Abstract: A natural gas liquid plant is retrofitted with a bolt-on unit that includes an absorber that is coupled to an existing demethanizer by refrigeration produced at least in part by compression and expansion of the residue gas, wherein ethane recovery can be increased to at least 99% and propane recovery is at least 99%, and where a lower ethane recovery of 96% is required, the bolt-on unit does not require the absorber, which could be optimum solution for revamping an existing facility. Contemplated configurations are especially advantageous to be used as bolt-on upgrades to existing plants.

Abstract: An installation and method for purifying and liquefying natural gas having, arranged in series, an adsorption purification unit, a unit for separating hydrocarbons by refrigeration, and a liquefier. The installation has a gas power plant for combined production of heat and electricity by hydrocarbon combustion. The installation has at least one electrical member, with the power plant being electrically connected to at least one of the electrical members in order to supply them with electrical energy.

Abstract: A system for removing freezing components from a feed gas includes a heat exchanger, a scrub column and a return vapor expansion device. The heat exchanger includes a reflux cooling passage and a return vapor passage. Vapor from the scrub column is directed through the return vapor expansion device, where the temperature and pressure are lowered. The resulting cooled fluid then travels to the return vapor passage of the heat exchanger and is used to cool a vapor stream in the reflux cooling passage to create a reflux fluid stream that is directed to the scrub column.

Abstract: A natural gas liquid plant is retrofitted with a bolt-on unit that includes an absorber that is coupled to an existing demethanizer by refrigeration produced at least in part by compression and expansion of the residue gas, wherein ethane recovery can be increased to at least 99% and propane recovery is at least 99%, and where a lower ethane recovery of 96% is required, the bolt-on unit does not require the absorber, which could be optimum solution for revamping an existing facility. Contemplated configurations are especially advantageous to be used as bolt-on upgrades to existing plants.

Abstract: A system for removing nitrogen from a natural gas fluid feed stream includes a main heat exchanger that receives the natural gas fluid feed stream. A distillation column receives a cooled fluid stream from the main heat exchanger and features a return vapor outlet and a side vapor outlet port. The return vapor outlet provides nitrogen vapor to the main heat exchanger which is warmed therein. The side vapor outlet port provides vapor to the main heat exchanger and a reflux compressor receives and compresses the resulting fluid from the main heat exchanger. A reflux aftercooler receives and cools fluid from the reflux compressor, directs cooled fluid to the main heat exchanger and the resulting fluid is directed to a reflux separation device. The reflux separation device has a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet. The vapor outlet of the reflux separation device directs fluid to the main heat exchanger so that fluid is directed to the first reflux inlet port of the distillation column.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of components from a hydrocarbon gas stream containing significant quantities of components more volatile than methane (hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.). The gas stream is partially condensed, then the remaining vapor is expanded to lower pressure and supplied to a fractionation tower at a mid-column feed position. The condensed liquid is cooled and divided into two portions. The first portion is expanded to tower pressure, heated by cooling the liquid, and supplied to the tower at a lower column feed position. The second portion is further cooled, expanded to tower pressure, and supplied to the tower at a top feed position. The tower overhead vapor is heated by cooling the second portion. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the tower maintain the overhead temperature of the tower whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.

Abstract: A plant and process are used to liquefy and purify a high pressure ethane feed stream. The plant includes a cascaded refrigeration system that refrigerates the ethane feed stream. The refrigeration system includes a propylene circuit, an ethylene circuit and a mixed refrigerant circuit. The mixed refrigerant circuit includes a refrigerant that includes ethane and methane. The plant includes a demethanizer that is configured to remove methane and other natural gas liquids from the refrigerated ethane stream.

Abstract: A CO2 separation and liquefaction system such as might be used in a carbon capture and sequestration system for a fossil fuel burning power plant is disclosed. The CO2 separation and liquefaction system includes a first cooling stage to cool flue gas with liquid CO2, a compression stage coupled to the first cooling stage to compress the cooled flue gas, a second cooling stage coupled to the compression stage and the first cooling stage to cool the compressed flue gas with a CO2 melt and provide the liquid CO2 to the first cooling stage, and an expansion stage coupled to the second cooling stage to extract solid CO2 from the flue gas that melts in the second cooling stage to provide the liquid CO2.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for separation of a hydrocarbon gas stream containing methane and heavier hydrocarbons and significant quantities of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The gas stream is cooled and expanded, then fractionated in a first distillation column into a first overhead vapor and a hydrocarbon liquid stream containing the majority of the carbon dioxide. The hydrocarbon liquid stream is fractionated into a hydrocarbon vapor stream and a less volatile fraction comprised of heavier hydrocarbons. The first overhead vapor is cooled, expanded, and separated into vapor and liquid streams. Both streams are cooled and expanded before feeding a second distillation column that produces a second overhead vapor that is predominantly nitrogen and a bottom liquid that is predominantly methane. The bottom liquid is vaporized and combined with the hydrocarbon vapor stream to form a volatile residue gas fraction containing the majority of the methane.

