Abstract: This invention is an improved distillation sequence for the separation and purification of ethylene from a cracked gas. A hydrocarbon feed enters a C2 distributor column. The top of the C2 distributor column is thermally coupled to an ethylene distributor column, and the bottoms liquid of a C2 distributor column feeds a deethanizer column. The C2 distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The top of the ethylene distributor is thermally coupled with a demethanizer column, and the bottoms liquid of the ethylene distributor feeds a C2 splitter column. The ethylene distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The deethanizer and C2 splitter columns are also thermally coupled and operated at a substantially lower pressure than the C2 distributor column, the ethylene distributor column, and the demethanizer column. Alternatively, a hydrocarbon feed enters a deethanizer column.

Abstract: Polymerization processes having as constituent parts high conversion membrane reactors, that provide a source of monomer, and subsequent polymerization of the monomer, without passing products of the conversion through an alkane/alkene splitter, are disclosed. Polymers of light alkene hydrocarbons, such as ethylene, propylene and alkenes consisting of up to 6 carbon atoms, are prepared from gaseous feedstreams consisting predominantly of volatile alkane compounds substantially free of dihydrogen and/or dioxygen. Equipment required for separation of alkene products from unreacted alkanes in conventional plants is eliminated because of the high alkane conversions provided in the membrane reactors. Particularly useful are flow reactors comprising dense membranes of multiphasic materials that provide independent, controllable, counter-current transport of hydrogen, electrons and oxygen.

Abstract: An autothermal cracking process for production and recovery of olefins. The process comprises feeding a substantially hydrocarbon feedstock and an oxygen-containing gas to an autothermal cracker to provide a hydrocarbon product stream comprising olefins. A waste enthalpy source generated by said autothermal cracking process is used to at least partially drive an ammonia absorption refrigeration system to provide chilling for at least one process stream in the separation and/or purification of olefins from the hydrocarbon product stream.

Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of ethylene and optionally propylene from a stream containing lighter and heavier components that employs an ethylene distributor column and a partially thermally coupled distributed distillation system.

Abstract: A refrigeration process is disclosed that employs a mixed refrigerant to chill a process gas stream in which a second stream is cooled against rewarming vaporized mixed refrigerant at low pressure and subsequently is at least partially vaporized against at least partially condensed mixed refrigerant at a higher pressure.

Abstract: The recovery of ethylene from light gases at low temperature by the use of a mixed refrigeration system comprising methane, ehtylene and/or ethane, and propylene and/or propane.

Abstract: This invention is an improved distillation sequence for the separation and purification of ethylene from a cracked gas. A hydrocarbon feed enters a C2 distributor column. The top of the C2 distributor column is thermally coupled to an ethylene distributor column, and the bottoms liquid of a C2 distributor column feeds a deethanizer column. The C2 distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The top of the ethylene distributor is thermally coupled with a demethanizer column, and the bottoms liquid of the ethylene distributor feeds a C2 splitter column. The ethylene distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The deethanizer and C2 splitter columns are also thermally coupled and operated at a substantially lower pressure than the C2 distributor column, the ethylene distributor column, and the demethanizer column. Alternatively, a hydrocarbon feed enters a deethanizer column.