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

Cryogenic rectification process for separating nitrogen and methane

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7229813
This patent describes a process for separating nitrogen and methane. It comprises: separating a feed comprising methane and nitrogen into a nitrogen-enriched vapor portion and a methane-enriched vapor portion and a methane-enriched liquid, portion; condensing the nitrogen-enriched vapor portion and introducing resulting condensed nitrogen-enriched vapor into a main column operating within the range of from 15 to 200 psia; subcooling the methane-enriched liquid portion and dividing resulting subcooled methane-enriched liquid into first and second parts; introducing the first part into the main column; at least partially vaporizing the second part by indirect heat exchange with the subcooling methane-enriched liquid portion; introducing the at least partially nitrogen-enriched vaporized second part into the main column; separating the condensed vapor portion, subcooled first part, and at least partially vaporized second part by cryogenic rectification within the main column into nitrogen-richer vapor and methane-richer liquid; and removing nitrogen-richer vapor and methane-richer liquid from the main column.
Assignee:
Union Carbide Corp., Danbury, CT
Patent Number(s):
A; US 4878932
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-326727A
OSTI ID:
7229813
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English