Abstract: The invention provides a process to purify a gas stream by using an adsorbent bed and a secondary device to remove heavy hydrocarbons with a recycle stream then sent first to a vessel containing an amine solvent to remove acid gases including carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide and then in most embodiments of the invention sending the treated gas stream to a dehydration unit such as an adsorbent bed or to a triethylene glycol absorbent to remove water. The invention further provides improved integration of the process streams to allow for smaller amine solvent and dehydration units as compared to the prior art.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for operating a natural gas liquids plant in ethane rejection and in ethane recovery. A natural gas liquid plant may comprise an absorber configured to produce an ethane rich bottom stream and an ethane depleted vapor stream; a stripper fluidly coupled to the absorber configured to, during ethane rejection, fractionate the ethane rich bottom stream from the absorber into an ethane overhead product and a propane plus hydrocarbons product, and configured to, during ethane recovery, fractionate the ethane rich bottom stream into an ethane plus NGL stream and an overhead vapor stream; and an exchanger configured to, during ethane recovery, counter-currently contact the ethane rich bottom stream from the absorber with the ethane depleted vapor stream from the absorber, thereby heating the vapor stream and chilling the ethane rich bottom stream before the ethane rich bottom stream is fed to the stripper.

Abstract: Integrated systems are provided for the production of higher hydrocarbon compositions, for example liquid hydrocarbon compositions, from methane using an oxidative coupling of methane system to convert methane to ethylene, followed by conversion of ethylene to selectable higher hydrocarbon products. Integrated systems and processes are provided that process methane through to these higher hydrocarbon products.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a lower mid-column feed position. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower at an upper mid-column feed position. A recycle stream is withdrawn from the tower overhead after it has been warmed and compressed. The compressed recycle stream is cooled sufficiently to substantially condense it, and is then expanded to the pressure of the fractionation tower and supplied to the tower at a top column feed position.

Abstract: A method for operating a natural gas liquids processing (NGL) system, the system being selectively configured in either an ethane rejection configuration or an ethane recovery configuration, the method comprising, when the NGL system is in the ethane rejection configuration, collecting a reboiler bottom stream that, in the ethane rejection configuration, includes ethane in an amount of less than 5% by volume, and when the NGL system is in the ethane recovery configuration, collecting a reboiler bottom stream that, in the ethane recovery configuration, includes ethane in an amount of at least about 30% by volume.

Abstract: This method comprises a separation of a feed stream (16) into a first fraction (41A) and a second fraction (41B). It comprises injecting the first cooled feed fraction (42) into a first separating flask (22) to produce a light head stream (44). The method comprises expanding a turbine feed fraction (48) resulting from the light head stream (44) in a first turbine (26) up to a first pressure and injecting the first expanded fraction (54) into a distillation column (30). The method comprises expanding the second fraction of the feed stream (41B) in a second turbine (40) up to a second pressure substantially equal to the first pressure. The second expanded fraction (91A) from the second dynamic expansion turbine (40) is used to form a cooled reflux stream (91B) injected into the column (30).

Abstract: Processes and systems for recovery of a dilute ethylene stream are illustrated and described. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to processes and systems for separation of a dilute ethylene stream from an offgas or other vapor streams, where the ultra-low temperature refrigeration for the desired separations is provided by the offgas itself, and only moderately-low temperature externally supplied propylene refrigerants (for example, at ?40° C. to 15° C.) are necessary.

