Abstract: The process of this invention represents an improved, low-energy method for recovering a purified ethylene product from the effluent of an autothermal cracking reactor. The process consists of a cracked gas chilling train, a front-end ethylene distributor, a demethanizer, and a C2 splitter. Hydrocarbons heavier than ethylene, including ethane, propylene, and propane are recycled in a single stream to the ATC reactor. Acetylene removal from the ethylene product can be accomplished either through a front-end hydrogenation unit or an acetylene extraction unit. This invention is particularly useful when the fresh hydrocarbon feed to the autothermal cracking reactor is ethane or a mixture of ethane and propane.

Abstract: A process is described for the recovery of CO and optionally hydrogen from a stream containing CO, H2, methane, and hydrocarbons heavier than methane. The process is characterized by a two-stage removal (3, 6) of C2+ hydrocarbons from the feed. In a first step the feed gas (1) is separated (3) into a first C2+ depleted stream (5) and a first C2+ enriched stream (4). The first C2-enriched stream (4) is rectified (6) to produce a second C2+ depleted stream. The first and second C2+ depleted streams (5, 9) are fed to a cryogenic system (10) fro recovery of CO (12) and optionally hydrogen (11).

Abstract: Processes using multiple expansion turbines for efficient recovery of power from a plurality of very high pressure streams of superheated vapor are disclosed. Beneficially, processes of the invention use at least two classes of expansion turbines. Processes according to this invention are particularly useful for recovery of power from very high pressure streams of superheated steam in an olefins manufacturing process. Such streams are typically produced by thermal cracking of suitable petroleum derived feed stocks, and the olefins being produced and purified are typically ethylene and/or propylene.

Abstract: The process of this invention represents an improved method for recovering a purified ethylene product and optionally a purified hydrogen product from the effluent of an autothermal cracking reactor. The process consists of cracked gas chilling, rough separation of a hydrogen-rich stream, demethanization, separation of ethylene from the demethanizer bottoms product, and final purification of the ethylene product. Hydrocarbons heavier than ethylene, including ethane, propylene, and propane are recycled to the ATC reactor. Optionally a purified hydrogen product can be obtained from the hydrogen-rich stream. The invention is particularly useful when the fresh hydrocarbons feed to the autothermal cracking reactor is ethane or a mixture of ethane and propane.

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: 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: 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.