Selected methods of reflux-hydrocarbon gas separation process
A process is described for the recovery of components of volatile gas containing methane and heavier components wherein one of three specific methods of reflux is used the selection being dependent upon the specific requirements of rectification, in each instance the process consisting of introducing a primary stream of feed gas under pressure into a heat exchange unit to lower the temperature of the gas stream, then dividing the stream into two streams, the first of the streams being primarily vapors being directed through an expansion device, then lowering the pressure and temperature thereof and then passing same through a divider formed in the lower section of a two stage separator. The divider separates the vapors and liquid, then discharges the liquids directly into the distillation column at a mid point and discharges the vapors into the upper section of the two stage separator for combination with reflux obtained from a secondary feed gas stream, the reflux stream extracts desirable components form the vapors and forms a secondary reflux liquid stream, which then enters the distillation column at the top and the vapors combine with vapors from the two stage separator forming a vapor stream to be discharged from the two stage separator.
- Assignee:
- Gulsby Engineering, Inc., Humble, TX
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4596588
- OSTI ID:
- 5474252
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
030300* -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
ALKANES
CONTROL
DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EXPANSION
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GAS FLOW
GASES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HYDROCARBONS
LIQUIDS
MATTER
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PRESSURE CONTROL
PRESSURIZING
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
THERMAL EXPANSION
VAPORS
VOLATILE MATTER