Abstract: A method for the separation of liquid CO2 from a 2 phase feed stream, the process comprising the steps of: cooling the feed stream to a cryogenic temperature; expanding the cooled stream so as to further lower the temperature of the feed through expansion; mechanically separating the expanded stream, using a mechanical separator, into a gas phase and a liquid CO2 phase, and; venting the gas phase and outflowing the liquid CO2.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a different solution for revamping existing producing apparatuses so as to increase the production of low pressure pure nitrogen while controlling as far as possible the capital and operation expenditures. The revamping solution comprises increasing the diameter and/or height of a pure nitrogen column to thereby improve the production capacity thereof; choosing to switch the conduits where the waste liquid nitrogen and pure liquid nitrogen are passed through in the subcooler according to the increment of the low pressure pure nitrogen production; adding an additional heat exchanger to conduct a heat exchange between a portion of the medium pressure air and the increased low pressure pure nitrogen; or simultaneously switching the main parts of the conduits which transfer the pure liquid nitrogen and waste liquid nitrogen from a first column of higher pressure to a second column of lower pressure while performing the above revamping.

Abstract: A mixed phase unstabilized hydrocarbon stream is created by partially evaporating an unstabilized hydrocarbon condensate stream, including indirectly heat exchanging the unstabilized hydrocarbon condensate stream against an effluent stream in a feed-effluent heat exchanger. The mixed phase unstabilized hydrocarbon stream is fed into a stabilizer column. A liquid phase of stabilized hydrocarbon condensate is discharged from a bottom end, while an overhead vapor stream consisting of a vapor phase comprising volatile components from the unstabilized hydrocarbon condensate stream is discharged from a top end of the stabilizer column. The overhead vapor stream is passed through an overhead condenser. The resulting partially condensed overhead stream is separated in an overhead separator into a vapor effluent stream and an overhead liquid stream. The effluent stream against which the unstabilized hydrocarbon condensate stream is heat exchanged in the feed-effluent heat exchanger comprises the vapor effluent stream.

Abstract: Processes and systems for recovery of a dilute ethylene stream are illustrated and described. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to processes and systems for separation of a dilute ethylene stream from an offgas or other vapor streams, where the ultra-low temperature refrigeration for the desired separations is provided by the offgas itself, and only moderately-low temperature externally supplied propylene refrigerants (for example, at ?40° C. to 15° C.) are necessary.

Abstract: Integrated systems are provided for the production of higher hydrocarbon compositions, for example liquid hydrocarbon compositions, from methane using an oxidative coupling of methane system to convert methane to ethylene, followed by conversion of ethylene to selectable higher hydrocarbon products. Integrated systems and processes are provided that process methane through to these higher hydrocarbon products.

Abstract: A system and method for removal of a contaminant comprising removing a liquefied portion of a refrigerant stream comprising nitrogen from a reverse Brayton cycle refrigerant system, introducing the liquefied refrigerant stream into a contaminant removal column as a reflux stream removing a contaminant stream from the bottom of the contaminant removal column, removing a vapor stream enriched in nitrogen from the top of the contaminant removal column, and introducing the vapor stream enriched in nitrogen back into the reverse Brayton cycle refrigerant system.

Abstract: Separating propane and heavier hydrocarbons from a feed stream by cooling the feed stream, introducing the chilled feed stream into a feed stream separation unit, pumping the separator bottom stream, introducing the pressurized separator bottom stream into a stripper column, reducing the pressure of the separator overhead stream, introducing the letdown separator overhead stream into an absorber column, collecting a stripper overhead stream from the stripper column, chilling the stripper overhead stream, reducing the pressure of the chilled stripper overhead stream, introducing the letdown stripper overhead stream into the absorber column, collecting an absorber bottom stream, pumping the absorber bottom stream, heating the absorber bottom stream, introducing the heated absorber bottom stream into the stripper column, and collecting the stripper bottom stream from the stripper column. The stripper column bottom stream includes the propane and heavier hydrocarbons and less than about 2.0% of ethane by volume.

