Process using serpentine heat exchange relationship for condensing substantially single component gas streams

摘要

A method is disclosed for cooling, condensing and subcooling a substantially single component gas stream by passing the gas stream through a heat exchange relationship with a vaporizing multicomponent stream so that carry-up of the condensed liquid phase is maintained without condensed phase backmixing and pot-boiling of the coolant stream is avoided. The single component gas stream is passed through a cold-end up heat exchanger having a serpentine pathway for the gas stream comprising a series of horizontal passes separated by horizontal dividers and alternatingly connected by turnaround passes at each end. The method is particularly applicable to the condensing of a recycle methane stream in a nitrogen rejection process which uses a methane heat pump cycle to provide refrigeration.