Abb Lummus Global Inc.

Rene C Warner

Stephen J Stanley

David M Wadsworth

Steven I Kantorowicz

A method of processing a cracked gas feedstream containing hydrogen and C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 and heavier hydrocarbons is described using a relatively low pressure as compared to conventional cryogenic separation processes. At pressures below 27 bars, the feedstream is dried and cooled in a series of steps to initially separate out essentially all of the C.sub.6 and heavier hydrocarbons forming a vapor stream containing the hydrogen, the C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 hydrocarbons and at least some of the C.sub.4 and C.sub.5 hydrocarbons. The C.sub.4 and C.sub.5 components act as an absorption liquid to lower the light ends partial pressure permitting the condensation of C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 components at higher temperature levels and permitting the operation at lower pressures. The vapor stream is then further cooled and separated in another series of steps and processed in a demethanizer column in a manner to provide a high pressure hydrogen and methane overhead product and a high recovery of C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 components in the bottoms.

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Benthuizen, Netherlands

Rene C Warner