Compressed hydrogen purificn. to remove low building components - with addn. of ethane stream and opt. methane after removing higher boiling components

摘要

In the purificn. of a H2 stream (I) contg. low boiling components at pressure of over 100 bar by multistage partial condensn. and sepn. of the condensates formed, a stream (II) contg. 2 C hydrocarbons is added to (I) after condensn. and sepn. of components (III) of higher b.pt. than (II). (II) is added in an amt. of 1-10 mole-% of (I). After sepn. of (III), (I) is treated with a CH4 stream (IV) and cooled further (to 170-200 deg.K) before adding (II). (II) and (IV) pref. are circulated and sepd. from condensate(s) formed at lower temp. by rectification, pref. after expansion. H2 of high purity is obtd. and the formation of solids at low temp. is avoided.