| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20080202161 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING HEATING VALUE OF LNG - Systems and methods for adjusting the heating value of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) are provided. LNG can be apportioned into at least two portions. A first portion can be warmed to provide a vapor-liquid mixture which can be separated in a first separator to provide a first vapor and a first liquid. The first liquid can be separated to provide ANGL and a second vapor. The first vapor can be compressed and mixed with the second vapor to provide a first effluent. At least a portion of the first effluent can be used to heat the first portion. At least a portion of the first effluent can be used as a first reflux in the first separator. At least a portion of the first effluent can be mixed with a second portion of the LNG to provide an adjusted LNG. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080202162 | Cryogenic Process Utilizing High Pressure Absorber Column - A gas processing plant has a de-ethanizer and a refluxed absorber, wherein the absorber operates at higher pressure than the de-ethanizer, and wherein at least a portion of the absorber bottoms product is expanded to provide cooling for the absorber reflux stream and/or the distillation column feed stream. Especially contemplated gas processing plants include propane and ethane recovery plants, and where the gas processing plant is an ethane recovery plant, it is contemplated that the ethane product comprises no more than 500 ppm carbon dioxide. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080245100 | Gas Conditioning Process For The Recovery Of Lpg/Ngl (C2+) From Lng - Liquified petroleum gas or natural gas liquids may be recovered from liquified natural gas by receiving an input stream comprising substantially rich liquified natural gas, splitting the input stream into a direct stream and a bypass stream, heating the direct stream in a cross-exchanger to produce a stream of heat rich liquified natural gas, splitting the heated rich liquified natural gas into a primary column feed, an optional bypass stream and a secondary column feed. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080256977 | Hydrocarbon recovery and light product purity when processing gases with physical solvents - A process and apparatus for separating the components of a multi-component gas stream comprising light and intermediate volatility components. The process includes contacting the multi-component gas stream with a lean solvent in an absorber to produce a light component overhead stream and a rich solvent bottoms stream, flashing the rich solvent bottoms stream in at least one reduced pressure stage, recycling the lean solvent to the absorber, heat exchange cooling of the light component overhead stream, using at least one pressure reduction device for auto-refrigeration cooling, vapor/liquid separating the light component overhead stream in a vapor/liquid separator, reheating a vapor product stream from the vapor/liquid separator against the light component overhead stream, and removing the condensed intermediate component liquid from the vapor/liquid separator. The apparatus for separating the components of a multi-component gas stream containing hydrocarbons including an absorption tower containing internal equipment for contacting a feed gas with a lean solvent stream to create an light component overhead stream and a rich solvent bottom stream, a heat exchanger in contact with the light component overhead stream and a purified product stream, a vapor/liquid separator in contact with the light component overhead stream, and a pressure reduction device in contact with the light component overhead stream. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080282731 | Liquefied Natural Gas Processing - A process and apparatus for the recovery of heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is heated to vaporize at least part of it, then supplied to a fractionation column at a mid-column feed position. A vapor distillation stream is withdrawn from the fractionation column below the mid-column feed position and directed in heat exchange relation with the LNG feed stream, cooling the vapor distillation stream as it supplies at least part of the heating of the LNG feed stream. The vapor distillation stream is cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation column as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the column are effective to maintain the column overhead temperature at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered in the bottom liquid product from the column. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080314079 | Nitrogen Rejection Column Reboiler Configuration - A process is provided for denitrogenation of a crude LNG stream. A crude LNG stream comprising between about 1% and 10% nitrogen, and the remainder methane and heavier hydrocarbons, is expanded in a means for expansion, and cooled. Resultant crude LNG stream is introduced into nitrogen rejection column, wherein nitrogen content of LNG is reduced. A nitrogen-enriched vapor stream is withdrawn from top of the column, and a nitrogen-diminished liquid stream is withdrawn from bottom of the column. The nitrogen-diminished bottoms LNG stream is pumped to higher pressure and then divided into two streams. The second stream is reduced in pressure and then passed through reboiler heat exchanger, thus cooling the crude LNG stream. Partially vaporized second stream is reinjected into column at a level above the level of withdrawal of nitrogen-diminished bottoms LNG stream and below the level of introduction of crude LNG feed stream to provide column boilup. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090031756 | Method and System for Cooling a Natural Gas Stream and Separating the Cooled Stream Into Various Fractions - A method for cooling a natural gas stream (C | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090056371 | Method and Apparatus for Deriching a Stream of Liquefied Natural Gas - The present invention relates to a method of deriching a stream of liquefied natural gas by extracting a natural gas liquid comprising inter alia the steps of: heating the stream of liquefied natural gas ( | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090100862 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A vapor distillation stream is withdrawn from the column above the feed point of the second stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the vapor distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090107174 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIQUEFYING A HYDROCARBON STREAM - The present invention relates to a method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as a natural gas stream, the method at least comprising the steps of: supplying a partly condensed feed stream ( | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107175 | Multiple Reflux Stream Hydrocarbon Recovery Process - An ethane recovery process utilizing multiple reflux streams is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and separated into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is expanded and sent to a demethanizer. First vapor stream is split into a first and a second separator vapor streams. First separator vapor stream is expanded and sent to demethanizer. Second separator vapor stream is partially condensed and is separated into a reflux separator liquid stream, which is sent to demethanizer, and a reflux separator vapor stream, which is condensed and sent to demethanizer. Demethanizer produces a tower bottom stream containing a substantial amount of ethane and heavier components, and a tower overhead stream containing a substantial amount of remaining lighter components and forms a residue gas stream. A portion of residue gas stream is cooled, condensed, and sent to the demethanizer tower as top reflux stream. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090113931 | Multiple Reflux Stream Hydrocarbon Recovery Process - An ethane recovery process utilizing multiple reflux streams is provided. Feed gas is cooled, partially condensed, and separated into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream. First liquid stream is expanded and sent to a demethanizer. First vapor stream is split into a first and a second separator vapor streams. First separator vapor stream is expanded and sent to demethanizer. Second separator vapor stream is partially condensed and is separated into a reflux separator liquid stream, which is sent to demethanizer, and a reflux separator vapor stream, which is condensed and sent to demethanizer. Demethanizer produces a tower bottom stream containing a substantial amount of ethane and heavier components, and a tower overhead stream containing a substantial amount of remaining lighter components and forms a residue gas stream. A portion of residue gas stream is cooled, condensed, and sent to the demethanizer tower as top reflux stream. