| 摘要 |
A process for economically recovering propane and heavier hydrocarbon components from ethane, methane and lighter constituents of natural gas streams is disclosed. The separation process of the natural gas stream is accomplished in two stages. The input gas stream (101) is first cooled by exchanger (301) using various streams of refrigerant. After cooling the stream (102) is partially condensed in a series of separators (109, 111, 112), with part of the ethane, methane and almost all of the propane and heavier hydrocarbons within the stream being condensed. The condensed mixtures (124) are fed to a fractionation tower (113), where the ethane, methane and lighter gases are distilled from the other hydrocarbons. The cooling and condensation of the hydrocarbons in the feed stream and the heat source for the tower (113) are accomplished in indirect contact heat exchangers (301, 302, 303, 304) with a refrigerant and hot oil. The cooling of the feed stream is also accomplished by flashing of the process gases in the separators. The refrigerant utilizes a mixture of hydrocarbons with the refrigerant process comprising compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation.
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