Abstract: A method comprising the cooling of the feed natural-gas (15) in a first heat exchanger (16) and the introduction of the cooled feed natural-gas (40) in separator flask (18). The method further comprising dynamic expansion of a turbine input flow (46) in a first expansion turbine (22) and the introduction of the expanded flow (102) into a splitter column (26). This method includes sampling at the head of the splitter column (26) a methane-rich head stream (82) and sampling in the compressed methane-rich head stream (86) a first recirculation stream (88). The method comprises the formation of at least one second recirculation stream (96) obtained from the methane-rich head stream (82) downstream from the splitter column (26) and the formation of a dynamic expansion stream (100) from the second recirculation stream (96).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for lowering the water dew point subsea in a produced multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream containing water, the method comprising the steps of: separating (10) the hydrocarbon fluid stream (1) into a liquid phase (3) and a first gas phase (2); cooling (20) the first gas phase in a controlled manner to knock out water or condensing water and optionally other condensates while keeping the fluid above a hydrate formation temperature thereof; separating off condensed liquids (6) and a second gas phase; wherein the second gas phase (8) has a water dew point which is lower than that of the initial multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream. The invention also concerns a system for lowering the water dew point subsea.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power and regasification system based on liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprising a vaporizer by which liquid motive fluid is vaporized, said liquid motive fluid being LNG or a motive fluid liquefied by means of LNG; a turbine for expanding the vaporized motive fluid and producing power; heat exchanger means to which expanded motive fluid vapor is supplied, said heat exchanger means also being supplied with LNG for receiving heat from said expanded fluid vapor, whereby the temperature of the LNG increases as it flows through the heat exchanger means; a conduit through which said motive fluid is supplied from at least the outlet of said heat exchanger to the inlet of said; and a line for transmitting regasified LNG.

Abstract: Process for efficiently operating a natural gas liquefaction system with integrated heavies removal/natural gas liquids recovery to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) and/or natural gas liquids (NGL) products with varying characteristics, such as, for example higher heating value (HHV) and/or propane content. Resulting LNG and/or NGL products are capable of meeting the significantly different specifications of two or more markets.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated process and apparatus for liquefaction of natural gas and recovery of natural gas liquids. In particular, the improved process and apparatus reduces the energy consumption of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) unit by using a portion of the already cooled overhead vapor from a fractionation column from an NGL (natural gas liquefaction) unit to, depending upon composition, provide, for example, reflux for fractionation in the NGL unit and/or a cold feed for the LNG unit, or by cooling, within the NGL unit, a residue gas originating from a fractionation column of the NGL unit and using the resultant cooled residue gas to, depending upon composition, provide, for example, reflux/feed for fractionation in the NGL and/or a cold feed for the LNG unit, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the LNG unit and rendering the process more energy-efficient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating a hydrocarbon gas into a fraction containing a predominant portion of the methane or ethane and lighter components and a fraction containing a predominant portion of the C2 or C3 and heavier components in which process the feed gas is treated in one or more heat exchange, and expansion steps; partly condensed feed gas is directed into a separator wherein a first residue vapor is separated from a C2 or C3-containing liquid; and C2 or C3-containing liquids, at substantially the pressure of separation, are directed into a distillation column wherein said liquid is separated into a second residue is separated to recover a C2 or C3-containing product. The foregoing process is improved by cooling said second residue to partially condense it.

Abstract: Contemplated methods and configurations use a cooled ethane and CO2-containing feed gas that is expanded in a first turbo-expander and subsequently heat-exchanged to allow for relatively high expander inlet temperatures to a second turbo expander. Consequently, the relatively warm demethanizer feed from the second expander effectively removes CO2 from the ethane product and prevents carbon dioxide freezing in the demethanizer, while another portion of the heat-exchanged and expanded feed gas is further chilled and reduced in pressure to form a lean reflux for high ethane recovery.

Abstract: A gas processing plant has a de-ethanizer and a refluxed absorber, wherein the absorber operates at higher pressure than the de-ethanizer, and wherein at least a portion of the absorber bottoms product is expanded to provide cooling for the absorber reflux stream and/or the distillation column feed stream. Especially contemplated gas processing plants include propane and ethane recovery plants, and where the gas processing plant is an ethane recovery plant, it is contemplated that the ethane product comprises no more than 500 ppm carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing and separating ethane and ethylene. In some embodiments, an oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) product gas comprising ethane and ethylene is introduced to a separation unit comprising two separators. Within the separation unit, the OCM product gas is separated to provide a C2-rich effluent, a methane-rich effluent, and a nitrogen-rich effluent. Advantageously, in some embodiments the separation is achieved with little or no external refrigeration requirement.