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090113932 | METHOD OF REMOVING SOLID CARBON DIOXIDE - The invention provides a method of removing solid carbon dioxide from cryogenic equipment, including the steps of: (a) introducing a stream including ethane to the cryogenic equipment to convert solid carbon dioxide to liquid form whereby a mixture of liquid ethane and liquid carbon dioxide is formed; and (b) removing the mixture of liquid ethane and liquid carbon dioxide from the cryogenic equipment. In particular, the method can be used in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant wherein cryogenic equipment contains LNG, and the method includes the steps of: (a′) removing the LNG from the cryogenic equipment; (a) introducing a stream including ethane to convert solid carbon dioxide to liquid form whereby a mixture of liquid ethane and liquid carbon dioxide is formed; and (b) removing the mixture of liquid ethane and liquid carbon dioxide from the cryogenic equipment. The result is an effective cleaning method for fouled LNG equipment. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090165498 | Configurations and Methods for Rich Gas Conditioning for NGL Recovery - Contemplated gas treatment plants for recovery of NGL from rich feed gas include an upstream conditioning unit in which heavier hydrocarbons, and most typically C5 and heavier are removed prior to feeding the processed feed gas to an NGL recovery plant, thus avoiding the need to process the heavier hydrocarbons in the NGL recovery plant. Such conditioning units advantageously reduce energy demand for dehydration otherwise required and allow for production of C2-C4, and C5+ streams that can be sold as valuable products. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090173103 | Cryogenic Process Utilizing High Pressure Absorber Column - A gas processing plant has a de-ethanizer and a refluxed absorber, wherein the absorber operates at higher pressure than the de-ethanizer, and wherein at least a portion of the absorber bottoms product is expanded to provide cooling for the absorber reflux stream and/or the distillation column feed stream. Especially contemplated gas processing plants include propane and ethane recovery plants, and where the gas processing plant is an ethane recovery plant, it is contemplated that the ethane product comprises no more than 500 ppm carbon dioxide. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090193846 | Recovery of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen From Hydrocarbon Streams - A process is described for the recovery of CO and optionally hydrogen from a stream containing CO, H2, methane, and hydrocarbons heavier than methane. The process is characterized by a two-stage removal ( | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090211296 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING A FRACTION RICH IN C2+ FROM LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS - A process and apparatus for separating a fraction rich in C | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090211297 | HELIUM PRODUCTION IN LNG PLANTS - A process for separating a helium-rich fraction from a liquefied natural gas stream, is disclosed. In an embodiment, the process includes expansion of a liquefied natural gas stream and separation of the helium-rich fraction. The helium-rich fraction is heated countercurrent to a natural gas stream to be cooled and liquefied. The natural gas stream liquefied in a heat exchange countercurrent to the helium-rich fraction to be heated is fed prior to and/or in the separation of the helium-rich fraction. The total enthalpy of the mixture of the two aforementioned natural gas streams brought to the separation of the helium-rich fraction is variable. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090277219 | Configurations and Methods for Offshore LNG Regasification and BTU Control - LNG is pumped to supercritical pressure and vaporized, preferably in an offshore location to thereby form a natural gas stream with an intermediate temperature. A first portion of that stream is then processed in an onshore location to remove at least some non-methane components to thereby form a lean LNG, which is then combined with a second portion of that stream to form a sales gas having desired chemical composition. The intermediate temperature and the split ratio of the gas stream in first and second portion are a function of the concentration of the non-methane components in the LNG. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090282864 | ISO-PRESSURE OPEN REFRIGERATION NGL RECOVERY - The present invention relates to an improved process for recovery of natural gas liquids from a natural gas feed stream. The process runs at a constant pressure with no intentional reduction in pressure. An open loop mixed refrigerant is used to provide process cooling and to provide a reflux stream for the distillation column used to recover the natural gas liquids. The processes may be used to recover C | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090282865 | Liquefied Natural Gas and Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is divided into two portions. The first portion is supplied to a fractionation column at a first upper mid-column feed point. The second portion is directed in heat exchange relation with a first portion of a warmer distillation stream rising from the fractionation stages of the column, whereby the LNG feed stream is partially heated and the distillation stream is totally condensed. The condensed distillation stream is divided into a “lean” LNG stream and a reflux stream, whereupon the reflux stream is supplied to the column at a top column feed position. The second portion of the LNG feed stream is heated further to partially or totally vaporize it and thereafter supplied to the column at a first lower mid-column feed position. The gas stream is divided into two portions. The second portion is expanded to the operating pressure of the column, then both portions are directed in heat exchange relation with the lean LNG stream and the second portion of the warmer distillation stream, whereby both portions of the gas stream are cooled, the lean LNG stream is vaporized, and the second portion of the distillation stream is heated. The first portion of the gas stream, which has been cooled to substantial condensation, is supplied to the column at a second upper mid-column feed point, and the second portion is supplied to the column at a second lower mid-column feed point. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the column are effective to maintain the column overhead temperature at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered in the bottom liquid product from the column. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090293537 | NGL Extraction From Natural Gas - A process of extraction of natural gas liquids from a hydrocarbon stream is disclosed. The recovered natural gas liquids are flashed to a vapor to provide refrigeration to the process. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090293538 | NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION - A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas. The residual gas stream from the distillation column is compressed to a higher intermediate pressure, cooled under pressure to condense it, and then expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100011809 | Ethane Recovery Methods And Configurations - Contemplated methods and configurations use a cooled ethane and CO2-containing feed gas that is expanded in a first turbo-expander and subsequently heat-exchanged to allow for relatively high expander inlet temperatures to a second turbo expander. Consequently, the relatively warm demethanizer feed from the second expander effectively removes CO2 from the ethane product and prevents carbon dioxide freezing in the demethanizer, while another portion of the heat-exchanged and expanded feed gas is further chilled and reduced in pressure to form a lean reflux for high ethane recovery. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100024477 | Integrated NGL Recovery And Liquefied Natural Gas Production - The separation of methane from an admixture ( | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100031700 | Liquefied natural gas and hydrocarbon gas processing - A process and an apparatus for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream are disclosed. The natural gas stream is cooled under pressure and divided into a first stream and a second stream. The first stream is cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a lower feed point on a distillation column. The second stream is expanded to the intermediate pressure and divided into two portions. One portion is cooled and then supplied to a mid-column feed point on the distillation column; the other portion is used to cool the first stream. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas, so that the overhead vapor from the distillation column contains essentially only methane and lighter components. This overhead vapor is cooled and condensed, and a portion of the condensed stream is supplied to a top feed point on the distillation column to serve as reflux. A second portion of the condensed stream is expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100043488 | NGL Recovery Methods and Configurations - Contemplated NGL plants include a feed gas bypass circuit through which a portion of the feed gas is provided downstream to a vapor portion of the feed gas to thereby increase turbo expander inlet temperature and demethanizer temperature. Contemplated configurations are especially advantageous for feed gases with relatively high carbon dioxide content as they entirely avoid carbon dioxide freezing in the demethanizer, provide additional power production by the turboexpander, and recover C2+ components to levels of at least 80% while achieving a low carbon dioxide content in the NGL product. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100050688 | NGL Extraction from Liquefied Natural Gas - A process of extraction of natural gas liquids from a liquefied natural gas stream is disclosed. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100064725 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING A HYDROCARBON STREAM - In a method of treating a hydrocarbon stream, such as a natural gas stream, a partly condensed feed stream ( | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100077796 | Hybrid Membrane/Distillation Method and System for Removing Nitrogen from Methane - A hybrid gas separation membrane/cryogenic distillation method and system produces high purity gaseous methane from a gas mixture containing a majority of methane and a minority of nitrogen. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100101273 | Heat Pump for High Purity Bottom Product - An apparatus for reducing the energy consumption of a distillation column is disclosed. The apparatus draws off an intermediate vapor stream from the rectification section of the distillation column, where the vapor stream is compressed and used to reboil a portion of the bottoms stream. The compressed vapor stream transfers energy to the bottoms stream, thereby condensing a portion of the vapor stream while vaporizing the bottoms stream. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100107687 | PROCESS FOR REMOVING GASEOUS CONTAMINANTS FROM A FEED GAS STREAM COMPRISING METHANE AND GASEOUS CONTAMINANTS - A process for removing gaseous contaminants from a feed gas stream that comprises a gaseous product and gaseous contaminants, comprising: providing the feed gas stream, cooling the feed gas stream to a temperature at which liquid phase contaminant is formed as well as a gaseous phase rich in gaseous product, separating the two phases by means of a gas/liquid separator, and introducing the gaseous phase rich in gaseous product into a cryogenic separation device that comprises a freezing zone and a distillation zone positioned below the freezing zone, and removing from the cryogenic separation device a bottom stream rich in liquid phase contaminant and lean in gaseous product, and a top stream rich in gaseous product and lean in gaseous contaminant. The invention further includes a device for carrying out the present process, the purified gas stream, and a process for liquefying a feed gas stream. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100154471 | Imported LNG treatment - The process of treating imported heating grade source LNG to form engine fuel grade LNG, and/or produce power. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100192627 | Method And Device For The Cryogenic Separation Of A Methane-Rich Flow - A method and device for the cryogenic separation of a methane-rich flow is provided. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100199717 | Method and system for the separation of a mixture containing carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon and hydrogen - The invention provides a method and system for the separation of a mixture containing H2, hydrocarbon, and C02. The generated mixture ( | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100218552 | APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR THE SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION OF IDEAL AND NON-IDEAL REFRIGERANT MIXTURES - An apparatus and process for the separation of refrigerant mixtures is provided. The apparatus includes a first distillation column, a first condenser, and a first collection vessel. The apparatus also includes a sorter vessel that includes a sorter agent, wherein the sorter vessel is fluidly connected to the first distillation column. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100236285 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream in a compact processing assembly. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure and supplied as the top feed to an absorbing means inside the processing assembly. The second stream is also expanded to lower pressure and supplied as the bottom feed to the absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the absorbing means and directed into one or more heat exchange means inside the processing assembly to heat it while cooling the gas stream and the first stream. A distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of the absorbing means and directed into a heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to heat it and strip out its volatile components while cooling the gas stream. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of the upper region of the absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the desired components are recovered in the stripped distillation liquid stream. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100251764 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream in a compact processing assembly. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means inside the processing assembly. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as the bottom feed to the second absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the first absorbing means and directed into one or more heat exchange means inside the processing assembly to heat it while cooling the gas stream and the first stream. The heated distillation vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and divided into a volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream. The compressed recycle stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it by the distillation vapor stream in the one or more heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure and supplied as top feed to the first absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of the second absorbing means and directed into a heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to heat it and strip out its volatile components while cooling the gas stream. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the first and second absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of the upper region of the first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the desired components are recovered in the stripped distillation liquid stream. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100275646 | Method of Separating Off Nitrogen from Liquefied Natural Gas - A method of separating off an N | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100275647 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and fed to an absorbing means. A first distillation liquid stream from the absorbing means is fed to a mass transfer means. A first distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is cooled to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied as the top feed to the absorbing means. A second distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is heated by cooling the first distillation vapor stream, combined with the residual vapor stream, and heated by cooling the gas stream. A second distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100287982 | Liquefied Natural Gas and Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process for the recovery of heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is heated to vaporize at least part of it, then expanded and supplied to a fractionation column at a first mid-column feed position. The gas stream is expanded and cooled, then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the fractionation column below the mid-column feed positions and directed in heat exchange relation with the LNG feed stream, cooling the distillation vapor stream as it supplies at least part of the heating of the LNG feed stream. The distillation vapor stream is cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, forming a first condensed stream. At least a portion of the first condensed stream is directed to the fractionation column at an upper mid-column feed position. A portion of the column overhead stream is also directed in heat exchange relation with the LNG feed stream, so that it also supplies at least part of the heating of the LNG feed stream as it is condensed, forming a second condensed stream. The second condensed stream is divided into a “lean” LNG stream and a reflux stream, whereupon the reflux stream is supplied to the column at a top column feed position. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the column are effective to maintain the column overhead temperature at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered in the bottom liquid product from the column. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100287983 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover ethane, ethylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, heated, and its liquid fraction is supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a bottom feed to the absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is combined with the vapor fraction of the first stream, then cooled by the expanded first stream to form a condensed stream that is supplied as a second top feed to the absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the bottom of the absorbing means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100287984 | HYDROCARBON GAS PROCESSING - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover ethane, ethylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied as a feed between two absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a bottom feed to the lower absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the bottom of the lower absorbing means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components. A distillation vapor stream from the top of the heat and mass transfer means is cooled by a distillation vapor stream from the top of the upper absorbing means, thereby forming a condensed stream that is supplied as a top feed to the upper absorbing means. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100307193 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING AND SEPARATING A HYDROCARBON STREAM - A method and apparatus for cooling and separating a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas. The method comprises
| 12-09-2010 |
| 20100326134 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to remove carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to intermediate pressure, and fed to the top of a mass transfer means. A distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a first heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components and form a bottom liquid product. A distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is combined with any vapor in the expanded cooled gas stream, and the combined vapor stream is cooled in a second heat and mass transfer means to partially condense it, forming a condensed stream that is fed to the top of the mass transfer means. A portion of the bottom liquid product is subcooled, expanded to lower pressure, and used to cool the combined vapor stream. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110041549 | Method for Cooling in Distillation and Polymerisation Process by Absorption Refrigeration - Processes for the separation of a hydrocarbon-containing feed streams are described herein. The processes generally include cooling the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream using a first absorption refrigeration cycle to form a cooled feed stream, introducing the cooled feed stream into a first distillation zone for subjecting the cooled feed stream to distillation conditions adapted to remove a first bottom stream including co-monomer and a first overhead stream including hydrocarbon diluents, olefin monomer and further components selected from H | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110048067 | NATURAL GAS LIQUEFACTION METHOD WITH HIGH-PRESSURE FRACTIONATION - The method provides liquefaction of a natural gas by carrying out the following stages:
| 03-03-2011 |
| 20110067441 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure, heated, and supplied to the fractionation tower at an upper mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the column above the feed point of the second stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the expanded cooled first stream and the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation vapor stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110067442 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and divided into first and second portions. The first and second portions are expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at upper mid-column feed positions, with the expanded second portion being heated before it enters the tower. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and supplied to the column at a mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the column above the feed point of the second stream, combined with a portion of the tower overhead vapor stream, compressed to higher pressure, and directed into heat exchange relation with the remaining tower overhead vapor stream and the expanded second portion to cool the compressed combined vapor stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is expanded to the tower pressure and directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110067443 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at an upper mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and supplied to the column at a mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the column above the feed point of the first stream, combined with a portion of the tower overhead vapor stream, compressed to higher pressure, and directed into heat exchange relation with the remaining tower overhead vapor stream to cool the compressed combined vapor stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is expanded to the tower pressure and directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110120183 | Liquefied natural gas and hydrocarbon gas processing - A process and an apparatus for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream are disclosed. The natural gas stream is cooled under pressure and divided into a first stream and a second stream. The first stream is cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a lower feed point on a distillation column. The second stream is expanded to the intermediate pressure and divided into two portions. One portion is cooled and then supplied to a mid-column feed point on the distillation column; the other portion is used to cool the first stream. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas, so that the overhead vapor from the distillation column contains essentially only methane and lighter components. This overhead vapor is cooled and condensed, and a portion of the condensed stream is supplied to a top feed point on the distillation column to serve as reflux. A second portion of the condensed stream is expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110132034 | TWO STAGE PROCESS FOR PRODUCING PURIFIED GAS - The present invention provides a process for producing purified gas from a feed gas stream comprising methane and gaseous contaminants, the process comprising the steps of: 1) providing the feed gas stream; 2) cooling the feed gas stream to a temperature at which at least part of the feed gas stream is present in the liquid phase; 3) separating the cooled feed gas stream by means of cryogenic distillation into a bottom stream rich in contaminants and lean in methane, and into a top stream rich in methane and lean in gaseous contaminants, in which the bottom stream contains between 0.5 and 15% of the methane present in the feed gas stream; 4) cooling the stream rich in methane to a temperature at which solid and/or liquid phase contaminants are formed; 5) introducing the cooled stream of step 4) into a gas/liquid/solids separation vessel, and 6) removing from the gas/liquid/solids separation vessel the purified gas and a stream rich in contaminants. