Method for cooling in distillation and polymerisation process by absorption refrigeration

Abstract

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, N, O, CO, CO, formaldehyde and combinations thereof, passing the overhead stream from the first distillation zone to a second distillation zone for subjecting the overhead stream to distillation conditions adapted to remove a second bottom stream including substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon diluents, a side stream including hydrocarbon diluent and a second overhead vapor stream including olefin monomer, diluents and further components selected from H, N, O, CO, CO, formaldehyde and combinations thereof, cooling the second overhead vapor stream using a second absorption refrigeration cycle to form a cooled overhead vapor stream and separating olefin monomer from diluents in the cooled overhead vapor stream.