Abstract: A process for economically recovering ethane, propane and heavier hydrocarbon components from methane and lighter constituents of natural gas streams is disclosed. The separation process of the natural gas stream is accomplished in two stages. The input gas stream (90) is first cooled by exchanger (58) using various streams of refrigerant. After cooling the stream (102) is partially condensed in a separator (104), with part of the methane and almost all of the ethane and heavier hydrocarbons within the stream being condensed. The condensed mixtures (112) are fed to a fractionation tower (116), where the methane and lighter gases are distilled from the other hydrocarbons. The cooling and condensation of the hydrocarbons in the feed stream and the heat source for the tower (116) are accomplished in indirect contact heat exchangers (26, 58, 68, 70, 210) with a multi-component hydrocarbon refrigerant in two streams (154, 220) and a slip stream (211) of the feed stream.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the separation of hydrocarbon feed gas mixture containing methane and carbon dioxide, as well as other components such as ethane propane-and-heavier hydrocarbon, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, or other lighter inert gases, into various components. The steps of separation include distillation and absorption. These separations operate at temperatures and pressures such that the freezing or formation of solid carbon dioxide will not occur. The process utilizes four distillation units and one absorption unit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for economically recovering ethane, propane and heavier hydrocarbon components from methane and lighter constituents of natural gas streams is disclosed. The separation process of the natural gas stream is accomplished in two stages. The input gas stream (90) is first cooled by exchanger (58) using various streams of refrigerant. After cooling the stream (102) is partially condensed in a separator (104), with part of the methane and almost all of the ethane and heavier hydrocarbons within the stream being condensed. The condensed mixtures (112) are fed to a fractionation tower (116), where the methane and lighter gases are distilled from the other hydrocarbons. The cooling and condensation of the hydrocarbons in the feed stream and the heat source for the tower (116) are accomplished in indirect contact heat exchangers (26, 58, 68, 70) with a refrigerant. The cooling of the feed stream is also accomplished by flashing of the process gases.

Abstract: A process for economically recovering ethane, propane and heavier hydrocarbon components from methane and lighter constituents of natural gas streams is disclosed. The separation process of the natural gas stream is accomplished in two stages. The input gas stream (90) is first cooled by exchanger (58) using various streams of refrigerant. After cooling the stream (102) is partially condensed in a separator (104), with part of the methane and almost all of the ethane and heavier hydrocarbons within the stream being condensed. The condensed mixtures (112) are fed to a fractionation tower (116), where the methane and lighter gases are distilled from the other hydrocarbons. The cooling and condensation of the hydrocarbons in the feed stream and the heat source for the tower (116) are accomplished in indirect contact heat exchangers (26, 58, 68, 70) with a multi-component hydrocarbon refrigerant. The cooling of the feed stream is also accomplished by flashing of the process gases.

Abstract: The invention is a process for economically recovering carbon black, oil and fuel gas from used tires. Used tires are physically fragmented. The fragments are pyrolized at slightly subatmospheric pressure in a reactor while process char is being recycled to increase heat transfer and avoid coke on heat transfer surfaces. Entrained char is separated from the vapor phase products of the pyrolysis, and the vapor phase products of the pyrolysis are then fractionated into oil and fuel gas. A preferred embodiment condenses reactor vapors in two stages at two temperature levels to separate dust from an oil-dust mixture, without water in the first stage and light oil in the second stage. The fuel gas can be compressed and burnt to provide process heat. The entrained char dust and some heavy oil is returned to the reactor. Solid phase pyrolysis products are stripped of trash and milled to carbon black.

Abstract: The invention is a process for economically recovering carbon black, tar, oil and fuel gas from used tires. Used tires are physically sliced and fragmented. The fragments are pyrolized in an oxygen-limited, hydrocarbon vapor at subatmospheric pressure while being refluxed with process tar condensate. Vapor phase products of the pyrolysis are fractionated into tar, oil and fuel gas. The fuel gas can be compressed and burnt to provide process heat. Solid phase pyrolysis products are stripped of trash and milled to carbon black in an air swept roller mill. Carbon black is mechanically separated from the effluent air stream of the roller mill and formed into pellets that are dried in a series multi-stage fluid bed dryer.