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110167868 | HYDROCARBON GAS PROCESSING - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for recovering ethane, ethylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to a first fractionation tower at a mid-column feed position. A distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from the first fractionation tower below the feed position of the expanded stream, heated, and directed into a second fractionation tower that produces an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream. The overhead vapor stream is cooled to condense it, with a portion of the condensed stream directed to the second fractionation tower as its top feed and the remainder directed to the first fractionation tower at a lower column feed position. The bottom liquid stream from the second fractionation tower is cooled and directed to the first fractionation tower as its top feed. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110174017 | Helium Recovery From Natural Gas Integrated With NGL Recovery - The invention relates to a process for producing a helium-enriched vapor stream, a methane-enriched vapor stream, and a liquid stream enriched in hydrocarbons heavier than methane from a pressurized, multicomponent, multiphase stream comprising methane (C | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110192192 | PROCESS FOR REMOVING GASEOUS CONTAMINANTS FROM A FEED GAS STREAM COMPRISING METHANE AND GASEOUS CONTAMINANTS - The invention provides a process for removing gaseous contaminants from a feed gas stream which comprises methane and gaseous contaminants, the process comprising: 1) providing the feed gas stream ( | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110226011 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110226012 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110226013 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110226014 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110232327 | Method for Processing Off Gas - A method for recovering C | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110232328 | Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and fed to an absorbing means. A first distillation liquid stream from the absorbing means is fed to a mass transfer means. A first distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is cooled to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied as the top feed to the absorbing means. A second distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is heated by cooling the first distillation vapor stream, combined with the residual vapor stream, and heated by cooling the gas stream. A second distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110239701 | METHOD OF REJECTING NITROGEN FROM A HYDROCARBON STREAM TO PROVIDE A FUEL GAS STREAM AND AN APPARATUS THEREFOR - Method of, and apparatus for, rejecting nitrogen from a hydrocarbon stream to provide a fuel gas stream. A hydrocarbon stream is at least partially liquefied and subsequently expanded. The expanded hydrocarbon stream is fractionated in a fractionation column to provide an nitrogen-rich hydrocarbon stream and a nitrogen-lean hydrocarbon stream. The nitrogen-rich hydrocarbon stream is partially condensed in a condenser by cooling against a refrigerant circulated in a dedicated first refrigerant circuit, and phase-separated to provide a nitrogen-rejection stream and a nitrogen-lean reflux stream which is returned to the fractionation column. The nitrogen-lean hydrocarbon stream is partially vaporized and phase-separated to provide a vapour stream that is returned to the fractionation column and a liquefied nitrogen-lean hydrocarbon stream that is subjected to sub-cooling. The fuel gas stream is generated from the sub-cooled nitrogen-lean hydrocarbon stream. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110289963 | Process for separating Nitrogen from a natural gas stream with Nitrogen stripping in the production of liquefied natural gas - A mixed single refrigerant process for separating a nitrogen gas stream from a natural gas stream containing nitrogen to produce a nitrogen gas stream from a liquefied natural gas stream wherein the separated nitrogen gas stream is used as a refrigerant for the natural gas stream and wherein the mixed refrigerant provides cooling for the process. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20120000244 | HEAT PUMP DISTILLATION FOR <50% LIGHT COMPONENT IN FEED - A process is presented for the separation of a hydrocarbon mixture having less than 50% of the light component in the feedstream. The process provides an energy efficiency through drawing off a vapor stream from the rectifying section of a distillation column, and using recompression of the vapor to provide a portion of the heat for reboiling a portion of the bottoms stream exiting the stripping section of the distillation column. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000245 | Methods and Systems for Recovering Liquified Petroleum Gas from Natural Gas - A process and system is provided for separating a feed gas stream containing methane, at least one C | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120017640 | PROCESS FOR SEPARATING OFF NITROGEN - A process for separating off a nitrogen-rich fraction from a feed fraction containing essentially nitrogen and hydrocarbons, wherein the feed fraction is separated by rectification a nitrogen-rich fraction and a methane-rich fraction, is described. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120036890 | NITROGEN REJECTION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Methods and systems for removing nitrogen from a natural gas feed stream. The systems and methods generally include a heat exchange unit, a separation unit, and a liquid methane pump unit, where the separation unit produces a liquid methane bottoms stream and a gaseous overhead stream enriched in nitrogen and the liquid methane pump unit compresses the liquid methane bottoms stream and then pumps the stream through the heat exchange unit to cool a natural gas feed stream. In some embodiments the liquid methane pump unit is a sleeve bearing type unit. Beneficially, the disclosed systems and methods incorporate high head pumps for liquid methane compression instead of vaporizing the liquid methane and compressing it in a gaseous compression units that are typically used for this purpose, saving space, materials, and power. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120060554 | METHOD FOR SEPARATING OFF NITROGEN AND HYDROGEN FROM NATURAL GAS - The invention relates to a method for separating off nitrogen and lighter components, in particular hydrogen, carbon monoxide, neon and argon, from a feed fraction (e.g., natural gas) that is to be liquefied containing at least methane, nitrogen and hydrogen. The cooling and liquefaction of the feed fraction proceeds against the refrigerant or mixed refrigerant of at least one refrigeration cycle. In the inventive method, the feed fraction ( | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120079852 | Systems and Methods for Removing Heavy Hydrocarbons and Acid Gases From a Hydrocarbon Gas Stream - A system for removing acid gases from a sour gas stream is provided. The system includes an acid gas removal system and a heavy hydrocarbon removal system. The acid gas removal system receives the sour gas stream and separates the sour gas stream into an overhead gas stream comprised primarily of methane, and a bottom acid gas stream comprised primarily of acid gases such as carbon dioxide. The heavy hydrocarbon removal system may be placed upstream or downstream of the acid gas removal system or both. The heavy hydrocarbon removal system receives a gas stream and separates the gas stream into a first fluid stream comprising heavy hydrocarbons and a second fluid stream comprising other components. The components of the second fluid stream will depend on the composition of the gas stream. Various types of heavy hydrocarbon removal systems may be utilized. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120096896 | Process for separating and recovering ethane and heavier hydrocarbons from LNG - A process for extracting heavier components, e.g., NGL from liquid/fluid streams such as Rich LNG (RLNG) stream(s) with the streamlined economy. The process involves heating the RLNG stream in heat exchanger(s) (LNGX) against column overhead vapour stream; not requiring separation of Feed streams into feed and reflux by splitting either pre- or post- of heat LNGX. The source liquid RLNG is processed producing liquid NGL and at same time returning purified Lean LNG (LLNG) product in its Liquid LNG form. The process operates essentially without the need for compression equipment. The process further provides without compressors vaporized natural gas at pipeline pressure and specifications. This is a system that can flexibly change product compositions and specifications of product NGL/Lean LNG/Pipeline Gas and operate in both Pipeline Specification deep 99% Ethane (C2) Extraction and Ethane (C2) Rejection NGL recovery modes with economy of equipment and energy requirements. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120125043 | CRYOGENIC SYSTEM FOR REMOVING ACID GASES FROM A HYDROCARBON GAS STREAM - A system for removing acid gases from a raw gas stream is provided. The system includes a cryogenic distillation tower. The cryogenic distillation tower has a controlled freezing zone that receives a cold liquid spray comprised primarily of methane. The tower receives and then separates the raw gas stream into an overhead methane gas stream and a substantially solid material comprised of carbon dioxide. The system includes a collector tray below the controlled freezing zone. The collector tray receives the substantially solid material as it is precipitated in the controlled freezing zone. The system also has a filter. The filter receives the substantially solid material and then separates it into a solid material comprised primarily of carbon dioxide, and a liquid material comprising methane. The solid material may be warmed as a liquid and sold, while the liquid material is returned to the cryogenic distillation tower. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120255325 | Single-Unit Gas Separation Process Having Expanded, Post-Separation Vent Stream - A process comprising separating a hydrocarbon feed stream into a natural gas-rich stream and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-rich stream using process equipment comprising only one multi-stage separation column, wherein the natural gas-rich stream has an energy content of less than or equal to about 1,300 British thermal units per cubic foot (Btu/ft | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120285196 | PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATION OF NITROGEN FROM LNG - The present application is concerned with processes and apparatuses for the separation of nitrogen from liquefied natural gas feeds. The processes comprise the steps of: (i) cooling the feed and passing the feed to a fractionation column; (ii) withdrawing from the fractionation column an overhead vapour stream having an enriched nitrogen content, and a liquid stream having a reduced nitrogen content; (iii) dividing the overhead vapour stream from step (ii) into at least first and second overhead streams; (iv) compressing, cooling and at least partially condensing at least the first overhead stream from step (iii); and (v) expanding the stream from step (iv) and passing the expanded stream to the fractionation column as reflux, and wherein cooling in step (iv) is provided, at least in part, by heat exchange with one or more streams from the fractionation column. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120304690 | ISO-Pressure Open Refrigeration NGL Recovery - The present invention relates to an improved process for recovery of natural gas liquids from a natural gas feed stream. The process runs at a constant pressure with no intentional reduction in pressure. An open loop mixed refrigerant is used to provide process cooling and to provide a reflux stream for the distillation column used to recover the natural gas liquids. The processes may be used to recover C | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120324942 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE DISTILLATION SEPARATION OF A MIXTURE CONTAINING CARBON DIOXIDE - The invention relates to an apparatus for the distillation separation of a mixture containing, as the main components thereof, carbon dioxide and at least one other fluid selected from the group containing nitrogen, oxygen, argon, hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, said apparatus comprising a distillation column ( | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130055757 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO PREVENT CARRY-OVER OF HYDROCARBON MIST FROM AN NGL COLUMN OF AN LNG PLANT - The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for preventing carry-over of C | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130104598 | NGL EXTRACTION FROM LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130125582 | LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS AND HYDROCARBON GAS PROCESSING - A process for recovering ethane and heavier hydrocarbons from LNG and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is divided into two portions. The first is supplied to a fractionation column as a first upper mid-column feed. The second portion is heated while condensing a portion of a column distillation stream, thereby producing a “lean” LNG stream and a reflux stream. The reflux stream is supplied as top column feed. The second portion of LNG feed is heated further and supplied to the column as a first lower mid-column feed. The gas stream is divided into two portions. The second is expanded, then both portions are cooled while vaporizing the lean LNG stream and heating another portion of the distillation stream. The colder first portion is supplied to the column as a second upper mid-column feed, and the second is supplied as a second lower mid-column feed. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130152628 | METHOD AND PLANT FOR THE PURIFICATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE USING LIQUID CARBON DIOXIDE - The present invention relates to an improved method for removing contaminants from a gaseous stream substantially comprising carbon dioxide. More specifically, the method comprises the step of subjecting the gaseous stream to an absorption step in which the absorbent is liquid carbon dioxide wherein the waste of carbon dioxide is minimized by utilizing a compressing means for generating a pressure difference between two streams in a reboiler. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130174605 | PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS FOR PURIFYING SILANE - Processes and systems for purifying silane-containing streams and, in particular, for purifying silane-containing streams that also contain ethylene are disclosed. The processes and systems may be arranged such that one or more ethylene reactors are downstream of light-end distillation operations. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130192298 | DISTILLATION COLUMN HEAT PUMP WITH COMPRESSOR INLET SUPERHEATER - Light naphtha distillation columns with heat pumps and methods of operating them are described. The overhead stream is compressed to increase temperature so that it can be used both to heat the reboiler and to superheat the overhead stream before it enters the heat pump compressor. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130213086 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR PROCESSING NATURAL GAS - Methods and apparatuses for processing natural gas are provided. In a method for processing a natural gas stream, the natural gas stream is fractionated to form an overhead stream and a bottoms stream. The overhead stream is separated with a membrane to form a methane rich residual stream and a permeate stream. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130219957 | ISO-Pressure Open Refrigeration NGL Recovery - The present invention relates to an improved process for recovery of natural gas liquids from a natural gas feed stream. The process runs at a constant pressure with no intentional reduction in pressure. An open loop mixed refrigerant is used to provide process cooling and to provide a reflux stream for the distillation column used to recover the natural gas liquids. The processes may be used to recover C | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130227986 | DISTILLATION COLUMN HEAT PUMP WITH COMPRESSOR INLET SUPERHEATER - Hydrocarbon distillation columns with heat pumps and methods of operating them are described. The overhead stream is compressed to increase temperature so that it can be used both to heat the reboiler and to superheat the overhead stream before it enters the heat pump compressor. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130283853 | Liquefied Natural Gas and Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process for recovering heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG stream is heated to vaporize at least part of it, expanded, and supplied to a fractionation column at a first mid-column feed position. The gas stream is expanded, cooled, and supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the column below the mid-column feed positions and cooled by the LNG stream sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, with at least a portion of the condensed stream directed to the column at an upper mid-column feed position. A portion of the column overhead stream is cooled by the LNG feed stream to condense it and form both a “lean” LNG stream and a reflux stream that is supplied to the column at a top column feed position. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130298602 | NGL Recovery from a Recycle Stream Having Natural Gas - A method for recovering natural gas liquids from a recycle stream having natural gas is provided. In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide recycle stream that comprises carbon dioxide, natural gas, and natural gas liquids is received. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is separated into a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified carbon dioxide recycle stream comprises the carbon dioxide and the natural gas, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids. In another embodiment, a system comprises piping and a separator. The piping is configured to receive a recycle stream, and the separator is coupled to the piping and is configured to separate the recycle stream into a purified recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130312457 | PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR THE CRYOGENIC SEPARATION OF A METHANE-RICH STREAM - In a process for the cryogenic separation of a methane-rich feed stream containing between 3 and 35% of oxygen and also nitrogen, the feed stream is cooled in order to produce a cooled stream, at least one portion of the cooled stream is sent to a distillation column, a bottom stream is withdrawn from the distillation column, the bottom stream being enriched in methane compared to the feed stream, a stream enriched in oxygen compared to the feed stream is withdrawn from the distillation column, and a nitrogen-rich stream is sent to the column. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20140013796 | METHODS FOR SEPARATING HYDROCARBON GASES - A process for separating a hydrocarbon gas into a fraction containing a predominant portion of the methane or ethane and lighter components and a fraction containing a predominant portion of the C2 or C3 and heavier components in which the feed gas is treated in one or more heat exchange and expansion steps; partly condensed feed gas is directed into a separator wherein a first residue vapor is separated from a C2 or C3-containing liquid; and C2 or C3-containing liquids at substantially the pressure of separation are directed into a distillation column wherein the liquid is separated into a second residue to recover a C2 or C3-containing product. A portion of the vapor and/or a portion of the liquid from the first hydrocarbon vapor/liquid separation is further cooled and introduced into a fractionation column to increase the C2 or C3 and heavier hydrocarbons recovery from the natural gas stream. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140026614 | METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT AND CALCULATION OF DEW POINT FOR FRACTIONATION COLUMN OVERHEADS - Methods for controlling the operation of fractionation columns to avoid column flooding are described. The methods use mass flow meters to measure the mass flow rates of the receiver vapor, and the stripper hydrocarbon liquid or stripper reflux and stripper net overhead. The water from the receiver can be measured with either a volumetric flow meter or a mass flow meter. A computer can be used to determine the dew point from the mass flows, and an alarm can be triggered and/or a process change can be made if the difference between the calculated dew point and the temperature of the overhead vapor stream is less than a predetermined amount. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140026615 | CONFIGURATIONS AND METHODS FOR DEEP FEED GAS HYDROCARBON DEWPOINTING - An natural gas processing plant allows for recovery of at least 98% of butane and heavier hydrocarbons, and about 60 to 80% of propane hydrocarbons from a rich feed gas stream with a single fractionator that operates at two different pressures, that receives a chilled gas from a turboexpander in the upper fractionator and a C5+ liquid in the lower section, while producing a C2− vapor stream in the lower section that is used as reflux to the upper section. Most typically, contemplated configurations and methods operate without the use of external refrigeration. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140033762 | Heavy Hydrocarbon Removal From A Natural Gas Stream - A method and apparatus of removing heavy hydrocarbons from a natural gas feed stream, the method comprising using first and second hydrocarbon removal systems in series such that the first system processes the natural gas feed stream to produce a heavy hydrocarbon depleted natural gas stream and the second system processes at least a portion of the heavy hydrocarbon depleted natural gas stream from the first system to produce a natural gas stream lean in heavy hydrocarbons, wherein one of said systems is a adsorption system that comprises one or more beds of adsorbent for adsorbing and thereby removing heavy hydrocarbons from a heavy hydrocarbon containing natural gas, and the other of said systems is a gas-liquid separation system for separating a heavy hydrocarbon containing natural gas into a heavy hydrocarbon depleted natural gas vapor and a heavy hydrocarbon enriched liquid. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140033763 | Heavy Hydrocarbon Removal From A Natural Gas Stream - A method and apparatus of removing heavy hydrocarbons from a natural gas feed stream, the method comprising using first and second hydrocarbon removal systems in series such that the first system processes the natural gas feed stream to produce a heavy hydrocarbon depleted natural gas stream and the second system processes at least a portion of the heavy hydrocarbon depleted natural gas stream from the first system to produce a natural gas stream lean in heavy hydrocarbons, wherein one of said systems is a adsorption system that comprises one or more beds of adsorbent for adsorbing and thereby removing heavy hydrocarbons from a heavy hydrocarbon containing natural gas, and the other of said systems is a gas-liquid separation system for separating a heavy hydrocarbon containing natural gas into a heavy hydrocarbon depleted natural gas vapor and a heavy hydrocarbon enriched liquid. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140096563 | Liquefied Natural Gas and Hydrocarbon Gas Processing - A process for recovering ethane and heavier hydrocarbons from LNG and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is divided into two portions. The first is supplied to a fractionation column as a first upper mid-column feed. The second portion is heated while condensing a portion of a column distillation stream, thereby producing a “lean” LNG stream and a reflux stream. The reflux stream is supplied as top column feed. The second portion of LNG feed is heated further and supplied to the column as a first lower mid-column feed. The gas stream is divided into two portions. The second is expanded, then both portions are cooled while vaporizing the lean LNG stream and heating another portion of the distillation stream. The colder first portion is supplied to the column as a second upper mid-column feed, and the second is supplied as a second lower mid-column feed. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140150494 | Method for Optimizing Energy Efficiency in a Polymerization Process - A process for separation of a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream can include cooling the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream using an absorption refrigeration cycle to form a cooled feed stream. The cooled feed stream can be subjected to distillation conditions to remove a bottom stream including co-monomer; and an overhead stream including hydrocarbon diluents, olefin monomer, and components selected from H | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140202207 | METHODS FOR SEPARATING HYDROCARBON GASES - A process for separating a hydrocarbon gas into a fraction containing a predominant portion of the methane or ethane and lighter components and a fraction containing a predominant portion of the C | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140238075 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A FLOW WHICH IS RICH IN METHANE AND A CUT WHICH IS RICH IN C2+ HYDROCARBONS FROM A FLOW OF FEED NATURAL GAS AND AN ASSOCIATED INSTALLATION - This method comprises cooling the feed natural gas in a first heat exchanger and introducing the cooled, feed natural gas into a first separation flask. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140260420 | FLEXIBLE NGL RECOVERY METHODS AND CONFIGURATIONS - A natural gas liquids plant uses a demethanizer and a deethanizer in a two-column or single column configuration that can be used for ethane recovery and ethane rejection. During ethane recovery, 95% ethane recovery and 99% propane recovery are achieved, while during ethane rejection the sales gas Wobbe Index requirement is maintained while maintaining 95% propane recovery. A residue gas recycle exchanger is most preferably configured to use the demethanizer overhead product to either cool a portion of the residue gas and a portion of the feed gas during ethane recovery, or to cool a portion of the feed gas using two distinct heat transfer areas to produce a feed gas reflux at significantly lower temperature. