directed in heat exchange relation with a warmer distillation stream; the distillation stream is cooled by the first stream sufficiently to partially condense it.
Assignee:
Elcor Corp., Dallas, TX
Patent Number(s):
US 4854955
Application Number:
PPN: US 7194878A
OSTI ID:
5450858
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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