Reflux arrangement for distillation columns
The present disclosure relates to systems and/or methods for enabling a reflux process in one or more distillation columns. For example, various embodiments described herein can relate to a method that can utilize the column's feed stream to provide an internal reflux mechanism in the top portion of the distillation column. For instance, the method can include capturing overhead vapor from a distillation column. Additionally, the method can include comingling the overhead vapor with a feed stream. Further, the method can include partially condensing the feed stream to form a liquid hydrocarbon feed stream that is supplied to a top portion of the distillation column. In one or more embodiments, the comingling can incorporate reflux functionality into the liquid hydrocarbon feed stream to promote a rectification process in the top portion of the distillation column.
1. A method, comprising:
capturing overhead vapor from a distillation column;
comingling the overhead vapor with a non-cooled feed stream; and
partially condensing the non-cooled feed stream comingled with the overhead vapor to form a comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream from the non-cooled feed stream and the overhead vapor that is supplied to a top portion of the distillation column, wherein the comingling incorporates reflux functionality into the comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream to promote a rectification process in the top portion of the distillation column.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the partially condensing the non-cooled feed stream comingled with the overhead vapor further comprises forming a comingled non-condensed vapor from the non-cooled feed stream and the overhead vapor, and the method further comprises supplying the comingled non-condensed vapor as a natural gas liquid product stream.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the distillation column is a deethanizer, and wherein the natural gas liquid product stream is an ethane stream.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the non-cooled feed stream has a higher temperature than the natural gas liquid product stream.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing cooling from a propane refrigeration system to a chiller to cool the non-cooled feed stream comingled with the overhead vapor, thereby partially condensing the non-cooled feed stream comingled with the overhead vapor.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method excludes:
separately partially condensing either of the non-cooled feed stream or the overhead vapor to form a non-comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream from either of the non-cooled feed stream or the overhead vapor; and/or separately supplying the non-comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream from either of the non-cooled feed stream or the overhead vapor to the distillation column.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream comprises a first hydrocarbon component having the same boiling point as the overhead vapor and a second hydrocarbon component having a higher boiling point than the overhead vapor.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
capturing a liquid bottom product stream from a bottom portion of the distillation column.
9. A system, comprising:
a piping circuit coupled to a top section of a distillation column, wherein the piping circuit is configured to capture overhead vapor from the distillation column;
a control valve positioned along the piping circuit, wherein the control valve is configured to control introduction of the overhead vapor to a non-cooled feed stream, thereby comingling the non-cooled feed stream and the overhead vapor; and
a cooling unit in fluid communication with the non-cooled feed stream comingled with the overhead vapor, wherein the cooling unit is configured to cool the non-cooled feed stream comingled with the overhead vapor, thereby partially condensing the non-cooled feed stream comingled with the overhead vapor to form a comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream from the non-cooled feed stream and the overhead vapor, wherein the piping circuit is further configured to supply the comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream to a top section of the distillation column, wherein the comingling incorporates reflux functionality into the comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream to promote a rectification process in the top portion of the distillation column.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the system is not configured to: separately partially condense either of the non-cooled feed stream or the overhead vapor to form a non-comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream from either of the non-cooled feed stream or the overhead vapor; and/or separately supply the non-comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream from either of the non-cooled feed stream or the overhead vapor to the distillation column.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cooling unit is further configured to form a comingled non-condensed vapor from the non-cooled feed stream and the overhead vapor, and the piping circuit is further configured to supply the comingled non-condensed vapor as a natural gas liquid product stream.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the distillation column is a deethanizer, and wherein the natural gas liquid product stream is an ethane stream.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the non-cooled feed stream has a higher temperature than the natural gas liquid product stream.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cooling unit comprises a propane refrigeration system and a chiller, wherein the propane refrigeration system is configured to provide a cool propane stream to a chiller, and wherein the chiller is configured to cool the non-cooled feed stream comingled with the overhead vapor.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the comingled liquid hydrocarbon feed stream comprises a first hydrocarbon component having the same boiling point as the overhead vapor and a second hydrocarbon component having a higher boiling point than the overhead vapor.