Abstract: A system and method for separating a hydrocarbon feed stream by flashing the feed stream under vacuum to form a remaining flashed vapor comprising atmospheric hydrocarbons, vacuum distillable hydrocarbons and a non-volatile liquid; condensing the flashed vapor to a liquid using a two-stage condenser and heat recovery system; and recycling a portion of the condensed liquid to be flashed under vacuum. Separation is accomplished by combining atmospheric and vacuum separation in one column. The non-volatile liquid recovered from the vacuum vessel may comprise asphalt. This process also injects steam generated within the process into the vacuum vessel which is condensed in a two-stage condenser system to augment vacuum and aid in separation. The feed stream may comprise diluted bitumen which may be removed using a feed preparation vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for separating a hydrocarbon feed stream by flashing the feed stream under vacuum to form a remaining flashed vapor comprising atmospheric hydrocarbons, vacuum distillable hydrocarbons and a non-volatile liquid; condensing the flashed vapor to a liquid using a two-stage condenser and heat recovery system; and recycling a portion of the condensed liquid to be flashed under vacuum. Separation is accomplished by combining atmospheric and vacuum separation in one column. The non-volatile liquid recovered from the vacuum vessel may comprise asphalt. This process also injects steam generated within the process into the vacuum vessel which is condensed in a two-stage condenser system to augment vacuum and aid in separation. The feed stream may comprise diluted bitumen which may be removed using a feed preparation vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for separating a hydrocarbon feed stream by flashing the feed stream under vacuum to form a remaining flashed vapor comprising atmospheric hydrocarbons, vacuum distillable hydrocarbons and a non-volatile liquid; condensing the flashed vapor to a liquid using a two-stage condenser and heat recovery system; and recycling a portion of the condensed liquid to be flashed under vacuum. Separation is accomplished by combining atmospheric and vacuum separation in one column. The non-volatile liquid recovered from the vacuum vessel may comprise asphalt. This process also injects steam generated within the process into the vacuum vessel which is condensed in a two-stage condenser system to augment vacuum and aid in separation. The feed stream may comprise diluted bitumen which may be removed using a feed preparation vessel.

Abstract: Preloading a containment vessel with Low Vapor Pressure (LVP) liquid; partially evacuating the containment vessel to generate a vacuum in a headspace above the LVP liquid; and relieving material from a process vessel into the containment vessel during a process relief event in the process vessel. The containment vessel pressure may be equalized with ambient conditions prior to preloading the LVP liquid. The containment vessel size and quantity of LVP liquid may be determined to absorb the energy and mass of relieving fluids from the maximum anticipated relief scenario, permitting the gases to condense to liquid form to be recovered in liquid state instead of atmospherically venting or combusting the gases. The containment vessel headspace may be partially occupied with High Vapor Pressure (HVP) liquid comprising C5-C10 hydrocarbons configured to flash during the evacuation step to create and occupy a headspace, providing additional head space volume and heat rejection capacity.

Abstract: Preloading a containment vessel with Low Vapor Pressure (LVP) liquid; partially evacuating the containment vessel to generate a vacuum in a headspace above the LVP liquid; and relieving material from a process vessel into the containment vessel during a process relief event in the process vessel. The containment vessel pressure may be equalized with ambient conditions prior to preloading the LVP liquid. The containment vessel size and quantity of LVP liquid may be determined to absorb the energy and mass of relieving fluids from the maximum anticipated relief scenario, permitting the gases to condense to liquid form to be recovered in liquid state instead of atmospherically venting or combusting the gases. The containment vessel headspace may be partially occupied with High Vapor Pressure (HVP) liquid comprising C5-C10 hydrocarbons configured to flash during the evacuation step to create and occupy a headspace, providing additional head space volume and heat rejection capacity.

Abstract: Preloading a containment vessel with Low Vapor Pressure (LVP) liquid; partially evacuating the containment vessel to generate a vacuum in a headspace above the LVP liquid; and relieving material from a process vessel into the containment vessel during a process relief event in the process vessel. The containment vessel pressure may be equalized with ambient conditions prior to preloading the LVP liquid. The containment vessel size and quantity of LVP liquid may be determined to absorb the energy and mass of relieving fluids from the maximum anticipated relief scenario, permitting the gases to condense to liquid form to be recovered in liquid state instead of atmospherically venting or combusting the gases. The containment vessel headspace may be partially occupied with High Vapor Pressure (HVP) liquid comprising C5-C10 hydrocarbons configured to flash during the evacuation step to create and occupy a headspace, providing additional head space volume and heat rejection capacity.

Abstract: Preloading a containment vessel with Low Vapor Pressure (LVP) liquid; partially evacuating the containment vessel to generate a vacuum in a headspace above the LVP liquid; and relieving material from a process vessel into the containment vessel during a process relief event in the process vessel. The containment vessel pressure may be equalized with ambient conditions prior to preloading the LVP liquid. The containment vessel size and quantity of LVP liquid may be determined to absorb the energy and mass of relieving fluids from the maximum anticipated relief scenario, permitting the gases to condense to liquid form to be recovered in liquid state instead of atmospherically venting or combusting the gases. The containment vessel headspace may be partially occupied with High Vapor Pressure (HVP) liquid comprising C5-C10 hydrocarbons configured to flash during the evacuation step to create and occupy a headspace, providing additional head space volume and heat rejection capacity.

Abstract: Configuring a high-vapor-pressure (HVP) material comprising a plurality of component hydrocarbons; flashing the HVP material from an HVP liquid to an HVP vapor as the HVP liquid is introduced into an evacuated portion of a containment vessel; introducing a relief mass from a process relief event occurring outside the containment vessel to mix with the HVP material in the containment vessel; and distributing energy from the process relief mass within the containment vessel using a plurality of energy absorption processes in the component hydrocarbons as the plurality of component hydrocarbons respectively condense to liquid phases over time. The evacuated portion of the containment vessel may be a headspace vacuum above a low-vapor-pressure (LVP) liquid within the containment vessel. The HVP material may comprise C4-C10 hydrocarbons. The HVP material may comprise a plurality of component hydrocarbons having diverse boiling points and vapor pressures, that absorb and distribute the relief mass energy.

Abstract: Configuring a high-vapor-pressure (HVP) material comprising a plurality of component hydrocarbons; flashing the HVP material from an HVP liquid to an HVP vapor as the HVP liquid is introduced into an evacuated portion of a containment vessel; introducing a relief mass from a process relief event occurring outside the containment vessel to mix with the HVP material in the containment vessel; and distributing energy from the process relief mass within the containment vessel using a plurality of energy absorption processes in the component hydrocarbons as the plurality of component hydrocarbons respectively condense to liquid phases over time. The evacuated portion of the containment vessel may be a headspace vacuum above a low-vapor-pressure (LVP) liquid within the containment vessel. The HVP material may comprise C4-C10 hydrocarbons. The HVP material may comprise a plurality of component hydrocarbons having diverse boiling points and vapor pressures, that absorb and distribute the relief mass energy.