Abstract: A method comprises separating a hydrocarbon feed stream having carbon dioxide into a heavy hydrocarbon stream and a light hydrocarbon stream. The light hydrocarbon stream is separated into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream. At least a portion of the carbon dioxide-lean stream is fed to a hydrocarbon sweetening process. Another method comprises receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream that comprises 30 molar percent to 80 molar percent carbon dioxide. A heavy hydrocarbon stream is separated from the hydrocarbon feed stream, wherein the heavy hydrocarbon stream comprises at least 90 molar percent C3+ hydrocarbons. A carbon dioxide-rich stream is separated from the hydrocarbon feed stream, wherein the carbon dioxide-rich stream comprises at least 95 molar percent carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A compression system is disposed in a container and shipped to a location having a supply of natural gas. The compression system connects to the natural gas supply, compresses gas from the supply, and provides compressed gas to a consumer. The container, which can be a standardized ISO shipping container, is fitted with removable vents at designated locations. Strategic positioning of compression system components in combination with the removable vents allows for ready access to the compression system for repair and maintenance.

Abstract: Contemplated methods and configurations use a cooled ethane and CO2-containing feed gas that is expanded in a first turbo-expander and subsequently heat-exchanged to allow for relatively high expander inlet temperatures to a second turbo expander. Consequently, the relatively warm demethanizer feed from the second expander effectively removes CO2 from the ethane product and prevents carbon dioxide freezing in the demethanizer, while another portion of the heat-exchanged and expanded feed gas is further chilled and reduced in pressure to form a lean reflux for high ethane recovery.

Abstract: High-pressure feed gas is chilled and expanded to condense a portion of the feed gas into a C2+ enriched liquid phase and a C2+ depleted vapor phase. The liquid phase is expanded to provide additional cooling for the feed gas and deethanizer reflux prior to being fed to the deethanizer while the vapor is combined with residue gas of a deethanizer.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for recovering ethane, ethylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to a first fractionation tower at a mid-column feed position. A distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from the first fractionation tower below the feed position of the expanded stream, heated, and directed into a second fractionation tower that produces an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream. The overhead vapor stream is cooled to condense it, with a portion of the condensed stream directed to the second fractionation tower as its top feed and the remainder directed to the first fractionation tower at a lower column feed position. The bottom liquid stream from the second fractionation tower is cooled and directed to the first fractionation tower as its top feed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating a hydrocarbon gas into a fraction containing a predominant portion of the methane or ethane and lighter components and a fraction containing a predominant portion of the C2 or C3 and heavier components in which process the feed gas is treated in one or more heat exchange, and expansion steps; partly condensed feed gas is directed into a separator wherein a first residue vapor is separated from a C2 or C3-containing liquid; and C2 or C3-containing liquids, at substantially the pressure of separation, are directed into a distillation column wherein said liquid is separated into a second residue is separated to recover a C2 or C3-containing product. The foregoing process is improved by cooling said second residue to partially condense it.

Abstract: A process for recovering ethane and heavier hydrocarbons from LNG and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is divided into two portions. The first is supplied to a fractionation column as a first upper mid-column feed. The second portion is heated while condensing a portion of a column distillation stream, thereby producing a “lean” LNG stream and a reflux stream. The reflux stream is supplied as top column feed. The second portion of LNG feed is heated further and supplied to the column as a first lower mid-column feed. The gas stream is divided into two portions. The second is expanded, then both portions are cooled while vaporizing the lean LNG stream and heating another portion of the distillation stream. The colder first portion is supplied to the column as a second upper mid-column feed, and the second is supplied as a second lower mid-column feed.

Abstract: A process for recovering heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG stream is heated to vaporize at least part of it, expanded, and supplied to a fractionation column at a first mid-column feed position. The gas stream is expanded, cooled, and supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the column below the mid-column feed positions and cooled by the LNG stream sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, with at least a portion of the condensed stream directed to the column at an upper mid-column feed position. A portion of the column overhead stream is cooled by the LNG feed stream to condense it and form both a “lean” LNG stream and a reflux stream that is supplied to the column at a top column feed position.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for removing carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to intermediate pressure, and supplied to a fractionation tower at a top column feed position. The tower overhead vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and cooled to partially condense it, forming a condensed stream. The condensed stream is expanded to intermediate pressure, used to subcool a portion of the tower bottom liquid product, then supplied to the tower at a mid-column feed position. The subcooled portion of the tower bottom liquid product is expanded to lower pressure and used to cool the compressed overhead vapor stream. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the carbon dioxide is recovered in the tower bottom liquid product.

