The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 15, 1997
Filed:
Jan. 05, 1995
Steven I Kantorowicz, Nutley, NJ (US);
Stephen J Stanley, Matawan, NJ (US);
David M Wadsworth, Laconia, NH (US);
Rene C Warner, Benthuizen, NL;
ABB Lummus Global Inc., Bloomfield, NJ (US);
Abstract
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.