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140290307 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A METHANE-RICH STREAM AND A C2+ HYDROCARBON-RICH STREAM, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT - This method comprises a separation of a feed stream ( | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140338395 | Method of Separating Carbon Dioxide from Liquid Acid Gas Streams - Embodiments described herein provide methods and systems for generating a CO | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140345320 | WATER REMOVAL AND HEAVY-HYDROCARBON REMOVAL PROCESS IN LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION FROM MIXED GAS RICH IN METHANE - A process for dehydrating and removing heavy hydrocarbons in the production of liquefied natural gas from a methane-rich gas mixture is disclosed, wherein the methane-rich gas mixture subjected to deacidification treatment is divided into two streams, i.e. the first stream and the second stream, wherein the first stream used as a system process gas is introduced into a drying procedure, and the second stream used as regenerating gas is introduced into a regenerating procedure; the first stream is subjected to a drying treatment, and the moisture and the heavy hydrocarbons are simultaneously removed from the first stream in a composite adsorbent bed(s) of a drying tower, wherein the moisture is removed such that the dew point at normal pressure is ≦−76° C. and the heavy hydrocarbon components of C6 and higher are removed such that the content of these components is ≦217 ppm; and the second stream is used as a regenerating gas in the regenerating procedure of the above-mentioned drying tower, subjected to a regenerating process, and then returned as a part of the system process gas. Comparing to those conventional processes, the present invention can achieve good purifying effect, lower equipment investment and late-stage energy consumption of the system, increase utilization ratio of feed gas, and the operation target of each unit becomes more clear and easy to control. The present invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the process. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150013380 | METHOD FOR SEPARATING OFF ACID GASES FROM NATURAL GAS - A method is provided for separating off acid gases, in particular CO | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150047391 | LOW PRESSURE DEETHANIZATION PROCESS AND SYSTEM - A system and process for separating ethane and propane from a feed stream comprising dehydrated liquefied petroleum gas is disclosed. A distillation column operates at a lower pressure and temperature than conventional distillation columns. High purity liquid propane exits the bottom of the distillation column and is flashed through a cooling control valve becoming a two-phase stream with the vapor entering a heat pump compressor. The high or increased temperature compressed propane stream exiting the heat pump compressor is directed into the distillation column to drive the separation of the ethane and propane, allowing the elimination of a reboiler from the system and process. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150052940 | FRACTIONATION SYSTEM AND METHOD INCLUDING DEPROPANIZER COLUMN AND BOTTOMS STRIPPING COLUMN - Fractionation systems utilizing a rectifying column with a stripping column are described. The liquid from the rectifying column bottoms is sent to the first tray of the stripping column, while the overhead stream from the stripping column is sent to the bottom of the rectifying column. Processes for separating feed streams are also described. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150052941 | FRACTIONATION SYSTEM HAVING RECTIFYING AND STRIPPING COLUMNS IN A SINGLE VESSEL WITH A UNIFORM DIAMETER - Fractionation systems utilizing a single rectifying column with a stripping column housed in the same vessel and having a uniform diameter are described. Methods of separating feed streams using the fractionation systems are also described. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150114035 | Process And Apparatus For The Separation By Cryogenic Distillation Of A Mixture Of Methane, Carbon Dioxide And Hydrogen - In a process for the cryogenic separation of a feed mixture of at least carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane, the feed mixture is separated in a methane wash column fed by a liquid methane stream at the top of the methane wash column to produce a gas enriched in hydrogen, a liquid stream from the bottom of the methane wash column is treated to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide and methane, the mixture of carbon monoxide and methane is separated in a separation column to produce a gas enriched in carbon monoxide and a liquid methane flow at least part of which forms a purge stream, the purge stream being varied to take account of load variations. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150292798 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A FLOW RICH IN METHANE AND A FLOW RICH IN C2+ HYDROCARBONS, AND ASSOCIATED INSTALLATION - This method envisions cooling the supply flow in a first heat exchanger, separation in a first separation flask in order to produce a light upper flow and a heavy lower flow and dividing the light upper flow into a supply fraction of a dynamic pressure reduction turbine and a supply fraction of a first distillation column. A cooled reflux flow is formed from an effluent from a dynamic pressure reduction turbine, the portion of the effluent being cooled and at least partially liquefied in a heat exchanger. The cooled reflux flow is introduced from the heat exchanger into the first distillation column. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150330706 | PROCESS FOR REMOVING LIGHT COMPONENTS FROM AN ETHYLENE STREAM - A process for removing light components from an ethylene stream may include providing a dried ethylene stream containing ethylene, ethane, CO, CO | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150376527 | CO2 CAPTURE FROM CO2-RICH NATURAL GAS - It is described a prefractionation-physical absorption hybrid process and system for separation of a CO | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150377551 | PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR REMOVING NITROGEN FROM LNG - Processes and systems are provided for removing nitrogen from a hydrocarbon-containing gas to thereby recover a liquid natural gas (LNG) stream. In particular, the processes and systems described herein can be used to efficiently separate methane from nitrogen, which is an undesirable byproduct found in many hydrocarbon-containing gases used to produce LNG. The processes and systems described herein can utilize various refrigerant systems to separate and produce the LNG. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160003530 | METHOD AND APPLIANCE FOR SEPARATING A MIXTURE CONTAINING CARBON DIOXIDE BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION - In a method for separating at least one lighter impurity of a gaseous mixture containing at least 30% mol of carbon dioxide, a liquid ( | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160138863 | Heat Exchange Mechanism For Removing Contaminants From A Hydrocarbon Vapor Stream - A system for melting contaminant-laden solids that have been separated from a hydrocarbon-containing vapor stream in a hydrocarbon distillation tower, comprising at least one plate positioned where the solids form within the hydrocarbon distillation tower, hollow tubing forming an integral part of each of the at least one plate, and a heating medium disposed to flow through the hollow tubing at a higher temperature than a temperature of the solids to at least partially melt the solids. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160138864 | Liquid Collection System - An apparatus is disclosed for maintaining constant fluid pressure and equalized fluid flow among a plurality of downcomer lines through which liquid from a tower is directed. A substantially annular fluid distribution belt is disposed at the circumference of the tower. The fluid distribution belt collects liquid from the tower. At least two outlets direct liquid from the fluid distribution belt out of the tower and into a corresponding number of downcomer lines disposed external to the tower. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160146534 | METHOD FOR RECOVERING AN ETHYLENE STREAM FROM A CARBON MONOXIDE RICH FEED STREAM, AND ASSOCIATED INSTALLATION - This method comprises the following steps:
| 05-26-2016 |
| 20170234613 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR REFORMING OF HYDROCARBONS INCLUDING RECOVERY OF PRODUCTS USING AN ABSORPTION ZONE | 08-17-2017 |
