Process for separating gaseous mixture, e.g. refinery feed flow, involves simultaneous use of permeation treatment unit and adsorption unit

摘要

At least part of one of the permeate or non-permeate flows from the permeation treatment unit is used as the regeneration gas in the adsorption unit at a pressure below that of the gas mixture Process for separating a gaseous mixture using at the same time a permeation treatment unit (8) and an adsorption unit (6) containing at least one adsorber. At least one permeate flow and a non-permeate flow are recovered from the outlet of the permeation treatment unit. The adsorption unit follows a cycle where an adsorption phase at high pressure is succeeded by a regeneration phase which includes depressurization to a low pressure, washing at the low pressure with a regeneration gas, and repressurization to the high pressure. When the regeneration gas is formed by the flow of non-permeate from the permeation separation unit, the non-permeate flow is expanded to the low pressure of the adsorption unit cycle. The gas mixture to be separated is sent to the adsorption treatment unit, and then to the permeation treatment unit. When the gas mixture contains a component which could damage the permeation treatment unit, the adsorption treatment unit retains this component at least partially. Alternatively, the gas mixture is sent to the permeation treatment unit and thence to the adsorption treatment unit. The gas is compressed to the adsorption unit cycle high pressure before being sent to one of the treatment units, and is continuously heated before being sent to one of the treatment and separation units. The flow issuing from one of the treatment and separation units is continuously heated before being sent to the other unit. The volume ratio of the regeneration gas to the gas mixture supplied is greater than 1.5, preferably greater than 3. An Independent claim is included for an installation for separating a gaseous mixture comprising an adsorption treatment unit and a permeation treatment unit for use in a process as described above. The units are connected by a pipe (16).