Abstract: A method to recover NGL's at gas Pressure Reducing Stations. A first step involve providing at least one heat exchanger having a flow path for passage of high pressure natural gas with a counter current depressurized lean cold gas. A second step involves passing the high pressure natural gas stream in a counter current flow with the lean cold gas and cooling it before de-pressurization. A third step involves the expansion of the high pressure cooled gas in a gas expander. The expansion of the gas generates shaft work which is converted into electrical power by the power generator and the expanded low pressure and cold gas enters a separator where NGL's are recovered. This process results in the recovery NGL's, electricity and the displacement of a slipstream of natural that is presently used to pre-heat gas at Pressure Reduction Stations.

Abstract: A system and method for removing nitrogen from an intermediate stream in a gas subcooled process operation that processes natural gas into a sales gas stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The system and method of the invention are particularly suitable for use with gas subcooled process operations where the sales gas stream exceeds pipeline nitrogen specifications by up to about 3%, such as for reducing the nitrogen content of sales gas streams to levels permissible for pipeline transport.

Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus includes a drum, an air suction unit forming a flow path of air introduced into the drum, an air exhaustion unit forming a flow path of air exhausted from the drum, a condenser heating air sucked into the drum through the air suction unit, an evaporator cooling air exhausted from the drum through the air exhaustion unit, a compressor compressing refrigerant introduced from the evaporator, and a variable expander expanding a refrigerant introduced from the condenser, and having a variable open degree. An operation method includes measuring a temperature of a refrigerant into the evaporator, and a temperature of a refrigerant into the compressor, and decreasing an open degree of the variable expander when a temperature difference between the two measured temperatures is less than a predetermined first value.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the pressure of a fractionation tower and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the first stream and compressed to an intermediate pressure, and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense substantially all of it, forming a condensed stream.

Abstract: Ethane is separated from a carbon dioxide-containing feed gas in a demethanizer that receives a rich subcooled reflux stream at very low temperature. Freezing of carbon dioxide is prevented by feeding a temperature-controlled vapor portion of the feed gas to the column, wherein the temperature of the vapor portion is adjusted by routing a portion of the expander discharge through a heat exchanger in response to the tray temperature in the demethanizer. Thus, high separation efficiency is achieved at reduced, or even eliminated carbon dioxide freezing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating a mixture containing carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrogen by cryogenic distillation in a separation system which includes a denitrification column and at least another column. The method can include separating the mixture in order to obtain a fluid enriched with carbon monoxide and containing nitrogen, separating the fluid in the denitrification column, pressurizing the carbon monoxide flow from the column in a compressor up to a high pressure, collecting a fraction of carbon monoxide flow to be used as a product, expanding an amount of the high-pressure carbon monoxide flow in a valve prior to supplying it to the denitrification column, and varying the flow expanded in the valve according to re-boiling needs of the denitrification column.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the concentration of low boiling point components in liquefied natural gas are disclosed. The methods involve dynamic decompression of the liquefied natural gas and one or more pre-fractionation vessels. Particular embodiments are suited for recovering helium and/or nitrogen enriched streams from a liquefied natural gas stream.

Abstract: An NGL recovery facility for separating ethane and heavier (C2+) components from a hydrocarbon-containing feed gas stream that utilizes a single, closed-loop mixed refrigerant cycle. The vapor and liquid portions of the feed gas stream are isenthalpically flashed and the resulting expanded streams are introduced into the NGL recovery column. Optionally, a second vapor stream can be flashed and then introduced into the recovery column at the same or lower separation stage than the flashed liquid stream. As a result, the NGL recovery facility can optimize C2+ recovery with compression costs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning imported liquefied natural gas to conform to a particular pipeline heating value specification and recovery of liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas liquids from liquefied natural gas are disclosed. An input stream containing liquefied natural gas is split into a direct stream and a bypass stream. The direct stream is heated in a cross-exchanger to produce a heated rich liquefied natural gas stream, which is split into a primary column feed and a secondary column feed. At least a major portion of the secondary column feed is vaporized to produce a vaporized secondary column feed, which is expanded in an expander to produce a vaporized and expanded secondary column feed. A top feed, the primary column feed, and the vaporized and expanded secondary column feed are fractionated to produce an overhead product stream and a bottom product stream. The overhead product stream is compressed in a compressor coupled to the expander.