| 摘要 |
<p>LOW TEMPERATURE PROCESS FOR SEPARATING PROPANE AND HEAVIER HYDROCARBONS FROM A NATURAL GAS STREAM A process for low temperature fractionation of natural gas to recover as product propane and the heavier hydrocarbons with an efficiency of 90% or greater and an ethane content rejection of 90% or more. The process includes passage of the natural gas through several refrigeration zones followed by a first separation stage to separate liquid condensate from C1, C2 and C3 hydrocarbon gas. The gas stream is cooled further by expansion followed by a second separation stage to separate liquid containing C1, C2 and C3 hydrocarbons from the gas which contains only C1 and C2 hydrocarbons. Both streams are fed to a deethanizer fractionating column, with the liquid entering at a point intermediate the ends and the gas being utilized in a reflux condenser internal to the column above the point of entry of the liquid stream. Employment of the low temperature C1, C2 hydrocarbon gas in a reflux condenser in the column provides the necessary refrigeration to condense the propane and heavier constituents of the inlet gas and reject the methane and ethane.</p> |
