METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING HYDRATE FORMATION IN THE PROCESSING OF A HYDROCARBON STREAM

摘要

A method and system are disclosed for managing hydrate formation in a process that converts a hydrocarbon stream into C2 unsaturates, such as ethylene and/or acetylenes. The method includes adding a hydrate inhibitor to a hydrocarbon stream to lower the hydrate formation point of the mixture stream from an initial hydrate formation point (HI) of the hydrocarbon stream to a depressed hydrate formation point (HD) of the mixture stream. Then, the mixture stream is depressurized to adiabatically cool the stream to a temperature (T), wherein the HD I. Then, at least a portion of the mixture stream is vaporized and the vaporized portion of the mixture stream is separated from the unvaporized portion of the mixture stream. Once separated, at least a portion of the vaporized portion is converted into product, such as ethylene and/or acetylene.